Running, Notebooks, and No Spice

Hot pot take two.

I love running for many reasons. Running helps me stay strong and become stronger. Running helps me think and be optimistic with help from natural endorphins, and it also is a vital part of my identity I can easily express. Since the front gate of the school has been needing repairs, the NSLI-Yians and their host siblings have had to use the back gate, which happens to be right next to the track. A few times this week, some people have seen me running and have cheered me on. Citlali, a NSLI-Yian with some pretty gorgeous hair and a very friendly demeanor, told me that seeing me run has encouraged her in a positive way. I love how I’ve been able to continue running in China as a form of expression. During lunch today, Alex, a short, strong, and friendly classmate, Ben, Micah, and I headed to a stationary store nearby. One aspect to love about this store is that everything is incredibly cheap. I purchased three notebooks, two for character writing and one for music, a small notebook, and a folder/pocket for my notes. In total, my purchases were twenty-six RMB, which is equivalent to less than four dollars. Considering school starts for me when I get back, I’m definitely going to do a little school supply shopping here for some notebooks and folders. After a full days and a few plums, my host family headed to dinner. For the second time, we went to a hot pot place. This time the pot didn’t have separation; there was only one large pot filled with broth and vegetables. My host family ordered beef, cabbage, kelpish stuff, multiple types of mushrooms, tofu skins, potatoes, lotus root, and some Chinese yams. They plopped them all into the pot to let them cook, and then we chowed down. I ate so many mushrooms I’m surprised I didn’t turn into one. Once again, the broth wasn’t spicy at all, but my host parents and 吴璨 all had spicy seasoning and oil available. They gave me sesame oil and soy sauce, which is not spicy at all either. I haven’t honestly eaten a lot of spicy food here. I think that’s because I told my host family I don’t like spicy food, but I didn’t mean to say I’m not willing to try a little spice.