Every morning I get up at 5:01. I walk downstairs to my bathroom where I turn on my steamy shower then sit on my toilet. I hop in the shower, spend about 12 minutes singing and bathing. I wrap my fuzzy pink robe around me, and then make my way to the kitchen. I usually eat a bowl of Lucky Charms drowned in icy cold skim milk. I eat my cereal in the living room while I watch Good Morning America. After I slurp my milk down I plop my bowl in the sink, get dressed then drive my mom to work, then I go to my best friend's house.
....and this is my Monday through Friday routine....
I love being on a routine, having a schedule that I follow everyday with no interruptions. China definitely did not coincide with this routine. After waking up I would go to the bathroom. I knew that if I had to use the bathroom sitting not squatting now was the time. Taking a shower was not so luxurious it was a quickie, in then out and do not open my mouth. My fuzzy pink robe was left at home due to the weight limit for my luggage. Breakfast was "American" which meant there was the choice of eggs. I decided it was in the best of my interest if I didn't drink the milk, because of the recent Chinese milk scare. Therefore, breakfast consisted of eggs and orange juice. Then it was off to our charter busses to see what our day was going to consist of.
….and this was my ILSSO routine….
My trip to China was amazing; it was the experience of a lifetime. It also made me realize how lucky I am. Better yet that I am blessed. Blessed because I can drink the water that comes out of my showerhead with no worries, or because I have indoor plumbing, maybe because I have several different news stations that keep me up to date with the government that I have the ability to influence. Blessed in the sense that I do not have to live in fear because my family has more than one child.
Americans in general take the simple things for granted, but if we would just look at all the little things some countries don’t have we would feel like a million bucks. So the next time you sit down on your porcelain throne, do your business then when you need it the toilet paper is within an arm’s reach, think to yourself thank God I’m an American.