The play's the thing.

At least people in plays act like they've got sense.  -Arsenic and Old Lace

During my first two weeks in Suzhou (when I was still there only as a sub) I just fell in love with all of the awesome people at the center.  I especially hit it off with Timo.  He's from Portland, OR and has a degree in Theatre Arts, before he came to China he was working at a Children's Theatre.  We have a lot in common and bonded instantly.  Also, the first time he saw my last name written down he said it aloud and pronounced it perfectly.  Which has happened exactly three times in my life.  He said, “Oh well I’m Czech too!” Clearly, we were destined to be friends :)

One day Timo came into the center with an add out of the local events magazine promoting an English production of Arsenic and Old Lace at a nearby college.  We'd been talking about how empty we feel with no live theatre in our lives and so he asked me if I wanted to go.  I said yes and, "Let's suggest it for the team building event this Wednesday!"

We were super enthusiastic about it and told everyone that it’s a really funny show and that it would be super fun.  So they agreed!

The night of the show arrived and we were stoked.  That was actually the same night that James called me and gave me “the phone call me that changed my life,” meaning he gave me the official news that I would be staying in Suzhou! Best moment ever!  So on the way there I was extra excited and I Timo and I kept theorizing whether the cast would be foreigners or a mix of international and Chinese students.
That’s when James said, “But it’s a college so these will be, like, little kids right”

Me: “What do you mean? It said Dulwich College.”

“Oh no, outside the US ‘college’ has a different meaning.  It’s not university.  College means anything 18 and under.”
WHAT?! So basically we had organized an outing for all of our coworkers (a group of people that I was knew and desperate to be accepted by) to attend a middle school play. 

I’d like to point out that James knew this the whole time and didn’t say anything to me until we were trapped in a cab headed towards the school.

I was mortified as we walked into the school with bulletin boards displaying student work and cheesy inspirational quotes.  I’d been at this center for about two weeks and already I was roping people into ridiculous situations.  Typical.

Also, I have seen about a million middle school and high school plays. I found it pretty hilarious that I moved all the way to the other side of the planet to have new experiences and what am I doing?  Seeing yet another student play, like I have 100 times before.  To top it off it was a really BAD middle school play.  Why do drama teachers, who always have a program of 90% girls insist on doing plays with all male casts?...and then dressing the girls up like boys.  Sheesh. 

Karen and Susan.  These poor girls have never seen a live play in their lives and this was what I took them to?  They were really patient through the first act but I'd be surprised if they ever went to another play again.

Timo looking cheerful and ecstatic as usual.  All we did was analyze every part of that production and wonder what the heck that drama teacher was thinking.

Ben, giving his typical "What have you people dragged me into" smirk.

James, who is usually up for anything, smiling through the pain.

It was pretty excruciating so we left at intermission.  We managed to salvage the evening by going for some excellent Chinese food and after wards Timo, Susan and I went to a night market.

I'm very impressed with Chinese night markets, which are places where street venders roll out all kinds of crazy merchandise and rock bottom prices.  You can find everything from clothes, to fruit, to rubber stamps and tea pots.  So fun!

Timo, modeling some fantastic earmuff at one of the stands.

Outdoor pool tables.

I took the below pick the day after the event.

This is my teaching partner, Karen!  I love, love, love her!  (And I'm lucky she still wanted to be friends with me after the play fiasco.) Karen is fascinated by every craft that we do, especially the Christmas crafts.  I painted this Christmas wreath on butcher paper and she was so excited about it that I ended up just giving it to her to take home and hang up in her apartment.  She usually steals all the samples that I make for our crafts.  She has a one year old daughter so she says that she plans on making these crafts with her someday, but I think she just likes cutesy decorations.