Another wonderful week has come to a close. And I am sick again, just like I am about every six weeks. Yesterday I went to bed really early, and today I've been so tired I can barely stand. I'm pretty sure I also have a fever, because I couldn't stop shivering and it's been a balmy 65 degrees outside.
I really hope I have more energy tomorrow, because our team is going to visit an orphanage!! I can't wait to see the little children. We are also going to decorate Christmas cookies with them, because we're bringing homemade sugar cookies. Little Chinese kids are always irresistable.
Since yesterday I've also been extremely frustrated and bothered for some reason. After living in China for 3 months, I'm used to having most everything out of my control. But, yesterday I couldn't handle it very well.
Yesterday I got an email that my return ticket from our conference in Thailand was cancelled. I used my alloted 6,000 RMB from our organization for that ticket. Now, I can't get any information about what to do next. Our travel agent in Beijing has said I can buy another return ticket on Thai Air for 5,000 RMB, but I can't return until February 10th, not February 5th. The problem is that I have nowhere near 5,000 RMB in my bank account. And we have to be back to Nanchang by February 8th. I'm just really frustrated, because I don't know what to do and nobody is being helpful. Apparently there is not such thing as a refund or rebooking. I just have to count it as a loss, according to this travel agent.
Can you please think of me? For some reason, this is sort of the straw that's breaking the camel's back for me.
On another more cheerful note, I got one last batch of cute Santa letters and Christmas cards in class:
"Dear Laura: Merry Christmas!! Happy holidays! Happy smiles always wear on your face!"
"Dear Santa, I am a clever girl. Please give me a lovely dog."
"Miss Laura, Christmas is coming. I know you are good teacher in my school. But you can't go America during the Christmas holidays, because the plane check is too expensive. I wish you will have a good time in China."
"Dear Laura: You're such a good teacher, friendly, responsible and intelligent. It's a pity that you can't spend Christmas with your family. But, all of us are your friends. May you happy in China."
My students never cease to make me smile, and they usually can brighten any dreary day.
Well, my people, I hope I didn't complain too much in this blog. I'm very blessed, so I cannot complain very often. Sometimes the stresses of living in an Eastern culture begin to wear on me, no matter how adaptable or resilient I try to be. And the unexpectedness of every day here is very exciting, but it can also take a toll on you physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Thanks as always for your thoughts!
1 comment:
You are so encouraging no matter what and it is such a witness. I love you so much and you are always on my mind and I hope that you wear many smiles on your face always!
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