This week, the fact that my internship is almost over has really started to hit me. I have started looking at my alarm clock in the morning thinking, oh my gosh; only 10 more days! It is crazy how much time flies, but at the same time I feel like I have had so many experiences in such a short amount of time.
. Every day after working at the lab a group of us get together and play badminton. Even though the indoor court is like a sauna, it is a great way for me to meet new people and get a little bit of exercise. I am still the very worst player, but I am also the most enthusiastic, I have to add something to the group I suppose. I am way more expressive than the majority of the people, expecially the girls here. It is something that many people are not used to, but it's who I am so they accept it wi. Sometimes I go swimming as well; which is so refreshing because the weather here is humid and very hot, especially the past few days. It is currently 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and it is 10 at night! In the heat of the day it can be truly unbearable. Needless to say, my air conditioner has become one of my most valuable possessions.
After dinner go to Jane’s house to study. I usually work on my paper, write e-mails, and study for the ACT. She has an English placement test on the 25th so she is studying day and night in order to get the scores she hopes for. I do my small part in helping to correct SA’s or her speaking. We have a fantastic set-up at her house. All you can drink tea, endless watermelon and internet access. Also, unlike the computer lab it is quiet and there are no mosquitoes!
. Every day after working at the lab a group of us get together and play badminton. Even though the indoor court is like a sauna, it is a great way for me to meet new people and get a little bit of exercise. I am still the very worst player, but I am also the most enthusiastic, I have to add something to the group I suppose. I am way more expressive than the majority of the people, expecially the girls here. It is something that many people are not used to, but it's who I am so they accept it wi. Sometimes I go swimming as well; which is so refreshing because the weather here is humid and very hot, especially the past few days. It is currently 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and it is 10 at night! In the heat of the day it can be truly unbearable. Needless to say, my air conditioner has become one of my most valuable possessions.
After dinner go to Jane’s house to study. I usually work on my paper, write e-mails, and study for the ACT. She has an English placement test on the 25th so she is studying day and night in order to get the scores she hopes for. I do my small part in helping to correct SA’s or her speaking. We have a fantastic set-up at her house. All you can drink tea, endless watermelon and internet access. Also, unlike the computer lab it is quiet and there are no mosquitoes!
I was thinking about all the things I am going to miss when I leave. First will most diffidently be the people, I have met so many fantastic people here that I am going to miss so much. Aside from the people, I will miss lab work, the culture, and the community here at the center. I am also going to miss some of the food; I have narrowed this list down to 3 main items:
1. This noodle stand that has the best food in the world for only 4 yuan (75 US cents). I have gone there so many times with Jane because it is right down the street. Whenever I miss dinner because I am in the middle of a badminton match or I just feel like something new, I go there. The people who run the stand know me by name, age, country, everything. They also know that I don’t eat spicy things so it is always the most mild they have, and the most delicious.
2. Steamed bread.
3. Gel yogurt, which is hard to explain because it is not made out of any fruit we have in Minnesota/USA. It is much tastier than any of the yogurt I have had before; mostly because it is not too thick or too sweet.
1. This noodle stand that has the best food in the world for only 4 yuan (75 US cents). I have gone there so many times with Jane because it is right down the street. Whenever I miss dinner because I am in the middle of a badminton match or I just feel like something new, I go there. The people who run the stand know me by name, age, country, everything. They also know that I don’t eat spicy things so it is always the most mild they have, and the most delicious.
2. Steamed bread.
3. Gel yogurt, which is hard to explain because it is not made out of any fruit we have in Minnesota/USA. It is much tastier than any of the yogurt I have had before; mostly because it is not too thick or too sweet.
Friday was an especially great day. When working at the lab they surprised me by bringing in jack fruit which is a fruit I had never had before. It was so thoughtful, way sticky but also very tasty. Later on, I swam in the annual swimming competition they hold at the center. Professor Yuan asked me to swim in the woman’s relay team. There were 4 different sections, and the teams from my center won every one of the competitions. We all got gold medals to prove it. I felt a little bit bad because I had the huge advantage of height, being at least a head taller than everyone else does wonders for speed in the water. Also, some of the people do not know the freestyle technique which is the fastest, so this gives me an even greater advantage. The atmosphere was fun, they had music and quite a crowd of people came to watch. Also I won a 50 yuan gift card to the Wal-Mart here! I have not been there yet but I can’t wait to see what a Chinese Wal-Mart is like!
