Hello Family and Friends,
I'm about to move into my third week of the fall quarter at Seattle University. The classes I am taking are Introduction to Geosystems (Environmental), Spiritual Traditions, East and West, and Chinese 215 (or second year Chinese). I love all my classes, especially Chinese. My Chinese teacher is from Beijing and for 1 hour class sessions we have almost daily, she only speaks in Chinese. But that class is still challenging because at Bellevue Community College, we didn't practice writing Chinese characters. All the homework she assigns to us requires me to write characters, which I think is great, but is weak skill of mine. However, with practice I am improving rapidly.
I have made many Chinese friends whom I can practice speaking Chinese with. I just introduce myself in China, and we have a conversation. It's as easy as that. Many from the third floor of Xavier, my classes, and randomly across campus. I have also signed up for the TSA (Taiwan Language Club) and CSA (China Language Club) to gain more exposure. A perk of living at Seattle University is the close proximity to the International District that includes China town. I went with a friends yesterday to eat at a local Hong Kong restaurant. I had chicken feet, and my other specialities usually only found in China. In addition to all this, I watch the CCTV, and some other Chinese television channels down in the lobby of Xavier. This is a bonus of living in Xavier is that they have a television with international t.v channels. It's a great resource.
My floor has nicknamed me the most passionate Chinese learner on this floor. I take that as a compliment. I am really enjoying campus life, except for the fact that nobody on at least this floor goes to sleep until 1:00 AM. It has been so easy for me to get distracted talking to some floor mates that I forget the time. That is why yesterday I went to bed at 7:00 PM. I was exhausted and need to recuperate.
In the morning, I have gotten back into a routine of running. That have a track and field for Seattle University, but I think the Shanghai Business School's is far better. Part of it is because we are in downtown Seattle and space is limited. Our track is only one lane and in the shape of rectangle, where at SBS, is like an oval with 6 to 8 lines. For the first couple mornings, I ran about this rectangular track for about 12 times ( about 3 miles). I quickly became bored and so I have decided to run about the city and explore the greater Seattle. I never know where I want to go, I just run wherever and make sure I can get back. Now that is fun!
At the cafeteria, in the Student Center, called Cherry Street Market, I let them know about my huge appetite. I tell them my Chinese nickname, Elephant because I for each meal, I will sometimes order three large plates of food. Each plate is suppose to be enough for one person. I eat three! They are all stunned. "Where do you put it?" asked Laura, a freshman at Seattle University. I tell them, "I have a hollow stomach." As you can imagine, I love to eat.
As of now, I am preparing for three large tests coming up this week, first is Chinese! :)
For all you lucky Chinese students, I hope you all had a relaxing and peaceful break, perhaps seeing your family.
Kevin Osborne
