Today on September 22nd

Today I went to a Chinese wedding where I was billed in the program as, "Let's Play!"

I haven't performed in front of people (outside the short people I perform for 5 days a week,) since my college days. (And those days are quickly receding further and further into my past.)
It was fun.

I like energizing people.
I like energizing crowds.
(I wish I could participate in the theatre!)

Today I tried to converse with a young Chinese girl in Chinese. I like young Chinese-speakers. They keep talking, thinking you understand, realizing you don't/won't, but still trying and talking. We counted together and chatted about...milk.

Today I loved seeing the wedding ceremony. So simple! Much different than weddings in America. Much different from the weddings I have seen in China, thus far. More prayer, more Bible reading. I loved the simplicity -- of the furnishings, the clothes, and the venue. We were there to support and celebrate the union of the bride and groom. What else should matter?

My young chatting companion and one of my sister-colleagues.

Today, after the wedding, we went to eat at a restaurant. (Common for American weddings to operate in this way, but Chinese weddings are usually held in a restaurant -- sometimes the ceremony is happening while the guests sit around the not-yet-filled tables. The ceremony itself is actually much influenced by the West -- wedding dresses, rings, songs, etc.) The food was SO YUMMY!! Fried pumpkin bread -- doughnut-like. Muy delicioso. (Hao chi.)

Today I chatted with some of my national colleagues. Very nice. I loved feeling our connection -- as co-workers and sisters.

Today I walked home and smelled the "aroma" of Tianjin. Not a delight.

Today I paid 32RMB ($5.50) for a 60 fluid ounce bottle of bleach. (Last time I bought bleach at the import store I paid a similar price for double the beach. I "need" my bleach.)

Today I went to the market and bought my niu rou (beef), ji rou (chicken), almonds, flour, cai (vegetables), and shui guo (fruit) from the sellers on the street -- and the meat sitting out on the counters, with the cloth fans flying above them. (An effort to fan away the circling flies.) I spent less than $30. I still need to get yogurt and bread -- maybe some bananas, but these should last for half a week.


Now I am sitting at my computer, pondering the time, pondering the possibilities.