Jin Mao Tower and the different views. I forgot what the blue tower is called, but it's the tallest tower in Shanghai. Towards the end is our end of the semester ceremony. People from left to right: me, Xiao Niu, Andrew, Victoria, Meah, Adrienne, Du Lao'shi, Cindy, Walter, Carol, Qu Lao'shi, Catherine, Ma Lao'shi, Fang Lao'shi, and Max.
I can't believe it. It's been 8 weeks, and it seems like it's been a day. We accomplished so many things this semester, and I'm incredibly satisfied with my experience here in Shanghai. When I received an email from Alliance reminding us to finish up our blogs, I'm overwhelmed with reminiscent feelings.
As an end of the semester gift, Andrew and I brought Xiao Niu to Cloud 9 Bar at the top of Jin Mao Tower yesterday. We had drinks and enjoyed the beautiful view. Andrew was fasting so he was hungry, and I didn't eat all day so I was also hungry, so we ate all of the spicy/salty peanuts they placed in front of us, lol.
Today we had our final exam. Usually it wasn't so bad, but I don't know why but this one was especially bad. Towards the end, there were so many new grammar patterns that I didn't recognized that I just needed to finish it and go. I'm sure everything went great, but I really hope that I get an A for the semester. I've worked so hard, and I hope it pays off.
After the exam, we all went out to eat, then there was the ceremony. We all had little gifts, and we all clapped for each other. There was this very emotional video at the end with all of us, and then Liz and I got gifts because of the photo contest. I got a backpack and Liz got a Fudan glass cup, though I still have a small sliver of hope that they'll surprise me with an iPad later on. *fingers crossed*
During the ceremony Ma Lao'shi gave one of my favorite speeches of all time. I can see how she is one of our favorites. She was saying how she'll miss all of us, and she was talking about some of our characteristics. She was like, "There is a student who always goes to office hours and never lets us go home early (me), there is a student who studies at any given moment (Andrew), there is a student who didn't test very well in the beginning but now she is always the first one to raise her hand (Liz), there is a student who likes to drink beer while doing homework but she does very well and even became a Chinese star (Victoria), there is a student who has a book where he writes all the good and bad phrases that he learns (Ian), there is a student who first came to China and didn't know a lot of Chinese but he's improved a lot (Walter)" All the teachers are so incredible, and I'll really miss them.
As an end of the semester present, we gave Qu Lao'shi a bouquet of flowers. We also had little ribbons with notes written from us and the 400 class, and we tied them to the flowers. It was so adorable, and Qu Lao'shi really liked it.
Tonight we're going on the Huang'pu River with the three other summer programs! It's going to be awesome. :D
As an end of the semester gift, Andrew and I brought Xiao Niu to Cloud 9 Bar at the top of Jin Mao Tower yesterday. We had drinks and enjoyed the beautiful view. Andrew was fasting so he was hungry, and I didn't eat all day so I was also hungry, so we ate all of the spicy/salty peanuts they placed in front of us, lol.
Today we had our final exam. Usually it wasn't so bad, but I don't know why but this one was especially bad. Towards the end, there were so many new grammar patterns that I didn't recognized that I just needed to finish it and go. I'm sure everything went great, but I really hope that I get an A for the semester. I've worked so hard, and I hope it pays off.
After the exam, we all went out to eat, then there was the ceremony. We all had little gifts, and we all clapped for each other. There was this very emotional video at the end with all of us, and then Liz and I got gifts because of the photo contest. I got a backpack and Liz got a Fudan glass cup, though I still have a small sliver of hope that they'll surprise me with an iPad later on. *fingers crossed*
During the ceremony Ma Lao'shi gave one of my favorite speeches of all time. I can see how she is one of our favorites. She was saying how she'll miss all of us, and she was talking about some of our characteristics. She was like, "There is a student who always goes to office hours and never lets us go home early (me), there is a student who studies at any given moment (Andrew), there is a student who didn't test very well in the beginning but now she is always the first one to raise her hand (Liz), there is a student who likes to drink beer while doing homework but she does very well and even became a Chinese star (Victoria), there is a student who has a book where he writes all the good and bad phrases that he learns (Ian), there is a student who first came to China and didn't know a lot of Chinese but he's improved a lot (Walter)" All the teachers are so incredible, and I'll really miss them.
As an end of the semester present, we gave Qu Lao'shi a bouquet of flowers. We also had little ribbons with notes written from us and the 400 class, and we tied them to the flowers. It was so adorable, and Qu Lao'shi really liked it.
Tonight we're going on the Huang'pu River with the three other summer programs! It's going to be awesome. :D