Excuse me, I have a very, very important announcement

Hold on everybody, I forgot to share a very important detail about the friends I've made in China. In case you didn't notice, they are all westerners...right? WRONG! I made my first Chinese friend the other day! Yayayayay!! ^_^

His name is Troy. We met in the gynasium lifting weights. See this is how it all unfolded, I wanted to use the bench press, and he had been using it, but not for a while. After the appropriate time of non-use I went over and began unloading the pansy weights he had been lifting. Troy, being the great friend he is, runs over and begins to help me change the weights. Putting my 20kg plates on, he released what can only be termed as a Chinese/Asian sound of amazement - 'waaaaaaaah!'. If you've ever met a real asian, you know the noise. It is full of pure, genuine excitement. So he introduced himself, we chatted for a minute or two, pretty stiff, but I had to get back to my program, I could hear Coach Kenny in my ear.

Later he comes up to me again, iPod in hand, asking for my information. Because I'm such a nice guy and also a little naive at times, I gave it to him. He appears harmless. This time I find out he's a marathon runner. My response is that his legs look like twigs. 'Waaaaah!' he proclaims, 'You are so funny'. Anyways, he's finished, I'm getting back on the grind, and my friend Julia the German comes over to say hi because she's a fitty and habits the gym as well.

3rd time Troy comes over...he forgot his card! Oh my, he tries to start chatting again..Sank you! Monday I will see you! Sure, Troy. He shakes my hand for the third or fourth time and then heads off. The next day, Saturday morning at 7:45 am, I receive an e-mail which I would like to share:

Hi Zach：
 
How's going? enjoy everyday life in Beijing. I will tell you something fun about Chinese culture. and I am very happy to be your friend. see you on Monday around 5 in the afternoon in gym. 
BTW: My phone number is 13811182349 Keep in touch. Plus, your Chinese speaking is fabulous. Keep going!!! You will definitely speak like a native speaker.


best wish
Troy


What can I say...my first Chinese friend!!!