Untitled Musings

Busy, busy, busy!

And sooo happy! :)

I never knew work could be so lovely or so fun! Here I am, the busiest (and, consequently, least hygienic) I've ever been, yet I couldn't be more at peace with what I'm doing.  Every time I start to get stressed about something that can't get done (i.e. waiting too long for a bus when I'm already running late), God's given little blessings to help me meet my needs (i.e. a friend happens to drive by, pull over and offer me a ride, making me right on time). 
 
On Monday, I was asked if I would take 4 more hours of classes, giving me more hours than any other teacher (all paid) in the department.  When this was mentioned, my immediate reaction was anger and I almost ignored the "save face" concept and showed my frustration.  However, before I was given a chance, I was told that the extra 4 hours would be teaching year 2 class C and D (my favorite classes) American culture.  Well, that changed my attitude, as I knew the students were having trouble with their current (Chinese) culture teacher, so I accepted less-than-reluctantly.  And, in spite of the fact that I'm working more hours than I should, I definitely don't regret the decision.   Teaching class C & D is more like play time than work; every time I step in their classroom they clap and give me a standing ovation in gratitude that I'm teaching them. And we've always had a fun ritual where, at the start of class I yell "Good morning, Wonderful Students" and they yell back "Good morning Wonderful Teacher!"  (how will I ever go back to teaching in the states?! haha). Sooo I certainly can't feel stressed hanging out and watching them grow even more times in a week. :)

My Muslim friends/neighbors (mentioned in previous posts; the restaurant owners) and I are becoming even better friends, as a result of me eating in their restaurant on an almost daily basis (since I don't have time to cook/clean up), which is great.  Because there are many relatives living together in the restaurant, there are 2 children living there, under the age of 6, who are not old enough to go to school.  Since their parents are always busy working, the kids spend their days running around campus creating havoc and getting dirty.  I always stop and play with the kids when I see them on campus (I once taught them to clean up the lake area on campus and they love doing it and I see them doing it by themselves every now and then), and lately they've gotten the courage to come to my house to play. When they come, I give them food and soda and they look at all of my stuff with fascination, oohing over photos (and asking me to tell them the same stories about each person in the pictures as I've told them the last time they came) and to play with my stuffed panda bear (he's a battery operated, interactive panda that my family sent me last Christmas), who they think is real and ask me lots of questions about his diet (they've tried pouring cola down his throat) and sleeping habits. :) So, while I work, they come and play and keep me company, and thus we've started this strange babysitting routine of sorts.

And, of course, the Welfare Home is phenomenal. I've never been so proud of anything in my life. It's SO amazing how visual the changes there are. The ladies no longer act attention craved or fight for attention, they seem happy, they make physical and emotional improvements on a weekly basis (one girl, who was not able to open her hand from its fist position in lord-knows-how-long, after consistent PT, can now open it on her own, without prying it open with her other hand) and they know that, when we leave, it's only temporary and we're coming back. The residents understand about the mural project, too, and, those who are able, ask about it, really excited for what's to come.  A few of them even are practicing drawing in notebooks one of my volunteers gave them.  My volunteers are so perfect; they consistently come every week, forming such meaningful relationships and friendships; and they're as protective and proud of the project as I am. It's just really a lot to feel good and excited about

This weekend is my birthday.  I know it's stupid and irrational (and that it will happen again at random periods in my life), but different ages hit different people, and for whatever reason "24" is a really frightening, "old" age for me. Two years ago from that day, I received my invitation to Peace Corps China. It's crazy to think of how much has happened in two years.