This week marks the anniversary of when I traveled to China last September. I was blessed to go with my lovely history teacher and one other student-teacher pair, exploring and learning Chinese history in the cities of Shanghai, Zhangjiajie, Changsha, Shaoshan, and Nanjing. Surprisingly, I remember not feeling nervous at all, not during the shots, the departure, or the arrival. Now, I realize my only worry was when I could go back.

Since entering college, I am usually asked where I see myself going, as if my life is supposed to already be planned out. These are the times I think back to when I went to China, of all places, one place I went and hope to go back to. On an honest note, when my teacher asked me to enter the writing contest with her, I was puzzled why China and not, say, Europe? Australia? I knew next to nothing about Chinese history and cultures, so why should I go? That’s exactly the reason I did go, however: I knew so little about such a prominent group of people. It was a crazy idea and against the odds, after an interview and extreme anticipation, we were chosen. I promise you that was not by my doing at all; it wasn’t in my foreseeable plan, but it definitely was in God’s.

Human nature makes it difficult to remember every detail, even when it’s during the best, most remarkable times. Knowing this, I journaled in an iPhone app, remarking on the events and little things I found to be really cool. I want to share my experiences with you, listing notes and things I learned while there. Here is my chance to satisfy my own nostalgia... maybe, you can get something out of it, too.

Day 1- “You have to know you cold potentially die here… it can be dangerous not knowing how to live here properly.”

1. Waking up early could be for reasons such as school, the bathroom, a storm, or A SIX AM FLIGHT

2. Fourteen hours doesn’t seem long… instead, this time, it’s not Netflix in bed, it’s in a cramped plane

3. If you are sitting next to the window and you are flying over the North Pole, grab a blanket

4. Cars are allowed to be on the street, sidewalk… basically anywhere as long as they don’t hit anyone. It's organized chaos

5. Everyone has their own way of holding chopsticks

6. After a long flight, relax, watch Friends, and eat chocolate per usual

Day 2- “Erasing history can be a powerful yet dangerous move.”

1. Chinese propaganda is confrontational, beautiful, and terrifying, especially from an American perspective

2. Historical “amnesia” techniques were used to paint a better picture of China, for China

3. Buildings can be gorgeous, especially the ones around the Bund

4. The Lost Heaven restaurant IS like a lost heaven…. my taste buds can attest

Day 3- “Expect a long wait. We came prepared.”

1. Pancakes are an American breakfast (USA! USA!)

2. Waiting for a flight takes A LOT of patience

3. There are SO many queues because there are SO many people

4. If you’re not tearing up by the end of your meal, then, it’s not spicy enough

Day 4- “Sometimes, you have to climb a mountain to see the beauty below.”

1. The Long March was REALLY long… like, the soldiers trekked over seventeen miles a day

2. The painful, exasperating hike can lead to a REAL mountaintop experience

3. God is in nature, He is in people… He is everywhere

4. Dinners may be in English, Korean, or Chinese, but verbal cues help SO MUCH

Day 5- “Locals believe that China tries to copy America; America is a fantasy land of dreams and wonder.”

1, “Laowai” is a recognition of how foreign I am, you may hear it a lot

2. History is a vast pit of hidden heroes, like Dr. Ho Feng-Shan, a Chinese diplomat who risked his life during World War II to save more than one thousand Jews

3. Communicating with locals is really fun and challenging, and when in doubt, talk about sandwiches, the Great Plains, Lady Gaga, or television shows

4. To many, English is an opportunity, not just a language

Day 6 - “Perspective can change lives, villains can become heroes.”

1. Mao Zedong had humble beginnings for such a prominent leader

2. Fatty pork is delicious (and also, Mao’s favorite meal… I totally get it, Mao)

3. The elderly encourage students to never stop learning, even when school is over

4. To Westerners, Mao Zedong is a villain, but that is only a label; he was a student, a father, a lover… such a round character for a “dictator”

5. Mao was such a game changer for China, but whether that can be taken positively or negatively differs person to person

Day 7- “Seek truth from facts.”

1. Yuelu Academy is filled with history, zen, and PAGODAS

2. Eating in a VIP section is as classy as you’d think

3. Sticky sweet rice balls…. the dessert I never knew I was looking for

4. Reading poetry together in Chinese, or any language other than English, is difficult but rewarding

5. Busts of leaders aren’t just found on Mt. Rushmore

6. Americans in the eyes of a Chinese student: we are open minded and kind and less rushed in life

7. Learning Chinese history from Chinese students is interesting… especially when considering what they choose to leave out… (they "didn't want to wave dirty laundry in front of clean foreigners”)

8. My accent is highly appreciated by locals

Day 8- “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”

1. Time zones are weird… especially, with a 12 hour difference

2. Stairs are a thing, but if the attraction is large enough, opt for an artsy distance picture

3. Dragon boats are cooler canoes

4. Confucianism isn't technically a religion, but people use it as a belief or a way to go about

5. You think shopping in NYC is a huge endeavor? Try the night market

6. The exchange rate is such an advantage… when in doubt, spend the money

Day 9- “Even the most ordinary person can be a savior.”

1. Atrocities can be covered up, such as the Nanjing Massacre, but awareness is a step to a true victory

2. People, especially in history, have no reason to be brave in times of war, but it is good that they were

3. History is amazing; it actually comes alive when you’re at the place where the event occurred

4. Koi fish are seriously so cute

Day 10-14

1. If you ever get sick of Chinese food, there’s always American cuisine around

2. Going to a drug store can be an amazing experience…. EVERYTHING IS COLORFUL

3. Comedy Central is still hilarious, even in China

4. Going to the Underground Market was such a win… just come prepared knowing you’ll blow your money. It’s so worth it

5. Bargaining can be mastered when you play the “poor student” card

6. Take time to smell the roses…. or feed the swans and get a $10 foot massage

7. Date tea is smells like a wonderful concoction of fruit and joy

8. Friends can truly make a foreign place feel like home