欢迎你来南京

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Finally, I’m pretty now!

Thanks, Asia.

China Asia Korea beauty

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fetishforfood:

Moon Cake (月饼) (by Steve Webel)

ohgod I miss these can I stay until the fall

(via holyflaps)

Moon cake 月饼

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Wow I had such a cool day!

Hung out with slightly creepy (sigh my creeper magnet is always active) Chinese person, but that’s okay…

…Because besides finding a breakfast heaven, I managed to hold a long, intelligible conversation with a group of Chinese children on their way to a dance competition.

They called me 姐姐 (“big sister”), gave me candy, and laughed at my bad jokes.

I think that children and old people are the hardest to converse with in a foreign language (children speak at a high frequency and much faster, old people use different words and expressions, plus their speaking style is a bit different), so I was especially pleased with today’s experience. Before today, I had barely been able to speak to children (because of our being mutually unintelligible and my general shyness and awkwardness with children). I don’t think I’ve even had this kind of success with American children!

I had a moment (or several) this month where I thought I was definitely ready to leave China, but after today speaking to all kinds of people, generally understanding what people are saying to me (young or old!), and enjoying some really delicious steamed buns, I don’t think I want to leave!!! I’ve been used to my life here, but I feel like I’m just starting to understand what Chinese life is really all about… I don’t want to leave right as I’m taking real steps towards personally living the Chinese experience.

…I guess this was doomed to happen, nearly everyone I’ve met who’s studied abroad wants nothing more than to go back.

I mean, what will I do in the States when I experience my weekly duck blood soup craving? This could be a serious problem.

China Chinese life language study abroad

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brbofftochina replied to your post: I have found a veritable breakfast street. …

WHERE??

Indeed, I should have clarified!

Take bus 13 or 83(?) from the Skyways side of the street to 山西路 (only a few stops). Once you get off the bus, walk back towards the direction you came from for a few meters, turn the corner between China Gold and 南京特色鸭血 something something down that little alley that runs between them. They have every Chinese breakfast imaginable and a few I hadn’t imagined.

Also, they must be open for a while, I went at about 9:30 this morning.

I don’t want to leave China! I want to eat 包子, 煎饼, 粥, 饼, 豆浆 etc until I’m too fat to walk because the movement of my legs is obstructed by the curtain of fat drooping over my knees thank you very much I love China.

China food

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I have found a veritable breakfast street.

Breakfast everywhere.

I’m going back.

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Sorry! Normally out of respect I don’t post pictures of other people without their permission, but I really wanted to share this picture of some of the members of our class after the speech competition.

The five of us from our group that gave speeches were all mentioned with high marks.

I’ve really come to care for and admire each every one of these impressive, wonderful people, I wish our whole class could have been in the photo. I’m not even close to them in terms of Chinese ability, but their skill and determination have been wholly inspiring as I work to catch up.

China Nanjing University class

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Waitwhat…?

I messed up one of the phrases, but at least I didn’t vomit on stage!

…I think I may have possibly gotten first place, or at least something up there. People keep saying “congratulations, first place!” to me, but this doesn’t compute whatsoever (I also was confused by how they were announcing the results so I just listened for names I knew without paying attention to the significance of the order).

I think in a few weeks we get certificates or something, when that happens I will confirm the results!

And now, pancake-making party in the basement!

sweet relief

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