Here we go with China blogging, round two. It's been an eventful 3 weeks since I arrived, as you'd expect. Certainly a lot easier this time around, since I know how to do my job, know what I can find in this city, and most importantly, know what people are saying to me most of the time.

On that note, my ability to comprehend Mandarin has gotten well ahead of my ability to speak it. Despite several frustrating sessions with taxi drivers, I seem totally unable to pronounce the name of the street I live on. The troublesome sound is this one, "jǐng", which is pronounced with a drop and rise in tone. The ridiculous part is that I can describe the area in full sentences and be understood. It's not a lack of knowledge that is stopping me, it's a physical limitation like my inability to whistle. Very frustrating! I'm starting to sympathise with Koreans who have their tongue snipped from the base of their mouth to help them pronounce English.

So last Friday, after a long and somewhat frustrating week (more on work and housing to come), I took the lazy way out and enjoyed this admittedly dangerous dinner... but hey, with "buy 3 get 1 free" Asahi's and discounted double cheeseburgers, the whole thing only cost $11!

Note: please don't try this meal at home. But if you do, lying in bed and binge-watching House of Cards is the way to do it.