Adjusting

One of my teammate’s mom is visiting. This is the first time she’s been to China, and it’s interesting to try to look back and see things from her perspective. It seems like ages ago that I was walking on the streets for the first time, marveling at all the crazy things to see. Was it really only 3 and ½ months ago?

While I’m still constantly adjusting and adapting and learning to deal with a new culture, I am amazed to think about the things I already have gotten used to. For example, the incessant noises of China have grown quieter in my ears. I don’t notice the bus driver honking every 15 seconds to warn a taxi or motorist or bicycle or pedestrian or dog he is coming through. The little carts still drive behind my house several times a day with their banging pots, squeaking announcements, or shrill tunes, but it doesn’t generally register in my conscious mind. I rarely want to scream at students who are yelling outside my window early in the morning. I don’t mind the loudspeaker announcements too much unless I am trying to play music (the loudspeaker always wins).

And some situations that don’t baffle me as much. I’m not afraid to make left turns on my bicycle because I’ve finally figured out the left-turn arrow. It used to look like chaos and free-for-all, and now I realize that it is – you just have to claim your right of way and dodge the buses. I’ve learned that if a vested lady is guarding the bicycle parking lot, you pay her 2 mao. I know where to make copies and can communicate just enough that I’m not afraid of it any more. I almost don’t notice the stares and gasps and pointing as much. Almost.

When I was sitting in my bedroom today, I realized my apartment felt like home. It is as comfortable and familiar as my accommodations in the US (only it’s bigger and colder). I feel settled. When I travel, I think I will experience the discomfort of leaving and the warmth of returning home.

The neighbors still shoot off fireworks every few days that sound like war has broken out inside my apartment. That still gives me a headache. Some days I still come to class and find out none of the students have the copies that were supposed to be made for them, and I have to quickly change half my lesson. I still get annoyed. I still get grossed out at seeing people blowing their noses onto the ground. And I still have no clue what the cute old lady is trying to say to me, but thinking back, it’s amazing how far I’ve come!