Classes

In Mandarin class this morning, I realized I'm finally starting to get this language.

I have struggled with languages from the time I was old enough to read. Because on my not-so-smart first grade teacher (who later became my third grade teacher...ugh) I didn't end up learning English grammar until about the fifth grade. After taking basic Spanish throughout most of my elementary education, I gave up and chose Latin upon my arrival at Castilleja. Big mistake. What is Latin? mostly grammar... hard grammar and vocabulary. Though kind of helpful in terms of SAT vocabulary, Latin pretty much kicked my ass till the day I completed my basic high school language requirement.
Luckily, Mandarin has been very different. Unlike most romance languages, Mandarin grammar is fluid and flexible. Mandarin is a conceptual language, based on primarily vocabulary and interpretive tones. As someone who is relatively musical, the tones come naturally and the language almost feels like music. In short: I like it. The hard part has been trying to listen. With the different accents and massive vocabulary, Mandarin initially sounded like gibberish. Now, after a summer and a few intensive weeks of exposure, I'm starting to understand daily conversation. Not every word, but I can listen and pick up phrases or common words. When putting a conversation in context, I can actually pick up on the general gist of the content. I realized this when sitting in class this morning. Instead of my normal struggle to interpret our laoshi's (teacher) daily lessons (which she tries to teach completely in Mandarin), I found myself actually understanding. Instead of forcing myself to do word-by-word translations of her instructions, I just listened and, with a few exceptions, understood what she was saying. It was fantastic.

My other classes are also good. I'm currently taking Asian art history, International Relations, and Statistics. None of these classes where what I was expecting, but I really like them all. Art History is more or less Chinese art appreciation. I am learning not only how to view Chinese art, but also how to recognize my own biases towards western art. International Relations is amazing. Our professor is one of the most intellectual, intelligent and down to earth people I've ever met. This man is a personal friend of Henry Kissinger... and he's teaching me?! I've only had one class thus far, but I can tell this is going to be an amazing semester. Statistics, with our visiting professor Khan Bui, is surprisingly comfortable. I haven't taken a math class since junior year high school... so I was naturally pretty nervous about starting a math course in China. To my relief, the class has been a combination of simple algebra and practical application. Thus far, I'm really enjoying classes here.

One more day of class and then we break for the Fall Holiday, or Golden Week. In China, this is the fall national holiday. I can't really tell what the Chinese do to celebrate, only that they don't work for a few days and eat a lot of food. Sounds good to me. Most of my classmates are traveling around China, but I'm hanging out in Shanghai because...... my mom and dad are coming!! Turns out my Dad had some business planned for earlier this week in China. My parents decided to extend the trip, stop by Hong Kong, and then come spend a few days in Shanghai with me. I'm excited that they'll get to see where I'll be living for the next year, as well as spend some time just exploring the city with me.

Hope everyone has a safe and fantastic Golden Week!