I would have posted sooner, but my computer seems to still think I am in China and is blocking blogspot. I am currently using my mom's laptop.
Anyway...I probably won't be posting much for the next two months since I'll be pretty boring. I play Suzie Homemaker when I'm home. I like to do what I can to help out around the house with cooking and cleaning. Tonight I made tandoori chicken with couscous. Yum!
I do plan to post with blanket updates at least, though. I did a first layout of the blanket and it looks a little bit smaller than I guessed it would be. I may end up knitting a few more squares or just putting it together as is. We'll see.
I suppose that's all for now. Hopefully once my computer is totally wiped I will be able to get on blogspot and such again.
Much love!
Stephanie
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Shanghai Pride
Figured I might as well post again since I am bored and trying to stay awake. I've been away from this blog for a bit. Some fun stuff has happened since I last posted for real. One of the most exciting was Shanghai Pride.
This was the first Pride event in mainland China (or at least that's what I heard), so it was kind of cool to be a part of history. I was a volunteer during the week and went to three of the events.
The first one I went to was the opening night at Vargas grill. They showed a documentary about queer history in China which was very interesting. There was also a very tasty dinner. On thursday I was a volunteer at the wine tasting. Thursday I was still pretty sick so I didn't drink but rather stayed at the table all night greeting guests, selling raffle tickets and t-shirts.
I was thinking of going to see the performance of the Laramie Project that was planned for Friday, but the authorities intervened and it ended up being canceled.
Saturday was the huge all day event at Cotton's. I got there around 11am and helped with setup. Mostly moving tables and chairs around and stuffing gift bags for the guests. When the festival officially started at 2pm I was at the greeting table getting the gift bags ready and selling t-shirts. After a bit I also did some face painting. Mostly rainbows.
There were rainbow banners completely covering up the courtyard the party was in. It was funny to see people walking by peeking in to see what all the fuss was about. Apparently some plain clothes cops showed up, but I completely missed that. Dunno how. Glad that the party got to continue though.
There were lots of fun activities during the day like drag performances and raffle drawings. There was also a gay marriage ceremony at the end of the event. It was cool.
There are two things that I remember most about Pride. One was that it was HOT. I felt like I was swimming in humidity and sweat all day. Blech. The other was that it was CROWDED. I was surprised that the organizers got such a small venue for the event, but I was really glad to see that it got completely packed.
There was an after party at Glamour Bar but I was exhausted (also still sick...and now drugged up after being to the clinic) so I went back to my apartment and went to bed.
Here's hoping that this is one of many future steps forward for China on the front of sexual equality.
-Stephanie
This was the first Pride event in mainland China (or at least that's what I heard), so it was kind of cool to be a part of history. I was a volunteer during the week and went to three of the events.
The first one I went to was the opening night at Vargas grill. They showed a documentary about queer history in China which was very interesting. There was also a very tasty dinner. On thursday I was a volunteer at the wine tasting. Thursday I was still pretty sick so I didn't drink but rather stayed at the table all night greeting guests, selling raffle tickets and t-shirts.
I was thinking of going to see the performance of the Laramie Project that was planned for Friday, but the authorities intervened and it ended up being canceled.
Saturday was the huge all day event at Cotton's. I got there around 11am and helped with setup. Mostly moving tables and chairs around and stuffing gift bags for the guests. When the festival officially started at 2pm I was at the greeting table getting the gift bags ready and selling t-shirts. After a bit I also did some face painting. Mostly rainbows.
There were rainbow banners completely covering up the courtyard the party was in. It was funny to see people walking by peeking in to see what all the fuss was about. Apparently some plain clothes cops showed up, but I completely missed that. Dunno how. Glad that the party got to continue though.There were lots of fun activities during the day like drag performances and raffle drawings. There was also a gay marriage ceremony at the end of the event. It was cool.
There are two things that I remember most about Pride. One was that it was HOT. I felt like I was swimming in humidity and sweat all day. Blech. The other was that it was CROWDED. I was surprised that the organizers got such a small venue for the event, but I was really glad to see that it got completely packed.
There was an after party at Glamour Bar but I was exhausted (also still sick...and now drugged up after being to the clinic) so I went back to my apartment and went to bed.
Here's hoping that this is one of many future steps forward for China on the front of sexual equality.-Stephanie
Last Day of Work
Well today was my last day at work. After a bit of a rush and being super-last-minute-productive, I got everything done. Cleaned off my desk, was interviewed by a guy working on his dissertation, finished correcting finals, wrote up student comments and summer homework, and took some pictures!
I took 4 pictures of each class. Two serious and two silly, both with and without me. I would upload them all but my interwebs are being so sloooooow today. So I am just putting up the two serious ones with me. Look at all my lovely students! (You can click on them to make them much bigger.)
Here is me with grade 10 class 1.
And this is grade 10 class 2.
I look like Godzilla or something next to them. Notice that I am about the same height as the students standing two steps up from me.
I am currently drinking my third cup of coffee tonight and trying to stay awake. I have a few reasons. One is it makes it easier to get over my jetlag if I deprive myself of sleep before heading home (and after making this stupid time change 9 times I have a bit of experience with jetlag). Another is the only way I can sleep on a plane is if I am completely exhausted. The third is that I am ultra paranoid that I will miss my alarm or something. I have a bad habit of sleeping through my alarm when I am very tired and I don't want to miss my flight. Must...stay...awake...
I did the math and figured out that from door to door, apartment to home back in CT, this trip is going to take me about 28 hours. My cab is picking me up tomorrow at 5:30am (or today I suppose, since it is currently 1:20am). I have a flight from Shanghai to Beijing and then from Beijing to JFK. Should be arriving in NYC a little after 2pm EST (2am China time). Have to go through customs and baggage claim and all that jazz and then wait for my shuttle bus to Hartford. Should arrive there a little after 9pm. Then my friend is picking me up and driving me home. I only live a few minutes out of Hartford so will hopefully be home around 9:30pm or so EST. Exactly 28 hours.
I hate this part of traveling. The part right before everything actually starts. I worry. I worry that my luggage is too heavy. That I forgot to buy or pack something. That I'll get stopped at customs for some reason. Since I am leaving my apartment for two months I am afraid I am going to leave some sort of mess and come back to a horrible smell or tons of flies. I think the place is pretty near spotless after all my work tonight, but I am a worrier.
There's really nothing left to do. Dishes and laundry are done. The apartment is swept. The water heaters are off. The fridge is turned down. My sheets are clean. My bags are packed. My carryon is full of books, knitting and sudoku. I just need to put on my sneakers and pack my laptop and I'm good to go.
I suppose I should go watch a movie or something...
See you in about a little over a day, America.
-Stephanie
I took 4 pictures of each class. Two serious and two silly, both with and without me. I would upload them all but my interwebs are being so sloooooow today. So I am just putting up the two serious ones with me. Look at all my lovely students! (You can click on them to make them much bigger.)
Here is me with grade 10 class 1.
And this is grade 10 class 2.
I look like Godzilla or something next to them. Notice that I am about the same height as the students standing two steps up from me.I am currently drinking my third cup of coffee tonight and trying to stay awake. I have a few reasons. One is it makes it easier to get over my jetlag if I deprive myself of sleep before heading home (and after making this stupid time change 9 times I have a bit of experience with jetlag). Another is the only way I can sleep on a plane is if I am completely exhausted. The third is that I am ultra paranoid that I will miss my alarm or something. I have a bad habit of sleeping through my alarm when I am very tired and I don't want to miss my flight. Must...stay...awake...
I did the math and figured out that from door to door, apartment to home back in CT, this trip is going to take me about 28 hours. My cab is picking me up tomorrow at 5:30am (or today I suppose, since it is currently 1:20am). I have a flight from Shanghai to Beijing and then from Beijing to JFK. Should be arriving in NYC a little after 2pm EST (2am China time). Have to go through customs and baggage claim and all that jazz and then wait for my shuttle bus to Hartford. Should arrive there a little after 9pm. Then my friend is picking me up and driving me home. I only live a few minutes out of Hartford so will hopefully be home around 9:30pm or so EST. Exactly 28 hours.
I hate this part of traveling. The part right before everything actually starts. I worry. I worry that my luggage is too heavy. That I forgot to buy or pack something. That I'll get stopped at customs for some reason. Since I am leaving my apartment for two months I am afraid I am going to leave some sort of mess and come back to a horrible smell or tons of flies. I think the place is pretty near spotless after all my work tonight, but I am a worrier.
There's really nothing left to do. Dishes and laundry are done. The apartment is swept. The water heaters are off. The fridge is turned down. My sheets are clean. My bags are packed. My carryon is full of books, knitting and sudoku. I just need to put on my sneakers and pack my laptop and I'm good to go.
I suppose I should go watch a movie or something...
See you in about a little over a day, America.
-Stephanie
Thursday, 4 June 2009
SixFour
I'm alive. I've just been kinda ill the past few days so nothing new to report and also the internet in my apartment has been wonky so posting wasn't really an option. I have been filling my time with crafting and watching "Dexter".
I've found some interesting school news. I am now an Extended Essay adviser and will be teaching a few Theory of Knowledge lectures next semester. I am very excited about both. It makes me feel like a real IB teacher.
Because of the anniversary of today's date even more websites have been blocked here which makes surfing the net a little frustrating. I am hoping in a few days time a few things will loosen up.
Lucy's birthday is tomorrow which I am really looking forward to. Also looking forward to giving her the necklace and bracelet set I made for her. Pictures soon!
Much love,
Stephanie
I've found some interesting school news. I am now an Extended Essay adviser and will be teaching a few Theory of Knowledge lectures next semester. I am very excited about both. It makes me feel like a real IB teacher.
Because of the anniversary of today's date even more websites have been blocked here which makes surfing the net a little frustrating. I am hoping in a few days time a few things will loosen up.
Lucy's birthday is tomorrow which I am really looking forward to. Also looking forward to giving her the necklace and bracelet set I made for her. Pictures soon!
Much love,
Stephanie
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