Made it in One Piece

Today I arrived in Zhanjiang (sounds kind of like "Johnchian") at about 10am and "Mark" brought me to the school where I stay on the 5th floor, stairs only, with high ceilings and I can hear all the noises of the busy streets below, and the school with its hundreds of students. It's hard to believe that I will be teaching so soon, only the day after tomorrow. Mark and "Grace" took me out for lunch where we had duck soup, shrimp, beef stirfry, steamed cabbage, fish, green tea, and ofcourse rice. It was very good. I brought the leftovers home for dinner. I have a feeling if I don't get very bold I might starve. Meaning... I have to go out into straight up China if I want to get something to eat by myself. I guess Ill have to get used to everyone staring at me and not knowing how to read. I think I can pick up enough chinese to get by. But it will take some work. Right now I am already overwhelmed. It is nice to be alone and away from it all for just a little while. Still I am restless. Tonight Grace is going to show me around. Ive only met one other foreign teacher, my neighbor on the 5th floor, who is from England. He's much older, and he doesn't know where minnesota is. I can tell I will be very lonely and lost... I feel so in the dark mostly because of the language barrier. I feel so young to be doing something like this. I know Im very inexperienced too. But at the same time, I know Im not alone, and I know it might be the hardest thing, deffinitely the craziest thing Ive ever done. I asked myself why didn't I pick somewhere more comfortable? I think even Jpn would have been a bit easier for me to adjust to. But comfort's not what it's about either. I desperately need rest. But I'm afraid to go to sleep becuase I cant find my little alarm clock that I got especially for this trip. I wish I had it. I would feel so much better if I did. Hopefully I will be able to buy one soon. My toilet wont flush. Its not a very good thing. I wasn't supposed to use it, but what was I supposed to do? Oops. My shower is freezing, bed is rock hard, no pillow, don't know how to work the phone... I could go on. But hey... I had no idea what to expect. I have a roof over my head, and tiny access to internet, what more could I ask for? Still..."think of me"... please... I haven't cried or lost it yet.... yet... I just don't want to give in to all the discomforts and beg to get on the next flight home. I need strength for each day. Please email me... every bit I hear from home is gold. I miss you guys SO much. don't forget about me.

Having a grand ol' time! 

Where I Will Be

I will be on that little peninsula on the south-

eastern part of China. Zhanjian City, Guangdong Province.

Bamboo Beginnings

I leave for China in one week. It's overwhelming to think that in only seven days my life will change completely. It's both exciting and terrifying at the same time. But the Father's filling me with peace and joy and preparing me in every way. I feel that my immune system may be weakening from the recent stress of planning this trip, so I pray that I won't get sick right away when I get there. I am so blessed to have the love and support that I've had. Everything happened so fast, but it's also coming together so well. It's going to be such an awesome life experience, and I know that I'm in good hands. I will miss family and friends SO much, I wish they could all come with me. But how cool is it that I've been given this opportunity! I have to pinch myself sometimes to make sure this is for real. This is for real! Great Scott!!