Chengdu Week 7 - End of Week update

My bug bite

Oct. 15, 2014

    Woke up with a bit of a head cold, and the air quality was not helping. Since it is my off day, I sat around, did homework and watched a few TV shows ( and when I say a few I mean spent most of the day doing this). I wanted to take it easy, so that was I would be good for tomorrow which is by far the hardest day, classes from 9 to 4:30. I did however manage to get myself  a new phone. This phone, however, is a rather epic Nokia-esque brick. I like it though, it’s kinda funny. Maybe when I come back to China I will get a cheap smart phone, but for now my brick works. Not too much to report otherwise, tomorrow should be more interesting.

Oct. 16, 2014

    Today was definitively more interesting. First we had class, and I had to give an oral presentation about how much I like sports. The presentation went ok, but I felt a little flustered because I didn’t really have a choice but to use words which I then had to write down and explain to people. So I was constantly interrupting my talk. I think I am going to do what I used to do in Japanese class, which is send the teacher a note ahead of time with all the words so she can make a hand out for people. After class we were going to head out to lunch with Andrew. I figured it would be a good time to show Wentao the bite and strange rash on my arm. It had been growing since last night in a very distinct line.
    So I show her the bite and explain what had been happening, and she went Chinese mom on me. Wentao really cares about all of us, so she said I needed to go see a doctor right away. Mostly likely I was just having strange reaction, but she wanted to be sure that it was nothing. So I went to lunch and then met up with our favorite intern, Chiyi. She walked me over to a different, larger hospital than the one I went to with Cassidy. It was actually very easy, the Doctor looked at the line and immediate prescribed a few topical ointments. In that situation you really have to trust the person who is translating, because if they don’t understand you then something very important can be missed. But I think Chiyi is getting very good with medical terms, now that she is our main USAC go to person for medical things. The medicine turns my skin yellow and makes it cool to the touch, all I know is it is some Chinese medicine.
    So after that I spent a lot of time just reading. It actually ended up taking quite a while for the hospital so I didn’t make it to history class. I’m not all that worried though, not much of it is new information. I spent some time with Cassidy and we did our calligraphy homework together. I really like the class, it’s very fun, but I am just not very skilled at the act of Calligraphy. I practice and just enjoy it though. Dinner was an adventure with Dee, Corey and Jesse. I took them to one of the skewer places, where you can get very heart meals for about 10-15 RMB. I always do an all vegetable meal, which is always excellent. It’s fun getting to know other people well, I have spent a lot of time with Corey and Jesse needing out about games, movies, and TV shows.
    Chiyi showed up in my room later to check on me. We were a little concerned as the rash had grown so I applied some more medicine and then the line finally started to noticeably recede. I think the medicine wiped off on my hoodie sleeve, so it was like I didn’t put anything on. I will continue to check it and apply the medicine as instructed. Tomorrow will hopefully be an easy day as I am still getting over my cold; an easy weekend also would hop the process. I want to be back at full health for our trip next weekend.  (Future update: All is well the bite has gone away!!)

Oct. 17, 2014

    Late last night calligraphy class was canceled, so I literally had nothing planned for the day. So the first thing in order was a nice lie in that involved not getting dressed until I felt like it. It’s actually been quite a while since I’ve been able to do that, between school and random planned outings. So after that I kinda kicked it around the dorms, and had lunch with Corey and Cassidy. After that Cassidy and I hit the track. We chatted and walked for a good hour. It’s good for both of us, to catch up with one anther and also get so exercise. The track is generally empty after lunch, more people prefer naps or class to a nice little stroll. The it was back to the dorms to watch the cooking class. I think I will take the class next semester though I am going to have fun explain dietary restrictions. People here seem to have very few and I have so many.
    For dinner I went out with JD, something we both have been planning for a while but life and things kept getting in the way. JD doesn’t speak much Chinese and it was a really interesting thing to be the one with the most Chinese. I was able to order our food, and communicate a confusion. The waiter thought I wanted take out but I wanted to sit. It’s just funny because a year ago I was the one who would have needed help and now I have enough Chinese to spontaneously navigate situations. I am really pleased about the whole.  Dinner of choice was dan dan mien, a local special and one of my favorite dishes. JD seemed to really like it and we got ice cream afterwards. It was a good time and we hope to not have some much time between meeting up. I am going to try and invite her on some outings that I have.
    The rest of the night was dedicated to study and Game of Thrones. We got to a particular episode, and Dee freaked out. It was fun to watch because the entire storyline changes after that point. Good fun shenanigans, and Corey recorded it all. Overall a good day, tomorrow I will have work in the after and most likely homework in the morning. Next weekend will be a little bit different. We are heading to 九寨共 (Jiuzhaigo), a place famous for it’s beauty (I recommend googling it). So I will be out of commission on the blog the later half of the week, but there should be some beautiful pictures after that. Then in November we are going to Xi’an, where the terracotta warriors are. Eventful couple of weeks I am looking forward to it. On another note the semester for us is about half over, which is middy crazy in my mind. Where did the time go?

Oct. 18, 2014

    Morning and early afternoon were quiet. Mostly just doing homework and hanging out. I caught up on some reading that I’ve had by my bed side for a while. It was nice. My day really began at 3 pm when I left for work. This would be my second class. I talked with my TA Lilly and we got the lessons ready. I am very happy to be teaching. Generally speaking it’s a fairly easy job and the little ones are quite cute. I am very lucky because getting them to engage isn’t too hard, they seem to like me. Lilly was taking pictures with her phone so I hope she will send me some and I will show you all. The Children tackled me while we were plain games which tells me they are very comfortable. I am still not used to the schedule though so everything seems to go very fast. After classes were done I went out with my coworkers to dinner, low and behold I ended up at Peter’s Tex-Mex. I ordered a grilled cheese sandwich and just chatted for three hours. It’s again nice to get to know people outside of the program. And to get to know people who have been here longer and kinda know the ropes. I think my working and YMCC will be really good. I got the last bus back to the dorms and headed up. People were around to chat with rounding out the night. A quiet but lovely day, all in all.

Games!!

A story!