Teaching in China: Rainy Days

Hello friends and family!

So I don't have a lot to report this week. It rained like non-stop on Wednesday and Thursday which is good because 1. I like the rain and 2. It cooled the weather way down so no more sweating in my apartment! (no AC).

On Wednesday after dinner, I got to my apartment and realized I didn't have my key.. shoot. I figured I just left it in my apartment and forgot to bring it with me when I left. So I called Sylvia and she told me she would call the guards to tell them I was coming to get an extra key. So I went to the guard building outside our building and they didn't seem to know what I was talking about.. One guy followed me up to my apartment so I thought he understood but no. So I called Sylvia and asked her to speak to the guard. Then she told me the guard would be right back. He came back with key in hand so I thought he was going to open my door. Buuut it didn't fit. So I called Sylvia AGAIN and gave it to the guard who talked, then hung up then gestured to follow him. We went back down to the guard building and he just gestured at me to sit down and he started writing in some notebook. He did this for a few minutes before gesturing to my phone. I called Sylvia once again and she talked to him. Then she talked to me and said she had meant the guard building at the school! I don't know why it took so long to figure out that she was talking to the wrong guard but I walked in the rain over to the school, got my key and finally made it home!

Fun story right? Sorry, like I said, it wasn't a very exciting week. Although we did get train tickets and a hostel booked for our trip to Chengdu! Lindsay, Chris, Evan and I are going on October 3rd until the 6th. All of China has a week off school starting the 1st of October. We would've left the on the 1st but we waited to long to book tickets. It is a popular time to travel. But we are going to a giant Panda Research Center and some other fun sights while we are there. And we are going to experience staying in a hostel which is sort of like a dorm room. 4-6 beds in a room, shared bathroom with the hallway. It only cost about 11 US dollars a night (some cost as low as 5) and it is a popular place for backpackers to stay and often time foreign backpackers. It should be quite an experience!

We thought about going from Chengdu to Xi'an which is where the Terracotta Warriors are. But again, we booked too late and it is a lot of traveling. We are talking 20 hour train rides here. Oh well! I'm hoping to take a plane sometime to Xi'an (not on a big holiday) because, as an art major, I am really interested in seeing these beautiful sculptures!

So now for bad news. It is Friday and I woke up this morning with a fever, burning sore throat, difficulty swallowing and pain in my ear. It was a rough night. Awful. I called Lindsay and she thought it might be strep because she also woke up with a burning throat, just no fever. Obviously I stayed home and texted Sylvia to let her know. Lindsay still went to teach her classes. I took some Ibuprofen then was able to fall asleep for most of the morning. And now I have to brag about how amazing the people at our school are. Sylvia came over around noon to bring me lunch! She brought me warm, delicious dumplings and some sort of warm porridge. She even brought some kind of tea packets? I think? She said to dump the packet in warm water and drink it to help soothe my throat. Haven't tried it yet... How sweet of her!! She takes such amazing care of us. Just what I needed since I don't have my mommy here to take care of me! I'm serious though.

Then after Lindsay was done teaching she called and convinced me that we needed to see a doctor. There is a clinic at our school that Sylvia said she would take us to. I was worried because we had heard that often times doctors in China will put you on an IV drip when you are sick. I don't handle needles well... Luckily, the doctor just took my temperature, looked down our throats and prescribed us some antibiotics and gave me a fever reducer. Sylvia helped us pick up our prescription. Antibiotics for 28 yuan (less than $5) is crazy! That is with no insurance or anything either. Anyway, we are going back to clinic on Monday to see if the meds worked, otherwise they might try an IV. Let's hope not! So again, Sylvia came to our aid and we just love her! She even asked the cafeteria to make a special meal for us for dinner.

I also have to give a shout out to my cat friend, Lindsay. (Yes, we call each other cat friend.. long story). Even though she is sick too, she was still looking out for me. After the doctor, she came over and brought some foods and treats and this yummy vitamin C drink to help cheer us both up. And then we bummed around watching netflix until dinner. I am so grateful to be going through this experience with her!

Even though I get so tired after teaching each week and sometimes I am homesick or overwhelmed.. or sick with strep.. it is soooo comforting to know that I have these people to rely on when I need help. I don't know if I could do it without them!!

And since I didn't have any new pics to post, here are some older ones that I haven't posted yet for some reason!