Random Thoughts, Funny Moments, Memories to Keep
Bit of a pain of a week. Our new school building is still not finished. So we’re all cramping ourselves into existing classrooms for a few weeks while it gets done. I guess that’s the thing with China, time has a different meaning. People do not want to disappoint you or say no. They would rather apologise later than say no straight out. The impact of this is that we have no building to move into and the children are starting on Monday! Ah well…that’s life I guess. We’re all going in tomorrow (Sunday) to set up our teaching spaces. Could be an interesting day.
I went to the Flower Market today. What a beautiful relaxing thing to do! No crowds of people and the smell of fresh flowers and green leaves everywhere. I bought a small bouquet of jasmine, an orchid and a large indoor pot plant that is taller than me! Thank goodness they deliver! It’s so nice to have some green in the apartment. Makes it feel like home.
So on the way back from this beautiful experience, sitting in the taxi, wind blowing through my hair, what do I see? A man, mid to late 40s, dash across the street to the nature strip and vomit the entire contents of his stomach. It was like a waterfall of orange gunk…My initial reaction was ‘oh my goodness…is he ok?’ Then I moved to….that’s gross!!! Glad to know the former was my first response!
After a small recharge at my apartment, Amy and I decided we would tackle IKEA. They have some really great stuff that is ridiculously cheap. Has anyone seen those documentaries of Asian railway stations with the men that push you onto the train? Well that’s what IKEA is like on the weekend. My ankles are still recovering from being rammed by trolleys! A year ago I wouldn’t cope with such craziness but I took it all in my stride and even pushed a few people out of the way myself! We zipped through IKEA as fast as we could and filled our trolleys…then we reached the checkouts…AGH!!!! 20 checkouts with each one 20 customers deep! It took us half an hour to reach the checkout and purchase our goodies. This wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for the man behind me. He had absolutely no regard for my personal space and stood directly behind me while I waited in the queue for half an hour! Amy stood in the next queue laughing her head off…it was so bizarre! So I tried a little trick…I turned side on and put my hand on my hip, thinking that would give me more space. Ba bow…he moved closer so that my elbow was digging into his stomach! Bloody hilarious!
Never mind…there was a cute cute black French guy in the next line over…at least the view was good!
Zaijian wo de pengyomen
xx



Kim Yeomans said,
September 7, 2008 at 5:22 am
Hi Amy
I’ve been keeping up with your blog and you truly are Super Woman! To survive the plane trip, flooded streets and IKEA is impressive! Great to hear you are rolling with your new challenges.
Your school sounds like SMOT at the moment…the building of the hall is at a standstill until new plans can be drawn up. Who knows how long until it’s finished!!! Meanwhile we still have a choice of two loos BUT the heater is now working in the staff shed…no more frostbite!
I hope you have a great start with your new class on Monday and that it won’t be too long before you have your own classroom. 4M make their First Eucharist this Saturday.
Spring is on its way here and the blossoms are adorning the streets…the footy finals have begun and it’s only two weeks until the end of term…
Take care,
Kim
Bat Girl said,
September 7, 2008 at 7:13 am
Me again! I win the vomiting….one of the Preps threw up on the LRC carpet last week. My first concern was for her and my second concern was how fast I could get the class out of there before I threw up too!!!!!