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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

你们好！

It's been over a week since we arrived at Beijing Normal University and since then we have been going non-stop with classes, sight-seeing, and of course shopping. We've hit most of the big places so far, with only a few more to go. We climbed the Great Wall (and man was it great), walked through Tiananmen Square and marveled at the Forbidden City. We've shopped at 王府井 which is a major shopping district, Silk Alley, and visited the Antique Market. So far, I've discovered I am awful at bargaining and have now designated other people to do it for me. :D In addition to these trips we've had people come to teach us calligraphy, brush painting, play traditional music, and watch movies together.

Classes have been going fine, except it's a lot of work to pile on in such a short time. Talk about cramming; a whole semester of learning crammed into 15 days? I don't know if it's possible. So we had a test two days ago and we've got another one tomorrow. Not to mention quizzes inbetween. Plus all the activities we've been going to and that leave little time for anything else, although we manage to do it all anyway.

Yesterday was a friend's birthday (he turned 21!) so we celebrated by ordering a cake and going out to a club. That was a lot of fun. And luckily, women are free on weekdays. Who knew it was so good to be female?

So basically this trip is a whirlwind of fun, socializing, cramming, drinking (not on my part, but plenty to make up for it) and getting to know people better. It's difficult to keep track of things on a day by day basis because things go so quickly and i have lost all sense of date and weekdays. I'm meeting a lot of new people and getting to know this group much better. It's like having my own family, I already think of two boys as older brothers. They take care of me. So I'm in good hands, although I miss everyone out there and wish there were an easier way to communicate! I have oovoo and skype (and obviously internet) so i can keep in touch anytime. The time difference is 13hrs ahead from the east coast so 16hrs ahead from SoCal.

Have a great second semester everybody!

~gealina

Labels: China, Gealina

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