Free at Last, Free at Last!

Last month i quite my dancing job at the bar 潮人会所 otherwise known as TNT. In all i lasted 10 weeks which is 8 weeks longer than i thought i would last! Man that was some hardness burning the candle at both ends like that. Not the mention i never ever had any free time. Every night after teaching i would have to leave immediately to go to the club (conveniently located in the same on the floor just below our school). The Chinese don't believe in days off either so its 8 days a week unless you call in sick. It was really wearing me out. Not to mention that the boss made us arrive at 8:30 even though we didn't even dance until 10:45! Such a waste of time. But i tried to remain positive however and use the much needed time to work on me Mandarin. It's a super loud place (oppressively so) and i didn't dare show up without my earplugs. So speaking wasn't always very convenient. Not a problem with my studies really as the Chinese had that wonderfully tricky idea of, "I know, lets make a picture for every single different word. It'll be awesome." So i had plenty to keep me busy.
The only reason i quit in the first place was because summer intensive courses were beginning at my "real" job. Summer intensive is when you have kids all day 3 times a week. Five 45 minute classes and then you still have your regular class at night. It really takes it out of you. You have a lunch break and of course break before your night class but its no longer than a couple of hours which isn't enough time to go anywhere else really or go home to relax. Something had to give and it was the club.
Anywho, i'm really happy for the experience, as exhausting as it was. I Learned a lot about how Chinese businesses are run and what they expect from employees. I met tons of people and it was enjoyable answering all of the same questions of the very curious bar patrons. Yes, i do work here. No, i didn't study dancing at Juilliard. Yes, i moved to China on purpose. Yes, i am American even though i'm not blonde with blue eyes. No, i don't work in foreign trade, No, i don't know why America likes starting wars so much, and Yes, i do like studying Chinese.
I'm not being sarcastic either. It was fun answering all the questions and the great thing about the Chinese is that they typically ask all of the SAME questions so its excellent language practice and you learn how to make your answers better and better. It's a great feeling being able to joke in a language not your own.... and actually make the other laugh.
I got tons of pictures at this place and i'll do my best to get them up on facebook.