Reality hit back viciously with classes yesterday, straight back into the work and announcements of tests of some sort. I didn’t get all the info, but I gather they are ages away so nothing to worry about just yet. I also purchased a guitar from a local market and have been getting lessons from a friend in the hostel. So fingers crossed will be Jimi Hendrix by the time I return to NZ, a sort of reverse Michael Jackson transformation I guess.
Its starting to get a bit colder now as Winter approaches. Recently I decided to do a bit of investigation of the huge heater in my room in caase I needed it, and found that there is no way to turn it on. I didn’t really know what to make of this, but I figured I have got a few weeks before I have to worry, plus frustrated anger will keep me somewhat warm when the time comes.
Kind of looking forward to the cold and all the bloody mosquitoes in this joint freezing to death. I am peppered with bites, makes you kinda wish you could just let out a bit of blood for the buggers and save the bites, kinda like beer and biscuits for Santa (there’s a macabre simile for you).
Getting a little sick of well intended friends organising me Chinese friends to teach English, as many are very scary. I had been having breakfast in the Hostel canteen, and had begun regularly having breakfast with a girl studying English. After a week of Breakfasts, I really a text with her confessing her “strange” feelings for me. Anyone who has seen me before 8am will realise how functional and suave I would have been, not too mention she’s 5 years older than me, but I guess white skin has serious pulling power. I am not sure whether this clinginess comes from their culture or big city life, but it is a bigger barrier to friendship than language for sure.
If I’m reading that right, that big heater is your radiator and part of the central heating system. If it’s much more than five years old, then no, you have no control over it. You just have to wait for the central boiler to be fired up. Here in Beijing the heating must be on by November 15. I hope for your sake they turn it on earlier up there.
If you’ve still got mosquitos, then you have an infestation in your room, you’ll have to get yourself some poison and deal to them.
I recommend making friends out of the “give me free English lessons” circle, you’ll avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble.
I hope the studies are going well.
Hi Chris,
Actually my teacher revealed today that in Dalian they also do not switch on the heating until 15th November, and admitted it maybe be 一点儿冷。
Yea I can see the sense in that, unfortunately I live right on campus so its difficult to avoid full contact with students. Being white makes you stick out in a way I have never experienced before.
Thanks for you help. I appreciate it!