1 Week Countdown

As of today, my one week countdown to my departure has begun. Exactly one week from this moment I will be attempting to get cozy in a bed somewhere in a Shanghai hotel. The picture above is my Chinese name written in ancient characters. Unfortunately this is not the original name my grandmother gave me, but this is one that my friends here at GFC gave me. I could not write the characters of my entire name, but only my family name. Because of this, Peiling, one of my friends from Malaysia, and a couple other friends came up with this new name for me. My new Chinese name is Ye Tian La, which means "Daily Happiness""Everyday Happy" or "The Most Happy". Whichever one seems the best. All of us had one made during a trip to Qinyang village. I have come to realize that there is a truly special connection between all of us summer interns. We all have our own friends in our respective homes and colleges, but making friends here at GFC is a little different. When we all go to college, we mix with thousands in hopes to find a handful or so of people that we connect well with. This summer at GFC, there were around 20 of us who came to one little campus. We all come from very different walks of life, and from all corners of the planet, but we all bond extremely well. I feel that it takes a certain type of mentality to willingly come to the backwoods of China and teach, and I feel that it is this mentality that allows us to bond so well. Whatever the reason is for making such great friends this summer, the fact is that we all became so close. We've all known each other for about 2 months and we all know each other so well. Our chemistry is perfection, we work with each other but more importantly we have learned from each other. Maybe only I just have learned so much from them. I am glad to say that I have been able to spend time with this special group. Of course it must all come to an end and we all have to go back to our colleges. Some leave in 4 days, some in a week, and some a month from now. Many of us agree that the scattered departure times takes a real toll on our happiness. It is the time for constant sadness where people who we have amazing connections with are constantly leaving. Hopefully we can meet up again in different places around the world.