Controlled Chaos.

Beijing is a city that will never cease to fascinate me. This past week the weather got suspiciously cold, even for me who is used to sudden changes in weather in Buffalo. Then it started to snow all week long.  Two weeks ago I would have never even thought it was possible to get rain, snow, or precipitation in this dry city. BUT, this being China, a place where everything cannot be taken as is, it turns out the government injected silver iodine bullets into the clouds to make it snow! It is getting to the point where ridiculous things such as this don't even surprise me anymore.

Anyways, an update on my life for those lucky few who care:

--My classes are going well but it may be the most challenging semester of my undergraduate career. I am taking 10 hours of Chinese a week, and the class counts for 6 credits. The class moves really really fast so it is really hard to not get behind. Plus, I am one of only four in my class who has never taken any Chinese before. Everyone else has taken a semester or two. Still, my teacher is good and I am going to start meeting with my tutor this week so hopefully all will be good. 

--I am also taking a Religions of China class, which I thought would be interesting but turns out is just incredibly boring. The professor is a nice Chinese man, but he doesn't exactly know how to command a classroom.

--By far my favorite class is my Journalism in China class, taught by a former NY Times correspondent in Beijing. He has never taught before, but he is the coolest guy and he have really really good discussions in class. He may slowly revive my passion for journalism. We are reading a book entitled 'factory girls'--you all should read it. now.

--I have not really started doing any research for my Ricci Project yet (surprise!) but I have met with my mentor and feel confident with where to go with it. I am going to focus on Factory 798, an art district here in Beijing. 

Last night me and a ton of people from my program went to a rave/dance party with some apparently famous house DJ Paul Van Dyk. It was nuts, we all wore the most ridiculous outfits and danced all night. The club had a hydraulic dance floor so it felt like you were on a trampoline when you were on it. It was insane. And completely random.

OK that's all for now. I find out on monday whether or not I got the internship at Wild China. 

Miss you all!

CJ