Posts
From dancing on bars in clubs to studying an Asia language, I've had a plethora of first-time experiences over the past 6 months of living in Communist China and today I can add one more item to the list: the first Christmas away from my family and country.It was difficult to awake this morning to a cold, empty apartment in which there is nothing to resemble a Christmas decoration. Sure, it was great to speak with my family, but that can't replace sitting on the couch with my mother and brother as we sip coffee and eat breakfast together on Christmas morning. Although I awoke to an empty home, I didn't spend the day alone. A good friend of mine invited 8 people over for lunch and dinner, which turned out to be a fabulous time. He ordered lots of food, including a delicious turkey that I had the pleasure of carving, or should I say tearing apart with my claws. We sat at the table for a good 3 hours, watched movies, drank and ate, and spent a total of 12 hours together lounging around the flat.
The realization didn't come to me at first, but I'm starting to see and understand the new life I'm living and the emotions felt when living abroad, away from family and close friends. It's difficult to take in initially, yet there are always trade-offs in life and this time abroad has been a growing experience for me. As I've said since first arriving here in mid-June, I am truly living a dream and this has been the best time of my life thus far. Will I return to the colonies in 6 months for work? Will I go to another country? Or will I live in China for longer than originally anticipated? I have no clue, to be honest, but I am not opposed to living here for another 2-3 years. Only time will tell!
Last Sunday our EF XuJiaHui office had a Christmas party for the teachers and students. My official job was to be the MC for the event and make sure Santa didn't chase too many women. Throughout the part, we had copious amounts of drinks and candy, games, and also performances for the students. Three of those performances were songs, which I sang with other teachers, and needless to say, I don't think I will be performing at any weddings or birthdays anytime soon.
4 comments:
So pity for not joining your X'mas party.
Future never unfold themselves, maybe having fun is the most important thing. Be brave to feel, to touch, to experience and to accept the new things around, you will have fun.
BTW, you must improve a lot your singing skills :-)
Possibilites are limitless.
It’s not easy for a person live abroad. I can totally understand what you encountered in China even thought I haven’t live abroad before. But when I was young, I left my hometown to study at another city. When I graduated, I left my family and came to Shanghai for better job opportunites. I feel lonely when I came here because no friends, no families in Shanghai. Specially, the food is not agree with me
Post a Comment