October and Bday Celebrations

I kinda woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. It wasn't anything in particular but I was just in a strange mood, thank goodness I got my coffee maker a few days ago because I wouldn't have survived my 8am kindergarten without a pick me up! Besides some grumbling about poor restaurant service, a few misbehaved students, and the experience of stepping in dog poo (or maybe it was human, both are equally likely), it wasn't that bad of a day buuuuut my first peek out of the window this morning was a bit ominous.

Just for reference, this is the view from my apartment on a typical day...

But nope, this was today. Actually kinda cool, but quite eerie as well.

All in all I haven't had too many "bad days," it's usually just one or two things that bug you a little bit. It's been a very relaxing October, I had a blast on my bday, the weather has been similar to Colorado for the most part, and teaching is going well.

I bought a bike at the Yixi market for $20-25 but let me tell you it is, how should I say, an authentic Chinese bike.

Ridin' like the locals.

It's honestly fine for what I need, it's cheap, functional, and not likely to be stolen. Add in the basket on the front and I got a grocery haulin' machine, however long distances prove to be a bit more uncomfortable on this old piece of scrap metal. But luckily for me I got two awesome presents this year from some of my friends out here in Daqing! I already mentioned the coffee maker from the school, and Liam was looking for a home for his old mountain bike and I was the lucky recipient of its awesomeness. I still have the junker for missions to the grocery store.

Much thanks to Liam and the school!

Last Sunday I went out to Ranghulu and a bunch of us foreigners had a hibachi-style dinner and then headed over to Orange Bar to celebrate my 23rd year of existence, and I'm lucky to be around for 24 (just kidding Mom). Will and Katie provided the couch as usual, Monday I slept in and around noon Kurtis and I went to find a taxi to get us home.

It would be difficult to find a taxi on this particular day, because after a phone call or two we found out that the taxi drivers were on strike and we wouldn't be able to get a taxi anywhere until Thursday. By some mystical stroke of luck, a random pulled over and offered us a ride to Xincun for 35 yuan (only 5 over the usual) and we caught the bus home from there.

On Tuesday I took the bus out to Xincun and picked up the bike from Liam's house, it was about an hour bus ride there and I made it back in just under an hour on the bike, but also I got a pretty good workout. That night Kurtis, Susan, and I had dinner for my real bday and out came the Baijiu (Chinese rice liquor, much stronger than sake), needless to say I slept in on Wednesday as well...

Even my pops would flinch at the smell of this stuff, it's pretty, pretty strong.

Almost forgot to mention, my Tuesday/Wednesday classes all sang me happy birthday and it was epic. Those 4, 5, and 6 year olds can hype you up like you wouldn't believe! And my kindergarten has been going fairly smoothly as well, minus kids throwing up.

Can I get some help over here? Yup, bring the mop.

And finally last night Dean and Liam came out to Yixi and we had dinner at the lamb leg restaurant, and in truly epic fashion we ended the night watching Caddyshack. I told you there isn't much to do here in Yixi, and I wasn't lying!

But that means there's plenty of time to teach the waitress how to use your camera, the poor girl was having a hard time and you can see it in the following pictures.

Ok, now just move down a bit...

Kurtis attempts to help...

And that's as good as it gets!

The best part about restaurants in Daqing is the option to take a shot at a scratch lotto ticket/receipt when you get your bill. And just like that I was 5 yuan richer.

Gettin' rich in China! (5 yuan < $1)

In addition to all festivities mentioned above, Kingsley is having a Halloween party on Sunday, we'll see if I can come up with a costume in time. Other than that I have been soaking in the simple, small town life here in Yixi. Kurtis and I laced up our bball shoes and took on some Chinese guys in a little full court 5v5, which will likely become a weekly event. About a week or two ago I took a ride on my junk bike to the outskirts of the city and once you get into either the farmland or the marshland it is pretty scenic.

Just headin' out to the country

And that pretty much sums up my October, my Chinese is (very) slowly progressing, I've been trying a lot of new food, I'm learning more about teaching each day, and I've managed to avoid falling into last place in Fantasy Football, despite losing to Rob's Last Place Noobs and merely slipping to 2nd to last. Ahh, you're welcome Rob.

I also found out I'm going to be teaching the "Christmas Choir" class starting next week, I think it's because they wouldn't dare try to give that class to Kurtis...I'll let you know how it goes.

And any skateboarders out there should appreciate the sign of one of my Kindergartens:

The Entrance to my 2nd Kindergarten

Skate or don't!

Until next time, TIC!