Beida Fall 2009

My days remain fairly basic. I study and read a good deal. I read about China as a country and the Chinese government. I read Chinese short stories and Chinese news articles. All of them are translated into English because my Chinese is not good enough yet.
I also watch smallville a good amount when I need a break. I write in my journal most days although I took a month long hiatus. Most Tuesdays I go to a pizza place called Pyro's for 2for1 subs. They are delicious! Most Fridays I go to a mexican restaurant called La Bamba. The Mexican food there is nothing compared to the States but it's the best to be found here in Beijing. After eating burritos I go to the Red House, a small pizza joint, for 5 kuai all you can drink beer until eleven. The place is usually full of random people but by eleven the entire restaurant is full of people from my program. It's good bonding time. My weekends are spent sleeping in and eating and studying. I don't usually accomplish very much until Sunday evening around six or seven when I begin my weekly readings for Rural Economics and China in the Global Economy. I do a lot of reading. Every week I have a four page reading reflection on the political readings for China in the Global Economy. It's a great class and I like the teacher but it could use a lot more structure. The teacher knows a lot about the Chinese government and I appreciate having an honest source when it comes to CCP( Chinese Communist Party) politics.
That's all for now!
Tad

Hey guys,
Just thought I’d update you as to what I’ve been doing these past few days. This past week was pretty basic. I had a Chinese test on Friday and I think it went pretty well. I expect to receive the highest marks yet. Last night was Halloween. The Chinese don’t really celebrate Halloween although it is becoming increasingly more popular as foreign commercialism, transient students and expats saturate the everyday Chinese life. I went to a rave in the 706 factory in the 798 art district. It was pretty cool! There were lots of lights and music and the entire party had a relaxed vibe. It wasn’t too crowded and most of the people there were “waiguo ren” or foreigners. We ended up coming back around two or so. We didn’t want to have to check our coats so we left them at home. Too bad it was raining and cold all night and after I got back I woke up to four inches of snow on the ground. So, I have been sitting inside watching Smallville and writing all day.

Hey guys, sorry to leave you hanging for so long. Life has been fairly uneventful these past few weeks. Today, however, I went to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. They were both very impressive. I then went to a shopping district in Beijing and ate some scorpions. Yum!!! Take a look at my pictures, my friend Julie caught me in action.

Last night we went to the Olympic park and it was amazing. I never thought I'd be here/there. Not in a million zillion years. Nonetheless I am here and there and I was very impressed. I am still working on maybe running a lap in the stadium. We'll see how that goes.

Step into light

Smell wind

Open eyes

See stairs, iron gate and black path with golden leaves blowing across

Down plush steps

Uneven stone courtyard

Deep breath

Broad smile, through iron gate and into fall