It's been 26 days since my last blog post and I have sinned. Or am I supposed to say that the other way around? Or not at all because I'm not Catholic or religious actually?
I have been neglecting the blog. I know. Here are some excuses: a) I find it difficult to blog on a day to day basis, because our lives are really boring for the most part. Truly. China can be boring, too. I promise. b) My computer is a piece of crap. It's processor can hardly handle a web browser, so it makes doing anything a chore. I'm actually using Ian's computer right now. c) I'm enrolled in prereq classes now, so I feel guilty when I spend free time doing something else even though I spend free time watching t.v. and stuff (I never pretended I wasn't lazy! Plus, Parenthood is really interesting this season.).
So, I have pink eye. The viral kind, I'm pretty sure. It came with a sinus infection (which I've had chronically since moving here). It's pretty great. I'm exhausted because I can't sleep (because I can't breathe (pink causes swelling in your lymph nodes and when I lie down, it makes my airway a bit smaller). I've managed to take no medicine the entire time I've been here, but I threw in the towel today. I went to the pharmacy and had Billy, our principle, talk to them on the phone for me. I spent a little under $10 and came home with medicated eye drops, and two boxes with packets of granules that are apparently Chinese medicines for fighting infections and viruses. They likely chose to gave me Chinese medicines because I told them that ephedrine makes me throw up (and that eliminates 95% of cold/flu medications, even in the West).
I have been neglecting the blog. I know. Here are some excuses: a) I find it difficult to blog on a day to day basis, because our lives are really boring for the most part. Truly. China can be boring, too. I promise. b) My computer is a piece of crap. It's processor can hardly handle a web browser, so it makes doing anything a chore. I'm actually using Ian's computer right now. c) I'm enrolled in prereq classes now, so I feel guilty when I spend free time doing something else even though I spend free time watching t.v. and stuff (I never pretended I wasn't lazy! Plus, Parenthood is really interesting this season.).
So, I have pink eye. The viral kind, I'm pretty sure. It came with a sinus infection (which I've had chronically since moving here). It's pretty great. I'm exhausted because I can't sleep (because I can't breathe (pink causes swelling in your lymph nodes and when I lie down, it makes my airway a bit smaller). I've managed to take no medicine the entire time I've been here, but I threw in the towel today. I went to the pharmacy and had Billy, our principle, talk to them on the phone for me. I spent a little under $10 and came home with medicated eye drops, and two boxes with packets of granules that are apparently Chinese medicines for fighting infections and viruses. They likely chose to gave me Chinese medicines because I told them that ephedrine makes me throw up (and that eliminates 95% of cold/flu medications, even in the West).
"Do I mix them into water?" I asked LIsa. "No, you pour them into your mouth, then drink warm water," she told me. I told her it sounded terrible and she laughed and then confirmed that it would be terrible because it's Chinese medicine. The bigger packet wasn't that bad. The stuff clearly contains sugar or some sweetener. The green packet, however, is clearly ginseng plus something even less palatable. It was difficult. But, I am feeling better. Or, at least, I have more energy than I did.
Remember that time Ian showed up in the newspaper in his pajamas? Well, that article was no good because the interviewers didn't speak any English. None of the information was correct, really, and we were all pretty bummed out about it. Well, Guo Peng (the woman who co-founded the dog shelter here and hooked us up with Reeves) has a friend who is an entertainment journalist for a large Shandong newspaper (it's called a newspaper, though to me it looks more like a magazine). She called me up a week or so ago and asked if we were interested in doing a "proper interview." I agreed because I figure Guo Peng needs all the publicity for her shelter she can get. The ladies came over last Monday and we spent a large part of the afternoon with them. The issue was supposed to come out yesterday (unless she pushed back the deadline, which would make sense because I imagine translating an interview is really hard) and I'll post pictures when we have a copy. Hui, the journalist, is about Guo Peng's age, but kind of an alt chick. She's got bright red hair and she was wearing about 5 different patterns. She was pretty rad and so, so nice. We found out mid interview that the feature (two pages, by the way) was as much about Ian and I as it was about Reeves. She even had me send her a picture from our wedding. I hope the piece is interesting. It should be, as she asked us some unexpected questions (about animal activism and politics). Now I just have to hope that we sound moderately intelligent once we're translated into Chinese. Oh, and no pajamas this time, since we were prepared.
Al and Judy came to visit us week before last! It was great to have folks to show around. And it was also nice to have an excuse to consume an unabashed amount of Starbucks. They brought an entire suit case of junk food for us with them, too. We were nervous for them, initially, mostly because they have pretty simple, classic food preferences. The food in China isn't really suited to that. But, they adapted quickly and tried things even if they weren't stoked about it. It sounds like the rest of their China journey is going splendidly, as well. We didn't take too many photos (Ian and his family aren't the paparazzi that me and mine are), but here are a couple from our time together.
Al and Judy came to visit us week before last! It was great to have folks to show around. And it was also nice to have an excuse to consume an unabashed amount of Starbucks. They brought an entire suit case of junk food for us with them, too. We were nervous for them, initially, mostly because they have pretty simple, classic food preferences. The food in China isn't really suited to that. But, they adapted quickly and tried things even if they weren't stoked about it. It sounds like the rest of their China journey is going splendidly, as well. We didn't take too many photos (Ian and his family aren't the paparazzi that me and mine are), but here are a couple from our time together.
Last but not least, a friendly reminder that wee Reeves is still looking for the perfect forever home. He'll be coming home with me, so those are details that you wouldn't even have to worry about! He weighs under 25 lbs, is super potty trained and completely laid back. He can go on 20-30 minutes walks (his hop-walk is quite cute) though he does need a minutes' rest here and there. He's best suited to a family with a yard or with a park near by. He's completely kid safe (he's never reacted any differently to kids (aged 1-15) than adults) and would likely be cat safe after some introductions and training. Thanks for the support!