Food Makes Everything Better

Look at that happy family! I probably should've gotten a better view of the food because we all know food>people. But I'm in a good mood today. And the beaming faces at the Chinese Table below exemplify why.

First, I'd like to mention a few potentially negative things that still can't bring my good mood down. So Beijing is as polluted as you think it is. There is a pervasive fog hanging over every day rain or shine. But it hasn't really affected me yet (except for that time it rained and I coughed the rest of the night). Otherwise, I don't mind it because this campus is BEAUTIFUL. The landscaping feels very Chinese (whatever that means, maybe it's the fengshui). Also seeing pagodas on the drive here from the airport instantly made this the prettiest place in the world.

Second pseudo-con, the ever frustrating language pledge. It's putting a real damper on my social life. We all see each other in the elevator before class in the mornings, but we can't say anything interesting so we whip out our notebooks and/or iPods and walk to the SAME academic building in silence. But look how happy we became at Chinese Table! When did those anti-social gloomy robot children decide to put on those giant smiles? (If you think the answer is when I told them to smile for the camera, then you are only paritally correct.) More importantly, after a great morning of classes (great because we now understand a bit more how to prepare for them the night before) we are all feeling more confident with our Chinese. We laugh at our circumlocution and celebrate when others understand what we're trying to say. The walk back home from classes was joyous. A) because no matter how silly we sound, we still want to enjoy this program together and make ridiculous conversation and B) because we had just eaten this DELICIOUS meal together with our super friendly teachers. And imagine...this will happen twice every week.

The small classes and the one-on-one time with these teachers is drastically improving my language ability and I can't imagine how much more confidently I'll speak Chinese after 9 whole weeks of it. (more confidently than Spanish even?) Not only are they great educators but they are the sweetest people ever! Just look at that peace sign! The adorable woman flashing it was my one-on-one teacher yesterday. She has already agreed to go watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-qx_1wXy8 (the end-of-semester video that my Chinese class at Yale made last month). I can't wait to be able to talk to her more fluidly so that I can learn more about her. But not just her! All the other teachers. And my Language Partner. Language Partner or (China Friend as the literal English translation is) is a student at this university who is assigned to each of us. This student can help us with homework, Chinese in general, or even just go out to eat or shop. I met my Language Partner yesterday and we went to the supermarket. She helped me carry back these HUGE jugs of water I bought along with the rest of my groceries. (I bought enough breakfast food to last me the first half of the summer for only about $10US). I can't wait to get to know her when we're not lugging around heavy bags too!

So basically things are looking up. I'm having a lot of fun even though I am also doing A LOT of homework. And honestly, coming home to a clean newly-made bed, new towels, and emptied garbage cans after class everyday always makes me smile a little. Let's see how the rest of the week goes!