I woke up at 8 AM this morning (or, okay, at 8:30), cheery, content and unable to sleep any longer. And then I started studying. Out of character?

I’ve never been a morning person, I won’t even deny it, even though I have my days. Today, I got up, got some tea and breakfast, and started studying my Chinese characters for the chapter 1~30 test (a whole book) without a complaint. Except talking a tiny bit to my flatmate, I was more or less studying the entire morning, just writing strokes and remembering different characters. And I actually felt quite good about it. Am I the only one who sees something wrong with that?

I feel much better in general – I guess all bad moods come to an end (and then return later, but hey). Had a long talk with my mum yesterday, and she provided a quite good solution to my school-tiredness problems. So, since I obviously aren’t going back home, I’ll go travelling instead. Sure, I’ll “waste” a whole lot of school money on not being there, but I think seeing both culture and other parts of China will be a good experience. It’s not like I’ll have another chance to see it any time soon. =3

Travelling plans are still being created, and there’s some plans about maaaybe going on a trip to Japan, but we’ll see. That, and I need to get my ass into gear and post pictures.. Maybe next week.

Completely Unrelated;

- Making Latex Clothing. I want to try this sometime!

When a person is looking to get married in Norway, you can say they’re on the spouse market. In Shanghai however, there is an actual place where people can advertise.

Usually, it’s the persons mother (or in some cases grandmother) who are caring (not sure if I really agree though) enough to put out their kid’s height, weight, age, preferences, work type, current income, hobbies, and if the person’s not bad looking – a picture, on a paper sheet and hang it on the nearest bush or bench.

Their children are usually too busy working and making a career to look around for a boy- or girlfriend, and so I suppose those old people (with a wish for a grand kiddo) see it as their duty to find someone for them. There was a huge flock of elderly people in the park nearby Barbossa (a quite expensive place) on People’s Square, all of them looking to find someone – although not for themselves.

But what do the couples who end up marrying through this market say to their kids?
Kiddo: Daddy! How did you and mummy meet?
Daddy: Oh, eh, yeah. They were advertising for her at the spouse market..
Probably the worst explanation to give a kid.

I actually wanted to take a picture of one of the advertising sheets, but were told not to (by hand movements), and since I’m polite I only took one. Too bad that picture didn’t become readable.

Stuff on topic;
- I Spy Shanghai; Marriage park.

One thing I’ve really noticed in Shanghai is actually the men’s nails.
No, seriously.

Most of the men I’ve seen so far have had really feminine hands. With long, well-cared for nails. Far prettier nails than I’ve ever had. The pinky finger’s nail is usually very long, so I’m thinking it has something to do with the older dynasties as their long pinky finger with ornaments. And now you might be thinking it’s just a lucky sight, yeah? Well, so far I’ve seen to many for it to just be a coincident. The drunkard on the air plane (nice drunkard though – he gave me the spare cookie bag), the men in the passport control on the airport, four taxi drivers (including EF’s) and lots of people in shops and on the street.

Fascinating, really. I wish I had a picture for this one.