This week has breezed by.  I found out that it only costs 1.5rmb per minute to call back to Australia.  This compared to 1rmb per international text message, I found it to be of great value.  I’m still not fully accustomed to how mobile plans work here.  You can choose different services to add to your prepaid plan at China Mobile.  Whereas in Australia, you just pick a specific plan that has everything in it.  I suppose the way China Mobile’s plans are set out can have advantages to people who don’t use some services such as internet.  So whatever you want, you just add it to your prepaid plan.  There are also different levels you can add.  If you are someone who doesn’t call much and just wants to use internet, you can have a cheaper plan for calling and texting and get a higher plan for internet.

Work has been good as usual.  Like I said before, it’s a really good work environment.  I do my work without requiring anyone to watch over my shoulder.  The sort of work environment I like.  They didn’t mind that I received a call from a special girl on Valentine’s Day, whom I talked to for quite a long time.

This week I also headed to Uni Qlo at the Super Brand Mall as my coat had two buttons that had become undone.  A mix of basic Mandarin and hand gestures made them understand what I needed rather than asking if anyone spoke English.  It wasn’t long before they had fixed up both buttons and had given me my coat back all patched up.  I didn’t need a receipt or anything for them to fix it up for me.  They didn’t even charge me for the fix.

On Friday night I went to restaurant with most of the other interns to a Japanese restaurant.  It may have cost 170rmb but I got my money’s worth, as it was all you can eat and all you can drink.  It was great.  I can’t say the other folks got their money’s worth but a select few and I ate quite a bit.  It’s a good thing I don’t gain weight easily otherwise it would have terrible consequences.

Sunday was a day I was looking forward to as the interns are visiting the migrant children’s school.  I have spent a great deal of time winning toys at the SML Center that is connected to Dapuqiao metro station.  I should have had at around 30 toys.  After I asked “ni men yao wanju ma?” (do you all want toys?) and put the bags down to hand them out, they swarmed the toys.  I could do nothing to stop the rush.  At least they loved my presents!

That’s all for this week!