Anne is going to the South of France...

“Did you realize that you were a champion in their eyes? Yes I did, so I packed it up and brought it back to the crib…” By crib I mean South of France. Kanye’s song “Champion” is the perfect way to describe how I’m feeling these days.

*The internet in so frustrating here AND google and china are fighting again WTF?!? Because of this I am limited on my posting!!! ARGHHHH!!!

Recently, I decided to tell the Pimp school to kiss my ass, because I have a full load of students I’ve stolen from them and I'm overworked, but then they ask me to meet with a Chinese/French family to tutor 2 boys. I’m not making much money but I am enjoying my experience here so I said yes (because I’m too nice sometimes). I meet with them and they are the cutest family EVER. Mother is Chinese, went to school in France. Found a French husband and have 2 extremely smart and adorable mixed boys. They need help with their English (I laugh at myself thinking, yes knowing 3 languages is the “in” thing I guess…WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?!?!?!) I talk with them and fall in love immediately. I have 3 hour sessions with them twice a week. After 2 weeks the mother calls me up and asks to meet with me. We meet, have tea, and I update her on the progress and what we’re working with the boys and she tells me the EXTREMELY insane life she has. (I will sum it up in a few sentences. She travels daily all over China, US, France, etc, etc, they have several homes, and she’s the epitome of “guanxi” (relationship/network) that’s so important in China. She loves her family and husband very much and she is Alpha Dog in probably most or every situation she’s comes across. I think she’s my hero) She grabs my hand gently and asks me “My boys really like you so what are you doing June to August?” I tell her I’m not sure. She explains to me that they just bought a house between Cannes and Marseilles on the sea. I’m looking around for the camera, because this conversation is just unreal. She asks me “if you have time, would you like to join us for summer holiday in South of France” I start laughing and she laughs too. I say “of course, I can pencil that in”. She says “that’s wonderful” I immediately come to my senses and say “wait, wait I’m sorry, I was a little taken back with the chateau and Bordeaux blinding me here. How much will this cost me?” I tell her that “the Pimp school and my private school don’t really fund South of France trips.” She laughed and said “oh I detest (in a great French accent) that that company pretending to be a school. Too many of those places in China. No worries, I will get your ticket, you can have a room at our masions (mansion basically) and I will pay you while you’re with us. I only ask that you work with the boys a few times a week and you can have as much free time as you would like. We will help you with your Chinese and French if you want. Comment est ce son? (how’s that sound?)” I replied “ummm tre bien” (very good!!) It’s seems so natural for people to drop so much money on strangers here. I think I found some good peeps. So I’m going to act like this is normal and roll with these folks.

Did you realize that you were a champion in their eyes? Yes I did…