September 12, 2001

• Woodies and Wedgies.

  
  

  Well, shit, I'm almost out of underwear.  I have one more clean one pair left and if I cannot find any decent ones soon, I might have to go commando.  I have already been reduced to using my emergency tighty whities, man am I glad I brought them.  Please don't laugh, instead feel sorry for me.  When I lived with my dad's friend here in Shanghai, a maid would come and clean my clothes.  Since I've moved into the school however, I have not had that luxury. 

  
  

  The weather here in Shanghai is very hot, at least 24, 25 everyday and upwards of 30+ during the afternoon.  I sweat almost all the time and must shower frequently (I hate feeling sticky).  I have tried to look for new underwear at the stores, but nobody in Shanghai sells boxer briefs.  The only underwear I've been able to find are usually speedo-like light blue and have that elastic waist and leggings.  I've been looking for a place to clean my clothes, but they all seem very shady.  Narrow alleyways, dark rooms, some even without washing machines.  I know people can hand wash, even I myself could but I wouldn't know where to begin, or how to do so in such a way that would effectively clean them.

  
  

  The only place I can wash my clothes in my rez is by buying a bucket and washing them in the bathrooms.  I suppose I could scrub my clothes along my washboard abs but then I would be dirty.  But in all seriousness, to do so would basically have me crouch in front of the shower scrubbing my clothes while the shower is going sprinkling above me all while I'm naked.  Attractive, huh?  Not only that, but I don't think I've been able to get across how nasty some of the facilities here are.  Although I've had some firsthand experience while on my Loveboat trip, nothing can prepare you for the first time.  My skin touches nothing, no floor, no walls, just my shoes and my linens.  I'm reminded of my house in 2nd year at Queen's.  Rodge, Alastair etc. and even Jascha can attest to the poor condition that our house was in.  Basically, my shoes never came off until I went to bed.  Thankfully, my roommate is immaculately clean (Koreans are soooo clean!).  And our room remains the only sanctuary for me and my sensitive body.

  
  

  I want to wait till the weekend and go to my dad's friend's place to have my clothes washed, but basically I have 3 more days to use one pair of underwear.  And no Kirby, re-using is completely out of the question.  Might have to go commando!

  
  

  School started on Tuesday, I'm in class level B.  There are 6 levels, A - E and A is the lowest.  I'm already a little lost, I've learnt aver 50 characters already, but am determined to be as studious as ever.  It didn't quite work today though.  Why you ask?  Well, today, I met two new friends.

  
  

  I overheard them speak Cantonese while I was studying and said hello.  Cantonese in Shanghai is music to my ears, and I'm always curious to know why they are here.  The two girls I met have been studying at Fudan for four years now, both in Journalism, both very nice people.  A friend and I ended up spending most of the day with them, lunch and then dinner.  Still haven't done any work yet!

  
  

  I also just found out about that whole NYC thing.  I hope nobody I know was injured.  It's really weird here because the news stations in China have kept its coverage to a minimum.  I did not understand the gravity of the situation until a classmate of mine from California told me what had happened (he caught it on Hong Kong cable news).  Although I would like to go about talking about the ramifications of such an incident to world politics, I think 'big brother' is watching.  All I can say, is that this shit is phucked up.

  • 8:05 am
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