Frost bite's not so bad, right?

Thanks to good ole' Mao Zedong (no, he is not still China's leader, it's some dude named Jintao - not that this is even important to my point) 22 million people living in The Middle Kingdom's capital are chattering, trembling, and all-around freezing for 18 glorious more days. The reign of Communism in China did not only bring government-controlled ownership of property, censorship in the media, the inability to be in a free-society, and basically a nation of brainwashed citizens. Communism in China also means freezing to your bones is no longer just a silly saying. The low tonight in Beijing is 40 degrees. Because we don't have a thermostat in our apartment who knows if it is colder inside or out at this point. I am dressed in my Winter's best (even though we are still close to two months away from the season) today. Gloves, hat, scarf, boots, thick socks, four shirts, jeans and even long johns are gracing my icicled body. Apparently two years ago the temperature in October dipped down below 40 during the daytime so the government decided to turn the heat on early. After a few days of thawing, the temperatures across Beijing went back up to 50 and someone in red decided that was the last time they would allow their people the luxury of warmth. They called the use of coal-supplied-heat a waste of China's resources. It is hard to type over the teeth chattering. I will be home for Christmas in 52 days. I can't wait to be back in a land where I can make it as cold or as hot as I please.

Pass the hot cocoa, por favor.

Did I mention that I have been experiencing an incredible amount of sick the past few days? I took Wednesday off work because I spent the weekend curled up in the fetal position in between runs (some successful and some un) to the bathroom for bouts of vomiting and  other horribleness which shall go unnamed. I wonder if it would be easier to kick the sick to the curb if I wasn't forced to wear bed slippers and long johns even at work?

Mandarin lesson:
Qiǎokèlì nǎichá 巧克力奶茶 (Chocolate milk tea - things are done a little differently here)

In desperate need of a happy day

Unfortunately I went to sleep at 4:30 in the morning and then woke up at 9:00. I also forgot to eat breakfast. Obviously I was in need of a happy day. Sooooo T and I went out for pedicures. Looky here:

Before: I was obviously in need of one of those, too...

It was hard deciding on the perfect polish. I mean, check out my options!

Thankfully I found one that was JUST right!

We even got water and fruit while we were pampered.

Happiness defines me in this moment

T looks pretty swell, too

So yeh.. basically I said that we needed to put on our happy faces and take pictures because this blog was in need of an update. But, I must be honest in saying this is all you will be getting for now!

Today I fulfilled two life dreams

Which dreams you may be wondering? Well every since I can remember I have loved Michael Jackson. I pretty much know every one of his songs. I have all but his newest album. I grew up obsessed with the King of Pop. When I was little used to watch Michael on a video that my mom had. I would fawn over his dancing and you would frequently see me doing the stereotypical Michael move - the crotch grab with a hang in the air. Today Theresa and I spent some time learning Michael's Thriller dance. The teaching staff is going to perform Thriller at our Halloween event in a couple of weeks. I absolutely cannot wait. The dance was actually a lot easier to learn than I thought it would be. We pretty much have the moves down and now we are going to work on having stiff movements and then adding in the zombie personalities. We are going to be the coolest early education center ever.

My other dream... well, not quite so life-long but definitely is something I have been wanting forever. It has finally gotten cold enough to wear my Uggs! So for the first time ever, I wore my Uggs. They are the best. I am happy that I have such fabulous shoes to keep me warm. I am in love.

Speaking of the weather, I have a feeling we are really in for quite the Winter here. It is really getting cold and apparently the heat will not be coming on until mid-November. Thanks Communism... you win again. We also noticed that we no longer have air conditioning. I guess they take that away in September. The sun starts to go down at 5 pm now and it is pretty dark by 6. It is really strange. I guess by Winter it will be dark at like 3 pm. Who knows...

Mandarin lesson:
Jiāngshī 僵尸 (zombie) Xuēzi 靴子 (boots)

Photographic Evidence

Day One in Paradise: 

The view from our hostel

The night ended with a BANG!

I kind of have a thing for a colored door...

Trippers Carpe Diem - Our hostel

The view from the side of our hostel

The death traps... err I mean, bikes and a restroom at our hostel

West Street - Check out the mountain!

Day Two:

Entrance to Butterfly Spring Park

The caves inside the mountain

It just wouldn't be China without the stairs

The view from Butterfly Spring

We were wondering where the butterflies were at...

Oh wait, there's ONE!

Death bridge



More EFFING stairs... to Moon Hill



We made it to the top with our lovely "guides!"

Floating in our mud bath

Do you think we are dirty?

Pre-mud

Moon Hill from the bottom

Day Three:

Hey! I am in a kayak!

Opening of the Impressions Light Show

Day Four:

Chef C and Chef T

My pork stuffed veggies!

Stir-fried eggplant- Yangshuo style

Cashew chicken, bok choy, and beer fish!

Me and my new cursing, drinking, European friend

Day Five:

View from the front of our bamboo raft

Why did the chicken cross the road?

Deathcycles.

Commorant fishing- pretty cool.

See... a squatter in a room of concrete. I did not tell a lie.

Day Six:

Village on the rice terraces

Kids playing

I call this a durkeyicken... or just dinner would suffice.

The rice terraces. Is this even real life?