I'm starting my 9th (non-consecutive) year at Cal, and call me a nerd, but I still get excited at the beginning of every semester when I get new classes, notebooks, pens, classmates, books, and professors! I love that feeling of wonder...What will I learn? Will I find my academic passion?
This semester is no different. I'm especially excited because I'm taking Chinese 1A! During my time in Taiwan, I encouraged my students to practice their English and not fear making mistakes by demonstrating my own limited and fumbling Chinese. I've always loved languages, but have had this mental block towards learning Chinese. But this summer in Taiwan, I was able to get over it, and I was determined to sign up for Chinese 1A.
So, on Wednesday morning, with a spring in my step I walked into 247 Dwinelle, ready to bust out some "zao!" I walked in and forgot that 9am classes with undergrads can sometimes feel like a zombie movie. Not everyone's a morning person, I remembered. I found a seat and then heard, "Emily!"
I turned to find John Ng, proud HG Red sophomore. Surprise! I was so happy to see him, but I realized from his perspective, he must have been filled with some combination of shock and confusion (and somewhere deep down, some joy too!). I put myself in his shoes and thought that it would have been strange, slightly surreal even, if I popped into a class sophomore year only to find that Pastor Manny was in my class (though I think the age gap is greater (only slightly...ahem ahem!) between John and myself).
Nevertheless, I'm still excited to learn Chinese, and now, I'll be learning it with John (and a couple of other folks from Koinonia and Kairos)! At least I'll be motivated to go to class every day knowing that John will know when I miss, and vice versa!
I love school!
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Posted By emmeline to Gracepoint Fellowship Church :: Koinonia Berkeley HG 7 [R.E.D.] at 8/28/2008 11:00:00 AM
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