I've been really cramming my head full of Chinese lately. In addition to my regular Chinese lessons, I also have a textbook, and audio book. If you thought these were all from the same system, you are greatly mistaken. Sure there are some overlaps between them, but all are separate. I'm just about to wrap up the first unit in my audio books. That may not sound like a lot, but there are 30 chapters in each unit. And after unit 3, you're supposed to be somewhat conversational. Now I need to go back and learn characters, which seems daunting but I'm starting to really get them.

I was talking to a friend on how the character system works on the computer, maybe someone out there would find it interesting? Anywho, Chinese is composed of several tones. 5 in total: Neutral (what we usually use), Up, Down, High, and Down up. So when you say "Ni", like in "Ni hao!", it could be many things depending on pronunciation. You actually type "Ni", and when you press space you get a list of characters. You choose which one you need depending on what you're trying to say. In the case of "Ni hao!", I want "你", which means "you". It happens to be the first in the list, so I type "Ni", and then press 1. However there are many more. "Ni" 2 through 5 are 泥 拟 腻 and 逆. I don't have a clue what they mean.

And while I have you on the edge of your seat talking about Chinese linguistics <squeeee!>, I realize there's something I've never mentioned before - how incredibly impatient the Chinese are. You'd think the founders of Confucianism would know how to chill out, but everyone is in a really big hurry. Yeah everyone drives a bit crazy, but its because they're on a godamn mission to get from point A to B, and everyone in their way can suck it. Horns are constantly being used, as well as flashing their brights. Queuing is a concept not fully realized. It's like everyone is thinking "Hey, we really should queue to be fair for everyone... ah to hell with it". What results are these "pseudo-queues" where everyone sort of gets in a line at the coffee shop, but its an amorphous blob that can spontaneously propel people forwards or backwards. The employees move really fast as well, I suppose in fear of blob retaliation.

It's funny, but the more time I spend here the less I find to write about. Not because I've said it before, but because you just get used to it and stop seeing it as unique. This turned out to be longer than usual, so maybe next time I'll talk about restaurant etiquette and this cool tea house I discovered on a lake - albeit with no pictures.

I didn't like the last blog entry. It was boring and I don't want to talk about it. So this time, I have more interesting stuff.

First and foremost I had a pretty cool discussion with a Chinese friend about the cultural differences between America and China. Mostly how the Chinese really respect people with a lot of money and influence, and we vilify them as the 1% bastards. So much so that it really reflects how they deal with things, and made me reconsider my opinion on the western world. That's a whole conversation in and of itself, and I'll need to save it for another time.

I really wish I had my camera, because I needed it today. David and I took a trip out to the lake here in Xiaoshan. It's advertising slogan should be "All the beauty of West Lake without the crowd", because that's exactly what it is. It really is a snapshot of what I imagine rural China to be like, all the while being in my backyard. You can even rent paddle boats and explore. The paths along the lake are all done up in a really nice stonework pattern, complete with hidden speakers softly playing traditional Chinese music. Not to mention, they had a swanky looking restaurant and tea house right there. It will definitely be a place I will check out again, and will probably take anyone who visits to.

As beautiful as the lake in Xiaoshan is, I found something a bit more exciting today. There is a store in Hangzhou called City Life that basically specializes in imported stuff. Well today I found one of their branch offices in a shopping complex in Xiaoshan, and I'm psyched. Not only do they have Starbucks Frappicinos for an amazing less than 5 kuai each, they also have Cherry Coke, German chocolate, Soju (!) and the piece de resistance, Dead Guy Ale. Pretty much the last place I ever expected to find a beer like that, it's not cheap at 25 kuai a bottle. For anyone keeping track at home, that's $4 each, which makes it quite a luxury item over here.

But seriously, the Frappicinos are really cheap. You can't even buy them in the States for that. They'll probably be shared so I have an excuse to go back.

Ohhhhh, Dead Guy Ale. How you taunt me from the fridge.

Woohoo, I'm mobile again!

The bike station next to my place is back in order, and after some oddness with my card, I'm good to go. However, in the interim, another sushi place opened up next to McDonalds.

Mother of god.

I've been very vocal of my love of the mom and pop sushi place down the road, and despite my best efforts only Yllen will come there with me. It's kind of a shame, as the sushi is amazing and run by what I think is a husband and wife team. After losing two of my favorite restaurants in the past month, they're all I've got left! Also for any coworkers reading, the other sushi sucks and is overpriced. Go to the other one.

I also received word that there will be in fact, three friends visiting at the beginning of April. At first I thought it was one, which is no problem to put up in my apartment. Then two, which I thought alright, hot water will be tight, but we can deal. Then three. I actually have a spare room and a couch, so we can give it a go. But for Dan, Aaron, and Lindsay, please limit showers to 38 seconds. This is the government mandated time for 5 people in one apartment. Also be prepared to be strip searched at the airport for the good of Mother China.

Still no camera, but I did order a phone. A Google Nexus S! (oooo!  ahhhh!) SIM Unlocked, ICS 4.01, fully AOSP compatible. Since hardly no one knows what that means, can you tell me how you're doing? I haven't heard from anyone in a while.

-Weg

Well. Damn.

I should actually be in a pretty foul mood, but for once the weather is fantastic and I get to go back to work. However, in the past three days, let's run down what has happened:

1) I lost my phone in a cab
2) Ripped my jacket pocket
3) Had my washing machine break on me
4) The bike station next to home is out of order

#1 is sort of a blessing I suppose, because now I have an excuse to buy a shiny new phone, and one that will work on the Chinese networks. The downside is I have to find one. I've been looking at getting a Google Nexus or a Geeksphone Zero, but the latter has to be sent from Europe. Regardless it will be another toy to play with, but I'll be able to run Android 4.0 on it. However that also means no more pictures for a while.

#2 and #3 aren't so bad because I can take my clothes to the laundry lady, and she'll patch up the pocket.

#4 I'm actually really angry about! I've grown quite fond of the biking system around China. It's so incredibly convenient, and best of all it's free. Plus it's been forever since I've ridden a bike, I'm starting to become quite adept at it.

Yesterday was a nice day of shopping in Hangzhou, and finally, months later, I'm proud to report I am done Christmas shopping except for one, perishable item. So, Christmas in June when I go back home. It was also a night of heavy drinking and meeting one of my coworkers friends, who is just an amazing person. Hopefully get to see more of her soon.

Just tragic about losing that phone though :-)