Nuisance to Adaptation

        I have come to notice that upon arrival certain things about China annoyed the ever living hell out of me. I don't recommend China to strict A-type personalities. I have always identified myself with being an A-type, but with a little persuasion I can throw caution to the wind.
     
       In university I specifically remember having an over-sized desktop calendar, a white board, and post-it notes EVERYWHERE. As soon as I got my syllabi for my courses and extracurricular schedules I would have my semester mapped out and color coded. I didn't like things being sprung on me at the last minute, or distractions when I was focused on something. I've since become much more relaxed, but still a plan ahead freak.
   
       I had to remove every notion of planning ahead, distractions, and last minute plans shortly after moving here. I got moved into my dormitory and didn't have wifi for three days. My phone data hardly worked being in a brick building so my contact with the outside world was limited. I was really fucking bored. I think I watched all the movies on my laptop about three times, got really good at spider solitaire, and read half an Ayn Rand novel. All the while I had a lot of lessons to plan. With no access to material I was in somewhat of a frenzied panic. Being a perfectionist, I did not want to let down my new school by giving half-assed and ill-prepared lessons on my first week. I eventually got wifi two days before school started and somehow managed to finish everything in a fraction of the time. Nuisance, but I got through.

      I was warned in training that things will be sprung upon you at the last minute. Things such as meetings and cancelled classes. At the time I did not realize how true this was. There have been afternoons where I had planned on doing my lesson plans, but suddenly there is a three hour meeting. Also times I go to teach a class and it is cancelled. I don't mind either, but I would prefer to know things ahead of time. Then I thought, I should do things last minute too! Do as the Chinese do, right?

      One afternoon I wanted to attend an event my company was hosting. It was the night before and I had not told my department head. Being caught in my Western mindset I assumed it was a no-go asking day of to leave early. I messaged another teacher for her opinion on me leaving early. She said it would be fine and I could TEXT the department head to ask. TEXT during her personal time to ask if I can leave work early the next day. This concept was completely beyond me. It went fine and I attended the event and was even offered a ride. So now I ask for things at the last minute. Adaptation.

      There are other instances where I wholeheartedly adapted. Their concept of professional clothes here far differs from the West. I see teachers in jeans, graphic tees, and shorts. Nothing inappropriate looking, but not what one would expect for academia. Working in sales and other professional environments I have been bred to wear blouses, cardigans, and black pants. Blazers on important days. On my first week I was instructed to dress up on Mondays for flag ceremony, fine. The rest of the week looked a whole lot like a stretched American casual Friday. I am expecting some reverse culture shock when I can't go to work in shorts and tee-shirt and still get told I look nice. Adaptation.