I'm not FAT I'm just FLUFFY!!! :)

This is what a poster read that we (my sisters and I) gave my dad when we were little. On it is a picture of a teddy bear with sweatbands on running (on the beach I believe)! I always remember that.
I just thought that was a good segue into what happened on Wednesday evening!
At 7:30 we have (the dreaded) English Corner. English Corner is 1+1/2 hours every Wednesday night for the freshman to come and practice English by speaking with us native speakers. (Though I am not sure I am doing them any good, I feel like my English speaking skills, just aren't what they were. We all have noticed our speech has changed a bit. I just hope it easily changes back when I return or nobody in the US will understand me!!) Anyway... I also say dreaded because it is uneventful, boring, and makes me wish I was sitting in a lecture (even a Chinese lecture!) Have you ever had or tried to have a conversation with someone where you felt you had to "carry" the conversation because they just weren't speaking, so it was a little awkward and quiet awkward? This is EVERY week for us!!
When we walk into the canteen (cafeteria) they begin to pull us apart to sit at separate tables. They then proceed to ask a million questions. Generally they are repeated over and over...

Do you like Chinese food?
Can you use chopsticks?
Have you acclimated to China?
Is it colder/hotter in China than your home?
Have you been to (the name of their obscure small hometown)? Why not? It's beautiful.
Where have you been in China?
What did you do for the (name of holiday)?
The Olympics will be in Beijing this year. Will you go? Why not?
What do you think of China?
Can you cook Chinese food?
You go to town alone? How can you do that? How do you buy things? (when shopping alone)
What is the difference between teaching in America and China?
and of course two of my favorite "questions"...
Where are you from?
Can you show us some customs of America? (Right then in English Corner?! Hmmmm...)

WHO IS TEACHING THEM???
Anyway back to the story so talking this past Wednesday was actually pretty good. I only had one "here's your sign question", the first on the above list. The rest of the conversations were pretty good!! I find a good way to pass the time is to be ECCENTRIC or OVERLY ENTHUSIASTIC about EVERYTHING.
During conversation, one of the girls turns to me and says "You should lose weight." Just like that with a smile on her face. You should have seen the faces of some students and Jessi sitting next to me! It was rather interesting. It is not the first time that has happened in China. I have learned not to take offense at that. I went on to explain with a smile that I am happy as me and I don't need to change my appearance to make others happy. She asked why and I said I had no reason to do that and that my friends and family love me for me and not for my body. I told all of them people will love them for who they are not what they look like.
This is a common statement in China. It is not considered rude or anything. It is like saying "It is sunny outside."
I told my friend Classia and she had the best reaction!! She said who is the girl I will go take care of her. Classia told me though it is common for Chinese to do that, they know (especially if they learn English) not to say that to foreigners. It was quite entertaining. It made me think of the poster and smile!
Just one of many experiences!! As I have said a million times before, there are some things I will miss dearly and some, yeah, I won't miss at all!! :)