Get to Know my Counterpart: Hu Song

Hello everyone!

Well, we are more than half way through the program, and I realize that you probably don't know all that much about the Chinese boy that I live with, work with, eat with, share a washroom with, and many other things that we do and share together. Hu Song has been my best friend throughout this program - well, we've had to. We are pretty much attached to the hip. The only thing we don't have to share is a room, which I wouldn't normally care about, but... Big secret about to be released: his snores score a 5.3 on the Richter Magnitude Scale! Without any further ado, here is the biography of my little friend from Yichang:


Name: Hu Song (Song Song)
Age: 17
Birthday: April 4th, 1988 (year of the dragon) Favourite Foods: Any kind of meat, mainly beef, pork, and chicken legs
Foods you Don't Like: Bitter gourds and sweet dishes
Favourite Beverages: Milk and tea Hobbies/Leisure Activities: Playing Soccer, drawing, sleeping at noon, and going to bed late Good Things About Moose Jaw: Making new friends, trying new foods, running on the frozen water, and the beautiful scenery
Bad Things About Moose Jaw: When it gets too cold, you can't play sports outside
Future Plans: Finish high school then study science in university
Favourite Books: Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Dream Destination: I just want to find the true life
Favourite Quote: "It takes ten years for a tree to grow to full height, but a hundred for quality persons to mature" - Bad translation of a Chinese quote
About your Family: Father - Hu Hai Feng, 42, tax worker. Mother - Fu Yuan Xiang, 42, bookstore accountant

I'd say we are now all pretty well acquainted with Moose Jaw. We've been so busy with our work placements, petition campaigns, helping out with the food bank, spending time with our host families, planning family craft days, and going to the YMCA and spa. Heheheh. Actually - not funny - Song Song is making us boycott the spa, because last week everything from his locker was stolen - right down to his underwear! Good thing he brought two winter jackets, and three pairs of shoes. His other jacket isn't as warm as the stolen one, so it was very nice of Shirley to lend Hu Song her poofy pink jacket equipped with a fur collar. He said he would rather wear nothing than that monster... But it was the thought that counts. We went and reported the theft to the police station today, but I think the chances of getting all his belongings back is as good as my chances were of finding my camera that I left on a taxi way back in Yichang.

For those who didn't know, there was a lot of drama going around the house concerning a crazy ex-boyfriend and custody over my host mom's baby, Cait. It has all (sort of) been sorted out now, and Christina has joint custody. We see Cait for about 4 or 5 times a week. It was pretty stressful in the beginning of the program when Song Song and I were hearing all these crazy problems, but it is slowly quieting down. A new stress has taken over, and that is the baby itself! Oh my god... I've never really had to deal with babies before, and now I have confirmed that I NEVER want one when I am older. Sure, she looks cute... But the screaming and the crying and the constant need for attention... Holy cow! I'm sure my parents are laughing at this, thinking something to themselves like 'Good, now he knows how WE felt when HE was a rotten little baby!' But Christina is happy, and Cait is on-and-off happy, so everything is okay.

Yesterday, after helping out at the Multi-Cultural Center's Christmas lunch for newcomers to Canada, I went over to Cat and Jiang's house to watch Mulan and eat tacos with their host mom. It was the night of the CPR Christmas train tour, featuring live FAMOUS Canadian stars: Amanda Scott and THE MOFFATS! Yaaaaaay! It's pretty sad when the first concert you go to is the Moffats. Oh well, it was a good time, and Song Song actually enjoyed the music.

Hmmm... What else has happened in my little world? I guess I should update more often so I don't forget. On Saturday mornings, I have been doing some of my own extra volunteer work at the humane society. Last time Christina came to pick me up, she also ended up taking home a rabbit. Now I can't complain - we have a family pet! But, Booba isn't the brightest little bunny (I shouldn't say little, it is actually almost the size of my dog); she ate through the phone lines the first day. Damned rabbit! Now I know why I was never allowed to own one before!

Well, I must be going to the Y now. I've packed on a few pounds with this 'Body for Life' weight lifting program I have been doing with Cait, you might not recognize me when I get home. By the time the end of February comes, I'll be HUGE! Muahahaha. Hope everyone is enjoying the good weather in Ontario while we are freezing our willies off over in the snowy 'Jaw'. Happy holidays, and I wish all my friends (and Nita) good luck with their exams!

-Joe