This week in China, I…
Â
- Discovered Mangosteens - very, very, very good for you and very delicious. Win win!
- Attended a bar opening and found a bunch of Aussies there. Typical.
- Showed three Beijingers a new place to eat - possibly one of the proudest days of my China life yet.
- Practiced for a possible future appearance on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ at ‘Vix’. At three in the morning, my dancing partner and I thought we were in fire. We were not.
- Discovered shopping heaven at the ‘Zoo Market’ - If I had known about this place, I would have arrived in Beijing empty handed.
- Got through the first three seasons of ‘Entourage’ - Best. Show. Ever.
- Went cherry picking. Apparently if you eat them every day you will be become more beautiful. Bring ‘em on!
- Acquired a 2-a-day chocolate ice cream addiction. At 1yuan each,  I can’t say no to their chocolate creaminess when they call.
and most importantly….
- BEAT my boss at boxing on Wii Sports in the new, amazing, slick, rad, awesome, colourful, delightful,  inspiring Student Lounge situated in the NEW CSA office. The game is never to be played again.

Rhia Scrimgeour

Ok so I will admit, sometimes (and only sometimes), Beijing life can get the better of you. The last few weeks have seen some really hot days and to know that I don’t have a beach just down the road to escape to, makes me a little homesick. You come home hot and sweaty with black feet that only just escaped being the target of an old mans great big blog of spit, and you begin to feel your temperature rising to a degree that will match the heat on the street…
Â
But then, just when you think you’ve had enough and feel that pull for home, Beijing throws a curve ball and will present a situation which is totally charming and makes you smile. I had one of these ‘bugger it’ days recently and as I walked home in a sweaty, moody huff, I was bitching and cursing everything. Suddenly I was stopped by three young men is black shirts and loose fitting brown ties (good look, I was impressed), who wanted me to come into their salon and have a haircut. With the promise of being ‘made beautiful’ and in desperate need of one, I though ‘what the hell’ and went on up. A hour and four Aussie dollars later, and I had one of the best haircuts of my life. Leaving the salon in a much better mood, I thought I would treat myself to my second ice cream for the day. My mood got better when I truly realised just how great the ice cream selection is in China. Hands down the best (yes, its the little things in life that make me smile). As I continued home and the night set in, the street became alive as people came out to eat and street sellers set up their stalls. The energy in the air was buzzing. I took a moment to lap it up and reminded myslef how lucky I am to be experiencing all this. It was like making up with a boyfriend after a fight….how could I ever be angry at China?

- Rhia