Where's She Been?

You may be asking, "Where has China Doll been?"

And the answer is, right here. Right where I'm sitting, typing, almost falling asleep. I'm on Earth, in Asia, in China, in Nanjing, at Hohai University, in Building 7, in my bed.

"But China Doll!" you gasp. "You're supposed to be helping typhoon victims in Bohol! You were so excited! Why are you sitting on your bed?"

I'm sitting on my bed because my internet only works when I sit on the right hand corner of it.

I'm in Nanjing because I injured the outer meniscus in both my knees. It was painful, but worse, it was a drag. My whole life came to a halting stop. All my plans, my last two weeks of classes at Hohai, my vacation. I was living off original flavored Goldfish and the kindness of Natalie and Lela, who brought me groceries and gummy worms respectively. I had some hilarious experiences at a Chinese hospital and some not so hilarious experiences with the insane cost of getting an English translator for a Chinese orthopedic doctor.

"But China Doll!" you gasp. "Doesn't that mean you had an insane amount of free time where you could have been blogging, making us laugh and cry along with your misadventures?"

Yes, I could have. But I didn't. To be honest, I was just too depressed. And I had very little to report, unless you're interested in my Netflix viewing habits. I kept the shades drawn and the fleece Walmart onesie on. I got up to get water, use the bathroom, and get food. I was a mess. I knew my trip had to be delayed, maybe even cancelled. I could barely say it out loud without tears welling up in my eyes, let alone post about it.

But then, something wonderful happened. The anti-inflammatories kicked in. The smelly herbal patches on my knee made me feel wonderful. I started seeing an American physiologist, who told me, yes, I would return to my normal life (my Chinese orthopedic doctor had other ideas.)

With the doctor's blessing, I rebooked a new flight, with one week at the All Hands volunteer campsite instead of three. Swimming in the crystal blue waters of Anda Beach could help my rehabilitation, the doctor exclaimed! But still, I'm far from healed. I'm still in pain on a daily basis, which leads to my next point...

Now, I feel conflicted. After I cancelled my flight, I had found things to look forward to here in Nanjing so I wouldn't be so sad about my trip. I'm worried about my knees in the work environment, sleeping in a tent, and traveling. I'm worried about the weather. I'm worried about the cost of the "vacation" portion of my trip because of how much I've had to pay to the doctors/rebooking fees. I'm worried about the length of the trip. I'm worried that Evan will turn our apartment into a brothel à la Risky Business.

But here I am, packed and ready to go. One week with All Hands, and a week and a half at Anda Beach (learning how to scuba dive, I hope!) So prepare for an update upon my return, and don't lose faith. I'll start posting more often, now that I have actual news to report. China Doll is going away for a bit, but she'll come back... she always does!