Staying in the present moment...mostly

              People who know me well could easily peg me for worrying about things that have not happened yet, or things that don't need serious consideration for at least a while. If you have read my previous article about my disgust for dirty hands and bad table manners, this is a direct tie in to a trait I inherited from my mother. I don't see it as a bad thing, I'm a planner, but perhaps a bit obsessive.

           I would be defaulting on my New Years mantra if I allowed myself to be consumed or even the slightest bit bothered by things that do not matter for awhile. Because of this I made my decision before Christmas, crises averted.

         I have only been in China for about four months now, but with the way time flies here it is important to sometimes look ahead. I have become quite comfortable with life here and can't foresee giving up anything I enjoy here for at least another year. For one there is the D-list celebrity status, which a friend of mine coined, "white privilege." Almost everywhere I go I get stared at, I got 2- for-1 bubble teas at the mall, strangers want to take pictures with me, everything is absurdly cheap, my job is easy, people will pay you any price you name for private tutoring, I got an year unlimited yoga membership for the price of one month unlimited in the states,  and my school provides my apartment. Yes, I would have to be a moron to give up this lifestyle too quickly.

           But the decision to spend another year abroad also raises the question of where. I came from a freezing cold place so I absolutely refuse to live anywhere that snows or is cold. I have developed a deep hatred for it, especially after last winter's polar vortex. In recent years if I get too cold my hands cramp up and I can't do anything with them. Holding my coffee tumbler, my keys,or a snow brush was very difficult. Don't even get me started on trying to hold a pen. Cold weather is misery, sunshine is bliss.   I actually chose Shenzhen because of the average temperature in the winter months, no possibility of white stuff.

         I think it is only logical for a second year abroad to go to another country and have a new experience. But I digress. I am trying to learn Mandarin, a very difficult language, but possessing this skill will make me highly marketable to an employer. I remember the utter headache I went through completing all the paperwork to come here, not something I want to go through again anytime soon. However trivial, I don't know where I would store all my stuff during my summer travels through South East Asia. I live just a metro ride away from Hong Kong and Macau. Although I am ready for a break from HK, I have now gone 5 times.  I really like having a metro, it makes the city seem smaller because I can get anywhere in much less time than driving (usually). I also really like my school and neighborhood. I don't have to walk more than three minutes to buy fresh fruit and veg at absurdly cheap prices. I have also made such nice friends here, both locals and teachers in my company.
       
           The idea of a new culture and experience really appeals to me , but with how dirt cheap it is to travel here I can go experience these places during holiday. Can it be considered settling for comfort to stay at my school in Shenzhen? I don't think so. China is hardly a comfort zone. every so often something comes up that surprises me. There are still things that make me want to pull my hair out. Recently I was offered a private tutoring job. The family asked me to work at 9:00 am on Sundays. No thank you. When I asked to do a different day I was told that only Sunday was possible. Well I already work two tutoring jobs on Sunday 10:00-12:00 14:00-15:30, by the time I am finished I am tired and want to melt into my couch and watch Netflix. I am a hard-working person but I also know my physical and mental limits.  Years of Catholic school has twisted me into the mindset that Sunday, like in ancient times, is the day of rest. I don't mind the two jobs, but after I don't really want to be bothered by anything I don't want to do. I also have to remind myself that the weekend is ending and it is back to work in a matter of hours.

      Despite the bumps in the road I have adjusted to this work culture and think that taking on a new one might be more headache than it is worth. I also would have a hell of a time giving up my lifestyle here on the off chance that I couldn't be as comfortable somewhere else. In accordance with my mantra, "Stay in the present moment," I would have to say I am very happy here in the present moment. If it isn't broken don't fix it. Cheers to another year in Shenzhen.