Life Is Good

China is just a place like any other. Sometimes I think I make things out to be more different than they are just because I'm in a different place. For a while I dreamed it up to be some remnant of the past. Historical and cultural landmarks unmarred by present day people. Then I had the audacity to think I could blame the nature of things on being in China rather than that just being the nature of things. Does that make sense? Some things truly are different, but you can't think of everything in the context of cultural differences. It's best to start off unassuming and then assess things. That way you are less likely to see things that aren't actually there. Your attitude does a lot to form the world around you.

In the states, for a while I had a pretty bad attitude. I didn't really understand what was going on around me, because I kept looking for something to blame and kept avoiding issues. Here in China I got a new start, and a new perspective. I find I've been really happy here, but it's not so much because anything is better in China. Being in a new place just forced me to look at things more objectively since I didn't know my surroundings. The nature of people is for the most part the same no matter where you go and you have the ability to shape your surroundings no matter where you are.

For some reason, I think being here has made me forgive myself for my shortcomings and accept the reality of things. I know myself and trust myself more than ever. Things will always change, but we can find comfort in some familiar things. We can become familiar with change. We can take the situations that come our way and add a special flair to them. The things we do may have little importance, but it is still important that we do them. We can discipline ourselves to forget our pride and be calm in the face of adversity. The only thing that gives negative influences power in your life is how you react to them. If you really think about things, you will often see that something you are upset about or is getting in your way is really not that important. In the big picture, life goes on. We can still be passionate about things without being foolish.

Those are just my thoughts lately. Because of this new perspective, I fear nothing, I enjoy life more, and make more out of it. Speaking of which:

-千岛湖(thousand island lake) was gorgeous. The boat ride was amazing and I once again got to enjoy the company of my classmates and of course Jack

-On one island there was a "grass slide" you could take a sled down. It was the fastest way down the mountain and so exhilarating!

-On another island we got to see peacocks and feed birds right out or our hands

-I was tempted to jump right into the water after our hike, but unfortunately no swimming

-I'm having fun in class again. good sign

-I'm a terrible tourist. I haven't really taken any pictures myself. I steal them from everybody else. Though I am enjoying living a generally normal Chinese life.

-Speaking with people is getting easier

-Finding clothes and understanding what things are worth is still difficult. But I feel good about the fact I'm not tempted to take part of the consumer lifestyle so much. Sorry if you are into knick knacks, I probably won't be bringing many back. I will still be rich with stories to tell!

-I enjoy simplicity

-More after Beijing!