I admit I’m a slow learner oh and I have a very bad habit of forgetting perfectly sound lessons. The past two days have been frustrating to say the least. To be completely honest I’m having trouble deciding which parts are the most aggravating, the situations that start the frustrations are the ending results that eliminate my ability to complain. I’m a complainer, when you take that I way I guess I’m just fumbling for something to say and silence is just something not to be stood for. To my mother’s utter horror I made the following quote my motto all through my teenage years:
Ah! Oh, don’t the days seem lank and long
When all goes right and nothing goes wrong,
And isn’t your life extremely flat
With nothing whatever to grumble at!
~ William Schwenck (W.S.) Gilbert, Princess Ida (1884 opera). Act III
The past two days have seemed like the world has turned against me, from ridiculous class decisions to being swindled out of ¥500. But as I’m in the middle of writing a perfectly sound rant to upload to my blog blessings come pouring in and I just can’t complain. I actually delete the Note and start laughing at the entire situation. I know Mother, I’m recording this in hopes of remembering in the future. Here are a few examples.
Yesterday the Chinese teacher I work with for the young class asked if I was up for class by the river. As I mulled over the plan I knew it was a bad idea but couldn’t pass up the chance at reduced class time. Why a rambunctious class of eight year-olds who can’t managed to sit still in an air conditioned classroom would sit still in humid 98*weather by a river beats me but hey for less class time in front of them I’ll do just about anything. Things just seemed to go from bad to worse throughout the entire expedition including arriving late back at the school. I was tired cranky and dripping sweat when I finally arrived at my lunch appointment with Kelly. The unproductive trip to the train station after lunch did nothing for my mood and I was fuming by the time I caught a bus home empty handed. But then came the most undeserved blessing of the month. As I reached my apartment I caught up with Julie the new French teacher. I helped take up her groceries and chilled at her place for a while. As I ranted about the horrors of purchasing train tickets in China she chuckled and then did the unthinkable. “Since you have to work tomorrow I can go back to the train station in the morning and get your tickets for you. Just give me the times and dates.” I was dumbfounded. I quickly backtracked and declined the offer. She obviously didn’t know what she was agreeing to. It was at least a two hour errand, it wasn’t like she was running my trash down the stairs. She insisted it was not a big deal as she had nothing to do in the morning and this would give her an opportunity to see more of the town. Finally, on the verge of tears with gratitude I wrote down the information and remained horrified at all the bitter feelings I’d been accumulating all day. I doubt Julie had any idea what the offer alone did for my morale. I was on cloud nine the rest of the day.
Late that evening Kelly called with exciting news, she had ran into Polish Peter at Walmart and was informed of a Train Ticket Booking Office around the corner. She gave me the directions and insisted it was a breeze. I was grateful to be able to call Julie and cancel her ticket run in the morning. I still felt terribly guilty about accepting her offer.
As for today, the big hoopla was my Summer Salary. It had been a struggle and a half to negotiate my terms and I had anticipated problems so came to the meeting prepared. I had printed and kept my weekly schedule and had to remind them of extra classes added last minute. In the end I was still jipped Y500 but have learned sometimes its just not worth the argument. I left determined to black list the school and began writing my daily post. But Heavenly Father was determined to stop the bitter feelings before they could germinate too long. I had a few errands to run and as usual anticipated frustration, miscommunication and more bad luck.
Instead things couldn’t have gone more smoothly. I found the ink refill stall in the Technology Market immediately and discovered that it was only Y10 to refill both my black and color cartridges. I think I confused the poor couple as I was so shocked with the price. After that I quickly found the wonderous Ticket Booking Office and managed the entire transaction in Chinese. To top it off the attendents were helpful and actaully slowed down and repeated things in Chinese instead of reverting to poor English. The blessings didn’t stop there as I caught the bus home a sweet Chinese Lady smiled and said “你好” . That’s all I really want a friendly greeting in Chinese every now and then. Not the constant screaming of “HEELLOO” behind you back from crude shirtless men. Oh and I forgot to mention that Kelly called and asked if she could come by with lunch, my choice, she’d meet me in about an hour. I declined the offer as it was out of her way but she was insistent and who am I to kick a gift horse in the mouth.
At this point I had to make a comment so I begged for the blessings to stop. Seriously Heavenly Father after this morning’s event all I wanted to do was wallow in self pity. I wanted a good well deserved rant towards all those that had made my last two days miserable but all I could manage was a happy light soul with nothing but positive thoughts. I almost burst out laughing as the rain broke as I stepped into my building. It down poured for two hours straight once I reached my apartment and I had forgoten my umbrella today, boy would that have been a disaster.
As I sat down at the computer Victoria Skyped and we had a good laugh as I relayed the last few days.
Why is it that no matter how hard I’ve tried the last two days to write my usual scathing posts of the atrocities of living in China all I can reflect on are the abundant blessings and tender mercies my Heavenly Father has bestowed these last few days. With my iPod I’ve started writing posts as they happen or on the bus between events. But within the hour something changes my mood and the feelings of frustration and self pity dissolve. For goodness sake can’t I just have one hour, one miserable hour to be my old self to find nothing good with my current situation and no sliver of sunshine on a stormy day.
So here is my Lesson learned: no matter how hard the situation there are always blessings around the corner that will lighten ones mood if you let it. I truly do live a charmed life and I spend too much time dwelling on the bad rather than appreciating the good. It is a better feeling going to bed each night reviewing the blessings in your life rather than your misfortunes. Now may I please remember this over the next year as I know many more frustrating days are ahead.