Other than the first exciting week of October, not much happened last month. No exciting halloween (in fact no halloween, period), no crazy stories, no personal revelations.
So what has happened?
I still stink at teaching. I still haven't mastered Chinese (and never will). I still crave American food like Whoa!
But I have championed the devilish washing machine. I have discovered I do in fact have heat and am kind of a moron. I have made it half way through my China misadventures!
I have been twice to the police station to plead guilty for charges of not notifying the authorities every time I leave the city. I've signed my confessions, accepted my punishments (warnings), and been fingerprinted. The government requires advance notice of any foreign movement. Every hotel, hostel, and fast train requires my passport, and then reports foreigners' whereabouts to the po-po. If I fail to notify the police in advance again I'll have a 500 rmb per day fine. So I'll be a little more careful next time.
I've started using the electric steamer the Americans that were placed here before left, and have fresh steamed veggies that I buy from the many street vendors all the time.
I've gotten good at navigating Baoding traffic on a rickety old bike without killing myself. I've also gotten good at finding random bike repair guys on the side of the road to fix said rickety old bike.
I've been to Beijing quite a few times, and every time I've splurged on American luxuries like burgers and pizza, and in the process spent way too much money. (but I only paid about 4.50 USD a night for the hostel, so I say it evened out).
I saw Liz Hannah! and hopefully will see her many more times.
And here are some pictures of my kiddos.
So what has happened?
I still stink at teaching. I still haven't mastered Chinese (and never will). I still crave American food like Whoa!
But I have championed the devilish washing machine. I have discovered I do in fact have heat and am kind of a moron. I have made it half way through my China misadventures!
I have been twice to the police station to plead guilty for charges of not notifying the authorities every time I leave the city. I've signed my confessions, accepted my punishments (warnings), and been fingerprinted. The government requires advance notice of any foreign movement. Every hotel, hostel, and fast train requires my passport, and then reports foreigners' whereabouts to the po-po. If I fail to notify the police in advance again I'll have a 500 rmb per day fine. So I'll be a little more careful next time.
I've started using the electric steamer the Americans that were placed here before left, and have fresh steamed veggies that I buy from the many street vendors all the time.
I've gotten good at navigating Baoding traffic on a rickety old bike without killing myself. I've also gotten good at finding random bike repair guys on the side of the road to fix said rickety old bike.
I've been to Beijing quite a few times, and every time I've splurged on American luxuries like burgers and pizza, and in the process spent way too much money. (but I only paid about 4.50 USD a night for the hostel, so I say it evened out).
I saw Liz Hannah! and hopefully will see her many more times.
And here are some pictures of my kiddos.
I did not know you were on the lam. I did not know you had to notify them anytime you left the city. I thought that was what the passport handing over was for?
ReplyDeleteI did know that I missed you!
We will do Christmas the middle of January. I will leave the tree up and your presents underneath it.
Miss you!
if i'm not even gonna be there for christmas, you don't need to get me any presents. i'll just be excited to have Mexican food and see everyone.
ReplyDelete