I arrive in Jinan

Two hours before my flight arrived, my stomach decided to bug me. I couldn't eat, I couldn't even *cry*. It wasn't sickness, nor homesickness, this was a feeling I have never felt before. I was Excitement and completely rarefied at the same time. I didn't know how to react to my host family who didn't speak English or who couldn't even pronounce my name correctly, but that wasn't what I was worried about. The stupid thing about me, is that I love planes, but I don't like the process of getting on the plane, or getting off of it. I am not good at finding my way around open areas. I probably won't feel any better if everyone spoke English. All I wanted to do was to get through that one day, to get to where I needed to go, and then when I get there, pray with all my might and thank God for my safety.

My flight was delayed due to air traffic, but that didn't worry me because I knew it would come sometime. While I waited, I read the Book of Mormon. I could feel the eyes that watched me and I would stop once in a while just to stare back and think at them "Hey, ya that's right! Stare all you want, cause I'll be here for a long time bucko!" Maybe that was the slight anger I had because of the wait until the plane arrived. But when I got to the gate, I felt so much safer and I began to read my patriarchal blessing. I felt the spirit and was able to breath again.

I don't remember the plane ride very well because I was so exhausted. I do remember getting a slight ear ache though. When I reached the baggage arrival area, I felt weak and lonely, like the
worst was coming. But when I got to the exit of the airport, I could see smiling faces, joyful laughs were signaling to me, that's right! ME! It was like I was home again, it was like they were waiting for one of their own. The mother of Eagle and Linda grabbed me and hugged me right when she reached me. Of course, the boys there, like Eagles brother, the driver and Eagles dad, were too shy to do so, but they said hello instead of swinging me around, like my own mom would do. Eagles brother's son was there and I felt bad that they were waiting and wondered why they brought the little boy to such a boring arrival. Ya, I mean, it's just an American who will be living in Jinan till next year!

As we drove back to their home, I was worried most of all whether or not they would have a real toilet. But it went even better. I live upstairs, with a full sized bed and my own bathroom with a shower in a large room that has a view of Jinan and also a room that leads outside to the roof.

I tried to communicate to her that I didn't want to take a shower, but that I would in the morning. The bed was comfy enough and I was so grateful for the way they treated me.

I woke up at about 6:00, then 7:00 then I finally got up to take a shower at 8:00. I waited to see if there was hot water and amazingly, there was. It didn't take long for the hot water to come also; it felt great.

I went downstairs and waited till Eagles mom arrived from her bedroom. I watched the live turtles crawl around in a bowl while I waited, and then I looked out the big window of their apartment and discovered where I was. My mom and dad called at 11:00 am and they gave me good advice about learning the language and being involved with my host family's lives. I knew it was going to be fine.

I ate lunch with them. They fed me too much and I had to turn some food down just so I didn't throw up on the table. I felt bad for wasting some food, but then Eagles dad took my soup and drank it down. I don't know why they thought I could eat so much food. I already explained to them I was full, but of course, they probably didn't understand and just wanted me to try new
things. The soup was tasteless and green. It thought it would taste like pea soup, but it's China. I ate the spicy onions, beef, potatoes and carrots, but the Squash was cold and soggy and I couldn't get it down. I taught her the words "spice," "onion," "potatoes" and some body parts like "cheeks" and "nose". We have been teaching each other and she says that tomorrow I will write things for her in English and she will write things for me in Chinese with the English and teach me words. She is a really good person, and I already feel so welcomed by her :)

Mattie