Simple Life

Yeah, yeah I know. I haven't blogged in awhile, and since the end of the Olympics I've been, well, MIA. I could go on with a list of excuses, but lets just say life doesn't move as linearly as one would hope. One step forward, two steps back? That being said, every day is in fact an adventure, and while it may be exhausting and frustrating, it is never, ever, boring. If you want to learn something about yourself, come to China. You'll find that your reservations and breaking points (and did I mention patience) far exceed any expectations of yourself (even if you decided to pursue a career of sainthood).

So, where am I going with this? China is crazy, rules are more of a light suggestion here and milk can damn near kill you. So what? The thing is, I've gotten almost so used to frantically rushing from one corrupt job to another, schedule changes, visa trouble and the constant stream of lies that pervades every aspect of life here, that when the storm settles and life finally becomes less about survival and more about finding a rhythm, life becomes very simple.

Routine was an aberration during the last 3 month of my life, now it's a certainty. It's not boredom, just lack of surprise. I can plan some aspect of my day, and carry it out with confidence. I no longer wake up in a cold sweat fearing the Police knocking down my door and demanding deportation. I have a job that is contractually binding, and side work that is "at the leisure of my person". Life is easy, life is booooring. But, as I learned during high school and college, it's good to be bored (especially during vacation), and everyone needs a break from exploring the great wide open.

While I'm sure that the subsequent weeks and months will most likely take turn towards the unknown, I can at least say I'm in a less hectic and more secure place than many Americans (I have an apartment, a steady paycheck and hurricanes signal much needed rain, not evacuation). While I've gotten used to the chaos that is life here in China, for many back home, this is just an introduction to the wild wild rest of the world. Keep it simple: find a house, pay for your meals and get to work everyday. Repeat. Back to the basics.