It's been three months since I moved to China and I'm halfway through my contract with Real Life English. Three months ago I would have considered this the half-way point, but today its difficult for me to think that I'm on the downhill swing, wrapping up my business, on my way out of China and back to life as I knew it, somewhere in America.
With that heavy thought in mind, I'm thinking there's a good chance I might want to be here for a while longer.
In three months I've read six books. That, if nothing else, is an amazing indication of how different life is here. It just seems to be happening at a more laid-back pace. I realized the other day that I haven't been this relaxed in years, if ever.
There are days when I can't explain how nice it is to come home from work. I hop on a bus, fifteen minutes later I'm on the train, thirty minutes later I'm on a bus again which takes me directly to my apartment. Sometimes I read, sometimes I listen to my iPod, and sometimes I listen to the people and try to understand what they are saying. For four American dollars I could take a cab home and arrive in fifteen minutes or less... but I choose not to because I enjoy the ride.
I love buying fruit on the street and vegetables in the little market downstairs. I love the way that boys carry bags and purses for their girlfriends, and ride them around on the backs of their bicycles. I love the chicken nuggets at McDonald's which are curry flavored. I also love my students and my job.
I love the fact that little things here are so significant. Like Heroes night and heat in my bedroom or finding out that my little market downstairs also sells frozen meat and dumplings... for half of what I would pay at the supermarket.
So this is where I am, three months into my stay here. I don't know what's next... and I'm not in any hurry to decide.
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3 comments:
I remember being 28. My life change dramatically!!! At that time I was doing what I loved. As a land surveyor for a private firm; we often traveled to new areas and new lands (some often forgotten over time) and my love of the outdoors grew even stronger. From coast to coast and from Canada to Mexico my travels had brought me back home and brought you into our lives.
The next 25 yrs of my life I maintained a career that allowed for my love of the outdoors and meeting new people; but I realize now that what was missing was my freedom to travel. The world of my youth has vanished. I have been rooted for too long. Your blog has been an inspiration and opened a new world one I hope to be able to explore now that my retirement from public service has arrived.
My advice to you is to do what you love to do. Or as Shakespeare said “to thy own self be true”
Jackie Oh said...
Can you believe I'm almost 29??? Time flies!!
Sounds like YOU need a trip to China! Make it happen :O)
Courtesy of 14 going on 40 while playing our traditional Christmas games:
You've been bad all year, you went to China....
I'll let you fill in the blanks since that one was custom made for Aunt Jackie.
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