Life Finds a Way

This week is the first full week of school.  How did I feel this morning? In a word: Intimidated!  Ben would tell you that I was nervous for no reason.  I was anxious going to bed; I was anxious getting up, and I was anxious getting to work.  I think this is how it is every time I start a new job. 

Looking back on my mindset 13 hours ago, I’d say I was acting silly and not walking in faith.  Sure, my day had its moments, like waiting an hour for technology to do it’s part in my job.  But then came lunch, when I sat by a 9^th grade girl who had lived in Africa for the last 11 years.  Africa to China is a major difference!!  I heard she was having difficulties fitting in, and I could see why.  She’s a bit shy, and very soft-spoken, but man is this girl passionate about Africa.  She loved telling me stories… and I loved listening!  

After a few more hours after lunch of dealing more with technology, the bell rang, the students left, and then I had my first meeting with the student council.  If you would have asked me 2 weeks ago what a student council does, I would have shrugged.  Now (thanks to my sister Sara and my friend Jessica), I have a much clearer idea.   Most of the student councilors I had met in the hallways, interviews, or my P.E. class, but I was excited to have them all in the same room.  And MAN, they are very cool people.  We talked about what Student Council stands for, and what they want to be known for.  These are very outstanding students who, I believe, will make a difference how this year is run!  I am honored to be a part of this, and to be a part of their lives.

Washing snap peas with soap.
Apparently, you have to do that here

Even dinner tonight was amazing.  Thanks to my new friend Stacey, I re-created the meal she made for me, and it turned out great.  We even went to the corner store and asked for chicken.  The man didn’t understand me, so I flapped my arms like wings.  He smiled at me and graciously found the chicken breast for me.

Our "oven," but it does the job!  Two chicken breasts
baked to perfection in under 25 minutes

Ben’s finishing up his last lesson plan for this evening, and then it’s time for some “Lie to Me,” our TV show of choice for the past 2 weeks.

We are doing okay… Life has found a way.

"There" Becomes "Here"

This is written by someone who also moved to China this month.  I met her at orientation, and her written words are my sentiment exactly, minus the Canadian part.  

By Melanie Gagnon:

There, blue skies abound. And if you're lucky, you'll see a few stars every now and then.

Here, it's either hazy or cloudy, with the occasional blue sky. Though bluer than other places, I'm told!

There, I knew where everything was, and if I didn't, I knew how to find it.

Here, I don't know where anything is, and I don't know where to look.

There, everyone - almost everyone, that is - drives automatic.

Here, standard is ... standard.

There, a few posh apartments and condos have fences and guards keeping people out.

Here, every complex/compund/work environment has a uniformed guard who controls access.

There, I drink straight out of the tap.

Here, I don't dare.

There, I ate with a fork, spoon and knife and knew what I was doing.

Here, chopsticks make me feel incompetent and like a barbarian!

There, every label is English AND French.

Here, I'm lucky if the label has English on it.

There, I knew what areas to stay away from late at night, and I got nervous if I was by myself.

Here, I can go wherever I want whenever I want.

There, honking is reserved mostly for angry moments.

Here, honking is a way of communicating all kinds of things, but mostly, "I'm coming, so get out of my way!!"

There, women bare their midriffs, and then some, to get attention.

Here, guys bare their midriffs, but only to cool off.

There, I would rarely take a cab.

Here, I've taken them more than buses.

There, gyms are indoors and costly.

Here, most gyms are outdoors and free.

There, the rules of the road are strictly enforced and followed - more or less, anyway.

Here, everyone drives wherever they want; even on the sidewalk!

There, no one spits in public.

Here, it fazes no one.

There, eating at home was the norm.

Here, eating out is common.

There, smoking is banned pretty much everywhere.

Here, smoking is allowed wherever.

There, I could handle tough questions like, "there's no barcode on this item. where did you find it?"

Here, "Would you like a bag?" threw me for a loop for a while.

There, a person buys a boxed item without opening it up to see what's inside.

Here, I can be as nosey as I want.

There, water cooler bottles are about 5-10 bucks a pop.

Here, they cost just over a dollar.

There, bumping into Quebeckers is not uncommon.

Here, it's more rare, thus much more exciting.

There, an air conditioner is used in summer, and a furnace in winter. And a window is usually required.

Here, one unit is used for both.  And they drill straight through the brick to the outside.

There, hand-holding has significant meaning.

Here, everyone does it.

There, I was the housekeeper.

Here, I pay one to keep house for me (it's less than 2 CAD an hour!)

There, I blend in.

Here, I stand out.

How To... be a wife in China

There is great thing about becoming a wife in the country, state, and city that you know…

You know how to be a good home-maker.

•       You know the best places to visit for a restful evening and how to get there.
•    You know how to make a relaxing evening in, making the “just so right” comfort food, or even dabble into a new recipe with the most confidence.
•    You know the best stores with the best deals.
•    You can understand money, and use it wisely.
•    You recognize the food that your husband likes, buy it, make it, and eat it.
•    You know the general issues of your home, know how to fix them, or at least can easily find someone to help.
•    You can be baking, sautéing, cutting, saucing, and setting the table without a defect in the kitchen or too many technical issues.
•    You can clean up just nice enough without flooding the bathroom or squinting in the mirror because the lighting is so dim.

So far, none of this is possible in China.

I’m new at this.

And I feel like I’m starting over in everything.

Tomorrow (Tuesday), I’m not going into school because there isn’t too much for me to do yet.  However, I’m going to be working from home.  I’m going to research, pray, talk to others, and figure out a few things. I’m not perfect, and starting over is hard.  It will take time figure out the best way to be a good wife in China.

Culture Shock

1 week in China. Multiple meals at local restaurants. 4 shopping trips. Dozens of new friends with faces and names to memorize.  1 school with 3 buildings to navigate through. 3 Chinese teachers who were patient with my lack of ability to hear tones. 3 Squatty pottie experiences. And one amazing best friend and husband to share every moment with!

What I’ve noticed so far: China is very different. 

Especially with manners—there really are none!  At least the way westerners think.  In a crowded area, you have to push your way through. Otherwise, you aren’t getting through.  There’s no table manners.  Most meals served family style and everyone picks what they want from any bowl using their own chop-sticks.  Double dipping isn’t a problem!  However, there are also no street manners… farmer blows and peeing on the edge of the sidewalk is pretty normal (for children and dogs, especially).  China’s not the cleanest place, I’ll be the first to admit.  There aren’t a lot of public trash cans, and although squatty potties are suppose to be less germie… so far, they’re pretty germie!

China is very different, but not bad.

Every morning and later evening, I see the local Asian community come out to the center of our apartment complex and talk to one another. Their kids play with one another.  They exercise together and do TaiChi together.  There is real love and real community… something special takes place.  There are friendly faces everywhere, especially if you try to speak the language.  They want to be accommodating and helpful. 

Culture shock is up and down, depending on the day, and maybe how many people get on the bus.  So far, I think I’m adjusting well, all considering. 

What Am I Doing?!

I jumped out of bed this morning with a leap of excitement and a To-Do List in my head.  Take a shower, pack up toiletries, get luggage in van, eat breakfast, say goodbye, fly across the country, and fly across the world.  


WHAT?  
What am I doing? 


I'd been crying on and off all week, dreading goodbyes while still screaming to finally get overseas.
We rush in the morning to get everything done, and the last season of House finally got copied over to Ben's computer.


I say a tear-filled goodbye to my mom, drive to the airport with Ben and my dad, and then find out it's $200 per extra luggage.  $600 dollars later, we're getting to security and saying anther tear-filled goodbye to my dad.


On the plane to Denver, it finally hits me.  I'll be two years older the next time I'm in the U.S. ...And I'm going to miss my family very much.  After a few jokes and a T.V. show to keep my mind occupied, I now feel excited, and less emotional.  Denver to San Francisco was a breeze.  I'm now sitting in front of our gate to fly to Beijing.  We have met our friend Warren here, and it's nice to have a familiar face around as we already feel like a minority.  Nervousness and Excitement "duke-it-out" while we patiently await our around-the-world flight!!