Reasons

The question was posed asking what other things I did besides try to make mashed potatoes.

Well, I’ve been busy, so I haven’t been able to answer.

Ok, sort of busy. I have limited internet, and I really only have times in the morning to go over and use it. Usually I check and respond to emails (thank you for all of those, friends), make some phone calls, make sure the world is still in one piece, then get on with my day.

Things are slow and quiet, which is great. Perhaps some would be chaffing at this point. I’m in China, after all.

Friends, I’m here to learn about working in China. I am interning with a registered teaching company. I am learning about working in China. I am learning about LIVING in China.

I have been meeting with the leaders here, outlining some goals for our time. Many of these are more mentoring than anything, but much of what I’ve been learning has been by observation. We have bi-weekly meetings where I am able to see the order of business and life. Additionally, I am living here, in an apartment. I must go to the outside market and buy vegetables, fruits, and meat. I must navigate the insanity of the streets on my bicycle. I must learn the names for my favorite ice cream and popsicles. I must learn to cook with the things I have.

Now, mind you, this is all apart from my regular studies. I am reading a book for my upcoming schooling this fall. I am also reading a book assigned by my leader here. Within these, I am learning much.

This is a time for much reflection. All of you know of my struggles with visas. Of course, I’ve learned that this struggle is not isolated to just me—it’s the age old battle for any foreign worker in China. The tides change rapidly in China, and so must we. As one seasoned worker said to me, “In China, the only constant in change.”

This problem with the visa has, of course, been on my mind quite a bit. But, being as this is a time of reflection and learning, it has not been as hard on me as I had anticipated. My heart could palpitate, my breath become short. Perhaps I begin to lose sleep. These things are not the case.

No, the case here is trust. I am learning to trust. Today, as I conversed with one of the leaders, she related to me stories of their struggles. I was encouraged by these, and especially by her words, “What is the worst that could happen?”

Well the worst that could happen is I get denied visas on all counts. I have two options. One is I go home. I’d not head back to NU this semester. I’d go home and work. The other is I call my good friends here, they pull some strings, I get a work visa and teach some of their night classes.

Well, holy smokes. That isn’t bad, is it? In fact, I’d almost rather that than go to school! But, I must eventually graduate. The time for work will come later, unless that is the plan.

So, my days are filled with things from cleaning offices, helping move things, working on some audio things, reading, learning, trying to speak Chinese, and learning how to live life in a foreign country. Sometimes, I think we glamorize the life of living abroad. It’s foreign! Different!

Well, that’s all true.

It’s also hard because it is different. Additionally, there is the sentiment that asks, “What good is teaching English anyway?”

Well, friends, that is for another time. Let me say this: I want to do this. For the rest of my life. I do not need to flurry around and do busy things. I need to learn the daily things. The routine. The grind. By learning these things now, when I finally arrive for a much longer time, I can flurry and do busy things until I collapse, but I will have this:

I know how life is. I know how to buy meat in the market. I know how teaching is. I know the “politics” with the Foreign offices at the Universities. I know how important relationships are. How much a struggle visas are.

I am prepared.

And that is exactly why I am doing this.