I meant to do this a few days earlier, but I really haven't had the time. I am home home home. I have a lot of homework to make up, and I'm going to either come in early or stay late just about every day for the next week or so. Math and Chemistry will kill me. Not my strongest subjects.
So so tired.
Tired.
Tired.
I miss all my Chinese friends. I wish I had brought more little gifts to give them, so that I seemed more gracious when they gave me something. Hmm.
I had a pretty sore throat when I came back up until Monday, so my parents let me stay home. I think the whole "me being completely exhausted" didn't help with the healing process, either. So I slept the whole day. I went to bed at 9:00 pm and woke up at 5:00 pm the next day. That's like 20 hours. My parents were gone at work so they couldn't wake me up, and they thought I set my alarm (I didn't). So I just kept on sleeping. I had done pretty well the day before with 9 hours of sleep, but I guess I screwed that up. I keep taking long naps after school, too, and I need to stop doing that. I can't wait for the weekend, so I can catch up.
It may have seemed that I ranted a lot about the conditions in China, but I really am glad that I went. It is an experience that I will never forget.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Almost Home
The other night we had a private birthday party for Joe with only about ten of us total. The cake had tomatoes on them. Yeah, tomatoes. Eww. Somehow, icing got smeared all over Joe's face, so a cake fight ensued. I managed to stay cake-free, but just about everyone else had a whipped cream facial. Another highlight of the evening was when one of the guys, Cat (like meow meow Cat), stood by the doorframe and used his hand to pull himself out of sight. It looked like someone else was mugging him. He'd be really dramatic about it. It was really funny. Something else of note was another kid, Kevin, who would stand in the corner and hug himself tightly, so that from the back, it looked like he was making out with someone. Just like in the Happy Days theme song. Don't ask me how I know. I just do.
Last night, we went to a painting class and then shopping. I bought some things for some people, without naming names. Had some awesome noodles. Chow mein, I think? They were teeny tiny and fried, that's all I know. After that, we had a more public party for Joe. They bought four cakes, two double deckers, and literally ten 2-liters of soda.
Today, we went to a sewing class. Thankfully, I had experience in this field before when I made that pi (3.14) pillow for math. Thank you, Aunt Debbie. I actually taught them a few things, like pinning your pieces of cloth together before you sew so you don't screw up. That's really funny to me because this is a fashion design school. And these weren't unexperienced students; they were all older than me. I am not by any means an expert tailor, either. Hmm.
After the sewing class we went to a fashion show!!! The tallest, prettiest girls are selected as models, and they make their own clothes too. You could definitely tell which girls were better than the others. Some would have hunched shoulders or a lifeless walk, and others would jaunt down that catwalk to the beat of that music and strike dramatic poses. Afterwards, we went up on the catwalk and walked ourselves. I made mine really campy so they couldn't see how ｂａｄ Ｉ ｒｅａｌｌｙ ａｍ ａｔ Ｔｙｒａ－ｗａｌｋｉｎｇ． Ｉdid the SUPERSTAR pose at the end of the runway and everyone laughed. The models were so serious and sexy on the runway, but when they're off it, they're just like a bunch of little girls.
During this whole day, the local news has been following and taping us and interviewing us. We'll be on the news! That's awesome. The first thing they asked me in my interview was, "Are you a model back in the United States? You are so tall!" Of course, I'm like, "No, my city isn't as big into fashion design, and I'm actually kind of short for model standards. Ｉalso don't think I'm suited for the model lifestyle." And then they're all quiet and confused, so I changed my answer to "No, but Iｗａｎｔ ｔｏ ｂｅ ｏｎｅ！＂ That perked them up.
Then more shopping. Ｉ ｓｔｉｌｌ ｈａｖｅ ｑｕｉｔｅ ａ ｂｉｔ ｍｏｎｅｙ ｌｅｆｔ． Ｕｇｈ．
Ｇｏｔｔａ ｇｏ！ Ｂｙｅ！
Last night, we went to a painting class and then shopping. I bought some things for some people, without naming names. Had some awesome noodles. Chow mein, I think? They were teeny tiny and fried, that's all I know. After that, we had a more public party for Joe. They bought four cakes, two double deckers, and literally ten 2-liters of soda.
Today, we went to a sewing class. Thankfully, I had experience in this field before when I made that pi (3.14) pillow for math. Thank you, Aunt Debbie. I actually taught them a few things, like pinning your pieces of cloth together before you sew so you don't screw up. That's really funny to me because this is a fashion design school. And these weren't unexperienced students; they were all older than me. I am not by any means an expert tailor, either. Hmm.
After the sewing class we went to a fashion show!!! The tallest, prettiest girls are selected as models, and they make their own clothes too. You could definitely tell which girls were better than the others. Some would have hunched shoulders or a lifeless walk, and others would jaunt down that catwalk to the beat of that music and strike dramatic poses. Afterwards, we went up on the catwalk and walked ourselves. I made mine really campy so they couldn't see how ｂａｄ Ｉ ｒｅａｌｌｙ ａｍ ａｔ Ｔｙｒａ－ｗａｌｋｉｎｇ． Ｉdid the SUPERSTAR pose at the end of the runway and everyone laughed. The models were so serious and sexy on the runway, but when they're off it, they're just like a bunch of little girls.
During this whole day, the local news has been following and taping us and interviewing us. We'll be on the news! That's awesome. The first thing they asked me in my interview was, "Are you a model back in the United States? You are so tall!" Of course, I'm like, "No, my city isn't as big into fashion design, and I'm actually kind of short for model standards. Ｉalso don't think I'm suited for the model lifestyle." And then they're all quiet and confused, so I changed my answer to "No, but Iｗａｎｔ ｔｏ ｂｅ ｏｎｅ！＂ That perked them up.
Then more shopping. Ｉ ｓｔｉｌｌ ｈａｖｅ ｑｕｉｔｅ ａ ｂｉｔ ｍｏｎｅｙ ｌｅｆｔ． Ｕｇｈ．
Ｇｏｔｔａ ｇｏ！ Ｂｙｅ！
Monday, April 21, 2008
I Miss Hot Water
I miss hot water. Our room has no running hot water. This means that I can't wash some of my clothes.
Speaking of which, MOM, I am proud to announce that I have successfully washed my cold water clothes by hand in a pink bucket. I made sure to run them through twice so there isn't any extra soap on them, just like you said. They're hanging outside on the clothesline as we speak (inside out). The Chinese boys watched me try to wash my clothes. It was a little creepy, but the only place there was to wash them was on the balcony, right in front of their own balconies. I've noticed that Chinese boys are prone to wearing briefs as opposed to boxers. It's really funny because they're so skinny. There are like no muscular people here either, of any gender. I feel fat.
Le sigh.
Something else I think is interesting is that the teachers require students to draw or paint on the second chalk board in every classroom. I guess it's because ShaXi is a fashion design school? It's really cool because there are a bunch of (fake) models that have these fancy outfits on them in the lobby. They are all made by hand by students, which is pretty much awesome. Many, many of the students clothes are in fashion shows in MILAN and PARIS. MILAN AND PARIS. That's how good these kids are. I say "kids" because guys do this too. It's funny because right after you ask what their major is, they'll say "Crozing (clothing) and drawing. But I'm not gay."
Ha.
Speaking of which, MOM, I am proud to announce that I have successfully washed my cold water clothes by hand in a pink bucket. I made sure to run them through twice so there isn't any extra soap on them, just like you said. They're hanging outside on the clothesline as we speak (inside out). The Chinese boys watched me try to wash my clothes. It was a little creepy, but the only place there was to wash them was on the balcony, right in front of their own balconies. I've noticed that Chinese boys are prone to wearing briefs as opposed to boxers. It's really funny because they're so skinny. There are like no muscular people here either, of any gender. I feel fat.
Le sigh.
Something else I think is interesting is that the teachers require students to draw or paint on the second chalk board in every classroom. I guess it's because ShaXi is a fashion design school? It's really cool because there are a bunch of (fake) models that have these fancy outfits on them in the lobby. They are all made by hand by students, which is pretty much awesome. Many, many of the students clothes are in fashion shows in MILAN and PARIS. MILAN AND PARIS. That's how good these kids are. I say "kids" because guys do this too. It's funny because right after you ask what their major is, they'll say "Crozing (clothing) and drawing. But I'm not gay."
Ha.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
laffy taffy
THERE'S NO TIME TO DO ANYTHING, I HAVE LIKE NO HOMEWORK FINISHED!
@Q#$%#$%^*&%^($@@$&$&*&*(()*%#!$()%$@!^*&)
But at least I've gained all my weight back. Oh, wait, that might not be a good thing...
And all my fake fingernails are whacked out. I wanna go get a manicure. They're pretty cheap here, I hear (about $8).
I met an Austrailian at the market yesterday. He was pretty cool and I liked his accent. He said that all the Chinese people would talk about his height (2 meters, about 6'5" or 6") and blue eyes.
I think I've seen two fat people here the entire time.
@Q#$%#$%^*&%^($@@$&$&*&*(()*%#!$()%$@!^*&)
But at least I've gained all my weight back. Oh, wait, that might not be a good thing...
And all my fake fingernails are whacked out. I wanna go get a manicure. They're pretty cheap here, I hear (about $8).
I met an Austrailian at the market yesterday. He was pretty cool and I liked his accent. He said that all the Chinese people would talk about his height (2 meters, about 6'5" or 6") and blue eyes.
I think I've seen two fat people here the entire time.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
TYPHOON
Graah! I haven't typed much lately...I haven't typed much a'tall. I am a very busy girl. I will put the most important first any see where this goes.
I had a hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) attack today. It was the worst one I ever had. We had spicy, salty food all day, with no sugar whatsoever. We'd been in the cold cold rain all day and then we went to the hot springs. Hot springs in the pouring cold rain. Seems very stupid looking back on it, but heaven forbid we offend the headmaster in any way. (Of course I am extremely gracious for his hospitality but we literally have to do every single thing he says or else we are incredibly rude.) *ANYWAY* We had spent a long time in the hot tub-like thingie, and then we stood up, it was like a blanket of freezing water was laid over us. I was in a freaking bikini. Not fun. I was feeling a little faint, so I took a little longer getting ready. Apparently, making the headmaster wait is a sign of disrespect, so I was hurrying. I didn't even get to dry my hair. As I was changing (the hostess, Yuki, held up a blanket around me for privacy, ha ha) I started to get dizzy, but I couldn't waste any time. As I was walking out into the lobby, the room was spinning violently and then went black. I don't remember what happened in those next moments, but I came to sitting on the couch gasping for air (I'm positive I didn't pass out on the floor, yay). Taylore told me later that went I got to the couch I was stumbling and my eyes rolled back in my head. While on the couch, my throat had closed up and I couldn't breath. Don't worry! I only gasped twice before I could breath again. Then I went out for a few seconds, and then I 'woke up' to find that Taylore was feeding me bits of a chocolate power bar and I had nearly eaten all of it. Tears were streaming down my face and all the native Chinese were staring at me like I had risen from the grave. I had to lean on someone (I don't remember who) and get into the car. The spa gave me freshly squeezed juice (like five minutes ago squeezed) and it perked me up so quickly. I was normal in minutes. I think I coughed up a little but everything else was good. Then it rained so much that our car drowned. It was like when you see it on the weather channel and there's like a lake in the middle of the street, except it was that muddy yellow color and following rather violently like a river. Our car died, so we had to roll up our pants and walk to the school and we got SOAKED. Yuki (hostess) had stayed relatively dry, but then a van sped by and totally sprayed her. She made a noise similar to that of a drunk cat getting caught in a beartrap. Everyone was already wet from the hot spring, but at least it was clean water. Yuki got splattered with eww-yucky-there's-probably-fecal-matter-in-there water.
I have to leave now but I'll try and give more information later.
Oh, by the way, Chinese people love KFC.
I had a hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) attack today. It was the worst one I ever had. We had spicy, salty food all day, with no sugar whatsoever. We'd been in the cold cold rain all day and then we went to the hot springs. Hot springs in the pouring cold rain. Seems very stupid looking back on it, but heaven forbid we offend the headmaster in any way. (Of course I am extremely gracious for his hospitality but we literally have to do every single thing he says or else we are incredibly rude.) *ANYWAY* We had spent a long time in the hot tub-like thingie, and then we stood up, it was like a blanket of freezing water was laid over us. I was in a freaking bikini. Not fun. I was feeling a little faint, so I took a little longer getting ready. Apparently, making the headmaster wait is a sign of disrespect, so I was hurrying. I didn't even get to dry my hair. As I was changing (the hostess, Yuki, held up a blanket around me for privacy, ha ha) I started to get dizzy, but I couldn't waste any time. As I was walking out into the lobby, the room was spinning violently and then went black. I don't remember what happened in those next moments, but I came to sitting on the couch gasping for air (I'm positive I didn't pass out on the floor, yay). Taylore told me later that went I got to the couch I was stumbling and my eyes rolled back in my head. While on the couch, my throat had closed up and I couldn't breath. Don't worry! I only gasped twice before I could breath again. Then I went out for a few seconds, and then I 'woke up' to find that Taylore was feeding me bits of a chocolate power bar and I had nearly eaten all of it. Tears were streaming down my face and all the native Chinese were staring at me like I had risen from the grave. I had to lean on someone (I don't remember who) and get into the car. The spa gave me freshly squeezed juice (like five minutes ago squeezed) and it perked me up so quickly. I was normal in minutes. I think I coughed up a little but everything else was good. Then it rained so much that our car drowned. It was like when you see it on the weather channel and there's like a lake in the middle of the street, except it was that muddy yellow color and following rather violently like a river. Our car died, so we had to roll up our pants and walk to the school and we got SOAKED. Yuki (hostess) had stayed relatively dry, but then a van sped by and totally sprayed her. She made a noise similar to that of a drunk cat getting caught in a beartrap. Everyone was already wet from the hot spring, but at least it was clean water. Yuki got splattered with eww-yucky-there's-probably-fecal-matter-in-there water.
I have to leave now but I'll try and give more information later.
Oh, by the way, Chinese people love KFC.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Umm Sorry
As of right now, I cannot view the comments others leave on my blog. Something to do with the Chinese government, perhaps?
I'll try others means to see them. Please post them anyway.
I hate mosquitos. I hate wooden beds. I hate squattie potties. I have lost about ten pounds already. I am itchy. I am running out of clean clothes. I miss my friends (except Patricia and Taylor, they suck).
The people are wonderful here. I feel like a movie star. It is a fashion and design school. I am going to a drawing class in 10 minutes. I talk in a British accent so the students can understand me better. Being tall and pale with a thin mouth is beautiful here. High end clothing costs around $15 here. I bought a jade turtle for 10 cents. I am going to go to the students houses today.
I'll try others means to see them. Please post them anyway.
I hate mosquitos. I hate wooden beds. I hate squattie potties. I have lost about ten pounds already. I am itchy. I am running out of clean clothes. I miss my friends (except Patricia and Taylor, they suck).
The people are wonderful here. I feel like a movie star. It is a fashion and design school. I am going to a drawing class in 10 minutes. I talk in a British accent so the students can understand me better. Being tall and pale with a thin mouth is beautiful here. High end clothing costs around $15 here. I bought a jade turtle for 10 cents. I am going to go to the students houses today.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Murgle.
Wow. I am tired. Very, very tired.
We spent roughly 24 hours traveling in either plane, boat, taxi, or car. I probably got about 2 hours (or less) of sleep on the flight over the Pacific. Nothing too out of the ordinary happened on the planes...they are uncomfortable and boring. I finished some of my homework.
Whenever we landed in Taipei, people would start staring at us. It's kind of odd being the minority. When we got to Hong Kong, however, there were many foreigners and no one would stare as much. After going to ShaXi, people would do a double-take. I'm like a freaking giant. Thankfully, being pale is considered very beautiful, so at least I have that going for me. Watch me get a tan for the first time in my life and nobody will like me anymore. Just watch.
We can't drink the water or eat the fresh fruit here because it will make us SICK. Like, curl up and die sick. Bad sick. And it is very hard for me to eat the regular food. I try just about everything to be polite, but GOD, tofu is nasty. I had that stuff in my mouth for about 20 mintues before I managed to steal away and spit it out in the bathroom. I hope nobody saw me.
Speaking of bathrooms: ew. There are no sit-down toilets in the school, there is a hole in the ground. A squattie potty. Thankfully I haven't managed to get anything on myself, but...yeah. Nevermind.
The students are so nice here! All the girls will say "hi" and hold my hand, but the guys are very shy and will hardly look me in the eye. There is a strict no opposite-gender contact in this school, but the girls don't pay attention to it. However, if there is a group of guys, it is okay for them to be rowdy and whistle at us girls. The sinks are outside, so when I would go outside to wash my face, the whole wall of boys in the opposite building would scream random things in English and sing and whistle (KISSIE KISSIE!). It was really funny, until I realized they were trying to see the American girls naked before they went into the shower. Hmm.
The beds are a wooden plank and a bamboo mat. They are surrounded with a mosquito net. Fun.
I have to go now because I am going to teach an English class! Yay! More info as I get it.
Please post replys, but don't be mean about it. I know where you live if you do.
We spent roughly 24 hours traveling in either plane, boat, taxi, or car. I probably got about 2 hours (or less) of sleep on the flight over the Pacific. Nothing too out of the ordinary happened on the planes...they are uncomfortable and boring. I finished some of my homework.
Whenever we landed in Taipei, people would start staring at us. It's kind of odd being the minority. When we got to Hong Kong, however, there were many foreigners and no one would stare as much. After going to ShaXi, people would do a double-take. I'm like a freaking giant. Thankfully, being pale is considered very beautiful, so at least I have that going for me. Watch me get a tan for the first time in my life and nobody will like me anymore. Just watch.
We can't drink the water or eat the fresh fruit here because it will make us SICK. Like, curl up and die sick. Bad sick. And it is very hard for me to eat the regular food. I try just about everything to be polite, but GOD, tofu is nasty. I had that stuff in my mouth for about 20 mintues before I managed to steal away and spit it out in the bathroom. I hope nobody saw me.
Speaking of bathrooms: ew. There are no sit-down toilets in the school, there is a hole in the ground. A squattie potty. Thankfully I haven't managed to get anything on myself, but...yeah. Nevermind.
The students are so nice here! All the girls will say "hi" and hold my hand, but the guys are very shy and will hardly look me in the eye. There is a strict no opposite-gender contact in this school, but the girls don't pay attention to it. However, if there is a group of guys, it is okay for them to be rowdy and whistle at us girls. The sinks are outside, so when I would go outside to wash my face, the whole wall of boys in the opposite building would scream random things in English and sing and whistle (KISSIE KISSIE!). It was really funny, until I realized they were trying to see the American girls naked before they went into the shower. Hmm.
The beds are a wooden plank and a bamboo mat. They are surrounded with a mosquito net. Fun.
I have to go now because I am going to teach an English class! Yay! More info as I get it.
Please post replys, but don't be mean about it. I know where you live if you do.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Are We There Yet?
So. It's finally here: my trip to China. I've been waiting and waiting (and waiting!) just about all year to fly on over to China and meet all the students I've been talking to through Skype. I still need to get a few things, like candy and fake fingernails. I don't know how smart of an idea it is to wear fake fingernails when I'm going to be pretty active, but hey. It's easier than trying to stop chewing them.
I got a new camera, too! It isn't pink, but it's still very small and very cute. Let's hope it doesn't crap out on me in a hotel in the middle of Hong Kong.
HOMEWORK WILL SUCK. I have to get all these photocopies and read a bunch of books. Not that I don't like to read books. I love reading books...but only the books that I want to read.
But whatever. For now, I just have to study for the three tests I need to take before I leave.
No biggie.
...
...sh'yeah, right.
I got a new camera, too! It isn't pink, but it's still very small and very cute. Let's hope it doesn't crap out on me in a hotel in the middle of Hong Kong.
HOMEWORK WILL SUCK. I have to get all these photocopies and read a bunch of books. Not that I don't like to read books. I love reading books...but only the books that I want to read.
But whatever. For now, I just have to study for the three tests I need to take before I leave.
No biggie.
...
...sh'yeah, right.
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