Life isn't supposed to be confusing is it? ...Didn't think so. BUT, mine has been lately! Life in Him is peaceful and a joyful surrender to what He wants.
I'm tired of trying to do make my decision about next year based upon what everyone else wants. I don't even want to make it based upon what I want. I know myself well enough to know that if I DO make a decision for someone else or for myself, it still won't be fulfilling enough. Why? Cause I fail myself and others will continue to hold their expectations above my head--I'll never be what they want me to be or what I may want myself to be. Maybe I don't have goals. Maybe I'm lazy? I don't think so. I just beat myself up too much if I live that way and burn out quickly. He has to be the only voice I listen to, or else...I'll feel like I do right now...CONFUSED!
The past year and a half has been difficult at times. It has been an amazing experience. The people I've met, the experiences I've had...learning the language, getting around town on a bike, eating the local food, living alone and feeling alone at times, finding community within the single girls here as well as young families that are working out here, the school where I get to teach--with so much freedom and doing what I absolutely love. There has been freedom and excitement doing what He called me to do in May 2009. Why would I want to leave it?
Thinking about going home (as much as I love home and miss it often when I slow down and think about how much I miss at home) sounds like this dream...this life I'm living here, which has so much purpose and excitment in it would suddenly come to a halting end. I don't think I'd have direction at home. Am I doubting Him? He would give me purpose in anything I do--He's always there, but...if I'm already doing what I love and feel Him around me here, why should I leave?
I know how so many of you feel reading this. "Why can't she do the same thing here?" "We need people in the States doing the same thing!" "Does she feel like she's better than us?" ...No. NO. NO! I realize the need at home. I realize that I'm missing so much--and that kills me too.
There is a part of me that doesn't ever think I'll fit back into the "american mold"...how can I? Why should I? I don't want to! One of my fears in coming home is not having a place to belong. Life has moved on at home. I've changed over here too. I don't fit the cookie-cutter mold. I don't want to. Maybe I'm rebellious? I want to live a wild and crazy life. Is that wrong? I can't take what I've already experienced in China and hanging out with people from all over the world here--an international community and go right back to living in one part of the states, hanging out with the same kind of people all the time and burying my love for people from all countries and cultures. I will never have a "home" the rest of my life. I don't ever want to! Sure, I would love to maybe settle some day--live the dream life...but is that what He wants? I don't want to be content. I fear getting in a place of complacency. Maybe some of ya'll do live the dream life and have settled and you aren't complacent. That's great! For me, it would be a temptation.
I'm rambling and can't figure out how to organize my thoughts. Sorry.
All this to say...I have a decision to make in 11 days...to stay or to go. I don't know what to do. Everyone at home is voting "come home!" Everyone here is giving me advice to "do what He wants...and have a peace about that decision." Guess what? I still don't know. I'm torn. I've fallen in love with the community here. It changes every year. It is never the same. It's hard. It's not an easy life. Sometimes I think I'm crazy for loving it so much. Sometimes I wonder if I'm fooling myself. Do I really love it? But...when I think about the life I would go home to, the excitment of life dies. I get a depressed feeling. I don't see what's ahead when I think about that--everything gets a shady color of grey. School? Live at home? No car. No money. No anything. Where do I fit back in (I know ya'll would accept me back in, but...it's been a long time that we've been apart and clicking again...does it happen?)? So many questions.
Confused.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Day of Tears
Hmmm...Here's me being transparent. Completely. I don't have anyone to directly share with right now...because it would kind of be embarassing to do. But to all of you...millions of miles away....here it is. Thank you for the release.
I have spent time alone (which my family could tell you that I often do anyway), but sometimes I don't exactly use that time wisely. I guess I would consider the time recently used for better purposes--self evaluation, prayer and reading. Hmm. Hard stuff! I don't think I do it enough. It has brought me to sobbing tears today. As I write my chin is quivering and my eyes are watery.
I was reading Jonah today (spurred to read it after reading "Your God is too Safe"--Chapter 4--TY Christa for the book!). One verse in particular hit me hard. It pierced my heart. Jonah 1: 12 says, "And he said to them, 'Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.'" How often does our disobedience affect people around us? All the time! Every time. ...We arent' the only ones that are affected by our own selfishness...etc. I cried today because I know that my disobedience--deliberate disobedience has affected so many people around me. It's affected them all in different ways. They might not care that much. Some of them might be like, "Let's throw her out of the boat." Some are saying, "I don't want 'innocent' blood on my hands though!" Let's just get one thing straight. None of us are perfectly right. We do affect each other. I know there is grace--which also made me cry today. I just can't help but drop big tears and blow a snotty nose over those who I've hurt. Those who I have been a poor witness to. What if they never come to know this kind of love and LIFE? It's my fault! I know He's bigger than me--and can do the impossible. However, I have a responsibility to follow. Follow no matter what. I have a Father who loves me more than anyone ever could. He has once again extended His arm out to me and brought me back to Him. Thank you, Father.
Okay...(sigh), I'm tired and need sleep now. Or else there will be tears in the morning.
I have spent time alone (which my family could tell you that I often do anyway), but sometimes I don't exactly use that time wisely. I guess I would consider the time recently used for better purposes--self evaluation, prayer and reading. Hmm. Hard stuff! I don't think I do it enough. It has brought me to sobbing tears today. As I write my chin is quivering and my eyes are watery.
I was reading Jonah today (spurred to read it after reading "Your God is too Safe"--Chapter 4--TY Christa for the book!). One verse in particular hit me hard. It pierced my heart. Jonah 1: 12 says, "And he said to them, 'Pick me up and throw me into the sea. Then the sea will become calm for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.'" How often does our disobedience affect people around us? All the time! Every time. ...We arent' the only ones that are affected by our own selfishness...etc. I cried today because I know that my disobedience--deliberate disobedience has affected so many people around me. It's affected them all in different ways. They might not care that much. Some of them might be like, "Let's throw her out of the boat." Some are saying, "I don't want 'innocent' blood on my hands though!" Let's just get one thing straight. None of us are perfectly right. We do affect each other. I know there is grace--which also made me cry today. I just can't help but drop big tears and blow a snotty nose over those who I've hurt. Those who I have been a poor witness to. What if they never come to know this kind of love and LIFE? It's my fault! I know He's bigger than me--and can do the impossible. However, I have a responsibility to follow. Follow no matter what. I have a Father who loves me more than anyone ever could. He has once again extended His arm out to me and brought me back to Him. Thank you, Father.
Okay...(sigh), I'm tired and need sleep now. Or else there will be tears in the morning.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Skool Dayz
My name is Hanna my job is go to sckool. I am Jan my job is to be a techer. Yo my name is toto my job is to eat. What is your job for to day?
One student calls out, “teacher, teacher!” I look over and his foot is stuck in the chair and he’s trying to get out.
After reading a story about pumpkins and how they grow, the students were going to be assigned to write a sentence about one of the steps and draw a picture of that step. Before we let the students go back to their seats and begin working, we wanted to check for understanding, so we had the students help tell us how pumpkins grow. The last step is “eat and enjoy” (of course, right?)…well one student (a little boy) turns to another student (a little girl he happened to have a crush on) and said, “If you was a pumpkin, I would eat you up!” What is hilarious is he’s not from Georgia…he’s definitely an English Language Learner. Shame on us for speaking incorrect English that he gets to mimic. :-/
During thanksgiving time: “I love smashed potatoes!”
Working on vocabulary and using it in a sentence, “I have lived on earth for 8 years” and “Cheese is popular.”
I was acting as a bad kid in class while students were playing school. One child walked up and began to watch us play and said, “this is better than watching a movie!”
“Thank you for teaching us.”
“Miss Shoe, I liked when you taught us today. That was fun!”
“I want to move to Mrs. Lester’s group,” said one of my students.
“Why?” asked another girl in my group.
“…because Mrs. Lester is……and she has poofy hair!”
“That’s it? That’s the only reason?”
When you’re 100 years old, you know everything! (One 1st grader said while writing about what she’ll be like when she’s 100 years old).
NEEDS WANTS
A hug a kiss
food sushi
(this is a first grader...oh boy!)
Miss Papon asked the 1st graders, “What is the 1st thing you do when you’re in the bathroom in a lock-down drill. A student replies, “you pull your pants up!” with a serious face.
Hope you enjoyed stepping into a few of my humorous yet gratifing days as a teacher
One student calls out, “teacher, teacher!” I look over and his foot is stuck in the chair and he’s trying to get out.
After reading a story about pumpkins and how they grow, the students were going to be assigned to write a sentence about one of the steps and draw a picture of that step. Before we let the students go back to their seats and begin working, we wanted to check for understanding, so we had the students help tell us how pumpkins grow. The last step is “eat and enjoy” (of course, right?)…well one student (a little boy) turns to another student (a little girl he happened to have a crush on) and said, “If you was a pumpkin, I would eat you up!” What is hilarious is he’s not from Georgia…he’s definitely an English Language Learner. Shame on us for speaking incorrect English that he gets to mimic. :-/
During thanksgiving time: “I love smashed potatoes!”
Working on vocabulary and using it in a sentence, “I have lived on earth for 8 years” and “Cheese is popular.”
I was acting as a bad kid in class while students were playing school. One child walked up and began to watch us play and said, “this is better than watching a movie!”
“Thank you for teaching us.”
“Miss Shoe, I liked when you taught us today. That was fun!”
“I want to move to Mrs. Lester’s group,” said one of my students.
“Why?” asked another girl in my group.
“…because Mrs. Lester is……and she has poofy hair!”
“That’s it? That’s the only reason?”
When you’re 100 years old, you know everything! (One 1st grader said while writing about what she’ll be like when she’s 100 years old).
NEEDS WANTS
A hug a kiss
food sushi
(this is a first grader...oh boy!)
Miss Papon asked the 1st graders, “What is the 1st thing you do when you’re in the bathroom in a lock-down drill. A student replies, “you pull your pants up!” with a serious face.
Hope you enjoyed stepping into a few of my humorous yet gratifing days as a teacher
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
I can almost smell it!
I miss home. As going about my day today, home was on my mind. As I folded laundry on my bed, I wanted mom to talk to and I wanted to be folding with her. As I thought about what to do about dinner (and having really no possible options), I missed mom's home cooked meals. I miss having noise in the house. I miss calling mom, dad or Jamie and talking about stuff randomly. I miss driving. I miss the grocery store (I saw it on Gilmore Girls last night and got really excited). I miss the ease of everything. I miss the beach (looks like I won't be going swimming, or maybe not even touching the sand--you have no idea how much that depresses me!). I miss Panera Bread (I think I've mentioned that a few times before)...I miss cleaning (we have a house helper that comes three times a week--what?!...I know, I know...but I really miss cleaning). I miss laying on the couch with family all in one room. I miss drinking daddy's sweet tea after he just sat down on the couch after a long day...haha. Love you dad! I miss pestering Jamie...trying to snuggle in bed with her and her finally getting so upset that she yells...haha. I miss Jared asking me to do something with him randomly. I miss the fridge being full of food most of the time...(it is rarely full here)...I miss the pantry (what is a pantry?!). I miss shopping. I miss just going and looking and trying on but not always buying. I miss just walking in the mall...just because. I miss dressing up and "looking cute" and going downtown with friends. I miss a lot. I miss people. I miss Grammy and Grandaddy being so close to home and riding mom's bike to their house. I miss family gatherings at their house. I miss Grammy's cooking too! Soon...I won't have to miss. I'm kind of worried that even though I'll be home, I'll still be missing all of these things in my heart. How does home do this to us? Love and miss everyone!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
You know you live in China....
...diarreaha has become a way of life.
...cars on the sidewalks seems normal.
...cars on the wrong side of the road seems normal.
...an errand that would take 20 minutes in the States takes 2 hours to do here (at least).
...when people talk about weird things they eat--and it's "normal".
...when children pee on the street.
...when on your way to school you hear 15 peoploe hawk up a loogie.
...when you see raw meat on the way to school.
...when you're sharing your bus seat with a chicken.
...when you see an entire family on a moped.
...when men are riding bikes together.
...when getting back home takes over 24 hours to travel.
...when you can't buy clothes or shoes because you're too big.
...when you get hollared at "hello" while riding your bike (my personal favorite--"hello laowai!" --out of a car. it means hi foreigner!...or that one time the little boy yelled, "Hello! I love you!" haha)
...when time is never really set (dad you'd fit right in here...you can always be late--except to work).
...when 12 people can eat a meal under 100 kuai ($15).
...when you go to the store and the wife charges one price and the husband charges another.
...when you can afford a house helper and a bike guard.
...when everyone is wearing heels while hiking (no lie!).
...when you become the tourist attraction.
...when a random person invites you into their house and treats you royally.
...when you send your kid out at night with no fear or reservations.
...when buildings are torn down to plant trees and trees are torn down to build buildings.
...when the trees have water IV bags hooked up to them.
...when the cars are on the sidewalk and people are on the street.
...when the public bus is only 1 kuai (14 cents).
...when going to the restroom is a social event.
...when you can eat a real hot dog.
...cars on the sidewalks seems normal.
...cars on the wrong side of the road seems normal.
...an errand that would take 20 minutes in the States takes 2 hours to do here (at least).
...when people talk about weird things they eat--and it's "normal".
...when children pee on the street.
...when on your way to school you hear 15 peoploe hawk up a loogie.
...when you see raw meat on the way to school.
...when you're sharing your bus seat with a chicken.
...when you see an entire family on a moped.
...when men are riding bikes together.
...when getting back home takes over 24 hours to travel.
...when you can't buy clothes or shoes because you're too big.
...when you get hollared at "hello" while riding your bike (my personal favorite--"hello laowai!" --out of a car. it means hi foreigner!...or that one time the little boy yelled, "Hello! I love you!" haha)
...when time is never really set (dad you'd fit right in here...you can always be late--except to work).
...when 12 people can eat a meal under 100 kuai ($15).
...when you go to the store and the wife charges one price and the husband charges another.
...when you can afford a house helper and a bike guard.
...when everyone is wearing heels while hiking (no lie!).
...when you become the tourist attraction.
...when a random person invites you into their house and treats you royally.
...when you send your kid out at night with no fear or reservations.
...when buildings are torn down to plant trees and trees are torn down to build buildings.
...when the trees have water IV bags hooked up to them.
...when the cars are on the sidewalk and people are on the street.
...when the public bus is only 1 kuai (14 cents).
...when going to the restroom is a social event.
...when you can eat a real hot dog.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
"Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore..."
Wow!
So today...I went out to dinner with a little girl that I teach at school (cute little Malaysian girl) and her mom with another teacher. We were at this nice little Italian restaurant, right?! Ok...well the owner/waitress/chef/bossy woman is kinda odd...she doesn't have the whole, "whatever the customer wants" mentality. I watched her turn away customers tonight. In case you're wondering, she's not Chinese, she's Italian. She makes all of her customers call in and reserve a table in her little, quaint restaurant (if you can call it that).
Well, so after thinking, "hmm...that was kinda pushy" or "why did she just say that? wouldn't you say something more friendly to ensure business?" She was kind of rude to the mother that I was with, and a little impatient. I understand somedays people have bad days and that effects how they interact with others...but seriously?!
Here's what finally pushed me over the edge: I asked the other teacher if we could yarp before our meal. She agreed that it would be a good idea to do with this mother and daughter and so we asked them if it would be alright. Then, the other teacher began to yarp--thanking Gd for this little girl, asking for peace with their move to another country in a few months, thanking Him for the time we had to spend with them, and finally blessing the food. In the middle of the reyarp, I heard the owners voice and could sense that she was beside me. She tried to interrupt, but was unsuccessful. As soon as we all were done and looked at her, she leaned over the table and said, "You should be thanking me for the food, 'cause I'm the one making it! And, don't ever do that again. Customers get annoyed with that." WOW!
Let's just say the table was quiet for a few minutes until the mother decided to confront the "elephant left at our table" and discuss it and move on...
So today...I went out to dinner with a little girl that I teach at school (cute little Malaysian girl) and her mom with another teacher. We were at this nice little Italian restaurant, right?! Ok...well the owner/waitress/chef/bossy woman is kinda odd...she doesn't have the whole, "whatever the customer wants" mentality. I watched her turn away customers tonight. In case you're wondering, she's not Chinese, she's Italian. She makes all of her customers call in and reserve a table in her little, quaint restaurant (if you can call it that).
Well, so after thinking, "hmm...that was kinda pushy" or "why did she just say that? wouldn't you say something more friendly to ensure business?" She was kind of rude to the mother that I was with, and a little impatient. I understand somedays people have bad days and that effects how they interact with others...but seriously?!
Here's what finally pushed me over the edge: I asked the other teacher if we could yarp before our meal. She agreed that it would be a good idea to do with this mother and daughter and so we asked them if it would be alright. Then, the other teacher began to yarp--thanking Gd for this little girl, asking for peace with their move to another country in a few months, thanking Him for the time we had to spend with them, and finally blessing the food. In the middle of the reyarp, I heard the owners voice and could sense that she was beside me. She tried to interrupt, but was unsuccessful. As soon as we all were done and looked at her, she leaned over the table and said, "You should be thanking me for the food, 'cause I'm the one making it! And, don't ever do that again. Customers get annoyed with that." WOW!
Let's just say the table was quiet for a few minutes until the mother decided to confront the "elephant left at our table" and discuss it and move on...
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Changes...
So, I went back through and read some of my thoughts from months ago. It's crazy how we change...but if we don't think about it, we don't think we are changing. Sorry that I haven't written about anything real funny or what I'm doing from day-to-day. I guess life here has become more "normal" and things...even though they are interesting to me, I don't think they're special enough to share. Here's some of my thoughts lately:
I'm coming home this summer. I'm missing Jamie's 21st birthday. I'm glad I get to go to a wedding/ weddings this summer! I am not keeping up with friends as well as I should be. I really want to cook a good meal...but that's so complicated to do. Where is Publix? I really want a Rockin' Raspberry Fruit Smoothie from Tropical Smoothie. Wow, I knew I liked shopping, but I'm having withdrawals! Is that bad? I want a hair cut cause it's drivin' me crazy...but I want to grow it out again. Ahh...the beach is only a few months away (I went on the roof of the 14th floor this weekend to lay out...not quite the same). I miss people. I miss Tallahassee. I miss driving. I drank 8 20oz bottles of water today (is that normal? I'm still thirsty!). I'm reading Redeeming Love again...it's SO good! Who am I right now? I'm stressed. It's grading time again. Meetings 24/7 get old. It's already April! Where did time go? My bike still needs to be fixed... I just want to hang out downtown. It's been forever since I've been out of this neighborhood. I really like being outside when it's warm. Dance is fun, but do I really have to perform in front of all of my students' parents? Seriously?! I want to sit in the passenger seat of all of my friends and families cars and just talk...for hours. Road trip? I want to get dressed up and go out somewhere. I love Xiao Li, Xiao Liao, he Xiao Zhang...they're such good friends! I'm loving the conversations I'm having with people lately. I don't like routine...especially when it means that I routinely miss something else. There's so much to be done before next year. I need to clean out everything here...how do I accumulate so much junk? We only have 8 weeks left of school! It's almost been a year since I graduated. It's been over a year since the car accident. I like Korean and Japanese food a lot! My kids have grown so much! They're so smart now!! Time is going to fly this summer. I could eat a sub from...anywhere. I have to move before I leave China; our apartment is going to a family. Music is a gift from Gd. Thank you! I haven't talked to dad in awhile. Miss you, dad. I'm anticipating culture shock. I'm not really having it anymore here. Things are normal. What are conversations with people this summer going to look like? Will I shut down and not share? Am I going to throw my toilet paper into the trash can when I get home? ...that might be my biggest dilemma. I can't wait to go to chrch when I get home. I miss it. It's not the same here. Thank goodness for facebook, skype and e-mails. Why do I think so much? It's annoying sometimes. I just want to switch it off. Communication takes so much effort. So much listening. So much time. So much sharing. Communication is good, but hard. I get to teach tomorrow! And it's late...I'm going to bed. (Thanks for walking inside my head for a bit).
I'm coming home this summer. I'm missing Jamie's 21st birthday. I'm glad I get to go to a wedding/ weddings this summer! I am not keeping up with friends as well as I should be. I really want to cook a good meal...but that's so complicated to do. Where is Publix? I really want a Rockin' Raspberry Fruit Smoothie from Tropical Smoothie. Wow, I knew I liked shopping, but I'm having withdrawals! Is that bad? I want a hair cut cause it's drivin' me crazy...but I want to grow it out again. Ahh...the beach is only a few months away (I went on the roof of the 14th floor this weekend to lay out...not quite the same). I miss people. I miss Tallahassee. I miss driving. I drank 8 20oz bottles of water today (is that normal? I'm still thirsty!). I'm reading Redeeming Love again...it's SO good! Who am I right now? I'm stressed. It's grading time again. Meetings 24/7 get old. It's already April! Where did time go? My bike still needs to be fixed... I just want to hang out downtown. It's been forever since I've been out of this neighborhood. I really like being outside when it's warm. Dance is fun, but do I really have to perform in front of all of my students' parents? Seriously?! I want to sit in the passenger seat of all of my friends and families cars and just talk...for hours. Road trip? I want to get dressed up and go out somewhere. I love Xiao Li, Xiao Liao, he Xiao Zhang...they're such good friends! I'm loving the conversations I'm having with people lately. I don't like routine...especially when it means that I routinely miss something else. There's so much to be done before next year. I need to clean out everything here...how do I accumulate so much junk? We only have 8 weeks left of school! It's almost been a year since I graduated. It's been over a year since the car accident. I like Korean and Japanese food a lot! My kids have grown so much! They're so smart now!! Time is going to fly this summer. I could eat a sub from...anywhere. I have to move before I leave China; our apartment is going to a family. Music is a gift from Gd. Thank you! I haven't talked to dad in awhile. Miss you, dad. I'm anticipating culture shock. I'm not really having it anymore here. Things are normal. What are conversations with people this summer going to look like? Will I shut down and not share? Am I going to throw my toilet paper into the trash can when I get home? ...that might be my biggest dilemma. I can't wait to go to chrch when I get home. I miss it. It's not the same here. Thank goodness for facebook, skype and e-mails. Why do I think so much? It's annoying sometimes. I just want to switch it off. Communication takes so much effort. So much listening. So much time. So much sharing. Communication is good, but hard. I get to teach tomorrow! And it's late...I'm going to bed. (Thanks for walking inside my head for a bit).
Monday, April 5, 2010
Change by Bethany Dillon
My pockets are empty
Fear's such a thief
You know how that goes
I used to think
You couldn't love a mess like me
Then You came in so close
As my heart settles
You do the impossible
You change me, You change me
Thank You, Jesus
I can see You change me
Like a bullet in a wound
It needs to be removed
But only by You, only by You
And though I feel so stuck
The hope in Your eyes is enough
To change me, You change me
Thank You, Jesus
I can see You change me
Now that I see Your face
I'll never be the same
You change me, You change me
Thank You, Jesus
I can see You change me
Sin is so enticing sometimes. Thank goodness He comes near and draws us back to Him...even when we don't want Him to.
Fear's such a thief
You know how that goes
I used to think
You couldn't love a mess like me
Then You came in so close
As my heart settles
You do the impossible
You change me, You change me
Thank You, Jesus
I can see You change me
Like a bullet in a wound
It needs to be removed
But only by You, only by You
And though I feel so stuck
The hope in Your eyes is enough
To change me, You change me
Thank You, Jesus
I can see You change me
Now that I see Your face
I'll never be the same
You change me, You change me
Thank You, Jesus
I can see You change me
Sin is so enticing sometimes. Thank goodness He comes near and draws us back to Him...even when we don't want Him to.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Something to Consider...
Dr. Russell Moore has a convicting piece on his blog today. Here's the whole post (sensored a tad). (Thanks Rob for putting this up!)
Now these three abide: anger, outrage, and fear—and the greatest of these is fear.”
That’s not in the Book. But sometimes I wonder if I think it is.
The United States House of Representatives just passed a health care reform bill that I and lots of other Believers opposed. Such legislation should concern us. There are some bad consequences for the weakest and most vulnerable among us, principally unborn children. But should it also concern us that so many of us are talking today about how afraid we are?
Is it a problem that some of us who are tranquil as still water about doctrine and ecclesial mission are red-faced about Nancy Pelosi and the talking heads on MSNBC? Is it a problem that some who haven’t shared the Good News with their neighbors in months or years are motivated to vent to strangers on the street about how scary national health care will be?
It’s not that I think Believers should be disengaged from issues of justice (God forbid!). It’s just that I wonder if we wouldn’t represent our Savior and his kingdom better if we did it with a certain tranquility of Spirit, a tranquility that signals we’re not afraid of the rise and fall of temporal kingdoms and their policies.
The words “do not fear” and “don’t be afraid” are among the most common phrases on the lips of our Father—in both Old and New Testaments—and on the lips of his angelic messengers. I wonder why?
Isn’t it because “perfect love casts out fear” (1 Jn. 4:18)? Isn’t it because we “did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear” (Rom. 8:15)? Isn’t it because the Spirit prompts us not to “fear anything that is frightening” (1 Pet. 3:6)?
In fact, the H.S. through King David, in a context far more frightening than that of our own, calls us to “fret not yourself because of evildoers” who will soon pass but “trust in the Ld and do good” (Ps. 37:1-3).
Here’s why this matters.
Most of us don’t preach “hellfire and brimstone” sermons anymore, on hell and Gd’s judgment. But hellfire is exactly what J.C. said we should fear. “And do not fear the ones who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul,” our Ld tells his disciples. “Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28).
J.C. not only teaches this; he lives it. J.C. doesn’t fear the crowds attempting to stone him. He doesn’t cower before Pilate. He isn’t afraid of the Sanhedrin. He’s confident and tranquil, even when he’s being arrested. But when he faces drinking from the cup of judgment of his Father, he sweats drops of blood.
If we were half as outraged by our own sin and self-deception as we are by the follies of our political opponents, what would be the result? If we rejoiced as much that our names are written in heaven as we do about such trivialities as basketball brackets, what would be the result?
So if what you’re afraid of is a politician or a policy or a culture or the future of Western civilization, don’t give up the conviction but give up the fear. Work for justice. Oppose evil. But do it so that your opponents will see not fear but trust, optimism, and affection.
“So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13).
Fear Gd and, beyond that, don’t be afraid.
Now these three abide: anger, outrage, and fear—and the greatest of these is fear.”
That’s not in the Book. But sometimes I wonder if I think it is.
The United States House of Representatives just passed a health care reform bill that I and lots of other Believers opposed. Such legislation should concern us. There are some bad consequences for the weakest and most vulnerable among us, principally unborn children. But should it also concern us that so many of us are talking today about how afraid we are?
Is it a problem that some of us who are tranquil as still water about doctrine and ecclesial mission are red-faced about Nancy Pelosi and the talking heads on MSNBC? Is it a problem that some who haven’t shared the Good News with their neighbors in months or years are motivated to vent to strangers on the street about how scary national health care will be?
It’s not that I think Believers should be disengaged from issues of justice (God forbid!). It’s just that I wonder if we wouldn’t represent our Savior and his kingdom better if we did it with a certain tranquility of Spirit, a tranquility that signals we’re not afraid of the rise and fall of temporal kingdoms and their policies.
The words “do not fear” and “don’t be afraid” are among the most common phrases on the lips of our Father—in both Old and New Testaments—and on the lips of his angelic messengers. I wonder why?
Isn’t it because “perfect love casts out fear” (1 Jn. 4:18)? Isn’t it because we “did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear” (Rom. 8:15)? Isn’t it because the Spirit prompts us not to “fear anything that is frightening” (1 Pet. 3:6)?
In fact, the H.S. through King David, in a context far more frightening than that of our own, calls us to “fret not yourself because of evildoers” who will soon pass but “trust in the Ld and do good” (Ps. 37:1-3).
Here’s why this matters.
Most of us don’t preach “hellfire and brimstone” sermons anymore, on hell and Gd’s judgment. But hellfire is exactly what J.C. said we should fear. “And do not fear the ones who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul,” our Ld tells his disciples. “Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28).
J.C. not only teaches this; he lives it. J.C. doesn’t fear the crowds attempting to stone him. He doesn’t cower before Pilate. He isn’t afraid of the Sanhedrin. He’s confident and tranquil, even when he’s being arrested. But when he faces drinking from the cup of judgment of his Father, he sweats drops of blood.
If we were half as outraged by our own sin and self-deception as we are by the follies of our political opponents, what would be the result? If we rejoiced as much that our names are written in heaven as we do about such trivialities as basketball brackets, what would be the result?
So if what you’re afraid of is a politician or a policy or a culture or the future of Western civilization, don’t give up the conviction but give up the fear. Work for justice. Oppose evil. But do it so that your opponents will see not fear but trust, optimism, and affection.
“So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13).
Fear Gd and, beyond that, don’t be afraid.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Easy Granola Bars
Wish I had a picture of these. They're amazing! Thank you Cathy Letherer for the recipe. I'll post a picture once I've made them. Try them out for yourself though...
Grease a 9x9 in. square pan with butter.
Put into large mixing bowl:
1/2 c. corn syrup or malt sugar
1/2 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. brown sugar
1tbsp. butter
1tsp. vanilla extract
Heat in a microwave for 2 minutes, until a bubbly liquid. Then, add remainin ingredients below.
2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. rasins or dried cranberries
2 c. rice crispies
1/2 c. sunflower seeds
1/4 c. sesame seeds
1/2 c. nuts (almonds, walnuts, or peanuts)
Mix and press into greased pan and set for 1 hr. Cut into squares. May sprinkle chocolate chips on top while warm.
Grease a 9x9 in. square pan with butter.
Put into large mixing bowl:
1/2 c. corn syrup or malt sugar
1/2 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. brown sugar
1tbsp. butter
1tsp. vanilla extract
Heat in a microwave for 2 minutes, until a bubbly liquid. Then, add remainin ingredients below.
2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. rasins or dried cranberries
2 c. rice crispies
1/2 c. sunflower seeds
1/4 c. sesame seeds
1/2 c. nuts (almonds, walnuts, or peanuts)
Mix and press into greased pan and set for 1 hr. Cut into squares. May sprinkle chocolate chips on top while warm.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Unborn Babies in China...What Will the Consequences Be?
Tue, Apr. 21 2009 08:38 AM EDT
When Abortion Collides with Totalitarianism
By R. Albert Mohler, Jr.|Christian Post Guest Columnist
The vast nation of China remains under the control of one of the few surviving Communist regimes on the planet. Over the last two decades, that regime has redefined Communist economic theory, allowing private capital and a consumer market to emerge alongside state control and ownership. Nevertheless, the totalitarian nature of the regime reaches even into the most intimate dimensions of life. The most insidious example of this totalitarian impulse is China's infamous "one child only" policy.
The policy limits most Chinese couples to only one child. Reports of forced abortions and sterilizations abound. Couples in rural areas with a girl as their only child may apply for permission for a second child, in hopes of a boy.
The preference for boys is overwhelming in the Chinese culture, and especially in rural areas. The urgent desire for sons has led to two horrifying developments - the abortion of girls and the abduction of boys. The abortion of baby girls is now a well-established fact. The abduction of boys in China is less known in the West, but it is now attracting attention. As The New York Times reported April 4, 2009, "Although some are sold to buyers in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, most of the boys are purchased domestically by families desperate for a male heir, parents of abducted children and some law enforcement officials who have investigated the matter say."
The mentality behind the preference for boys is reflected in this comment made to the paper by a man who paid $3,500 for an abducted 5-year-old boy: “A girl is just not as good as a son. . . . It doesn’t matter how much money you have. If you don’t have a son, you are not as good as other people who have one.” The abduction of boys, usually very young, is now "a thriving business," according to the Times.
A clearer picture of the practice of aborting girl babies is also now available, thanks to the British Medical Journal. The picture is nothing less than horrifying. The arrival of ultrasound technology has made the identification of fetal gender a deadly reality for unborn baby girls. They are aborted by the millions.
The demographics are reported in stark terms:
In 2005 males under the age of 20 exceeded females by more than 32 million in China, and more than 1.1 million excess births of boys occurred. China will see very high and steadily worsening sex ratios in the reproductive age group over the next two decades.
In other words, the problem of the gender imbalance has now reached the point that there is, practically speaking, no way to do anything about the present generation. Millions of Chinese young men will have no opportunity to marry. The sociological impact is beyond imagination.
The British study points to a phenomenon known as the "at least one son practice." Many Chinese couples will do just about whatever it takes to have a son. If their first child is a girl and the couple receives permission for a second child, the report makes clear that the abortion of a baby girl at that point is exceedingly likely.
Consider this:
[T]he steady rise in sex ratios across the birth cohorts since 1986 mirrors the increasing availability of ultrasonography over that period. The first ultrasound machines were used in the early 1980s; they reached county hospitals by the late 1980s and then rural townships by the mid-1990s. Since then, ultrasonography has been very cheap and available even to the rural poor. Termination of pregnancy is also very available, in line with the one child policy.
As William Saletan of Slate.com explains, "It's a terrible convergence of ancient prejudice with modern totalitarianism. Girls are culturally and economically devalued; the government uses powerful financial levers to prevent you from having another child; therefore, to make sure you can have a boy, you abort the girl you're carrying."
Though sex-selection abortions are officially illegal in China, the totalitarian regime has made abortion a centerpiece of its "one child only" policy. Ultrasound machines and abortion clinics are available virtually everywhere in China - and both are put to deadly use.
Here we see abortion and totalitarianism hand in hand, resulting in the deaths of millions of baby girls and the abduction of at least thousands of young boys. When human life is devalued and abortion is state policy, the Culture of Death is institutionalized. When the "one child policy" and an ancient and ingrained preference for boys are combined, the womb becomes a deadly place to be a girl.
When Abortion Collides with Totalitarianism
By R. Albert Mohler, Jr.|Christian Post Guest Columnist
The vast nation of China remains under the control of one of the few surviving Communist regimes on the planet. Over the last two decades, that regime has redefined Communist economic theory, allowing private capital and a consumer market to emerge alongside state control and ownership. Nevertheless, the totalitarian nature of the regime reaches even into the most intimate dimensions of life. The most insidious example of this totalitarian impulse is China's infamous "one child only" policy.
The policy limits most Chinese couples to only one child. Reports of forced abortions and sterilizations abound. Couples in rural areas with a girl as their only child may apply for permission for a second child, in hopes of a boy.
The preference for boys is overwhelming in the Chinese culture, and especially in rural areas. The urgent desire for sons has led to two horrifying developments - the abortion of girls and the abduction of boys. The abortion of baby girls is now a well-established fact. The abduction of boys in China is less known in the West, but it is now attracting attention. As The New York Times reported April 4, 2009, "Although some are sold to buyers in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, most of the boys are purchased domestically by families desperate for a male heir, parents of abducted children and some law enforcement officials who have investigated the matter say."
The mentality behind the preference for boys is reflected in this comment made to the paper by a man who paid $3,500 for an abducted 5-year-old boy: “A girl is just not as good as a son. . . . It doesn’t matter how much money you have. If you don’t have a son, you are not as good as other people who have one.” The abduction of boys, usually very young, is now "a thriving business," according to the Times.
A clearer picture of the practice of aborting girl babies is also now available, thanks to the British Medical Journal. The picture is nothing less than horrifying. The arrival of ultrasound technology has made the identification of fetal gender a deadly reality for unborn baby girls. They are aborted by the millions.
The demographics are reported in stark terms:
In 2005 males under the age of 20 exceeded females by more than 32 million in China, and more than 1.1 million excess births of boys occurred. China will see very high and steadily worsening sex ratios in the reproductive age group over the next two decades.
In other words, the problem of the gender imbalance has now reached the point that there is, practically speaking, no way to do anything about the present generation. Millions of Chinese young men will have no opportunity to marry. The sociological impact is beyond imagination.
The British study points to a phenomenon known as the "at least one son practice." Many Chinese couples will do just about whatever it takes to have a son. If their first child is a girl and the couple receives permission for a second child, the report makes clear that the abortion of a baby girl at that point is exceedingly likely.
Consider this:
[T]he steady rise in sex ratios across the birth cohorts since 1986 mirrors the increasing availability of ultrasonography over that period. The first ultrasound machines were used in the early 1980s; they reached county hospitals by the late 1980s and then rural townships by the mid-1990s. Since then, ultrasonography has been very cheap and available even to the rural poor. Termination of pregnancy is also very available, in line with the one child policy.
As William Saletan of Slate.com explains, "It's a terrible convergence of ancient prejudice with modern totalitarianism. Girls are culturally and economically devalued; the government uses powerful financial levers to prevent you from having another child; therefore, to make sure you can have a boy, you abort the girl you're carrying."
Though sex-selection abortions are officially illegal in China, the totalitarian regime has made abortion a centerpiece of its "one child only" policy. Ultrasound machines and abortion clinics are available virtually everywhere in China - and both are put to deadly use.
Here we see abortion and totalitarianism hand in hand, resulting in the deaths of millions of baby girls and the abduction of at least thousands of young boys. When human life is devalued and abortion is state policy, the Culture of Death is institutionalized. When the "one child policy" and an ancient and ingrained preference for boys are combined, the womb becomes a deadly place to be a girl.
"The Body" in China
World|Fri, Mar. 12 2010 04:36 PM EDT
U.S. Rights Report Criticizes China over Missing Christians
By Ethan Cole|Christian Post Reporter
The United States accused China of various human rights abuses in its new State Department report, including the disappearance of several Christian leaders.
In the human rights report, issued Thursday, the U.S. State Department specifically mentioned the disappearance of human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, who often represented Chinese house church Christians in court, and underground Catholic bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo of Zhengding, Hebei Province.
Gao, who himself is a house church Christian, was last seen being hauled off by a dozen police officers on Feb. 4, 2009. After more than a year, his family is still unable to confirm his whereabouts.
“In the last several years, more public interest, human rights, environmental lawyers have been taking cases. Law clinics and elsewhere are springing up. There seems to be a real crackdown,” said Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner during a media briefing Thursday. “And we learned today that there’s also a new press certification system in place which is going to give Chinese journalists training in Marxist news theories.
“So there is a sense that the space is actually closing for those, whether they’re journalists, lawyers, or NGO activists.”
Gao, who was once named by the Chinese government as one of the country’s ten best lawyers, was detained and severely tortured in 2007. He was released and told never to disclose what happened to him while he was in prison.
But after his disappearance last year, his wife released an open letter by Gao that detailed the horrific torture he endured.
Currently, some of the world’s leading human rights specialists have joined forces to call on the United Nations to assist in locating Gao.
Similarly, Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo was arrested last year on March 30 and his whereabouts are still unknown. Several other underground Catholic priests remain missing after being arrested a few years earlier.
China only allows its citizens to worship in religious institutions affiliated with bodies established by the Religious Affairs Bureau. For Protestant Christians, this means worshipping in churches affiliated with the Three-Self Patriotic Movement and the China Christian Council. For Catholics, they are legally allowed to worship at churches that belong to the state-approved Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association.
But many Chinese Catholics worship underground because they want to remain loyal to the Pope.
Likewise, many Protestant Christians refuse to worship in registered churches because they feel that joining a registered church compromises their belief that God is the head of the church.
There are up to 100 million underground Chinese Christians, and the number is growing.
U.S. Rights Report Criticizes China over Missing Christians
By Ethan Cole|Christian Post Reporter
The United States accused China of various human rights abuses in its new State Department report, including the disappearance of several Christian leaders.
In the human rights report, issued Thursday, the U.S. State Department specifically mentioned the disappearance of human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, who often represented Chinese house church Christians in court, and underground Catholic bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo of Zhengding, Hebei Province.
Gao, who himself is a house church Christian, was last seen being hauled off by a dozen police officers on Feb. 4, 2009. After more than a year, his family is still unable to confirm his whereabouts.
“In the last several years, more public interest, human rights, environmental lawyers have been taking cases. Law clinics and elsewhere are springing up. There seems to be a real crackdown,” said Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner during a media briefing Thursday. “And we learned today that there’s also a new press certification system in place which is going to give Chinese journalists training in Marxist news theories.
“So there is a sense that the space is actually closing for those, whether they’re journalists, lawyers, or NGO activists.”
Gao, who was once named by the Chinese government as one of the country’s ten best lawyers, was detained and severely tortured in 2007. He was released and told never to disclose what happened to him while he was in prison.
But after his disappearance last year, his wife released an open letter by Gao that detailed the horrific torture he endured.
Currently, some of the world’s leading human rights specialists have joined forces to call on the United Nations to assist in locating Gao.
Similarly, Bishop Julius Jia Zhiguo was arrested last year on March 30 and his whereabouts are still unknown. Several other underground Catholic priests remain missing after being arrested a few years earlier.
China only allows its citizens to worship in religious institutions affiliated with bodies established by the Religious Affairs Bureau. For Protestant Christians, this means worshipping in churches affiliated with the Three-Self Patriotic Movement and the China Christian Council. For Catholics, they are legally allowed to worship at churches that belong to the state-approved Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association.
But many Chinese Catholics worship underground because they want to remain loyal to the Pope.
Likewise, many Protestant Christians refuse to worship in registered churches because they feel that joining a registered church compromises their belief that God is the head of the church.
There are up to 100 million underground Chinese Christians, and the number is growing.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Tuesday: the day of the hike
We awoke at 7:15…or at least Grace and I did. We were getting a head start on the day. The day that lay ahead of us included hiking the through the mountains…and that’s about it! Aside from having realized the night before that I left my toothbrush in Kunming, all was well. Don’t worry; I bought one around 9am because I just couldn’t handle it!
After feeling pumped about the day ahead, we walked up Renmin Lu in search of some grub. We divided and conquered; Grace and I with our hot soy milk and baozi (veggie roll dumplings), Kim with her onion bread pancake thing, and Zach with his xiao juzi (or tangerines). We were off to a great start!
Around 10am, we had a van come pick us up from the hostel and take us up the mountain. The van looked brand new. Usually they’re somewhat dirty…or old looking. Nope! This one looked brand new! I wasn’t so sure though once I started smelling smoke as we slowly climbed the mountain. The engine didn’t sound so great either! I was just praying we wouldn’t all go up in flames!
We arrived at the take off point (cars can only go so far) and began our hike up the stairs (many) so that we could then get on the petrifying ski lift that would take us up…only about half way (the mountains were huge). I’m pretty sure that we were in the foothills of the Himalayas! As we hiked up the stairs, we were bombarded by people selling fruit and other goods. The fruit tasted so sweet. I’m pretty sure she must’ve done something to the fruit. I’ve never had strawberries so sweet! We gave in and bought a kilo of them and loaded them in the backpack. Then, the treacherous ride up the mountain began. I had to pull the window down just to get some fresh air. Ugh! I hate being that high up on a little cord that so easily seems like it could just snap! Somehow though, I’m not that afraid of flying. Maybe it’s being able to see my sudden death? I don’t know.
Good news! I’m still alive! We got off and had the privilege of hiking up too many stairs. My heart rate and body temperature increased simultaneously, that’s for sure. I was pleased when we finally reached the level that the path that would take us about 4-5 hours to walk and that was mostly flat…with no stairs! The sights were grand. Snow in some corners, and strong heat in others. The city spread out below us, and gondolas frequented the alcoves. We happened upon a little tented area (where it looked like people were temporarily living) and ate some fried noodles (or rice)…I can’t remember. BUT, I do remember that it was one of the best fried _____ I’ve ever had! Why was that lady cooking in the mountains? She could be making a fortune if she would hike down with her frying pan and chopping board!
After lunch, we continued on our way. Our final destination was about 13 km away from where we’d initially been dropped off at. That’s about 8 miles. We think we actually hiked a little more than that though…we’re going to say 10 miles! I had to use the bathroom or the “WC”—I guess they use the British phraseology (wow! That’s a word!). Unfortunately, the sweet little lady that cooked the “hao chi” food told me “mei you” (sounds like mayo and means don’t have). She pointed up a hill, as if to tell me, “Go squat up there behind the trees.” I declined and kept walking with my buds. After going around about two more mountains, I was certain, and so was Kim that we simply could not wait any longer! Kim and I began scouting out some place in the shrubbery to find solitude and privacy. It took some effort….like me climbing up off the nice paved sidewalk and grasping some branches (hoping I wasn’t touching anything poisonous) and at times using my hands to walk up the steep slope. At last, I had found the perfect spot! I’ll spare you the details…but I felt pretty proud of myself, as did Kim…a former brownie girl!
After a long day of walking, I was ready to just drop down and stay there for awhile! Grace and Zach kept us going though. We walked all the way from the foot of the mountain back to the ancient city. Remember that walk from day one? Yea…this one surpassed it. When we arrived at our hostel, I was excited to finally get a shower. I hadn’t had one since we’d left Kunming on Monday morning. Not too gross, but I was totally ready for one. Once I had, I was totally refreshed and ready for a night out on the town.
For dinner, we decided to walk in a different direction and wander until we found something that we’d all agree on. After wandering for about 20-30 minutes, we landed upon a rather noisy street (live bands and such) and figured that this hopping place would be fun. Well, it was fun…until Zach and I decided to go out and get drinks (they’re cheaper if you bring your own…and you’re totally allowed to do that). I found a store that didn’t have all the drinks we wanted, but I thought we’d make do, so I asked the lady, “duo shao qian,” and she told me 7 kuai for a little bottle of juice and for the water too! I usually pay 1 kuai for water and 3 kuai for juice! NO WAY JOSE! So I walked straight out of there…no shame…walked across the street and bought from the lady over there, who had clearly marked prices that were the norm. That lady wasn’t going to rip off this chica! Not today, hunny! Uh-uh.
We got back with the drinks and moved our table downstairs and inside…it was warmer and less noisy. Then we began a round of hearts. As our food came to the table, we ate and continued to play hearts. I got vegetable lasagna. I was expecting zucchini and some other kind of veggie (you know, the normal stuff)…but instead I got a Chinese veggie in my lasagna. Weird. Oh well, it wasn’t that bad…just a little stringy. The other three ordered Cheese Burgers. …Or so they thought. Haha. Out came their cheese sandwich, with fries on the side. It was goat cheese too. They all had a little hissy fit, because they were dead set on getting their burger, so they sent it back to the kitchen (after about 5 minutes of confusion). So, for Grace, when her plate came back out with the fries still on it (because she refused to touch the plate), she got cold fries and a little beef patty with an itty-bitty square piece of cheese on top. Glad I ordered lasagna!
After all that fun, we went shopping. Don’t worry, I didn’t buy anything (not that time at least). That lasted until all the shopkeepers started to put their old doors into the slots and closed up shop. We then ventured around to a massage place. The massage was good…but the window was open, and it was cold outside, so all of us were kind of shivering the whole time. No thanks! I’d pass on that one again. That is pretty much how night two concluded. That and I got to brush my teeth with a toothbrush, instead of my finger.
After feeling pumped about the day ahead, we walked up Renmin Lu in search of some grub. We divided and conquered; Grace and I with our hot soy milk and baozi (veggie roll dumplings), Kim with her onion bread pancake thing, and Zach with his xiao juzi (or tangerines). We were off to a great start!
Around 10am, we had a van come pick us up from the hostel and take us up the mountain. The van looked brand new. Usually they’re somewhat dirty…or old looking. Nope! This one looked brand new! I wasn’t so sure though once I started smelling smoke as we slowly climbed the mountain. The engine didn’t sound so great either! I was just praying we wouldn’t all go up in flames!
We arrived at the take off point (cars can only go so far) and began our hike up the stairs (many) so that we could then get on the petrifying ski lift that would take us up…only about half way (the mountains were huge). I’m pretty sure that we were in the foothills of the Himalayas! As we hiked up the stairs, we were bombarded by people selling fruit and other goods. The fruit tasted so sweet. I’m pretty sure she must’ve done something to the fruit. I’ve never had strawberries so sweet! We gave in and bought a kilo of them and loaded them in the backpack. Then, the treacherous ride up the mountain began. I had to pull the window down just to get some fresh air. Ugh! I hate being that high up on a little cord that so easily seems like it could just snap! Somehow though, I’m not that afraid of flying. Maybe it’s being able to see my sudden death? I don’t know.
Good news! I’m still alive! We got off and had the privilege of hiking up too many stairs. My heart rate and body temperature increased simultaneously, that’s for sure. I was pleased when we finally reached the level that the path that would take us about 4-5 hours to walk and that was mostly flat…with no stairs! The sights were grand. Snow in some corners, and strong heat in others. The city spread out below us, and gondolas frequented the alcoves. We happened upon a little tented area (where it looked like people were temporarily living) and ate some fried noodles (or rice)…I can’t remember. BUT, I do remember that it was one of the best fried _____ I’ve ever had! Why was that lady cooking in the mountains? She could be making a fortune if she would hike down with her frying pan and chopping board!
After lunch, we continued on our way. Our final destination was about 13 km away from where we’d initially been dropped off at. That’s about 8 miles. We think we actually hiked a little more than that though…we’re going to say 10 miles! I had to use the bathroom or the “WC”—I guess they use the British phraseology (wow! That’s a word!). Unfortunately, the sweet little lady that cooked the “hao chi” food told me “mei you” (sounds like mayo and means don’t have). She pointed up a hill, as if to tell me, “Go squat up there behind the trees.” I declined and kept walking with my buds. After going around about two more mountains, I was certain, and so was Kim that we simply could not wait any longer! Kim and I began scouting out some place in the shrubbery to find solitude and privacy. It took some effort….like me climbing up off the nice paved sidewalk and grasping some branches (hoping I wasn’t touching anything poisonous) and at times using my hands to walk up the steep slope. At last, I had found the perfect spot! I’ll spare you the details…but I felt pretty proud of myself, as did Kim…a former brownie girl!
After a long day of walking, I was ready to just drop down and stay there for awhile! Grace and Zach kept us going though. We walked all the way from the foot of the mountain back to the ancient city. Remember that walk from day one? Yea…this one surpassed it. When we arrived at our hostel, I was excited to finally get a shower. I hadn’t had one since we’d left Kunming on Monday morning. Not too gross, but I was totally ready for one. Once I had, I was totally refreshed and ready for a night out on the town.
For dinner, we decided to walk in a different direction and wander until we found something that we’d all agree on. After wandering for about 20-30 minutes, we landed upon a rather noisy street (live bands and such) and figured that this hopping place would be fun. Well, it was fun…until Zach and I decided to go out and get drinks (they’re cheaper if you bring your own…and you’re totally allowed to do that). I found a store that didn’t have all the drinks we wanted, but I thought we’d make do, so I asked the lady, “duo shao qian,” and she told me 7 kuai for a little bottle of juice and for the water too! I usually pay 1 kuai for water and 3 kuai for juice! NO WAY JOSE! So I walked straight out of there…no shame…walked across the street and bought from the lady over there, who had clearly marked prices that were the norm. That lady wasn’t going to rip off this chica! Not today, hunny! Uh-uh.
We got back with the drinks and moved our table downstairs and inside…it was warmer and less noisy. Then we began a round of hearts. As our food came to the table, we ate and continued to play hearts. I got vegetable lasagna. I was expecting zucchini and some other kind of veggie (you know, the normal stuff)…but instead I got a Chinese veggie in my lasagna. Weird. Oh well, it wasn’t that bad…just a little stringy. The other three ordered Cheese Burgers. …Or so they thought. Haha. Out came their cheese sandwich, with fries on the side. It was goat cheese too. They all had a little hissy fit, because they were dead set on getting their burger, so they sent it back to the kitchen (after about 5 minutes of confusion). So, for Grace, when her plate came back out with the fries still on it (because she refused to touch the plate), she got cold fries and a little beef patty with an itty-bitty square piece of cheese on top. Glad I ordered lasagna!
After all that fun, we went shopping. Don’t worry, I didn’t buy anything (not that time at least). That lasted until all the shopkeepers started to put their old doors into the slots and closed up shop. We then ventured around to a massage place. The massage was good…but the window was open, and it was cold outside, so all of us were kind of shivering the whole time. No thanks! I’d pass on that one again. That is pretty much how night two concluded. That and I got to brush my teeth with a toothbrush, instead of my finger.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The Epic Journey begins...
The si ge (4) mei guo ren (American’s) expedition!
It all started on Monday, February 8, 2010 at 7:15am (what was supposed to be 7:15) at the entrance to Hu Pan Zhi Meng Xiaoqu (Hu Pan…neighborhood). (Are you excited about this epic story?) Afraid of not being able to find a taxi, I ran out to Guang Fu Lu (Guang Fu Road) and hailed one down. Just like that! Actually, not so much…I happened to be able to run quickly enough to hop in right after someone got out. I only had to stand out on Guang Fu Lu for about 30 seconds! Off to a great start, I’d say!
After showing the Taxi driver our destination (the West Bus Station), we were on our way. We arrived at the bus station, went through the security check and then scouted out the big waiting room for a place to plop down and start playing cards. Liverpool Rummy was the game of choice, however playing on top of all of our bags proved to be difficult. Another hindrance in our game was the guy who came through spraying bleach…which happened to get our cards and some of our bags wet. Thank you, sir!
I was anxious about getting on the bus, so I checked to see which gate and what bus we would need to get on. The lady that I walked up to proceeded to rip our tickets…even though we weren’t all ready to get on board. Zach and Kim made a pit stop right before departure, and then we were on our way. I was afraid of getting sick on the bus, so I was given the window seat (thanks, guys). China’s roads…especially through the mountains are not the best! I made it though…with a few cat naps in between Kunming and Dali. We stopped mid-way at a rest stop for five minutes. They had some fruit and some bread they were selling (kind of like the Florida Turnpike…we were on a toll road).
I had to use the bathroom though. Now, bathroom stories are very common amongst foreigners in China. It is an all new experience. This one includes a squatty (picture it with me, please). If you don’t know what a squatty is, please allow me to inform you. You do not have a seat. You literally squat down over a hole…that is porcelain (if you’re lucky). It’s really not that bad, once you get used to it. This was however my first experience of using the squatty with no door…and having other women look me in the eye as I was going. Not to mention that I was getting stared at because I’m a foreigner. Talk about uncomfortable! I was glad that I didn’t quite have to go through that again on the trip (there was one that was worse…but I’ll spare you the details).
Four hours after our departure from Kunming, we arrived in what we thought was the new city of Dali. Apparently, we weren’t quite there though. We got a cab and in all of our excitement, we forgot to check to see that the cab driver started the meter running. About 20 minutes later, we arrived near our destination (our hostel), and were forced to pay 50 kuai! We learned our lesson, and since have always made sure that the meter starts.
After being dropped off on Renmin Lu (there’s always a people’s street in every city), we walked down the cobblestone hill…for about 10 minutes until we had nearly reached the very end of it. At last, we had arrived at our hostel. It looked very eclectic, and I felt like a backpacker. The hostel had low couches and tables, with two computers and a bar area for serving various beverages. Lanterns hung from the ceiling and rugs lined the stone floor. When we walked into the quaint courtyard, there were benches made from tree logs,plants placed in no particular order and there was a ping pong table. A few bikes were parked inside the courtyard too. The three of us girls were on the second floor…a room to ourselves with bunk beds. Zach had his own room up on the roof, where the showers were.
We settled in, made our beds, and met downstairs to go scout out the place…and find somewhere to eat! We found a Chinese restaurant up the street from our hostel and after eating, began the shopping spree that lasted until dinnertime. Grace and I had fun shopping! Bargaining became a sport. First, you have to ask, “Duo shao qian?” (how much money), next you have to decide what you are willing to pay for the item. You state how much you will pay. Now, they tend to bust out the calculator for foreigners because they think that all of us can’t speak Chinese. After the calculator is whipped out, you need to punch in a price that is lower than what you’re willing to pay. Generally, you want to cut their price in half. Gradually, after much fuss and saying, “Tai gui le” (too much!), you go up…very slowly. If you think the vendor is not coming down like you’d like them to, walk out…or begin to walk out. They’ll usually run after you and grab your arm and in a grouchy mood say, “okay, okay.” Then, you have to make sure you don’t have 100 kuai to pay for a 40 kuai item! That always makes them mad. It’s quite addicting, I have to say. While Grace and I were playing this sport, Zach and Kim went off exploring. They climbed up on the old city wall and scouted out some places to eat.
Dinner was outside near a stream that ran down the middle of the pedestrian only street. It was a little chilly, so along with our live music for entertainment, there was also a little fire pit going. It was a really nice atmosphere. I felt like I was at home…only not. I was sitting on a slope that led up to the beautiful snow-peaked mountains. I was also listening to Chinese music. :-)
After dinner, it got a little chilly so we decided to move to our next spot: an indoor coffee shop. We proceeded to order a “pot of coffee” for all four of us. Little did we know that we’d get a shot of coffee…that didn’t even give all four of us a shot! We had to order two “pots.” We also ordered fries and a banana split. The ice cream here is not the same. Not at all! The fries had no salt. The salt shaker hadn’t been used in eons, so the salt was stuck to the bottom of the shaker. It was a typical night in a coffee shop in China. Gotta love it! We did. We played hearts. That was our game for the rest of the trip. After staying at the coffee shop until after closing, we headed back to our hostel under the big bright stars, and the beautiful moon. Day 1 of our adventure had concluded: successful and relaxing. Mission accomplished!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
What do you think?
Treating China as the enemy is a mistake
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-02-11 07:55
George Gilder, founder of the Discovery Institute and author of The Israel Test, says there is no need for the United States to antagonize China. The two countries are highly interdependent, he writes in his Feb 5 opinion piece "Why Antagonize China?" in the Wall Street Journal. Excerpts follow:
While attempting to appease a long list of utterly unappeasable foes - Iran, North Korea, Hamas, Hezbollah, and even Hugo Chvez - today the US treats China, perhaps our most crucial economic partner, as an adversary because it defies us on global warming, dollar devaluation, and Internet policy.
It started last June in Beijing when US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner lectured Premier Wen Jiabao. Mr Geithner was haranguing the Chinese on two highly questionable themes, neither arguably in the interests of either country: the need to suppress energy output in the name of global warming - a subject on which Mr Geithner has no expertise - and the need for a Chinese dollar (the yuan) devaluation, on which one can scarcely imagine that he can persuade Chinese holders of a trillion dollars of reserves.
In a recent meeting with Senate Democrats, President Barack Obama continued to fret about the dollar being too strong against the yuan at a time when most of the world's investors fear that the Chinese will act on his words and crash the dollar.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the president's friends at Google are hectoring China on Internet policy. Although commanding twice as many Internet users as we do, China originates fewer viruses and scams than does the US, and with Taiwan produces comparable amounts of Internet gear. Protecting information on the Internet is a responsibility of US corporations and their security tools, not the State Department.
Sending them (Taiwan) $6 billion of new weapons is a needless provocation against China that does nothing valuable for the defense of the US or Taiwan. Yes, the Chinese have also spurned America's quixotic effort to herd the gangs of anti-Semitic, anti-American oil-dependent felines at the United Nations to undertake an effective program of economic sanctions against Iran.
A foreign policy of serious people at a time of crisis will recognize that the current Chinese regime is the best we can expect from that country. The Chinese revitalization of Asian capitalism remains the most important positive event in the world in the last 30 years.
With millions of Islamists on its borders and within them, China is nearly as threatened by radical Islam as we are. China has a huge stake in the global capitalist economy that Islamic terrorists aim to overthrow. And China, like the US, is so heavily dependent on Taiwanese manufacturing skills and so intertwined with Taiwan's industry that China's military threat to the island is mostly theater.
Although some Taiwanese politicians still dream of permanent independence, Taiwan's world-beating entrepreneurs have long since laid their bets on links to the mainland. Two-thirds of Taiwanese companies, some 10,000, have made significant investments in China over the last five years, totaling some $200 billion. Three quarters of a million Taiwanese reside in China for more than 180 days a year.
With Taiwan, greater China is the world's leading actual manufacturer and assembler of microchips, computers and network equipment on which the Internet subsists. Virtually all US advanced electronics, as eminent chemist Arthur Robinson reported last month in his newsletter "Access to Energy", are dependent on rare earth elements used to enhance the performance of microchips and held in a near global monopoly by the Chinese firm Baotou Steel Rare-Earth Hi-Tech Company in Inner Mongolia.
The US is as dependent on China for its economic and military health and economic growth as China is dependent on the US for its key markets, reserve finance, and global capitalist trading regime.
It is self-destructive folly to sacrifice this core synergy at the heart of global capitalism in order to gain concessions on global warming, dollar weakening, or Internet politics.
How many enemies do we need?
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-02-11 07:55
George Gilder, founder of the Discovery Institute and author of The Israel Test, says there is no need for the United States to antagonize China. The two countries are highly interdependent, he writes in his Feb 5 opinion piece "Why Antagonize China?" in the Wall Street Journal. Excerpts follow:
While attempting to appease a long list of utterly unappeasable foes - Iran, North Korea, Hamas, Hezbollah, and even Hugo Chvez - today the US treats China, perhaps our most crucial economic partner, as an adversary because it defies us on global warming, dollar devaluation, and Internet policy.
It started last June in Beijing when US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner lectured Premier Wen Jiabao. Mr Geithner was haranguing the Chinese on two highly questionable themes, neither arguably in the interests of either country: the need to suppress energy output in the name of global warming - a subject on which Mr Geithner has no expertise - and the need for a Chinese dollar (the yuan) devaluation, on which one can scarcely imagine that he can persuade Chinese holders of a trillion dollars of reserves.
In a recent meeting with Senate Democrats, President Barack Obama continued to fret about the dollar being too strong against the yuan at a time when most of the world's investors fear that the Chinese will act on his words and crash the dollar.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the president's friends at Google are hectoring China on Internet policy. Although commanding twice as many Internet users as we do, China originates fewer viruses and scams than does the US, and with Taiwan produces comparable amounts of Internet gear. Protecting information on the Internet is a responsibility of US corporations and their security tools, not the State Department.
Sending them (Taiwan) $6 billion of new weapons is a needless provocation against China that does nothing valuable for the defense of the US or Taiwan. Yes, the Chinese have also spurned America's quixotic effort to herd the gangs of anti-Semitic, anti-American oil-dependent felines at the United Nations to undertake an effective program of economic sanctions against Iran.
A foreign policy of serious people at a time of crisis will recognize that the current Chinese regime is the best we can expect from that country. The Chinese revitalization of Asian capitalism remains the most important positive event in the world in the last 30 years.
With millions of Islamists on its borders and within them, China is nearly as threatened by radical Islam as we are. China has a huge stake in the global capitalist economy that Islamic terrorists aim to overthrow. And China, like the US, is so heavily dependent on Taiwanese manufacturing skills and so intertwined with Taiwan's industry that China's military threat to the island is mostly theater.
Although some Taiwanese politicians still dream of permanent independence, Taiwan's world-beating entrepreneurs have long since laid their bets on links to the mainland. Two-thirds of Taiwanese companies, some 10,000, have made significant investments in China over the last five years, totaling some $200 billion. Three quarters of a million Taiwanese reside in China for more than 180 days a year.
With Taiwan, greater China is the world's leading actual manufacturer and assembler of microchips, computers and network equipment on which the Internet subsists. Virtually all US advanced electronics, as eminent chemist Arthur Robinson reported last month in his newsletter "Access to Energy", are dependent on rare earth elements used to enhance the performance of microchips and held in a near global monopoly by the Chinese firm Baotou Steel Rare-Earth Hi-Tech Company in Inner Mongolia.
The US is as dependent on China for its economic and military health and economic growth as China is dependent on the US for its key markets, reserve finance, and global capitalist trading regime.
It is self-destructive folly to sacrifice this core synergy at the heart of global capitalism in order to gain concessions on global warming, dollar weakening, or Internet politics.
How many enemies do we need?
Monday, February 1, 2010
Hotel Wowza!
I know I'm real late. I should have seen this movie eeons ago. Hotel Rawanda anyone?
Got me thinking...
Are we ever stable? Can the U.S. government protect me? When is it right and not right to fight for justice? I thought I was taught to always stand up for what is right and true. Would I stand in front of enemy lines for someone I don't know? The U.S. sure hasn't. Sometimes I feel like a puppet. Midea covers what it wants to. Other than that, we're left in the dark about what is going on around the world. That is our source of information. Yes, it has improved dramatically since 1994, but...still! The government decides which battles we fight. Are we truly free, America? I think not! Not because the goverment does not tell us things. It is for our protection (thank you). I think we're in bondage and feel like puppets because we are told what to think in schools (among many other things). We're living in a Babylon: tons of information being thrown at us daily; falling into 'I am and there is no other' mentality; being succumbed to the life style of health, wealth and prosperity. Are we forgetting something? There are people around the world that are huddled together for warmth. There are people who didn't eat today. Many are hiding out in the bush. It makes me shaky. I get this way when things really affect my heart. It doesn't happen often, but when it does I can't shake it (literally). Among physical needs, there are those that are more important. The enemy has come to steal, kill and destroy. Are we letting him get away with it? Or are we going to take a stand and DO something? Why do we have to wait until a tradgedy?
Okay...getting off my soapbox. Thanks for sticking with me. If you haven't seen the movie, you should probably pick it up. It will make you think hard about your life. We need that!
Got me thinking...
Are we ever stable? Can the U.S. government protect me? When is it right and not right to fight for justice? I thought I was taught to always stand up for what is right and true. Would I stand in front of enemy lines for someone I don't know? The U.S. sure hasn't. Sometimes I feel like a puppet. Midea covers what it wants to. Other than that, we're left in the dark about what is going on around the world. That is our source of information. Yes, it has improved dramatically since 1994, but...still! The government decides which battles we fight. Are we truly free, America? I think not! Not because the goverment does not tell us things. It is for our protection (thank you). I think we're in bondage and feel like puppets because we are told what to think in schools (among many other things). We're living in a Babylon: tons of information being thrown at us daily; falling into 'I am and there is no other' mentality; being succumbed to the life style of health, wealth and prosperity. Are we forgetting something? There are people around the world that are huddled together for warmth. There are people who didn't eat today. Many are hiding out in the bush. It makes me shaky. I get this way when things really affect my heart. It doesn't happen often, but when it does I can't shake it (literally). Among physical needs, there are those that are more important. The enemy has come to steal, kill and destroy. Are we letting him get away with it? Or are we going to take a stand and DO something? Why do we have to wait until a tradgedy?
Okay...getting off my soapbox. Thanks for sticking with me. If you haven't seen the movie, you should probably pick it up. It will make you think hard about your life. We need that!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
谢谢你， 上帝。（Thank you, Father)
Things I'm thankful for today:
-Skype
-dad
-friends that are so encouraging
-packages that bring a piece of home to China
-families in Kunming
-western food
-freedom
-friends to walk life with
-Beth Moore
-the Word
-clairty
-yummy food
-sweet children
-bikes
-legs that work
-beautiful weather
-health
-new friends
-the H.S. (or the "juicy fruit"--the one who lives inside you)
-a brain to utilize
-pictures
-computers
-having purpose
-having warm showers
-having a cleaning lady
-being able to tutor
-relationships
-my bed
-a college education
-people with like-mindedness (is that a word)
-people that have encouraged me along the way
-people at home that are yarping
-faith that is ongoing
-joy in the present
-hope in the future
-weddings
-babies
-family
-friends
-eternal life
Thank you Father for all that You are and all that You forever will be! Thank you for joy. Thank you for giving me a life that is undeserved. Wo ai ni! 我爱你。
-Skype
-dad
-friends that are so encouraging
-packages that bring a piece of home to China
-families in Kunming
-western food
-freedom
-friends to walk life with
-Beth Moore
-the Word
-clairty
-yummy food
-sweet children
-bikes
-legs that work
-beautiful weather
-health
-new friends
-the H.S. (or the "juicy fruit"--the one who lives inside you)
-a brain to utilize
-pictures
-computers
-having purpose
-having warm showers
-having a cleaning lady
-being able to tutor
-relationships
-my bed
-a college education
-people with like-mindedness (is that a word)
-people that have encouraged me along the way
-people at home that are yarping
-faith that is ongoing
-joy in the present
-hope in the future
-weddings
-babies
-family
-friends
-eternal life
Thank you Father for all that You are and all that You forever will be! Thank you for joy. Thank you for giving me a life that is undeserved. Wo ai ni! 我爱你。
Friday, January 29, 2010
Did you get your cookies?
So...funny story! I was at work yesterday and Martha came in the room with a sticky note that was handed to her by another teacher. It said, "Miss Shoe, Have a great Friday! Love, Grace" I was like..."sweet!" Martha then informed me that she thought there were cookies somewhere to accompany the note.
An hour and a half later, I went down to the office to put my copies in for the following week. Some of the admin. and office staff were standing around talking. The director said to me, "Jessica, did you get your cookies?" I promptly smiled/ half laughed and said, "NO...I keep on hearing about these mystery cookies...but I've yet to see them."
I wasn't sure what the story was...and I didn't ask Grace about it. I don't really need to be eating a ton of cookies, and it was the thought that counted.
I went to a wedding feast after work and Grace's mother came up to me. "I'm so sorry about the cookies. Grace came home today with the bag, and there was only one cookie left. I asked her if she gave the cookies to you and she said, 'Oops! I forgot!' I'm so sorry, I'll make you another batch." I laughed and told her it was fine...I thought it was hilarious.
At the wedding feast, Grace was running around...getting chocolate cakes for everyone, so I stopped her and asked her about the cookies. Haha. She told me that She forgot and that she accidently ate one. I told her what her mom had told me...about coming home with one cookie left. Then I asked her how many were in the bag...and she thought for awhile...and said, "Um....2!" haha.
Grace by Laura Story
My heart is so proud. My mind is so unfocused.
I see the things You do through me as great things I have done. And now You gently break me, then lovingly You take me and hold me as my father and mold me as my maker.
Chorus:
I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abound?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace."
At times I may grow weak and feel a bit discouraged, knowing that someone, somewhere could do a better job. For who am I to serve You?I know I don't deserve You. And that's the part that burns in my heart and keeps me hanging on.
Chorus*
I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abounds?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace."
You are so patient with me, Lord.
As I walk with You, I'm learning what Your grace really means. The price that I could never pay was paid at Calvary. So, instead of trying to repay You, I'm learning to simply obey You
by giving up my life to you For all that You've given to me.
Chorus:
I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abounds?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace."
I see the things You do through me as great things I have done. And now You gently break me, then lovingly You take me and hold me as my father and mold me as my maker.
Chorus:
I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abound?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace."
At times I may grow weak and feel a bit discouraged, knowing that someone, somewhere could do a better job. For who am I to serve You?I know I don't deserve You. And that's the part that burns in my heart and keeps me hanging on.
Chorus*
I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abounds?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace."
You are so patient with me, Lord.
As I walk with You, I'm learning what Your grace really means. The price that I could never pay was paid at Calvary. So, instead of trying to repay You, I'm learning to simply obey You
by giving up my life to you For all that You've given to me.
Chorus:
I ask you: "How many times will you pick me up, when I keep on letting you down?
And each time I will fall short of Your glory, how far will forgiveness abounds?"
And you answer: " My child, I love you.
And as long as you're seeking My face, You'll walk in the pow'r of My daily sufficient grace."
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Recent Happenings
Christmas in China was the last big event in my life. It was difficult being away from family. I made it through, and I finally think I'm passing the rough part of culture shock. Unfortunately, it's a constant cycle, and each time the periods you stay in each stage change.
I am back teaching. This week will conclude the second nine weeks! Hard to believe that I'm almost half way finished! I am taking on some new things this semester. I am going to start taking dance, just for fun...hoping that I'll be able to relax and enjoy something that I've always been too self conscious about. I'm also really excited to be going through a B.M. study; DANIEL! It is so stinkin' good!
Lately, there have been many birthday celebrations and wedding celebrations, which are always fun. I'm missing those at home, so this makes it feel more like "home" in some weird way. I have also been Skyping a lot with family (more than usual) and have booked a lot of "dates" with the girlfriends. It's so good to talk with them. I won't lie, at first when I got here, I didn't want to sit at my computer for long periods of time and just stare...and talk. I wanted to be out meeting people and enjoying this country. I still do, but I miss everyone, and really cherish all of the relationships I already do have. I don't want to let them fall through the cracks.
I'm rambling. Sorry.
Oh...Chinese is coming along. I love learning the language. I am now on QQ, which is like AIM or MSN messenger, but it's for China. I get to practice my pinyin (the phonetic spellings of Chinese characters), and just like T9 on your phone, it selects the characters that match the pinyin and the ones that would go together in a phrase or sentence. It's pretty neat, and I've learned to recognize a lot of characters. I can now carry on simple conversations! Jenny and I have not been able to get together lately because she has to prepare (get this) her students (1st graders) for finals! They take serious finals in Chinese schools...and did I ever say that they start their days at 7:30 and end at 6:30? They pretty much eat all 3 meals at school! I'm glad I'm teaching where I am, and that I had a childhood. :-D My other Chinese teacher is really sweet. Grace and I are taking class with her on Monday and Thursday evenings from 5:45-7:15. Those nights usually end up being Ramon noodle night. I'm a little sick of them now, so I'm boycotting and going with the healthier alternative of yogurt with granola, banana, and strawberry instead.
The most recent of news: I'm looking at flights to come home for the summer. AND, my car is being sold! yay! So, Ld willing, I'll see you all in a couple of months!
Okay, gotta get up early in the morning and go teach. Love and miss ya'll.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Country Music in China?
I tutor this little girl Mary. She's Chinese. Today she was in a competition... an English one. I went this morning before fellowship to support her. She did wonderful!
I took a cab to the Educational center in Kunming though, because I had no clue where it was. Once I got in the cab, I called a Chinese friend and she told the cab driver where to go. About 20 minutes into the ride, the music all of the sudden changes to Enlish (believe it or not, it took me awhile to realize it), and lo and behold...IT'S COUNTRY! What in the world?! Why is a Chinese pop radio station playing American country music? Wei shen me? (WHY?)
I thought you readers would enjoy that bit of my day. :-D
Thanks everyone for reading and keeping up, by the way.
I took a cab to the Educational center in Kunming though, because I had no clue where it was. Once I got in the cab, I called a Chinese friend and she told the cab driver where to go. About 20 minutes into the ride, the music all of the sudden changes to Enlish (believe it or not, it took me awhile to realize it), and lo and behold...IT'S COUNTRY! What in the world?! Why is a Chinese pop radio station playing American country music? Wei shen me? (WHY?)
I thought you readers would enjoy that bit of my day. :-D
Thanks everyone for reading and keeping up, by the way.
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