first entry

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since fb and lj are both banned, and i have tons of spare time these days.... hello travelblog.

i wish i had something interesting to say to kick off this first entry, but i don't. i'm recovering from a cold and the temperature here in nanchang- high 40's today, sunny and clear- seems so much colder than home because of the lack of adequate heating. our apartment has a new heater, but all it seems to do is blow hot air at the opposite wall. i also googled the climate here and in spring nanchang will get 4x the rain that chicago gets. there is a definite "rainy season" here.

i wish i had something productive to do, but with the headache regarding the mess i left back in america and whatnot i am really unmotivated.

my next big project is to get wei enrolled in an english class. seems like a strange thing to do, but i really don't know where and how to start teaching him and i think it would be healthier for our relationship if he would take an organized class rather than having me drill into him at home. that said, i am rather skeptical that we can find a competent teacher in this town.

went grocery shopping today- my latest addiction (although i'm still not over the minute maid orangeade jag) is sunkist grapefruit soda. also tried out the new washing machine. it's quite different than american machines... there's no central "agitator" and the water is consistently being poured from the top. also, it won't stop if you open it, so you can watch the entire washing process (unlike how our western machines secretively halt mid-cycle if the lid is lifted).

had some man follow me on the way home, telling me how pretty my hair is, asking how much it cost, and asking why i wouldn't pay attention to him. and i thought harassing girls was a strictly american pastime....


eh... that's about all for now... some other time i'll write about how my experience in china has me questioning all the american "rules" i follow.

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Photos

Glow Ball
it constantly changes colors, all night.

Pink and Blue
When I can't sleep, sometimes I just stare out the window and watch this thing change colors.

A little gathering place
Around sundown, this place is filled with dancers and rollerbladers.

17th floor...
No one else thinks it's weird that there are holes in the floor so you can drop 17 stories.

View from our place
In the distance, fireworks.

Comments

[NikkiD]

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[Minna1004]

thanks!
i'll definitely check it out! :)