Foreigners

Steve is Number 4

Harlequin's vs. China Men

In China when you meet a foreigner it's a new kind of friendship. You automatically bond over living in China and being a foreigner.. and outsider. You have something in common with people that you probably wouldn't if you weren't in this situation. It's refreshing to know that you can start a conversation with any foreigner in China and at least having something to talk about.

Life here is interesting and opening doors I never thought would be opened. In America you meet people with different backgrounds all the time, but here it's even more widespread. I am learning so much from foreigners I've met. I spent a long time talking to this one girl on Saturday night. We immediately got into some really deep issues. It's interesting just how quickly friendship moves along here. We were talking about things that not even my friends at home had ever asked about. I learned so much about this one girl in just that short time. I'm continually amazed at the way that Dad works in situations here.

Last time he brought me Molly. She was amazing and wonderful and kept me sane. This year.. he's brought me the most random friendships and people that I have come to rely on talking to and being around. It's not like I am losing my independence.. it's just that I miss talking to those people and seeing those people when I'm gone for even a weekend. Jessica and Bekah have really become some of my closest friends. We spend a lot of time together and laugh and really connect. It's amazing to watch each of us grow and help each other through each day.

I met a lot of foreigners this weekend at the Rugby match and dinner. It was wonderful to just sit and speak quickly. It was good fellowship. I also finally understand Cricket and still love Aussie accents. It was a great weekend in Hangzhou. I'm back in Ningbo now.. and exhausted. Another week of teaching and then Nanjing this weekend. Then Thanksgiving week and then Wuhan for the weekend. I'm taking a break from traveling after that till ChongQing for Christmas. Angus will be home for 2 weeks on holiday.. so I'm going to hang out for 4 days with him and a couple other friends. I am so excited about that weekend. It's hard to be in China and not be with Angus or the boys. I miss those friendships. I'm excited for 4 days with my Chinese best friend.

As for everything else.. I'm safe. I'm happy. I'm a little sick. I'm trying to improve my Chinese. I'm great at bargaining. I'm studying a lot. I'm reading more. I'm thinking of writing a book.. but not sure how to even start something like that. I'm also busy thinking about my future a lot. I have a lot of decisions to make soon.. and I know I'll end up where I'm supposed to be. I just want to be where my talents are being used. I'm finding what those talents are, and trying to follow that path.