Week 3 - School

I've officially finished my first week of classes, so here's the rundown:

I'm taking 4 real classes (which last 1 1/2 hours :P), and one "fitness" class.

My first class is Intro to Microeconomics, which I have on Mondays and Wednesdays. Apparently, high schools in HK don't teach economics, so my entire class is a repeat of Mr. Nolen's class. Which I have no problem with. I'm glad Mr. Nolen was such a good teacher, because I remember everything that was on the syllabus. The professor even mentioned Levi jeans. Too bad this class doesn't have any simulations or field trips to Best Buy.

My second class is Intro to Chinese Society, which I have on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This class is almost identical to the class I took with Dr. Garver last semester, so it shouldn't be too bad. The lecture notes are also posted online, so it shouldn't be hard to get a good grade. Except that all of the classes here are graded on a curve, so everyone can't get an A. I think this is dumb, but whatever. He also gives random pop quizzes to make sure you come to class. Lame.

My third class is Contemporary Issues in East Asia, which is also on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is just like the classes I took last time I studied abroad, so it's just as boring as the last one. And he gives random pop quizzes.

My fourth class is Mandarin I for Non-Chinese Students. I know I've taken 4 semesters of Mandarin, but Tech doesn't approve Mandarin II. It's nice to finally have a Chinese class without Chinese students. For once, I don't feel like I'm way behind everyone else. It's great, and really entertaining. I also looked at the role sheet, and there's totally a guy in my class named Aslan. It made me laugh.

I'm really excited about my fitness class because it's Musical Theater Dancing. It's going to be awesome! But now I have to find some jazz shoes in HK. I'm sure there are some, I just don't know where to find them. They didn't cover that in orientation.

All of the AGDs - You should all get really excited about Greek Sing! I've been talking to MK, Caryn, and Jessie, and it's going to be amazing! I'm so jealous I'm not there :(.

All of the local kids in my hall are are insane. Apparently, there's a lot of competition between the different halls here, and I live in the one that takes it the most seriously. The cabinet (which I'm guessing is their equivalent of RHA) named themselves "Fourster," and have been dressed up in army costumes marching around campus and the hall. They scare me. They march down every floor chanting and knocking on doors. I always pretend I'm not here. They all have matching shirts, jackets, and even lime green pants that look like they're made from duct tape. My roommate and I went to the common room for some event they were having and got free food, so that was fun. Unfortunately, it didn't make me any less scared of them.

There's an atrium here that is kind of like Skiles Walkway, only on crack. All of the crazy cabinet people from the halls and organizations congregate here to ambush you on your way to class. The crazy Fourster Army people from my hall built a booth and a tank. I'm telling you, they're insane. The most creative name for a hall cabinet I've come across so far is Hall 5, who named theirs Vodka. I wish I could avoid the atrium, but you have to walk through there to get to the building where the classes are.

I've seen 2 funny quotes that I couldn't take a picture of, so I'll just write them here:
-"I am not a plastic bag." - some girl's purse.
-"Fake has no spirit." - some guy's shirt.

I have yet to buy a nonsense English shirt, but I'm on the lookout.

A couple of days ago, my friends from Tech and I decided to go to the Philippines in a couple of weeks, so I'm really excited about that. Of course, right while I'm trying to buy these tickets, I find out that Charter Bank has put a lock on my credit card, so I spend a lot of valuable minutes on the phone with them trying to figure out what's going on. Thankfully, they fixed it, and I got my flight booked. It was very stressful.

I finished The Host Sunday, and it was pretty good. Still no Twilight, but good. I went out and got The Devil Wears Prada and Gone with the Wind Wednesday, and I finished The Devil Wears Prada yesterday. It was hilarious. I'm really glad I found that bookstore. And yes, I know I'm a geek.

Well, I'm about to go get dinner. Skype/facebook/e-mail/snail-mail me :). I miss you all!