Things are starting to get more into the mundane aspects of living abroad. Because the program is responsible for us, we had to sit through a 3 and half hour meeting that basically covered everything we were supposed to have read in the plethora of emails that we received throughout the semester; Academic policy, Health Information, Insurance, Emergency numbers, etc.

The unquestionable highlight of the day was attending the Shanghai Acrobatics show. I'm not going to outline every single aspect and detail of the show for a couple of reasons. The first is that my commentary just can't do it justice. The level of artistry, sophistication, professionalism, and skill displayed in every aspect of the show is just too much for me, or anyone for that matter, to put into words. Everything from the lights, the music, background projection, costumes, stage pieces, and movements of the performers all worked together to weave compartmentalized, yet connected story lines throughout the evening. For example, one piece would tell the story of two, star-crossed lovers doomed to be forever infatuated with each other but never get the chance to be together. Then the next piece would tell the story of a lilly blooming on a tranquil pond.

One thing I will highlight specifically. The performers hardly ever made ANY mistakes. When mistakes were made, they were all because of an individual. But when that individual would make a mistake, he or she would continue to attempt the same trick or stunt until they nailed it, and would give the crowd a triumphant stare, which would say something like, "I GOT THIS!!!!!!" This happened twice, in the opening act, which consisted of tumbling through whoops of various sizes, and a piece in which a guy would balance on a stack of trays and cups with a rolling pin underneath while piling bowls on his head. In the 2nd piece, the boy was attempting a trick in which he would use one of his legs to flip 3 bowls from his foot to the stack on his head. He attempted the trick 3 times before getting it right, but never did he fall of his perilous perch.

 I guess I'll be taking a lesson about perseverance from the show which will be applicable to the rest of my time here.

I promise I'll be putting up pictures soon.