I slept in until three in the afternoon today (I never do this). It's hard right now because they aren't concrete due dates for many things-- just final papers and tests. This is going to require a whiteboard. 加油 (add oil)! That's short for 加大油门[jia1 da4 you2 men2]; to step on the gas or to make an extra effort. My Chinese teachers used to tell me this when I'd come into office hours for help... At least I get to practice my Chinese on the weekends (inhibitions-removing virtue of sake).

I'm at work again and reading Tripmaster Monkey.

So far its very Chinatown meets the Beat poets and very trippy. I guess that's to be expected. The main character just invited the "prettiest, most unattainable" girl from his college years for cappuccino. My kind of man. She accepts his offer and he starts making up a story of his life where his parents were circus performers. Okay. Now Wittman (Kingston named his specifically after Walt Whitman) manages to lure this pretty girl back to his apartment. Then he starts jumping on the furniture and proclaiming himself the reincarnation of the traditional Chinese hero, the King of Monkeys.

What is it about monkeys? See no hear no speak no evil? There's a Chinese legend about monkeys and a cartoon series too. We watched it at a China Care playgroup a few weekends ago.

Cristina thinks I should design baby clothes. I do too.