Wuhun

Here I am sitting in the Wuhan airport. Flight delayed an hour---battery painfully low on my mac. But it's OK. Because I'm tired. I got up early to pack- packing at the last minute is one sign that I don't want to go.
Wuhan finally was perfect. I had found my way around. I had built myself my little niche. And then Jill came down. It seemed so wrong to be leaving.

Candy and Queenie surprised me with gifts of chocolate. Which made me officially have to carry three bags on (Take that TSA!). I'm actually wearing two sweatshirts and my bag weighed in at 66 pounds. I didn't even buy anything here in Wuhan- they just kept giving me gifts.

We cried. We cried like babies. I got a little teary eyed- and then Candy lost is. Lips quivering, snot dripping. All of us. It's amazing some where that I loathed so much- seems to have stolen my heart. Romp n' Roll Wuhan was a bit like my baby too- I was there from the beginning- I wish I could stick around a little longer to see how successful it is going to be.

I am looking forward to Beijing- but it is with a heavy heart that I leave my Wuhan family. Hopefully, one day, I will be back here again.

Grand Opening: Wuhan!

Nothing like a little bout of insomnia to spur some creativity. Actually its a little bit of "I fell asleep at 8 o'clock and my body didn't know what to do so now I'm awake."

SO! (Damn you Seamus Heaney!) Our grand opening happened last Saturday! It went really really really really really really really well. I am so proud of the staff here who put together an amazing grand opening. And we were especially thrilled because BIG BOSS and BIG BIG BOSS came to visit us. So big ups to Michael and Luyin for journeying down to Wuhan. It was really nice to have them here- and I think it made all of the parents really really happy to meet them.

The Grand Opening ceremony invited all over out members and a bunch of potential members. We had "professional" dancers perform for our members, lovely speeches from all the bosses, a dance from the Instructors, lots of fun activities, media out the wazoo, and a lottery for some prizes. Everybody left satisfied and we even made the Sunday night news!! :) We also had the highest enrollment rate ever for a Romp n Roll in China...so yay!

While Michael was here were treated to some delicious meals: including HOT POT, family style, & Thai food. We also took a trip to Food Street (which I have included a picture.) I love street vendors- and its fun to explore all the different types of food. Also- a lot of the yummy food is prepared in front of you which is a lot of fun. Michael and I were brave enough to try some "stinky stinky yummy yummy" which is a type of tofu that smells SO BAD it is illegal to cook it on the street in parts of Beijing (imagine like dirty feet soaked in vinegar). Well- Michael was more brave- I required A LOT of prodding. It was not that bad.

Jill arrived Monday night and what a JOYFUL reunion that was. I have missed my G-LOVE SO MUCH! We spent much of today galavanting around Wuhan. I finally got to go to Golden Crane Tower (Huang He Lo) which is super pretty. Jill and I are so pasty white that we got sunburned even though it rained all day. That's when you know you are in need of some Vitamin D. You get great views from the tower of Wuhan and I included one picture that shows one of the most prized bridges in Wuhan. it was built by the Soviets- and connects Wuchan with Hankou.

In about 18 hours I will fly out of Wuhan- and I'm doing so with mixed feelings. My main dislike of Wuhan has been the loneliness- but now that my partner in crime is here... I want to stay. This city has a lot to offer. It's got a really cool vibe. It's very laid back. And it's very Chinese. I am excited to go back to Beijing! And my Mom & Dad are going to be here in 4 days 21 hours!

Ching-Lish

Ching-Lish is a term Chinese people use to describe what happens when a non-English speaker does an improper translation. The result is often mind-numbing/hilarious.
Here is the ad that my Romp n' Roll wanted to post. (Click to make it bigger)

Pity Party! Table for 1!

So. Another day off in Wuhan. I've been stricken with some bad cold/mild flu. I look like I haven't slept in a week and that wouldn't be totally inaccurate. (BTW- Heaney's Beowulf has had a profound effect on my life- because I love nothing more then starting out every fricken story with "So.") 

It's been 41 days since I began my journey down here. And it's been about 34 days of solitude. I'm not trying to be dramatic- but other then work interactions and skype sessions I live a very solitary life. There were moments I've enjoyed this- I haven't had so much time for me in a VERY LONG TIME. But in the end- it's been very hard for me. I'm a social creature. 

The other thing is that it's left me so alone with my thoughts. Intelligence is a mixed blessing- sometimes I wish I was just a few IQ points shorter and then maybe I wouldn't be worrying so much. I've always got this nagging feeling I'm not doing enough with my life. And the fact that I'm down to 90 days in China is also forcing me to confront the future. What a scary thing. It would be nice to let time just run on, like water over rocks. But reality and bills, loans and life unfortunately swirl their way in to my head. 

First off. What will I be doing when I get back. I was hoping to return to the Public School system. I enjoy teaching, alot. But the idea of returning is so up in the air right now. When this whole voyage began almost a year ago (yes ,it has almost been a year since that fateful meeting with PR) I was in process of trying to go back to school. My plan was for an M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling. But now I don't know. I'm not sure what I want at all.

Now- don't feel totally bad for me- there has been another job offer. I will not be completely unemployed . It is a job that I'm interested in. I've been considering it quite heavily- but then the question of benefits and salary; duties and stress come into play. 

I'm just slightly feeling like I still haven't found WHAT I'm suppose to be doing yet. I like to believe that everybody has a life calling. I truly believe that a life worthing living is one that helps other people. And,  I enjoy teaching and I'm good at it. But…I'm not sure it is "IT"

Somebody recently asked me what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and my answer is 'I don't know!" I wish that answer was more freeing then petrifying. But the fact that I don't have a direction right now is really difficult for me. 

But I guess the conclusion is that time will tell what my next step is- maybe the lesson here is to just give up a little control and let things happen. Atleast, I find some comfort in that thought.