As the last few days before our mid-semester “social study trip” (社会调查) begins, the days were both academically rigorous and filled with exciting events outside of class. In the brief time between finishing my homework and attending my 1:1 class (单半棵), I took a few minutes to walk outside, listen to music, and decompress. Next to our classroom building, I came across lotus flowers. Pink and white, they are symbols for purity and rebirth, rising from the mud unmarked.
On Monday evening, we participated in a Beijing Opera (京剧) workshop. Although I have watched clips before, this was my first time seeking it in person. It was a beautiful combination of martial arts, singing, music, and outstanding costumes. The next day, we participated in the inaugural annual tug-of-war competition. We won all three rounds, much more surprisingly, it took a lot of physical effort!
On Wednesday, we woke up early for our final exam, spanning a semester’s-worth of Chinese. We did not have a review class this week, so it was up to us to prepare on our own. With the help of professors at office hours and Quizlet, I finally felt prepared for the last challenge for our 6-day, 5-night adventure to Tainan and Hengchun!