Getting Better

Day 6
Today I almost didn’t feel like getting out of bed. Almost. That can only mean that I am starting to adjust to the time change, which is a relief because I don’t think I can survive on only a couple of hours of sleep. It’s nice to start becoming more comfortable and familiar with the way of things here in Shanghai. Everyone is rood. When taking the bus, it is a battle to see who can get the empty seats. Drivers are not afraid to completely cut each other off. In the states, the people generally have the right of way, but here, it is again survival of the fittest. The bigger always wins, and the bigger is the bus. Just like in Cincinnati, buses rule the road, except here they drive without any regard for anyone else (I guess that applies to Cincinnati bus drivers sometimes).

I finished my first draft of my hotel design today and I’m very pleased with it because Terry didn’t have to tell me to try and try and try. Work is getting better and the people are getting more accustomed to me and I am to them. Lunch was interesting because the question of my age came up and they all thought I was 25-26 years old. WRONG! Lunch was awesome. There was some kinda pork, beef and then chicken with peanuts. I ate some of the green peppers and it wasn’t that bad. I’m really digging the food and so far no belly aches. I can’t wait to learn more Chinese so that I can go to a restaurant and order food by myself.

Speaking of which. I knew going into my meeting with Nancy that I would be a beginner 1 student when it came to mandarin lessons. I’m really excited for these lessons. You probably have no idea of what it is like to walk around and not be able to understand almost everything. Or to be at work and to not understand a lick of what your co-workers are saying. It’s really frustrating because I KNOW they are sometimes talking about me. Looks like things are starting to get better and that’s the way I like it.