Nana, the Turtle

I went to visit a friend in another city this past week. It was a lot of fun. She has a great big apartment. I was a little jealous. But that isn't what I want to write about. It was a really joyous time. I loved getting to hear about her heart and share my own with her. It was really great to hear about the lessons she's learned here and what she hopes to take back with her. I felt like we talked about EVERYTHING. Like every possible topic. And even though I'm an introvert, I process externally. She just inspired me and refreshed me. I felt so encouraged through our time together. We found out we both had done the same summer program. And I think she went to school with the brother of another friend here. We talked about boys, decisions and guidance about the future, doubts and new found trust, friends, family, going home, language study, teaching, people we meet with, peace, praises, culture things, and crazy Asian things. Things we love and things not at the top of the love list. I think it's really rare that you meet a person and connect so quickly with them. It will be really fun/great to see her again in May. She also introduced me to some local noodles which were out of this world. SO GOOD. We also stopped by her favorite coffee shop. I loved it. It was fun to be shown her city by her. I'm kind of a mug collector and she helped me find one. It was just a really good time. Around 5 it was time for me to head home. It was refreshing and fun to travel alone on the way home. Some people might be leary of it. But I kind of like it. And I just feel proud and comfortable that I knew exactly where I was going and how to get there. The video has photos of her apartment, mine, noodles, the coffee shop, a local toilet (just in case you've never seen one), the bus, and a prank that was pulled on me. My national friends have always tried to punk me and others before. But they don't really know how. One idea they had come up with was putting a bag over someone's head. I think they just didn't know what to do, or where to draw the line. I think they had a little help this time. I got home around 1030. My apartment was kind of a mess. So, I cleaned stuff up and unpacked. Then I was getting ready for bed and noticed a note and a funny bag with pellets. I skimmed the note and then held my breath. I thought they had put something terrible in my bed. I throw back the blankets and...nothing. I read the note again. "...share the bathroom." Oh no!!! I go to the bathroom and expect a fish in my toilet. Nope. A turtle in my shower. Hahahahaha! I couldn't believe it. I thought it was dead at first. But it was very much alive. So, I called my crazy friends and congratulated them on punking me. All in all, this past holiday break was good.

Singles Day

November 11th is Singles Day here. For some it's quite a "sad" day. Mostly girls are pretty dramatic about still being single. Some people embrace their sadness. My day started with class at 8 AM. However, my Friday classes are my favorites. The personalities in those classes are just plain fun.

Just before dismissing the class, Blaire asked me what my plans for the day were. I told her lunch and some parties in the evening. She curiously asked who I was going to lunch with. I told her no one. She said she hopes next year, I'll have someone to be with me. I giggled inside and smiled politely.

Off I went to lunch when I walked into this...



That's right. Their signs say free hugs. I asked if I could take a photo and then asked what they were doing. They said they wanted to give free hugs to anyone who was feeling sad today because of Singles Day. I inquired whether or not others were going to join them. Sure enough, more friends were going to join them. I received/gave a hug from each girl and felt like my day was just going splendidly!!!

Lunch was DELICIOUS. It was eggs and tomato on top of clay pot cooked rice. Just come and try some because words cannot express it well.

The afternoon was spent reading and miscellaneous work. Then the 11-11-11 Party. Some friend here have their parents visiting and they are really into the number 11. Like seriously. So, we had some calzones and one-shaped cookies. HOWEVER, I had a birthday party to go to.

The Tuesday before Will had shared with the class about his past, uneventful, slightly horrific birthdays. I was so sad for him. He said he just wanted his birthday to fade away. So, the class decided he should celebrate anyways. And I just had to make him a cake because his sob story got me. When I arrived at KTV (KTV is karaoke), I presented the cake to him. He was so excited!!! I thought he might cry. Seriously, then he told me he had never had cake on him birthday before. I was REALLY glad I had made one. I sang a little Avril in true KTV style and then it was cake time. People here will SAY they don't like sweet things...



But I think the above photo is how they really feel.

After that, I returned to the 11-11-11 Party for a game of Boxers or Briefs. Or Boxers and Briefs? Anyways, it's a super fun game with lots of laughs.

In the end, it was a pretty swell day :)