Life Lessons

Wow.

It's over.

I'm sitting in my parents house just outside of Washington D.C. The journey is over. I can't believe. It went by so fast. Part of me is ready to go back.

The past couple days of goodbyes have been hard. So many people I love dearly- and I don't know when I'm going to see them again.  

But I do have some closing words to impart on you....(which might be followed by more blogs)

#1 Give us your....

I'm not going to lie- most of my friends are of the middle-class, white-bread variety. Most of us don't know what it feels like to be a minority. Most of us aren't very understanding of minorities here in America. Some people think they should be happy  enough to just be here. And they should learn to speak English if they want to stay here.

Having lived as a minority for a year- Americans need to become more tolerant. We are a country of immigrants and minorities- that is what makes us great. We get the best of the best from all over the world. Let's not forget that ALL of us were immigrants once. And while I was in China not once was I ever shunned or ignored because of who I was. And when it comes to "just learning a language"- how many of you fluently speak a second language? How many of you took atleast 3 years of language? It just isn't that easy. So many times in China would a person who SPOKE zero English patiently try to help me as I mimed my way through a phrase. More often then not THEY ended up acting guilty for not knowing English. Imagine that perspective  next time you get frustrated when you think somebody doesn't speak enough English.

#2 Government is of the people. It is not the people.

Often times when going abroad American's can get a bad wrap. It's because our Government can do some stupid stuff. And people get CONFUSED. They all of a sudden think that I am the same as my Government.  And it's just not true. The same happens with China. Chinese people are not the same as their Government. They are even a little less liable since their officials aren't even elected. So the next time you think of China don't think if the PRC, communist loving, brain-washed, Mao worshipping people. They just don't exist. These stereotypes aren't true. The Chinese people are kind-hearted, welcoming people. They would give you the shirt off their back if you needed it- even if they had just met you. They are so excited to share their culture and their country with you. They didn't get to do that for a LONG time. And surprisingly enough, the people there are EXACTLY like the people here. We share the same daily struggles. The same hard-ships.  There are the same personalities types. I have never believed more in my life that there is only ONE RACE- the HUMAN RACE.

#3 The Media does not always tell the truth.

The dragon has awakened- and America just might have a reason to give them a little bit of bad press. Our economy is failing, all the markets are in turmoil and China is just plugging along with their annual GDP projected to grow again this year. Do you think think the American government and media might benefit from making Americans a little anti-China? Making American citizens not want to buy a Chinese product? Bringing up the big bad "C" word, reminding us that anti-democracy= communism. It's sad. But don't listen BLINDLY to every story coming out of China. No- they are not a perfect country. But neither are we. You can't judge a country by the stories the newspapers choose to print over here.

#4 You give them money! And they take you places!

Travel. If I have ONE piece of advice it's TRAVEL. You have never learned more about yourself, the human race, psychology, and your country by stepping OUTSIDE of it. And it's so much EASIER then you would think- honestly as Joseph put it "you give them money, show up, and you arrive in another part of the world." Stop reading about amazing places and visit them. If your smart you won't need to bring much money for souvenirs because you'll realize that the pictures are worth more then any tchotchke you can bring back. You also become a personal ambassador of America. Because when people meet a thoughtful traveler, who is interested in their people and their cultures, they will start remembering THAT as an American and not some war-hawk, fat-cat in a suit on TV. 

The Many Hats

Wrote this a few weeks ago- didn't blog it. Doing it now.

One thing that is odd about my current position is the different hats I have to wear. First of all- I am a young professional. Clocking in at 24 years of age I don't have a lot of age seniority over anybody. Secondly- moving to Beijing is not just a job adjustment. I have not been made responsible of just people's professional lives- I am partially responsible for their personal lives as well. And thus- I have to wear different hats.

I get to be tour guide Anna.
I get to be social networking Anna.
I get to be work training Anna.

And sometimes- I do believe people have trouble resolving the three. At the end of the day- they are the same person. But in the different settings they have different responsibilities.

While I am the same person you had drinks with on Saturday, I am also at the same time, NOT the same person who is watching your training. They can't be the same person. It doesn't work that way.

It's hard. Sometimes- I just want to STOP CARING. I want to be social Anna who doesn't care. But at the SAME TIME- I take pride in my job. I have 4 years RnR experience, 2+years in public education. That isn't forever- I understand. We're not talking decades- but it should give some perspective. I've been with RnR for as long as it takes to get a college degree. If there was a B.A. in Romping AND/OR Rolling- I probably would possess it.

Regardless- when professional lines get blurred things get complicated. Some teachers use to be an open book with their students- I on the other hand use to keep my personal life personal. While I do want to share with my students and let them know me, we can't be friends. When it comes down to discipline, friendship gets in the way. I guess I am feeling some of those same pains in a professional sense, after I have been through training with so many new people. I want to be your friend, I do. But- I guess my job has to come first. And with new crews of trainees coming through I feel less and less motivated to be social- and want to just focus on the professional.

I guess my conclusion is. Finding the balance that leaves everybody happy is hard one.

Sunrise, Sunset

Today it rained and the streets flooded.
Almost a year ago exactly- the same thing happened here in Beijing.
It was my 5th day in China the first time. Today is my 355th.
How time flies. How much has happened.
But in a beautiful way I'm glad this has happened. It made me feel like I have officially come full circle.
12 days till this journey is over.
Now just on to the next one.....

Panda Babies

While at our Rugby Tour in Chengdu we were a hop skip and a jump away from THE World Famous Chengdu Panda Base. They have 83 Pandas on site and many different little viewing sites/centers. You have to get there nice and early because apparently Panda's are lazy. They get up for their feeding in the morning and then spend the rest of the day not doing much of anything. So after a night of Ruby Celebrations we dragged our tired bodies/minds/souls on to the hostel's bus and took a ride of death on said bus which apparently had lost any concept of shocks long time ago.
The first center we got to vista was the three year old panda enclosure. They had four little panda's. One who was late to arrive to breakfast and 3 that had plopped themselves in a line and had no plans of moving. One thing that we were all worried about coming into this was the quality of life for said pandas. China is well known for having lots of "sad zoos" but I can honestly say this was a very happy place. The enclosures were large with lots of foliage and had intreating things for panda's to climb. The panda's themselves were all bright eyed and bushy tailed (as a panda should have been.)
After oooo-ing/aaaah-ing and the overwhelming cuteness we headed on the red panda enclosure. Now red pandas are about the size of a raccoon and look like the missing pokemon character. They are far more active then regular panda's but have this one off character trait. The rub their "butt" on everything. They were like little territory marking machines.dragging their hind quarters against anything that stuck out of the ground. They also must be much better at breeding then their giant cousins because there were twenty or so in the enclosures.
Then we marched on to the nursery. This had a central building, surrounded by 6 or 7 different enclosures. In the first was 6 or 7 one year old pandas. And we must have missed feeding time because they had all assumed the position in the the tree. The position apparently is called "panda carcass" where it has just barely enough energy to fling its adorable panda body over a branch and the immediately fall asleep. Lazy panda. There was also a mommy/baby pair. Baby was full of vim and vigor, Mommy wanted to nap, hilarity inside. Including a full on tumble down the embankment surrounding the center. But don't worry folks, he was OK.
It was around this time that our guide in broken English asked us if we wanted to hold the baby panda. I had come mentally prepared to say no to this. First and foremost, it cost 1000RMB. I'm not going to convert that into USD for you because it is shamefully expensive. Secondly, it's not great for the baby panda to have so much human exposure. Third, I'm not THAT panda crazy. But, my friend Kate had decided she WAS going to hold the panda and wanted somebody to wait with her. So, we stood in line. And waited. And waited. And listened to the people around us talk about 'once in a life time' opportunity and how amazing it was going to be. I started to want to hold the panda....but I had outsmarted myself. I knew this might happen so I purposely did NOT bring enough money to hold the panda. And this is where it's great to have friends that are enablers, because Kate pulled out a wad of cash and told me to not worry about the difference.
You go into the nursery center a few people at a time. They make you suit up as if you are going into a delivery room. You stand around and watch as the other tourists hold the panda. One of my favorites was the 5 year old child who was A. unimpressed with being this close to a panda and B. the size of the panda. Then it was Kate's turn. And then mine. One thing about holding a panda is it does something to your brain- it turns it into some sort of goo. And all you really can think is "OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG I'M HOLDING A PANDA OMG OMG OMG OMG!" When they placed him on my lap he slipped out of the trainers hands and he landed with the most adorable panda groan. To keep him happy they feed him one tiny stick of bamboo at a time and as he finished each stick he would stick his little paw out for the next. He was a heavy little sucker- somewhere around 60-70lbs I'd guess. His hair is very corse- which surprised me. He didn't mind me petting him or squeezing him- as long as the bamboo kept coming.
After the baby panda experience Kate and I were on panda-cloud-nine. You probably could have hit me in the face with a 2 x 4 and I would have smiled at you and kept walking.
We finished out our day with an educational panda video produced by the center. We learned a few important facts: 1. Panda's get off easy when it comes to birth. The baby when born is 1/1000th of the Mother's size. 2. Panda Mom's aren't really great Mom's- with lots of videos of them batting the newly born babies around in a confused state. 3. A few Panda Mom's are great and very human like, rocking and holding their baby just like a human Mommy would. 4. Panda's aren't great at a lot of things: Walking, Climbing, Mating, Motherhood 5. This panda center has a high success rate in retrieving panda semen because they use electric shock AND massage. I feel sorry for the scientist with THAT job.

Hi ho, Houhai!

As my time winds down I'm trying to make the most of...well...my time. I also want to show the "newbs" around and show them a good time in the great city of Beijing.
We went to Houhai lake, a man made lake towards the center of Beijing. Its surrounded by bars, shops, and restaurants with boat rentals all over. We grabbed lunch at a REALLY overpriced restaurant. It was mostly chinese food- but they had this amazing looking vegetable curry. When it came out it has an INCH of cheese on top. (See picture) While I'm one of Cheese's biggest fans- it really wasn't the curry I was looking for.

We then rented and hopped in a little electric boat and start zooming around the lake. AND by zooming- I mean we were racing turtles, snails, and other creatures that have not perfected forward motion with high amounts of momentum. But it was hilarious. AND then... much to our hilarious dismay out lack of engine came to a dull hum. Yes- we were stranded in the middle of the lake. Not to fear- there was a cellphone number for emergencies. So- I called the number and somebody picked up. I said, "Hello!" And they immediately hung up. So I called back, this time I tried in Chinese" "Wei! Nihao! Ni hui jiang yingyu ma?" (do you speak english) CLICK! Hung up again. I started feeling a little desperate. We were in S Lake without a paddle. So- I called a fluent Chinese friend to help us out but then out of the mist came our white knight. See picture. He seemed mildly annoyed- and then proceeded to macgyver only using a swiss army knife our engine back into existence. It was hilarious.

We then proceeded to April Gourmet- my favorite Western market in Beijing. Traffic hit as we went back to meet up with Beau, Alex, Stacey and Zach for dinner. We were meeting up in Gulou which is a very cute area near Houhai. It's not well known enough to be expensive but still has Western delights. Like MEXICAN food! We had a very nice dinner at Amigo's and then wandered the cute little hutong that it just south of the area. We ended up having roof-top drinks and retiring for evening. All in all it was a pretty perfect day. And that is how I want to spend the rest of my time here- relaxing, enjoying good company, and being out and about in the city.

I included an extra picture of a man performing water calligraphy. It's a sort of meditation activity where they write out poems, phrases and such in beautiful script. For me- I love the impermanence of it. The idea that while beautiful- nothing lasts forever. I love it.

Over and out. 26 days.

MISSING

100000RMB Reward

Jill

Last seen scarfing down dumplings

Wearing Crocs

Please Return to Beijing

We Miss Her!!!!

Dirty 30

So- now under 30 days, here is my list of things I NEED to do before I leave.

-Eat at:
-The Tree
-Ganges
-the Veggie Table
-the Bridge
-Enjoy the Westin's Bubbalicious (The 6 Hour Champagne Brunch)
-Hike the Great Wall one more time
-Travel to at least 1 more province
-Play in my first rugby match
-Go to the gym ALOT
-Visit Underground Beijing
-Tour 798 one more time
-Purchase last round of souvenirs
-Perfect my Mahjong skills
-Buy gifts for my coworkers
-Eat so many dumplings, fat noodles, and hot pot that I explode