Sick At Home, But I'm In China, So It's OK (^_^)Y

So, I'm home sick from work today.  A few days ago my voice was getting really dry and it hurt to sing, let alone talk.  I figured it was allergies, which didn't make me happy.


The Voice Update:

Well, symptoms worsened gradually, my head began to ache a bit and I began to feel a bit tired.  "It's just allergies" I said, or rather “只是过敏的效果吧。” But alas, today my throat is very swollen and I feel very tired.  Now, I have an audition in two days for The Voice in China.  I'm not too worried.  Not because I think I'll get through, but really because I don't see myself going through even without being sick, so yeah.  Saturday they'll narrowing the top 160 in my province (Jiangsu 江苏 population 78,659,903) to 30 people, then on Sunday they're narrowing it down from 30 people to 5.  After that it's the TV rounds.

I live with a Chinese couple!

Me and the fun couple I live with!  (Me, Hua Song, and Delia)  They have a kitten named Gulu.  I like to blow on its face.

I just moved in last night.  I'm still unpacking and stuff.  I'm waaay excited to get to know these two more over the next few months.  What a golden opportunity!  I'm still getting over it.  A woman at work hooked me up, so I jumped on it.  Previously my commute to work was biking or busing, which wasn't ideal.  But now I take the subway, which is great because I can read on it!  I read 3 Nephi 12 while riding it today.  In China we can't proselyte, so never before has verse 16 meant to much to me.  It reads: "16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

This month's Beatles album is "The Beatles (white album)" AND a bonus album, "The Magical Mystery Tour".  I love them both!!!  Listening to them now :)  OK, back to China.

I haven't taken my DSLR out yet; I still have a lot of time.  I'm come here often and people watch.  People approach me and get their picture with me.  Then after I speak Chinese to them we exchange numbers a BAM, more friends.  I love this picture.  Not to sound dramatic, but it tells quite a story.  The two walking together, and then the person  who is responsible for casting the shadow and taking the photo, perhaps to capture a feeling of yearning and to illustrate what it is he is lacking.

You know you're in China when...

OK, below you see a panorama.  It was literally taken across the street from where I live.  Every night there are TONS of people here.  I LOVE it!  I love seeing China become more developed.  For instance, the big thing right now is rollerblading.  Many people rent roller blades here and ride around.  They usually not very good.  I love seeing it though.  Chinese people are so cute.  Also, I'm finally beginning to see Chinese people go running.  YES!!!  While many still run in jeans and regular T-shirts, it's a great start for Chinese people.  I run around this lake and pass through this part of the trail.

The building on the left is pretty cool.  We call it 裤子城 which means "Pants City".

I love music.  I don't love Chinese music.  I feel China's music industry just hasn't taken off yet, but it's getting there.  People are starting to recognize what music is good and what music isn't good.  It's normal to hear absolutely terrible music being played on the radio, and no it's not just my opinion.  The instruments and the singers are often waaay off pitch, bad rhythm, etc..  That's why when I saw this guy (see pic below) I was excited.  He was really good!  Also, for a young Chinese person to tell their parents that they want to pursue music is most likely the worst thing that person's parents have ever heard.  This guy is a pioneer for China and I'm proud of him... and his hair rocks.

In China there are HUGE shopping centers everywhere!  I love them all!  Shoot, I love big cities.  Sometimes I'll go to one of the shopping centers and just walk around.

For just $2.44 USA dollars I eat myself full at this great outdoor/indoor massive shopping center.  That big bridge thing behind me is the worlds largest LED screen.  At night it lights up and they show various things on it.  People lay down on the ground and just watch it.

I like where I work.  I get my own desk space and computer.  I have my little work card that I wear around my neck all the time.  I have to swipe it in the elevator in order for the elevator to do anything.  Also, wearing it causes local Chinese people to stare even more, for seeing a foreigner with a local workers card thing is unheard of.  It also says where I work, so they can stalk me if they'd like.

The tall building behind me is the building I currently work at.  Here I am just waiting for the bus to take me home.

My coworkers are so much fun.  They're all Chinese with an exception of myself and two other interns.  The guys in the picture below are all IT guys, so I work with them.  They are so nice to me and always happy.

Left to right:  Coco, Joey, Winnie, Oliver, Vivian, me, Ricky

Before Photoshop

These were taken with my phone.  On Sundays I'll go out and go people watching.  I was peacefully sitting on a bench when I took this picture.

After Photoshop

The first (and only at this point) obviously gay Chinese couple I've seen.  Going out like this is quite a bold move here in China.  I feel bad for them, for it's especially difficult being gay in China.

I got a hair cut.

I find myself taking more videos than I do pictures.  In this day and age I think that's OK, but I still should take more pictures.  I plan on shooting a video with my DSLR at one point, but I'm not sure what it's going to be yet.

Everyday is seriously a new adventure.  I NEVER know where I'll end up or who I'll be with.  I meet strangers all the time who I end up having dinner with and what not.  I love it.  I love people.  My future is still a huge mystery to me.  I have no idea where I'm headed in life, but it doesn't worry me, it excites me.

More adventures to come!