The End.

I've dragged on this blog long enough. I was supposed to finish it soon after I arrived back in the United States. But I failed. Life moved on and I assimilated back into American society rather quickly. Before my trip, I hoped that I would be so moved and changed by my experiences. I would return from the Middle Kingdom a different Kristen Carusos than the one that left. But that's not how life works. I have a friend named Andrew who lived in Spain for a year and came back to work at Bahama Breeze during Grad School. He's gone through a lot of the same experiences and sometimes we argue about our world and life views. He holds this belief that people never really change and that maybe they grow BUT that at their core they will always be the same. I'm starting to agree.
I digress.
Coming back
I have grown up in some ways, but I am still Kristen. Nothing has really changed that much. That sucks to hear. My study abroad experience was life-changing, but not in the way I wanted it to be. It was not everything I had hoped for and more. It was probably what I needed though. I have a deeper understanding about myself, the world, the environment, China, people, my family, my friends, and so many other things. Sometimes, there are just not the right words to explain and I can't really break it down for everyone. The people that I shared these memories with will understand, but I don't even know where to begin. How to describe the last four months. All I can give anyone is bits and pieces. And honestly, I can't break it down for anyone. Somethings cannot and do not need to be said.  Life is full of good and bad memories and my experiences in China will always be filled with good and bad memories. I can only hope to remember them and take what I can from those experiences. We shall see.

China reflection 2: Things that I loved

1. Interesting International people- I lived in an International dorm with people from all over the world. I had friends from Romania, UK, Turkey, Iran, France,etc. I learned a lot from these people and there was rarely a dull moment. I miss being in that international atmosphere. I was always meeting new people with different perspectives. Life was exciting and I got a lot of insight from a lot of different people.

2.My internship as previously discussed. I really felt like I was a part of something that was doing something good for the world.

3. Living in the city- I like living in the city. I am a city girl at the end of the day. I could get anywhere in Beijing for less than 40 cents. and mind you Beijing is a huge city. Everything's always bustling

4. Speaking Chinese everyday. I truly miss it