My patience and time is short these days

I've solved 2 of the 3 issues I had previously. I got insurance for my trip and found a place to live for 24 days for free on June 1st. I am STILL working on my visa. I don't like threatening people, so I 'PROMISED' the school that if my visa isn't taken care of by June 1st, I will not return for the next term in the fall. I am told its a long process the first time, but this is really too much. Worst case scenerio is I go back to the states (f'n expensive)after my summer in France, apply for a job and work visa like most normal people and come back to China. I am dead set on not stepping foot on US soil again until I can speak Chinese and have gotten everything out of this 'experience' that I possibly can. I'm clearly stubborn and/or dumb right now.

I've cut down the number of private students to 6. I've decided this will definitely give me less grey hair. I've not been to the gym or worked out really in almost 2 months now. Somehow discouragement and motivation go hand in hand. Having a boyfriend makes me fat, lazy and spoiled. *mental note: think about perhaps not having a boyfriend*
Jo is good. I told him I've been reading forums and having discussions about how Nigerians are a crazy bunch and to be in a relationship with one is "proceed with caution". He laughs at me tells me "Most Black people (meaning the Africans) here in Shanghai are rude and that he doesn't trust any of them." He then ask me "Why do you think I don't introduce you to anyone when we go out." I reply "because you're rude?" He says "No, because someone will try to challenge me to try and take you from me" I laugh and say "well Spartacus, good to know you are not wanting to fight for me and we live in such a barbaric time". He looks at me kisses me on the forehead and says "its a cultural thing that I'm not sure I can explain in English, so work harder learning Chinese and we can have more serious conversations" He's an asshole sometimes. Patronizing me. My 7 year old student, Ken told me he was also disappointed in my Chinese learning. He told me last week that "Lǎoshī D hěn cōngmíng" (Teacher D is very smart/clever).wèishéme zài nǐ de zhōngwén xuéxí (why bad at studying your chinese?) I told him "Wǒ míngbái nǐ gāngcái shuō de!!!!" (I understand what you just said) He sighs and pats me on the back and says in English "we will work hard together. i'm going to practice a little piano and you study some chinese. english lesson after." Whats with these kids having me questioning my life choices...hilarious.


One of my lovely Chinese friends told me she bought me this new thing in China called a "Groupon" for yoga classes.(yes Groupon is finally here, I am in so much trouble now) She wants me to go with her. All I could do was laugh. I like WHEN the stars do feel like lining up in my favor. Fate is kind of amazing.

this is my life...for now