There’s no new news on the language front. I thought to take a class, as there are a few other teachers–and some exchange students as well–who are taking classes in Chinese, Calligraphy, Chinese Culture, and a whole host of other things. I figured I could meet other people, and I would have the benefit of finally being taught by a professional. Sounds like fun? Not at 3,000 RMB a subject–up front with no payment plan–it isn’t. I was told that this is the “teacher discount price”. At almost my entire month’s salary, that’s some discount. I think I’ll pass. I’m both excruciatingly disappointed and disgusted by this.
It’s not that I’m unwilling to pay for such things. I went into the Chinese language office under the assumption that payment would be required of me. However, I didn’t expect it to be highway robbery, and the assumption that my being a foreigner makes it simple to pay made it worse. What is in my bank account at home stays at home. What is in my bank account in China is used in China. I am now determined to find alternative ways for getting what I want.
On the bright side, I may have part of the problem solved. Leona, who wants to learn to swim, has offered to teach me Chinese in exchange. Not the professional quality teaching that I was hoping for, but she’s sweet, intelligent, and is a native speaker, so I think this could be fun!
I also figured out how to make international phone calls. Three years ago, all I had to do was pick up the phone and dial a 5-digit code that would connect me to WorldComm. From there, I could use my “MCI 670″ card and call directly to the U.S. I can no longer do this. Now I have to do it this way:
1. Use my “200″ local calling card. (Press 200, press 2, press the 8-digit PIN number, press the 4-digit password number, press 1, press “17908″)
2. “17908″ is my IP card (Press 2, press a different 8-digit PIN number, press a different 4-digit password number, press 1, press 001 and the number that Iwant to call.
[Note: my IP card, or International Phone card, is not to be confused with my IC card, or International Calling card. The IC card needs a specially equipped phone, located outside on random and select street corners].
This may all sound like a pain–and it is if I misdial one number anywhere along the way, because I have to hang up and start all over again–but I think it’s worth it!
In semi-related communications developments, for the very first time, I recently began to answer to the Chinese pronunciation of my name. I was sitting in the doctor’s office the other day and heard “Su Shahn” and my head immediately whipped around to see who was calling me. I’m also beginning to answer that eternal question, “where are you from?” Any poor, hapless Chinese person who happens to be with me is obliged to answer this question from strangers at least eighteen million times. After laughing and rolling my eyes at the frequency of this question, a “Meiguo de” from me settles it, which should be a relief to my Chinese friends. It also startles the questioner, who assumes that I understand nothing of Chinese (and generally they are correct, but they don’t need to know this). I am also surprising myself with the fact that, occasionally, I do understand the gist of a conversation, even if I don’t understand all the details. I startled Joy the other day with this “linguo-prowess” of mine. I know, it’s a made-up word, but I like it and I’m going to use it.
