Zhoumo kuaile!

Happy Friday, all! We got back to Shanghai yesterday evening and we're looking forward to a mellow weekend at home. The plan? Pick up our new winter coats we had made at the fabric market, and bundle up for a long bike ride to check out a "Christlkindlmarkt." Have you ever been to a Christmas market? They're big in Europe and feature vendors selling gifts and Christmas decorations, and food and drinks (think: mulled wine). Takes me back to my Strasbourg study abroad days. 

Photos from Chengdu are here and include lots more panda pics (although I have even more in my private collection; I spared you). 

P.S. My blog is now included in an expat blog directory (thank you, Kelly), which is currently holding its annual blog awards. If you like what you're reading, perhaps you'll want to write a nice comment here? No pressure whatsoever. 

Xiuxi Time

Only a few more days of Mandarin classes; my last one's on Friday. Twelve weeks later and I feel pretty confident in my survival skills. Am I ready to discuss the state of the global economy in Chinese? Probably not. But I can ask a waitress where the bathroom is and find it on my own (which is probably more useful in the long run). 

I had originally signed up for four weeks, but because my fellow classmates were so lovely, I went on for eight more. From left to right: Ye Laoshi (laoshi means teacher), Ayla (German with Turkish origins), Robin (American by way of Ireland), me (American with Egyptian and Armenian origins), Anna (Russian, now also German by marriage), Nannapat (Thai by way of the UK), and Florian (Indonesian by way of Hong Kong; a college student here for the summer; I hope we didn't scare him). We span the globe -- pretty cool, huh? 

P.S. #1 I'm wearing a shirtdress I had made at the fabric market. Cute, no? 

P.S. #2 "Xiuxi," pronounced "shee-oo-shii," means rest or break.  

Happy Shanghai Friday

What's everyone up to this weekend? Watching hockey and basketball? Mike's really missing live action sports. We'll have to find bars that televise the games -- after figuring out game times and time differences. I have a feeling we'll be having bloody marys while you're all drinking beer.

Mike's parents are arriving today from Dalian, a city in Northeast China. No set plans just yet, but at some point, we'll have to pick up Mike's custom-made shorts and shirt from the fabric market. And as soon as I decide what I want, I too will be picking up my own custom-made clothes!