Me and my CCF in Beijing Day 10

Today was filled with more socializing than I would normally tolerate in a day, but very well spent anyway, because company was excellent.

Lunch was with Karen, my dad's ex colleague, which I have mentioned.

I was pretty excited for dinner the entire day, because it was a chance to catch up with Johnny (old friend) and Uncle Chin and his family (Dad's ex-colleague and kinda old family friends, the type we never fail to meet and military functions.)

Oh, I left work a little early to get a fruit basket for the Chins. Oh dear, it was so heavy and I was cringing under it's weight as I queued for twenty minutes. Following that, the road was so choked with cars (and exhaust fumes) that I couldn't get a cab. Worst, I could barely support the basket with one arm for long enough to really flag a cab. When I finally got one, I couldn't open the door and the taxi driver had to help me!

I must say, in just 10 days, my mandarin has definitely improved. It's no longer so broken, unless I am nervous or thinking or difficult words. I discovered that as I conversed with the taxi driver, who was later surprised to discover I speak English. Quite something uh, that he'd believe my first language is mandarin! =)

Dinner was excellent, I had such a good time chatting with them. And Brian, the youngest son, has certainly grown up. So gently, and a bit embarrassing, and nice to have a young boy bother to serve me soya sauce before himself! Impressed. They were all so friendly to Johnny and I, and the food was mmmm. I'm so glad it was Jap food, I love Jap food and am always afriad of chi restaurant that dish up oil drenched (and I mean OIL DRENCHED) dishes with so much salt I can feel the grains in my mouth. The restaurant claims to have the best tempura, and certainly, it was a legitimate claim.

Uncle Chin's wife (whom I call auntie June) is so amusing, in a nice way. She told us loads of stories, and two of them really stuck, and I'm still laughing about them now -

1. The Hospital Story.
The Chinese are known for their lack of grasp in the concept of privacy, and that applies to visiting a doctor too. She told us about her visit to the doctor for a foot ailment, when every other patient, crowded around her and the doctor, asking her questions (such as how long has she been ill), giving advice, and giving the doctor advice. It's bizzare. A cultural thing, really amazes me.

2. The Story of the Red Tie.
Oh did I mention, their son, Benjy, was a very good friend of mine who studies in NUS Medical School now. He had some interview to pass his exam, and he prepared so hard and forgot to bring his tie in his anxiety. And then, while the Dad tried to borrow from friends he knew at NUH, the mum borrowed a tie from an NUS Security Guard. I don't know why I'm so amused! And it was a red tie, so the security guard wished her and her son good luck. The things parents will do for their kids, sweet.

It was really a good catch up. I rarely enjoy conversations in settings with more than 2 people (3 at most). But I really enjoyed tonight. =)

This weekend will probably be less lonely. I'll be heading to Beida to find Johnny tomorrow and on Sunday, my colleagues will be taking me out! Yay.

I was planning to wake up to run tomorrow since I'm occupied at night, but it's so late now I doubt I'll wake up before the sun blazes. Sigh, freaking out about Army Half Marathon. It's silly, but I'll just really hate myself if I'm slower than last year. Same time, fine, but slower, ugh.

Anyway, I am happy today.