Expectations

Doing things like standing beneath a waning moon, listening to the deafening roar of the crickets... this makes me feel nostalgic already for home. That I've had little time to enjoy these things in the madness of Chinese courses means little; I already know that this is a cool, clear, shimmering moment that I'll miss.

I know little about the life that actually awaits me in Beijing. Here are the things I've imagined for my future: running through the city in the early morning, passing parks filled with people doing their morning exercises. Enjoying the bustle of university life. Challenging myself to make Chinese friends... in the classroom? on the basketball court? through tutoring English? Also, traveling on subways, crowded streets (like a real city), maybe a little bit of extra attention for my skin color/ country of origin (but not that much... it is Beijing after all, and it's an Olympic year).

Madness of the nighttime. Sticky heat, Chinese history and monuments during the long afternoons. A family that wants to bring me in, but finds that the differences are very great. Agreeing with people about the ills of America, then turning around and feeling in my heart that there's something special about America, especially California, that I'd missed all along, having never known anything different. Colors, lanterns, songs, smiles, confusions, temples, low-level political apprehension, fireworks, city lights at night, rice wine and white rice. A learning curve with Chopsticks.

Later... we've arrived. I'll write more later. I just want to say thank you to everyone who helped me travel. I'm loving every moment so far.

Further readings:
'The Eight Don't Asks' - guardian.co.uk
'Sichuan Earthquake Political Aftermath' - nytimes.com