Sorry for the long delay - it's been a pretty busy week. I've moved into a new apartment with a roommate, Dan, who's currently an M.A. student at George Washington in D.C. The apartment is huge and only about $40 a month more expensive than the dorms - well worth it, in our opinion, for two full baths, large private rooms and 24 hour hot water. We're on the 16th floor just south of Qinghua, not much farther from class than the dorms were.

Speaking of class, I took the most intensely difficult test of my life as placement for the program. I found myself unable to answer a single question on entire sections. I placed into the "lowest" classes offered here, which are thankfully about the equivalent of a review and extension of fourth year Chinese at Michigan. Since each unit only lasts for 8 weeks and then we move on to "higher" classes, I think this will be fine. Three hours of class with three total students in the room, then one hour of class all by my lonesome :) So I'm looking forward to that starting on Monday.

Anyway, the cafe where I'm getting internet access is about to close so I need to head out. Remember the Bridge Cafe on Chengfu Lu if you ever need a good panini in China and complimentary wireless access.