The Beach

Gosh it's been hot today! We had a wonderful thunderstorm Monday night, and ever since the sky has been clear and the sun's been out. We had to go to the bank today in the town centre to sort our accounts out. To get there you take the 610 LRT to Ferry Pier, and then change to the 614. We hung around Ferry Pier for a while because we were early and look at the views!

We walked all the way along the coastline until it was time to head back to the station. We met Pet in town and she took us past the town hall and the post office. We've picked up some leaflets for shows and stuff showing soon- we're thinking of seeing the Cinderella Ballet, Over the Rainbow which is show songs, and a musical contest. There's also a dance called the Butterfly Effect but that's showing at the Hong Kong Concert Hall so we might not get to see that if we can't get there and back. Transport seems to be very efficient though- there's LRT trains every few minutes until very late at night.

When we got to the bank we were told that we needed our job contracts and proof of address. So it was a wasted journey! We were also told that we need $2000 deposit to open the accounts, and there is a base limit of $5000 otherwise there is a $50 monthly charge! Bearing in mind we are only left with $4000 after rent! I'm OK because I was going to transfer most of my savings to that account anyway but if you drop below that limit, you have to make sure the next day you deposit enough to make it back up to $5000 plus however much you took out. eg. If you spent $200, you would have to put back in $400. I think. I'm a bit confused! We'll work it out though. I've got to ask the school to print out a letter stating my address as proof. Argh!

Jo and I cooked for the first time last night. It was fine in the end but we had a bit of drama with the jar. We tried everything to get it open, even knocked on the neighbour's door! All it took in the end was a bang on the floor. Tasted so good after all that hehe. And I didn't have to do the washing up :p

OMG the gym today! We walked past a gym in the mall so we thought we'd pop in and ask about monthly prices...bad idea. The woman wanted our details- and having pst experiences with gyms bugging me- gave them fake details. Then we were sat down and asked questions about what we wanted to achieve and how often we could go...and then we were told that a personal trainer would come and weigh us and tell us our body fat and muscle percentage! We weren't comfortable at all so Jo started saying, "Jenny what time is it? We have an appointment soon don't we?" "ohhhh yeah...sorry we haven't got time to do that today! We have to be back by 2" And the woman was going "Can you come back tomorrow? We're having an open day" Jo: "No, we're working tomorrow...we'll come back Friday" and we start to leave and the woman was going "Ask for me when you come on Friday!"...We were like "Don't look back, keep walking! Keep walking!" I only wanted to know the price for a membership! We're not joining that gym anyway heehee. We are going swimming later! We bought costumes in town, and it's really cheap to get in. Can't wait!

Catch Up

Where do I start? Ok, Monday. Cat met me in the foyer at 8am and took me to the LRT (Light-train). I was expecting a really long journey but it’s literally only 5 mins. There’s a short walk from the station to the school, and you pass loads of the old-style housing. I’m guessing people who can’t afford apartment rates are living there. They go quite a way up the hill, all hidden by the trees. There’s also quite a few shacks…I’m not sure if there are people living in those but it looks like it. It’s really sad, especially when I live so close. Up the street I went until I came to a big colourful castle-type gateway. I’ll take a picture soon, felt silly doing it the first day! That’s the kindergarten. It really isn’t that big- not as big as I thought anyway. I was introduced to all the teachers who all look very young. They all made me feel welcome even though there’s only really a few who talk good English. Because it was Open Day we all stood in the main hall and greeted the parents and K1 children (3-4 year olds). Then all the teachers had to stand at the front with a mic and say who they were and who they were teaching. Argh! I was so nervous; all my words came out shaky and jumbled. Not a good impression for the parents! After that I was told I could go and play with the children who had been left in the classrooms. So off I went and I sat down next to this little boy and asked, “What are you playing with? Can I join in?” And he looked at me blankly and said something in Chinese. Great! So I turned to the child on the other side of me and said “Do you like trains?” and he ignored me! I felt really discouraged then, so I went and watched the children play from the front of the classroom. The teachers there didn’t help at all- they were too busy talking to parents and comforting crying children. Eventually after a coffee break -which I needed after 1 hours sleep- a parent came up to me and started making conversation. Thank God! Someone who could talk fluent English! He told me where I could get an Octopus card and a nice place to eat, and where in England he had been (He studied at Leicester Uni!). I felt so much better after that. I then found two girls- one who was in junior school and could understand and speak English and her younger sister. I played with them, pretending to cook in the kitchen. I also played with a boy who was putting clips onto one of those big Barbie heads that you do hair and make-up on. That made me feel even better! I sat with Cat and loads of other teachers at lunch, and the helpers- or Yiyi- gave me some food. After lunch the teachers, head teachers and principal had an evaluation meeting. In Chinese- I really don’t know what the point of me being there was! Cat interpreted a bit for me. In the end I was allowed to go and read through last years teaching plans and reference folder. I was home by 5pm.

Today was similar- another Open Day. I didn’t start till 9am today which wasn’t so bad- and I actually got a full night’s sleep- and finished at 3:30pm. I greeted the parents again and the K2 and 3 children. Then the teachers did the presentation and after took the children to their new classrooms. I’ll be teaching K1 and 2, so I went with Ms May (?!) to help one of the K2 classes. The children at least understood me here, and I got a few to speak in English! I let two of the girls be my “hairdresser” and they pretended to dry and hair, shave it and cut it. That was fun! And it was good to be able to make them laugh. After that it was orientation time for the parents, and I was told to go and read the lesson plans and reference book again. Instead I used to computer to research classroom activities. I can find loads of games for K2 (4-5 year olds) but hardly anything for K1. There’s no lesson plans done for K1 either so I’ve got nothing to go on! After lunch it was meeting time again…so boring…I kept dropping off hehe. I was allowed to go really early because there was nothing I could really do. I was home by 4pm.

Tonight I phoned Heather Pang, Ann and Alan’s old friend from college. She and her husband are both living in Hong Kong, on an outlying island. I think her husband is the ordained priest of St Andrew’s. I’m not sure though! Anyway she told me that her church is quite evangelical, which sounds promising! After the 11am service they normally go for lunch so that’s where me and Jo are headed! The church is in Kowloon, so we’ll probably hang around there until it’s time to go to St John’s in Central. No point coming back to Tuen Mun just to have to make the hour-long journey back again!

In Brief

School: Scary
Church: Twice on Sunday! See diary on right.
Cooking: Disaster!
Weather: Stormy

Anne- I got in contact with Heather! She's meeting me and Jo off the bus on Sunday for a service and then lunch! I'll give you her email once she emails me.

Will update ASAP.

Take a look at one of the churches we're going to on Sunday- St Andrews

Pigs Ears

Day 2 in Hong Kong: Shopping!!

Me and Jo caught a taxi down town to a big shopping mall after lunch today. 5 floors of heaven! We bought our first things from a shop called Wanko heehee! I bought this blue sack dress thing, and Jo bought a gorgeous green skirt. They have these tiny little shops in the mall which are packed full of all odd things. We bought a simcard too so we can txt each other really cheaply, and I can also phone home. Not that anyone answers when I do! We stopped for "lunch"(at 5pm) at a very nice restaurant and ate terraki beef, sun-dried octopus and chicken, and spicy shredded pork belly and ears. Yes- pigs ears! And Yes- they were gross. Too crunchy. And also I couldn't get the image of my dog chewing on an ear out of my head. The belly strips were really nice though. The meal came to $116 altogether which is £8!!! And our taxi ride cost us $20 each way- £1.50! The strangest thing is seeing everything in the supermarket labelled with $89.99 and $65, I did a double take when I saw the cost of milk! I don't know how much I spent altogether today but I bought a pair of 3/4 length jeans, underwear, a skirt and a big leather bag. I have my eye on a new mobile phone but it's over $2000. Maybe on pay-day! Or my Birthday (hint hint mom!).

Tomorrow the schools are having an Open Day kind of thing, so we've got to go and meet the parents. It'll be a chance to see the school and get familiar with the journey. I think they said my school was only one stop on the LRT (train). Jo has a longer journey by the sounds of it. I'm a bit nervous about tomorrow, maybe nervous is the wrong word. I'm anticipating it. Apprehensive! I have no idea what to expect! I'll keep you all updated of course.

I have uploaded a few photos to flickr- if you click on the pictures on the left it will take you to my main page. I woke up at 6am this morning and couldn't sleep so I took some pics of the view from my window. Enjoy! I've had to upgrade to a pro-account because i've used over half of my monthly limit already!

I'm Here!

I've arrived! At last! The flight nearly killed me and Jo- the seats were so uncomfy so we couldn't get in a good position to sleep, and the films were rubbish. My screen wasn't even working properly. I spent most of the flight watching where we were on the map. The battery on my mp3 ran out too after an hour because for some reason it had turned itself on in my bag. I think I managed to sleep for about 2 hours in total.

Once we got off the plane and got through security everything went much quicker! We were met by Cat and Pet, and driven to our gorgeous little apartment in Tuen Mun. Me and Jo were both expecting a grimy, dank room but it is very spacious (although small) and bright. We have in the living room a TV, an internet modem, a dining table and 4 chairs, and a 3-seat leather sofa. I'll upload pics eventually. The kitchen is tiny, and so is the bathroom but i think we can cope. NO SPIDERS! Although Bo Bo said she has a big spider living under her bed...Anyway, we were met at the apartment by the Principals of the schools me and Jo are working in. We found out we're working in 2 different schools quite a distance from each other- eek! I'm working with Cat and Jo is working with Bo Bo. We were taken to dinner at a local seafood restaurant. Attached to the apartment is a mall with 2 restaurants, 2 small supermarkets and various other small shops. Neither of the restaurants have menues in english! The Principal ordered lots of really nice food- chicken, beef, crab, oyster (eurgh), meatballs (yum) and soups. After we stuffed ourselves silly we went to the supermarket and stocked up on essentials (like chocolate!!). Finally the teachers all came back to our apartment and wrote down the address of our apartment and schools in both english and cantonese.

Sorry if everything seems packed in! I'm not a great writer at the best of times hehe. More pics to come but for now here's a pic of me and Jo on the sofa:

9-and-a-half Hours To Go!

Goodbye England!

35 Hours To Go!

I'm ill :( I can't believe I've woken up feeling poorly the day before I'm due to fly out! I'm all dosed up on paracetamol and strepsils so hopefully I'll feel 100% tomorrow. Can't believe it's my last day. The past few weeks have gone so quickly! I'm going to finish packing later. It's so exciting!! I keep checkin and double checking all the flight stuff. Jo realised yesterday that her seat hadn't been reserved but she phoned and we can reallocate when we check in. Phew- won't be sat next to any smelly business men!

I'm being met in Hong Kong by the English teachers from the school- Pet and Cat. We're then going to be taken for dinner with the Principals and Bo Bo (Head of the English dept.). Argh! Feeling just slightly daunted. We've got to make a good impression after a long flight and too little sleep! I think the flight is shorter than I thought- only 12 hours if the arrival time is in HK-time? I keep confusing myself! 12 hours isn't so bad really. I've packed 4 books in my hand luggage hehe. Oh- I have my address! I'm expecting lots of parcels full of good food and whatever else I'm missing!! Like chocolate. And tinned ravioli mmmmm.

Any last minute tips/advice anyone? Vicky has given me loads, like drink plenty of water and remember to do leg exercises!

Prison Break

I can't believe I'm going to be missing series 3 of Prison Break!! This isn't the official trailer but still a cool little video. Oh- does anyone know if it will still be shown on 5? Or have Sky bought it? I haven't got Sky :( They stole Lost too so I couldn't watch that! It's so unfair.

Other TV programmes I'm going to miss: Neighbours, ER, Casualty, Grey's Anatomy, This Morning- You can't beat Phil and Fern!

5 Days To Go!

How excited am I!! Visa. Check! Ticket. Check! Hong Kong Dollars. Check! Suitcase packed. Err...nearly!

On Saturday Mitch, Jennie, Matt, Jake, Joe, Sam, Vicky and Steve came for a meal. I had some fantastic gifts- a digital camera with webcam, a beautiful necklace, a photo album, and passport cover and luggage tag. A BIG thank you to Mitch and Jennie! My Mom and Dad put looooaads of food on, and decorated the dining room with pictures of me as a kid...soo embarrassing. We played Chain Reaction- my fave game. Boys vs Girls and us girls should have won! The Moon is not a source of light Matthew! Although Jake's answer to "Things you can clench between your buttocks" was worth us losing I think! I had such a great time, I'm so glad they all came up to see us.

The Thursday before was results day. And another chance to go out and have a good time! Didn't do so well in Physics, but I've been accepted onto the foundation course so it's all OK. I got a B in RE too and a C in General Studies and AS Maths. Well done to Alex who's off to Cambridge this summer, and Adam P who got 4 A's and is off to Aberystwyth! In the evening we all went out round the bars in Cannock to celebrate (and commiserate) and I don't know about anyone else, but I had a fantastic time!

This week is going to go so fast. I'm pretty sure I'm all ready to go. I have packed so much stuff I can hardly lift my case! There can't be anything I've forgotten- and if there is you can guarantee I won't remember it until Friday lunchtime as we're driving down to the airport!

I hope the others who are flying out this week- Zoe, Joel and Jules- have a safe journey! Can't wait to meet you in Hong Kong!!

2 weeks and 2 days to go!

Me and Jo are flying out on August 24th at 20:40 ...2 weeks on Friday! I've bought my clothes and a new camera, got travel insurance sorted, and my visa is stuck into my passport so I'm all set. Feeling very excited now! I'm so glad I'm flying with Jo, and that it's a direct flight (as far as I know), it's one less thing to worry about. Not that I'm worried really, that's Mom's job!

Talking of jobs- I've been working for a guy called Steve, selling odd items on ebay while he's been away. It's been cool, easy really, and I've got to know his son Joe and his friend Sam. I'm at Steve's now...working away!

There's not much else to write about...Haven't really done much. I went to a friend's surprise birthday party and had a wkd time on Sat! It was great to see everyone again.

I'm off for now!