Cold Showers

Starting to get a sinus infection.  The weather turned cold and it’s been cloudy for the last few days.  This is a problem since our hot water is exclusively solar powered.  Most people have a back-up water heater that’s either electric or gas-powered.  We will likely make that investment soon.

Jeremy found the second-hand market, which he described as more stuff in one place than he’s ever seen.  He didn’t bring enough money (or stamina) to make any purchases, but we will be able to buy a few things there that our apartment is still lacking — a refridgerator, a second desk, maybe some little chairs.  After visiting a couple friends’ homes this weekend, I really would like to fix our place up more.  We really need to paint the walls, and I would like to find some new curtains and throws for the livingroom furniture.  When I have a little more money and time, I’ll take care of this.

I was supposed to join Shannon and her friend Quita on a biking excursion to the mountains on Saturday, but I bowed out after I saw drizzle in the morning and felt the congestion in my head.  It’s really too bad because Quita’s only around for 10 days and gosh I’m really not getting much exercise these days.  Anyway, the mountains will still be there.

My only planned physical activity for this week is badminton with my friend April.  And since this is China and badminton is a beloved sport, we can’t get rained out because there are indoor courts.  heh.  April was my language exchange partner from last year.  She taught me how to say my colors in Chinese.  Just a couple weeks ago she spotted me on the street — “do you remember me?” she asked.  Ha!  Anyway, we decided to set up regular meetings again.  This time she’s preparing to apply for a graduate program in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, so I’m going to help her with the English portion of the entrance exam.  I think it’s a good match.

My two friends Laura and Shannon had housewarming parties on Friday and Saturday respectively.  Gosh, they have such nice homes.  I’ve been trying so hard to live on the cheap that I forgot how it must be if you aren’t afraid to spend a little  money.  It’s not even decadent.  I mean, everything is beyond inexpensive here.  A salary like I was making in St. Louis would let you live like an absolute king here.

Anyway, I had a great time not only seeing their homes, but also meeting some interesting new people.  Plenty of foreigners are working for NGO’s (Non-governmental Organizations).  It’s such a relief really to talk to people dedicated to something other than language learning.  Sometimes it seems a little silly having conversations about language — like talking about brushes and paint without putting paint to canvas.  Language is a tool, but I’m still not really clear on what it is I need Mandarin for.