Chapel Hill and My Saturday

Busy busy busy... So much stuff (as usual) has happened since my last blog. First of all, I was informed that I am going to be singing the National Anthem at the Greensboro Grasshoppers game this summer on July 7th. The game is at 12:30, just in case anybody wants to come.

Well then comes along a crazy Saturday. In the morning, I went with Josh to teach an English class for Chinese kids. He did most of it this week, but for the Saturdays remaining in my trip, I will be the primary teacher... Kinda scary, but hopefully it will all work out; they know an incredible amount of English vocabulary, so that will help.

Then I went with Josh to campus where, after eating lunch, I played some pickup basketball and a little tennis. It was fun, but I learned something about Chinese pickup sports: they never quit!!! After what seemed like 2 hours of playing 3 on 3 basketball in the blazing hot sun, I was in desperate need of water and rest. However, they didn't speak much English at all and of course, my Chinese is no better. So that meant I had to keep playing until this "endless game" ended. Finally, we kinda stopped for water and some of the guys grabbed their stuff, so I took off to the tennis courts where Josh was hitting around with three other guys. By this time, I had a pretty annoying headache. After a while, Josh wanted a break so we traded his racket for my resting time and I played a little tennis. Chinese students also apparently never get tired of playing tennis... even in the hot sun. With my headache growing steadily worse, I really wanted to take a break and sit down. I ran through all of the Chinese words that I have learned so far, trying to figure out something to say to tell them that I wanted to rest. Finally, I figured out how to say "I am tired" in Chinese. I said it and one of the guys told me to rest, so I gratefully sat down and drank the pepsi he had bought for me (unfortunately, he had no water).

After a long time of being at campus, it was finally time to go home. Josh and I got to the car and drove back to the apartment. We got there and when we were halfway up the stairs, Josh said he forgot something in the car. I went back to get it, came back up the stairs, and was ready to unlock to the door. However, before I did so, I notice an envelope taped to the door that said "Joe, open this before you come inside"... As I opened it, I wondered if it was my "you have not been accepted to Chapel Hill" letter; but then I thought, Josh and Danielle wouldn't be cruel enough to make me open that outside. I unfolded the paper and noticed the old well picture that is on the top of the UNC letters. I think my heart skipped a beat when I glanced down to the first line of the letter; I saw "It gives me great pleasure to offer you admission..." I couldn't believe it. I remember saying "Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness," as I unlocked the door.

When I opened it, Josh, Danielle, and six of our friends were standing there in a line and busted out in the UNC fight song. It was such a great surprise and I really appreciated it. I was so in shock. After they finished singing, they all congratulated me. It was then that I realized how shocked I was; I hadn't even noticed all of the decoration. There was a huge UNC flag hanging from the ceiling, the table was covered in a UNC table cloth, there were UNC plates, UNC napkins, and a UNC cake; not to mention some of the UNC grads there were wearing UNC shirts. It was really cool... Very UNC concentrated for sure!!!

After I got over the initial shock of being accepted to THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL, we went to dinner with some of Josh and Danielle's friends. We had so much fun. The dinner conversation was very interesting: we talked about the earthquake that had happened that day (apparently there was a very small earthquake in that city that day. Unfortunately, I didn't have the pleasure of feeling it. Oh well, maybe the next one). We also talked about hilarious things that these two couples have noticed/experienced during their time in China. Oh those stories were hysterical.

So anyway, that was my Saturday. Mmhmm it was incredible. I really appreciated, enjoyed, and am thankful for that day