Day 30: August 25, 2011

My last morning and afternoon in Beijing. I get picked up in two hours to go to the airport. Then through security and checking my bag and waiting around a few hours to board the flight. Then the long plane ride home.

I am so sad that I have to leave. I can't believe my time here is over! I really want to come back, so hopefully some day I will be able to. This last day half day itself has been enjoyable. I had some breakfast with my family and said goodbye. Then I went out to buy them some flowers as a thank-you, and when I got back, Jing Jing was here again! She didn't have to go to work today because of something with her classmates, so she is here. She already made me some special green tea and gave me some to take home, and also gave me some popular Chinese sweets to take home for everyone to try. We are going to have lunch together in a little while, and then I will be on my way.

It's so sad :( I don't want to go! I wish I had more time here. My family has been great to me and so has everyone at Lotus. I am so glad I came on this trip because I got to see so many things and experience so much great culture, people, and food. Especially food! So much food!

Here are a few last pictures for you all to look at. I have tons more, so if you are interested in seeing them, let me know and I can show them all to you. It would just take way too long to download them on this blog or anywhere else because there are over 1500. But anyone who wants to see more of them, just let me know and I'll share them with you.

The next time you hear from me, I'll be in the U.S. I might do one last blog post as a reflection of being in America again. But if not, then thank you all for reading my blog. I hope you enjoyed it!

The flowers I got for my family as a thank-you

Chao Chao and I :)

Near BLCU at night

The feast we had with our class last night

Dumplings I made at Lotus yesterday

Delicious delicacies at the supermarket ;)

Weird-flavored Oreos at the supermarket

Day 29: August 24, 2011

I can't believe today was my last day in China. It seems like just yesterday I was complaining about wanting to go home, and now I don't even want to leave!

Today was pretty busy, even on my last day. I woke up at 5:30 for no apparent reason, besides the fact that I'm an early riser. So I hung out for a bit, then went outside and got some breakfast (that delicious egg pancake thing) and walked to BLCU. Apparently we had class today, but only two other students showed up and no professor, so we just left.

I hung out on campus for a while, then took the bus to Lotus. I called my parents again, and then it was time to make dumplings! We made the dumplings and other dishes were already prepared to go with them. We had the dumplings, rice, a potato dish, cabbage dish, tofu, eggs and tomatoes, and soup. Everything was so good, and I ate too much!

Afterward, I finished filling out a survey for Lotus and then headed out. I couldn't decide what to do after that. I had to be back at BLCU at 5:30, but it was only 1 and so I had a lot of time to kill. I decided to go walk around a bit. I got this drink at McDonald's which was fruit-flavored with some Sprite in it and a swirl of vanilla ice cream. Very good! They should sell it in the U.S. McDonald's.

Then I found a bookstore really close, so went in to look around. They had TONS of books...3 huge floors, plus a floor of DVDs and CDs. I bought a Chinese TV series I've watched before, and 3 Chinese CDs. I wanted to know who popular singers were, so my buying experience was interesting. It was cool because I had to ask the salesperson who was popular and who she liked, and she helped me pick some really good CDs actually. I'm listening to them now and will put them on my iPod for the plane ride home.

Then I walked to the apartment from Lotus. On the way I ate a moon cake I bought. Actually, i bought two and had one this morning. The first one from this morning was really good and had the bean paste in it that is popular in a lot of Chinese deserts. The second one wasn't as delicious; it had a different filling, a little fruity tasting but kind of odd too. It wasn't bad, I just preferred the first one more. So good thing I bought two of those instead of two of the fruity one! I will have the second one tomorrow before I leave. Ahh, I can't believe I have to leave! On the walk, I also stopped in the grocery store and took pictures of it so everyone can see what it looks like. I bought some Oreos too, because they had strawberry filling! They taste really good...we should have them in America too.

When I got home, I hung out for a bit and downloaded my new music to my computer. Then I took the bus to BLCU and met my professor and classmates for dinner at the convocation center. Everyone from the 4-week session was there (except if they already left for home) so there were a ton of people! We sat at tables with our classes and received our transcripts and had a wonderful meal. Overall it was a good end to my experience at BLCU.

I headed back home and showered and began to organize my suitcases for tomorrow. Then I met with the Chinese guy again to say a goodbye. He is in school doing animation, so he showed me some of the stuff he is working on, which was really cool! He also bought me another interesting snack...something in a cup that was a little sweet and milk, but with the consistency of a solid yogurt (like Yoplait's Thick and Creamy) and some sweet beans. It was very good, but I couldn't finish it all because I ate way too much today and am totally stuffed!

Now I'm just hanging out in my host family's apartment. I talked to Jing Jing for a little and we exchanged emails. Then my host mom gave me a cute good luck charm in the shape of a fish. I feel bad because I forgot to get them a gift, and I really wish I did to thank them for all that they have done for me. Maybe I can find something quickly tomorrow before I go. It's so sad that I have to leave. I know I've said it a few times before, but now I'm really REALLY getting settled here. The whole thing has been a learning process and an adjusting process. It's unfortunate that right as I am beginning to adjust even more, I have to head back to America. But next time I come to China (I hope there is a next time) I guess I will be able to adjust that much quicker because of my experiences this time.

I can't wait to show everyone all the things I've seen. My pictures are ranging in the 1500s now...and probably more will be taken tomorrow before I leave. I will get picked up at 1pm tomorrow, and my flight leaves around 6:30. Then I'll get to the U.S. on Thursday around 8pm. I hope I can survive the flight...I'm not looking forward to it, but I know I can do it because I have already done it once. I have a few good books to keep me occupied, and a lot of new music, so I think it will be all right.

I'll post one last blog tomorrow before I leave. Until then, enjoy the day everyone!

Day 28: August 23, 2011

Tomorrow is my last full day in China. I am very sad that my trip is coming to an end, but I think I am ready to go home all the same.

But before I get home, I still have more adventures to tell you about! Today was another wonderful day. This morning I walked to BLCU. It took me about an hour, but probably because I stopped and looked at things and took more pictures. I have officially taken over 1,200 pictures now.

When I got to BLCU, I went to my classroom building and studied for a little. Apparently we had class this morning...which I had no idea about until I saw some of my classmates emerge from the classroom when the bell rang for break after the first hour. So I went to my classroom and people were there! We were just reviewing the test, so it's not like I missed anything very crucial. I did pretty well on my exam, but wish I did better. I guess that's what I get for not studying and going out to see Beijing instead. But oh well, this was a once in a life opportunity so I'm glad I spent it exploring rather than studying to get a perfect grade, which I can do any time in the U.S.

After "class" ended, I still had to wait around to take my oral exam. The exam was actually very easy. I just had to read a few sentences, answer a few questions, and talk about a topic (which I was given 10 minutes to prepare for!). When this was over, I read for a little bit and then headed over to the Lotus office to call my parents and go to Silk Street.

Two people from Lotus and another student and I went to Silk Street market. The place is indoors and huge! There were tons more foreign people there, too. It was a good thing I had the Chinese people from Lotus, because they helped me bargain and get a lot better deals than I probably would have on my own. I bought too many things again, but I had to get some last-minute gifts for people I hadn't gotten anything for yet. I hope everything will fit in my suitcases all right, but I think I can manage.

I got home at around 6:30 tonight and have just been hanging out and reading since then. Tomorrow I apparently have class again, though I have no idea what we're supposed to do since we already took our test...Then I have the closing ceremony with Lotus, and at night a get-together with my class from BLCU to have dinner and I think receive transcripts. My last day is going to be sad but fun, and then I will head home on Thursday. Hope everything goes well tomorrow.

A note to end on: The thing I'm most excited about when I get home (besides seeing everyone) is eating cereal with cold milk. I can't wait for that.

Day 27: August 22, 2011

Hello all. I put together this list earlier today, so I've decided to post it as my blog for the day. Hope you enjoy it and learn something new about Beijing.

Things I’ve learned while in China:

1.      They like to smoke.

2.      They don’t care if they run you over.

3.      Staring intensely at someone is normal.

4.      They are extremely messy eaters and have no table manners.

5.      The food is really delicious.

6.      Everything is cheap.

7.      McDonald’s tastes the same as in the US.

8.      People don’t care if they push or shove you.

9.      There is an almost permanent cover of smog over the city.

10.  Most of the time you pee in a hole in the ground.

11.  I feel extremely safe walking around the city alone.

12.  There are people everywhere. All the time. Everywhere.

13.  Eggs are a really popular food item.

14.  Thunderstorms in Beijing are very loud, very bright, and very vicious.

15.  The women don’t shave.

16.  McDonald’s has Western-style toilets.

17.  The subways are really clean and nice. And they have great AC.

18.  Old ladies like to collect used water bottles from the trash cans and recycling bins.

19.  Everyone rides a bike, with a bell. And if you are in the way, they ring the bell at you.

20.  Toilet paper is usually not provided in restrooms.

21.  Soap is not provided either.

22.  When girls link arms or hold hands, it doesn’t mean they are lesbians.

23.  Cheerios and milk don’t taste the same as in the U.S.

24.  They have weird-flavored Oreos and Chips Ahoy.

25.  Dessert is not very popular.

26.  People don’t have drinks with their meals; they have soup instead.

27.  They like to fight over the bill.

28.  There is no drinking age; children can buy alcohol and cigarettes.

29.  You will often see small children pooping on the side of the road.

30.  You will also often see children without pants on.

31.  Some children wear outfits with slits in the bottoms for potty-training purposes.

32.  Bargaining is a skill.

33.  Couples in China hold hands or link arms a lot, but never kiss in public.

34.  Salespeople are really good at talking you into buying things.

35.  People eat dinner very late.

36.  Beijing’s countryside is beautiful.

37.  They do not have shower stalls; it’s just a faucet on the wall and the water runs across the floor and down the drain.

38.  Even at 6:45 in the morning, the buses can be crowded.

39.  The buses are much more crowded on the weekends.

40.  Homeless people are a rare sighting.

41.  Air-conditioning is not as good as in the U.S.

42.  At every touristy site you will constantly hear “冰棍儿一块，冰棍儿一块” being yelled.

43.  The Great Wall really is great.

44.  Sticky rice balls are delicious.

45.  My feet have been permanently dirty, even after I wash them.

46.  People actually use umbrellas to block the sun.

47.  Men often carry their girlfriend’s/wife’s purse or bag for them.

48.  There are a lot less foreign people in Beijing than I expected.

49.  You cannot go hungry while here, there is simply just too much food.

50.  Lotus plants taste good. And so does seaweed.

p.s. I can't believe I'm only here for 2 more full days, then leaving on the third day!

Day 26: August 21, 2011

Today was another wonderful day! I am starting to love it here a lot. I don't think I could live here (mostly because of pollution and the fact that there are way too many people), but I definitely want to come back some day.

This morning I slept in until 7:30! Woohoo! Then I got up and attempted to study for a little bit, but it didn't work very well. I left for church at around 9:30. Mass started at 10:30, and once it was over I went to the little shop they have at the church. I bought a really beautiful cross and also a New Testament in Chinese and English. Then I came back home and had some lunch, then attempted to study again. After about a half hour, I started to get extremely sleepy, to the point where I couldn't even keep my eyes open, so I rested for a little bit. Then back to study for about 2 hours.

When it was dinner time, I took the bus up the street to the WuDaoKou stop, just a stop away from my university here. There are a lot of shops and restaurants there, so I stopped in a restaurant and ate some rice, tofu, and vegetables. The tofu part was so spicy!! It was good, but just really really spicy. When I was done eating, I walked around a little and got some ice cream. There were a lot of stands open where people were selling things, and I got a few books and a new ring for really cheap. I almost bought a purse, but I don't think I liked it enough to get it. The girl said she would be there tomorrow too, so if I change my mind I can always go back. When I was looking at all the stands, all of a sudden the people started freaking out and everyone left! I was like, what is going on? Then I realized the police had come, and so everyone scrammed. I guess that they weren't supposed to be selling stuff there, for whatever reason, but people got out of there real fast when the police showed up.

After looking around, I took the bus back to my host family's apartment. Now I've just been trying to study again (which is proving very difficult), and watching a little TV. They had an English movie with Chinese voice-over, so I was watching that. Now I just put another Chinese show on to have some background noise while I study. I only have two more chapters to review. I really need to get through it so I can go to bed. I feel like I should review again, or go back to the parts I had problems with, but I really don't want to! I'll try to look over it once more, and then hopefully I will be ready for the test.

Wish me luck tomorrow!

Day 25: August 20, 2011

Hi everyone. I am completely exhausted! I am about to go to bed even though it's pretty early here, but I'll write a quick post for you all to read.

Today I woke up very early, around 6am (as usual). I just hung out, studied a little, and read a little. Then I got ready and went to Lotus to meet Zoey and Linda to take me to the Summer Palace. I walked there again, and on the way there were so many people selling breakfast things. I ate before I left, but I really just could not pass up eating that egg pancake thing again, especially since there were so many stand selling them, so I got one again. Tomorrow morning on my way to church I will probably buy another for breakfast.

I got to Lotus and we took the bus to the Summer Palace. It was absolutely beautiful! I loved it. The Kunming Hu (Kunming Lake) was gorgeous and made everything else there beautiful. There were so many trees and plants, and the lotus plants were in the water. It was very beautiful and peaceful, and I really enjoyed seeing the architecture and being surrounded by more nature. One downside was that it was extremely crowded, but it didn't bother me too much.

The best part about the Summer Palace (besides the lake) was Suzhou Street. It is this really cool area of the palace where shops and a small path surround a small body of water. You walk around the whole path and there were even restaurants and stuff along the way. I bought a lot of things today, especially at Suzhou Street. I got a few things for my parents and sisters and friends. Then for myself I got a calligraphy set, a necklace with my Chinese name on it, and a t-shirt that says Beijing in Chinese characters.

After the Summer Palace, I took the subway home. Then I showered and hung out for a little bit. Around 6:30 I met the Chinese guy I met the other day and we went to dinner. We just walked up the street to a restaurant. We got noodles, dumplings, cooked cabbage in spicy sauce, another cold noodle dish, spinach pancakes, and some desert pastry with fruit in it. I also drank this weird drink that is a combination of beans and watermelon or something. It was actually pretty good. I am so full now, I don't think I can ever eat again!

Tomorrow I'm going to church and then I have to study for the rest of the day since I didn't study too much today. I really don't want to study, though...I just want to take my test and be done with it! Hopefully I will do all right on it. I think I know enough and can remember enough to get a good grade.

Well, until tomorrow. Have a great Saturday!

Day 24: August 19, 2011

Today was another very beautiful day. I'm really starting to love it here because of the weather!

This morning I got some street food for breakfast, and it was so delicious. It was another bread/egg thing, but this was just 2 of those with some delicious sauce in the middle. It was so good, I want it just thinking about it! I'm definitely going to get it again before I leave Beijing. I also got some weird drink with it, which tasted okay at first but after a few sips I decided I didn't like at all. It was some hot milk-looking drink, and tasted a little sweet but a little like soy or something. It started to gross me out so I didn't finish it.

I had my last class today, and we just reviewed and talked about the format of the written test. It's going to have 6 parts: multiple choice; finish the sentences; fill in the blanks; true or false; write sentences; and write an article. Hopefully it won't be too bad. I'm just worried about writing the sentences and article, but I think I can do all right with it. If I study I should be okay. Then Tuesday I have the oral exam, which I don't think will be too difficult either if I study.

After class I sat outside and read and ate lunch before I went to tutoring. Also my last day of tutoring! I'm excited that classes are over. Now I just get to relax and study until I come home. I'm going to do some exciting things this week and next week before I leave, so I'm glad I don't have to stress too much over preparing for class or studying.

When tutoring was over, I walked home because it was just another beautiful day so I couldn't pass up the opportunity. The walk home was nice, but took a while again because I kept stopping to look at things or take pictures. I got some ice cream in a cone today! I got chocolate and some pink flavor which tasted kind of like strawberry but I don't actually think it was...it was interesting but good. I also bought a few earrings and necklace from these two little Chinese girls who had a table of jewelry out on the sidewalk where I was walking. They were so cute and actually had some cool pieces of jewelry. I wish I had taken their pictures.

I got home and relaxed and studied a little, then went out for dinner. I got some rice and egg and tomatoes and potatoes. The egg and tomato dish is a really popular thing here, and it has been one of my favorite things to eat in China. The dish I had tonight wasn't as good as when my host family makes it, but it was still decent.

 

Tomorrow I'm going to the Summer Palace and Old Summer Palace with people from Lotus. The place is HUGE and apparently very beautiful. Kunming Hu (Kunming Lake) is right near it as well. I can't wait to go and see the architecture and nature; it should be very nice, especially since tomorrow will be another sunny day, even though it will be pretty hot.

Then Sunday I'm going to church again, my last time here in Beijing! Hopefully I'll get to visit the church again someday. They are looking for people to teach English there, so maybe I could do something like that one day, it might be exciting and fun.

Other than that, I just plan on studying and maybe doing a little more shopping. Jing Jing and my host mom aren't here this weekend. My host mom is on business in southern China and Jing Jing went down to be with her today and won't return until Monday. My host dad still isn't home from work, and probably won't be home for a while. I'm not sure how much I'll see of him this week with me being gone most of tomorrow and part of Sunday.

This is my last weekend here, so I am going to try to make the most of it. I'm sure it will be fun and exciting. I'll update you all tomorrow on my adventure to the Summer Palace. Have a great Friday!

Day 23: August 18, 2011

Today was another beautiful day in Beijing. I am so happy to be here right now and am totally loving it. The weather was gorgeous and it has just been making me so happy.

 

This morning I went to class as usual. We completed our last lesson, and tomorrow we are going to review everything. It's going to be difficult to remember all the characters, but I think I can manage to do well on the test. I definitely know a lot more than some of the people in my class, so I'm confident in myself.

After class, I went to McDonald's. I was a little disappointed, but also a little relieved that it tastes exactly the same as in America. At least, the fries and the ice cream taste the same. I'm not sure about the burgers. And I know they have different pie flavors and some different drinks too, I think.

Then I had tutoring, and when I was done I took the bus to Lotus so I could call my parents. I had a good talk with them, then went to exchange some more money so I can buy stuff this weekend. Afterwards, I decided to walk home. It was a bit adventurous of me, because I had never walked the route before, but I knew all the street names I had to go on so it wasn't hard to find my host family's apartment.


It took me a while to get home, probably because I stopped in a lot of shops along the way, and took a lot of pictures. I bought a dress at some store for 199 kuai (about 31 USD, which isn't bad at all!) and apparently it is a dress by Prada from Italy. That is what the tag says anyway...but it's pretty and blue and has ruching so I like it.



For dinner I had more street food! This was a bun (baozi) with vegetables in it which I bought on the walk home. It was very good, and it tasted like there was even a hint of cinnamon or some sweet spice in the bread. Tomorrow morning I want to get something else at this stand underneath the bridge I cross to get to my bus stop. I'm sure it will be very tasty, whatever I get.

I also met a Chinese kid who lives in the same building as me and speaks English. We basically followed each other home for a really long time and didn't even realize it until we ended up at the same building. So we are going to try to hang out this weekend.

My day went really well and I'm kind of sad because I will be leaving next week and I am just starting to really, really get settled here. I definitely want to come back and study more and see more places and talk to more people. My experience so far has been great, and though I struggled with homesickness and probably would if I stayed any longer than a month or two, I am learning to love Beijing and want to return to China.

Hope everyone has a good Friday and a good weekend!

Day 22: August 17, 2011

Well, I was wrong about the sky today. This morning it was actually still clear, and I think it would have remained clear if it wasn't for the rain clouds. So while it wasn't as sunny as yesterday, it wasn't as hot either, which was a nice change. My window is open now and I don't even have to use the fan and it's pretty cool in my room--almost so cool that I need to put socks on!

This morning I left for class pretty early. It was cool and breezy out, and there were already many people walking around even though it was before 7. I stopped on the way to school and got some street food. Some egg/bread type thing wrapped around potatoes and carrots, with I think some sauce or spices. It was very good, and very filling. Here's a picture of it:

When I got to school, I sat outside for a while to enjoy the weather and study before being stuck in my classroom for 4 hours. Today we talked about or exams next week. Monday from 8-10 is the written test. Then half the class will do the oral exam from 10-12. Then Tuesday, the other half is doing the oral exam from 10-12. Unfortunately, I am going on Tuesday and can't just get the test over with on Monday, but I guess I can't complain because it means I have more time to study.

Tomorrow I plan to review a lot more. I started yesterday, but didn't review much today. If it's nice, I'm going to maybe walk home again and look around some more. I'm planning on going shopping this weekend or early next week. And hopefully go to the Summer Palace next week also. I will have more time because I get out of class early on Monday after our test, and Tuesday I will only be there for about a half hour for the speaking exam.

Until tomorrow!

Day 21: August 16, 2011

Today was the most beautiful day in Beijing.

I woke up to this wonderful sky:

From there the day got better and better. I  wasn't expecting the sun to last, but even when I was finished with tutoring it was still beautiful outside. This is near campus. Look, the sun is finally out, I can see it!

Another view of the great blue sky as I walked home from class.

Finally, I saw my first sunset in Beijing. Well, the first one I can remember so clearly, at least.

Overall, a beautiful day that made me really happy. I hope tomorrow's weather is as good as today's, but I have a feeling the smog cloud will be back by morning.
I took advantage of the weather today to walk home, and stopped in a few shops along the way. I bought a few books in Chinese! Two are kid books, which I'm going to try to read in the near future. The other two are more advanced books and so it will take me a long time to read them. But I figured what better way to learn new words and sentence structures than to attempt to read a familiar book in Chinese? Hopefully I will eventually be able to understand even the difficult books I bought.
I'm exhausted, so I'm going to bed. Everyone have a great day!
p.s. I'm only here for 9 more days! All of a sudden the time flew by and my remaining days are in single digits now!

Day 20: August 15, 2011

Day 20! I can't believe I've been in China for twenty days already. It seems like not long ago I was packing to get ready for my trip. Now I'm over halfway done. I understand what everyone said about taking advantage of my time, because it is really slipping away now.

We are into our last week of classes. After this week, we have a writing/reading test on Monday and the oral test on Tuesday. Wednesday I'm assuming we pick up our results and Thursday I get on the plane to head home. I'm going to definitely make the most of the rest of my time here. I've decided to try to order food, or poke around and see what kind of food I can get on the streets. I also need to buy something! I haven't really bought any souvenirs except the chopsticks and I got my sister a watch with Mao Zedong on it. So I'd better get buying, because before I know it there won't be any time left.

I also want to talk to more people in Chinese. It's hard to get a lot of practice in because my host parents come home very late, and Jing Jing usually only speaks to me in English. I talk to her in Chinese, and then she responds in Chinese, but I really need to talk to more people! A few people have approached me and I've exchanged a few words with them, but I need to have a conversation now. Tomorrow I'm going to try to talk to someone, either while waiting for the bus or while looking for food. I hope they will be willing to talk to me.

Now I'm going to write a little blurb in Chinese:

昨天晚上下雨了。忽然我起床，外面又打雷，又打闪。所以我关窗户了。今天天气还不好，不过今天很凉快。上课的时候我带雨伞 万一下雨。在大学，我跟同学们学了弟十五课。下课以后我买了两个香蕉。我吃了一个。然后我去过餐厅为了学习的。我等了我的家庭教师。家庭教师以后我回家。在家，我 又休息，又学习，又用电脑。晶晶给我带回来晚饭的。我吃饭了。然后我去房间里为了学习。明天我们学弟十六课。我希望我记得生词。

明天见！

I hope I didn't butcher it too much. But practice makes perfect, so there you go. Two things to end on before I go to bed:
1. I haven't seen the moon since I got to Beijing.
2. Last night I realized I have been eating seaweed for the past few weeks, and I like it.

Goodnight!