settling in

so i haven't written much here lately because i've been on the move every day for the last few weeks. now that i've finally settled into my new place, i finally have some time to reflect a little on everything so far.

i've been writing in the other blog, kinda keeping it more as a bulletin board for my daily life here, but i want to keep the more random things here.

i just started my first day of school. i've kinda been waiting for this before really trying out my mandarin in the field i guess. a lot of places i can get by on english, but that's not really in the spirit of what i'm trying to do here. i know how to tell a cabdriver my address now and i know how to write down the name of the street in chinese. still can't order any food on a menu except to point at it or name it by the number if it's a set meal.

i've spent the whole year planning to arrive here and the hardest part seems to have been wrapping up all the loose ends back home before coming here. i'm sort of flying by the seat of my pants now. it hasn't really hit me that my home is on the other side of the world.

the thing that i am sort of concerned about at the moment is how long my funds will last. in just the last few weeks, i've spent half the money i came here with on tuition and on moving into my apartment. i knew i'd have to wire more money eventually and pick up a job, but it seems a little more urgent now than i was expecting. anyway, after seeing the expenses for the first month, not counting all the big stuff, i'll have a better idea of what my daily budget will be.

i think about my family and friends back home often. i hope they're all doing well. i'm keeping in contact with them, but it's just not the same as when you can see them face to face.

anyway, it's late and it's time for me to do my homework :)