Me and my CCF in Beijing Day 4

Managed to practise piano yesterday! =) I practised for 1.5 hours during lunch...and I still haven't been given any work to do at the office, so at 4pm, I went down to practise another 6 hours. All for 30 yuan!

Today, I had no idea what to do by myself and decided to go shopping

I went out with my big Tommy Hilfiger bag and guess what I came back with...

Only 1/4 of it fit into my bag. I was holding everything else, as I walked and took public transport. SO TIRED. Imagine squeezing with all those things on the very crowded subway trains and buses.

Anyway, I headed to Silk Street Market in the morning and bought most of my stuff there, many for friends. I found that I was a lot less into shopping and fashion as compared to the past, couldn't be bothered to look through everything like the way I used to. I just looked for what I wanted in a few stalls, bought all of them and was surprised to find that it was only 2pm by the time I got bored. So I took a train with my loot to Xi Dan...

77th Street Mall has totally expanded! Got distracted along the way before I went to the big market.

Bargaining is so tiring. I think it's such a waste of time that they give ridiculously high prices, and I give ridiculosuly low prices, and then we negotiate a compromise. And everyone claims to give a 'friendship price', and calls me 'mei nu' (pretty woman). If I decide that I don't want to waste my time and refuse to buy, they don't let me go and claim I've wasted their time. Oh, the interesting is, many shopkeepers asked where I was from - the guesses ranged from US, UK, Hong Kong. Oh, not much of a range. My answer is usually 'Malaysia' and occassionally 'Singapore' (if the stall gives a fixed price, since I don't have to bargain.) And when they confirm I'm not from China, they say, 'No wonder, you speak in such refined/soft/gentle/feminine way'. They probably didn't guess that I was speaking softly because most of them were so aggressive in tone, and I didn't really want to scare anyone with my terrible Chinese by being loud. Then again, I felt pretty natural speaking Mandarin all day, discussing prices and making up stories about how I'm a poor student from Malaysia with no money.

Underwear, boxers, socks.

Polo tee and blouse.

Bottoms

Magic set for my brothers! I paid a bit more than I was willing to for this because I was dreaming away, and divided the price by 10 instead of 5! Nevertheless, I think it's a good gift.

BAGS.
Handbag accessories.
Plant! For my colleague who likes keeping plants in the office. Hope it really grows.
Accessory stickers - I know quite a few of my girlfriends like it.
Earrings - Amazing it's so few. The last time I was in Beijing, I think I spent half my money on earrings!

I have to confess, I am getting a bit lonely. Last night, I didn't want to sleep because it was Friday night and I was craving company, someone to talk to, besides random hellos online. In the end, I read and settled into bed. Nevertheless, it's efficient being alone. I suspect I managed to shop so fast today, because it was just me.

Shower, dinner, rest.