On My Way

I woke up to a room I didn't recognize. Where was I, and what was I doing? It all started clicking. I was panicked. I jumped out of bed, checked the time and started dialing a friend of the family as to not startle my mother.

"Ellen, it's Natalie." I began crying. My voice was shaky and my nerves were so tight that I felt I might throw up. "I'm in Minnesota waiting on my flight. It's in six hours. I got a hotel room to pass the time and I just woke up and I'm freaking out and I don't what to do and..."
"Natalie, it's going to be ok. Tell me about it."
"Well I just realized I'm going to fly across the ocean to live with strangers. I have no idea where I'm going. I don't know why I'm doing this. I'm just freaking out. I haven't slept in awhile. I just woke up but I feel completely disoriented. I'm scared to get on that plane. I'm scared to not get on that plane."

 I did get on that plane, and after that plane, I got on another to finally arrive in Italy. After crying and talking with our dear family friend, I realized I did have a choice. But I'd already made it. I was going to spend the summer in Italia. I cried myself to sleep as I prayed out loud. "Please God, let me sleep. Let me be ok. Give me strength to do this."

I'd been fantasizing so much about how much fun I'd be having in Northern Italy that I forgot to actually face or consider any fears about committing to live with a family I'd met on the internet, to be their daughter's teacher and nanny for three months and to live among people I couldn't even talk to other than 'yes, no, my name is, where is the bathroom, thank you, you are welcome.' I was so busy fantasizing about the vineyard, the vacation to Croatia and the plans I had to meet my mother when it was all over for a two week jaunt around Rome, Florence and Capri, that I didn't even consider this fear that was now gripping me.

As the passengers boarded the plane, my aunt Julie prayed with me over the phone. This would be my last call on my cell phone for three whole months. "God, allow Natalie to have a wonderful, safe flight today. Allow her to have peace while she journeys to meet with this new family..." As she prayed, I realized though making the journey alone, I had people behind me, supporting and loving me. I wasn't alone and I couldn't do this alone.

I took my seat at the end an aisle of six other coach seats. Sitting next to me was an old women, very old in fact. 'Wow,' I thought. 'If she can make this flight, surely I can!' She turned to me. "Excuse me dear, but I cannot seem to find the other piece of the seat belt." We began chatting as I helped her fasten in. She was on her way to see her son in London and to see her grandson graduate college. This was my longest flight until I connected in London to the outskirts of Milan.

Suddenly I remembered my grandmother's blue eyes and as I grasped her crucifix around my right hand, I felt her with me. She didn't have to say anything. I knew I was ready to have this adventure. Fear's grip began to loosen its hold all together. As the plane took off, I was sure I was on my way to the best summer.

My home for a couple months in Italy.

My other home in Italy.

Sailing around Croatia.

Trip to Capri, Italy with my mother.

Whatever it is that inspires you, especially if it scares you too, you should probably do it.

Life in This Big City

Life in this big city isn't always easy. However despite my displeasure at times, I am filled with the blessing of having what I need for this today. The recent earthquake that has shattered too many lives to understand, the displaced Haitians and visitors who just like me were going about their daily lives until disaster struck, the day that defined life would never be the same for them again is to put it simply, hard to understand.

What I always find amazing and encouraging such as in 9/11, the tsunami, and now this example of vast destruction in a matter of minutes, is the people who stand up. Those strangers who take control and help souls in desperate need. As I watch the news report from afar, I remain encouraged at the unwavering spirit of humanity. Evil exists. Yet watch while good triumphs.

I can only hope that if one day I find myself in a similar situation I will be able to help someone or that someone shall arrive for me to give me the help I need. For today my prayer goes up to the Creator of all humanity for comfort, patience and peace. For the strength of his hands to be with those helping the lost, scared, injured and lonely. Let's not wait for disaster to strike to find comfort in His hands.

A song that brings comfort:
By Alicia Keys
"That's How Strong My Love Is" Click on Song #6 to hear for no charge.
http://www.aliciakeys.com/us/music/element-freedom

"Through the shake of an earthquake
I will never fall
That's how strong my love is"

Do You Take Bubbles in Your Tea?

With the encouragement of my Chinese friend, Fangfang (sounds like pong), I was sipping my first cream Jasmine Green bubble tea through a jumbo straw. The bubbles, made of rice, mingle with the ice in this special cold tea. That is if you take it with bubbles. I have to admit, I would order it again. I wasn't sure if I should chew the bubbles that are gooey or just swallow them.

After we finished our tea, we started walking around the Hong Kong City Mall of Houston. Fangfang began to enlighten my ignorance about Chinese culture. I've been her friend for two years, but I suppose I was awakened to the unfamiliar sights and sounds around me. I felt as if I had entered a small Asia in the middle of the city I now know as home.

Shark Fin's soup. Yes, this is what the label on the soup can indicated was waiting inside.

"Ok, who eats this?"

"Very rich people in China," she replied.

'Then what do the poor eat?' I thought.

Culture shock. The foods of cultures other than mine are shocking at times. My husband, of Mexico, has an exotic palate. He's more likely to try new foods and appreciates a variety of cuisines. I'm more apprehensive. Growing up, we had spaghetti once a week. And sometimes-leftover spaghetti the next day.

But now I'm envisioning worms because Fangfang just revealed she likes bamboo worms. Apparently bamboo hosts a worm one can hunt and eat with pleasure. I'm not a fan of worms but in all honesty I've never tried them so I cannot say they are half as tasty as the fake gummy candy I sometimes chew on long road trips and loved as a kid.

Our food adventure did not end there. Yao Ming owns a restaurant in Houston so we decided to check it out. To Fangfang's delight it, the two items we ordered were definitely the style one would experience in China. I tried Wong Tong soup for the first time. I liked the soft wong tong filled with ground beef flavored soup with green onions. The dessert was even better. The description sounded like a doughnut but thankfully was much more unique. The fried bread is hand held and is dipped into a cream sauce. It is sweet but not so sweet one feels sick like after eating a normal doughnut one would find in the States. And I should know because I had three of these Chinese bread-like doughnuts. I was left without the usual regret as well.

As we enjoyed Yao's restaurant, Fangfang described an experience in a  particular high end restaurant in Shanghai or 上海. For the right price, one can enjoy their meal with added benefits. The staff prepares their customers for the complete enjoyment of the meal. The aim: to relax the guest so they might enjoy their meal to the fullest. First, guests are seated on couches in front of flat screen televisions and given hot towels and simple back and head massages as they get ready for their feast. This is included in the overall price of the meal. Each guest has their personal waitress leaving no detail neglected. Each guest soon begins the many courses which are presented with artsy flare, and according to Fangfang, the highest tastes in the perfect food order.

So despite the exotic or sometimes downright scary foods various cultures consume, I have gained the appreciation of the variety. And of the chance I might even like it. While my taste buds may lack an adventurous spirit, they actually appreciate change. Maybe not all change. The most shocking item she described was cocoon. One finds a cocoon, drops it in the hot oil and when it stops moving, one knows it is ready to eat! I cannot imagine the sight or taste but again I'm told it is very yummy.

And like Mexicans I know, she likes and eats pig's feet. But who am I to turn my nose up? I eat items I have no idea where they originated from (other than perhaps engineered by in a mad scientists' lab) nor know the long term effects. Take a box of crackers (made in U.S.A. of course) from my pantry. Ingredients listed, "disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate, yellow 5, blue 1". That reminds me, I should get the recipe for Wong Tong soup, and blue 1.