南京（Nanjing）

I will be very sad when my vacation in Nanjing is over (on Wednesday), but I am looking forward to 65 degree weather in Kunming. I'm embarrassed to admit that I've done very little touristy stuff here. Most days consist of Alyssa, Cooper, and I walking to Nanjing University to meet up with Richard and Bibba. Then we get lunch and, if I have my way, ice cream. We usually goof off or run errands with the boys for their apartments etc.. until dinner time.

Last night we went to 1912, (for those of you who don't know) the Sanlitun/Bourbon Street of Nanjing. Within an hour, I ran into one of my ACC Beijing classmates!

Danny at 1912! Apparently he is doing the same program as Bibba this semester!

The group in Nanjing!

 I did a few things last night that I certainly wasn't proud of....such as dancing with middle-aged Chinese men (mimicking their hilarious dance moves) among others. I'm looking forward to the next two days! It's been a great vacation!

Bye Bye, Beijing.

Today around 9:00 am, Ben and I (the two remaining ACC kids in Beijing) left for the airport. My bags were overweight :) but things went relatively smoothly. I arrived in time to meet up with Richard and look at the flagship offices and stuff. It's good to see where I will presumably be in two years' time.

Nanjing reminds me a lot of New Orleans, in that it feels like New Orleans in late August right before a huge thunderstorm....all of the time. I personally prefer the humidity over Beijing's smog, though. Nanjing also seems to have a lot more character. I'm looking forward to a week of fairly relaxed exploring/ a day trip to Suzhou (maybe).

I'll keep you updated!

Margaritas

I wasn't kidding about having the best margaritas in my life. Last night it was two-for-one, but we didn't know about it until the waitress brought 8 to us.

DONE

Let's recap my summer for a moment.
I've gone from:
Hanging out with Mom in fancy Beijing.










to hanging out with my classmates in fancy-ish Beijing










to dying from the schoolwork










to eating hotpot in Datong with the Indiana boys










to dying










to being done with finals!
Seriously I took this picture as soon as I got back to my room after taking my last test. I'm exhausted. I can't remember the last time I washed my hair. But I'm done with the most academically demanding two months of my life (thus far). All I can do is smile. :) In the past 53 days, I have written over 10,000 words in formal papers. I have learned 3,000+ characters. I have given ten speeches, four of them lasting thirty minutes each. And then there's all that homework and reading and stuff.

In addition, I've ridden two ridiculous overnight trains. I finally understand Beijing dialect. I've had the best margarita in my life (in China? yes). I got to hang out with Amy all the time! I've amassed an impressive collection of wallets and bags from the pearl market and the silk market. I've met up with one friend from high school, four fellow Ole Miss students, and two Ole Miss professors- all in Beijing. I've gone out to eat with my Chinese teachers eight times. And I even rediscovered my lost love for dumplings.

All in all, I'd say that ACC was worth every penny. Also, here's a picture of all of the ACC students and teachers levels 2-4. I didn't know everyone very well though because the fourth year class only had 15 or so students, and we all know that I'm not the most social of butterflies.




What now? I'm staying in the dorms here until Sunday afternoon. I'm staying in a hotel in Wangfujin for three days, and then I'm off to Nanjing!

Love y'all!

hm...

I write like
Ursula K. Le Guin

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

LOL

Ten Days

I will be done with ACC in ten days. Insane.


I can't believe the summer is almost over. Evan and Jessica have already gone back to America, and Amy is leaving in less than two weeks. Thankfully we all got to have a reunion before they left.

I've been pretty sick and have fallen pretty far behind in class, but ten days is totally doable. (It's five thirty in the morning and I'm scrambling to get my work done/procrastinating) I'm mostly looking forward to this weekend. I'm planning on going back to the pearl market to find some purses and pearls. Amy and I are also thinking about getting some Peking duck (it's one of those things you just have to do).

After ACC ends, I'm going to stay in Beijing for a few days and then go to Nanjing to hang out with Richard and Cooper. And on September 1st, Alyssa and I are going to Kunming! I'm looking forward to better weather and southern people.

Oh, here's a picture from the water cube of me and Aileen, the girl that I tutor in English. This country has some rich rich communists. They also took me to the technology and science museum!








Hopefully I'll update again soon!
And btw, I miss Evan. Although this picture is from spring break 2009, I feel like it still accurately represents our relationship.

ugh

It's Saturday, 6:46 pm. I am putting on my pajamas and going to bed.

I suck at updating. Sorry.