An Ayi, New Name and Interview

Monday, August 11, 2008

We started our first day of training today and then the first group of 7 that came early to China were taken to the downtown area for our police interview. Each of us were asked just a few questions that were all different from each other. Tom was asked what ethnic group he was, and was stunned that he had 2 masters. Was he planning to do any traveling in China? They asked me if I could speak Chinese because I said “ni hau” (hello) and “duay bu chi” (I’m sorry). She wanted to know what I would be teaching and where I have traveled before and why I wanted to teach in China. That was it. Another teacher was asked about her college education and wanted to know how American students chose which college to go. She also wanted to know about the SAT tests. She was amazed at our system and how we can retake the tests and can chose where we want to go to college. Another teacher didn’t get asked any questions because our translator was on the phone. Another teacher was asked what he did with his time after work. Another teacher had filled out the application in blue ink instead of black and she focused on that. He had to write over everything in black ink. It was all very random, and not at all intimidating.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

We went on a 2 hour walking tour around Shekou with our director and about 15 other teachers. We had already been everywhere he took us except that we did learn where to catch the ferry to Hong Kong.

We also took another trip to IKEA with the school so it was a free ride. We actually went to the other stores around IKEA. There is a French chain store much like Wal-Mart called The Metro. It has very good fresh meat that is more reasonably priced and regulated.

Saturday, August 09, 2008

We went to a pancake breakfast at the Brantley’s (our director). It was nice to visit with the other teachers. Real maple syrup here is really expensive!
In the afternoon we went to another district in Shenzhen about 1 hour away on the coast. We were asked to help teach English to some Chinese students learning “crazy” English. We taught some songs and led some games with phonics. Our friend was so grateful. To have an actual American come to teach gives greater credibility to their school.

Friday, August 08

We met with our new Ayi today to go over our apartment and expectations with her. I had written out a schedule for the week in both English and pinyin Chinese (English letters for Chinese). She speaks some English and seemed to understand.

We were asked by another couple to join them at McCawley’s Irish Pub to watch the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics on the big screen. We ordered snacks and Tsingtua (the local) Beer. There was a mixture of both expats and Chinese. Three Chinese joined our table as the place was full. We were there for about 1 hour and then the place became packed. Tom left to see if we could get in on our TV and then came back to get us all. We watched the rest in our living room eating more snacks. It was exciting to be in China for this event.

Thursday, August 07

We went on the metro again today to go to the end of the line which brings you to the train station. The train station is not foreigner friendly….best to buy your tickets online. A few signs were in English, but even the ticket clerk for the foreigner line did not speak English. We could not figure out any costs or how it worked. At the end of the station is a huge mall with 100’s of small knock off stores all selling genuine copies of all kinds of things. It was very nauseating to us. There was only a couple of eateries. We went back to the Children’s Palace metro stop where the huge 5 story Shenzhen library is. It has an English book, magazine, and newspaper section. Then we explored across the street to find out where the entrance to what looked like a park was. We found it and the park was big with lots of trees and greenery. We want to go back to hike around and take a picnic lunch.

Wednesday, August 06

We went to our favorite Chinese fast food again today and were asked by 3 Chinese ladies if they could join our table as the place was full. One spoke English really well. They all worked at the silk factory a few blocks away. They take orders and email people in English all over the world. They were excited to practice speaking English with us. They gave me new Chinese name….MingMing. It means “bright.” Eileen means “light” and I wanted something with the same basic meaning. They asked us about our home in the US. We then invited them to our apt. to see the virtual tour of our house in Indiana that we got when we sold the house. They were amazed. These ladies were 27, 39, and 42 years old…all single and still living with their parents. We found out that a lot of women were brought to this area to work in the factories.

We interviewed at the school for an Ayi (house servant) who will cook, clean, shop, and iron. The problem was negotiating the pay. There is no set rate. We finally asked the office and they said between 25 and 30 Yuan an hour. Another teacher was also interviewing the same Ayi with us. She wanted her for 2 hours and us for 3 hours per day so we would share her. The other teacher came from Kiev, Ukraine where they were use to paying a higher wage. She wanted to pay the higher rate and pay more (33 Yuan) after a 2 month trial. This pretty much forced us to do the same. I couldn’t tell how experienced she was. So we will try her for 2 months and see how it goes. If she works out, it will be worth it.