Mi casa

It's been a while... my internet has been less than cooperative, 

so sorry to all 5 of you who read my blog. 

I think it's about time to show you my lovely apartment. It's a very simple apartment, but I can't complain cause I'm pretty excited to be a parent/grandparent and be able to say "Back in my day... I had to use a squatter, my apartment had cockroaches, I was dirtier when I got out of the shower than when I went in, I lost my nose to frostbite because my apartment wasn't heated" etc. etc. etc...

First: the bathroom 

These pics were taken the night I got here, so it's nice and clean!

The squatter:

 No flushing toilet paper! P.S. The tp feels like sandpaper.

The shower:

Don't ask what the stuff on the wall is.. cause I have no idea either.

The floor of the shower:

Gross.

Even after scrubbing the floor for an hour, it still looks just about as gross as it did in the beginning. Our contracts say we're supposed to have western toilets, buuut what can you do. I kind of like it though, just because it gives me a more authentic Chinese experience.

Oh and here's my towel. My 7 inch tablet is on it, just to give you an idea of the size. Yes... they gave me a hand towel to use after showering. 

Second: everything else...

So my door has bars on it. Sometimes it makes me feel extra safe, but it usually makes me feel like I'm in prison. Mostly because we went to the jail and those are the same doors they have on the actual jail cells. 

And this is what my room looks like. Minus the table in the middle of the room (this is actually the room of the girl who lives next to me.) The bed is in the corner, but isn't cool enough to deserve a pic. Have you ever slept on a piece of wood? If so, you know what a chinese mattress feels like. It's honestly about 1cm thick. I made the mistake of jumping onto the bed once... never again. My knees were bruised. 

Ok that's all for now! 

Funny stories to come, involving some very nosy lunch ladies who got

 a little too up close and personal in the bathroom for my liking. 

wo ai ni - (that means I love you)

First Impressions

I'll be the first to admit that I was very uncomfortable when I first came to China. Not only was I in a COMPLETELY foreign environment, I was also going through Jase withdrawals (give me a break . . . I got engaged less than a week before I left!)


DISCLAIMER:
This is not an accurate portrayal of China in it's entirety. 

But I like to tell it how it is . . . so here it is in gory detail.

The entire group of China Horizons teachers met in Beijing, where we spent a week seeing the sights before we were sent off to our respective towns and schools. We stayed at a hostel . . . in an alley. An alley that was full of things I've never experienced firsthand:

• Slime
• Filth
• Putrescence 

Boo. Boo. Rubbish. Filth. Slime. Muck. Boo. Boo. Boo. (Random side note.. did you know that the official name for that character is "The Ancient Booer?" Ahhhhmazing.)

In all seriousness, those words are actually pretty accurate. The streets were lined with garbage, and the entire street smelled a little like DEATH. I just wish I could bottle the smell, so all of you could understand what I'm talking about. It's unfathomable. 

Other oddities:

Children (and adults for that matter) go to the bathroom whenever and wherever they please. On the street? No problem! In front of 5 American girls trying to eat lunch? Naturally! If there is something wet on the street, it would be best if you didn't assume it's water . . . cause it's not.

Men love walking around with their shirts pulled up. Still trying to figure this one out. 

Everyone spits. We're talking  big fat loogies. And 90% of the time they don't look where they're spitting (aka my foot.)

Now for some visuals . . .

In case you were wondering, the answer is yes . . . that is a car driving on the sidewalk. 

Until next time :)

Finding Purpose in China

You know what's awesome? That fact that I'm in China! I'm constantly being reminded of what a HUGE blessing it is for me to be here, and to learn about this people and their culture. 

Is it challenging?   

     Everyday.

Have I questioned my decision to come? 

     More than I'd like to admit.

Do I have a purpose for being here?  

     Most definitely.

After being in China for about a month, here's what I've decided:

My purpose:

To prepare the people I meet for the Gospel. 

Ways to do so:

Pass-Along cards (Outdated . . . also illegal)

Give out copies of The Book of Mormon ( I'm trying to stay out of jail . . . ) 

Teach the children to sing I am a Child of God ( someone would catch on . . . )

Write down my testimony and ask someone to translate it into Chinese for me ( they don't know Church terminology. . . that could get tricky)

Love them

Be happy

Be grateful

Listen to the Spirit

The people are ready. I have made so many friends here that are just waiting for the Gospel, I can see it in their eyes! I can't wait for the day when they will be able to have that sweet knowledge that I have been blessed with for my entire life.

Angela: adorable mother and future Mormon. I'm calling it. She is too perfect!

One Final Note: 

President Kimball spoke of our obligation to take the gospel to the "uttermost parts of the world:"

When we are ready, the Lord will use us for his purposes.There are almost three billion people now living on the earth in nations where the gospel is not now being preached. If we could only make a small beginning in every nation, soon the converts among each kindred and tongue could step forth as lights to their own people and the gospel would thus be preached in all nations before the coming of the Lord.

How cool is this people?! All I'm trying to do is make that small beginning. Wish me luck!

 I'm blogging! I blog! I'm a blogger! I blog!

oookay bob.

But seriously, this is kind of a big deal. 

I'm only expecting a few people to read this (Hi mom!)


If you are reading this, it's probably because you're interested in China, or me. Possibly both. Either way, WELCOME!