I have arrived.

A list of things which have happened since I left American soil.

1. I landed in Beijing and was amazed by the airport. It's super nice now that it's been renovated and far less confusing. I found my way around for the most part with great ease.
2. The Chinese must have something against soap. As I was going through security to get to my Nanchang flight they took my shampoo, body wash, hand sanitizer, and conditioner, but left everything else.
3. I found a nice cafe in which to have a lu cha (green tea). It cost me 25 yuan. Pricey.
4. While in the cafe I pulled out my laptop to see if I could get internet access. Don't you know, that laptop did the darndest thing. It BLUE MUTHER FRIGGIN' SCREENED OF DEATH! So, yeah, the laptop is dead. Mom, if you could send me the windows software which should be in my room somewhere on the floor, I would appreciate it.
I may be buying a mac with my next paycheck.
5. I read Eat, Pray, Love during my 6 hour layover in Beijing. It's very good and I recommend it to everyone.
6. Upon arrival in Nanchang I was picked up by Mr. Wang... who did not have a sign with my name on it like he was supposed to. We found each other anyway.
7. It took 2 hours to get to Jiujiang from Nanchang. We passed by Nanchang Institute of Technology. I think that's where Nathan is teaching. It's in the middle of nowhere, but only about an hour from where I am.
8. My apartment is pretty swank. I'll post pictures in a minute. Mr. Wang bought me a couple sets of posh bedding.
9. My kitchen is the size of a shoebox. However, I have a nice new shower.
10. Mr. Wang and I had dinner. This consisted of a whole fish, a chopped up chicken, tofu, mushroom soup. I have the leftovers in my fridge. I saw a chicken foot and a spine when she was putting the chicken pieces in the box. I will not be eating the leftovers.
11. There are no other foreigners in Jiujiang except for myself and another teacher. There are three foreign teachers here total. I am one of them. Another arrives next week.
12. I will only have classes of 16, not 40. This is a relief. I do not know if I will be teaching Business English or Oral English.
13. Everyone calls me 'Waiguo'.
14. I miss everyone a lot. This still doesn't feel very real. Maybe once I get my schedule on Friday.
15. On every flight I was on there was an empty seat next to me. I pretended that Aaron was sitting there. It made the 27 hours of travel time much more pleasant.
16. I have made a list of things I need to buy tomorrow. It is as follows:
a.) trash can for the bathroom
b.) toilet paper
c.) bowls
d.) hair dryer
e.) hair straightener
f.) hangers
g.) plastic bins
h.) rugs
i.) iron
j.) drying rack
k.) razors
l.) laundry basket
m.) face wash
17.) After dinner Mr. Wang took me shopping to replace my shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Now I can get clean.
18. My washing machine is on wheels and attaches to my bathroom faucet. It is bizarre. The buttons are in Chinese and I don't know what they say.
19. I am watching Chinese talent show on tv right now and a girl is doing silks. This makes me think I may be able to get ahold of some or a trapeze much easier than previously thought.
20. I have used a lot of my Chinese today in little ways.
21. Tomorrow Mr. Wang and I are going to get my Chinese cell phone up and running.
22. I am hoping that I get to meet the other foreign teacher tomorrow also. And that she will take me shopping.
23. My clothes closet is in the front hallway because that is the only place with hangers and a pole by which to hang them.
24. The things in my kitchen: a hot plate, a sink, a microwave, a rice maker, four plates, a butcher knife, a kettle, some steak knives, counters, and cabinets. (I.e. no stove)
25. Nathan really needs to get here. Like now.
26. Kids here are getting fat. Looks like obesity in kids isn't just America's problem now. Thanks, McDonalds.
27. I do not have a couch. Instead I have four chairs. Two are nice, cushioned chairs. Two are hard wooden chairs. This does not make sense to me.
28. I won free toothpaste at the grocery store. It was on my list, so that was pretty lucky, otherwise I wouldn't have any because I forgot about it completely.
29. I miss my cat.
30. I have a doorbell.
31. I can't find the mini usb drive I bought before I left. Mom... do you know where it's packed?
32. Find all Jiujiang pictures here. They have descriptions with them.