First Post of Summer Break

Yesterday I finally made it home. Took the old green-skinned train with no air conditioning.

When I was in elementary school I rode the green train once—from my hometown to Chengdu. It was my first time on a train and it felt exciting. It stopped and started constantly, and during the stops vendors would crowd around selling snacks. I still remember the aunt or uncle sitting across from us sighing that my cousin and I had been eating nonstop from the moment we boarded until we reached Chengdu. He was impressed. Last year I took the green train again and met an old man carrying a bamboo basket to the market. First time I’d heard of someone taking the train just to go to the market. Also the first time I thought people living in those mountains were pretty badass. Anyway, this trip back to Chengdu was my third time on the green train. No vendors selling snacks at the windows this time, and no old man heading to the market.

After getting off I wiped my face with a tissue. The tissue turned completely black. I didn’t even want to imagine what my face looked like. Too embarrassed to keep showing it in public, I kept my head down, took the bus home, took a shower, and ate an egg for breakfast.

Everything sorted. Alright, I’m a free man now. I have endless time to waste—hell, I could squat in the bathroom all day if I wanted. I choose to waste it online. I really like our home broadband—sixty yuan a month and the speed’s decent. Perfect for downloading. I installed unlimited eMule. People say this connection isn’t great for gaming. I’ve never noticed, because I don’t play games! Updated the computer’s software, checked new emails, installed my beloved Microsoft YaHei. Checking email has become part of my daily routine, and falling in love with a font is like falling in love with a woman—nothing else compares.

Finally sent my roommate a message: “Haven’t had such unrestricted internet in a long time. Feels a bit weird.”