What started out as me being pimped out for my English felt more like a blind date by the end of the night. My host mother said that a classmate of hers might want me to teach him English so I agreed to meet who I’ll call Mr. S. The three of us, Mr. S, my host mother, and I, met on Tuesday evening and proceeded to a park. Afterwards, we headed to a hot pot where we had dinner. Throughout the night he practiced his English with help from my host mother and I. However, he admitted that he did not have time to take formal lessons, but was content with being my friend. He said maybe next time we could go to a movie. (That’s a date, right?)
As I thought about the fun and interesting evening, I saw a connection to this week’s analects. Mr. S took quite the leap of faith to agree to meet a stranger in order to practice a new language. He impressed me. I had the feeling that he had made up his mind to get all the practice he could, whatever it took on his part. He proved that he is a man of action—the type of man that does what he says he will in a timely manner.
Going along the same lines, I found that in order for me to be that type of woman I had to really watch what I said. Anyone who knows me knows how I can rehash the same subject over and over, quite often while talking to myself. This week, even when I was the only person in the room, I had to make sure I didn’t bite off more than I could chew. It meant making the decision to treat everything I said as a promise that was absolutely necessary to keep. Looking over the past seven days I see how much I accomplished with this method. Homework, an important application, even laundry, all usually favorite procrastinations of mine, were projects I had to devote much time to because I told myself I would.
The grand finale, however, came today. I went to Qing Cheng Shan (Green City Mountain) with a couple of friends. We stayed Saturday night near the top of a beautiful mountain peak. Surrounded by real Chinese mountains, the kinds that look like the camel’s humps from the beginning of Aladdin, I appreciated how much I had missed mountain air. Our host said in the morning we would climb to the top.
I have been telling myself for months that I should take a good hike. Although there were plenty of mountains in Arizona I never took the opportunity to just set out one day and climb. Today Mr. Opportunity knocked and since I told myself I would answer, I had to obey. I won’t exaggerate; the hike was excruciating for me. Our destination usually took thirty minutes to walk to. I think it took me about an hour with all of my stops. Before the halfway mark I wanted to quit. I have been wondering why I didn’t. Yes, it helped to have a friend there bidding me to take my time, but that was not the only reason. Now I realize that there were many emotions that weren’t articulated into thoughts at the time. The most profound for me went, “if I give up on this what else am I just willing to give up?” The hike was the physical symbol of the person I want to be. Giving up one part definitely was not conducive to the ultimate goal.
During one of my many breaks our host said, “All the trees want light so they grow very tall.” Amidst the stunning trees, while drowning in my sweat and nearly toppling down the mountain from my pathetically sore legs, I also began to tear up. What a simple, yet beautiful sentiment. It brought to mind too many things to share in one little entry, but it worked magic up there on the mountain. Like the tree, I want light so I have to grow very tall. Climbing that mountain, though small, was still a step up.
