Thanks China, It's Been Real

So it's 2:45 AM Monday morning here in Beijing. I'm watching some bootleg DVDs that I borrowed from a friend while I write this blog; since I'll arrive in America in the morning, American time, I decided to pull an all-nighter tonight and try to beat jet-lag. I leave for the airport in two hours, and it's just, pardon the cliche, surreal...

I came to this country six months ago not knowing what to expect, but knowing that it would be an experience. Well, I definitely got an experience, and got it to the full. I wrestled with Mongolians in the grasslands, rode camels in the desert, went to the Olympic Games, went on a month, 5000 mile+ trek around all of China, made new international friends, and, oh yeah, learned Chinese the whole time.

I wish I could say that I was completely fluent, that I could easily translate at the U.N. or do something cool like that. But I'm not, I'm not even close. Learning this language is the most difficult thing I've ever done in my life, and I say "is" and not "was" because this process is not over. Despite all the frustrations, I want to keep learning this language, even though it'll probably take the rest of my lifetime. But what's wrong with that?

So that was the sentimental, reflective part. I could go on about all the valuable lessons I've learned about life and blah blah blah... but I think you guys would rather hear that from me in person. Since I'll be in the States in a day... you'll be able to soon!

I just have to give credit where it's due though...first, God. He blessed me with an incredible six months in China. Second, my parents. They provided the means for me to take this study abroad opportunity and I'm so grateful to them for that. And, of course, I wanna thank you guys for following this blog and keeping me in all your prayers.

See ya guys soon!

Sightseeing in the Freezing Cold

So this past weekend I saw some parts of Beijing I hadn't seen yet. Saturday morning checked at this open market called 潘家园 (Panjiayuan); the vendors there mostly sell art stuff and small nick knacks. It would have been more fun if it hadn't been outside in the 20 degree weather. After lunch I hopped on the subway again with my friend Kaitlin and we walked around Olympic Park, which is now completely open to the public, unlike In the summer, where everything was fenced off. It was a little weird to see the little man-made creek that goes by the Bird's Nest completely frozen, a complete contrast to the humid heat of the summer. We paid the 50 RMB (7 bucks) entrance fee to walk inside the Bird's Nest. It was pretty surreal walking on the track and the middle, remembering the crazy Opening Ceremonies and the athletes and the gold medals won and, well, just everything.












Sunday after church I went with some friends to Beijing's 798 Art District, about 20 minutes outside the main part of the city. This district was originally an factory grounds built in the 1950's or '60's, not really sure what they produced. Anyway, about 6 years ago it started getting converted into a place for contemporary art galleries and other random sculptures and graffiti art and stuff like that. It hasn't lost it's originally "industrial feel" though, and the random sculptures and other art that dot the grounds just make it that much cooler. It's getting pretty commercialized with big sponsors like Christian Dior and Nike putting money in there, but still interesting nevertheless. Nike converted a whole building as an live exhibit/shrine to basketball/LeBron James.





So that was the past weekend. I have about nine or ten days left here in China and only three finals next week are keeping me from the States. As I hear of all my other friends studying abroad going back home it only makes me more excited. But I know I got some studying to do before I get to that point, so I better get on that.

I'll try to write one or two more posts before I head back home.