19th Jan


Checklist:
Gone to Tescos in China


"You can see you like children. You are passionate" said Vicky as we left kindergarten class.
In lessons, a teaching assistant (TA) will always accompany you. She'll translate when they think it's necessary. I usually have Shining or Vicky with me. We have good relationships and I like to see them smiling too when in the lesson, it makes me feel at ease, that it's going well.


Felix drove me over to New Town School. "Okay see you tomorrow" and he leaves, just like that. Oh right. I was abit taken back, I didn't even know what I was teaching but I suppose it is a compliment that he can trust me so soon.
Anyway, I had two evening classes and they went really well. My second class were so cute and I'm not suprised a few of them didn't wet theirselves! Don't you just love a proper laugh of a child, right from inside.
Their new words were, Stamp, Letter and Postcard. It was such a fun lesson.


After work Beth and me headed to TESCO. Yes, Tesco in Songjiang! I couldn't believe it. I didn't even realise Tesco's had that much power/money to be overseas.
I prefered it to the Walmart, was smaller and not as scarily busy. They even had F&F clothing, in English sizes. Way hey, I can get some underwear ;)
Outside was a stand with sweetpotatoes rotating in a hot oven. I was so hungry, it was so tasty and after the 15 minute taxi ride back, I had finished it, stuffed and ready for bed. I loved the sweetpotatoes in Uganda and love these one too, they have a peppery taste to them.


20th Jan


To do list:
Find a Chinese tutor
Learn how to use a Chinese washing machine!


Clank. Bang. Construction work going on outside. I wake up. What time is it? 12:15. I clearly needed that! My first day off school, waking up with no alarm felt so good! It was cold and snowing again. Leaning over I turned on the kettle and grabbed some bread, trying not to let too many of my body parts touch the cold air!
I grabbed my laptop and starting looking up different games to play in Kindergarten, wrote some letters, sent some emails and before I knew it my day had gone and it was 5o'clock. Although the sun was starting to set, I'd been in all day, so I washed, dressed and left for the shops.
I placed a pile of goods on the counter "I am getting more, but cannot carry" She then started following me around the shop. She must of thought I asked for something as she was pointing at pens, mirrors "No, no, it's okay" She scuttled back. From luggage weighing scales to china bowls to a plug, it had everything you could need. This will be my local shop. I like the friendly staff and it's fairly priced.
I hate not being able to communicate properly. I'm going to try and find a tutor as soon as possible!


I walked the other side of the road, finding new alleyways taking me to other shops. I was trying to find some vegetables but it's all fruit and more fruit. All very tasty, yes, but not too good with noodles. There only seems to be vegetables in the big supermarkets. But just over £1 for two big tomatoes, don't think I'll buying them often. I'll ask Felix where I'm going wrong.


Tomorrow I have a new kind of challenge, teaching adults.
Beth was saying they teach things like Buisness English, what?! It'll be interesting. Hopefully I can observe the lesson, because teaching straight away, I wont' have a clue!


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