Owning Life

I don't know why I love this phrase so much, but there is something magical about the phrase "owning life" to me. If you aren't familiar with it, just imagine you made the game winning shot from the half-court line while in overtime winning the NCAA championship. Well, that's a bit of an overstatement, but still, it does feel great (the owning life portion…I've never played in the NCAA…)

Anyways, today was a day I felt like I really was beginning to live in China. A friend and I got coffee together, sat and divulged about all of our transition wounds and depth cravings, and did life. Gosh, you don't know just how long you've been drowning until someone comes and revives you.  P.S. The coffee was delicious and strong! 

After that, I went to find the print shop a friend had taken me to a couple days before. I have been given the opportunity to teach here in China, but there is a lack of creative materials  -especially decorative, educational, posters. So, I had my own printed. Well, I brought my friend with me (which can always be a big test to your pride on whether you can find the store again or not) and we found it! I got my posters, was able to thank the lady in Chinese and offer my goodbye. Success. I'm sure I butchered the words, but at least I didn't just smile and nod. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE or I will never get past the "I feel like a babbling moron and you barely understand me" phase. 

My friend mentioned needing to go to grocery shop and to Carrefour and said she was just going to take a taxi. Instead, I showed her how to walk there (only about 20-25 min), some local eateries and fruit stands, and a shockingly quiet(er) part of the city. We didn't get lost and I felt like a pro. Alright pride, simmer down. 

I am just so excited and grateful that for the first time I am beginning to feel like I am not just a leech sucking everything out of the older staff, but am finally being able to maneuver on my own and help others. What a great feeling of freedom. I look forward to the day that I can order and pick up everything in Chinese, but one step at a time. 

Trying the meat…finally

So, today was the day I decided to try the meat I bought a little while ago. If you don't remember these little snacks, they look something like this :) I know, I couldn't believe I did it either, but for some reason when I looked at them, I didn't get a bit queazy inside. Well, not to have a totally lame ending to such an exciting adventure, but I wasn't a big fan. The sausage/hot dog things really wasn't up to my liking. I love hot dogs, but this didn't have too much of a flavor (besides spice) and it was well, rather like biting into those bouncy balls you get from the 25 cent machines… you know you, at some point in your childhood, bit into one of those suckers. No? Just me?

Anyways….the stick meat wasn't that horrible, but it didn't have a great flavor. Texture-wise it was decent, but the flavor was kinda bland and a bit like pre-chewed meat. Now, I'm not trying to make fun or be disgusting but rather am trying to describe it in such a way you might get a little taste of the experience (see what I did there…taste of the experience lol).

Well, this one was a strike out, but perhaps one of these days I'll find a prepackaged meat that I enjoy. For now, I'll just stick to my egg flavored sorta rice krispyish type thing and fruit.

Sidenote: I made a delicious dinner tonight that was unbelievably easy. Last night, my roommate and I had cooked dinner (well, she cooked everything but the rice and I cleaned) and there was plenty of rice left over. Then, I boiled some fresh corn on the cob (cut it off the cob once it was done), green beans and red peppers (I boiled these right in the same water I boiled the corn in). Tonight I ate the rice and vegetables cold (mainly because I don't know how to work the electric oven that looks like a microwave) and added salt and finely ground pepper. It was delicious. The corn made it sweet and the red peppers made it bitter. Yum. And score for my first cooked meal in China. Now I'm off to try and roast some pumpkin seeds. :)

Coming up for air

So, thank you life for taking me to the crashing waves of transition, tossing me around beneath your waves and continuing to attempt to pull me back under. However, I am on to you and will be kicking and paddling me darndest only to one day stand atop you and ride that wave to victory.

Ok. I'm weird. It's ok, I've come to terms with how unusual my brain processes information. I kinda like it, but others have no clue where I come from at times. ANYWAYS…

I am just now starting to get a footing on life. I nearly hold my breath to write those words for fear that I will soon again be tossed around by life (which I am sure will happen over the next few years), however, it's the truth.

I went into work today and re-arranged my classroom to my liking. I have been running off of a skeleton classroom, arranged like the previous year, with hardly any manipulatives (educational toys) or centers (places to put those toys). BUT, today was the day that I made it my own. There is still a lot of work to be done, but it looks so much better. Seriously, I can't stand a badly laid out classroom, with junk everywhere (or nothing at all). The room had all the shelves lining the walls of the classroom, with books thrown here and there, basket full of who knows what, and minimal decorations which just aren't up to par for this New Jersey blooded girl. So, I shifted everything (including my co-teachers desk and shelves…whoops) and used the shelves to create different areas of the classroom (more defined rather than a large open classroom that the kids interpret as a large running field). I also hung some of the kids art work (which is pretty amazing for the age…but then again I am biased). And finally, I changed the desk arrangement. Let's hope the kids can handle all the changes. I did give my co-teacher a heads up so she could go ahead and prepare herself, in case she needed that sort of thing. I would.

Friendships. I have had time this week to spend time with different people from school. It has been nice developing friendships with some people that have lived here awhile and others that are in the same rocky transition boat. I know that I will continue to develop deep friendships and am grateful that the Lord heard my cry for fellowship. I have also been attending a fellowship on Sundays which was hard for me at the beginning. Nearly all of the other single ladies go to the fellowship a little ways away, but I felt called to attend the one at school for the time being. I was so worried that I would be left out because I went to a different fellowship or that people would think I didn't want to be friends with them, but then I had to realize that I would rather be obedient and risk not having those relationships, then to disobey. It was hard last week because I really didn't agree with the way one of the leaders handle something (trying not to air dirty laundry here) and I mentioned it to a couple of people. I really didn't even want to come back to the church because of it. I felt like it was completely unbiblical and rather insulting. But, I know I am called to be there for now and so I returned (it helped that a couple of people that have attended the fellowship mentioned that they had never seen anything like that since they've been there). Today, the leader quietly confronted the issue and I was grateful to have seen that. Just think, if I had decided not to go because of this one person's actions, I would have misjudged the fellowship as holding the same views. I am glad to see that this action was not the norm and that God is faithful in all things. After all, I'm just trying to go to worship Him, grow in my faith, and worship Him.

On another note, I have been using a little of my Chinese. Class went well and having a few friends that speak the language well has been helpful. I am eager to learn the language fluently, but need to remember that Mandarin is a hard language. I will work hard and continue to strive for fluency (or even just to have short conversations with those I pass every day). I am praying for a mind that understands quickly, a Spirit of bravery to use what I've learned and not become embarrassed about not getting it completely correct, and a heart to push on when the going gets tough (and it will). I checked out a children's book the other day and have been working through it with translation and that has been a fun process. I feel like I'm noticing words more in the story (and characters sometimes) which is an awesome feeling!

Ok, I'm off to bed. I'm learning that a good night's sleep (even if just 4 hours for tonight) helps a lot with the emotional response to life. Not always, but sometimes. :)

Broken Communication

One of the hardest transitions, probably because it wasn't one I really thought much about and therefore didn't prepare for, was trying to communicate over an entire ocean. 

Now, I know that we live in a day and age where we are incredibly blessed to have technology that closes the gap in distance. I am grateful that I don't live in a remote area where communication wouldn't even be a topic of conversation. However, trying to communicate with time changes, over multiple countries, over a private network can be quite taxing. 

Not to mention the dead spots and frozen screens (though some have been quite hilarious). I feel like a gymnast when I'm trying to facetime my family and friends. I start at the bottom of my bed and slowly roll/tumble around searching for the best service before the phone disconnect. Phew…at least I'm getting nice and limber ;) 

I also just miss being able to pick up my phone and call someone to meet for lunch/coffee and it be a short quick process. None of this needing to schedule a time to call because I am 12 hours ahead, or having to walk-to buy a ticket- to catch a bus-to be birthed out at the bus stop-to walk-to finally sit down. ok ok…it isn't that extreme (only if I need to go shopping). 

I did just learn of an app that will allow my phone to have a US number, which would allow me to just call me friends and talk like I live next door to them, which I am excited about. I just need to learn a little more about the process to see if it is legit. Not trying to get into anything sketchy…

For now, I am remembering to cherish the fact that I have a way to communicate and even see my family, which wasn't even possible a few decades ago. And I should be grateful to have people that love me enough to put up with my bed-head and cranky at the wifi attitude. 

The hostage

Life has been a bit insane over the last week and a half. With the transition into the new culture being bombarded with the transition into a new job position, let's just say a lot has gone by the wayside. I think the transition in the culture might actually be a bit easier of one than the school transition. I think that the school feels very familiar and then I assume that it will be a lot like home, but it really is quite different. Emails are checked throughout the day rather than in the morning and after school. The students I teach are somewhere between both of the the levels I have experience with. I've never really taught literacy/reading and I have never taught first graders. Let's just say I'm a bit in the weeds and my pride has taken a major beating.

I think it's funny how I never seem to be able to do anything in little spurts but rather am typically placed in a situation where everything happens all at once.

I just keep reminding myself that I know I am suppose to be here. I don't have to be perfect. Apologize when I have not met expectations. And have grace (especially on myself). PHEW. Can I get a gasp of air please? :)
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So, the hostage thing. We were told that living overseas has key transitions. They are the four F's. Fun (honey moon stage), Flight (retreat to the familiar), Fight (feels like you are being help hostage) and Fun. I could have totally botched these, but this is what stuck. I heard the transitions come in waves and different things can place you back on the cycle, but as for now, I feel a bit like a hostage. I know I am meant to be here. I know that I am in transition, but there are times, like tonight, where I just wanted to pack my bags and get back on the plane headed home. I wanted to hug my friends, go deep with unfiltered rawness, snuggle up on my sisters couch, curl up in my room at my mom's house (with her right there beside me), and just bask in normalness. Where I had a routine and confidence in my abilities to maneuver the world surrounding me. I just miss home.

It will get better and the fun times have been scattered throughout, but at this moment, I am officially homesick.

on a more positive, exciting note: I start my chinese lessons tomorrow :)

When in Rome… or China

It's easy to stay in the western bubble here. Especially since I work at an international school, in an upscale part of town, near the mall, and with access to a couple of large westernized stores, including IKEA.

But, why would I want to? Yea, it may be more comfortable and familiar, but is that what I want my gravestone to read.

HERE LIES BONNIE: SHE LIVED A COMFORTABLE, FAMILIAR LIFE. blah.

So, my goals are simple (well, simple sounding)
1. Learning the language
       a.  Speech
       b. Writing
       c. Reading
2. Learn the transit system (stop always using Taxis like a westerner)
3. Make local friends (who better to learn from and you get a new friend out of it)
4. Shop locally
       a. attempt to eat some of the local food (even if it burns your mouth or is different)

I am excited for the most part and looking forward to the challenge! Today, I even bought a couple of Chinese snacks (I haven't tried them yet, but believe me there will be an update when I do).

These are just a couple of the snacks I bought and have yet to try. I have tried banana flavored puffs and an egg crispy, which are both good. I am not brave enough, nor do I think I will be able to stomach (literally) a packaged chicken foot, but only time will tell!

Knees to Chest

Living in a city is much different than the suburban life I am accustomed to. I do miss the solitude and calmness of the suburbs, but I love city-life as well. You can walk almost anywhere and there are always things to do!

So, each morning that it isn't raining (or that I haven't shut off my alarm for the umpteenth time from exhaustion), I am able to walk to school. It's a nice way to start the day because it gives me the opportunity to wake up a little before needing to fully interact. For the most part, the walk is quiet.


Then,  you hit the main road to cross near the school. So, basically it's a small highway (small is a loosely used term) and luckily it is a bit divided. I remember standing on the side of the street thinking, ' oh, this isn't bad. we cross the street in America' and assumed the procedure would be the same. FALSE. Almost NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING, is done the same in China as it is in America, no matter how familiar it appears. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying one way is better than the other, just merely that I shouldn't make assumptions. Here's how I learned.

I stepped into the road to prepare to walk across the one side of the highway to the middle divider after noticing that there was a small gap in traffic. I only looked to the left since it was a one direction side of the road. WRONG. Within a split second I felt the side of a petty cab running into my elbow. Yep. I got hit by a petty cab, going the wrong direction, on a divided highway. Just a reminder: LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE CROSSING THE ROAD. and NEVER MAKE ASSUMPTIONS. Sidenote: I am fine and was barely hit, but still it was too close for my liking.



Here are some other things I've learned.
1. Knees to Chest: Seriously, you hustle. No loligagging across the road.
2.  No waiting until there isn't any traffic (you will be waiting for quite some time)
3. Scooters will weave around you, so it's ok to wander through them, just be respectful and don't just stroll.
4. Always look both ways
5. Cars are a little less forgiving, but might still weave around you.
6. Buses will kill you. Seriously, every time I go see them while crossing the road, I remind myself 'buses will kill you. you will die'.
7. Go. You can't be nervous or hesitant. Make a decision and own it. Indecisiveness causes accidents and people will die.
8. Have fun! I kinda love the thrill of weaving through traffic. There's a sort of freedom that comes with the territory, not to mention you feel like a total rebel. :) It sorta is like
I'm in a video game, like frogger, now just to make it to the other side

Community

Community is crucial to life. We were meant to live in it. We need it.

Well, anytime you move to a new city, you have to make all new friends. Once in awhile you get lucky and hit it off with someone right away, but other times it's a very long, lonely transition. China is somewhere in between those two options.

I've met people on the team I really get along with and enjoy. There are some I feel I've known forever, However, I don't feel really connected. I know friendships take time and sometimes it's hard to go deep, especially when life is so chaotic, but it's hard while in the midst of the process.

Honestly, it doesn't help that I left behind amazing community. People I loved with my whole heart. People I think about often, keep in touch with, and people who knew me (the good and the bad).

I just feel a bit out of place. I know I am called to be here for this season of life and I love it here, I'm just waiting on the community aspect. People who get me: who let me be who I am, that I don't have to think about what I say or do near them because they fully accept me as I am knowing I'm in the process of being healed and matured, that will look at me and bust out laughing because we know what we are both thinking, who are fun and full of life. I just miss having deep and hilarious friendships. I know things take time, but can I just transport my entire community (or at least part of it) here to make the transition a bit easier?

Oh time, where are you when I need you? And why are you slow when I want you to speed up.

Praying for friendships and people that I truly connect with. No more surface conversations or feeling awkward because there isn't anything to talk about. Depth, life, and laughter.

Venturing Out

You need to see it to know. You have to do it to learn it.

These sayings depict my learning styles. I need to be able to see what you are talking about and do whatever it is. Anyways, over the last few days, I haven't really had a chance to go anywhere without someone leading me. It's great to have people that either know what they are doing or are "take charge" sorts of people, but in the end, it isn't very helpful for those that are with you, especially if the learning styles are anything like my own. I need to be a part of the process not just follow in your footsteps.

Anyways, today was a day that I decided to venture out with some different people and experience different things. It started out as a rainy day where we went shopping at a store similar to a small Sam's Club. It was great to walk around and see what they had, but in all honesty, I didn't really need much. The store was pretty far away and we ended up getting stuck in traffic on the way home.

By the time we got home though, it had stopped raining, which was nice for unloading the bus (the other girls found the store a bit more to their liking than myself and had tons of HEAVY bags). I dropped my stuff off and headed to meet some girls to go to lunch and walk around the mall. We decided to snap a little photo while waiting for the crosswalk:

We ended up eating at a Tex-Mex restaurant which was OK. I think I had gotten my hopes up for mexican and came to realize it was southwestern (as we call it in the south). I probably will love it when I'm missing America though, so it's great to know where it is. 

Since the first day of school is quickly approaching, one of the girls and myself decided to work on our classrooms, which is convenient to be able to do on a Saturday. In fact, we can go into the school whenever we want, as long as we have our badges for the security guard to open the gate. 

Overall, it was a productive day and I got a chance to connect with a couple other new teachers, which is always nice! 

Missing Home

After a few days of transitioning and trying to get my bearings on things, I started to really process that I have moved to China. Half the time I still feel like I am on vacation, and luckily I've been given an adaptable Spirit in regards to settling down into a home quickly, however, there are still times when the pain of missing your family/friends is like a wave sucking you under.

One day here, I woke up sad. I'm not talking boohoo I scraped my toe. More like, "what the heck did you do? Why aren't you near anything familiar? Why did you leave everyone? Did you just make the biggest mistake of your life?" and then a deep aching abyss settled in my heart. I, of course, shoved those emotions down and went to work like everything was normal, but when people asked how I was, I couldn't lie. What was so refreshing was that so many people came around me and encouraged me that it was normal and that they too had been through the same transition. I am grateful to work in the community that I work and to be surrounded by people who believe the same as myself.

I have to say that I am beyond grateful for technology at this point. I've missed the voices of my friends and family and it has been nice being about to Facetime, call, and audio text because of all the new apps out there. In fact, I just downloaded one that allows me to take a picture of chinese characters around me and it will translate it. Seriously, how cool is technology. It definitely makes distance seem a bit closer.

Transitioning

This week has flown by. I can't believe I've already been here a week!

So, in regard to the transitioning process, there are some great things and some frustrating things. I'm going to do what I call the sandwich technique by starting with great things, mentioning frustrating things, and ending on a positive note. It tends to work well.

Anyways, here are some of the positives:

1. I work at with some amazingly cheerful, encouraging, and loving people. The people at my school are just friendly and so far, I really love working there.
2. Most things are cheap. Now, I did hit up IKEA of the other day and that put a huge dent in my pocket, but I am grateful to have been able to get a few things to make my new place feel more homelike.
3. The food is great for the most part. I have had Korean, Japenese, Tex-Mex, Chinese, and Italian since I have been here and most of it was delicious.
4. I've gotten quite a bit of compliments. I don't know how many are just to be polite, but either way it is sweet.

Negatives:

1. My body is having a hard time adjusting. Let's just say my stomach doesn't always agree that the food is yummy. My allergies are a bit on overkill, but they have calmed down since I first got here.
2. My landlord won't let me hang things on the wall which makes the room feel unbalanced
3. I can't speak the language and feel like a moron 99.9% of the time
4. The city is huge which makes it difficult to navigate at times

Overall, I really love the city I am in! The people are very friendly and I feel safe, which is a relief.

Living In a Fish Bowl

PHEW. I thought it was hot living in Columbia, SC with its famous slogan of "famously hot", but Chengdu is a whole different type of hot. I remember checking the weather app for my city prior to departure and seeing numbers ranging from 80-95, but what the app didn't express was what that temperature felt like at 5,000,000% humidity (only a slight exaggeration ;) ). If you want to get the full effect, think about swimming and walking at the same time. I am not use to sweating. Seriously, it took me three days to start sweating in Africa (the hottest place ever) and then I moved hear and can't stop sweating. I wear it like a badge of honor. It's almost like if you aren't sweating there is something wrong with you. It's definitely not a choice, but rather a lifestyle. I hope that eventually my body will adjust and I won't look like the hot mess that I have been, but if not I guess I will need to abide by the rule I tell all my students when they are doing a project: "Dress up the mess up".

And jetlag has officially taken me hostage. WHEW. I mean I feel like an ape half of the day with my knuckles dragging across the ground as I fight to understand all the new information and names being thrown at me from time to time. Not to be totally vulger, but sometimes it feels a bit like I walked past the gorillas as they threw their poo at me. YUCK but seriously. I mean I can't really explain what it feels like but maybe a bit like this:

Another way life is like a fish bowl is this idea of being surrounded by a glass barrier. My life is completely transparent. Seriously, I constantly feel stared at, laughed at, watched, and critiqued. However, I have to remember to take myself out of my own head. I don't know what they are thinking, laughing at, whether they are judging or admiring, and in the end, who cares. I stare at people that are different all the time, so who am I to point the finger saying that what is happening is wrong. I just realize that what they think is a western thing might just be that I'm kinda weird and do what I want. He's hoping to not offend and to handle the stares with grace. 

A fish bowl also has that barrier between the fish and those observing it. I feel like there is a huge language barrier. Last time I was in China, I was able to manage to get around and shop a bit, but the accent here seems to be completely different or I have completely lost all Mandarin that I had learned because I can't understand anything. I love people, so this has been the most difficult. I love to explore and practice, but instead I just stand there looking like a smiling fool. Gestures have seemed to help, but I am desperately looking forward to the start of language classes. Until then, if you hear of a blonde, white lady pointing and acting things out in giant gestures, then you know who they are referencing :) 

It's the Small Things in life

So, two awesome things happened today (well, many more than that since I was able to meet new friends, get my mobile setup, shop at the market, etc.), but two really amazing things happened today.

First, this morning I was able to attend a fellowship and it was cool to meet so many new people from all over the world. But the coolest thing was that one of the songs that was sung, which isn't very popular, what the song I listened to every night before I headed to bed when I was in China last time. Confirmation. I needed that. After waking up from such a long journey, my heart was heavy and I began to doubt if I was really suppose to work in China. Yes, I am.

Second, I came back to my apartment after a very long day of activities and noticed a shiny silver thing laying on my bathroom floor. I had noticed when I arrived the night before, but I thought it was part of the fancy decor, however, when I was walking past it, I noticed that it wasn't part of the decor but rather a coin. There it was, the smallest coin in Chinese money (similar to a penny in those respects but not monetarily) and I just thought, wow, it's like I was given a Chinese penny. I felt so grateful and reminded that I know I am suppose to teach in China and that I shouldn't let my doubts have power over my certainty.  Wow.

As one of my african friends would say (he's religious): "Don't doubt God, doubt your doubts"

Leaving on a Jet Plane

With my bags are packed and my life  condensed into two 50lb suitcases and 2 carry-on bags, I began my 30+ hour voyage across the world to my new hometown, Chengdu. 

The journey began at 3am as my mom and I headed to the airport two hours away. Both of us are not morning people, but you do what you need to to make a flight. Thankfully there wasn't any traffic (because it was 3am and who in their right mind would be traveling down HW75 at the hour). 

First, I found a penny at Starbucks. Ok this doesn't sound like a big deal, but it is. Growing up my dad always told me that if you find a penny, then it is God showing you that He's there for you and looking out for you. It's a blessing and reminder. My grandfather had told my dad the same things. So, growing up, it was always really special to find a penny (heads up or tails up…none of that bad luck stuff). Throughout my life, especially in huge transitions, I've always looked down to find a penny. You may be thinking, well, aren't pennies everywhere, but sometimes it was always the strangest places. My favorite was moving into my dorm room freshman year, nervous because I didn't know a soul, didn't have a phone, was 4 hours away from home, didn't have internet, and didn't have a car. As I walked in my dorm room, there it was, a penny sitting in the center of the room with nothing but bare furniture surrounding it. Peace. I was where I was suppose to be. So, finding a lonesome penny at starbucks was a big deal. I knew I was where I was suppose to be. 

Things were running smoothly and I was even given the option to check on of my carry-ons at the gate to my final destination (don't mind if I do). This is when things got really interesting. After getting on the flight, I realized that all my important documents (minus my passport and wallet) were on the carry-on that was checked. I'm talking medical documents, diplomas, my life. Then I realized I never put a tag on my bag because I thought it was going to be a carry-on. I just remember texting half of my family and friends for prayers that my bag wouldn't be lost (especially with the change of airlines and the transportation overseas). 

I arrived in New York for a 6+ hour layover (which isn't that horrible), but I wasn't able to check into my next flight for another 3 hours. So, I walked around, probably looking tired and lost, and decided to eat lunch and kill some time. After about 30minutes, I decided to head back to wait for the ticket counter to open and find an outlet to charge my phone (since surfing social media seemed to be the most efficient at killing time). I finally found an outlet in a small corner and just waited, calling a few friends for final goodbyes. At 12 I looked up to see the time and the empty ticket counter and then again I looked up at 12:15 I looked up again and the line was nearly wrapped around the building. What the heck? Tickets can't be booked for another 45 minutes! So, I jumped in line, snapped a picture of what just happened, and stood there for the rest of the time until I was able to get to the ticket counter. 

I finally made it to the ticket counter and then was told that I was only allowed two bags under but I had three baggage claims (because of the checked carry-on). The lady seemed a bit frustrated and kept saying I could only have two and I kept explaining what happened. The whole time I'm just hoping for favor. She called her boss and then said it was ok. PHEW! 

After a few more hours, it was finally time to board the plane. I met a nice guy from China that was very friendly and helped get me where I needed to go and it turned out his wife is from the same province I am heading to! That was kinda cool. We loaded and everything seemed fine, but then we sat in the plane for another 1 1/2 - 2 hours due to traffic control and the weather. I'm just sitting there thinking "my layover in Beijing is only 1hr40min. Holy crap I'm not going to make my flight. I'm going to be stranded, not know the language, and not have a way of contacting people without a tremendous charge." Ms. Negative Nancy over there.  I tried to shove those thoughts out remembering that I know I am suppose to be headed to China and that everything will work out. It worked for the most part. I took my seat on the plane by the window and then my seat mates sat down. When I talk about inappropriate public displays of affection, I would expect to find a picture of this couple. I was beyond uncomfortable and spotted an open aisle seat. I went to the bathroom and then upon return, changed seats. The rest of the flight went smooth.

Beijing. We finally arrived. The plane made up some time in the air, but there still was only about 45 minutes to make it to my flights (gates close 10 minutes before the flight leaves). Ok. time to hustle. I quickly get to the Foreigner check-in and wait in a line (probably driving the people around me crazy with my restlessness) and then head on expecting to head right to my gates. Then I went through another security check and waited in line (now I'm down to about 15 minutes until boarding). I grab all of my stuff after it was pulled out of my bag, shove it back in my bookbag, and then head off towards my gate. This felt like the longest trip (especially being exhausted and stressed), but I made it with only two passengers behind me. WHEW. I didn't care that I was a sweaty, hot mess…I was just grateful that I made the flight. 

Chengdu. FINALLY. I made it to Chengdu and went to grab my luggage. 1. 2………where's my third one, the one they checked at the gate, the one with all my important documents. Oh no. Round and round it went and my luggage was nowhere to be found (luckily there was another gentleman there who I thought was Chinese but turned out to be an american and the same thing had happened to him). It's not great that his bag was lost as well, but it was nice knowing that I wasn't alone in this jumble. I asked a lady, sent to another lady, instructed to wait for the next plane because mine (and the gentleman's) bags were on that flight (thankfully it was only a 20 minute wait). We were told to wait at the wrong baggage area so we headed to the other area, but I didn't care because at that moment the most glorious thing happened, there was my bag making its way around the conveyer belt. PTL!

It was great seeing familiar faces at the airport and seeing the new apartment, but the greatest thing of all what when my head hit my pillow at 3:30AM (after unpacking my luggage because nobody wants to wake up to that task) 48 hours after the start of my journey. WHEW.  But, I'm here. I'm safe. And I'm getting rested. 

On the Move

So, I'm off again, but this time, it's for two years. I've been hired to teach in China and I couldn't be more excited! I've never been overseas for longer than 6 weeks at a time, so adjusting to this sort of move will be quite a new adventure!

It's funny the comments you get when people find out you are moving overseas, especially to China. Things like:

CHINA! Why China?
Gosh, what's the time difference there?
You didn't want to work in America?
Are you excited to eat Chinese food?
Are you scared?
You are so brave!

I think a lot of the misconception is the lack of "prior knowledge" as we teachers like to call it. Most people haven't been to China, so they just go based off stereo types. So when I say that I'm moving to China these pictures of rice fields, orphans, government officials, and those pointed cylinder-like hats get jumbled together and create a picture sort of like these:

FALSE…(sidenote: I did love Raiden on Mortal Kombat). Also, rice field workers really do exist, I'm just not one of them (though one of my goals is to visit one for a day).

Anyways…

I will be living in a big city, bigger than the one I visited 8 years ago, but they will look pretty similar (just a couple million people difference...). Here's what it may look like:

 






See?? Not that different from other cities :)

Since I visited China 8 years ago, I have always wanted to move back and after a very long wait (with a couple degrees thrown in there as well), I am getting a chance to live my dream. Yes, I was able to get a job in America. And yes, I chose to work in China instead.

In regards to being scared, with any huge transition I'm always a little scared, BUT fear doesn't drive my decisions. I can't sit here and say I haven't panicked about getting lost, or missing my flights, or not being able to manage my money well overseas, or a million of things. However, I know that I can always fall back on these truths:

1. I am never alone
2. All my needs have always been met
3. I am a survivor (cue Beyonce)

I am so excited to go, but am not looking forward to such difficult goodbyes. I know that it is a gift to have so many people that are so hard to leave, but I am grateful to live in the day and age where technology bridges locations. Maybe it will help my goodbyes hurt a little less.