random thoughts

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Random thoughts by mbaade:

This apartment has gotten dirty. Not messy. We keep things pretty cleaned up. Do our laundry. The dishes. Take the trash out. But with a big shedding dog and three people, it's gotten dirty. We'll have to clean it up a bit before the Ayi returns this weekend. Yes, I know the Ayi will clean; that's her job.... but no need to embarrass ourselves... the dirty Americans.

I enjoy listening to my country music selections in China. Devil went down to Georgia in a highrise apartment overlooking eastern Beijing.

I am also voraciously reading "River Town" by Peter Hessler. At first I wasn't all that enthralled, but it's grown on me. I first heard about Peter Hessler this past spring. I've applied to the Peace Corps and there was a BBQ at Mizzou for RPCV's, nominees, and those who have received their invitations and are on their way to service. I hope to receive an invitation, and I hope to serve in Latin America. But during the BBQ I ended up talking about China as much as I did listening to people talk about Latin America. And people kept asking me if I'd heard of Peter Hessler. I knew he sounded familiar, but couldn't place it... so I went home and googled him, obviously.

He's written two books, "River Town" and "Oracle Bones". Last year when I was in Beijing I'm pretty sure he gave a talk at the Bookworm about "Oracle Bones" which is where I heard his name... even though I didn't attend the talk.

Basically, though, I want to BE Peter Hessler, he just has a head start. He hails from mid Missourah. He went to Princeton, Bryn Mawr's brother school in Jersey. Then he went to Oxford . Then he joined the PC and served in China... and wrote "River Town," a book about his two years of service in Sichuan. Since then he has made his home in Beijing and is now a correspondant for the NYT, NGS, and other publications. He's about 15 years ahead of my life trajectory.

And "River Town," is a great read. I don't want it to ennnnnd!

In other news, I'm very happy and lucky to have both Ben and Arielle visiting me. But Arielle's time is winding down fast - like she has 6 days left here, including this evening. And pretty soon Ben and my time will be done, too.

And depending on whether or not I ever get an invitation to serve in the PC, I may or may not be returning in August.

So many things up in the air!

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And now for some email forwards that come from my conservative mid Missourah...

Subject: FW: Watch your Language

I had a bunch of Canadian dollars
I needed to exchange, so I went to the Currency exchange window at the
local bank. Short line.

Just one lady in front of me . . an Asian lady who was trying to
exchange yen for dollars and she was a little irritated . . .

She asked the teller, 'Why it change?? Yesterday, I get two hunat dolla
fo yen. Today I get hunat eighty?? Why it change?'

The teller shrugged his shoulders and said, 'Fluctuations'.

The Asian lady says, 'Fluc you white people, too'.


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FW: Economic Stimulas package

Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?

A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.


Q. Where will the government get this money?

A. From taxpayers.


Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?

A. Only a smidgen.


Q. What is the purpose of this payment?

A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.


Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China?

A. Shut up.

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Comments

[Sylvia]

OMG! You DO read emails that I send!!!
OMG! You sweetie! You DO read emails that I send! Yes, time is weird, huh? Like, you're thinking that the summer with Arielle and Ben has gone too fast. I, on the other hand, think it feels like you all've been gone FOREVER! Love You! Continue to enjoy!