this is major tom to ground control

this week:

the sun nearly killed me

a completely stark naked 8 year-old boy snuck downstairs into the shop whilst his papa was distracted selling me beer, stole a candy bar and waddled back upstairs with his prize. Nobody else saw.

i went to an english corner where Chinese people can practise their English and ask many, MANY questions about the west. (i'm famous now)

a little boy told me his favourite thing was to do in the city was to eat Hagen-Dasz. i asked him which flavour, and he just said "all the flavours" as if it was obvious. what a hero.

i played a friendly game of badminton with my students. they destroyed me. it was brutal.

i got given a slice of cake from one of my students because it was HER birthday. if that's how it works here, my birthday's gonna be expeeeeeeeensive if i'm working that day...

i visited a buddhist temple. it had an all-you-can-eat vegetarian buffet (because China) and now i think i'm gonna have to convert.

accidentally said "bloody" in class and now my students won't stop saying it

lost my glasses (time of death: 21 days)

learned that there's a Walmart here - can't wait to exploit its riches

got paid - can now live like a king

paid back my friends - can now live like a student

but most importantly of all - THIS WEEKEND I'M BEING TAUGHT HOW TO MAKE CHINESE DUMPLINGS (jiao zi). This is what the dream is, people.

i'll send photos of the mess as it happens.

hope you're happy too,

peace and love,

J xo