The Introduction ไป็ป:
It might seem strange for a 22 year old German major to get a job teaching English in China, but this is what I did. After graduating from the University I heard that my Chinese teacher was looking for graduating students to go teach in China, so I signed up. I had wanted to go to China since learning kung fu and tai chi, and everyone who had gone there always described it as an incredible adventure. The job was in a private school in the port city of Qingdao. All my kung fu classmates kept giving me the advice; "Just don't come back with a wife, man!"
โฆโฆโฆ
I walked to the cafeteria with April, another American teacher on our first day of work. April had studied German and Linguistics as well. She had also studied education and I was eager to get advice from her on how teach. At the moment, however, we were deep in discussion about Germanic linguistic development.
Justin and George were already there, having an animated conversation with a Chinese teacher. Justin and I had both gone to the same University; he had learned tai chi as well. We had worked out a little bit together since we learned we'd be working at the same school. George had gone to the same school in Florida as April. His parents are from the Philippians, but all the Chinese people we had met assumed he was Chinese. He was pretty laid back, but, as he says; "if a monkey though its shit at me it'd be so on!"
April and I got our food, which consisted of rice, what looked like boiled French fries and vegetables and sat down at a table next to Justin.
"Aaron, who's she?" April whispered to me as we sat down.
"No, idea, must be one of the teachers."
I poured some soy sauce on my rice as looked at the Chinese woman. She was rail thin, with full lips, in tight yoga pants and a loose top, she shape of her tiny breasts could be made out underneath. The left side of her face was pock marked, but it didn't diminish her beauty: if anything if made her more interesting.
"Were you in the marines?" she asked George pointing at his shirt.
"No way!" George laughed in his deep voice, "I'd so die in the Marines. I just did the Marine Corp Race one year."
"Wow! You're a superman!" her eye lashes fluttered, as she leaned in. She sounded like an American; she had no accent and used colloquial phrases and slang.
"Well, I need to take a shower, see you guys at the office," Justin said, standing up.
"See ya," I said as all three left.
When we arrived at the office Maggie, the head of the English Department, introduced all the Chinese English teachers to us. The mystery woman smiled as her name, Helen Xiang, was called. Then Maggie assigned the teaching teams. Justin and Helen were put together to teach 3
rd
Grade, 'lucky bastard,' I thought, 'he got the hot girl'. I was put together with a Mrs. Alice Liu for 5
th
Grade, April was given the 1
st
graders with Ms Ivy and George was paired with Maggie for 7
th
Grade.
After being introduced and meeting with our respective teachers, it was time for lunch. All the American teachers grouped together in a corner after getting our meals.
Shortly after, Helen came in and sat with us.
"Hi, is this seat free?" She smiled at me as she sat down.
"Sure."
"So, how long have you been in Qingdao, Aaron?"
"I got in yesterday."
"Me too."
Where did you come from?"
"Beijing."
"You're not American?"
"No!" Helen laughed, showing her bright, white teeth, "Why d'you ask?"
"Your English is perfect; I thought you were one of the American teachers."
"Nope, Chinese," She winked and started talking with George. Her long, glossy hair brushed my arm as she turned.
The Beach ๆตท่พน:
Justin and I had found a secluded beach below a cliff a short walk from the school and we got Helen to go there with us one night after school.
We met Helen at the school entrance and walked the short distance to the open air market, past the fish and fresh dumplings and stuffed buns. The smells of the food and the calls of the vendors were so enticing I wanted to go and get a pork bun, but managed to contain myself.โฌโฌ
"C'mom buddy!" Helen giggled, as she put an arm around my waist and steered me back to the road, we got to get to the beach!"
We rounded a corner, past the trees and there it was; the sand of the beach looked so pristine against the black of the water that it almost glowed. The incoming waves reflected its light of the black sky was colored blue in the light of the full moon and as they roared onto the sandy shore. We couldn't find a way from the cliff down to the beach. There was a stone slab next to path. We sat down there and looked out at the view, enjoying the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore.
We sat and chatted about nothing in particular.
"Do you believe in true love?" Helen asked after a while.
"No, I was burned by my last girlfriend. I like girls, I just don't want a girlfriend," Justin stated.
"Awww you poor guy," Helen exclaimed. "We'll have to find you a girlfriend."
"Hey, I think I see a way down, hang on a minute." Justin stood up and ventured off into the bushes.
"Justin! Let us know if you fall and die!" Helen yelled after him.
"Yes, I'm sure he'll do that!" I laughed.
Helen grinned at me and punched my arm lightly. She said something to me but I could only focus on her full lips as they pursed open and closed as she talked.
Justin had indeed found the path and we all followed him. I trailed behind Helen, watching her shapely behind as my eyes shifted towards the rocky steps below.
When we got onto the beach, we made a dash for the edge of the water. Helen made drawings of cute little fish and hearts in the sand with her bare toe.
Helen had learned Karate before and Justin was showing her how ineffective it was against Tai Chi. She punched at him; Justin grabbed her wrist and pulled her into an arm lock next to him. She laughed as she tried to wiggle away. They chased each other across the beach.
"God, I'd love to get a girl like that,' I thought to myself as I watched Helen play tag with the waves, laughing and giggling.
Helen, Justin and I sat on the sand watching the waves come in.
