One More for the Road

Well, I said that the last post was my last before leaving for vacation, but I'm thinking one more won't hurt. Xin Ba Ke (pronounced: Sheen Bah Kuh) just opened this past Thursday only two buildings away from me! Yes folks, that Chinese for Starbucks! So far I have gone every day they have been open (three), but today I'm tightening the reigns on my $3.30 an hour wages. It's funny how much something like a coffee shop can make us so giddy. But really, besides McDonalds and a few other little reminders, its really one of the best comforts we could ask for. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm in NO WAY "roughing it," but it's just nice to be able to have something familiar. So, I'm probably one of the few who can say that I truly appreciate a good cup of coffee in a place where coffee ain't so good. It wasn't very busy the first two days they were open, which worried me a little because businesses here come and go like the daily news, but Saturday proved to be the big teller...there were tons of people there and I had to retreat to the streets to feel a little less claustrophobic. (If you've been here, you could laugh at that because the weekend streets are a far cry from deserted.) Anyways, it's a fun deal. Today we're having a 24 Marathon to finish season 4. I'm so excited to watch it with my "family" here, even though I've already seen it. It's SO good! I haven't seen the sun in about 3 1/2 weeks, so as I pack my bags to head down to the South Pacific, I'll be thinking of you and how your skin is still darker than mine. No sun = gray skin...yuck! Gonna have to spread the SPF on thick! I can't wait to plop myself down on the island and sip a fruity drink from a coconut shell with a little pink umbrella and I'll think to myself....what a wonderful world. Good-bye cold...bring on the heat!