these dayz

Pretty low-key times leading up to Alexei's arrival, but once he's here, things will pick up, and travel adventures will be stirred up again. I've been conjuring up tentative plans, we will see which ones pan out. The routine has been a mixture of guzheng lessons and practice, calligraphy lessons and practice, late-nite cheap eats, self-studying the mandarin when i learn new vocab and such, and tutoring English to a friendly Taiwanese businessman. Guzheng is fun, but difficult for me since I've had no previous experience with stringed instruments. Calligraphy is also very challenging, although it is a relaxing activity.
所以呢 Shanghai in just a few days, very excited to see Alexei. The World Expo is going to be something else. If you haven't read much about it, just Google it. In particular I want to see the British and Japanese pavilions. With a one-day ticket, we shall see just how much we are able to squeeze in... As for the other days, guess I'll just have to give Shanghai another chance. Truth is, I never liked the place. I've thought Shanghainese are the nastiest of all Chinese people. Furthermore it is expensive and ritzy. But you know I remember reading an interesting perspective about Bangkok. Some people say Bangkok isn't at all a good representation of Thailand. Then I read another opinion about how really Bangkok with all its filth and prostitution is really not an exception, but the rule- it grew of its own accord from that very soil. Thus I will think of Shanghai as just another piece of diverse China, the natural conclusion of all the events that lead it to be what it is today.
But I have digressed. Here is a watercolor Shawna painted of me as The Joker, based on my passport photo and a conglomeration of deep pimple swelling on the edge of my mouth which arose out of nowhere: