Well its been a good 12 hours or so since I landed in Changsha and to tell you the truth I havent seen much of the city. I can tell you this much, it is nothing, NOTHING like home. I'm still in denial actually. It feels like a movie or a dream. We just got done with a fantastic dinner (though I ate barely anything) that was very loud and very crowded. One of my colleagues told me there's a word in Chinese for a restaurant's atmosphere which translates to hot and claustrophobic. It was most definitely that. I'm feeling a bit tired and overwhelmed at the moment, but I am really excited about this upcoming year and all the new friends I will meet. More later. Time for sleep. Oh, above is the view from my hotel window.

I think I'll fly to China today. And tomorrow. :)

I love that I am spending one of my last weeks in the US in Newport Beach. I have had a love affair with the Pacific Ocean since I was 8 years old and saw her for the first time. Before seeing the ocean, I would dream of it. In fact, I had a teacher who would have us meditate in class and imagine ourselves at our "happy place." I would imagine this place, a cool ocean breeze with magical coves and critters in the sand. I could see myself walking along the water, my long blond hair flowing in the wind like Ariel from the Little Mermaid. Imaginary Maria would sing and twirl in the ocean breeze. I feel connected here. I feel home.
I am currently reading "River Town" by Peter Hessler, which is a great preface to leaving for China. I am learning about cultural differences, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution. It is interesting to learn how I will be seen there, what may be inappropriate to say or wear. I began to fantasize about myself fitting right in with the rest of them, but quickly realized that wouldn't be authentic for me. I am proud to have my roots be American, whatever that means. I decided to give myself permission to be myself, and allow others whatever experience of me that they have. I've found that the more authentic I am, the more others feel safe to be authentic too.

I'm not really in China. Yet! I leave July 28th. I will be living and teaching in Changsha, Hunan at the Changsha Foreign Language School. I will be gone for an entire year. I have no idea what I'm getting into, but I am getting more excited and less scared every day. I will be updating this blog as often as possible while I'm in China, though I'm not sure what my internet situation will be the first month I'm there (orientation/training). Til then, I'll just be dinking around trying to make this blog as cool as possible. Currently trying to link to photo albums and other contact information. But enough internet for today, its time to go buy some boxes and pack up the apartment!