EXO Comeback - XOXO (Kiss & Hug)

照片: SM Entertainment

This has absolutely NOTHING to do with NSLI-Y or China, but EXO is finally making their long awaited comeback. You guys don't even know how happy I am. ^O^ I've been waiting for this comeback for so long. Their first full-length album will be called "XOXO (Kiss&Hug)". Hmm, I don't know how I feel about that album title haha. It's supposed to be a play on their group name though (if that isn't obvious enough).

Apparently, both subgroups (EXO-M and EXO-K) will be actively promoting together as one in China and Korea. Hopefully, they'll film a variety show together as well? *hint hint* SM *hint hint*

Anyways, I'm going to end this very short post and wallow in my fangirl feels before I ramble on and on. Sorry for this unrelated post. I just adore EXO too much not to make a post about them on my blog (:

EXO, hwaiting!

EXO, 加油!

EDIT: The album totally exceeded my expectations; it is pure gold. SM did an incredible job with EXO's comeback! Even though I adore Chanyeol's rap and Kyungsoo's vocals, I guess I will always be more biased towards EXO-M, hehe. Btw, SM really needs to create a sub-unit for EXO's vocal line (Baekhyun, D.O, Chen, and Lu Han). Their harmonizations are so dreeeamy! Everyone has to watch the videos below:

EXO-M - Lu Han. Kris, Xiu Min, Chen, Tao, Lay (Open Arms cover)

EXO Vocal Line - Lu Han, Chen, D.O, Baekhyun (Open Arms cover)

D.O and Chen (The Last Time cover)

Chen and Lu Han (What is Love a cappella)

D.O and Chanyeol (Billionaire cover)

Lay (Endless Love cover)

Seriously, people don't give them enough credit. I wouldn't mind SM turning EXO into a ballad group LOL. Kai and Sehun can do contemporary/lyrical dances to their songs while Lay plays the piano, Chanyeol raps and plays the guitar, Tao and Kris raps and harmonizes the bass undertones, and the rest of the group belts and sings. 

2 Months Until China

It's incredibly surreal how I'll be in China in about 7-8 weeks. The wait is almost unbearable. I still have two weeks left of school, 2 AP exams, 2-3 days of finals (2 days...granted I get exempt from my Chinese and pre-calc exams), an SAT and ACT to take, and summer homework to do before I go. Depressing much... I've been finding it incredibly hard to focus on my school work. All I can think about is China!

Besides school, there's not much news about China and NSLI-Y so far, except that I'll be taking 2 tests (placements and a two-hour reading/listening test administered by American Councils) and an OPI (15-25 minute Chinese interview on the phone) by the end of May.  I'm kind of nervous about the phone interview because my speaking and listening skills are not the best; I have the skills of a 1st grader, haha.

I don't know if it's just me, but I am HUNGRY for more news about the trip. I've been google-ing, youtube-ing, and youku-ing anything that I can about Hangzhou and my host institution. My host institution is surprisingly pretty. The thing that surprised me the most was the abundance of  trees, grass, flowers, and greenery. I had this misconception that it would just be complete concrete. Well, it's a green school, so I guess it shouldn't be so surprising lol. Here are some pictures of my school:

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/13385215.jpg

http://kfqwtzx.com/Photo/UploadPhotos/201006/2010060819363555.jpg

Pretty right?

Also, I am applying for another trip to China! My school's Chinese department will be taking 8 students to Fuzhou, Fujian for two weeks at the end of October. I already turned in my application, essay and teacher recommendation on Tuesday. Now all I need to do is go in for my interview and then the application process will be complete. *Fingers-crossed* I get selected as one of the 8 students! This is something I've thought over long and hard (missing two weeks of my school is no joke...it'll set you back a lot), and I've decided that I definitely want to go on this trip.

Before I end this post, I want to thank everyone for visiting and reading my blog! It's mind-blowing how my blog has reached South Korea, China (I thought Blogspot was blocked?), Germany, Russia, France, Indonesia, UK, and Singapore! I sincerely hope my blog will encourage others to study abroad as well. I know that reading other NSLI-Y blogs played a big role in my decision to apply for this scholarship program.

PS: Blogging is pretty fun (: Shout out to Giselle for recently starting her own blog.  And shout out to Danielle, who I've successfully persuaded to apply for the Russian program next year!

Until next time,
Christine