Independence

I’m a pretty independent woman.  Let’s face it: I wouldn’t be where I am now if I wasn’t.  There is no way that I could live life in China each day as a single without being independent.  It is a large part of my identity during this season of my life, and it honestly always has been and probably always will be.  After all, my first sentence was, “Papa, it’s my life.” I was doomed from the start!

As soon as I moved the Chengdu, I knew what one reflection of my independence would be: my scooter.  Within 5 days of landing in this fine city I had my very own two-wheeled death trap (at least, that’s what my dad calls it).   It didn’t go very fast and I never drove it very far, but it was mine.  Some people take long walks as an escape, but I drive.  Feeling the wind in my hair and the pollution in my eyes was a taste of freedom in a country where I didn’t understand language or culture.

Now, my scooter is a much smaller part of my life, but I still can’t imagine life without it.  I know some people who have lived in Chengdu for decades and have never ridden one, and they seem ok, but I couldn’t do it.  Just knowing that on a bad day I can get on and go is a comfort to me.   Knowing that independence is within my reach.

What do you have in your life that is a mark of your independence?  What is your release?  (I’m always looking for new ideas…especially when it’s raining!)

Day 1 with my scooter.  It was love at first ride!

The first (and last) time I ran out of battery and had to find a creative way to get home :)

It certainly makes taking boxes home from school easier!

The 2012-2013 CDIS scooter gang.  Those were the days!