Jack's Back!

I have this chronic problem where I never know what I want to do. I always think, what SHOULD I do. You would think that doing what I want to do would be easy, but for me, it never has been. That was one of my big problems today.

Because I had already sent off my essay to my teacher so that she could help me edit it, I didn't feel like there was a whole lot of studying that I needed to do today. Sure, I could read my text and work on my new words, but why do today what you can put off until tomorrow? I agree.

I woke up late, so it took me a little while to get going. By the time that I felt like I was ready to join in with the rest of the world, it was already 11. Then, because I thought that I was supposed to be meeting with my teacher around lunch time to discuss my essay, I kept hanging around, waiting for a phone call. I called my mom, talked to people on facebook. You know, all the usual things us college kids do to kill time. For lunch (when I finally decided to leave my room) I decided to try a new place. There is a western restaurant on campus that I haven't had a chance to try yet, so I decided to use today as a first time. When I got there, I ordered a ham and cheese sandwich. I wasn't expecting wonders (after all, this is China) but still, it was below my expectations. The sandwich was cold, it was packaged ham, cheese, and there was ketchup on it. Yum. I ate it though. Better than a kick in the head. And it was kind of fun to have western food again. Speaking of which, I would absolutely kill for a piece of pizza. KILL.

After lunch, because it was a relatively good day outside, I decided to go for a walk, in search of my favorite red bean paste bao. They are so yummy. The bao bread and easy sweetness of red bean paste make for both a great meal, and a good dessert. Yum. Unfortunately, my little bao place said that they didn't have any, and never did. Which I know is a lie, because I have bought some there before. Oh well. I will catch them in the act again one of these days. You'll see.

Walking back, I hit a jackpot. No, I did not buy a bunny, although I saw some, and desperately wanted to buy one. I also passed a cart selling stuffed animals, and saw the cutest monkey, but no, I didn't buy that either. Can't go crazy now. No, I bought books. What can I say, books are my weakness. Honestly, I should just drag someone around with me who is willing and capable to hold my wallet hostage until we are at least 100 feet away from any one, or any place selling books. I have no willpower. So today, walking down the road, I passed a cart selling books (actually, I passed many, but I finally stopped at one. They all sell the same books anyway) and I stopped to browse. I decided on the complete works of Sherlock Holmes (I have been meaning to read them, and I anticipate finishing my current book soon) and the original Chinese version of 红楼梦 (Dream of the Red Chamber). Have you heard about it? It's very famous in China, one of the Four Great Classical Novels. I don't anticipate being able to fully understand it any time in the near future, but I am going to do my very best. Dictionary in hand, I intend for this to be my next big challenge.

On my way back to campus, after buying these 4 books (both Sherlock Holmes and Dream of the Red Chamber were 2 book sets, and I got the whole thing for $9.59: still pretty expensive, but better than in America) I hit on another jackpot: ice cream cones! Let me tell you, I was feeling very white at this point, but who cares? I am only here for another 4 weeks. I'll do whatever the hell I want to do. So, walking back to campus with 4 books in my bag, and a chocolate and strawberry ice cream cone in my hand, I felt on top of the world. Now if only all the smog would just disappear...

The rest of my afternoon was not interesting enough to describe. But guess what I did at 6? Look at the title of this blog. That's right, I WENT TO GO SEE JACK! Finally. Can't tell you how excited I was to see him, and actually get a proper work out. I feel like going to the gym is kind of like my re-set button: my brain gets so tired, that when I recover, I feel good as new. It keeps me sane, let me tell you. Today, Jack didn't disappoint. He said he had a good time visiting his family, and then we got right down to business. And it was hard. Bloody hell. By the end of it, my head was spinning, my stomach was upset, and I was dripping sweat from my entire body. I know, lovely picture, right? I have discovered that when it comes to working out, I don't really know how to pace myself. I kind of just give it my all until it is over, or I collapse, whichever comes first. That is probably the reason why I always feel sick; it's definitely the reason why I go lie on the bathroom floor after I row. Today, same thing. Oh well. I guess I will learn, in time.

Jack was also up to his usual tricks. First, he asked me (while I was getting my post work out massage) if I had eaten dinner yet. When I told him that I hadn't, he said good. Then he said, "Just eat fruit tonight, okay? It will help you lose weight." Thanks a lot, Jack. I've gone a week without hearing that, I was just starting to get used to it. I had to beg him to let me eat meat. Well, I had to prod him a bit for his consent. But honestly, I was hungry. Whatever I want to eat at night, I will eat. Jack's consent or no.

After the gym, I bought my obligatory fruit, and then headed back to my room to quietly die. JUST KIDDING. If i had died, I wouldn't be here writing, would I? Nope. I showered, and headed out again. Where was I going, you might ask? Off to get a massage, of course! What else would I do on a Saturday night in Beijing? And if you value your life, don't answer that. I don't want to know. I was on my own for a massage tonight, because Grace had already made plans, but that didn't stop me. When I got there, my friendly Inner Mongolian man was waiting to give me a massage. As he was working, I listened to everyone else talking. There was another foreigner next to me who was getting a massage, and it sounded like she was either really not used to Chinese massages (as in, they hurt) or she was getting a happy ending. But since her massage person used to be a monk, I am going to go with the first option. For many, many reasons.

My massage person was super chatty. He is a lot of fun, always asking questions and making conversation. He asked me when my birthday way, and told me that on my birthday if I come in, they will give me a cake. Too bad I am going to be in America for my birthday though. No problem, he says, I will come to America! Apparently, he likes to party. This should be interesting. When posed with the problem of how he would get to America, he simply said that he would run really fast. Right. Good luck with that. Then he tried to set me up with one of the other massage guys. Awkward! He was kind of cute, but shit son, I think i can find my own men. We moved past that little conversation rather quickly.

They also told me that my legs are very muscular, and then I am pretty sure that they started to compare me to a turkey. Well, they compared my legs to a turkey. I think that that was their idea of a compliment, saying that I have strong legs. Still. I was not overly enthused.

I did a stupid thing next. I know I said I wouldn't do it again, but I did. My lower back was hurting a lot from working out, so I got cupping done. Again. As I was lying there with 18 cups suctioned onto my back, I couldn't for the life of me remember why I had thought that it was a good idea. It definitely hurt more this time than it did last time. But I can handle it. Pain is beauty, right? Well, at least, comfort. In the future. I am planning ahead.

I know that it sounds crazy, but it actually did work. After 10 minutes, as soon as the cups came off, my back didn't hurt anymore. Yes, I now have massive bruises all over my back that are only going to get worse, but hey, I can handle it. No pain no gain, right? It's not too bad. Besides, my back definitely does feel better.

And now, I am sitting in my room, writing, and watching the Crossfit Games. And i must go to bed soon. Love you all!