A Week in the Life... Day from hell Edition

Thursdays suck. Every Thursday sucks a lot. At the end of the day on Thursday, I look back on the day and think 'At least it can't get too much worst.' I find that statement to be true... until seven days later.

I start my day at 7 AM, which is doable but by this time all the early mornings catch up with me and I'm a little grumpy. I must leave the house no later than 8:15 to get to school on time since I have a 45 minutes walk to work, all up hill the entire way. I follow most of the path I take on Monday, but then I keep going for another 20 minutes through a creepy street. (Picture 1) So, it seems that the Chinese government decided one day to build a street in the middle of a neighborhood which was designed as pretty much a 'show street' for foreigners thinking about investing in the area. It has a lot of China's attempt at Western architecture, which is pretty funny (Pictures 2 and 3). In all, it seems as fake and inappropriate as Sarah Palin's VP nomination *Rim shot*. But seriously folks, it's creepy walking through it in the morning since all the buildings are completely empty and the place it meticulously clean.

I arrived at Jie Fang Primary school to be treated with one pissed off English teacher. Yesterday, when Rick came to evaluate me, he and I talked and he asked me to name the school/ situation with which I'm having the most trouble. I told him about how Jie Fang was too far from my apartment, the students did not listen to me, and none of the teachers speak to me. Well, he put in a word to Jonah after she skewered the Head master, the Head master must have reamed out the English teacher, and well, shit rolls down hill as they say. So, I had to be diplomatic in my explanation that I hated her, her friends who teach there, her students and pretty much her entire institution. The main reason I hate is just because... well I just don't like it. Something about the place just puts me in a foul mood and I think I exude that fact which only intensifies the bad situation. Anyway, I was able to make it through my classes alright, even though I was teaching a Unit that the teacher hadn't taught yet, which was impossible. Maybe the teachers in that school should spend a little less time talking about me and teach some English for once.

Anyway, once again I was avoided at lunch (the only school who does that little chest nut). I was making small talk with one of the teachers on the way out of the cafeteria and explained to her how much I was looking forward to the post-lunch nap because I was having trouble with energy in class. She smiled and told me, 'Oh, well, I'm sure you can have a nice nap in the office when we get up there.' After about 20 minutes of the techno music the other teachers thought it would be funny to blast while I tried to sleep, I decided to listen to what they were saying and sneaking a few peaks at what they were doing... In short, I gathered enough to notice that they were just being assholes because I was trying to sleep. By biggest hint was when they all started singing around me, just in case I hadn't noticed the blasting music. Mature. I tried to remind myself that I was there to teach kids English, not make friends but all of a sudden it made sense why the students don't listen to me. They're just treating me like the teachers are. It's amazing how kids have always and will always be able to pick up on things we don't know we're doing.

Anyway, the work day sucked, but as I said, it's always the worst day I've had...until the next one. I got home in time to change my shoes and jacket, do my Chinese homework, and eat a banana and peanut butter sandwich before I had to run out the door to Chinese class. Luckily, my intensive class was canceled yesterday, so I had a bit of a reprieve. I had class tonight and it went alright. I'm still awful, but a month ago I couldn't even say hello in Chinese so and now I know enough to order some fried rice, dumplings, and a beer, so I'm doing OK I guess. Luckily, I had a slightly better evening.

Ryan and I were going to get some food, but before we left the office (where our class is held) I asked Jonah if she wanted to come with us. An hour later, Jonah, Ryan, Kailey, Ashley and I were eating at a private club on the company's tab. It certainly almost made up for the day of teaching. Unfortunately, I was looking forward to a game night with a group of people from work and our new friends (an English guy and his wife) who invited us to their house. They're relatively young, late twenties/ early thirties and are a lot of fun. After the day though, I just wanted to go home, listen to some Sinatra and burn some incense. All of which I'm doing as we speak.

Jonah also gave me another bit of good news! We are having a company dinner like our last one which I documented in yesterdays post. Hopefully, Rick and I can engage in Round Two of the International Drink Off between America and Canada. I'll try to do the States proud against that Kanook. Plus, after I got home, Jonah sent me a text promising me that she would drink with me tomorrow. Boosh! Goodnight...