Have you ever wanted to kick yourself?

Have you ever wanted to kick yourself?

I am kicking myself right now, because I knew that I should have begun learning Chinese while I was in America.

I thought about buying the $500-600 Rosette Stone for Chinese, and I was going to learn as much as I could over the summer. But No! I figured that because many of the people in Tianjin spoke some English many people in Dalian would also speak some English. It is a major port and resort city.

And Students take English from the time they are in first grade, but no one around here speaks it...many don't even speak Chinglish (a mixture of English and Chinese - it's not a real language).

To any of you wishing to work in a foreign country...learn the language before you go. Some things you will need to know:

1. How to ask for directions
2. How to follow directions (right, left, straight ahead, turn around, north, south, east, west,
etc.)
3. How to identify bathrooms (men's vs. women's)
4. That should get you started.

I guess you can say that I am facing a bit of culture shock. But hey! How many people who move to other countries escape its ugly grip? I would venture that the answer is none.

I did see a ray (or rey) of hope when I met a 3rd year student who spoke English well. But it is at this point that I need to kick myself again.

Why you ask. Good question. Because I was so excited to hear him speaking English that I forgot to ask him the question I really, really needed to know. Where is the east gate?

The reason I need to know that is because I am supposed to meet someone there to take me to get my pre-employment physical.

I have yet to receive a map of the campus and guess what. All the buildings only have Chinese on them. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I've walked around campus a little bit, but really don't know what I am looking at -- expect for the school store and places to eat on campus. I found those quickly. Hey the nose knows.

I am sure things will get better as, more teachers arrive and I learn the language.

FUN FACT TO KNOW AND SHARE

Oh by the way, I took an online personality test and found out that I was extremely extroverted. Surprise! I was told that I was in the top 25 percent of extroverts in Dalian, China. I am guessing it is closer to the top 10.

I learned another interesting fact. Chinese people do not say hello to strangers. So little ole me -- the extroverted one has been saying hi and smiling away and receiving a few smiles back, but mostly some strange looks. I guess the students at the North China Mining College, in Tianjin, were more western.

Knowing that fun fact to know and share helps me to realize it is a cultural thing and in a few weeks I will know many of these kids and we will be okay to greet one another on the way to and from class. If I am really cool maybe even in town.

Just keeping it real.

Love ya,

James :-)