Rainy Days of Fall

We finally got some rain which has cooled things off considerably, but wet and dirty isn't the most fun combination...well, sometimes it is, but not here! Last night we went to the Hilton in a nearby part of the city to eat dinner. It was awesome and the dessert bar was even better! The week went well even though I came down with a cold (wo gan mao de), but I'm already back in the game. Watch out Enemy, nothing's gonna keep me sidelined! I need to take some more pictures to put on here, that will come soon I hope. Class is going better, still hard, but I feel more comfortable with learning it. Plus, I can now recognize and use certain phrases which encourages me to continue onward. This weekend is pretty busy with running errands and catching up on studying and work with my job. There are certain little things here that make life a lot more enjoyable (happies), many of which are some kind of food, haha.

Here's a list of the ones I've discovered that put a smile on my face:

-Watching people do their tai chi (picture Asian yoga) in the morning

-Finding a new kind of candy that you love (grapefruit mentos, marbles, sugus, etc.)

-Seeing little toddlers run around in their split pants

-Enjoying a cappucino bing sha (like a frosty joe or frappucino) on a Sunday afternoon

-Making the people here laugh just because you can't understand them

-McDonald's dipped ice cream cones

-Playing human Frogger every time you cross the street

-Gatorade

-Watching 24 after a long day

-A dozen roses for a buck-twenty-five

-Hour-long head massages and hair washes

-Staring out our 19th floor window at everything going on in the plaza

-Watching the Dawgs play on a Sunday morning...Holy Day!

These are only a few, but bring much more joy to each day. Just thought you'd like to know, cause you're missing out on some of the best!

Blue Skies Up Above Me

Been almost a week since the last post, my apologies. Busy busy we are! The sky the past few days has been incredible (like home). We figured out that the city is trying to clean up the air for the upcoming Asia Summit meeting in October. Our hope is that they continue to keep some of the factories shut down so that we can continue to breath in the blue! We've seen the moon and stars and clouds clearly for the first few times since being here, and this is pretty awesome because my friends that have been here for a few years have said they never once saw the sky this beautiful. So, I guess we're getting some special treatment from Dad! I'd put a picture of it on here, but it's night-time so it wouldn't make a difference. I'm learning many many things in class. They teach at an incredible pace, and somehow only a week into everything, they've got us trying to read characters. It's insane how much they want us to know. I'd rather know it slowly and well, but this isn't exactly an option. Good thing I won't have to feel guilty for repeating the class again next semester if I need to! My whole world has changed because they do everything by different measurements too. Meters instead of yards, Celcius instead of Fahrenheit, Kilometers instead of Miles, Kilograms instead of Pounds...why did we ever have to be so bull-headed and have our own system!?Today I busted on the sidewalk. They have these marble tiles as sidewalks, thus making it slippery (especially when rainy) to walk on. I was coming down part of this hill and wiped out bigtime. All I could do was get up and laugh because I probably slipped 10 feet down the hill. Stupid flip-flops. At least no injuries. And even better, if someone made fun of me for it, I never knew because I couldn't understand! (I'm learning this isn't necessarily always a bad thing).

Yi, Er, San....This is One, Two, Three

I'm learning my characters and pin yin, but it's very difficult. This first week of class has proven to be quite a challenge. The order of learning is a little frustrating because in my mind, order might include categorizing words together like foods, colors, numbers, animals, places, etc. But here they do it according to similarity in characters, so now I've learned sky, man, horse, white, three, above, eye, big, tree, noon, and a few others at the same time. Really random to me, so we'll have to just deal I guess. I think the chickens here may be rabid too because whenever we walk past them after class to go hang out with friends on campus, they attack us. Pecks aren't pleasant! In addition, most of the dogs here look the same, or at least of a variation of the others...kinda tells you what goes on around here, but I think they're all pretty much mutts. Uh, this is a pretty random post (to go along with the random learning theme), but I wanted to tell you the names of all the places we like to eat because all the names are made up :) So for our meals we go to the following and the names are mostly suggestive of characteristics of the place: The Colorful Seat, White Rabbit (they used to have pictures of them in the window), Toomer's (the Auburn kids named it that...I'll think up a UGA place soon!), 28th Floor, Mongol's, The Basement, The Colorful Seat 2, and White Table Cloth. These are all I remember, but fun nonetheless. On a different note, I've been very encouraged to hear from friends and family via emails. I really enjoy hearing what's going on back at home and school and in everyone's lives. It gives me something to look forward to as well. I'm getting geared up for the game this weekend. We have lots to do until then, so until then...

The Hospital: My First Field Trip!

It wasn't really a field trip, but I did travel with some other foreign students this morning to the hospital to have a "check up" to clear us to study at the university. Two words: So funny! Completely worth missing class for, that's for sure. Rest assured, it was a clean facility with well-trained nurses. Here's what they took us through: First we were taken upstairs to a room where they did an ultrasound on our stomachs (Even the guys!) Why? I'm not too sure. I asked, but they couldn't understand me. I laughed the whole time because I'm very ticklish. Oh well, next came our bloodwork...not too much to say about that, I just can't watch, makes me queazy. After that we had to go to this room where a guy pointed to some letters (all of which were the same) and had us tell him what letter he pointed to (all E's). He used a billiard cue as a pointer...interesting. They did the usual height/weight/eyes/ears/nose deal, and they took a chest x-ray...never had one of those before, apart from dental x-rays :) Finally the last station was one of the most humorous. If you walked into the room when this procedure was taking place, you'd think some freak electric torture tactic was being used to interrogate foreigners! They had us lie down, and they put these cuffs around our ankles and wrists, then they put these suction cups connected to all these wires down our chest and stomach until a paper printed off some read-out of who-knows-what. I guess one could be nervous about all this, but I had been told to take it in stride and that nothing bad had happened to anyone else who'd ever had to do this, so I had to laugh at the whole thing. Kind of impossible not to. Now, as I've described all this, it may be hard to imagine and could qualify as one of those "had to be there" moments, but I figured it was note-worthy. So, that took the better part of the morning. We're over half-way done with the third season of 24 now. Amazingly twisted and good, though that's quite a paradox. But it's 24!!! Well, enough for today..

Hot Hot Heat, Un-air-conditioned Classrooms, and Burning Spicy Food

I began school today and had four classes this morning. It was pretty overwhelming with so many tones, initials, and finals to learn, not to mention characters (those are a little further into the future). The classrooms did have air conditioning, the title of this post is a little deceiving, but the air-conditioner quit twice while I was in class, so it got quite hot a few times. By the time I walked home, I was soaked...eww! I already have some new friends on campus, so that's really encouraging. We have many more students here than back at UGA...like 20K more! Anyhow, sloppy game by my Bulldogs this week, but I'm happy with a victory! There are lots of colleges around here and they play soccer alot, so there are tracks and fields all over the place, which is nice to go get some exercise. The days are hot though, and from what I've been told, unusually clear outside. Perhaps the city's efforts to clean up pollution for upcoming sporting events in a few years are paying off, or maybe it's just a lucky streak! Regardless, we're enjoying the weather to some extent, just downing the Gatorade to keep cool. 8 AM is coming very early though, so waking up is a struggle after getting up so early the day before to watch the Dawgs. I've kind of figured out what foods I like here now, too. I really like rice, so that's a good thing since we have it at every meal for the most part! (Not breakfast) But I also like the sweet and sour pork, garlic cucumbers, green beans, broccoli, and fried corn (their vegetables are awesome as you can probably tell). But they have these things called lai jiao that are like a spice they like to use, but if you eat one it makes your tongue numb and tastes like menthol or what I imagine Vick's vapor rub might taste like if you swallowed any...it's awful! Anyhow they really like hot and spicy stuff here, stuff that feels like a match is lit in your mouth. Phew! Talk about guzzling some fluids to offset the pain!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY UNCLE KEN!

Wiffle Ball and the Hot Pot Festival

First, I will tell you about the Hot Pot Festival. I don't know if it was an actual festival or not, but apparently they make a big to-do about grand openings here. Around the bottom floors of our complex buildings are various businesses, such as the coffee shop, a hair salon, a couple offices, restaurants, etc. Well, today a new Hot Pot restaurant opened up. Hot Pot is this kind of food here that the people enjoy that is very very spicy and hot. They dip different meats and vegetables into this very hot oil that cooks in the middle of the table. Anyhow, they had these women playing drums and cymbols dressed up in costumes and there were flowers and balloons everywhere, a whole big ceremony just for the first day of the restaurant being open! The women reminded me of a marching band...got me pumped up about football! I've included some photos of this occasion. Today was also one of the hottest days I've experienced here so far, or should I say humid. I played tennis with Emily this morning at a nearby park that is quite an experience all in itself. Let's just say there are mini replicas of various famous monuments around the world, including from the US the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore. In addition they have several rides there (I'd like to call it CQ Six Flags) none of which were being ridden at the time. We played a guys vs. girls-with-a-few-advantages wiffle ball game. Us girls kept it a tight game but in the end were beaten (barely). I have a good feeling a rematch is coming! We did have two homeruns on the girls side, so we can't be that bad! Anyhow, I'm tired out and ready for a nap.

The Great Bedding Hunt

I don't know if I've talked about convenience yet, but here, this word doesn't exist except to the level that my bank and a few other stores, etc. are right near our complex. Time isn't the biggest factor either. Let me elaborate: today I began to search for a duvet (bedspread) and some simple throw pillows to give my room a little "Kristel" style. This took the entire afternoon. Yes, that's right...4.5 hours! There are many many mall-type areas and stores, but it seems that 99.3% are clothing, and the rest are either places to eat or places to buy purses. Anyhow, walked around all afternoon looking for pillows. I just kept thinking, man, they need a Bed, Bath, and Beyond here! Finally, I found what I had searched out: two solid red square throw pillows. Needless to say I was walking around my city with one clutched in each arm as I headed the 15 minute plus walk back from the store I was at. I never thought it would take so long to run one stinkin' errand! The woman I buy water from asked me to come to her shop to teach her more english in my free time. She's really sweet. She gives me a drink that if translated to english is called "Fresh Orange More," and tastes like Tang. I enjoy trying to talk to her with the minimal broken words that I know. "Crazy White Shoes" was out dancing again tonight...he's the only guy out there in a huge group of women. He might be a little light in those white shoes if you know what I mean, but nonetheless, he makes for great entertainment. One day I'll get his picture. And the embarrassing moment of the day (well, yesterday): We went to a place we call Mongols for dinner where their sizzling beef and chicken has seasoning that tastes like it should go in a fajita, but is just as good with rice. The chairs there are little plastic stools. Well, when the sizzling beef was served to our table, the dish was still sizzling and popped onto my leg. I jumped back and a leg of the stool started to fold under and I fell backwards onto the floor. To make matters worse, it happened again before we left (I assure you this was not on purpose!). All the people there did their best to hide their smirks and laughter, but I was just as amused, so it was just a funny accident. Thought I'd tell you about it though.

How Bout Them Dawgs!?

Way to go Dawgs! I woke up dark and early at 4:30 today to make some tailgate muffins for me and the guys as we listened to Larry Munson call the plays on my computer. I'm so impressed with the showing of our Bulldogs today! Who knew we'd beat Boise State so badly!? I mean, I thought we could win, and I knew BSU was overrated due to their lack of competition in their WAC conference, but please! 48-13....that's what I'm talkin about R & B!! Great performance by both the defense (nice picks!) and Shock, too. Hopefully they'll keep it up. I sure missed getting to yell with everyone down in the Bulldog Nation, but boy am I glad ya'll cheered extra hard on my behalf. I said it's great, woof woof, to be, woof woof, a Georgia Bulldog! What a great start to my Sunday....now for a nap! Can't wait to do it again next week.

My Virtual Tour

Well, my friends I'm back again, this time to give you an inside look at my apartment (besides the blue hallway lights). I've got our blue kitchen, the capsule shower, and oh-so-fun retro furniture. They're all about some sweet digs here. Yesterday I went to the Metro, which is like the East Asian equivalent to Sam's Club. Only foreigners and business owners can go there, so the cars there are all high-rollers, as in Asian Bling. There you can get all the necessities of life like good pillowcases, paper towels, cheese, fruit, refrigerators, you name it (well, almost). I've eaten the best pear I've ever tasted here the other day. One good thing about here is their stuff is very fresh. The view out the windows though never change because it's constantly people in every direction. You get so tired from just sitting and watching. I had to include this sign my friend took a picture of, too. The translations here are just SO off sometimes. It makes me smile though and this is a pretty consistent thing :) Can't wait to see what lies ahead this week!

Gameday!

Tomorrow (technically) for me, is gameday! I'm ripe and ready to wake up at 5:00 AM to watch that 5:30 PM back in Athens kickoff. David, Matt, and I will have to tailgate breakfast-style, but boy am I excited. I'm bound and determined not to completely miss out on this season. I think we've got a good shot at a great season. Just know I'll be callin my dawgs from the other side of the globe! Go Dawgs! I'll be rootin for some hunker down silver britches to score lots of TDs! Man, I can't wait. I'll even be sporting my red and black for the occasion. My friends, please cheer twice as hard for me, I don't think my whoops and hollers will be heard from here, but it doesn't mean I won't anyways! Glory Glory to Ole Georgia. :) Meanwhile, today we had blue (kind of) skies! The first since we've been here. I was amazed to see three clouds too! I know, simple pleasures, but hey, whatever brings a smile, right? I heard Mariah Caray's "Hero" and "Someday" today in the plaza. Oh, to sing along to the ever-popular 80's music here. What a joy. Tonight we begin season three of 24. YAY! Ok, until we win...SIC EM!

Back From the Du

Hello again, I've just returned from the beloved city of many. There they had many awesome places...Peter's Tex Mex Grill, Subway, Starbucks (they just got it!), Grandma's Kitchen, etc. Are you kidding? I may as well have been in the States! My friend KC from one of the other teams was with me at the Coffee Beanery one afternoon. I included her picture because this is an excellent portrayal of a typical reaction to one of many unusual sights here in East Asia! It's a beautiful day here, oddly somewhat clear (though my definition of clear has changed dramatically) and I'm spending some time recovering from being gone the last three days in meetings heaped upon meetings. I do have to say they were helpful and I'm excited to start school. I uploaded some new pics to my webshots site, so you can check out a couple new views...the double decker bus, the caterpillar bus (they're all over the place here!), bikes (not so much in my city, I have yet to see one), etc. Soon I will add more because there are many things around here that need to be captured on my camera! The food here is good, but murder on the stomach. After you live in a place like this you'll want to take your shoes off before walking around your house too. Just think of where your feet have been all day!? The other day I went to the Beijing Market and they played Backstreet Boys "Backstreet's Back" 6 times in a row while I was in there! I never want to hear that song again...ever. Ok, back to the day. Just wanted to holler up a little update.