100 days away from home <3

Day 91 and 92 - Weekend!

I began my weekend with a night of party. The clubs in Shanghai have crazy beautiful views and for foreigners, everything's for free. Entrance and drinks; no need to bring any money (maybe for a taxi home; although I even walked home because my hostel was so close :)).

The rest of the weekend I enjoyed my free time and prepared a little for the teachertraining. Which, in hindsight, wasn't really necessary.

Day 93 - Healthcheck and 1st day of training

This day started very weirdly with the healthcheck I needed to do to apply for my workvisa. I arrived at a hospitallike building, where I first needed to fill out forms and have my picture taken. Then they called me into room number 113, where I had to take all my clothes of, except for my pants, and put on a hospitalrobe instead. I then got pointed to room 107, where I had to lie down while they checked my lungfunction. Room 108 was next, where they did a thorough check of my liver, kidneys and stomach (I think... In none of the rooms anyone actually explained anything. They just said 'lie down' and shouted the next roomnumber after). Room 109 was for an ECG (it was only in this room where I asked what they were doing, since they were putting electrodes all over me and I was afraid they would electrocute me). Room 111: blood samples. Room 112: bloodpressure. Back to room 113 to changes clothes again and I was free to go after I confirmed twice that I'm not pregnant.

Next I went off to training in my brandnew H&M outfit!

Day 94 - 97 Training

These days went incredibly fast! 9.30 - 17.30 training, where we practised giving classes. Every day again I got so nervous because it's all new to me, I don't like being the center of attention and I got very shy. So it took me a lot of energy, but I'm convinced this teachingexperience is gonna make me a richer person :) (in so many ways!)

I spend the evenings with my Shanghai friends, eating noodles and walking around Shanghai :D There was also some doing homework involved...

The hostel I stayed in this week was outright disgusting. The nights were awful, mainly because the mattresses were 2cm thick and 3 of the 5 Chinese girls I shared my room with were snoring. Also they tend to turn the lights on in the middle of the night, have very loud conversations, and play videogames with the sound turned on. They didn't speak English (but I totally can't blame them since I'm in their country and the only Chinese I speak so far is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, hello, thank you). And they pee with the door open, but all of this might be due to cultural differences.

Day 98 - Opening at the school

This day was basically about singing and dancing with the children (3 - 6 years old), all-day-long. Sweaty period in my life... A lot of potential new clients visited the school, the parents wanted to see who the new teacher was. Slightly awkward at times ;) At night I was exhausted, but still had to study for the exam the next day.

Day 99 - Final day of training!

After 7 days we finished with a written exam and a practice democlass. Democlass is where parents and their children take a short lesson with you to learn about the teachingmethod and style. Again, little bit nervous but I can already feel the nerves affect me less and less :D Hurraaay!! I feel happy and proud ^^

Day 100!!!!

So it has been 100 days since I left home. Feels exciting and kind of unreal. Time has passed so fast!! And to think it's just the beginning...

My new hostel is way better, I slept, loved my breakfast, finally got a chance to do some laundry, I went to cook and eat lunch with my friends Peter and Olga, slept a little bit more, went for a trial Kizomba lesson. Which was amazing, I loved it! So now I'll practice my basic steps and hip movement (which seriously needs 'some' work haha) and I'll join their party on wednesday.

Byeeee everybody! Big hug from the other side of the world :D