September 2012

Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new routine for me. I will be taking Chinese classes in the morning from 8-12. I'm excited to start soaking in more of this lovely language...it will do wonders in helping me really communicate with everyone around me. In the afternoons I will be on several missions: I will be teaching English at Huamei school again, except this year only for 9 periods and no administrative duties. Also in the afternoons I will be spending time with my buddy Ryan as we plan the launch of our kindergarten and Summer program. I am extremely fortunate to have an "adopted" family who I also get to hang out with and go swimming with and eat with throughout the week. I'll be staying at their home part time and part time in my new apartment.

It has been a great summer. I've gone places I never thought I would go and went to others I thought I wouldn't see for a few more years. Isn't life great - it's full of surprises and is always exciting.

Today a new teacher at our school commented that I'm "bubbling with optimism" - I was struck by that and thought about why I come across that way. It's true that over the last two years I have made it a point to be moving forward and purposefully trying to make myself a meaningful person and resource to organisations, and I guess that shows. However I definitely did not feel real optimistic many days and weeks this last year...I wondered what's next. All I knew is it was something new and different. Then the pieces started falling in place. Other people with the entrepreneurial spirit. Mentors and nay-sayers. Then some big goals starting forming, then bite size steps started forming. The key was when I said "yes this is where I'm going to have a blast, work my tail off, and enjoy life" my optimism started to rise again.

Thoughts:
-It takes the same energy to set a small goal as it does a large goal
-People saying it's tough, are really saying there is opportunity - if you can navigate your way
-Honesty and transparency really pay off - that doesn't mean sharing every thought, but keeping 100% integrity when you do
-Words are your greatest tool - when thought and spoken they set the course for your actions - being conscious about what you hear and see and choosing the best will add even more leverage
-Never stop reading and learning - decide what you want to learn and take action...be it a language, how to interact with people, how to manage money, or how to raise a child (even if you don't have any)

"I'm from France"

"You'll find Swiss Cheese here"

"Italy's floating city"