End of the World Tree Trimming!

Well, it's December 22nd here. Looks like I survived the apocalypse. So, I decided to wrap everything I bought during my end-of-the-world shopping spree yesterday and make myself happy for Christmas. Only Dear baby Jesus knows how depressed I'll be in January when that credit card bill arrives.

I was putting the last gift under the tree and I found Buddy trying to peek at the gifts. What a naughty elf he is!!

On the 5th day of Christmas....

....my true love gave to me...SHOPPING! I don't have a true love, no Ken Doll to hold me tight or whisper affections on a cold winter night. But when I shop I forget that I'm navigating this Doll-eat-Doll world alone. And Shopping mixed with the coming of our dear lord baby Jesus' birthday makes for a mega super high.

Scored a Christmas tree that was the perfect size for me. And picked up a few presents. I literally picked them up from the post office. My best friend mailed a Christmas parcel to keep me company in this strange land. Thank you Ike!!!

Next: How to hail a cab with a Christmas Tree? I hope the cabbies don't tree-scriminate. HaHa

Elf You A$$@&!*#!

There's nothing like the holidays to bring out the REST in people. Not the best. They give that up in February when they abandon their New Year's resolutions. The rest. Makes us remember who our loved ones really are. My loved one count is really low. (I'm sure you're not surprised because I have this blog. :-/ ) Anyway, I bought a new journal this week. The cover reads if you don't like something change it. Well that's exactly what I'm doing. I was tired of being low so I Elfed myslef (don't turn your nose up most single people do it! It's normal!) Totally picked my spirits up. And this is my favorite time of year.

Thanksgiving - For real. I'm giving it.

This year I'm thankful for my new apartment. I've been floating for about 90 days and now I have a place to call home. Well, not quite home, but its a safe place to rest my head. Ready for the grand tour?

I'm still unpacking so no judgment on my unfinished space. ;-) Had my shell bed shipped from home. I heard the beds in China were rock hard so I refused to be without soothing ocean sounds and soft pillow.

 
Check out my new Chaise Lounge. Courtesy of my dear friend Baby Billionaire. It's just what I needed to warm my new space.

And of course there is my new pet turtle. His name is Buddy. Like Buddy the Elf. Because he's my helper. Even though I had to help him get on the sofa. LOL.

Happy to be in a nice warm home of my own - Buddy is happy too. That's his happy face.

I'm learning that a Doll's life is rough all over the world. So I'm also thankful for my friends and family near and far that keep me sane. Thank you for your love.

Everyday is a foggy day... just about. #LifeInChongqingChina

Cha cha cha!

What a dance they do for this little hot drink. Pour, smile, stir, smile, water, smile. But tea houses were one of the best parts of Chendu. Tea and wine, but not together...yet!

Street Walkin'

Strolling around Chendu was no easy feat. Found a few friends to help me along the way. Some shoulders to stand on.

I thought every street in china would look the same but boy was I wrong. Most of them look western. Then there are the ancient streets. I love them! You can get fried duck wings, cotton candy and an ear cleaning all in the same place. Hen how!

Panda-monium

Well not quite. I was the noisy one. Oooooo and Ahhhh all the way through the park. What fun! First, I put on my safari hat because I knew I was going on an adventure to see wild bears....then I took it off because they just sat around chewing bamboo. The young ones were awake. The babies slept. The Red Panda didn't seem to be related to the Giant Panda, but they have the same last name so I guess they are cousins. I learned so much at the Research Base here in Chengdu and I hope they can continue the program for years to come. But by the looks of those computers they need an upgrade to take this into the next decade. ;-)

Chengdu what you want!

So I've arrived. Nice city. Packed full of people for the holiday. Lucky I found this room with Cici's House. A nice place to visit. My room came with a welcome bowl of pork rib soup and a bag filled with a Philippine candy treat. Not together of course. Since I only drink I enjoyed the broth, gave the pork bone back and saved the candy to lure new friends. I also found a box of this mosquito repellant. But I don't think that was a gift more a staple in this dense green. I wish I could take it with me when I see the pandas!!!

Mid-Moon Cake Festival

It feels like Christmas! Everyone is giving me moon cakes. I'm reading it to see if there is any wheat in it. There is.

I'm off the chengdu where I will make new friends and try to sleep. Time in china is not easy on a doll like me. But slowly but surely it will work. It has to. There is sooooo much I've yet to learn.

Homeless but working on Happy

Well, I've been in Chongqing a few hours. Found a job right away. I teach English to Chinese dolls that are going to be exported to the America. What fantastic gig! Finding a place to live proved to be a little more challenging. So, for now I joined a gym at a hotel (couldn't afford the nightly room rate but the gym membership is a great price!) I sleep in the sauna. Helps me keep my dollish figure. ;-)

ChongWhat?!

47 busses, 2 trains, 63 cabs and tons of walking...I finally made it to Chongqing.

Actually I flew to Chongqing, but I've been lost since I left the airport. Now I'm here.

I took a bus to Jiefangbei. Every time I caught a cab they pretended not to understand me. No matter how much Rosetta Stone I recited that blank look never went away. Sigh

But that matters little now. This is a beautiful place. Maybe I'll stay a while.

Note the accident about to happen in the back. Why am I always around for these things?!

On the menu

I've never been so happy that I didn't eat until I came to China. Before now I would envy flavors and smells and even juice my favorite flavors to get a glimpse of what I was missing. Now, I want for nothing. In fact, I may even be on the menu. Many call me 小饺子. What a Cute nickname. I almost embraced it fully, until I saw what else was on the menu...
 These little guys with more than 4 legs...



And these guys with no legs! The snakes make a wine but I'm not sure what version of drunk I would have to be not to notice a snake in my cup. Honey Badger drunk I imagine. 

Duck duck goose!

Finally landed to find my where's George dollar a home. The people are really nice here. Made a friend named Dolphin and she took me to an animal hospital. Although, they must have been really bad doctors because ducks waddled in but people waddled out full and happy. Not sure who is being helped here.

BAD DOCTOR!

Taking George for a Ride

Finding my dollar that hadn't been far in America reminded me of how little travel. I've done in my life. So I've decided to go. How far I don't know. "Take friends with you everywhere you go. Leave the drama behind. There is adventure to find."-me

I boarded a plane so let's see where I land. Based on the sign above I'll be somewhere in Asia land.