Finally Met Kangkang!

Anyone that knows me or who has read this blog in the past, knows one of my favorite people in all the world is a Cambly student I met online from Taiwan. KangKang or aka now Ayla and I have been speaking for 3 years regularly and she has readied herself for all the necessary English tests to get her into a university for a PHD in Kinesiology.

When applying to different schools, the Universe answered and got her into OSU. Of all the places she applies, O-H-I-O! I couldn’t believe our fate! I immediately promised to pick her up from the Columbus airport and help her transition into her studio dorm room.

I literally got to the airport an hour early in anticipation. I wasn’t even sure if I would recognize her in a mask and full bodied 🙂 But the minute she came through the security point and aimed towards the hand sanitizer, I said her name out loud and she turned and ran into my arms!

I sent her a trendy “Be Kind” tee and she wore it on the flights over to greet me. I had a “Good Vibes” rainbow dress which shrunk on me (….blame it on the laundry) so I cut it off and layered it to meet her. Matching rainbow messages. Finally we meet!

It was as if we knew each other forever. It really wasn’t odd at all meeting her in person, just excited to have her physically with me. To drive together, talk for hours, help. I was honored that she allowed me to welcome her and go through the process of checking in to OSU. I honestly had never been on that campus before only to the bars surrounding the area from years past.

We arrived at 10 pm and we were able to check in, grab a bin and unload.

Cute welcoming sign with a sketch of the dog in training’ that recently departed to his new home.

She explained that there is a saying, blessing of sorts, that they say before they enter a new home. She spoke it rhythmically as I snapped this photo.

The next day her she gave me a gift from her mother. A very cool culturally printed purse and inside was a wooden hand painted comb that another student, Lily, from China sent to KangKang to give to me.

I feel so blessed to be able to connect people from around the world. I introduced my two shy students from cultures in conflict, (Taiwan and China) that I knew would get along and support each other. They became instant friends and I am beyond touched that they orchestrated this surprise gift for me.

We literally spent 3 plus hours in Target, pricing out options and getting starter home needs. I told her I couldn’t do the groceries there, because it was just too much. We needed to check out and head to the grocery to load up with a different mind set.

Earlier that morning, I picked her up at 8:30 am and she got her student ID, opened a US bank account, got a US phone number, shopped Target and Kroger and then unloaded again.