Hey guys, I'm in China!

Well, I'm here!  So far I've been doing orientation and getting to know the city and the other kids in my program.  I'm still working on internet issues (which are an ongoing issue here) so hopefully I'll be able to get my posts more regular soon.  There are 18 kids in my program (Contemporary Issues) and about 40 kids in the language intensive program.  I'll be moving into my homestay in another week, but right now, we're all living in the dorm and learning lots of information about our upcoming semester and having opportunities to explore Beijing!
-I've eaten a lot of things that I don't even know what they are, a scorpion (painfully aware of what that was), lots of dumplings, and at a place where you pick your own ingredients and then they get cooked in soup, among many other things.
-Everything is really cheap here.  Breakfast is less than a dollar, dumplings are 12 cents each.  Though I did get ripped off as a foreigner already.  Not going to repeat that one.
-Right now, I'm in the dorm with the other Americans and we aren't under the language pledge yet, so China as I'm experiencing it right now seems comfortable.  Though I'm excited to meet my host family and make Chinese friends!
-However, outside of the building its a different story.  I basically have little to no idea whats going on.  Signs are all in characters, and I can't usually do too well communicating what I want to anyone in a situation.  Though I have figured out the subway system.  And I definitely learn more everyday.
-Pedestrians do not have the right of way here.  At all.  Bekah and Sam- there have been many gonggongqiche yolo moments already!
-Personal space is much smaller (makes sense with 1.2 bil people).  So standing in line, sitting on the subway, how close a car will drive to you when you're walking, yep, no personal space.  Already getting used to it.
-Today we had a scavenger hunt around Beijing... pandas and the Bird's Nest.  Yeah buddy!
-Yesterday we were in partners and got a location in our part of the city (written in characters) that we had to use the internet to find.  We got a little lost, but we conquered it and found the national library.  Woo.
-Time to go get dinner (right now you all are sleeping!)  Thank you all for your love and prayers.  I read the journal that many of you signed on my flight here, and it warmed my heart.  I am one very blessed girl!  And I have a Brother and Sister here as well.  Thankful, blessed, and filled with expectation!  Seeking adventure everyday!