Conversations That Matter
Today is my first day at my new job. This is a really good thing for me, I'm very happy about it.
Something I treasure in my friendships: good conversation. Most of my friends, the thing I remember most about them are the conversations we have. They make me laugh, think, ponder, consider, and enjoy life.
In China, I learned to appreciate good conversation because I could get around and do my daily duties, but I couldn't have in-depth conversations in Chinese; I really looked forward to and enjoyed the times I spent with other English speakers, just talking. One of my favorite nights in China was the night my girlfriends C. and E. and I hung out in a cozy Chinese bar, all soft couches and cushions and low light, talking about all the issues we face as women in China, in the world, in our own lives. I felt so supported and inspired by these ladies. R. and J. and I have had countless great talks on similar topics, and our experiences in education/jobs/relationships/living. They are all phenomenal women. There are other girls I met there I didn't get to spend a lot of time with, but what I remember about them is the interesting and wise things they had to say. I know so many phenomenal women, I am so lucky!
I remember the first time I spent time alone with T., I was pretty nervous (he knows this, I've told him) but he was so easy to talk to I immediately felt at ease. I have fond memories of putting in a movie, then shutting it off after half an hour because we were enjoying our conversation too much and not watching the movie at all. I love that my last night in Chongqing I spent just talking with V. in a really cool Irish bar downtown. It was a nice capstone to my time in China. (J. had school stuff out of town and T. and R. were traveling (separately) with visiting family or I'm sure they would have been there too.) I'm really lucky to have made so many friends in China I enjoyed talking with so much. It saved me there.
Good conversation inspires me, uplifts me, and makes me feel supported and connected with people. If I lost my ability to listen or speak, that would be a real hardship.
Other Cs I love:
Cascarones (and a woman wearing them as a hat at Fiesta in San Antonio)
Camel the color, especially for boots, coats and purses
Corn tortillas; not just a love, a dietary staple
Something I treasure in my friendships: good conversation. Most of my friends, the thing I remember most about them are the conversations we have. They make me laugh, think, ponder, consider, and enjoy life.
In China, I learned to appreciate good conversation because I could get around and do my daily duties, but I couldn't have in-depth conversations in Chinese; I really looked forward to and enjoyed the times I spent with other English speakers, just talking. One of my favorite nights in China was the night my girlfriends C. and E. and I hung out in a cozy Chinese bar, all soft couches and cushions and low light, talking about all the issues we face as women in China, in the world, in our own lives. I felt so supported and inspired by these ladies. R. and J. and I have had countless great talks on similar topics, and our experiences in education/jobs/relationships/living. They are all phenomenal women. There are other girls I met there I didn't get to spend a lot of time with, but what I remember about them is the interesting and wise things they had to say. I know so many phenomenal women, I am so lucky!
I remember the first time I spent time alone with T., I was pretty nervous (he knows this, I've told him) but he was so easy to talk to I immediately felt at ease. I have fond memories of putting in a movie, then shutting it off after half an hour because we were enjoying our conversation too much and not watching the movie at all. I love that my last night in Chongqing I spent just talking with V. in a really cool Irish bar downtown. It was a nice capstone to my time in China. (J. had school stuff out of town and T. and R. were traveling (separately) with visiting family or I'm sure they would have been there too.) I'm really lucky to have made so many friends in China I enjoyed talking with so much. It saved me there.
Good conversation inspires me, uplifts me, and makes me feel supported and connected with people. If I lost my ability to listen or speak, that would be a real hardship.
Other Cs I love:
Cascarones (and a woman wearing them as a hat at Fiesta in San Antonio)
Camel the color, especially for boots, coats and purses
Corn tortillas; not just a love, a dietary staple
Comments
On Friday night my friend, Maribel, and I spent a couple of hours talking about everything and nothing over dinner and I felt as though I recharged my batteries...so to speak. :)
It warms my heart that you made so many wonderful friends while in China; the kind of people who you can really learn from.
I have a feeling they feel the same about you.
I have never seen one of those hats before, um, that is interesting.
Ok, I am loving where you are going with your posts...I just figured out you are hitting the alphabet. Genius!
Break a leg, so to speak. ;)
And yes, conversations mean a lot to us guys too...
I bet you make a great conversationalist.