This is the second installment of my weight loss in China series. Getting healthy is a huge lifestyle change. I had to drastically revamp my old unhealthy habits and swap them out for healthier habits. So basically I changed one addiction for another in a way. However I would rather have an exercise addiction to a food addiction any day of the week! I am more addicted to how amazing exercise makes me feel. I feel like I am on top of the world! It is like a natural high. I am definitely a happier person now than I was when I first came to China two years.
Many people mistake my zest for exercise as an obsession. “Obsession is the lazy person’s word for dedication.”(I stole that from someone) I post this because, I am excited about the changes that I am making to my body and mind. Of course I get people who chugged a barrel of Hatorade that make negative comments about my weight loss. I am going to state here publicly, that I am in no way anti fat. This is my personal weight loss and health journey and not a pulpit for people to spread their fat acceptance spiel. This is a new trend that is occurring in America and it is spreading some division in the overweight community. One thing, that I don’t like is the generalized belief in the fat acceptance community is that overweight people who choose to lose weight have low self esteem and don’t love and accept themselves. Yup, I hear this one a lot. Truth, I was not happy when I was fat because I was plagued with health problems and I was tired,depressed and had no zest for life. My mom died directly related to her obesity and she was only 56. So my weight loss is a tribute to her and wanting to live a higher quality life.
Weight loss since beginning the gym
My newest love is spin class. When I first came to the gym I couldn’t even last 10 minutes in a spin class. I worked with my trainer Lucas and was able to complete a spin class. Still though I only took it occasionally. I was more of an elliptical trainer, belly dancing and Zumba girl. Well things changed, I am a spin convert! Spin is easier on my ankle, more fun and I burn more calories. I have noticed that since taking spin my weight loss got kicked up a notch. My legs, booty and stomach are firm and there is less fat. I take spin class about 5 days a week. I like the people in my spin class, we are like a small community of hardcore enthusiast. They even saved a bike for me when I was running late.
I also took my walking up a notch and recently bought a Xiaomi fitness wristband. It calculates your steps ,calories and sleep pattern. You can sync it with an app on the phone. The company also has a scale that I am going to get!!! I have started to take Oreo out for longer walks now and it benefits me and her at the same time. Plus I have many friends who use the same product so we can compete with each other to see who has the most steps in a day. This motivates me to be the best me that I can be.
As of a few days ago I have lost 67 pounds since coming to China!!! I am within spitting distance from my goal. I have about 33 more pounds to go. However this is the hardest part of the battle. This is when I have to dig deep and remember why I am doing this. Jiayou Amber!. My goal is to climb that mountain.
***PLEASE NOTE, I CAN NO LONGER WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT STUDIO EBONY DUE TO PERSONAL REASONS. MY STYLIST INDIA IS WORKING INDEPENDENTLY AND CAN BE REACHED USING WEIXIN. YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOMED TO FORM YOUR OWN OPINION AND GO TO STUDIO EBONY. I AM IN NO WAY SLAMMING HER BUSINESS. THIS POST IS HIGHLIGHTING INDIA’S WORK. THANK YOU****
The hardest part about living in China as a black woman or a woman with curly hair is what do we do with our hair. Many of the Chinese salons have no clue what to do with Afro textured hair or curly hair. Caucasian friend’s also complain that they can’t get a decent hair color or cut at many Chinese salons. So expats are at a huge disadvantage. Many of the smaller cities like Hangzhou and Nanchang don’t have expat salons. So where is a Laowai to go??? To the Mecca Shanghai if you live in south China. Other big cities like Beijing, Hong Kong , Shenzhen and Guangzhou also have expats salons. So my advice if you are a foreigner looking to move to China move in at lease 1-2 hours fast train ride away from a mega Chinese city.
When I lived in Nanchang, I was about 3-4 hours away from Shanghai. So I did my best and tried to care for my hair the best that I could. I am a natural meaning that I do not put chemicals in my hair. I have been a natural for 5 years. It has been a challenge. It especially is a challenge in China. Due to the water and lack of quality products my hair wasn’t looking too pretty. Also many people mistaked me for a man. So, I wigged it but I never really felt authentic. I was always paranoid that someone would snatch my wig off my hair. Finally I just got braids. I think braids suit me but I noticed some hair loss also I felt fake too. My friend Yllen and Lele already received the keratin treatments and raved about it.
I missed having straight hair. I haven’t had staight hair for 6-7 years. I mostly wore braids in my hair for 2 years prior to embracing my natural Afro textured hair. My hair hates relaxers. My hair would always break off and would look dry and brittle. It never grew past chin length.
Honestly some naturals have beautiful curl patterns and have moisturized locks. That isn’t true for me. My hair was dry and frizzy. I tried all the methods too. To no avail. The amount of time and the type of products were not available in China or were but very expensive. So after I saw the wonderful results of Lele, I decided that I had to get it done.
I made the trek from Hangzhou Dong to Shanghai Hongqiao station. It was about a 45 minute trip. Then I I took the 10 line to South Shaanxi exit. I had to follow the signs for 1 line go outside and then enter the 1 station to find exit 4. I know very confusing!! Shout out to my girl Yllen that stayed on the phone with my lost arse even though she was busy at work. I have zero sense of direction. I need a Gps chip to be installed in my brain!!
So I finally found Studio Ebony, it is in an apartment complex. If you want to go there email me and I will have Yllen give you directions. I was 15 minute late for my appointment. I met India , who is also an American expat like me. In fact she is a fellow New Yorker. A Brooklyn girl! It was so nice to hear her slight New York accent. I don’t meet many New York expats.
India in an awesome stylist. She is very knowledgeable in her trade and extremely professional. In fact during every phase of The Brazilian Keratin Treatment (BKT) she explained each part of the process. This was a first with me. Even in the USA, I never had a stylist do that. India has about 20 years experience. She worked in a salon in Manhattan.
Phase One
India examined my hair and damage level. I have not really have taken care of my hair since coming to China. I kinda ignored Bathsheba( my hair) and hid her. Due to the thickness of my hair I had to pay more because it would take more time and product. This I am use to that , I take after The McDowells we have thick heads of hair!
India washed my hair with sulfate free shampoo. Then she blew it out with a hairdryer and a brush. I am amazed when I see stylist do that. It was longer than I thought!
I
Phase Two
Then she put the keratin in my hair. Keratin is an amino acid and is not a chemical like a relaxer. So it is an all natural protein. I sat with the keratin in my hair for a bit. She rinsed my hair and blew it out. I noticed that my hair texture was looser but Afro textured India explained that high heat is required to seal in the keratin and make the hair straight. Omg I was so overwhelmed when I saw how long and straight my hair was! I had to hold back the tears. I kept repeating “Is this my hair? Is this my hair?” The length and the straightness was never acheived like that with a relaxer. I felt my scalp!!!! I was able to run my fingers through my hair. to a black girl this is such any amazing experience. Oh and the length. I have never seen it.
India explained that due to hair damage and split ends she would have to cut. She told me that she was planning to do an elongated bob. She only took and inch and a half off. I was so scared my hair would be very short. I had so much shrinkage that I had no clue to my hair’s true length.
Phase Three
After the cut India applied another part of the Keratin treatment that would add shine and strengthen my hair. It smelled really good. India told the keratin product line she used was called Sweet Hair. I sat with the product on my hair then it was rinsed. My curl pattern was even looser it was maybe a 3b/c. That front was even straighter. It was so easy and quick for her to blowout my hair. Then she did the final flatiron. Wow the shine and it felt so soft. I could barely recognize myself. It was the first time since coming to China that I felt beautiful. the Chinese men that saw me reaffirmed that. I got hey baby looks and not what is that looks. The best the was the wind blew my hair and it went back into place. At home I was in front of the mirror and did the “white girl” hair flip and singing “I Feel Pretty” from Westside Story.
Upkeep
Everytime I wash my hair I have to use sulfate free shampoo and conditioner. I also have to blowout on high heat and use a flatiron. Since Oreo ate the cord to the flatiron that I bought from the U.S. I bought one from Studio Ebony it is from Japan and it was the same one India used on me. For naturals using high heat was a big no no but with the keratin process it is essential to unlock the straightening agent. Also with a keratin the more you get it the straighter it becomes. So I am a convert and love my hair,
If you are in the vicinity of Shanghai I strongly recommend coming Studio Ebony. So if you live in Zheijiang, Jiansu , Jiangxi, or Anhui province it is well worth the trip on the fast train. Ask for India she is the best. She specializes in all hair types.
I have been in Xiamen for about three days and it is paradise. Xiamen is one of the cleanest cities in China. It is so lovely with palm trees and hot tropics. it reminds me of the Taiwan that I see in all those Chinese dramas that I watch online. The people here are friendly and the men here are really good looking. That is another post though.
This post is just to introduce the family that I am living with for this month. The family name is Lin. It consists of a dad that is an architect. He is also a kind and loving husband and dad. A mom who is quite beautiful and kind. She listens to French music and likes wine. She loves being a mother and she is very good at it. I enjoy watching her roll on the floor and playing with her children. Then there is the grandma and she is so lovely. She has this air of poise and grace.. She helps care for the children. I like her alot too. Then there is the housekeeper. She doesn’t live there but stays there all day and then goes home. She is a good cook and also takes care of the baby. She has a warm and friendly smile.
The Baby
Oh and baby Lala. OMG so cute and clever. I so want a baby!! The baby has bells that she wears on her ankles, so you can hear her coming. I like that idea and she is always coming. She is one years old. I gave her Uni(sorry Lesly) and now she is my best friend. I taught her how to say hi and hello in English. She already knew bye bye. Now when she walks into the room she says hello. I wasn’t kidding when I said clever!
Last, but not least is Nono; the 10 year old that I am tutoring. She is quite outspoken at times. She is sweet, funny, creative and clever. I really love her personality. She has me laughing all the time. She loves to pulverize me in chess. I never could understand that game. She also is such a doting big sister. I have already bonded with her. Vivacious is the adjective that describes her best. She told her dad that he has to stop smoking because the teacher does not like it!
Nono, the girl I am tutoring
I feel God has been with me on his whole journey during the summer. I am learning about myself. In Anhui I rediscovered my heart. In Xiamen I am rediscovering a sense of family. I have not had that sense of family for over 10 years. After my mom died, my family became distant. I truly missed having a family. Their love and bond is so amazing. I have become very distant in those 10 years. This is showing me what love is. The lord is showing me this maybe as a means of preparation. Everyday, I am opening up more and more. Oh and today the baby only wanted to hold my hand and not her daddy’s. That was too cute.
I am so sad today. The last day of instruction was yesterday. I am feeling a great sense of loss. I have made a connection with these students in such a short time. I am sadden that it is all about to end. time flew by so quick.
I will always cherish my time in Anhui and hope that i may be able to return to this friendly province. To me it feels like home. The students have all connected with me. I feel like I am part of a cohesive family. I do not want to lose this feeling. I feel blessed that I was allowed the opportunity to work with such an amazing staff and the best bunch of students that I have ever encountered.
My memory book
Will is comforting Anna
I made the last day pretty mellow and relaxed. I was sad and wanted to have a relaxing moment with my students. We played dodgeball, watched movies and made memory books. the students had to write down their fondest memory of summer camp.
This was very emotional for the children because just as i have fallen in love with then, they have fallen in love with me. It was cray me a river there was not a dry eye in the classroom. Even Matt was teary eyed. John lasted the longest and Jonathan decided he could not deal with us and went off to his dad.
As I held unto my students trying to console them, I really knew that I would love the opportunity to be able to teach in Jixi, not sure if it is a possibility but it is something that I will pray on. If God wants me here then there will be a way. All I know is that it does not feel right that I am leaving Jixi.
The students were weeping
I soon broke down in tears and my students began to comfort me. It was quite an emotional scene. No one wanted it to end. The camp faced many hardships but we persevered. Together we are stronger. I really do want to keep in touch with everyone. My heart is aching right now as I write this. I know that I have a new adventure waiting in Xiamen but Xuancheng is where my heart is.
The best part about being in Anhui is the students. I have never met such a group of kind and humble students. The kids are so down to earth. Being in Anhui has changed me so much. It has given me direction. The children have helped to cleanse my troubled soul and have shown me the direction that I want to go with my life.
I realize now that my place is with the kid,s not in a university setting. This will mean a job change after my contract is up. In the middle of a school year too! Wish me luck in that endeavor and pray that i will find the right placement
My class is hysterical, I have 18 students. Out of those students 15 are boys. You know how middle school boys can be, rambunctious, sneaky, mischievous. They were quite a handful but I love them so much. They were eager to learn and we built up such a rapport together.
Each student has a distinct personality. There was Matt who is the troublemaker who had a mega crush on one of the teaching assistants. I have a soft spot for the bad boys, I just loved Matt he was a cutie. Then there was John, he always got in trouble never listened and always ended up almost getting hurt because he never listened. There was Mark the buck tooth beaver. Awwww he is soo precious his English level was low but he tried so hard and his smile warmed my heart. There was Bill who is just a cool kid and an amazing dancer. His mom is the richest woman in town but Bill is so level headed and down to earth. He treats everyone equally. He is so not a snob.
Oh and then there was Anna. Anna and I totally connected. Her mom was my co teacher in the class. This little girl is such a happy, optimistic and loving child. She is 12 years old an she has stolen my heart. She always cheerful and kind. Eliza, her mom is my new female friend in China. I am really going to miss her friendship. I will keep in touch with them. I was even invited over to their house for dinner. I really wish that i had the opportunity to see her grow into a lovely young woman.
I had Mike and Ken who loved to dance. On break time those two were always doing Gangnam Style. It was too funny. My boys did enjoy dancing and singing. They had me laughing for most of the class especially during break time.
Oh and there was James, James is also a student who will be forever engraved upon my heart. He was the oldest and tallest boy in my class at age 15. He had the calmest and sweetest demeanor. His desire to learn English was high. He sat in the front and he out of all my students made the most progress. I love this boy so much.
Oh and the twins Mark and Luke(they choose those names on their own) is it ironic! They had a higher level on English than most of the students. It was so fun communicating with them. I really felt a connection with them, plus they are so funny and friendly who could not love the twins.
Oh and Jim whose parents are both teachers and he had the highest English level. Jim is a smart kid and has a sense of justice. He has the heart of a rebel but he does it in such a subtle and clever way.
I also had the privilege of having Jonathan, a foreign teacher’s son in my class. H aving an expat child in the class really was a learning experience for the Chinese students. Jonathan made some lifelong friends and he told me he was hesitant to leave the school.
Oh and my two lovely girls Lisa and Zoe. It was great watching them torture the boys during break time. These girls were at first intimidated to be in a class surrounded by boys, gradually though they got more comfortable. Zoe taught me how to blow a double balloon. A balloon inside a balloon. It is so unbelievably cool. And Lisa has the funniest laugh and she is quite the actress.
We learned so much together. I taught them high frequency words, greeting, Western Culture and Chinese Culture, phonics. I Also taught them about American football, baseball and dodgeball(In the next and very short blog). We have been practicing for plays that I wrote that we will be performing on the final day of camp. They learned about Western music. I also learned so much from my students to. They taught me so much more than I taught them, They showed me my true purpose and they opened my heart to love. I will always remember Jixi with a fond heart.
After the long long car ride, we were told that our rooms on campus were not ready, so we would be put into a hotel for two days. I have found that my stays at hotal s in China have been quite pleasant. Well escept the my universities hotel room. Ughs.
The hotel staff was so excited to see us. There are not a lot of foreigners that come to Xuancheng. So seeinga foreigner is a big deal. The staff was really nice. We had to check in and our passports were scanned.
We were taken in the elevator. We had to make two trips because the elevator was narrow. We were both on the fifth floor. The Vice head master of the school opned the rooms i walked into the first room. The vice principal said non no no and pointed to Jose and Jonathan. He gestured for me to go to the corner room.
chairs
A bathtub, I never got a chance to use it. I was scared my big butt would get stuck.
To my utter suprise and delight it was a suite!!1 This was the nicest room that I have ever styaed in. I left like a queen. I have two two bathrooms. One bathroom had a bathtun! I had a living room with a chaise, couches and a TV with cable. My bed was a huge king sized. There was also another TV in that room and a computer with internet axis.
I was so nears tears. I flopped on my bed and was comforted by a soft western style mattress. It was like I was sleeping on a cloud. It was an end to a perfect day.
This is part of a series about my month teaching in Anhui province at a summer camp. I have been here since July 3rd, however due to internet snafus and being busy with lesson planning I only have the time now to update my readers on my adventures. I have so much to update, So my lucky readers prepare a series of post overloads. 🙂
The company that hired me to work for the summer arranged a flight for me from Nanchang to Hangzhou. The flight was only about an hour and my friend Liu Jia took me to the airport to say farewell. We arrived early, I am so parnoid about things happening like the cab breaking down. So we sat in the airport people watching for two hours.
I got a window seat, iy was so relaxing to watch the happy little clouds. Don’t clouds make you so happy! Bob Ross likes happy little fuffy clouds. I felt like I was in his paintings.
The plane landedand guess which ditz could not unfasten the seatbelts? ME!!! I think I have blonde roots. I was struggling with it. Finally an older Chinese knight in shining armor saved the day. He unfastened my seatbelt with the greatest of ease. Yeah , I am a ditz. Next i went to claim my luggage, did I mention that I had to pay an overage fee?. My friend told me that I packed too much. Well, I am going to be gone for two months and I am a girl.
I got off the plane and look for my contact person. Everyone has signs with names on them. My contact did not. I could not spot him so I called him. He told me what he was wearing. We finally found each other, He helped me with the bags. He was shovcked at how heavy my bag was. He had no clue that I bought mama and baby bag. Big papa bag was at home all alone. He told me to the car where I met Jose and his son Jonathan and their adorable puppy Chino. I just love their puppy. I wanted to steal him and give him hugs and kisses. I still want to steal him to this day. He is my rent a puppy!!! I nicknamed him Chi Chi.
Look at the cutie pie!!!!!
We had a four hour car ride. It was a great way to get to know the TAs. They are college students and get to help us in the class room. The hour car drive really helped us all to bond. I sat in the front seat. Oen of the only perks about being a fatty is that I always get to call frontsies! Due to my size I am really just too big right now to sit anywhere else in a car when there are lots of people.
On the car ride I found out that I had a lot in common with Jose. He is also from New York. He is a professional teacher like myself. Oh and he use to work at the Newark Board of Eduation! My former district neighbor. Oh and he too moved to New Jersey after living in NY. He is funny as hell too. He is now my new BFF in China. Jason you have been replaced! Hehehehe
We did not arrive at the school until 10 pm. They had a banquet meal waiting for us. Everyone knows that I have been trying to lose weight, well I did partake in the feast and it was so delish. Hands down it was one of the best meals in China. The food was not spicy, like it is in Nanhang. There was duck tongue, this beef that was surely water buffalo, a fish dish and an assortment of veggies. I was hungry so I dove right in. I did eat small amounts.
After eating we were shown our rooms. We had to stay in a hotel te first night. Oh I wasa lucky girl. I will post next about the hotel room.
Duck Tongue
Hunk of Meat, tasted like water buffalo
A fish in a sweet sauce. It was the most succulent fish that I ever tasted.
It has almost been 5 months since stepped off the plane and began my new life in China. I will admit that I was scared. I am so glad though that I took the chance. China has changed me in so many ways. I lost myself in America but I am rediscovering myself as I stay longer in China.
Many people ask if I miss America. I do in some sense but not in others. I miss the ease of being able to converse with people. I miss my dog, my church and my niece Caity. I miss Lisa and her children as well. I do sometimes reflect on the friends that I left behind. I knew though in my heart back home that living in America was not my destiny. My destiny lies elsewhere. Is my destiny in China?… not sure yet but I am adapting to life in China rather quickly and I don’t feel the feelings of unrest here as I did in the states.
Did my life in China turn out exactly as I planned? Hmm not really. Heck I wanted to step off the plane and find my soul mate a get married and have a baby. Then hang out with Esther and Jo(black women who married Chinese men and live in China) as my married BFFs. It would be great we could get manis and pedis and sip on mimosas. Hmm I still have a couple of years though and maybe I can have a daughter and arrange a marriage between her and Esther’s new baby boy.
I was being unrealistic in my time frame, I wanted it now! I am sure Mr. Right will come into my life soon. There is still tons of things that I have to improve upon with myself before I am fully ready to receive love. That is what my first ill attempted love affair in China taught me. You can’t force and orchestrate love. My destiny is still an unwritten book. I will enjoy and be ready for this adventure known as life.
Happy Dragon Boat day everyone! I am so sorry that it took so long for me to post. If you want to place blame on anyone, blame my neighbor and my best friend Jason. He distracted me and I never had time to write my blog. Shame! Shame! on Jason. He never reads my blog anyway! In fact I am in his house writing this blog. Jason’s house is the party house.
Today we had a Dragon Boat Festival Party at my school. Just a brief synopsis. Dragon Boat Festival is a celebration of loyalty and honor. It is a tribute to Qu Yuan, a statesman, patriot and a poet who was exiled from the Chu dynasty. When the Qing dynasty overthrew the emperor, Qu Yuan killed himself in sorrow and to show his honor and loyalty to the old regime.
Zongzi is a type of dumplings eaten during the festival, it is glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves. There are different types and flavor. Some have nuts. I have to stay away from those. The Zongzi was thrown into the river to keep the fish from eating Qu Yuan’s body.
Eric, the Emcee, me and Bambi the Soldier. Bambi was so helpful during this event.
Initially , the Foreign Affairs Office wanted to host a small party to introduce the foreign teachers to the holiday. Somehow this idea morphed into a big extravaganza organized by Jason and I. We were no longer the guest of honor but the facilitators and participants. We had to come up with the ideas and enlist students from our classes. This an extremely Chinese concept, so we were reluctant plus they said that we are really creative. A dose of ego feeding is the best form of coercion.
We came up with some great ideas. We had a skit,a zongzi wrapping demo, a Zongzi passing contest (like hot potato), singers, dancers and a zongzi eating contest. We invited some students. Oh and the school invited the press! They wanted to publicize this.
This event could either sink , swim or fly. I was nervous. If it stunk then blame it on us! Hehehe. I have to say though I did not want to do this willingly, I am so glad that I did. I really learned so much about The Dragon Boat Festival. I had to research it because I wrote the short skit for the festival! The students worked very hard to make this event a success and I love them all so much. They practiced despite the fact that they are preparing and taking finals.
It was really a great way for the students on campus who live far away from home to celebrate the holiday. I also really feel so much closer to my students and Jason’s students since we spent so much time preparing for the Dragon Boat Festival. We practiced, we laughed and bonded.
Oh and I I was featured ion the news I’m a star!!!!! So awesome!!!! Maybe my soul mate was watching the 6:30 news and will see me fall in love with me and come and find me! Oh if only life was like a movie!!! My life story would be Nocturnal in Nanchang.
If you read my last post, my big highly anticipated night in Nanchang was a washout. Instead of hiding my head in the sand, collecting cats,and learning how to knit(I do want to learn though in all actuality) I decided to give nightlife in Nanchang another chance. We had a holiday in China called Laborer’s Day, so I had more free time then usual. I asked my brother from another mother Jason if we could go out again.
He called The Drunken Irishman. Now here is a rarity. The drunken Irishman did not want to go out! What did hell freeze over? When does a party animal want to to stay at home? Apparently he was too tired out because he has been out every night this week. We were not liking the bar from before. I didn’t feel like it was an inviting place. Jason got struck down. Now since his bromance partner did not want to come out Jason was ready to say no. Jason and I both would have ended up getting lost in Nanchang.
Jason then called Cowboy. My loyal readers may remember Cowboy from my other blog post about my the Chinese drinking game. I just adore Cowboy, he is a fun, honest and easy to be around. Cowboy brought his friend, who had an extremely low English level. His friend was dressed to the T’s, a nice looking chap. He liked dancing, so he and Jason could do a stripper dance to lure the ladies in(NOT)
We took the white van into Xin Jiang then hailed a taxi. Ok this was my first true experience with racism in China. I know that many Chinese are racist but they never say it. Well, the cabbie as he drove with us in the cab said it Chinese that he hated Africans. This was translated to me by Cowboy. I got a bit upset, Cowboy apologized to me and explained that some Chinese are like that and live in a very limited world. Hindsight 20/20 I should have told Cowboy to inform the driver that I am an American not and African! Just ugh, I hate racist!
I was given a free Survival Chinese phrasebook by the bar owner
I got over it because Jason sat in the front seat and was using all the Chinese he knew to talk with the cabbie. The cabbie was using his very limited English to talk to Jason. It was funny so that it brought a smile to my face. I hope the cabbie will sometimes change his mind about black people. He was not a bad person. He just needs to learn to judge people by their actions not by their skin color.
The cabbie took us to an area by the Bai Bridge that had bars. First we were hungry so we roamed around looking for food. We finally ended up getting hamburgers. Oh in China anything between a bun is called hamburgers. In the USA it is called a chicken sandwich. This was the same area that we went to before. The bars were either dead or too expensive. It was looking like a wash again! At this point, I did not want to throw in the white flag. I wanted to go out. I was ready to say at least we can go do KTV. We called the Drunken Irishman. He told us of another place that was closer to downtown Nanchang called Bossa Nova. I heard of Bossa Nova it is advertised on VeryNanchang, It looked fun.
We took a taxi to the bar. Jason was whining because he saw other foreigners. He wanted to go to a bar that was more locals because he wants to pick up women. In China white foreign men are like Willy Wonka’s golden ticket. It is way too much competition when vying for a Chinese female. I told him sometimes it is more fun to relax and kick back with your mates. It is not always about trying to find love, but enjoying the time with people who love you. It takes the edge off.
The place was empty but we were greeted so warmly by the owner. He was a foreigner from Brazil. He hugged us all and since it was our first time at his establishment he treated us to a free shot of tequila. Then we were seated. I love the ambiance of the place. It was very homey and there were flags from every country. We got a drink menu and to my delight I saw that they had sangria. Jason being cheap just wanted beers. I am not a big beer drinker beer bloats me. I told them I would pay for the pitcher of Sangria it was 120 kuai a pitcher, so I bought two. None of the lads ever tried Sangria. They bought it over and the guys were it was a girl’s drink and said it was not stronger enough. Oh little did these boys know that hidden secret of sangria. It may taste all sweet and girly but it slowly packs a punch. So lol they got drunk off of it! SWEEEEET!!!!
Jason bought the next pitcher but it was another drink that was yellow and creamy that I actually preferred it to the sangria. We were feeling giddy. Then our amiable host came a serenaded us! I just love this guy! He sang for every table, I knew many of the songs. I was singing along as were Jason and Cowboy. I requested La Bamba, and he sang it. Everyone was clapping and cheering. I was having such a grand time. I was chair dancing!
We then had to head out as I was heading out a Chinese party was heading in. One guy said he was a colonel so I saluted him. We then were talking and they ended up buying me a beer. The group were speaking to me in English and we were saying cheers. One guy took particular interest in me, so we continued talking. My friends were waiting by the door and Jason was tired. The bar was ready to close. So I ended up getting the guy that I was speaking to mobile number. He wanted me to come back tomorrow night but it would be very hard because , Wanli is very far away from Downtown Nanchang.
This I have to say was a much better experience that before. Any night that I end up with a guy’s digits is a win situation. This was the first digits that I scored in China! Booyah!!!!!!I was not 100% interested in this guy but I just want to make friends and meet people, so why not? I am definitely going to come back to Bossa Nova again. I was also invited to go to a Brazilian Barbecue place called Obe Obe by another patron of the bar on Monday. I am going to drag Jason and Cowboy there with me one day 🙂 Wo hen xihuan zheli.
My first digits in China China? Maybe I should bronze them?
I also took my walking up a notch and recently bought a Xiaomi fitness wristband. It calculates your steps ,calories and sleep pattern. You can sync it with an app on the phone. The company also has a scale that I am going to get!!! I have started to take Oreo out for longer walks now and it benefits me and her at the same time. Plus I have many friends who use the same product so we can compete with each other to see who has the most steps in a day. This motivates me to be the best me that I can be.
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