Black and Abroad: Karla

I have decided to answer the same questions I asked of my friends. I have been in Shanghai for ½ a year and I have a little over ½ a year left here. There will be a few more interviews coming in the Fall.

Let’s do a quick introduction:

1. What’s your name, where are you from, and how long have you been in China? Karla Marie! I am from Oak Cliff (Dallas, Texas) by way of East Palo Alto (SF Bay Area, California) – Yes I claim both places – and I have been in China for 6 months.
2. Are you single, married, have any children? I am single- never married, and I have no children.
3. What brought you to Asia- more specifically China? I decided to come to Asia to do something I have never done. I am a part of a few online educator groups and I kept hearing about teachers/educators traveling and living abroad – teaching in far off places. I kept thinking- can I do this? Nahhhhh I can’t do this. Then I thought, wayment- maybe I can. SO I did a little research and decided to go for it.

Now we have a little background information about you lets dig a little deeper!

Breaking and Crushing:

1. In your opinion – what do you think are some of the biggest stereotypes we (generally speaking – though I know you don’t speak for everyone) face as people of color living abroad – here in China? Biggest stereotypes – We all come from Africa/loud/athletic/uneducated/thugs-hoodlums-aggressive-want to fight
   ster·e·o·type
   noun: a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing

   To be honest- some stereotypes are true and its not a bad thing fitting a stereotype. What sucks is that not all stereotypes are not true and/or they do not fit all people. We must be careful not to generalize individuals – and spend time educating ourselves about the world outside of our personal community/world. Sometimes – I am loud (well, a lot of times), but not all Black Americans are loud. I am not from Africa (ha! that one was hard for my students to believe. That there are Black people in America. That’s a long history lesson that they are not getting in school). Unfortunate. Yes.
2. What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced living here? Biggest challenge is navigating life without knowing the language. You can definitely survive here and make it without knowing the language, but I know that life would be a little simpler if I knew Chinese. I am also exhausted from daily being stared at (I know that a lot of this happens as a result of ignorance and curiosity), but I feel like people look at me in a few ways: 1-Why are you here  2- Like I have blue skin with red polka dots – some rare creature that doesn’t exist everywhere. 3- I really wanna touch you and see what you feel like 4- Disgusted 5-Amazed — I mean #blackgirlmagic is a real thing. I would probably be amazed if I saw me too. I see other Black Ladies and I’m like … whoa!

Another challenge that is not so much a challenge anymore is walking everywhere. The metro is your way of life – and walking everywhere. Walking 15-20 minutes becomes normal, whereas at home I probably wouldn’t go for that. You can use bikes, scooters, call a DiDi (China’s version of Uber) or a taxi – but that will all add up. SO I walk just about everywhere. Hey! I’ll be in super great shape right when I come home???

3. How do you think we are crushing stereotypes- if we are at all? I totally think we are. We are giving a new look African Americans/Black Americans. There are so many of us here in China. African Americans/Black Americans/Africans/Individuals from the Diaspora … from all over. We are showing the world that we are educated, we are cultured, we come from around the world, and we can settle here, work, and be amazing! The expat community here is pretty amazing and that has helped with me adjusting to life here. I have met individuals who have moved here and started businesses, met their spouse-married-started a family, who have lived here for +3/5/7/10 years and made a life here. It is really beautiful.                                          I really feel that we are showing what diversity looks like and how we as people can all live in community with each other. I am glad that I get to show a different Black American than what is shown in music videos/video games/the news/internet/television shows movies/YouTube shows/crappy-low budget films/and the media at large. We are changing the view of us one interaction at a time. It’s nice – through all of the challenging moments that I get to be a part of that.
4. Knowing what you know now- about life in China and being here as long as you have been here, would you still have moved here knowing what you know now? HMMMM! This is hard to answer. I wanna say “Nope! No Way” – but I wanna say, “Yep!” at the same time…. There is so much that I do not like about China and so much that I do like at the same time. I think that I would have still come but I would have really taken advantage of Rosetta Stone that was given to me to practice the language and did more research on Chinese culture. I am glad I took the leap of faith and came – it is quite the adventure. I wouldn’t trade these priceless experiences for anything. Maybe a TWISTED ROOT BURGER but … ya know! I am looking forward to coming home though!

#LIC – Let’s talk a little about Life in China! There are definitely some positives about being here.

1. What are three things you like about living in China (if you can think of three). The expat community – Access to Travel – The ability to do anything at any time (everything is here) aaaaaaand – you can order anything and have it delivered quickly! ANYTHING.
2. What do you do for fun with your free time? Everything! I eat out a lot – travel- go to comedy clubs – and game nights with friends.
3. Has it been hard for you to meet people and make friends here? Not at all (but, for those who know me- is that new?)
4. What do you do for work here in China? I am an ESL Teacher- working for Disney English.

Food- Food makes the world go round!

1. How has your food journey been here? Has it been a hard transition from home to here? Yes! So difficult. UgH!
2. Have you tried anything here that you love that you don’t have at home? NO. 
3. Have you tried anything here that you absolutely hate and hope to never eat again? Yes! Deep Fried Glutinous Rice Balls with Sesame – ick … but I was brave and tried it. I couldn’t even finish it.
4. How is shopping for food here for you? Do you spend a lot buying food or eating out? Yes! I spend a lot on food. I am picky and I don’t like everything. I find myself shopping at foreign/imported grocery stores and eating out at foreign/Western Restaurants.

Access to travel – A lot of people move abroad because of the access to travel to other countries. Let’s talk about this!

1. China is huge!!! Have you been to any places in China? Are there any places in China you would like to visit? IN China- Suzhou and Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town. I would love to go to Beijing to see THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA – Chengdu to see the Pandas – and to Xian!
2. Have you visited any nearby countries since you have been here? Where did you go? Yes. I have been to Bangkok, Thailand – Seoul, South Korea, and Hong Kong, Hong Kong-HK (HK has its own passport, money, immigration channels, and legal system. I have Hong Kong on my list of other countries visited because when I travel there from Shanghai I travel through the international and not domestic side of the airport. I did a little research and here is what I found out. HK has never been an independent country. For all official purposes HK is a part of China, but for all intents – and daily occourences it is allowed to operate as an independent country. If flying to HK when already in China you will fly on an international flight and you will have to exchange your money for HK currency).
3. What cities/countries are on your list ???

   

I don’t know if it will happen while I am here but I would love to go to:   Maylasia/Singapore- Japan – India …. Lets see!

 Here are some pictures from my travels and my time in China. 

One Last thing-

If you could share one thing with everyone about life what would it be.

Life is short. Buy the shoes. Take the trip. Smile often.

Try something new once a month. Tell your family you love them.

Experiences over things. BE KIND. 

Face your fears and I promise you that your future self will thank you for it.

Remain Humble and Stay Grateful.

That’s all for the interviews for now… a few more coming soon! In May I will still share about my experiences while abroad and highlight some of my favorite small businesses that I would love for you all to know about! Paz.

             Im Jammin to this …. (of course with lots of PJ MORTON in between!) Enjoy.

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-Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
    burst into jubilant song with music) — 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 #Thankful #joychangeslives #KMarieTakesChina #BlackGirlMagic #KarlaGirlLivingLife #BlackGirlJoy #LivingMyLifeLikeItsGolden #ChinaorBust #ChinaAintReady #BlackInShanghai #LookOutWorldHereComesKarla  #KarlaGirlJoy #BlackGirlInShanghai #eatsleeppartyrepeat #givingisgood #givingisfun #WakandaForever #ShuriAndNakiaAndOkoye #MelaninMagic #Blessed #FaithfulIsMyGod

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

*I choose ADVENTURE*