Fire and Ice

"Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice."

Robert Frost, "Fire and Ice"

So I'm back in Sydney and still trying to adjust to a 3 hour time difference as well as a 30 degree spike in the weather. It's a bit disconcerting and is going to take some getting used to.

I find myself snacking at odd hours and wide awake late into the hours of the night because my body can't seem to figure out what time it is.

The heat's doing great for the remnants of my flu though - it's almost completely blasted it away hence why I'm so glad to be out of the cold. According to my forecast bar though, tomorrow is going to be a real stinker, to the point that my pop up bar has decided that tomorrow needs to be designated a curious little red symbol that I've never seen before on my bar.

If you had to pick the lesser of two evils, what would you prefer:
Scorching hot Sydney or freezing cold Beijing?

"Looking Underneath the Underneath"

The thing about the weather in Beijing is that it's not really the lack of sun that makes you start to ponder whether or not you're going to contract frostbite.

It's the wind.

So in order to counter the cold here, I've foregone any fashion sense I might have had back at home (haha, not that I really had much to begin with) and have decided to dress for warmth rather than for anyone else.

Hence why I look like a cross between the Michelin Man and a Wannabe Ninja.

Therefore ladies and gentlemen, I would like to present to you...

MICHELIN NINJA KY!

Who cares if I look like an idiot. I'm WARM...'ish!

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Note: Anyone recognise where the title comes from?

Submit your answer in the comment box!

First in gets a surprise gift from Beijing!:D

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First Chinese Market Haul

I was on the look out for cheap clothes when I visited the Wudaokou markets today.

The problem with the weather being so cold is that all I saw was store after store of coats, scarves, ugg boots and gloves. Nothing general clothing-wise really caught my eye so I just spent the afternoon flitting from store to store in hopes that I'd spot something and therefore wouldn't have to trek home empty handed.

I managed to buy a scarf for 25RMB (only to have the person next to me then subsequently succeed in haggling the price down to 20RMB - oh the frustration!), a headband/neck warmer thing for 25RMB and a belt for 35RMB.

So for 85RMB (equivalent of approx. $14AUD), I managed to get three wintry items that would have easily cost me way over $50AUD in Australia. I love the exchange rate now. It makes me all smiles when I shop over here.

I think I'm starting to get the hang of this bargaining thing, too. I might try out the markets at Xidan or Qianmen next. I think of it now as a war of attrition. All you have to do is set a price, dig your heels in and SHOW NO MERCY!!!!!

Not bad for an afternoon's work, huh?

Perfect Beijing Weather

"Feels like -21 degrees".

Enough said.

Mmmmm....MSG....

A couple of weeks into my time abroad and I've finally reverted back to my uni student ways.

I took two cup noodles with me from Australia "just in case" I needed a cheap meal in a hurry and when I was a bit sick last week and took a day off school, I took out my cup noodles and spent the day in my dorm without venturing out into the bitter cold.

It tasted a little like what I remember 3rd year uni to be like: comfy, adequate in satisfying my immediate needs and yet just a little ambitious; yearning for more recognition with its markings proclaiming "new and enhanced flavour!"

I mean, honestly, what better lunch could an invalid ask for?

Ah, Nissin Cup Noodles!

What fond memories we've had together!

Blow Torches - Their Alternative Uses

I was walking out of the dining hall the other day and came across a construction worker who was armed with a blow torch and intently focused on melting the ice on the foot path.

There was something rather mesmerising about the whole scene. I mean, it's such overkill and also incredibly meaningless and yet he was so determined to see his job through.

Well, it was mesmerising...up until the point it got too cold to watch him. Then I just took a photo and left.

Blow Torch VS Foot Path: Blow Torch WINS!!!

Too bad you can't really see the flame as he had the blow torch cranked up pretty high.

Hmmm blow torches will forever remind me of Home Alone though, remember the part when one of the robbers cops a blow torch to the head?

I always find it a bit weird (and not to mention a little disturbing) that that movie is promoted as a children's film. Waaay too much violence - but damn it was good fun watching it as a kid.

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
ALL THE BEST FOR 2011!

I've also included a video of my dorm room for all those who
are curious (see below!).

I'm about half way through my course now! I really can't believe how quickly the time has flown by! It really does my head in!