sick

When we last left our heroine she was about to settle in for a movie night when suddenly...
Her friend called! He said that it was about time they met up in Beijing, as they had been planning to for weeks. So she showered (mind you I haven't learned how to work the warm water yet, so ive only taken FREEZING cold showers) and hopped over to lush for the night. The next day she stayed in, cleaning, shopping for Tide, sleeping and talking to friends. Her trusty phone went off around 5, and she made plans to meet up with friends for dinner and a movie that night. And so off she romped to school, wrapped in a sweatshirt and leggings for it was the beginning of many chilly nights. Upon meeting her friends she ventured to Pizza Hut, the equivilant to the Olive Garden in the States, and ate fast food pizza with fork and knife. After the movie, whihc ended at 1230, it took half and hour to return home. Upon arriving she descovered a terrible surprise! The door would not open! As much as she tried, her key would not do the trick. And so, sad and tired, she fell asleep outside her host families front door until 300. Waking up cold and stiff, Ashley grew unhappy and strove to open the door once more. This time, her key got stuck! As she attempted to free it from the lock (a noisy endeaver) her host father heard her and grumply let her in.
Yesterday she slept in, watched project runway, cleaned, did Homework and went to Bei Da for some dinner and a movie, (Prince Caspian in Chinese) and returned by 9:00, realizing that she was sick. Soar throat, post nasal drip, and feeling under the weather. But she was greated by a great surpirse! He host sisters had drawn her pictures! And she hung them up on her wall and then went to bed.
The End
A.

Halla at your girl

its been a while and i apologize, this weeks been a little bit of a blur.
Visa stuff: will be fixed on the 6th. I called my parents who called the school who called Gao laoshi and told her to get off her but and actually do something for once. yay!
It was jens birthday on Wednesday and the whole crew rolled out in style to a Japanese sushi restaurant to celebrate. As is customary, we took her out and had a blast afterwards. of course. The next day i have FOUR CLASSES thats 8 HOURS of class for all you non- bei da folk. and it hurt. I had my first culture class that day. The teacher is really nice but this class is all in Chinese, no english aloud, so im not sure how much i'll actually learn about the culture. After a long day of classes Dan, John B, John, JP e, Chris and I went to Pyro for our weekly tournament, and of course, Dickinson represented well. I have some great pictures so far. But every time i whip out my camera someone makes fun of it. Its called the dinosaur now, supposedly because its so old, but it still works even after ive dropped it so many times! Friday was nice and relaxed. One class and some shopping at wangfujing. i got a bomber helmet and a winter jacket (somthing i needed and something i didnt) Had lunch at lush afterwords, and then met up with some new friends at lush a little later. All and all a very nice and very busy week. Today is a down time day, a day to relax, clean, work, and buy lotion, because this water is killing my skin.
all the best
A.

the worst of both worlds

Hello all,
Im back, I know you've missed me. Its been two fulfilling days you've missed out on. At the end of the last post I told you i was going to wudaokou to eat scorpion, but that was a lie. Instead, Dan, John and I went to Wangfujing to eat scorpion, and baby seahorse on a stick, and whole coconuts. And window shop of course. Can i just say that i cant tell which is more frightning, getting a Visa in China or eating recently fried scorpion? Its a toss up.
Wangfujing is a shopping area by the way, just in case you were unaware, it is a very very large shopping block. So, thus in the shopping district, Dan John and I went shopping. They are great shopping partners. The only problem was, everything was SO SO expensive, more expensive in face, then in the USA. AND no one has my shoe size...or Johns, or dans. I really need clothes, one weeks worth is just not going to cut it, and im just not sure how to get them right now. I did learn how to do laundry though, which was my goal for the weekend.
That night I also went to the Crows Nest, an Ex Pat bar/ pizza place with amazing pizza, but i think i like Pyro better (Pyro has music and football on the big screen). It was free beer night, so Sarah, sarahs friend who graduated last year, Chris, Mike, James and I went for some pizza and a free pint. Not bad.
The next day i slept in did laundry and went out to dinner at Lush and stayed for some open mic night. it is just not fair how some ppl can speak multiple languages fluently, sign and play guitar. Not fair at all.
Lastly, Vias. Supposedly i need a new one. The ones they issed in the US are only valid for a month, and then I get kicked out. And if you thought getting a Visa in the States was hard, try doing it in Chinese. I guess i did something wrong, or not fast enough or someting, because now i have to get up tomorrow at 7 AM to go to the police station and get some document re registered. I am SO SO SO very confused. Ill keep you posted on my graduale death by Visa.
peace and love,
A.

the prefect two days

SOOOO...
at the end of the last post 2 days ago, i was unsure about going out by myself and a little sad that I had no one to go out with because most of my friends are in different classes then yours truely. But after a little push in the right direction from JP, i hoofed it to Pyro. It was either stay in by myself, or go out by myself, so it was a pretty easy choice. At pyro i ran into Chris and Dan, who had signed up for the weekly pong tournament. We grabbed some pizza and myself a long Island and i settled down to cheer them on. They won, of course, like Dickinsonians do, and represented Carlizle very well. Consiquently, i won a bet with Dan and 100 Kuai as well as a round of shots next time we head out. I also got a free drink, which was very up my ally. Thus, the night ended in success.
The next day after our one afternoon class, most of the group went to lunch at this great inexpensive chinese restraunt which is quickly becoming my favorite. Only thing is that you need to go with five or more people to really enjoy it. And definately not by yourself. After lunch JP had a fantastic idea. Why not go to Ho Hai, a swanky touristy district some ways away with a lake, and hit up one of their famous roof top bars for an early happy hour. So, happy as clams we skipped off to this lovely area, and found ourselves on a swanky and expensive rooftop patio enjoying the entire rest of the day away with som new found friends from Italy and France. The day ended at Babyface, where we proceded to dance the night away, and thus it was. The pefect day.
Today the plan is to go to wudaokou (a district near school) where there will be venders with crazy foods all day today, and i am going to try scorpian. wish me luck!
Sorry there are no pictures, but ill get on it i promise!
good night, and good luck
A.

level 6 level 7

classes began today. i had two. kou yu level 6 and han yu level 7 (speaking and comprehension) speaking is a pretty awesome class so far. han yu could cause a little more trouble. both classes are 2 hours long. 1010 to 1210 and 1230 to 230. went out to lunch with mike, Dan, kaitlin and kaitlin V our new friend from NYC. We are all in the same class. James also came along, as well as a guy named jimmy who has been here for 3 months and seems to know a lot about the city. Afterwards i went home, studied some for my xingxue (small listening quiz) that i have tomorrow, and I plan to go out tonight. maybe. hopefully. Im still thinking about it.
that is all
A.

In Beijing, every day is Talk Like a Pirate Day

Long time no see.
Its good to be back. Lets see what I have for you today.
Two nights ago the Dickinson crew pre-gamed and then then moved to Pyro where the pizza is delicious, the music is all in english and so is the menu. After a bit of camera fun, the The Pyro ppl pulled their tables off the wall and we got down and dirty. It was only six cup but sarah and i lost pretty badly. Not a good way to represent Carlizle. But Chris and Johns team did pretty well, four games i think. It was a good night.
Yesterday night we hit up Lush again. Great place to Chill for happy hour. It was a much more low key night out with friends. OH! and JP sarah Anna and I went to the Tea House again. Very expensive, but always SO much fun. We played kings with tea, which, for some reason, left us incredably giddy. We also decided that every day is Talk Like A Pirate Day in Beijing, where every word seems to end in ERRRR.
Registration. I also registered yesterday. It was horendous. So far the college has completely abandoned us. They told us we could move classes, we cant, they told us placement was a simple process, but not only is it NOT simple, its in CHINESE. And when we called Gao Laoshi for help (because we havent seen her since the first day we all got here) she told us to follow the directions given to us (in CHINESE). But together, all 17 of us managed to get scraggle by right before the deadline. When megan said this was a hands off program she wasnt kidding. Dickinson dropped us off and wont pick us up till we come home.
Lastly, my friend Haben sent me an email about these cheap hair ties made and sold in China that were made out of used condoms and thread, it sounded pretty gross but i didnt think i would ever see one. That is until i was brushing my teeth yesterday morning and saw then scattered all around the counter top. I am going to send my host dad the email, because as I am just beginning to realise, China is a VERY different place.
peace,
A.

zhong qiu jie - the moon festival

Yesterday was a slow day. Had breakfast, went online. I did have a small adventure though. I finally got my own house key so i went out and walked up and down the block exploring a little. I found a cute pastry shop where i can buy the best hot dogs i have ever had, as well as pastries and cakes and moon cakes and ice cream bars. I found two small book shoppes where i could stalk up on school supplies need be, and a small convenient store, which, to my very great surprise sells single bottles of Heineken for 15 kuai! (3 dollars) Thats pretty cool in China.
That night i stayed in with my family and they threw a mini celebration with moon cakes and the usual karaoke and the two girls preformed songs and dances and dressed up like a hourse and did the most adorable dance ever!!
This morning I had my placement exam (the exam from hell) If i ever doubted how little Chinese i knew, I will never doubt again. At one point i gave up trying to read the long answer questions and just started bubbling in answers. This test was like the writing section of the SATS in CHINESE.
After this horrible experience the Dickinson crew all headed down to Lush for some comforting American food, hookas, and tea. And now im home. But not for long i think. My family has told me we are climbing a mountian today (yay, but not really).
hope to see you back here again tomorrow, same time, same place
A.

Lost in Translation

The beginning is the best place to start stories, so ill start there. Yesterday I got my phone. Finally. I walked around a Carrefore with Sarah and JP for the first time, and OMG it was terrible. It was like an underground bee hive. A Carrefore as i soon found out, was like a Walmart in the US, except WAY more overwhelming. I got some school supplies and then, on a whim, JP decides we should check out this tea house in the middle of this way too overwhelming area. And it was like heaven. A little n the expensive side, its definitely a something we will be treating ourselves to once a week or bi-weekly. Its the perfect place to relax.
Upon returning by bus to campus I said my goodbyes and decided to take the bus my my hot dad told me to take to school (figuring that because it came around every half hour it was on a circular route.) To my very great dismay. it did not. after just missing it the first time i stood for 20 minutes to catch it again (instead of pay for a taxi and figuring i had time) After boarding, and then after an hour, i began to get edgy. Not only had the bus gone from almost empty to refusing passengers because there was no more standing room, suddenly there were only a handful of ppl left and me. And then 10 minutes later, everyone got off and i was shoo'ed odd as well. After freaking out and completely losing my grasp of any Chinese what so ever, i managed to find a cab driver who knew where i lived and drove me home (71 kaui and half an hour later) i got home. Terrified. To make a long story short. I met my host mother for the first time in a very frazzled state, my grandmother made me dinner. even though she wasnt supposed to. and i got to spend the rest of the evening listening to loud and unembarrassed family Karaoke.
Id like to go into how confusing this family is, but this blog as was long so ill save it for another time.
Checking Out,
A.

making my way in the world

So im still posting despite the lame lack of comments on my blog. (lame) anyway. i have been a busy bee lately. Yesterday I registered with Bei Da and had to take out some sort of insurance which was like 600 yuan. (90 dollars)i also dropped 130 yuan to start up my monthly cell service. along with taxis to and from Queen last night and those funny non alcoholic pina colada tasting drinks I've put down around 1000 yuan in the first 2 days (this is like 140 dollars US, which isn't THAT bad considering) And yet i still need to go out and buy a phone today which will cost around 60 US as well as some house slippers (all the rage in China, also required in my family) some hangers AND i need to get my shopping on. Oh the dilemma!
Fun facts:
-Grapes in china can be as big as ping pong balls and are the consistency of water.
-Traffic lanes are suggestions that are mostly ignored.
-Back roads are 4 lanes wide, main roads are 9. I saw a bus diagonally cross over six lanes.
- my host sisters are adorable and love dinosaurs and mermaids and drawing and horses
- i am allergic to bunnies. i just found out the hard way. it lives out on the porch and is so So cute.
Sounding off
A.

2 days in

To Who this may concern,
I have found the mother land, I will not be returning- China has nuttella. And Fruit Loops, and milk in a bag. Which is surprisingly awesome. Included in today's post are pictures of my room. I have a pretty sweet bed, way bigger then anything I've ever had before. The down side is that its hard as a brick. I dont know why, but Chinese beds are like raised floors with sheets. It continues to be gorgeous here. I am just outside of th fourth ring of the city. (there are 5 rings) so im away from the brunt of the polution, which entitles me to a view of the sky. huzzah. Yesterday my host father took me to the police station to get me registed (in the off chance i cause great havok among the people and need to be dealt with) an took me to get a phone plan (the phone i have to go find myself somehow... ive been told itsnot that hard but eerything seems way harder in another language.) the phone will probably cost like 50 buck US which is pretty steep, but really really need one. Ive found the closest ATM and i know im supposed to take the 482 bus to school. The complex in which i live is really pretty with a small pond and marble tiles scattered occasionally across the sidewalks. sweet. The house itself is a prettygood sized apartment.
Today (friday the 11th) I am going to go register at Bei Da, and see everyone else from the program. Also on the agenda is finding out my address, and hopfully socializing, for it is what i miss the most right now (horrible Chinese skillz = very lonely Ashley)
catch you on he flip side,
A.

puddle hopping

Hello all,
I have many a great story to tell you about puddle hopping. But because i know how tedious long blogs can be, i have done my best to condense everything. But its still uber long... sorry.

1: Newark Airport = the shit (for those of you over 40 this is a slang sentence for awesome) totally empty with great hide and seek potential as well as hundreds of potential awesome picture places. - wait time: 3 hours - was talked up by 2 very drunk very republican 20 something energy salesmen for an hour before boarding. they were friendly folks.
2: skip and a jump to Houston = not too bad - 3 hours 40 min
3: Houston Airport = eh, fine. wait time: 2 hours mood: when i realized i had a 13 hour flight ahead of me, i died a little inside
4: puddle hop to Tokyo = best flight ever taken, EVER: again, the shit. time: 13 hours 25 min. I had an isle sea, with no one sitting next to me. Here are the reasons flying overseas with Continental rock. 1 free food (and free Haagen Dazs) 2 mini tvs with over 125 movies and programs (free) and like, hundreds of free songs and games at your fingertips. (picture enclosed)
5: Tokyo layover = horrible. wait time: 4 hours, things to do: nothing (no venders no wi fi no cell service no money no place to go) (i felt like i was in quarantine)
6: puddle jump to Beijing = North West is not half as cool as Continental let me tell you. tiny little lame TVs, worse food and a seat mate. uncool. time: 3 hours
7: Beijing Airport= large and in charge. wait time: nada took 20 minutes to get my bags and get though customs and find my host family. awesome.
8: bed time like whoa

and now i am here, and now i will end this post. wish me luck.
A.

the Calm

Just trying out a picture, working my way around this site.

First blog

So! I did have another blog with Dickinson but it was a confusing and frustrating process to keep up, so thanks to mike (who i stole this blog idea off of) i have come to blog spot to try anew.
In my previous 2 blogs on my other blog attempt I talked about life at porters over the summer during my job as a counselor and then i wrote about this being my last day in the States and how i was changing blogs and now here i am!
This is my last day and it has been beautiful! my fabulous boyfriend woke me up this morning and my friend Elise called right after to wish me a good flight (thanks Elise!!!) Ive been packing all day and now, as soon as this blog is finally set up, i will be done:)
Now back to cleaning, packing and reading my life for a slight make over. I will entertain you all later with tragic airport tales and woes.
All the best
A.