3rd times a charm...

This Saturday, August 31, 2013, will mark my being in China for 3 months. 3 months, 3 cities and 3 jobs. I ended up leaving the kindergarten. Something that, if I lived anywhere else in the world other than China, I would feel very flaky about. And although I have always been somewhat of a gypsy, 3 different jobs in just 3 months is something that is seemingly very normal in China (for us Westerners, that is). Its rare to meet other Westerners in China who came to China for one job and who are actually still working at that same job months down the road. If I've learned anything from living here, I have learned this: you have to look out for numero uno. Being selfish, sticking to your guns and principles and fishing for the best offer are essential to survival here. A bit difficult for me, as I have never been a money-oriented person.

Prior to moving to China, I could never have imagined that such a love/hate relationship could exist. What a remarkable thing it is to live in a place that constantly forces you to reflect upon yourself. A constant battle of questioning where you stand and whether or not what you believe in is accurate or should be regarded as the 'right' way of thinking. My mind is always spinning, my wheels are always turning. With every corner I turn a new poem is born, a new opinion is formed. I love it here, I hate it here. I want nothing more than to become completely immersed in China's culture; I want nothing more than to be at home with my family in Texas and my friends in Colorado. So much reflection also steers you in the direction of thinking about the people in your life that you care about...and the people in your life that you would like to (and perhaps should) get to know better. Maybe its some weird way of prioritizing, maybe its clarity. Whatever it is, it has never been as clear to me as it is now. I can't say that I'm seeing the world through rose colored glasses, but I can definitely say that the glasses I'm looking through nowadays aren't foggy. In fact, they're crystal clear. Perhaps China is the best therapist a person could every ask for. I think your skin gets thicker here, because it has to. You toughen up after living here for a while, because you have to. I hate to use the term 'survival mode,' but that's exactly what it is. Survival mode in a non suffrage way. Strength and weight training, minus the actual weights.

So here are these students names in order from left to right...Strawberry, Only, Jasmeene and Tango. Can't blame the Chinese for trying. Love it!

This guy's family has a 'liang pi' stand in the old town street near my school. This guy is a trip and a half! I always know when he is around because I can hear him yell,  "Hey sexy lady America! Hey sexy lady America!"...It's pretty hilarious.

This student's name is Bob. And because this class has 2 little boys named Bob, he is Bob 1. When I take attendance at the beginning of class, he only responds to 'Bob 1,' not 'Bob.'...and if you ask him what his name is, you get the same response. Not 'Bob,' but "Bob 1!" God forbid if I ever mistakenly called him 'Bob 2.' Classic.

My American friend Jason and I at our Brazilian friend Bruno's house for a bbq last night. Last night marked the 1st night in 3 months that I have consumed proper meat. Let's just say that I didn't leave the party hungry. European beers, real meat and hanging out with fellow Westerners (there were 6 of us from 5 different countries). Such richness in cultural diversity amongst friends is abysmal. A bigger treat than you can imagine.