Today, I broke free and ate lunch outside by myself. I went straight to a small noodle vendor on the square and bought a bowl of spicy noodles for like 50 cents. She had to ask me twice if I wanted la jiao—spicy peppers—before she actually added it. I think they expect me to eat like a foreigner! Before long I was sitting down in the small courtyard and devouring them. I was thinking pleasant thoughts like, “Words can’t describe how much I love spicy noodles” and “this is probably some of the spiciest food I’ve ever eaten,” when suddenly I realized that my fingers were shaking. SHAKING! That’s when I had to lay down the chopsticks and take a small break for comfort of mind.
But I think it’s a good thing I like spice, even overlooking the fact that my city is known for some of the spiciest food in this country and I probably would starve here if I didn’t. Spice is good for you, I think. For example, the cold I’ve been carrying for like, over a week now is constantly routed by my use of la jiao and hot green tea. Or both in the same mug, which is my own invention of a heavy-duty cough expectorant.
Well, enough about food. We are probably moving into the dorm on Monday and probably starting classes a week from Monday. I say probably because you never know here. They might tell us a week from tomorrow that classes don’t start till Wednesday or later. Even teachers don’t know when they start yet. We would much appreciate your yarping for us as we begin to start this busy time of life. It might be really stressful for me. Yarp for my cold to leave. Yarp for our friendships. Yarp for openness. Yarp Yarp Yarp! OK, that sounds kind of funny, but you just have to translate it and take it seriously. I love all of you. Thanks for everything!!!
