Midterm/Last Day

Tomorrow is a comprehensive midterm! Yikes! Our 20 lessons have covered approximately 500 words, but I estimate that there are an additional 100 common characters that we are expected to know in addition. So that's 600 characters to know, as well as a multitude of grammar rules. The week has been spent reviewing--flash cards have been my constant companion. :D

In the grading breakdown, the midterm is worth 30%, the final is 30%, and all other points (unit tests, homework, attendance) comprises the remaining 40%. However, I am done with class after tomorrow. Yup, tomorrow is my LAST DAY OF CLASS! However, as exciting as that idea sounds, I will actually be quite sad to leave my class. I enjoy learning Chinese, especially with my wonderful teachers.

I am going to continue to learn Chinese on my own, but after this week my focus shifts to Beijing Opera; in Chinese this is 京剧 ("Jingju"). I have a large research project to work on, so my "free time" will be spent researching, watching rehearsals and performances, reading, and conducting interviews. There is a Jingju troupe in Qingdao that I will become very well acquanted with. I think I even get to take lessons with an elderly Jingju practitioner! Eventually, all my work will culminate in a very, very long paper.

But my research won't start right away, because after the midterm tomorrow all students have a week vacation for "cultural travelling." Madison and I are headed to Tibet, to visit multiple monasteries and Everest!!! I'll post our itinerary soon. For now, back to studying.