This Past Week

I can't believe it's already been a month since I arrived in Shanghai! While everything still feels relatively new and exciting, I can't deny that this place already feels like home. I've settled into all of my classes and I am doing quite well in everything, especially my writing (thanks Country Day). I wish I could tell you that there was one day where I missed the US, but I can't say there's been one. Everyday I walk to my academic building early in the morning and just look up at the all the buildings. When I first got here, the height of these buildings facinated me, but there are starting to look normal. I can't say things are perfect here, because there will be challenges you meet where ever you travel to or live, but there hasn't been a situation in which I feel like I don't belong here. In fact, I have daily conversations with my friends about how hard it's going to be for me when we go back to the US in December. Even this past week when I was sick and I should have been missing home, I still loved it.

So in regards to this sickness, let me tell you what happened. This past week I was sick with a cold and had to go to the doctor. Don't be alarmed, I feel much better now. When I was sick, my roomate took me to the hospital, because there are no family doctor sites and it was a weekend so our Health and Wellness Center was closed. If anyone ever goes to China, I recommend going into one of the hospitals. As I walked in the front enterance there was a substantial group of people just sitting with an IV drip in the arm to the right of the waiting room, and it definitely was not dialysis. MeiChen didn't know how to explain to me english exactly what was happening, so I'm still really foggy on the situation. Needless to say, I'm still laughing to myself about it, because its one of those things that my friends and I label "Classic China".

Last week was also the week that I started my job at the library. I've learned the basics about shelving and working at the desk. I love working at the desk the most because I get to watch everyone come into the library and since we are a pretty small school I know a lot of faces and they all nod to me as they walk past. It's so comforting to know that I've already made some many connections and friends within this community.

As fall break is approaching, my friends and I have decided to take a quick trip to Beijing, I say this kind of ironically, because for most of you reading this, a trip to Beijing is not so quick. There, we will be seeing the classic sights of Beijing and hopefully be doing some serious bargining, because all my friends and I are in love with the fake market.

Last weekend I had the unique experience of visiting a small quarter of Shanghai called Tianzifang. It had all kinds of really cool shops and art work displays and international food options. It was the perfect Saturday night hangout. My friends and I went to a couple different restuarants and tried some different appitizers on the menu. Everything we had, from onion rings to jiaozi was dellcious, and cheap!

I am truly having an amazing time here, I miss you all.

Maddie

 

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