That's What She Said

I did it again. Whoever said that the body and mind were connected lied, because that is so not the case. At least, not to students here in China. My alarm, set for 5:28, went off punctually, but I didn't respond how I should have. Instead, I turned it off, rolled over and went back to sleep. Again. And didn't wake up until 6:45, the time I should have been at school. After a record of 8 minutes getting ready, I practically ran to the bus stop. I watched 3 of my buses pull away before I got to the stop. It was around that time I started thinking "Why can't I just run faster?" But never fear, I had 2 pairs of trusty flash cards to review. I am never without flashcards these days. When the bus came, I was still studying. And who said I wasted time?

I missed Taiji this morning, because I just had too much homework to do. The first thing my friend said to me this morning when he saw me was "You look like you are in a rush." Thank you Chris, I didn't realize. My increased heart rate and light-headedness just weren't getting through to me. Cheers.

As it turns out, my rushing was actually unnecessary. I didn't have much homework, and my trusty memory came in handy for remembering all my characters. I got to class, and realized I had left my homework book on my desk, in my rush to get out of the house. Of course. I have just been so frazzled lately. It was a rather hard thing to laugh off, but recognizing my hazing and depressive state, my friend laughed it off for me. Sometimes, I really don't like other people. Just when I want to be whinny, they don't let me. Which could be a good thing, depending on your point of view.

I was still tired during class, but managed to stay awake for both. It helps when I prop my head on my water bottle though. (What? I can't take all the credit...) We got another composition assignment in Chinese, but I found that I actually like writing it. It doesn't take very long, and it's interesting. What can I say, I'm just a nerd that way. Don't let my teacher catch me saying that I like writing essay's in Chinese, otherwise my classmates will hate me for eternity. Seriously.

After Chinese was break, during which my friend Elle and I went downstairs to buy a jian bing, which is this egg wrap thing. (Descriptive, isn't it?) That was my breakfast, and because I am still sick, I needed it. (Seriously, I would give my first born to get my sense of smell back. Although if I have to smell what we have fondly termed "Beijing funk" then maybe not.) After a quick study group for my history exam, we were off to the races. My history quiz was easyish. The questions weren't surprising, just made me think (and all the writing hurt my hand...) I finished with time to spare, and found the "class reunion" in the hallway (all the classrooms are used in the mornings, so when we are let out early, the class just congregates in the hallway.) My history teacher thought it was hilarious.

Calculus came next, and we were oh so fondly looked after (not). It is starting to get hard, with differential rate problems (that is hard to say, much less do. I am foreseeing this ending badly...), which will be on the test tomorrow. Cross your fingers for me, please. I am going to need all the help I can get. No joke.

For lunch, Chris and I practically ran down the stairs to get fried chicken. Before getting to the food stall though, we decided to divide and conquer. I went to a small shop to get drinks, and he went to get the chicken, because it is imperative to get to the food stalls before the rest of the Chinese school kids. The term "line" does not apply here in Beijing, and it is easiest to just get in front of the mob rather than push in front of it. The great part of this story is that I am sure you think I am kidding. If only...

I had an extra long lunch break today, because I had my free period right after lunch. Procrastination was the foremost thought on my brain, and I quickly determined that I needed more flashcards (the piles of flashcards on my desk was quickly forgotten.) I roped my friend Stephanie to come with me (don't be fooled, I lured her with food) and after buying the necessities, we stopped at another alley store to get drinks and Oreo's. You know, staple foods and all. Kidney stones be damned, Oreo's are good.

The noise in the Fishbowl was atrocious, so Chris, Warren and I went into a small study room to work. Chris and Warren had to study for the history exam, and I wanted to read English. However, because I had already had history, I had to help them study (ie, I looked through the book and asked them questions.) I like history, because it is just a story of one thing leading to another leading to another. Story's make sense to me, so I quite enjoy it.

After wishing my friends good luck on the quiz, I went off to English as soon as my blissful study was over. In English, we read descriptive essay's, and then we had to write a paragraph about the hands of the person sitting across from us. I wrote a couple paragraphs before realizing that we had to read it out loud. When it was my turn, I felt that it was my obligation to announce "Mine is a little long, are you sure you want me to go?" Before my teacher could answer though, Reilly, my friend from New York automatically said "That's what she said." Loudly. (And she sits right next to the teacher.) There was an awkward pause before half the class just burst into fits and giggles. I totally lost it, laughing until my face turned cherry red, as it tends to do. My teacher just skipped me, and said he would come back. It probably took me 5 minutes to calm down.

After school, Julia, Hannah and I all decided that we had to catch up. After securing a piece of birthday cake from Becca, we were off. Destination: Happy Times Tea House. On the way, we picked up Chris, who decided to come. This place is amazing. You pay 18 kuai ($2.63) per person, and get all you can drink drinks. We got 4 drinks a person, and only had some mildly awkward conversations. I feel bad for Chris, he was trapped with 3 slightly hysterical teenage girls. He took one for the team though. It was impressive.

He left at 5 to 5, and that is when the real girl talk started. The only thing I will say about it was that it was intense. That is all. At 5:30, we all rushed for the door, thinking "Bugger, time to get home for dinner." I walked to the bus stop, and after a quite uneventful ride, arrived home with not a scratch on me (how's that for braving Chinese public transportation?) Dinner wasn't on the table when I got home, so I settled in behind my desk to do some serious studying.

I made a discovery tonight. My emotions are absolutely out of control. Even more so than normal for a teenage girl. Tonight, I would almost describe myself as hitting the wall. I even thought I was for about 2 hours, until I took a shower. You could call it the Epiphany Shower. While washing my hair, I simply decided to snap out of it. I was just being stupid. Sure, I am tired, and stressed, and I would love to just stop, but I am in Beijing, having the time of my life. And sure enough, as soon as I thought this, I started to feel better. Stupid emotions. Now, with a belly full of pork and fried lotus, I am writing this blog. I may not write much now, as a certain family member has alerted me to the fact that I am starting to sound whinny, but I will make an effort to turn my writing around. Comments are appreciated.

Now, my lovelies, it is off to slumber land for me. Can you count the sheep yet? I can almost see them...