Kai Rui's Place

There have been lots of great things happening in the last few weeks, one of the most exciting of which being that I bought a couch!  My apartment has had a couch-like item of furniture from the time I moved in (belonging to the landlord), but since it's really more like a bench masquerading as a couch, I began pondering the possibilities of moving up a step or two in comfort.  After a couple trips to a local store, lots of interactions with the most hyper salesperson in all of China, and a stressful 45 minutes watching three guys trying to get the thing through the living room door, I now have my very own comfy couch!  Check it out...

In other news, spring has finally come to the northeast, although not without one parting shot from winter.  The shot below was taken on the morning of April 21.

In other, other news, I had a visitor last weekend from Beijing!  Alice is a good friend from my days in Yinchuan, Ningxia who now lives in a city not too far away.  We had a great time, especially enjoying spring in Nanhu Park, my favorite place in Changchun.  (Here we are with another friend of mine...)

On the way back from the park I saw something funny (and kinda strange) in the window of an apartment.  Who knows, maybe they run a bust-selling-business right there out of the fourth floor.  I just never knew the demand for busts of ancient Greeks was so high here in China.  :)

Well, that's about all for now...

At 5 feet 8 1/2 inches tall, I'm pretty much a giant around here (especially among women).  At times it can be a great advantage, as I have the ability to see over the heads of huge crowds of people (of which there are a lot in China, incidentally).  Other times, most notably when I'm in the kitchen, it can be a great disadvantage.  Counter-tops hit about mid-thigh range, which translates into low-back pain after any significant amount of time chopping or washing.  The vent-hood over the stove can also be problematic.  See for yourself.  I can't tell you how many times I've hit my head on this thing... 

It's been snowing and/or sleeting for two days straight now.  Despite being a bit cold, it's actually been really fun.  I'm trying to take it all in and enjoy it, as it will probably be our last snow of the season.

Just for fun, I thought I'd post a picture of a recent homework assignment.  This particular piece happens to be a little story about how my dog got slapped in the face by a cat once when we took her to the vet.  Try not to be too astounded by the depth and profundity of my work. 

It's good to be back in not-too-awfully-cold Changchun after about a month spent in Thailand and southern China.  It was great re-connecting with friends at our annual conference and great spending time in the mountains of Yunnan Province.  In the end though, I am glad to be home. 

The weather right now in Changchun is holding with highs in the upper 20's and low 30's, which is a world of difference from the -4 to -22 temperatures we were experiencing when I left.  The days are clear and sunny, and actually look quite warm when you're staring from a window.  What I'm enjoying most, though, is sleeping in my own bed and having a vast array of clothing to choose from every morning.  Ok, "vast array" might be pushing it a bit, and what's more, I just realized I'm wearing the same thing I wore yesterday.  Oh well.

The point I'm really trying to make is that I'm thankful to be back in Changchun, and I'm even more thankful that I'm thankful to be back.  This place is becoming more and more like home to me, and it's been good to stop and consider the many things I really do enjoy about this city.  So, here's to a month of safe and successful travel, and to returning to clear-skied, friendly Changchun and calling it home.

P.S.  Classes start in a week or so, if you're keeping track. 

Here are a few shots from the trip.  To see more, click here:  Yunnan 2008 Trip