I'm trying to eat all the things I love and see all the people I love, as I only have a few days left in America before I take off. It's weird because I had been saying "3 months until I go to China" or "5 weeks until I go to China"... Now I'm shocked when I say, "I'm leaving for China on Friday". THIS FRIDAY! 5 DAYS!! And while the thought is insane to me, and in a way hard to comprehend, I STILL feel like nothing is really happening, like I'm not really going there.. it's just some magical dream. But it's true, and it's coming so fast.
And packing, well, I have a list, and I have moved a few things into piles... that's a good start I think. Tomorrow I will really start doing the work of getting some things stored away and others packed into my luggage.
I was sad about going a few weeks ago, and I'm still sad now, but my excitement is actually increasing with packing! Not to mention I am looking forward to meeting two friends who I have talked to online who will be in Beijing waiting for me. :) It's calming to know that I will not be completely alone. I will be traveling with Maeve, the other student from my University going to BJUT, and I will have people I already know in Beijing and many new friends. I'm wondering and dreaming about what my life is going to be like next week. Will I be able to speak Chinese well enough for people to understand me? Will I feel comfortable in my new bed (because that's very important to me!)? Will my roommate be a nice girl who will help me through the transition? I hope so! So even though I'm feeling emotional about leaving my life here for a while, I'm really looking forward to this new life waiting for me in Beijing. Not to mention, Vietnam after that!
So I spend my days looking out the window, really looking at the environment that I know so well. I let the view of snow and trees and blue sky seep into my mind, taking a mental picture because I will miss this. But onward I will go, out into the world for a little while, and then I will return back to my little world.
Oh, Audrey! Your blog brought tears to my eyes! You are such a perfect person to be experiencing this time abroad and will bring so much to others, all the while absorbing all you encounter and growing from every person you meet and every place you go. Be well and stay safe, my little friend... and have fun! Je t'aime!from "Madame" Venskus!
ReplyDeleteHey Audrey, it's Matt A (long story on the name. I'll entertain you with it later on).
ReplyDeleteYou're going on an adventure, something few of us get to do, even today. You're flying half-way across the world, using some of the most advanced technology to keep in touch with all of us back here.
But you're going to return, and you'll have changed. It may be for the best - you look at this little slice of the world and say, "I really do love it here!"
It may be for the best in another way - you look around and say, "I'm not satisfied with this town - Vietnam was soo much cooler and Beijing was AMAZING!"
Either way, you're going to walk in the world for a time. When you come back, you'll be able to say whether or not you want to stay out there.
-M