Last Comments As We Depart
I want to mention that I’ve made life-long friends during this trip. Of course some of us will not cross the same paths again in the future, but there is no doubt that they’ve left an imprint in my memories. I want dedicate the rest of this post to telling some of the Alliance student how much they’ve meant to me during this trip (in no particular order).
Ian: I remember first talking to you about your Native American language research. I never knew there was someone out there so interested in something so not mainstream, and I saw a very unique quality in you that you continued to display throughout the program. Without you, our Alliance group wouldn’t be able to be as dynamic as it was.
Grace: You’re such a chill woman. You come from an amazing school, and there’s no doubt that you’re smart, but you are so down to earth and can talk to everyone, it’s a wonderful personality trait that I never want you to lose.
Meah: I love how you love life. Your laugh and jokes always bring the group’s mood up, no matter where we are or what we’re doing. Your personality fits in with everyone, and you make everyone feel more comfortable. It’s a gift that not many people have, and I’m very blessed to meet someone as great as you are. You’ll always be our bao zi! Oh by the way, I still get traumatized by jiao zi's after eating them at that one Korean restaurant where they were GIGANTO. :O They still float around in my dreams, engulfing my soul!
Carol: KTV was so fun! I'll always remember us singing Vanness together.
Victoria: Whenever I look at bamboo I’ll always think of you. I’m very glad we went to Tong Li together on one of the last weekends. There’s no better time than hearing your experience living with you roommate and your jokes about everything, lol. And of course, that time at Rich Baby.
Shelby: We didn't get to hang out much, but I've heard you're a very funny and interesting person from multiple people.
Andrew: We’ve had our conflicting moments, but overall, I’d have to say you were one of the most interesting people on this trip. You always have opinions, and I enjoy talking/debating with you in Chinese. If I had to hand select my classmates, you’ll definitely be on top of the list. Unless you talk over time again like when you talked about Quantum of Solace for 45 minutes, then maybe not.
Cindy: You and your boyfriend are so cute together. Everyone in the program thinks you’re one of the nicest girls, and I’m disappointed we didn’t get to hang out more together. Next time!
Max: Your Chinese has to be one of the best in the program, which is very impressive for someone who grew up outside of the Chinese culture except for a very short amount of time. I always enjoy talking to you, though I can only talk about tea for so long, lol. Keep up the great Chinese!
Will: We have interesting talks. I hope you keep some of the things we talk about to heart.
Richelle: Oh how to describe you mah lady. We never have a dull moment together, especially because we always talk about how raunchy you are or how raunchy I am. We were meant for each other, and there wasn’t enough time in the program for me and you. We’ll reconvene one day; we can talk about how we spent our entire college career learning Chinese and now we’re homeless with two degrees.
Richard: Your Chinese is way too advanced to be grouped with us, lol. You're a nice guy, very casual.
Catherine: I'll miss our interesting class debates and hanging out with you and Simon. And of course, we'll always have Ajisen. Lol... we are so obsessed! And our Chinese performance of course, even though it was a hot ass twirling mess, haha.
Tyler: You're a fun guy to hang around. Good times together.
Brad: The group's dynamic wouldn't have been the same without you. You bring so many smiles to the group, and we'll always enjoy you in our memories when we think back on Alliance.
Marina: You're a smart cookie and I always enjoy talking to you. Your sense of humor's great, and I hope you keep on continuing your Chinese--it's really good!
Adrienne: I'll definitely come visit you in Penn. when I come back to the states for an extended amount of time. You should also come visit me in the mid-west! I'll miss our talks together, and I especially like listening about your life in the hills. Lol...
Walter: Lol, those first couple weeks in Alliance wouldn't have been as much fun without you in our class. We really enjoyed you furnitured in our class :D Haha, just kidding. We all see your hard work studying Chinese, and I hope that you will succeed to high-intermediate/low-advanced by the time you leave China. I look forward to talking to you in Chinese one day!
Liz: You are one of the coolest people in our cohort, if not the coolest. You are so chill and always up for anything! I love how when we go out, no matter WHERE it is, you'll have an admirer. Haha, I'll miss your dreads, and I'll always remember when we practiced your English Teaching interview together. Such fun times!
Ian: I remember first talking to you about your Native American language research. I never knew there was someone out there so interested in something so not mainstream, and I saw a very unique quality in you that you continued to display throughout the program. Without you, our Alliance group wouldn’t be able to be as dynamic as it was.
Grace: You’re such a chill woman. You come from an amazing school, and there’s no doubt that you’re smart, but you are so down to earth and can talk to everyone, it’s a wonderful personality trait that I never want you to lose.
Meah: I love how you love life. Your laugh and jokes always bring the group’s mood up, no matter where we are or what we’re doing. Your personality fits in with everyone, and you make everyone feel more comfortable. It’s a gift that not many people have, and I’m very blessed to meet someone as great as you are. You’ll always be our bao zi! Oh by the way, I still get traumatized by jiao zi's after eating them at that one Korean restaurant where they were GIGANTO. :O They still float around in my dreams, engulfing my soul!
Carol: KTV was so fun! I'll always remember us singing Vanness together.
Victoria: Whenever I look at bamboo I’ll always think of you. I’m very glad we went to Tong Li together on one of the last weekends. There’s no better time than hearing your experience living with you roommate and your jokes about everything, lol. And of course, that time at Rich Baby.
Shelby: We didn't get to hang out much, but I've heard you're a very funny and interesting person from multiple people.
Andrew: We’ve had our conflicting moments, but overall, I’d have to say you were one of the most interesting people on this trip. You always have opinions, and I enjoy talking/debating with you in Chinese. If I had to hand select my classmates, you’ll definitely be on top of the list. Unless you talk over time again like when you talked about Quantum of Solace for 45 minutes, then maybe not.
Cindy: You and your boyfriend are so cute together. Everyone in the program thinks you’re one of the nicest girls, and I’m disappointed we didn’t get to hang out more together. Next time!
Max: Your Chinese has to be one of the best in the program, which is very impressive for someone who grew up outside of the Chinese culture except for a very short amount of time. I always enjoy talking to you, though I can only talk about tea for so long, lol. Keep up the great Chinese!
Will: We have interesting talks. I hope you keep some of the things we talk about to heart.
Richelle: Oh how to describe you mah lady. We never have a dull moment together, especially because we always talk about how raunchy you are or how raunchy I am. We were meant for each other, and there wasn’t enough time in the program for me and you. We’ll reconvene one day; we can talk about how we spent our entire college career learning Chinese and now we’re homeless with two degrees.
Richard: Your Chinese is way too advanced to be grouped with us, lol. You're a nice guy, very casual.
Catherine: I'll miss our interesting class debates and hanging out with you and Simon. And of course, we'll always have Ajisen. Lol... we are so obsessed! And our Chinese performance of course, even though it was a hot ass twirling mess, haha.
Tyler: You're a fun guy to hang around. Good times together.
Brad: The group's dynamic wouldn't have been the same without you. You bring so many smiles to the group, and we'll always enjoy you in our memories when we think back on Alliance.
Marina: You're a smart cookie and I always enjoy talking to you. Your sense of humor's great, and I hope you keep on continuing your Chinese--it's really good!
Adrienne: I'll definitely come visit you in Penn. when I come back to the states for an extended amount of time. You should also come visit me in the mid-west! I'll miss our talks together, and I especially like listening about your life in the hills. Lol...
Walter: Lol, those first couple weeks in Alliance wouldn't have been as much fun without you in our class. We really enjoyed you furnitured in our class :D Haha, just kidding. We all see your hard work studying Chinese, and I hope that you will succeed to high-intermediate/low-advanced by the time you leave China. I look forward to talking to you in Chinese one day!
Liz: You are one of the coolest people in our cohort, if not the coolest. You are so chill and always up for anything! I love how when we go out, no matter WHERE it is, you'll have an admirer. Haha, I'll miss your dreads, and I'll always remember when we practiced your English Teaching interview together. Such fun times!