Dec. 7, 2014
Most of the day was spent doing nothing other than homework. I did however adventure to the outside world to get some ingredients for the grill night. Corey is leaving in a week and so he wanted to have one last hurrah with the grill he had bought. So we got meat and spices and went nuts. It was good fun and ultimately very rewarding. The food was amazing and spicy. I think everyone who chipped in thought it was pretty fantastic. Jesse and I managed to avoid clean up and watched Memento. The movie was a good way to end the night. Tomorrow is the last real class of Chinese for the semester, as the Tuesday class will be mostly review. I have finished my paper for History so now it is a game of study. Last week of the semester, here we go!
Dec. 8, 2014
Class was interesting, we talked about the geography of China. There are some interesting stereotypes about each region, not so dissimilar to America. After was lunch and then homework. I need to get everything done before work today. Normally I would have a tutoring session, but that was cancelled. Instead I took over for another teacher, who is in Shanghai taking the LSAT. It was interesting teaching a class that was older. For one they could read, something I was most definitely not used to. My kids have to have pictures and prompting still, of course they are only 5. Also these students had more forceful personalities, one student’s whole life goal was to disrupt the class. I feel like I shut him down pretty quickly, often times Chinese kids don’t experience the same level of discipline (or it’s a different form) that I am used to in the United States. But despite all that, I think it went really well. I also picked up a bunch of extra hours with Brent, who is adventuring out to Vietnam right before Christmas. So hopefully this month I will have lots of working hours, which means lots of money for gifts. I have a few ideas about gifts for the people staying in the dorms. After work I rode the bus home, in which I was informed that Corey had decided not to do hotpot, and I didn’t know the restaurant we were going to. So instead I got take out from my usual noodle place. It’s kinda fun when the waiters all know your order and are happy to see you. Dinner and shower complete it is bed time, last dictation tomorrow!
Dec. 9, 2014
Last Chinese class of the semester and it went so slow. I think everyone is on edge just waiting for the classes to let out. Those going home are ready to go, and those who are staying have plans for break. So class ended and it was off to lunch, cafeteria food for the win. We ran into Lynn, and found out someone in his dorm had been diagnosed with TB, which means he had to go get checked out. He was clear of the disease, but still that is really interesting that things like that are still very much a threat.Work was interesting. I went very early as Raphi had a interview and didn’t know exactly where it was. I got pancakes that actually were pretty darn close to real pancakes. They were reasonably priced for Western food as well. Class itself was interesting, the parents of the kids came and sat in for the first half. According the Lilly, all the parents have seen an extreme improvement in their child’s English. They are happy to keep me as a teacher, something I am very pleased about. It is finally cold here in Chengdu, not the bitter cold of Nevada but wet and chilly. I am not used to this kind of cold, we’ll see if I can adapt to it. I don’t need a heater or anything at night so I think I will be ok, it’s probably not going to get any colder. Tomorrow is my free day though hopefully it will be for studying. Test on Thursday for the win!
Dec. 10, 2014
Today was a crappy day. I found out that the university will not fund me next semester. So how I am going to pay for my time in China I do not yet know. I shall figure it out though, not to worry. Hopefully everyone whom I sent emails to has read them I should be getting responses within the next couple of days. Unfortunately the terrible morning coated the rest of the day, it was difficult to do more than study. I also realize what a joke the education system is, but that is a discussion I don’t really need to have. I will be remaining in China and I am now more determined than ever to come back here for a little while. It’s kinda sad when a foreign culture makes far more sense than the one you grew up in. China is by no means perfect but I can at least understand more motivations than the ones in America. Tomorrow I have my final exam but I am not sure how I will do considering how I can’t really think about anything else other than the problem at hand, even though the solution is easy enough. Never the less I shall do my best on the upcoming final.
Dec 11, 2014
Chinese final is done! Classes are all but over and we are hurdling towards break. Time certainly flies, but I think it was a good run. Having finished the test I did also have history. To be totally honest it was pretty difficult to sit through. Papers were already turned in, and the lecture as usual didn’t yield but in the way of actual historical discussion. That is alright. I think next semester I am just going to sit in on the class when I can, instead of paying for it. Since the University isn’t funding me next semester I will only be taking 12 credits, the bare minimum, which should bring down the cost of the tuition at least a little bit. It’s kind crappy to think about but this is how I have to do things for now. Next semester I will be focused on language only, which is what I came to China for in the first place. Break essentially starts tomorrow, we will be having a goodbye dinner as well. Overall I am looking forward to the next couple of weeks, I wonder what this time will bring those of us staying behind. I will start saying goodbye tomorrow, I am honestly fairly sad about it, I will miss those I have come to call friends. Everyone in the program at least on some level I got to know, and I genuinely liked everyone. Traveling together really bonds people, I hope we will be able to stay in touch.
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