I Live in Chongqing, China

If someone would have told me 5 years ago that I would be living on a mountain overlooking the largest city in the world today, I would have laughed at them. Knowing myself, it just does not seem like where I would end up. I like walking through fields and seeing the stars and running into elementary school friends at the farmer's market. But that's where I live: Chongqing, China- the largest city that you've never heard of, and I am slowly adjusting to it.

Unsurprisingly, living in a new place in a new country has it's difficulties. One being that I have no idea what I'm doing 90% of the time. I'm basically a tiny baby bird. I'm slowly learning my way around campus- which by the way is a lot bigger than I imagined it would be. Gradually learning my way around the city on the mountain. And I am totally lost in the actual city center of Chongqing. If it weren't for my teammates, I would never have left campus- or done so very very slowly (aka- hunger would have driven me to the grocery, but that's probably about it- and it would have taken me hours to find the grocery and my way back.)

As it is, I am outing and abouting pretty regularly. Getting to know public transportation- still don't know if I could do any of it myself- maybe the bus. It's a whole new world for me, coming from absolutely never using public transit in Lexington to now being dependent on it. It's an entirely new world.

But public transit offers so many opportunities to see things that I never would have otherwise. Yesterday we went to the "Times Square" of Chongqing (conveniently called Times Square- I think- I saw one sign that said that), and couldn't get a cab back up the mountain because it was Friday night and everyone wanted a cab. So, we took an hour long bus ride back, and I got to see so much of Chongqing that I may not have otherwise. First, I saw a pretty sweet, dark back alley and a 5-lane highway that we crossed without a crosswalk (yay adventure!). But I also got to see some of the more residential side of the city: the apartment buildings, the places where people who live in Chongqing actually go. And I love the people who ride the bus. Everyone does. There are college students, businessmen, Chinese tourists, young parents with their kids, grannies, and then us- the funny little pack of foreigners. I'll probably end up loving the Chongqing bus system like I love the Beijing subway! It's just lovely to see the mix of people you see and the parts of the city that you see. Chongqing has so much character. More than I will probably ever know- no matter how long I live here.

Chongqing is super interesting. It's absolutely enormous. It is hilarious to look around at the city and think about Lexington which has two "skyscrapers", both of which are banks and both of which are dwarfed by the apartment buildings here. My teammate was joking with me and said, "you're going to have to resign yourself to living in a rural, unknown town in Southwest China." There's an IKEA here, and a Gucci, and about a million other things that Lexington never thought of having.

That being said, I also have to adjust to the enormity. I know my way around Lexington backwards and forwards. There are people who grew up in Chongqing that have never been to parts of the city. I'm not going to be able to know every alleyway and area of Chongqing. It's simply not possible. I just have to get to know the areas that I'll be in, and I can adventure beyond once I get the basics down.

It's a world of it's own here, and slowly and surely I'm getting introduced to it. I'm ridiculously overwhelmed right now, but it will eventually calm down. School will start and I'll get a routine. For now, I live in confusion. But good confusion.

Wrapping Up Beijing

My time in Beijing is drawing to a close. Been here a week and a half- about time to mosey on down the road to my real home. It's been very lovely, and I couldn't have asked for a better intro into Chinese city living. I'm ready though; I can't wait to get to Chongqing and be able to have structure and stability again!!

One thing that I don't think I will ever get used to is the picture taking. Everyone here keeps telling me that it's super normal and that I'm going to get used to it, but I don't know. I don't if I will ever be comfortable with some random stranger taking a picture of me for no apparent reason. Sometimes it's from a foot away on the subway. Sometimes its from 30 meters away along the street. Either way, it's super obvious (I actually really like how much they own it- zero shame) and very uncomfortable. I just think it's so strange that there is a picture of me on someone's phone (lots of someones actually). I'll keep you updated on my paparazzi and my adjustment to fame.

My wanderings about Beijing today made me some new friends. Mostly- almost entirely- young children who stared and pointed. I'm not complaining; they're the cutest things that have ever happened. Also a few passing people who I have a hard time reading- are they friendly or creepy. I'll have to get more culturally acquainted to figure out that one. Reality- I'm sure they are mostly all just very friendly people. But good news- you are never alone, so it's not like if they are creepy, you're unsafe. There's at least 7 or 8 other people there.

Thus far, China has been splendid. I'm really brushing up on some of my more crucial Chinese: 对不起 (I'm sorry), 我的中问不太好 (My Chinese is not very good), 我听不懂 (I don't understand), 我不知道 (I don't know), and of course 谢谢 (thank you). But not to worry, my Chinese is not quite that bad. I can order food, buy things, and ask and answer some basic questions. Today though, just as I was feeling moderately content with my Chinese, some random man at the park decided to have a 15 minute conversation with me- I couldn't tell you the first thing he said. He mentioned America a couple times- that's pretty much all I got. There were a lot of confused looks on my part and lots of apologizing. Everyone else at the park thought it was quite the hoot- lots of staring. Made me feel really great about myself. I'm going to make so many friends over here!

Love you all!! Next update from Chongqing- 重庆！

Conquering Beijing

Today I have conquered Beijing! I have ridden the subway without a guide, transferred lines, and walked quite a few blocks to find a museum. That may not sound like much, but to me, it's a huge deal. Coming from a small city where the public transit system was a couple dozen busses, the subway system is intricate and wonderful and a little bit terrifying all at the same time. So the fact that I was cool, calm, and collected while zooming around at alarming speeds in relatively small underground tunnels while being shoved into someone's armpit during rush hour in of the city 19 million, is pretty much on par with the moon landing. A miracle of the modern age. 
In reality, the Beijing subway system is wonderful, easy to use, has English translation, and is basically the best. I can go virtually anywhere I want in this city that I have been in for four days without getting lost (mostly). It's amazing; I love it (obviously). Plus, when I swipe my little public transit card to get through the gate, I feel like the most metropolitan person on the planet. It is splendid! 

But, I didn't write this post as free advertisement for the Beijing subway, I've actually done other things. Like sleep, and go to class, and eat, and be ill. 

Yes, I have been here all of four days, and I'll have you know I've only had one illness. My lovely cold has been my constant companion. What caused it? Who knows!! Jet lag, pollution, brushing my teeth with tap water, any of the nine thousand people that I've walked by on the street. Take your pick. But friends, a bit of friendly advice- if you feel an illness coming on, DO NOT decide to power through and climb the Great Wall of China. You will be miserable. You will get a fever. And you will go back to your hotel and sleep (very fitfully and uncomfortably) for 16 hours. And then and only then will you drag yourself down to the office to get some medicine. It is not a good idea, learn from my mistakes. Luckily, I'm on the upswing! I just cough a bunch and blow my nose now- my roommate LOVES it!!! 

Overall, Beijing has been lovely. It's great to finally be here in China. It's still transitory because I'm moving again on Monday, but to actually get this underway has been a huge burden off my shoulders. I really can't wait to get to Chongqing and get settled into my real everyday life, but for now, Beijing with her subway system, great food, and fabulous people suits me just fine.

No getting lost in this place- for sure not with the giant tourist map I have!

Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows

Well, the adventure has begun, and it has begun with class. A lot of class.

I'm in Greeley, CO on the campus of the University of Northern Colorado. It's a lovely campus with lots of trees and probably the softest grass ever. I, however, am much better acquainted with the classrooms. I have class from 8am to 5pm every day. As a recent college graduate, I'll be honest in saying that stepping back into hours of class was not exactly the most appealing prospect. It is interesting though, and I'm learning tons (which is good considering that I'll be teaching in a few short weeks o__o).

In all honesty, it's been a great experience. I feel about a million times more confident to teach a class now than I did a week and a half ago. I know theories and after tomorrow my classroom dynamics class will be done, so I'll know how to run a class. Anyone who was ever rude to a teacher should go apologize right now. It is really hard work, like really hard. I wrote a pretty sweet lesson plan the other day- no big deal- it only took me like three hours (definitely going to need cut that time down)!

Anyway, enough about my classes!

I'm in this uncomfortable state of transition. I'm meeting lots of people at training, but none of them are on my team in Chongqing. I'm missing people at home, but I'm excited to get to China. It's a lot of transient, uncertain mishmash. I just don't know how to feel sometimes. It's been great, but every now and then I feel like it's a dream. I've been planning on this for so long that it's hard to believe that it's really happening.

Also, I think time passes differently out here. I feel like I've been here for at least a month. My roommate, Nikki, and I have been saying this since the second day. Everyone out here bonded pretty quickly (unsurprisingly, we have similar interests and we spend huge chunks of time together every day), and we've just all been close from the very start. So when I look back and it's only been a week and a half, it seems impossible.

Some days are hard. I miss everyone at home. I miss just being around people that I know really well. I get terrified about this whole teaching thing. I'm exhausted from class. It's not the most glamourous life that I lead. But I wouldn't change it for the world. I am so glad that I'm here, even when it isn't all sparkly and rose colored.

Well, I'll try not to wait so long to post again. A lot happens around here, and I don't want these to be overbearingly long.

Love you all!