Back to School

Today was the first day of Chinese classes at the NCCU language center. I've been anxious to get started since I haven't been able to communicate with the locals. I really like my class! Particularly the teacher -- she's outspoken, feisty and forces everyone to speak and participate. There are 10 students in my class: 2 girls from the US (including me), 2 guys from the Philippines, a guy from Peru, a British guy, a Japanese girl, a guy from Palau, a Honduran guy and a Korean girl.

School is five days a week from noon to 3pm... A pretty relaxed schedule, but everyone says the homework is intense. I have an 8-sentence oral presentation due tomorrow in which I have to introduce myself, say where I go to school, name the members of my family, say what I like to do and what I dislike doing, and then close with giving everyone my cell phone number. It sounds pretty simple, but there are a lot of tones, numbers and details to memorize.

After class we went to an early dinner with the Mexicans and a guy from Russia. We talked about worldwide corruption which led to a lot tangent conversations. After about two hours, we all headed our separate ways. I like that there are other people here that enjoy sitting at the dinner table beyond eating… Although I miss a good bottle of wine with dinner. Alcohol is rarely available at the restaurants we go to. I think the Mexican students are also used to wine. Where there’s a will there’s a way, so we’ll figure something out soon I’m sure.

This evening I walked around campus, watched a bit of the sunset, then got down to memorizing my presentation. I think Bo and I are going to spend the rest of the evening with new friends from our dorm: one girl from Gambia (she’s my idol since she travels all over the world by herself) and two girls from Hungary.

Zai Dian for now…