I noticed that randomly at the end of my post yesterday, I had something about "more interesting facts!" or something of that sort written at the very bottom after my name. I attribute this solely to the fact that I was distracted by the girl sitting two seats over to my left, who was listening to blaring techno music. I'm thinking it was an American/Japanese fusion? I understood some words, in between the thumping and bumping and screeching.
Also, the convenience store on the second floor where the communal computers are located has a type of chocolate stick snack called "Boy Meets Girl." Yeah.
Today was my first day of classes! It started with me losing half my breakfast in the trashcan, all due to being polite. I was eating a bagel and went to check my email. When I was done with the computer, I went looking for some bottled water to buy, and the girl at the desk thought I was looking for a trashcan to throw away the rest of my bagel. She happily led me by the arm to the trashcan, pointing and nodding, smiling. Expectant. I was so nervous about making her upset, I thanked her and threw the remains of my bagel away. Luckily, I wasn't that hungry and I got the bottled water in the end. Mission accomplished.
I think I forgot what classes are like. Chin208 is no joke; Professor Chen is really trying to fit a whole semester into this tiny little capsule of time in Beijing. It's not bad, though. I just have to find some reliable study buddies :) My Chin107 class, on the other hand, is AWESOME. And by awesome, I mean seriously pee-my-pants fantastic. The teacher is a professor from China. As in, he currently teaches in China. He is slightly tubby, which he points out often by referring to himself as "pong" or something sounding like that (which apparently means "fat" in Chinese). I personally think it adds character. He is sooo cute and ebullient, sometimes I think his cheeks are going to explode from his smile. And, if they did explode, hundreds of bubbles of joy would come floating out of them, like an even happier explosion. It's crazy. He only speaks in Chinese to us, which is difficult to understand but helpful for learning purposes in the long run, me thinks. Starting tomorrow, speaking in English is not permitted. There will be a lot of "Zenme yisi..." ("how do you say...?") Whatever works.
Btw, yesterday we had a funny conversation over drinks at the bar. It involved the American names Chinese people choose. Steven was mentioning the names some of his students have chosen before, and I realized there is so much weight to a name. For example, one of his students chose the name Yolanda or something of that sort. Steven didn't know how to explain that the name sounded like something only Latino girls tend to have. But it's true, when I think of that name I think of Latino girls. I don't know why. Maybe it's because the only Yolandas I can think of are from movies, with Latino girls. Also, two people chose the names Sadie and Rex. These, Steven tried to explain to them, are mostly reserved for people's pets in the US (no offence to those of you named Sadie or Rex), but again, I had to agree. Not to mention the girl named Clitia, who, for obvious reasons, was encouraged to change her name due to it's striking similarity to certain genitalia in English.
Dumplings have become the drug of choice here in Beijing. I had them for lunch (with a bunch of classmates and Professor Pong aka funniest man alive) and dinner (with Steven and some of his teacher friends). We also got our nails done! Mine are dark purplish/gray with rainbow glitter (of course). Fab.
As for now, I have to study. I'm sure something funny happened today, but I can't really think of what. Highlights of the day were (not in chronological order): getting my nails done, Chin107, and getting a calling card for my phone. Calls to the US are apparently embarrassingly expensive, but we shall see. I've got reason to call home. Life is so good and weird sometimes, it'd be a shame not to share.
Good night, sweet moon and readers too.
Love,
Amy
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fat is "pang" and if you don't understand, you have two choices... neither of which is the one you chose haha
ReplyDeleteYou can say "shenme yisi?" -- What does it mean?
Or you can say "zenme shuo?" -- How do you say?
Haha hope this helps ;-) And good first day of practice!
hahahahha clitia. aw man, i feel bad for the person who had to break the news to her! ahhhh classes started, now its time to get down to business! [as my mother would always say] and no english allowed in the classroom?! at all?! wow. well, at least you're going to come back speaking fluently! omg bring me back dumplings!! and also your "pang" teacher! i always wanted a teddy bear! see if you can wrap him up and send him over seas :D hahaha i can't believe you had to throw away your bagel! though, i would have done the same. but that sucks! i know you love your bagels. especially since its a morning food! hmm, perhaps she totally understood what you were asking of her, but saw your bagel and suddenly got hungry.. if so, her devious plan worked.. and she got a free bagel out of it! hah, id hope not. but that too, is something id do.... wait.. soo, there is such a thing as a purple-grey color?! and.. its on your nails... with rainbow glitter?! AWESOME!! try and keep it on the whole month, i would like to see this design. im missing you like crazy!
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