Extensive Physical

I remember my first physical when I was ten years old and the shock when the nurse looked up my shirt, well that is nothing compared to the way the Chinese like to examine their visitors.  When we arrived at the hospital we were like pickles in a pickle jar all jammed in and bumping into each other.  I first had to get two passport like photos that were attached to my chart, get a number ticket so I knew when my turn was, then I had to fill out a very extensive medical history form, finally I had to show the receptionist my passport, photos, forms, and then pay.  I then received a form with a list of hospital rooms that I needed to visit which each required me to go through a different exam.  I decided to go to the rooms with the shortest lines first, and in room one I had a chest ultra sound, so I was sticky with gel for the rest of the visit.  Room number two I had to give two vials of blood and the needle was huge.  Room three I had my blood pressure taken along with my lungs checked.  Room four I had my weight done.  Room five I had my eyes checked. Room six I had a chest x-ray.  Room seven I had a probe placed on one of my ankles, a probe on each wrist and five probes connected to my chest, I have no idea what this test accomplished but none the less, I went through it.  Finally, in room eight I had to pee in a cup over a squatty ( hole in the floor to pee in), which is quite the challenge to pee in a cup half standing up.  After my eight tests I was able to leave and I was told that my results would be available on the 15th which would determine if I was healthy enough to stay in China.    

One thing that I noticed while in the hospital was that all the doctors and nurses wore high heels and open toed shoes.  I could not believe that these people who work with sick people and perform all these tests on people did not cover their feet up.  Whole other culture with lots of acceptable behaviors that are not in the U.S.

Other than being poked and prodded, my experience in China has been hot and wonderful!  Lots of funky smells and sights, but I am drinking in every moment and truly enjoying myself.  I laughed out loud yesterday when a parent stripped her child and held her while she pooped on the sidewalk.  I laughed more out of shock, but it is completely normal for children to pee and poo on the sidewalk. In fact young children do not have a crotch in their pants for easy access to pop a squat at any moment.  Also, in many public bathrooms there is no toilet, but a hole in the ground that is about the side of an orange called a squatty and we ladies have been practicing our aim if you know what I mean.  Oh, and did I mention that some of these restrooms do not have stalls? Oh yeah, I have to squat, aim and try to cover up all in one, quite challenging but where's the fun in sitting on a toilet with privacy to pee or poo, right?  Trying to poo and aim seems like quite the challenge, though I have not had that experience myself yet.  

My coworkers and I have been going out and eating lots of fun and interesting foods all family style and let me tell you, that is how dining should be.  We all share and experience the food together and best of all: portion control!  You get a little of everything and the dishes just keep coming and when you are sharing with 16 people you get to try a lot of dishes and splitting the bill that many ways is a great way to save some Yuan. The place settings consist of chopsticks, small tea cup, small bowl and spit plate.  The bowl is solely what you eat out of, and the spitplate is where you are literally supposed to spit bones, cartilage, skin or anything else that you don't want to eat onto.   

Yesterday I got to see my classroom and I am so excited to place my supply list with the school to start planning activities and crafts.  There are six preschool classrooms and we all will have about 20 students or so that we get to teach and play with.  On Saturday is the schools open house and I am nervous about talking with parents about what to expect throughout the school year because I myself have no idea what we are going to be doing.  The other preschool teachers and I want to get together and plan stations and activities to do with our students.  So far I am the only one with preschool experience and they are all asking me lots of questions and I have my own philosophy when it comes to what a preschool classroom should look like, but I am not sure if mine matches the schools.  The principal is going to meet with each grade level and divulge exactly what is expected of us and what curriculum we are to use.  That meeting should take place sometime next week, but I am so ready to get logistics and start setting up my classroom.  

Still no news on when my room mate will get here, or where my apartment will be located.  I will keep you updated!