November 14, 2011 - Today is the first time in my life I went down a mine shaft. I have so many feelings right now, I don't even know where to begin... Haha. Before going down, many people told me how bad it was down there, tiring, treating people like animals or beasts of burden. Now I can experience it for myself. Haha. Let me tell you...
On the morning of November 14th at 6 am, we had a meeting. After the meeting, we changed into our work clothes and then headed towards the mine shaft. We boarded what's called the "cage" and descended for nearly a minute before reaching the bottom. I don't know exactly how deep underground we were, but it was completely dark, nothing visible. For today, I won't see the sun. Haha.
Once we reached the bottom, I realized what it means to walk until you're exhausted, feeling depressed with all the uneven paths. We walked for almost an hour to reach the working face, already drenched in sweat by that point. Then came the so-called work. Facing the pitch-black surroundings... haha, this is what I'll be dealing with every day from now on. Sigh. By the time we ascended back up, it was already nightfall. Dragging my weary body back to the dormitory, I didn't even want to shower, just wanting to sleep despite being hungry and tired.
November 15th - The weather is unknown. It's still dark outside in the early morning, how would I know the weather? Today is much like yesterday. People treat us like beasts of burden rather than humans. Haha. Our faces are covered in coal dust, everything exposed except what's hidden under our clothes is black, including our feet. Haha. I've noticed that I'm eating a lot more these days. Sigh, I used to eat a lot even before coming here. Back home, they said I ate too much and spent money recklessly. They wanted me to save some. Sigh. I'll keep quiet about it. My current state of mind is mixed with various emotions. Sigh, I'm tired. That's enough talk. Time to eat again. Do I really need to eat? All I want is to sleep until noon. I'm so sleepy...
My arms hurt, my legs hurt, and I feel mentally distressed. Sigh... This feeling... I guess I'll just have to endure it myself. Haha.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011. Weather unknown. Early in the morning, how would I know anything about the weather? It's gloomy out there. It looks like it might rain.
However, the evening shift confirmed this. Sigh... Even as a black person, I end up with a smudged face. Only black and white remain. Haha.
Today, I worked dragging cables all day, which made me want to throw up. Who would have thought those broken cables would be so heavy? Thicker than my arm, two of them, dragged around all day. I almost threw up blood. Plus, there were many new workers who just watched idly. Some got exhausted while others were lazy. I wanted to shout in anger but thought better of it. After all, they're not working for me. If they want to do nothing, let them. I'll just focus on doing my own job well. As long as I don't get scolded, that's good enough. Haha. There's not much more to say. My eyes are tired. Around 4 pm, it's getting late. There's been a lot of night shifts recently. Haha... I really have no words left. I should eat less from now on. Otherwise, sigh...
To certain individuals, take care of yourself. I don't have much time to talk anymore. Sigh...
Thursday, November 17, 2011. Weather overcast.
Life isn't physically exhausting today, but mentally, I'm very drained.
I'm so sleepy, I don't want to say anything.
I don't know why... A sudden wave of inexplicable sadness has come over me. Sigh. Time to sleep. I can't disturb the rest of the roommates' sleep. Haha.
I think I caught a cold this morning. I woke up with a terrible headache. Must have been from being chilled down below. I'll be more careful from now on. Haha.
Friday, December 18, 2011. Overcast weather.
Took a day off today. There was a party committee meeting at our local office to elect a secretary.
The result?
Sigh...
From 2 PM until 11:30 PM.
Isn't that ridiculous?
Just selecting a secretary took all day. Truly impressive, these people. Haha.
Sigh... I'm worn out.
Almost dead tired.
It's too late. It's almost 4 AM. I'd better get some sleep before the sun comes up. Haha.
So tired... Mentally and physically exhausted. Haha.
Goodnight everyone. You too, goodnight. Have sweet dreams. See you tomorrow. Haha. Oh, I'm so hungry. Let's cook some instant noodles (*^__^*) Hehe...
Saturday, December 19, 2011. Sunny weather.
Didn't go to work today. Slept late last night, so now I need to catch up on sleep.
Tomorrow morning, I'll be working an early shift, and tonight I'll be on night duty.
Sigh... Only 2-3 hours of rest between shifts.
Life is tough.
Time to sleep. Sigh... Headache. Probably caught a cold.
They say today was exhausting for them. Haha. Mainly because the new workers were slacking off too much. Truly helpless.
Monday, November 21, 2011. Weather unknown.
So sleepy...
Sigh... So tired. Yesterday was almost unbearable.
Worked an early shift yesterday... Got off at 6 PM.
Then worked another night shift starting at 9:50 PM.
Sigh... No time to sleep.
Busy all day and night.
Still feel sore all over.
Yesterday's workload was immense.
Almost worked myself to exhaustion. Sigh...
Got off work at 10:30 PM.
Washed up quickly and went straight to bed without eating. Haha.
Still sleepy even though it's now morning. Sigh...
Have to work a night shift tonight. Sigh... Feeling down.
Everyone else in the dorm has taken leave, leaving only me behind. Sigh...
Tonight will be tough... Sigh...
But there's no way around it. Since I chose this path, I'll have to persevere! Haha... Keep going!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011. Nice weather. Haha...
Working night shifts both yesterday and today. Very tired... Very annoying...
No time to go online lately. Haha... Every day is just sleeping, eating, and working.
These past two days have been truly miserable. My whole body feels like it's about to fall apart.
And damn, I caught a cold. How inconvenient to catch a cold now... Sigh...
Still feeling dizzy and having headaches.
Down below, I was starving... Dry and hungry. So frustrated.
Tonight, I must bring more food and water. Otherwise, I'll dehydrate to death.
That damn team leader... Doesn't do any work himself. Just stands aside making sarcastic comments.
He's driving us crazy.
Friday, November 25, 2011. Not great weather, a bit chilly.
Yesterday at work, while down in the mine, something unexpected happened...
The roof collapsed, dropping nearly 2 meters of coal and debris. Thankfully, we ran fast, otherwise...
Haha... From now on, I must be more careful.
Can't afford to be careless anymore.
Can't afford to not think things through.
Need to pay more attention to my own safety.
Sigh... Thinking about it now still makes me scared.
Should I ask for leave? Haha...
Joking. With 25 shifts a month, there's no time to ask for leave. Haha...
I'll just tough it out alone. Keep going!
Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27, 2011.
These two days were spent laying railway tracks down in the mine.
Never would have thought this job would be so physically demanding.
Haha... In the end...
Sigh... Those long railway tracks have to be carried by two people.
Never expected them to be so heavy. Almost crushed us. Haha...
Sigh... Then came carrying the railway ties.
Even though they're wooden...
But carrying two at a time is no small weight.
Life down here is no easy task. Haha...
After two busy days of overtime, we finally finished. Sigh... Exhausted. Don't know when this will end. My body is so tired. Oh, how I wish...
Sigh...
December 28-29, 2011. Took two days off.
So tired. Slept all day at home. I'm becoming like an animal. Haha...
But indeed, this job treats people like animals. Haha...
December 30, 2011. Day off. Yay, no work! Excited to rest another day. Haha...
Alright, that's all for now.
Starting tomorrow at noon, I'll be working mid-shifts. Going to work at 2 AM every day. Haha...
Afraid I'll starve. Haha...
Alright, no more talking. Need to rest. Everyone should go to bed early. Don't stay up too late.
December 1, 2011. Lucky day at work.
At the pre-shift meeting, they asked if everyone who took leave had returned. If so, report in. Turns out the captain was there. Seeing my leave slip, he immediately said I didn't have to work. Made me so upset. What did I do wrong?
After the meeting, he explained to me. Turns out he thought I was absent without leave. Looking at the slip, I was dumbfounded. The dates were written incorrectly. I requested leave for the 29th and 30th, but it was written as the 28th and 29th. Where did the 30th go? I... I'm confused...
After explaining for a long time, I was finally allowed to work. Rushed to get changed and head down the mine. But then, even more frustrating, the clothes were missing. The drying room staff wouldn't help, telling me to find the captain. Explained to the captain, who then told me to find the secretary. Found him, and he sent me to find the warehouse supervisor. Was I supposed to run myself ragged? Finally managed to get some clothes, dirty and smelly, who knows how long they've been stored. Also too small. Sigh... Had to wear them anyway. Better than nothing. Sigh...
Then the captain said, "You don't have to work today, take a rest." So frustrated... I was already changed and ready to go. Sigh...
Tired to death...
December 2-5, 2011. Everyday was so busy.
Everyday went down clean-faced and came up black-faced. Went down dry and came up soaked. Everyday was busy rushing around.
Don't know when this will end. Might as well focus on working hard!
December 6, 2011.
Bad weather. Overcast with occasional snowflakes.
Why am I always the one running errands these days? Everything needs to be fetched by me, covering such long distances. Afraid I'll be worked to death. Sigh. Today was particularly unlucky. Already late getting off work, past 4 PM. Then no one was managing the lift to take us up. Waited half an hour before finally going up. Too difficult. Alright, no more talking. Need to wash up. Covered in coal dust, might scare people. Haha...
December 7-8, 2011. Too busy to write.
December 9-10, 2011. Requested leave.
Now realize how difficult it is to get leave approved. Asked the foreman multiple times, but he always finds excuses not to approve. Yet those close to the foreman get their leave requests granted easily. What kind of world is this? Bullying the common folk!
Sunday, December 11, 2011.
Originally scheduled for an early shift, but overslept. Woke up around 7 AM and rushed to the duty room. Ended up...
December 12-15, 2011.
Thursday. Unknown weather.
Everyday wake up and go straight to work. Forgot what day of the week it is.
These past few days have been incredibly busy. Also injured myself again. Bruised shoulder, swollen fingers, and today bruised my leg. Sigh... Don't know what's gotten into me lately, so distracted. Sigh... Just have to push through. Can't rely on anyone else. When will I ever get to sleep properly for a full day?
December 16-17, 2011.
Spent two days in frustration. Sigh! Nothing more to say. If you're going to bully us like this, I have nothing more to say. You grasshoppers, you've done enough!
Sunday, December 18, 2011.
What day is it today? Unknown weather. Always sleep until lunchtime...
Another busy day today! Didn't come up from the mine until after 1 AM. Working with other shifts is no good. Sigh! A friend argued with someone yesterday and got penalized today. All yesterday's work counted as voluntary labor. Haha! Can't say anything. One big family surnamed Zhang, just bullying us locals! Sigh! You grasshoppers are strong! Eat two large bowls of rice plus a scrambled egg plus two pancakes every meal in Jinan! But never gain weight, only lose it! At this rate, I'll change soon! Don't even have the heart to eat like this anymore! What to do? Sigh...
December 16-21, 2011.
Nothing more to say.
Thursday, December 22, 2011.
Unknown weather.
Feeling down.
Today at work, focused too much on working hard...
Result... Sigh...
Smashed my foot, now it's swollen like a pig's trotter.
Unlucky. Looks like I'll have to request leave again.
Sigh... Why am I so out of luck?
December 23-24, 2011. Took 2 days off, didn't rest well. Family matters kept me busy at home... Sigh...
December 25, 2011. It's Christmas! Happy Christmas everyone...
Working the early shift, looks like I'll have to spend Christmas down the mine. Haha...
Sigh... If it suddenly started snowing on Christmas day, what would you do?
December 25-27, 2011. Spent these days very tired... Don't feel like talking.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011. Sunny weather.
Rare to have an afternoon shift. Went down at 3:30 PM, which wasn't too bad.
Sigh... Happy. Originally checking equipment, planned to have a 3-day holiday. Looks like I can rest well. Only downside is that after finishing work and washing up, there was a power outage and couldn't eat dinner.
This has starved me! Huff huff...
Can I please have some food?
Wah wah...
Not early anymore. Everyone, go to bed early. Goodnight. Sweet dreams everyone.
December 29-31, 2011. Taking 3 days off. Resting...
Wishing everyone a happy new year...