Laura's lessons

Why is it so much more difficult to write about America than China? Is it because China is so much crazier and colorful in comparison? Whatever the reason, I'm trying to find the color and life in America. I'm trying to see my native land in a fresh perspective. China has seemed more like my home than America in many ways; even though I was technically an "outsider" in China, I felt like I belonged there more than I ever did in the U.S.

So now I'm in America, trying to treat it like a new culture. I sort of feel like I've been living in a time warp, and the past 2 years were a dream. Many things happened while I was away, and I also have many things to relearn. For example:

-I should speak to people in English, not Chinese.
-I have to make my own food; I can't just dash out the door and eat a big plate of rice and vegetables for $1.
-I cannot attack every slightly Chinese-looking person in my eagerness.
-I cannot stare at all the rotund people.
-I cannot stare at all the black people.
-I cannot stare at all the white people.
-I cannot stare at all the Hispanic people.
-I cannot stare at the abundance of handsome guys.
-I do not have to hand the cashier my money with two hands.
-I can say "God."
-I should throw the toilet paper in the toilet, not the waste basket.
-I do not need to squeegee the floor after I take a shower.
-I should turn on the tap for water, and can drink as much water as I want.
-I should answer in a direct way, and not always say "maybe."
-I should stop saying, "Have a rest."
-I need to wear earplugs for the extreme quiet instead of for the early morning fireworks, moped alarms, singing, and basketball players.
-I should realize that the low height of American ceilings is normal; they will not fall on me.
-I shouldn't gape too much at the grocery store over the huge selection of perfect-looking fruit and meat.
-I must stay inside the lines when I'm driving.
-I'm not a celebrity anymore.

And lastly, I must remember that God's the same everywhere in the world, not matter if I'm in China or America. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. I'm His child, and my identity isn't wrapped up in my citizenship or culture. I should continue to live every day in expectation and hope for the amazing ways He's working all around the world!