A Quick Run to Town

Date: November 15, 2014

Mood: Feeling Good

Weather: Warm and Sunny

Listening to: Alive by Gravity Kills

Reading: Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger

OMG I woke up dizzy and nauseous this morning. Got sick and that seemed to help a little, but I still ended up staying in bed til noon. Not a fun way to start the weekend. I still felt wobbly and pretty crap most of the early afternoon, so spent that time curled up watching tv and just resting my head. By late afternoon I really wanted to get out and enjoy the gorgeous weather we have been having today, so I pushed through and we went out and caught a bus to town.

We made a pit stop at McDonalds for a totally unhealthy but mildly yummy late lunch/early dinner. Monkeygirl #1 and I labeled it a belated early linner because it was a late lunch and early dinner. lol I couldn't eat my whole meal with my tummy still in recovery mode, but what I ate set well and definitely helped me feel better. After that, I was good to go, so we hoofed it a few blocks to the biggest stationary store here in town. This place is awesome! They have any kind of pen or pencil you could dream of, tons of awesome notebooks, all kinds of art and craft supplies, office supplies out the wazoo, and they have sports equipment, toys, etc. It's called a stationary store, but really it's a bit of an everything store. It's one of my favorite places in town to visit, but it's so hard to go in and come out empty handed. I went in to buy two pens, one for writing letters and one for grading papers. I came out with five pens and two super neat pencils. Plus hubby picked up a few things and the girls got some notebooks, erasers, and miniature storage totes. Who'd have thought it would be so difficult to pick out a pen, pencil, eraser, or notebook? But it was cause there weren't just two or three options to choose from. There were literally dozens on all accounts. FUN! =)

Had to hit the grocery store for some noodles and the wet market for some veggies on the way home. Took about 20 minutes to walk over; however, the weather was so absolutely amazing that it was perfect. And along the way we had the pleasure of taking in a sidewalk magic show. One of the local mobile phone service companies was attempting to draw in crowds before promoting one of their special offers, and what better way than to lure in those with kids first. I have to say though, their guy who was playing the role of the magician was actually quite good. He did several tricks that appeared seamless while we were watching. The girls loved it! After the magic show was over they brought out a snake for everyone to oogle, and then they even threw wooden bead bracelets and stuffed animals to the crowd. Each of the girls scored a couple of the bracelets, but sadly didn't manage to get a stuffie. The hostess saw how hard they had tried to grab one though so pulled us aside afterward and gave them both one. It was really sweet.

That's one of the things I just can't get over here. The people, especially mainlanders, get such a negative rap in so many groups. And I won't say that they don't deserve it in those instances, but you rarely hear anyone say just how kind and nice they are too. That's the thing. They're human like anyone else, and they have their flaws just like the rest of us. Some of their flaws are pretty extreme (urinating publicly with no concern for discretion, spitting, etc.), but many of the mainlanders are incredibly thoughtful, giving, and kind. Someone almost always gives up their seat on the bus for the girls if there aren't seats available, our vegetable guy at the market always throws in free green onions for us, the owner of the shelter gave us an hour ride home after we adopted our kitties, and I could go on. It's sad when a group gets pigeon holed for the shortcomings of some people within in. That's not to say there aren't plenty of things to be legitimately complained about, but it's not really any different than in any other country- just the complaints are different, still all shortcomings though.

All in all it was a really nice afternoon and evening out, and I'm really glad I decided to suck it up and go out despite not feeling tip top. I really think I feel better now, though tired, than before we went out. The fresh air, or as fresh as it can be in and around the crowed polluted streets, and exercise did me good. And spending some quality time just hanging out with my hubby and the monkeygirls was just what I needed. But now this air of relaxing must end. I have several stacks of ungraded exams calling my name, and I'm afraid if I don't respond to some of them tonight that I'll be grading ALL day tomorrow. Let's do this!