Welcome to Our NEW Home!!!

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WOW!! Is what comes to mind when I think of our experience so far here in Hangzhou. Who knew that a school could actually care so much about the well being of their foreign teachers? I mean, we knew people last year that had great schools but we DID NOT(at least their concern of our living conditions). Now that we are starting Day 4 of being in our apartment we are almost all done with our list of things to do from the school and us.

Here is a quick run down of the last few days for us:

Thursday, August 26th

-arrived at our school around 11:15am to view/move into our apartment.
-had lunch with Foreign Affairs Office
-unpacked our things
-visited Police Station to register our stay
-went to Wu Mart(fake Wal-Mart) with Dept Head of Facilities to buy furnishings for our home that were in our contract

Friday, August 27th

-found the on campus grocery store/makret(inside joke)
-met with Business English Dept Head Mr Li and received our schedules
-Link/Contact Teacher - Millie
-Student Contact - Nathan 3rd year Business English student that is 22 yrs old, looks 14
-had lunch with Foreign Affairs Office in School Canteen as they call it, food was pretty good and we will return again
-went shopping at the BEST import grocery store yet called ICE, Nathan helped us get a VIP card to save 10%!<(MISSING)br>-internet installed in our apartment today and the wireless router is working
-received our water dispenser should get the water bottles soon
-received our gas burner stove top (2 burners) and the ventilator which will both be installed tomorrow(Saturday)

Saturday, August 28th

-received our lunch cards, added money and ate lunch at the school cafeteria again
-met with Millie, Link/Contact teacher, to receive our books and go over expectations of us
-gas hood was installed, shower head was moved, received 2nd copy of key to apartment and water delivered

Sunday, August 29th

-propane tank and connection to be delivered today so we can start to cook
-shelves to be installed for more storage in our kitchen
-switch to be installed for ceiling fan in our dining room/office
-trip to store to get more things to settle in

Monday, August 30th

-classes begin for 3rd yr students, but we aren't teaching them so no class for us
-medical exams for our permanent residence permit
-open bank accounts
-start to write our syllabi and lesson plans for our school year

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Photos

Living Room
This was the 2nd bedroom/office but we converted it into the living room.

Enclosed balcony
Our laundry room, back to hang drying. At least it is enclosed with new double pane windows with screens. Keeps the mosquitoes and dirt out.

Comments

[sunketing]

Wow!
Your new home looks fabulous! So happy to hear that things are going well for you already at your new school!

[Aunt Karla]

Nice place Im glad things are going well for MR. and MRS. Winters take care. Love Ya!

[MOM]

WOW
Things are moving rather smoothly!! Great to hear!

[paulette]

Great place
wow! Your living situation seems to be greatly improved over last year. Apartment looks very nice. Seems like things are much more organized in this position. Maybe you've hit the jackpot and the school will actually communicate in advance of your schedule. Good luck. Can't believe all this is settled so quickly and you're back in China - seems like only a week or so ago that we were all in Santa Barbara - the pictures of the wedding were great. Hope you have a great year. Paulette