With most of my work for school tomorrow finished, I head over to the park for a morning of table tennis. I ended up playing with a new group today. I played with seven different players. They keep testing me for weaknesses in my shots. There are too many holes in my game for them to figure it out. Afterwards, I walk down the alley to the local noodle shop for lunch. After lunch, it’s back to the apartment, and short nap.

Later in the afternoon, I walk over for a swim session. I spend time talking to a guy I’ve met before. He’s Chinese, and lives in New Jersey. He travels to Beijing for work. His daughter plays clarinet, and he told me today, she was in the All-State Wind Ensemble in New Jersey. He has lots of questions about comparisons between the American and Chinese education systems, when he realizes where I teach.

After swimming, I’m feeling like finding a UHN neighborhood Chinese restaurant. I went to the spot where we had some street BBQ one night, but they weren’t open this evening. As I’m walking back to the apt., I notice some guys eating at a table on the street, and the food looked pretty good. I sat at a nearby table, and eventually got a menu (with pictures.) I ordered my favorites, stir-fried green beans, and gunbao chicken, and they’re both really good. Hooray! I won’t have to travel so far to eat some good local Chinese food next time. This place is about 100 yards from our apartment front gate.

A neighborhood eatery.

Gun Bao Chicken

Stir-fried green beans, and yes, the peppers are spicy!