Life Lessons at Airports

As yet another vacation begins, I'm always amazed by the little life lessons that seem to rush my way during times when I assume that my mind will be given a break.  In the spirit of ensuring that my newly gleamed knowledge is not wasted on just little old me, I'm going to share a few of the tidbits that I've picked up today…

1 - Packing for your destination is not always the way to go.  I'm sitting in the Chengdu airport, Terminal 1 (the terminal for domestic flights), freezing my fingers off as I wait for the first in my string of flights as I head to Australia for Christmas.  I was only supposed to be in the airport for an hour.  If my flight takes off at it's newly intended time, I will be here for four.  My fingers are turning a lovely shade of blueish-purple and my toes are grateful that I opted for sneakers instead of my customary travel-ware of flip flops.  My roommate did suggest that I take my coat for when I get back in January...

2 - Roommates are always right.  (See tidbit number 1.)

3 - Traveling with a roller bag and an airport full of Turkish Toilets (a.k.a. squatty-potties) is not the best combination.  Apparently women don't travel alone in China…and if they do they don't believe in roller carry-ons. (Note to self: pack lighter)

4 - Learn Chinese.  Although I've always felt semi-sympathetic to travelers in the United States who didn't speak English and just wanted to know something significant about their flight that is apparently delayed but they don't know anything more than that the number they worked hard to memorize was mentioned over the loud speaker, I've never felt as sympathetic as I do today.  I was so proud of myself for realizing that it was my flight that they were talking about, and then so irritated when I couldn't catch anything past those numbers. (The word for 4 has been tough for me…I finally recognize it!  I know, I know…it's been 4 months and I am just now comfortable with the word for 4.  So sue me.)  The gate attendant was less than helpful, at which point I told him to find someone who spoke English (in fairly good Chinese, mind you).   He then told me the same thing he was telling everyone else in Chinese…which was super helpful.  Ugh.  I am so not from around here…

5 - Lighters that are shaped like guns are frowned upon at airports.  My roommate was, once again, right.

6 - Just because you are traveling doesn't mean you should take the tea-bags out of your purse.  I brought my travel mug…just not any hot drink mixes to go with it.  Crystal Light is delicious no matter what temperature it is (thank the Lord for single serving packets), but it is just a little strange to be drinking a peach mango ice tea in hot water.  Just saying…

7 - There are may things that I will do as an American that Chinese people will not typically do.  Sitting on the floor next to the nearest outlet is definitely one of them.

Oiy vai.  Time to take another nap…or watch a Christmas movie…

Location: Somewhere between Chengdu and Guangzhou, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 3:42 a.m. (12/22/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-8): 11:42 a.m. (12/21/2012)

Loss

One of the sorrows of life on the move and around the world is having a large group of friends and acquaintances, all who feel a bit more like family than many might think possible.  I have experienced great loss within that group of world-wide family over the past few years, during this time of year in particular, it seems.

One year ago today, one of my dearest friends passed away.  Anne was one of those people that everyone loved; one of those wonderful souls who added a splash of pizzaz to life.  Anne and I were close during middle school in Ethiopia and then lost contact with each other as a result of distance (she moved to Central America as I was transitioning to boarding school in Kenya) and time.  Two years ago, Anne and her husband were stationed to the military base near where I lived in Auburn, and as a result we were reunited once again.  Whether it was a weekend of concerts, a quick meal in the middle, or an evening/day of our favorite movies, times with Anne were cherished moments.  She was a ray of sunshine on the cloudiest of days; the Anne to the Dianna and the Merilla to my Rachel.  You will always be missed, my dear friend!

BFFs in Northern Ethiopia - 2001

They say that time heals any wound, but with this one I am a bit skeptical...

Sorry for the downer.  On a positive note, it's 12-12-12!  Enjoy it while you can :)

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 8:40 p.m. (12/12/12)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-8): 4:40 a.m. (12/12/12)

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

It amazes me how quickly time flies between moments where I take a breath and blog!  Sorry for yet another long delay.  Life has been…well, busy.  We’re at the point of only being a week and a half away from the end of the semester, which means my days are filled with snowflakes, Christmas carols, and oodles of grading.  The joys of being a teacher :)

Life is Chengdu has definitely gotten colder in the last month.  Coming back from Thailand was a shock to the system on multiple levels.  Maybe it was because of the temperature (which was lovely there, for sure), reuniting with friends from training this past summer, or taking my first trip out of China since arriving here in August, but my brain and body struggled for the first week or so after returning.  No matter how many transitions I go through, some aspects of them don’t get any easier.  I will always miss somewhere.  I’m okay with that reality, though, as long as I am taking the time to enjoy where I am.

I will inevitably take the time to blog when I am en route to my Christmas vacation in 10 days.  Hope you are well, wherever you are!

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 5:11 p.m. (12/11/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 1:11 a.m. (12/11/2012)

Craziness!

While I LOVE the Christmas season, it is always an intensely busy time for me, especially with school Christmas programs and traditions.  Just wanted to let you know that I am alive and well.  I will hopefully post once the insanity has passed...or I simply need to escape it!  Hope you are all well!

On Trots and Traditions

Holidays.  Got to love them.  Generally they’re filled with traditions, family, and of course food.  Holidays for me have been a little different for the last few years, though.  While there are traditions mixed in here and there, for the most part the only constant in holidays for the last few years has been, well, me.  Let’s take a look at Christmases/Christmas Vacations since 2004, shall we?

2004 – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2005 – Bellevue, WA, USA
2006 – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

2007 – Yakima, WA, USA

2008 – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2009 – Hillsboro, OR, USA

2010 – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

2011 – Orlando, FL, USA

2012 – Melbourne, Australia

Even in the places that were repeated, it was in a different house or hotel.  And then there are Thanksgivings, which were a bit more consistent for a while there:

2005 – Bloomington, IL, USA

2006 – Peoria, IL, USA

2007 – Parkersburg, WV, USA

2008 – Parkersburg, WV, USA

2009 – Hillsboro, OR, USA

2010 – Hillsboro, OR, USA

2011 – Bellevue, WA, USA

2012 – Chiang Mai, Thailand

After the 2008 Turkey Trot

This is the life of a TCK.  Once you leave your host country, your live is generally a whirlwind of adjustment, forging new trails and creating new traditions.  If you’re someone like me, though, those new traditions consist of no traditions, at least not in the traditional sense of the word.  My traditions involve people, games, phone calls, and a hint of loneliness here and there.

Last night in Chengdu, I played spoons with some new Chinese friends, teaching them the ropes of the game and repeating phrases with them as we worked on pronunciation and meaning.  It was fantastic.  This morning I walked a Turkey Trot and enjoyed the time with some new friends.  That was also fantastic.  But now, as I reflect on the events of the day, my mind is back at a different time on a different continent.  My fellow TCK friends (well, we are more like family) from high school and I used to get together for Thanksgiving.  We would play games (usually extreme spoons which involved taking the spoons outside and putting them on something frozen) and laugh until our sides hurt, all the while enjoying a delicious cup of chai that was like a little taste of home for us on a far from home continent.  And then, inevitably, they would drag me to the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.  I would protest, but secretly I loved the time with friends.

How did my traditions follow me, but the people did not?  That’s okay…that’s why God created Facebook :)

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 10:43 a.m. (11/17/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 6:43 p.m. (11/16/2012)

On the BBC, Brains, and Opera

It was a truly wonderful Saturday, filled with relaxation, good food, and great entertainment.  Our apartment on the 15th floor has gotten chillier in the last few weeks, so my roommate and I made the most of our coldness and watched TV for a good part of the day today.  It wasn't just any TV though, it was a BBC miniseries.  Sooooo good.  We had to put a pause in our viewing, though, to head out with a group from school for hot pot and Sichuan Opera.  I've had hot pot before, so that wasn't entirely a new experience (although I ate pig's throat tonight, which was a definitely first), but the opera was definitely new and exciting.  It wasn't so much an opera (or at least what I picture when I hear the word opera) as a variety show, but it was very well done and entertaining.

Those bits and pieces alone would have made for a great day, but it was topped off by a marvelous conversation with some of the ladies from a small group that I was a part of back in Washington.  Hearing them laugh and seeing them all together was such an incredible blessing.  I am so thankful for a family that spreads all the way around the world!

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 1:39 a.m. (11/11/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 9:39 a.m. (11/10/2012)

Picture

The other day, I mentioned my house-help from Rwanda and the picture of the two of us.  My dad still has it on his desk in Ethiopia, and so I wanted to share it with you here.  Great memories of years gone by...

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 10:06 a.m. (11/8/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 6:06 p.m. (11/7/2012)

Impending Insanity and Virtuosos, all in one day...

It's funny the things that can drive a person crazy, whether rational or irrational.  I always feel a bit better when I know that I'm not alone in my impending insanity, though.  Today, I sat in Starbucks for a good chunk of time while my roommate picked up a few things down the street at Ikea.  It's beginning to feel a bit more like winter in Chengdu and the wind definitely had a bite to it today, so every time someone went outside and the door stayed open behind them, my warm reading environment was harshly disrupted.  A few of us sitting near-ish to the door seemed to quickly develop a bit of a rotation pulling it shut again so we wouldn't freeze.  It was nice to know I wasn't the only one developing a nervous twitch whenever someone came in or went out and I wasn't quite sure if the door was going to swing shut or stay open.  It took me back to last winter in Auburn, grading or writing papers in Starbucks and catching the uncomfortable gusts of wind each time someone walked in or pulled up to the drive-through window.  It amazes me that something as silly as wind combined with coffee can hold such a memory.

On a totally unrelated note, I bought myself a handmade Chinese violin today.  The entire set (bow, violin, case, extra strings, shoulder rest and rosin) cost less combined than my case int eh States had, and I honestly feel a bit guilty about how little I paid.  Silley, I know.  I'm excited to plan, again, though.  Tonight, I spent more than an hour playing some of my old favorites and sight-reading through a few new ones.  There is a part of my that will always be a would-be violinist.  No use trying to suppress it anymore.

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 8:48 p.m. (11/3/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 5:48 a.m. (11/3/2012)

Oh the question box...

I started the 5th grade question/comment/suggestion/whatever box this week.  Here are a few of the highlights thus far:
 - Do you have a car?
 - Can we get a class pet?
 - Can we have fun tomorrow?
 - Can we get 20 extra minutes of math?
 - Do you have a boyfriend?
 - How many languages do you speak?
 - I know it's not polite, but how old are you?
 - How tall are you?
 - When did you get your first kiss?
 - Why are zebra's black and white instead of purple and blue?
 - Why don't you marry?

Oh man, this could be an interesting year of questions...

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 3:51 p.m. (11/2/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 12:51 a.m. (11/2/2012)

I feel your pain...

Sometimes I forget how much pain and loss is associated with being a TCK, and that pain is often found in the least expected places.  Just this morning, I was thinking about what people have played pivotal roles in my life, and I was reminded of many faces that are very dear to me.  One that popped into my head was our house-helper when I was a little girl in Rwanda.  She truly loved me, and I loved her.  There is a picture (that I have lost and wish I could hold and gaze at just now) of her holding me on her back when I was 3 or 4, wrapped in a blanket and holding her close.  She would take me to her house some days and let me just enjoy being a little white Rwandan girl.  I still can remember sitting on a plastic stool eating candy and just laughing with her.  Such good memories.

I just happened upon one of the middle school girls that I’ve gotten to know here, sitting by herself and looking rather sad at lunch time.  I took a seat and asked her what is up…and it turns out that her helper is moving away.  (When I say helper here, I'm referring to the person that works in a person's house, often in the capacity of a cook or cleaner.) She is heartbroken, and all of a sudden I’m a little girl again, feeling that same immense sense of loss.  It’s a problem I would never be able to identify with if I didn’t have the same experiences in my life.  She’s just a person who works in her house, right?  Wrong.  She is a member of their family.

I’m so thankful for memories and experiences, although looking back on them can be painful and heartbreaking.  ‘Tis better to have loved and lost, right?  Maybe true, but it doesn't always feel that way...

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 12:24 p.m. (11/1/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 9:24 a.m. (10/31/2012)

Seasons

Some day, I would like to live in a place long enough to understand the weather.  As I adjust to my first year in Chengdu, I am experiencing new seasons in a new place with new signs that the next wave of weather is coming.  It has been getting colder lately, so I was beginning to think that it was time to put away the warm-weather attire and break out the scarves and hats.  As soon as I do that, of course, it’s warm again and I’m boiling in my comfy clothes.  The name of the game really is layers, isn’t it?

As I was thinking about understanding the weather of a location, all the while riding my scooter home from school, I realized that I have never known a place well enough or long enough to feel and predict the weather change consistently.  My parents, who have now been living in Ethiopia for over a decade, know the signs.  Sure, there might be years that are a bit quirky and semi-unpredictable, but at the end of the day you know what season you are in.

All I know is that summer is over.  It’s no longer sticky hot (thank the Lord!) and I am comfortable outside in more than shorts and a T-shirt.  But it isn’t fall…not really.  I don’t need boots and a sweater to be okay. . .most days.  But then there are those days where it might be winter.  *sigh*  Oh well, might as well enjoy whatever season this is :)

Oh the joys of being a global nomad.

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 4:43 p.m. (10/30/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 1:43 a.m. (10/30/2012)

I'm not dead, I promise!

When I moved to Chengdu, I really did have good intentions about blogging...I promise.  However, it seems that it falls quickly down the totem pole of importance as the days and month go on.  It's been a good month, filled with vacations, grading, eating lots and lots of rice and noodles, and getting to know my city more and more.  First quarter is now done at school, so it's nice to be at that point of knowing my students that we can be comfortable and truly enjoy the learning process.

Once again, rather than talking about what has gone on since the last time I wrote, I shall give you a picture journey :)

 The building that will be our school next year.

 I am a huge fan of how Starbucks looks in some parts of Chengdu

 The plastic to help the grass grow looks a little like snow :)

It's scooter riding time!

 Lanterns at an abandoned building.

 

Time for some traditional Chengdu hot pot.

  

Pig brain time!

  

Cow stomach? Don't mind if we do!

The typical pose for my roommate and I

Chestnuts roasting in an open wok...

 

 My scooter died on the way home one night, so I rode with it in the back of a moto-cab.

Dancing Pandas

They may or may not freak me out just a bit! :)

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 8:21 p.m. (10/23/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 5:21 a.m. (10/23/2012)

Vacation :)

We've been on a break from school this week for the Mid-Autumn Festival, so life has been full of sleeping in, mooncakes, and exploring Chengdu.  I'll write more and post some pictures a little later.  I did just send out my September newsletter, though, so if you'd like to receive that, just comment on this post with your email address.

Happy October!

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 2:39 p.m. (10/6/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 11:39 p.m. (10/5/2012)

Another Great Week

It's been another good week in Chengdu.  Not really inspired to write a whole lot, so a few pictures will just have to do.  Hope you are well, whoever and wherever you are.

 

Sichuan Food.  So spicy!

 Any meal is better with a bit of Starbucks :)

 Oh, Chengdu scooter traffic.

Our fish :)

Teacher appreciation day was fun...the kids show that they love you through stickers :)

 Tibetan food!

 One of the Tibetan streets in Chengdu.

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 8:08 p.m. (9/22/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 5:08 a.m. (9/22/2012)

Yay Duck Moment

I had a yay duck moment looking out from my classroom today...drumroll please....I live in China :)  Exciting, I know.

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 8:54 p.m. (9/18/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 5:54 a.m. (9/18/2012)

'Home'sick?

When I talk to people back in the US of A, I often get asked if I'm homesick, but as a card-carrying TCK (well, I would be if they had membership cards for such a thing...maybe I need to make one!) asking me if I'm homesick implies that I have a singular home to be 'sick' for.

When you ask me if I'm homesick, do you mean that I miss Auburn?  Or Spring Arbor?  Or Kijabe?  Or Addis?  Or Yakima? Or Kibogora?

Are you talking about the house on 244th street?  Or the one where my parents live? Or the one in which I last lived in the States?  Or the one in Rwanda where I first remember going through a closet looking for treasures? 

Are your referring to a single building?  A city as a whole?  A country/state?  A group of people?  A job?

Asking me if I'm 'homesick' is apparently just as confusing as asking me where I'm from.  Both questions will have varying answers depending on how I feel, the weather, my level of fatigue, or the conversations I've already had that day.  Both questions are loaded with emotions.  Ugh.

I'm not homesick right now, because I am at home.  This is my 'home' now.  I love it.  I enjoy exploring it.  It is where I'm supposed to be.  Yes, I'm frustrated by the language and my lack of skill in it.  Yes, I miss certain foods/restaurants/drinks/places.  Yes, I'm still a stranger here to 10+ million people.  Yes, I get sad.  But I don't have one 'home' to be 'sick' for, and so being 'homesick' isn't quite right.

Maybe I should start saying that I'm 'peoplesick'.  Not sick of people, but homesick for people.  What I wouldn't give to go drink chai with the Fab-5, or to watch a sunset with Mattie, or go to Kaldi's with Sano, or sit in the living room enjoying the fire with my parents, or go to the Space Needle with Alli, or scour the redboxes in town with Sarah, or sit around a bonfire with the guys.  I'm missing all of those things, but they all happen in different settings with different people near a different place that I call home.

And so, as I sit here, I hope that you are well and not to peoplesick/homesick, whoever you are and whatever our interactions have been over the years.  Thank you for the memories, and let's make some more the next time we're in the same zip code/time zone.

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 9:48 p.m. (9/15/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 6:48 a.m. (9/15/2012)

Define Dirty

After an incredible Saturday spent wandering around a new part of Chengdu (at least new to me), I posted another batch of pictures on Facebook and changed my profile picture to reflect my look of the day (even though the picture was from last weekend).

Dirty feet have always been a problem for me.  I love wearing flip flops, love walking around, and love to just be me.  Me wears flip flops.  Me doesn't like suffocating my feet.  (Yes, I realize I should have used "I" there. It's a weekend...let me be!)  As a result, I get dirty.  It happens.

Facebook being Facebook causes ads on the side to be catered to the customer, and so as soon as my picture changed, my adds changed, once again.  Sadly, this is what was there:

 I was appalled by the picture.  But then again, I suppose I was supposed to be.  This had to be a joke, right?  How could anyone think these beautiful children were dirty?  How could anyone consider places that I love unclean?  So I clicked the link...a little scared and frustrated.

I can't imagine voting on something like this, but I guess I can assume who most people would vote for/against.  As you think about the world around you, about what you say and what you do today, I want to encourage you to think about how other people might view it.  Think about what you do or say that may be the most normal action to you, but could offend or damage someone else.  More than that, though, think about your perspective...and theirs.  Walk a mile in someone else's shoes.

And remember...dirty isn't just about dirt.  And dirty isn't always a bad thing.

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 8:37 a.m. (9/9/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 5:37 p.m. (9/8/2012)

Has it been a month already?!?!

As of yesterday I have been gone from Auburn for a month and as of tomorrow I will have been in Chengdu for a month.  Today is the month anniversary of that day that I lost whilst in the air.

I thought I’d write a quick list of the things I’ve learned since coming to Chengdu, so here you go:

1 – Food in China is incredible…but, if you’re ordering Western food, don’t expect a steak to be a steak that you’d get in the States or a burger to taste just like Red Robin.  This morning at McDonald’s, I order the egg biscuit and got an egg burger.  Then I got the egg biscuit and had ketchup and mayo on it.  Yipes!

2 – Always plan on things taking a little longer than they would back home.  If you think it’ll take you five minutes to get to school, plan twenty.  “Why?” you might be wondering.  Well, you might have a flat tire, or run into someone you want to talk to, or forget your computer at home.  All of these are things that will elongate your commute and cause unnecessary tardiness.

3 – Homesickness comes in waves.  I haven’t really missed home all that much, until I realized I hadn’t been there for a month and I won’t be there for another two years.  It’s the little things that remind me of the life that I lived back in Auburn: from someone looking like a Chinese-version of an American-friend, or the smell in a store, or a picture of Facebook, or another million little things.  I had it really good back there, and I have it really good here.  *sigh*  Oh the life of a TCK…

4 – I have been blessed to work at and attend incredible schools.  Every one is different, but each brings a unique twist on a familiar tune.  I am learning something new every day, and teaching something new every day.

5 – Tones are so much more than something you hear in music.  Mandarin Chinese is hard, and when I say hard, I mean H-A-R-D!  I knew it would be, but I’m overwhelmed by the complexity of it at times.  Most languages I can pick up at least the accent quickly.  This? Not so much.  If/when I have children, they will be learning Chinese a.s.a.p.  If they can learn that, they can learn anything!

6 – The sun still rises and sets every day.  It might not be the sunsets that I am used to in Kenya, Auburn, Ethiopia, or Spring Arbor, but it is a beautiful painting by a wonderful Creator all the same.

 

The sunset last night (Tuesday)

Hope you are well, wherever you are.  Happy one-month, China.  Here’s to many more…

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 2:27 p.m. (9/5/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 11:27 p.m. (9/4/2012)

On Parents and Meetings

When I was in college, the thought of having to meet with parents absolutely petrified me.  Sure, I can handle your kids.  I can entertain them, encourage them, at times bribe them with sugar and time to run around outside.  That doesn't work so much with adults, especially when I'm a fairly young teacher and they are all (or should be) older and significantly wiser in many areas than me.  Even last year, with parents that I knew well, parent-teacher conferences were definitely a giant that I didn't really want to face.  Sure, it always went well, but the intimidation factor was always there.

We had open house on Tuesday night, which I dreaded, and then I had my first sit down meeting with parents today, which I likewise dreaded.  Oddly enough, both went marvelously.  Open House was great...getting to meet for the first time the parents of my incredible students; parents who are from all around the world and do so many interesting and unique things here in the city, from big business to humanitarian work.  And then today's meeting...goodness gracious, it blew me out of the water.  The parents are from two different countries, but they both speak Mandarin fluently.  My coteacher and the student's Chinese teacher were also in on the meeting, so a good chunk of it happened in Mandarin.  Sure, there were moments were I felt like an idiot, not sure of what was going on around me, but at the same time it was incredible hearing the conversation and picking up on every 50th word or so.  (Smile and nod, just smile and nod.)

I am just so thankful to be around so many people who not only love living overseas, but embrace the cultures and genuinely enjoy the ride.  Life is good.

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 4:44 p.m. (8/30/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 1:44 a.m. (8/30/2012)

Another week, another adventure...

It's been another wonderful week in Chengdu.  The highlights were...

...signing up for a Chinese bank account.  Other than the three hours that it took, it was fun getting all set up actually get my paycheck next Friday :)  My name is Teusink Teusink on the account...oh the joys of American names being as foreign to them as their names are to me.  We shall all learn eventually :)

 

One of the signs at the bank.  I love the English translations of signs here :)

...completing my first full week of school with my 5th graders.  They are absolutely wonderful and I already love them all.  I have been so blessed to have such wonderful students every year!

My name may be spelled wrong, but this is one of the coolest things I've ever gotten during the first week of school :)

 One of the courtyards at school.

...feeling like a natural on my scooter, weaving in and out of the traffic jams (if you can call them that) in my neighborhood.  Only one close call so far...but it wasn't that bad so no stress :)

I even managed to make it home with a big box riding with me :)

...seeing a beautiful sunset, and pictures of a gorgeous sunrise the following morning.  Clear days here are incredible, although semi few and far between.

 The sunset *sigh*

...wandering the city with friends.  I had a lovely meal with friends Friday night, which was our first trip to a previously-visited location in a taxi all by ourselves, and then on Saturday I wandered with a friend to a shopping area that neither of us had ever been to in a taxi.  Quite the adventure, and the accomplishment :)

Moon cakes for Fall Festival at Starbucks.

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 7:44 p.m. (8/26/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 4:44 a.m. (8/26/2012)

Two Weeks

I'm sitting at home, waiting for the water guy to come and give us our two new water bottles (will explain in a few minutes), and it suddenly dawned on me: I have called China home for two weeks today.  Two weeks ago, I was getting off the plane, overwhelmed by the stickiness and heat, timid about trying some food that might result in future discomfort, and not knowing how life here would be.  While I am far from being a pro at all of the ins and outs of life here, I am comfortable in my home, don't have to turn on the AC as soon as I walk through the door, and know where to go to buy the basics.  Walmart doesn't even overwhelm me anymore...at least not quite as much.

Life here feels a lot like life back home in many ways, and I'm sure if you follow me on Facebook and have been looking at my pictures you might wonder if it is in fact any sort of culture shock for me.  Well it is, so let me explain some of the big differences, at least as I see them now.

Transportation
I live a ten minute or so walk from the school, but I purchased a scooter about a week ago and have been making good use of it.  Chengdu is a busy city, and while cars and buses are a preferred form of transportation, scooters are quite marvelous for the shorter distances...or even the longer distances when traffic is bad.  I haven't gotten brave enough to go into the city on mine yet, but I will in the next few weeks, hopefully.

Water
While the water here isn't horrible for you if you drink it, there is enough of a risk that most people (even national staff at the school) have water coolers in their houses/classrooms/offices that they have to buy large water bottles for.  It's quite the system of purchasing the base and then paying a deposit for the plastic and periodically having to call the guy to bring more water.  He rides a little bicycle, so I'm hoping that some day I can see him in action and figure out how exactly he balances it all.  Until I can figure out enough Chinese to actually converse with him, I'm thankful for good friends who speak the language and can help me with ordering and telling him where to go.  I can say thank you when he drops it off, and occasionally can even figure out how much I owe him without too much frustration, so that's a start :)

Language
The biggest difference that I see here in comparison to the rest of the world is the need for English.  Everywhere else that I have lived overseas, there is almost an urgency about learning my native tongue.  English is a ticket out...a way to opportunity in the minds of many (or so I had always been led to believe).  However, almost 20% of the world's population lives in China, and financially there is a security here that we definitely don't have in countries with such great national debt like the US, so there is almost no need to speak the most popular language to learn in the rest of the world.  As a result, rather than being able to somewhat communicate in at least a broken level of English and whatever the national language is, here I feel somewhat deaf and mute, knowing nothing and being able to say nothing.  Perhaps this is my hint to be silent more often, and I'm learning to simply sit back and listen more...trying to avoid the typical "smile and nod" so as not to commit to something that I haven't the foggiest about.

Okay, that's enough differences/writing for one day.  It's a beautiful day in Chengdu...I should do some laundry and make the most of it!

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 4:54 p.m. (8/20/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 1:54 a.m. (8/20/2012)

Never in a million years...

There are a few things I had decided before I left the States that I just didn't need anymore and that I would mourn the loss of and then simply get over and move on from.  One of those things was Snapple, which I was okay with giving up, but my 5th graders last year did not like the idea of me having to live without.  Well today, while wandering around Chengdu with a friend to put up posters for the music department at school, I found Snapple in an import store.

  

I'll write more about life here sometime soon.  Hope you are all well!

Location: Chengdu, China
Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 5:18 p.m. (8/18/2012)
Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 2:18 a.m. (8/18/2012)

The First Week

I have been in Chengdu almost a week and know that it is time to update my friends and family, but sitting down to write it all is quite a time commitment (there is just so much to say!), so instead I'm going to give you a picture view of my life for now, with more to come once I'm a little firmer on my feet with school and everything.  I do love living her, though, and am excited to keep learning more and more about my new home :)

 

My first view of Chengdu from the plane

 A rainbow on our first night

 The view off of our front room

 The view out my window on my first morning in Chengdu

 Our apartment complex courtyard

 Lunch with our national buddies...so delicious!

 My new favorite restaurant in Zhonghai!

 Care for some duck, anyone?

 I love sea cucumbers (to look at, not to eat), but I'm not sure I would pay $500 for a tray of baby sea cucumbers!

 Ikea!

Dinner on Friday night!

Signs here/translations of those signs are too fun!

Scooter shopping

My very own scooter

Location: Chengdu, China
Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 7:59 a.m. (8/12/2012)
Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 4:59 p.m. (8/11/2012)