First Official Weekend Update
Saturday was my first official day inside my Beijing. There were a lot of firsts. It was my first time biking to Wudaokou (on the highway), my first time taking a Chinese subway (and getting lost on the way back!), and my first time biking back to the campus through a really bad lightning-clad thunderstorm with a downpour like you wouldn't believe. And on top of all that, it was my first time bartering at the famous Chinese silk market. *I ended up spending a lot more money than I wanted to...around $100.* I bought a red cheongsam (230k), a pink bamboo purse (60k) for Cyndi, two handmade official Calligraphy name scrolls for Sara and Emily (200k), a silk kimono with Chinese lettering and the double happiness symbols for my Mother (80k), and 100k worth of DVDs (including Madagascar, Cars, Da Vinci Code, Snatch, Home on the Range, Over the Hedge, and Hoodwinked).
I think I'm going to go back sometime this week. I need to buy one more Cheongsam for Cyn and Em to share, the HP dvd collection for Em, and the LOTR collection for Cyn. Other than that, I'm going to try to save my money and get "cheap" souvenirs (as in FREE). Otherwise, I won't be able to afford Tibet and Chengdu and such.
Saturday also made me realize how absolutely speechless I am trying to use the Chinese language. I just can't seem to push myself out enough to grasp the understanding of a conversation. Fortunately, I had Cathleen with me, so that made things a lot, LOT more manageable.
Sunday, all I did was stay in and watch DVDS and study all day. I've been sleeping like there's no tomorrow, maybe partly because I haven't felt well. I also went to the shangdian and bought about 40k worth of groceries with Maera and Cathleen. Mostly bread and water. They seem to be my staple while I'm over here and about the only things that don't make me sick right now. And for some reason, my budget can't find 400k. I don't know if I've misplaced it or just didn't withdraw that much in the first place. It seems very odd, however, to be missing so much money. (well, its about 60 dollars American).
Also, a long time friend of my family shot himself earlier this weekend/week's end. (Time gets confusing here!) He was deathly sick for a very long time before this. Would you all please remember his family (Johnny Boggs was his name) in your prayers. His son Johnathan is my age (GC, I think) and his poppy was my Pastor when I was a little girl and he was always my favorite grandfather type figure. Please to keep them in your prayers. Thanks! It must be very hard for them right now. I can't even fathom it.
Love you all, have to get to class before I'm late. Be back later.
I think I'm going to go back sometime this week. I need to buy one more Cheongsam for Cyn and Em to share, the HP dvd collection for Em, and the LOTR collection for Cyn. Other than that, I'm going to try to save my money and get "cheap" souvenirs (as in FREE). Otherwise, I won't be able to afford Tibet and Chengdu and such.
Saturday also made me realize how absolutely speechless I am trying to use the Chinese language. I just can't seem to push myself out enough to grasp the understanding of a conversation. Fortunately, I had Cathleen with me, so that made things a lot, LOT more manageable.
Sunday, all I did was stay in and watch DVDS and study all day. I've been sleeping like there's no tomorrow, maybe partly because I haven't felt well. I also went to the shangdian and bought about 40k worth of groceries with Maera and Cathleen. Mostly bread and water. They seem to be my staple while I'm over here and about the only things that don't make me sick right now. And for some reason, my budget can't find 400k. I don't know if I've misplaced it or just didn't withdraw that much in the first place. It seems very odd, however, to be missing so much money. (well, its about 60 dollars American).
Also, a long time friend of my family shot himself earlier this weekend/week's end. (Time gets confusing here!) He was deathly sick for a very long time before this. Would you all please remember his family (Johnny Boggs was his name) in your prayers. His son Johnathan is my age (GC, I think) and his poppy was my Pastor when I was a little girl and he was always my favorite grandfather type figure. Please to keep them in your prayers. Thanks! It must be very hard for them right now. I can't even fathom it.
Love you all, have to get to class before I'm late. Be back later.