that one time i thought i had the bus figured out

The other day I thought that I would out smart the bus.  It was cold and wet outside.  I would have rather been inside the bus than standing out on the street waiting.  Obviously.  We live at the very last stop on bus route 69.  Which is convenient and inconvenient all at the same time.  Convenient, as in when we get on the bus we can usually get one of those coveted seats.  Inconvenient, as in we live all the way at the end so it sometimes takes forever to get home.  On this particular day we were already halfway to the second bus stop so we just decided to get on there instead of walking back down to our usual stop.  As we were standing and waiting for the bus, we had this brilliant idea that if we would just get on across the street we would be able to get out of the cold and we would be able to sit down.  After all, it would be the same bus we would be getting on anyways.  So we ran across the street, even after Shelby thought that the other people at the bus stop would think we were weird.  (Side note:  Everyone already thinks we are weird and we get stared at no matter what we are doing.)  So we did it regardless of what the others would think.  We pay our 1 RMB and get on the bus.  It was a perfect plan.  Or so I thought...  We would just stay on the bus while it turns around to do the route again.  Apparently that isn't how buses work.  How was I suppose to know that?  We went down one stop and the bus diver made us get off.  She starts saying something in Chinese and points to outside.  I tried pleading ignorant and just say "ting bu dong" (for all of you English readers out there, ting bu dong means I hear you but I don't understand) but she just insisted that we get off the bus anyways.  So when I thought that I had the bus all figured out, it turns out I didn't.  We had to get off and stand in a ridiculously long line and pay another 1 RMB.  Yeah, I won't ever try that one again.  I have to admit that I was a little bit angry at the bus driver though.  She knew that we had only gotten on the bus one stop ago and we really didn't know what we were doing so I still think that she should have just been nice and let us stay on the bus anyways.  See if I ever get on her bus again...

And to top of the day, I fail at calling a taxi.  Who knew that it could be so hard??

Life as of Late

These are my friends.  Yes, I have made some friends in China.  They are awesome and so helpful!  Over the weekend we went out to dinner with Eoghan and Claire.  I have mentioned Eoghan before.  He is the guy from Ireland that we met on the street a few weeks ago.  Eoghan introduced us to Claire.  Claire's English is amazing!  She is the cutest thing and I love her to death.  Eoghan and Claire showed us around the city a little bit after we ate dinner.  It was fantastic finally feeling like I had a little bit of a social life again.  

Claire is the sweetest.  The next day she took us to a flower and bird market.  I am pretty sure that she made up a story of having to get flowers for her mom just so she would have an excuse to take us there.  She felt bad that our apartment didn't have any plants in it so she took it upon herself to buy us some.  See, I told you see was the sweetest.  She also took us to the store and bought us a lot of little goodies for us to try.  She takes such good care of us.  I love her!  She invited us over to her house to eat dinner with her family.  She has a daughter, Anna, who is 7 and she is adorable.  Right when we got to their house Anna was grabbing our arms and sitting us down on the couch.  Before we could even sit down she was handing us a million little goodies for us to eat.  Claire's mother made us an awesome meal.  The Chinese people are so caring and treat their guests very well.  They all said that we are welcome to eat every meal with them if we wanted to.  (Maybe I should take them up on that offer.  The cafeteria food I have been eating isn't my favorite...)  I can already tell that they are going to become my second family while I am here in China.  We brought them some gummy bears and Snickers for them to try.  They thought that they were too sweet and I just thought that they were crazy!

I finally started teaching on Monday.  I have been in China for over a month now so it was nice to finally do what I came here to do.  Monday morning they had an opening ceremony where we were introduced to the entire school.  We gave a little one minute introduction.  After the introductions we were standing there listening to the rest of the assembly.  I started to get extremely hot so I took off my coat.  I still felt like I was dying and then all of the sudden everything got really blurry and I started to feel really dizzy.  I turned to Shelby and told her that I was going to pass out.  So instead of falling over, I purposely dropped to the ground.  Yes, this happened in front of the entire school while the assembly was still going on.  They then proceeded to take me to our office so I could sit down and drink some water.  I felt a lot better after that.  It seriously happened at the worst possible time.  I made quite the introduction, right??  

This is one of my classes.  Really, they are the cutest kids I have ever seen and they have so much love to give.  It makes me so happy to walk into class and everyone is jumping up and down and runs to the door to greet you with the biggest hugs.  It is a good thing that they are so cute and that I love them to death because they are actually pretty terrible once class starts.  I don't think that they know what quiet is.  Everyone is so loud and in one of my classes there was actually a full on fist fight.  I teach first and second graders.  I am pretty sure that everything I say goes right over their heads.  Sometimes they say something in Chinese and the entire class busts up laughing.  Except for me because I have no idea what they said but I am sure it was something inappropriate.  It is probably exciting for them to have a new foreign teacher so hopefully they will calm down as the weeks go on.  I can only hope...

Life is so good here in China.  Shelby and I were talking the other day how living in China doesn't feel real.  It all seems like a big dream.  It doesn't feel real when I am standing in front of a class of second graders teaching them a dumb little song.  It doesn't feel real when I struggle to order dinner at a restaurant.  It doesn't feel real when I am sitting on a crowded bus and can't understand any of the conversations going on around me.  And it doesn't feel real when I am dancing with people in the park.  I wish it felt real because I am living the best dream of my life.  

This article describes what I am feeling so perfectly.  So please read it and then come to China. 

how living in china taught me to 'play'  

Qian Ling Park

Before we left on our trip to Kunming we ran into another foreigner on the street right by our apartment.  His name is Eoghan and he is from Ireland.  We talked to him for maybe two minutes.  He was on his way to work and he was running late.  He stopped for just enough time to exchange numbers and he told us that he would show us around the city sometime.  So when we got back from Kunming we texted Eoghan and informed him that we were back, hoping that he would show us around.  He works all day so hopefully we can get together with him on the weekend.  He was kind enough and sent us a text full of Chinese characters that we can show to a taxi driver.  Supposedly those Chinese characters are all of the cool places the Eoghan knows around our city.  He gave us no warning on to what they are or where we would end up.  So, of course, we trusted this almost complete stranger and showed some Chinese characters to a taxi driver.  The taxi driver shook his head yes and we were on our way to who knows where.  

We arrived at Qian Ling Park, still not exactly sure what it was but it was beautiful!  The scenery was amazing.  There were mountains and little ponds and lakes and rivers.  We walked up the road and found a path over to the side.  We didn't know we were getting ourselves into quite a hike but it was worth it.  We walked up about 75 flights of starts and made it to the top of the mountain.  On one side you could see the city with a bunch of sky scrapers and blue roofs.  If you turn around and look to the other side there were mountains and it was green every where.  It was a breathtaking view.  There was also a cave equipped with neon lights.  They take their neon lights pretty seriously over here.  In my opinion, things would be a lot more classy and more appealing if they would leave out all of the neon lights.  But the cave was still awesome even with the neon lights.

On our way up to the mountain we saw a monkey!  It was within arms reach and we were so excited and stopped and to take pictures.  Everyone was looking at us like we were crazy because we were taking so many pictures.  They obviously didn't think it was a big deal like we did.  

It turns out that it wasn't exactly a big deal because just down another path there were hundreds of monkeys.  I am not lying when I say hundreds.  It was the coolest thing ever.  It was better than any zoo I have ever been too.  The monkeys come right up to you and take things out of your hands.  Sometimes they even attack you if they think you have something that you have.  The monkeys would walk on your shoes, try to get into your purse, and scream at you.  I am not going to lie, at times I was a little bit freaked out but it was all worth it.  Next time we go to this park we are going to come prepared with peanuts and fruit for the monkeys.

The moral of this story is...  When someone sends you a text that you can't read, just show it to the taxi driver and you will end up in the coolest place ever.  We will be showing the other texts we received to taxi drivers in the near future.  

Tender Mercies

Being in China has made me more aware of the tender mercies that are happening in my life every single day.  I am sure that not a day goes by that the Lord's hand is not present in my life.  I am so grateful that He knows where I am and He knows my every need.

When we were on the bus on our way back home after our amazing trip to Kunming I said to Shelby, "We are masters at navigating through China."  Somehow we got on a train all the way to Kunming, found the hostel, enjoyed the city by ourselves, and made it back to our home in Guiyang (well, almost).  Apparently I spoke way too soon.  We should have been home in about an hour once we left the train station.  It wasn't supposed to be difficult to get on one bus and then, after a couple of stops, transfer to the bus that would take us to our stop.  Apparently we got a little confused and had a difficult time figuring out which stop to get off on to transfer to our bus.  I blame it on that maybe while we were gone for the week they decided to take that stop off of the route because I am pretty sure that we didn't stop there or maybe it was because it was dark and from where I was on the bus I couldn't really see anything.  Once we decided that we had been on that bus for way too long we got off and thought that we would just take a taxi to Walmart because we knew how to get home from there.  We tried telling the taxi driver that we wanted to go to Walmart but he didn't understand.  So I pulled out the piece of paper that had our address on it.  That didn't work either.  He had no clue where we lived.  There we were again, lost in China.  This time I wasn't nearly as nervous as I was the first time.  In fact, I wasn't really worried about it at all.  I knew that we would somehow get home.  We had a cell phone this time and we had our address written down.  Maybe the next taxi driver would know where we lived.  We turned around from the taxi and a women was standing there and asked us if we needed help.  She also looked at our address and talked to the taxi driver.  We told her that if she could tell us where bus 69 was then we would be able to get home.  She motioned for us to follow her and we hopped back on the bus.  We got off a few stops later.  Apparently she misunderstood what bus we needed.  She took us to bus 67 instead of bus 69.  After we informed her of this she made a few phone calls and we got back onto the bus.  We were on the bus for quite sometime.  While we were stopped Shelby noticed a sign for bus 69 so we all quickly got off the bus.  The lady helping us was the kindest stranger.  She was worried that we didn't have any friends that we could call.  She was worried that we hadn't eaten dinner.  She was worried that we wouldn't be able to make it home once we got on bus 69.  We reassured her that we would be fine.  As we were waiting for the bus with her we wished so badly that we had something to give her to show her how much we really did appreciate her help.  Sadly, we had nothing.  Then Shelby reached into her pocket and pulled out one of her bracelets that she had made.  We quickly gave it to her and she was so thrilled by this little gift.  She stayed with us until we were safely on the right bus and then she went on her way.  This kind lady paid for us every time we got on the bus with her when she didn't have to.  She went out of her way to help us even though she was clearly on her way home.  She probably had a husband and children at home waiting for her but she still took the time to help us.  She was an angel sent from heaven.  She was a tender mercy.  

I read in First Nephi the other day in chapter 1:20.  "...the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even until the power of deliverance."

The Lord does place tender mercies in our lives.  I know they are also in your life.  If you just stop and take a second to ponder, you will realize that they are present in your life too.

I love the quote by Elder Holland.  He said, "But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil.  Some of them we walk with and talk with - here, now, every day ... Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."

God works through us to answer prayers.  He sends people in our path when we need them the most.  We are His hands.  There are angels all around us.  Like Elder Holland said, they aren't always angels from the other side of the veil.  The lady who helped us find the supper market, the guy who pointed us in the direction of the hostel, the friend who I hadn't talked to in months that sent me a quick e-mail on the day that was particularly hard, the guy who stayed with us when we were first lost in China and were extremely worried, and the woman who helped us home last night are all angels and all of these situations were tender mercies from the Lord.  This list of mine could go on and on.

I know that God will answer our prayers and it is often through the people that are around us.  He even heard and answered the silent prayer that I had in my heart last night when we were trying to find the right bus to get on.  He is always watching over His children.  I am so grateful for all of the tender mercies and the angels that are sent to me.  I hope and pray that I will always be aware of the Lord's hand in my life.  

Meet Xiao

While I was in Kunming we went to a Flower and Bird market.  It was just like any of the other markets here in China but this one had animals for sell!  They had everything from fish, birds, bugs, bunnies, snakes, turtles, and even pigs.  Now, I am not sure if all of these animals were for eating purposes or not but we took it upon ourselves to buy a pet.  (I know, this is probably coming as a shock to all of you because I am not much of a pet person but for some reason I just had to.  Shelby's pet needed a friend.)  We decided on turtles.  They are the cutest, tiniest turtles that you ever did see.  I named mine Xiao.  Xiao is tiny in Chinese.  Because we bought them in Kunming, we had to travel home with them on the train.  Lucky for us, the Chinese don't really care what you bring on the train with you so our turtles made it through security just fine.  This is Xiao.  He is really loving his new home.  We even place them by the heater because it is pretty cold in our apartment.  I am pretty sure he is thriving.  

小

...or maybe he still hates life.  I can't be sure.  He had a pretty rough last couple of days.  He was taken away from all of his friends and he traveled all the way to his new home.  I think he is shy but he will soon realize what a great life he has.    

Kunming, Yunnan

I am in love!  ...with China, that is.  This country is amazing.  The people, the history, the food, the landscape, etc.  There is nothing not to love about China.  Okay, I may be able to name a couple...  For example, everyone here spits all the time like it is their job or something.  Sometimes I am afraid if I walk too close to someone I may end up with someone else's spit on my shoe.  Or the fact that you are risking your life every time you cross the street.  Instead of hating it every time someone spits, I just think, "Wow, I could never spit like that.  They do it so well."  And instead of wondering if I am going to die whenever I cross the street, I just play real life Frogger.  I have succeeded every time so I am pretty sure I would be at least on level 200 by now.  Hopefully I keep winning because I probably only get one life instead of three...

I was lucky enough to go to Kunming this past week.  It was a blast!  The sun was shining and I even got a little sunburn on my face.  Life does not get better than that!

Some highlights from the trip were getting drawn by a Chinese man in the park, walking around the beautiful Green Lake multiple times, going to the Stone Forest, and eating a plate of bugs.  (Yes, bugs.  They actually didn't taste terrible but I couldn't get past the fact that I was eating bugs!)  I also got to ride an elephant and you can read about that here.

(Take note:  red Tulips are my new favorite flower.)

One night, Shelby and I decided to go walk around the lake.  It was such a different scene from when we were there the other day.  This time, instead of people selling things everywhere you turned, there was a different performance on every corner.  I enjoyed listening to the people singing and playing their guitars or the women dancing in the middle of an entire band complete with 15 instruments.  As we stood and watched the women dancing in the circle, the next thing we knew we were the ones in the circle dancing.  Those of you who know me, know that I can't dance so this was quite the show.  I am sure that it was pretty hilarious too.  One song ended and we tried to leave but nope, they actually stuck their red hats on us and motioned for us to dance some more.  I would like everyone to know that we danced to Jingle Bells.  This was not the first time I have heard this song played here in China.  I think I may need to introduce the Chinese to something a little bit better than Jingle Bells, especially because it isn't December...  After trying to escape five times, they finally let us go.  

When we got on the bus in Kunming heading to the train station the bus was crowded, us usual.  I also had my huge backpack on so when a seat did open up and opted to just stand.  Taking my backpack off was more of a hassle than what I was wanting to deal with.  (Some may call that pure laziness but in my defense, there wasn't anywhere to put it on the bus).  A man that was sitting in the seat next to the open seat insisted that I sit down.  So, reluctantly, I did.  He was very nice and we chatted a bit between my extremely poor, close to nothing, Chinese and his poor English.  He then pulled out his phone to take a picture of me.  I was fine with this because it happens multiple times a day.  The next thing I know he has his arm around me and he is putting his head on my shoulder.  Um... Okay, whatever, I could handle that.  Before I knew it he planted a big wet kiss right on my cheek.  Out of pure awkwardness I just laughed because I didn't know what else to do.  I brushed it off and just let it go.  Then once again he grabbed my face and tried to turn it towards his so that he could kiss me right on the lips.  Nope, I wasn't going to let that one happen.  Luckily, I saved myself and turned my head so he missed and got my cheek again.  I do have to admit that it was pretty funny but I felt so violated and it was extremely awkward.  All eyes were on me and everyone on the bus saw this, probably 50 year old, Chinese man kiss me, not once, but twice.  Oh China...

Life is really good.  China is really good.    

I rode an elephant!

Kunming has been great so far!

Today we got up and actually had a real American breakfast for the first time since I have been to China.  It turns out that our hostel makes the best Western food.  So this morning I helped myself to some french toast and fruit.  I didn't realize how much I missed real breakfast food until today.  Did I ever mention that the Chinese people don't really believe in breakfast food?  I don't know about you, but I don't really want to be eating chicken feet and corn for breakfast...

We went to Dianchi Lake and to the Yunnan Ethnic Minority Villages after breakfast.  We went with a couple girls that we met at the hostel.  I love how you can meet people and the next day you are going on little trips with them.  This is how life should always be.  It is much more rewarding and you get to meet some incredible people.  Dianchi Lake wasn't anything spectacular but it was beautiful and it was full of seagulls.  I was actually pretty nervous that I was either going to get attacked or one of them was going to do a number on me...  Neither happened so all was well.

The Yunnan Ethnic Minority Villages were awesome!  It reminded me a lot of the Polynesian Cultural Center.  It was the same basic concept.  There were about 26 different replicated little villages from all around Yunnan.  Everything was incredible!  The best part was when I got to ride an elephant!  Yes, I did say that I got to ride an elephant.  I am happy to report that it is as great as it sounds.  It was way worth the 20 RMB that I had to pay.  (There is about 6 RMB to 1 US dollar).  Another one of my favorite parts was the elephant show.  Elephants are brilliant.  They could play the harmonica and even dance.  It was unreal.  The whole place with all of the villages was beautiful.  It was one of the best things I have done while I have been in China.

After that we came back to the hostel and had dinner and played cards with the two girls who we went to the villages with.  When you go to dinner with a native you will apparently eat soup with the entire fish in it.  Yes, the head and the fins were apart of this soup.  I am here to report that it was actually pretty good.  That is even coming from someone who doesn't like fish.  The two girls that we spent the day with are awesome and so much fun!  One girl, Esme, is from England and studied Chinese in college.  The other girl is a cute Chinese girl and only speaks Chinese.  It was quite funny trying to explain and play card games to someone who doesn't know English.  We had the best time and the best day.

(I know my eyes are closed but I thought the seagulls were going to attack me!)

(The four of us at Dianchi Lake)

(These noodles are a Yunnan specialty and they were so good!)

(I wasn't so sure about the taste of the coconut water.)

(Yes, I did eat this.)