So, I somehow managed to escape the Chinese government and set up this blog. Actually, I don't know why Steven Pong (淬桑 / cuisang), my classmate, future travel buddy, and roommate for the summer, was unable to create one earlier--I had no problem at all. He was probably rapping in Chinese at the time which, believe me, can be quite distracting (the latest little tune was "Do you know the Muffin Man" in Chinese).
But yes! We're totally in 上海 Shanghai, at 华东师范大学 Huadong Shifan Daxue (East China Normal University). And it is great! Even if so humid all my papers are nothing but wrinkles, and we never really know when it's raining or if we just walked through a bad spot. Luckily we're staying in the Foreign Student dorm, which is more like a hotel--we even have maids come each day to make our beds--what a life. I certainly am struck by just how many jobs there are in China... so many employed, uniformed people I feel like a bit overwhelmed. At every entrance to every store, there is someone to greet you with a smile and a nihao (hello). It's wonderful really it's
We started class last week, on Monday the 28th. Shanghai is 12 hours ahead of US East Coast time. (cool difference with America: there are no time zones in China, so the entire nation runs on the same clock--makes figuring out train tickets much easier!) We have class each day from 8:00am - about 11:30am, in addition to a one-on-one session with a teacher for one hour. The teachers are all graduate students at the University, most of which are studying "Teaching Chinese to Foreigners." I am glad they are our age--it's been nice getting to know them, even if it's forced. We study one chapter of a textbook a day, so it's about 55-70 new vocab words to memorize for the daily quiz we have Monday- Thursday, accompanied by an oral exam on Thursdays and written exam on Fridays. Yeah. For eight weeks.
Anyway I hope you enjoy reading this, or any other trite thing that people write at the end of their first post to a travel blog. Write me via email: leonelli.stephen@gmail.com for the fastest response.
Have a spectac day!
Sidi Goes to East Asia: Round 3. This time, it's serious.
The Archives
The About
The Contact
Feel free to write me an email! I'd <3 to hear from you: leonelli dot stephen at gmail dot com.
Also, my Skype name is leonelli dot stephen
Also, my Skype name is leonelli dot stephen
The Photo Webpage
TBD.
In the meantime, check out my facebook. (2009 Taipei, Taiwan photos uploaded.)
In the meantime, check out my facebook. (2009 Taipei, Taiwan photos uploaded.)
4 comments:
I am happy to know that you arrived safely and are getting into the swing of things. I look forward to reading about your adventures and misadventures. You are so fortunate to be able to visit China and see what life is like there. I am sooo jealous. I have passed numerous hints to my son and daughter-in-law that I would like to go if they would accompany me.
Yes- I am definitely so lucky to be here! I am having a great time and I'm glad you enjoyed my first few posts. Be sure to tell me if you ever go to China, because I am planning to come back (to Beijing) from August 2008- January 2009. I want my parents and siblings to come, too... maybe we could have a Leonelli get-to-gether in China?? Love
Jackie and I have just finished reading your highly entertaining accout of your adventures in China.
We are jealous too. We especially want to know if you are enjoying the wonderful food and if it is anything like the so-called Chinese food we have here in America.
Jac wants to know how long you will be staying in China.
We will tune in again soon. Keep writing!!love you
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