My first Lingnan sporting event

Sports at a 2,000 student school is WAY different then sports at a 25,000 student school. I didn't realize how intense WVU sporting events were till I went to an away basketball game for Lingnan University. As we walked inside I wanted to scream in peoples face, "BLAHH! LET'S GOOOO LINGNAN. ARE YOU READY FOR THE GAME?! YEAHHH! GET PUMPED UP!" But to my surprise, the gym was smaller then my high school and hardly anyone came to watch. Plus (gasp!) no one grumbled over a referees call. lol I felt like I should have brought a cup of tea and newspaper to enjoy such a pleasant evening. haha jk

(Anyone know how WVU bball is going???)

Shot out to Susan B.

One of the first questions I get from girls after the typical conversations starters (Where are you from...yada yada) is "Do you have a boyfriend?" I laugh a bit, and think to myself, did they really just ask that, and then respond no. I mean come on, I love being young, not tied down, and feeling accomplished. But once I return the question I get a polar opposite response.

If shes 'in a relationship' (gotta love facebook lingo) her face lights up when she answers "YES!" But if shes not, they'll lower their head, escape eye contact, and speak a soft "no". You can sense the disappointment immediately. One girl even answered me with, "No because I'm not beautiful." !!!!!! GASP! I was in complete shock. I wish I could have mumbled out the words, "Honey, we need to talk." because this girl was indeed beautiful, inside and out. Why did she feel that she wasn't beautiful simply because she didn't have a boyfriend????

In conclusion, peer pressure to be in relationships is universal but I feel that in Asia cultures women find much more self worth in a significant other.

So this ones for you Susan B. Anthony. Props to you and women rights.

Mom & Dad...I'm safe

The security of Lingnan University blows me away.

Let me paint you a picture...

To enter my dorm I type in a 5 digit key code that is exclusive to Hall D. Then I swipe in with a security officer (who btw I wouldn't mess with) and then enter into the elevator that is "disinfected no less then 3 times a day". Finally, I key into my room.

Oh and to enter the bathroom I've got another key code.

Plus, no overnight guest...EVER.

GIRLS NIGHT OUT

Last night the girls on the bball team invited me to dinner at this AMAZING sushi restaurant. (Lets take a moment of silence in respect to how wonderful it was...)

It's a study abroad students dream to have locals take you around and let you be part of their everyday life. Snaps for my new teammates! Tonight we're going to cheer on the guys bball team in an away match. LET'S GOOO LINGNAN!

Basketball wha-what

After all the stress with classes on Tuesday, Ari (another exchange student from Canada) and I met up with the Lingnan University basketball team for practice. It was just what the doctor ordered because the practice literally ran the days frustrations out of me. Our "warm-up" was 10 laps and our practice lasted for over 3 hours!!! (Have I mentioned the Chinese work ethic yet? lol) But time flew by joking & hoopin' it up with my new teammates. I forgot just how much I love the game of basketball.

After practice it's tradition to have a team dinner at a local restaurant and believe me I was starving at that point. The night just kept getting better and better because instead of taking the bus home, we just walked. They really started opening up and asking me all sorts of questions about WVU, America, and my classes. Before we parted ways, we exchanged phone numbers and set a get-together for tomorrow. We're cheering on a teammate in a singing competition. haha I can't wait!

I went back to my room singing praises for the day.
It's times like these....

(ps-Check out the skyscrapers in the background of the outdoor bball court)

Reality sets in

Ugh. Day #2 of classes kicked my butt.

Tuesdays schedule is pretty brutal in that I have 3 classes each for a duration of 2 hours. My day starts at 9:30 and I return home at 6:30. My first two classes are upper division history courses on China & England. Honestly, I know nothing-nada-nilch about each of the countries past. So, as you can imagine, hearing 4 hours of new information was a bit overwhelming, especially with little food and sleep. Once class was let out I had a similar feeling of leaving the SAT- completely brain dead.

4+4 is...ugh...pshhh....dude I don't even know.

Lastly I had my Media & Creativity class. My teachers mannerisms were quite appalling. Just know I left frustrated and in dire need of anger management. In conclusion, nothing seemed to be in my favor today. The bookstore sold out on my required readings, sending out a simple mass e-mail seemed to take ages, and WHAAA I didn't get lunch or dinner due to time constraints. Basically what I'm trying to tell you is that today reality finally set in. I now am leaving the 'cloud nine honeymoon stage' and have that thing called "responsibility" on my plate. Feeling sorry for myself...I fixed a cup of tea and journaled out anger.

When you're here...you're family

Yesterday I had lunch with Carrie, Rocky, Tim, and Freddie, all local Lingnan students. Freddie was cracking the jokes left and right. For instance I wanted to be daring and try new foods, "You decide" I told them. Freddie then turns to Tim and says (in his Chinese accent), "Let's order dog. ruff! ruff!" haha (...ok I guess you just had to be there. I promise it was funny.)

We had a blast chatting about WVU and the courses we're currently taking. Tim not only paid for my lunch, he bought me a beautiful wall hanging. Everyone here is making me feel welcome and part of the Hong Kong family.