I marked John’s two-week absence by going to dinner with my friend Em. I checked out her new digs along Taikang Lu and Sinan Lu (nice place!), and then we headed to the French restaurant La Seine for a fixed price meal. The food was phenomenal! So excellent, I’m taking John there as soon as he returns. For 98 yuan, we had hot French bread, creamy broccoli soup, salad with smoked salmon, sea bass, creme brulee, and hot tea. What a winner!

Afterwards, Em and I headed back to her place. Her roommate Paula had some ladies over, prepping for a night on the town. I observed a nearly two-hour long process, involving lots of green tea & whiskey (yewww!), plenty of cigs, fresh makeup, and skimpy outfits. Paula even squeezed into a pair of leather pants! God, looking hot takes too much damn effort and requires way too much physical suffering. I mean, those pants were tight enough to cut all circulation in her lower body. Top that with those now fashionable, feet-binding, pointy spike heels and it’s a like a modern day torture chamber. I know I’m no style maven, and admittedly, my hubby has described my fashion sense as that of a “frumpy librarian.” Still, can’t women’s fashion be just a tad more practical and comfortable? Must foot surgery be an inevitable part of every woman’s future? In the end, I was happy to be heading home.