Thursday, November 1st: FOGGG

Today I woke up at 4am to leave for ZhangJiaJie. Our taxi picked Henry, Alicia and I up at 5am. It was the scariest drive/ride of my life. The taxi driver was great but there was so much fog we could not see a single thing. The roads were pitch black too. At one point we were sandwiched between two trucks. Then she pulled over when it got unbearable and I kept thinking a truck was going to run straight into us but we made it to the airport! 

Our flight was on time. We actually left a little early so I'm in good graces with Henry and Alicia as far as traveling goes! 

The flight was only an hour and I slept the entire time. Henry had to wake me up before we landed to put my seat up. 

From the Changsha airport we took a bus to some hotel. We were under the impression the bus was going to be 4 hours and would take us straight to ZhangJiaJie city. Nope. Right when I got so comfortable we had to get off and switch busses. The second bus was terrible. Trash everywhere and the most uncomfortable seats. Alicia was stuck with a Chinese man and Henry and I sat together. There wasn't enough room under the bus for our backpacks so we were crammed in our seats. For  little over 4 hours. The bus kept stopping on the highway and picking up random people. It was pretty funny. The bus was full but they brought their own stools to sit in the aisle. Only in China. 

The ride was absolutely beautiful. We got dropped off on the side of the rode in ZhangJiaJie city and then went took a taxi to the Youth Hostel where we are staying at for just tonight. 

We got a room for 4 people and are sharing it with some random Chinese man. He was asleep when we walked in at 4. Not very happy to see us. 

We roamed around the streets for a bit and got fried dumplings and some other random snack. 

The kids in ZhangJiaJie are so cute. I've never seen cuter kids in my life. A group of elementary school boys walked by and asked "do you understand" in Chinese and I responded "yes" in Chinese and they died laughing and kept chatting with me. 

We hung out at the hostel for a bit before we got dinner. They reccomened some hot pot place. I wasn't a huge fan because it was superrrrr spicy and numbed my mouth. Literally. Sichuan peppers have numbing stuff in them. It was crazy. 

Now we are back at the hostel and its time for bed. Off to Tianmen Shan tomorrow! I am super excited. 

Chinese Tutor, NO english speaking!

Yesterday I got back from Hong Kong and as usual had a lot to unpack. I brought back more winter clothes and bought a lot of American food while I was there. Mom also gave me a REAL popcorn bowl! Leave it to moms to figure out how to get a large wooden bowl to fit in an already full suitcase.

I guess I can now count on two hands how many times I have flown and my flight has been on time because I was on time yesterday!

Yesterday afternoon Alicia came over and hung out for a bit and then we got dinner. After Henry came over and the three of us booked a few of our hostels for our trip and then we watched Easy A.

This morning I taught my class all about Halloween and then showed them the Modern Family episode of Halloween and gave them candy at the end. Even though they got one fun size piece of American candy they were SO excited... I mean SO excited. I made each of them say trick or treat otherwise they couldn't get a piece of candy. It was really funny. I love teaching my freshmen. They are all so innocent and still excited about being in university.

After class I took Henry shopping for our trip. I say I took him shopping because I did the translating. Shopping isn't easy over here since an XL is equivalent to a US medium... if that. Which reminds me, I went shopping in HK and was told I was a 12. YEAH RIGHT.... Note to self... retail therapy shopping in Asia is a BAD IDEA. I wan't doing retail therapy shopping, but I can only imagine if I had been how much more pissed off I would have been at the lady for telling me I was a size 12.

Anyway... after the shopping adventure, which thankfully was a success since the boy didn't bring the proper clothes to Ma'anshan, I met my Chinese tutor! We met in my boss's office. She speaks NO english. Not even the slightest... I mean she didn't know what morning and afternoon meant. I actually understood everything she said and we had a great conversation. I was finally forced to use my Chinese. It's amazing what I can whip out when I'm forced. I am so excited to start my tutoring hours with her. I meet with her once a week for 2 hours in my apartment. My first session is this Wednesday at 10! Stanley (my boss) said he was going to give me an exam at the end of the year and if I fail I have to stay for a second year and work for free. So I told him if I pass I get to stay for a second year and he will pay me double!

Henry and I got dinner to go from the cafeteria and then watched Armageddon. I can't believe it was the first time I had seen the movie... apparently I've been living under some rock watching really bad movies.

Filling up in HK

Thursday after class I left for Hong Kong for the weekend. As usual my flight was delayed and I got in at 7 instead of 5. I literally am the worst person to fly with because I am ALWAYS delayed. I can probably count on one hand how many times I have flown and been on time.

After going through immigration I applied to be an HK frequent flyer and was approved! It means I get to go in the same lines as the HK residents and e-channel members go through. MEANING.... NO lines for me anymore! Which is fabulous since I hate waiting in lines.

I met mom at the Elements and we got mexican food at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. Some people would have said no to the option of mexican food after just having fajitas but I jumped at the opportunity. I mean... it's not like I had chips and guacamole or a margarita the night before... and plus, I love mexican food.
Dad couldn't meet us for dinner because he had his last dinner with his MIT group and became an official MIT grad from the Fung Group Leadership Program. I am so impressed with him. Not only did he have class for MIT (did you read that.. MIT), he also had a ton of work work and kicked some ass. Way to go Dad! I hope I have inherited his work ethic.

Friday morning I got to sleep in and then mom and I went to get our nails done and got me an HK sim card! For lunch we went to BLT Burger which was delicious, of course. Then we went shopping, headed home, I napped and then we went to Il Maestro for dinner when dad got home.

Mom and me at Sticky Fingers

I love going to Il Maestro. When we walked in the hostess and a few of the waiters came up to me and said.. "You're back, you're back! We've missed you!" Mom, dad and I may not have any other family over here but we have certainly done a good job creating one. My Poppop taught my dad to always make people remember you (I think I've butchered that a bit), but now I understand why. Or at least I have my own version of understanding... you make people remember you at a restaurant, you go back a ton, you get taken care of and they make you feel like family. Gosh I feel so Italian right now.

ANYWAY.... after dinner we went to Sticky Fingers with Vance and that is when the MIT graduation party truly began. A lot of people may think you age as you get older and you don't become as fun. Well, not my parents. They were dancing with all the people my age, jumping up and down and having a great time. I was dying laughing. And of course I was the 22 year old sitting in the chair taking videos of them... one day they will be sitting at Sticky Fingers watching ME dance and taking funny videos of ME.

Saturday I really slept in and we had a late breakfast. We all miss going to BCHAT on a Saturday but eating eggs and bacon while looking out at the harbour is definitely not a bad runner up.

My lamb at Va Bene

Saturday afternoon my dad and I went to Mong Kok to a hiking store so I could buy a backpack. It really was the three of us at first until I mentioned to my mom that I thought I may have left the straightener on so as a mom, she turned around because she was worried the apartment would burn down... the straightener was off. It was a success and now I have a 40 liter backpack (not really sure if that's what is called) for my trip this Thursday-Monday to ZhangJiaJie!

Saturday night we went to Va Bene and I ate enough that night to keep me full until I return for Thanksgiving. Dad and I each got our own bowl of clams for an appetizer and I finished my bowl 5 minutes before him.... then finished all my lamb and mashed potatoes. I'm serious when I say it is necessary that I fill up while I am in HK. The food in Ma'anshan is not filling in the slightest. Love dumplings but.... I need some real meat and I don't mean CHICKEN FEET.

Halloween in Lan Kwai Fong

Well.... long blog shortened: I had an awesome weekend in HK. Going to Hong Kong is like refueling, so it's only necessary I return once a month. Which is why I will be back in  3 weeks for Thanksgiving and I will get to see Steph and Derek! 

Fajita Night!

Wednesday night I had a fajita night in my apartment. The whole foreign gang came: Henry, Alicia, Renata, Nat, Ian and his wife Sunny, Fran, Geraldina (Geri, Italian) and Katherine (Chinese teacher from this university who is around 30). It was quite the crowd. I was nervous that I didn't make enough food but it ended up being a huge success! It was the first time Renata, Sunny and Geri had ever had a fajita, so thats fun!

Having everyone over to my apartment for a fun night really made me feel like I am making this place my home. Of course Hong Kong is still truly home to me, but Ma'anshan is finally feeling like a place where I belong. I went on a walk Wednesday morning after my 8am American Culture class and I found myself leaving campus with a huge smile on my face (the smile wasn't because I was leaving campus). It was a gorgeous fall day, I had just had a great class (I showed Modern Family and the students LOVED it), I was going for my walk and then I had one more class and then fajita night! I'm sure a bit of the smile had to do with the fact that I was leaving for Hong Kong on Thursday but I'd like to think that I am actually settled in here and happy! It really is a great feeling.

The last person to leave my apartment was around 12:30 and I had class at 8am. Well... let me tell you. Going to class as a college student after staying up late is one thing. Teaching a class at 8am after staying up late is another thing... never again. I guess I have to accept that I'm in the real world now and I need my rest! Although, I wouldn't have changed a thing about fajita night!

Wednesday night I also decided that I am going to stay here for my two month break. Originally I was going to go back to the states for some job fairs and visit family and friends. And although I miss you more than anything (even more than bacon egg and cheese on an everything bagel from BCHAT... and THAT is saying something!) I just think I would regret looking back on my time here and not having traveled during the break. I am already over here and there is so much of Asia that I have not seen. As I have said before, traveling is the greatest gift you can give yourself and this is a gift I plan on giving myself. 

You are so beautiful.

Monday I had my freshmen Speaking class in the morning and then English corner in the afternoon.

I did ZERO lesson planning over the weekend so I had nothing planned for my Monday class. I woke up at 8:30 for my 9:55 class and whipped up a quick lesson. It actually went great! I do have to give some credit to Fran though because she gave me the idea to have my students make a list of words that included the word "up". I figured the lesson could go either way but they actually had a ton of fun with it.

For the first part of class I put my students in groups and gave them an envelope full of questions to ask one another and answer in COMPLETE SENTENCES. They hate using complete sentences. No matter how many times I remind them. I walked around to every group and talked with them for 5-10 minutes. I asked them questions and they asked me questions. It was a great opportunity to let them practice their English with me. It's always difficult to come up with activities that allow teacher to student conversation while keeping the rest of the class busy and engaged in practicing English speaking.

After class Alicia and I went to Auchan, the best grocery store in Ma'anshan. As Marie knows, I am super spacey in grocery stores and usually have a hard time figuring out where things are... at least the first few times I go. With that said, it was great having Alicia come along to show me where all the prime food is. Totally successful.

At 4 I had to go to the lake on campus (small lake) for English Corner. English Corner is a club put on by students. One of my students in my American Culture class asked me if I could join them at least once a month.

When I arrived at the lake there was a HUGE group of students standing there, when they saw me they all starting applauding and cheering. It was so funny.

For the first half a bunch of students introduced themselves and asked me what they should do to learn English better. I should be taking my own advice on learning Chinese...

At the end of English Corner every student asked to take a picture with me. Eventually I had to say last picture and everyone came running in. It's like I'm a celebrity. Both girls and guys told me how beautiful I was and how I have the most gorgeous eyes. It is so flattering and SO awkward.

For dinner I made steak, broccoli, asparagus and sticky rice. I love being able to cook American food at home.

After dinner Henry and Alicia came over to talk about traveling. Next week we have Thursday and Friday off for the university sports meeting (sports competition). Unfortunately we don't get to participate...

INSTEAD we are going to ZhangJiaJie for 5 days and we leave next Thursday. I am so excited. I am also extremely privileged (well, I think so...) because I am going to Hong Kong this Thursday to Sunday and then ZhangJiaJie next Thursday to Monday. I love traveling.

OH Katrina!

At the steel industry part of the Yangtze River

I need to start making a list of the funny things Katrina says and does. She asked Henry and I awhile ago if we wanted to go to the Yangtze river but we couldn't go because we were both busy. Henry went during our break and told me it was great and that I should definitely have Katrina take me. So Sunday Katrina and I made our journey to the Yangtze river. I call it a journey because of her driving... she drives like my Poppop used to drive. If not WORSE. She actually told me she was terrified to drive in China and asked if I wanted to drive.... I literally wanted to get out of the car and run away. 

45 minutes later we arrived at the "Yangtze river". Yes we were at the Yangtze river, except we most definitely were not at the part Henry told me about. We were at the industrial/steel industry part. I asked Katrina if this is how we were supposed to get to CaiShiJi (I think that is what it's called....) and she responded with a firm no. It would take us another 45 minutes to drive there. So I thought she was planning on taking me to the nice part of the Yangtze river and she was planning on just showing me the river. I don't know if this is a "you had to be there moment" but I was dying laughing. Classic Chinese/American miscommunication... I don't even know if that's what you would call it. We just had two different ideas of "going to the Yangtze river". I think she must have taken it literally...

CaiShiJi... so much pollution you can't even see. 

Eventually we arrived at CaiShiJi. It wasn't a very nice day but it was HOT. I dressed for cold weather since the weather had been cold the past week. But of course... I should have known. I am in CHINA, the weather can be summer, fall, winter in one week. I guess that's sort of like the south too, but whatever.

We had to "hike" (climb up) a bunch of stairs to get to the top to see the river. Henry kept telling me how romantic it was and how beautiful the square was at the top and how you can eat lunch up there so of course I am thinking of Italy... nope. Totally wrong. Why I would think something would seem like Italy in China... beyond me. Guess I was trying to be optimistic!

Only half of the food we got.

Anyway... we finally get to the top and climb to the top of the pagoda. The view was great, but it would have been better with NO pollution. When I was about to walk down the stairs Katrina says, "Oh lets sit for a moment, I'm going to call my friend." She calls her friend and talks on the phone for 30 minutes... while I am just sitting there and a million people are taking pictures of me. WHAT?!?! I found it totally strange that she felt the need to just sit down and have a 30 minute conversation with her friend. This literally is Katrina. I always laugh about hanging out with her AFTER.

After our Yangtze river/CaishiJi journey, Katrina took me to a restaurant for lunch. The restaurant was having a big discount because it was there 10 year anniversary. So, Katrina ordered as much food as I think we would have on our tables at Thanksgiving. At least that's how I felt after because I took a nice 2 hour nap after lunch. TONS of food but it was DELICIOUS.

I'm sure it comes off that I don't like Katrina and/or don't enjoy my time with her but that isn't the case. She is very nice and very helpful and I actually enjoyed my morning and lunch with her. She makes me laugh with pretty much everything she does and says... so that's nice. Better laughing than being frustrated with all the cultural differences. I also

Sunday Italian dinner at Fran's!

Sunday night Alicia and I went to Fran's for our Sunday Italian dinner with Geraldina. Geraldina is the 17 year old from Italian who is doing an exchange program here. I thought I was brave...

Dinner was great. I loved meeting Geraldina and we plan to hang out more. Who knew I would come to China and become great friends with foreigners from ages 17 to 60. It truly is a wonderful experience and I love it!

IHC Day

So my trainer from Beijing told us that we will all have an IHC day "I hate China day". Saturday was mine. I woke up at 8:20 to be at the speech contest practice at 8:30. Naturally Renata woke up late too and we decided to take our time and show up at 8:40. During our break a teacher who I have never met before came up to me and asked me to do an extra class on Monday. I simply told him that I couldn't because I already teach in the morning and then I am doing English Corner Monday afternoon. He told me to stop being a "cry baby" and went on and on. Well, for starters, I wasn't being a cry baby. They just don't accept the word NO here. It drives me crazy. Anyway, the cultural block that creates a million different miscommunications had really gotten to me at that point.

After the practice was over I came back to my apartment, made a grilled cheese and started watching my favorite new TV show, 'Suits'. Then I met with one of my students to help her with the BEC exam. That was a pretty big fail because her English isn't great and she can only write about the topics... she can't actually speak about the topics. In her test she has to actually SPEAK about the topics with another Chinese student. After guiding her some and giving her some tips I sent her back to her dorm to work on speaking about the topics.

After meeting with her I watched some more 'Suits' and then went down to Alicia's apartment to eat Chili and Cornbread. It was just what I needed... comfort food and some girl time.

Tomorrow (Sunday) I am going to the Yangtze River with my co-teacher (she is really just an assistant, she doesn't sit in any of my classes) and then going to Fran's for an Italian dinner.