Wow! This is the first blog entry I write in almost a year! The last one being at HBA. So basically, I'm going back this summer to HBA, and I can't describe how excited/nervous/impatient I am about going again to China. I just finished re-reading all of the entries I wrote last year and it was really wonderful reliving all of those past experiences. Kelly is right, blog entries do capture the raw moments, and it was great how those entries transported me back to last summer to all of those days of language pledge, lack of sleep, 空气污染，and wonderful 老师们!
So why am I going back? Basically, I decided that I wanted to return to HBA on the last day banquet we had in Beijing (see previous post). I remember very clearly telling Wang laoshi (王苗苗) that day that I was going to do all I could to go back, and that I would see her again this summer. Thanks to the Light Fellowship, so far it seems that I will be able to keep my promise. I felt, and still do, that there were many things that I could have done differently, and many things that were still left for me to explore. So now I have a second chance to boost my Chinese and learn more about China.
In preparation for my return to HBA, I have been reviewing the lessons from HBA and my third year course at Yale. I'd say that I'm reviewing pretty intensively, but not killing myself either. I spend about 5-6 hours daily reviewing, but I try to review in a relaxed environment and at a slow pace. The worst thing I could do is tire myself out right before HBA, since as you can tell from my previous posts, HBA will definitely tire me out. However, I want to go into HBA with a solid mastery of what I've studied so far, so I can concentrate on new material and not have to do remedial work while I'm there.
I've also been practicing spoken Chinese with my friend Lucky here in New York (see her blog for more details on our adventures). We've met a few times and imposed our own Language pledge, just to feel the experience of speaking only in Chinese. Since we're in NY, we obviously couldn't respect the pledge 100% of the time, but in general, we've had very good practice for what's to come.
Well, I'll end my first post with my schedule for the summer:
June 12
Take plane from JFK to Beijing
June 13
Arrive at Beijing
June 15 - August 15
HBA!!!!
August 16 - August 18
Trip to Shanghai
August 19
Return to NY
As you can see, there are only 9 days left for my trip! I'm so excited!!!!! I'll post one more time before I leave. Until then, I'll just return to my daily reviewing and watch more TV.
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2 comments:
Your approach to coming back to HBA is so balanced. 5-6 hours of review a day is pretty hefty :) yet you're avoiding tiring yourself out before the program. Nice job, sir. 5th year, here you come ;]
wasting your time watching T.V. when in China you could do so much more.
hey i'm your mom's co-workers daughter. remember we where in the puertorican parade.
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