Little things become big.

Today, on my way to the kindergarten, I noticed a Chinese man staring at me and giggling. Nothing new though, right? So I continue on with my book, ignoring my fans, sitting in my luxurious bus seat when a couple minutes later I hear, "Nǐ zuò de hěn hǎo?"  (Are you doing fine? / how are you?) I turn to see the same giggling man gawking in my direction with the silliest grin on his face. With that facial expression how could I not try to pick up the conversation with this guy? 

"Wǒ zuò de hěn hǎo. Nǐ ne?" (I am doing fine, and you?)
The grin fades and turns into the toothiest smile I've ever seen, obviously taken by surprise that I could speak some Chinese.
"Nǐ shì piàoliang!" (YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!)
"hahahaha Xièxiè" (same translation / thank you!) 

Then he starts speaking in English because what Chinese business man would let the opportunity pass by of practicing English with a foreigner?

Keep in mind this smile is glued to his face the entire conversation.

"You have the most beautiful hair I have ever seen!" 
My hair is in a ponytail.... 
"I have traveled to New York for work and I still have never seen such beautiful hair. I think you are the most beautiful person I've ever seen!"

My cheeks turn beet red, "Do you want to touch it?" And I promise you, this was said in the most sarcastic way possible. ANYONE and I mean anyone would be able to tell that I was joking, but him? No way. His face lights up like a Christmas tree, and I have never witnessed faster movement of getting out of your beloved bus seat (which you don't come by easily), throwing people out of your way and galloping with arms pushed out like a zombie. 

Before I can even take a second breath his hands are tangled in my ponytail, and for a slight moment I was sure a pair of scissors were going to appear and he was going to chop it off to hang on his wall. Maybe sleep with it on his pillow? Haha it was just too good. 

The craziest thing to me is that when I first got here it was always the big things that weirded me out or got me excited. But now the big things are normal life. They are just the same as maybe someone at home starting a pot of coffee. A small amount of pride has tingled throughout me by knowing I have made this bazaar experience into a life. I am a fiend for things like this to happen. I watch someone get hit by a bus and it's not even cool anymore because it happens all the time......

That was a joke. 

But my point is I love that something as simple as my hair can make someones entire day. Two random strangers made each others days without trying, without getting hit by a bus, without singing opera on the Great Wall. 

And then when I get to my stop and say goodbye he replies with, "Stay beautiful!"
Sweetest thing.

xoxo