Paddy Murphy, Mustang Sally, and a Wagon Wheel.

Sometimes you just need a little taste of good ol', hometown, country fun! However, that is hard to come by when you are living in Beijing, China. I mean, not many local people here can tell me what a "hick" is or what a "barn dance" is. I usually get a good head tilt to the side and a "Shénme? (What?)". I'm not gonna lie - I miss those times where I say something and someone replies "Oh, you are most definitely from Carleton County." It's always going to be a part of me. Home. 

This past Friday (October 18th) my friend Craig, who is an intern at BCCSC, was singing with a band at a bar called the "Hot Cat Club" in the Fangjia Hutongs. When he explained what kind of a set list they would be playing, I was easily convinced that this was the place I needed to be on that Friday. So off Erin, Brittany, and I went on a search for this little "hole in the wall" I guess you could call it. It's not the fanciest bar, and it is definitely worn out in some areas (like the squatters...I leave that to your own imagination). However, the atmosphere was perfect. Absolutely perfect! 

How can you go wrong when you mix a small bar filled with Canadians, an ice cold beer, plaid shirts, a few french men, an acoustic guitar, a fiddle, and amazing live music featuring tunes like "Wonderwall" "Wagon Wheel" "Chicken Fried" and "Paddy Murphy." Mind you, I was slightly disappointed that the three of us girls seemed to be the only Canadians who knew the song "Paddy Murphy." Guess it's just an East Coast thing maybe? 

I danced, I laughed, I sang at the top of my lungs. And I smiled like a little goof ball the whole way home. My heart swelled. For just a couple of hours I forgot where I was and genuinely felt like I was home again. It's always good to be home.

To Fridays.

I haven't written a "this week was great" post in a while, so I think it is about time. This week was such a good week. Though I felt tired for most of it, and I think I might be coming down with a little bit of a bug, the amount of time I got to spend with friends was plentiful and that's what makes my weeks so enjoyable. So, in channeling my inner Amanda, I say to you: Happy Friday!

- The week kicked off when Sara, Amanda, and I went to see Titanic in 3D. It was quite expensive to see the movie, but well worth it. All I wanted to do was to be able to say that I've seen the movie on the big screen and watch Rose and Jack dance and laugh in 3D, and now I can say I have.

- I had my second to last observation at my internship this week, and it went really well. My supervisor helped me to reflect on my lesson and offered some very flattering comments. I left feeling light as air and reminded that I can be too hard on myself sometimes and that I have to listen to what other people tell me.

- On top of getting a good review from my supervisor, I nailed down a job for myself for the summer. It is back at the garden centre that I worked at last summer. It certainly beats having to scramble around the city trying to find summer employment (which in this city is hard to stumble upon it seems).

- I think the major reason why I was so tired this week is because I've been packing almost every night. Tomorrow I'm moving out of the house I've been living in for the last year, and next weekend I'm moving into my own apartment. Now, I have to tell you that I absolutely HATE packing. I never know where to start, I get frustrated and distracted, and it just takes a lot of time and organization. However, I'm thoroughly looking forward to the unpacking, decorating, and setting up of my very first apartment! However, before that I get to be roommates with my best friend for a week - something I've always been curious and yearning to do :)

Before

- I chopped off my hair this week spontaneously. I had the appointment booked to get my hair cut, but had only intended on getting it trimmed. However, the night before in a frustration at the mess of my hair, I decided that I would cut it off so it would be less of a hassle and more "summery." And that's just what I did…and I love it!

After

- Last night, Amanda and I went to the public library and saw Sarah's Key. First perk: it was free. Second perk: there were refreshments (and they were free!) Third perk: The movie was fantastic, and makes me want to read the book even more then I did before going. Fourth perk: I got to spend time with a great friend, Amanda.

Happy Friday to you. What made you smile this week?