Rotary Club Meeting

Thursday at noon in a town near you the Rotary Club is meeting. I didn't prepare nearly as much as I should have for giving a small speech about myself. I know, who knows me better than I do? In some ways I'm sure this is true but sometimes I feel like maybe there are people who know me as well as I know myself. My mom knows me pretty well and she probably could have done a good job giving the speech in my place, we all know she has more public speaking skills than me.
The fence at my Grandparents house. This fence has many memories from my childhood.

Before I went into the Rotary meeting in Spruce Pine, my sponsor club, I meet my mom at Granny and Papa's. We went and got cider at Alta Pass Orchard. Their cider used to be pretty bad but both my mom and I had heard that they were getting their cider pressed by Saylors Orchard which is the orchard in Bakersville. Saylors has really good cider and so mom and I took a chance and spent twice as much and got a 1/2 gallon. Lucky for us it was Saylor's cider. And if it wasn't then Alta Pass has gotten much better at pressing cider.

My speech and at the club went well. I probably rambled a bit. I tried to make a ruff outline before I went in to speak, but I forgot some of what was on it. I guess that is the way it goes.

After that was over I went back over and helped my mom prepare more for getting my grandfather back to NC. She is interviewing all of the people who I called last week. I felt like I called millions of people even though it was only 38 or so, from a list the hospital provides.

Matthew and I went to our Chinese lesson. Again I feel behind, Matthew is way ahead of me. I am trying to keep up but it is hard. Maybe by next week I'll get as much as him.

Art, Mandarin, and Packing

Today was mom and dad's opening at Blue Spiral. Matthew and I invited them over for dinner. I don't know what I was thinking not cleaning up the apartment until the last minute and then having to pack to head down to Matthew's mom's tomorrow.

I slept in so that was a late start to the day. Matthew made biscuits, bacon, and eggs for me. It was great. We watched Gilmore Girls with breakfast. I really like the show. After breakfast we went for a walk. It was cool but in the sun it was pretty warm. When we got back we opened all the windows to try and warm it up in the apartment. It was much warmer outside than inside.

For lunch we went to Urban Burrito. I still miss Rio Burrito, but when you want a burrito you take what you can get. We did some shopping. So by the time we got back to the apartment I had to rush and get everything ready to cook and then get dressed for the show at Blue Spiral. That basically meant taking off the flour covered shirt and putting on a different one. The show was interesting and didn't seem to have a coherent theme to me. We couldn't stay long as Matthew and I had a Mandarin lesson. It was our third lesson. I found someone who taught Mandarin on Craigslist. I have to say I really think it is a good thing we are having lessons before we go otherwise I don't know how we would get on.

When we got back to the apartment I cooked the chicken pot pie the rest of the way and was going to start on an apple cake when mom and dad got here. We made the cake together, mom and I, and it was like I was a kid again and she was helping me learn to cook. We used to bake a lot together. It was really fun. Particularly eating the sugar and butter without the egg. I'm surprised I never got sick. The food turned out good and it was really fun. I'm glad we had them over.

After they left Matthew and I packed for going down to Wilmington for the weekend. I packed like I was going to be gone for much longer than I am. I for once have more stuff than Matthew but that is mostly because I have my violin and that adds a lot. I think I will be glad to have it though.

No Mandarin

Yesterday morning I got a call from AB Tech saying that due to low enrollment they were canceling the Mandarin for beginners class. It really made me upset as I was hoping that the teacher would be able to help Matthew and I find a good place to teach in Kunming. That won't be happening now. I did get on Craigslist and find a teacher in the area who gives lessons in Mandarin and I contacted him. So it looks like Matthew and I will still be able to take lessons before we go. I was just looking forward to the class. I guess I miss being in school and I wanted to have something similar to school. I will be going to grad school so I shouldn't get to upset over not having a class this year.

Last night was a late night at work. I was supposed to be working at 6 this morning but I ended up trading with a girl whose babysitter was not working out. As a result I got to sleep in. I'm really happy about that. I do have to work 2 to close today so it could be a long day but at least I will be getting hours which I haven't been getting enough of recently. I'm looking for another job as it is. I would really like to work at a movie place or a book store. The two things that I really like movies and books. Yesterday I ordered a book from Amazon, which will start my immersion into everything Chinese. It is called Chinese Lessons: Five Classmates and the Story of a New China by John Pomfret. I think if nothing else it will be an introduction to Chinese culture. I'm looking forward to getting it.

Today it really feels like fall is starting. It is cool outside and the weather can't decide if it is going to be sunny or cloudy. I am really enjoying it.