Midterms

Not to cast a damper with the title, but this marks the middle of my semester. Yay! I went to Beijing during the weekend with my parents and it was a blast! I met Jiang Ma Ma who owned an awesome Vietnamese Restaurant, who treated us to dinner, and taught me how to bargain. My parents are as dark as people living in the tropics, but that seemed to be the only change. My dad was just as amiable, and my mom was the shopaholic. I never realized how good it was to be around my parents until I was actually with them. In fact, they helped me find food I had been longing for: Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds (with Vitamin D milk, no artificial sweeteners!) and Durian. We went to River Romance, and my dad bought me a Gelato. He also cut mangoes and bought really soft (albeit without flavor) bread. They also bought mangosteen, something I adored while I traveled with them. I only remember the food because I haven't tasted different flavors for a LONG TIME. I felt so pampered having them with me, because everything I wanted I got. I wasn't tyrannical or anything but it was the simplicity of just asking and getting it immediately which made it seem so gratifying at the end of the day. Sometimes I didn't even have to ask. I realized the convenience of having my parents around. But it really wasn't the convenience they offered that I cared about, more of just realizing they were a couple of meters away for a couple of days was comforting. I kept glancing at them while we were on the taxi because I knew I wouldn't see them until the end of December. I only now know how real living in another country is like. I think in Philadelphia I lived life subconsciously because my life was a routine. Sure its becoming a routine, but I waking up thinking that I've been displaced. I used to say perception is reality. If you believe it, its true. But you can only fool your senses for so long. My parents aren't watching my back anymore. Maybe thats a good thing, but I really haven't taken advantage of being independent.

My skit is in three days. Thao, me, and Steven are in a group performing "AiQingGuShi,YeAiQingShiGu". Who would've guessed! Siwen just wants to sing Tian Mi Mi and Thao is the sumo wrestler. They are both going to fight for my affection. I don't know if this is a good thing, but I'm intrigued that the story line would put me in this predicament.

I think CET really brings out the kid in me. More like the high school nerd (with a fashion sense)with all this Real World drama. I say that because whenever Caoyin and I study, we'd eventually talk about how our roommates are totally in love with other people. I kid you not. The difference is no one really does it publicly in China. Its so obvious they are attracted to one another, but its like a Chinese drama. No I'm in love with so and so, no we've been apart for years. Just like Gov School love!

I talk like there's only 2 people. To tell you the truth my class has other other people (being the advanced level). I mentioned Siwen and Caoyin. There's BaiJunNin(KFC spokesperson lookalike who loves cookies), Oelian(best Chinese speaker I've learned), AiYun(most sophisticated), Qiyin(HK gurl from Swarthmore), Mungxue(has a bf from Penn). That's about it. My teachers are like Big Brothers who just know everything. We just learned to keep our private matters to ourselves.

I think being back in an institution limits my focus on why I came to China, which was to learn to speak Chinese fluently, sing chinese karaoke without missing words, and enjoy immersing myself in the culture. Now I just memorize all day and it burns me out. I have to say its not as hard as Wharton. Nothing compares to Wharton. But sometimes I just wish I had more time to myself to explore.

Ok out of that self reflection mode. I finished the Harry Potter book. It rocks my socks. I'm happy Harry married Ginny in the end and named their kids in honor of the people who perished in the book. I miss Fred the most. George no longer has an identical twin.

Thanks for the warm wishes guys! I haven't been able to see the comments (although I do get notifications) since blogspot is blocked in China, but I'm sure I'll see them when Christmas rolls around!