Published March 2nd, 2007 by Mliesie
Hello and goodbye!
It’s been quite a rollercoaster week, this past one. I said goodbye to some people who went back home to their little speck on this immense globe and whom I will miss a lot. I also said hello to a whole lot of people and had lots of fun.
Last Sunday I had to say goodbye to Marcel after his 2 weeks’ stay here in China. We had a great time, with lots of laughter and some disaster. It was hard to say goodbye and I still feel somewhat lost. It’s great to see your loved ones, but it makes life a little harder whenever they leave and take a piece of your heart with them. The good thing is that you know they’ll come back and that you always have a place to go home to. On the same day I saw Marcel off, I met up with my fieldtrip manager, colleague and dear friend Kate, after about 4 weeks. A lot of things to catch up on ofcourse and lots of things to laugh about! I also welcomed the last batch of VSO volunteers, including my new colleague at Yulin college. It is strange to realise we are the last of the Mohicans here in China; another farewell coming up……in 2 years’ time. I was their buddy during this last week, which basically means seeing them around the campus, taking them to the office, perhaps do some sightseeing together, in short: being a buddy. It was fun, as I also got to see a lot of other volunteers who were in Beijing this week to set up the national VSO Conference for the end of May. Beijing starts to feel like my second home here in China…..
Anyway, as I said before: it was a week of hello and goodbye. On Monday I had to say goodbye to Kate, who went back home and on Thursday another goodbye to Ellie, who is also heading back home. I had a great time with the both of them, in Yulin and travelling and I will miss them lots. Life is definitely going to be different this term and the following ones. Fortunately, my new colleague Donna seems to be looking forward to our working together and I am sure we will have a great time as well. Now it’s time to start packing up my stuff, say goodbye to Railene (another VSO colleague and friend) and get a taxi to the airport and finally go home to Yulin again. I missed my house and I missed my students. It’s time to get back to work again, settle in again and look forward to a new term with new adventures and hopefully some new visitors and passers-by.
Looking forward to hearing from you all or meeting you somewhere in China!
Take care……