I've been in China now for 10 months! So close to one year! I'm counting down the days until I get to go back home to the states and see my family and friends. I've literally had a countdown app on my phone counting down the days, hours, minutes, and seconds until my flight is scheduled to take me home. Since the school year is winding down here and there will be too many details that I will need to take care of, here is a short summary of ways I can measure this time.

1. 9 units of Chinese from my Chinese book. This honestly is pretty pathetic.... I've been in China for so long now, but have barely covered anything in my studies. I also have been really good at putting off my homework, so much so that I got EXTRA homework that I had to do for my last class. Keep in mind though with this extra homework, I did it right before it was due.
2. 4 New Countries Visited. I've been to the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, and Cambodia. I've also been to Macao and Hong Kong, but if you want to count them as another country... talk to the Chinese government. I still don't understand what's going on with all that. 
3. 6-7 times Leading Worship at Church. When I first signed up to help with the music ministry at church, I mentioned how I used to lead singing at church back at home. So I was thrown into the fray of leading worship- both singing and instruments- without knowing how to play any instruments. It's been a tough learning curve a few times, I still get super nervous sometimes and screw up, but I'm thankful for this new way to serve and learn. 
4. 5 job description changes. Kindergarten (K5 homeroom) teacher ➡️ Kindergarten and G5&6 Heritage (K5 homeroom) teacher ➡️Kindergarten, G5&6 Heritage, and PSL English (K5 homeroom) teacher ➡️G6-12 English, Kindergarten (G7 homeroom) teacher ➡️G6-12 English, Teachers Training (G7 homeroom) teacher.
   Yeah, writing that down makes it seem as hectic as it felt. It feels like I've been through a crash course on teaching in under 1 year! I know how to handle a kindergarten classroom, a middle school classroom, and a high school classroom with ease. It feels crazy to say that. But I've really enjoyed getting to know my students and their personalities. My G7 kids are some of the most hilarious people. I get to see teenage boy bonding all day long, and I must say that it is really weird- especially to someone who was in a neck brace for most of my 7th grade year. 

These are just a few measurements of how I have changed in the most basic ways. I've learned how to live in a major city (that's bigger than any in the US). I've become an adult. I've learned the beauty and wisdom in going to bed early. My life has developed. I enjoy quiet and silence. I have learned to take pleasure in the most basic of things. I've lost a lot of weight, become healthier, and worn out pairs of shoes. The biggest changes though are the ones that I'll recognize when I step off the flight into Chicago and see the "Welcome Home" sign on the wall of customs at O'Hare. When I'm back in the English speaking world, when I'm surrounded by family and friends, when I miss out on the inside jokes or cultural references because of learning a new culture, when I discover how much I really miss Chinese food, when I turn to my side to speak to a friend made in China, the changes that come from life. Even though a year is a long time that doesn't feel as long due to the internet, I'm excited to see how it all will work.

Warning: If you make a joke about dog meat or any other insensitive "Chinese" joke, I will do my best to correct your missed assumptions.