It's hard to think after almost a year since I applied for the Fulbright scholarship (and didn't make it), eight months after I first set foot in China, and five months since I applied to teach at both Beijing Normal University and Hangzhou Normal University, I only have one week left in the good ol' US of A for a year (most likely two). I can't do much to prepare myself mentally for what might happen while I am over there but I can be darn sure to make the most of my last few weeks before my departure (and eat as much cheese as possible since Rachel's suffering from the lack thereof during her stay has nearly traumatized me).
It's been hard thinking that each time I say goodbye to someone, it might be the last time I see them for a long time (since I'm not expecting too many people to be dropping $1500 on a plane ticket to come visit me in China).
I admit that during the past few years, I've gone through a bit of a crisis, feeling as though I did not have friends to count on. I realized that I did not have many friends from high school; I didn't keep in touch with my group of friends from school and looking around at the other girls in my life who had a large group of girlfriends, I was painfully reminded of this. However, as I have gotten older (in my oh-so wise 23 years), I have come to see how silly these fears were and I know that I truly am blessed with an array of friends--Team Awesome from Oswego, my Ghostlight theatre crew, the WooGulls, my local friends, Mango Group in China, and my newfound friends and amazing housemates from my Disney College Program.
Realizing that I am so blessed with the people, friends, and family in my life, it has become quite stressful trying to make time to see everyone before I leave. However, with several get-togethers, getting to see Godspell at the Ghostlight Theatre, and a few parties, I feel like I've done a pretty good job at seeing everyone I love at least once before I go (if I have missed you, remember that there is a small open house planned for this Saturday 8/24 at my house)!
One of the things that I have come to take for granted (and full-on disliked over the years) is the Erie County Fair. I'm not a fan of crowds (why I am going to China is beyond me in regards to that!!) and the fair is usually filled with everything I find to be unlikeable about the American culture--the obnoxious "Made in America" building, morbidly obese individuals (usually rolling around in scooters), and deep fried everything (seriously, I found deep fried bubble gum this year...????). However, this year, I went not once (unwillingly) but twice!! WHA?!?! I went with my parents and my aunt, uncle, and cousin, Ashley, the first time and my parents and brother the second time. While I did not find any pleasure at being pulled into the "Made in America" building, nor did I take part in the deep fried bubble gum, I did thoroughly enjoy myself both times I went there.
And of course, before I can go to China, the land of chicken feet, duck head, and fried scorpions, I have been devouring as much American food as I can--barbeques with hot dogs and hamburgers, loaded french fries (one of my hardcore guilty pleasures), and LOTS and LOTS of cheese (so much cheesy goodness)...
I am now in the final week before I leave. My dad and brother are away on a boy scout trip, leaving my mom and me alone to spend time with each other. Yes we've been shopping for things I need for China but we're doing a lot of fun things together... making memories. Yesterday we went to a few wineries and the casino (I won $50!!), today we're off to see a movie, Thursday we're going to IKEA for lunch, and Friday begins the crazed wave of packing. During all of this, I did have time to cross something off my bucket list--the Color Run!!
Yes, I, Amanda Woomer participated (willingly) in a 5K run without having anyone chase me with a chainsaw. It was actually way more fun than I had expected and I ran almost 2/3 of it nonstop (again, WAY more than I had originally expected). I am sad to say that I am not the most active person on the planet--yes, I exercise everyday but I mostly walk and hike, never run (I sometimes joke, saying that it is against my religion). So to be able to take part in the 5K Color Run, and do it better than most of the people around me, I was so proud of myself. I might start up running full time and take part in more 5K runs like this one. Cross off #221 from My Life List!!
Of course, nestled between saying goodbye, crossing things off my bucket list, and filling myself with American, fatty foods, I've been stressed about my visa (read the full story here). It was a long and painful journey but I am proud to say that I now have my lovely, wonderful beautiful passport back with that stupid, sparkly sticker that will let me into China.
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| Victory is MINE!!!! |
I think I've done a pretty good job with my time left in America. I know Rachel and Olivia will laugh at me when I say that this reminds me of a drama I once watched (my favorite one to be precise, 49 Days). In it, a girl has 49 days (title drop) to find three people who genuinely love her in order to escape her death (it's way better than that description and it is super deep... if you want to watch it, you can find it right here... get your tissues ready!!) But in it, there is a line said by one of the characters that really changed the way I live my life:
"We must learn to live our lives as if we only have 49 days."
Of course, I am not dying, but I am leaving for a (somewhat) extended period of time and since I just love to reference dramas (just ask those poor girls who were forced to travel around China with me), I couldn't resist this one!!
So there you have it, I've begun to live the rest of my time over here as though I only have 49 days. It's a bit melodramatic but that's how I like to live life (keeps it more interesting, you know?). I hope I've done enough and I hope that I've done it right.
Here's to my last six days...
Until Next Time,
Amanda
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