The Beijing Tales: Part 1

I can't even tell you how much my heart dropped the first day that I went to class, grabbed a seat in the front row, and proceeded to stare blankly for most of the class as the teacher went on about things that I could not understand. It is seriously frustrating to be reminded, with every word, that you cannot communicate. However, it is also an experience that I would recommend to anyone. It has some serious humbling side effects.

What is that I hear you say? What else do you do with your time besides school work? Haha, don't make me laugh. Perhaps you didn't understand what I meant when I said that I have 5 hours of school every day. I mean that I sit in class for 5 hours, trying to cram an absurd (荒谬) amount of Chinese into my head, and when I am not sitting in class, I am studying, trying desperately to make sure I can at least mostly fake not being totally incompetent when I am in class. To sum up, during the week, I do my very best to imitate a cranky hermit. I'm told that this will improve my Chinese. Who knows?

To be more on the serious side, food is a problem. Yes I know, I am in China, and yes, I know, Chinese is food is good, but just take a second and think about what you eat in Chinese restaurants. Lots of food that is fried, or cooked in oil. And absolutely no crunchy vegetables. When you are in America, this is ok, because you can just go home and chow down on some carrots (or whatever your preference is) but here? Not so much. I have a secret stash of apples (okay, not so secret, they are in plain sight on my desk) but you get the idea. Especially if you are trying to eat healthy. Ha, good luck. And if you are vegetarian? Oh boy. Good luck even finding a Chinese person who understands the words "I don't eat meat." Their typical response will be "What about chicken? Pork? Fish?" I wish I was kidding.

My point is not to complain. On the contrary, I am finding that I am more and more excited to be here. My point is simply that there are a lot of things that we take for granted in America, and a lot of things that I miss about America. Simple things, like crunchy lettuce, bacon, and cereal. Sure, they have that here in China, but to actually get to it? So much more hassle then it is worth. Although, you might want to ask me again in a couple of weeks. I will probably be more desperate then.

I finally got to the gym today. The first time you sign up, they give you a personal trainer, that helps you get used to the gym. I thought that I was supposed to be meeting him today, but oops, it was supposed to be yesterday. (For some reason, I am really have some problems with dates. I feel like a shrink would have something to say about that.) It's not quite Crossfit, but it will do for the moment. It was so good to be exercising again. I even went outside to practice handstands for a while (it is definitely a work in progress, in case you were interested), but I could only stand to make a spectacle of myself for 15 minutes before calling it quits. However, I am absolutely determined to be able to walk down the road on my hands, or at least stand there for a good amount of time. It will happen.

I met my host mother for the first time tonight. Another 4th year student and I have the same host family, so it is not too bad. I probably won't be able to see them for a while, because she said that she is really busy, but that's okay. It's good to know that she is there if I need her, at least. SO AWKWARD THOUGH. We sit there, she sits there. Neither of us know what to say, but we are both there anyway. 尴尬死了。

I do believe that those are all my stories for the moment. Not very interesting, I know, but hey now, I have only been here for a week! Give me a second to catch my breath before jumping into all sorts of crazy shenanigans.

Requests for stories or presents? Then go to a radio station. JUST KIDDING. I would love to hear from you. Until then, good night!