Taking a break

Greetings one and all!! 

This is just a quick post to keep you updated on my China adventure! It is currently Spring Festival (the Chinese New Year) and I am taking advantage of the time off from school. 

I will be traveling trough Asia until February 6th visiting parts of southern China, Hong Kong (where I am right now), Nepal, and Malaysia. 

During my time away from Hangzhou, I won't be posting anything here... But fear not! For there will surely be tales to be told when I return. 

Riding through the mountains of Yangshuo. 

So I will say, "So long!" for now. Safe travels to anyone else taking advantage of the holiday...

Until Next Time, 

Amanda

Auld Lang Syne: A Very Shanghai New Years

New Years Eve is one of my favorite holidays. To me, it is the ultimate time of rebirth, new beginnings, and a new reincarnation of yourself, your thoughts, and your life. It is a time when we reflect on our previous year--the friends we've made, the people we've lost, the adventures we've had, our accomplishments, our disappointments. We see the things that we are so proud of and even the things that we might be a bit ashamed of. We see all the dreams that became realized, the dreams that flickered and died out. We see how far we've come--our triumphs. And we even see our failures.

None of them are better than the others and none of them are bad. Each and every moment is an experience, a lesson taught and learned. If an experience is a good one it is cataloged away as a happy memory, and if an experience is a bad one, it is remembered as a lesson learned and not soon forgotten.

I love taking the time on New Years Eve to reflect on my year--where was I exactly one year ago? What things did I accomplish? Am I proud of where I am or do I still need to work on myself? Am I happy? Am I healthy?

On New Years Eve, I love dissecting my past and planning for my future--where will I be next year on New Years Eve? What accomplishments and dreams will I fulfill in the next 365 days? Will I be the same person or someone completely changed?

Some years are pretty rough (2009 will forever be on the books) and some years were pretty great (2013 would definitely be included in that).

I have split my 2013 up into three sections:

1. Disney College Program
2. The Summer of the Schmoops
3. China

Every year, I enjoy looking back at different things and reflecting and that is exactly what I will be doing in this entry today.

The Disney College Program was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I knew it was something that I always wanted to do (along with studying abroad). I was graduating in December 2012 with absolutely NOTHING planned afterwards so it seemed like the perfect time for Disney. Just three days after returning from China for the first time, I hopped back on a plane and headed down to Orlando to get ready for an experience unlike any other.

I lived at Vista Way (booooo.....) with some of the finest ladies I have ever known--Christina, Heather, Katelyn, Stephanie, Kaitlin, and Demetria. It was a wild time in our apartment filled with late night cereal filled talks, Harry Potter marathons, and therapy sessions on my couch. It was crowded and loud and I wouldn't change it for anything.

I worked at Soarin' (again, booooo.....) with some of the finest people I know. My wonderful ladies, Susan (my Seoulmate), Brittany, and Hannah. My fellow Once Upon a Time nerd, Alex (the real life Regina). Jessica, Eduardo, and Nick--all of my wonderful trainers. My fellow Star Wars nerd--Leslie. Trevor, Jaimie, Vincent, Callie... I could keep going on and on and on. It was so stressful working at the "#1 attraction in all of Walt Disney World." Four hour waits during spring break. Working until midnight during Extra Magic Hours. Being haunted by grouping (even to this day over in China). MERGE. All of these things would have made me hate my college program... but luckily I had so many wonderful, amazing people to work with me, support me, make me laugh, and go out to Ale House with.

Working at the Happiest Place on Earth is such a crazy experience but eventually, I knew it had to come to an end. My plan to teach with a Fulbright scholarship in South Korea was denied so I quickly went with Plan B (teaching in Beijing) which was also denied... So it was onto Plan C--work at Hangzhou Normal University. If I believed in coincidences, I would point it out (but I don't)... Anyway, I am getting ahead of myself...

After Disney, I had three months back home in New York to spend with my friends and my family before having to say goodbye once again and head off to China. It was three months filled with swing dancing, Renaissance faires, Holi, and road trips. Always donning the BE AWESOME shirts, the Schmoops traveled to New York City to take over Little India and Saratoga Springs along the way. Dressing up as a 1950s pin-up girl and putting on my bright red lip stick, I twirled around the Hamlin House with one of my favorite dance partners (my daddy!!). Chowing down on a turkey leg and drinking my fair share of ale, I sang along at the pub sing at the Sterling Renn Faire.

It was a crazy, fun filled summer but soon it had to end. It ended with a wonderful going away party where friends (some that I hadn't seen in years) and family came to say goodbye to me one last time (at least for the next two years).

It was a struggle getting to China but it was a struggle I was more than willing to fight.

I came to China in search of adventure (in the great wide somewhere!!). I wanted to escape the mundane and grab the extraordinary with both hands. I wanted to make new friends, try new foods, see new sights, and try my hand at being an English teacher.

I feel that I have done all these things. I have successfully (for the most part) lived in China for just over four months now. I have completed my first semester as an English teacher without too many casualties. I have made a slew of new friends. I have slowly (but surely) been able to rekindle my faith that I lost so many years ago. I have seen new places (and am preparing for the adventure of a lifetime in just a few weeks... Nepal!). All of these things would declare my decision to come here to be a good one. I think anyone would feel fulfilled to have tried new foods, met new people, moved away from home, started a new job, traveled around China. It has been so fulfilling... but I have something someone so much greater that I am thankful for.

{PREPARE FOR LOVEY DOVEY-NESS... FEEL FREE TO SKIP AHEAD... 

THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING!!}

I feel like my life has changed in a wonderful, beautiful way since I met Adam. For those of you who know me, you know that I have always been alone. I have always claimed to be "single and loving it" but there were always those moments of doubt and self pity when I couldn't stop myself from wondering why no one wanted to be with me; just what was wrong with me? Was it my unrealistic expectations? People claim that I can be intimidating (as intimidating as a cotton ball, I think)... could that be it? As I went through college, I found myself accepting the idea of being alone (I know it is a bit young to already resign yourself to something as long term as the rest of your life... hindsight is 20/20). I did not come to China looking for a man (to contradict what all my students already believe)... Quite the opposite--I was coming to prove that I was ready to live my own life without looking for Mr. Right. But I guess things like this happen when you least expect it...

It was Day Two if you're wondering. The second day of knowing Adam, I already felt nervous around him... "twitterpated" if you will. It didn't take too long to realize that maybe (for the first time ever), my feelings were being reciprocated. It was about a month after first meeting (for a second time) that we decided to make it officially "official." I think we've become the celebrity couple of Hangzhou Normal University and my official title in Hangzhou is "Adam's Girlfriend."

I am so happy. He makes me laugh. He hugs me when I cry. He makes me feel loved and cherished. He makes me feel wanted. He makes me feel beautiful. He makes me a better person. He makes me think. He makes me talk (hard to believe, I know). He takes me on adventures. He makes me feel taken care of. He cuts "AW" and "AL" and "♥" into a pizza. He makes me happy. And I only hope that I am able to make him feel the same way. 

{IT'S SAFE TO START READING AGAIN}

I am as far from home as I can possibly be, but I can't help but feel that I am in the right place--exactly where I am meant to be.

I think 2013 can join 2010 as the best year!

So, every year, I like to give little honorable mentions to different things. So without further ado...

  

Favorite Book: Jane: the Woman Who Loved Tarzan

Favorite Movie: Frozen

Favorite TV Show: Hannibal

NaNoWriMo: The Piece of Me (51,404 words)

Things completed from the Life List:

1. Work at a Disney Park (#188): No need for too much of a description. I worked at Soarin' at EPCOT for five months.

2. Run 5K in the Color Run (#221): A week before leaving for China, my mom and I ran in our first 5K... and we weren't too shabby!!

3. Go shark fishing (#250): While in the Florida Keys, I caught a 180 lbs., 6 foot long nurse shark!

4. Kiss in the Rain (#187): Something I have always wanted to do since I was an overly romantic little girl. Shortly after our first kiss, Adam got me out in the rain (he knew it was on my List).

5. Try durian (#158): Having seen it on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, I wanted to try the nasty smelling fruit. While on National Holiday in Qingdao, the Adams made me try it... disgusting.

Places Visited:

-Disney World

-Universal Studios

-New York City

-Saratoga Springs

-the Florida Keys

-China

     -Shanghai

     -Qingdao

     -Dalian

     -Dandong

-North Korea 

Friends Made:

-Disney:

     -Christina     -Katelyn     -Heather     -Stephanie     

     -Demetria     -Kaitlin      -Sarah         -Susan

     -Leslie          -Brittany    -Hannah      -Tony

     -Trevor         -Nick         -Vincent       -Cody

-China:

     -Hannah R. -Hannah S. -DH -Nathan  -Other Adam <--Kids with Sass!

     -Nate          -James        -Shamrock      -Felicity

And of course... my Adam ♥

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

So this was my very first New Years away from home. Last year I was in China but I had managed to make it home before midnight, walking into the annual Woomer family party, exhausted but happy to be home. This would be my first year not at home... but luckily, I did not have to spend the holiday alone.

Adam and I decided that we wanted to go up to Shanghai for our first New Years together. We booked the exact same hostel I had stayed at one year before--Le Tour. It was so strange walking around and seeing all the same sights, eating at the same restaurants (New York Style Pizza!!), and sleeping in the same hostel that I had exactly one year prior... but oh, how my life had changed (for the better). 

We wandered around the city, taking plenty of picture of the Bund (really the only thing I know to do in the city other than shopping). We wandered and found a place to grab dinner before discovering the Hershey's store (can anyone say, "Hello peanut butter cups"?!?!). Buying some beers to keep us warm (and to go along nicely with our chocolate purchases), Adam and I made our way back to the Bund at around 7pm, found a nice place, and sat down at waited for the next five hours (yes, FIVE) to pass.

 We talked (A LOT... sorry about that, Adam!!). We played chess (Yes, I lost every single time). We just watched the lights. We people watched. We realized that the police were not letting us leave to go to the bathroom. We let the last remaining minutes of the year pass by. 

As midnight rang in with the classic countdown (in Chinese), fireworks erupted from the river. With oohs and aahs, a dark haze in the air, people clapping and cheering, and my first a New Year's kiss, we said, "Zài jiàn," to 2013, and, "Nǐ hǎo," to 2014.

I have no idea what 2014 has in store for me. A year ago, I was on my way to work at Disney World, a recent college graduate, having just gotten back from China and planning on working in South Korea. Here I am now, almost 24 years old, an English teacher in China with a wonderful, amazing man at my side and a whole year of opportunity in front of me. 

The beginning of a new year is always scary. You don't know the potential of the year. Will it be good to you or will you be happy to see it leave at the stroke of midnight? Will you lose family members? Will you fall in love? Will you be healthy? Will you be happy? Will you be sad? Maybe a new job or a new home? No one--not even the wisest people in your life--can possibly know what tomorrow brings, much less the next 365 days. 

I hope 2013 was kind to you... and if it was not, do not dwell on the past ("Hakuna Matata!" as some might say).  Learn from your mistakes and painful experiences. Grow. Forgive. Love. Be happy. Be healthy. Try new things. Smile to strangers. Laugh often and love even more. Make 2014 the best year of your life... because nobody has that power except YOU.

Life is a journey... This very moment is an adventure. 

Go out there and face that adventure head on with courage, love, and happiness.

Happy New Year!

Until Next Time, 

Amanda 

Yuletide Celebrations Part IV

The Final Festivities

Christmas may have been over but that did not mean that celebrations over here in Hangzhou had to come to an end. With everyone having such different schedules it is difficult to plan parties prior to Christmas day which in the end made the celebration last even longer. After our Christmas for Kids in Fuyang and the big party for our students, after Christmas Eve and Christmas day, it was time for the crazy group of foreigners to have their own Christmas parties with just themselves. 

Friday night was the night that the Woomer family met head on with the foreigners in China and I would say that it was quite a success.

SIX.

A simple word that does not do much to the common wealth. No need for fear or excitement. Your pulse does not quicken, your palms do not sweat and you do not feel your throat go dry. That is... until you add a single die, a hat, a scarf, a pair of mittens, and an obnoxiously large box. Combine those all together and you have one of the most stressful, fun, violent games you could ever imagine playing in the gentle glow of a Christmas tree.

THE MISSION:

 Sit in a circle and roll the die one person at a time. Continue to do so until a six is rolled. Then, it is time to don the hat, scarf, and mittens and begin tearing apart the wrapped box like a barbarian in hopes of getting to the present that is inside... buried deep inside six boxes.

 

THE (unofficial) MISSION:

Don't let DH win.

Our SIX winner

 It was violent. It got loud. It was fun. And (most importantly) DH did not win.
 

We congratulated ourselves on a job well done, we rested our heads and I knew that the Woomer family tradition had successfully infiltrated China. 

Saturday was the end of our Christmas celebrations. 

In the evening, the ladies hopped on bikes (another blog describing that experience, soon to follow) and headed over to where the guys were camped out. It was the Hangzhou Team's Christmas party and I was just going along for the ride (and the food) ^_~

We had spiced wine, baked goods, hot chocolate, fruit, and a gift exchange. 

I went in not expecting anything and got quite the pleasant surprise. A beautifully wrapped (aka: much better than Christmas Eve) gift of Skittles, mittens, chocolate, and FROSTING was waiting for me. "To: Amamdar From: FoC"

It was so nice. I can't help but want to thank these guys at every chance I have. They never had to open themselves up to me. They never had to invite me to parties or get togethers. I am not a part of their group. I am a newbie--a nobody from Cangqian--and yet they have made me feel so welcomed and I feel like I have found a great support group and a wonderful group of friends. \

Once all the overly sweet feelings were shared and gifts were exchanged, the dance party started. From Irish dancing, to Cotton Eyed Joe (which NO ONE knows the dance to out here), and awkward middle school slow dances, I think we got our weekly exercise in.

All in all, it was a wonderful Christmas celebration. I may not have been home but I think I have found a home over here in Hangzhou with caring, wonderful people. It might be a crazy family but it's a family all the same. So from my family to yours, I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!!

Until Next Time,

Amanda