Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Last Day in Beijing and Dongying Time!

My last few weeks have been super crazy, busy, and tiring! There were a few downs, but I quickly picked myself up with the help of my friends and family. Special shout out to my wifey! I don't have much time left, so I refuse to be stressed or upset. I'll talk about the factors later, but everything's great now (except for my super case of boredom haha). I just had a wonderful birthday a few days ago!

I’m going to break up the rest of Boba’s visit into two posts. Some interesting things happened in Dongying that would be waaaayyyyy too long to put in one post. We packed in a lot during his time here. 

Our last day in Beijing was very chill. We checked out early and utilized the luggage room at Sanlitun (a cool perk!). We had a late bus back to Dongying, so we decided to walk around the mall area. We had dessert at the Godiva cafe! It was SO yummy!

We went to Uniqlo where I bought Boba a Metal Gear Rising shirt for a late birthday present. We had the pleasure of witnessing a Chinese man trying on pants in front of everyone. The men’s changing room was about a two second walk to his left. The security guard yelled at him in Chinese. Boba and I tried to contain our giggles. 

We had three awesome days in Beijing, now it was time for five days in Dongying. We arrived at the bus station about an hour early for our bus; I was not excited for the ride. I had just been on a bus a few days before, and I wasn’t feeling being on one again. We got back to Dongying around 11:30 pm. It took us awhile to get a taxi back because a lot the drivers were trying to cheat us. I really don’t like when they crowd around you boxing you in and refusing to me out of your way even though you are clearly ignoring them. I tend to go for the drivers that aren’t in my face. We finally get back to my school and promptly pass out. I had to wake up early to work the next day. Here begins Boba’s five days in Dongying!!!

I had to work seven days in a row to make up for our break. Holidays don’t really exist in China for teachers. Most schools make you make up the days you were off. What results is usually us working seven days in a row -_- This eats my soul and is usually atrocious. The kids get so cray when their schedule is broken. I love my babies, but it is a test of my strength, I tell you!

There isn’t much to do in my city (I’ll talk about this more in another post). Regardless, it was nice to have Boba see the area. As much as I wanted to see him, I didn't want him to visit last semester because I felt that there wasn't anything to see him. I didn't want him to waste time or money to come to Dongying, and I didn't know if I would have time to take him anywhere. Silly me, I forgot that he just wants to see me and didn't care about the other stuff lol 

I took him to the restaurants that I frequent. Taking him to Pizza Hut was super fun because it’s a super ritzy big deal here. He said that it reminded him of the scene from Demolition Man where they go to eat at Taco Bell! He had me rolling with that one! I could picture the scene in my head.

I did receive some frustrating news from my boss. He offered to have the school’s driver take Boba back to the airport. I was super excited because catching a taxi from the bus station to the airport is not fun. You literally have to stand on the side of the highway and fight against everyone that just got off the bus with you to get a taxi. Let’s not even add being at the airport four hours before your flight into this equation. My boss texts me to tell me that the school can’t do it. Of course he does this at the last minute, but it’s all good because this is typical behavior. I was already prepared and had back-up plans. I know I haven’t gone into much detail about my working situation on here, but it has been a hot mess. I usually have to expect the worst with my school and that's exactly what I get with a side of tom foolery. The best thing is I'm always prepared ^_^

Also, Boba got to meet Britni! I was so happy because she is my boo from another mother. We have SO much in common. We have that positively hated our previous job-are both Black-are both Geminis-in LDRs with awesome boyfriends-came to China-now we here connection. We have always understood the other and had each other's back. I definitely think we would have been friends in America. She later told me that Eileen asked what he looked like. Brit told her that I did good haha

The next post will be the last one for this break. Looking back I did a heck of a lot!