Happy Halloween at EF!

Yesterday was Halloween. I bought a bunch of cheap candy to hand out to my students throughout the weekend. Of course they loved that! I wore a mask on and off throughout the day, very funny for them. After class EF held a Halloween party across the street at the "Orange Street Bar". There were activities and games and EF prizes/propaganda. It was overall a success i think. Pumpkins everywhere, some snacky food, free beer for the teachers (!) and some live music (some ok, some crappy).

I had my first observation by Ian, the Director of Studies (DOS) and my boss. I also had my first parent observation.

I think both went well... got some positive feedback from Ian and nothing from the parents' yet. A bit intimidating to say the least but it's good that they observe us so that we keep on our toes.
Happy November to all! A sunny day it is here in Urumqi. Beginning to really like the city and the different facets that are exposed everyday to me.

Have plans to leave the city area with a few fellow colleagues to go to Heaven Lake/Mountain. Yes, fresh air and beautiful scenery!

Soap Opera Drama @ EF

Who's who in the social map? Well, we are quite the expat community here, let me tell you. It seems that everyone hooks up with either:
a) another foreign teacher/student/passerbyer
b) a local uyghur, chinese or kazakh

Only 3 of us are single. And only 1 of us is doing long distance (SUsi and her BF Nikolaj who is in Denmark). ROtating partners is not uncommon either. And the gossip grapevine is disgusting. i'm a bit taken aback by all this. Do i participate or do i just sit back and watch? Will i be allowed to just watch from the sidelines? I'm implicated in one way or another. Oh god. When i don't think about it, it's fine. but it's hard not to sicne i'm surrounded by these people day in and day out. I'm starting my chinese lessons today with Teresa. That will be nice. I'm also hoping to buy a laptop. Amy is going to go and take me to her friend, who is the maanger at a computer store. I don't mind helping her friend out; i just hope it isn't ridiculously expensive. FInding myself using British and Auzzie slang. Bloody this and bloody that... also taking on some of the accented words subconsciously. Kind of funny.

Had a pleasant evening of painting and listening to music with Susi last night. Very very therapeutic. I'm glad she is easy to get along with and easy to talk to. SHe is neutral in this whole EF soap opera and so that is good for me. Plus she doesn't smoke nor drink a drop. A definite good influence. And don't get me started on her cleanliness!!! I definitely lucked out.

I just wanna watch a couple of movies and understand!

I rented a movie yesterday evening on my way home. I paid 1 yuan for it (about 25 cents CDN, not even actually).

The guy said it was in English.

The name of the movie was ... oh, it escapes me right now, but it's the one with Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon and J-Lopez and they dance and they are happy and yadda yadda..

Anyways, the quality was so bad, it looked like someone just brought a video camera into the theatre and filmed it right there.

AND it was only in Chinese with Chinese subtitles. No Menu was available either.

So Susi and i borrow a video from the girls upstairs, Peta and Dora.

Out of all the foreigners, we have quite the eclectic collection of pirated movies all purchased at about 6 yuan each.

But you pay for the quality. Or rather, the quality reflects the price.

So we were watching BLUE CRUSH and getting mesmorized by the beach and the ocean and the tanned buff-looking surfers (appropriately enough, our flat provided just the right climate for that particular film - hot, hot, and hotter.)

Half way through the movie, it stops. Just like that. No More movie. Gave up, and just listened to some bob marley and went to bed.

Another day today,... another movie attempt tonight ? I don't think so! We are gonna get physical and play some badminton after my class tonight. Youpee.

See pics of my new flat. Note: bright happy colours in my bedroom. A nice contrast to the grey blah outdoor filth.