It's Friday!
I apologize if any part of Rebecca Black's single just started playing in your head. But hey, it IS Friday. So I blogged about how much stress there is in my job and then guess what? All the stress is gone!
Okay--no, not really, not that good. But it is Friday, which feels good. I'm at work about to start planning out Monday AND Tuesday's lesson (cuz I was a bit more on top of my work this week). I just picked a band "Time Reversal" to see tonight at a bar called Hemp House. ALSO, last night I got to talk to Katie, the head of Dipont fellows. The company lacks some communication and Chengdu is very much far away from the other centers, so people did not really realize that there was a Dipont fellow here. Oh well, that's okay, problem is solved and some of my bosses have said some really nice things about me for sticking through the 4 months of no contact with the greater structure.
I'm left feeling a bit stronger as I have been working in independently since October. To my credit, I did try to reach out but didn't have the right names to e-mail. Now though, I am connected to the network of fellows and Katie will be checking in with me every week. It sounds like every center has some trouble, but that's to be expected as the rate of change in this country is so fast. I also feel better because I've gotten some things done. The work is not over and teaching Psychology is very much getting in the way of my other duties, but I'm about to start teaching developmental psychology on Monday and really can't wait. The kids have figured out I have a background in acting...not sure how the figured that out...lol.
Today is also great because I took a 40 min piano break after my 7:30 college session. And that always feels good.
I have believed for years that I am able to determine my own happiness. Part of that skill is choosing what to focus on. No, it doesn't mean flat-out ignoring everything that bothers oneself. It involves tracking down chocolate chips and coconut flakes and making cookies. Or, buying a mop that is the COOLEST mop I have ever owned. (I made a fantastic decision this week that a 200RMB mop was worth it. Never again shall I clean my floors on my knees; I shall use technology! And seriously, this mop feels very high-tech. The mop head rotates and after dipping it in the water you can place it in this cup-like structure and as you press down, it SPINS! Essentially I've purchased an 80s cleaning montage accessory.)
And this is all great news: I can become excited about buying a mop! A simpleton maybe, but hey, it brought smiles and childlike laughter to my tired-looking face; the same laugh when I ride my bike. Gosh, I may be holding on to all these responsibilities, but I'm still me. Sure, I felt stuck and do during the week with all my time seeming to belong to others, but I'm making that choice. I choose to do 110% for this job because I do care. There, I've said it, it's out there for all to see.
The best part? I'm in China. I forget this in all the stress through the week and then end up spending my weekends not taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity. But not tonight. Tonight I'm going to my first live show to see "Time Reversal" a pop/rock Chinese band. I don't know anything about them, but I bet, if I keep this feeling, it's gonna be great.
So I have a choice, and I'm gonna choose to be happy. If this experience keeps being stressful and I keep being able to rise above it, then this will be really what I came here to do. To push myself and learn how to better cope with the stress of the kind of life I want to lead: fast-paced and a bit ridiculous.
Wishing you all a merry weekend. Go do something fun!
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