Today was the second days of classes. Each day, we have four classes beginning at 8AM. The first class is called da4ban2ke4 (large class) and has 8-10 students. It moves extremely fast (taking notes is not allowed because it slows you down too much) and covers the new grammar and sentence patterns in the lesson text. The next class is at 9AM and is called xiao3ban1ke4 (small class) and has 4-5 students. This class also moves very fast and drills the students on the information covered in the da4ban1ke4. Next is the dui4hua4ke4 (dialogue class) which consists of two students and one teacher. This class is slightly slower and more relaxes and generally covers yesterday's homework relating to the lesson subject. The last class is dan1ban1ke4 (single class) and is one student and one teacher. It is also fairly relaxed- generally a discussion of the lesson relation to China and America and oneself. Between the third and fourth classes, I have and hour break for lunch (11:00-12:00).
Today's lesson was on rock and roll and the "father" of Chinese rock and roll. Each lesson (for third year students) has between 80-120 new words each lesson as well as a lesson text. To make sure you know the new words and the lesson text, there is a ting1xie3 (listen and write) every day where the teacher will say two new words and two sentences form the lesson text and you have to write what is said.
It is a fairly exhausting schedule, designed to improve language skills very quickly. We will also have weekly tests on Friday and weekly essays as well as a semester long independent project, but those haven't started yet, because it is only the first week.
On Sunday, we went to Jingshan Park and Tian'anmen Square. It was extremely cold and windy, so we didn't stay long at either place, but they are very close so it is easy to visit again in the future.
I am continually surprised at how cheap things are here. I went to fa1bao3, which is a small supermarket across the street form the university and bought a bunch of fruit, bread, peanut butter and jelly, oatmeal, a plate and bowl and spoon and knife and some candy all for less than $20. Generally meals cost around $2-$3. If a meal is more than $4 it is too expensive. I also usually don't finish the meals because they are often times too large.
Some photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/klebling/