So, it's 9 pm and we leave for the airport at 11am tomorrow morning. After buying another suitcase and apologizing to my father for the fact that my big suitcase will be well over the allowed 50 pounds, I AM PACKED. I don't mean kind of packed, I mean I have my clothes laid out and all I need to do is wake up tomorrow. I'm pretty proud of myself to be completely honest.
The last two days I have tried to get all the last minute things done. Yesterday a group of us decided to go to the great wall again. This was by far my favorite thing I have seen in China (I guess that's not a huge surprise). We went to a different part of the wall, which was a lot less commercialized. (no Starbucks at the bottom) We rode a gondola up the mountain then hiked around the wall for about 3 hours. We met a German student who is working for the embassy over here for a bit, it amazes me some of the people you just randomly meet. Paige, Lauren and I were of course in love with his accent and talked to him for probably 30 minutes and I'm surprised we didn't ask him to come back to America with us. Paige told me after we left him that she just likes Europeans now, good thing she's studying in Italy second semester! The best part of the day was we got to ride toboggans down the mountain. I will post pictures as soon as I get good internet again, but that might not be until I get back to Columbia.
Last night we had a goodbye party at Pyro's Pizza, a local pizza shop that kind of adopted us while we were over here. It's the bar that has beer pong, so Allie and I played for old times sake and went 4-4 (I know Wes is super proud right now). We came home pretty early and I quickly went to bed! A day at the great wall will do that to you! I really wish I could have just stayed there for a few days, but I'll just have to come back at some point.
Today I got up early and went with my friend Matt to the Temple of Heaven (the last thing on the list I had to do). On the way I made the mistake of saying I couldn't wait for Columbia because there won't be thousands of people everywhere I go. I have been to a lot of big cities, but that was one of the hardest things to get use to. In New York you can find someplace that is not like 100000000 people on one little part of the street. There are just so many people here. All I said was that it will be nice to get back to Columbia where there are a lot less people and cars will stop for me. Well, I have gotten use to saying whatever I want and assuming people don't speak English.....wrong. This guy heard me and started talking to me. He told me that he didn't think Americans don't really know China and etc. etc..... I told him politely I like China and have loved my time here, I'm just ready to get home. He lectured me on the one child policy before he got off. I just am going to have to remember people can understand me in 24 hours! I didn't say anything bad or very offensive, but I will have to remember that people will speak english in about 18 hours.
Anyways, with my luck in China the Temple of Heaven was "closed for olympic ceremonies". Nothing is ever logical here- or at least what I consider logical. I was able to get onto the grounds, just not go into the temple. It was still really cool, but I learned my lesson on not waiting for the last minute. We met a group of people for lunch then Allie and I went and treated ourselves to a last minute very cheap massage. I figured I'll be on a plane for 14 hours then 3 hour layover then 1 hour flight then 2 hour car ride tomorrow- so it will be rough. I've very excited to see my mom tomorrow at hopefully 8pm!
I guess this will be my last blog in China. In the next few days I'll try to write one last wrap up blog for anyone that's intersted, but for now I'm exhausted and going to get up and get breakfast at 6 am tomorrow. See you all soon!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
How many nationalities can I be in 24 hours?
I had a pretty eventful last 2 days of the Olympics and I'm VERY sad it's over! Only 72 hours left in China- I can't believe I can count down by hours and not days or weeks! I'm very excited to get home and see everyone, but that was such a fast 8 weeks!
Saturday I went to canoe kayak races with Allie. Her dream is to hear the canadian national anthem played at the olympics, and they were suppose to win men's kayak singles. We got there early and found a group of rowdy canadians to sit with, unfortunately Canada came in second. It was a great experience being canadian for the day and the people we sat with were great.
When we got home a few of our friends were going to the Holland House for the night to celebrate a birthday. I had heard such great things about this place, so I figured it was my last saturday night in China. (this thinking may end up hurting me in the next 4 days and I may sleep for about 10 days when I get back!) I can't describe the place. Dutch people are beautiful and I think I'm going to marry one! It was like 100 barbie and ken's walking around! The men's rowing team put on a dance for us and they had a live band playing old school music! Lots of Queen and Abba. We headed home early- but all in all it was a great night and I will be visiting the Netherlands very shortly.
Yesterday was my last day of work and it was really sad to say goodbye to everyone! We've had handball at our venue the last 4 days and it has been interesting. According to Wes, he thinks he could play handball, so we'll be seeing him in London in 1012- be prepared! Anyways I went up to watch the men's final (France v. Iceland!) and I was standing right next the the French cheering section. Lets just say I stood a few rows away from the men swim team and it was the coolest cheering section I've ever seen. They were not silent for more than 30 seconds the whole game and were waving flags and baguettes! It was just historical and I now would like to be canadian, dutch, and french after the last few days. Last night we went straight from work to this restaurant to watch the closing ceremonies where we met a few english and french guys. Great times and I'm really going to miss being able to meet people from literally everywhere.
This is kind of a weak blogpost, but I'm going to go enjoy my last monday in China and will try to write one or 2 more times before I leave! Everyone have a great first day of classes today!
Saturday I went to canoe kayak races with Allie. Her dream is to hear the canadian national anthem played at the olympics, and they were suppose to win men's kayak singles. We got there early and found a group of rowdy canadians to sit with, unfortunately Canada came in second. It was a great experience being canadian for the day and the people we sat with were great.
When we got home a few of our friends were going to the Holland House for the night to celebrate a birthday. I had heard such great things about this place, so I figured it was my last saturday night in China. (this thinking may end up hurting me in the next 4 days and I may sleep for about 10 days when I get back!) I can't describe the place. Dutch people are beautiful and I think I'm going to marry one! It was like 100 barbie and ken's walking around! The men's rowing team put on a dance for us and they had a live band playing old school music! Lots of Queen and Abba. We headed home early- but all in all it was a great night and I will be visiting the Netherlands very shortly.
Yesterday was my last day of work and it was really sad to say goodbye to everyone! We've had handball at our venue the last 4 days and it has been interesting. According to Wes, he thinks he could play handball, so we'll be seeing him in London in 1012- be prepared! Anyways I went up to watch the men's final (France v. Iceland!) and I was standing right next the the French cheering section. Lets just say I stood a few rows away from the men swim team and it was the coolest cheering section I've ever seen. They were not silent for more than 30 seconds the whole game and were waving flags and baguettes! It was just historical and I now would like to be canadian, dutch, and french after the last few days. Last night we went straight from work to this restaurant to watch the closing ceremonies where we met a few english and french guys. Great times and I'm really going to miss being able to meet people from literally everywhere.
This is kind of a weak blogpost, but I'm going to go enjoy my last monday in China and will try to write one or 2 more times before I leave! Everyone have a great first day of classes today!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
USA SOCCER and my new dream job!
WOW- I know I say every night is the best night ever, but last night may have been it! But before we get to that- a few things real quick:
The IOC has has FIG to look into gymnasts ages after new information came to light- I told you so! I'm not saying these girls aren't amazing and they shouldn't be allowed to compete- but the age is 16. I don't get how people think they can cheat and get past the olympics. I just don't get it. Nothing is official yet, but we'll see in a few days or weeks. I believe eventually things come out and the people that work hard and don't bend the rules will come out on top. I'm sure it doesn't always work like this, but I'd like to have faith things work this way.
Also I forgot to mention a few of my friends went back to the bud house tuesday night and saw the one and only Michael Phelps. Of course he was surrounded and behind red velvet the whole night, from what I'm told. The interesting part is that they saw him smoking. I know there has been a lot written about how he's going to be on the Kelloggs box and not Wheaties-and how that's not good because it's less healthy and what is he telling kids. That first of all is stupid! Secondly, who wouldn't want to be on wheaties? and thirdly sugared cereal is not the least of his worries if he is going to be smoking in public. I don't know the kid obviously, but at least be smart enough not to do it at a party where over 50% of people are high profiled journalists. I mean maybe that's just me, but who is his media coach? I don't know, maybe he just wanted one cigarette after 4 years of training, but it's a little disappointed for me at least.
So, onto the fun part! Last night at work I got there and after about an hour my friends Lauren and Paige come in and tell me they have an extra ticket to the women's soccer final. After begging (ok really asking because she loves me) Wendy to get off early we run across to the IBC to meet up with Lauren's friend, who is currently working for NBC. He got us into the NBC combine! This consists of every NBC set you see, except for the today show. AMAZING! We then got to go to their cafeteria where Ryan (Lauren's friend) tells us everything is free and to eat up. They have chefs there preparing stuff and amazing food. Not to mention a ice cream bar and a STARBUCKS. Let's just say I stared at just about everyone in the cafeteria and ate everything! I couldn't fall asleep last night thanks to free starbucks. Ryan graduated from MU my freshman year and worked for a sports marketing company then went to grad school at UWV and now has my dream job for a little over a month. He works from 5am to 5pm and is assigned 6 sports (softball, baseball, fencing, archery, and I forget the other two) anyways he follows these sports and the writers come in and ask him any question they have. He is paid to watch sports and know things, or at least where to find them. UM, sounds kind of dorky, but this would be amazing! It was great talking to him throughout the soccer game and hopefully that won't be the last time we see him on the trip!
So then we go to the Women's soccer final! I'm sure everyone watched it, or at least knows the outcome (we won in overtime 1-0) We were so close and I can't believe I was actually there! It was amazing and a dream come true! I will put up pictures soon.
We got back at about 1:30 so nixed the idea of going out and instead woke up early and came to a nice coffee shop. So now I'm sitting in the middle of China and have been watching the boy at the next table- who looks american or european- study and write in mandarin----which I am fascinated with! Seriously I wish I knew a different language. I work tonight then tomorrow go to canoe kayak tomorrow with Allie- after that I will want to play soccer, run, and buy a kayak to prepare for London! The Olympics just excite me and I have been SO lucky to go to so many events! I guess that's it for now! It's my last friday in China, and that is just too weird. As exited as I will be to get home, I'm really going to miss this!
The IOC has has FIG to look into gymnasts ages after new information came to light- I told you so! I'm not saying these girls aren't amazing and they shouldn't be allowed to compete- but the age is 16. I don't get how people think they can cheat and get past the olympics. I just don't get it. Nothing is official yet, but we'll see in a few days or weeks. I believe eventually things come out and the people that work hard and don't bend the rules will come out on top. I'm sure it doesn't always work like this, but I'd like to have faith things work this way.
Also I forgot to mention a few of my friends went back to the bud house tuesday night and saw the one and only Michael Phelps. Of course he was surrounded and behind red velvet the whole night, from what I'm told. The interesting part is that they saw him smoking. I know there has been a lot written about how he's going to be on the Kelloggs box and not Wheaties-and how that's not good because it's less healthy and what is he telling kids. That first of all is stupid! Secondly, who wouldn't want to be on wheaties? and thirdly sugared cereal is not the least of his worries if he is going to be smoking in public. I don't know the kid obviously, but at least be smart enough not to do it at a party where over 50% of people are high profiled journalists. I mean maybe that's just me, but who is his media coach? I don't know, maybe he just wanted one cigarette after 4 years of training, but it's a little disappointed for me at least.
So, onto the fun part! Last night at work I got there and after about an hour my friends Lauren and Paige come in and tell me they have an extra ticket to the women's soccer final. After begging (ok really asking because she loves me) Wendy to get off early we run across to the IBC to meet up with Lauren's friend, who is currently working for NBC. He got us into the NBC combine! This consists of every NBC set you see, except for the today show. AMAZING! We then got to go to their cafeteria where Ryan (Lauren's friend) tells us everything is free and to eat up. They have chefs there preparing stuff and amazing food. Not to mention a ice cream bar and a STARBUCKS. Let's just say I stared at just about everyone in the cafeteria and ate everything! I couldn't fall asleep last night thanks to free starbucks. Ryan graduated from MU my freshman year and worked for a sports marketing company then went to grad school at UWV and now has my dream job for a little over a month. He works from 5am to 5pm and is assigned 6 sports (softball, baseball, fencing, archery, and I forget the other two) anyways he follows these sports and the writers come in and ask him any question they have. He is paid to watch sports and know things, or at least where to find them. UM, sounds kind of dorky, but this would be amazing! It was great talking to him throughout the soccer game and hopefully that won't be the last time we see him on the trip!
So then we go to the Women's soccer final! I'm sure everyone watched it, or at least knows the outcome (we won in overtime 1-0) We were so close and I can't believe I was actually there! It was amazing and a dream come true! I will put up pictures soon.
We got back at about 1:30 so nixed the idea of going out and instead woke up early and came to a nice coffee shop. So now I'm sitting in the middle of China and have been watching the boy at the next table- who looks american or european- study and write in mandarin----which I am fascinated with! Seriously I wish I knew a different language. I work tonight then tomorrow go to canoe kayak tomorrow with Allie- after that I will want to play soccer, run, and buy a kayak to prepare for London! The Olympics just excite me and I have been SO lucky to go to so many events! I guess that's it for now! It's my last friday in China, and that is just too weird. As exited as I will be to get home, I'm really going to miss this!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
One Week....
First of all I just woke up and read Rick Reilly's newest article, which kind of describes what I've witnessed in the past 2 months. Although I love China, I can't deny any of this and it's why the last two months have been quite frustrating. I would suggest reading it:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3542649
Luckily for me ESPN is not one of the news sites they have me blocked at.
Ok, on to real things! Wes sent me an awesome article on Ben this morning:
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/columns/story?id=3544007&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1
We went to see him yesterday morning. He came out for his first match and lost the first round, we got a little nervous. He came out in the second round and pinned the guy in 30 seconds. His second match was against Cuba (if you read the article, he was a medalist in the last olympics- but we didn't really know anything about wrestling yesterday) . He lost the first round, won the second and lost the last one. It was disappointing- I'm sure very much for him- but it was cool to watch someone from our school compete in the OLYMPICS. Pretty insane!
After that Allie and I went to the green and snuck into the MPC (Main Press Center). How we accomplished this was turned our credentials around, waited for a busload of journalists, walked in the middle of them on our cell phones and didn't stop for anyone. This was amazing once we got in! I ate real fish for lunch- it didn't have skin, bones, or eyes on it. It was just magical! I hope BOCOG is embarrassed by what they feed us! We also went to the VOCOG and LOCOG offices and picked up information....maybe I can just become an olympic volunteer for the rest of my life? Mom and Dad don't worry, we asked about paying jobs! Anyways the MPC was fun and I might have to sneak in again to get real food!
Yesterday was the Gymnastics Gala. This is I guess the 2nd or 3rd hardest and most expensive ticket to get in the olympics (behind the opening and maybe closing ceremonies). I went up to the press tribune and watched it with a few of my friends. This was one of the most interesting things ever. THe gold medalists and other medalists preformed 30 second routines and in between those were different Chinese like dance routines and in parts I felt like I was in Bring It On. It was definitely a very interesting thing to watch. After that we went down on the actual floors and played on the different equipment. Let me just say- the beam is a lot higher and harder than it seams and the floor is like a trampoline! It was so fun then they tore the equipment down to set up for handball. Let me also say that I saw the whole chinese team in person. THOSE GIRLS ARE NOT 16. There is no way at all, they look little on t.v., but being beside them! The are for sure younger than my lovely cousin Taylor, who has a few years until 16 if I remember correctly. I don't care I wasn't that young looking (I'm not just talking about size) when I was even in 8th grade- and I look like I'm 16 still! They put so much make-up on those girls, but I won't be surprised if in about a month or 2 a few of those girls get their medals taken back.
Last night we went to a mexican restaurant and watched Bolt win the 200. He is amazing! I'm so glad I got to see his 100 win in person. Today Handball starts at our venue! I know nothing about the sport- but it will be so fun I'm sure!
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3542649
Luckily for me ESPN is not one of the news sites they have me blocked at.
Ok, on to real things! Wes sent me an awesome article on Ben this morning:
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/columns/story?id=3544007&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1
We went to see him yesterday morning. He came out for his first match and lost the first round, we got a little nervous. He came out in the second round and pinned the guy in 30 seconds. His second match was against Cuba (if you read the article, he was a medalist in the last olympics- but we didn't really know anything about wrestling yesterday) . He lost the first round, won the second and lost the last one. It was disappointing- I'm sure very much for him- but it was cool to watch someone from our school compete in the OLYMPICS. Pretty insane!
After that Allie and I went to the green and snuck into the MPC (Main Press Center). How we accomplished this was turned our credentials around, waited for a busload of journalists, walked in the middle of them on our cell phones and didn't stop for anyone. This was amazing once we got in! I ate real fish for lunch- it didn't have skin, bones, or eyes on it. It was just magical! I hope BOCOG is embarrassed by what they feed us! We also went to the VOCOG and LOCOG offices and picked up information....maybe I can just become an olympic volunteer for the rest of my life? Mom and Dad don't worry, we asked about paying jobs! Anyways the MPC was fun and I might have to sneak in again to get real food!
Yesterday was the Gymnastics Gala. This is I guess the 2nd or 3rd hardest and most expensive ticket to get in the olympics (behind the opening and maybe closing ceremonies). I went up to the press tribune and watched it with a few of my friends. This was one of the most interesting things ever. THe gold medalists and other medalists preformed 30 second routines and in between those were different Chinese like dance routines and in parts I felt like I was in Bring It On. It was definitely a very interesting thing to watch. After that we went down on the actual floors and played on the different equipment. Let me just say- the beam is a lot higher and harder than it seams and the floor is like a trampoline! It was so fun then they tore the equipment down to set up for handball. Let me also say that I saw the whole chinese team in person. THOSE GIRLS ARE NOT 16. There is no way at all, they look little on t.v., but being beside them! The are for sure younger than my lovely cousin Taylor, who has a few years until 16 if I remember correctly. I don't care I wasn't that young looking (I'm not just talking about size) when I was even in 8th grade- and I look like I'm 16 still! They put so much make-up on those girls, but I won't be surprised if in about a month or 2 a few of those girls get their medals taken back.
Last night we went to a mexican restaurant and watched Bolt win the 200. He is amazing! I'm so glad I got to see his 100 win in person. Today Handball starts at our venue! I know nothing about the sport- but it will be so fun I'm sure!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
fyi
for more info on club bud: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26261250/
this story was written about the night we were there because someone in our group saw everyone mentioned!
this story was written about the night we were there because someone in our group saw everyone mentioned!
budweiser brings people together
So Sunday night after I got off work I went with a friend of mine and met a few people from Missouri at the Bud house. This is a house where once you get in everything is free! This sounds awesome to college students, however you have to be on a list to get in. A few of my friends met this guy with connections at the cycling venue and got their names on the "list". So to get in Allie was a member of the Brazilian swim team, and I went with a girl on the list and smiled at the bouncer. Lucky for us my friend Paige and I are both blonde girls - so somehow we got in. Once in we met lots of athletes and a variety of journalists. My night included:
- a new york times sports reporter asking me how long we have been here, my response July 1st got the response- "Wow, you must really hate China"..... I didn't expect this from a well known journalist, but it was followed by a 20 minute vent session about China from him and a fellow journalist. I guess add some egos, a foreign country, frustrating miscommunications, and some alcohol and you see some pretty interesting sides of people.
- 2 members of the polish rowing team CAME up to Allie and I and asked US if we would take a picture with them. hahaha why would we turn that down?
- I talked to Pat Forde for a good 30 minutes! After a few minutes I realized who I was talking to (he looked so familiar- but name tags really help here and club bud no one had them unfortch for me!) He was a great guy and told us that ESPN was flying every alumni who currently works for them to Missouri for our Journalism School's Centennial. Too bad Kirk Herbstreit isn't an alum or I would probably camp out in front of the hotel they're staying at! haha that's kind of a joke
Those have to be the greatest stories of the night- we met many athletes and a few swimmers where there, but no Phelps- I'm sure he was tired from winning his 8th gold medal- no big deal- Wes, I'm sure he would just give me two of his- how many could the guy need?
Monday was a pretty uneventful day- besides Eric losing his cell phone in a cab on the way home from a handball game with a bunch of danish people and somehow getting it back. All the cabbie wanted (they maybe spoke 10 words of english) anyways Eric got his phone back with a hug, picture and signing the cabbie's autograph book. Probably the strangest, yet luckiest things that happened to anyone on this trip. (3 people have lost phones in cars).
Today was the last day of gymnastics and handball starts at my venue starting Thursday. Tomorrow we're going to see Ben Askren (a former wrestler from Missouri) compete- so that should be exciting. Other than that I'm just trying to enjoy my last full week in China- which I still can't believe.
I'll try to let everyone know how tomorrow goes!
- a new york times sports reporter asking me how long we have been here, my response July 1st got the response- "Wow, you must really hate China"..... I didn't expect this from a well known journalist, but it was followed by a 20 minute vent session about China from him and a fellow journalist. I guess add some egos, a foreign country, frustrating miscommunications, and some alcohol and you see some pretty interesting sides of people.
- 2 members of the polish rowing team CAME up to Allie and I and asked US if we would take a picture with them. hahaha why would we turn that down?
- I talked to Pat Forde for a good 30 minutes! After a few minutes I realized who I was talking to (he looked so familiar- but name tags really help here and club bud no one had them unfortch for me!) He was a great guy and told us that ESPN was flying every alumni who currently works for them to Missouri for our Journalism School's Centennial. Too bad Kirk Herbstreit isn't an alum or I would probably camp out in front of the hotel they're staying at! haha that's kind of a joke
Those have to be the greatest stories of the night- we met many athletes and a few swimmers where there, but no Phelps- I'm sure he was tired from winning his 8th gold medal- no big deal- Wes, I'm sure he would just give me two of his- how many could the guy need?
Monday was a pretty uneventful day- besides Eric losing his cell phone in a cab on the way home from a handball game with a bunch of danish people and somehow getting it back. All the cabbie wanted (they maybe spoke 10 words of english) anyways Eric got his phone back with a hug, picture and signing the cabbie's autograph book. Probably the strangest, yet luckiest things that happened to anyone on this trip. (3 people have lost phones in cars).
Today was the last day of gymnastics and handball starts at my venue starting Thursday. Tomorrow we're going to see Ben Askren (a former wrestler from Missouri) compete- so that should be exciting. Other than that I'm just trying to enjoy my last full week in China- which I still can't believe.
I'll try to let everyone know how tomorrow goes!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
A few minutes to spare
I have a few spare minutes this afternoon- My work schedule is 8pm- midnight the next few days, so hopefully I can do a little sightseeing that I haven't gotten around to yet. I want to start of by saying that yesterday was AMAZING. I went to work at noon and got off at around 3 (super unexciting because it was trampoline and no journalists were covering that). I stayed down on the green with Kelly, one of the Missouri girls I work with. We went to the olympic store, but just the outside because there was a 45 min. wait to get inside. THen we waked down to TGIFridays, which just so happened to be closed. This is the thing about CHina, when I think something is very logical (example: TGIFRIDAY on the green being open because why would you build a restaurant and not open it for the olympics) Well anyways, if it's logical- then it's doesn't really work and it's the opposite. I have thankfully gotten use to this and so now I laugh instead of get upset when things like this happen. Anyways we grabbed ourselves some Mcdonalds (the only option on the green) and then headed to the birdsnest. It is absolutely amazing. We got to see some long jump, the women's heptathlon, and of course the men's 100 meter finals. I was a little disappointed that Gay didn't even qualify, but Bolts run was one of the most amazing athletic moments I've ever witnessed! I hope everyone got to see it. Of course watching Phelps get his 8th this morning was pretty cool too, a little closer than I thought it was going to be. It's funny, I think I've started becoming a local. The past 2 days were some of the best weather days we've had yet in Beijing. Walking on the green yesterday, while everyone else was taking pictures of the birdsnest and staring in awe, I was taking pictures of the mountains. It's only about 2 or 3 days a month that the mountains have been visible- I forget they're there almost everyday. It was just funny that I was more excited about that than the birdsnest, but I guess that's what happens when you see it everyday.
It's so weird to think I've been here almost 7 weeks and a week from now I'm going to start thinking about packing! It's funny because before I left, when I was at dinner with my parents, we were all guessing what I would miss the most. I was guessing food, but I am happy to report as much as I am excited for a giant salad and some fruit when I get home, that isn't the thing I miss the most. I have to say I miss the sky and breathing the most. Really hazy smoggy days can put you in a bad mood. I've seen 2 stars the whole time I've been here- and I know I'm in a big city- but half the time I can't even see the top of the buildings. I also really miss driving a lot. I love public transportation but I'm really ready to hop in my car and drive myself places. Also being able to communicate with anyone and everyone. I've gotten really good at hand signals and pointing, but I can't wait to be checking out somewhere or ordering food somewhere and knowing what exactly I'm ordering. I of course miss people the most, but those are a few things that I have really come to miss. There are a lot of things I'll miss about China too, and I'm sure as the next 2 weeks fly by they will hit me . I'll share them at a later date, but for now its laundry and I might start to get organized for packing! yeah, probably not, but I figured I'd make my mom happy for a split second. And, if anyone has any gift requests from China get them in soon!
It's so weird to think I've been here almost 7 weeks and a week from now I'm going to start thinking about packing! It's funny because before I left, when I was at dinner with my parents, we were all guessing what I would miss the most. I was guessing food, but I am happy to report as much as I am excited for a giant salad and some fruit when I get home, that isn't the thing I miss the most. I have to say I miss the sky and breathing the most. Really hazy smoggy days can put you in a bad mood. I've seen 2 stars the whole time I've been here- and I know I'm in a big city- but half the time I can't even see the top of the buildings. I also really miss driving a lot. I love public transportation but I'm really ready to hop in my car and drive myself places. Also being able to communicate with anyone and everyone. I've gotten really good at hand signals and pointing, but I can't wait to be checking out somewhere or ordering food somewhere and knowing what exactly I'm ordering. I of course miss people the most, but those are a few things that I have really come to miss. There are a lot of things I'll miss about China too, and I'm sure as the next 2 weeks fly by they will hit me . I'll share them at a later date, but for now its laundry and I might start to get organized for packing! yeah, probably not, but I figured I'd make my mom happy for a split second. And, if anyone has any gift requests from China get them in soon!
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