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Back to the Grind

January 20, 2011 School
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Class all day, homework all evening, studying all night… ah, my second semester in Beijing has truly begun.

It’s a strange feeling of deja vu. It’s a new semester, with a higher level of language classes and new textbooks and new classmates and new kids in the program – but at the same time, it’s like going through the motions all over again. The only thing that’s really different is the people; I miss my good friends from last semester. Oh, and the weather is different too. Beijing is cold!

If last semester was anything to go by, I’m going to be run off my feet in the next few weeks until everything feels routine-like. Or, I decide it’s time to give myself a break and give myself more time to go out and be social rather than be shut up studying all the time. It’s also hard to find time to spend on the Internet when it’s even more difficult to find a good Internet connection. Oh, China.

I seem to have already lost the ability to string together two coherent sentences in English. My goodness. I’m not even sure what I’m trying to say. Except that hi, I haven’t died, I’m just insanely busy as per my life in Beijing!!

Spreading My Bubble Tea Addiction

January 10, 2011 Life
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I’ve been in Hong Kong for the last week and a bit, spending time with family before I head back to Beijing for the spring. It’s been a good break, but I do miss Beijing and I’m more than ready to head back to the mainland.

In Beijing, it’s a well-known fact that I am an avid drinker of bubble tea. All my friends last semester knew this, and none were surprised whenever I made a beeline to the closest bubble tea stand. In Hong Kong, though, my family was surprised to see how much I like the drink as most of my family members can take or leave bubble tea.

Today, though, I had first-hand evidence that my bubble tea addiction is spreading:

My aunt: Here are our options for lunch. (Lists names of several local restaurants.)
Me: Honestly, I’m good with whatever you choose.
My aunt: Let’s go to the nearest bubble tea store, get bubble tea, and then decide where to eat.

In other news, everything is beginning to fall into place for next semester and the summer. Things are looking good. Will blog about them when it’s all set in stone, because right now things are subject to change.

(Photos and travel recaps of last month – and, well, of last semester in general – are coming soon, I PROMISE. I left my laptop in Beijing so I can’t do anything photo-related till I get back. Mr. Randolph, I can just picture you rolling your eyes and thinking, “She is never going to post any photos” as you read this, but I WILL post photos eventually!!)