Peace Love and Video from China
Jess <3
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Right now I am sitting here trying to decide how to start this post. Should I start by telling you all the things I've done since I've been here? Or about all the food I've eaten, the people I've met, or the different places I've stayed at? Hmmm, I think no. I'll save all that fun stuff for later. I think I'm going to let you guys have (yet another) peek into my soul. I have only been gone for 12 days, and already this trip has changed everything. Take a peek into what I wrote in my journal after only 4 days of being here. "I could not have imagined that coming back here would be this hard. I knew it would be emotional for sure, and it has been-but what I didn't think about, was how difficult it would be to be back in this place, knowing it is no longer my home. I walk the streets, ride the buses, eat the food, and speak the language, but all of that feels completely different when you don't live here. When this was my home, I had an apartment. I went to school, went to work, went to band practice. I hung out with friends, had daily chores and duties to attend to. Now I feel like a tourist. Most of my friends have moved away; moved on to other cities, other countries, other lives. This city is full of 8 million people, but to me, it feels like a ghost town. Nothing here has changed, but everything has changed. It feels like the same place, but it no longer feels like home. To me, this realization is both a blessing, and completely heartbreaking. For three years, I have been pining for this place. So much so, that I have missed a lot that has been right in front of me while in America. I now realize, that this chapter in my life, is closed. And it has been closed for some time, but I have just been unable, or unwilling to accept that. I realize now that this trip was not just for fun, and to see Xi'an again, but to help me get closure. Closure that until right now, I didn't even know I needed! Yes, I miss this place greatly, but I realize now that I need to let it go. Acknowledge that it was an incredible 2 years that I am eternally grateful for, and then let it go. I will always have the memories, and the love, but I need to move on. I don't know what the future holds, but I don't want to live in the past either. I need to just worry about enjoying the present. I no longer live in China, and I don't know if or when I will again, but I now know that I can't spend my life worrying about that, or living in the past. I have a wonderful family, amazing boyfriend that I can't live life without, great friends, and a life in America. So that is what I will be focusing on now. It is sad that it took me three years to figure this all out, but I will forever be grateful to this trip, for helping me come to this realization. I will forever treasure this city, and the time I had here, but I am now ready to move on."
Peace Love and Epiphonies Jess <3
Happy Chinese New Year everybody! I know I'm a little late, but the internet at my house has taken a crap on me, so I haven't even been on here for a couple days. It is very stressful!
February 10th is the start of the 2013 Chinese New Year. 2013 is the Year of the Snake. My Chinese friend Jing Xu wrote this about the history of Chinese New Year: "It all started about few thousands of years ago, the wild beast Nian (which also the word for "year") showed up at the end of each year to attack villagers. The only way to scare away the nian is the loud and bright fireworks. That is how this Chinese New Year tradition begun. The Chinese new year is a 15-day holiday in China. On this day, everyone goes back to their hometown. The transportation goes wild during that month. On new year's eve, We eat feast (My mother usually cooks 10 or 12 dishes) with our families. Kids get red bags(money) for good luck. And then we start fireworks!!!!!! On the second day, we all wear our new clothes and started Bai Nian, Which means "visiting your relatives and send your best wishes to them" in next 15 days. Oh I miss you, My China home." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chinese New Year is amaaazing. It's the time of year where everyone travels back to their hometowns to be with their friends and family to be together and celebrate. I was fortunate enough to be able to experience two Chinese New Years while in China! During the Chinese New Year Festival, there are more fireworks than you could ever imagine! So much fireworks, tons of people, and lots of food! Here's a video I took during festivities of the 2009 Chinese New Year. I took it on top of my friend's apartment building. Incredible!
祝你新年快乐了!
Peace Love and Chinese New Year Jess <3 |
I'm Jessica!I've traveled all over the world, but Ohio is where I call home. I'm a lifestyle & travel blogger, and author. I love setting goals, reading, and snuggling up with my fur babies. I can usually be found at my local thrift store, or in the hammock in my backyard. Popular PostsCategories
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