hot?

You can tell you're getting used to the climate when:

• You pull the covers over yourself at night against the "chill" of the fan on you.
• You put on jeans the next morning. It's 93 degrees Fahrenheit outside. This fashion choice seems reasonable to you.
• You don't notice anymore that your skin is sticky with humidity.
• The 80 degree nights with a light breeze are "cool."
• When you shower in the morning, you use lukewarm water at first because cold water is "too cold."
• When you shower at night, you use lukewarm water for the whole shower.
• You don't sweat like a pig the second you leave your apartment during the day.
• You don't chug water like your life depends on it.

You can tell you're getting used to the culture when:

• It seems reasonable to cover up on a hot day.
• You don't always wait for the crossing signal before crossing the street. "Hey, no traffic!" is good enough.
• Of course everything is in Chinese.
• You start recognizing Chinese symbols.
• A meal that "Only costs 100 dollars!" sounds cheap.
• Going down a small, tight alley situated between two buildings with water damage, chipped paint, rusty metal grating and sketchy-looking entrance ways feels perfectly safe.
• You stop wondering why the ice cream truck is making late-night runs. (Note: The garbage trucks play music, so you'll hear Fur Elise and other tunes around the neighborhood once the sun goes down.)
• You stop waking up at every loud noise in the street.