Needless to say: Beijing Snow!

This morning it snowed for the first time I'm aware of this season. It didn't last long, but it was so pretty and uplifting. Here's what it looked like from my room...I don't think I've ever posted a picture of what my room view was (I have now moved to a new room...more on that later). It looked onto a courtyard...basically the back of a restaurant...and I could see into other dorm rooms across the way. There was a cage across the window...to prevent break-ins I guess?

People would take their breaks out there and sometimes spit up some phlegm, which was never too pleasant to hear, but otherwise it was a decent view.

Here's the outside of my dorm building. the big building across the way is still under construction but has basically been put up at a rapidfire pace since I arrived....there are workers from the countryside (I assume) who live on site and work there at all hours.

So....in other news...Zoe decided to treat herself to a single room with a private bathroom and a fridge in another dorm building, so her single room was freed up. I kind of agonized over whether or not to move into a single room as it seemed a bit indulgent and because it costs me a bit of money (whereas the old room was free...basically I pay the difference between the cost of a double and a single room). But after much thought and discussion with Zoe, Scott and my parents (driving them all crazy in the process I'm sure), I decided to take the single room. I might not even finish the term here, so I may as well treat myself and be comfortable for the last few months I'm here. Anyway, after Zoe very kindly cleaned the room while I packed my things, I moved in and unpacked. (Zoe had already moved to the new room last night). I think it's going to be really comfortable and a nice, private, peaceful place to live. And it already has the floor covering since Zoe also bought some in September.