First of all, you're a great writer who gives your readers great images of what you're trying to portray...sometimes too good. I'm referring to the "squelch". Oh man I can just picture in my head and actually know how it would feel under my shoe. Second, the fabric up the nostrils is a hilarious and perfect description of how bad the crowds are in China...I feel bad that you had to endure that ride.
When you're done with the project, I'll get a copy and need you to autograph it for me. And I bet the guy was blown away by your Chinese as I am too :-)
By the way...I liked your closing here...well said.
EXPANDING MY VIEW OF CHINA Hi Merrit, Grandma Betty (from church) fwd me your BLOG. It was like being given a gift to be part of your China experience. Your passionate focused journey is unfolding to you each step towards your goal. Your writing is sharp and interesting and it feels like one is walking with you. Thanks. Jane Reinke
School Daze Hi Hon,
Nice to see the pics of your campus, including views of the grounds, loogie-covered as they may be! As you know, our snow piles are still increasing, causing ever nearer vehicular collisions as people try to emerge safely from driveways and street corners while their sightlines are severely restricted by the mountains of snow on each corner. The city is now soliciting ideas for naming the snow peaks, believing them to probably be permanent. Ha!
We are glad to hear that you are totally immersed in the Chinese language at this time, since that was your goal for this visit. Hopefully you will win a select volunteer job at the Olympic games through demonstrating vast multiculturalism as the only blond person totally conversant in Chinese!
Love,
Mom
Good luck Even though I do not share your political point of view ;-) I wish you all the best for your next adventure in China. I started reading your blog before I went to Beijing last September. It offered great insight and a lot of inspiration to me. Thank you very much. My time in China is coming to an end soon, as I will be leaving for the US in less than 2 weeks. I enjoyed my time here very much, but I am also looking forward to being back in an "easier" country.
Once again, I wish you all the best for the future and I am looking forward to reading about your new adventures and experiences.
Take care,
Maria
Maaaann..how did I not get this publication?? No matter...what you experience when you first got back...I'm sure I'll going through the same when I go back in Jan....haha
Awww man, I thought it was gonna be able to hear the mayhem before you got this published. But AI YA!...I don't remember getting there and back to be that much of a hassle. Your little cousins have grown so much too! I remember taking the Mexican limo and the poop rock too...haha. ahhh..Mexico...good times
Oh Merritt.....I am sad.........
I loved Mr. McKinley too...I remember that walk we took Sitka and McKinley on one summer near my house and they were very enamoured...they began a relationship shortly after I am sure. What a silly pooch he was. Thinking he is around, in the next room or outside, thinking you hear him....must be hard. Sadness....He was a very integral part of your house.
Hug.
My condolences to you and the rest of the family. Didn't know little winwey was that mischievous..haha...he's AWEsome. I haven't seen the video, but I'd be he'd at least be top three of America's Funniest videos. And putting a hander kerchief on him like that..poor guy....
I'm weeping with Joy! The Aunt I am sitting in my office, once again transfixed by your colorful narration and fabulous pictures. For the last 20 minutes I have barely breathed! You are doing what I would have had China been open to us when I was your age. I am so thrilled you have ventured down this avenue. We can't wait to see you next month.
Love, Auntie K
That trip was amazing and I really want to go back. I did not know you back in the day, but the time I've known you, you've changed and matured and have become a stronger person. You def. kicked my butt on this trip and kept me going. Have fun back home in the States and hope to travel with you again :)
Unbelievable! To see those photos of you at the base camp made me realize how you have transformed in so many ways! Here is the girl who refused to accompany her family on so many of our hikes through national parks in earlier years--preferring to stay in the car and read!--now standing at the top of the world. I am so glad that you were able to experience such a fabulous event. Can't wait to see and hear about it in person when you arrive back in the States on Monday evening.
Love,
Mom
Blue Skies--Is it Real? What amazing pictures you have of the Great Wall with blue skies. Somehow I feel a little doubt about the legitimacy of those photos. . . I know how much doctoring is going on these days when photos aren't as perfect as we'd like! Any chance that those blue skies were inserted to replace the usual gray atmosphere???
Anyway, we are ready and waiting to debrief you when you arrive back in the States after your year in China. If necessary, we can provide a hard mattress and tofu and shove you around for a few days to help acclimate you! I suppose that spitting around the house might be taking it one step too far. . .
Love,
Mom
Yes I made the list!! Ok me!!..hahaha. Funny how the things that differences that you've had with China are the same ones that you've grown to love (well at least some of them). But enjoy your time home...you will be sorely missed and can't wait for you to come back :)
Sounds Great! Glad to hear of all your exciting news! It seems that you are steeping yourself in Chinese culture with your trip to Tibet (although I don't know if the Tibetans would agree that they are Chinese culture) and with what appears to be a trip to an art museum. Yes, I would like that large fish for our lower pond. It could create a fun Loch Ness monster effect!
Also, your new apartment seems even better than your former one due to the terrific view. And the campus of Peking University is beautiful with its lovely lake. I wonder how a giant fish would look in there. . .
Love,
Mom
That picture of you trying to "look like art" is HILARIOUS! Cracks me up...and you make that train trip sound oh so glamorous...bottles and pens bursting, people passing out...wooonderful
This is the REAL Message! Please disregard the first comment. I hit the Enter button by mistake. Anyway, I was saying that your blog pages would stretch ALMOST to China--or perhaps almost FROM China to here! It was wonderful to relive our entire trip through your eyes. Reading it took about the same amount of time as experiencing it did! (only joking--mostly) I think that it was one of the most amazing times we have spent together, and your blog is a humerous and historical perspective on it all. I can see why you are torn about leaving China. When I see the pictures, I wish I were back there, too! Of course, it may also be because of the wonderful daughter who is still on the other side of the world. . .
Love,
Mom
Good grief! Your wrote a small novel here! Ai ya! Nevertheless I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
That dog is awesome! Poor fella is all tuckered out...so cute.
Lastly, you have definitely grown these past 8 months and continue to do so. And I couldn't agree with you more, after living in China on your own for a year, you can do anything. I have without a doubt you'll do a lot more than just anything.
Awww... I miss China! So.... we need to catch up.... what's the plan for October?
Anyhow, we need a skype or aim or gmail session soon!
i wanna go hiking too!!! (but not for two hours....)
1. That dog is soooo cute!
2. That picture of you being all "mad" is hilarious!! HAHA
3. On that little tossing game..your form looks great...bravo, bravo :-)
What Will We Find? A daughter's adventure is also the parents' adventure. Being separated for the past eight months has taught all of us new ways to think and interact. We are looking forward with great anticipation to reuniting with a young woman who has grown so much and of whom we are so proud! We cannot go back to the past, even though we may yearn for some of its moments and people, but we can use the experiences and relationships of the past to guide our future path. We are so happy that our immediate future path leads to you, darling Merritt!
Love,
Mom
Indeed you've grown. Now I didn't know you before but the time I've known you, I have seen how you've changed...all for the better of course. Guess China will do that to a person. It definitely changed me or at least made me realize my true self.
I must say, I feel your writing has improved and can feel that its more from the heart. Nevertheless, I always enjoy reading your blog and feel that your writing is beautiful.
On that note, I look forward to your next entry.
Oh gotta love those Chinglish signs.
Those pianos look AWEsome...hope you played a Boston ;)
That husky's huge!! I want one!
Guess robbing a bank wouldn't be a good idea now would it?
And lastly, I don't know about you, but that opera house looks soooo out of place among the temples...only in China.
Of course your a writer Merritt, As an avid reader of books, I am amazed how great your bogs flow wordwise - you have a natural talent - find how to use it in life. The dogs you saw all look like they wanted to come with you. And finding and playing a piano does clue me in that you are moving out in the world and doing what makes you happy. Be happy. BG
I hope that this blog of my experiences living and traveling abroad is able to facilitate multicultural understanding for those who don't have the time or opportunity to travel. If I may make one small difference in the world, I hope it can be one that helps us to understand that the multitude of small things we have in common bind the world so much more tightly than the seemingly bigger things that currently divide us. Our individual cultures and history should be celebrated--yes--but difference of opinion should never be the source of conflict. Rather, it's an opportunity to learn and grow. ... full info
cara
non-member comment
lol@flag. should have just thrown it away, europeans aren't so fussy about flags like americans are. Enjoying your blog.