Dinner

So it appears the 7.8 rict. earthquake killed thousands yesterday (also reported at 7.9 and 8.0).

In my apartment, the building swayed and I thought it was just me at first until I noticed my clothes that were hanging up were swaying left to right quite a bit. I was having a Chinese lesson at the time, and I told everyone to get out of the building, fast!

We got downstairs (6 flights, no elevator), and noticed we weren't the only ones who felt it. I had thoughts on the way down that it was caused by the nearby construction of a large apartment building, but I wasn't sure. I had a Mcgyvver moment, and decided to check the man-made river nearby to see if the water level had marked the stone wall of the channel, to help identify the nature of our experience. I couldn't see any water marks above the water level, so I was left to assume it was the nearby construction, but I still had doubts as the swaying of the building was very noticable, and it didn't seem possible that the construction had anything to do with it unless they hit our building with a wrecking ball, which also would have been loud and a much shorter physical experience (about 4-5 seconds of swaying vs. sudden impact).

None of it mattered because just after that, my Chinese teacher received a message on her cell, confirming it was an earthquake. Looking back, that's one of the remarkable things I noticed. Minutes after the event, millions (I assume) received the same text message. Whether it was a direct result of government panic control, or cellular service competativeness, we all knew what happened. Well, save for anyone who can't read Chinese ( ... like me. I get texts daily about the weather ...).

Today, I looked at my time and how I was spending it. Considering travel time and a few other things that consume time, I now realize just how booked my time is from Friday-Sunday. Considering all the things I need to take care of, I need to push my tasks back to Monday-Tuesday to stay on top of things.

I'm off to grab dinner.

Note 1: I have enabled comment posting, but pray I don't get random blog spams from strangers like "Nice post! Check out this porn site ...", etc.

Picture: NO PICTURE!!! ... I hate my ISP. So inconsistant, so unreliable.
Picture: Email me for a zip of photos from this day 13-05-2008.

The 7.8

I don't know, but I'm sure my internal richter scale isn't that sophisticated. That is, I couldn't tell you its value from my location, but I can tell you the swaying effect on the building I was in had me thinking I was about to faint.

To my family: "I'm fine, stop worrying" ... oh and "Please send money!"

I normally don't work today, but I did. I was hoping to track down my next appartment, but with work and class, I haven't been in one place long enough. I'm hoping one of my near future posts begins with "TASK COMPLETED!"

Tonights objective: Homework.

To my mother, "Happy Mother's Day!"

Picture: No picture. I still can't upload pics to my blog from this location.

... alas ...

8 days since my last post. I have tried every day to make a post, but from my current access to the net, it's next to impossible. I have limited and unreliable access to my blog at the moment. I can survive with the limited part, but the reliability part really drives a wrench through my happiness.

I'm still in deep water, as I have not yet found a new apartment. I did find one for more money than my 1st apartment, but smaller, less appealing, empty, and dilapidated. I found another, but it didn't feel right. I'm going to have to resume my search Monday. Saturday and Sunday are my heavy work days.

Although I have Monday-Thursday with no work, I would prefer having 4 straight days of heavy Chinese study. However, I must refrain until I find a place to stay.

If you're reading this post, then I'm rejoycing.

Picture: No picture. Limited functionality, remember?!

Checkpoint!

Ok, so it's Sunday, and I'm chewing away at my online studies. In fact, I had just sent an email to my instructor about a 9/10 on one of my previous assignments. I wonder if my great and amazing instructor Paul Gibson (he reads my blog) will permit and entertain a debate on the topic of the assignment in hopes of demonstrating my understanding of the course material pertaining to the assignment, and thus acheiving a 10/10.

I've moved my things from my old appartment to my first Chinese appartment, where my friend Chris still dwells. I'm only here temporarily, and this evening I'm off to look at 3 appartments. I don't exactly have a time limit on how long I can remain here, but it's important to me that I'm out on my own.

I managed to get my Friday/Saturday student evaluations completed, and still have 2 more classes remaining. It's surprising that it takes so long to write a paragraph for each student. Or maybe it's just in this way of keeping everything unique and personal, as opposed to generic copy/paste methods.

I haven't been to a hospital for my recent trend of allergy symptoms since last week, and I've decided not to bother taking any of these medicines. None of the 9 medicines I paid for are actually designed to deal with my symptoms, except for the 2 I hand-picked myself. Most of my symptoms are all but gone, save for the occasional sternutation.

Looking back, the only highlights of worth that haven't been mentioned yet are few:

1 Yesterday, during one of my last trips moving my things from appartment to appartment, I had flagged down a taxi, who told me not to get in, and proceded to ask me if I was from France. After I said I was from Canada, he got out of the car, and helped me load my suitcases. ... politics.

2 I named my kittens. I wanted to name them something awesome like "Butch" Rarrrrrrr!, or "The Stealth-paw" Vrooooo-shhhhh! However, they are both big sucks, so I went with "Sugar" for the white one, and "Pepper" for the dark multi-coloured one.

Picture: Pepper!

Wo Mang!

Today I need to collect my things, and move out.

I'll be storing my belongings and myself back at the old appartment where Chris is staying. Being that it is the May holiday, I have time to search for a new appartment. Since I will be starting university in September, it's important I manage my funds carefully as well, and that means finding a place where the rent is better, and hopefully closer to the university.

At the moment, I am getting ready to head into work to complete my students evaluations. After that, I need to come back, pack up, and transport my things to Chris' appartment. It should only take 2 trips, 3 at the most.

Once those are done, I have a lot of homework to do for my online course and my Chinese class.


Also, I need to take my kittens to the vet.

So that's what I'm juggling at the moment. It doesn't seem like a lot, but when you're on your last day for many things, ... nothing can go wrong.

Picture 1: It's only difficult if there isn't time.
Picture 2: My Mandarin books. I need to finish books 1 and 2 by June 1st.
Book 1 - ISBN: 9787561915776
Book 2 - ISBN: 9787561916377
Book 3 - ISBN: 756191072X ISBN-13: 9787561910726

Corrected.

Perhaps further investigation should have been taken before making a personal claim. I turned to someone more educated on the matter than I.

Michael says:
Ok, so how would you define me?
I don't think there is any proof or has ever been any proof of a God.

Kevin says:
Do you need proof?

Michael says:
To believe in a God?
Absolutely.

Kevin says:
You're an atheist.

Thanks again Kev!

Picture: Jebus has bad breath!

ALLERGIES!

Saturday afternoon, I suddenly felt ill. I found it difficult to swallow, a symptom from personal experience as being an illness called Strepp. This condition feels a lot like swallowing broken glass.

So this morning, I awoke to discover my kittens were sleeping on me. Also to my surprise, I discovered my nasal cavaties were blocked. After 10-20 minutes of nasal cavity cleansing revealed bloodfilled mucus. In addition, my right eye socket had become dark like my left eye socket commonly is.

So this explains why I've been sick, and sheds a theory on the cause of my dark circles. Cat dander in China may be far more potent and dangerous for me. I have lived with and have been around quite of few cats in my life, including dogs. But never have I had such a powerful allergic reaction.

My next step is trying antihistamines for symptom relief (extra mucus, bloody mucus, lifelong ear popping, dark circles, watery eyes, nausia). My last step (if I must) will be finding a new home for my kittens. I wonder, how long have I been suffering from allergies? What impact did it have on my life?

http://www.nyee.edu/cfv-spotlight.html - Insight on the affect of excessive mucus and causes.

Picture: A symptom I don't have

Two Tails

And here they are!

These are my two kittens. I haven't given them names yet. I thought of giving one of them the name Butters, as a tribute to the South Park character of the same name. However, both my kittens are girls. I thought about naming the white one Snow, but she has an interesting design on her head. Regardless, they are quite happy to be out of the tiny cages and stressful places they were rescued from. Names will come soon.


In other news, I have an assortment of photos taken from a mountain hike in Shaolin from two weeks ago. Simply request it, and I will email you a zipped package of these photos.

Picture 1: My two kittens
Picture 2: Picture of me, taken at an difficult angle.

EVICTION!

So, my 6 month lease ends this May. Already thinking about moving to a location closer to the university, I was notified today that my landlady wanted to increase my rent by 200 rmb/month. Looks like I'm moving!

I'm sad to leave this apartment though. It only had a few minor problems. Wont forget my neighbors either. My immediate neighbor was always happy and eager to help me, as well as always leaving an umbrella on my door for me on rainy days. I never used the umbrellas since I enjoy a little rain, but it's the thought that matters. My downstairs neighbor too, he and his daughter were very kind too.

Still, I'm excited to move. I'm hoping to find something up high, with an incredible view, and near trees! Although this time, I must insist of course on knowing that my next appartment will have 24/7 hot water, no leaks, no mice, and no surprises.

My new roomates are here! I took some pictures of them. I'd upload them for you to see, but I lost my flash drive long ago at work. So you'll have to wait until tomorrow.

Picture: Me in Xi'an 2007/09 posing next to an old granny. Not sure where she went to so quickly.

New Roommates!

Today, I'm cleaning my apartment. I really need to clean up in such a way to prevent any mishaps from my two special roommates coming tomorrow.

Oh, I thought about roommates, and how they come with pros and cons, but I've come to learn there are benefits to having company, especially of this kind. These special guests wont be paying any rent, so I'm not sure how I'll make them earn their keep.

Rationing the hot water, tv privileges, phone and door rules, leaving lights on, internet usage, late night snacking. Much to discuss.

As for my AC, I had visitors this morning. I've been looking forward to having someone fix this leak for some time. I wish I knew when they were coming, I would have expressed my need for hot water from the kitchen sink tap.

Anyway, I must prepare for my special guests tomorrow :)