Don’t get excited, this isn’t a poem. I just liked the title
and I really like Mooncakes. Well, I don’t like all Mooncakes. God knows, I
cringe when I break open a cake that is filled with “sweet meat.” It’s the sweet
bean fillings that I like most. Since the taste of green beans has been
introduced to me, I’ve been obsessed. Green beans for dinner, green bean
yogurt, green bean ice cream and now, green bean moon cake.
Yesterday was China’s
Mid-Autumn Festival. This festival, like most festivals in China, is about the
union of families. Families sit together, eat moon cakes, and look out for the big full
moon in the sky. Too bad, it was cloudy here in Neijiang-but the celebration
continued despite this. My host family had taken me to their country side home
just 20 minutes outside our small city. It reminded me very much of Punjab; green everywhere and the smell of cow dung greeted me as we drove along the
rough rode into my host family’s drive way. My time with the family is always joyful. As my
family and I sat eating moon cakes and watching HBO (yes, I know!), my host-mom
turned to me and said-next time you come to my house, don’t worry yourself and
buy us anything.”(During training, we were advised that once in a while it is
nice to bring our supervisors and host-family fruit, go out with them-spend
time-just to build a good report.) I said “…but I want to show my
appreciation for you all.” She said, “I feel appreciation in my heart.” We
smiled at each other and continued to eat. I’m still going to bring them fruit
every once in a while…
Ode to Other Things:
Living on my own has consisted of quite interesting
experiences. For one thing, I have finally cleaned my kitchen. Meaning now, I
can finally cook in it. Living on my own-in my first apartment, which I could
NEVER afford in NYC-in another country-definitely has its ups and its downs.
For one thing, I tried grocery shopping for the first time. I prepared a list
before I left and I should have known that would be a little sample of the
overwhelming feeling I would get when I entered the market. I saw too much at
one time, and I knew very little of what to buy. My mom and sister had always
teased me about this when I decided to help out at home by going grocery
shopping for my family. I bought only what was on my list, I never looked at
the sale prices, and I always spent more than I should on all the wrong shit.
As soon as I saw all the vegetables and meat laid out on display at the open
market, all I could think of was- How do
I know if a tomato is good or bad? Should it be hard or soft-not too soft, I
know, but just how soft? Do onions go bad faster if their skin has already been
pealed? Should I buy meat now or the day I want to cook it? Do I need ginger?
Eggs-if they are already expired, but don’t have black spots all over them, are
they still good to eat? Fortunately, my site-mate did come with me, so most
of these questions were answered. Yet I felt deeply embarrassed and I was so
incredibly overwhelmed that I wanted to walk out of the market crying. All I
had for myself at the end was:
2 red peppers
1 big onion
3 garlic bunches?
2 gingers
Half a bag of rice for a rice cooker I don’t know how to
use.
Knife
Lint brush, which was a golden discovery.
2 bags of Salt
Cooking oil
2 packs of frozen dumplings (the only thing I’ve “cooked,”
and by cooked I mean boiled, so far. On
some nights this has saved my life).
When I got home-I sat
there-almost in tears because I had never done this before;take care of myself.
Well, I have done this before, but not in the aspect where I was living by
myself. Some of you may be laughing at my
stupidity or claiming that I am being over dramatic, again. Yet, I can’t help
feeling this way-this is a good feeling-although I felt terrible. I need to go
through this-being on my own-being a full-fledged adult. Everyone goes through
this at some point in their lives and how they overcome it is what makes them
grow. When I make my first meal, which will be chicken curry, I will be proud
that I’ve made one step forward to living on my own and growing up.
Little by little I will make the wonders of China my home,much of it already is, and I will introduce myself to it as it has to me. I will let down all my guards and truly be myself, and not be sorry for doing so. I will learn how to create and master several delectable dishes. Soon, when I look back at my starting point here, I will laugh at my beginnings and be ever so grateful for the journey!
