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| Apartment 1203: Kari & Lara's place! |
As if just getting here was not enough of an ordeal and undertaking--37 hours, delays, troubleshooting, more delays, confusion, complications, and hauling SO MUCH LUGGAGE)--now that I'm two days in, so much more has been accomplished (some things, especially dealing with technological issues, I feel especially proud and accomplished in having set up!):
- I'm all moved into my new apartment with my (former (2008-2009), and now again current) roommate, Kari!
- I completely unpacked within 2 hours of arriving in Beilun. Now I just need to purchase some additional stuff to make things more convenient, as well as decorate... but that won't happen until next week probably.
- Power adapters/converters and extensions/power strips/additional plug ins have been figured out and properly adapted to for all electronic/electrical needs.
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| Our apartment building. We live on floor 12. |
- We even made brownies to warm our [already 77ºF] flat (that's another story... dealing with fermented eggs... so stinkin' gross... literally!)
- School business:
- reimbursements requested (for travel expenses, visa costs, etc.)
- mailbox set up
- fingerprint ID clock-in electronic time card thingymabobber programmed
- lunch card purchased (as a back up for when I can't pack a lunch)
- my new classroom is in the process of being remodeled (more detail to come on this exciting development!)
- ELL departmental meeting with my ELL team coordinator and fellow teacher-colleagues
- AAAAND, I attended my first AIAN faculty meeting and was introduced and very warmly welcomed by the staff members yesterday afternoon!
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| New Chinese SIM card! |
- Chinese bank account set up
- Chinese cell phone plans figured out and activated
- VPN on computer and iPhone purchased and activated (thanks to help and recommendations from Kari and other AIAN staff friends)
- First shopping trip experience, purchases successfully made!
- Eating "real" Chinese food out! (and then subsequently getting a massive headache from the massive amounts of MSG in the noodle dish!)
- Chinese medical exam: I have been
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| Health inspection paperwork. |
sufficiently poked, prodded, and tested enough in the last month back Stateside, but I had to go through the routine all over again for my entrance exam here in China (it's part of them granting me a more permanent resident work visa): EKG, ultrasound, X-Ray (chest), eye, ears, nose, and throat exam, blood draw, urine sample... basically an assembly line of doctors and tests.
I am sure there is more that's been accomplished, and more anecdotal comments will be forthcoming. But alas, last night, I awoke before dawn, sweating and chilled, my throat screaming hot fire, and congestion. Now, I am in the throws of cold kingdom. Thanks, 37-hours of flight, limited sleep/food, and new climate to adjust to.
Prayers appreciated!
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| It's warm and humid. |
