China Looms . . .
Okay, so I wasn’t lying at all when I told everyone that I wasn’t nervous to spend (at least : ) a year in China. I just wasn’t . . . until I read the book Lost on Planet China which, for a moment, made me scared shitless. Now I am just wary . . . wary of all the crap (literally) that I might be facing in, oh, six hours. Hmmm, by no means do I regret my decision, I say that is ALL honesty, it’s just that Japan was so nice . . . like really nice . . . like I could definitely live there for a few years of my life without giving some up in the long run (the descriptions of pollution and smoking in that book were hideous . . . what am I going to do?????).
As I sit here in Narita Airport, I wonder waht the next ten months will have in store for me. I am positive that much of it will be good–no scratch that–life-changingly amazing, but I am also sure that some of it will be horrific . . . mind-scarringly, nightmare inducingly horrific. Woohoo!
Seriously, Melanie, thanks for the book (and I write this with both true gratitude and intense sarcasm : ) While it definitely changed my attitude about going a bit, I think I am in a better state of mind now. I am imagining that everything is going to be hideously gross and suck amazingly, so that when it doesn’t . . . I will be one happy expat (is this a sick point of view . . . I am not really sure).
Nevertheless . . . here we go. I have a plane to catch!
August 22, 2008 at 7:40 am
To live and work in an environment that is so incredibly different than what you are used to, will be an experience that pales to none. At times it might be a little unnerving only because it is so different. Always remember that everyone you come in contact with has their own expectations of the way their life should be lived. It is your turn not to judge but to experience another way of life. Respect and courtesy of their traditions is your key to a wonderful learning experience. Be safe and smart. Wtch out for eachother I LOVE YOU BOTH. Have a wonderful journey.