So I've been a little remiss in this thing. You see, I always post facebook notes of what I'm up to, but I've been forgetting to cross-post them. So I'll cross-post two of the most important ones, and move on:

February 17th:

"Hey, there's some kids from our program!" "Where?" "Right there!!" "I think that's just some foreign students. Not all white people are in our program, Katie."

But most of them here are.

Cast of Characters:

Eric: most awesome host father. Speaks pretty decent English. First night, took me out with his buddies to drink, and ordered me some BaiJiu, which is 56% alcohol. I had an entire flask. Sometime I'll cross post my entry about how to drink in China.

Xiao Kong: amazing host mother. Watches Friends and Desperate Housewives to improve her English listening. I intend to show her Mean Girls before this is all through.

MaLu: my little sister, 8 years old. Cutest little kid ever. Likes to play "balloon" which is volleyball indoors with a balloon. I watch cartoons with her, and she helps me with my Chinese homework.

So let me update you on life:

Chinese families do not heat their houses in the winter because electricity is too expensive. As a result, the house is about the same temperature as outside. So sleeping is really fun, because it's LIKE sleeping outdoors...except indoors!!! Without the animals. And with a bathroom. Last night I put on my new snowcoat from WanDa, tied my fleece around my waist, and STILL had to put all of myself under the covers to get warm. Fun times? Good news is there is no incentive to sleep in, because you'll get warmer when you get up an move. And that is good news since I get up at 6 AM every day.

Also I have been introduced to my little sis's favorite show, which I will call Fighting Mouse Show. Fighting mouse show is like Tom and Jerry, except everyone knows kung-fu, and they all have armies. So it's like Tom and Jerry on steroids. It's also very poor animation quality, which makes me giggle.

My little sis has red scarves that she has to wear to school. She has 4 of them. She showed them to me. And also, get this, BABY TURTLES!! I was THRILLED when I saw them.

They also have a housekeeper, which I've learned is common among middle class families. She doesn't speak English, but I've started to understand her. As for my room, it's amazing!! I have a large bed, a closet, and a huge window seat. Oh, and a desk. Life is good, man. Life is good.

PS I am still way homesick, but tonight is American night!! I have oreos and everything!!

Yesterday:

Best Chinglish sentence so far came on my plane flight home from Xi'an: We are experiencing some turbulence, even we do not expect any turbulence.

??? Of course, the trays said "The world in your finger". But it really is.

We are on Day 10 over here. Or maybe it's 11. Or maybe I have no f***ing clue because somewhere in there I had a day taken away from me. But either way, we are quickly exiting the crucial sucky first two weeks period. Which have sucked. A lot.

But I've made the adjustment. I'm really enjoying being here. I think it was Xi'an. See, we only have school Monday through Thursday, but the school we have is very intensive. I'm currently writing this note to put off the 7+ hours of Chinese homework I have. So before it was like, Ok I'm away from home, overwhelmed with classes, and I have an 8 year old at home who speaks about 200 km/h and I get about a word...maybe. Really, not fun times. Thank God for Fighting Mouse Show. But this weekend we went to Xi'an. It was time to really SEE China. Terracotta Warriors, giant pagodas, and, of course, SHOPPING. Plus I got to be surrounded my my amazing classmates, and we could have English times.

So then, it sort of hit me, I'M IN CHINA. AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

I think the shock of being here and being so suddenly dumped into a world where I had a language and cultural barrier made me draw back, get defensive, and cling to everything about my old life. But I have a new life now, one I'm ready for. And I can't wait to embark on it. I'm ready to change, to grow, to become the person I've always needed to be.

My whole life, I've been driven to come here. I don't know why, but I know that this is a journey I have to make. And, unfortunately, it is one I need to make alone. It's hard to be here, away from all of you, but I know now that it's just part of the journey. I can't wait to come home, but that's because I know when I do return, it'll be as a new, more amazing person. And I can't wait for you guys to get to see the new me.

Speaking of friends, I make new friends like mad. Seriously, if I am in the vicinity of a single Chinese person for more than 2 minutes, they will usually ask for my number. So expect updates on my 20 Chinese boyfriends. Ha, if only I had time for that. No, homework is my only Chinese lover now.

And unfortunately, he's being needy. So I have to go do my essays now. Yes. The fun.

PS: I figured out how to watch BSG and I found out China has Buenos!!! My life here is complete.