Chinese Lessons

I had my first Chinese tutoring session.  I just found a teacher and she came to the apartment.  We just went over very basic stuff - I want, I have, no, do you speak English, I want two, three, four of those..., numbers.  She recorded the pronunciation for me on my phone. The grammar is really easy - I no want meat, or no speak.  But it is the tones and pronunciation.  If you get that wrong, they don't understand.  There are rising, falling, rising-falling, and neutral tones (or something like that). My aim is to be able to get the message across sometimes. 

I went in to the pharmacy this morning and tried it:  Wo yao ee ge, xie xie (I want one of these, thank you).  And it worked.  Then she said, Ar she leeo (26 yuan) and I understood.  So that's progress. 

I plan to try it at the bun seller - Wo yao tsay bao (I want vegetarian buns).  Wo yao liang ge (I want two of these).  Tche shi shema? (What is this?). oh boy.

old brain.