After weeks of complete uncertainty, I've finally booked my return ticket to the States. I've had really mixed feelings about the future, and after months of deliberating between staying vs. leaving China, I still don't know what I want. However, for better or worse, the looming expiration of my visa has made the decision for me.
The difficulty of this decision is rooted in the fact that China has become a sort of home for me. After these past fifteen months, I think that I'll always be suspended between these two places. Over Sichuanese food the other day, a friend and I were discussing how China is rather like a black hole. For both of us, our initial, innocent appreciation of the language has morphed into an all-consuming, life-long relationship. China has that sort of effect on people--you can't just casually study it. It's all or nothing.
This year has been full of experiences and stories worthy of telling my future grandchildren. Aside from just acquiring the ability to eat spicy food of tear-inducing magnitude or elbow my way onto an over-crowded bus, I've made some truly incredible friendships. Be it Xi'an, Hangzhou, or somewhere in between, these people have been there to share all the good, the bad, and the ugly(/smelly). You've each enriched my life in so many ways, and I am so glad to have been able to spend this time with you. Best of luck to each of you in all of your future China-related adventures, and 保持联系！
China--thanks for everything. This is goodbye, but certainly not farewell. Perhaps I'll be back in just a few weeks time, but otherwise I will eagerly await our next reunion.
Thanks for reading--
宁琪 Ningqi
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| Hangzhou family, Dajie misses you! |
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