Gān bēi!

There is nothing more gratifying than the first time soloing an order in a new language. Sounds simple, does it? Hello. I would like one coffee - "Ni hau. Yi ge kafe." Let's see what the clerk starts spouting at normal Mandarin pace following my unfortunate suggestion that I speak Mandarin. "What kind of coffee? What size? Hot or cold? How many sugars? Do you want a bag? Milk? Any food?"

He is disappointed to discover a nervous deer in the headlights. It begins pointing at things. Frantically turning its head in random directions. Turning red. Confused English mutterings. Uhhhhhhhh. We've lost dial tone. Finally, they walk away and improvise using what mashed up garbling of an order I've provided.

I am slowly learning the various phrases required to prevent such lingual car wrecks. I now know enough to shout a few broken statements to cover all my bases: "I would like one bubble tea. Large. Few ice. Half sugar. Small bubbles" Survival is a good motivator, especially when bubble tea is your primary nourishment. Mmmm bubbles.

First coffee order COMPLETELY in Mandarin today. A proud man I am. Tonight, this first Friday night after our first full week of work, I will test my skills by ordering a couple cans of píjiǔ.

Gān bēi!

<-- Best dumplings I've ever had, with that spicy red sauce you see to the left, and the lab mates say this spot is "okay."