three weeks later...

ok, so im FINALLY going to finish this! i know you have all been bugging me to give my finals thoughts on my trip, so here we go...

1. i know you were all in a hurry to hear back from me, but i needed time to miss china in order to focus more on the positive aspects rather than just how smelly and hungry i was got home.

2. china was awesome! i thought i was miserable at times while i was over there, and well... i was but besides that i was totally fine. im sure things could have been worse, ie: conditions of the dorms, an emergency, ect, but for the most part everything went without a hitch, and thats all i could ask for. i would do it again if i could and i think that i would appreciate it even more the second time around. i didnt only learn a lot about china, but about myself and the kinds of things im capable to do. i never thought i would get over homesickness, or let alone be able to be away for two months but i did it! i feel a lot more independent and if i had to go back to china, i could definitely take care of myself and get around. that is the biggest accomplishment of all because that is one of the biggest assests i have, besides speaking the language, if i ever go back there for a job, ect.

3. my perspective on china is different, of course, and i have a lot of respect for the chinese people. at times i would become really frustrated with all of them, but its not my fault i dont understand their culture and judge them. im sure they think we are strangest, drunkest, rudest, assholes ever to walk the earth, but at times i thought the same of them so we are even. i know everyone cant go visit china, but do it if you ever have the chance, please go. everyone is talking about china, and the tv can only give you so much insight. their quick rise to fame and power is scary, and more than anything i feel bad for their people. even with all the new, great things going on over there the chinese have a lot of environmental, social, and governmental problems to face. i just hope it never becomes the worlds largest industrial wasteland, because there are some really beautiful things in china besides the glitz and lights.

4. thats about it, i really dont know what else to add for now. its been about three weeks since ive been home, so im sure ive forgotten a few things here and there. i can say the biggest thing i learned though is that i LOVE america! i wouldnt want to live anywhere else if i had the choice. we have our fair share of problems, but ill never take any of the things i have here at home for granted. people in china could only dream of the things we own and the kinds of places we go.

thats it! glad to be back :)