Lunch Hour

I spent my lunch hour today getting internet in my new apartment.
Success.
I've spent the remaining 20 minutes trying to jimmy the lock on my apartment door so that I can get out.
I am locked in my apartment...

What better time than to update the blog, right?

Here's what I started last week, and neglected.

Yet another Sunday has come and gone, and we’ve been in Beijing for long enough that it doesn’t feel like vacation anymore.

Super Husband’s classes started a week ago, and while he still doesn’t have textbooks, he’s pretty happy with his selection.

I completed my second week as a full-fledged ESL teacher. My classes are growing as more kids come back from end of summer vacations, and the ones that have been there since day one are getting accustomed to me, and the routine. Monday was Teacher’s Day here in China, and I received a lovely potted plant from one of my students, and a rose from one of the other teacher’s kids. And, on Friday one of my two-year-olds ran down the hallway to hug my knees. It was touching. So, not only did I clean up on Teacher’s Day, but I also have all the baby love. Now, if those babies could just start singing the ABC’s with me, instead of staring like I’ve grown a second head. But we’re making progress. They now know their English names, which is a plus because their Chinese names are a bit difficult for me. But most English speaking Chinese people have an English name. Sometimes they pick for themselves, which can end in disaster. They’ll be called things like Coco, or Cherry. There is, I kid you not, a Clancy. Clancy is a very cute four-year-old girl.

But that’s enough about work.

On to the interesting bits –

We have, today, Sunday September 16^th, taken possession of the keys to my new flat. And what a luxurious feeling that is. We immediately hot footed it over to WuMart (not joking, that’s what it’s called) and bought the necessities. Toilet paper, a waist basket, hand soap, an electric kettle, and a mop were all toted back to the apartment. I might want to look in to getting one of these rolling shopping bag/baskets I see people with. It’d certainly make that trip easier. Wu Mart is about a 20-minute walk from my apartment, and they have everything I might ever need, but not exactly the best quality. There is an Ikea here, and I might head there to do some price checking. As far as I can tell, though, it makes about 1000x more sense to head over to one of the markets and bargain for a silk comforter, instead of paying $40 for a not very nice one at WuMart.

Since then I've been to the Hepingciqiao market twice, and procured stickers for my class, and a sheet set for my bed. I've also discovered that I still love bargaining, even if I have been reduced to communicating via calculator. Dismay at the initial price can be conveyed without verbal cues. As Ursula would say "Don't underestimate the power of Body Language". Although, she's a bit bawdy there... 

Now, to the aforementioned consumption of penis.

We have decided that Saturday nights shall be, to the best of our ability, Chuaner (pronounced Chwar) night. Chuaner roughly translates to "skewered", and can also be the word for ear piercing. But here in Beijing, and across much of China, it means deliciousness roasted over coals. They have greens wrapped in tofu sheets and brushed with a spicy sauce, mushrooms prepared similarly, and chicken (breast and hearts), and lamb. Along with some delicacies, such as calamari, and goat penis. Super Husband generally takes care of the ordering, especially when there are no pictures involved. This was the case on Saturday. After making his selection he proceeded to use his translation app, pleco, to see what he'd just decided on. It was with a great deal of surprise that he said "Penis. I ordered penis." And sure enough, what we had originally thought was the calamari on our little tray was indeed the phallic region of a goat. Or five goats. We're not really sure. 

Now, don't be alarmed, or put off from the whole chuaner experience. 

Just don't order the 4rmb options. Stick to the 1rmb fare, and you're in the clear. 

Time now to take advantage of my enforced enclosure here and take a nap while I wait for Super Husband to come and hopefully unlock the door from the outside.

We'll see.

Wish me luck.