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| Pumpkin Soup |
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| A bunch of people taking our picture while we eat |
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| Bathroom |
The test went fairly well. I am a little disappointed about how I studied, but it had to with needing to see a test before I know exactly how to study. So my class ended early as we were allowed to leave once we finished. Then it was the awkward moment where I wasn’t really sure what to do with myself for a little bit. Too early to go to lunch, but not enough time to get started on studying for the next chapter that we start. Cassidy ended up filling the gap and we chatted a little about dealing with home while we are here. When people travel abroad for the first time, many of them don’t realize but all the problems at home come with them. Not in a bad way, it is very manageable but you have to aware that it will happen and the best thing to do is different for every situation. My way of dealing with problems back at home is to divide them into what I can deal with in the moment, and what I can not simply on the virtue that I am not in the USA. Then I deal with the problems I can through email, or Skype, Facebook if necessary. It has been a tried and true method for me.
So after mine and Cassidy’s chat it was off to Sichuan Alley for lunch with Brennan as a tag along. We ran into Alex at a restaurant and we sat outside with him. It was interesting sitting outside because at some point a table of men who were a little ways away started taking pictures of eating. Normally this doesn’t bother me but it was the first time I felt like a monkey in a zoo. So I openly took a picture of them and continued to stare until they stopped. It happens sometimes so I make them uncomfortable and remind them that we are people as well. After lunch is was back to the dorms for some studying and fun reading. I think tomorrow I am going to adventure out to a market after classes which will make up for my lack of leaving the last few days due to studying. Dinner was a quiet affair just everyone milling about doing whatever we wanted. Had a few good chats with some new people that was fun, I always forget about the students who live in the apartments. They are a great people but they spend a lot more time moving out and about in the city I am jealous and not. I hate commuting but the interaction would probably be very helpful.
Evening essentially involved just hanging around and talking about some future trips. I want to do some things but money is now a very serious consideration. I want to stay here for the summer and continue to studying, but I also need to go out and experience China. So I will travel some weekends but not every single one. The night ended with everyone in Brennan’s room watching some movies. I won’t finish it as I like to go to bed early but still a lovely way to end the evening.
Oct. 7, 2014
Class was fun, all the grammar structures we learned I had learned before, so today was fairly easy. I have problems sometimes because I learned from a different book. Vocabulary I am expected to know I don’t always but Yin Laoshi is very understanding after I explained to her my situation. After class I met up with my friend Meiling, who is also my language partner. She showed me around campus while we talked about my new grammar and things I had learned. In return I talk with her in English, I feel like it’s a good exchange. We also went to the minority museum, which displays the clothes and history of some of the minorities. As I have mentioned before tho University specifically is for minorities (though there are also Han Chinese here as well), it was really interesting to see them taking pride in the diversity. Unfortunately I wasn’t allowed pictures inside, but I have a great translation for Men’s bathroom.
After hanging out with Meiling, I went back and met up Cindy and her mom. Cindy and I hung out playing games and generally talking in English. Until all these children kept coming and trying to get in on our lesson. Children have different boundaries so they will just come up to you and stare or touch your things. Cindy, however, has taken really well to the change of venue. I don’t know what we are going to do on the days it rains or gets cold but I am considering commandeering the 2nd floor sitting area as a god place to run around. After work I found Cassidy, Brennan, Kong, Raphi, and Dee for dinner. We went to Brennan’s favorite place that has some amazing steamed dumplings. We had fun with the Laoban (shopkeeper) who was watching us struggle with the fan. It was a great moment because no one needed words we were just laughing at the silliness of our frustration. After dinner it was time for homework which actually turned out great because of the early study session, if only Meiling had a schedule that complimented mine. I’ll make do somehow. Tomorrow is my free day so I think I am going for a wander.
Oct. 8, 2014
My free day start with the usual laundry, I get a little bit frustrated because 1 washing machine between an entire floor of people means there is a lot of finagling. It could be worse, we could have to pay for our washing. While I was waiting on my laundry I studied and chatted with people as they moved in and out of the rooms. Many people have the morning off so it makes it a good time for socialization. Lunch was a quick trip to the convince store, and chatting with Cassidy. After lunch we met up with Andrew and Chiyi to finally get our meal cards. This will allow us to get very, very, cheap food that is also reasonable portions and fairly filling. The whole process of it though was really frustrating. They had us all crammed in this little room and they were trying to figure out how English names worked. So they essentially put only our first names on there, and then awkwardly took our pictures. But in the end I now have a meal card so no complaints. I also got a proper job offer to teach English at an after school program. I think I am going to take it. More details to come tomorrow after I figure out what this job is about.
The afternoon was then spent traveling to Panda Post with Raphi to finally mail off the first half of post cards I wrote. If you gave me your address before I left I am steadily working on the post cards. I have done 15 and have 20 more to do. They are coming I promise. The Panda Post is a fun little place that allows you to purchase the post cards and mail them. It’s kitschy little place and one girl spoke fairly good english. Overall a touristy place but convenient for what I needed. Stamps for international sending are about 5 yuan, so a little pricey but I have already budgeted for it. It feels good to get them sent off they had been sitting on my desk waiting. Raphi and I always have a good time together, we chat a lot about our different countries (she is Australian.).
After that it was mostly study and wandering around the dorms. We went to the Catina and ordered food all by ourselves, which was good fun (4 yuan for dinner! (less than a dollar)). I wandered into Corey’s room and watched an episode of Game of Thrones. Watching TV shows and Television is a really good way to ease any culture shock, so right now people are spending free time watching shows and movies. That’s about where everyone is in terms of adjustment. The rest of the night was spent in Brennan’s room studying and generally messing around. Overall it was a good free day.
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