Speaking too soon

So there was this opera that we were supposed to sing... which I then thought was cancelled, since we've only really practiced once as a group, and the auditions were to happen at one point today. Likewise, two of the other foreign teachers weren't keen and were planning to bail.

My phone rang this morning, shortly after I returned from the Monday morning Flag Ceremony.

"Trevor, your morning classes during blocks 3-5 are cancelled so you can rehearse," says Susan, our extremely friendly assistant in the ESL office.

"Rehearse? You mean for the opera performance? Are we still doing it?" I queried.

"Of course! Steven will meet you and the rest of the foreign teachers with the costumes in the gymnasium during 3rd period," she replied.

"Costumes? What costumes??"

"Have a good reheasal!" I could hear her smile through the phone. Then, *click*

So yes, there will be a performance. And yes, there will be traditional Chinese operatic costumes. And I'm just leaving my apartment to head back to the gymnasium for a second rehearsal before we perform it for a group of admin-types from the Dalian office. And I've been told there will be pictures. I don't know if I'll EVER let them escape the camera on which they're taken, but apparently they're being taken.

Don't say I didn't immerse myself in the culture here, people. Wish me luck.

T