Noodles

I first saw noodles being made on the television during the Olympics and thought it was just done in fancy restaurants to impress customers. But no, its pretty common here.

I first went to this noodle bar last Wednesday with a group of girls celebtrating a birthday. I ventured back there today for an early dinner and was amazed at the dexterity of this man making the noodles. Now back home noodles are made in a machine and have all sorts of preservatives and colourings. Since coming to China, I have seen noodles being made in a number of restaurants on order. It doesn't take long to turn the dough into noodles by stretching and dividing the dough.

I sat and waited for my bowl of noodles with beef and watched with great interest the noodles being made. When the noodles in broth arrived, they were soft and had a beautiful texture to them. The beef broth was very tasty indeed! Not bad value for 3 kuai ($0.60)

I was quite sneaky and filmed the guy from my table. I could see clearly what he was doing and it seemed quite straightforward, bit I know if I tried to do it, it would end up a disaster. And talking of disasters, the look I got as he turned around and saw me filming made me want to get up and run out of the restaurant... he wasn't happy. The film abruptly ends just as he turns.

End of my first week in Hefei

The week has really flown by! I have slipped into life here in Hefei really easily and my classes have gone so so well. Although I have been teaching since 2004, this is my first proper ESL job. I have 4 classes at the moment and I teach them the same subject, loosely called 'speaking'. This means that my preparation time isn't too bad and by the time I teach the 4th class, I have got the subject material down pat. Yesterday I had my first disappointment in teaching (not having the sequence of teaching and learning in order) which was really frustrating for me. One challenge I have set myself is to learn all of the English names of all my students within 3 weeks. I have worked pretty hard already to learn their names and get to know them. Their response has been fantastic and I think they like that I am trying to make an effort to get to know them.

I have got my 'campus card' which has made life here at AEMI a lot easier. The card is like currency on campus - I can swipe it at the refectory and pay for my food and I can use it at the shops when I want to buy snacks or drinks. I dont think you can use money in the refectory at all. One of my students helped me organise it on Wednesday and I have used it with gusto since.

This is the 'campus card'. The picture on the card is the main gate here at AEMI.

Staff and students especially at AEMI are so friendly and have made me feel really welcome. A couple of times this week after class I have been out with some boys to play online games and last night I met up with some girls from another class and headed out for noodles. Most of the noodle restaurants make their own noodles on site and it's fascinating to watch. Next week I will post a video showning how the 'mien teow' is made. Wednesday night the ANZAC contingent (Dave, Pauline, Prue and myself) headed out for Thai and the food was wonderful. We had to catch a taxi downtown to get the restaurant and it was well worth it! The food was wonderful and the discussion very lively! We had a few beers and the total bill came to like $60 which was excellent value.

Well its now officially the weekend and beer o'clock. The wonderful thing about Friday's (at the moment) is that my teaching is done by 12 midday and the rest of the day is mine! And to top it off, I have a late start (10 am Monday) which is just fine by me!

When I first heard her name, I was sure she said Simone, but no, it'sZimo!

First Days Teaching

It seems like I have been in Hefei alot longer than 5 days. I had a lovely weekend meeting and spending time with the other Australian teachers here as well as the token Kiwi. Isn't it funny, for such a small country, there are Kiwis all around the world in some strange places. Hefei isn't the exception. When I first met Dave, he was wearing a Waikato Chiefs rugby top, and I thought mmm... someone I can spend time talking rugby to, and drinking beer when there are some games on! Instant friendship.

I had my first day teaching yesterday and had 4 periods, starting at 8 and finishing by 12 PM! Not bad for day one. The kids are great... Despite what I had heard from some, the kids are lovely and seem really interested in learning. I have tried to put the usual 'Locky flair' into my teaching and so far they seem happy. The support staff are great and I hope to get them into the habit of after work drinks on Friday real quick!

I have taken a couple of pics of two of my first year classes and hope to have all my classes photographed soon. I have promised them to make a poster and put it up in the classroom with a photo of them and their English names to help me remember. I have made a promise if I cant remember their names in 3 weeks then I will buy them lunch! Luckily lunch at the canteen on campus is like $0.60 cents!!

I am having a great time. I cant wait to get more involved in the social life here through sports and learning Mandarin. There are some Mandarin tutors about, I just have to get settled properly and then make a commitment for 2-3 hour per week!

The pictures are of 2 of my first year classes. Look at their happy smiling faces!! Beautiful!

Here, safely in Hefei

Welcome to my first blog from China! In fact, welcome to my first blog ever!

After leaving Melbourne early Thursday morning, I have arrived safely, with all of my luggage in tow, in Hefei, Anhui Province, China. Singapore airlines were fantastic again- very friendly and the service top notch. I had an overnight stay in Shanghai just to break the trip up a little before the onward leg to Hefei. The drive between Pu Dong airport and Hongquiao airport was an eye opener. The whole city was just blanketed in smog!

There was a dinner to celebrate my arrival last night at a restaurant literally next door to where I am staying. I met all the IIBT team teaching at the Anhui Economic Management Institute and shared a few quiet drinks and a lovely dinner. I even got to try eel and it was pretty tasty!

Unfortunately here at AEMI there wasn't enough appartments for all of the foreign teachers, so I have been put up in the guesthouse, which is sort of a hotel for visitors. I must say that the room that they have given me is very nice, but lacks a certain homliness. There are two bathrooms, two televisions, but no kitchen! I am also away from the other foreign teachers which might make the experience living here a little lonely. I guess I will have to wait and see.

Below are a a few pictures. The first couple are looking out of my apartment building. The second is inside my apartment/ hotel room.