Wasting the Day Away

I woke up this morning at 8:45, a blissful, late sleep in, with almost 9 hours under my belt. I didn't even get out of bed until 9, and that was only to pop my head out of the door and greet the rest of my family. Then I again opened my computer, and had a 45 minute conversation with my parents halfway across the world. I keep missing my sister on Skype, I think, which is really too bad.

The whole morning, ie before lunch, was rather unremarkable. I had a conversation with my Chinese mother, and then went back to my studies. I watched the Illusionist (what can I say, I'm really good at procrastinating) after working on Georgetown essays, which are due for me on Tuesday (well, really, they are due on Saturday, but I am neurotic and am turning them in on Tuesday.) I felt that that was productive enough for the whole day, and I can tell that I am on the edge of a breakdown. I am taking it easy this weekend.

For lunch we had a surprise. My sister's best friend came over, and although I didn't speak a word to her, it was nice to know who she is. We had a pretty good lunch (and rather large) before my mom had to go leave to be a flight attendant. I swear, she just works all the time. I went back to my room to do more "work" and my sister and her friend went to her room to actually study, I think. I actually have no idea what they worked on.

I didn't think about them again until they turned on their home karaoke set. Seriously, I was surprised that the walls weren't shaking. Karaoke is a big thing here, and my sister actually sings pretty well. It was nice to see that bonding experience. I put on my head phones (my dad was sleeping in the next room, and I didn't want to add to the noise) and started watching the Bourne Supremacy (I have a lot of dvds to watch. They are really cheap here.)

Nothing much happened before dinner. For dinner, we basically just had leftovers from lunch, and a beef dish that my dad has made before that I like (and he knows this.) I was invited to go out after dinner by my friend Chris, but I had to check with my Chinese dad to make sure it was okay. He assured me that I could go out whenever I want. (Actually his exact words were - in chinese, of course - "Sophie, if you want to go out Friday, Saturday, Sunday night, that's fine. Just be back by 11. You are only here for a short amount of time, enjoy the city." I really love my dad sometimes.) So after pulling on 2 jackets, jeans, a hat and gloves (didn't want to get cold) I grabbed some money and a phone, and headed for the bus station.

I ended up walking to Chris's house, and then we caught a cab to get to the martial arts place. At least, what we thought was the martial arts place. We wandered for a bit, looking for it (and asking for directions, getting pointed in every direction) before taking a break in Dairy Queen. Kidney stones be damned, ice cream is just too good. I got a oreo blizzard (yum...) and Chris got a pineapple one. I think mine was better though. :)

Then, the quest began again. We were eventually pointed down a sketch dark alley (the only thing I thought was "Hells no") and to a movie theatre. Seriously, only in China would you find a movie theatre down an alley. That can't be good for business. The martial arts school was a level below the movie theater, so we walked down, only to be greeted with the sight of 10 Chinese kids in the middle of a class. There was one girl who was standing close to the door who (while punching air) gave us death glares. It was a little weird, I'm not going to lie. We secured a business card from guy who, according to Chris, oozed kick your ass. (He did too. You wouldn't want to meet that guy in a dark alley, that is all I'm saying.)

By the time we finished at the martial arts place, it was only about 8 or 8:30, and neither one of us wanted to go home. So we hopped in a taxi and headed to Tian'an Men Square, thinking it would be nice to see it at night. Of course, we got there, and had totally forgotten that there was a government going on, and that the whole of Tian'an Men was closed. So we just walked around. And around and around. It was still pretty to see at night, but it was a little disappointing that we couldn't actually get onto the square.

We hopped back onto the subway at about 10 to 10. There were a surprising amount of people on the subway at night (it was totally packed) but again, I at least got a seat, eventually. We were both exhausted on the walk back, and as soon as I got on my bus, I almost fell asleep in my chair. I got home at quarter to 11 (still inside curfew, Mr. Bissell) and my dad didn't care at all. He asked me where we went, and then went to bed. I followed suit shortly after. It is tough work having fun.

Good night all. Or, as they say here in China, 晚安.