I had to be in school for 7:30am so I decided to get a taxi rather than risk the bus.I don't think I have mentioned before, the timetables on display on the bus stops are all in Chinese so getting the bus requires a lot of guess work and a lot of luck.The stupid taxi picked up three other customers on the way and dropped them all off first, but I didn't have my phrase book and I was sat in the back of the taxi so I couldn't even gesture to him to hurry up.Luckily I wasn't too late because he was driving like a maniac anyway.

Last night I very clearly asked Miss Wang if the school provided food.She said yes.I also very clearly asked her if I would have to give any lessons.She said no, I was just going for a look around the school.I think she was playing the opposites game because in the end there was no breakfast and I had to give four classes in total on an empty stomach.I just had to wing it and play some games with them.I taught them this song "Walking Walking, WalkingWalking, Hop Hop Hop, Hop Hop Hop, Running Running Running, Running Running Running, Now let's stop, Now let's stop" When I was teaching them some words I had to keep asking them to sit down and one child was repeating "please sit down" in a cheeky sort of way. But I didn't mind because it means he was learning some English!Between lessons I was waiting in the head teacher's office and at playtime she went out and left the door to the playground open.About 20 kids crept in the door and crowded around me staring and pointing at my blue eyes.Then one little charmer said "You look like a monkey!"

I was allowed to go home for a rest and food (in total I have 3 hours lunch break) and then I got a bus back to school.I saw the same class I had given my 'public show' to last week and it went pretty well as they remembered the game.The assistant Zhen Yang is the only person who speaks any English and her level is very basic.She told me I would have to work Saturdays and I said that my contract requires I have 2 days off a week so I hope that doesn't cause too many problems.As I walked out of the classroom there was a large crowd of children in the corridor and one of them
(about 4 years old) squeezed my boob!None of the teachers saw so I just said "No" and shook my head.What are you supposed to do when something like that happens?

It had been raining heavily all day but I needed to get some bedding for the new apartment.I leapt over huge puddles to get to the bedding shop.The store owner followed me round and any sheet I looked at she unfolded it to show me.I just wanted to have a browse and I felt really bad about her unfolding everything so I just picked a random sheet to buy and then went to get the bus.I had no coat and no umbrella and the puddles were getting bigger. I stood at the bus stop for ages and two of my buses drove straight past without stopping.I finally got a bus home and started to pack.I have had to pack 5 times in the past few weeks- to leave London, to leave Bristol, to leave Hong Kong, to leave Beijing and now to leave Miss Wang's.I just want to settle somewhere for a while!

When Jen got home, Miss Wang helped us to move to the new apartment.I couldn't carry all of my stuff so I left a suitcase to pick up later.Teacher Shi arrived with a few manky old blankets and we were told we would get some nicer bedding in a few days.I sat in the living room with Miss Wang and Teacher Shi for ages going through clauses in the contract.It seemed as though they hadn't ever read the contract; they weren't aware they had to pay an allowance for any meals my school doesn't provide or that they are responsible for paying utility bills.I was told that it would be sorted out and then they both left.

Jen and I went to the Supermarket to get a few cleaning supplies and we bumped into Ruth and Debbie.Jen went off to the internet café and I invited Ruth and Debbie to see our apartment.I asked them to wait outside Miss Wang's building while I ran in to get my suitcase.Miss Wang's husband was there (so he does exist, I wonder where he's been hiding while we were living there?!).He didn't speak English and was insisting he carry my suitcase for me.I felt really bad because it was pouring with rain and it was very heavy.But he heaved it onto his shoulder and followed me out of the building.Once I showed him that Ruth and Debbie were with me I tried to take the suitcase as he could see I had help, but he still kept hold of it and followed us back to my apartment.As he walked in the front door he lowered it off his shoulder by the handle, and because it was so heavy the handle broke off in his hand and the suitcase dropped to the ground.I got the giggles but he was really worried, searching on the floor for the rivets which had come out.I was trying to show him it was ok and that he could go, but he tried to fix it anyway.Once the handle was back on he left, but it's not like I can use it now it just won't be strong enough.

I did a bit of cleaning as the apartment had been lived in until yesterday so wasn't in the greatest condition.I think the school is subletting it from an old woman who moved out of the area yesterday for one year.It means we have been left with all sorts of random furniture (like a bed in the living room) and we've been told we can't use any of the pots and pans in the kitchen, plus she has sewn the material wardrobe shut so I have nowhere to hang my clothes and the washing machine is broken so we have to use the one at the kindergarten.

At last I thought, despite things not being perfect, I could take a long hot shower and start to relax finally.However I discovered the gas was off and had to have a freezing cold shower.Well on the plus side at least I was able to stand in a bathroom that didn't make me heave, stood next to a normal western toilet which actually flushes.Woohoo!