Clothes, clothes, and more clothes

When I packed to move to China, I only packed what I could carry with me on the plane - 2 suitcases, a duffel bag, a storage tub, a carry-on, and a backpack.  So needless to say much of my wardrobe didn't make it to China.  I was DELIGHTED to be invited along on some clothes-hunting adventures this weekend! 

On Friday we went to another staff member's apartment to meet her tailor.  We bought (way too much) fabric at the Fabric Market a few weekends ago and have been collecting ideas for things to make out of it.  After looking at my mountain of fabric, the tailor suggested that we start with just a few items and then go from there.  haha... I showed the her pictures of what I want, she measured me, made a few notes, and then did some brainstorming and sketching for my roommate.  Hopefully I will have a custom-made dress and skirt in a few weeks!  I'm so excited!  I have plenty more fabric to keep her busy for most of the coming decade, so we'll see what all I end up with!  :)

Saturday was a busy day of shopping.  We went to a market called Shu Guang Li.  It's a huge outdoor/indoor market, sort of like a flea market.  They had everything!  Some places were a little disorganized and we had to dig through piles, and other places were more like actual stores.  All of it was super cheap and just a fun experience altogether.  I got several cardigans, shirts, rainboots, a skirt, a dress, a really nice leather purse, and a clock for our apartment!  The clock has a really funny Engrish phrase on it... Something like, "I wish you happy hour, happy day, every year happy, health forever."  It's awesome. My friends got a kitten on the way out...I'm so glad we didn't cave and get one!  I'll probably go back to Shu Guang Li in a few weeks when they put out their fall/winter clothes and boots!  :)

In other news, I've  decided that I love when Chinese people try to talk to me in Chinese.  They always say it once, when I look confused they say it again slower, and then if that doesn't work they write the CHINESE characters on their hands to help me understand.  Because clearly I can read Chinese characters.  That's my favorite thing...it makes me laugh every time! :)

Piles of super cheap cardigans

Food vendor at Shu Guang Li