The Leap Home

Hey I'm Sam, check out my au pair blog from when I lived in Beijing China from August 2014 to February 2015. The Rest of this blog is basically my love for the Chinese language.

[theleaphome]

Time to think of a new project.

I’ll still visit here from time to time to look back on what I’ve done but its time to move on. I’m still learning Mandarin, I still want to teach but my work here in England is taking over for now and I have a lot to look forward to here so I leave my “last” Tumblr post with this quote from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button:

‘For what it’s worth; it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.’

[dreamingofgoingthere]

Great Wall of China 

[theleaphome]

I've already been here, it was November 5th 2014 and I'd go back in a heart beat. There were blue skies but also very windy.

[theleaphome]

So this is the first episode of what is better know as ‘Fronnie does China’. 

It’s a great watch and shows the funnier side of China.

[plangblrr]

Langblrs when we hear another language irl

[theleaphome]

The reason I learn another language

On my lunch break today I went down to Tesco as usual and saw a young Chinese girl, who I have spoken to a few times as she attends the English/Chinese language exchange from time to time, and she needed help. She saw me straight away as none of the staff could understand Chinese or her broken English and started speaking to me straight away in Chinese. I could pick up one or two words so I had to get my translator out but after all the nodding and the staff looking at me like "what is going on?" she needed 电池 (batteries) (dian chi) for her key fob to get into work. I felt so helpful and knew I made an impact in her day also.

[sprachtraeume]

when you’re browsing on a website in the language you’re studying and google offers to translate the page but you click “no”

[languageoclock]

[theleaphome]

I definitely do this all the time on the app ‘HelloTalk”.

[theleaphome]

Every f#@king time

Me: “I’m really happy today, I can finally remember that particular word in Mandarin I keep forgetting.”

Person I’m talking to at the time: “Ching Chong Ching Chong”

Me: Really?..... Seriously!?

Why are some people so ignorant? Learn a language and form a bridge between cultures! Like, its hard yes but no one said it was going to be easy but at least I’m not stuck in my own little bubble, expecting everyone to speak my native language when I’m on their front door step, such as the English holiday makers in e.g. Spain.

[theleaphome]

Donnie Does a S&M Hotel

Donnie accidentally books a S&M hotel and decides to fully explore every nook and cranny

Could of turned out way worse. 

And as for the PS1, karaoke machine and dildo, that’s a fun filled afternoon right there! aha!

[theleaphome]

Last Christmas at the Mandarin meet up #tbt #birmingham #mandarin #languagelearning

[theleaphome]

Well the news is in.

I know no-one I know or work with reads my Tumblr thankfully so I can speak my mind on here.

I’ve been offered a position with EF English First as of March 2018 as an English teacher for kids and teens.

I’m just reading through the documents at the moment and the contract. I’m making my final decision this week (I have until the 10th July to accept officially).

I’m just worried I’m not qualified enough because I want to be the best at what I do and don’t have much to no teaching experience in the classroom but I know they won’t just go “Here’s a class, see you later”. It’s just self doubt really that has stopped me from saying yes straight away.

The offer is to teach in the city of Chongqing, China. I have a friend from university who is a local from there who has said if I ever need to meet people or want to go on a night out she can sort me out and settle me in easier than the company could ahaha She currently lives in London but does go home to visit from time to time.

My mum knows, she’s the only person that I’m going to tell for these first couple of months. She keeps telling me (as she always does) “You can do whatever you like because I know you’ll be the best at what you do, whatever you do”. She sees my worry better than any other as I like to keep my face neutral and cards close. She knows it’s appreciated.

I shouldn’t think so much, I use to be so much carefree than how I am now. Is it fear or excitement? I guess I won’t know until I get there, but when I do get there I know deep down I’ll love it.

It’s time to get some more reading on the go and start apartment searching. 

[theleaphome]

I just wanna get back to China to hopefully bump into Donnie from ‘Donnie Does’ and have three beers and a fanta with him

Me every time I watch one of his videos.

[thecrashcourse]

Yu the Engineer was a model for future Chinese rulers. Also, he could turn into a bear.

[theleaphome]

Here’s something I found whilst looking for some helpful resources.

Measure words are always helpful whatever situation you are in.

[speakupchinese]

Learn Chinese in 20 Seconds - Long time no see!

Learn Chinese in 20 Seconds with Lingo Bus! Long time no see! 好久不见！Hǎojiǔbújiàn！ For more check out Lingobus.com and Chinese.lingobus.com

[chineseffect]

NOTICE the DIFFERENCE between this post and the previous one.

Combined with VERBS 要 indicates the FUTURE.

Combined with VERBS 想 means TO WANT.

[refinery29]

Ever wonder how GOT translators made that “Hodor” scene work in other languages?

An ambitious Imgur user who goes by HooptyDooDooMeister rounded up 21 versions of the line in different languages. See the other 11 examples, including the hilarious way Japanese translators pretty much gave up.

Photos: imgur