"Where's the Meat Dish?" "Meow....."

On the Sunday morning of my first full week, I continue to be happy with my decision to move to China.  How could I not be?!  Endless adventure, new friends, professional growth.  The only thing I am not happy about is my decision to leave ALL of my useful outdoor Patagonia gear in Canmore...including my backpack.  That was silly.  As previously mentioned, the mountains are my happy place, why wouldn't I have brought that?!  BAH!  Perhaps all of the moving, couch surfing, Ontario visiting, babies being born and dinner with Olympians (that's right...maybe that will be it's own blog post soon...), kept me too busy to think logically about my packing.  #liveandlearn

On Saturday night, I went out with 8 other teachers/staff from the high school.  A few of us biked from the school compound (where our apartments are) to town, Luxu (pronounced Lushu).  It was about a 10-15 minute bike ride.  It was beautiful out last night, no wind, decent temperature (no coat) and you could see the moon!  We stopped at TESCO to grab some necessities and continued on to our principal's beautiful (actually) apartment.  It over looks a lake, and has a wall of just windows.  Being there definitely has me thinking that I will move out to a different apartment, closer to town and further from school.

We ended up going to a dongbei food restaurant.  The teachers must go there often, because as soon as we arrived, we were escorted upstairs to a private room.  It was great!  One of the other teachers ordered for us all, and slowly, one by one, the dishes came up and were spun around the lazy susan.  It was REALLY yummy food.  Sweet pork (I forget the actual name) was the main attraction...it came last.  The entire meal only cost us....get this....$8 each!!!!  I couldn't get over it...you can't even buy a pint of beer in Canmore for $8.

What I learned from that restaurant experience
- you can bring your own alcohol into most chinese restaurants #winning
- don't look into any restaurant kitchen on your way up to the private room (this is very important)
- cats (and kittens) enjoy meowing and roaming around while you eat.....and go surprisingly quiet and invisible when you are wondering why the meat dish is taking so long....

Today, I went with my friends into Luxu to do groceries and look at getting myself a new bike.  A new Giant cruiser (with basket, cup holder and panier racks) goes for less than $300!  I think that may be an investment I make sooner than later.  I experienced being a "white, tall, Canadian" today, with people waving to us as we biked past them (like we were celebrities), people asking for photos with us, and people just straight up staring, like you've never been stared at before.  We stopped at the Wet Market (a building with local fruit, veggie and meat vendors) and I was shown the places to get fruit and veggies.  I paid about $2 for lettuce, spinach, a red onion, a large carrot, ginger and garlic. We had a fun (but chaotic) adventure into the city today, but got a lot of necessities and stocked up on food and drinks for the week.

 

Not quite a mountain bike....

Biking past some interesting things....

First Week in China

Thanks to Chloe Vance, for providing me with questions that I'm sure most of you have, and if you don't have them, sit back and enjoy reading this anyway, because I'm taking some time out of sleeping on my cement-floor-mattress-poor-

excuse-for-a-bed bed #forrealthough


How's it going?
It's going great, thanks for asking! 

What have you learned?
I have learned to always heed the advice of your friend (Meagan) who has been living and working over here in China for the past year.  She was exactly right in everything she said, and I came into this experience with low expectations and the ability to be flexible and enjoy the ride.  #nailedit  Drew Van Allen, you would never be able to deal with the germs over here (kids constantly blowing their noses and leaving tissues all over the desks and ground, and locals spitting anywhere and everywhere, including elevators and restaurants). 

What have you taught? I am teaching 8 (40min) classes per day (yes, eight, 8), I'm suppose to be teaching 7, but they just got a bunch of new students for this new semester, so I get paid overtime (YES! That's right teacher friends, Sparky is earning overtime for teaching #dreamy).  I am teaching all eager and well-mannered Grade 8 and 9 students English.  So far, it's been great.  A new subject, and a chance to brush up on my own English after spending 3 years losing a lot of my first language abilities...

School day (for me) is 7:45 - 3:40, with an hour and 30 min for lunch.  A lot of the students have clubs and Chinese classes on either side of those times. 

What are you eating? Well, I was treated like a Queen (actually, #winning) on my first day here.  One of the principals took me out to a breakfast buffet (combination of chinese food and western food #perfect).  **Funny story alert** All I wanted that morning was a HOT HOT coffee, but since I can't read Mandarin yet, I kept filling my mug with black tea....but had no idea it was tea and not coffee, until we left #notwinning. 
For lunch, I went with a Chinese teacher to a town close by for a traditional HOT POT meal.  If you've never had one, do it on a cold day, perfect way to warm up!  For dinner, one of the Chinese principals took me and some other Chinese teachers out for supper at a restaurant near my apartment (when I say near, I basically mean a 2 step walk).  I quickly learned the traditional customs of what NOT to do during a fancy dinner meal (just picture it...me being very VERY awkward....instead of just asking). 
School started on Monday and I've basically just been eating those noodle things that you add hot water to.  I FINALLY did some real grocery shopping in Shanghai last night, and got some western food...so tonight was an amazing pasta dish, cooked by moi.  My stomach is happy once again!

Have you gone grocery shopping? Well, Chloe, I sort of just answered that one.  A Chinese teacher took me to TESCO (grocery store) on Saturday, but I was too jet lagged and maybe overwhelmed to buy anything useful, food wise.  I went with my friend Meagan and Bridget into Shanghai (40 min drive) last night after school (the school provides a bus once per month on a Tuesday night to go into Shanghai).  They helped me and together, we successfully sent Emily packing with useful food items - hurrah! 

How's the beer?There is a Shanghai Brewery and a Beer Festival in Shanghai with Craft Brews #winning!  We went for dinner and drinks at a Mexican restaurant in Shanghai last night.  So far, Corona tastes like the same Corona you have in Canada.  I bought some German and European beers from the grocery store too. 

What's your place like? My apartment is not fancy, but it has everything I need; kitchen (most accessories to cook and eat), fridge, etc, living room area with couch, desk, shelf, etc., a small storage closet, and upstairs, I have a full bedroom and a bathroom.  Not too shabby.  It's in one of 5 apartment buildings that are at the school.  Lots of teachers live in them (like University again), but long-term teachers live in Luxu and walk/bike to work.  It takes me 9 minutes to walk from my apartment to my classroom - I timed it, just so I could type it in this email. 
The bed is by FAR the most uncomfortable thing I've ever slept on, including all floors I've ever found myself on.  It's crazy that it walks like a bed, talks like a bed, but is not a bed.  Carrie, PLEASE fly over ASAP and heal my back! It is hurting like it's never hurt before. 

What's school like? School has been interesting so far.  For a more detailed response, you can email and ask directly.  I've been to 2 staff meetings (one for Junior High, and one for all BC teachers, Jr High and High school) in 3 days....#readintothatcomment

The principal seems to be amazing.  Unlike any principal I've had lately.  He is extremely supportive, easy and lovely to speak to, and already has had my back on a few issues (again, will explain in more detail if you ask). 

A lot of the staff seem to be within 5 (ish) years, either side to my 29 (yes, still 29 and holding strong). 

It's great being so close to the school.  I come back to my place for lunch.  Intramurals are once per week (teachers vs students) at lunch time.  I'm helping with a recreation Ultimate Frisbee league starting next Tuesday.  Looking to get involved in a few more after school things...there are a ton of clubs/activities.  A group of high school students are going snowboarding up north too, so maybe that will be an option (wish I packed my winter things now....)

Kids?The kids are great - as mentioned previously.  Some of the things they have written for me already are hilarious and very entertaining.  I have a kid in one of my gr 8 classes called Joker.  It's TOO perfect.  He is too, a Joker. 

Do they wear uniforms? No uniforms.

Are they brats? Cute? No brats, compared to what I've been used to for the past 5 years.

What's the weather like? The weather is funny.  It's been 10ish since I arrived, but I've been rocking my winter coat, that I rock in the mountains during -35...weird.  They also don't have proper heating anywhere, so maybe that's why.  Definitely pumped about my decision to bring a winter coat though!

Do you have your own face mask yet? Negative, but students in my classes wear them.

Tell me something funny about China. Okay, well I went shopping on Saturday (with a Chinese teacher) to buy nice boots/shoes, as I left mine in Canada (crap!).  Already, I am ginormous at 5'8.5" so we went into about 10 shoe stores (for real) and NO STORE carried any shoes in any size above 38 (euro sizes).  (I wear a 40 - 41).  We finally go into a store, and they carry 39 and 40 (YEEEESSS!).  I try them both on.  Let me set the stage for you; when we went into the store, it was JUST me, the teacher and the lady selling me the shoes.  By the time I looked up from putting on the 2nd boot, 8 people came out of NOWHERE to see the tall freak from Canada with massive feet, put on the elusive size 40 boot.  It was so WEIRD....like WHERE.DID.THEY.COME.FROM.?  There must have been an alert sent out as soon as the size 40s were released from the back....note to self: bring shoes from Canada.

Do any other teachers look like friend material? Yes.  Everyone is SO friendly over here (teachers). One teacher on Monday morning, came running towards me, arms open, shouting "You must be Emily!"  It was....a high level of excitement.  No one has topped that greeting, but we'll see. 

Dating material?oooh Chloe Vance, you sly fox.  Jumping right into it.  We shall see!  I'm a week in, give a girl some time.

What did you do on Sunday Funday?

Went to the school to do some work, and sign stuff (for real).  It's weird that you and Christy didn't fly over for my first Chinese Sunday Funday #selfish
That's it for now. 

If you made it this far, awesome.  The best communication (For quick Sparky remarks back) are Whatsapp, BBM and email (the Facebook messenger app is finicky at best).  Skype works, but I am 15 hours ahead of Canmore, 7 hours ahead of England and 13 hours ahead of Ontario.

Culture shock and home sickness hasn't hit me yet, but all things in good time perhaps.  I'm also just really feeling good about being here, and that I nailed it with my low expectations.  I'm in a good place in my life to be doing this, so that has also helped.  My meal of pasta with cheese (an EXPENSIVE commodity here), also helped me feel comfortable. 

Much love.

...and I'm Back!

Seems like it is time to resurrect this online diary, for a few different reasons.  When I started writing this waaaay back in 2010, it was the perfect outlet for my new, challenging, adventure in England.  It helped me understand and work through the toughest days of my professional career, and also appreciate the small moments that made up my 12 months in the UK.

When I returned from the UK, I had a challenging, but life changing year in Toronto.  I worked with an incredible company, Patagonia, where I consider myself incredibly lucky to have met many lifelong friends who would help to shape my future. 

After not having any luck getting into the teaching world in Ontario, specifically the GTA, I became intrigued by life in Western Canada.  My co-worker (and good friend) Brad, shared stories of endless mountain adventures, friendships, and possibilities.  Speaking with Brad and becoming connected with his friends in Alberta, would change my life, personally and professionally.  Luckily, I had some university pals who were already established in Canmore, Alberta.  When I made the decision to pack my newly acquired Patagonia gear and head for the west, I figured if nothing else, at least I could stay with Erin and Jon on the way to....somewhere.

The best way to describe my arrival to Canmore, is that I essentially parachuted into an incredible life with a growing number of amazing people (many that would become family) that laid the stepping stones I would use to land my first REAL Canadian teaching gig, on a First Nation Reserve School.

After 4 years in Canmore (the longest amount of time I have lived anywhere in 10 years), my spirit was thirsty for more adventure.  Living in Canmore and amongst the mountains, has made my soul happy.  I am at home in the mountains.  It was not an easy decision to uproot my life and move, start over, leave friends that have become family, leave the comforts of a full time teaching job, but it was the right time for me to move on and start a new chapter.  As I am approaching the final chapter of my 20s, I knew I needed to go out big...enter, CHINA!

I look forward to documenting more of my adventures here than my professional career, as I've learned in the past, sometime it is better left unsaid (written, on public internet).