Out We Go

What an eventful week! I spent the majority of the week attempting to get over my sickness, praying it wasn't going to evolve into the flu (which luckily it didn't). Since it was such a rough week, both health and school wise, I knew I had to really treat myself this weekend. And let's be honest, the weekend is really my only time to go out and explore and have fun and relax. This weekend also taught me a lot, like sometimes plans fall through and that's okay. And sometimes it is better when your plans fall through.

On Friday I had been planning on going to volunteer at an orphanage, but as soon as I started showing signs of being sick the program leaders denied me (with good reason). I was dejected and had resigned to going home and watching Chinese dubbed American movies, when I got invited to go out shopping and eating. And who am I to resist some shopping at eating? While out and about I got to hang out with some kids from the other program, who I don't get to see often during the school week. I also got thoroughly scared about my lack of preparation for Harbin...eek (severely lacking as in it is currently -30*F in Harbin and I am barely scrapping by in this 15*F weather). But, there is time for that later, right? (not like the trip is in ten days).

Saturday my roommate, Sarah, and I went to the "ass-end" of Beijing on a country bus to see a watermelon museum. Jokes on us because the three hours of traveling was wasted since the museum is closed on weekends. Doesn't make sense but I've learned not to question China. With time running out until our party started back at the apartment, we headed straight (ish) to a cafe in the middle of Beijing that had been on our list. Why this cafe you ask? It is an exact replica of the cafe from "Friends" complete with an exact replica of Joey's apartment. They also had the show playing the entire time. It was magical and I wish it was closer to my apartment so I could go all the time.

Back to the apartment we went for our jiaozi (dumpling) making party. We had over 17 people over to eat and laugh and make dumplings. It was a good mix of Chinese native speakers and Americans, so the jokes and laughs were plenty. We also got to share out cultures and learn more about the other culture. After the party, we watched a Japanese film in Japanese with Chinese subtitles (confusing and I missed half the movie, but also an experience).

Sunday was a relaxing day for recovering and cramming on that homework I somehow got behind on?

Catch me next weekend prepping for Harbin,