30th April


Checklist:
Eaten a Chicken Heart. It tastes like Chicken, just a little bit chewier!


In my classes that the children are a lot more energetic or perhaps even naughty I have come up with a new teaching method. Each lesson I designate 2 watchers to look out for anyone speaking Chinese or being naughty.
Today in Moose class Rex and Edison were given these roles. As soon as Linda explained in Chinese their duties, their hands were promptly on their laps, backs straight, watching carefully like Meer Cats.
We were reviewing flashcards when all of a sudden Edison's hand shoots up, "Teacher, teacher, teacher!" "Yes Edison?" He points at Luther and then at his nose "Edison, he is allowed to touch his nose" and we continue through the animal flashcards. Suddenly, Edison's hand is up again waving it at me, "Edison what's wrong?" "1, 2, 3" and he points at Lily, Alex and Sandra whilst quickly explaining something in Chinese to Linda. "He said they were smiling" I couldn't help but laugh nor could Linda. "Please explain to him, again his duties of catching children who are being naughty!"
He was a very efficient guard that's for sure!



1st May


Checklist:
Eaten boiled Pigs leg, hair included!
Eaten Cows Liver


I warned Steven before we left for Sunny's house to eat some food, as last time I consumed way too much alcohol. Plenty of bread later we caught the No4 bus to Sunny's house for dinner.
Luckily there wasn't any wine this time, although having to 'ganbei' beer; My stomach was bloating like a balloon! Steven was lucky of the excuse that he had tutor in the morning, so Leo didn't ask him to ganbei each time. 'Think on your feet Emma, excuse?' I thought to myself, nope, 8 beers later, the 3 of us finished the crate of 20 beers and Leo was fast asleep!
When we left I breathed a sigh of relief, it wasn't as heavy of a night as I thought it was going to be. Seriously, this 'ganbei' tradition is crazy! When meetings or conferences take place, 'ganbei' is always involved, how do they ever get anything done?



2nd May


Checklist:
Bought a bicycle


No school again today, as it's International Labour Day, so today's mission was to buy a bicycle.
The lady pointed at a blue bicycle, then an orange one, some masculine black ones until I spotted a red and white bicycle hanging from ceiling, it was perfect.
I asked for a basket to be put on the front, the seat and handles to be raised and I went for a little spin. "I love it!" I exclaimed to the lady. We took off the bubble wrap that surrounded the metal frame work and tested my little grey bell. "I'll take it!"
Basket, chain and bicycle = £30. Happy days!



4th May


'Beepbeepbeep' goes my alarm, it's 6:30am. I had set it early so I could defiantly make sure I'd be able to get an early train to Hangzhou so I could spend 2 full days there. Next thing, I suddenly awake and it's 9:30am, "Bloody hell!"
I finally arrived at the train station and bought my ticket to Hangzhou and made my way to the nearest bench to take a breather. 'The train is at 2:50pm, it doesn't get to Hangzhou until 6 o'clock. Emma why did you just that ticket?!' I didn't want just one day in Hangzhou, which it was now going to be and so decided on refunding my ticket and going another week.
I walked back to the ticket office, to queue once again and rang Darcy to help me explain to the lady about my situation but she refused to speak on the phone, telling me to go to the North Square of the station. Oh. I found a Police Officer and rang Darcy back, he pointed towards another ticket area and I thanked Darcy before putting the phone down. I then realised he had pointed towards the Self-Service ticket area, he must of been confused with what Darcy said, ah! This wasn't going to be as easy as I thought. Darcy text me in Chinese 'Where can I return a ticket? I don't need this ticket and want my money back' and I continued to walk towards the North Square. 10 minutes later I found another ticket office, where I showed the text message to another police officer and he directed me to the end of walkway. Finally, I found where I was looking for. Although I lost out on 20Yuan, I was refunded the rest and this little adventure of mine at Shanghai Train Station was over!


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