Life marches on here in the middle kingdom. I just started class yesterday, and to my surprise I am actually doing okay. My Chinese reading and writing are definitely up to par with other students who have been in Beijing longer, but my listening comprehension and spoken fluency are still a bit shaky (for those of you who aren't aware I am not allowed to speak ANY English here). But I swear in the past six days I have learned more Chinese than I can handle.
I have learned to say so many important phrases from, "it doesn't matter" to "will you help me find my contact lenses." Of course my lovely Chinese roomate, Fu Li Na, is a huge help. She is absolutely amazing. We have already bonded. Like all Chinese she has her heart set on taking good care of me. She makes sure I am eating healthy, getting plenty of sleep and even goes over my homework with me!
Life in the dorm is quite interesting. Moving in was a little bit like freshman year, you know giant groups of people walking around together, exploring everything. I really like my neighbors, but like any dormitory there are times when you wish you could force other people to be quiet. In general, however the other American students are very aimiable and pretty much in the same boat as far as adjusting to life here.
Facility wise, it's not too bad. My room is definitely bigger than the one I shared with Martha during our freshman year. It even has a small heating unit that was probably installed circa 1980. And while it looks like it is about to fall of the wall, it certainly does the job. Hallways and bathrooms here, however, are not heated. That's just part of the adventure, shivering while squatting over the Chinese style toilet. I am happy to report, however that there is no lack of hot water for showering and doing laundry.
Speaking of adjusting. It has taken my body this long just to get on a good sleeping schedule where I am not waking up at 5am or wanting to fall asleep at 5pm. Saturday I woke up with a bit of a scratchy throat. I think it is mostly due to the horrible air quality here. Seriously, I have yet to see the sun without a brown filmy haze hanging over it. But like all things here I am sure I will get used to it.
I think that's all for today... more tomorrow, if I don't have too much work.
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2 comments:
i haven't had a hot shower in months and i live in the united states. maybe you should tell china to quit stalling and pay my utilities already.
aaahhh i'm so jealous...and i miss you already...
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