The dumps

I've been avoiding writing about Hong Kong because to tell you the truth its been really hard being back here in Changsha. Hong Kong was just like America, or England, or any other Western place. It felt like home. I could speak English, I could eat the food I love, I could read and write and navigate on my own. Things were efficient and organized! The post office made sense! The subway was clean! People were polite! I had completely forgotten what it was like to be somewhere like that. Somewhere easy.
So, this last week was rough. I've been wallowing in self pity. Whining and moping and wishing I was somewhere closer to home. Its pretty gross.
This weekend I decided it was time for a rebirth. Time to to get over myself. I rearranged my apartment. I went to the western grocery store for cereal, soy milk, cheese, salt and pepper, pasta. I went out with a friend and we figured out how to make chocolate brownies in a rice cooker while we watched Mr. and Mrs. Smith and ate microwavable popcorn. Bliss! I was so inspired by our rice cooker brownies, I researched other foods you can make in a rice cooker. Turns out those things are pretty versatile. I went to the market today to buy one and found something even better. A pressure cooker! Tonight I made "baked" potato with broccoli and melted cheese. This alone gives me hope for the rest of the year.
Today while I was at the market I had a major triumph with my Chinese. Not only was I having a conversation with the saleswoman about pressure cookers and what I can and can not do with one...that alone is a feat worth recognizing. But she took me over to another saleswoman who look really apprehensive to talk to me because I'm a foreigner. The woman looked at her and said (in Chinese) "Oh, its okay, she speaks Chinese." :)
I start volunteering at the orphanage this Tuesday and I am starting yoga and belly dancing at my gym. Next weekend I am going exploring in these mountains, a quick 4.5 hour bus ride away.
This place isnt that bad...
Right?