In the United States, whenever I would get Chinese food I would first try to use the chopsticks and then promptly give up and use a good old reliable fork. Now being in China, I do not have a fork to fall back on when I find myself unable to transport food the short distance between the table and my mouth using only two sticks. At dinner the first night, I began to learn how to properly use chopsticks. Since then I have had several lessons and I have learned that you can hold chopsticks many different ways to get the job done; however I have also realized that the process of mastering chopsticks can be a slow and hungry process.   As the food spins by on the lazy Susan, I often find myself spending a few minutes just to pick up one small piece of food. Each time I successfully pick up a piece of food, I feel like I have won a small victory in the bigger battle of learning the art of chopsticks. Some people who have already mastered chopsticks find it amusing to watch me struggle. The girl who showed my around the high school in Dalian found my struggle with chopsticks quite entertaining. Every time I would successfully pick up a piece of food, she would cheer me on with a “very good!” or a “you’re getting better!” At one point I was struggling with picking up my rice so much that she handed me a soupspoon and told me to use that instead.   I persevered, however, and somehow managed to eat the rest of my rice without the help of a spoon. I cannot wait for the day that I too have mastered the art of chopsticks and can show off my new skill to my friends at home.