It has been a couple of days since I updated because classes have started, and I have had to adjust to studying once again. If you remember, I was placed at Level 102 based on the placement test. However, after attending a few classes and especially the 报 刊 (newspaper reading) class I soon realised that this level was too advanced for me. The newspaper reading class requires a lot of dilligence and hardwork which I have no issues with. However, the issue I have is that I spend a good day trying to finish the homework and getting stressed because I cannot even read half of the characters. Also, bear in mind the other homework and preparation I need to do for the other classes. I have no problem understanding what the teachers are saying but when it comes to reading the characters - that is a whole different story. I would much rather start from a lower level and get my foundations right. Therefore, I made the decision to switch to the Level 101 class and I am so much happier now. I felt so relieved after attending the Level 101 class; the teaching is at a good pace and certainly the level I am at. I can read quite a number of characters but there are still quite a lot I have to identify and learn.

I met some really nice individuals at the Level 102 class though! Morna is a Chinese from Indonesia and really is one of the sweetest people I have met. She is also a Christian and worships at BICF but at a different locale. There is also Xiang Yee, a Korean who speaks really good Mandarin and a friendly person all around. I should really find out his Korean name though. We had dinner at the Japanese restaurant on campus yesterday as it was a post-birthday celebration for Morna. She was too cute when she said she wanted to treat us because it was her birthday the day before. Obviously we did not oblige that request and promptly fought over the bill like any self-deserving Asian would do. It is rather funny that this mentality transcends boundaries. As Morna was rather adamant that she treat us to dinner some other time, I said that she could treat us to a cup of 珍 珠 奶 茶 (bubble tea) and she did.

As for my new classmates at Level 101, I haven't had the opportunity to introduce myself to them. From what I gather, the class consists of Koreans, Japanese and Indonesians. I attended the 101 class for the first time yesterday and I was informed by a student that we would be having 听 写 (dictation) I was slightly flustered because I obviously did not know about that until the very last minute. Thank goodness, 马老师 did not call me out for dictation as this process means writing the characters on the whiteboard for all to see. Dictation is about writing the right characters and also the strokes have to be in the correct order. Yes, a lot of things to be taken into account! Being the little nerd I am, I promptly came back to my room after class and made flash cards. I can now safely say that I remember half of them and will just need to ask Doreen to test me on them later. What my mum said is really true, learning Mandarin should be a fun process, and I am certain that being at Level 101 was and is the right call. I can now enjoy learning and studying.