Date morning!

We are very blessed with teammates that are willing to watch Josiah to give us some time away. So far, we've used the time to explore our new surroundings.

I was extra excited about today because Michael said he had a surprise planned. I love surprises! But I couldn't help badgering him last night to give me a clue. He didn't give in.

Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate with his plan. (weather.com has been wrong all week--predicting sunny and 60's, and it's been foggy/smoggy and low 50's. bummer!) He had planned to go to a nearby lake his students have told him about and BBQ! His students said there were actual grills there and a nice, old man who will provide the charcoal. Haha. Can't wait to check that out...it may have to wait a few months, though. It seems winter may have come early. :(

My love is great with "plan B's." The new theme: places we can't go with Josiah. So we took off on our bikes and he led the way. He said there were 5 stops.

1.) I cracked up at the first one: the 2 rmb store. (think $1 store, except 2 rmb is more like .30) Haha. But, we had both wanted to check it out..so why not? We actually picked up quite a bit of loot that we hadn't been able to find at the normal stores--and for MUCH cheaper: rolling pin, tongs, thermos, ribbon...that's all I can remember.
2.) Dian Dian--a supermarket no one on our team had been to. It was nothing special, but at least we got to see for ourselves. I scored some warm slippers and Mr. Muscle grease cleaner.
3.) 9.9 rmb store...but it was replaced by a shoe store. We literally spotted it less than a month ago. Maybe they were liquidation items?! However, on the hunt for it we picked up a big bag of sweet potato chips and a chicken "sandwich." Can't describe it well enough here, but just know that we devoured them in record time.
4.) THE coffee shop--on top of a grocery store. (the only one in town, that we know of) I have been there twice and knew that I couldn't have the coffee--way too strong. I struggled to find something on the terribly-translated Chinglish menu (2 consecutive coffee drinks were named "spaghetti with meatballs." haha..I really want to help them re-do their menu!), but finally landed on "coco milk." I really had no idea what it would be. Michael got an iced peppermint coffee. His was decent, mine was better. It was just steamed coconut milk. Very sweet. It was quiet and relaxing to be there.
5.) Building 53. Another recommendation from Michael's students. We went into the basement to scope out the food court. It's great! About 6 or 7 different options--a nice, quick meal for when we're out. We didn't eat there since we had already eaten, but now know a good place to go with some options. Outside the building, a vendor was selling some popcorn. Michael had told me about Chinese popcorn--that it's sweet, like kettle corn. I LOVE kettle corn. So we got a bag. (a small trash bag, that is...all for .50) It's sitting next to me now, almost empty. :)

Dates are a blast. Even better with a spontaneous hubby!