I could write and write and write about the interesting things that happened to me this week, but I will spare you by summarizing.

My first week of vacation was characterized by meeting with a different student each day and eating and then having a fun “adventure”.  I got more creative after too much shopping.  So here are the top interesting adventures of my week.

1.  Swimming at our school’s sports complex.  The pools are new and clean and huge, the other swimmers gave my friend and me free lessons, and it was a way to exercise happily.  However, cultural flexibility was required for the Chinese ladies locker room experience.  I decided that I’d have to scrap my American ideas of modesty for a few minutes or I’d be really, really embarrassed.

2.  Visiting the museum about the Jewish heritage of our city.  Apparently, the Russian influence of the early 1900s of which our city is so proud was mainly Jewish.  The museum is interesting and provided an amazing opportunity to answer questions of the friend who went with me.

3.  Dumpling making with friends.  I was able to have friends over several times this week, once unexpectedly.  There were chances to learn things, eat good food, pr together, and reach out to others around us.

4.  Riding the bus.  I decided to find out if I could take  the 207 bus all the way to our favorite western cafe, thus saving lots of money in taxis in the future.  First, however, I accidently took the bus all the way in the other direction.  I learned pretty much everywhere this bus goes and that I don’t want to end up at the last stop ever again.  Unless, I’m looking for a restaurant specializing in donkey meat.

5.  Eating tofu.  Something I’ve come to love in China.  And now know where to buy and how to fix!  Hurray for less calories and more protein.

6.  Buying cheaper food at a better market.  Which I discovered can be reached easily on the 207 bus.  HA!  The price of ground beef is now halved.  Let the hamburgers begin!

7.  Buying more contacts.  The freedom from glasses, even though my new glasses are cool, is something I won’t take for granted after several weeks without contacts.  I can now enter a building or vehicle or wear a scarf without the steam blocking my view.

8.  Lost.  I have to admit it.  After years of resisting, I finally watched the first episode of season 1 of Lost.  I knew I’d have to watch them all.  Now in season 3, my dislike of most of the characters is cemented.  But I’m still watching, thanks to Chinese video piracy skills.

There’s a lot more I could say about this week.  Things that I’ve learned and decided and have practiced and have failed at.  But I’ll save that.  The point of having a better blog and more time is to catch you all up, right?