Roller Coaster Morning
So I’ve been awake for about two hours and it’s already been a roller coaster.
As Angie keenly noted, I’ve been staying up way too late the past couple of weeks. In a way, it’s been nice … nightime is uninterrupted and quiet and sleeping in is just wonderful. But when I hit the sack at 5am last night, I was terrified that I would sleep through my first class!
This morning my deep sleep was rudely interrupted by the terrible pealing of my office telephone. The only people that call that phone are the phone company, the school, and occasionally someone from America, so I lept up and frantically answered it. I wasn’t quite prepared for the stream of Chinese that spouted into my ear, but eventually managed to say (in Chinese), “I’m sorry, I don’t understand what you’re saying. I only speak a little Chinese.”
Before hanging up, however, I heard the word “那里” (năli, or “where”) … so I immediately thought that I must be late for class. I scrambled to find a clock and was relieved to see that it was a little before 10am. I was safe. So I took a really quick shower (my hot water only lasts about 5 minutes in this freezing weather) then got dressed and hurried off to class.
I was plugging in my MacBook and getting ready to teach, when a student came up and said, “Teacher Lance, this is not your class. Your class is fourth period.”
Sure enough, I was an hour early. I didn’t want to walk home, so I decided to go to the back of the room and observe their Physics class. It was both intriguing and unbearably boring … an hourlong lecture in Chinese on the reflection and refraction of light. I was especially mesmerized by the way the teacher directed and managed (or didn’t?) the class. I still have a lot to learn here … so I think I’m going to observe Chinese teachers more often.
On my way back to class, I realized something horrific … I had once again left my keys at home. This was the third time that I had done this … and I immediately knew that it would take a long process of hunting for help then explaining how embarrassed I was for being so clumsy and absentminded.
Thankfully, Yvette (a Senior 3 student) was there to kindly bail me out. She drug me to the cafeteria and found a man that could break into the room where the spare keys are stored. After some hasty apologies, I finally made it back inside, where I’m typing this post.
Whew … a late night, rude awakening, early arrival, enlightening observation, and embarrassing predicament. I’m ready for some dumplings!
November 27th, 2006 at 7:24 pm EST
Mmm jiaozi…:smile:
November 27th, 2006 at 9:15 pm EST
slacker!
November 28th, 2006 at 3:38 am EST
well look at it this way… at least you didnt run into a tree.
and im so glad you thought my note was keen
November 28th, 2006 at 10:45 am EST
First time to comment…really looking for at least ONE Western contact. It’s sometimes lonely here in Changsha. I haven’t seen another Western face since I arrived August 24. I know the’re here, but where? I’m doing alot of traveling too. I have morning classes on Friday so there have been a lot of three day trips. Beijing, Xi-an (a longer one… 7 days) and that northern countryside, Lijiang (outstanding), Chairman Mao’s hometown (yeah, well), a lake district (forget the name just now, but it was beautiful) and the outer reaches of Changsha. Students are great, hours are great, apartment is great, and I miss my family. I probably will miss China, too when I get home.
November 29th, 2006 at 1:50 am EST
mominchina, your best bet is probably to check the Coffey English Salon in the yin hua hotel on wu yi road. They meet every Tuesday and Friday evening from 19:30 - 24:00. I’ve gone once, and it was kinda cool … people who want to improve their English (college students, professionals, teachers, etc) can join … but it’s free for foreigners to show up and meet people (they’ll even give you a free drink).
I’ll email you the organizer’s contact information in case if you have any questions. I hope this helps!