Nervous – excitement.

 

I just got shivers.  Not the ones because it’s –25 outside and I forgot to put on an extra sweater under my other sweater and wool coat, but the kind that comes with excitement.

When people ask me what I want to do when I “grow up”, I always come back to my Chinese Bed & Breakfast pipe-dream.  I have this idea that I want to give people the comfort of having a Western face greeting them at the airport of a foreign airport and fresh muffins in the morning, a person who can help them navigate the awesome-ness of a foreign land; while at the same time showing them the China that I fell in love with.  To give people the opportunity to see more than just the bright lights and big city, to climb more than just the Great Wall, to see the diversity and beauty of a country that is generally misunderstood by the vast majority of the Western world.  To show people the China that I know. The villages 6 hours up a mountainside where kids play ring toss for gold fish.  The 80+ year old woman with long toe nails and a  genuine excitement because she met a  foreigner for the first time in her life, she thought she’d never see the day because she lives, literally in the middle of nowhere, but because we thought a damn was a waterfall (bah haha!) we pulled over to see, and there she was.  The intimidating 6’4” Tibetan man who just wanted to ask me if he moved to Canada if he could use me as  a reference (so sweet).  The foggy mountain views, the pristine lakes, rice paddies, and innovative farming techniques.  That’s the China I know, it’s the place and the people I wish people could see.   

I think I just got off-track; what I am wanting to say is that my dream is to use my God-given gifts to show others unexpected beauty. 

If you haven’t met me, I’m the kind of person who feels like family only minutes after you meet me.  I can’t even count the number of times people have asked “have we met before?” or “are you sure I don’t know you?” We haven’t, and I’m sure; but I have this ability to connect with people and make them feel safe.  I know it’s because I listen, and smile, and take the time that most people don’t to hear what people have to say.  It’s really nothing special, but really, it is. 

Off-track again.  There’s just all these things I want to add in, before I get to the kicker because I feel like they’re important to the story.  Long story short (maybe..) last week I had a ‘screening interview’ for a company who’s story gives me shivers, in the excited way.  I moved on to the next round of interviews, tomorrow I have my first full interview with them, and I’m so excited and nervous; nervous only because this is the first job that I’m truly, honestly, excited about.  I don’t want another job, I want this one.  This job, with this company.  This company being the Linden Centre.  A boutique hotel located in rural Southern China that focuses on giving people an authentic Chinese experience.  Showing travelers what made them (The Linden’s) fall in love with China.  Wait.  That’s exactly what I want to do.  I could learn so much from the Linden Centre and give so much to them.  I whole heartedly believe that you should live a life that you are passionate about, but if you get stuck in a vocation that you’re not passionate about, you’re settling.  When I was spending countless hours looking for my “career”, most job I found were just pretty-okay, I knew that if I took those jobs, I would learn a lot, but I would be settling.  This opportunity is the first one twhere  I know, 100%, I wouldn’t be settling. 

Take a look at their website, if you’ve ever heard me talk about China, I’m sure you’ll see why I would love to be a part of this opportunity.  http://www.linden-centre.com

Anyways, that’s my newest, most exciting news. I have this hopeful feeling that it might make the constant rejection of the past 6 months, worth it. :)  Say a little prayer for me.

(and. in unrelated news…I got to go home and see my new nephew..he’s so beautiful!)