北京语言大学 Beijiing Language and Culture University

April 2007

I John's (my boyfriends) his uni ---- Beijing Yu Yuan Da Xue (Beijing Language & Cultural University) BLCU
It is tree lined, people playing basketball and tennis everywhere. It is nice and small.

But I love BLCU, low story buildings, just has a nice vibe. It is not historical looking or anything. But it is in a vibrant student area of Beijing. Lotsa young people. More white faces than usual but not tooo many if u ask me. Nearby lotsa street vendors - food, knick knacks blah blah. little alley ways (modern), elderly people etc etc. I think I might go to BLCU and live in Wudaokou. It is a bit of a satelite suburb. Bustling but away from the city. I like. It is not the 'American Frat Party' that I imagined.

So John sat his entrance exam to get into uni. and to ascertain his level.
These are the levels of classes A (beginners no mandarin) A+ B B+ C C+ D D+ E E+ (i think)

So we waited 'will he get into the A+ clas or the B class'
He didnt want to have to get into A class and have to rehash all the beginners stuff we have learnt.
So he got into the B class. That is pretty good. This level is pple who have 340 hours of Mandarin. cool.

Whilst we were there I looked on the board at the other students. 1 other Australian, 4 British, lotsa Germans, few French, 8 Japanese, 1 Hong Kong, China, 15 Amercians, loads and loads of Koreans , a few Malaysians plus other countries that I am unable to read in Chinese.

I was waiting for John and I heard 2 girls talking in Japanese. I said 'Konnichiwa' and then talked to them in Chinese. I spoke to them with my high school Japanese. When I first spoke Japanese they looked shocked.

Also it made me realise - learning mandarin doesnt just expand the amount of Chinese people I can talk to.

John's flat in Wudaokou is really nice. There is a girl who sits in the lift all day long pressing the buttons.
There is something sad about this.

I could probably make a film about this job. Imagine what they see.

There is also a security guard on the door.

Also the lifts stop at 11pm. So any later one has to walk up 17 flights of stairs.

But luckily the electricity and hot water runs 24 hours per day.
It has a western toilet too. But a normal Chinese shower (no shower screen, just thingy sticking out of wall spraying water all over the bathroom)

I can see Australia more clearly now than when it is a constant.

Speaking of Australia. I taught the students the word 'Aboriginal' this week. We had an Australian culture week.

Aboriginal People 40,000 years
British and Other people 200 years

They said "is this really true". They said "have all these people died"

I showed them a boomerang and some Aboriginal art.

I opened a bank account. Something I have been nervous about doing in the Chinese language.

I had to fill in forms - all written in Chinese. Luckily I can read some. I know the word 'name'
now i know the words open a bank account kaihu

Oh and I weighed myself. I have lost 8 kilograms in 5 weeks. Chinese food is healthy