Beating Around the Bush.

The phrase 'beating around the bush' has always been one of those things you say without really thinking about the true meaning. Its like when we say, "I'm between a rock and a hard place" but really you're just standing there, probably on carpet with neither rocks nor hard places on either side. I bet the carpet is kinda soft too, and the closest thing to a "hard place" would be maybe a desk, or a chair...and you could just sit down on the chair. You see what I mean. Today I rethought the phrase 'beating around the bush' because of its meaning, not saying exactly what you want, while extending tenuous hints to what you wish you convey. But that meaning went up in smoke when I looked outside iCafe's window and saw someone literally beating a bush. With a broom. I just burst out laughing, and had to search wildly for an English speaking (and preferably pun-appreciative) audience to impart my joke upon. Unfortunately I found only one person, and I said excitedly, "Boy for someone who's beating around the bush, he's not being very subtle."  Which only prompted a weak chuckle. (So Mom, Sarah...this is for you). Now all I can imagine is a new meaning which is very direct and basically exactly opposite of the one I had known for years. From what I've seen in real life 'beating around the bush' is actually a very decisive action to take, with great purpose. What purpose exactly you ask, well now, I don't know. Maybe to startle napping mice just to see them scamper, or to stir up more pollen in the air for some diabolical reason to punish allergy sufferers. You tell me. But its very purposeful. Not many people idly beat around bushes...at least none that I've seen.

I am looking forward to July as the Beer Garden will open, (no I don't get to drink the beer unfortunately, but I do get to enjoy the rush of customers through the window, while I stay cool and comfortable indoors.) Also, I'll have a new 'buddy', which is a polite term for trainer here, and guess what! He speaks English! HR, all the managers and the higher level people from the hotel keep emphasizing how we should spend time with our colleagues to learn Chinese from them, and avoid spending most of our time with each other (by each other I mean the only other American employees in the hotel). So in a sense I will be spending time with my Chinese colleague, they never stipulated that he only speak Chinese. Heh.

Yesterday I made the pantry a disaster zone with one cappuccino. Ok, it was closer to five semi right cappuccinos and one tower of foam. It all started when I thought I could make the drink by myself. The coffee machine is an all in one kind of function and it includes every kind of coffee drink you'd ever want. (Actually that excludes the coffee needs of my friend Ben, who requires a triple pump of this or that, double blended with something, and maybe 6 espresso shots to water that down) I'm talking basic functions of coffee, espresso, steamed milk, cappuccino, and other stuff we never use. I, unthinkingly, pushed the button for cappuccino, and things started happening! Milk starts pouring! Espresso is shooting out! There's foam, there's steam, there's noise and hot beverages going EVERYWHERE! The first "cappuccino" I made looked like a suggestion of light caramel coloring amidst a sea of milk. SO MUCH MILK. I threw it out, and of course at that exact moment Robbie the restaurant manager strolls in and remarks offhandedly, "Why are you wasting our coffee?" My second attempt had three shots of espresso and a twinge of steamed milk...Then I decided that I'd go rogue and steam my own milk, and just use the espresso function. I've steamed milk at least once before, so nothing could go wrong. Guess how long the steam function goes for? I DON'T KNOW EITHER! Foam and milk and hot steam suddenly filled my senses and I'm yelling some unladylike things, and everyone is standing around staring at me watching me epically fail while drops of like 1000 degree milk is overflowing the canister. Milk is coursing down the counter onto the floor making a small lake, coffee is all over the counter top and I'm getting splashed from the waist down with my failings. Finally the steam shuts off and I put down the skin peeling lava milk and quietly asked Blue, my coworker to make me a cappuccino. He says, "Ok la", like he does and proceeds to perfectly, without any trouble, make a simple cappuccino. By the time I get it out to the iCafe, the customer had left. I sat the drink down on the table, walked past everyone with tears stinging in my eyes, made my way into the restroom and quietly sobbed to myself.
I came back, nose red and swollen, obviously emotional and guess what everyone does? Yeah. They're nice. Like that'll help. The nerve.
The day did eventually end, and after a while I stopped getting teary eyed and I did smile. At least once.

And on a happier note one of the girls at work today told me that everybody at iCafe likes me. Even if its not exactly true....awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! *warm gushy fuzzy wuzzy feelings!!

The One Were Phoebe Runs

If you don't watch Friends, this next part won't make any sense, or be funny to you at all. Do you remember the episode when Rachel goes jogging with Phoebe? Well basically, Tricia and I just ran around our city block like that. I also yelled "Parkour" at everyone, and jumped off of curbs, around telephone booths and almost jumped over a stone lion statue.

Its ridiculous how uncensored we feel here. I know its a bad habit to pick up, and most likely a few people can understand us but overall, we just say whatever we want. When we walk to the gym, or to Carrefour for groceries we talk about stuff we normally wouldn't in public, and we do it very loudly. That's our thing though. We're Those Loud Americans. Its cool because we're already very noticeable so now its like they're noticing our spirit and rambunctious laughter... instead of our white-ness.
But seriously, its easy to forget that people might understand us. Sometimes I feel like I'm in an ocean with a big bubble around me and all noises I make are absorbed into the water, or dissipated by the waves. Its hard to remember what its like to be in a sea of people that understand everything you say, and our sensitivity definitely lessens the longer we're here.
I hope this is one of those chart examples where there's a peak, then a huge drop off back into the normal range. I also put us in that category for when guests and staff stop telling us how beautiful we are.
Have I explained my theory of charts and their relation to my life?
There's the one I've said for a while based on my relative normal state of being and my emotional response with any variance from that norm. Basically, anything above or below that line of regular run-of-the-mill feelings is for me to cry. I cry when I'm happy, I cry when I'm sad, frustrated, angry, overjoyed, flattered...its amazing I have any other emotions at all considering how drained I could be. I try to stay at the homeostasis of unexceptional emotion, and not have the water works act up, but sometimes it just gets me!
There are others but maybe I'll just make picture charts instead.

People at work ask me what I do for my free time, and it makes me realize...the answer is rather pitiful. We go home, sometimes go grocery shopping or out to eat dinner, then we scurry back to the apartment to skype whomever is available. Or sleep. I hate to admit the number of hours I sleep here...some would say I'm wasting my precious time here...buut its overall better for me, right? After adjusting to a new schedule, blah blah blah, getting a routine set of course we aren't going out and exploring 24/7. At least that's how I like to justify it. I hope we do eventually get to the point where exploring everyday is the norm, and its unacceptable to sit at home every night. We'll make it to parks, the shore or beaches and probably find other cafes and restaurants to enjoy farther out from home...eventually anyway. Its been five weeks. Give me about two more and by then we'll have really settled in and found our groove for exploring.
For now though, going to be before 10 is imperative, and I can hear my down comforter and wooden pallet calling my name. (No but seriously, my bed is about as soft as packing crates in an Amazon warehouse, plus a sheet.)
I can successfully ask someone if they are done with their plate, understand if they need a napkin or a spoon and name most of the cutlery in they pantry, in Chinese.
Also, today when I asked a customer if he'd like something to drink and he replied, "Something something, blah, cheu-something", I replied cheerfully, "Orange juice it is!" That's gonna be my 'go to' from now on.

Raising the Bar, and Kiss My Mango.

I started my day around 3.00 today and it was glorious! Last night Heather and I met up with a couple guests at the hotel bar next to us in Furama. The bar itself called Susie Wong's, and its basically the opposite of a bar you would expect a 5 star hotel to have. It was already set up for a "club atmosphere" with thumping music and laser lights shooting everywhere, not to mention the waiters bobbed their heads along to the rocking jams...I understand what they're going for, but it just felt silly going in when all we wanted were a couple beers and conversation. The worst way to meet someone is taking them into a loud bar where only a few sentences can be exchanged and the meanings are usually lost.
 We decided to move our tiny party to JD's, the local ex pat watering hole/ dance club. I like JD's because of the music, the atmosphere of the people I'm with, and its amazing bathrooms. (Yeah that last part is a blatant lie. They're awful.) But its a great place to blow of steam, and act like great dancers!
My favorite part is when our group "gets up the courage" and goes to the stage to dance. We grab people to join us, and generally just rock out. Hey, we can't help it that we are such amazing dancers! I met up with a few of the girls I met earlier, and we had our own dance party- so much fun! We danced the night away til the wee hours, and made our way back home. JD's is an experience all in itself, and I should really take pictures...but I'm afraid it just won't do it any  justice. The atmosphere is intangible, and the experience is always interesting.
We tried our very own Shangri-La hotel bar, called F2 one night as well. It's a rather uncomfortable juxtaposition of styles, music eras, seating and overall design. We walked in at 8.30pm, and they gave us sparkling wine as part of a special, then BAM the bar turned into a night club complete with yet again, laser lights and blasting music. The effect was off putting, and the four of us girls had a hard time talking or hearing one another. Tricia spotted a guest across the bar, and they met up to chat for a bit then he came over with some work friends to talk. We got a booth, tried to talk over the noise, but generally had fun swapping stories. We met Leo, a work friend of our guests who apparently graduated from IU! What a small world! And the guest himself was the very same guest who got an intern from last year, a job in Bali. A small, small world!

Today Heather, Kamal and I went to an Indian restaurant, ordered some very tasty dishes, had great conversation. Next we decided to have an adventure shopping at Victory Plaza, or as Kamal kept saying, "Victoria's Plaza". Our poor taxi driver. Our first two minutes of being there was just the tip of the iceberg of things to ensue. Heather picked up a couple stuff pandas, exclaiming how cute they were. If you pulled them apart a string attached to each one sets off a voice box that says,"I love you" with a kissy noise. She put it back and we started walking away. THEN all of the sudden, this very angry voice behind us started yelling in Chinese. A man came up to us holding the panda bears that were supposedly broken by Heather. He fired away in Chinese, to pay for them, and wouldn't take no for an answer. My guess is he pulled it apart after we walked away and then accused us of breaking it to get money, and that just got my blood boiling. I was fuming as Heather and Kamal stood there trying to diffuse the situation, Kamal offering to pay while Heather kinda laughed about it. I kept trying to just walk away but he would not take no for an answer. Best part, he wanted 65 RMB for the crappy toys! After making a huge scene, and creating a big fuss he finally just took the 25RMB and practically threw the pandas at us. At this point I would've gladly reciprocated the gesture, but Heather and Kamal just walked away. I don't think I could live here simply because of the shopping experience. I feel like so much of it is a rip off, or the tension is too much to take. I just want to pay a reasonable price, for a good quality product. The shop owners act like you're stealing their first born if you don't buy something!
Not my idea of a good time.
We wandered around the underground mall looking at shoes for Heather. If I don't find what I want within about a half hour of shopping, I usually give up, so we went on a hunt for something sweet. We found a mall with a Starbucks, Hagen Daas, DQ and this place called KissMango. Cute, right? Sounds like a great place for a smoothie, and somewhere to relax. Wanting to be adventurous, and not have something we know, we chose KissMango. We ordered by pointing at pictures, of course, because that never steers us wrong. They delivered these items, in this order: first a lemon juice drink, because they were out of orange juice (off to a good start!) two green pillowy dessert thingys, that smelled frankly like someone's unwashed behind, three orange squishy balls with coconut on the outside and mango in the middle, a regular mango smoothie and their "thin" smoothie. (I think it was supposed to be green tea with red beans...Don't ask me about the translation from that to thin.) I tried the orange thingys first. The texture was chewy and it tasted ok, but then we tried the green pillowy things, however, the smell was too repulsive to enjoy the whipped cream like interior. My drink was supposed to be more like an icee, but it definitely had milk in it, and the lemon drink was...well just lemon water and how great can that be? I think Heather was the only one who liked her order. We decided that KissMango could Kiss our Mangoes, and shouted audios to the place and went to good ol' iCafe for a nice, safe dinner.

This blog post was of enormous proportions, and I apologize!

Manahmanah

It really wasn't meant to be. I mean, our love. A guest came into iCafe and I won't lie, he swept my heart away at first glance. And glances were exchanged I tell you that now. I bet you're shocked, thinking I've gone a little too far this time, but trust me...you didn't see him. He was beautiful. Dark almond shaped brown eyes, short spiky black hair, clear complexion...really a dream. He would look at me and smile this brilliant smile, and my heart melted every time. When I would walk past, he would turn his head and follow me with his eyes, very flirtatious! Finally I couldn't take it, and I went up to him and asked him if I could help him...he only smiled then coyly casually dropped his napkin on the floor. I picked it up for him, and he gave me that smile again. Then he started to stand up out of his high chair, so his mom picked him up and took him to the restroom to change him.
Sigh.
The title says it all...we play Christmas music all day now, everyday and its never ending. Guests ask me why, and I have no good reason for them...I hum along to O holy night for 30 minutes, then we switched it up to Carol of the Bells, plus some random piano add ins from a different song entirely.

You know, work is only hard when its un-enjoyable...I mean, yes hard work is hard work and you can get tired from it...but working when you love it seems easy. I really enjoy food service because of the rush, the demand, the motion. There's also lulls and quiet times to balance it out too, which is good. However, when the restaurant is really buzzing, and we are doing an elaborate dance to keep tables neat, drinks filled, checks delivered and customers happy, my adrenaline gets pumping and life seems exhilarating. I love the accomplishment of surviving a swarm of guests, while things are functioning well enough to keep up, and when I'm not tired. (obviously) Its a thrill, its exhausting and its just what I need to feel. Dead tired. After a long shift its sitting, drinking tea or watching tv after is all I can muster until the next shift, and that's how I prefer it.  That is until its been about six days, and I want a break. Of course!

I would like to tell you about our Executive Chef, Nicholas Blair. He grew up in Australia, but of Malaysian descent, a commanding presence that can quiet a room simply by walking in. My first week at Shangri-La was spent avoiding his intimidating gaze, and a stuttering introduction. He made the first move thankfully, and approached our party (by party I mean just the four girls...it was a somber party if otherwise) and introduced himself. I would describe him as shark-like. He walks into the kitchen and his staff dissipates into thin air. He is maybe a foot shorter than his colleagues, but his height doesn't affect the self composed nature he possesses innately.
I must say my anxiety about talking to him disappeared by our first conversation, as he made himself coffee and joked with me. Also, mainly when he had to wear a tall paper chefs hat at a luau type event, that he was obviously not thrilled about having on. I barely said hello (with a not so well disguised grin of delight at his predicament) he shushed me and told me not to even mention it. At dinner he'll chat with our group making funny observations about our guests and staff, and make fun of us for eating at the hotel again. Its nice to have someone in the kitchen to talk freely to, and joke around with who knows what I'm joking around with about...yeah. That made sense right?

Also, I attended a Chinese track and field day. Let me say its just as funny as attending any job hosted field and track day, complete with either very well muscled athletic people, or noodly, girly people. That also means by running and doing the 'long jump', the girls halfheartedly shuffled down the run way and did a little skip hop into the sand. Usually a whopping two inches from the edge. Hilarious. But fun was had by all, and we had a great excuse to sit outside in the sun for a few hours. I cheered on the F&B group with Heather, and Tricia and Sarah cheered on front office. I really enjoyed being out with my friends and yelling along with the other colleagues to get the contestants pumped up and run their little hearts out!

Also also, I usually go up to Rani, pronounced differently each time I say it, and sing some random song to her in a high pitched voice. She usually tilts her head to the side quizzically and shakes her head with a small smile.

I'm Guessing So.

Something always makes me laugh at work, to a point where I'm cracking up, holding dirty dishes and everyone is staring at me. To make matters even better I try to explain, while still laughing. Its not like they understand me when I speak clearly, or slowly, so just add some guffaws and snorts and its pretty much hopeless. The best part? I always end with, "Look at me, I'm craa-zy!" In a sing-song voice...just in case they think I'm being serious. That makes the whole situation better for them, and they can then laugh comfortably.
I swear I'm going a little crazy though.
Training, for me, means someone walks you through some motions or job, then have you do it on your own, maybe correct you but really they're there the whole time. Is it like that at iCafe? Nay nay!! They set you loose, have you watch others or make hesitant guesses on what to do, what the standard is, and how much work you need to accomplish. So far I've done a bang up job of pretending like I know what to do, and I think I fooled them. Til today. It's like the whole two weeks I've been at iCafe was an illusion to how I'd actually work, and the culmination of all the mistakes I should've made, were made today, like dropping silverware, flipping trays at customers, dumping orange juice on my foot, stepping in gum (ok that's not actually a mistake, but its still annoying!!) and etc. All this mid heavy heavy business hours.
I'm not a patient person. In fact you could say I'm in-patient which means more than impatient, (just like in-famous, which means more than famous). To have me do a job without telling what is expected is hard enough, but to correct me WHILE I'm rushing around trying to keep up with the traffic of crazy people getting up, eating, making messes, yelling for plates to be removed that I try to remove earlier, but OH NO can't take it then, kinda traffic...is not cool.
Also, its even more frustrating to say to someone how frustrated is, then have to explain what frustrated means while biting back a flow of not so nice things. Don't get me wrong, I really like my cowor--- colleagues, and they are really nice about any mistakes I make...but I hate making them in the first place. I just want to be told what to do, and how to do it...without someone breathing down my neck, but without watching me fail either! Doesn't help that they are playing Christmas music, buuut they added some techno/synthesizer action to "mix it up".

Now I mutter things to myself while dumping heaps of shells and shrimp casings into tiny bins, while I make inane comments to the servers around me. When I'm in the dining room, its all business, gracious smiles and upright postures, but at that pantry I'm basically a six year old. I mean...I drink a lot of juice. And I make faces at people, and make bird noises. For some reason though, these people still want to talk and be nice to me.
On a sad note, today was Jackie Chan's last day, and our German friend Thomas is leaving Dalian tomorrow. So many goodbyes already and its only been four weeks. I'm not looking forward to leaving behind the friends I've made here, even though I know I'm going back to the ones I couldn't leave either.
What's the deal with all these leavings and comings? I've known for years that's there's always goodbyes, and always meetings. They just mean more the older I get.

Another highlight to my day is the escalating conversations I have with our Chinese or Japanese guests. They go, "blah blah, something something, blahhhlblah?" And I say, with a little smile, "Mei guo". This sparks a delighted reaction and they begin firing off questions, first one being, "blahh blabhahsomethingblahh?" So, of course I reply, "yi dian dian". THEN a flood of conversation follows in rapid fire Chinese and I have to shake my head, give a little self deprecating laugh and say sweetly, "dui bu shi, wo bu mingbai".
Translation?
Chinese Guest: Oh, I can see that you are not Chinese* Where are you from?
Me: (guessing) I'm from America. (little smile)
CG: (excitedly) Oh! Since you answered in Chinese you must speak it fluently, am I correct?*
Me: A little. (smile a little more)
CG: Blah blahblahh something blah blah!!!
Me: Oooh, sorry, I don't understand. I can only say 'America', and 'a little'. (self deprecating shake of head, polite laugh)
*Denotes dialogue I think they're saying.
It happens like that Every. Single. Time. Guessing has become a daily exercise, and talking to my colleagues is like playing drunken Mad Gab.

Also, my arch nemesis here in China; tiny tables, exactly butt height, and not exactly hip width apart. I picked up about five salt and pepper shakers today.

It's a Cafe Kinda Day

As I write this I will apologize in advance as I am incredibly hyped up on all sorts of caffeine. If I start to ramble, or seem to bounce around topics like a ten year old on a pogo stick, that's why! Today started out at Cafe Copenhagen, a sweet ex pat cafe with a simple design, excellent breakfast (served until 4!) and french pressed coffee. Our group sat from about 12 noon til around 3pm, just chilling. Best part, this place is a hop and a skip away from the residences! Eventually I see myself grabbing a book and finding a nice place to park on the couch for the afternoon there. After we strolled back from our leisurely lunch, I decided a siesta was in order, as per usu, and took myself a quick nap.
Let me explain. Taking a nap is now ingrained into my daily habits. I have nap time around three thirty and its non negotiable!
When I awoke, refreshed and hungry I made my way to the iCafe for a short dinner with the girls, had green tea, and then head to Cafe Ruby's...for more tea! I really like Ruby's. It's about as American as it comes, only you can smoke inside, and the menu is in Chinese. There are leather couches you can sink into, sip on some hot beverages, smoothies or have a sandwich, and listen to great music, e.g. Norah Jones and Louie Armstrong. At night it converts to a bar, and they have live music up on a tiny stage. As far as ordering drinks, I would suggest ordering the 'pu er' tea, as it is strong and it apparently makes you skinny...I don't know how credible that is...but I mostly drink it because it packs a punch.
Honestly it's all I can do to not type in all caps right now so you can grasp the state of being I'm in. SOOO MUCH CAFFEINE!!!
I'm gonna go run in circles around the apartment now!!!

Tact Not Required, and a Bucket List

I spend about 8 hours a day at iCafe, so it makes sense that I would go there for dinner...and spend another three drinking tea. The night started with Tricia, Heather and Thomas eating dinner, and when those two left Tricia and I we had a guest and Sarah join us. It was very pleasant sitting and talking, drinking tea and generally loitering. I really like my coworkers, ahem I mean colleagues, and I like seeing them when I'm not in beige. That way they know I'm not a loaf of bread.

At lunch it was a normal day, nothing too special, just guest eating like they do, and making messes. I took drink orders, delivered coffee and generally cleaned up after them. I don't mind this work, as its rather uncomplicated and if you smile generously most people have a positive response to any interactions you might have. I've noticed that certain guests, usually older Chinese men had about one mode of response; a grunt, and or a curt nod of the head. Women usually smile or indicate more clearly if they want their plates cleared or not. But there are those that I play the 'uh' game with. I say politely, "Ni hao, may I take your plate?" and gesture, open palm to their dishes that look finished. I get some blank looks so I reach for it, and then they do a gesture that is neither confirming or dis-confirming, so we yo-yo back and forth of me taking them or not. Eventually I blush madly and walk away. Also, I've taken to muttering under my breath as I walk away, and I say, "nope!" a lot. Looking for more jam, none in the cabinet, "nope!" That and when I think of funny things that have happened, I start smiling and laughing to myself...I am the crazy foreigner of iCafe.
Then there is the guest that randomly say things that make me start and blush furiously and go, "ahhahhgahh". Like the Japanese gentleman that I was clearing the table for, as I was leaning over to take a plate he told me I was beautiful. I awkwardly laughed, kinda shrunk into myself and a stream of babbled nonsense poured out me...I can't handle compliments. The other day as I approached a table of westerners, one of the guest laid it on a little heavy telling me my radiance filled the room as I approached.
How does one respond to this? Apparently I kinda snort and hiccup and go ahhhagghhh while simultaneously running away. This seems like an acceptable response to me. Either that or I suddenly have to pick up coffee mugs from under the counter.
In that, this culture is hugely different. They say things. Sometimes they are very nice, and I feel all warm and gushy inside, but other times its things like, "You look so tired today" or "that shirt is too dark, my grandmother wears clothes like that, its too old". Also telling someone they are getting fat is no big deal, and don't even eat sweets in front of them because they will inform you that you will get fat. Gee thanks.

I received a piece of advice from my family. I was told to do things I wouldn't normally do in America. I don't intend to go crazy, but I see the wisdom in it. Being here is already not normal, and when will I have the chance to make memories like this? Who knows. So far, its been nothing hugely out the ordinary but my plans are big. We started a China bucket list. Basically we are accomplishing things that normally would never happen, things like sitting on elephant statues in front of the mall, or go back to that horrendous restaurant with the plate of bones and order something good. With the other stuff, I'll wait to tell you until it happens. Each one will be a story unto itself:)

Also I work with Jackie Chan.
Ok he's not actually Jack Chan, but he looks like him (hey not racist, he *really* does) and he even nods his head like him!

I shot the...Sheriee?

Personally, I think there's nothing funnier than translating Chinese to English. (Ok, not exactly true. People falling down pretty much always makes me laugh). Today I looked crazy as I was mumbling to myself and chuckling quietly. Sometimes not quietly at all. I keep overhearing or reading these phrases my colleagues were saying and some of them were hilarious! One being on a card we signed for a guest's anniversary. First off, I wrote, "Happy Anniversary and best wishes from the iCafe! Enjoy your time here in Dalian!", and signed my name hoping other would follow suit. They did but just not quite as I expected. First everyone else copied what I wrote WORD FOR WORD all over the card, then signed their name. Also good spelling was optional. There was 'annivorsery's, anniversery's, and even an annvorisry. However, my favorite phrase was the "Happy Everyday" with the 'e' backwards.
I love my job here.

Speaking of Engrish, I went shopping at a mall here call Victory Plaza. I liken it to Harry Potter in a way, but less...dark. Oh and no wizards.
You descend down into a basement into a underground city, and suddenly all there is to life is shoes, clothes, gaudy jewelry and crushing amounts of people meandering around. It doesn't stop there though, oh no! Four stories down. Into the clutches of the earth. I felt like I would be swallowed alive surrounded by sandals and pink billowy skirts. Lets just say I wouldn't go alone...
Thankfully Mary, my new friend who incidentally is an amazing shopper took me there and we scoured the market, gleaned treasures and I strolled my way through my first clothes shopping experience in China. I think I got some good deals, and Mary is a genius at bargaining. I acted incredibly disinterested (Thanks for the advice, Rachel) and we got some ok discounts. There was one item in particular though, I just had to have. I spotted the white tee way up on the top rack, peeking out behind other un-ostentatious looking shirts, and found my first spelled check skipped purchase. A sheriff's badge with the word 'sheriee' proudly emblazoned on a blue star. I cracked up, and I pretty much haven't stopped smiling since I laid eyes on it.

Today I taught a service leader to say, "She be straight trippin' yo". He taught me a song in Chinese about being polite. Maaybe I should reconsider my curriculum plan...

Skills Required: Chatting

Seriously. I get to talk all day to people. It's like my drug, I get emotionally high everyday from the interactions because they are just so fun! I talked with a guest today named Kristof, maybe Christof...anyway he's German, and hilarious. There is just something about certain people that make you want to sit down and talk with them for hours. He had this twinkle about him, and by god he made me laugh. When I would say anything he would nod emphatically, exclaim some kind of amazement and smile as if his world had changed forever in the best way. I was the most interesting person he'd ever met, and if not, by heck if I couldn't help but feel that way! He would literally exclaim, "Good lord!" after some statement I'd make, and be so enthusiastic that I had to laugh. Guests like that just make being here so much more worthwhile.
The hotel wants us here to improve guest relations of the western variety, and they are not exactly shameful by using four younger girls to accomplish that. I'm not complaining so don't get me wrong.

The girls here are much different. They are close. Very close. As in they will hold hands unabashedly while walking around. The first time a girl from work took my hand and walked me down the hall I stiffened and felt enormously awkward. If you know me at all I value my space. Sarah is probably laughing because saying that is just such an understatement! I don't do touchy feely very well, even with people I know and love very much. But this sweet girl at work, named Mary, decided to take me under her wing (and shopping) and with that accepted me as her sister. Sister could be anything from cousin to best friend, it doesn't really matter since there's not much distinction. The second time someone took my hand and held it as we walked I just let it go. The girls are so happy to be friends with us, and there is no pettiness or slyness about them and I'm happy to put aside my own comfort zone to meet them halfway. I mean...it might take a while before I am comfortable taking someone else's hand that's not my boyfriend's or my family, but I think its important to be less uptight for once and try.
Emphasis on try hah.

So far the weather has been great, very comfortable and cool. I think this season is the best and we will enjoy it until summer's full heat arrives. At night we can easily stroll around without jackets, and not be cold in the least. I look forward to warmer days that we can enjoy out on a beach. And by enjoy I mean, we might lay on some rocky shoreline and maybe wade in a few feet. I don't imagine beach time like it would be in Florida or the gulf areas unfortunately. However its definitely a planned activity for the girls and I to go and do eventually.

Today, much later from now, I'm shopping with Mary, first going to lunch then maybe even getting some clothes. Hopefully we can manage without a translator since we have some bumpy conversations at work, and our team leader usually helps us out. I'm not worried though, we will have a lovely time I'm sure :)

Also, I'm teaching phrases to my colleagues in the iCafe. Today they learned "my bad" and next week we're gonna go with, "Yo! What's up?"

slow death...

I start the day at approximately 5.30pm, then I'm fully done with work around 3ish, and it is a progression of labor that peaks around 9.30 and 1pm. My makeup and hair look great as I step out the door, and my hackneyed panty hose socks are fresh and in their proper place. The uniform seems crisp, and the pants ever flowy. However as the day goes on, my whole being begins to sag and frizz. I lost the smooth updo look around 10.30 and had flyaways sticking out everywhere, my lipstick is gone completely and my "socks" are coming off and out of my flats. My feet hurt, my back aches and my face feels like a botox injection gone wrong from smiling all day. I limp back to my apartment and lay as one dead for a couple sweet and glorious moments. Right now, the last muster of energy was spent dragging my feet through our grocery store.
What about dinner you ask, ever so kindly, thinking of my well being. Well, says me...I might have ordered room service.
Yep.
That just happened. I ordered room service because I can't make it off the couch or this surprisingly comfortable dinner table chair, and because...this might be the only time I get to do this so don't judge me.

So now I'm going to veg like its my job, and do absolutely nothing else tonight.

Central Perk and Brooklyn...

Just some more happenings here in Dalian China.
1. No matter how hard someone tries to talk to you in Chinese, you don't suddenly learn it to know what they're talking about. They can talk slower, louder, softer and even repeat words.......it doesn't help and both of you will shake your head and smile, then be awkward as the silent elevator ascends like 100 stories.
2. China is just a hop skip (taxi ride) and a skip away from New York. No really!
yeah ok...its not quite New York. Its a block containing two things in or around New York...or maybe just one Real thing around New York. What's important is that we went, ok??
We went to Central Perk first, got some coffee, or some other fancy drink, sat and talked. Like ya do. Then Brooklyns was a heaven sent with french fries, which I have been needing since last week. Weird thing cuz I rarely crave them. Maybe the lack of them drove up my demand...whoa, did I just mention economics in my blog??

Coffee houses are so amazing. They somehow combine three things I love doing, talking, drinking hot delicious liquids, and doodling. I can do all three for hours, maybe days. Although I've never tested that...hmm...time for some hypothesis and theory testing.
There I go again with school-y things!
I must be homesick. Or tired. Or the altitude of the apartment is getting to me...

3. The people I work with in iCafe (the restaurant in Shangri-La) are ADORABLE. I mean, most of them. Definitely not all. The first girl I worked with was named Rani, and she has a sweet round face, soft speech and this way of tilting her head and tapping her chin when she's trying to think of English words, and don't even get me started on James and Kevin! Ages range from 18-27 of servers and pantry workers. Have I mentioned my time in the pantry? I've learned some things about that place. Maybe you don't want to know, but I'm going to tell you anyway.
Its gross.
Ok. I'm done.
But back to the cutest people ever. Seriously folks, I feel like a tromping elephant next to these delicate people. I crash around setting up silverware and plates, attempting to look graceful in my beige and red tiger shirt and flowing gouchos. I've learned a gracious nod and apologetic smile go a long way with any natives, and a self deprecating laugh and straight talk goes even farther with the "western guest". So far, the people I've talk to are incredibly nice and interested in my backstory. I feel silly because its far from interesting. A lot them are business men, living for months even years here for work. I'm just here to "learn" about F&B in a hotel while primarily being a "familiar" face to the "westerners". Lots of people fall under that category I've found. Being western has its advantages here too...you should think about visiting. Seriously. I'll get you a nice rate.

How did I get so off topic?? Must be the tea...or the sappy love songs I'm listening to on my iTunes, since the internet is too weak to stream Pandora or Spotify. I'm sadly behind in music now, and am stuck with my music selections I listened to in high school...

Whew! Gotta say...I love being here. Yes I miss the quiet of my hometown, waking up late on weekends to watch tv not in a foreign language, seeing my family or being with the people I love, and even just sitting out on a porch with nothing but birds and light breezes. Here its hustle bustle, looming buildings, crowds of people that don't care for waiting for anything (even if that means risking life and limb in heavy traffic!), shopping, eating, and  jagged attempts at communication. Its a new pace. Maybe I can withstand it, maybe not.
I'll guess we'll see!

The UnGuru

   I really was going to the gym today, I promise. Instead Tricia and I had a spiritual (and lucky) walk with an unguru and his son. We were on our way, ready to hit the treadmills, when we happened upon a odd looking gentleman  and his youngish son. I could tell they were lost and and he was attempting to ask directions from a Chinese policeman, and getting nowhere fast. We approached and ask the obvious, "Do you need directions?" He laughed and appeared very relieved that we were speaking English. Then we went through the song and dance of where he needed to go, how he was going to get there (first their hotel, then a simple switch to a mall) and what we could do to help. I called my friend at HR, did some research for routes and realized I couldn't help him unless we sent him off in a taxi. He seemed much more interested in going on a journey than taking a simple taxi ride, and in true Ann fashion I cheerfully obliged (meaning it was an accidental journey...I couldn't have planned that). Good thing my innate sense of direction and impervious enthusiasm was in high gear today, just sayin. 

How we found that mall I'll never know. I spent half the time listening to Yohan chatted happily about his world travels and the other half randomly turning onto side streets and hoping wildly it was the right direction. Believe me, you would not be surprised by looking at him that his is well traveled. He wore round John Lennon tinted glasses, a hat over his grizzly salt and pepper hair that ends in a twisted ponytail and his clothes were earthy colors that could only be worn by an unguru. Did I mention the Jesus sandals? Anyway he talked of the mind and how beneficial yoga is...LOL right?  His son was fairly normal looking chap, and I say chap because he had a distinct and crisp English accent. Together they made an unlikely traveling duo, but I bet they have the most wild experiences as they jump from country to country. We had a most pleasant hour with them, as I guessed on each street corner which way to go, but they seemed unfazed as we wound through side streets, sketchy neighborhoods and perilous traffic. Somehow I found that mall, and I sighed a heavy sigh of relief and we joyfully parted ways. Mom, you would've been so proud, I regained some family honor today and I didn't even hardly use technology!

My sense of helpfulness (and direction) were boosted healthily today, and I'm all for meeting people like this on a normal basis.

Also, my job I might just have to talk to people primarily, and clean secondarily. Cleaning also takes a back seat when Westerners are around. Imagine my devastation!

Food. Cusine. Essen. Comida. Etc.

The food here is a lot of hit or miss, but when its hit- its really really hit. I have had some pretty phenomenal food ranging from DYI BBQ where a hole in the table holds hot coals, to rather sketchy looking noodle place, to a sit down with mind numbing spicy food. I am very glad I joined a gym. The BBQ was fun and very tasty. The grate they give you is changed out between meats, so we had beef and chicken (yes beef...China has expanded my horizons a little in that respect) then tons of side dishes like salads, daikon spicy slaw and a delicious corn pancake thing. Also beer is involved, and by beer I mean the bottles come in liters...whats up America? Whats with dinky 12 oz's? I'm spoiled forever.
The noodle place was very small, and seemed a bit dodgy but the food was excellent, and have I mentioned how cheap? So very wonderfully cheap!
Next in a true adventurous fashion a friend and colleague of ours took us out to a restaurant in a mall. They have lots of things in malls that I don't expect, like gyms and day care centers. Anyway, the restaurant was soo delicious, I had a spicy dish that was basically kung pao chicken, only this chicken in particular was on spicy steroids! It upped the notch for spiciness to a whole new level, and all the other "kung pao" chicken dishes I've ever had was left puttering in the dust. Most of us ordered spicy dishes, and there was a little bit of sweating involved.
My lips are still kinda numb actually.

One thing I won't stop looking forward too is the old guy who washes car outside of our hotel. Every time we pass he gives us a nearly toothless smile and a thumbs up. He makes sure to look at all of us, smiles widely look pleased as punch to see us, gives the "ok" signal with his hands and nods emphatically. We all giggle like...well like girls and try to act like it no big deal.

Its weird to think we have a routine now. We work a shift, or do an orientation, come back get changed power walk fifteen minutes to our super trendy gym, work out, go to our favorite smoothie booth with the cute cow face, go home, skype, rinse, repeat. Sometimes we go out to the bars, or to a nice restaurant because we have awesome friends who still don't mind hauling us around. The bar scene is different for two reasons: 1. There are a lot of people speaking in a foreign language so ordering drinks is more challenging, 2. You can buy drinks by the bottle.
This means we can get a bottle of rum and make our own drinks from it, which is cheaper and pretty great! The rest of it is normal bar scene stuff, people dancing like they don't care and loud thumping music. Its pretty fun, and its nice to go out and meet up with our friends for a fun stress busting night.
With that said, I'm gonna kick back and get some rest from my huge meal, and watch some tv that I don't understand.

Don't be nice, I might cry.

Today was just a continuation of an emotional roller coaster sob fest night. I would've been more prepared for the first day's emotional onslaught if a wave of homesickness didn't just crash down on me five hours before.
I was on the brink of tears for approximately nine hours, and every ten minutes I had to remind myself to stop thinking about how homesick I was. Scratch that. I am homesick. It seems like the simple tasks are the most challenging. I mean you have time to think, and thinking can lead to many different possibly problematic scenarios. Maybe you start thinking about how much you want to take a nap, or how much your feet are hurting in your hotel issued high heels (for example)....then the more introspective thoughts roll in, and you replay conversations, remember moments of real connections, grimace at past misunderstandings, or relive embarrassments. Whenever I get time like that on my hands, I think I'll stick to singing Disney songs instead. Seems safer.
I stood in the pantry area of our hotel's iCafe restaurant, rolled silverware, cleaned glasses, sorted silverware and generally looked awkward and lost. A smattering of light chitchat dotted my morning and highlighted my day, but I still felt unwelcoming eyes on me. I wanted so badly to understand the joking around me, and jump in on the banter that was obviously playing out. Instead I stood over some rigid, unresponsive cutlery, and sniffed back self pitying tears.
Have you ever had the feeling you know people are talking about you, making rude remarks and being obviously unhappy with your very presence? That happened to me about 80 times today. For some reason I find little to no warmth from the customers, and just a tepid response from my colleagues. I struggle with staying positive, knowing the language barrier will slowly break down as we start trying to teach each other our native tongues. My skin is a little too thin for cross cultural encounters quite yet, but I am determined to be as tough as a rhino by the time I leave.

Its time for big girl panties. I'm just kinda tired, and I don't think today is quite the day for them, but I'm aiming for Monday, so lets see how it goes.