The Adventure Begins.

I can't believe I've been living in China for eleven days! It's certainly been a busy week filled with it's fair share of frustrations, happiness, learning curves, laughter, and moments to remember. As I sit here in my apartment reflecting on the last week and a half I remember many moments when I had honestly forgotten that I was living in China. I'm in a new country. I'm on the other side of the world from my home. And I'm doing okay. 

I am living in Tuan Li (pronounced Tu-ar Lee). Tuar Li is a village in eastern Beijing. It is small, but has the staples one needs to get by day to day. It reminds me of living in small town rural New Brunswick. Small, quaint, friendly. Tuar Li is about an hour from downtown Beijing. Talk about big! Much bigger than any city I've ever been to. I'm really enjoying living outside the city. It's very cheap to live in Tuan Li and it is definitely quieter than the city hub in Beijing.

So far, life in China has been very good to me. I'm meeting lots of wonderful people and making some great friends. I've been telling the people I'm living with here that I feel comfortable already. I'm so amazed at how quickly I'm adjusting to living in a new country, a new city, a new culture. Especially in Tuar Li - life here isn't as "westernized" as it is in the city centre of Beijing. You are thrown into the language, the lifestyle, and the culture from the get-go. I've learned how to say my numbers, order food, and other singular words or commands in mandarin.

Today (Monday) was my first day of teaching. My first day as a real life teacher, guys! My own students, my own lesson plans, my own style! The way the school works is that the students stay stationary in the same classroom all day and the teachers rotate throughout. I am teaching grade 10 AP1 and AP2  English Language, Literature, and Listening & Speaking. Today I taught my AP1 classes. They are great students. Being AP (advanced placement) students, they have a fairly good basis of knowledge for the english language. I can talk to the whole class and the majority understand what I am saying. They will ask what words mean and are curious about everything. I already feel connected with them, and I am so excited to see where the school year takes us. I can tell already that I've made the right decision for me at this point in my life and career.

On the weekends, I've been spending my time in Sanlitun (pronounced San-le-tur). I've heard it referred to as the "expat" area. It's quite westernized and has A LOT of shopping opportunities...much more than little ol' Tuar Li. The thing with going in to the city though is us "small town" folks get sticker shock. Everything is so cheap out in Sanlitun (like dinner tonight: food for 14 people plus beverages for under $5 a person. Yup. Cheap.) So, when you go out for supper at a western restaurant in Sanlitun and spend 80-120¥ on a meal, it's a bit of a blow to the wallet. Sometimes, though, you just need a big ol' burger and some french fries! 

I've really enjoyed checking out Yashow Market. It's floors and floors of shopping. Clothes, electronics, jewelry, purses, souvenirs, gadgets, gadgets, and more gadgets! This is the area where you start to learn how to barter. My first weekend here I bought a new Gucci watch, a hair dryer, a paper fan, chopsticks, and some DVD's for next to nothing. The weekend after I even got a manicure! Me. The girl who has been biting her nails my whole life - 24 years! It's been 9 days and I am nail biting free! I'm coming home to Canada a changed woman! 

So, life is good! I'm going to try and update more often - especially when I see and do some new and amazing things. In the near future I plan to check out Tienanmen Square, the Great Wall, and maybe a little vacation in the works. Stay tuned! 

PS - Thank you to EVERYONE (family, friends, loved ones, neighbours, etc.) who have been sending their love and support through cards, emails, Facebook messages, texts, etc. You have no idea how much it means and I have never in my life ever felt so loved and cared about! It is a testament to how lucky and blessed I am to know such amazing and wonderful people. Thank you!

Looking Back and Moving Forward.

*This post was actually written on Wednesday, August 21st while I flew from Fredericton to Toronto but with failing Internet at the Toronto airport and only getting Internet connection tonight in China I'm only getting to post it now. Enjoy! 

Here we go! 

7 weeks have come and gone in a flash. As cliché as it may sound, time flies when you're having fun! I got off the plane from Calgary on July 1st and remember thinking over and over again how awesome it was that I got to spend 7 weeks back home in the Maritimes. It seemed like so much time! And I certainly had a lot of stuff to cover on my to-do list before departing for China. So, naturally, the summer flew by! I often wondered if I made the right decision coming home early from Calgary before leaving for my new adventure in China. I loved living in Calgary and can't WAIT to go back and visit my new home. But I couldn't leave for China without spending time with my family and closest of friends first. So that's exactly what I did.

I covered a lot of ground in 7 weeks. First, I spent a few days exploring PEI with Amanda. I probably haven't been to PEI prior to this spontaneous adventure for probably 10ish years. I had forgotten how beautiful of a place the island was. Beaches, water, country roads, red dirt, seafood, seafood, seafood, and the sun! The scenery is just breathtaking, and I felt so relaxed every minute that we were there. Two days wasn't quite enough time to fully take in the beauty of the island, but it was fun nonetheless! 

I took in two concerts while I was home too! What were the chances that two of my favourite bands would be playing shows in NB while I was home? I saw Hey Rosetta! (for the sixth time) in SJ with Kathryn and Katelin and then Tegan and Sara in Moncton (for the third time) with my bestie Sara, Amanda, and Lauren. The shows were nothing less than perfection, both bands played all of my favourite songs, and I got to see them with the people I love the most! I've written before on my blog how much I love going to see live music, and these two bands know how to put on a show! Think they'll be in Beijing anytime soon? 

It just so happens that this year was the year of our family reunion as well. Every three years, the Howatt family gather for a weekend to catch up, see how we've all grown, and reunite for laughter, fun, and good times. This year the reunion happend to be in Ottawa at my Aunt Sally & Uncle Ed's house on the Mississippi River (yes folks, Canada has a Mississippi River too - I'm not making this 

up. Google it!) It was a lot of fun! You (or maybe it's just me) sometimes forget that while I'm growing up, so is everyone else. So all of my cousins who I had an image of in my head had also grown and changed over the last three years. We tended to have a lot more in common and honestly, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. It will be a wonder to see how we've all grown again in another three years!

On our journey back home to NB from Ottawa, my Grandmom, my Great Uncle David, and I took the long way home through the Gaspé Peninsula. Holy beautiful! For the greater part of the two day drive, you are literally driving on the coast. Like the water is RIGHT THERE. You could almost reach out and touch the mighty St. Lawrence. I highly recommend that everyone take this beautiful drive. It just empasizes what a uniquely beautiful and vast country we live in here in Canada. 

But honestly folks, I think my favourite part of the whole summer wasn't the sights I saw, the concerts I took in, the mini vacations that happened, or the relaxation that occurred. It was being in the 

presence and creating new memories with the people who know me best. My family and my friends. From the friends I've had for years, to the ones who helped shape who I am today. The people I associate with my time in Fredericton, to the people who make home home. Laughter, reminiscing, sharing stories, catching up, seeing how we've all grown. Like my friend Craig so poetical said only a week ago at "Corked" - to the things that change and the things that stay the same. 

And now, here I am on this long and grueling flight to Beijing thinking back to these 7 weeks. These 7 weeks that allowed me to grow comfortable with the decision I had made to move to the other side of the world. These 7 weeks that made me appreciate where I come from. 

To my friends: Thank you for always being there, through thick and thin. I'm so lucky to have you all 

Lin my life!

To my family: Thank you. It's really hard to express and convey how much your support, encouragement, and love have truly motivated me to try these new things and feel comfortable embarking on these new adventures. You support my need to see the world and my desire to try new things. Even though I often find doubt in myself, you remind me that I can do this. You don't let me give up and you push me forward. I'm forever thankful for that and remind myself frequently how blessed and fortunate I am to have you all as my family, always and forever. 

Here we go!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is a special day in our family. Today is my Dad's birthday! Last year, I wrote a blog post on his day that shared with everyone why my Dad is the best Dad in the entire world: click here. On your birthday Dad, I want to remind you how much you are loved and cherished in our little family.

- Part of your charm is your willingness to help anyone at anytime. You put so many people ahead of yourself and you just have an innate ability to fix almost any problem. You'er my superman! 

- My stressy-self needs a calm, cool, and collective mentor to keep me on track. You are that person for me. When I get all "the world is ending because stuff isn't going the way I planned," you step in and take action. You remind me of the simple solutions and get my head out of the sky. You're my superman! 

- Laughter is the best medicine, and you are my supplier. Sometimes I wonder where you get some of the stuff you come up with - never change. You're my superman! 

- Thank you for giving me such an awesome childhood to look back on. The memories I have of growing up in small town New Brunswick involve you a lot of the time. Singing Michael Jackson's "Jam" to your own lyrics ("Jam! I love my toast and jam. Give me my toast and jam!"), camping at Jellystone park, teaching me how to drive (and how to parallel park INCORRECTLY! but now we both know haha!), Boris the spider, oh the memories! 

- PS: did I mention you're my superman? Well, you are! Thanks for digging me out of so so so many holes. 

Happy Birthday, Dad! I'm so happy I get to be home to help you celebrate your 51st year. I'll miss you terribly while I'm on my adventure in China, but I wouldn't have had the courage and strength to commit to such a feat if it weren't for your support and encouragement. Thank you. 

Love you, always and forever! 

It's Official.

Last night I received the confirmation email, and folks it's official! I will be departing from Fredericton, New Brunswick at 11:45am on Wednesday, August 21st for my year long adventure to Beijing, China. 

Lots of people have been asking and have been very curious as to when I would be leaving. And my response would usually be "Well, that's a good question!" Initially, I thought I would be leaving around August 17th just based on hear-say. Then, after attending my orientation about two weeks ago, I was given an itinerary of things that we should expect to be doing during our first week in Beijing. This gave me the idea that I wouldn't be leaving until closer to August 21st. Then yesterday during one of my routine email checks, I saw an email titled "Ms. Melissa Margaret Dickinson E-ticket Itinerary" and my heart began to race. And I have to tell you friends, this is really the first time since all of this started rolling that it all feels real. Not to say that it hasn't felt real before, it just never seemed official maybe? I'm not quite sure how to explain it. And even now it doesn't seem real. And probably won't until I'm on the plane and enduring this 12 hour flight to Beijing (also - what does one do on a plane for 12 hours I'd like to know?!)

Guys...I'M GOING TO CHINA!!

Happy Birthday, Sara!

My best friend is celebrating her 25th birthday today! She's a very special person. I could write blog post after blog post about the memories, the reasons I love her, and the moments I cherish more than any other. She's my sister, my confidant, my shoulder to lean on, my rock. I always tell her that I really lucked out gaining a best friend as amazing as she is. She'll deny it - but she's truly the best! 

I know she isn't a fan of the show Sex and the City like I am, but I often am comparing our friendship to the bonds that Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda display on the show. I just recently re-watched all of the seasons in the spring and am brought back to two quotes spoken by Carrie during her monologues in the show: 

"It's hard to find people who would love you no matter what. I was lucky to find three of them." 

"Maybe our girlfriends are our soulmates, and the guys are just people to have fun with."

Sara, 

On your birthday I want you to be reminded that I love you to the moon and back. We have both been through our fair share of heartaches, tribulations and trials, joys and successes, and happiness. You have been by my side from the moment we bonded over Tegan and Sara and DDR. I thank the stars often that I have you in my life. I truly believe that you are my soulmate, that we were meant to be friends because of fate. Everything happens for a reason, and having your friendship in my life has made me a more open-minded, trusting, and loyal human being. You have taught me what it means to love and be loved and to be trusted and respected. I am so happy that I get to help you ring in your 25th year together! Camping, bonding, and TEGAN AND SARA! 

Happiest birthdays to you, sister. Keep smiling and being the you that I love! 

xoxo 

Melissa 

My Last Night.

Today is my last full day in Calgary. Tonight is my last night. Tomorrow I'm off to New Brunswick. I'm excited to be home to see family, friends, and to be back in the Maritimes. But the closer it got to the time I had to leave, the more I realized how much I'm going to miss it here in Calgary.

Calgary is a great city! It's also a young city. And there are a lot of people out there that have a similar story to myself. Lots of people are from elsewhere and have come to Calgary in search of the same thing I did - work and experience. However, I am leaving with so much more than that.

Firstly, I'm leaving 32lbs behind in Calgary. That's right, since moving to Calgary and starting my weight loss journey, I've lost a total of 32lbs. I'm a runner now too! So many lifestyle changes it's crazy! But it's also for the better.

Secondly, I am so much more independent now. I moved out here in hopes of discovering within myself the ability to live away from major support systems (ie: the family). I know this might sound bad, but I just needed to know if I was capable of being responsible for my own well being. I don't know if I am making any sense when I say this, and I don't want it to sound like I am some sad human being (because I don't think I am and I need a social life!) but I just needed to know if I would be okay alone. In a good way. And I was. And I am. 

Next, I fell in love with the city life. As a small town country girl, there was some aspect of being sheltered that came with growing up. I don't resent it in the least, and I LOVE where I came from. But I quickly learned after living in Calgary that I am a city girl. I love that there is always something to do, someone new to meet, something new to see. I was constantly discovering new areas of the city, and falling in love with the mixture of bustling, busy city going and laid back, relaxing country living. It's the best of both worlds out here, and I am so glad I discovered it. 

But most importantly in my books, I am leaving after having made some amazing friends and built stronger relationships with the ones I already had. The people I have met here are some of the most diverse, unique, generous, and beautiful people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. To be honest with you and myself, I only felt like Calgary was becoming a home and that I was meant to be here four or five months ago. Mostly after coming back from Christmas holidays. My relationships were becoming stronger, I was feeling comfortable at work, I loved my apartment, and I wasn't afraid to explore the city. And now I'm leaving...

And I'm okay with that. As much as I am going to miss it, I know that this upcoming adventure is one that will continue to change my life and allow me to discover new parts of myself. I'll continue to grow, and that can only be a good thing in my opinion.

But I know I'll be back.

5k or Bust.

I completed my first 5k race run on Sunday. And really it wasn't the first time I ran 5k, but I can hardly call it a race. I started, I ran, and I finished. AND I wasn't the last one across the finish line. But I wasn't racing. I was accomplishing a goal, taking part in a fundraiser, and supporting a cause that hits close to home and that I truly believe in.

First some background information...

How did I get here? Well, as I've discussed before on this blog, I've made a lifestyle change over the last six months. I knew I wanted to be healthier and I knew I wasn't happy with my body image and the way I felt. I am the only one who can change this about myself, so I did. I joined Weight Watchers and it has slowly transformed the way I live day to day and the way I think about the things I am doing to my body. I am much more concious of the decisions I'm making when it comes to the food I am consuming. Yes, I still make bad decisions - but at the time they feel good. I don't think it is fair to deprive myself completely of the things I crave, like a burger. However, I also don't think it's fair to treat my body so poorly and eat these things ALL of the time (like I was doing previous to turning my life around). There has to be a happy medium and I am almost there.

So, my eating habits have taken a drastic turn for the better. On top of that though, I'm exercising. And this my friends is a huge effing deal!!! Talk to my family and my closest friends and you will quickly learn that I am not the exercising type. In the past, 97% of the time I would much rather sit on my butt and do whatever then get up and work out in any way shape or form. I still have these moments, but I am pleased to announce that I am turning into a runner. I still haven't stepped foot in a gym over the last six months, but I have gone to the pool, ran, and did cardio classes in the comfort of my living room. I know eventually I'll make that step into the gym, but for now I am definitely seeing major results from running outside and swimming now and then. But like anything else, I needed a goal or something to work towards to keep me motivated. After talking to my good friend Jenny and asking if she would be interested in running with me, I signed up for a 5k in support of the Brain Tumour Foundation.

And that brings us to the present. It took me a while to be able to run a full 5k (and by this I mean reaching that distance, not running the entire way) but I can do it now and I am so proud of myself. My goal going in to the 5k was to run under 40 minutes and to NOT be the last one to cross the line. And I did just that. I ran the 5k on Sunday in 39:22 and I wasn't even close to being the last one across the line.



This hill at the end of the race ruined me.

My favourite part of the run? Well, besides the gorgeous scenery at Fish Creek Park where the run was held, my favourite part was probably the interaction I had with another runner as we approached the finish line. I know how I felt as I got closer to the finish line: tired, my legs were killing me, out of breath, and I was barely holding on! So I can only imagine how attractive and composed I looked to others. This one gentleman run up  beside me and yelled to me "Your doing it! We're almost there!" He slowed his pace down and ran to the end with me cheering me on the whole way. Once we crossed the line, he gave me a high five and told me that I should be very proud! And then he walked away. I was smiling so big I totally forgot about how much pain I was experinicing in my legs at the moment.

So, I did it. I did it for me, I did it for my health, and I did it for Grandad. Always & Forever.