(Saying goodbye to the "Watermelon Lady")
(Farewell lunch with some of our Chinese friends)It is mid-afternoon on Wednesday, and we have just said farewell to some of our closest Chinese friends. Half of my team had to say good-bye to them probably for good. I'm glad I just had to say "see you again!" I'm only leaving for 2 months, and then I'll return to this now very familiar place that has slowly been turning into my home.
We have just been packing, cleaning, and saying good-bye to friends and neighbors on the back street (like the noodle people and watermelon lady). The majority of my students left a long time ago, so I don't have to think about finding them and saying good-bye. Currently I'm packing a suitcase to take home. The rest of my stuff will be migrating downstairs to the 4th floor, where I'll live next school year.
We also have to make this apartment look spotless for next year's teachers. Chinese apartments get dirtier than most, at a much faster pace. I scrubbed and scrubbed the kitchen, for example, and the warped cupboards and chipped floors can't really ever look decent no matter what I do. The walls around the propane stove are also permanently blackened. And I discovered that there is wood rotting under our kitchen sink, bringing lots of nice bugs with it.
Okay, I should get back to cleaning and packing! I'm excited to be headed back to the U.S. for at least a few weeks. And I'm glad I don't have to say good-bye to this school and city forever, because I'll be back!
This is probably my last blog for a while. Tomorrow we actually get to fly to Beijing (taking an airplane, instead of the train, is a rare opportunity in China). I joke that we are flying on China Duct-Tape Airlines. The few times I've been on an airplane in China, I was pretty sure the plane was held together by tape or staples. Then we fly to LA on the 30th on China Scotch-Tape Airlines (actually China Eastern, but close enough). :) I'll arrive in Kansas on the 2nd. Please think of us, as we have a lot of meetings and traveling ahead of us for the next week.
This is all for now, folks! Thanks for tuning in for so many months! You have been incredibly faithful in your encouragement and support.
3 comments:
What a story you have shared these past 10 months Laura! Thank you! I have learned so much, and also hopefully grown through your blogs as you expressed your evergrowing trust in Him. As your BBF I can't wait to see you and hug you!!! I am stocking up on kleenex for the airport :) Always, your Mom xoxo
I'm with her! Thanks for keeping us posted! I am so glad you get to come home, and I can't wait to see you and talk!
Alicia
The next six days will be torture! But I guess if I've survived ten months without you, I can do six days. But it will be hard! I love you so much, Little Wonderful Author!
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