SAYING GOODBYE TO BEIJING

I apologize for my lack of blog posts lately. Between teaching practice, having a social life, and moving to Changsha I have kind of put it on the back burner. Because I'm horrible at keeping up I'm going to rewind back a week in time when I left Beijing. What a sad sad day! Over the course of the past month I have gone from being complete strangers with everyone at TTC to being extremely close with a lot of people. I feel so blessed that I had the chance to come here on my own and leave with so many great amazing friends that I'm certain I will see again (cough cough Inner Mongolia trip)! Saying goodbye to Beijing was really hard for more than one reason. Firstly, I was just starting to feel comfortable and at home in Beijing. I had finally adapted to the climate, the food, I knew the subway system to a certain degree, I knew where to go to get a great meal or a cheap bottle of beer and most importantly felt comfortable crossing the street..I was comfortable. Leaving was like reseting the system again which at the time was a hard concept to grasp but now that I am sitting here at my desk in Changsha I am glad I did it. Secondly, the people..what a riot! Beijing is an amazing city and I have so many fantastic memories there, from the beer garden, the many silk market trips, the sky bar, the fat Toms from teaching practice, the crazy nights at the beer garden down the road, the 50 yuan all you can eat buffet, jamming out with Miguel in the lobby, laying in the grass at the summer temple, dying laughing 20 times a day from George and Rasmus, having a nap in the beds in Ikea, having morning cuddle sessions with  miss Clem, and going to the shop down the road from some delicious dumplings. And not to mention all the great times sitting out on the front step of the hotel until the wee hours of the night! It didn't really feel like reality saying goodbye to so many amazing people that I have grown so close to. Beijing was one big party and now I'm feeling the effects of the Beijing hangover, the worst kind if you ask me! I was forced to literally squeeze all of my belongings into my backpack and leave Beijing with 5 other great interns for Changsha
再见 Beijing!