Hello Northern Capital, goodbye Famous Old Room
Uhh, so yes. I've finally arrived at my destination -- Beijing. I've been here for the past few days, and a lot of old memories from my summer trips studying at 人民大学 are coming back. I visited the campus yesterday curious to find what's changed. I think they were on break because there were no students around, but the campus looked pretty much the same with the addition of some huge new buildings. The old buildings I used to study at were still there, and in similar conditions to what I remember.
Most other things that I remember about Beijing seem to be intact, including the prices (cheap), people (selfish but friendly) and pollution. There are some new things of note including a new "subway" line that loops through the city's north, and the rise of what seems to be an emerging consumer culture signified by the prevalence brand advertising and native Chinese branding.
Anyway, I'll finally start my job next week. I'm excited to get back into doing something after not having much responsibility for the last 2 months. My goals for the next few weeks are to find an apartment, buy a cellphone, and improve my Chinese past one word sentences and hand movements to two word sentences and fewer hand movements. The words I've studied for three years at university are there in my head somewhere; they just like to play hide and seek when I engage in conversation.
Most other things that I remember about Beijing seem to be intact, including the prices (cheap), people (selfish but friendly) and pollution. There are some new things of note including a new "subway" line that loops through the city's north, and the rise of what seems to be an emerging consumer culture signified by the prevalence brand advertising and native Chinese branding.
Anyway, I'll finally start my job next week. I'm excited to get back into doing something after not having much responsibility for the last 2 months. My goals for the next few weeks are to find an apartment, buy a cellphone, and improve my Chinese past one word sentences and hand movements to two word sentences and fewer hand movements. The words I've studied for three years at university are there in my head somewhere; they just like to play hide and seek when I engage in conversation.