this weekend

We met a girl, Charm, on the bus last weekend.  She was so sweet and studying to be a nurse so we instantly bonded.  The only problem was that we struggled to communicate with her.  To the point where the bus ride got kind of awkward because no one knew what to say.  But she was so sweet and wanted so badly to be our friend.  It turns out that she told her entire class about us and the next thing we knew was that we were committed to going to their school on Friday.  Not going to lie, I was kind of dreading this because I didn't want another awkward situation like the bus ride when we met her.  We went anyways, hoping for the best but expecting the worst.

Turns out that I actually had the best time ever.  I felt like I was in college again and I just have to admit that I kind of miss the college life.  (So for those of you that are still in college, don't wish away these days.)  We met her entire nursing class and, even though I couldn't communicate with them, I felt right at home.  It was awesome.  Also, it turns out that when we committed to coming to their school, we committed to spending the night with them.  We didn't know that when we left our apartment but we just went with it and it was a blast.

They took us to their English school which was a bus ride away from their nursing school.  This English school/Coffee Bar was the place to be.  It seems like that everyone just goes there to hang out.  I walked in the building and everyone stood up and cheered for me.  It was weird and uncomfortable but it was okay.  Twenty people grabbed me and sat me down.  Before I knew it, I had a crowd of college kids around me dying for me to introduce myself.  The rule at this place is, if you speak in Chinese you have to be punished and the punishment in paying money.  Good thing I don't speak Chinese so I didn't have to worry about that.
 
One of the teachers really wanted us to come to their VIP English class.  I can guarantee you that this class had never been so well attended before.  The crowd of people I had downstairs came with me and the crowd of people that were with Shelby outside joined us too.  People were wall to wall standing and even flowing out of this little classroom.  It was awesome.  We joined in on the class which was pretty much just discussions about different topics in small groups, or big groups in this case.  My group didn't want to discuss the topic and just wanted to "free talk" instead.  So that is what we did.

Some how I was convinced to sing an English song with Shelby in the middle of this crowded classroom with so many eyes and ears locked on us.  I also was volunteered to give an impromptu speech at the end of the class.  I am not sure how that happened but before I knew it I was up on stage in front of everyone.  If you would have told me that I was going to be singing in front of a bunch of people and giving a speech that I hadn't prepared for, I would have told you that I would rather die than do either of those things.  But both of those things have happened and have happened on more than one occasion.  And I am actually okay with it.  Weird?  Yes, but this is only one of the many ways that China has changed me.

There is a chant that these friends of mine taught me.  When their classmates are afraid to speak they say, "Don't be shy.  Just try.  We all support you all the time."  I really love it.  It is so true about everything in life.  We don't have to be afraid to do new things or even try old things that might be hard.  We shouldn't worry about what others around us are going to think or say.  We just need to try and do our best.  If we are truly doing our best, then that is enough.  There are so many people around us that really are supporting us, whether you realize it or not.  And we all have one big supporter that we shouldn't forget about.  Heavenly Father is always cheering us on.  So just try.  Try whatever it is that you have been wanting to try.  Get out of your comfort zone.  Trust me, great things are waiting for you, if you will just get up and do those things that might be a little bit awkward or uncomfortable at first.  I never knew how much on life I was missing out on until China.

This weekend with these people that I have gown to love in such a short amount of time was great.  I will definitely be going back to the Coffee Bar really soon.  Also, I don't know if I should admit this or not but I may or may not have caught the Yellow Fever when I was with these guys...

 (So. Much. Tai. Chi.)

(Nurses in China still wear all white and cute {or dorky} little hats.)

Last weekend we found ourselves at the zoo.  It was awesome and a perfect zoo day.  With the help of Charm we were able to get there safe and sound.  Here are some pictures...

(The camel attacked me.  It was gross.)

(This is the zoo map.  They advertise that they have pandas but they definitely do not.)

a lesson learned

Living in China has been an eye opener to many different things for me.  

I have never realized how good I have it until I have come here.  And I have never realized how much I have to be grateful for until I have come here.  

On my very first day in my city, on my way to my new home from the airport, I saw a women walking on the side of a hill with a basket on her back full of vegetables.  I'm sure that she was on her way to sell said vegetables on the side of some street with many other competitors also trying to sell the exact same thing.  

During the cold first month of living here, I constantly saw many people sitting on their baskets, gathered around a small fire trying to keep warm.  All this was happening while I sat in my apartment complaining about the heater that I did have.  

Almost every day I see disabled people begging on the streets for money or teenagers with no limbs singing to the people passing by hoping someone will take pity on them.  I am constantly walking on streets that are poorer than poor, wondering how people are getting by on what little that they have.  There are always people rummaging through the trash cans collecting the plastic bottles that others have thrown away.  There are always people dragging carts down the road with, what is probably, their only possessions.    

Today I was out on a walk just about a mile from where I live.  We were walking by the river and came across the above pictured house.  The first time I walked by it, I didn't think anything of it and continued with my conversation I was having with Shelby.  On our way back was when I realized that this is someone's home.  Someone lives there.  In fact, the happiest little boy ran outside to get a better look at us and then quickly ran back inside the door.  The door, that wasn't even a door.  Just some plastic that was draped over the side.  That is when I realized that someone lived there and someone called this little place their home.  When the little boy ran back inside I got a glimpse of what it looked like.  It was dark and tiny with only a few things inside but the little boy was happy.

This is when I was reminded that I don't need "things" to be happy.  I have enough.  Actually, I have more than enough.  I think most of us do.  There have been times in my life when I thought that I had it hard.  Like when all my hair started falling out or when I spent months studying for the hardest test of my life and wondered if I would ever be able to pass it.  No matter how hard I think I may have it at times, there are people who have it way worse than I do.  Yes, it is sad that I had to come all the way to China to figure that out.  I'm ashamed that I had to come clear across the world to realize how much I have to be grateful for.  I know I don't thank the Lord enough for all that He has given me.  I don't have to carry vegetables on my back to a street corner to try to earn money.  I don't have to huddle around a small fire on the side walk to try to keep warm.  I don't have to sing to the people walking by on the street.  I don't have to rummage through garbage cans looking for plastic bottles.  And I don't live in a house made of plastic and a couple boards.  I have it so good and I need to remember that.  I shouldn't have had to come all the way to China to realize my blessings but I am grateful that I finally have realized them and I hope I never forget.

This is only one of the many lessons that I have learned while living in China.

Church in China

I hope that I never take for granted actually going to church ever again.  For those of you who don’t know, this is how church works for me over here in China….

I am part of a virtual branch.  The Central China International District Branch, to be exact.  It functions just like any other branch in the church would function; except for it is all virtual.  “Going” to church for me now consists of me sitting on my couch and logging onto Skype.  Yes, you heard me right.  I Skype into church.  It isn’t a video Skype, just one big conference call.  Before I came to China, I decided that I would still treat sitting on my couch and listening to church like I was “going” to church.  That meant that I would still get up and get ready and not just lounge in my pajamas even though no one was going to see me.  I am glad that I decided that before I came here because the temptation to just lie on my bed and listen to church is definitely there. 

There are actually four of us that meet together in our little apartment to participate in church every Sunday.  There is me, Shelby, and then married couple that is here teaching at the school with us.  Other than all of it being over a conference call, it is just almost just like a normal church service would be at home.  All four of us struggle through the Hymns that are statically played over the computer speakers.  We all participate in sustaining and releasing people from callings.  (There is a slight difference with this one.  If anyone opposes, then they are to text the Branch President.)  We still get to partake of the Sacrament because we, luckily, have a Priesthood holder with us.  There is an eight minute pause in the meeting for the passing of the Sacrament.  After that, the meeting goes on as scheduled.  If you are giving a prayer or a talk, you just unmute your microphone, make sure that people can hear you, and then proceed with the prayer or your talk.  Oh yes, make sure your microphone is muted or things can get out of hand pretty fast. 

Every Sunday before the meeting actually begins they remind us of the regulations that we meet under.  Like how you have to have a foreign passport in order to attend the Branch and how we can’t share the gospel in conversation with Chinese nationals.  (Which I have actually found to be very hard.  There are so many good people here who are prepared to here the gospel but that is a post for another day.)  Church is only two hours long, instead of three.  We alternate Priesthood/Relief Society and Sunday School every Sunday.  We stay on after the line for a few minutes and do a role call to see who attended church.  I think that it is safe to say that virtual branches actually work quite well. 

And that is what I love.  I loved it when we could go to church in a different state and it was the same thing being taught but “going” to church in a different country, and virtually, brings a new perspective to it all.  I love that the gospel is the same no matter where you are.  Whether you are at your home ward in a completely different country you can find comfort knowing that you will get the same lesson in Relief Society and the same doctrines are going to be taught during Sacrament meeting.  I love it.  I love that, even though I am in a country where we can't freely share the gospel, I can still "go" to church and feel the same spirit that all of you are feeling in meeting houses all over.  At first it was really weird putting a dress on and sitting on my couch while I get the Sacrament passed to me in our bright orange cups but it isn't at all weird anymore.  It is totally normal and it is awesome.  It is awesome because I get the chance to renew the covenants that I made at baptism every week.  It is awesome because no matter where you are or what the circumstances are, you can still feel of the spirit.  Yes, it may be hard to pay attention because you are in the comfort of your own home but I do know that it is worth it and it is possible.  

With that being said, I will admit that I do actually miss "going" to church.  There really is something about meeting together and assembling together in one heart and one mind.  There is power in numbers.  I felt it as I was watching the General Relief Society meeting early one Sunday morning while everyone else was watching it Saturday evening.  When I saw everyone gathered together in the conference center I wished that I were there too.  Then when they welcomed everyone at that meeting at during the rest of General Conference who were participating all over the world.  That put a new meaning to things.  I mean, I always knew that people all over were watching conference but when you are part of what they are talking about it puts it all into a different perspective.  

Anyways... I hope that what I have said makes sense.  I have been wanting to post about church in China for a long time but I didn't know how to put what I was thinking and feeling into words.  I know that I probably didn't accurately describe what I am feeling but I hope that the gist of it is 

another week

The weeks go by so fast!  This one especially because we didn't have school on Monday.

The other day we went to Walmart to pick up some shampoo and conditioner because we were out.  We decided to go with the package that had shampoo and conditioner because it was the cheaper option.  Turns out it wasn't shampoo or conditioner.  You would think that we would have this whole buying shopping for essentials thing figured out because we have been living in China for a few months but we don't.  In China they like to sell two bottles of body wash in the same package.  One bottle was a pump and the other just a normal bottle.  So we were thinking that the pump bottle was the shampoo and the regular bottle was conditioner.  Nope.  So what is the score now?  China 552 and Kelsie 5, and those 5 points are generous.  In case you were wondering, we got the shampoo and conditioner thing figured out.  We went back to the store a few days later and after playing a few failed attempts of charades, and one successful one, we left the store with shampoo and conditioner.  Now, just imagine two American's in the supermarket pointing to a bottle of what we think is shampoo and pretending to wash our hair.  It was definitely a sight to be seen.  On the plus side, I don't think we will ever have to buy more body wash while we were here.

Friday Shelby and I set out to try to find Huaxi Park again.  This is the park that we tried to find last week but didn't ever end up finding it.  While we were riding our scooter this week I noticed a sign pointing in the direction of Huaxi so I thought I knew which direction we needed to get on the bus.  Wrong again but that shouldn't surprise you.  We had the Chinese characters on a piece of paper that we showed a man on the bus so he could help us get off at the right stop.  He kindly informed us that we needed to get off the bus and go the other direction.  So that is what we did and we eventually got to the park that we were looking for.  It was beautiful!  I am definitely going to miss all of these super awesome parks here in China.  We got off the bus and bought a few baked goods at the bakery on the corner so that we could have a little picnic.  We rented a tandem bike.  She asked for my ID and instead of giving her my divers license I gave her my student ID card that is pretty much useless to me anyway but she didn't need to know that.  Don't worry, we eventually returned the bike and I got my ID card back.  Riding around on the tandem bike was so much fun.  The park was around a river and it was beautiful.  I really need to come up with a better word to describe these parks we go to.  Breath taking?  Maybe that is a better one.  Words and pictures don't really do it justice.  Everyone just needs to drop everything you are doing and come experience China with me.  I really wish that were possible.  Okay, but this park though...

(The bakery had a doughnut!  I was in heaven.)

Saturday Emma and her family invited us to spend yet another day with them.  Aren't we lucky to have our own personal tour guides?  We got in the car not knowing what to expect for the day.  Typical.  Her husband took us to Ivy's house where we picked up Zach and Alice and, of course, some sushi.  Yes, I think it is safe to say that I like sushi now.  I know, surprising but when you have something practically being forced to you on a weekly bases you better learn to like it.  I would say that I have done pretty well with trying and enjoying new foods.  My family would be proud.  I was the child left at the dinner table crying hysterically because I couldn't even eat my meatballs.  There is one food that I don't think I will ever learn to like.  Tofu.  I hate it and I hate every time I have to pretend to like it.  I can't even stand the stinky tofu smell on the street.  I have had to eat tofu way too many times.  Anyways, back to the day...  After we met up with Emma and the kids we went to a Buddhist Temple to have some lunch.  It was fun to go to another temple.  We went to so many when we were in Beijing but I hadn't been to any in Guiyang yet.  After lunch we were informed that we were going to Huaxi Park.  Yes, the park that we went to the day before.  That didn't matter though, it was worth going back to.  It turns out that we were either at a different park that we thought on Friday or there is another section of the park that we had no idea about.  Either way, the place we were at was amazing but that is now to be expected.  We rode on a few little rides with Alice and Zach.  We rented a family bike and rode through the grass and up hill by choice.  I obviously wasn't in charge of the steering wheel because I would have stuck with the paved path.  We were also lucky enough to rent a pedal boat and float around the little lake.  It was beautiful and so relaxing.  After the park, we survived a traffic jam where we everyone was stuck and couldn't move for about 20 minutes.  We made it to our friend Ivy's brothers restaurant for some dinner.  We ate BBQ fish again.  It was delicious.  I think that BBQ fish is my favorite kind of fish.  A day spent with Emma and her family will never disappoint.  We are so lucky to have them as friends because they treat us so well.  

This plant pictured below was found in the bus.  Yeah, I don't know how it was growing there either...

tombs day

Yesterday was our lucky day because it was a holiday and we didn't have to teach!  Apparently it was Tombs Day.  A holiday when you honor those who have passed on.  Good thing we have Emma to tell us when there is a holiday because the school doesn't bother to let us know important little things like that.  Emma picked us up to go "see some flowers".  We weren't really sure what the meant but we were all over that plan.  We drove two and a half hours to the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life.  It was gorgeous.  I have never seen anything like it.  The mountains were just full of the most beautiful trees with flowers in full bloom on them.  That is one thing I love about China, the flower trees.  I can't get enough of them.  Are you ready for a picture overload?

Also, I made the Chinese news.  When we got to the park, a news station spotted us.  Surprising, right?  They then followed us around and took random videos and pictures of us.  They then wanted to interview us about the park.  So that is exactly what happened.  Maybe I should start doing my hair if I am going to be on television...  

On our way back we stopped and got some dinner with them.  We ate fish.  Before I came to China, I would hardly even look at fish.  I quickly had to get over that.  We ate fish with Emma and her family.  I prefer my fish de-boned and without the head and fins still attached.  I don't like my food looking at me.  I was so full and couldn't eat another bite.  In fact, everyone at the table was full but that didn't matter.  Emma's husband ordered two more things of fish.  Two more!  We still had some of the other ones left.  It is okay for them to be full but as soon as we tell them we are full, that isn't okay and they won't accept that answer.  So I was forced to eat more.  It is one thing to eat past comfort by your own choice but it is another thing to be forced to eat past comfort but I survived another day and I can't really blame them because they are so generous.