A Gorilla that puked...

You know what? I'm in a great mood today. I'm worry-free, currently sitting in my uncle's living room typing this. He's got 3 internets (I know you're all thinking: why? After all he lives by himself). One of the internets is his,  another one is a wi-fi that for some reason allows you to connect onto but the internet doesn't work, and the third one is another cable one which I'm using now. It's a pain because I have to go online in the living room instead of my room, but I suppose I'm lucky enough even to have internet. Internet in China is awesome. THERE IS NO USAGE LIMIT> you pay in advance for an entire year's worth of unlimited internet, which goes for practically every family I know. It's really good and fast internet, too. My great-uncle's in the kitchen cooking dinner, which I'm not looking forward to. Frugality is a huge thing in China, so we have leftovers everyday (including a stir-fry peanut, meat and beancurd dish from exactly a week ago. Shame, because it was absolutely delicious for the first two days). Needless to say, I try not to touch the leftovers that are starting to look a bit...odd. Because of the lack of dishes that are to my taste, I pretend that I have a really small appetite and have like one spoonful of rice for dinner (which backfires on me when we're at a nice restaurant and I actually like the food, but my relatives think I don't eat much). My uncle's a huge gamer so when he's not on his computer playing some role-playing game, he's doing what he does now, which is sit in the living room with me and watch TV shows that teach you how to play said games.

I went to Shanghai Zoo today, and it was fun. I love the monkeys that hold a hand out to beg for food, they're so cute. And I watched a gorilla that ate its food, vomited it up, picked at the vomit and re-ate the bits of vomit. Before that I went to my grandpa's friend's place at 9 to practise for 2 hours which was a pain but I managed. I'm a bit nervous about returning home (in terms of piano). The pianos I've been playing on either have not been tuned since they were bought, or have other issues.

I must say, I'm really glad and thankful to be here. I needed a break to get away from all the stress of life back at home. Although I miss my mum and grandpa, even a break from family is good for you every once in awhile I suppose. I can just pretty much forget everything here. Its pure bliss, regardless of whether I'm bored or not. Just being somewhere where I don't have commitments (except for piano, but even that's pretty easygoing here for some reason) is really great. I have a lot of freedom too, because my mum isn't here with me and I can pretty much just do whatever. My uncle is awesome and doesn't nag or mind whatever I do, so I am on my laptop most of the time. I know this sounds lame, but I've been watching pirated movies, going on Youtube (thanks again, KProxy), reading, playing Sims 3 and I've returned to what I used to do in primary school. I've actually been writing. It's semi-fun when there's no pressure and you have the freedom to stop when you don't feel into it. What can I say, being in one of the world's most glorious cities is inspirational :)

Monkey begging for food

Lunch was xiaolongbao-little steamed buns full of meat and broth. It's a Shanghainese  speciality. Of  course, you have to line up outside the restaurant in the Yu Gardens for the best ones but these were really good too. You're meant to eat them by sucking out the broth, dipping the bun in light vinegar and then eating it.