Elevators

I have been considering myself quite lucky as of late. I attend school on the 12th floor of Building B near the World Trade Center in the little division of SOHO. The ability to actually get into the elevator is quite an achievement. For the Chinese it is an art form, for the American it is nearly impossible. I watch as my Chinese counterparts will come out of no where, push and prod, and next thing I know they completely surpass me to enter the elevator first.

The unassuming little girl will just elbow and push until she has completely knocked me out of the front of the line and slithers into the elevator like a little snake. It began to infuriate me and I began to push back, but in reality, that is simply not my nature and made me uncomfortable at the least. I do not like this game of push and shove - and I really do not like it when I have a hot coffee in my hands and a 25 lb backpack hanging off my shoulder.

Recently I have discovered that the elevator closest to our classroom rarely has passengers. Actually, I am not sure I have EVER shared it with a Chinese National. I will press the button, wait patiently, and then BOOM, like magic my lonely little elevator appears. I jump in - quite pleased with myself and often feeling like I have 'one up' on them all for being smart enough to get an elevator all to myself.

I began talking about my elevator in class today. I said how saddened I was that in a relatively new business district the elevator is in such poor condition. You see, the inside is lined with heavy sheets of plywood, it has been grafittied over time and it is rather smelly. I just felt bad that out of the 6 elevators located on my wing of the building that this one is in such obvious disrepair. It wasn't until today, when I was relating the story, that several classmates began to snicker. When I asked what they found so funny about my 'good fortune' they let me in on the secret. I have been taking the garbage elevator! No wonder it actually 'smelled' like garbage. Oh, to live and learn....

Tonight I went out with a couple of girls from class for a couple of beers. I have a lesson due tomorrow and it will be finished in the wee hours tonight. In retrospect, I can justify that I should have passed on the invitation and come directly to my room to prepare. What I am realizing though is that I am gaining as much 'experience' from the people in my class as I am from the people who attend my class. It is priceless and valuable. I got to share about my family, my life, and most importantly - My GOD. It was awesome. I couldn't have asked for a better night.

One thing I have learned while I have been here is to shed the ideas I have of what is below my comfort level. I have delved deep into my thoughts about what I can and cannot live without, what I need to make me happy, and what I can give rather than receive. You see, I looked at the elevator as 'good fortune' not 'garbage'. I realize that knowing what it is doesn't really change much for me. It is still transportation, and if it gets me to the ground floor faster - well, I will most likely continue to take it. I may smell a little less desirable, but what the heck, it's only 12 floors and no one seems to notice :)