While swimming in a Suzhou pool attempting to avoid people swimming width-ways, those loitering in various places in the pool (like floating obstacles), and those swimming diagonally, yes diagonally, it occurred to me that I need to focus on a great principle that I’ve recently relearned myself while teaching English to Chinese students. Yes, I have become the student from one of my own lessons. Anyway, I realised that I have to stop trying to change China. All I can do, in simple terms is focus on the things that I can change or fix and do that, however small or minor. For the things that I can’t change (like possibly people swimming diagonally in a 25 metre swimming pool), I realised that I have to accept them, not worry about them or get frustrated, and simply move on. Do what you can, but don’t stress about it.
I just signed up for a year's membership at a new pool a few weeks ago. I made sure that they'd have pool markers and that they'd be used. They agreed with my request, but it turned out that there would just be two markers on either end (ie lane 1 and lane 8 etc). Still, better than nothing. One reason why I agreed to sign up with this pool is that it looked a bit more exclusive (less staring while you're getting changed, swimming etc) and they appeared willing to use the pool for it's actual use - swimming laps. Anyway, by my third swim, the pool markers dissappeared, apparently "broke" was the reason.... no doubt some of these uneducated swimmers were probably pulling on them, leaning on them etc.... so they're broke - probably won't return, I bet. When I first saw the pool they didn't have them, and I suspect that in the back of my mind that they were only there because I said I really want them. So without the markers, out goes any semblance of order, and people start swimming any direction, and just kind of clustering around in groups in the middle of a pool... you end up running into other people, you get the picture... So I just try to do my thing without stopping much, then get the hell outa there. If you stop for a breather, you notice everyone trying to get a few good stares in (of me). Ah, whatever. So I was thinking, all I can do is to ask them a couple of times politely to reintroduce the markers, and if or when they don't, I'll just have to accept it...
Tracey left for Australia last Wednesday - so the secret's out. Everyone knows anyway, right? She surprised her mum in Sydney, I heard it was good. I'm still here in China for another two weeks and then I'll leave and we'll meet up in Brisbane where will be for three weeks. I'm really, really, REALLY looking forward to Australia. I want to see some blue skies again!
