ikea – Tone & Travel

No more Ikea! No more Decathlon! Last week they were open, hence why I assumed they’d be open today but nope. Surely this means the situation here is worsening because everyone knows, once Ikea shuts it’s got bad, Ikea NEVER shuts. Sadly, we couldn’t get our new pan. BUT we did one of the biggest food shops I have ever been involved in as we were stocking up for the month! Well, as much as the month as possible as we are like the hungry caterpillar on steroids x 2! It seems like we eat everything in our cupboards as fast as possible due to having the same appetites as someone who has ran 5 triathlons back to back… It really is hard work. Anyhoo, from this extremely large shop, Zac became an inspired chef and cooked up a new meal and Man O’ Mano! It was yummer-yummers! Steak and eggs with chimichurri sauce, laaavely! I definitely could not live with someone who couldn’t cook! Apologies to all the non-chefs, maybe next time. I am so excited for his next creation but I swear if I get fluffy, we’re going to have a problem.

Luckily, another constant activity of my day is going for leisurely walks with Lola, Bella and Zac. Hmm are they leisurely though? Not really. Zac’s company is fab, a lot better than my own BUT Lola might as well be a snow dog because I swear she thinks I’m a sled, running as fast as she can, making my legs move faster than they’re actually programmed to. I am NOT a runner. You may be thinking, you are a sporty person though. NO, no I’m a fake sporty person. I wear sports clothing because it’s comfortable and I workout in the gym for aesthetic purposes only… “But you play basketball”. Correction, I did play basketball and in basketball it’s different. I run after a ball with a lot of stops and slides and no consistent running, which is perfect because I am NOT a runner. Anyway, the walks keep me active and if they weren’t around the same circle, they’d be quite therapeutic.

Another important mention is that I had a very inspiring moment myself involving a conversation on the phone this evening with one of my beloved former team-mates as she recommended taking up knitting… not so inspiring. Try again… then she said learn to juggle or do handstands. She had a point, I’ve never really been able to do handstands and I think now is the perfect time to do it as I’ve got no excuse… People! In one month, I will be able to walk on my hands. Challenge accepted!

Nothing else really happened today, it was nice being out the house all day though. Although, last night was quite entertaining as I watched Bad Boys 2 for the first time and OMG it’s hilarious! When Mike (Will Smith) and Marcus (Martin Lawrence) are at the door intimidating Reggie (Marcus’s Daughter’s date) I could have died.

Marcus Burnett: You a virgin?
Reggie: Yes, sir.
Marcus Burnett: Good. Keep it that way. Ain’t gonna be no ****ing tonight.
Mike Lowery: You ever made love to a man?
Reggie: No.
Mike Lowery: You want to?

It’s just so accurate of how my Dad wanted to be if I ever had a boyfriend turn up at my door but his reaction was the complete opposite. He ended up bonding with them, well… Zac, by inviting him to go canoeing down the River Avon. As thug as you can get.

There aren’t many changes with the Coronavirus apart from the difference of 1 to 1000 people dead in only one month! Absolute craziness.

Sooo just to end on a happier note with all the challenges I accepted for myself today! First, I will walk on my hands, second, Lola will be able to do Britain’s Got Talent tricks – I haven’t mentioned this as there was only brief training today, it will be mentioned throughout the days. Finally, go on at least one voluntary run a day with Lola. This should keep me busy!

I’m still getting paid remember, hehehe.

YAAY! Tomorrow. is. PAYDAY!!! We cannot be more ready for this as we finally get to leave the house for a real reason. We’re going to the shops (the only ones left open) and spending our money. Yeah yeah yeah yeah!! The plan of attack is; we’re going to the superstore, the only one that sells western foods like grated cheese and pasta sauce because we need to start baking/cooking fun things such as pizzas and brownies to get us through the days since we’re going to be stuck in this situation for a while! I’m really hoping that Ikea is still open because I want to treat us to a new pan. How exhilarating. I burnt our other one and we need to get this necessity to survive this boredom just in case all businesses completely shut. We have NEVER cooked so much in our lives.

I was so happy when Ikea opened last month, it’s brand new in Guiyang and as soon as you step in the building, its like Narnia, you feel like you’re back in England again. It’s home… within Sweden. Imagine living in China where all signs are in Chinese characters, everyone speaks Chinese, and you only ever see all the Chinese ways. Then suddenly, as soon as you enter Ikea EVERYTHING is in English (also, Swedish and Chinese). What a dream. I really think that English signs, Ikea meatballs and flat-packed furniture is what I need to remove myself from this isolated experience.

Ikea also check your temperature on the way in. #Coronavirus

Anyway back to the plan, after we spend a lot of money by getting all of our yummy food and new household items, I am going to order us a couple of burgers from one of the only delivery restaurants that is still open. Praying that this specific place is still delivering because the burgers are incredible. I know, strange, I’ve been to America, Australia, most European countries and CHINA is where I think I have found the best burger I have every had (Stubborn Bull Burger, for anyone wondering). I also think we deserve a break from cooking. Usually these burgers are rapid at arriving to our door BUT the security doesn’t let any non-residents inside of the area anymore. This does mean I will have to walk to the entrance to collect these delish burgers myself (not really door-to-door service is it) but I think I’ll be able to handle that, so exciting!

Talking about security, overnight they have implemented two new things. I told you they would have an update! First thing is that everyone has to scan the barcode and fill in the online form using their phone by answering a few questions about their identity and accommodation on site. Obviously, I can’t read Chinese and can barely speak the language, yet the staff still insisted for me to use the online form. I spoke into my translator and said can’t do that, I’m English and I can’t read Chinese, so they let me through. That wasn’t too tough but I mean come on, there’s no way they can expect me to be able to read Chinese when they know I’ve only lived here for 5 months. Second thing, Lola is not allowed outside of the accommodation area anymore, so bad! How boring is it going to be for her now just walking around in circles in the same place because we aren’t allowed to let her off the lead either. My poor baby. I guess this means we’re going to have to take up running! In this case, thank you Lola for keeping us fit.

Okay, back to the plan, after eating these incredible burgers, we’re making brownies, Zac doesn’t know this but I’m pretty sure he won’t disagree, also I need his help since I fired myself from being the chef and he says brownies are his niche… I’ll believe it when I taste it!

After a day of eating yummy food, finally! I’m pretty sure we won’t have a reason to be bored anymore because we’re going to want to just slump anyway. See, I’ve got it all planned out. We need a day like this, Zac is still ill… has now developed a cough (coincidently when I asked him to take the dog out)… I swear it better not be this virus! I don’t think it is, he hasn’t been outside and we’re quite cautious of what’s hygienic and what’s not. Probably still has man-flu. “I can’t go out *cough* *cough* I’m sick” Gretchen Weiner, Mean Girls. I’m kidding, he’s not putting it on, my little big fella is actually sick so that’s why we need brownies in our lives! For me, I’m a good nurse and I’ve worked out today so I deserve it, YAY!

Tag: ikea

Day 18 in China during the Coronavirus

Day 16 in China during the Coronavirus