This was going to be a happy blog, cheerful and full of nice tales about my students. However, circumstances have changed. I am somewhere between heartbroken and furious. We got fired today. The chinese government says we are not qualified to be teachers so we're being fired. On top of this, we are being evicted; we have to move out by the weekend.
Most of the teachers don't know yet, but the teacher that did was visibly upset, which doesn't make me feel any better. I've decided not to teach my lessons tomorrow and instead I'm going to use the time to say goodbye to my students. It's so unfair to give us so little warning about it, and it is in breach of our contract. The whole thing is in breach of our contract, but none of that matters to the Chinese government.
I don't even know what to think.
I've laughed because the situation is so ridiculous. I nearly cried because it's heartbreaking (I struggled to think of a synonym). I yelled and grimaced (at nothing in particular) because I can't believe they're doing this to us now. Right now, I feel a little anxious and dejected.
I'm a little worried about money. I'm losing 1650 yuan in wages, on top of this I now have to pay for food and accommodation for the next 18 days which definitely were not in my budget. I had it all planned out - I knew exactly how much I had to spend every day after accommodation and transport. My budget does not accomodate for this; I was spending all the money I have to my name on this travelling. The school is also supposed to pay for our return to Beijing but who knows if they will still do that other wise that's another 500 yuan.
I am at a complete loss about what to do. We have spoken to our area manager from TTC who is trying to get the school to give us the 10 days written notice but I honestly don't what we can do. I am at a loss
Let's move on to the happier things now.
I was used as a climbing pole by a very determined child yesterday. I refused to pick him up, despite his incessant jumping up with outstretched arms. he obviously didn't like the favouritism being shown to his younger sister, whom I had just set back down on the floor, so instead, climbed up my legs and wrapped himself around my waist.
I enjoyed a lovely natter with my sister last night for over an hour! I miss her lots and lots. I made her giggle lots with my silly stories. She found the idea of me standing in front of P5A (that infamous, wayward class) singing S club 7's 'Reach' hilarious and started singing "weach for the stars" to herself. The story of the little 6 year old unremittingly flipping me off, regardless of the shocked expression on my face also proved to entertain her somewhat. These children have character by the bucketful.
I decided to tire myself out last night by going for a run round the school track. After returning a pleasant plum colour, I came across some students wandering the corridors. Naturally, I queried their actions. They were looking for a chilli or two to put in their noodles for some flavour. I had a packet in my fridge and acquiesced and handed over a few. (That word reminds me only of pirates of the caribbean now - "I am disinclined to acquiesce your request" - just pretend you can hear me putting on a voice) Despite my attempts to shut the door behind me, they still wandered into my room. Now imagine I had started with my anecdote with 'I had two boys in my room last night.'
This chilli business did not stop at these two though. Shortly after I heard a knock at my door. I had just got out of the shower and was wrapped ina towel and, upon the assumption that it would be Isobel knocking, thought it safe to open the door. To my surprise I found 2 more boys stood at my door in want of chillis. They took the packet away, further to my surprise, and returned in later, when I was in my pyjamas, which to some extent is a better outfit, but still not the most appropriate, to be seen in by students. They paid me 5 mau for them too, the cutiepies (that's about 3pence)
My my, this entry is on the long side. Sorry!
Most of the teachers don't know yet, but the teacher that did was visibly upset, which doesn't make me feel any better. I've decided not to teach my lessons tomorrow and instead I'm going to use the time to say goodbye to my students. It's so unfair to give us so little warning about it, and it is in breach of our contract. The whole thing is in breach of our contract, but none of that matters to the Chinese government.
I don't even know what to think.
I've laughed because the situation is so ridiculous. I nearly cried because it's heartbreaking (I struggled to think of a synonym). I yelled and grimaced (at nothing in particular) because I can't believe they're doing this to us now. Right now, I feel a little anxious and dejected.
I'm a little worried about money. I'm losing 1650 yuan in wages, on top of this I now have to pay for food and accommodation for the next 18 days which definitely were not in my budget. I had it all planned out - I knew exactly how much I had to spend every day after accommodation and transport. My budget does not accomodate for this; I was spending all the money I have to my name on this travelling. The school is also supposed to pay for our return to Beijing but who knows if they will still do that other wise that's another 500 yuan.
I am at a complete loss about what to do. We have spoken to our area manager from TTC who is trying to get the school to give us the 10 days written notice but I honestly don't what we can do. I am at a loss
Let's move on to the happier things now.
I was used as a climbing pole by a very determined child yesterday. I refused to pick him up, despite his incessant jumping up with outstretched arms. he obviously didn't like the favouritism being shown to his younger sister, whom I had just set back down on the floor, so instead, climbed up my legs and wrapped himself around my waist.
I enjoyed a lovely natter with my sister last night for over an hour! I miss her lots and lots. I made her giggle lots with my silly stories. She found the idea of me standing in front of P5A (that infamous, wayward class) singing S club 7's 'Reach' hilarious and started singing "weach for the stars" to herself. The story of the little 6 year old unremittingly flipping me off, regardless of the shocked expression on my face also proved to entertain her somewhat. These children have character by the bucketful.
I decided to tire myself out last night by going for a run round the school track. After returning a pleasant plum colour, I came across some students wandering the corridors. Naturally, I queried their actions. They were looking for a chilli or two to put in their noodles for some flavour. I had a packet in my fridge and acquiesced and handed over a few. (That word reminds me only of pirates of the caribbean now - "I am disinclined to acquiesce your request" - just pretend you can hear me putting on a voice) Despite my attempts to shut the door behind me, they still wandered into my room. Now imagine I had started with my anecdote with 'I had two boys in my room last night.'
This chilli business did not stop at these two though. Shortly after I heard a knock at my door. I had just got out of the shower and was wrapped ina towel and, upon the assumption that it would be Isobel knocking, thought it safe to open the door. To my surprise I found 2 more boys stood at my door in want of chillis. They took the packet away, further to my surprise, and returned in later, when I was in my pyjamas, which to some extent is a better outfit, but still not the most appropriate, to be seen in by students. They paid me 5 mau for them too, the cutiepies (that's about 3pence)
My my, this entry is on the long side. Sorry!
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