Gone to Mongolia

So first, a little bit about what I've been doing. Last weekend was rather boring--I had a midterm today, so I spent most of Saturday and Sunday studying. I did, however, go to Tiananmen on Saturday, where I tried to see the Chinese People's Revolution museum (closed) and the Chinese History museum (closed). Lame. At least I didn't have an attempt made on my camera, like my friend did. Someone came up behind him and snipped his camera cord, but he ran the guy down and tackled him, and got his camera back. Anyways, so a nice boring weekend, which was actually quite refreshing.

Monday I went to the World Bank, where I began my job of calling CEOs of major companies and asking them to contribute time/money to our project. I really like the job, as I get to talk to interesting people and as I think it's going to help me overcome some of my shyness. I'm becoming good friends with the other intern in the office, an undergraduate from the UK, originally from China. Yesterday was special because there was a delegation from headquarters in DC, which included the guy who got me the job in the first place. We arranged to spend Sunday doing some sightseeing, as he's never been to China before. It was a busy week for visitors from the US-today I saw Uncle Mike, my mom's brother. He's a pilot for United and flew here yesterday afternoon. The first time he called me on my cell phone, which was last night, I didn't pick up, because I was crammed in the subway, and trying to fight my way out to get off at my stop. I was seriously regretting my purchase of lillies the stop before, because the plastic wrapping was sticking to my face, adding to the overall sweaty feeling, and I was now having to use them as a battering ram to get through the hordes of people. They've perked up nicely, now, however, and I feel that they were quite worth the 50 cents I paid for them.

Anyways, back to Uncle Mike. We arranged to meet at my school at 1 pm, and I was a bit nervous that he wouldn't make it here, as it is quite far from his hotel and taxi drivers can be really difficult here. I got there early, and he was already there, which was great. We decided to go to a restaurant just 10 minutes away, and had great kung pao chicken, dumplings, and fried rice. Oh, and this is funny. Uncle Mike had eaten a fried potato dish the night before with his fellow pilots, and spotted a picture of what he thought was the same dish. We ordered it, but found out when it arrived, both by looking at it and by tasting it, that it was actually salty seaweed. But spiny, coral-like seaweed. It was super gross, and I've eaten some pretty gross things! We had lunch and then we both went back to our respective hotels for a nap, but it was really great that he came out so far to see me.

Other random stuff: I'm in love with my bicycle and want to take it home with me. Somehow, though, I think shipping will be more than the $10 I spent on, and I don't think mom will appreciate a bike sitting in her garage for the next ten years. It's also a piece of crap. But it's been really cool riding it, and it even has a basket. I'm getting almost Chinese in my bicycle riding skill, although I have not yet learned to pile stuff on the back. People here pile on so much that it the stack is taller than their heads. Heh, I once saw some one lose their load off the back of their bicycle, though, which was pretty funny. Hmm, well, I should probalby start studying for my test tomorrow, considering I have taiqi class in 7 hours. I'll talk to you all after I get back from Inner Mongolia, which I leave for tomorrow at 7 pm. A 12 hour train ride, (in a sleeper, so not bad) and we're there! I'll be back Sunday, and I'll try to update the blog then. Bye!