Jan. 12, 2015
First day of class! I have the same teacher, the beautiful Yin Laoshi. Our class is huge, 17 students in total, I came in ten minutes early and every seat was taken. Crystal and I ended up sharing a desk because there simply wasn’t one. It’s sorta strange being surrounded by people that I don’t share fond memories with. The Beijing trip was such an intense bonding experience it was easy to talk to anyone. Now I know all the Old Guard and have hung out with two of the new people. At the same time it’s not having expectation, if I want I suppose I could carve out a new role in the group. To be honest though, I’m not sure how much I will see the new people outside of class. Not living in the dorms isolates my social interactions with the new USAC students. Many of the students didn’t go on the Hong Kong tour, so this day is their third or fourth in China. They have the glassy look in their eyes that we all had back in Beijing, this look can only be interpreted as “Where am I and why am I here?”. I hope they all adjust well here, I couldn’t imagine arriving in China and then going straight into classes. It was pretty funny when Yin Laoshi gave us our dictation words for Tuesday. Thirty words we would be tested in less than 24 hours, I think it surprised some people.
After language class I found out that I would not be going to tutor Chloe, which actually worked out because they forgot to inform everyone at orientation that History’s first meeting would be today and not the scheduled Tuesday. I will be honest I was not mentally prepared to deal with Xiao Laoshi. Both Jesse and I left that class totally wiped, we were maybe a bit manic. I also realize that some of the yearlong antics that seem totally normal to all of us look a bit strange to the new students, I got some strange looks in that class. We went to Trust Mart to pick up some bread and were kinda losing it about Tolkien Lore (That has been the theme for the last week or so, it really has gotten out of hand). The rest of the night was studying characters and watching Two Towers (not at the same time). It was kinda funny, Jesse and I are really dramatic when it comes to JRR Tolkien. We had a minor freak when it was ten at night at there was still two hours left of the extended edition so we turned it off and will save for after work tomorrow. Now it is time for bed! Good night!
Jan. 13, 2015
Class went smoothly for me, the pace is exactly what I remember. It’s interesting in the larger class to see where everyone is after two years of study, particularly since my study time has been in total 7 months. It’s such a big class though, which means that having a turn is less of a guaranteed thing and my speaking needs the most work, so I will be fighting often to practice. After class I went for a quick run, the air quality has been nasty. It was kinda funny, I ran (Pun!) into a bunch of people going to lunch and I waved but I’m not sure many of the new students recognized me with my pollution mask on. I am really pleased with the progress of my running, I am getting some of my old endurance back. Now if only all my clothes would stop being too big, that would be great. After the run and a quick shower, I cut up food for dinner. Jesse had to cook tonight because I always get back late from work on Tuesday. Work itself went ok, the kids were crazy, they only wanted to play. We managed to wrangle them with coloring. I think my Tuesdays from here on out will be pretty insane simply because of Chinese, History and work all being on the same day. I was lucky but I suspect I will be pretty tired. Tomorrow I have conversation, I wonder how it will be as a class.
Jan. 14, 2015
Conversation class was a bit of a disappointment. The level is supposed to be for track 2 and 3 (I am track 4) so the words and structures weren’t particularly mind blowing. But the teacher was way too nice. She didn’t correct tone or pronunciation when anyone talked. I am taking this class as an excuse to speak Chinese for three hours, so I think I will go in and ask her to be very strict with me. I want my Chinese to improve and I know she just wants us to like her, but I’d rather have bester Chinese than an easy Chinese teacher. Jesse and I have that class together and it was fun that way. Too many Tolkien jokes that no one else understood, but such is our existence right now. After class he and I went out to the bookstore. We actually bought really nice copies of The Hobbit in Chinese. It’s going to be difficult to read for sure, but it’s a story I know well so figuring things out will be less difficult (Transliterated names for the Win!) The rest of the day was spent just hanging out and doing homework. I don’t have work on Wednesdays, which is lovely for a middle of the week breather. The thing I really love is getting to cook and I do so often. It’s pretty awesome, and I would say the food I make is pretty good. Now tomorrow is regular Chinese class so I’m off to bed, good night!
Jan. 15, 2015
An exhausting day to say the least. First Chinese class wiped my brain. It’s not that I can’t understand but I have to focus and be very attentive, otherwise I will miss something and then be confused for a little while. Concentration for that long take quite a bit out of you. I supposed to run today, but the weather was bad. The air quality of late has been particularly nasty, even with the mask running in it isn’t fun. So instead Cassidy and I stayed in and chatted, something we haven’t done in a while. It was nice. then it was time for me to head off to work. Work as of late has gotten pretty chaotic. We are hurtling towards the end of the semester for the Chinese students and the Chinese teachers are running themselves ragged trying to get everything together. It feels a bit like Winter Break in the States. I am now officially writing all the lesson plans for Vivian’s class and class itself went very smoothly. The kids, generally speaking, participated and had a good time. That’s all I can really ask at this point. Once I got home though I was dead tired. Days when I have class and work will be rough. I am also still adjusting to the regular work load, hopefully a routine will emerge soon. Friday I have no classes or work, so it’ll be a good time to sleep. Currently finishing the Return of the King, then it’ll be on to the Hobbit movies!
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