Apartments, Frienships, MRI's and Driving School

Today was one of those days.  Not "Oh, this day is so horrible!  Can I go back to bed?"  And not "I'm so happy I could skip for joy."  It was a weird mixture of up and down. 
First we embraced the down side.  I got a call this morning saying that the apartment that I had fallen in love with and was hoping to live in next year was not going to happen.  Major down.  I was so sad.  That place was so me.  Oh, well...move on.
The next was a weird combo of up and down.  I left school at noon to go get an MRI.  (Yes, that's right...my bum ankle is still not healed after 8 weeks and the doctor is worried.)  Obvious downer...that and it was my first MRI, so I was nervous...a little farther down....and then I had to lay still on a hard mat on my side without moving at all for 40 minutes...My poor right side and knee were very unhappy when I was finally allowed up.  Deep, deep, down down.  Not fun.
The up side was that my wonderful friend, Mimi, agreed to go with me for the MRI despite being super busy already.  Mimi is a wonderful friend and we had such a great talk before my MRI.  I'm so glad she was there.  She put a bright spot of happiness in the middle of...well....go back and read the previous paragraph if needed.  Another happy thing was that the MRI was not scary at all.  Just loud, boring, and uncomfortable.  Doctors have definitely thought up worse forms of torture then laying still for 40 minutes.  (As a side note, doesn't it bug you how you have no itches/no need to pee until you are told you can't move?  Seriously, what is this?  Reverse psychology?)
The best "up" of the day was when I was walking home from the bus stop after the MRI (I know, I know...taking the bus and walking after an MRI on my bad ankle?!  What was I thinking?!  I did it anyway.)  I was walking up the street towards my home when I saw it.  A Chinese fire drill!  A real Chinese fire drill with real Chinese people! (In case you don't know, a Chinese fire drill is when a car full of people comes to a stop light and everyone changes seats.  The goal is to be back in your new seat and ready to go before the light changes. *No mom, I never played this game.  Scouts honor.*) 
Ok, so back to the story.  I was walking down the road and this yellow car with black writing drove by going really slow.  No biggie.  People drive slow here all the time.  Then I got a little father up.  Here was the same kind of car with different people.  It was stopped on the side of the road and everyone was quickly changing seats.  Huh?  The car then proceeded slowing down the road.  And I mean slow.  I'm pretty sure I was gimping faster.  Totally weird, but ok.  Then a third yellow car comes around the corner.  I look behind me and the other car is still there.  This really is a third car.  They stop in the same place and do the Chinese fire drill with slightly more confusion then the last group. 
At this point my brain is trying to understand.  Why do we have three yellow cars driving super slow in the same area and playing Chinese fire drill?  Then it hits me.  It's Chinese driver's ed.  I laughed the rest of the way home.
Luckily the evening went up from there as I got to spend time in good conversation with good friends.  I really like it when iron sharpens iron and I'm grateful for the friends who are willing to do that to me...even when I didn't think I wanted it.
So, odd day.  Funny at times and bad at others.  I'm glad it ended on a good note.  And I finally got to see a Chinese fire drill.  It is officially time for bed! :)

On Being Temporarily Crippled

It has been seven weeks.  Seven weeks ago I was walking to fellowship with my roommate.  We were talking and I didn't see the loose brick in the sidewalk.  Next thing I knew, I was on the ground with what I knew was a sprained ankle.  Despite my inherent clumsiness, I have never really sprained my ankle.  So, not knowing what was ahead of me, I decided to suck it up because I was sure I would be better in a week...two tops.
One week went by.  Ouch, but I can do this.  Two weeks went by.  I tried so hard not to let the pain rule my life.  Three weeks went by.  I dragged my brother all over Qingdao and was exhausted at the end.  Four weeks went by.  I started to get discouraged.  Five weeks went by.  I was discouraged and worried and lonely.  Six weeks went by.  I finally went to see the doctor.  He told me to keep resting.  I finally started asking people for help.  Here we are at seven weeks.  I can sometimes walk without crutches but only for short distances.  I'm starting to leave my house again.  And I feel much better emotionally...because I asked for help.
I have no idea why, but I have always had a hard time asking for help.  I try to take care of everything on my own...When I finally humbled myself enough to ask for help, I found people ready and willing to help me.  I wish I had asked for help the first few days.  This would have been so much easier. 
So, to answer the question that all my closest friends love to ask.  What has Dad been teaching me through this?  He has been teaching me humility, patience, endurance, strength, peace, contentment, friendship, and so much more.  So, can I say that if I had to do this all over again would I?  Ummm...no.  But I'm glad Dad was working in it all the same.  And I'm going to keep asking Him to strengthen my leg so I really truly can have my life back again.  I miss being able to walk a couple miles with no problems.  And dear, dear friends...THANK YOU!  Thank you so much for all you have done to care for me during the last seven weeks.  I would not have been able to do it without you.
PS - Try not to use crutches in China.  You have to walk too much, there are tons of stairs, and no one caters to you.  And I had three people dash in front of me yesterday when I was out and almost take both of us down.  Ick.