So - got to Qingdao safe and sound in the end. My flight from HK was delayed a bit which was a bore, but I met a nice old man called Bob who bought me a Starbucks, how nice. Got to my hostel around 1.30am and checked into my all female 6 bed dorm, and attempted to go to sleep to the sound of THE LOUDEST SNORER I HAVE EVER HEARD.

I woke up all sweaty and confused, but after a quick shower headed out to start my day of organising. Now, for those you know me, you'll be aware that I'm one of those odd people that loves to organise. Love it. But it's not so much fun when you have to do it with terrible Chinese skills in 35 degree heat with less than 4 hours sleep.

I started with getting a sim for my swanky new iPhone 4 handset. Won't bore you to death but that didn't work out so I had to leave it in the shop to get it unlocked or something. Hopefully I'll get it back in working order today. Bought a brick phone to keep me going in the meantime, then headed back to the hostel.

In the early afternoon I got a taxi to the University area - I hadn't been here the last time I was in Qingdao so I was keen to see where we'd be studying for a year. It's a beautiful area - blue ocean to the front and green mountains to the back. Top class Feng Shui. The building our classes will be in is fairly shabby but the guy in reception seemed nice and I left feeling excited about starting in a few weeks time.

I then went for a walk past the coast into the centre of town. Got on a bus to go back to the hostel but then jet-lag suddenly kicked in and I fell asleep, ending up several stops after where I needed to change. Eventually found my way back! Had a little nap then got a taxi back out to the Uni area to meet an estate agent who took me to look at some flats. The first one was... basic, let's put it that way. The second was better but still pretty shabby and definitely in the lower end of my budget. I think I can afford something better, so I told the guy some feedback and am crossing my fingers I'll find something soon!

Then went to Saul's flat so see him and Helena. Massive flat envy kicked in - damn him living with two earning Americans. Anyway it was lovely to see them both. After some beers I headed back for my first proper night's sleep - not before being chatted up though by the security guard outside Saul's flat, who insisted on exchanging numbers and who then texted me all the way home. Naww.

So now it's Thursday and I'm writing this in Saul's flat, just having had a mega nap on one of his numerous sofas. This morning was tiring but efficient - I got up early and went to get my medical check done. Blimey it was thorough. Blood tests, blood pressure etc I expected, but this was the first time I'd ever had to do a urine sample, x-ray and, best of all, an ultrasound! I quite liked it, I found the gel nice and cooling. Best part was when I was doing this other random test where they have to attach things all over your body, the female doctor kept gesturing to move my t-shirt, and then my bra up. She was speaking Chinese and mumbling so I wasn't sure whether to whip them off entirely or just lift them up a little. In the end she yanked my t-shirt up (thankfully I was wearing a nice bra), lifted the bottom of my bra up and said (in English, for the first time), "Move your breasts out the way!" ahaha. Great stuff.

Feeling pretty exhausted after all that prodding and probing, hence nap at Saul's. Off to another estate agent later, then to (hopefully) collect my iPhone. This is tiring, tiring stuff, but it's all gradually coming together and I can't wait to get my own place and start the course!