Today the sun was out a little

Tuesday November 16
(Also posted Monday's blog)




Today the sun was out a little. When it rains and storms, the internet connection goes out. That is one reason that I miss a day to post this blog. So if you check and I have not posted a blog, you will know that there is a storm in Yantai China. The other reason that the blog was late this time was that I got a care package from home. More on that later.




Since is was a warm day today, training didnt hurt as much. When we did drills the class split up because some guys were grading today. Today's grading are for people who failed at their Friday grading or are for people who are leaving before next week. Master Gou left about 7 of us to finish the drills and took the others who were grading to review their moves. Orun led one of the line drills and Kjetil led the other. In between reviewing the grading students, Master Gou would call over to us to do a certain drill. Several times Orun would not remember or not know how to do the drill Master wanted us to do. When that happed, I would show Orun how to do it. Then everyone would follow. I thought it was funny how I am pretty new and I am helping one of the older students do the drills. 




Grading was really long today. A lot of people graded Shaolin, Baji, Ti Chi, and wing Chun forms. The Ti Chi forms took FOREVER! There were about 4 guys doing Ti Chi and each one went over 7 minutes. Watching it for 7 minutes isnt hard but they all did the same form! It became predictable and not as exciting! But that wasn't the worse part. They played the same chinese song that lasted about 4 minutes over and over. I think that song is in the movie Kung Fu Panda. The song is ok but when you hear that song play about twice each form it gets really annoying! I can hum the whole 4 minute song right now! 




After grading was lunch and a translator came and told me I have a package. My parents told me to expect a second care package from home.  Last time I got a package from home I just had to go downstairs to the office.  But they said this package was too big for the mailman to bring to the school. I had to get a taxi and go into town. I didnt mind. I was excited to get my goodies from home.




I love roller coaster. I always wished they were longer. My wish came true. Imagine yourself on a roller coaster in the shape of a taxi cab.  On the way to town I felt like I was in a roller coaster for 30 minutes! The car would swerve left, right, go over bumps, go in the oppistite lane towards on coming traffic. My heart skips a beat everytime a car passes us by, missing us by an inch. You would think I'd get used to it by now since I've been to town a few times but i can tell you, i still feel like I will crash. 




Got my package and it was 70 pounds and big! I got it in the taxi and to the school.  But then I had to carry it up 3 flights of stairs to my room! I managed to do it and not fall! More about the care package next blog.  All I will say now is that my parents said that they sent 100 packets of hot cocoa mix and they did.  They sent two boxes of Carnation hot cocoa mix and each box has 50 packets.




On my way to dinner i was playing Worms on my Iphone. When i was in line the little boy came up to me and asked me what I was playing. I explained the game to him and showed him and he asked if he can play. I said ok. Taught him the controls and let him play. When we got to the food he was addicted to the game. I told him when I was about his age my dad taught me how to play the same game. Only way I got my phone back was because his dad gave him a bowl to hold as we went through the food line. After I got my food I went to sit down. When I sat down the little boy followed me and told his dad to sit over here. He asked me if I too was with my dad. I told him no I'm here by myself. Then he told me about his sister who is 11years old made a Coke Rocket (from mentos and diet coke). We talked about how he is turning 8 tomorrow. Then we talked about Santa and how cold it must be where he lives. While we were talking his dad took a couple pics of us laughing and talking. When he finished eating he asked to play the game. I gave him my phone and he played for a bit. He said he will ask Santa for a iphone like mine with all the same apps. Cute kid. Then he said we should make an iphone that has an app where we can put a straw in it and drink Coke. For a 6 year old he can speak english as a second language very well. The dad told him it was time to go but he wanted to stay. My phone was almost dead so the boy gave my phone back and said that I should charge it before it dies! If my phone wasnt dead I am sure I would still be sitting at the dinner table helping him play Worms. 




Tomorrow is Power training day. Going to get some rest to be ready. 




Goodnight.




-Scott