Unexpected Free Time

So I had planned to go take the Chinese test at 1 pm, but then I discovered that my cellphone clock was wrong and I was running behind. So rather than stress about getting there on time, I decided not to take the test. I think I will be more comfortable in the beginner Chinese class so I can start learning the language formally from the very beginning. Starting on the 27th, we can change around our schedules. Right now I am debating on whether to take a noncredit Cantonese class in addition to the Mandarin class I am already taking. I'd like to learn Cantonese, but it is very difficult and I am afraid I might confuse myself if I am taking both Chinese classes at the same time. For those who don't know, Cantonese is considered a dialect spoken mostly in southern China (Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong Province). It sounds very different from Mandarin and uses different sounds. If you are in Hong Kong and you hear someone speaking Chinese, they are most likely speaking Cantonese as it is much more common than Mandarin and is one of the two official languages of Hong Kong (the other one being English). I have my second Survival Cantonese class today as part of our orientation so I guess we'll see how that goes and then I can decide whether to take it. I have no idea how hard the classes are here and I don't want to overload myself because I also want to travel around Asia. But, these dilemmas can be solved another day.

Yesterday was very relaxing. I lounged around in my room until 1 when I met Sophie to walk the 10 minutes to Fu Tai Shopping Centre for something to eat. We had McDonalds and then stopped at the supermarket for some cold water to drink. Cold water is a luxury now because the drinking water in the hostels is at best lukewarm or sometimes even hotter. I do miss being able to just drink tap water. After that we planned to go swimming, but we soon discovered the pool didn't open until 4:30, so we headed to my room to watch a movie (Never Been Kissed) on my laptop. Four-thirty rolled around and we raced to the pool, excited to swim. But it seemed that fate was against us and the pool was temporarily closed due to a power outage. We hung around the pool area, pouting. Then we began to see people coming with what looked like electrical repair equipment so we grabbed something to drink from the soda machines and decided to wait, afraid that as soon as we left the pool would open. Luckily enough, after an hour of waiting, some other guys (who were also waiting) went in and asked if it was open and it was! We skipped down to the pool and stored our stuff in the locker room. We managed to both swim 5 laps (the pool was very long) and then decided that was enough. Today we are gonna go swimming after dinner and our goal is 6 laps.

After heading to our respective rooms for a shower, we met three other Korean girls for dinner. When I was walking to our meeting place I ran into Shota and invited him to come along. We went to Tuen Mun Town Center (TMT) and ate Japanese food (though Shota said that not all of it was actually Japanese and was more like a Chinese-version of it). I tried Eggplant Tempura and Uchon noodles (the food Shota ordered) and I ordered Fried Mochi with Cheese and some grilled veggies. Then craving chocolate, I got a cold chocolate drink at Starbucks. While at TMT, Sophie and I both purchased googles so we can actually look like real swimmers when we go to the pool (even though we don't swim like real swimmers).

As requested my sister, here is a photo of my dinner last night.

Today I have the second part of my orientation. I spent all of this morning being lazy and chatting with people back home. Homesickness hits me at the most random times (actually it's usually when I am eating), but it's getting easier to deal with. I am starting to embrace my time here and all the new people I am meeting from all over the world. I still miss home, but I know I will go home in 4 months so I have to enjoy the time I have here!

Here are some photos of the cats around campus (there are a lot of them and they are so cute!)

P.S. I was just about to hit "publish post" when Sophie called me. She took the Chinese placement test and said it was pretty easy and she thought I could have placed into the higher level. Now I really regret not going to do it. Shoot, decisions like that are so hard. Well I guess I'll see how the first beginner class goes and then see if it is too easy for me. I have no idea how much Chinese I actually know because I have never taken a formal class.