Friday started a bit dreary, with no plans for the weekend an a still dysfunctional ipod. Kind of fixed the first, and am putting off dealing with the second.
Work itself was pretty good today - I'm keeping fairly busy, since every new thing I start working on tends to require follow-up. We've got a pretty sweet tentative schedule for the camps...now we just need our sponsors to commit to dates so we can start setting things in stone. Got a group discount from the river tour people, and an official 30 percent off from the circus. Had something that resembled sweet and sour chicken, among other things, for lunch. Made me think of the time I was stranded home alone at the end of Spring Break and went to Leann Chin's to get dinner. ;)
After work, I took myself out for dim sum and thought of my family. (Mostly, how if you were here I'd only get one of the shrimp dumplings. :p) Then found the metro that's near work, which is actually really nearby. Only took it one stop, but also got my transportation card refilled and bought three seasons of Grey's Anatomy on the way in. Found the Grand Cinema and checked out what was playing, then went to look in some shops for an hour or so.
Stopped at Starbucks and became friends with all the barristas, and tried a Red Bean Frappuccino in my effort to try everything that is red bean flavored. One of the barristas took my phone number so she could call me when there were Starbucks events (what?? the language barrier was an issue here or I would've tried to figure this out) and told me where to buy cheap clothing.
It was then time to return to the theater, where I got a half-price ticket for being a student. I had just gone to see what happened to be playing, since the theater was supposed to be old and cool (which it was) and ended up really lucking out. There was an international film festival going on, and the 8:45 movie was "Walk on Water" from Israel. It was about some Germans and an Israeli, so their common language was English...meaning the movie took place mostly in English, with Hebrew subtitles on the main screen and Chinese subtitles on a separate screen below. However, when the characters spoke Hebrew there were English subtitles instead of Hebrew, and during the occasional bits of German there were English, Hebrew, and Chinese subtitles. Also, the movie was wonderful.
Actually found the most direct route to my bus stop, and sat next to a very friendly girl who is also a summer intern. She's from Hong Kong, and just finished her freshman year of college in Florida. I get jealous when I see how natural it is for some people to just strike up conversations and make friends. But I'm very happy when they decide to just strike up conversations with me.
Ooh interesting fact for the day: my dinner, 3 seasons of Grey's Anatomy, and frappuccino all cost the same amount. And no, it wasn't an usually expensive frappuccino.
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7 comments:
Dear Ali: This first comment is a test - I seem still to be having trouble getting on. Granny
OK - That one made it.
Your time there seems to be whizzing by, but you are obviously accomplishing a great deal. Congratulations on arranging for discounts for your program. That's a very American thing to do! I'm going to email my friend Estee, now in the south of France, about your blog and you may hear from her. Love, Granny
Your title indicates that pigeons are still on your mind.
Glad to hear you are consuming bootleg videos like a native. Enjoy G.A., just don't emulate the characters.
You are obviously the type of person with whom strangers feel comfortable striking up a conversation; that's something to be proud of, too. The movie sounds fun (except the subject matter, which sounds rather serious).
Have a good Sunday!
Camp sounds like it's really coming together nicely. Congrats to you all!
Amazing that your three purchases all cost the same. :-)
Such a polyglot movie! Glad you happened onto a good one.
BTW, Pat Haswell says to tell you you have to go to the Insectarium in Montreal.
That's not fair! I spent SO much money on the first two seasons of Grey's! Welcome to the addiction.
You could strike up conversations too! It just takes a little bravery (of which you have copious amounts). So my challenge for you is to do it the next time you are wandering alone and find someone who looks nice! What's the worst that can happen?
You can run the other way if you accidentally insult them or something. Shanghai is a pretty big city, I hear. ;)
I am glad you gave it a shot.
I am probably going to buy a LOT of DVDs if they are that cheap. What a great country...
I cannot believe you are abandoning me and jumping on the Grey's Anatomy wagon. I am heartbroken.
But I am glad you got to see a play (no easy feat, we know).
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