six great things about china (in no particular order)

1. New Years/ Spring Festival - yes, yes it's noisy and it's dangerous, but it's also one big who-gives-a-damn party. It's also really touching to see a family gathered around for the first night dumplings.

2. Movies - I love the lack of restraint in Chinese movies be it in psychotic gong fu pictures or screw ball comedies. China and I seem to agree about a lot of things cinematic: car chases should destroy as many things as possible and seeing fat people get punched is funny.

3. Tofu - Chinese doufu dishes are proof that vegetarians should not be allowed to cook anything. I thought tofu was a waste of time until I had it stirfried with red oil and pork. Now it's my favorite thing to eat.

4. Xinjiang Barbeque- mmmmm. lambstick.

5. Politeness - I actually really dig that the Chinese don't say please and thank you all the time. Politeness is like swearing, if you save it for a special occasion, it has more impact.

6. Beer - Chinese beer tops out at 5 percent so in order to actually get drunk you have to drink for an hour and take on enough water weight to simulate a pregnancy. But it does have that tasty spring water and it compliments the barbeque perfectly.