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.