My first week back from the hospital has been nothing less than extraordinary. I’m beginning to appreciate the simple things in life, at least for a short while. In regards to my program, that means enjoying classes more, doing homework with my friends, and sometimes taking solitary strolls after dinner merely to clear my head and observe lively Beijing street life. Oh, and going to “Hokay” gym of course. I’ve had enough of doing push ups on my hospital bed and squatting in order to use the toilet ;)
Furthermore, it seems that in the week of my absence a number of Korean students moved out while a whole flock of obnoxious American high school students moved in. I first came across them while playing pick up basketball. A bunch of Dukies and Yalies were about to start a 3v3 game when some scrawny teens showed up. They challenged us, and we reluctantly agreed to play full court against them. I won’t go into the details, but the immature, bratty high school boys began taunting some of the Duke players and nearly caused a fight. Fortunately, we had some level-headed Yalies at hand. Haha!
While the Americans were loud, arrogant, and obnoxious, they weren’t acting in such a way in order to mask their own uncertainties. They were merely being immature teens, and if I were to guess, they probably acted likewise back in the states. They’ll grow up… hopefully.
As for the students in my program, they all seem pretty comfortable with themselves and their current environment. However, the one particular behavior that I frequently observe is that Americans are much more gracious towards store and restaurant employees, so that sometimes they are even embarrassed by our goodwill. Well, I think it’s a great opportunity to represent Yale and America at the same time. “Yi Ju Liang De!!!”
No comments:
Post a Comment