Reactions

People react in the funniest ways when I tell them I'm going to China.

My doctor looked at me and asked, "CHINA?! How OLD are you? If my 21-year-old daughter told me she was going to China for her first job, I would be freakin' out!" He basically did freak outt, and I can't help it if Asians age well and that's why I look like I'm 16.

The lady who took my passport photo gasped and said, "CHINA?! Why would you want to go there?" For some reason, telling her that my parents grew up there and I wanted to teach in a different culture and have an adventure didn't seem to suffice.

Moms squeal and hug me and tell me how excited they are. Dads pout and mumble something about Communism. Strangers wish me good luck and friends are supportive, even though I know apart of them feels nostalgic or sad.

The thing about reactions is that they are in response to something. I personally don't have any reactions to going to China because I am not there yet. My reaction to everyone else is reaction is basically a head nod, smile, and a hope that everything will be ok. That's basically all I can do.