I am happy to say that I arrived safely in Beijing after a very long flight. Customs was a breeze, and I was taken to my hostel by two very interesting young Chinese guys who I'm sure ripped me off. The hostel is in an awesome location and it was so great meeting up with Mollie and Shaun shortly after I arrived. We wandered around a bit yesterday evening (although to me it was morning, and I wasn't sure what day it was), and went to bed super early after an interesting meal at a local restaurant.
Today was an early start, as we had signed up for a tour through the hostel of the Great Wall -- which consisted of a 3 hour drive each way and a 4 hour hike, and started at 6:40am. Wow. It was such a great trip. At times it was a bit intense, a lot of up and down walking, but the views were fabulous and it all seemed a bit surreal. I met a lot of interesting travelers along the way and got stalked by a tiny Chinese lady trying to sell me t-shirts and picture books. Finally, about halfway through the hike, I bought some postcards off of her so she would go home and leave me alone (as this was the only way that she would leave).
Near the end of the hike there was a suspension bridge that we had to cross, which was cool and a bit scary since I crossed with 3 French guys that kept jumping up and down. One of the best parts was at the end, when you had to decide whether to walk down to the parking lot (boring!) or to pay a couple bucks and swing from a cable across the water to the other side. Now I may be cheap, but it looked too fun to pass up! It was worth it -- a great ending to a great hike.
Today is New Years Eve, which is crazy to me because it doesn't feel like it at all. We haven't quite decided how to celebrate, but I'm sure we'll think of something.
Tomorrow will be another early morning, as we have tickets for a 9:20am train that will take us North to Shenyang...our home for the next 6 months. I am so excited!
I will write more soon, after I get settled into my apartment and check out the city. I miss and love you all.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Holidays at Home
Merry Christmas -- I can't believe it's actually Christmas Day, it sure doesn't feel like it.
After two cancelled flights, a bit of anxiety, and a tearful goodbye, I finally made it home. I've been here now for about 6 days, and it's flying by.
The last couple of days have been filled with shopping, family time, and trying to prepare for Christmas and my trip to China. My sister came home a couple of days ago, and this is the first time my whole family has been home together for over a year. It still hasn't completely sunk in yet that in 4 short days I will be leaving for China.
It seems like people spend weeks preparing for Christmas, and in a couple of short hours, it's all over.
I have spent months preparing (mentally) for China, but I've realized in this last week that I have waited till the last minute to do a lot of things. Sometimes I think I work best when I procrastinate. I just bought travel insurance yesterday, and I haven't even started to pack. Luckily, I convinced my parents to buy me a lot of travel related stuff for Christmas, so I think I almost have everything I need. I am only bringing one bag -- as I told myself I would pack super light so that I can travel for months afterwards and not have to worry about having big suitcases.
I am hoping to be able to have enough money to travel until around November, since I told my sister and parents that I would be home in time for Thanksgiving. Between the end of June and that time, I don't know exactly where I'll go and what I'll do. I am trying to talk my sis into meeting me in Thailand, which I'm hoping she will at least consider. If anyone else will be in that area, or are willing to come out to Asia, let me know because I'm up for anything!
I'm not sure when I'll be writing again, but Happy New Year to all, wherever you may be. I'll be in Beijing with Mollie and Shaun (other interns who I'm meeting out there), and I can't wait!
After two cancelled flights, a bit of anxiety, and a tearful goodbye, I finally made it home. I've been here now for about 6 days, and it's flying by.
The last couple of days have been filled with shopping, family time, and trying to prepare for Christmas and my trip to China. My sister came home a couple of days ago, and this is the first time my whole family has been home together for over a year. It still hasn't completely sunk in yet that in 4 short days I will be leaving for China.
It seems like people spend weeks preparing for Christmas, and in a couple of short hours, it's all over.
I have spent months preparing (mentally) for China, but I've realized in this last week that I have waited till the last minute to do a lot of things. Sometimes I think I work best when I procrastinate. I just bought travel insurance yesterday, and I haven't even started to pack. Luckily, I convinced my parents to buy me a lot of travel related stuff for Christmas, so I think I almost have everything I need. I am only bringing one bag -- as I told myself I would pack super light so that I can travel for months afterwards and not have to worry about having big suitcases.
I am hoping to be able to have enough money to travel until around November, since I told my sister and parents that I would be home in time for Thanksgiving. Between the end of June and that time, I don't know exactly where I'll go and what I'll do. I am trying to talk my sis into meeting me in Thailand, which I'm hoping she will at least consider. If anyone else will be in that area, or are willing to come out to Asia, let me know because I'm up for anything!
I'm not sure when I'll be writing again, but Happy New Year to all, wherever you may be. I'll be in Beijing with Mollie and Shaun (other interns who I'm meeting out there), and I can't wait!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Blah Blah Blah
Tomorrow is my last day of work. I feel like I have been living in the future now for the past couple weeks. Everything is countdowns and waiting. Nothing matters day to day. I do not see tomorrow as a whole new day with new possibilities, I see it as one more day in the countdown to my big trip. I tend to do this when I'm about to travel. Everything else fades away, and I become consumed with thoughts and preparations.
But this time it feels different. It's not going to be as easy to sneak away.
Luckily, I will always know that no matter how many times I leave my family to travel the world, they will always be there, waiting for me, when I return. They will not turn their backs on me, or leave me for someone else. They will never forget me, no matter how long I'm gone.
Any level-headed person would say that I'm walking away from what could be a great thing. I can't stop thinking about how easy I have it here in Portland, and how I'm just giving it up like it doesn't even matter. But, I am. And I'm glad I am. I can't sit still, can't continue living the way I am.
I am, however, sad to be leaving this wonderful city and the wonderful relationship I have formed here. I can't say it enough. This will be the hardest goodbye yet.
On a happier note...I will soon be back in MD, and I absolutely can't wait. Christmas is a great time of year, although it makes emotions so much more emotional...haha.
See you all soon. Much love (Sarah, doesn't that saying remind you of Marc Broussard?) Haha.
But this time it feels different. It's not going to be as easy to sneak away.
Luckily, I will always know that no matter how many times I leave my family to travel the world, they will always be there, waiting for me, when I return. They will not turn their backs on me, or leave me for someone else. They will never forget me, no matter how long I'm gone.
Any level-headed person would say that I'm walking away from what could be a great thing. I can't stop thinking about how easy I have it here in Portland, and how I'm just giving it up like it doesn't even matter. But, I am. And I'm glad I am. I can't sit still, can't continue living the way I am.
I am, however, sad to be leaving this wonderful city and the wonderful relationship I have formed here. I can't say it enough. This will be the hardest goodbye yet.
On a happier note...I will soon be back in MD, and I absolutely can't wait. Christmas is a great time of year, although it makes emotions so much more emotional...haha.
See you all soon. Much love (Sarah, doesn't that saying remind you of Marc Broussard?) Haha.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Countdowns and Irony
At this time last year I was in Maryland counting down the days until I moved to Portland. Now I'm in Portland counting down the days till I leave. Ironic.
In 3 days, it will be exactly one year since I met Karl. We are going to go to one of our favorite restaurants and splurge on a nice meal. Neither of us can really afford it, but sentimental value is priceless.
In 5 days, I will be finished with work. Done. I will walk out of there and never look back.
In 10 days, Karl and I will be moving out of our apartment. After 8 months of living here, sharing a tiny space with the man I love, it will be hard to leave.
In 12 days, I will be kissing Karl goodbye (temporarily), and boarding the plane that will take me back to MD. Back to my family, old friends, and the comfort that only home can provide.
In 16 days it will be Karl's birthday, but will not be here to celebrate it with him, just like last year.
In 18 days, it will be Christmas Eve. The last holiday where I will see all of my family at the same time for who knows how long. And then, Christmas, my favorite holiday of all time. A family tradition of being together that will never be broken.
In 21 days, I will cry while boarding the plane that will take me away from home and my family, and return to Portland, to the loving arms of Karl.
In just 23 short days, I will be leaving everything and everyone I know behind, and boarding the plane for the long journey to Beijing, and then eventually to Shenyang. It will be a hard goodbye, but goodbyes aren't meant to be easy.
Unfortunately for some, there is no countdown until I come back. That is an undetermined number, the only one that can't be counted. For me, that is the best part.
In 3 days, it will be exactly one year since I met Karl. We are going to go to one of our favorite restaurants and splurge on a nice meal. Neither of us can really afford it, but sentimental value is priceless.
In 5 days, I will be finished with work. Done. I will walk out of there and never look back.
In 10 days, Karl and I will be moving out of our apartment. After 8 months of living here, sharing a tiny space with the man I love, it will be hard to leave.
In 12 days, I will be kissing Karl goodbye (temporarily), and boarding the plane that will take me back to MD. Back to my family, old friends, and the comfort that only home can provide.
In 16 days it will be Karl's birthday, but will not be here to celebrate it with him, just like last year.
In 18 days, it will be Christmas Eve. The last holiday where I will see all of my family at the same time for who knows how long. And then, Christmas, my favorite holiday of all time. A family tradition of being together that will never be broken.
In 21 days, I will cry while boarding the plane that will take me away from home and my family, and return to Portland, to the loving arms of Karl.
In just 23 short days, I will be leaving everything and everyone I know behind, and boarding the plane for the long journey to Beijing, and then eventually to Shenyang. It will be a hard goodbye, but goodbyes aren't meant to be easy.
Unfortunately for some, there is no countdown until I come back. That is an undetermined number, the only one that can't be counted. For me, that is the best part.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Emptiness and Memories
Things to remember about portland: (in no particular order)
-the lights of the city blurred in the rain while biking over the Burnside Bridge
-the coziness of my apartment on a cold rainy day
-Karl...everything about Karl
-random trips to Sauvie Island
-excursions to the coast during the summer
-Hawthorne St.
-fair trade stores
-Powells Books - my favorite store in the world
I have started selling what little furniture and belongings that I have here in Portland, and I find it both saddening and freeing to be surrounded by a half empty apartment. I came here not knowing how long I would stay, and find myself leaving earlier than expected.
Today is December 1st. Time is flying. Soon I will be home, enjoying the comforts of the familiar and spending time with the family I adore and miss. Leaving Karl for 9 days right before I leave for good will be tough...but I am aching to go home and spend Christmas where I belong. Mom, Dad, and Sarah (ok, and Sophie)...I'll be home soon. Love you.
-the lights of the city blurred in the rain while biking over the Burnside Bridge
-the coziness of my apartment on a cold rainy day
-Karl...everything about Karl
-random trips to Sauvie Island
-excursions to the coast during the summer
-Hawthorne St.
-fair trade stores
-Powells Books - my favorite store in the world
I have started selling what little furniture and belongings that I have here in Portland, and I find it both saddening and freeing to be surrounded by a half empty apartment. I came here not knowing how long I would stay, and find myself leaving earlier than expected.
Today is December 1st. Time is flying. Soon I will be home, enjoying the comforts of the familiar and spending time with the family I adore and miss. Leaving Karl for 9 days right before I leave for good will be tough...but I am aching to go home and spend Christmas where I belong. Mom, Dad, and Sarah (ok, and Sophie)...I'll be home soon. Love you.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Holidays and Emotions
I just spent the last hour watching A League of Their Own and bursting into tears at sporadic moments.
Maybe it's the holidays, or the fact that I just missed Thanksgiving at home. Or maybe it's because in exactly 31 days I will be leaving everything I know behind and moving to China in search for something more. Something better.
Maybe something better isn't the right words. I have everything a girl could want here in Portland: a nice apartment, a steady (if not tedious) job, and a wonderful boyfriend. But for me, that's not enough right now. I want to be completely lost in a new world, unaware of the language, culture, and way of life. I want to be immersed in something different, something unknown. I want to meet new people; people who aren't content to live their lives the way our culture is expected to.
I have been an emotional wreck this last week, but not in a bad way. I have spent the last hour crying, but not tears of sadness. I have been unbearably sad and yet extremely happy at the same time, a feeling I have never known before.
I am losing some very important aspects of my life very soon, and I can feel them slipping away slowly, out of grip, in these last couple of weeks But I know I must go. I must leave this cozy little apartment, this easy way of living, this wonderful relationship, and embrace the challenge that lies ahead. I don't know how long I'll be gone, where exactly I'll go, or who I'll meet, but I can't wait to find out.
Maybe it's the holidays, or the fact that I just missed Thanksgiving at home. Or maybe it's because in exactly 31 days I will be leaving everything I know behind and moving to China in search for something more. Something better.
Maybe something better isn't the right words. I have everything a girl could want here in Portland: a nice apartment, a steady (if not tedious) job, and a wonderful boyfriend. But for me, that's not enough right now. I want to be completely lost in a new world, unaware of the language, culture, and way of life. I want to be immersed in something different, something unknown. I want to meet new people; people who aren't content to live their lives the way our culture is expected to.
I have been an emotional wreck this last week, but not in a bad way. I have spent the last hour crying, but not tears of sadness. I have been unbearably sad and yet extremely happy at the same time, a feeling I have never known before.
I am losing some very important aspects of my life very soon, and I can feel them slipping away slowly, out of grip, in these last couple of weeks But I know I must go. I must leave this cozy little apartment, this easy way of living, this wonderful relationship, and embrace the challenge that lies ahead. I don't know how long I'll be gone, where exactly I'll go, or who I'll meet, but I can't wait to find out.
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