Most of my posts make fun of people and are rants of me complaining about something or someone here. I’ve received a few emails and comments from people expressing their concerns that I am not happy or don’t like being here. Contrary to the tone of my past blogs, I really am enjoying my time here and am very thankful for the experience. So, I thought it was time to be more positive and explain why China is fantastic. If you are a pessimist and prefer my negative, complainy posts, go ahead and skip this one and I promise to complain again in the future.

The economy grew 12% in the first quarter and last year 9%. Because of this the country is in big time expansion mode. Everyone has a job, no matter how important or unimportant. A lot of the time, shops just have people who stand in the aisles to direct you to what you are looking for. While, it’s not very efficient, it’s great that these people have a job. Also, looking out my apartment window I couldn’t even count the number of buildings that are going up. Some are office buildings, some apartments, some malls, etc. In the near future I plan to write a blog about my own job search experience but I’ll give you a preview….I have a 100% close ratio. Meaning from every resume I sent, I received an interview followed by an offer. It’s really pretty amazing after coming from a country in a recession.

Next, there is so much amazing stuff to see and it’s all accessible for inexpensive rates. In 2 months, we have been to Hong Kong, all over Thailand and Sanya. In June, I will go to Bali and Beijing with friends. Also, at some point I will visit the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, mountains and rivers of Guilin and probably Shanghai, Tokyo and the Philippines. There is no similar landscape in the world and I feel beyond lucky to experience it first hand. Never in my life did I ever dream that I would see all of these wonders.

I love to rip on the Chinese, but them and other Asians really are quite interesting. I love how they are in complete aw of me and other white people. A day doesn’t go by where someone doesn’t scream “hello” at me in the street or that they are so interested in what I’m reading in the Metro. They are also very passive people. In a city of 12 million, crime is pretty rare. I have never once felt unsafe or in danger. And even though Fabien and I get really frustrated with the communication here, they really do try to speak English way more than I try to speak Chinese. Just the other day a kid, about 6 years old came up to us on the subway and asked our names and where we were from. And lastly, I admire them because they are so resilient and accepting of their lives. When it’s hot, I don’t hear anyone complain. When they work Saturday (because everyone works Saturday), it doesn’t seem like a big deal. In China, there are two classes; peasant and non-peasant. While I still believe in the concept of the American dream and working hard to better your life, I also think there is something to be said for just being who/what you are and accepting life. If the same people were in the US, they’d be asking for hand outs and crying how someone did them wrong.

Which leads me to the number one reason I love China and most importantly one. Because Fabien is here. If you don’t want to read my gushes, go ahead and skip to the next paragraph. He is the best boyfriend in the whole wide world. For one, he invited me along on this awesome journey of China and Asia and has been more than generous with me. Knowing that I have been dreaming of Bali for years, he offered to send me (along with two other girls) as a 30th birthday present. I am beyond excited. Next, he is also very conscious about me being here away from friends and family and alone all day. He never fails to ask how my day was and that he wishes he could be home with me instead of at work. Speaking of work, everyday he works really hard to catch the 6:30 shuttle bus so he can make it home to be with me. And in addition to being the best boyfriend in the world, he is also the best man to live with. He usually offers to do the dishes after I cook dinner, brings me flowers, picks up after himself (I think I am the messy one of us) and brings me little bottles of water from work because “they fit perfect in my purse”. Even though I barely remember because I am in a coma, every morning before he leaves for work, he kisses me goodbye. And each night he lays his clothes out in the livingroom so he won’t wake me when he is getting ready. Seriously, he is the most courteous man in the world.

So you see, I do like it here and I am grateful to China and Fabien for giving me time to rest, recharge, regroup and simply enjoy life. I am taking time to smell the roses, see things I never thought I’d see in my life time and exit my comfort zone. Thank you China. You are great.