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Published: September 2nd 2008
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Well we have had some comings and goings over the last two days. First off we had to change ayi's, I (Ian) had to brutally sack the first one, Sha, because she had another job as well and it made it difficult for her to get all the work done, and with the distinct possibility of one of the children being ill off school who would look after them with us both working? The new one works 40hrs a week, 10 till 6 and is called Tjung. Her hours are flexible so she can come earlier or stay later at no extra cost as long as it doesn't go over the 40 hours. She is slightly older than the first and seems much more assertive, I don't think I would like to bargain with her if I were a shop keeper. She also talks a lot more than Sha which is really important to break silences if you are there, even if you don't have any idea at all what she is talking about at least you are confident she will tell you if there is a problem. Obviously she is a great cook/ cleaner, oh and she gets on with
the children too.
Now the other news is that we have a new family member. I saw her and thought she was just adorable, and in China I'm not sure they were going to look after her properly, so I adopted her. She is called Yellow and lives on the balcony outside Williams window, see picture, and she has lovely firm lemons which to be fair are looking a bit green at the moment. Everyone has met her and we have accepted her into our lives. We haven't fed her yet, not sure what she likes to eat or drink, so if anyone out there knows how to treat a lemon tree (I was assured they were lemons not limes!) then please feel free to advise. Now all we have to do is use the lemon/limes for GT's .... over to Joanna.
It seems Joanna is too pooped tonight so you are stuck with my ramblings. She says to pass on that she had a much better day but is very tired from walking up the 4 flights of stairs a couple of times! (I think she said more times than that but I am bad with numbers
and exaggerations). I am now a learned person too, teaching history and geography to kids aged 11-15, who need extra coaching because their english level means they miss detail in the normal lessons. I have dropped myself a memo to remind me that I am now an adult and have fragile little minds at my disposal, I will also be wearing a tie in case I forget. The only problem with being a teacher is I think I am a bit too old for the social scene, when you get to my age you just want to put your feet up and have a foot massage while watching the football (I am training William to say Berbatov and Sophie to spell it), just like any other guy! It seems however, teachers go out partying all the time, this Friday coming will be 'National Teachers Day' ..... apparently .... so they are all going out for a few drinks at 3.30 ..... thats in the afternoon! Now I may look stupider than an eskimo with a chocolate fire guard, but even I will become suspicious if there is some kind of national pro teacher day every Friday. Whats that I hear
you shouting? 'You are a teacher now as well' you say? Well apparently there is some kind of clause in the Chinese constitution which says ESL subject support teachers at secondary schools who start on the Wednesday before aren't included.
On other matters, Sophie and William both started school proper this week, and William has picked out the after school activities he wants to do - Karate (at this point I would like to acknowledge the positive effect of Kung Fu panda, and say thanks to Jack Black and the team for making the whole transition to China that much easier for the kids), piano!, and Chinese character recognition! I am not sure what he has up his sleeve but I know he is plotting something dastardly!! Sophie hasn't been able to pick her activities yet as they haven't been finalised but if she goes for a martial art as well then I will know something is up. On a side issue I asked Sophie what she learned in Chinese class today, which was over an hour, and she said 'Nothing'! "Nothing?" says I. 'Well the teacher just spoke in Chinese to us'. "What no english at all?" 'Well
only to tell us what the Chinese meant .... but it's really hard to remember it'! I know how she feels.
Last news for the day is that Thomas, the little boy upstairs, turned 4 and we all went to the play area and had some cake etc. Probably more fun for the kids than me but I did take pictures.
Thought I would finish the blog off tonight with a few pictures from the last few days, they say a picture says a thousand words, well they forget to mention how much time that saves you too! Good night ... mingtian jian.
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