OK, so I am a jerk...

Now I feel really guilty for going on a pseudo rant about no one leaving comments on my blog. Matt makes a very good point - I do not ask questions, nor do I ask for people's opinions on anything. It is just me, me me (and my sidekick, the lovely Karli Dawn of course!) all the time. And then I got such nice comments from people. Awww... my loyal readers are so sweet! So no more pressure - just read and enjoy. I will keep giving you the lowdown on China, Chinese culture, and of course, the FOOD!

I guess I have not really spoken much about the teaching yet. Which is funny because that is really the main purpose of our journey here. I have not yet started teacing my freshmen yet (I am teaching them Learn to Talk - of course they already know English writing, reading and grammar as these are university students. This is just to work on their speaking and pronunciation.) because they do not start until October 9th (after National Holiday week off). Once I do start teaching them I will have two classes twice a week for an hour and a half.

Right now, my schedule is this:
Monday at 5:10 - Private lesson with Bob at a company (2 hours)
Tuesday at 3:20 (odd weeks only) - HVAC 4th year students (they are taking things like air conditioning systems). I teach them Technical Writing. There are only seven students so it is a nice small group and I am getting to know them a little. It is tough to teach them how to write in a technical way when they did not even take any English the entire last year. (1.5 hours)
Wednesday at 5:10 - Private lesson with Christina at same company (2 hours)
Thursday at 3:20 - HVAC again.
Thursday at 6:00 - Private lesson with David at my apartment or, as last night, out for supper (on his dime might I mention). David works for the Central Government. (2 hours or whenever)
Friday - NO CLASSES
Saturday - NO CLASSES
Sunday - NO CLASSES

So you can see how I might get lazy on this schedule. I spend a lot of time watching Sex and the City episodes with Karli. We are severely addicted. "Just one more" had become our catch phrase. Fortunately I do not sleep the day away because the flies (also known as the eliminators of slackness) land on my face and feet and buzz in my ear as a gentle reminder that I really ought to be getting my day started at a decent hour. Karli and I ran on Monday and have pledged to do so more often. I am also seemingly always cleaning my apartment. We have these very strange floors that the instant something gets on them it leaves a sticky black mark. Very odd indeed.

Also, I spend a lot of time killing the darn flies. Apparently they are caused by all the manure they use in the carefully cultivated greenspace around the campus. It is very beautiful (in some arial shots I saw of the campus I realized that some of the gardens are in shapes of dragons, butterflies, etc) but it stinks to high heaven when there is a strong wind from a certain direction, and causes all these stupid flies. I am assured that they will be gone soon when the weather gets colder. But judging by recent high temperatures, it could be a while off yet.

At any rate, life is good here in Shenyang. The pace is pretty enjoyable. Only problem I have is that I really miss everyone. Can you all please just pack up and move here with me? That would really suit me best. Just for a while - I promise! No? Oh, ok...well I guess we will just have to make due communicating across the miles.