21.06.18
Went into the office in the morning because I was bored. Rode the bike in 30 degree weather in my chinos. Not the greatest idea. Chatted some shit with my colleagues then had to jump across to my other school to teach a class about maturity. Chinese people's concept of maturity is different from Westerners. Chinese people think you've reached maturity when you hit 30 - most students in the class had that idea.
Usual class on Thursday night at another factory. Boring topic for the textbook. Polished it off in 40 minutes. Second half of the class decided to get the students to pair up and have a conversation about their ideal professions. On my one hour cab ride back to the city, I had Australia vs Denmark on my phone. Australian National Anthem was belted out at the stadium. Decent result though (1-1), still a chance to progress!
Saturday, 23 June 2018
Friday, 22 June 2018
Day 71
20.06.18
Had class first thing in the morning. My VIP student, who I went to watch the game with the other night, wanted a final lesson with me before he left to his hometown Shanghai. He wanted to know about the slang of Western culture, which I'm very well-versed in, so it was a productive lesson.
Then, I had lunch with Shirley, one of my first friends here who I haven't seen for a while. She has her graduation ceremony tomorrow for Nanjing University and has found work in Suzhou. Almost immediately after graduating, she will transition into full-time work. And to think that I took a gap year because I didn't feel 'ready' to work. Chinese people are just bred differently. She said she officially starts in August but her manager told her to come early to 'adjust' to the company - I suspect so that when she officially starts, she can add value. It took me almost 3 months to settle in to Telstra before adding any kind of 'value'. So she's telling me about her boyfriend who she just started dating and he's already talking about future plans and she's feeling a bit freaked out because their relationship is still quite raw and her life is undergoing some big changes. They're going to have to do long distance as well - after only dating for a month! It's crazy how this guy is already thinking quite ahead given the situation - and I think it's common in Chinese culture to do so.
After my class at Jiangning, one of my students was kind enough to send me closer to the city. During the car ride, I found out that her little sister is living in Melbourne and is a professor of actuarial studies at the Faculty of Business and Economics at Melbourne University. What a coincidence!
When I got to soccer training, I was glad to see my friend Andrew who I hadn't seen in a long time, rock up. The weather was perfect for football and I sweated a river running around, which was good since I've been a bit lazy the past two weeks during the time my brother came over.
Had class first thing in the morning. My VIP student, who I went to watch the game with the other night, wanted a final lesson with me before he left to his hometown Shanghai. He wanted to know about the slang of Western culture, which I'm very well-versed in, so it was a productive lesson.
Then, I had lunch with Shirley, one of my first friends here who I haven't seen for a while. She has her graduation ceremony tomorrow for Nanjing University and has found work in Suzhou. Almost immediately after graduating, she will transition into full-time work. And to think that I took a gap year because I didn't feel 'ready' to work. Chinese people are just bred differently. She said she officially starts in August but her manager told her to come early to 'adjust' to the company - I suspect so that when she officially starts, she can add value. It took me almost 3 months to settle in to Telstra before adding any kind of 'value'. So she's telling me about her boyfriend who she just started dating and he's already talking about future plans and she's feeling a bit freaked out because their relationship is still quite raw and her life is undergoing some big changes. They're going to have to do long distance as well - after only dating for a month! It's crazy how this guy is already thinking quite ahead given the situation - and I think it's common in Chinese culture to do so.
After my class at Jiangning, one of my students was kind enough to send me closer to the city. During the car ride, I found out that her little sister is living in Melbourne and is a professor of actuarial studies at the Faculty of Business and Economics at Melbourne University. What a coincidence!
When I got to soccer training, I was glad to see my friend Andrew who I hadn't seen in a long time, rock up. The weather was perfect for football and I sweated a river running around, which was good since I've been a bit lazy the past two weeks during the time my brother came over.
Day 70
19.06.18
Today was my brother's last day in Nanjing. I was really happy to see him here despite maybe not showing it in person. We've had our differences in the past and we're completely different people but we had some good quality brotherly bonding time during his stay. He got to see how I live my life here and met some of the people that I surround myself with. It was important for me to show him what I was about because sometimes he doesn't fully understand.
After seeing my brother off, my uncle, aunty and I went back to my place to check out what was wrong with the light in my living room. Basically, it hasn't worked for the last few weeks and I really haven't been bothered to fix it (as I have a desk light in the living room that works fine). Turns out it is a LED light that I need to get replaced.
The weather today was shocking. Raining and hot. There's a season for this type of weather - Huang Mei Season and it's usually in April and May, in the middle and lower reaches of the Chang Jiang River but this year, it has come late according to the locals. Expect more of this type of weather soon.
I ended up just chilling at home until I had class from 7-9. I ordered takeaway dumplings because they're one of the few foods that doesn't really lose it's taste when delivered. For my classes tonight, we talked about our personalities and the second class was about food and cooking. Following on from that theme, I bought myself an electric rice cooker on Taobao. Originally 599, reduced down to 159. Absolute bargain. Part of the 618 promotions. First year anniversary of JinDong or something.
Today was my brother's last day in Nanjing. I was really happy to see him here despite maybe not showing it in person. We've had our differences in the past and we're completely different people but we had some good quality brotherly bonding time during his stay. He got to see how I live my life here and met some of the people that I surround myself with. It was important for me to show him what I was about because sometimes he doesn't fully understand.
After seeing my brother off, my uncle, aunty and I went back to my place to check out what was wrong with the light in my living room. Basically, it hasn't worked for the last few weeks and I really haven't been bothered to fix it (as I have a desk light in the living room that works fine). Turns out it is a LED light that I need to get replaced.
The weather today was shocking. Raining and hot. There's a season for this type of weather - Huang Mei Season and it's usually in April and May, in the middle and lower reaches of the Chang Jiang River but this year, it has come late according to the locals. Expect more of this type of weather soon.
I ended up just chilling at home until I had class from 7-9. I ordered takeaway dumplings because they're one of the few foods that doesn't really lose it's taste when delivered. For my classes tonight, we talked about our personalities and the second class was about food and cooking. Following on from that theme, I bought myself an electric rice cooker on Taobao. Originally 599, reduced down to 159. Absolute bargain. Part of the 618 promotions. First year anniversary of JinDong or something.
Thursday, 21 June 2018
Day 69
19.06.18
Woke up surprisingly without a big headache. Today is a public holiday - Dragon Boat Festival. My brother wanted to eat pork skin noodles for the final time, so I ended up taking him to a joint I used to always eat at. I completely forgot that it was a public holiday and the place was a family-run joint so it was closed for the day. We ended up having shitty dumplings next door but had a great chat about my life in Nanjing and my plans for the future.
At night, we had a dinner with my aunty's family in Gulou. It took ages to find a cab at 6pm on a public holiday because of the high demand and limited supply. Dinner was in a big private room with about 12 people. The tradition is to eat 5 red foods on this day: Crayfish, Salted duck eggs, Amaranth, Eel? can't think of the rest. Definitely felt red though with the red wine bottle that I polished off. It felt good to have this family-like atmosphere outside of home.
Post-dinner, I wanted to take my brother out for the last time before he goes back tomorrow. So we went to Arcano to watch Sweden vs Korea, played some darts and I got to try a Coopers Session Ale that's just come in to China. Afterwards, we went down to Tap Planet to watch the Belgium game on the big screen. 0-0 at half time and I felt absolutely fucked. I think the constant night drinking and the lack of sleep these past few days finally caught up to me.
Woke up surprisingly without a big headache. Today is a public holiday - Dragon Boat Festival. My brother wanted to eat pork skin noodles for the final time, so I ended up taking him to a joint I used to always eat at. I completely forgot that it was a public holiday and the place was a family-run joint so it was closed for the day. We ended up having shitty dumplings next door but had a great chat about my life in Nanjing and my plans for the future.
At night, we had a dinner with my aunty's family in Gulou. It took ages to find a cab at 6pm on a public holiday because of the high demand and limited supply. Dinner was in a big private room with about 12 people. The tradition is to eat 5 red foods on this day: Crayfish, Salted duck eggs, Amaranth, Eel? can't think of the rest. Definitely felt red though with the red wine bottle that I polished off. It felt good to have this family-like atmosphere outside of home.
Post-dinner, I wanted to take my brother out for the last time before he goes back tomorrow. So we went to Arcano to watch Sweden vs Korea, played some darts and I got to try a Coopers Session Ale that's just come in to China. Afterwards, we went down to Tap Planet to watch the Belgium game on the big screen. 0-0 at half time and I felt absolutely fucked. I think the constant night drinking and the lack of sleep these past few days finally caught up to me.
Day 68
17.06.18
Today, I took my brother to eat at the stall in my neighbourhood - trying to give him the most authentic experience as a local. Then, we went back to mine to watch some footy before I got a call from one of our friends asking us to meet him in town. So I used this opportunity to give him another authentic experience by getting us some bikes and riding into town. He wasn't used to the lack of traffic rules and the recklessness of e-bike and bike riders on the roads. We went down to Golden Eagle to buy some snacks for my brother to bring back to Melbourne. He spent around 500RMB as if it was nothing. In the afternoon, I had to take an English corner class. Two kids, about 13-14 years old, Year 7 and planning to go to Australia in 2-3 years. Their English speaking skills were great and we talked about their hobbies and sports in Australia.
At night, we had hotpot with my aunty and cousin. Although my uncle and aunty are divorced and my uncle remarried, they still have a practical relationship. Later, that night, one of my students invited me out to 1912 to watch the Germany vs Mexico game. When I got there, it looked a lot nicer to the last time I went (2014) but it still felt shady as shit and there were still people harassing you to go to their bars. The bar we went to required a 600 minimum spend. My student and his friends ordered Hoegaarden, absolute rubbish beer. The game was also absolutely rubbish. Ended up just smashing the beer and darts because the game was so shit. When the game was over, I was drunk and tired. It was 1am. I just wanted to go home. Check my Didi app, and there's 90 people in front of me in the queue with an estimated wait time of 50 minutes. Fuck that. Got myself a bike and rode home with no regard for any road rules - just wanted to get home as soon as possible.
Today, I took my brother to eat at the stall in my neighbourhood - trying to give him the most authentic experience as a local. Then, we went back to mine to watch some footy before I got a call from one of our friends asking us to meet him in town. So I used this opportunity to give him another authentic experience by getting us some bikes and riding into town. He wasn't used to the lack of traffic rules and the recklessness of e-bike and bike riders on the roads. We went down to Golden Eagle to buy some snacks for my brother to bring back to Melbourne. He spent around 500RMB as if it was nothing. In the afternoon, I had to take an English corner class. Two kids, about 13-14 years old, Year 7 and planning to go to Australia in 2-3 years. Their English speaking skills were great and we talked about their hobbies and sports in Australia.
At night, we had hotpot with my aunty and cousin. Although my uncle and aunty are divorced and my uncle remarried, they still have a practical relationship. Later, that night, one of my students invited me out to 1912 to watch the Germany vs Mexico game. When I got there, it looked a lot nicer to the last time I went (2014) but it still felt shady as shit and there were still people harassing you to go to their bars. The bar we went to required a 600 minimum spend. My student and his friends ordered Hoegaarden, absolute rubbish beer. The game was also absolutely rubbish. Ended up just smashing the beer and darts because the game was so shit. When the game was over, I was drunk and tired. It was 1am. I just wanted to go home. Check my Didi app, and there's 90 people in front of me in the queue with an estimated wait time of 50 minutes. Fuck that. Got myself a bike and rode home with no regard for any road rules - just wanted to get home as soon as possible.
Day 67
16.06.18
Today, my uncle took us to visit my grandma's burial ground in Jiangning. The cemetery was massive - biggest in Nanjing apparently. There was barely any space between tombstones because there were just so many. The average price of the tombstones on the higher ground was around 90,000RMB. My grandma's tombstone was at the highest ground on the cemetery. She had chosen her burial ground on her last visit to Nanjing. She wanted it to overlook the mountains and nature. We bought some flowers on the way to the cemetery and cleaned/sweeped the tomb. We picked apart the flowers and spread across the tomb so that the workers there couldn't reuse our flowers.
After lunch, we drove to the area where my brother grew up - Sanpailou Main Street. Uncle took me to eat some fried dumplings while my brother got a haircut. Helen came over to chill out. That night we had dinner with family friend Uncle Chen in a private room on Level 10 of Litchi Plaza overlooking Catherine Park. Most occasions, he'll take people to this restaurant, where he has his own waiters and waitresses. The dinner was amazing as usual, except for the fact that it coincided with Australia vs France, which meant I missed out on the opportunity to go cheer on the Socceroos with my Aussie mates, despite the disappointing result.
Wednesday, 20 June 2018
Day 66
15.06.18
Uncle Ken invited us out to eat some Zhejiang cuisine (very popular right now). Waited about 1 hour to eat at this Zhejiang place in Deji Plaza, the one that always has long as lines. To be completely honest, I wasn't the biggest fan of it - not worth the wait. They had some good rice wine though - very easy to down as it tasted like sweet water.
After lunch, I made my way to the office to do some work and kill some time until dinner time when my uncle would be taking us to Jiangning to have dinner with one of his army mates (whose 50th birthday I attended last week).
To show a bit of respect, I'll smash the cigarettes and alcohol with the uncles, despite the bad bowels. The red wine came out. I think I've had more red wine here than in Australia. I don't particularly like it but I prefer it over baijiu that's for sure.
Uncle Ken invited us out to eat some Zhejiang cuisine (very popular right now). Waited about 1 hour to eat at this Zhejiang place in Deji Plaza, the one that always has long as lines. To be completely honest, I wasn't the biggest fan of it - not worth the wait. They had some good rice wine though - very easy to down as it tasted like sweet water.
After lunch, I made my way to the office to do some work and kill some time until dinner time when my uncle would be taking us to Jiangning to have dinner with one of his army mates (whose 50th birthday I attended last week).
To show a bit of respect, I'll smash the cigarettes and alcohol with the uncles, despite the bad bowels. The red wine came out. I think I've had more red wine here than in Australia. I don't particularly like it but I prefer it over baijiu that's for sure.
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