Daily life

Another post for my 'Language and Culture Learning Course' discussion
board:
In my attempts to be more mindful of encountering what one of my
classmates from APU described as 'real locals,' I decided to plop
myself outside of my apartment building where many of the parents and
children of the teachers here congregate to chat, work on knitting
projects, show off their grandchildren's abilities to defecate, and
hang laundry. I took my crocheting along and waited. It did not take
long for a group of nai-nai's and po-po's (Chinese grandmothers) to
inspect my crocheting and strike up a conversation with me. Although
it was quite intimidating to be surrounded by chatty women firing off
questions in thick Sichuan accents about my salary, how much I spend
on food per week, etc., it felt really good to take this baby step
toward entering into my community of neighbors. Now when I pass them
on my way to class or as I leave to get groceries, I can say 'hello'
with more confidence, and I feel a new bond that gives me the sense
that I belong a bit more in the patterns of life here in this corner
of China. One of the women even offered to set me up with young man
that she knows—he's even a doctoral student!

这个两天

I finally have a kitty!!! Let the naming games begin. Sorry for the
poor picture quality, I just wanted to get something up! He has a grey
patch on the top of his head. So far i'm thinking about how to name
him something like the Chinese for 'toupee' or 'comb-over'

One week later

An update on my dabbles in Chinese medicine--the purple is all gone;
there's just a bit of yellow remaining. Shoulder definitely feels
different....Can't tell if it's better, but I can do a handstand
without pain if I'm careful....

Tuesday nights at 按摩 (massage)。

I usually go get a $3 massage every week with some of my other
American friends. This week I decided to tell our massage friends that
my shoulder has been hurting for the past year to see if they could
work on it. They suggested that I have the fire cups, and never one to
turn down an opportunity at new things, I decided to pay the extra
$1.5 and have it done. Thus far I'd been too freaked out by the
suction noises and pregnant purple bruises, but I sucked up my fear
and decided not to be 怕 (pa4, afraid). They insisted that it didn't
hurt, and so I found myself agreeing to become a voluntary victim of
the vampire jars. It really wasn't bad at all. The picture looks MUCH
worse than it actually is, mom. Remember those goldfish I had with
bulbous eyes? I think I understand what it feels like to be one of
them....it was nice, and almost comfortable. Plus it matches my
necklace!
They also say that it helps keep you from getting a cold, so here's
hoping that the sore throat I have will disappear in the morning!
Golly, I hope you get what I've written along with the picture!!!
Because heaven knows that it needs a good explanation!