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18th April
I went to the hairdressers by the apartment before but only for a trim on the sides and back, this time I decided I wanted a full hair cut and I was nervous.
The floor hadn't been swept from the day before, nor the hair washed from the scissors. A man sat on a couch smoking a cigarette. It was 8am, but I don't think the time really mattered; Cleanliness of hairdressers in Songjiang clearly isn't the same standard as back in England.
I did some scissor gestures with my hands and tried my hardest to explain what I wanted. I explained in Chinese I only wanted 'small, small' and so just hoped he understood I meant thinned out.
I sat down and he placed a towel around my neck and got to work. He pointed to the top of my hair and the front, "Yes" I said worryingly. I didn't look for the whole time he cut away.
After he turned the hair dryer off I looked up. Perfect. 'Small, small' it was. I paid my 10Yuan (£1) and gave him 5Yuan tip. Although I was embarrassed handing over the equivalent to 50p, he seemed very pleased receiving it. Sorted. A nice tidy up!
19th April
"I want you to come to the front and tell the class nice and loudly, what your name is , if you're a boy or a girl and how old you are" The TA translates and little Bruce comes up to stand next to me. "My name is Bruce. I am a boy. I am six years old" "Very good Brucey boy!" He gives me a high five and returns to his seat.
My last class on a Tuesday is Rhino class, my favourite class. The energy from myself and the children is at a perfect high during the whole lesson, it's very enjoyable to teach.
"Hobert, up you come" He comes charging at me.
When Rhino class first started Hobert was disruptive in the class and hard work to keep under control. Now days, after realising good behaviour from himself means an extra stamp in his yellow or being a 'naughty monkey' means minus one stamp! His English certainly isn't the book best in class but he tries his hardest that's for sure. I have a lot of time for young Hobert and I think we've developed a good relationship now. He show's me this at the end of each lesson, shouting 'goodbye teacher' and giving my bum a lovely little slap.
Hobert looks up at me. I crouch down to his level and say "Okay, my name is…" He raises his arm and with every word hits his chest. "My" (fist punches his chest) "n-a-m-e i-s H-ooo-b-e-r-t" He looks at me again for the next question, I put on a deep voice "I am a girl" "Nooooo, teacher!" "Sooo, tell the class Hobert" and he continues to beat his chest after each word telling the class he is a boy and that he is seven years old. "Hobert, very good! Well done!" He delicately places his hand onto mine for a high five and smiles. He doesn't do the almighty slap for high five, he's kind to my hand!
Everyone came to the front of the class, some a little nervous than others but they all said their three sentences and well for the first time I was proud of a class I've taught. I've had situations where I've been proud of myself as a teacher but I was proud of them as students. I've had Rhino class since the beginning so I suppose you can say they're 'mine' and for each child to say those sentences in decent English I couldn't wipe away my huge smile. It felt fantastic!
20th April
I knew I had a doctor's appointment at some point in 2012 but couldn't remember the exact date so decided to text mum before going for lunch with Darcy. My phoned flashed, '27th March 2012' I sat quite for a moment thinking. "Darcy I think I'm leaving at the end of January…"
I started at All Young School on the 16th January and I'm on a year contract. I could stay a month or two longer after my year but how I can I come to China and not travel to Beijing, Xi'an, Kunming and many other places? So I've concluded (for now) that I will finish my contract, perhaps stay until the end of January or the middle of February and finish off, travelling to the many amazing places China has to offer before flying back for March 27th.
24th April
8:40pm, 20 minutes before my first class of the day. I'm sat with Julia, the TA in the classroom talking about travelling and China. "I'm not sure I'm going to return after March to teach at All Young…" She just looks at me and I continue to explain. "I love it here. I am very happy here, trust me if I wasn't I would of left by now but the only problem is I don't have anything to look forward to. No goals or aims. I thought by learning Mandarin that could be a great goal for the end of the year, because then if I learnt it well enough I'd stay longer to continue to a higher standard but I'm finding it very difficult. Of course I'll try my hardest but I can't see myself studying at University, which was my thought 3 months ago, as I'm struggling just with the basics. So that's one goal out of the window. I am trying so hard to have something to look forward to, aim for but I'm struggling" Her eyes become all teary. I'm taken aback by this "Hey! It's okay" and she just smiles at me. "I just get up in the morning, go to school, teach and go back home. Every day, same old same old. Nothing to aspire to. I will find something, another goal, I'll try hard but if I don't find one strong enough in my heart, then I think it's just going to be a year long stint at All Young" Tears still form in her eyes. I don't understand. Lee and Owen come running and screaming into the classroom and we both snap into teaching mode "Helloooo boys!"
After school I headed to the 'girly shop' with Beth and Darcy to buy some little bits for Darcy's younger sister, Mary, as it's her birthday.
I was only popping to Darcy's house quickly to give Mary her presents and a tickle, as I was Skyping a friend that evening but upon arriving ma ma wouldn't let me leave insisting dinner would be ready in 5 minutes "Okay" I smiled at her and she cheekily smiled back.
Myself (the adopted foreign daughter) ma ma, Darcy, Mary, Ding and her boyfriend, Grandfather, Grandmother and Aunt were all present around the table, tucking into the many delicious dishes.
Easter for me is more of a family thing than Christmas. I love Easter. The whole family gather for lunch at my Gran's house and then later that day, extended family and family friends all gather at Upper Moor Lodge and we all go on a huge Easter egg hunt. The atmosphere is always just brilliant.
Even though there was nothing to even suggest it was Easter here in Songjiang, no posters or chocolate eggs in Tesco's, I was glad to be surrounded by my other family, my Chinese family for this Easter Sunday.
I reach up to the top of my wardrobe and pull down a little bag reading, 'For Easter - Incase you have no address xx' I found it in my bag back in January when I first unpacked and put it away until today. It was from mum and dad.
Sat on my bed, I open the little red bag, as Terrance swims in his bowl. 3 little Lindt bunny rabbits, an Aero Lamb and a Malteser bunny. Sweet :)
'And so, Happy Easter Em' I say to myself…
x x x
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