My host sister had totally forgotten she had to do a work experience during the summer holiday so I suggested we could both wake up very early and work! She was delighted;
To be honest I thought I would be a total disaster for the family business, but it turned out to be fairly successful!
We sold a lot of milk tea, coffee and milkshakes! Ok I did not make them (to complicated) but the Chinese people were very curious to understand what on earth I was doing!
They speak very fast, it's still difficult for me to follow. Most of the time, I just smile and try to pick up one or two words/sentence...
Every morning, I learn how to write 10 new words, my sister explains the history and the meaning of each character, it helps a lot!
At the moment, I know the name of almost everything I'm eating, I also know basic verbs (walk, talk, wash, say, see, sing, dance, go, come, be, have, like, know...) and nouns of daily objects I use.
The hardest things to remember for me are the names! Not only was I not particularly good at it in France, here, it's really hard.
Today was also my first day at school (official day), I met my classmates, and there was a big opening ceremony.
Because of my beginner status in mandarin, they have placed me in 10th grade, so I'm one year older than my classmates....and 40cm higher! (joking, some boys are fairly tall)
I wore a school uniform for the first time in my life. I must admit I was expecting a shirt, with a little skirt and high socks... No no no.
My chinese high school uniform is:
-to big for me (they had to give me XXL trousers, since they have never coped with a girl my hight)
-like a hiking outfit, it's hard to distinguish girls from boys!
One of the most marking experiences today was the high school toilets.
Ok: no door, no seat, just a small wall (about a meter high)
As soon as I stepped in the room, I told myself: you have to do it, if they can, so can you! But my head sticked out and apparently it seemed to be the appropriate time and situation (to their mind) to come and say "Hello! How are you?..."
I couldn't believe it. I will take pictures of the toilet I promise, believe me, it's worth it.
We then had some physical exercise outside, every class stands in a very fine row, (since I am the tallest girl I stand at the front). We stood in the sun for 7minutes, and went back in, to start again; interesting.
Finally, the big opening ceremony began. All the students from all the different grades were in lines, listening to the director's and teacher's speech.
I was then invited to the stage, to introduce myself. "make it a show" they told me.
I talked about myself, told them I would be delighted to speak with them and they could teach me some Chinese. I taught them some French, made them repeat "bonjour"!
I will post some official images as soon as they are available on the high school website. (if I'm not mistaken, there is a possibility a video of the ceremony shall be diffused on television)
School day was over. I received a lot of very personal handmade presents, sweets, compliments and invitations! I was begged to make a QQ number...
My week is already booked, my new friends invite me to their family, for dinner, traditional events...
I am touched by their warm smiles and gifts, the efforts they make to communicate with me!
I will get to know them better in a year, I'm very exited about it.
The teachers so far have been very helpful, and patient.
I already have homework ...
I am looking forward to my day off tomorrow; I shall have my first (and certainly not last) KTV experience !
(karaoke club) I'm going with my sister and two friends.
