Ni hao
So, this entry is long overdue but I figured the time is available so might as well update!
As it stands, I'm in China. I always wanted to do a study abroad, but never knew the place and somehow or another I've ended up in China. There's so much to update on...been here 4 weeks already, 2 more to go. We started out in Shanghai, walked through the World Expo, then took the longest most smelly, uncomfortable train ride I've ever had to endure in my life. Then it was off to Changsha, which has become home in a way. We visited Zhangjiajie, which is where they film Avatar. It was beautiful there. Pretty soon we'll leave for Xi'an, then Beijing and then it's homeward bound.
It's been a cultural experience, that's for sure. Imagine taking the richest form of capitalism and throwing it next door to squalor. Every stereotypical Chinese thing I've seen in the states, is exactly how it is here. Some places are beautiful, some are scary. People stare. All the time. And take pictures. The students here are ridiculously kind...we're treated like celebrities. They all want to know about dating and music and based on talking to them, they really have no concept of the rest of the world, simply that they're proud to be Chinese. Life is about making a living, love is about getting married. I could probably stay here for a few months if it weren't for a couple of problems. 1. I miss home dearly. 2. I can't understand anything. I'm completely dependent on other people. Thus, helpless. 3. The cleanliness. Children literally have slits in their clothing so that they can relieve themselves anywhere. A kid literally peed next to me in the supermarket.
If nothing else, I have an extreme respect and am grateful for being American. Don't get me wrong, I've had a wonderful time so far. I've learned so much, enjoy my classes and the new friends I've met. I wouldn't have ever passed this opportunity for anything I just really miss home. I miss feeling safe. I miss the people I love.
In other news, I may have moved on. Being here I've come to terms with a lot of things that have happened in my life, and I realized I can't live for what ifs. I don't regret my past and I'm ready to move on to my future.
Which is where the impasse in my life shows up. What is my future? Graduation is inching closer and closer and I have so many different paths I could take, all with equal pros and cons. I can't just sit around and wait for it to just hit me in the face...but I wish it would.
Other than that, all is well! Be safe and take care world.
<3 Air
As it stands, I'm in China. I always wanted to do a study abroad, but never knew the place and somehow or another I've ended up in China. There's so much to update on...been here 4 weeks already, 2 more to go. We started out in Shanghai, walked through the World Expo, then took the longest most smelly, uncomfortable train ride I've ever had to endure in my life. Then it was off to Changsha, which has become home in a way. We visited Zhangjiajie, which is where they film Avatar. It was beautiful there. Pretty soon we'll leave for Xi'an, then Beijing and then it's homeward bound.
It's been a cultural experience, that's for sure. Imagine taking the richest form of capitalism and throwing it next door to squalor. Every stereotypical Chinese thing I've seen in the states, is exactly how it is here. Some places are beautiful, some are scary. People stare. All the time. And take pictures. The students here are ridiculously kind...we're treated like celebrities. They all want to know about dating and music and based on talking to them, they really have no concept of the rest of the world, simply that they're proud to be Chinese. Life is about making a living, love is about getting married. I could probably stay here for a few months if it weren't for a couple of problems. 1. I miss home dearly. 2. I can't understand anything. I'm completely dependent on other people. Thus, helpless. 3. The cleanliness. Children literally have slits in their clothing so that they can relieve themselves anywhere. A kid literally peed next to me in the supermarket.
If nothing else, I have an extreme respect and am grateful for being American. Don't get me wrong, I've had a wonderful time so far. I've learned so much, enjoy my classes and the new friends I've met. I wouldn't have ever passed this opportunity for anything I just really miss home. I miss feeling safe. I miss the people I love.
In other news, I may have moved on. Being here I've come to terms with a lot of things that have happened in my life, and I realized I can't live for what ifs. I don't regret my past and I'm ready to move on to my future.
Which is where the impasse in my life shows up. What is my future? Graduation is inching closer and closer and I have so many different paths I could take, all with equal pros and cons. I can't just sit around and wait for it to just hit me in the face...but I wish it would.
Other than that, all is well! Be safe and take care world.
<3 Air