Catch-update!
So, I really haven't written much since I got back from Xi'an, the reason being that I've been extra busy in the past couple of weeks, and in those precious few hours that I get to spend on the internet, writing a journal entry just sounds like work. But somehow, here I am now, typing this, so here you go.
Xi'an definitely had its ups and downs, and probably more of the latter. We spent the majority of our waking hours either shuffling our feet through repetitive pottery exhibits in museums with little or no English translation, or chugging down the highway in a bus, cooped up with a crazy old Chinese woman who liked to yell at us. Turns out she was the owner of the bus, and by my understanding of Li Laoshi's explanation, she had some sort of hormonal imbalance, her husband was about to leave her, and she was riding with us only because her company gave us a better deal if she got to come along. That was a really awkward day. In addition to these adventures, we got to follow a couple dozen antisocial Chinese students around while they looked at big holes in the ground. I can't explain how glad I am that I didn't pick archaeology as a major.
The best part about Xi'an was the city itself. Lauren, David, Alissa, Riz, Johnson, Andrew, and I rode a small army of single and tandem bicycles full circle (actually, more like full square) around the top of the city wall. The weather was gorgeous, and we had a view of the entire city, since there are no tall buildings inside the wall. The other memorable parts include a bustling Muslim district with tons of delicious snacks and an ancient mosque, as well as a Manchurian restaurant with some of the tastiest dumplings ever to touch these lips.
Alice (normally a very pretty girl) kicks off the trip by making perhaps the most hilarious facial expression EVER, on the train ride to Xi'an. I snapped a photo just after they turned out the lights on the train, and this is what came out. This photo might not be up for long, depending on whether or not Alice sees it and gets mad at me.
Lauren and I on a tandem bike.
Aforementioned bicycle army, reporting for duty.
I swear to god we're not as ugly as we look in this picture of us in front of the city wall.
David and Alissa acting up, on top of the wall.
Andrew basks in the Chinglish.
Flag.
Me getting creative, because Xi'an is so bloody cold in December.
Not long after getting back to Chengdu, Lauren informed me that Professor Harrell had asked us to make an overnight trip down to the tiny city of Xichang, to pick up an award for him, and that in passing we could go to Yangjuan and see Yi New Year. The ceremony happened to be on Christmas Eve. I don't know why I agreed to this, but I hopped on the train with Lauren in search of adventure.
This was a week ago. In this timespan, I learned that celebrating Christmas in Xichang is FEICHANG (that's Chinese for "extraordinarily") boring, since there are roughly a baker's dozen other Westerners in the city. Saddest Christmas ever.
I also learned that the first day of Yi New Year consists entirely of slaughtering pigs. I have pictures and video, but I don't think you want to see them. A bleeding, screaming pig is a pretty horrifying thing. But I was just that bored and loopy, that I felt like capturing the moment. We didn't get to see the fun days of dancing and singing and what not, because I had to be back in time to go to work this morning.
Two more weeks of this job, by the way, until my 350 or so students all go on winter vacation. Payday is tomorrow. Woo-hoo! As for next semester, I have a different kind of English teaching job lined up, that looks much more fun and less stressful.
Plus, yesterday, I went apartment hunting, and I found myself a decent place for only like $30 more per month than I'm paying in the dorms, and many times the size and luxury, with new furniture and all. It's actually about three floors directly above David, Alice, and Yuki's apartment. It happens to be right near my new work, too, and also very near the consulate, most of the other Americans, and most of our favorite restaurants and bars. Apparently Viktor (resident Swedish Superman) had already looked at this same apartment and passed it up because it was too big or something, but it seems pretty ideal for me. I haven't committed yet, but they cleaned it for me today, and I'm going to look at it again tomorrow. I want to move out of the dorms ASAP, possibly this weekend.
Additionally, I'm coming home to Seattle on January 22nd, and staying until February 2nd. I do love it here, but I really can't wait to see my family and catch a breath of fresh Seattle air. I got a Christmas package from my mom today, that just made my week. I let out a "woo-hoo!!" when I saw all the goodies. It was like being a kid again.
Anyway, if there's one thing I'm not lacking right now, it's things to look forward to.
Oh, and here are a couple of pictures I've been forgetting to post...
Some crazy flaming drink that tasted like licorice
Viktor, Brian, Me, and Lauren doing B-52's
And finally, by parental request...
The gate to the International Students Dorm
This is the view from the doorway, of my room at its messiest state ever. This was actually taken back in October, posting it has just never seemed like a high priority...
This is where I update my livejournal from.
This is where I sleep. Sometimes.
This is where I get alternately frozen and/or scalded every morning, due to having a Chinese water heater. Note the laundry drying on a clothesline. I have to string that thing between my door and my showerhead when i want to dry clothes.
My fly ride.
Former fly ride, that is. Someone jacked it while I was in Xi'an. Now only this photo and a worthless set of bike lock keys remain to commemorate my first China bike. I think I'm over it though.
Xi'an definitely had its ups and downs, and probably more of the latter. We spent the majority of our waking hours either shuffling our feet through repetitive pottery exhibits in museums with little or no English translation, or chugging down the highway in a bus, cooped up with a crazy old Chinese woman who liked to yell at us. Turns out she was the owner of the bus, and by my understanding of Li Laoshi's explanation, she had some sort of hormonal imbalance, her husband was about to leave her, and she was riding with us only because her company gave us a better deal if she got to come along. That was a really awkward day. In addition to these adventures, we got to follow a couple dozen antisocial Chinese students around while they looked at big holes in the ground. I can't explain how glad I am that I didn't pick archaeology as a major.
The best part about Xi'an was the city itself. Lauren, David, Alissa, Riz, Johnson, Andrew, and I rode a small army of single and tandem bicycles full circle (actually, more like full square) around the top of the city wall. The weather was gorgeous, and we had a view of the entire city, since there are no tall buildings inside the wall. The other memorable parts include a bustling Muslim district with tons of delicious snacks and an ancient mosque, as well as a Manchurian restaurant with some of the tastiest dumplings ever to touch these lips.
Alice (normally a very pretty girl) kicks off the trip by making perhaps the most hilarious facial expression EVER, on the train ride to Xi'an. I snapped a photo just after they turned out the lights on the train, and this is what came out. This photo might not be up for long, depending on whether or not Alice sees it and gets mad at me.
Lauren and I on a tandem bike.
Aforementioned bicycle army, reporting for duty.
I swear to god we're not as ugly as we look in this picture of us in front of the city wall.
David and Alissa acting up, on top of the wall.
Andrew basks in the Chinglish.
Flag.
Me getting creative, because Xi'an is so bloody cold in December.
Not long after getting back to Chengdu, Lauren informed me that Professor Harrell had asked us to make an overnight trip down to the tiny city of Xichang, to pick up an award for him, and that in passing we could go to Yangjuan and see Yi New Year. The ceremony happened to be on Christmas Eve. I don't know why I agreed to this, but I hopped on the train with Lauren in search of adventure.
This was a week ago. In this timespan, I learned that celebrating Christmas in Xichang is FEICHANG (that's Chinese for "extraordinarily") boring, since there are roughly a baker's dozen other Westerners in the city. Saddest Christmas ever.
I also learned that the first day of Yi New Year consists entirely of slaughtering pigs. I have pictures and video, but I don't think you want to see them. A bleeding, screaming pig is a pretty horrifying thing. But I was just that bored and loopy, that I felt like capturing the moment. We didn't get to see the fun days of dancing and singing and what not, because I had to be back in time to go to work this morning.
Two more weeks of this job, by the way, until my 350 or so students all go on winter vacation. Payday is tomorrow. Woo-hoo! As for next semester, I have a different kind of English teaching job lined up, that looks much more fun and less stressful.
Plus, yesterday, I went apartment hunting, and I found myself a decent place for only like $30 more per month than I'm paying in the dorms, and many times the size and luxury, with new furniture and all. It's actually about three floors directly above David, Alice, and Yuki's apartment. It happens to be right near my new work, too, and also very near the consulate, most of the other Americans, and most of our favorite restaurants and bars. Apparently Viktor (resident Swedish Superman) had already looked at this same apartment and passed it up because it was too big or something, but it seems pretty ideal for me. I haven't committed yet, but they cleaned it for me today, and I'm going to look at it again tomorrow. I want to move out of the dorms ASAP, possibly this weekend.
Additionally, I'm coming home to Seattle on January 22nd, and staying until February 2nd. I do love it here, but I really can't wait to see my family and catch a breath of fresh Seattle air. I got a Christmas package from my mom today, that just made my week. I let out a "woo-hoo!!" when I saw all the goodies. It was like being a kid again.
Anyway, if there's one thing I'm not lacking right now, it's things to look forward to.
Oh, and here are a couple of pictures I've been forgetting to post...
Some crazy flaming drink that tasted like licorice
Viktor, Brian, Me, and Lauren doing B-52's
And finally, by parental request...
The gate to the International Students Dorm
This is the view from the doorway, of my room at its messiest state ever. This was actually taken back in October, posting it has just never seemed like a high priority...
This is where I update my livejournal from.
This is where I sleep. Sometimes.
This is where I get alternately frozen and/or scalded every morning, due to having a Chinese water heater. Note the laundry drying on a clothesline. I have to string that thing between my door and my showerhead when i want to dry clothes.
My fly ride.
Former fly ride, that is. Someone jacked it while I was in Xi'an. Now only this photo and a worthless set of bike lock keys remain to commemorate my first China bike. I think I'm over it though.