Day 4 ... finally feeling rested.

Early start today.   Had a health check as part of my visa requirements, despite having one to get my temp visa in Canada.  The process consisted of my running around to about 6 different offices for the various things needed; blood work, ENT exam, eye exam, ECG, lung x-ray etc.  All in all we were in and out in under an hour.

Headed back to the Beijing office with Frank (who's been helping me so much, though he claims I am half Chinese already) to meet up with Rob for some training but made a stop to Carrefour on the way. It's a french supermarket chain and has so many of the things I used to buy in Europe.  I'll be back; you can count on it.  Found a Costa Coffee on our way as well.  It goes without saying I stopped by for a latte, having needed a caffeine fix since I had to fast for the health check.  I'd eaten a pork dumpling right after the physical since I was famished; the first of a few new things today.

I also tried milk tea and hot pot for the first time.  Milk tea is pretty much the same as a cup of Tetley that's pre-sweetened with added milk (only it's Lipton here).  They bottle in and you can buy it cold, or have it served warm.  Hot pot is awesome!  A pot of hot liquid (can be water or broth) is placed at your table, one for each person.  The pots each are placed on individual hot-plates, the temperature of which you control yourself with the attached device.  You order your choice of fresh ingredients: meat, veggies, noodles, tofu, etc, and cook it all in the liquid. Once cooked, you remove, and eat from a bowl filled with a variety of available sauces.  I chose a tomato broth with noodles, tofu, radish, mushrooms, spinach and LOTUS!!  It was a bit difficult at first since I have been committed to using chopsticks, but it was awesome.  I almost started to panic at first, making a mess with the water, and not being able to fish out my noodles with the chopsticks, but I managed eventually.  I like hot pot because you KNOW the ingredients are fresh, and you know it's been prepared and cooked properly.  Also, it can be a different dish every time.  In fact, we're having it tomorrow.

After lunch, we did a phonics lesson, which was really neat.  I have never taught it, especially to young learners at the lower level.  Useful stuff!

Tomorrow: Meet the gang at 9am so I can observe the 9:30 lesson, and meet my future students.  Hot pot again for lunch.  TGIF. It's been a tiring week.

I've finally posted photos.  Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10101643028385022.3075300.28108784&type=1&l=f184742eea