Diary of a traveler

I will call this blog post "diary of a traveler". Some people who know me are aware of the fact that I am a country hopping bunny right now, going from my home in the US to Germany, back to the US and then Germany and now I finally arrived in China around ten days ago -- staying for 6 months. 
If I can make it that long. The following words are written on rpr since China has blocked Google, Tumblr and various other sites and I can't access them right now since my VPN isn't working (if anybody has a working vpn, please share)

And maybe they can be inspiration and warning for those, who are considering moving countries, or going abroad to study. 



Arriving in China was easy, it went smooth and I wasn't as jetlagged as I thought I would be. 
(I already shared some pictures in different blog posts)
Sure, I was tired the entire Monday since I basically skipped my Saturday and most of my Sunday, arriving here at noon and trying to not fall asleep while waiting for my luggage and the security check to leave the airport. The host family I had met only once via webcam (20 minutes of "how will you do this, how will you do that) was welcoming and friendly, taking me to Walmart instantly (because they knew I am American and I said the store everybody knows is Walmart, rip me) to do some grocery shopping, going out of their way to buy me what I wanted and needed. (They were completely overwhelming me, mind you. I was so tired I could barely even walk in a straight line, let alone talk proper English) 

The following Monday was hard for me. I had to get up super early to walk the child to school (as a small explanation: I work as a teacher in their home, something I am used to since I was a elementary school supply teacher for quite some time) and then I had to spend the entire day on my own, in my room, doing absolutely nothing. Well done. The same thing happened on Tuesday. And Wednesday, before my program advisor came along and we had a talk. 
University started on Thursday last week for me and Jesus , I was overwhelmed again. Find the right subway to school, don't get lost on the way from the subway station to the building, don't get hit by a car, don't look after that super cute Chinese student or you'll die in traffic! (Yes, I am serious)

Everything was fine, everythign was alright. But then it started. 
My host father is the most ignorant, most pushy and nosy man I have ever met in my entire life. My free days are Thursday and Friday, meaning I have to go to classes and then I have time to spend on my own and as I see fit. (because I don't really have a weekend, you see) but apparently, he didn't really understand how I deserved a free day yet - I had only arrived after all! He called me on Thursday, telling me to come back home immediately to finish a painting I had started with his son the day before. I did it, simply because I didn't want to start a fight. 

I shouldn't have, but that is for later. 



It started then, that I realized I am not comfortable here. Don't get me wrong. Visit China. It is amazing. Beijing is amazing. The people here are amazing and so is the history of this country. It takes your breath away. It makes you feel small and insignificant to walk around the temples or the Forbidden City. 

What I am trying to say is: I am uncomfortable with this family. (My host mom is amazing tho)
And I really really really really hate their son. I love children, don't get me wrong. I am good with children and I love to teach, but this kid mades me want to slap the out of him. He's loud, he's impudent, he sulks and screams and pouts until he gets what he wants. He runs away in the middle of a crowded subway station. He throws his pens at me because he doesn't want to study. As soon as his parents are home, he is the little angel and last night he told his mother I was screaming at him and I hit him (Me hitting a child is something that will never happen, excuse you).

I was told he was able to speak basic English before I came here, that he has a nanny taking care of him. None of it is true. 
The kid doesn't even know how to say he is hungry or thirsty. He never sits still or is quiet. He eats like a pig, showers every 14 days (which is quite normal for Chinese culture, as I have been told by my mother last night I'm sorry I don't want to offend my own ancestors sobs)
If I ask him to blow his nose, he wipes the snot onto his hand and then off on my face. He pees with the door open and doesn't wash his hands, then touches my food. I am grossed out as . I can't deal with this kid. Well, I've been away from home so much, I am not a person prone to homesickness. But mind you, I cried three times already, all over the weekend. 

What do I do now? 
How do I deal with the fact that I am highly uncomfortable with this family and their child, simply because this kid doesn't have manners AT ALL? 
I talked to my advisor. That's what I was supposed to do. And guess what, she won't help me, because "he is just a child, how can you say you don't like him?" Because I am not comfortable in any way in this family, that's why. 

ANYWAYS 
If you want to come to a different country to study or teach like I am, please consider the following things: Stand up for yourself. Don't let other people fill your head with stereotypes about this country you're going to. If you have a bad feeling about something, listen to your feeling, ok? 

Here, have some pictures of China.