Today was far less productive. It rained practically all day only letting up for about a half an hour at a time. I spent the morning looking for the Book Nook, a foreign run bookstore downtown. I didn’t manage to find it but came across another small bookstore Sonoplace hidden away in an Alley. I spent the afternoon at the hostel enjoying the atmosphere and putting together ideas for the coming semester. In the evening I went out searching for the Indian Restuarunt everyone keeps mentioning.

I discovered Google maps works in China and got bus directions from the hostel. I had an idea for the general area of the restaurant but got completely turned around by the bus route Google suggested. I finally orientated by self again and stopped by the DvD store for directions. It turns out Fatima Indian Restaurant is just one alley north of my favorite DvD store. Couldn’t be more convenient. I know know where I’ll be stopping after EVERY trip to the DvD store.

The rain was still coming down as I walked back to the bus stop. But I’ve finally learned the trick. Always carry a spare pair of flip-flops with your umbrella. I don’t mind the rain its just the wet socks and shoes I detest so if you eliminate those the puddles become fun again. I got to the hostel and hung around the lounge reading and working until about 10. I’m going to miss wifi and being able to write posts in bed.

I can only hope for beach weather tomorrow although I’m not going to hold by breath. I should have looked at the weather forecast before booking a week at the beach but with the weather being so blasted hot for the last three weeks straight really how was I to know it would take a turn for the stormy this week.

I would love to sit at the beach at least once this week but oh well what can you do when the gods conspire against you!

Well I’m headed off to Qingdao in the morning. I’ll be there until Thursday so although I will attempt a post or two I’m not going to stress about it.

Ahh Vacation!

I’ve finished my Summer job and will begin teaching at the University next week. So this week is me, my kindle and the sea! What a lovely combination.

Of course as with most trips I’ve been stressing about this one for the past week. Started putting things aside a few days ago and have repacked twice tonight. I am proud to say I’m learning to be a lighter packer. I’m not yet a light packer but I am lighter than before.

I'm I think I'm getting slightly obsessive when it comes to packing.

I have a one week vacation coming up between my summer job and starting at the University. Boy do I have plans. Originally I was going to be productive and prepare for classes but with last weeks events I need a vacation and nice long beach vacation at that. 

So plans are already forming…leave Tuesday afternoon spend the evening tracking down the rumored Indian restaurant and enjoy a cool evening in the city. Wednesday maybe the Governors Mansion in the morning then the rest of the day on the beach until I’m crispy then the Diner for dinner.  Thursday shopping – Jimo for Victoria’s Rolexes and of course Carrefour for the imports, time to stock up. 

Yes that sounds good. Well off to book a bed before the hostels all fill up, I’m NOT dealing with that situation again.

Peter to the end! Left to Right Peter, Mary, Leah, Brad

 We had Peter’s goodbye dinner tonight. He’s off to Sweden to achieve the lofty goal of world peace and all – international conflict resolution masters program. But for all that we are down a Brit. I have no idea where I’m going to turn for my British English explanations now. I guess my students will no longer get the benefit of the doubt until proven wrong on British grammar. Sorry kiddos it’s Yankee English only until another Brit shows up in my circle.

Katie and Thomas have left. I really don’t know what else to say but that my whole world is crashing down around me.

Often when I talk to people from back home they say I’m brave for moving to China but here’s the secret. Its not bravery I’ve always had Katie, she’s my backbone and courage all wrapped up in a beautiful friend. Originally when I was debating whether or not to stay another year it was Katie’s encouragement that they would be staying that put my objections to rest. When their plans changed I don’t think I really took the time to reconsider my own decision. To be honest I didn’t contemplate a year in China without Katie and Thomas as it was just unimaginable.

Now that they have gone the reality has hit. When I move to the new school I’ll be 45min from Kelly and once again on my own. I’ll be at a new school and once again dealing with the unknown.

Yes its the same city and I’ve heard a lot from Katie and Thomas about Weifang University but that does not put to rest all my fears of a new year. I hope that someday, preferably soon I can look at this as a new opportunity to grow and learn but for now I’m still struggling to get over the initial fear.

Katie and Thomas have been and will continue to be great friends. They are the kind of people who make you better through their constant example and never ending encouragement. They are the kind of people you want on your wagon train!

Thank you, you two for always being there for me this year. Best wishes in all your future endeavours. And for the record Nan is still looking for two more English teachers, its not too late to come back in the fall.

The Qingdao Beer Company had a three week mini festival outside of Jusco this month. Kelly and I finaly went to check out the festivities, come to find out, on the last night. Now I know and boy am I looking forward to next year, I’ll be there everynight! The BBQ is amazing and cheap!

The entire area in front of Jusco was taken up by a massive stage and surrounding stalls.

Kelly tried her hand at darts!

The stage - the tables were packed

There were a variety of performances, from the alto clarinet to very very bad karaoke.

At one point the MC turned into a auctioner, the scrolls were beautiful.

My new found past time of watching football does not seem to be sanctioned by the gods. Up until now the games have been played at 7:30pm, 10:00pm and 2:30am. One game during each time slot. Now there are two games at 10pm and 2 at 2:30am. Last night England played Slovenia and the USA played Algeria. So which game do you suppose they aired? England of course. I spent 30min online trying to find a live stream. I finally gave up and went to bed praying they would play the Germany vs Ghana game.

At 2:15 I woke up and headed to the living room. I settled in for the game and was thrilled when the German teamed lined up. I figured I’d get the game going then check the score for the American game. Just as they were about to kick off the TV shut off! I wanted to scream you’ve got to be kidding me!

I ran to the landing to be sure, yup sure enough our power had run out. Of all times! No game and I still was clueless as to the outcome of the US game.

 So utilities here in China are metered by cards. When you run out you recharge your box with a card. I knew where the water card was but had no clue for the electric! As much as I wanted to, I refrained from calling James at 2:30 am. So no game for me. Back to bed, I was fuming. At exactly 7:30 I texted James asking him to stop by on his way to work.

To my horror it turns out the electric card is in the same spot as the water! Oh well I got more sleep than expected last night, that was a plus. And both teams won! I still can’t believe the USA will advance to the next round.

Good Food and Excellent Company

During the summer, BBQ restaurants pop up all across town. Wendy had told me, Peter and she loved the BBQs along Shui Ke Lu. Kelly and I joined them for dinner and had a wonderful time. The BBQ restaurants are really just huge tiled areas with low tables and folding stools out front. They are a cultural phenomenon. When the evenings cool off people head to the BBQs to socialize and eat, sometimes for hours. Wendy said a single restaurant can clear over ¥50,000 a summer.

The BBQ here is delicious, skewers of thin slices of meat, vegetables and tofu. Most of the BBQ’s come from the north western province of Xinjiang. The spices are an earthy herb mixture with plenty of kick. The meat is typically mutton or goat as Xinjiang has a high Muslim population.

The game in the background.

I was shocked to find the extreme enthusiasm for soccer in China. You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a screen playing the games at night. It seems like I’m back in Argentina. The BBQ place had a projector out front and the tables were full with engrossed fans. Peter and I stumbled through a Chinglish conversation about of favorite teams. We both agreed on Argentina!

I’ve never been a die hard sports fan, so in all honesty when I made the decision to wake up at 2:30 this morning to catch the US vs UK game I was a little shocked.

I don’t know what it is about living outside your native country but your national pride gets kicked into overdrive and your team spirit is ignited. So I decided to drag myself out of bed watch the game and then grab a few more hours of shut eye before heading to work this morning at 7:30. Sad truth is even though I was watching to support the US I was stunned when we actually tied the game. I learned my lesson in Argentina never to boast about your sports team, you can’t show your face in school for a week when you lose. Yes I’m still bitter Argentina beat the USA in the Gold medal match for Basketball in Athens. Yeah I seriously feigned sick for two days I was so mortified. This time I talked down the USA team and admitted we would most likely be creamed by England. But our boys did us proud and pulled off a tie. Go TEAM!

Overall, so worth it and I’m pumped to see the Germany vs Australia game tonight at 2:30. The best part of soccer is that its universal, the fact that announcers are all Chinese makes no differnce. Also I can grade papers while watching and wait for crowd reaction to look up. As Katie put it, soccer players are the world’s greatest sports actors and replay only makes it 10 times as much fun. The slow motion shots and replays from half a dozen angles allows for the only game you can watch 3 times while live!

Well I’m off to get a quick nap in so I can get up tonight.

He informed his school of his intention and got permission to use the school’s kitchen provided he bought all the food. He teaches at a non boarding elementary school which is deserted on the weekends. His original guest list included 30 odd people, why else would he need a cafeteria sized kitchen for preparation.

Come Party day, or rather the hour before the party was to start, his school was shocked to discover the number expected and refused to let him have that many people on the school grounds. Mind you this was after all the food was bought and prepared. After a rather heated discussion, the school agreed to pay for a restaurant close by. We got permission to bring the American food and set up the BBQ on the restaurant’s roof to grill the hamburgers.

After a million texts and rearrangments the group who had already arrived at the school headed to the restaurant sending instructions to the rest of the group. We were a lively bunch and trucking all the food up three flights of stairs was no small feat.

Real American BBQ food..delicious! The Birthday Boy! Hamburgers anyone?

Plenty of pasta salad

 The Chinese guests who came were not fond of the American food. Luckily for them the school purchased a round of Chinese dishes that they feasted on.

'all the fixin's

The ultimate Chinglish shirt

Firecrackers inside...where were the waiters to stop this?