The 6th Week Milestone

Today was extremely productive and fun (don't ya love it when that happens)! The Friday of the 6th week at IUP is, by tradition, oral presentation day. All of the IUP students are required to make an oral presentation (from memory, but the teachers are really understanding if you get too nervous and need to look at a script) that lasts between 4-10 minutes. You get to choose your own topic, you're allowed to use a powerpoint, and you can present with a partner (although you will then have to do a longer presentation). The presentations were all really interesting (oh, and you're required to attend at least 3 other people's presentations) - some were extremely personal and charismatic while others discussed topics pertinent to modern China.

If there's one thing I learned about myself through this program, it's that I really need to start procrastinating less. I didn't start memorizing my presentation until last night, and this morning, when I got up to speak, I could feel myself stumbling around what should have been familiar idioms and expressions and unclear trains of thought. Note to self -- memorizing a speech is difficult; memorizing a speech in an entirely foreign language is very very very difficult. 

After the speeches, a few friends and I went to the Beijing zoo! I hadn't been to the Beijing zoo since I was about 5 or 6 years old, and I was so excited to see the different exhibits. The zoo, like all of Beijing, was packed with people (of course), and since we got there rather late in the afternoon, we didn't get a chance to see all of the exhibits before they closed. However, we did manage to see monkeys and gorillas and giraffes and many many other animals (missed the pandas though, which was disappointing). 

Storks and friends! My favorite combination! 

Representing everywhere we go. Can you guess what we're spelling?

Later that evening, my roommates and I went out for dinner to send off one of our roommates who is leaving tomorrow morning. Nothing like great food and greater company to end your evening!