Settled In

So now I live in Chengdu in the dorm for foreign students. I love Chengdu so far. I’ve seen more of the city then most of my classmates. It is exciting and big. But the atmosphere really is more relaxed then other large cities. Hum.

My roommate’s name is Lisa. She is from Germany, she grew up in Bavaria and now studies in Berlin. She is 23. She has similar interests as I do, we always can chat. Her English is great, and her Chinese is better then mine, she has had 2 years. She also left a boyfriend at home, so that’s nice too. Occasionally living with a roommate is annoying, but that’s how it goes.

I’ve seen a local Buddhist temple that is important in this part of China. I also went to a local Taoist temple. Both were beautiful and a nice experience. Taking the bus around the city is easy, my room matehas a map with the bus routes so we can try to figure it out and then guess and go. It has worked out well. I haven’t taken too many photos from around town. I’ll think of some fun photo essays to put up.

Classes started two weeks ago. I have class for three hours every morning. It is good. It’s almost too hard for me. I have to learn literally hundreds of new words right away. The grammar is easy enough. I haven’t felt like since I have been here my Chinese is getting any better. Though I know that my listening has, even if I still get frustrated. I haven’t been studying enough in class, nor speaking enough in the city. It’s hard to push myself into it. I can get around easily, I can shop, and take thebus, etc. But pushing myself to go the extra mile and really practice my language skills hasn’t really happened yet. In addition to those classes I have Taiji every week and Chinese Arts every other week. Taiji is actually very difficult, the teachers expect us to do it correctly. I also have some muscle memory from dancing still that are messing up my Taiji. In arts class we had a lesson on Calligraphy, and now I have brushes and paper and have Calligraphy homework, so that’s fun.

I haven’t lost much weight. I haven’t gotten really sick. I also haven’t let myself starve. So apparently some of the other girls have lost a lot of weight. Whatever

I am very tan though, Yangjuan was high elevation sun and even in Chengdu I’m outside all day long and get some UV through the smog. Oh yeah. That kinda sucks. You have to walk forever to get anywhere useful on this campus. We live in a useless little corner. Which is nice because it is more quiet at night and more calm. But to get to the store, or some of the offices, or many of the better places to eat I have to walk all over the place. I know that sounds kindof whiny. But I lived in Wedgewood all year, where I could walk anywhere I needed in 5 minutes.

So yeah, I'll make some Chengdu entries that are more intersting and focused. I'll take photos as well. I promise this blog will get better.