I think I'm turning Japa....I mean Chinese ;)

Wow! Two and a half weeks can seem like a lifetime! I feel like I have been here for years! Cangzhou is becoming so familiar and now I have my very own bicycle complete with a basket and all! There is no stopping me now! I have even gotten pretty savvy with the traffic and am blending in with the locals…kinda! I still get the constant stares and attempts at their minimal English use! But it has been great. I am really starting to enjoy it despite the completely different world that it is and sometimes I even forget I am in China until a motorised rickshaw nearly sideswipes me, or someone spits on the ground, or a little kid uses the public bathroom….that would be any outdoor spot available! Haha! They even have special little slits in the back of their little pants for easy access! It is hilarious! Only in China!

I have found myself definitely gaining more confidence. I am more willing to venture out into the city with each and every day! Tomorrow I will conquer the grocery store by myself (I have had a couple of visits accompanied by one of my teacher assistants) and my friend Kasey and I will try the restaurant tomorrow night by ourselves also! It will be interesting. We went for a big bike ride after school today and made our way around the plethora of street carts and deadly traffic to check out the canal/river thing that Cangzhou has got going on! The city is really big into just hanging out outside…wether it kids riding their bikes, teenagers doing crazy breakdancing in the park (who were very excited to get our attention), random jumping castles and live singing….it seems that everyone just likes to hang around outside. The sun was out today and it was a gorgeous warm spring day (which also means I got a hot shower tonight….score! Still getting used to timing my showers according to the weather. Last nights shower was tepid at the most - not even enough to steam the windows up - but was definitely a necessity as my hair was about a week overdue to be washed) unlike the last couple of days where torrential, freezing rain was the flavour of the day. I didn't realise the north of China would be so temperamental with its weather….but looks like it is! So a bike ride was definitely in order!

I have had my bike for about three days and love it to bits! It is definitely going to make my stay far more enjoyable as I get to venture further on the bike than on foot! And it's a quick escape if I don't feel comfortable in a certain area!

I am working far less hours than I did when I first got here as I was supposed to be replacing a teacher whose visa wasn't happening for him…but turns out he is all good to stay and after a few touch and go moments with the embassy, Tomas is here to stay. So he has taken his classes back - that I grew to love so quickly - and I have opened up a couple of new ones! But only a few. The kids are so little and so gorgeous. I am just head over heels for these kids and this school! Even the naughty ones - they probably are some of my favs! So I am working less but will still get paid the same so I am happy! I will open up some more classes soon, we just need some more good Chinese teacher assistants.
Kasey is another new teacher from Colorado, USA. She is a great girl with a very adventurous spirit. She is here for a year too and has the goal to learn Chinese. She is always up to try anything and has hit the ground running with her adventures around Cangzhou. She is always so positive. Love her spirit. So she is gonna be a good one to have around. She isn't living with me…she is living with our boss so I am here in this big old apartment by myself still! But all good….all the more hot water for me! Haha! Oh...and we start Chinese lessons tomorrow...eeek!!

I attempted cooking the other day! Complete disaster! I didn't have the essentials like garlic and ginger so I got stuck with the most bland meal I have ever tasted! Chinese cooking is so different. They cook 5 or 6 very simple, tasty dishes and share them on the table. But unfortunately that style doesn't work for one so I am going to have to get creative. I am going to venture down to the market tomorrow to see what ingredients I can muster up to start cooking some decent meals! Up until now I have been eating 2 minute noodles and dinners out at restaurants. But this lifestyle has earned me the name Ms. Noodles. So we will have to do something about that!

Anyway, it was Easter Sunday today and there was not a Hot Cross Bun or Choccy Bunny in sight and that was very sad as emails from my fellow Aussies indicated there was definitely a plentiful supply where they were! I am sure everyone is off camping and celebrating as they all do over Easter and combined with Anzac day - you guys have a sweet sweet deal over there! So HAPPY EASTER to all my friends and family!! Enjoy your day off tomorrow!

Feat of the week: I unblocked my toilet today! Haha! Thanks to my uncle or plumber brother or someone who once told me to get a good old trusty coathanger and go to town - that fix 'er up good and proper! Success!! I am learning a thing or two over here!

Lots of thinking about India is happening at the moment! I have lots of time on my hands and a constant internet connection so researching is pretty much a daily occurrence. If anyone has any tips or ideas let me know…my friend Vanessa and I are throwing ideas back and forth and I have locked in dates with a couple of NGO's that I will be doing some volunteer work with. Very excited!! VERY!!

Anyway, love to you all! Miss you all incredibly!

HJ xx

P.S. If anyone has suggestions for sharing photos...please let me know.Can't upload here...dodgy version...no facebook...most websites are blocked here! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!