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!