These flowers bloom among busy, city streets....
greeting me on my walk home from class with pink petals and sweet fragrance...
I love Springtime in Hangzhou.
"The days are long, but the years are short."
walk slow. xoxo.
May 10, 2012
blooms.
greeting me on my walk home from class with pink petals and sweet fragrance...
I love Springtime in Hangzhou.
walk slow. xoxo.
May 9, 2012
words will suffice.
I just checked my iphone and realized I have no pictures to document this great/hilarous/full day.
Oh well, words will suffice.
I woke up and did some work online before meeting my presh-head boyfriend for lunch at a Western cafe across the street. I was craving a veggie burger and he was craving me-minus-the-attitude so by appeasing me, we all were happy. :) ha.
We came back to my home where I loaded up my goods, changed into my work clothes and headed off to my afternoon of adventures. I was reminded of our culture/gender difference when I asked, "Does this look ok?" about my work outfit and he responded with, "You look fresh." "I have never been told that in my life," I said, "I am a white girl from Florida, picket-fence, suburbia. I own poodles and a cat. I never look fresh." hahahaha. He rolled his eyes at me and laughed, "Nice, you look nice."
We said zai jian and I got on the bus to meet one of my American college students at my old hair place. I have not been there in moooonths and asked some of my students if they would go with me to use up my money on my VIP card. I would give them the service for free just to be nice and because I want to use up the 100$ on my card so I don't feel tied to the place anymore. I can't justufy going anywhere else when I have pre-paid at this place, so I want to use the money up. Why not use it on my students?
I got a trim and she got her Persian hair straightened. I kind of laughed to myself the whole time because there was a definite difference in expectations. She was not entirely happy with the outcome of her hair and I was like, "ah, whatever, I'll throw it up in a bun if it's bad." My standards of everything are low now after living here so long and I sometimes forget that not everyone does everything just for the experience.
A new guy cut my hair and then one of the few people who still work there came over to blow dry and straighten my hair. We chatted a bit and after awhile he told me that it was his day off. (They get one day off a week.) I asked him why he was doing my hair if it was his day off and he said he had come into the shop to get somehting and had seen me after so many months and asked if he could do my hair.
That.Is.Precious. I was so touched. How can you complain about a non-perfect blow dry when someone is giving you their day off to spend time with you? It was sweet. And I was happy with my hair.
I said goodbye to my student and headed across the street for dinner alone in a noodle shop before heading back to the Children's Hospital for my first day back at work! I got my part-time job back!
I have learned a big lesson in Chin.ese work relationships and after some maneuvering on Michael's part, I was re-hired as the English teacher at the hospital. I left this job around Christmas time because I was majorly stressed about school, changing majors, and adding another section of my adjunct classes, but I have realized lately that I miss my students so much and I miss the money, also. (I'm broke, thanks to Chin.ese fixed economy and inflation).
I had to hang my head a bit at the beginning of class and assure them I will not just up and leave again. (note to self - you can never quit this job again.) But it was SO GOOD to see everyone! I had a geat turn out - over 20 students and we had a great class. All my favorites were there and I was so happy they still believe in me to show up. I love my monkies and missed them so, so, so, much. Having a job that I am excited to go to is a blessing and I'm not giving it up again because of worldly stress. I'm hanging on tight this time. (Note to self).
After class one of the students I love the most hugged me and started crying and told me her story of recently being denied entrance to the PhD candidacy in Shanghai because of corruption in our hospital. Her department head apparently doesnt want her to be the only person wit ha doctoral degree in the department (higher ranking than her bosses) so she was conspired against and lost the opportunity for further study. She is disheartened and feels the world is against her.
My heart broke listening to her. I also felt guilty. How could I have left my people? They need ears to hear and shoulders to cry on. I have ears and shoulders. And I am not in the system. I know I cannot, "save" anyone, but I should never take myself from a place where I know I am helpful in some way.
I am so sad about the corruption here (and around the world) and how it affects good people with honest hearts. Pray for Marie. For hope and a future.
After Marie left to catch a movie with her hubby, Michael and I drove to a coffee shop near my house for, "coffee time," as he calls it. After some promting from boyfriend, I told Michael about my leg pain and he wants me to get checked out (no way). It was such a great way to learn new English words for him. "Do you have pain in your fingers?" he asked. "No." "What about your feet fingers?" "My toes? No, no pain in my toes."
I love that man. I told him if I still have pain on Monday (a week after it started) or if the pain gets worse, I will go to the international clinic. But I am just hoping it goes away by then. I have a half-marathon to run in 10 days. Imustgetbetter. And there's no pain in my feet fingers, so I must be ok. :)
I returned home to my American neighbor knocking at my door, "I heard you!" he called. I just wanted some peace and quiet and kitty time, but in came another person who wanted to talk. I felt like a conversational revolving door today - boyfriend, student, hair do'ers, students, boss, Michael, neighbor.
It was a great day of interactions and reminding myself how blessed I am to be here with these people. I need my job with my Chin.ese students to remind me of that. I am so glad they took me back. Things don't work like that in America, you can't just quit your job via text and then beg your way back in, but it worked for me here. I am so thankful. For the extra $150 bucks a month and for the sustained friendships. Mostly the friendships.
My heart was so happy to be back in the classroom that it could have jumped out my chest and danced on the table. It's where I belong. In a room of Ch.inese people with a whiteboard all to myself. I want everyone to feel the way I do at work at some point in their lives. It's glorious.
It's been a day. My hair looks fab. There's a sleeping kitty in my lap. My boyfriend is patient with me. My students came to class. My hairwasher gave me his time. My best friend tried to diagnose my pains. My neighbor and I had a chat about the meaning of life.
Who needs photos? Letters will do.
walk slow. xoxo.
Oh well, words will suffice.
I woke up and did some work online before meeting my presh-head boyfriend for lunch at a Western cafe across the street. I was craving a veggie burger and he was craving me-minus-the-attitude so by appeasing me, we all were happy. :) ha.
We came back to my home where I loaded up my goods, changed into my work clothes and headed off to my afternoon of adventures. I was reminded of our culture/gender difference when I asked, "Does this look ok?" about my work outfit and he responded with, "You look fresh." "I have never been told that in my life," I said, "I am a white girl from Florida, picket-fence, suburbia. I own poodles and a cat. I never look fresh." hahahaha. He rolled his eyes at me and laughed, "Nice, you look nice."
We said zai jian and I got on the bus to meet one of my American college students at my old hair place. I have not been there in moooonths and asked some of my students if they would go with me to use up my money on my VIP card. I would give them the service for free just to be nice and because I want to use up the 100$ on my card so I don't feel tied to the place anymore. I can't justufy going anywhere else when I have pre-paid at this place, so I want to use the money up. Why not use it on my students?
I got a trim and she got her Persian hair straightened. I kind of laughed to myself the whole time because there was a definite difference in expectations. She was not entirely happy with the outcome of her hair and I was like, "ah, whatever, I'll throw it up in a bun if it's bad." My standards of everything are low now after living here so long and I sometimes forget that not everyone does everything just for the experience.
A new guy cut my hair and then one of the few people who still work there came over to blow dry and straighten my hair. We chatted a bit and after awhile he told me that it was his day off. (They get one day off a week.) I asked him why he was doing my hair if it was his day off and he said he had come into the shop to get somehting and had seen me after so many months and asked if he could do my hair.
That.Is.Precious. I was so touched. How can you complain about a non-perfect blow dry when someone is giving you their day off to spend time with you? It was sweet. And I was happy with my hair.
I said goodbye to my student and headed across the street for dinner alone in a noodle shop before heading back to the Children's Hospital for my first day back at work! I got my part-time job back!
I have learned a big lesson in Chin.ese work relationships and after some maneuvering on Michael's part, I was re-hired as the English teacher at the hospital. I left this job around Christmas time because I was majorly stressed about school, changing majors, and adding another section of my adjunct classes, but I have realized lately that I miss my students so much and I miss the money, also. (I'm broke, thanks to Chin.ese fixed economy and inflation).
I had to hang my head a bit at the beginning of class and assure them I will not just up and leave again. (note to self - you can never quit this job again.) But it was SO GOOD to see everyone! I had a geat turn out - over 20 students and we had a great class. All my favorites were there and I was so happy they still believe in me to show up. I love my monkies and missed them so, so, so, much. Having a job that I am excited to go to is a blessing and I'm not giving it up again because of worldly stress. I'm hanging on tight this time. (Note to self).
After class one of the students I love the most hugged me and started crying and told me her story of recently being denied entrance to the PhD candidacy in Shanghai because of corruption in our hospital. Her department head apparently doesnt want her to be the only person wit ha doctoral degree in the department (higher ranking than her bosses) so she was conspired against and lost the opportunity for further study. She is disheartened and feels the world is against her.
My heart broke listening to her. I also felt guilty. How could I have left my people? They need ears to hear and shoulders to cry on. I have ears and shoulders. And I am not in the system. I know I cannot, "save" anyone, but I should never take myself from a place where I know I am helpful in some way.
I am so sad about the corruption here (and around the world) and how it affects good people with honest hearts. Pray for Marie. For hope and a future.
After Marie left to catch a movie with her hubby, Michael and I drove to a coffee shop near my house for, "coffee time," as he calls it. After some promting from boyfriend, I told Michael about my leg pain and he wants me to get checked out (no way). It was such a great way to learn new English words for him. "Do you have pain in your fingers?" he asked. "No." "What about your feet fingers?" "My toes? No, no pain in my toes."
I love that man. I told him if I still have pain on Monday (a week after it started) or if the pain gets worse, I will go to the international clinic. But I am just hoping it goes away by then. I have a half-marathon to run in 10 days. Imustgetbetter. And there's no pain in my feet fingers, so I must be ok. :)
I returned home to my American neighbor knocking at my door, "I heard you!" he called. I just wanted some peace and quiet and kitty time, but in came another person who wanted to talk. I felt like a conversational revolving door today - boyfriend, student, hair do'ers, students, boss, Michael, neighbor.
It was a great day of interactions and reminding myself how blessed I am to be here with these people. I need my job with my Chin.ese students to remind me of that. I am so glad they took me back. Things don't work like that in America, you can't just quit your job via text and then beg your way back in, but it worked for me here. I am so thankful. For the extra $150 bucks a month and for the sustained friendships. Mostly the friendships.
My heart was so happy to be back in the classroom that it could have jumped out my chest and danced on the table. It's where I belong. In a room of Ch.inese people with a whiteboard all to myself. I want everyone to feel the way I do at work at some point in their lives. It's glorious.
It's been a day. My hair looks fab. There's a sleeping kitty in my lap. My boyfriend is patient with me. My students came to class. My hairwasher gave me his time. My best friend tried to diagnose my pains. My neighbor and I had a chat about the meaning of life.
Who needs photos? Letters will do.
walk slow. xoxo.
business as usual.
I got out of bed at midnight last night to sweep my floor and do the dishes because I was convinced I was going to die in the night.
Someone check me into the crazy house.
I've been having pulsing pains in my legs the past few days and my mind is not making the situation any better. WebMD doesn't help either. The internet is a place full of horror stories and I've put myself on a strict, "no more googling blood clots," rule until further notice. Having any medical emergency in China would be horrible. I have been hesitant to discuss my pain with my doctor friends because they would just tell me to, "drink hot water," and, "wear more clothes." (the two most divied out medical advices in this great land).
I've also put myself on a, "do not make any big life decisions until after the half-marathon," rule. This is because my stress levels and emotions are haywire these past few days and I don't want to say/do/decide anything that rational/sane me would regret once my mental dust settles. (self-awareness is a beautiful thing).
After talking to my wonderful, rational, fabulous, patient mother, I realize that the odds of me having a blood clot are very small and I need to make sure I am watching my electrolytes, drinking enough water, and chill the heck out. I love that woman for listening to me every day.
Besides my mental freak-outs of leg pains, things are business as usual over here.
Lots of kitty cuddles! He's getting so precious as he ages. I decided not to neuter him because I do not trust the vets here to give him surgery. I figure why put him through that risk if the surgery is not necessary. He hasn't started spraying and I think keeping him au naturale is the fair thing to do considering he has no run-ins with females since he lives in a dorm room. He has figured out how to open my dorm door, however. He jumps onto my towels that hang on the door and uses his right paw to swat the door handle down. He's a kitty genius. I was woken up at 3am the other night with a run-away kitty. The door is staying locked from now on!
 |
| kitty genius at rest. |
Classes are....fine. Just philosophy class. In Chi.nese. I'm surprised the throbbing pain I'm experiencing is not in my brain instead of my legs. ha.
 |
| stealth photography, a by-product of sheer boredom. |
Today I ran the stairs with Jess. 16 flights x 8. She did 10 but I wussed out because I had plans for body pump class afterwards. For the record, doing squats with weights after running 16x8 flights of stairs makes you feel STRONG and awesome. I love my legs. Even if they hurt like monkeyturds right now. I kept checking myself out in the workout room mirrors....that, my friends, is a good feeling.
 |
| waiting for the elevator to take me to the bottom to run it all over again. |
Boom, 16th floor.
 |
| YOU can do ANYTHING. |
Chinglish joys. This is a kids notebook. Thanks for the free entertainment, Chi.na.
Kitty love, learning, running, laughing at randomness. Feeling thankful to be alive and hopeful for some leg healing.
Business as usual.
walk slow. xoxo.
May 7, 2012
a trip down the specialty aisle.
I've been on a mission to find protein powder that is not a million dollars and that I am sure is not made with plastic. (as many powdered substances in Chi.na are....)
While at Walmart the other day I decided to look through the aisle of the store where boxed "gifts" are located. There were boxes of, "American ginseng," and some Chi.nese brand protein powders, but what really caught my eye was the interesting stuff.
Imagine getting any of these as a gift....
Brain Stronger Capsule...
blood replenishing supplement...
yak bone powder...
needless to say, I ended up with some groceries, fried noodles, and coconut water - no boxed "gifts" for me...The protein powder hunt continues...
If you ever need an exporter of shark liver oil, let me know. :) ha.
walk slow. xoxo.
a bride-to-be and a birthday boy.
There was a lot of celebratin' going on in my life yesterday!
A few friends and I planned a surprise bridal shower for a friend who met her Mr. Right here this year and is planing a shot-gun summer wedding. These two are a great example of, "when you know, you know."
Mushu was not a fan of my baking all day for the parties. He would much rather I give all my attention to his furry face! ha. He let me know his feelings by using the bags of walnuts for my brownies as a pillow...
 |
| I love my cat a sickening amount. |
We had a dessert table and a home-made paper sash...
Ring pops from Chin.ese Wal-mart...
and a Ch.inese propaganda banner exlaiming their love in Chine.se!
We played games that tested their opinions of each other...haha...
The whole gang and the love-birds...
traditional American bridal shower games were a hit, even if chaotic to explain and see through to the end...
The bridal shower was precious and fun. Unfortunately, I had to leave a little early because someone's birthday party was planned for the same day (stressful)...
I headed home for a quick change and then met the Ethiopians (as I lovingly refer to my recently adopted crowd) at the Reggae Bar to celebrate Yoni's birth. His friends are welcoming and fun and we danced late into the night. His roommates brought cake and the band sang to him.
After two parties yesterday, I was exhausted today. (and wondering why life's events couldn't be spread out more!)
As I looked through my pictures today, I was taken aback by how diverse and interesting my life encounters are. In an evening I celebrated two Milwaukians' nuptuals and my Ethiopian boyfriend's birthday.
That's awesome. The world is small. And people are all the same - we may not celebrate the same, but we recognize events in each others lives with gatherings...and cake. Thanks goodness cake is universal. :)
Happy Wedding to Zach and Steph and Happy Birthday to Yoni.
walk slow. xoxo.
May 4, 2012
full speed ahead.
Things havebeen busy but wonderful lately. I am sad I let the time build up before updating this thing so that I lose the little funny stories in liu of writing general updates.
Oh well, live and learn. :)
Last weekend was "Labor Day" here in Commie world and I got the priviledge of heading up to Shanghai with a group of friends for a retreat. We stayed in the urban jungle of the Shanghai 'burbs, a land of smog and never-ending rows of identical housing....
I've also been going to class. I have no idea what goes on in this class, so I just sit and read my Kindle while the teacher yells and smokes his pipe...
back to the retreat...there were 30 of us in atwo-story apartment, sleeping in sleeping bags on the floor and cooking up yummy treats in the oven (so excited for an oven!) We sang and played, and I took note that I am surrounded by amazing groups of people. It was a glorious (though exhausting) time and I was thankful to be invited...
good people and homemade Western food...
re-focusing together through songs and fellowship...
some brave souls slept on the roof (to the chagrin of the Chin.se security guards), I opted for the floor indoors...
It is the last week of my first year as an adjuct professor (hellooooo grading!). I'm getting a little nostalgic but at the same time need a break from checking my emails every 2 seconds. My boss was in town last week and we had a little gathering at a Thai restaurant...
AndI am finally done with my observations. One of my fave students bought me breakfast to celebrate the occassion...steamed bun, egg pancake, hardboiled egg, and half a sweet potato...
I'm moving at full speed with final grades due, a (surprise) bridal shower tomorrow, thesis revisions due to my students, and my boy's birthday this weekend. Oh, and I run a half marathon in 2 weeks...
Full speed ahead.
walk slow. xoxo
May 2, 2012
The B Word.
In the interest of full blog disclosure...
I would like to introduce you to my boyfriend, Yonathon.
I hit the Ethiopian jackpot.
He's the first guy I've gone public with in all my 25 years - announcing in the e-world is a big step for me.
He has been worth the wait. I'm over the moon.
What started as, "hey - I like talking to you and I'm really attracted to you let's get dinner sometimes," has turned into a real relationship - slowly but surely.
After 2.5 months of dating and discovery, we labeled ourselves boyfriend/girlfriend last week. We shook on it. And I can't stop saying the B word.
My boyfriend is kind, brutally honest, polite, patient, emotionally aware, business savy, ambitious, a dreamer, passionate about many things, not afraid of challenges, able to take/tell jokes, a good listener/communicator, does not allow me to manipulate situations (key), flows with my mood changes and is able to adapt, a good cook, makes his bed every day, dresses well, remembers details, has solid friendships, has great relationships with his sisters and respects his mother. He is a US/Ethiopia dual citizen so I know he's not in it for the green card. (an unfortunate, honest concern of single American expats).
And look at those luscious Ethiopian lips. I win.
We met on a dance floor on Valentine's Day. I think it's quite appropriate.
I'll be back tomorrow to tell you what I've really been up to (a weekend retreat in Shanghai, work dinners, etc.) But I just couldn't hold it in any longer about my B word.
Yonathan is my boyfriend.
I am a happy, happy girlfriend.
walk slow. xoxo.
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