One of these things is not like the other...

Today at the fruit market downtown, we had to run to catch the bus as it headed back to our apartments. Yes we felt silly but as we ride public transportation more and more it becomes less weird and more just what you do. Not having to wait half an hour for the next bus is more of an accomplishment than anything else! The bus was crowded in the afternoon so we walked all the way to the back row of seats on the bus, which is raised a couple steps because it's over the engine. I sat there, situating myself and my stuff, congratulating Debbie and Amanda that we had successfully made the bus, and settled into my chair. I kinda let my mind wander and all of the sudden I looked at the scene before me and had to laugh.

I couldn't help but wonder out of amusement, "When did this become normal to me??"

I had to get a picture in the scene I was witnessing:



Too perfect. The white-headed people kind of ruin the effect but you get the idea. I've been waiting to get a really good picture of me in a crowd of Chinese people but this moment had to be documented-- It was just so funny that all of the sudden I realized there was a sea of black haired heads spanning out in front of me and it wasn't weird anymore! Like the days I teach I'll realize I've just been staring at half-visible brown eyes all day and that makes me smile too :)

And just in case you are wondering, I do get stared at. A lot.

A very Chinese weekend

There is one social activity that shines above the rest in modern Chinese culture, and this is it:

KTV.

You know it as karaoke. It is a big hairy deal here! Not big and intimidating like in the states; you go do karaoke at a karaoke place where you rent a little room with a big screen equipped with everything you need to jam out with a bunch of friends on a couple couches. Totally cool!

Our foreign coordinators, Vivi and Gloria, took us downtown for some KTV this weekend and it was a much-needed break after a week filled with crazy Chinese children. I wore my first Chinese shirt I've bought here and before we even hit the streets I thought my eyes may have started to point at the sides and the bridge of my nose slowly vanishing-- I felt so Asian!

There was luckily a good selection of English songs so we all had an awesome time jamming out to Chris Brown, Lady Gaga, Backstreet Boys, the Spice Girls and more. Nothing like music to make you feel at home :) We ran out of time before we could end with an electrified performance of "Party in the USA" but I'm hoping we go again because I really want to have that experience in China.


Vivi showing us how it's done. Couldn't understand a word she was singing :)


Lounging on the couches :) We should totally have these in America!


This is as awesome as it gets, folks. "No Air"--I was being Chris and Amanda was being Rihanna. So fun!

Afterwards we treated ourselves to...Pizza Hut!

Okay so maybe this wasn't an entirely Chinese weekend but in my defense there was a line of Chinese people waiting to get into Pizza Hut when we left. It was sit-down style and they had to wait a long time to be seated! If they're waiting in line it must be an "it" thing to "go out for American" on a Friday night. Which really makes me laugh-- on the flipside, we say "Let's go out for Chinese!" at home and I will never think of that statement the same again. It's like how I smile every time we eat McDonald's because it'd be like going to Panda Express in America and seeing Chinese people there! What a change in perspective to think about!