Chinese on My iPod

My internet connection in the dorm isn’t working, so now I have a valid excuse for plopping down in a cafe for a few hours. I can smell the wet pavement from outside, didn’t even notice there’s a light drizzle.  I had a yummy breakfast of yogurt with muesli and fruit — an exorbitant 12 yuan ($1.50). And it comes with a comfortable atmosphere and wireless internet!

Trying every which way to learn Mandarin. I recorded myself saying a handful of new words and put them on my iPod. Actually the iPod displays the file name as it plays, so I made each word a different file and labeled it with its Chinese characters. So I can listen and read at the same time. I’m getting frustrating with the pinyin as a kind of fake intermediatory language. I try to picture the pinyin when I’m trying out new vocab, and it’s impossible. Whereas, learning by getting the sound in my ear is quite different. By nature I’m not very out-going and not a talker really, so I’m filling my ears via iPod and t.v. It’s a new approach, so we’ll see if it helps. I guess it can’t really hurt.

I really want to get a camera, but I need to wait until I have my passport back. (I’m on a limited bit of cash while they are processing my visa, because the bank requires my passport to exchange money.) But I have so much I want to SHOW you. I can’t wait to get a camera.

Caught Jeremy on the Google talk earlier. It’s so important to connect. Even as I make friends, it’s not exactly the level of communication I’m used to. And, of course, I’m in love with Jeremy, so I generally miss him like crazy. He’ll probably be joining me in Kunming in September. Trying not to get my hopes up too high, because he’s got to focus on his bar exam right now. He will probably try to visit family before he takes off. I know he really wants to see his niece and nephew.

My roommate is away for about a week, taking a big exam, so it’s nice to have some space to myself. There are only two of us left in the suite, which normally holds six, so it’s been quiet. Of course, I do miss them and their crazy antics. Silly girls! I caught my Thai roommate last night and asked her how long they’d be gone – I didn’t really understand it would be the entire week! We’re going to try to throw them a little party when they return. I think they’ll like that.