TGIF...well, it really doesn't matter...I am unemployed!

As I sit here pondering what I am going to write, out the window I see the hustle and bustle of the city waking up and people heading off to work. I miss working. I never really thought of it before, but it really does give you a purpose and kind of defines who you are. I am a nurse, but I haven't "been a nurse" for over a month now...and I miss it.
It feels quite strange...being in a foreign country and trying to adapt to this new way of life. Don't get me wrong...I'm not complaining, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity that I am very glad I could take advantage of. It's just another chapter in my life.
On other news...well I went to the EAS meet and greet coffee yesterday and visited with the ladies. It was nice to hear about some of the vacations in sunny and warm places. I also was told...I am no longer "a rookie", as there were a couple of new members that joined the group yesterday. One of the ladies even said..."nope she is no longer a rookie...she stepped right up and even wrote the article for the last outing that we took to the Silk Factory" When the leader asked for a volunteer to write up an article for the newsletter, no one appeared to want to do it...so I said I would. I write so much for school...I figured "what the heck"...it was a pretty easy thing to do. Come to find out...I have done my "due diligence" for the year now! Sometimes it pays off to step up! :)
After the coffee get together, Val and I headed over to a vegetable and fruit market I learned of that is near the apartment complex where we live. Mr. Shen drove us over there, because he had also taken us over to the hotel for the coffee social, as it was pouring rain. Thank goodness for the benefits of having a driver! It was quite amusing...lots of "Ni Hao" (hello) and waving us over to their different produce stands. I was eying the cherries...until I was told the price 115.00 RMB (roughly $17.00) Really? See, sometimes the bigger problem of being a Westerner in China is; they assume we our all rich and moronic! Then, they want to play the "haggle" game...I didn't have time for that...so I just said "buyao" (sounds like "boo yow")meaning: don't want it. We looked around a bit more and I bought some pears (have I mentioned the INSANELY wonderful pears I've become addicted to? I swear they are so good I eat one or two a day!) Hey, I can think of way worse things to become addicted to while here! :p
So, off we go back hometo the apartment, and I have some reading and homework to do. Mark and I had the leftover Indian food for dinner (Yummy as usual!) and watched American Idol.
I think tonight we will head over to the Blue Marlin for dinner and listen to the band for a bit. It will be an early night, since Mark has to work in the AM. Time to jump in the shower..I bid adieu till next time...