#vet placements

[charychar]

so you don't give reviews?

I had just arrived home from a long day at work and was allowing the last bits of my intelligence disintegrate into the chicken stir fry I was making. Mr landlord came over for his nightly chats with me and we got on to some small talk (which made me incredibly happy with myself as I am a awkward turtle when it comes to this). 

Unfortunately, he was incredibly, I mean INCREDIBLY passionate about the responsibility we have as individuals, to write reviews about the restaurants we patronise, whether they are incredible or down right horrible. 

After articulating my disinterest in writing such reviews, I was made to understand that this was irresponsible as I had relied on others to give me opinions about these restaurants in the first place. At this point, I had already lost my ability to comprehend the seriousness of the conversation.

I learnt that there was no reason for me to be afraid to give negative reviews to a place as there was no way there would be any repercussions. An off hand, badly placed joke that I would make an effort to give him a review both failed to ease the tension and increase his frustration.

'but you should gie reviews whether you are lazy or afraid or whatever! ugh women!! '

Now tell me , what can I say to that? 

sigh

[charychar]

Ni Hao!

Can I say "xing nian kuai le?"

I turned around in confusion, having just turned around to sort my things out in my bag.  I was greeted by a smiling man in his 50s straddling his bike. His excited grin under a bike helmet gave me abit of a startle. Unsure of his intention, I quipped that the saying happy new year was somewhat early at this time of year. 

'I know, I just wanted to start a conversation! '

'Wo de ming shi Carlos. Wo shi cong Chile Guo.' ( My name is carlos . I'm from Chile)

I was quietly impressed but tried not to let on. Questioning where he had learnt his Mandarin he proudly told me he learnt it online, but in pin yin, like 'ni how (hao)'. He proceeded to offer some suggestions of things that I could do at the foreshore park, waving to the beaches, or the food, slightly perturbed when I asked for directions to the museum, as ' most people spend time at the beach'. 

With a 'zai jian' ( good bye), he then rode off leaving me pleasantly surprised. People can be friendly and nice sometimes! My only regret is that I did not get a photo of him, which would have marked another one of my random encounters! 

[charychar]

strange(r) encounters

'Would you like to go salsa dancing with me?' 

This was the last question I expected to hear from him. Ask any girl ( well not any), if the right guy posed you this question, you would be swooning at his feet before he could even stare into your eyes with those charming gorgeous eyes.

Well. No such luck here. 

Standing a little too close for my liking was the landlord I had just met an hour ago. A well aged ( read: greyed grandfather) man who seemed to enjoy his fair share of socialising. He seemed hell bent to make sure I was out there meeting the 'young people my age' who went dancing too.

Since then there's been an italian dance club, more salsa and just general dancing. And a few suggestions that I could be his partner, just to make this more enticing. 

Somehow me being a student intern, working full hours and studying at night has not connected. Somehow, each time I say no, his reluctant assent to my rejection seems to accuse me a being a unsociable and evasive tenant who will not get to know people ( i.e. him). 

I creep around the house/sit in my car for some privacy just to avoid his disapproval. FIngers crossed - no more dance proposals.