1. I have no idea how to blog. I mean, I think it's supposed to be pretty easy. I figure I'll just write my thoughts and experiences every now and then. Post a picture or two. Maybe a few people will read it. Sounds cool, I'll give it a try.
2. I'm going to China. Is this real life? In my mind China is like a strange planet you read about in books... but it actually exists, and I'm going to LIVE there for four months! What?!
So I realized a lot of people don't actually know what exactly I'm going to China for. No, I'm not just going for the heck of it, although that is a small part of it.
I am going to China to teach English to kindergarten/elementary aged kids through the nonprofit, volunteer based organization International Language Programs (ILP). I'll be teaching in a city called Zhongshan, located in the Guangdong province on the mainland. Nobody knows where the heck that is unless you look it up, but it's actually right across the Pearl River delta from Hong Kong. It looks like an awesome city and is fairly close to some amazing vacation spots.
ILP has quite a few schools in Zhongshan. The one I was assigned to teach at it called Kaiyin (pronounced ky-een). I'll be living in dorms across the street from the school. I'll be able to eat at the school cafeteria, but in case I get sick of that food, the dorms do have some cooking amenities which is nice.
I was supposed to leave at 6:10 this morning (2/23), but last minute our flight got canceled due to crazy winter storms across the country. So here I am, hanging out in my pj's. I was so mentally prepared to leave today, but hey, one more day of eating American food and sleeping in my own comfy bed, right? I should be finding out my new flight sometime today, so I will most likely be leaving this Wednesday or Thursday.
I am excited, nervous, anxious... basically all the feelings! It's hard leaving America and everything I know and am comfortable with, but I am really looking forward to this life-changing experience. I hope to be able to make a difference in these children's lives, while learning about myself along the way.
Here's to having no idea what I'm doing... here's to China!
