Finding my Chi in China

It is Boxing Day and I sit in my favorite Costa Coffee sipping a cappuccino and listening to “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth." Tables full of Chinese patrons surround me and I am probably the only one that appreciates, or doesn’t appreciate, the English holiday music playing. 

I came here to get some work done, meaning “school” work—grading assignments, planning lessons and preparing grade reports. Why is it I get more work done when I am in a crowded place with lots of noise than in my own home or classroom? I am clearly not alone in this as I see the number of people doing the same thing as me—here in Beijing or in Stillwater, MN. One of my regular sightings in Oakdale or Stillwater was Pastor Steve in coffee writing his sermon (with a sprinkling of online Scrabble in between). However, I am writing this blog as another thing to check off my list of things to do.

I titled this entry "Finding my Chi in China" because I find there are so many things that energize me here. “Chi” means energy. I am fascinated with watching the ladies and men at the park doing their morning Tai Chi and the constant pounding they do to their bodies each day (using their right hand to hit the left arm, etc.) ... I think it is to improve circulation. I love it that massage is everywhere and how it is the preferred method for improving health. There is something about touch that puts one more in focus with their inner energy. I have had 3 massages since arriving in Beijing. There is a place right in our apartment and it costs about $10 for one hour. 

I also tried cupping. We were on the cruise on the Yangzte and I saw a demonstration. I had a start of a cold, so I tried it. It didn’t work exactly like in the Karate Kid, but it was amazing and painless and certainly didn’t hurt to give it a try. I think if I had a severe cold I would give it a try to pull the toxins out.

Living in the city, even though it is polluted, forces me to walk more. I love this.  It is good for all of us, and it also adds something new to my life. In Minnesota, we live in a rural area, so outside of walking or biking for exercise, we always take the car everywhere. Here this is not an option (no car), so we walk, taxi, subway or bus. We plan to get bikes in the Spring. It is about a 3.5 mile walk to work, but I have done it and enjoy having this option. It’s another way for me to find my “Chi."

New experiences also energize me, and there is no shortage of this: Trying my first Christmas pudding with custard and brandy cream, taking a Bancas (small ferry boats) over-packed with 60 Filipinos and almost falling into the water when the boat became imbalanced, and/or listing to Bon Jovi on the Muzak at my gym in CHINA. I live in constant amazement and wonder. I can’t help but want to share this!