Already Lovin' it.

June 2, 2006

So this place is frickin awesome. Large, clean apartment and a big bathroom where there is a distinct separation between the toilet and the shower (unlike Changhsha, where I was teaching 2 Summers ago). I start officially working under the supervision of various professors, TA'ing 4th Year Microeconomics and International HR & Labour Relations courses in addition to conducting International Business Research in the International Business Department at the Unviersity here in Dalian next Monday. Tomorrow, I have orientation with a bunch of Americans from different schools across the States. I have hooked up my internet, my cell phone and Residence line. I am practically in Canada when I enter my apartment. It is located in the faculty building for international professors and a few students. It's soo nice compared to what I expected. I have my own double bed, wardrobe and a massive desk/phone in one room. I have a leather couch and massive tv in an living room area as well as a bathroom 4X the size of Lambton. There's another bedroom for a roomate that hasn't arrived yet. But outside of this apartment, I do assure you, it is quite a different story.

$2.85 Canadian for a full out SPA MANICURE!

I think one of the most important things I have learned already is how to live on my own. Yeah I have an apartment at home in London, but I always having people overly looking out for me, whether it be my friends, Fahreen, the fam or family friends. Right now, I am responsible for myself, I am accountable to myself and I am making decisions that affect what I can potentially get out of this trip and how I can get out of it safely, soundly and a stronger. The muscles are already building in my forearms from my ability to successfully transport my excessive baggage from England to Dalian. Yes it was one hell of a journey. I will not bore you with the details, but I will continue to bore you with my epiphanies!

I went out with a girl from King's to get my nails done and grab some awesome dinner and DVDs. (and the new Jamie Foxx CD!) We had some wicked conversation and it was a clear reassurance that travelling is a definite way to gain some wisdom about life and different cultures. It reconfirmed the importance of sharing your experiences and learning from the people around you. Her experiences were so incredible and her life is so different than mine- yet on some level, we connected and shared what we've learned and seen.

I also made some Chinese friends around campus (while I was obviously lost). I met a girl whose English given name is Yoyo. Super cute girl and so sweet. Her favourite expression is "You bet" and she says it to anything. If you say, hey I am going home now, she puts on a huge grin, busts two thumbs up and says "You BET!" (with extreme enthusiasm). It's awesome. "Thanks for calling Yoyo." --> "You beeeet!". It's sweet, it really is, but it also really amuses me. It also amuses me that North Americans come to China and give people the craziest names. There are people named Grape, Door Knob, Peach (and that's a GUY!). I know it's the North Americans who are usually giving people these names, cause when we were teaching English, we gave so many kids English names.

I had an aweeeeeeeeeesome time bartaring with people at the "Trust Market" which is just across the street and carries absolutely EVERYTHING you possibly need. I took the 2 Canadians there and got a few things cheaper than they had previously got it by using my broken Mandarin. It felt damn good. :-) 20 yuan full out Spa Manicure. Now divide that by 7 and that is what I paid in Canadian dollars. Damn straight- $2.86 Canadian dollars.

Anyway, I need to go watch the 22 DVDs we just bought. I will be sharing with you more insight and less details next time. Sometimes I just need to write down the details so I can remember later what the hell I did here... I miss you all a lot. I have pictures all over my wall and some frames so I don't forget youuuu.

XOXO