Busy in Beijing

I’ve been in Beijing since late last week, and my life has been such a whirlwind that I haven’t really had time to stop and think, let alone sit down and write anything for this blog. Even now I shouldn’t be writing this; I should be getting sleep or studying or unpacking (I am still living out of my suitcases). But here’s a quick recap:

• I moved into my apartment in Beijing. (This is the first time I’ve ever been in my own apartment – how cool is it that the first time I’m “on my own” I’m in Beijing?) The apartment is a little bit of a walk in terms of its location to the university, but I like it nonetheless.
• I got oriented with the other kids in my program (Chinese language immersion). It’s always interesting meeting new people you know you will be spending lots of time with in the coming months.
• I signed a language pledge, promising that I would speak only Chinese during the school week (I get a reprieve on weekends). This is meant to facilitate the immersion factor of the Chinese language immersion program.
• I took the language placement exam and wound up placing at the 400 level. (If anyone from my Chinese class last semester is reading this, you’ll know how scary this is.) My class last semester ended at Chapter 31; my class this semester is starting at Chapter 39 (New Practical Chinese Reader Book 4). I have quite a bit of catching up to do in my spare time… if I ever have any, that is.
• I started my Chinese language classes yesterday, which I can already tell will be very intense. I have a comprehensive Chinese class, then an oral and discussion class, and then a one-on-one session with a tutor. I’m in class from 9:00a.m. – 5:30p.m. daily, with an hour and a half break for lunch.

Things aren’t quite routine yet, but I have a sense of how my weekly routine will end up what with classes, homework, studying, and hanging out with friends. I have a feeling it’ll be a intensive but awesome semester!

Cross-posted from breakthesky.net. Please leave any comments there.