Week in review.

I realized I have not posted this week and I also did not take any pictures to post for you. I came down with the flu and although I did get out a few times I kept forgetting to bring my camera, so many a good photo shot was lost.

The picture I really wanted to share with you was that of the McDonald's delivery guy. Yes! It's true, they deliver McDonald's here! And no the Chinese are not fat, but I am sure they will be soon. I saw him once in September when I was here searching for our housing and then I saw him again this week. OK, not sure if it was the SAME guy but I will get the picture for you.

So my week in review: Monday I had to go to the security bureau to give them my paper work, with my health certificate, so that they can issue me a document that will allow me to live in China. I guess I passed the health screening, although I have been feeling like sh*# since I got here so I don't know how good that screening really was. There was a snag however as I forgot to re-register with the police in Dec. when I came back from Hong Kong. Apparently when you leave China and then come back you must make sure you tell the police. So we waited in line for about 30 minutes, the police man reviewed my paperwork and studied my passport very carefully. He noticed that I had left the country and also noticed that my registration paper was invalid since, I as I mentioned before, I had left the country and had not re-registered. He said to me, in very good English, that he would give me his signature and that when I came back tomorrow I would not have to wait in line, just show him/someone the new registration and they would finish processing it for me.

The trip to the security bureau takes about 20 minutes with no traffic and 40 minutes with traffic. We hit traffic trying to get home. I immediately went to get re-registered and then made a little dinner and called it a day as I was feeling very flu-ish.

Tuesday morning I went to the Shanghai Centre Coffee Meet and Greet in the recreation center. It happens once a month I am told. I thought it would be a good place to meet people and I did! Turns out I was the only one who knew how to get to the grocery store via metro. So during our conversation I mentioned that I was planning on a trip on Wednesday and if anyone wanted to come along I would be happy to show them. We had a plan, we would meet at Starbucks at 9:00am and I would show them the way. At 1:00p I went back to the security bureau with correct paper work in hand and was in and out in less than 4 minutes.

Wednesday I met the ladies and took them to Carrefour grocery store. It was such a blast and it was so great to share what little knowledge each of us had. I learned a few new things regarding the metro card. You can buy the metro card and keep refilling it (this I knew) but what I didn't know is that it is good for taxi payment as well! Oh and the bus too. After we got home I just stayed inside as I was so sick and flu -ish and oh so tired. The weather was really nice outside and it was a shame to miss out on another walk but I just didn't have the energy. Later that day got an email confirming that I got the job I interviewed for last week. Whoo hoo!

The position is at Donghua (Dong hooaw)University as an English instructor. The classes are three times a week. Monday 8:15 - 11:30, Thurs. 8:15 - 4:30p and Friday 8:15 - 11:30. Classes start on Feb. 20th and end June 30. It's 16 weeks of classes with 'golden week' (spring break) tucked in there as well as May Day. 16 hours of class each week, plenty of free time left over during the week to keep exploring Shanghai. And think of all the things I'll learn from the students.

Thursday our boxes arrived. We shipped a few things from the states and after 3 weeks in customs and quarantine they sent them to us. It's nice to have a few of our things around us. We didn't pack much but I did pack a bunch of pantry items as well as toothpaste other bathroom supplies. Have I mentioned that salad dressing costs $10.00 for a bottle and they don't even have my favorite 'flavors'. I had packed 8 bottles of dressing and we are so pleased to have them!! I met with Mr. Pang to sign the contract at 5:00p. Mr. Pang also wanted to know if I wanted to do some private tutoring, RMB 200 ($30/hr). I said sure. Mr. Pang said that he would forward my info and the interested party would call me.

Friday I spent shopping for an alarm clock, the kind you plug into the wall with big buttons and big numbers. I cannot find such a thing. I don't know what the Chinese use to wake up - their phone? The only place I have not checked is Best Buy. I went to some local electronic stores which sell hair dryers, electric tea pots, washing machines, rice cookers, but no electric clocks with alarm function. No electric clocks. I know that the Chinese probably don't want to plug something in that costs money (the Chinese are cheap cheap cheap oh and poor too) but there has to be a store somewhere. I am going to try Best Buy tomorrow even if it proves not to be fruitful it will be a nice walk.

Also today the 'new ' student called and set up a time to meet - tomorrow Sat. at 9:00am at the Starbucks. This is going to be interesting. I am not sure if it's just a get to know you meeting or our first session. I will go prepared just in case.

And in conclusion now that I have hot sauce, American style, I will be making Buffalo wings tonight with a big salad.