I know I haven't updated in a while. Basically, Chris was around for a week and we just hung out together for a week which was really really nice for me. I don't get a lot of like kick-back-hang-with-the-gang type of time here but every night that was what we did. And then just as I was starting to feel the itch of wanting some alone time he left, to return for a few days in August. Perfect. 

I'm leaving on Monday to go to Singapore for a conference. I took a day off but I'm really starting to regret it because apparently we have days off during the conference. So I could be using that day to go to the beach. And I just might.

I really really need to start planning my life. I keep thinking "but that's so far awaaaay, it's fiiiine" and then the time comes up and smacks in the face. Oof.

So in my office there is this Chinese woman that I love. Sometimes I speak to her and I make statements that I think are pretty agreeable and not controversial. I don't know how she does it, but she manages to find something wrong with every small statement or decision I make. For example, one day I said "Oh, I'm thinking about going down to Pudu for the wet market." Pretty reasonable, yes? WRONG. "noo, why you do that?" she asks "No pudu, go petaling street, wet market better, right down the street! no pudu, petaling!" Okay, Petaling. This morning I said "Oh, I'm just making a list of things I need to pick up for singapore, like pants and stuff." "WHAT? No, you fine! I can lend you some, I have so many! Fit with everything! Pile this big! No buy new things, have to pack them all up. 20 kilos not a lot! I lend you some, I lend you some." Note: this woman is not the same size as me. 

It is a peculiar cultural development that there is so much emphasis on making demands or insisting on things in a country where it is also culturally inappropriate to say no. This is where the saying-yes-but-meaning-no thing comes in. I surprise myself everytime I pull it off. In response to the kind woman's suggestion that i wear her clothes, I said "okay great I will just let you know..." and she seemed satisfied. There are elements of exchanges that I still don't understand. Often I find myself finished with a conversation but the person will just linger there expecting something more. This happens several times a day. I always end up politely excusing myself to the washroom or something just to end the lingering. 

Anyway, attached are some photos for those who are not on facebook/not facebook savvy.

 <3 Clara