Hi still having a great time and working hard. Had a very special day today as I was given the chance to play Niu Jian Feng she was very gentle with me and the assembled crowd of girls from the club didn't laugh too much as the ball went flying, that's off my bat not hers!
I don't know whether my own game is improving, it could get worse but I am still learning a lot about the game and different techniques.
Yesterday I foolishly asked if I could play a few games, so I spen the whole afternoon being thrashed by each and everyone of the girls who I've been trainig with. However, shock horror, I managed to beat one of the girls in a 5 set thriller. I felt like doing a lap of honour and leaping in the air, but the poor girl looked so abashed I just had to keep it all inside. She will probably be drilled extra hard and I've probably lost any chance of making a new friend! Still she gave me heart and I haven't packed it in yet.
The physical work these girls put in everyday is gruelling but as it was pointed out to me the rewards are high and they all remain very well motivated.
Away from the table I have managed to fit in some extra curricular stuff including a visit to the tea shop, I've indulged my love of tabacco, something a lot of Chinese seem to share as well as continued to eat the uneatable, did mention the duck feet? Well add donkey to that. Poor Eeyore it wasn't only his tail he lost last night, yum yum. I also managed to torture a few friends I've made with a woeful version of Danny Boy! With or Without You as well as an overly enthusastic version of Blue Suede Shoes and Hound dog, no i haven't eat one of them yet and will only by accident. But last nights visit to the KTV Kareoki Bar will have to be added to the list of my more embarrising experiences. It was so bad that I think we are going again tommorrow, if they let me back through the door!
Well that's it an early night for me and I'' dream of that one big hit I put past the No.2 in the World every dog has his day, well maybe not a day but one moment was enough for this table tennis fan.
Once again from behind the Wall
Owen
P.S. If anyone is reading this you can email me at owen@ttireland.com or leave a message on the bulletin board, I'd love to hear from back home
