It's officially been 7 months that I've lived in China. It's been an amazing experience so far; I've had opportunities to travel, to see first-hand things that I never imagined I would be able to see. Some things are easy, some things are hard, and pretty much everything is unexpected. But now that it's been a while, all those things that seemed crazy and interesting at first have more or less faded into normalcy. But there are definitely a few things that I will just never understand - or get used to.

Directions are exceedingly painful for me here. Not that I'm especially adept in the U.S., but at least I had online maps and directions, and the amazing ability to read. Here, everyone pretty much relies on landmarks - which can change overnight. Most foreigners (or Chinese people who are used to foreigners) give directions based on big things - like Walmart or the Bank of China or a well-known apartment complex. But then there are whole pieces of directions that you just have to know to understand. For instance, there is a foreigner dubbed "Sweater Street." No one has any idea what the street is really called (most minor streets aren't marked), so the road is named for a big shop on it that sells lots of - you guessed it - sweaters. And when someone tells you that they live in the "grey buildings," you have to know that they are not talking about just any buildings that are grey in color, but a specific apartment complex. So, with all this uncertainty, I rely on other people, and on specific landmarks to guide me. I just have to hope that they don't move any major banks or renovate any round-abouts any time soon. 

I don't think I'll ever be able to properly deal with meat here either - alive or dead. Walking through the market, even after all these months, can be a very special experience. If you prefer, you can purchase your meat pre-blow-torched. You can also purchase any (and I do mean any) part of the pig that you especially enjoy. You can purchase ducks in various shades of grey (why are they grey, I want to know?), pre-roasted, or still alive. Above some of the meat stands are rapidly spinning wheels that they tie plastic bags or fly paper on to in order to keep away the many flies. (They also do this in stores like Wal-mart. Before I realized what these things were, I walked in the path of some fly paper and got it stuck in my hair. Lesson learned.) You can also buy fish in various stages of death - small or big. I buy my meat from a lady that keeps her meat neatly cut-up and sorted in a small refrigerator. Mostly, I buy chicken. I'm adventurous like that.

But other things have been much less of an adjustment. While traffic is crazy here, I have discovered the system, and have become comfortable with biking without fear of death. It's sort of like driving in Philly on steroids. And I kind of like it - the traffic patterns make sense. You don't stop if you don't absolutely have to. And you only have to worry about running into someone else; you don't worry about someone else running into you. It's very much the opposite of defensive driving. (Not that you could pay me to drive a car here! I'm good with a bike.)

Because I haven't been immersed in the culture here, I think I've sort of been able to ease into things. It's been a great thing for avoiding culture shock. It's been so nice to begin to learn about Chinese culture from people like the Chinese teachers and staff at the school and my own Chinese tutor. It's allowed me to learn and cope at a pace that isn't at all overwhelming. Not knowing the language has been the most painful part of all of this, but I'm also glad to have the opportunity to learn and practice at a slower pace. 

As I think I about it, I can't help but think that the father knew all about how I would deal with things long before I did. I think it's been pretty great to realize what an amazing situation this is for me. Sure, some things are scary and hard and frustrating - but he's been with me through it all, and to be completely honest, I feel I've had it pretty easy! I absolutely wish I could be Amy Carmichael, but at the same time am very glad that he's not asking me to be. He's just giving me little things that exercise my little faith. I hope, in the end, that in all this, my little faith might grow.