Halloween Wandering

Today I took my weekly Friday test, which I felt went pretty well.

Then I started filming a movie with two other students--it is homework--we had to write it, plan it, and then act in it. Thanks to Jake for giving me some experience with this sort of thing. I made a lovely stickfigure storyboard, and bossed everybody around, and it was really fun. I think our teachers are going to put the movies on Youtube. If so, you will be able to see it but not understand it because it is all in Chinese.

After that, we had our Friday lunch, which is when students go out to lunch with teachers and our program pays for it. I really like this experience because there are usually eleven or so of us, so we order eleven dishes, and then we all share.

Then the weather was great again, so I went to my favorite park, and went back to explore Russiantown a little more. Russian town was cool because all the people trying to sell things spoke Russian to me, also every other store was a fur store, which was cool and scary. Also some people looked really tough. I would not want to cross them.

I bought a hat and scarf for the winter for about a dollar fifty US each. Tonight I am going to have dinner with my Chinese family, then go to our school's Halloween party. I plan to dress up in black and red with fake red eyelashes, I guess it will be a little devilish?

I don't think I am going to make it to nine posts because I really have nothing else to say today.

Seven is pretty close though.

OHctober, I will miss you.

Well I am a little disappointed in myself because tomorrow is the 31st and I will not have 9 posts unless I am very silly today and tomorrow. I haven't decided yet whether or not to go for it. We will wait and see.

The weather here was beautiful all month except for a few overcast pollution-y days. I heard Pittsburgh has been really cold, so I guess that means Ohio too maybe? I spent lots of time outside, going to parks, walking, studying in too-expensive cafes, etc.

You might like to know whether or not I will celebrate Halloween. The answer is yes. I have not had much time to think of a costume so right now it is a black dress and red tights. I did buy fake red eyelashes though. We are having a party with our school at the gym most of us are members of. it is a pretty cushy place so it might be okay. It might just be really awkward. It is weird to go into grocery stores and not see candy and decorations everywhere. I went to a foreign grocery store in the embassy district to buy my eyelashes and a halloween-themed present for my Chinese host family, who I am visiting for dinner tomorrow before our Halloween party.

Also, Molly! the foreign grocery store is on a street with lots of Russian restaurants, I guess it is sort of a Russiatown? Today two women asked me if I was Russian.

Also, it was Jake's birthday this past Tuesday. Happy Birthday Jake! I am jealous of your having a birthday in my favorite month, but I guess since I can celebrate it with you that is okay.

I am nervous because I am writing the first draft of my research paper this weekend, and excited because on Wednesday morning we are leaving for Huang Shan （黄山) 。Check out the pictures, because I don't know if I will be able to post any. Goals for this weekend include researching other picture posting options.

I had one last thing to say but now I forget it. At least I know if I want to post again, it will only bring me one step closer to my goal of 9 posts by tomorrow at midnight!

Love,
Jen