It Takes Like America

So China likes its meat...chicken feet, duck head, pork fat, but they have nothing on All-American beef.

Dear Red Meat, how I love your artery clogging goodness.

the trifecta of taste

After weeks of Pizza Hut and KFC being the closest to American food,  I found a Burger King on my weekly trip to Suzhou. Now Burger King is my last choice for burgers at home (I'm a Burgerville and Wendy's fan) but when you have no other choice it becomes the greatest thing you have ever tasted. I was not the only one who felt that way since there were more white people in BK then I have ever seen at one place (excluding church and tour groups). So far BK is the most authentic western restaurant, no weird chinese-ized spices or toppings. They suck with the good stuff. It was tasted how things should taste; cheesy, greasy and covered in bacon. That's how America taste.

Chinese Dinner Time

Last night my work had a dinner for all of the staff. It was my first  authentic chinese eating experience. These kind of dinners are very important in Chinese culture, they are a time for socializing, well wishing and most of all... drinking.

They like to eat things still in the shell

the spread

Each table has a large "lazy susan" in the middle, food it placed around the edge and everyone eat straight from the same dish. So if you don't like sharing food, don't come to China. Fish, crab, prawns, soup, pumpkin and noodles. I stuck to the vegetables, noodles and lots and lots of Sprite. I'm still not used to eating things that still have their limbs and eye attached. Also, It a lot of effort to crack a crab or de-limb a shrimp for the small amount of meat they have.

fish: bone and all

Toasting is the most important activity of the night. The person with the highest status (manager or boss) opens the evening with a toast for everyone. After that it is customary for people to go around and toast each other individually, especially the lower employees toasting those above them. So you can imagine after a few rounds of toast that those with most authority are often the ones who are the most drunk.

the broccoli that I ate mostly

After dinner we hit up KTV (karaoke) in true Chinese fashion. The regional manager and the branch manager were both visually drunk. The regional manager, Coco took every opportunity she could find to give me a big hug, this was the first time I ever met her. I became her best friend in the room. I sang a couple songs, gave a few (too many) hugs and then called it a night. Being Chinese wears you out.

Happy 3 Months China!

Time fly when you're having fun, but I don't think that statement applies to China. Its been three months since I completely changed my life and up and moved to other side of the world. And it has felt like three months. Its been an interesting experience thus far. I've really enjoyed being in a new culture and meeting new people but it hasn't been the grand adventure I had expected. I have this weird feeling towards China, I in no way feel like I want to leave and come home but the town I am living in is in this perpetual state of cultural Limbo. They have not progressed to sophistication like that in Beijing or Shanghai but they are not peasant farmers either. They enjoy shopping and video games but have no desire to experience anything outside their comfort zone. In one word: Boring.  

With that said I am trying really hard to move to Suzhou, it is a larger city, closer to Shanghai, more members live there and its just all around a better city to live in. There is another single girl, Sisi, in my ward who is looking for a roommate and it would be awesome if we could live together. It's been a great experience having my own apartment but a roommate would be fun to have.

I'm asking everyone to pray that I can 1) find a new job in Suzhou, 2) leave this job on good terms, 3) move in with Sisi. Please keep me in your prayers!  

I'm excited to see what happens in the next three months and what other adventures I can have.

Finally Got Out of the House

So after weeks of feeling like I was confined to either my house or work I had the chance to get out and explore the city some more. My friend Nick is letting me borrow his card to use the free bikes that are placed all around the city. What a difference a little mobility can make, I'm not stuck in just me little area of town anymore. 

Friday was the first day I had off in the past few weeks that I didn't (a) have to work at my part time job or (b) take the 4 hour round trip excursion to Suzhou for church. Which meant I had a whole day to do whatever I wanted! So I went to another one of Zhangjiagang's beautiful parks. 

Jiyanghu Park is a large park located south of town, incidentally its also where are the super rich people must live cause there were some big town houses nearby. It has a large lake surrounded my trees and walking trails. Located in the middle of the lake is a small island with several pagodas rising out from the trees. There is even a beach where people, mainly children, can go swimming. That was quite a shock since I had only heard that people swam indoors. But it was a nice surprise. I even put my feet in. 

Tonight, I met up with my friend Nick and we went to the local Shopping Park. I've been there before but not when it was all lit up at night. There is an arcade, movie theater and lots of restaurants. After dinner we went to the cafe at the top of the shopping park tower, I have no idea what it's really called. There are gorgeous views of the whole city and it reminded me of home. I didn't know Zhangjiagang could be so pretty.