Lazy Sundays

Fireworks are going off about 15 feet from D&M's window. It's Sunday which means that there are a number of weddings taking place all over Dalian (and likely in cities across China). Part of the celebration tradition is the setting off of fireworks in the streets, and it just so happens that earlier this morning we saw a massive procession of black vehicles heading away from their apartment, and saw the fireworks crates below in the street, ready to be lit. Last night, after hanging out with some of the other Jinshitan teachers, playing cards and Guitar Hero, we were treated to an intense thunderstorm that rattled the apartment for an hour. It was pretty crazy, but beautiful and exciting like all thunderstorms are. The fireworks were a little startling at first, but fun to see after the initial fear of being shot.

Today is quite the lazy day. D cooked up a great quiche for breakfast, and we watched the Habs game while sipping coffee and embracing the sunshine out the window. Since arriving, each day has been about 24 degrees and sunny. He had to run out to get some school work done, and M is talking to her mom on Skype while I listen to the third set of fireworks to go off in the last hour. We're planning to go for a run a little later and probably do some more shopping to get a bunch of sundries for when I return to my school/apartment tomorrow night. I'm likely going to tag along to the Jinshitan school tomorrow so I can meet some of the admin. My school doesn't return to class until Thursday, so I have some flex time to get my feet under me before starting class. We got some schools supplies and kitchen items yesterday, and we have another big list to fill before tomorrow so I can get comfortable when I arrive.

I still don't speak any Mandarin. I've had a head cold since getting here (stupid recycled air on the plane!), so I haven't felt too ambitious to learn anything new. And since my brain has only been firing about half-speed, it hasn't been at the top of my priority list. I know… this is the case A LOT. But come on folks, cut me some slack! Today and tomorrow, though, the learning will begin. Being in a rural place and in a place where there are only a handful of English speakers (D&M live about an hour away by transit/taxi), the learning curve is going to be particularly severe.

Although I need to get going, I've already had the pleasure of doing the following things while here: heading to the barber to get rid of my mullet (it cost 10RMB… the equiavalent of $1.25!!!), had an hour-long, full body massage (which cost less than $10), ate TONNES of delicious food, and have met a tonne of teachers from the high school. But now, the sounds of more distant fireworks need to be my cue to exit. More to come soon!

T