What a week it has been – our teacher must think we are very clever because we have learned to write about 150 characters in our 5 days of class – a little overwhelming. Actually we have been burning the midnight oil writing them over and over and over. I’d say we remember about 35 of those – which mind you is more than I learned in two years when I was here before.
We found a part time nanny to watch Grace while we are in class. Her name is Lin Lin and her English name is Connie, but I call her Lin Lin. She is 18 and from a neighboring county. Her parents are farmers and I think she may be one of the first of her family to go to school. Her English is amazing, she’s incredibly gentle and best of all – she’s a sister! She is a blessing to us and I believe this job is a huge blessing to her. I would add a photo, but we have no idea where our camera is…
Losing things…. Not exactly. Apparently the thieves in this region are quite talented. My mobile phone was stolen right out of my pocket one day on the street – we hope that our camera has not met the same fate. Unlike the phone, that I can live without, we really need the camera! We have checked every conceivable place it might be, but it hasn’t turned up.
On the upside, we got good news today from our Chinese teacher. She explained that we are Da Pang Zi – which means big and fat, which is much better that Tai Pang Le – which just means too fat. So we feel much better now knowing we are just big and fat!
I was at the store the other day where two ladies were discussing how fat I was, so I defended myself by saying I had a little baby, then I amused them by saying that my house is on the 6th floor while making a running action. If I weren’t motivated to lose weight before – I surely am now.
Mosquito alley! Oh my goodness, I have never seen such a horde of mosquitoes. Matt, Grace, and I look like they have had a feast. Every time we go into the stairwell they attack and a few find their way into our apartment. Little do they know that that is going to be the last of them… First of all, I am on the hunt. To help me I have a new toy, which some may call a weapon. Matt found this tennis racket that is a shocker – just turn it on and push the button and ZAP! It even has a handy little light to search those boogers out in the dark. At night we sleep under mosquito netting, Grace has a special net over her baby bed, and we have a mosquito net tent on our bed. It is a bit romantic, kind of like camping in your bedroom.
Ah, to make up for all the trouble I found a man today at a bakery to give me dough. He asked that I come back tomorrow morning; I guess that is when they will make a new batch. As far as I could understand I think he is going to give it to me – I asked how much for a little and he showed me with his hands how much he thought a little was and said he would give it to me. Sounds good to me – so tomorrow morning before class Matt or I will go fetch the dough – I hope! Then we plan to have pizza for lunch! Yummy.
I’m loving China again! Almost being run over didn’t even make me flinch today. Halleluiah! I pray I find our camera so I can post some photos soon. Until next time –
Jenny
