Some of my goals for this trip included developing strong relationships with my students, giving the students a fun/memorable experience, and immersing myself into the Chinese culture. Something that was NOT on this list was having any interaction with the police. Yes, I in fact did have an experience of this sort. Let me give context. When staying in Beijing, I thought it would be a fun idea to slide my laptop under the bed. I thought to myself, “no one who comes into my room will ever see this”. It was a security measure. Though, did anyone ask me to do this? Absolutely not. I truly thought I was doing something good. Fast forward to a day and a half later. We packed our things, checked out, and were en route to Luoyang, Henan. I was happily siting in my seat eating some pancaked wrap chicken something while chatting with my team members. And then, I had THAT feeling. You know that feeling when something is not right. Well yes. So I did a backflip of the bus and headed back with Yanan. You know Yanan by now, right? Well I will remind you. She is our amazing, beautiful, intelligent, helpful, superstar program coordinator. She taxied back with me and sadly had to go back and forth with the hotel staff (who was being extremely difficult. The staff was just doing there juob, but they certainly were at fault for quite a few reasons. To save much detail, the staff had to call the police to escort me into the room. This had to be done because the customer inhabiting the room at the time was not present. The hotel failed to retain his contact information so they could not call to ask this person for permission. This person was actually a foreigner just like me. Anyway, I knew exactly where that darn laptop was. This entry into the room was dramatic for me, but thinking back it was very underwhelming. If they had any suspicion that it was not mine, all of them disappeared right when I opened it to display a picture of me and my friends. I actually had a scary feeling that after ALL of that maybe they were plotting against me and I’d find nothing underneath the bed and look a fool.
Fast forward to my birthday bash. Now, I have played a role in planning both of our program birthdays up to this point. So, I know what it requires and is necessary to retain discretion. Therefore, I give large credit to every one of the people who made that special surprise for me. If you’re wondering how it could be a surprise, I will explain. Yes, I expected them to do something. I had small inklings that something could go down. Though, upon our return they had me convinced that nothing was happening. Multiple people were asleep, Jinjie told me his host mom was on her way, and just three people wished me a happy birthday! I thought, “yeah it’s late, they wouldn’t do anything NOW”. But I (a fool) was wrong. As I stepped off the bus I was quickly blindfolded and ambushed. I won’t go through every detail, but my Duke engage team really did me right. After I was carried by King Wes to the location of the little shindig, my blindfold was removed to reveal a beautiful set up. They REALLY did this for ME. I pray that good things come to all 14 of the people who took part in this. I don’t know what I did to deserve such love, but I truly thank God for it. The next day was just a fun-filled celebration. I had lunch with Jinjie and his host family. AND his mother hired a dancing PANDA to perform for me in our living room. I will not forget this for as long as I LIVE. The day ended with the viewing of Toy Story 4. Eight of us saw this beautiful, heart-warming, sad-ending movie. After some of our tears were wiped, we preceded to frolic in a large ball-pit. We were just some adults doing childish things, and it was so necessary. Another memory that will stay with me for life. I love these people
As the program comes to a close many thoughts have crossed my mind. I’ve wondered if I’ve taken from this experience everything I’ve expected to. In less than two weeks I will be gone from here (for an unknown period of time). Therefore, I’d like to leave with no regrets. I want to continue to get to know my students and host family. I’d like to continue to learn more about Chinese culture including the education system and Chinese medicine. With the final performance coming up soon, I feel like it is finals week. I have assignments for days and responsibilities I’m sort of putting together on whim. Everything will work out just fine, but it is a scramble. I am excited and want to complete my last few objectives to the best of my ability. Tomorrow I will meet with my hip-hop students again for the first time in a small while. I expect much lost choreography. Though, now that classes are over I finally have adequate time to drill these moves and incorporate the amount of repetition necessary for these kids to remember what I’m teaching. This week will require blood, sweat, and tears (I’m hoping metaphorically). However, I know every second will be worth it.