You Find What You Seek ….
So much of my life here in Shenzhen, China could be seen as harsh. Living in close proximity to the rest of the 18 million people, the noise of the city goes well into the night. And traffic – just getting across the street can feel like taking my life into my own hands…because I am. And yet, I love it here.
I believe that you find what you look for. I am an eternal optimist and actively look for the good wherever I am. When I do that, I always find something to appreciate.
The sight of 30-40 ladies dancing every night is one of the unique gifts of living in China. Every evening after dinner, they gather in public places all over the country. Taking a closer look, these middle aged women have a flexibility and grace about them that makes me envious. The fluidity of their movements, so simple and complex at the same time tempts me to join in. I can hear the traditional Chinese music waft up to my 21st floor balcony gently reminding me of the time.
Another thing that I enjoy more than I realized is the school children and their routines that are a bit foreign to me. Every day at lunch time, they are met outside the school just down the street by adults that escort them home for their 2-hour lunch and nap time. This daily exodus of uniformed students is a time of much activity and conversation.
As I watch the interaction between the children and adults, I can imagine the conversations since my Chinese isn’t good enough to eavesdrop. When they have public holidays, they have to make them up on Saturday or Sunday. So this same routine, that would only happen Monday to Friday in the States, is repeated on an odd holiday weekend. They don’t seem to mind.
And then there is a community mentality that confused me at first. People that work all week together spend their free time with the same people organizing outings with each other. From hiking the mountain to mass karaoke, they go together.
In the States, at the end of the day we scatter to our own individual endeavors. Spend time with each other on the weekend with your coworkers? I don’t think so. But the Chinese sense of community supersedes their individualism in a way that I am only now beginning to understand – three years into life here.
Yes, we find what we are looking for. Whenever you live away from home, there will be both challenges and things you appreciate. The challenges will find you soon enough, so actively look for the good. It will make your time abroad so much more enjoyable.
Virlane loves living as an expat and is thoroughly enjoying her return to China. When she lived there a few years ago, she was a relocation specialist helping new expats get settled. As a Certified Life Coach, she can live anywhere in the world she chooses.
She was copy editor on several guidebooks including: Enjoy Shenzhen, Shenzhen Hikes and Chinese without Tears and a contributing editor for Living in Shenzhen. Her personal blog can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/BlondeInChina
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