Halfway Through Summer

Half vacation is gone

🎉 Halfway Through Summer: Still Mostly Canteen-Fueled 🍜

Wait… half the vacation is gone? Scratch that—most of it has vanished like my motivation to cook. 😅

So far, my summer break has been a thrilling saga of… going to the canteen once a day. That’s it. That’s the plot. But hey, shoutout to the brave souls who stayed on campus to study—because of them, the canteen didn’t shut down completely. Heroes don’t always wear capes; sometimes they just keep the noodles flowing.

🌟 A Surprise Encounter & Accidental Heroism

Flashback to a month ago: I randomly bumped into a student I’ve known since June 2023. We chatted, she asked for a favor, and I—being the resourceful legend I am—did absolutely nothing. Well, technically I did refer her to someone who could help, so I guess I was the middleman of goodwill. 🕊️

Fast forward to today: she invited me out to say thanks for the help I didn’t really give. Naturally, I accepted—because my vacation itinerary is basically “eat, sleep, repeat.” And this was a chance to break the cycle.

🏙️ Downtown Adventures & Lakeside Vibes

She took me to what I think was the business district (aka Fancy Town™),with a gorgeous lake smack in the middle and stylish shops all around. We sipped tea like classy people, had an amazing dinner, and strolled around the lake like we were in a rom-com montage. Then we hopped on the subway back to campus, full and happy.

Honestly, it was such a refreshing afternoon—great company, great food, and actual human interaction. I hope she enjoyed it as much as I did. 🙌

💬 Final Thoughts from Your Canteen-Loyal Blogger

As I always say: more friends = more joy. My life in China keeps surprising me with these little bursts of kindness that make everything brighter. You never know when a casual chat will turn into a lakeside dinner.

We snapped a few pics from our mini adventure, and I’m sharing them here to prove I did leave my room this summer. 😄

Article by Marcelo Gameiro

Published 09 Aug 2025