Well Fed

I'm leaving here with a full stomach, a full mind, and a full heart.
Wo xiang zhong guo. Wo ai ni!

Dreaming

Today is my last day in Zhongshan, China. This isn't real. I've spent six months here. Now it's all over. I feel like I've been dreaming this whole time and I'm about to wake up. I'm not ready to leave these wonderful people. Last night was our farewell party with the other Chinese teachers. We had dinner at the school and then went out for karaoke.. It was so hard watching them walk away as we got on the bus to go back to our apartment, knowing that we may never see them again.
I'm not ready to leave. This has become like another home to me. It's hard to think that I may never have the chance to return again.
I like this dream. Can't I sleep for just a little longer?

Humidity

I thought you might suffocate me. Turns out, you won't. I've got three days left.

Bring it on.

Wo Ai Wo De Baba

He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. ~Clarence Budington Kelland

My dad is Superman. He is funny, patient, kind, and loving. He is a carpenter, a mechanist, and a hunter. But, most of all he is a father and a husband. He has taught me some of the most important things in life, and I am lucky to call him mine.
Happy Father's Day!

Spring Fever (pt.3)

Last night, we had a little party in honor of America playing in the World Cup. We invited our adorable kung fu teachers, of course, and had super sugary American desserts. Don't let that face fool you. He loved the cookies.. they were just extremely sweet in comparison to Chinese food. I'll probably have trouble getting used to it again..But, no problem. Mei wen ti!

One

One:
-class to teach
-day with these kids
-week to spend in China
-big performance in a few hours

-too many goodbyes to get ready for..

Spring Fever (pt. 2)

Last night we had dinner with Hui Hui and Spring.

We had Muslim noodles; what a beautiful thing.
The group laughed and ate for about an hour.
Spring said that pretty girls gave him power (to eat more food).
We slowly made our way out of the crowded shop.
We were just having so much fun and didn't want it to stop.
The night was still so very young.
It had really only just begun.
Then Spring spoke the words, "you, come with me?"
Inside I was screaming with glee!
I hopped onto the back of his motorbike and rode off into the sunset.
I wrapped my arms around his waist, and he told me not to fret. ("You are with me. You believe me. I will not let any bad happen.")

Best night in China? You better believe it.

'Bad Man' Drill Day

Because of the recent stabbings throughout China, our school decided to perform a drill to prepare the children to hide if there were ever to be an intruder ("Bad Man"). Most of the kids were confused. Some giggled through the whole thing, while others were terrified.
This affected me more than I thought it would.
As I looked into the faces of the 20+ children in the big storage closet, I had news headlines of Columbine and Virgina Tech flashing through my mind. It made me sick to my stomach to think about anyone ever trying to hurt these precious children.
I fought to blink back tears as I snapped back to the present. The kids began laughing and dancing as soon as the drill was over. And the rest of the day went on like usual.
I am so grateful to have had the chance to work with these children. They have touched my life so deeply.
It's going to be really hard to leave them in two weeks.

Love, Love, Love

I love my kung fu instructor- who kissed me on the cheek yesterday.

I love my guard- who I saw out of uniform today.

I love my coordinator, Celina- who is in labor!!! Yeah!

I love China.

Wo ai ni!

Rain, Rain, Won't You Stay?

As you wash away the bothersome stickiness of steamy humid air, you bring in soothing, cooling waves of assurance and tranquility.
An assurance that not everyday will be horribly sticky, that my efforts with the 'babies' will be validated, and that I will be able to handle the adventures that await me at home.
You bring the sense of tranquility and nostalgia as you lull me to sleep with your rhythmic beating against the window; sending me off to dream of things far away.
Drown out the mugginess. Drown out the noise.
Rain, rain. Please, won't you stay?