It's only natural to feel weird right now. It will take awhile to feel like you're 'home' again, but your true friends won't have forgotten and will be glad to finally have access to you again. Also you should toss around the idea of going back to China and teaching English. Maybe not immediately because you want to reconnect with everyone, but it's a good way to get to go back and live there for awhile
You're feeling a more extreme version of the college graduate syndrome. Me (as in Lisa Ness/Gerhardt) and Russ moved out to Idaho for a year after I graduated. When we came back, most of our friends had gotten jobs and moved away. We didn't have time for internet back then, so it was a big surprise. For you it's been longer, so even your underclassmen friends are probably either gone or hanging around looking for work.
Call people up, find out what part of the country they're living in. Visit your family, take a moment to breathe, and figure out what kind of job you'd like and where it might take you. You're very lucky that you have the independent spirit; you will flourish anywhere you go! Go out there and find a place you'd love to live and work in.
Personally, I'd love to see you teaching Chinese here in the states. Or even English as a second language to Chinese communities. Whatever floats your boat, do it!
Awww, Jacki! I have missed you and you're always welcome in my home! :) I have a spare bedroom to boot. Feel free to crash in anytime.. well, except maybe mid-September.. I'd love to see you again.
LSS (the company I work for) has a New American Services program that is often in need of people who speak non-English languages to help interpret for New Americans. Even if interpreting is not your thing, you may enjoy working with new Americans in helping them transition and guide them through the process. Not sure if Mandarin is a high-need in the FM area, but I am sure it is somewhere in the country. Just a thought, if that floats your boat. I could see you being good at that. :)
I also missed your posts too -- the witty bantar about Chinese culture and how different it is to America (and even more so, upper midwest america) just made me laugh. BTW, I so recited some entries about the misadventures of you getting accustomed to friends, And have mentioned "Well I have a friend in grad school studying in China right now
( ... )
I can understand your feelings of disjointedness/feeling separate. A lot of my friendships have suffered because I've moved 13 times in the last 14 years (due to money problems, family problems, school, etc.). It's really difficult to maintain friendships with people when you can't give them a guarantee that you'll be a reliable/consistent presence in their lives and they never know where you are this month or the next or what's going on with you, and vice versa.
So yeah, I'm afraid I can't offer any constructive input but I just wanted to say I get where you're coming from and that there will be a few people who will remain your friends no matter how much or how far you roam.
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It's only natural to feel weird right now. It will take awhile to feel like you're 'home' again, but your true friends won't have forgotten and will be glad to finally have access to you again. Also you should toss around the idea of going back to China and teaching English. Maybe not immediately because you want to reconnect with everyone, but it's a good way to get to go back and live there for awhile
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Call people up, find out what part of the country they're living in. Visit your family, take a moment to breathe, and figure out what kind of job you'd like and where it might take you. You're very lucky that you have the independent spirit; you will flourish anywhere you go! Go out there and find a place you'd love to live and work in.
Personally, I'd love to see you teaching Chinese here in the states. Or even English as a second language to Chinese communities. Whatever floats your boat, do it!
Reply
LSS (the company I work for) has a New American Services program that is often in need of people who speak non-English languages to help interpret for New Americans. Even if interpreting is not your thing, you may enjoy working with new Americans in helping them transition and guide them through the process. Not sure if Mandarin is a high-need in the FM area, but I am sure it is somewhere in the country. Just a thought, if that floats your boat. I could see you being good at that. :)
I hope your trip home goes well!
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So yeah, I'm afraid I can't offer any constructive input but I just wanted to say I get where you're coming from and that there will be a few people who will remain your friends no matter how much or how far you roam.
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