My thought for today

I'm reading Water Babies right now, and I loved this line:

"Now if you don't like my story, then go to the schoolroom and learn your multiplication table, and see if you like that better."

I thought this quote was awesome. Sometimes I tend to get too caught up in what people think of me, and it makes me sad to think that sometimes, I don't do what I want because I'm too scared other people will judge me. Just thought I would throw that out there, along with a picture that I took when I very first got my DSLR that I really like, but was too shy to post back then.

Hurray for feeling empowered today.

New Name

If you have ever wondered why my blog title is so weird, here it is:

I was setting up a blog, oh, three years ago. Then I came to the 'blog title' line. I am terrible at naming/titling things, so I just made up something lame and stupid. This is where KK Carter Coolspot was born. "I'll change it later" I thought. But I never did. I've made a few different headers, and when I make each one, I try to think of a new name for this here blog... but I always just think, "Whatever, the title is good enough, it's not like it matters anyway unless people pay attention to the header".

Then blogger started doing followers. I was looking at my sister-in-laws profile the other day, and I saw that my blog was listed... as KK Carter Coolspot. I wanted to throw up in my mouth a little bit. BlAH, I have started to hate the name. I never really thought the title mattered, until now.

Problem is, I still have the same problem as three years ago. I stink at the name game. So, I need some help. I want to redesign my blog, but I don't want to do it without a change in titling.

What should I name my blog?!?! I know not that many people even read it, but it's driving me crazy! If you have the awesome-est suggestion, I will bring you a prize from China, how's that for incentive?

Wigging Out

China has really cheap stuff.

Cheap stuff includes wigs that are of an acceptable quality.
I LOVE DRESSING UP, and there is nothing that changes your appearance quicker, or more effectively than a wig(I of course learned that from Alias)

I have now purchased three such wigs, and could not be happier. One is for my sister Annie(if she remains in my good graces by marrying the boy I have selected for her). I think that I am going to create some alter egos for myself, using these wigs, for when I get bored of being Kristal. I already have one... when I wear the really short wig, my name is Victoria De la Cruz. She is from Transylvania and doesn't speak a word of English. I think she may be somehow involved with foreign intelligence agencies, but I'm not sure.

If anyone else can think of some cool stories for the other wigs in my collection, let's hear 'em! I plan on having many personalities in the future(just when you thought I couldn't get any weirder)

*Please note that while Annie has short blonde boy hair in both of the above pictures, they are not in fact the same wig. Aaron Carter can't have the same hair as a stalker. Thats just not right. We hacked off a Miley Cyrus wig just special for Aaron.*

Month Number 9

*Chinese sign for 9*
It's May 19th. That means that Matt and I arrived in the Orient exactly nine months ago. As someone pointed out to me the other day, that means that I could have had a baby here, and no one would even know. Let me assure you that is not the case. My faith in the healthcare here was abolished when I saw the dentists office. I would rather hit my abscessed tooth out with a rock Cast Away style than make a visit to the chair.

Anyways, I had wanted to do a monthly 'numbers' theme while I was here and I failed. In walkie talkie language 10-9 means 'Repeat Message', so for month 9, here is a list of 9 things that still confuse me about China (are you catching the connection, or is it too far out there?)

1. Racism: Not only towards me and my dear friend Matt(usually in our favor), but you should have heard what some of my students said about President Obama and Africans in general the other day... man, it was RACIST to the max(I won't repeat it here, since I like Africans, and I don't know who reads this blog, but if the curiosity is killing you, call me on Skype and I'll tell ya). Most Chinese people only like white people. Think I'm being racist or overgeneralizing? Our program director is almost UNABLE place people as teachers in China if they aren't Caucasian, none of the schools want them. They all fight over the blonde hair blue eyed girls. (Hopefully nothing in that statement was racist, I mean overly)

2. The Grocery Store Ladies: There is a lady waiting to assist you in every aisle, and they never let me buy what I want. They always surround me(everyone within 10 aisles is there), poke at me, speak at me in Chinese really quickly and replace whatever product I have in my hand with what THEY want me to buy. I don't understand it. I bought some really gross yogurt the other day because the refrigerated section lady wouldn't let me buy my normal kind. When I want American brand shampoo and face wash, I have a special plan. I stand aways away, and locate my bottle. Then I walk really quickly through and pick it up, before anyone can stop me. Any hesitation and I'm through.

3. Prying Questions: Usually when we meet people, the first question they ask Matt (in Chinese) is "Do you speak Chinese?" the next question is "Where do you work/live?" the 3rd question is "How much money do you make?". I mean really, this happens ALL THE TIME. So much so, that I even understand the question in Chinese, and that is saying something my friend. I guess it's not weird to inquire about income with strangers here.

4. Public Spitting: Gross. My students spit on the floor in their CLASSROOM. I don't understand why they do this. 'Nuff said.

5. Shoes: Whenever Chinese people come over, I make sure I have my slippers on. They FREAK when you're walking around your apartment barefoot.

6. Chicken Feet: I've tried to eat them, and I really don't understand what part of it is edible. But they LOVE them.

7. Traffic: Still don't understand how I haven't seen millions of dead bodies strewn about the side of the road. There must be a method to their madness that I haven't caught on to yet.

8. Knocking: You can always tell if it's a fellow American knocking on your door, or a Chinese person. Chinese people knock incessantly for long amounts of time. Our friend Sam informed us of a time there was a student knocking on his door for literally TEN MINUTES while Sam was laying deathly ill on his bed, not wanting to answer the door. I don't understand that, at all.

9. Nap time: Our school recently instigated a forced nap time for our high school aged students. All the students are locked in their dorms for 104 minutes right after lunch to have a rest. Why don't they just let them out of school before ten every night? Or, let them sleep in past six? Don't ask me, cause you know I don't understand it.

That's all. Sorry it's long.

Fashion Impaired

I have been wearing the same clothes I packed into my one suitcase for the last nine months. I feel ghetto, I am in desperate need of some new wardrobe staples. I was looking at some clothes online, and is it totally sad that my favorite find was this shirt... in four different colors? Would anyone judge me if the only thing that changed in my appearance from day to day was the color of my shirt?

I love basic tees. I wish I was good at buying/wearing accessories so I could wear them without looking so boring. Who wants to go shopping with me and teach me how to dress myself? Somehow I think I missed that day in how to be a teenage girl training.

Usually I make Annie go with me, but she always told me I dressed like a soccer mom, and that was BEFORE she spent four months in the fashion capital of the world. I don't think I could handle that kind of criticism.

Brain Dump

Here is a trial run of uploading videos... this one is a tour of our apartment (please don't judge our dirty bathroom floor, the shower water drains through a hole in our toilet, AKA: not so efficiently.)

I have gotten into the nasty habit of talking about people NOT behind their backs. Nothing mean, but man, when you KNOW that the best English speaker in your city is Mr. Beard., it's hard not to say what's on your mind in a language that no one understands. It's amazing what you'll talk about in the most public of places when you know that if you speak fast and use lots of slang, NO one will comprendo. You better know that I spend a good part of my time looking up 'descriptive' words in Chinese, so that Matt and I can continue this habit when we go back to America. Ya, if we're speaking Chinese in front of you, it's probably about you(wahahaha).

I should be doing ab ripper X right now. But I just don't feel like it.

We bought plane tickets home! We will be flying out of Shanghai on the 23rd of June, and no thanks to the World Expo. for making our one way tickets 900$ a piece. At least we'll be able to say that we went to the World Fair.

KTV (what China calls karaoke) is one of the best times I've had here! You rent out a little room with a tv, speakers, couches and of course microphones and bust a move in privacy! It's soooo fun! I miss my Wii mostly because I used to play Karaoke Revolution all the time (and yes, mostly by myself). I think I will organize weekly singing parties upon my return... who's with me?

For the first time EVER Matt and I went to a place specifically to get fried rice. Most of the fried rice here hasn't been the greatest (I blame the excessive use of nasty pickled beans). Can you believe it? Almost nine months in China, and only a few times ordering fried rice as a meal. That's how delicious the rest of the food is(and some people thought I would starve to death here...).

I'm making some 'pages', check 'em out at the top!

I know Christmas was five months ago...

But, I was feeling the urge to blog, and this is the only picture on my jump drive that I haven't previously posted. Sorry to always be defacing the Carters, but they happen to be the only large family that I have high resolution images of. If any of you remember the Craniums, or received their Christmas card this year... you may appreciate this. I think you still might, even if you have no idea who I am talking about. Merry Christmas from the Craniums!

(and yes, that is Annie on every single one of those bodies. Sometimes she's a little scary looking, I know)