Normally on Saturdays we follow a pretty regular routine, we have breakfast around 7.00, then class at 8- 12. Class usually goes down like this: we sit in tiny cubicles, with tiny desks that are mostly taken up by computers we don't use, Oscar starts the lessons off with pronunciation drills, we repeat him mindlessly until he starts a new topic and then he'll call on us individually so we can nervously run through the sections aloud by ourselves. By about 9.30 we're hungry again, the room is stifling, I'm sleepy or have to use the bathroom. Oscar will talk and talk about... I don't know really. Stuff? At some point we'll make an off the wall comment and he'll digress into a new and probably unrelated path of thought. Normally I lean back in my chair, kick off my flip flops and start doodling while listening to the random conversation that ensues. It is super fun to have four conversations going on at once, and with Oscar, its pretty much an accepted challenge to see if he'll pick up on what we're talking about. His English is so so, and by that I mean he speaks enough to talk, but not enough to understand what we're talking about all the time. Heather will tease him about something, it'll go straight over his head, but it'll be enough to spark a new bout of topics. We'll burst out into song when something reminds us of one, and laugh uproariously when we say, "cha cha cha cha" or "ka ka".
*please note the annotations are not present cuz I have no idea how to add them.
Needless to say I learn more practical things at work, and class is just for cultural enlightenment. I don't mind going, and sometimes we really actually do learn some interesting things...
My Chinese so far, is so so. I've learned quite a few F&B related words, and I remember them because I use them everyday. Things like "take away?" or "have you eaten?". These are fun to say because its a guaranteed chuckle from the person I ask, and they tell me how clever I am. (I still don't see how its clever, but..hey its a laugh, I'll take it!) I don't speak any complicated sentences yet, I still guess as to what our guests are asking for but sometimes I recognize a character, or hear a phrase that seems familiar. Slowly I think I'll figure out more applicable, conversational Chinese. Hopefully by the end of my time I can carry on an intelligent conversation that consists more of blank stares and nervous chuckles.
Today we met up with a couple from the States who've lived here in Dalian for two years. They took us to Copenhagen Cafe, a very western eatery, and we sat outside on the patio while we chatted happily away with them. I'm always glad to meet more westerners, and hear from those who've lived around here for a while. Theresa and Tim are their names, and they told us very seriously if we need anything, or have problems, to call them. They are well connected and even live in our building. Their kids are our ages, and they said they would want someone to help their kids if their boys were traveling too. I'm just happy we have more English speaking people to call up and go shopping with, or go out to eat with. Also, Theresa goes to a church service on Sundays and Bible studies on Wednesdays so maybe if my schedule allows I'll be able to attend a few times. I think it'll be nice to have some contact with people outside Shangri-La as well.
My favorite thing to do here (as of late, ask me tomorrow and it'll probably change to something like...peeling oranges and dusting balcony railings) is find a cafe and sit and talk to whomever is lucky enough to be trapped with me. Our new haunt in easy walking distance is called Greenwich Cafe and Bar. They have cold and yummy yogurt smoothies (no milk!) and delicious milk-tea that Heather prefers. We can sit, do our homework or watch a movie on the flat screen on the back wall. Its smallish, and the impression you get as you enter is dark greenery and sparkling glass. Its cozy, not very busy and I think the owners are starting to like us. (They brought us free watermelon!) Also we'll sing songs and laugh very loudly, so it makes the place seem more lively. The bar is probably geared more for men, which explains why the music isn't some Chinese girls wailing about her love woes...oh wait, no that's the only music they play there. See why we like the place?
Plus plus- A/C!
With that, I will take my leave as I work the morning shift tomorrow. However I hope your Saturday is grand and full of sunshine and laughter.
G'night folks.
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