More stuff about china

Well, this week has been interesting!  It's been a bit of a roller coaster ride but I'm ok and everything is fine.

We bought a DVD last sunday as I am sick of watching nothing on TV and wanted to just watch a dramaish kind of thing.  I have been streaming ugly betty like crazy on the internet but nothing beats watching something on TV.  We bought my sisters keeper for 10 Yuan (of course it's real!).  I wish that movies had a sadness rating .... especially this one!  I found it really sad and shed a few tears.  I think I was feeling a bit down about life and watching this really didn't help.

Work hasn't been bad, but one of my internal classes has been a bit of a thorn in my side.  The kids are a difficult mix, the TA keeps taking over the class meaning I can never actually take a proper lesson (and meaning that I can't really bond with the kids to even make a start), one of the girls (who is only 3 - WHAT THE?) doesn't want to come to class and always chucks a tantrum and won't come into the class and I am getting pressured about that (I mean what could I do, ignore the 3 other boys who were waiting for the class to start so I can try to talk to a 3 year old who can't speak English? err) and yeah.  I know that discussions have been had about me and the class (without involving me) which has made me feel really wired and uncomfortable.  I think they have had problems with this class in the past (it's now a Lv 2 class, and most of the kids did a Lv 1 class, but with 2 different teachers) due to teachers, one who has been fired, hence Matt and my employment!   Anyways, the parents (paying customers) didn't want to have to deal with anything more and just wanted a good class (sorry that I need to bond with the kids and that I'm a little inexperienced) and the TA really didn't help me much so ... work decided to give the class to the teacher who had most of the kids in his lv 1 class.  Who knows why they decided to change teachers in the first place ... but at least now I don't have to worry about it.  They said they didn't want me to work in a stressed environment etc - I wonder if they are disappointed or realise it's their stuff up?  Anyways, I feel happier and as long as everyone is happy, we're all one big happy family.  I guess it's shown me something though - maybe it's a culture thing - but if there is a problem with me, I'd rather people talk to me about it, not to everyone else about me behind my back (even if I can hear the conversation)!  I don't think they like confrontation very much.  As long as they think I'm doing an OK job otherwise I'm happy!

So, along with that ... I've had a cold for a few weeks which is still hanging around.  Matt came home from work and told me they were talking to him about me (AND NOT ME) argh!, I wanted a hair cut but didn't leave the house on Thursday (my day off), the toilet was blocked, and when we went out for dinner .... I caught my finger in the chair and squished it!  I really wasn't happy on Thursday evening, but by Friday afternoon everything was resolved.

My finger is beginning to bruise, but is OK.  I did get a hair cut tonight, and while it's no John haircut, I'm not totally dissatisfied.  It only cost me 10 Yuan!  I found a street seller in our local area selling flowers, and after dinner I made Matt buy me flowers (and a vase to put them in!).  The street seller will be there every Saturday!!!!!  Weekly fresh flowers, look out!  I got carnations which were 1 Yuan per flower stem - so I got a bunch of flowers (some still have buds on) for 10 Yuan!  Tomorrow we are going to Shanghai so that I can FINALLY pick up my boots!!!!!!!  Yay!!!

I should really go to bed so that I get up early and so that we make it to Shanghai before midday.  That will be a first, but so worth it.  It takes longer to get to the station from our apartment than it does to get to Shanghai from Suzhou.

I also saw fireworks tonight.  It's so random but nearly every day we see / hear crackers / bangers / fireworks at all hours of the day.  Most people don't even take much notice but I think it's crazy awesome.  I really want to buy some but Matt isn't so keen.

The weather is also slowly warming up ... slowly.  It's still cool but not cold.  It's more a spring cool, even though the temperatures aren't that high.  Maybe it's just my frame of mind because I'm over the cold?  Anyways ...

Till next time,
xoxo