WWE (Withdrawl from Western Entertainment)

November 21, 2010

Every Saturday morning in Florida, I would drink an iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts, eat a bagel, and browse the Internet.  During the day, it was common to cruise in my vehicle, run errands, or shop at my favorite shoe store.  There was liberty to utilize my bank account by my own fruition and comprehension.  On top of my bagel and coffee on a Saturday, I was typically spending time with friends at night or meeting new friends.  My friends and I, sometimes, taking a gander to the local ice cream shop and movie theater.

Two days before my departure to China, I did that same thing on my Saturday morning despite the fact, I felt an inkling that it would be taken away in a quick span of time.  My evening was full of time with my friends and yes, there was ice cream.  Now, I can still browse the Internet, but many sites are blocked.  The bagel and coffee?  Oh no!  They are gone, and I miss their taste, smell and processed sugars.

Due to some technology I recently received, certain websites aren’t blocked anymore.  Three months ago, I wouldn’t have thought anything of it because surfing the Internet with freedom was something I took for granted.  Then when I was given access, I felt a surge of thankfulness.  It was a viable connection to everything and everyone I was missing.  As well as bringing others closer into my life on a frequented basis.

I used to think I was appreciative and I understood the full meaning of it.  When you possess many tangible and intangible items, it is easier to believe in gratefulness.  It is not until all you have come to love and depend on are snatched from your grasp like a firefly in the hands.  A glimpse at what is and what it used to be.  The concept of simply: the familiar.

The familiar of the money I spent in America.  It is almost as if I am paid in monopoly money since the currency is so undervalued and I am accustomed to my banker salary.  Technically, I am not clear yet on how money works in China.  It is as if…I am poor.  Writing adjectives such as that, are not a good indication of anything, however, it is honest.  I am appreciative of the money I used to earn and understanding how to use it.

I barely took the bus in my years of being alive.  In China, I take them every day and am dependent on them for getting to the most commonplace areas.

In America, I didn’t care for French fries.  I like them in China.
In America, I didn’t care for vanilla ice cream.  I eat it in China.  The reasons are that I don’t have accessibility to much Western food, and when I am around it, I take it.  I go for what I want.

I am asked to participate in activities in China, I would not want to partake in America such as: eat pig brain and sing karaoke.  Because I am in China, I do as the Chinese.  About the pig brain, it tasted as a brain would taste: a bitter, hard taste.  About karaoke, I sung, even if, it wasn’t well.  Read about that here.

Thanksgiving is upon us, and it is fitting to give thanks for my blessings afforded to me while living in the United States.

My family for supporting and encouraging me and all my impulsive decisions, unconditional love, and being my strength the times I don’t possess it.
My friends who love me for everything I am, am not, and who I will become.
My health
The capability to live and do whatever I want in my life.
Celebrating my friend’s birthdays
My iced coffee from Dunkin Donuts, which will be my first purchase when I return.
French toast that will be the second purchase after my coffee.
Mushroom ravioli from Macaroni Grill with their famous bread on the side.
Many options of chocolate ice cream
Cheese in numerous tastes and textures
High heels and the availability of elevators
My shoe collection and wardrobe
My Infiniti G-35
Freedom on the Internet
Facebook
English speaking people
My sense of humor that people laugh with.
US dollars
Western toilets
Having plenty of options in fast food besides McDonald’s and KFC
Central heating in buildings and living quarters
Grocery shopping at Publix
Target
Not being terrified to be a pedestrian walking a crosswalk
Hugs from my loved ones

My blessings in China:

I reiterate: My family for supporting and encouraging me and my all impulsive decisions, and being my strength when I don’t possess it.
My friends for doing their hardest to keep in contact with me despite the, now, thirteen hour time difference, constant barrage of emails, and scheduling conflicts, and who love me for everything I am, am not, and who I will become.
My health although I have had many colds in China since my arrival.
Skype and access to email
No anxiety
No stress
An able mind for creative thinking for lesson planning
Game playing in classrooms
Feeling like a celebrity whenever the kids scream my name
Free time.  Tons of free time
Time to think and write
No guns allowed
Walking everyday
Kind people
Hardly any bills
Oreos
iTunes killer radio stream
No car insurance
Clothes and shoes available in my size
Scenic, priceless photographs
Developing into a better person because of my new-found appreciation and humility

The point is, we all have a lot to be grateful for.  There are luxuries we are afforded as Americans that people in other countries don’t even realize.  I paid lip service about my appreciation because it wasn’t something I fully fathomed.  Until it is missing, how can you understand what you are lacking in your life?
Some examples to list:
The couple who breaks up, and one pines for that kind of love for the rest of their life.
The person who’s parent passes away.  The aspect of family bonds becomes more apparent for them.
The person, who used to be able to eat their favorite food, then grows allergic resulting in a craving, which cannot be satisfied.
The person, who loses access to all their favorite websites and finally, gets them back.  The time spent procrastinating on the websites before seems welcome now and is a wonderful waste of time.
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them,” said John F. Kennedy.

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