Rebecca A. Foster

Next week I have to go to the dentist, so I thought you might like to hear about what that’s like. The Peace Corps has a designated dentist we go to in Chengdu, the city where PC headquarters is located. They’ve verified her skills and credentials, materials and clean water supply, so that’s why we all have to go to her. Here’s how the trip goes: I take the bus 1 1/2 hours to the train station in my city. (On a good day—one time it took 2 1/2 hours and I missed my train.) I take a two hour train to Chengdu (yay, high speed trains!). In Chengdu, I take a 45 minute bus from the train station to the university where Peace Corps offices are located. I walk 25 mins from the bus stop to the PC office, near the campus hotel where I check in to spend the night because I don’t have time to take the train back the same day. I walk 25 mins. back to the street, then take a 20 minute bus ride to the dental office. After my appt. is over, I have the evening to hang out in Chengdu. In the morning...

I started packing to go back home, and here’s what it looks like so far: I left most of my clothes in China, so I don’t have a lot to take back. So hey, why not candy, pretzels, bacon bits and pudding? Underneath all the candy etc. there are jars of salsa, jalapenos and hot sauce wrapped in bubble wrap tucked inside Ziploc bags. -------------------------------- So, completely changing gears, here are the deep thoughts of my late night mind: you know that moment at the end of the movie when the slightly awkward girl gets a makeover and wows everyone away?  And then sometimes, she turns around and walks away, leaving That Boy who didn’t like her enough for who she is in her high-heeled dust? I love that moment. (Watch from about 7:45 in this video for a great example.) It’s not politically correct to love that moment, but deep down, I still have my own little fantasy makeover moment, where That Guy I just wasn’t girlfriend material enough for realizes how girlfriend-m...

I really like Jake Gyllenhaal, mostly because he kinda looks like a caveman, like he could get stuff done. I like that. I should have been born in the year 3000 B.C., I'm attracted to men who are physically strong and can do stuff. Is that so wrong*? (I'd also put Vin Diesel in this category.) *And who also have a brain, a sense of humor, and are kind. I ask for a lot, I know!

I get this question a lot: "Are you so sad you have to go back to China?" Umm... no. I'm  not sad. But I don't feel like I can say this (especially when it's family members asking me). I feel guilty telling them I don't mind living in China, like I'm a traitor to my home culture Those who have been following this blog know that this was not always the case. My first year was awful; I was very overwhelmed and unhappy. But somewhere along the way, I adapted and adjusted, and it became my home. I think it's wonderful that we, as human beings, can be so adaptable. I've mentioned over different posts the things I like about my life there: the low crime rate, the fresh food, the exercise, the friendships I've made, etc. But the biggest reason is this: every day I learn something new, and every day is mentally and physically stimulating . I love studying Chinese because it keeps my brain working constantly in that environment. And besides the langua...

My birthday weekend in Vegas was awesome! Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I forgot my camera (again!) but I have been to Vegas several times. Here are some of my favorite pictures from past trips: A view of Las Vegas Blvd: Me and a friend I met there: A bride waiting at a bus stop at 2:00 AM: Kids playing a joke on David: Vegas, there really is no place like it in the world. I had a great time at Sephora, Rebecca bought some super strong pigment silver eye shadow ( Urban Decay in Vapor ) and nail polish ( Sephora OPI in Queen of Everything ) for my birthday. I'm really into strong metals these days. My little brother got me this awesome Michael Kors costume jewelry perfume ring from Sephora. I love it! My friend and I had a good time, and I ate many delicious foods. (That is Chinglish, btw; they aways say 'delicious foods' to describe all foods.) I'd say more, but you know the rule! Haha. I have a few more days left here, I'm trying to get everything done. Time...

My first week back I was in the grocery store parking lot late at night. I was opening my car door when a girl approached me out of nowhere. She asked me, "Can I ask you a question?" I finished opening the door, threw my bag onto the far seat, and pushed the door open between us. She wasn't that close to me, but I was instantly on guard. I'm not sure why, but I didn't trust this girl. She was dressed in exercise clothes and seemed fine, but it is not normal to approach strangers in the parking lot at night and ask them if you can ask them a question. I said, "Yes, but please don't come any closer." She faltered a bit, then said, "Do you know where an Autozone is?" Huh? You're in the parking lot of an open grocery store! You go inside and ask if you need one that badly. I said, "No, I don't." while simultaneously getting in the car and shutting the door. I don't know what that girl's intentions were, but something a...

This weekend it’s my birthday (go Pisces!), so I’m heading to Vegas for a long weekend. One of my best friends, FloJo, also has a birthday this weekend, and it’s tradition for us to celebrate together; we missed last year because I was in China, but this year, it is ON. She lives in Vegas, so this is an easy and fun trip for me. Our big plans are to shop and eat (sorry T., no poker, you forgot to give me money!) and perhaps see a movie. Did you know Sephora gives you a free gift on your birthday? They do! So we’ll be hanging out there as well. (Sephora ties with Target as my happy place—I’m a make up and skincare junkie.) I love the shops along the Strip. I can’t afford anything, but it’s fun to look. And speaking of looking… …thanks to The Hangover , I can’t think of Vegas without thinking of Bradley  Cooper. He’s not even really my type (I'm usually not attracted to fair, blue-eyed guys, although there was a big exception), but there is something about him that is really attra...

I've had a week and a half now to adjust to being home again (albeit temporarily-- a week and a half of leave to go!). I adore so many things about being home. Here is a short list: 1. My family. I got to spend time over the last week with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. My cousins and I were raised to be close, and I love them so much. The hardest part is seeing how downhill my grandmother's health has gone. Dementia is terribly sad. It's tragic we can become so lost in our own mind. I know many of you have also gone through this with someone you love, and you know how sad it is. 2. Bathtubs. I love hot baths, and I have been indulging myself frequently! 3. Indoor heat and instantaneous hot water. What a treat! 4. Clothing in my size; I forgot I'd ever fit into clothes sold on the rack again. I've been enjoying trying on summer dresses and finding cute, simple things to take back with me for my last summer in the furnace of Chongqing. 5. Hummu...

I mentioned yesterday being critical about some aspects of American culture, and honestly, all of them are about food. Americans have a reputation in China for being extremely friendly, nice and helpful, and I definitely noticed these qualities as I returned. It’s not that the Chinese don’t have these qualities, but they are usually reserved in the public sphere for people you are friendly with or who can help you in some way; it’s not necessary to be friendly to strangers. From the Customs agent to the guy selling me my Diet Coke at the local gas station, I am constantly reminded of this aspect of American culture that I really appreciate. But advertisements for food, and the process of eating out, have really disappointed me. Disclaimer: I haven’t seen any American advertising in a year, so suddenly being bombarded with it perhaps causes a heightened reaction to it. Here is my overall concern: why do we spend so much time and effort trying to make unhealthy food ‘healthy’? Chip...

1. I made it back to the U.S. with no problems or delays, all luggage in hand. It is miraculous we can fly halfway around the world in less then two days. I am really grateful for my smooth sailing trip. 2. Being home...has been an adjustment. I feel a little shell-shocked by everything around me. It'll pass, but I've spent some time trying to absorb this lifestyle again. I'm really critical of some of the things I see around me, and I didn't expect that. I'll talk more about this later. 3. I've already experienced some fish-out-of-water moments: I accidentally spoke to someone in Chinese at the Los Angeles airport. I went to the grocery store in the middle of the night (hello, jetlag!) and when I was done checking out, I couldn't remember what to do with my cart. Do I return it to the front of the store? Leave it at the cashier's station? I honestly could not remember. And there was no one else around for me to look at as an example. I took it back ...

Most Unusual Food Eaten : ‘Drunken Shrimp,’ or, raw shrimp soaking in a bowl of Chinese rice wine. The wine gets the shrimp drunk/dead, and they are eaten raw. I ate one (1). It wasn’t too bad, but I wouldn’t eat one (1) again. We also ate this yummy stuff, which we picked out beforehand from the live menu: Most Ego Gratifying Moment : Andrew bowing down to my awesome genetic makeup, which allowed me to spend days on the beach without burning. (He spent... minutes before turning red.) Most Comfortable Moment : Beach chair, blue sky, sunshine, the gentle waves of the South China Sea. Ahhhh… (Picture taken by Andrew.) Most Life-Affirming Moment : Stepping out of the airport into the clear, fresh air of Hainan Island. After the smoggy, sunblocking cauldron of Chongqing, I could almost feel the oxygen rushing back into my brain. And the lingering skin rashes I’ve been having? Gone. Pollution sucks, yo. Most Regretted Missed Tour Opportunity : The ‘Archaic Sacred Beast Fa...