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The Diaries« April??? | Main | Eventful! » |
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April 21, 2009Weekend RecapPosted by KellyI intended to start my weekend with the usual spinning class. However in China there’s a LOT of people wherever you go, this also includes the gym. Usually you have to wait to use any of the equipment or to go to an exercise class. So, to go to the 6:45pm spinning class one has to get there at least 30 minutes early to stand outside the room and wait in line. Since there’s only so many bikes, it’s imperative that you get in the front of the line. Well, it just so happened that I got there a FEW seconds too late and after waiting for half an hour, I wasn’t able to get a bike. The girl in front of me also wasn’t able to get a bike, so we decided to hit up the yoga class instead. After the class I hobbled to the bus stop where I noticed other fellow gym goers were waiting. Usually I don’t see anyone else I recognize so I thought that was interesting. Then one of the girls even got on the same bus as me. We started talking and found out we both live in the same apartment building and she lives exactly 2 floors beneath me! I’m 721 and she’s 521. So, I have a new friend and neighbor! We got together the other night and she’s helping me work on my Chinese language skills and she gets to practice her English. It’s really nice to have a girlfriend just a few floors away from me. This morning she even offered me an umbrella for the walk to work (April showers). She even made me dinner one night! Hopefully I can return the favor and cook her something equally as tasty. The rest of the weekend I spent getting groceries, and cleaning/rearranging my apartment. Things in Dalian are beginning to feel like home, and it’s a really good feeling. My student Chen also had great news. Her dubbing show performance took first place and she was invited to go to Beijing in July to compete with other students in a Chinese language competition. She was ecstatic and so was I! It’s a huge honor for her! While we were eating dinner with my new friend, Sophia, we watched some Chinese television. Sophia explained to me that every night the Chinese government shows the same 1 hour television special on all of the channels. The show consists of three parts: the first part shows people in official-looking meetings listening to government leaders talk (most look like they are using every ounce of energy to keep awake); the second part consists of Chinese citizens discussing all good things that are happening in China; and the last section discuss world affairs, often times portraying how other countries are fairing far worse than China. Sophia said the program is VERY boring and a lot of people do not like to watch it. I found it very interesting especially since I don’t have a TV in my apartment. (Thank goodness for the internet!) My coworkers are very nice! The other day I went to lunch with Ke (coworker). We went to a restaurant known for the Sichuan flavors. Sichuan is a province in China famous for its spicy foods. The food was excellent, and maybe even the best Chinese I’ve had yet! We had a chicken dish and fish with rice. My mouth was on fire, but I love every minute of it! I was “Thanksgiving-full” from the lunch. I’m usually the girl who’s hungry after eating a 5 course meal, but after my Sichuan lunch I was so stuffed I couldn’t even think about attempting to eat dinner. Anyone who ever travels to China must try this delicious food! My coworker also loaned me the movie, “Cast Away” to watch. I have a good friend back in Iowa who is obsessed with Tom Hanks. I’m slowly learning that she is among millions of obsessed Chinese fans. I have also thought of Tom Hanks as a good actor, but to have people cooing over ALL his movies is beyond me! My friend back home will be delighted to know that her devotion to Tom Hanks is shared by many others! |
Map of ChinaJuly 7, 2009Flight homeJuly 7, 2009Golf lessons in ChinaJuly 6, 2009Happy Birthday America!July 1, 2009MIAJune 23, 2009The Last Day...June 23rdJune 23, 2009Last days in ChinaJune 22, 2009Nearing the End...June 22ndJune 22, 2009Goodbye DinnersJune 22, 2009DichotomiesJune 21, 2009Culinary Hijinks and other Tom FooleryJune 21, 2009Thursday-SundayJune 20, 2009Dalian...June 20thJune 20, 2009Funniest thing I've found on one of the student blogsJune 19, 2009Differences between China and the USAJune 19, 2009Observations on prices in ChinaJune 19, 2009Pressure is BuildingJune 18, 2009Tuesday & WednesdayJune 17, 2009KTV, McBinge, and the World's WorkshopJune 16, 2009Dalian...The Journey ContinuesJune 15, 2009Saturday, Sunday, MondayJune 15, 2009Chinese Student PresentationsJune 14, 2009City Tour, SlingShot and lots of “Měiguórén!”June 14, 2009Continued CommitmentJune 14, 2009US Food Rules that don't apply in this part of ChinaJune 14, 2009Settled in DalianSyndicate this site (XML) |
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