Shanghai Living- 8 weeks IN!!!

 

….and just like that we are wrapping up 2017….

Okay – so maybe not just like that – its clearly been a FULL YEAR …. But it’s almost 2018! WOW!!!

Did you set goals for 2017? Did you meet them? They year isn’t over yet so you still have time. 11 days – but that’s still time.

I have a CORE group of girls of whom we pretty much talk about everything! We laugh together, talk, text, message, email, eat, lunch, brunch, hold each other accountable, talk about the tough things– and most importantly PRAY TOGETHER! Each year by January 31 we send out in a group message our plans or goals for the year. Everyone has their label for it – ‘goals’ – ‘resolutions’ – ‘task list’ Whatever you want to call it …. We send out our plans for the year and by the end of the year we can ask one other how we did and through out the year we can discuss our work towards our goals.

Well I asked one of my girls (thanks Kim) to screenshot and send me my list cause …. Welp …. I’m in China- I don’t have the app anymore- and blah blah blah …. YO! She sent me that list and I was trippin! My list was so over the top and long IDK what I was thinking in January when I wrote it. I had 14 serious things on this list and OMG … would you believe me if I said …. I only have 4 things left on the list — because I am in Shanghai I can’t complete all 4 – but I took a cooking class – that was on the list (pictures included in this blog) and I said I would read 5 books for pleasure … I am almost done with 3 – so 2 more books in 11 days? Eh, we shall see! One of them just won’t happen until I move back to the states … so…….

All that to say I was very excited that I completed all the things that I did complete. My biggest goal for 2018 is to work on my Chinese so I can hold a basic conversation and visit two new countries!!! I am sure I will come up with a few more things to add to the list but that is at the top! One day I read ‘The only person I want to be better than is the person I was yesterday’ — I really try to live by that! If I can be better than KMG yesterday- – I am doing pretty good in life.

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It’s been about a month since my last post! So much to catch you up on… Life has been busy – ish! Work keeps me busy. Learning my community. Pretty much got the metro down or just take a cab somewhere or get a DiDi (China’s version of UBER), navigating shopping while out and about, running like I did back at home, and I have a 5K next week!!!!

Shanghai Living:

I am really enjoying living in Shanghai. It is a HUGE city with so much to do. The area that I live in is a nice balance of expats and local Chinese. There is a good balance of English and — oh my gosh I can’t read that – but GOOGLE TRANSLATE APP is very helpful when gesturing and pictures saved on your phone don’t work!

Disney English:

I was frustrated for a while because I was having a lot of Visa delays. I have been here 8 weeks today and I just started working on Friday. 5 days ago Friday. I was really unmotivated for about two weeks while at work because all I could do was observe classes. Whereas I know that observing classes for so long gives me a lot of time to learn, grow, and prepare, it was hard sitting back and not being able to do ANYTHING at work. What I do know is that teaching English at a training center- I work at a training center and not a traditional school, is nothing like teaching at home. You’re teaching – but not really teaching- if that makes sense. It’s a whole new ball game. Having a foundation in the classroom is good, but you are entering something totally new and have to be flexible as you are challenged and stretched.

When we took this picture my visa had not yet cleared. Which means I couldn’t even wear my Disney work shirt and name tag… SO I decided to just rock my “Black is Beautiful” hoodie. The visa process for China is ….. hmmmm …. let me find the words….. something!

I’ll give more insight with teaching English for Disney after my first term – a term is 12 weeks. Right now – its new and different.

 

 

 

VoluntEARing: I had the opportunity to volunteer at a local school with my job. We had a ton of fun and I even dressed up as Santa. We taught some simple English words/sentences and gave gifts to the kids. I was curious to see what a local school looked like so it was great for me. The school was Huge. The classes were Huge. Though I didn’t observe class as I walked the halls the students seemed very disciplined and focused on class. I am definitely looking forward to volunteering again.

 

Holidays:

Sooooooooo…… I am working on Christmas Eve and Christmas… IN all my years of living I have never worked on either of those days. Christmas is not a Chinese holiday so I do not have it off. Some people at some traditional schools have it off – and some businesses give the day off to foreigners but I will be working. Disney English does work very hard to help their staff members feel as much at home as possible. We had a Thanksgiving celebration at work and we will have Christmas gift exchange and lunch at work. I do appreciate the little things that our center does to help us feel a little piece of home.

I don’t have anything concrete or set in stone, but will probably do dinner with friends and make lots of video calls to everyone at home!!!

You will see Christmas trees, lights, and decorations all throughout the city. Its fun. But the holiday itself isn’t really celebrated.

I hear that New Years is a big deal so I am excited to see what that will be like here….bringing in 2018 in Shanghai before all of my family and friends back in America.

Chinese New Year – YAY! I get this off  — February 12-21 I will be off from work! (https://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/holidays/spring-festival.htm)

Quiming Festival– April 5-8 (https://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/holidays/qingming.htm )

May Day- May 1

Dragon Boat Festival– June 16-18 (https://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/holidays/dragon-boat.htm)

Mid Autumn Festival- September 22-24 (https://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/holidays/mid-autumn.htm)

National Holiday– October 1-7 (https://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/festival/national.htm)

Visitors:

I have had some wonderful visitors since I have been here in Shanghai.

Donald- Donald and I met while I was at Georgia State. He has been a great friend since my time there and we have kept in touch since my graduation and my many moves from Atlanta-California-Dallas-Shanghai. It was so great to see him, learn about what he is currently doing- Semester At Sea-, and catch up about future endeavors! I am looking forward to seeing him again in 2018 – just speaking that into the atmosphere.

Ashley- My sweet friend Ashley was on her way to Manila and had a long layover in Shanghai. She was traveling with a group of friends and we all had a little time to meet up, eat dinner, check out THE BUND, and I could get them to the metro so they could safely make it back to the airport. It was so nice seeing friends from home.

….and if any of you reading this feel the urge to want to travel to Shanghai just let me know – I will be happy to have you here….

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Tiana: whew! MY heart hurts yall. I My dear friend Tiana passed from Cancer recently … yeah … #CancerSucks …so I am oh so honored to wear her name every day at work! She was such a joy in my life and we grew so much closer after my dad passed and when I was preparing for my Shanghai departure. She encouraged me and prayed with me and supported with me when she heard of the loss of my dad even while she was dealing with her own pain. I didn’t even want to talk to her about it because I knew she had so much going on in her life, but she reached out to me and showed me so much love!!!! She loved deeply and worshiped tough. Her smile and sweet spirit could light up a room and I am a better person for knowing her. I love my sweet Tiana and I am so glad I chose “Tiana” to be a part of my work identity.

When I look back over my 2017 I smile! I finished a year of teaching 4^th grade. Survived my second round of STAAR Testing. I graduated from UTA with my Masters in Education. I completed my TEFL-C. I completed my Texas Teachers course work for certification in Texas. I completed the process to work/teach overseas and I am now in China teaching English. Traveled to two new states as I try and cross off all 50 off my list. Substitute taught high school in Temple, Texas and 3^rd/4^th grade in Copperas Cove. That was fun!

Experienced loss like no other when my father died. Still amazed that I was home in Hooks that day. God giving me a last few moments with my him. My mother is so amazing and so strong. How hard that must be to lose the love of your life!

It was a full year. Full of tears, laughs, joy, smiles, new experiences, traveling (my summer was great) and lots of love. I am so deeply loved! I feel like I feel it more and more since I have left. I received so many beautiful text messages, phone calls, voicemail messages, emails, responses on my blog, comments on FB/IG/Twitter since I left. I appreciate all of the love, support, and encouragement since I made the decision to go overseas to live and work. This is such a great opportunity and I am so grateful for it.

I miss friends and family at home for sure. I miss FREEBIRDS, Twisted Root, and Feul City Tacos. I miss California sunshine and being able to read all the signs and speak the language when I am out and about. I miss DR. PEPPER being readily available. At the same time, wow! I am in China. I am learning so much. I am growing and being stretched. I am meeting people from all around the world, and making memories like no other!

 

You ever meet someone that just makes you smile 🙂 Well Brittny makes me smile  …. we met at Afro Open Mic and she also works for Disney English (just a different center than me)

 

Merry Christmas from Shanghai! Happy Holidays. Happy New Year! I pray a prosperous 2018 for you. May you experience blessings like no other. Enjoy your family, friends, make memories, tell those close to you that you love them, smile, encourage someone today, be strong for someone else when they can’t be strong for themselves.

….lets see if I can find something fun to do in Shanghai tonight…

I love your comments and responses…I look forward to hearing from you soon!

 

Contact:

Email: karlamgurley@yahoo.com

Blog: https://kmarietakesshanghai.wordpress.com/

Facebook: Karla Marie – should be able to find me through my name or www.facebook.com/karlageezy

Instagram: @misskarlamgurley – I am not on there as much but every once in a blue moon I may post a pic or two

Skype: Karla Gurley – we can video chat– its free if you have SKYPE!!!!

WeCHat: kgarlandmarie0527 – WeChat name – this is a Chinese App that is life here! How we text, call, message, video chat, pay for things, order stuff, everything! LIFE!!!!

IF you would like to mail me something just send me a message via email and I will send you my mailing address!

Big Thanks to those of you who have downloaded the app (WECHAT) to make keeping in touch easier … BIG THANKS to all of you for following the blog …. HUGE THANKS…. For supporting me and this adventure!

 

Pictures:

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/GxpLOi9A6R0k02SJ2 – Shanghai Month Number Two

https://photos.app.goo.gl/K86MNU4hVrAYLsGu2 – Disney VoluntEARing

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wRzS26m8JGvd4z272 – Italian Cooking Class (In Shanghai of all places)

 

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOPATK2xVpTNy3CmwxCxU7lGeY4mTaCyFZfar8Am-gtiCOZJ5kcgn_AxnP_DBqGpQ?key=ZDd4eW91VWNaVk40VHBpRWNOVURiZFZ0NmhoUDJB   China Art Museum

https://photos.app.goo.gl/EKO4hsMgKGYUJb8q1- KOOZA

I apologize if any of the pictures are duplicates… and I am still working on an album of videos that I have taken … its coming!

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I am excited about life! I am filled with Hope. I am overwhelmed with JOY!

I am going to do my best to live by the ‘Glad Texts’

(one of my favorites is–Psalms 98:4) — Did you know that there are over 800 Glad Texts in the Bible?!?! More than one for each day of the year for me to live by.

#FearlessinShanghai #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJoy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden #ChinaorBust #ChinaAintReady #BlackInShanghai #LookOutWorldHereComesKarla  #KarlaGirlJoy #BlackGirlInShanghai

“life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”  – Hellen Keller

*I choose ADVENTURE*