Little Updates

In no particular order:
  • Both of my "Panerai" watches ceased to tell good time. The hands don't line up! When the hour hand is on the hour, the minute hand is off somewhere in space. I plan to take them back, but I'm prepared for the arguing I'll have to do to get them replaced (money back? no way!) After work one day last week, I stopped at the mall and spent RMB 398 ($82) on a Limited Edition Swatch created for the Olympics. It has the logo and rings on the face, and has the design of Chinese face painting on the band. It has a 2 yr. international warrantee. I suppose I should have just bought this one in the first place.
  • The trouble with going out to any bar here is that smoking is allowed in bars--and everyone smokes, so you always have to shower when you get home. With 90-degree heat and high humidity, however, I usually feel pretty gross at the end of the day and welcome the shower. Joey and I met Jared at Lan Bar tonight, and while there we met 2 more people who'll be working with our company.
  • I've gotten much better with the bargaining. Today at work, we achieved some serious milestones, so we left a bit early. Ema, Joey and I went shopping at the Silk Market, and I bargained as though I didn't need anything (which I don't.) I picked up a pair of True Religion jeans for RMB 130 ($19,) a jade Buddha name chop (carved with my name) for RMB 120 ($18) and a jade Buddha for RMB 70 ($10.) Sunday night at Hou Hai, I bargained for a Mao messenger bag, 20 RMB ($3,) some gifts for family, and a sandalwood Buddha bead bracelet, 15 RMB ($2.) I've found that saying "that's too much" and walking away is the quickest way to get a really good price!

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