PROLOGUE

"I'm scared. Can I really do this by myself? Is this even a good idea? I can barely have a basic conversation in Mandarin." I mutter to myself as I walk to the line to board from LAS to TAO. I follow the person in front of me as I frantically grab my passport with my flight ticket inside, "It'll be fine. Everything will be A-OK!" I accidentally stumbled and dropped my flight ticket.

As I bent to pick it up, I felt a blunt force upon my forehead. BAM. I shot back up at a standing position mortified. "I AM SO SO SORRY! ARE YOU OKAY!? IS YOUR HEAD OKAY?!" I look down to see a man rubbing his forehead while chuckling.

"Haha! I am fine. How are you doing?" He says while picking up my flight ticket and standing up. "Here, this is yours." He said, while handing me my ticket back.

"Thank you so much! Again, I am so sorry. I appreciate your help." I said apologetically with embarrassment in my voice, looking down at the ground.

"Not a problem, Jennica." He said.

"How does he know my name?" I looked up at his light brown almond eyes. I stopped for a second, just staring.

"Jennica?" He asked.

I quickly snapped out of my creeper moment and apologized. "Sorry, I just got lost in your eyes. I don't think I've seen someone with light brown eyes like yours. It's beautiful."

"Thank you..." he said shyly as he rubbed his neck, unsure of how to respond.

"Ma'am. You're next." The employee at the counter stated as she attempted to get my attention politely.

"Oh right! So sorry! Here you go!" I hand the counter employee my ticket and was off to board.

"Qingdao, here I come!"

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-sounds of typing on keyboard-

Hello everyone! Welcome to my TEFL adventure blog! My name is Jennica Li. I'm a 22 year old Chinese American born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada! My parents are originally from Qingdao, China.

With that being said, I decided to teach English in my parent's hometown so I can spend time with my grandparents and family over there. I never really thought I'd go through with this. Especially because my Mandarin is barely understandable, and I haven't lived in anywhere else aside from Vegas.

I've been struggling a lot with who I am in America. I look Chinese, but I don't feel Chinese. I feel like I'm missing a part of who I am.. Am I just American that looks Chinese? Or can I be both?

At this point, I don't know who I am or what I want to do. I don't know anything. I am stuck.

My mom suggested I teach English in Qingdao and spend time with my grandparents, while trying to use that time to really understand what I want to do. So I decided to do it! I'm really hoping this helps me.

Please, let this be what I need.

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