A Very Chinese and Very Tubular Tuesday

Today has been a Chinese day for sure.  Yes I know I am in China, so all days are Chinese.  BUT this particular tubular Tuesday has been even more Chinese than normal.  Today I learned Chinese, studied Chinese, spoke Chinese, cooked Chinese, and ate Chinese.

See, I told you today was Chinese day.

           

For starters, I now get a lesson twice a week from the Chinese girl who helps with the kids, and helps cook and clean.  That is how I learned some Chinese.  I studied it outside because it was a beautiful afternoon, I just had to go out and enjoy it.

How did I cook Chinese you may ask? Well, let me tell you. 

I was in my room looking up some random Chinese words I remember hearing, and lunch was smelling so good!!! So, I thought to myself, “hmmm…. I know the word for cook ‘zuofan’ so how to ask if I can help…”  Well, thanks to my  handy dandy dictionary (props to Will) I discovered how to ask “Can I help you?”  After rehearsing in my room several times, I went up to the helper and said semi-confidently “Wo keyi bang ni zuofan?” I must have said it close enough to correct because she was picking up what I was laying down. 

So that is the story all about how my life got flipped turned upside down….well not my life, but the potatoes, eggplant, and beef I stir fried did!

 And yes I know the Fresh Prince of Bellaire theme song (but honestly… who doesn’t).

That is how I cooked and ate Chinese. Now as for speaking… I went roller blading at this huge square tonight and got to practice using my Chinese.  One nice thing about my nonexistent Chinese is that when your proficiency is as bad as mine it is easy to get better every day!  I am improving everyday I think, understanding more and more, distinguishing more words when I listen, and maybe even learning to say something knew here and there!

All in all, this is definitely my moment, and I am doing my best to make the most of it.