So, when we got on the plane in Newark, the baggage guy took our suitcases and said “Mexico City, Ms. Diaz?” and I laughed because he was holding our boarding passes, so I thought he was kidding — also because airport security is known for their senses of humor and cordial dispositions — but Stick stopped him before he actually stickered our bags for Mexico.
Six Pomegranate Seeds
It’s odd to see ads for new movies, and know that we’ll be buying them as cheap DVDs in China. It’s even weirder to think of all the other things I’ll miss. I’m sad that I’ll be emailing congratulations for all the engagements, weddings and new babies in the next year. (Fortunately Tryon and Katie had an extra-long engagement so I could go to the wedding!) Disappearing for long periods of time has changed my hang-out-all-the-time college crowd into email friends.
I felt like this right before I went to China last time, but I was trying not to. I felt like I had to defend my decision to go to Yantai for a year, and it was too hard to admit that I had some mixed feelings. I’m excited going back to China — and bringing Stick! — but I’m still heartbroken about everything I’m missing at home.
I knew I shouldn’t have eaten those pomegranate seeds.
Posted in Yantai
Tagged back to China, China, Chinese life, Katie, mail, movies, Stick, Yantai
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Toothless Mountain Men
New piece on the Toothless Mountain Men up at Azeroth World news. My first in-game interview and it includes virtual cow-tipping!
Random Guy at the Chinese Consulate.
Told him I like the shirt + asked if he wanted to be internet famous!
PS I got our visas today!
Moving Out
Some thing about moving aren’t so bad. There’s a lot of fun stuff to use up before we go! Junk food, candy, my super-special lavender bath oil (Stick doesn’t think this is so special, he says things like “what’s all that goo in the tub?”) and sparkly lotion (again with Stick not loving this. Apparently the sparkles rub off on things).
Saving something for best goes so completely against my personality, but for some reason I had Kahlua, Tia Maria and amaretto that I thought were too good for everyday drinking. Er… not that I drink everyday.
Stuff I Wish I Had Last Time
Whenever anyone visited me in China, I asked them to bring deodorant, tampons and lotion-without-skin-whitener. (Thanks again, by the way, I really do appreciate the international tampon run)
Um, yes, that’s a dozen tissue packs and 5 bottles of hand sanitizer. . .
Something Seven Something
Whenever I heard someone speaking Chinese, I try to eavesdrop. It’s usually pretty unsucessful, I have trouble recognizing even words I know in a different context, so usually I’m all “Seven! He just said something seven something! Yes! I’m so smart!”
Cocoon Banquet
I found this on my fridge today, as I was packing up the kitchen. I don’t know who wrote it, or if it has to do with our impending trip. Hugo? Diana? Maybe Eric? It’s probably someone who’s going to be eating lovely cheddar and brie this year, while laughing at me!
There was also a dirty poem on the fridge, but I’m pretty sure that was Stick.
Posted in New York City
Tagged Chinese life, Diana, e3, Eric, Hugo, New York City, packing, Stick
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Beijing
Our new adventure starts next month! Stick has agreed to come with me to China, which still sort of boggles my mind, even as it’s progressed from vague possibility into packing and plans.
After some confusion over whether there was a job for me Yantai, and whether it would be a good idea to take one, I took Ryan‘s advice and found a job at a primary school in Beijing. Ryan connected me with my about-to-be boss, and he also had some words of wisdom about Chinese ex-pat life, about finding which Western imports are just distractions and which make China into home. I think the food is the hardest thing for me to deal with, and in Beijing, I’ll be able to have a nice Western meal when the urge for recognizable food strikes me. We’ll be close to better hospitals in the city too, I doubt we’ll ever need them but it’ll make both of our families sleep easier. And finally, I’m going to be working a regular Monday-Friday job, not language center hours with evenings and weekends.
Stick’s been hired at the same school, which makes things easier. Before he got the formal offer, I told him we could get a visa marraige, the kind where I’d support him in exchange for housekeeping and, uh, companionship. Then I remembered I get that anyway.
Posted in Beijing, Yantai
Tagged China, chinese, Chinese life, housekeeping, packing, Stick, Yantai
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We Also Have Three Latin-English Dictionaries…
“Stick, are we going to be together for a long time?”
“Why are you asking me this? Are you going to get all clingy now?”
“No, but we have two copies of Images in the Age of Augustus, two of Roman Civ, and two of From The Gracchi To Nero. And if we’re going to be together for a long time, we probably only need one of each.”
Posted in Books, New York City
Tagged Books, Chinese life, latin, New York City, packing, Stick
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