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Published: July 31st 2016
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Beef Fried Rce
The beginning of me learning to make Chinese dishes. Turned out amazing. Today is Sunday, July 31st. The last day of July and also the last Sunday I will have before I embark on my new journey to China. For all who don't know, I recently graduated from Goucher College and have decided to take a break from school before entering a graduate program. With the help of my recent college advisor, I was accepted into a program called World Teach (http://www.worldteach.org/) where I will be teaching English to middle school students in the capital city of Hunan province, Changsha. World Teach is a well known volunteer program that focuses on education for middle and high school students. Native English speakers are trained and teach students all over the world. For more information, please check out the link provided above. I have chosen to teach in China specifically as I plan on later going to grad school to study International Relations with a concentration in East Asia or China. I have also been studying Mandarin for the past three years and I have had a passion for East Asian history and culture (Japan, South Korea, China) since I will in middle school. I will be leaving the DMV (D.C, Maryland, Virginia) this upcoming
My China Guide
This is the book World Teach sent me in my acceptance package. A great resource for traveling around China. Wednesday, taking the megabus to Atlanta where I will meet my Aunt Lorraine and Uncle Mike (my dad's sister and brother in law). I will probably be spoiled there for two days (love you Aunt Lorraine and Uncle Mike) and on Friday August 5th, they will drop me off at the airport and it will be bye bye to America for at least one year. One of my best friends and roommates from college, Jody Spence will be traveling to China with me as well, as a volunteer teacher. I've been placed at a school downtown, while Jody will be in the suburbs about 40 minutes away. Although I could have done this alone, I am truly excited to be embarking on such a new journey in my life with someone I love and care for. If you're reading this, shout out to you Jody.
Now that the background's over with I would like to discuss what I have been doing this summer to prepare for my departure. For anyone who knows me, you know that once I am excited about something, I obsess over it and of course I have been doing just that. My parents could probably
Greek Chicken and Potatoes
One of the many dishes I have cooked this summer in my attempt to learn to cook. tell you I've been going off about China not just since the beginning of the summer, but since I got into the program back in October. This will actually be my third time returning to China but I have never stayed for such a long time. I have also never been to this region of China before. As a result, I have been researching endlessly about Hunan province. I have been reading about every possible thing I could find about Hunan Province and the city of Changsha more specifically. In the photos you'll see a book titled, "China: Lonely Planet." World Teach sent this to me in my acceptance package. Whenever I am bored I go through and read about all of the amazing cities and destinations I want to visit, along with the diverse cuisines of Chinese food, of which there are 8. ( I will be eating Huanacai or Hunan styled regional food, which is generally quite spicy). I have also been learning to cook since I will be living off on my own for the first time. Check out the fried rice I made in the photos section. More so than reading, I have been constantly checking
Last Memories
Bonding with my dad and two nieces before I leave. Went to the Universal Soul Circus. An amazing show! out some bloggers on YouTube who post videos every week about their experiences living in China. If anyone is interested in checking them out I will post the links to a few YouTube channels at the bottom. Other than exhausting YouTube and Google, World Teach created a group chat for this year's volunteer teachers. We have all been getting to know each other via Wechat, which is China's twitter/facebook/instagram. Everyone seems nice so far. From reading alumni testimonies everyone seems to express that they have made lifelong friendships and I look forward to doing the same. In fact, the month volunteers have off during winter break in February, it seems to be quite common for many volunteers to vacation together across Asia. Jody and I are already making plans. I am so excited to be meeting people from all over the world, of different cultural backgrounds. World Teach is not just a program for Americans. Although the program was started back in 2001 by Harvard students, college graduates from all over the world of any age can apply. So far, there are volunteer teachers from the U.S, India, Australia, Canada, Vietnam, and England. I also believe we have two volunteers
Ready to go
My luggage set. I bought it myself. Yeah responsibilities! These three suitcases are filled 120lbs worth of clothes and necessities. I'm all ready to go. thus far over their 40's. So if you have a college degree, have a passion or interest in teaching, and have always wanted to travel for cheap, check out World Teach.
For obvious financial reasons and so that I don't go insane waiting, I have been distracting myself with a summer job working at the Bowie Baysox baseball stadium. With the money I have saved up this summer, I will be able to travel across Asia during vacation time. I just finished up my last day at work this past Wednesday. I have been on the move nonstop since this past Monday. I've been finishing up work, visiting close family and friends before I leave, and packing. Today I will be going to church to say goodbye to my church family, the Beloved Community Church (I WILL MISS YOU ALL SO MUCH!) After saying goodbye, one of my big sisters, Princess, will be treating me to a fun day at Kings Dominion. I'm so excited as I am a diehard amusement park fan. I've already been looking up what amusement parks I'm going to visit in China. These next couple of days I will continue to visit family and
Excited
Just a quick selfy showcasing my excitement. friends one last time, and try to keep sane as the shock of leaving my parents for so long settles in. The significance of everything happening in my life right now hasn't really hit me yet and it probably won't until I'm on that plane. I just wanted to let everyone know, friends and family alike, that I am so grateful for all of the love and support you continuously show me. If it hadn't been for so many people nourishing my interest in Asia, I would not be on the path that God has put me on. Thank you Amber for being the world's best big sister. I know we argue sometimes but you always look out for me and do so much for me, simply because you care. I will miss you Kayla (my three year old niece), especially you asking Mimi and Papi to put me in time out, even though I'm the adult (lol). Keep doing your thing in L.A Jelani and Kali keep being the coolest golden retriever that ever lived. I am blessed to have such loving parents who support me in all that I do. I see in the way that my mom has been spoiling me and the way in which my dad has been teasing me that you're both dealing with me leaving in your own way but I just want to let you know that you've raised me well. Try not to worry about me too much. I know you trust me, and even more importantly, I know that you trust the awesome God that we serve. I couldn't do this without you guys and I love you.
I realize that this post was long, and kind of all over the place but bare with me. This is my current state of mind. I'm just so excited and want to share with all of you this new journey in my life. I will make no promises but will attempt to blog at least once a week, hopefully with pictures. Here's how you can stay in contact with me:
Email: sujulives@gmail.com
Wechat ID: dimol002 (Wechat is a free international texting/calling/videocall app that you can download on your phone if you have a smart phone. You must be in a space with wifi to use).
Skype ID: frankprisb
Blog web address: www.mytb.org/DeeMolock
YouTube links to China Bloggers:
1. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY42D14liXliw0PUrSWMMxA (a series about the experiences of Black people living in China)
2. https://www.youtube.com/user/serpentza (A South African man whose been living in China the past 10 years , really great content)
3. https://www.youtube.com/user/laowhy86 (An American man's experience living in China)
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Paula Hall
non-member comment
Okay, So You're really gone!
Just a note after reading your informative Blog.....I miss you already! I appreciate the care you took in writing your experience and plans for this great journey. You are well prepared and I'm sure the people you encounter will be edified by your presence. keep us all updated so we can live vicariously through you. Love you, Auntie Paula