I’m into my second month of China and my second phase of culture shock. I didn’t realize it at first, but I was reading up on it today in the Buckland manual and the internet and it was like whoever wrote those descriptions has been spying on me.
“The second stage is the actual shock. It can be characterized with a loss of courage and general discomfort. Changes in character occur, depression, lack of self-confidence and irritation, people become more vulnerable and prone to crying, more worried about their health, suffer from headache, bad stomach and complain about pain and allergy…”
But it doesn’t really make me feel better to list out all my complaints here, although that’s what I intended when I began this post. I want to get back to my old self, have some energy and confidence and joy about the little things! I have to remember my own philosophy, that there’s always a joyful little kernal to be found even in your largest most stinkiest of shit piles.
It’s Fall! My favorite! It’s not too chilly, and the leaves on campus are beginning to turn. It’s only going to get more gorgeous here as the rest of the leaves burn red and orange and yellow. It even smells the same as back home. It’s fantastic.
I got a scooter! It’s robin egg blue and about as cute as a button. It’s so much fun to scoot around on, and as soon I’m confident enough, I’ll be able to take it to town and my world will get a lil bit bigger!
The scooter is currently out of commission due to a minor accident I put it through, but it should be no problem to fix, and in the mean time I am still enjoying the bike! I went on a most excellent shopping excursion on it last weekend, and hanging out by myself really wasn’t bad at all. I’m not bad company. I even treated me to an ice cream cone.
My health and energy level have been pretty lousy, but thank goodness I have had an easy week (although I bombed a lot of my lessons) and I have Friday off! This weekend, it’s a friend’s birthday and we’re going out to celebrate.
I’m determined to see this through. It’s only been two months. I can do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
may go wren 
Your pictures are gorgeous. So are you. So is life, I think, when we cut the shit.
So with you, Kelley.
I think I can. I think I can. Miss you sweetie!
Wise words of great Choochoo sage, how inspiring. Miss you, too!
You must be having a great experience there. I like to see your pictures 🙂 Have a nice weekend!
*Ena*
Thanks, Ena! I miss your beautiful blog but luckily I have your flickr to enjoy.
Give yourself more credit….you are into your 3rd month! MISS YOU!! KISSES!! HUGS!!
Actually only the second! But thanks. XOXOXOO
Irritation, prone to crying, failing health? Check yes for all three. I’ve been slumping around my apartment for the last two weeks crying into my kimchi and sniffling from some unknown head illness. Glad to know I can just blame it on culture shock. 😉
But doesn’t it kinda piss you off too? To me it makes my suffering seem kinda trivial or something, like it’s all in my head— but my illness and mood feels real to me! We’ll get through it, Jessica!
Is your commitment for a full academic year? Or a semester? I have never put myself in the situation you have…so it is as exciting as it is nerve-wracking for you to read about your adventures. Surely this second stage will pass. Did any of your sources give you any idea how long this “stage” might last?
My commitment is the full year. I’m glad you are enjoying my blog, I am enjoying your comments! And this second stage can last a month…. ugh… but I’ve been trying to psych myself out of it by reminding myself it’s culture shock whenever I feel blue and my mood has been better. But it fluctuates. Thanks for your comments!!