C is for China and C is also for change. Since we came to China without a set plan after the Starfish Foster Home closed, China Horizons has been trying to find the best fit for Kendra and me here. We have been moved (not too far from the babies, thank goodness) to a new place called Roundabout. It's really hard for me to completely understand what Roundabout does, but we started work there today so I'll do my best to explain.
Roundabout is similar to Deseret Industries in Utah. They take in donations, give them to other charities, or sell them in the store and give the money to those in need. They work with over 27 charities in China. The hospital system in China is really sad. If you don't have cash in hand to pay for whatever needs done, the hospital won't even take you or your child in. Children can die from the smallest things simply because their parents can't afford to pay. This is where Roundabout will step in and provide the money to save children. It's really a wonderful program and Roundabout has touched so many peoples lives. I know they have a website, but I haven't been able to find it. I think it's not up and running yet because they've been redoing it. I'll post it here once I know more.
So we moved just yesterday. We are living with Leslie and Robin who are from the UK. Leslie started Roundabout just after moving to China some 8 years ago. They have 4 kids, but 3 are grown up and moved out. They've adopted a Chinese girl while they've been here and she's 8. She so funny. She LOVES Harry Potter and she's assigned each of us a character. I'm Tonks. Cool, right? Kendra is Luna Lovegood. In all reality, I feel so spoiled. Kendra and I each have our own room and bathroom. Leslie and Robin have just opened up their home to us so willingly and warmly. They even took us to the import store and bought us all this food even though we insisted we didn't need it. They bought us Honey Bunches of Oats cereal. HEAVEN! ;) I am so so so (infinite number of so's) grateful for them and their kindness. I literally started crying at one point which I guess doesn't really say much, but still, they are wonderfully kind and welcoming.
So today, we started work at Roundabout. We started with books which means I was in heaven. We just sorted through new donations putting them in sections based on genre. After lunch, Leslie taught us to do some account filing and inputting so we can help her catch up on that, which I don't mind doing. Then we went with her to the international school where Leslie was putting on a presentation for Magic Hospital. This charity hires clowns and art therapists to go into the hospitals, put on magic shows, make balloon animals, and draw pictures and do crafts so the kids can have some fun, and get some laughs. So to start out the presentation, one of their clowns who's been doing this EVERY Wednesday without missing a single one for 10 years, put on a magic show for the kids. They LOVED it. Then, they brainstormed ways to raise some money for Magic Hospital. It was so awesome to see the kids trying to find good ways to help out in their own community. Today was a really great day for sure.
For those who are concerned, I'll really miss living with Mutong and the other babies, but we are close enough to go back and visit occasionally and I can't deny that I'm glad to get away from The Corner (the office with our bed in the corner behind a curtain). We still live in the suburbs of Beijing and we're a bit of a way from the city center still, but it's not bad at all! We'll manage.
On another note, Leslie is Scottish and Robin is English. We are picking up on a lot of new words. Leslie called the trunk "the boot," today. By the time we leave, we'll have it all down plus the accent. It helps that we have a friend from church (who we stayed with this last weekend) from near London. Every so often when I'm talking to her, I slip and start talking in my fake British accent which is simply dreadful. ;) I blame Erin for the slip ups since we talk in fake accents together occasionally. That's the only reason I slip. And also, we drink tea now. Not bad tea, but tea we are allowed to drink like flower and fruit teas. It's growing on me, slowly...
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Friday, March 15, 2013
The Old Summer Place
Beijing is such a happening city. There is so much to see and do. I don't know how people only come here for a few days because it's not enough time! The history here is so rich and deep, and I wish I knew more about it.
Kendra wanted to go to the old Summer Palace so we trekked out there. I've never heard of it so I didn't know a thing about it until Kendra read up on it and gave me a mini history lesson. I won't bore you with too much detail, if you want to know more, go to Wikipedia. :) Basically, it was a palace where some of the emperors of China lived. During the 2nd Opium War, France and Britain came and destroyed it with the hopes of teaching China a lesson. The place was so big, it took 3 days to burn. As a further blow to the Chinese, all the European influenced stone was better made than the Chinese, thus allowing it to outlast the destruction and that is what you see when you visit the ruins.
As we walked through the park, I just felt sadness and a sense of loss. In it's heyday, it must have been so beautiful. The ruins left over were all so detailed and carefully crafted. However, the park is also a giant garden and it's still wintery here. We hope to go back when the leaves have grown on the trees and the grass turns green. Right now, it just looks sort of drab.
We found some good touristy things to buy while there, too. I bought some Pleasant Goat playing cards and a little piggy bank. Okay, they are both totally pointless. Pleasant Goat and the Bad Bad Wolf is a Tom and Jerry sort of cartoon that kids love here in China. I watch it to help with my Chinese so I have this love for it. Also, I got my Chinese name made into a picture. It's pretty!
We felt like celebrities the whole time we were there because everyone was yelling hello to us and asking us where we are from. It's at times like this that my Chinese is truly put to the test. I get so discouraged when I've been studying for a year and I still can't really communicate with people much further than we're from America and we live in Beijing. If you speak another language, I just think you are amazing and I'm also jealous of you. It's so hard! There are so many words to know and grammar to understand. It's so overwhelming at times and I feel helpless some days. I'm grateful for the old driver that works at the orphanage for always trying to help me (even though his accent is so thick that I can't usually understand him).
After the old Summer Palace, we went to meet some friends from church for dinner at a pizza place. We were early so we just went and hung out in the McDonald's where it was warm. We met a couple of really unique people. After Kendra finished her drink, some homeless guy came up the stairs. He wondered around and found some half drunk coffee. He brought it over, and tapped it against Kendra's drink in a cheers sort of way and downed the coffee. Then he came back a little later with an orange juice and did the same thing, all the time talking to us in rapid Chinese. He left, only to return again and spout of something for a minute, turn around and leave again. We don't know what he said, but it was almost like he was updating us or something.Then the toothless guy sitting next to us talked to us about how he lives in Beijing, but he's from Hebei province. He doesn't actually work in the McDonald's, he just likes to help out, and other things I didn't understand.
Then on the metro going home, Kendra got serenaded by a drunk guy. I'm terrified of drunk people. I know, that must sound lame to you, but I have a reason. Maybe I'll tell you someday. Anyway, this time, it was just funny. He sang, "Hello! Nice to meet you" a couple times. Great stuff.
Kendra wanted to go to the old Summer Palace so we trekked out there. I've never heard of it so I didn't know a thing about it until Kendra read up on it and gave me a mini history lesson. I won't bore you with too much detail, if you want to know more, go to Wikipedia. :) Basically, it was a palace where some of the emperors of China lived. During the 2nd Opium War, France and Britain came and destroyed it with the hopes of teaching China a lesson. The place was so big, it took 3 days to burn. As a further blow to the Chinese, all the European influenced stone was better made than the Chinese, thus allowing it to outlast the destruction and that is what you see when you visit the ruins.
As we walked through the park, I just felt sadness and a sense of loss. In it's heyday, it must have been so beautiful. The ruins left over were all so detailed and carefully crafted. However, the park is also a giant garden and it's still wintery here. We hope to go back when the leaves have grown on the trees and the grass turns green. Right now, it just looks sort of drab.
We found some good touristy things to buy while there, too. I bought some Pleasant Goat playing cards and a little piggy bank. Okay, they are both totally pointless. Pleasant Goat and the Bad Bad Wolf is a Tom and Jerry sort of cartoon that kids love here in China. I watch it to help with my Chinese so I have this love for it. Also, I got my Chinese name made into a picture. It's pretty!
 |
| Piggy bank and playing cards=awesome |
We felt like celebrities the whole time we were there because everyone was yelling hello to us and asking us where we are from. It's at times like this that my Chinese is truly put to the test. I get so discouraged when I've been studying for a year and I still can't really communicate with people much further than we're from America and we live in Beijing. If you speak another language, I just think you are amazing and I'm also jealous of you. It's so hard! There are so many words to know and grammar to understand. It's so overwhelming at times and I feel helpless some days. I'm grateful for the old driver that works at the orphanage for always trying to help me (even though his accent is so thick that I can't usually understand him).
After the old Summer Palace, we went to meet some friends from church for dinner at a pizza place. We were early so we just went and hung out in the McDonald's where it was warm. We met a couple of really unique people. After Kendra finished her drink, some homeless guy came up the stairs. He wondered around and found some half drunk coffee. He brought it over, and tapped it against Kendra's drink in a cheers sort of way and downed the coffee. Then he came back a little later with an orange juice and did the same thing, all the time talking to us in rapid Chinese. He left, only to return again and spout of something for a minute, turn around and leave again. We don't know what he said, but it was almost like he was updating us or something.Then the toothless guy sitting next to us talked to us about how he lives in Beijing, but he's from Hebei province. He doesn't actually work in the McDonald's, he just likes to help out, and other things I didn't understand.
Then on the metro going home, Kendra got serenaded by a drunk guy. I'm terrified of drunk people. I know, that must sound lame to you, but I have a reason. Maybe I'll tell you someday. Anyway, this time, it was just funny. He sang, "Hello! Nice to meet you" a couple times. Great stuff.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Street Food At It's Finest
At the metro stop closest to our house, about 8 million people come with their carts and cook street food. Chinese hamburgers, fried flat bread, noodles, dumplings, fried rice, meat on a stick, and the list goes on. We love to go wander the stalls and see what's being made.
Then we found a place with even more street food just one metro stop down. Mixed in with all the street food are stalls selling iPhone cases, underwear, nail polish, plants, Buddhist luck charms, headphones, and so much more. This is my China. The feeling of a dirty street littered with who knows what and street food carts as well as shops selling baozi and fruit drinks makes my heart sigh in happiness. Unfortunately, Kendra and I had already had a very filling dinner so we were limited in our ability to try things. I ate WAY too much. I went to bed feeling a little sick. I can't not eat all those delicious foods! We've decided to go there all the time when we aren't working. It's our "hang out" place and who needs McDonald's when there are limitless choices just a half hour away?
In the orphanage, it looks like they have enough Ayis so we won't be working anymore night shifts. HALLELUJAH! We aren't really sure where to go or what to do from here. We should start working a five day week but we have no clue what the actual plan is. Hopefully it will be cleared up soon and we will know what we are really doing.
Rachel is back from the hospital and doing well. The doctors thought she was going into heart failure so she went to another doctor who said she was fine. She's happy and playful just as before. She is the sweetest baby. She's only about 9 or 10 months and she is smiling all the time and hardly ever cries. She is such a darling little girl!
On an emotional level, I feel like I'm doing really well. I wonder why I'm not crying all the time at the hard things that happen here and that alone is a miracle. I feel strengthened and blessed every day with a feeling of peace.I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to help others in China. I hope I can continue to help others in the same way all over the world and especially in America. There is so much to be done and such a difference that can be made. I love having this opportunity and I am grateful everyday despite the ups and downs.
Then we found a place with even more street food just one metro stop down. Mixed in with all the street food are stalls selling iPhone cases, underwear, nail polish, plants, Buddhist luck charms, headphones, and so much more. This is my China. The feeling of a dirty street littered with who knows what and street food carts as well as shops selling baozi and fruit drinks makes my heart sigh in happiness. Unfortunately, Kendra and I had already had a very filling dinner so we were limited in our ability to try things. I ate WAY too much. I went to bed feeling a little sick. I can't not eat all those delicious foods! We've decided to go there all the time when we aren't working. It's our "hang out" place and who needs McDonald's when there are limitless choices just a half hour away?
In the orphanage, it looks like they have enough Ayis so we won't be working anymore night shifts. HALLELUJAH! We aren't really sure where to go or what to do from here. We should start working a five day week but we have no clue what the actual plan is. Hopefully it will be cleared up soon and we will know what we are really doing.
Rachel is back from the hospital and doing well. The doctors thought she was going into heart failure so she went to another doctor who said she was fine. She's happy and playful just as before. She is the sweetest baby. She's only about 9 or 10 months and she is smiling all the time and hardly ever cries. She is such a darling little girl!
On an emotional level, I feel like I'm doing really well. I wonder why I'm not crying all the time at the hard things that happen here and that alone is a miracle. I feel strengthened and blessed every day with a feeling of peace.I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to help others in China. I hope I can continue to help others in the same way all over the world and especially in America. There is so much to be done and such a difference that can be made. I love having this opportunity and I am grateful everyday despite the ups and downs.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Weekend Burritos
This weekend I ate a burrito with CHEESE! Those of you who have never had to live without cheese at your local grocery story won't understand, but China doesn't sell cheese in the local stores. To buy cheese, you have to travel to the closest import store and pay a hefty price. So naturally, having cheese on my burrito is a big deal.
The group of people our age in the branch here have been so awesome to us. They befriended us the moment we came to Beijing. In one day, we had three people offer their homes for us to stay at for the weekends since church is a 2 hour journey one way.
This weekend, we stayed with Joanne. Okay, she has the coolest life. She lives in Beijing in a really nice apartment, goes to Peking University, grew up in Honk Kong, lived in NYC, has friends in Lebanon and she just joined the church 4 months ago. (Don't worry though, I think my life is pretty cool right now, too) We met up at a Mexican restaurant with her and a couple other people from the branch, Melina and Shunta (Japanese name). We had super good food and then went to a pizza restaurant for dessert including funnel cake, ice cream and brownies, and cookies and milk er... half and half. Those things are SO good when they aren't easily accessible even it you've only been in China for less than a month. The brownie was not actually good, but it was a brownie, so I ignored that and ate it anyway. How is that for cool?
After eating way too much food and obsessing about China with people (like I do with everyone I talk to) we went to Joanne's apartment. I want her apartment. It's small, but so cute. A kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom. That's it, but it's in the city and it's hers. I always dream of having my own apartment in China. Crappy or nice, it would be mine.
We had a classic girls sleepover. We watched Tangled (and basically dissected the entire movie) and painted out nails. I slept on the couch and talked in my sleep. The good news is, I'm really cheerful in my sleep. In the morning we taxied to church and it was lovely. :)
It's been 3 weeks and Kendra and I still get along great. I'm so lucky to be with her. We have so much fun and laugh so much, but at the same time, we are able to help each other when things are tough. Kendra is just so great.
Meanwhile at the orphanage, one of the babies, Rachel, is in the hospital with pneumonia. One nanny stays with her all the time at the hospital while the rest of us stay here to take care of the other kids. Rachel will be fine and should be back with us very soon. Daniel leaves for the US sometime this month but the date is still unknown. The family is waiting on paperwork. Mutong is still my best friend. I don't usually mind being covered in slobber, gross orange baby food, or having my hair pulled and being used as a punching bag and we are working 12 hour shifts instead of 24 hour shifts which has been much easier. I'm not sleep deprived anymore and I'm getting over the cold I have. Things are GREAT!
The group of people our age in the branch here have been so awesome to us. They befriended us the moment we came to Beijing. In one day, we had three people offer their homes for us to stay at for the weekends since church is a 2 hour journey one way.
This weekend, we stayed with Joanne. Okay, she has the coolest life. She lives in Beijing in a really nice apartment, goes to Peking University, grew up in Honk Kong, lived in NYC, has friends in Lebanon and she just joined the church 4 months ago. (Don't worry though, I think my life is pretty cool right now, too) We met up at a Mexican restaurant with her and a couple other people from the branch, Melina and Shunta (Japanese name). We had super good food and then went to a pizza restaurant for dessert including funnel cake, ice cream and brownies, and cookies and milk er... half and half. Those things are SO good when they aren't easily accessible even it you've only been in China for less than a month. The brownie was not actually good, but it was a brownie, so I ignored that and ate it anyway. How is that for cool?
After eating way too much food and obsessing about China with people (like I do with everyone I talk to) we went to Joanne's apartment. I want her apartment. It's small, but so cute. A kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom. That's it, but it's in the city and it's hers. I always dream of having my own apartment in China. Crappy or nice, it would be mine.
We had a classic girls sleepover. We watched Tangled (and basically dissected the entire movie) and painted out nails. I slept on the couch and talked in my sleep. The good news is, I'm really cheerful in my sleep. In the morning we taxied to church and it was lovely. :)
It's been 3 weeks and Kendra and I still get along great. I'm so lucky to be with her. We have so much fun and laugh so much, but at the same time, we are able to help each other when things are tough. Kendra is just so great.
Meanwhile at the orphanage, one of the babies, Rachel, is in the hospital with pneumonia. One nanny stays with her all the time at the hospital while the rest of us stay here to take care of the other kids. Rachel will be fine and should be back with us very soon. Daniel leaves for the US sometime this month but the date is still unknown. The family is waiting on paperwork. Mutong is still my best friend. I don't usually mind being covered in slobber, gross orange baby food, or having my hair pulled and being used as a punching bag and we are working 12 hour shifts instead of 24 hour shifts which has been much easier. I'm not sleep deprived anymore and I'm getting over the cold I have. Things are GREAT!
Friday, March 8, 2013
Magic
China is magic.
Magic to me is red lighted lanterns on a dark street, music playing in the square while ladies dance with fans, and children posing with a peace sign in every picture. Magic is walking down a crowded street to find the perfect hole-in-the-wall restaurant, eating things you never thought you'd like, and listening to people argue in another language only to realize they are just having a good time. Magic is pagodas whose walls have seen more years than the oldest person on earth, worn cobblestone walkways, and firecrackers in the middle of the night. Magic is Chinglish (Chinese English) signs, babies in strange clothes and accented hellos from passers-by. Magic is too many stairs, the city at night, and fruit stands side by side.
Magic is China.
Magic.
Magic to me is red lighted lanterns on a dark street, music playing in the square while ladies dance with fans, and children posing with a peace sign in every picture. Magic is walking down a crowded street to find the perfect hole-in-the-wall restaurant, eating things you never thought you'd like, and listening to people argue in another language only to realize they are just having a good time. Magic is pagodas whose walls have seen more years than the oldest person on earth, worn cobblestone walkways, and firecrackers in the middle of the night. Magic is Chinglish (Chinese English) signs, babies in strange clothes and accented hellos from passers-by. Magic is too many stairs, the city at night, and fruit stands side by side.
Magic is China.
Magic.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Cotton Candy and Whipped Cream
I didn't come to China thinking working in an orphanage with be cotton candy and whipped cream. I came preparing myself for difficulties. One thing I didn't prepare myself for was little Mutong. Mutong and I have become very attached to each other in this short week I've been here. He is not happy when I'm around unless he's in my arms. If he cries, he stops almost the instant I hold him. Mutong is inoperable here in China. The hope was that someone in the states would want to adopt him and he could get heart surgery in the US. Unfortunately, when someone pulled his file in the US and submitted it to a doctor, the agreement was that he is completely inoperable. His heart just has too many problems. It's now that I try to face the reality that his chances for adoption are very small and he will live out his short days in another orphanage with palitable care since this one is not set up for the death of a child. My heart is so broken and I am beyond sad for my little friend.I couldn't bear to ask how long he will stay here before that happns. I pray so hard for a miracle to take place, but I know I can only ask the Lord to let Mutong feel my love and accept His will whatever it may be. Mutong was born without a family and I can't bear to think of him never getting one. He is my little buddy! I love him! The world is such a harsh place. We are so blessed to have the families and homes that we do. Please don't take it for granted. I know I shouldn't, but I feel guilty that I was born with so much and he was born with so little. I wish I could give him all the good things in this world.
Now, to restore my faith in humanity, I will only talk about good things. The other children here all have more hope for families. 3 babies have families waiting for paperwork to be completed. Daniel leaves for America and his new family this month. Midst all the sadness, there is so much joy, laughter, and hugs.The babies make any sadness melt away.
There is one little girl, Ruth (Xiao Wu), Kendra and I call The Police because she runs around telling everyone what to do and where to put things. She doesn't speak words, but there is a distinct sound when she is bossing someone around.If one of the kids takes off their socks, she picks them up and begins telling people to put the socks back on. She thinks she runs the place and it's so funny!
Fact: McDonald's is just better in China. I'm not saying the quality is better, because it's not. It's actually probably worse, but it's like a comfort when you are thinking of home to go eat a Big Mac even if you never ate Big Mac's in the US before. There is something about the lettuce and cheese that you don't see anywhere else in China that just screams, "I'm AMERICAN!" Their McFlurries are DEFINITELY better than McFlurries in the US though. If you make it to China soon, try one.
I told you last time that we hang out at that bakery. I'm starting to feel a little embarrassed about it. It's either spend two hours getting into the city or spend 20 minutes to stare at boys decorate cakes. We of course choose the latter. The guys decorating cakes notice us more than other people since we are white and act like we've never seen a cake decorated. We basically commentate and critique the cakes. They can't hear us so that's good. Sometimes, it's amazing what they do with chocolate shavings and my favorite is when they make a rose out of frosting. Cake decorating is probably my favorite form of art since I think it's the only kind I could possibly be decent at. I loved working at a bakery in a grocery store. I started learning how to decorate cakes and that was SO much fun! I should pick that up. Better yet. I'll become friends with one of them and have them teach me their tricks.
One way you know you're in China is when you feel like you totally made someone's day because you waved at them. On the bus going home from the bakery, there were some guys kind of staring at us and acting like they might come talk to us. They didn't and one guy was staring at us pretty constantly just before he got off. When he got off the bus, I waved at him. His face totally lit up and he did some weird sort of hop/skip and waved back. That would never happen to me in America. Imagine me waving at some random guy my age. He would probably just give me a strange look. I feel so much cooler here.
A big reason I love China is because of simple things that might seem little to you, but to me are huge. There was the time I dropped my wallet on the without even noticing and the man near me sorta wacked/patted my arm and pointed at it. There was the time I left my eggs sitting on the counter at the grocery store and some guy yelled "Eggs!" so I would come back and get them. Also today, when I went to meet one of Tony's friends at a university here, he bought me lunch, some kind of Taiwanese drink, and a traditional Chinese snack just to make me feel welcome. I can't forget the black market taxi drivers who come running up to me and try to get me to take their taxis. They love when I say no in Chinese. They laugh and copy what I say like parrots. It's endearing and annoying at the same time. I love the people who try to make their children say, "Hello!" or the people who tell their children we are so pretty when they think I can't understand. China is a big confidence boost.
I love speaking Chinese. The truth is, I get incredibly discouraged about my terrible language skills all the time, but I am so determined to be good at this, that I just try to forget about it. Learning a language is such a daunting task. I can't even begin to understand how some people speak 3, 4, or 5 languages. There is SO much vocabulary and I'm still trying to workout Chinese grammar! Someday, I will speak Chinese like a native (or close to it). That's my goal.
And finally, the Temple of Heaven is lovely and the Lama temple is full of smoke from incense. It's all part of the Chinese experience and I'm loving every minute; the good and the bad.
Faith in humanity=restored.
Now, to restore my faith in humanity, I will only talk about good things. The other children here all have more hope for families. 3 babies have families waiting for paperwork to be completed. Daniel leaves for America and his new family this month. Midst all the sadness, there is so much joy, laughter, and hugs.The babies make any sadness melt away.
There is one little girl, Ruth (Xiao Wu), Kendra and I call The Police because she runs around telling everyone what to do and where to put things. She doesn't speak words, but there is a distinct sound when she is bossing someone around.If one of the kids takes off their socks, she picks them up and begins telling people to put the socks back on. She thinks she runs the place and it's so funny!
Fact: McDonald's is just better in China. I'm not saying the quality is better, because it's not. It's actually probably worse, but it's like a comfort when you are thinking of home to go eat a Big Mac even if you never ate Big Mac's in the US before. There is something about the lettuce and cheese that you don't see anywhere else in China that just screams, "I'm AMERICAN!" Their McFlurries are DEFINITELY better than McFlurries in the US though. If you make it to China soon, try one.
I told you last time that we hang out at that bakery. I'm starting to feel a little embarrassed about it. It's either spend two hours getting into the city or spend 20 minutes to stare at boys decorate cakes. We of course choose the latter. The guys decorating cakes notice us more than other people since we are white and act like we've never seen a cake decorated. We basically commentate and critique the cakes. They can't hear us so that's good. Sometimes, it's amazing what they do with chocolate shavings and my favorite is when they make a rose out of frosting. Cake decorating is probably my favorite form of art since I think it's the only kind I could possibly be decent at. I loved working at a bakery in a grocery store. I started learning how to decorate cakes and that was SO much fun! I should pick that up. Better yet. I'll become friends with one of them and have them teach me their tricks.
One way you know you're in China is when you feel like you totally made someone's day because you waved at them. On the bus going home from the bakery, there were some guys kind of staring at us and acting like they might come talk to us. They didn't and one guy was staring at us pretty constantly just before he got off. When he got off the bus, I waved at him. His face totally lit up and he did some weird sort of hop/skip and waved back. That would never happen to me in America. Imagine me waving at some random guy my age. He would probably just give me a strange look. I feel so much cooler here.
A big reason I love China is because of simple things that might seem little to you, but to me are huge. There was the time I dropped my wallet on the without even noticing and the man near me sorta wacked/patted my arm and pointed at it. There was the time I left my eggs sitting on the counter at the grocery store and some guy yelled "Eggs!" so I would come back and get them. Also today, when I went to meet one of Tony's friends at a university here, he bought me lunch, some kind of Taiwanese drink, and a traditional Chinese snack just to make me feel welcome. I can't forget the black market taxi drivers who come running up to me and try to get me to take their taxis. They love when I say no in Chinese. They laugh and copy what I say like parrots. It's endearing and annoying at the same time. I love the people who try to make their children say, "Hello!" or the people who tell their children we are so pretty when they think I can't understand. China is a big confidence boost.
I love speaking Chinese. The truth is, I get incredibly discouraged about my terrible language skills all the time, but I am so determined to be good at this, that I just try to forget about it. Learning a language is such a daunting task. I can't even begin to understand how some people speak 3, 4, or 5 languages. There is SO much vocabulary and I'm still trying to workout Chinese grammar! Someday, I will speak Chinese like a native (or close to it). That's my goal.
And finally, the Temple of Heaven is lovely and the Lama temple is full of smoke from incense. It's all part of the Chinese experience and I'm loving every minute; the good and the bad.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)