Random Fridayness...

I opted for school lunch today, and it lived up to my expectations. Shite. I walked into the teacher canteen late, so the pickins were slim.

I had the usual "green stuff," scraped up what I could of some sweet and sour sauce with pineapples, sticky white rice, and what looked like an enchilada but seemed to be a roll stuffed with spam and red bean. "Are you on a diet?" the Chinese teachers sitting at my table asked. "Involuntarily," I thought. I feel guilty that I obsess and dream about Western foods. I fill myself up on fruit, cheap dumplings, and ice cream whenever possible. I think I've lost weight - mostly water weight and muscle - because my favorite jeans that I could not quite stuff myself into before I left America, now fit. I want to cook, but it's not as much fun without people to cook for...

Today Serena and I had one class for two periods. We received the most excellent news that this class (which takes up eight of the 14 periods we teach weekly) is cancelled for all of next week - the students have military training. YAY! This means more sleep and less lesson planning for sure! We were also asked to teach them to sing Auld Lang Syne so that they are able to perform next week at military training. These kids are super quiet, and I have a horrible singing voice, not to mention Auld Lang Syne goes much higher than my voice range, but I surprised myself by singing loudly and leading the class in song, however shameful it was.

Now I am killing time in my airconditioned office, listening to Serena type away and wondering whether or not her comment that I look my exactly age - "not older or younger" - is a good thing or bad thing. I guess good... or maybe not, but I think I'm happy at 28 so that's what really matters, right?

In another hour, I will make my way through the heat to the bus stop and then on to Chinese class. Tonight, after Chinese class, Serena and I will be holding our second party featuring the usual jell-o shots and a new set of speakers that I bought last night in Hua Qiang Bei and hooked up to my computer. We stayed up last night preparing. I washed all of our extra sheets and towels and cleaned while Serena toiled at her "work bench" where she made the jell-o and cleaned our fridge. I also cleaned the toilet this morning. Both of us are terrified of toilets and had been thinking about hiring a maid to complete this task, but today I braced myself and went in. It wasn't that bad. I just squirted soap over the entire thing, brushed it down and sprayed it down with the shower head. Mission accomplished!

I am excited about having people over tonight. I always loved planning parties back in Charlotte, and I enjoy the opportunity to host and get people together. Perhaps tonight we will venture back over to our quiet neighborhood bar...I mean, bumpin' Chinese techno club...woohoo! oooh, I think I will set out my last box of mooncakes tonight too, still gotta get rid of those things...

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