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As if the toe trouble wasn't enough, yesterday I got food poisoning and I began feeling the unpleasant effects at work (which I will spare you from). Now, I'm on a balanced diet of water and bread without oils or butter. Perhaps the diamond in the rough is that this situation has motivated me to learn Chinese at a faster pace because I realized how dependent I am on others for translation and because it's frustrating to be incapable of expressing my basic needs.
On a better note, I've seen the depth of friendships in the past week as students, co-workers, and friends have gone out of their way to help out. Whether it's my roommate who helped when I was sick at home, the student who's a doctor and helped translate at the hospital, co-workers hailing a taxi ride home, or students just calling to check up, my friends have been amazing.
I've also learned the importance of staying positive and finding the humor in things. Month three in China is coming up on the 19th, and studies show that people typically begin entering the homesick phase of living abroad during months 3-5. Events during the past weeks could be the catalyst to enter that phase, but I just need to keep things in perspective and be patient.
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3 comments:
Hi, Jordan, I am your student in EF, and I am very sorry to hear that you are suffering from the toe trouble, and even food poisoning. Last night, I had your class, PF2, and I felt great to have your class, you are so passionate and humorous, you made all the students happy, you are a good teacher. From your working attitude, I understood that people should stay positive and find humor in things, especially in China, as you said in your blog, we are always working hard, we are always on the move, we always try to stay ahead of the competition, that is not a good lifestyle, I want to change but I have nothing to do. All in that, to read your blog is coming to be my hobby, so try your best to write more and more to share with us. Thanks a lot! And wish you be better every day.
Sept 12, 2008 11:00 am EST
Dearest Lena,
Thank you for your interest in my son Jordan. He is fortunate to have wonderful students like you! You all have made his adjustment to another environment a truly enriching experience.
Now, as for you Miss... You are changing at this very minute! You are expanding your talent, skills, and marketability by learning a business language that a healthy portion of the world uses. Good for you!
I see that you have an appreciation for my son’s fun, positive, enthusiastic, outgoing manner. Use his model and practice the parts that are suitable for you. He really is quite good at what he does. He can teach your class more than English.
For fun… ask him to tell the class about the Sheriff’s Debate he produced when he was 17 years old. Make sure you tell him I said not to be modest! He needs to tell all the details so you can really enjoy the story.
Also, be proud of yourself for recognizing that you may need a change. So many people are not able to identify an area of their lives that may need adjustment. Being able to define an issue is an accomplishment. Once you define an issue you can make a plan.
Lena, you are in the process of positioning yourself to be able to make changes and find parts of your life you can better control. That's a good thing.
Keep a smile in your heart and a smile on your face.
My very best to you,
Jordan's Mother
Dear Great Mother,
You surprised me, but I really appreciated you for everything you said to me. From your son, Jordan, I learnt much, not only English, but also life attitude.
From you, I knew that mother from all over the world is same. Mother is the greatest person, who will care for their children wherever and whenever they are. I am also a mother of 5-year-old daughter. I really love her in my heart. But to be a good mother, it is a big thing to me. As you know, I sometimes feel angry to her when she doesn’t eat much by herself even my husband and I feed her. I know that is our mistake, we always ask her to do this, not to do that, as we were told by my parents when we were children. But we can not or would not change our mind to order my daughter to do the thing we like.
Of course it is the difference from you and me, from China and U.S.A. Look at me and your son, I never left my hometown, Shanghai, but your son, enjoy himself to travel all over the world, working but happy.
But exactly I am very happy, I have a lovely little girl who is naughty but very bright, and my husband love me very much, and my parents and parents-in-law are healthy, all those things we appreciate.
BTW, you should be proud of your son, he is a good man. And I am sure that Jordan must be proud of you too. I wish my daughter to be a good person and be appreciated for everything she has.
I am a person who loves smile and always keep a smile in my heart and a smile on my face. Even my salary is not enough, my house is not big, but I am a happy person if I have my own space and time to do my own thing. That is enough, I think.
So you and all your family must miss your son very much, it is a best way to have a blog to let his family know how you are.
After all, I am happy to know you. I fail to put across my feelings in speaking but writing. I like to write down my expression when I am happy or sad or upset. But I think I am also a person who is curious to know the world outside.
In my opinion, that a good thing to leave my comment on your son's blog, and I am a lucky person to have your reply.
Wish you and all your family happy.
(If I made mistake in my writing English, pls be kindly to tell me. Cause I forgot my password and I tried many but failed, so I have to send my anonymous letter to you.)
My very best to you,
Lena
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