The Good, The Bad, but no ugly
Trip Start
Aug 25, 2010
1
12
84
Trip End
Jul 05, 2011
Where I stayed
The Good, The Bad... but no Ugly, fortunately.
Changsha, Hunan, China
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
So I got to the front of Teaching Building 3 in plenty of time and was just enjoying the view when Jack, monitor for my first class, Business English 1, came up. He's a very likable young man and as we were talking, Lee showed up. That's where the best news came: my physical condition won't terminate my employment. Yeah!!! The bad (he's getting me a copy of the results) are something like a fat or fatty liver (he said I need more exercise, I think) and apparently I have some gallstones. So I just looked that up and if I want to remain asymptomatic and pain free, I should give my gall bladder a rest by sticking with fairly clear liquids (does coffee count? there's no good milk here so, no problem there...) and fatty/greasy foods. Well, I'm in the right place for that. At this rate I'm sure to come back to America in 10 months are so a much leaner, hopefully not meaner guy. Students are already saying they want me back.
Then English corner: Ruth, fear not! It was a blast! Reminds me of the ancient days when people would get together somewhere and discuss ideas. In Athens, it was Mars hill, on the lower west slope of the Acropolis. Much good came from those conversations. The worst part, and it wasn't that bad, was that we all just stood outside building three. The good of that was that people could come and go as they please, except me and in a few more weeks, Ruth. It was a blast. Lot's of good questions and I have discovered this week that I am full of life when I'm talking about things I like and know (like English). One thing I keep telling the students in class and out, is that I have much to learn from them. One was how to eat in the school cafeteria. Fortunately, Yakeena, the best English speaking student I've met here, came to my aid. I have to go to the cashier and get a meal card. I can put however much money I want on the card. Then I walk down this 150' (it seems) line selecting whatever I want. Each item has a set portion and price (neither of which I have any idea about, yet) and so as I choose something (and surprise, the assumption is that rice goes on the plate first and the guys portion is more than the gals...) I give that server my card. He or she will swipe the machine at their station and I'll be debited for that item. And so it goes, whatever I choose, I pay for, item by item. I'm told to expect a meal to cost about $5. I hope for less. We'll see, maybe in the morning.
Speaking of which, I do have a few other things to deal with tonight and I do have a (singular) class tomorrow from 10:00 to 11:40. So, good night one and all!
