Making up for my silence

If it weren't for that nagging, persistent knowledge that smoking causes cancer causes death, I would probably take it up here. Oh, also the thing about addiction being relinquishing a part of yourself to the control of a substance or behaviour. That keeps me, too. And that smoke makes me cough. Otherwise, though, I would take up smoking because to be Asian is to hate clean air. That's taking it perhaps too far, but you know what I mean. The one thing that I've come up with is this would be bumper-sticker:
Smoking: Because Beijing's air quality was just a little too good!

School is going well for me. I am probably in the bottom of my class (not the only one there, though) and I'm not at all worried about it. I'm sure that this is a character flaw picked up around senior year in high school, but I am learning my behind off. I have learned an immense amount of Chinese since I've been here. I told Dad that I've learned more here in a month and a half than I would have in a whole year in the States. I'm certain than my confidence in using the language is greater than it would be if I didn't live here and need it day-to-day. I don't study well, and I'm working on that bit by bit. It is difficult to be motivated to study when you could just... not. However, I have not skipped any of my homework, and I've only skipped one class because I was feeling ill. That's a good record, people! I am an achiever, even if the over- part is diminished with the reality of my brain's innate lack of linguistic genius. I learn, but I don't learn language that easily. I like it, though.

This is a video tour of my dorm! Note the "Western-style" bathroom.


At this moment I'm sitting in a Starbucks Coffee in Xidan, which is just west of Tian'anmen and straight south of Beishida. I rode my sweetaction little velocipede here, and it took about 30 minutes from my dorm. That was with me looking for the place, too. Note: It's hard to bike and look all around for a particular place simultaneously. I found it just when I decided to cross the street and head back. Thanks for that one, You, it made me laugh. Once I got into Starbucks and ordered my caramel macchiato and blueberry muffin, I met a couple of Australian women in their (I'm guessing) early- to mid-30's. They are here on holiday for 6 days. I pulled up a chair and told them how to take the subway. I told them which stop is Silk Street, and all that jazz. Then they asked where to buy immitation clothes. I was like, "Um... Silk Street. That's pretty much what they sell." They also asked me about restaurants and bars. I could handle the first, and I advised them against Korean food (it's just kind of weird) and tried my best about bars. I was honest, though, and told them I really don't know any good ones. I told them there is a place in Wudaokou called Propaganda, but that that area is mostly college students. I did say that there's a place in Chaoyang called Lucky Bar Street, but that I don't know anything about it. I'm not the best person to ask about nightlife, you see. I taught them how to ask someone's name and how to thank people. I also told them they might want to experience Oriental Plaza, because it is the biggest legitimate shopping area I know. They were really nice, and they offered to show me around Melbourne if ever I'm there. I told them I just might, though I don't know when that opportunity will arise. I gave them my Chinese cell number, taught them how to input the + to make international calls (you just hold down the 0) and gave them my email address. Poor babies.

As a note, the same woman has now mopped the same swath of floor twice since I've been here. Twice! I'm telling you, they mop like crazy around here.

This is like thirteen blog posts all in one. I hope it satiated your hunger for my life's tidbits.

T