Water, Water, Everywhere!

While we're on the topic of fluids, I saw public urination today. Old man, about 70-80, in all his glory, at about 3PM.  Granted, he turned away so no one could see his junk, but he was still taking a whiz in a bush, about 10 feet from the side of a busy street. I guess when you gotta go, you gotta go!

Had a minor crisis last night.  Apparently I'd set the water pressure on the water heater too high and busted a couple radiator gaskets; one in the bedroom and one in the bathroom.  Also had water coming from the actual heater, which kinda freaked me out.  Turns out, Amy mistakenly told me that the water pressure should go no higher than 3, when 2 is actually the limit.  Anyway, it's fixed now.  Between that and my washing machine debacle, I'm fed up with water problems.

Didn't do a lot today; went to the school to print some things, followed by a trip to the gym, and then the supermarket. Managed to grab some tomatoes and oatmeal (with dates!!).  Tomorrow: lesson planning for the weekend.  I'll be teaching on Saturday and Sunday this week.  I'm moderately stressed about lesson planning these days since I don't have everything I need.  I am just now getting copies of the teachers' guides for the classes I am teaching, only to hear we may add a 5th grade class.  I have NO books for that.  Also, I am just getting a key to the school today.  I like the idea of planning my preparations on my own time, and not having to coordinate it with the owners and their schedule.  I like being able to go into my office when I feel like it so I can work quietly at my pace. I have to stay patient, though.  It's a brand new school, we're all trying to get ready, and we're all a little stressed. Luckily, it's the minor details causing the stress; the teaching is the easy and the fun part, and that's why I am here.

Teaching and living in China is already so different from my Prague experience, but being away from home before has definitely helped me. In Prague, I was a new teacher, and away from Canada for the first time.  That in itself caused a bit of stress, but I believe it's helped me settle in here and deal with the culture shock a bit.  I'm glad it did, because I am so much more dependent on others here than I have been in a long time.  In Prague, I found my own apartment, got lost several times and found my way home (my first day there in fact), bought my own mobile phone, opened my own bank account, went to the post office by myself etc.  I was in China for almost a week before I dared go anywhere alone.

Living here will be very different from Prague, and from anything I am accustomed to.  In Prague, I often joke that I did a lot of drinking with a little teaching on the side.  I had many English-speaking friends, mostly teachers, and a few new Czech friends too.  One had to merely send a text message or two and 20 minutes later there'd be a few us hanging out for beer at a pub or beer garden.  In Canada, I always did my own thing, went where I wanted to, when I wanted to, without a second thought.  Here, I am the only teacher, and the only people I know are my colleagues (the academic director and the school owner).  They're great people, but I don't really have a social life, and am not sure how active my social life will be here (I like to have my work and social life separate too).  I'm a 45 minute bus ride from the city, and the last bus comes out here at 9PM.  I'm also the only foreigner in the community.

I'll likely spend my free time at the gym, and maybe in the city doing some shopping or sight-seeing, but there won't be any occasions where I stumble home at 3AM on a Wednesday morning like in Europe, or even take in a movie on a Saturday night.  I am not complaining.  I knew all of this going in, and I am prepared to experience it for what it is.  Beijing has a lot to offer and a lot to see, and I'll take advantage while I can, but there are pros and cons to everything.  If I were closer to Beijing, I'd be paying 3-5 times the rent for a smaller, older, likely dirtier, apartment that I'd probably have to share with others.  My apartment is a palace by Chinese standards, and pretty nice by my own standards I might add.  My expenses are minimal (in fact, most of my utilities are already paid for the next 6-12 months), so I'll be able to save a little cash, which was a big problem in Prague.  I also have a better opportunity to develop as an EFL teacher.  I've never taught kids before until now (except teenagers), and we're a brand new school (with a LOT of academic support), so it's a chance to build something from the ground up; a great thing to say on a resume.

So you see; you really can't have it both ways.  Soon, I'll be able to say with more certainty what's the most important to me (those who know me know where my heart truly is).  Until then, I'll enjoy the peculiarities, appreciate how good I have it to be able to do all of this, and no doubt learn and experience many new things. Speaking of which: I now am a lover of tofu. Tried it and hated it in Canada; loving it here.  Fresh, frozen, tofu noodles. It's all good (except duck blood tofu; no thanks). Until next time, Peace and love to all! XO

Click here for the link to this week's photos, the newest ones are at the end.