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The reason I have not gotten a chance to write everyday is my friends here in Putian. They have kept me busy and tired since the first day I got back. We have been playing basketball, shooting pool, going to eat everywhere, hanging out at tea houses, going to events, it has been a crazy 11 days.
I have played basketball everyday that it has not rained. The chinese people are basketball fanatics, they know every player in the NBA. They are also extremely proud of the 3 chinese NBA players. There level of skill was shocking at first. As you can guess by their culture, they are very fundamentally sound, have good sportsmanship, and are methodical in the way they play. If you want to learn how to correctly shoot a jumpshot...visit China....these dudes can shoot. It's a huge adjustment playing here than in the US. For one they play on ceramic tile or uneven concrete, no nets, horrible backboards, and a lot of them play in flip flops or bare footed. It is a spectacle every time I play. People come from out of nowhere to watch, clapping and cheering whenever I shoot, rebound, block, steal, crossover, whatever. It was quite distracting at first, but I got used to it after awhile. It's funny everyone likes to bring their "A" game when they play against me and "prove themselves" to the american....lol. I have to seriously adjust my game when I play against most of them. I am twice their size and strength, so I hold back a lot to keep from hurting anyone or appear as a bully. I have a great time playing with the guys here though, it is refreshing to play with people who understand, respect, and love the game.
     
Pictured above is my Chinese "family". These are the people I spend most of my free time with; Leo(my chinese brother), his girlfriend, Sunshine, Melanie aka "Lil' Bit", and some of their friends who's names I can't spell. I met all of them on my last trip here, and we have been the best of friends since. We go out to eat, hang out in their office, watch movies, play cards, go to karaoke, visit temples, just have a really fun time together. Leo, Melanie, and Sunshine speak very good english, they are all account agents for footwear trading companies. They have to deal with customers around the world, mostly english speaking customers. They are all college graduates and live in housing provided by their respective companies. They are just the nicest, most generous people you would ever want to meet. Even though they don't make a lot of money they refuse to let me pay for anything whenever we go out. They will run to pay, so I don't get a chance, and they have an advantage of speaking chinese...the rascals!!
   
The little bundle of energy you see above is Sunshine. Sunshine holds a special place in my heart, she helped me through a really rough time last year. She is the best english speaking chinese person that I have met so far, I can talk about really deep issues with her and she understands what I am saying, more so than people in america sometimes. Sunshine was my love interest, but I think it best that we remain friends for now. She's a complete sweetheart, pure hearted, innocent, compassionate, smart, always cheerful, and I'm american.....you do the math....lol. For the first time in my life I am actually enjoying what's left of my youth, tasting freedom for the first time, and really embarking on my career. I really don't believe it would be fair to her to have to go through this "free spirit" phase that I am going through right now. Then there is the opposite side of the world thing. I definitely would NOT want her to relocate to the US, and I am not at a phase in my career where I can relocate to China full-time. So, we will not force anything and just let this thing play out.

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Posted by neimaj on 2008-09-06 13:34:22 | Rating: | Views: 25
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