So it has been a while since I have thrown a real update my blogs way. I have been busy I guess, but also lazy. Many times have found myself thinking I should write something, but never getting around to it. Just really need to make blogging a habit, if my sister is any indication, a little habit might soon turn into an addiction.

But anyways, back to the subject at hand, my life and its progression in Shanghai. As I was saying to Tim just last night, when October 1st hit over a week ago now (holy shit!) I could not believe that a month had passed so quickly. I don’t know if it is the business everyday or what, but time is really flying over here. It is a bit monotonous I guess, not that I am not having fun, but class + work can get a little repetitive. Of course I am still telling myself I need to get out an explore more, and it is still not happening. There is always next weekend…

I joined a website for hooking up people for language exchange from all over the world (I think originally started by people in China, but in no way China specific) called italki.com. Got a lot of hits off of that from mostly Chinese people wanting to learn English from me. Have made a few friends though, some in Shanghai, some not. Hung out with one girl, Mandy, during the National Holiday vacation last week. We ended up having dinner at her friend’s parent’s restaurant so that I could speak English with her friend (Mandy’s English was quite good, all things considered). It was a fun time, and lots of good food, though there was, of course, the awkward, “Yeah, I really don’t like that…” after they brought out all the food without ever asking anything I might dis/like. On the upside I didn’t have to pay, so why am I complaining.

Finally, in non-school/work news, was my trip to a nearby sports bar this past weekend on both Saturday and Sunday morning to watch MLB games. Seeing the Sox on a nice big TV, with the English commentary blarring through the empty bar and a beer in my hand, while the Chinese employees looked at the TV with no idea what was happening, was just freaking awesome. Every time I would erupt in elation or dismay at a play I would then have to explain in broken Chinese/English whether I was happy or sad, and why that was the case. Plus the Sox won, and went on to take the series. Good times. I will definitely be back at a bar this coming weekend.

Side note: I can not find shoes in China. I have been to many, many stores and no one cares anything about a US 10.5. This could soon become a real problem. Must find the hidden shoe man that caters to the 老外 (foreigners).

A stinging editorial from Esquire endorsing (sort of) Obama. Amazingly written and saying all the things that need to be said after the past seven years of disaster:

Bushism must be ripped out, root and branch, everywhere it has been established, or else the presidential election of 2008 is a worthless exercise in futility. Barack Obama may not be the man to do it, but John McCain, for all his laudable qualities, clearly is neither willing nor able to do so.

Esquire Endorses Barack Obama for President – Election 2008 – Esquire.