Back in the blog business

Hi, friends and readers. I don't know where I've been. I've just been teaching and living and loving, like usual. And all of a sudden the end is looming on the horizon. Well, thankfully it's not really the end, but changes are coming.

My teammates and I are rushing to prepare our final exams for next week. Actually I'm not really rushing, but quietly and steadily preparing. Ever since I got to China, I sort of take things in little steps. I try not to make many plans (they'll change again, anyway), I don't have many ambitions at the moment (well, at least not beyond teaching and being with students and teammates), and I kind of just let the Big Guy do all the work.

It is a very strange feeling, because most of my life I've been planning, scheming, and striving. Now I just put one foot in front of the other, in a very contented sort of way. And you never, ever know what is around the corner here. But it's not scary or worrisome. At least I have never woken up even one day feeling bored or purposeless.

Now that I've been philosophical for a bit, I'll talk about some other news. The past couple of days we've been talking about "fears" and what we're afraid of in class. They are fearful of many things most people are afraid of: not getting a good job, never getting married, getting sick, losing a family member, etc. But there also are some fears thrown in there that I don't usually even consider. "Losing face" is huge in Chinese culture, which many of them mentioned. One boy seriously said that if he lost face he might as well die. Other students said how their biggest fears were realized when they failed the college entrance exam and had to come to this university. It was either attend this university or work in a factory. To many students both of those options seem nearly equally pointless.

After everyone was thoroughly depressed (well, not really), I asked them, "Okay, we've talked about things we are afraid of. Now how do you cope with your fears?" "Cope" was a new vocabulary word for the day. Many of them talked about listening to music, talking to their friends or parents, taking a walk, sleeping, or making themselves think positive thoughts. One class, which is the eternally curious class (and my favorite), then asked me, "How do you cope, Miss Laura?"

Well, dear little students, let me tell you. So I told them how naturally I'm a very scared person. I get scared of spiders, people, elevators, the future, etc. etc. I said that I sometimes take a walk or try to think positive thoughts also, in order to cope. But, I explained, the thing that helps me the absolute most is [thinking] to Him. This helps me the most--from little fears and decisions to big fear and decisions.

Later I told them that we should hang out in June, because I'll be at the university for another whole month, without teaching responsibilities. So I think my students and I will be planning many activities. Then I finally broke the news to them that I'm returning to this university next year. They started applauding like crazy. Oh, dear freshmen, nobody can replace your enthusiasm and innocence.

One of my Chinese friends today told me that there are now 2 cases of swine flu in this province. I'm not very alarmed, just like nothing really surprises me anymore. It's just not a good sign, I'm thinking, because now that flu will probably spread in about five minutes to 100,000 people. Soap and warm water are literally not used here. This country is quarantining people who arrive on international airplanes with no signs of the flu, but nobody is told that it is vital to at least wash your hands with soap and warm water. Basic prevention and hygiene is key.

But enough of my cynicism! It's time for me to get some dinner. Bye for now!