It is.

Well this is a little weird.

It’s the holidays, but I’m not home. As in, home-home. Permanent address-home.

It’s also that “holiday/vacation/school break” where you know that everyone gets off. Consecutive days off, at the same time. No exams, papers to worry about. The first time since summer. It’s also the first time, where for many of us, it’s the first big break we’ve had since starting the post-college life. A milestone of sorts. It’s prime time for everyone to meet up, reunionize again, catch up and reminisce, share new stories of the love, the hurt, the funny, the sad and the awkward. Remember that first winter break since starting college? Winter 2004. But this time, 4 years older. It’s the most wonderful time ... of the year.


And I don’t get to experience it this year. At least not in the way I used to. New times, new changes.

Dear 304 ...

Dear 304 ...

This song came on the radio when I was in the car yesterday. It took me back 6 months. In my opinion, the goodbyes were rushed because everyone had to leave immediately for one reason or another. We knew things were going to be different now, but in a way, we went through the motions as if tomorrow would be the same as today, nothing would have changed, circumstances and schedules would have remained the same.

On that last day, my college best friends and I packed up the apartment and our personal belongings. 4 years of our lives suddenly seemed so tiny and plain as everything fit into boxes and cars. However, we knew the true story inside those boxes.

One last look around.
One final hug.
“I can’t believe this is it.”
“It’s been great. It’s been fun.”
“I’m going to miss you.”
“Me too.”
“I gotta go. They’re waiting for me.”
“Yeah, me too. Have a safe trip.”

bye.
bye.

A few hours later, when everyone was back at their permanent addresses, this song was linked through instant messages. We still had remnants of 304 on us. I’ll be honest, I teared up as the emotions and memories from the last 4 years hit me as a giant slap in the face. A good slap. But still a slap nevertheless, as a reminder that it all came and went by too fast.

Tina, I’m sorry you were not available at that time for that final 304 moment. But here it is again - this time shared across state lines and time zones.

The emotions, memories and sentiments remain true. This may mean that proper goodbyes were never needed because we will never really say goodbye to each other. Let’s pick up from where we left off...

Hello.

p.s. For those who don't know Chinese, learn some Chinese and translate the lyrics (or google translated lyrics). Despite the corny and tacky late-90s graphics, it's a nice song.

Friends by Emil Chau
朋友 by 周華健

Egg & Tomatoes

Today I had the best egg & tomatoes dish that I’ve had in China ... maybe in my entire life. This is one of my default dishes that I get sometimes when I’m not really craving anything, but I need food. Or if I’m not sure what to order at a take-out place or a Muslim restaurant. I like this dish because it’s simple and it’s familiar; I know all the ingredients that goes into it.

The one I had today was a good mixture of solid and mushiness. It was not too salty and it was not too sour. In fact, it tasted a bit like spaghetti sauce. Delicious Western-style spaghetti sauce. Mmm...

I had it at ZFH during dinner. Yes, a Chinese school dinner out of the customary metal tray.

Joey's Play

Last night, a couple Shane teachers and I went to watch one of our own, Joey, perform in a local play for charity. This is what City Weekend has to say about it:

“Beautiful Thing by Jonathan Harvey is an urban fairytale that reminds us that the things we want in life are possible. This multi-award winning play is the unlikely coming of age story of two teenagers living in a London housing estate who fall in love against all odds. Sensitive Jamie (Joakim/Joey Eriksson) would rather watch rainbows and musicals than be at school. His athletic neighbor, Ste (Derek Kwan), throws himself into sport to avoid the troubles that wait at home. Jamie's feisty mother Sandra (Christy Shapiro) juggles her job as a barmaid and her younger lover and working-class wannabe, Tony (JP Lopez). Their sassy neighbour Leah (Sophie Lloyd) has been kicked out of every school in the area and lives vicariously through her idol, Mama Cass of Mamas and the Papas fame, whose music forms the soundtrack to the play.

Adapted from the award-winning movie written by Jonathan Harvey, this play is an urban fairytale, reminding us that the things we want in life are possible. Set in a council estate in Southeast London, Beautiful Thing centers on five endearing characters who are trying to confront themselves and find true love. All proceeds from the event go toward the Chi Heng Foundation, a charity committed to educating people about HIV/AIDS and supporting those infected.”

Lisa and I met up for dinner at Metro City and then grabbed a cab. It was performed at the Zhijiang Dream Factory (芷江梦工厂）and was basically a Shanghai expat-y event where all the foreigners come out with the occasional Chinese girlfriend. The play was good and funny and the actors kept us entertained. Even though it was the story of two gay boys, the play was not overtly gay ... it was basically a love story that happened to have gay boys at its center. Joey was pretty funny and we commented that his personality was shown throughout the play because we totally saw him speaking and acting in that manner in real life.


When Jamie tells his mom he’s gay and she talks about the times when Ste stayed over at their home because of his abusive father:
Sandra Gangle (mom): And all this time I felt sorry for you for having to share a bed with Ste. But it could just be 70 minus 1.

When Jamie’s mom has her boyfriend go in to talk to Jamie:
Jamie: I’m queer!
Tony (boyfriend of mom): Wow, so does your mom know?
Jamie: *sarcastically* No, I thought I would tell you first.