This year's Christmas was rather fun. The Saturday before, just when Phil and I got back from our awards ceremony, Ashley had a big dinner at her place. There was good food, good friends, and mad libs. And Xiao Zhao and I carried on like idiots for most of the evening. Fun!
Christmas Eve and Christmas were strange, with us traveling all over Nanchong looking for free food and drinks. Sometimes we found them, sometimes we paid. But we had a good time being together. Durf ended up in a couple of shows, Xiao Zhao busted out the best dance moves, Phil jumped in some bushes, Ashley and I ended up singing endless Christmas carols outside of the BABI, while drunk people passed us shouting.. "This is your spring festival, isn't it!!"
The day after Christmas, I decided that I wanted blue hair for the winter break. And so now my hair is midnight blue. I sort of look like an evil mermaid. I love it! It almost looks black, but when the sun is on it fully, it is very blue. The general opinion of everyone is that it looks good, (although of course Erica hates it.) I went to hotpot with some students last night who think I look Chinese now, which is strange for me. I have blue hair and I'm fitting in more than ever.
Things here are busy, despite classes being over. Holly is coming tomorrow! Sadly, her visit is at the same time as Durf's Chengdu show, but since I'll be going out to Nanjing after final exams, I guess it's okay that I won't see her very much. Instead I'm just concentrating on getting the house clean enough so that she'll be comfy here whilst I am away.
Okay, I'm off now. Yang Qiu is making Jiaozi for lunch!
2007年12月22日星期六
Confessions
Ah！Home again at last! It was another weekend in
Other than that, this trip just showed off how many stupid things I end up doing on an almost daily basis. I had at one time thought I could pass it off as being endearing and cute, but now I think that once people get to know me, they figure out that I am basically an idiot. So, I’m just going to publicly at admit to the more stupid parts of my day yesterday.
(Well sort of publicly, since this is the least read blog on the internet…does the intense navel gazing of this blog count as a stupid thing? Probably)
1. While walking down the street, I randomly bought a pair of blue devil horns, then wore them in public for most of the evening.
2. Took part in a very long meandering walk through downtown
3. On the walk I somehow lost my devil horns.
4. While staying the night with my friend, I tried to dry off my socks on his space heater, ended up burning my socks and filling his house with smoke. Then like an ass I demanding that he lend him some of his socks because I was sick and there was no way I was going outside without socks on.
5. I did not bring a toothbrush…eww.
Despite all of this, or perhaps because of it, it was one of the more fun
And luckily, I was able to get my very own copy of
2007年12月20日星期四
Today I met up with Zhao Xing at a nearby teahouse and when I got there I found he was with Thomas, maybe my worst student ever. Thomas, a law professor at my school, was supposed to be part of the night class that I've been teaching with Durf. He came to two classes, the first and the last. The only reason I recognized him as my student is because we shared a very long bus ride together a few weeks ago, where he drilled me with such hard hitting questions like: do you like Chinese food? Can you use chopsticks? How long have you been in China?
Today's conversation was strange. Zhao Xing's English is so good that it's like talking to a Native speaker, and Thomas' English is about as bad as my Chinese. So, one minute I was struggling to talk to Thomas, and the next joking around with ZX. Sometimes, Zhao Xing would translate, but mostly he just laughed and made fun of both of us. Maybe that's why I hate him, but it is also why he is one of my closest friends.
Today's conversation was strange. Zhao Xing's English is so good that it's like talking to a Native speaker, and Thomas' English is about as bad as my Chinese. So, one minute I was struggling to talk to Thomas, and the next joking around with ZX. Sometimes, Zhao Xing would translate, but mostly he just laughed and made fun of both of us. Maybe that's why I hate him, but it is also why he is one of my closest friends.
2007年12月18日星期二
late night thoughts
Tang Juan is turning me into a Chinese girl. I'm wearing the sparkling headbands, the shiny earrings, the very distinctive Chinese coat...hell, I'm even considering the uncomfortable boots... well, sort of. They look very painful.
But I'm not Chinese. I'm still so American in almost everything I do, how I act, teach, eat, dance...everything about be screams that I don't belong here. A few days ago Oscar told me that I should go back to America where I can relate to people...but can I? I still feel the urge to stay here, where I know my place in this world, where I am safe. Why go back to a place where all my friends have moved on, where I have bad memories, where everything is way too expensive? But then again, can I stay in a place where very few people honestly understand me? Then again, who can truly understand someone else?
But I'm not Chinese. I'm still so American in almost everything I do, how I act, teach, eat, dance...everything about be screams that I don't belong here. A few days ago Oscar told me that I should go back to America where I can relate to people...but can I? I still feel the urge to stay here, where I know my place in this world, where I am safe. Why go back to a place where all my friends have moved on, where I have bad memories, where everything is way too expensive? But then again, can I stay in a place where very few people honestly understand me? Then again, who can truly understand someone else?
2007年12月13日星期四
Dear Friends,
It's lovely having people over at my house all the time. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it. I like the idea of roommates, and that is why lots of people have keys to my place. However, a general reminder:
1. Do NOT entertain guests here when I'm not around, I have given YOU permission to come over whenever you want. Not all of Nanchong.
2. After you take a shower, the wet towel goes on the hook, not the bed.
3. Making my bed for me is nice, but creepy.
4. If you come over in the morning, don't make comments about my pajamas. It's my fucking house and I'll wear what I want.
5. Did I mention the wet towel never goes on my bed?
Thanks,
Sarah
1. Do NOT entertain guests here when I'm not around, I have given YOU permission to come over whenever you want. Not all of Nanchong.
2. After you take a shower, the wet towel goes on the hook, not the bed.
3. Making my bed for me is nice, but creepy.
4. If you come over in the morning, don't make comments about my pajamas. It's my fucking house and I'll wear what I want.
5. Did I mention the wet towel never goes on my bed?
Thanks,
Sarah
2007年12月11日星期二
And the whole world sighed and said "It's only fucking Tuesday..."
It was lamb again for dinner tonight. This weekend Durf's teacher gave him about 5 pounds of lamb from her hometown, so it's been lamb at almost every meal. Not that I'm complaining, Durf can cook! And in addition to that, our student Dora finally had us over to her house for lunch today so it's been a lovely few days. 99.9% of my food comes from restaurants and it's just nice to have home cooked meals every once in awhile.
Zhao Xing came over and hung out tonight as I worked on my outfit for the robot Christmas party on Saturday. I covered on of my tank tops with electrical tape and paired it with a skirt that I will hang beads and foil and stuff from. Zhao Xing gave very helpful advice like "get a push up bra and stick your boobs out!" and "the tape ripped, keep it, it looks like modern art!" I asked him what he will be wearing to the party, he said just some black clothes. Tersack claims he will just be carrying around a fork. Boys are funny, let's keep them.
Big day tomorrow. Teach, teach, teach, English department hotpot/meeting, teach. I'm so, so, so happy next week is the end of the night/lunch class business.
I've been reading an Anne Rice novel that I picked up at the new Pete's in Chengdu. I have no idea why I picked that book, except that when I was 12 I loved her. I haven't actually read Anne Rice since then, but now I can see what the appeal is to a 12 year old, I just can't figure out why anyone else reads this emo crap... If someone would like to send me real books, please refer to my wish list on Amazon.com. Thanks!
Zhao Xing came over and hung out tonight as I worked on my outfit for the robot Christmas party on Saturday. I covered on of my tank tops with electrical tape and paired it with a skirt that I will hang beads and foil and stuff from. Zhao Xing gave very helpful advice like "get a push up bra and stick your boobs out!" and "the tape ripped, keep it, it looks like modern art!" I asked him what he will be wearing to the party, he said just some black clothes. Tersack claims he will just be carrying around a fork. Boys are funny, let's keep them.
Big day tomorrow. Teach, teach, teach, English department hotpot/meeting, teach. I'm so, so, so happy next week is the end of the night/lunch class business.
I've been reading an Anne Rice novel that I picked up at the new Pete's in Chengdu. I have no idea why I picked that book, except that when I was 12 I loved her. I haven't actually read Anne Rice since then, but now I can see what the appeal is to a 12 year old, I just can't figure out why anyone else reads this emo crap... If someone would like to send me real books, please refer to my wish list on Amazon.com. Thanks!
2007年12月9日星期日
Dan Tersack Reads this Blog
Thanks Daniel Tersack for spending all weekend looking for the missing Jessica. Although yes, she is still missing and missing with my DVDs, we are one step closer to finding her. Hahaha. Movies!
Speaking of movies, I bought 16 of them during my very, very, very long weekend in Chengdu. I was so tired getting back today, then Durf cooked some pasta for lunch with the five pounds of meat his tutor randomly gave him, then I went shopping and by the time my friend and I ended up at chicken pot I was almost falling asleep at the table. Hopefully, I won't have to do another weekend trip for a while. Nanchong is very cool, and there is no reason to leave.
Speaking of movies, I bought 16 of them during my very, very, very long weekend in Chengdu. I was so tired getting back today, then Durf cooked some pasta for lunch with the five pounds of meat his tutor randomly gave him, then I went shopping and by the time my friend and I ended up at chicken pot I was almost falling asleep at the table. Hopefully, I won't have to do another weekend trip for a while. Nanchong is very cool, and there is no reason to leave.
2007年12月5日星期三
neige, neiga, hao hao hao
It's so cold in Nanchong the last couple of days. We've been enjoying rain, wind, and gross puddles all around. I woke up this morning and couldn't face the thought of getting out of my cocoon of blankets, and ended up pushing the snooze button so many times that I nearly missed the bus to school. When I got to class I found my students were facing the same cold/tired/laziness I was, but somehow we pulled through it. My classes this morning were some of the best I've had all semester.
I feel like the last couple of weeks I've just been really focused on my English majors and I'm finally seeing the results of some of that work. I think I had to just stop thinking about the future, and how I don't know what's coming and just live my life here. It's not only helped my teaching about a thousand percent, but I've just been so content with everything. I'm feeling very zen budda about things now, which is very odd to a person who normally enjoys over-analyzing every last detail of EVERYTHING. Letting things go is wonderful.
But maybe the coolest thing of the day is not my classes, or zen-ness, or all my blankets and space heaters, but the new blinking santa lights in my kitchen. They are tacky as hell, and oh so cool.
I feel like the last couple of weeks I've just been really focused on my English majors and I'm finally seeing the results of some of that work. I think I had to just stop thinking about the future, and how I don't know what's coming and just live my life here. It's not only helped my teaching about a thousand percent, but I've just been so content with everything. I'm feeling very zen budda about things now, which is very odd to a person who normally enjoys over-analyzing every last detail of EVERYTHING. Letting things go is wonderful.
But maybe the coolest thing of the day is not my classes, or zen-ness, or all my blankets and space heaters, but the new blinking santa lights in my kitchen. They are tacky as hell, and oh so cool.
2007年12月1日星期六
Nanchong City: Tiled Buildings and Pineapples
No one actually reads this...right? *Looks around and blinks* Okay, good, just checking.
I saw a picture of America today and it honestly didn't look like a real place. It seemed almost computer generated. Why is everything so shiny? Where are all the tiled buildings? Why do all the shops have four walls? Where are the street vendors?
Phil and I saw our first 'pineapple-on-a-stick' and actually did a victory dance right there in the street. This is perhaps the greatest street vendor food of all time. It's only a kuai and when the real 'pineapple-on-a-stick' season comes, they are on every corner so that a soon as you finish one you can get another. I think it won't be too long before it here full scale and then it will last until almost May holiday. Whoo!!
Maybe the only thing that can take away the pure joy from this year's pineapple season is that Holly will not be around to make upside down pineapple cake. However, I have just learned that she will most likely be coming for Christmas which is even better! Happiness, joy, etc. I think it's only when you are anticipating visits when you realize how much you truly miss people.
I saw a picture of America today and it honestly didn't look like a real place. It seemed almost computer generated. Why is everything so shiny? Where are all the tiled buildings? Why do all the shops have four walls? Where are the street vendors?
Phil and I saw our first 'pineapple-on-a-stick' and actually did a victory dance right there in the street. This is perhaps the greatest street vendor food of all time. It's only a kuai and when the real 'pineapple-on-a-stick' season comes, they are on every corner so that a soon as you finish one you can get another. I think it won't be too long before it here full scale and then it will last until almost May holiday. Whoo!!
Maybe the only thing that can take away the pure joy from this year's pineapple season is that Holly will not be around to make upside down pineapple cake. However, I have just learned that she will most likely be coming for Christmas which is even better! Happiness, joy, etc. I think it's only when you are anticipating visits when you realize how much you truly miss people.
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