Bullet Blogging

1. I typed the longest post in the history of forever last night, and when I hit publish, a screen comes up that says, "Whoops, there's been an error!" Gee, you don't say! I. Was. Angry.

2. Yesterday when I got out of the shower, I slipped and fell right outside the bathroom door. Kate was asleep but of course the sound of an elephant crashing to the floor woke her up. She sleepily mutters, "What are you doing?" as I'm sprawled out on the floor in all sorts of unnatural positions. Hell if I know, sister. Once I popped my hip back into socket, all I could do was laugh.

3. Speaking of laughing, Megan and Kate have me laughing constantly. I've never laughed so much in my life. We have so many inside jokes that will never be forgotten or get any less hilarious. English cream, Vancouver, feather whip, curtains, Jerry/Joker, "Didjee get eet?!"

4. Since I've been in China, I've met people from the following countries. We'll start from the most obvious; The United States of America, China, England, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Wales, Sweden, Israel, Greece, Denmark, Costa Rica, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, South Africa, Indonesia, South Korea, Germany, Argentina, Ecuador, Chile, Mexico, and I'm sure there are more that I'm forgetting. Isn't that insane?? Insanely awesome, of course. Someone pointed out to us how it's so obvious that we're from America. We pronounce our "r"'s really hard. After listening to so many different nationalities speaking English, it's so true.

5. China will always, always, always, have a place in my heart. I am coming back here someday in the not-so-far-off future.

6. Yesterday was the one month mark. One month from November 19, I will be on my way back to China from South Korea, and then on my way from China to America. My heart is divided in half with equal strings attached to both sides. On one side, I have all my friends and family and especially Lucas, pulling really hard. And playing tug of war on the other side, are my Chinabesties and my little babies. Why is life so difficult?

7. I have not seen a house the entire time I've been here. Or carpet. I have eaten meat less than five times. I have taken a taxi, bus, bike, ferry, airplane, metro, and train as methods of transportation.

8. Shanghai is my favorite city in the entire world. I could (and would love to) live there.

9. I've said it a million times, so here's a million and one. I have learned SO much since I've been here. I saw this quote on something in Shanghai a few weeks ago and it said, "Happiness is a direction, not a destination." Truer words have never been spoken.

10. A lot of people have asked me why I named this blog "Chasing Life in China." The truth is, it just sounded good at first. Then I came here and I realized that I definitely chose that subconsciously. I feel like I'm always on the chase. I have to be planning an event or trip or I feel like I will drown in boredom. I want to change that. Going along with number 9, happiness is not a destination. Come to think of it, I really don't want to be happy. Sounds ridiculous, right? I really mean it. I'd much rather be content. To me, happiness is short-lived and easily forgotten. We are happy when we get a promotion or get something we wanted for Christmas. Being content is much more valuable and fulfilling. Being content means not feeling like you're just going through the motions with your day-to-day life, it means that you enjoy it. No one can be happy all the time. But you can be content. And that's my goal. I'm not saying I never want to be happy, but I'm not striving for that every day. Living in China, I've learned how to be content.

11. I will still have a ridiculous appetite for travel. After all, it's the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.

12. I have a mini-rant. Some people have mentioned how living here in China is not "real life." Excuse me. Really? It's not real life? I think it's pretty darn real and let me share why. I think it showcases an extremely contorted view of "reality" for people to say that. I will go as far as to say that what I'm doing here is far more valuable that what a lot of people are doing. I don't pay bills? You're right, I don't, because I work for FREE. I still work every single day except weekends. Between teaching eight classes and lesson planning, that's a lot of work. I still go to grocery and have to budget my money. Taking part in this opportunity means that I've been able to travel to some of the most amazing places on this Earth and I've also gotten incredibly close to a whole lot of little kids who love me and I love them. Take a step back and look at whose life is more "real" before making an ignorant comment like that. That's the end of my rant.

13. I'm getting to the point where I'm realizing that I'm going to start having all of my "lasts" here. The last Muslim meal is going to break my heart. The little restaurant that we go to is going to be such a huge memory of China for me. The family that owns it is completely adorable and I love them. I'm going to miss them so much. They always get SO excited when we walk in the door.

14. Speaking of Muslim, we were there yesterday and a couple of girls walked in. Megan goes "Look, her hair is ombre!" Me-"No, dear, that's called, 'I haven't been to the salon in a year.'" I'm really going to have to be careful when I get back to America. I have a tendency to say exactly what comes to my mind because I know that no one can understand me, and if they can, they can't understand my sarcasm. It's wonderful.

15. I've lost 38 pounds since I've been in China. I am hellbent on not gaining it back in America. Takers to keep me motivated? Looking at pictures from before I came to China should do the trick. I'm getting an 8x10 of one of the really bad ones and I'm gonna look at it every day. I left a size 10 and I'm coming back a 4. Yes, yes, yes.

16. Kate's "Snow White" singing impression sends me completely over the edge in a fit of laughter. She is coming to Ohio. End of story. Sorry, Harward family!

She got a package from my mommy :)

Love.

Candy, Frank, Charlie, Henry, Emily

Bob, Brayden, Robbie, Andy, and Nick. Crazies!

Miss Angela

My boy <3

Two of my absolute favorite people. Look at the scar on his poor little hand :(

17. For anyone who wants to be a part of my airport welcoming committee, I'd LOVE to have you! My plane arrives in Dayton at 9:03 pm on December 19th. We're probably going to get food after so I can catch up with everyone! I'm offering a special Chinese present for the person who creates the best sign, just FYI.