Monday, December 29, 2008

AIDS can't be transmitted by mosquitoes

Chinese Aids Video-Musical that plays on our K5 bus...
...its hilarious and educational.
Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTkPyw7DmiU

Meanwhile, today I saw a little Sharpe dog wearing an American army outfit, complete with a plastic gun on his hip, old people in a square performing a new years dance for each other, and a row of pigs hanging in the street...I love China today.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Tis the Season for Overwhelming Yourself

(For recent, December photos, click here)
You would think that outside of America, in a country where the vast majority of people have NO IDEA what the Christmas season really entails...that one could enjoy a nice relaxing holiday season. One would be wrong...December is filled not only with holiday happenings, but final exams, spring festival preparations and all the usual day to day activities. Oh yeah, and lets throw in some puppies! Amidst all the craziness, I once again neglected to write on the last three weeks events until the last minute. My apologies are becoming redundant, so lets forgive with the spirit of Christmas cheer and move on.

Three weeks ago, two of my favorite former students (current friends) called me to say that they had an emergency and wanted to see me immediately. They arrived in my home, I left the room for two seconds, and when I came back there was a puppy sitting on my couch! An adorable, shovel faced China puppy! Squealing, I scooped her up and smothered her with love, only to see another little brown ball of fur come bounding at me from across the room. TWO puppies! Turns out, Lawrence and Christina had been plotting the perfect birthday present, and wanted to give Angelyn and I something to attempt to fill the void in our pet lives after the loss of Lucy. So that is the story of how SimSim Bashful and Trixi came into our lives. They have destroyed my house, doubled in size, and kept me up at all hours of the night...and we love them! Angelyn and I are once again extremely proud parents, and developing conniving ways of keeping them, despite the insistence of our waiban that you...and I quote..."Can't have dogs, because their smell is harder to get rid of than cigarette smoke" (Yeah, like 2 packs a day for 10 years smells better than our Pantene Pro-V pampered pups)
The day we got the puppies, we had already broken the apartment code of conduct, so it seemed like a good time to climb the mountain behind our house and illegally cut down the traditional Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. Barry and Trent were our mountain men, and toppled the tree that Barry and I carefully selected. However, our eyes were bigger than my living room, and the Charlie Brown tree became a gigantic force to be reckoned with. After some giggling hysterics on my part, we set to work pruning the beast and she is currently lit and fulfilling her Christmas destiny. Sadly, she is doing it postmortem, as the puppies consistently drank her dirty tree water until she passed...some 10 days later.
Barry and I have had our hands full these past few weeks judging various speech and song competitions. It is the 3rd Annual Foreign Language Cultural Festival, which is a truly terrifying time for the foreign teachers, as its the time our students get serious about showing off their English chops, and the caliber of our teaching is on display for all the world to see. Its hard not to compare yourself to the other teachers by way of your students' skills. Barry and I had some moderately friendly banter on the pronunciation of the other's students, or their singing abilities, and whether or not they waved at us from the stage (and how many times). The Singing Competition was 60 students, singing one minute each of an English song, and sitting there in the front row I could finally see why Paula and Randy love the first few rounds of American Idol so much...it was absolutely delightful to listen to 15 students butcher Yesterday Once More (Katherine, you would have died). We got through it by making jokes with each other, criticizing the other's scoring methods, and unfairly rating our own students much higher than the others. But the real highlight of the event was the finals of the Speech Competition. Oh, if only I had video for you of the opening act...6 girls in "juicy double" track suits bouncing, grinding and shaking what their mothers gave them to "Hollerback Girl" in front of 200 students, 50 faculty, the dean of their college, and the president of the university. The speeches were what was to be expected for the most part...until I heard a voice that made me perk up and feel...at home...that would have been the boy who spent weeks memorizing Barack Obama's entire victory speech and then used it to form 98% of his dissertation on "Flying with My Dream". His intonation was flawless, I was so impressed with his gumption I had to give him a 90. Cheating, plagiarism, these things are nothing in China...and by the time he was finished it was clear no one else had a chance.

I turned another year older. Some of my sisters stayed over the night before and we had a sweet old-fashioned slumber party complete with goodies, hair dying, boy talk, and a photo shoot. My birthday was a day filled with breakfast...mimosas, potato pancakes, bagels and quiche. I got all my birthday wishes: I was not required to do a thing that I didn't want to do, time with friends, a nap, a good book, a Christmas movie, and a full night's sleep with no dogs to wake me (Thank you Breelands!)
Lawrence was one of my very first students, and has since become a friend of mine. A few weeks ago he traveled to Beijing to apply for his visa to America. We spent a lot of time preping him for his interview, trying to form his answers so they could be assured he wasn't just looking for an American wife, or that he wouldn't disappear into the crowd and never return. Luckily, his puppy-dog like excitement and smile won them over and he got it! He left yesterday for Wuhan to catch his plane to Columbus. He has been accepted to Ohio State University's engineering program, and I'm so excited for him. We took him out the night before he left for some classic Chinese food and one last round of KTV - turns out he's wild for it and I think he'll be heart broken to know its not so popular among the Waiguoren. Knowing that he'll probably have to wander into some western bar on a Wednesday night to sing "Man, I feel like a Woman" in front of 30 drunk, ambivalent strangers to get his karaoke fix kinda breaks my heart. He has all the nervousness and unrealistic expectations of anticipating his life in America, so we spent a lot of time talking about what he would find there. We encouraged him to plug into college ministry, or to find a Chinese family to worship with, and to make friends with those who would build him up and love him as a brother. He just recently began expressing interest in the Word, and I am really hoping he finds people in the states to lead him into the light. It was hard to say goodbye to him. I never realize how protective and mother hen like I get over these young adults...until I have to truly put them in the Father's hands.

As of now, I'm in the midst of finals craziness, and have another to give this afternoon. Tonight John, Megan, Trent, Angelyn and I will board a train to meet our Xiangfan friends in Xi'an for a pre-Christmas get together. Hot springs, the Muslim quarter and Starbuck's toffee nut latte's...here we come.
(Although, this trip has a high standard to live up to...and I will be thinking of your dear friend!)

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Birthday Musings

Its way too early on a Saturday morning, still dark and quiet on campus, but the childlike excitement of a day that holds birthday possibilities stirred me from my sleep. As I lay in bed, my mind is turning over a list that I stole from a dear adventurer's blog...a test if you will...taken on the eve of my 24th year to analyze just how full my life has been (according to some people).

True to form, a list of my creating would look a little different: completing a triathlon in lieu of a marathon...climbing a great mountain, like Fuji, instead of just a mountain...traveling to a more exotic location like the Galapagos islands over New York City. The list I dream includes skydiving, but not bungee jumping, writing a book about my mother or the sexuality of a Christian woman, and living in a picturesque town in New England where everyone knows your name and your business and where your children think they are miserable. But I'll bow to their list for the moment, if not for the incredible realization that at 24, (a seemingly, looming, mature age...) my life has been really full.

I followed the Father to China, where I've traveled places I only dreamed about, met life-changing kindred spirits, and fell in love with my G-d again. I've been to college, something I take for granted, and been a part of a community that was full of servant hearts. I have had the love of my family, good friends, and good men. I've gone in and out of valleys in my spirit and climbed to the mountaintop. I've lived in the nation's capital, stood in the Supreme Court, and spoken with the President-elect of the United States. I've ridden elephants, drunk snake bile, and snorkeled in the crystal water of the gulf of Thailand. In one month I will be standing in the Louvre, looking with eyes of saucers at the greatest masterpieces the world has known. I have three homes, where I feel safe and hate leaving every time I move to the next. My life is an explosion of blessings.

Today, at 24, there are moments when I feel my age is a gross understatement. When I stand in the classroom, reprimanding a group of young adults and speaking with clear authority...when I listen to other women my age complain about clothing or immature men...or when I walk alone through a dark street in a foreign country...I feel like I have an old heart. And there are moments, when I'm giggling with the Chinese sisters over couple face...when I'm overly-excited about the next Harry Potter book...or when I get still get nervous talking to that special someone...I feel like my youth and inexperience radiates from my face.

Regardless of my "true age", today has found me with a smile on my face, surrounded by the people I love, not doing a thing that I do not want to do! (The only birthday wish I ever have) As the next year stretches before me, I have absolutely no idea what it holds. I have never had so many possibilities, or been so content with following any path. This year, I want to love better and deeper, with the abandonment and "idiocy" of Christ. I want to worry less about money, and more about the quality of the time I spend with those who need me. I want to be nicer to my mother, because everything that I am and want to be is because of her - I don't tell her that enough. I want to do crazy things for the sake of doing them, and learn when to close my mouth to truly listen. I have a good feeling about this...

Someone's Bucket List

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (drums)
4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris (give me a month!)
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France (give me a month!)
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (Canada baby)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (give me a month!)
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia (give me a month!)
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (I've tried many times)
65. Gone sky diving (see bunge jumping above....)
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life.
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (when I was 12 or so and the lake was awesome...)
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a mobile phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

In Hindsight

I had really been feeling smug and proudish regarding my resolution to blog weekly. Yet in my haughtiness it appears I overlooked an important fact...the blog is only as good as the information given. As I review November I realize that while I quipped eloquently on numerous occasions (as I often do), I neglected to fill you in on the actual going-ons around Shiyan at that time. So, as I hear hindsight is 20/20...better late than never?

First Finer Things Club finished our second book, Jesus for President. The girls and I had some fascinating discussions around the ideas presented, and were convicted by the ideas of community, love and separation from the world's system. There were some low points too, but all in all, by the end of each night we generally felt just as frustrated, just as inspired, and just as assured that our writing abilities could easily lead to publishing according to certain standards. We coupled FTC with a project Angelyn and I "cooked" up, (pun absolutely intended) New Soup November. Thanks to a gift from the mother, we dined on everything from pumpkin bisque to mexican-tortilla soup. A tradition that was so delicious, it couldn't end according to the calendar! FTC has just started The Brothers Karamazov, despite my insistence that two Dostoevsky novels in one year was too much for any person we dove in and I am actually really loving it. Going in with an understanding of the insanity of the Russian naming system, and Fyodor's classic wit, makes a vast difference.

November brought the 3rd World International Wushu Championship...and yes...we tried to explain that you should probably not name anything Third World if you want people to show up but they just wouldn't listen. Well, foreigners came anyway and as a lot of our students were volunteers, October found them in a state of panic, reading up on Liberia or attempting to learn Hungarian in a week. We just sat back and gave pointers on foreigner hospitality and waited for our "honored guest" invites that we had all been promised. Well, they never came, but thanks to the giving nature of Halley (a sister), Megan and I were able to attend one of the last competition. We oohed and aahed at the foreigners, but were generally bored by the whole thing...you can really only watch so many people gather their Chi before you get bored. It did have a slam-bang finish though, when they brought out children with swords and big sticks, fighting two against one - that was the bloodshed we were looking for! Extremely dramatic death scenes and all the kicks-to-the-chest a Kung Fu fight should have.

There was an election...surely you heard about it. Barry had a student who memorized Barack Obama's entire victory speech, and I got to hear him perform it at a speech competition yesterday - plagiarism or not, that little guy really inspired me! (He won too - in China, cheating is nothing compared to passion and a Y chromosome)

The women in the family got some much needed R & R and spiritual rejuvenation in Xiangfan for a Ladies Retreat. Carie and Brittany pulled the whole thing together themselves, and we were really blessed to have a more mature Chinese sister from Wuhan come to lead the girls. She was incredible, and they were thrilled to have the chance to learn from her. So the foreigners and Chinese were able to split and we were really encouraged with a study on prayer, and some much needed lab. HE is really working through the people in Xiangfan, two of their girls decided to follow HIM after the weekend. AMEN

Despite Brian's insistance, some people understand that every day truly is my birthday. After weeks of keeping me in suspense, Trent surprised me with a weekend birthday trip to see a musical! (Yeah, he's really good) We hopped on a train Friday night to catch the Saturday evening showing of Aida, and it was phenomenal. As my roommates from college know, I am a little crazy for musicals...one prime example being that I had the Aida soundtrack downloaded and memorized 12 hours after I found out what we were doing...so it was the perfect gift. We were able to spend the weekend at Andrew and Jamie Hill's, two foreigners who lived in Shiyan last year and are now working in Beijing. On Sunday morning we got to meet with their family, and I was really encouraged by the opportunity to see what a mature, flourishing Chinese family really looks like. In the afternoon we picked up a Toffee Nut Latte and spent hours walking around the 798, the modern art district of Beijing. I had been to the city 3 times, and I had never loved it so much! I recommend this part of town for anyone who goes to Beijing, I will definitely be back myself. The city was going to tear down the dilapidated warehouse district, but instead gave it to the art community and its completely free to visit. They gutted them all and now its city blocks filled with galleries of painting, sculpture and photography that really pushes the boundaries of what we believe is "kosher" in China. Theatre, Coffee, Art, Asians...it was like for one weekend I was home in Seattle and my soul was replenished.

Which brings us to Thanksgiving 1, and yes, there is a part two. We had a small, foreigners only, Thanksgiving this year because the responsibility of so few of us cooking for 60 Chinese people was too overwhelming. The morning held the annual Shiyan football game and this year I got to be on the winning team... which was shocking, since I was wearing a Tech shirt...and also had nothing to do with the unfair team number advantage. We played at a the middle school's field, which literally sits on top of a mountain and we had an incredible view of the city. Trent and John deep fried a turkey, because if you can't dump a bird in a vat of oil in China, where can you? We had way too many desserts and of course everything was fantastic. After gathering the energy to move again, we had a friendly Taboo - battle of the sexes, and my winning streak continued. Truly, its not fair for anyone to stand up against the mind-meld of Jessica and Angelyn. We ended the evening with some Office, and began the Christmas season at promptly 10:00 pm with a viewing of Meet Me In St. Louis.

Thanksgiving 2 is a tradition that Angelyn and I began last year, which was to go to Wuhan on for their big foreigner Thanksgiving that they hold on Saturday. Two Thanksgiving, two days of intoxicating foreign food, two chances to be with people we love - its just too good to pass up. So we made the trip to Wuhan, and convinced some of our Xiangfan friends to come with us. Though this year didn't include a trip to Tom's World...we were able to spend some much needed quality time with our friends and meet some of the other teachers from around China. Being a returning teacher definitely left a different impression on me this year, meeting newbies, giving advice, and reminiscing about faces that we "Old China Hands" were missing.

Wow...I'm shamed by my rambling, but mostly just overwhelmed with how blessed and full my life is here. When I was preparing to move to China, and even this summer as I visited the states, people were constantly commenting on the selflessness of following the Father to a foreign land. But if you follow my life here at all, or if you could see the day to day interactions I get to have with some of the most beautiful people I have ever met, you would know how far from selfless it leaves me. My life has exploded since the day I set foot in China, I have never been happier, more fulfilled, or challenged. As my dear sister Harmony says, "HE is so GREAT".

Photos from November Days - Click HERE
Photos from Beijing Trip - Click HERE

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Love is a Choice

I stole the following from Brad...who borrowed it from Rick Warren. It was just too good not to share with you, as it challenged me in my continued struggle to love more deeply, naturally, and fully where people need to be loved, and not at my own whim and comfort. Its a continued process, drenched in prayer and trust that I'm going to get there by His power.

Meanwhile, I'll be blogging later about Thanksgiving, apartment fires, and two rambunctious puppies given to me and Angelyn...ah November, what a month!

...That you may love the L-rd your G-d, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the L-rd is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers... Deuteronomy 30:20 (NIV)

*** *** *** ***

Love is a choice and a commitment. You choose to love or you choose not to love.

Today we’ve bought into this myth that love is uncontrollable, that it’s something that just happens to us; it’s not something we control. In fact, even the language we use implies the uncontrollability of love. We say, “I fell in love,” as if love is some kind of a ditch. It’s like I’m walking along one day and bam! – I fell in love. I couldn’t help myself.

But I have to tell you the truth – that’s not love. Love doesn’t just happen to you. Love is a choice and it represents a commitment.

There’s no doubt about it, attraction is uncontrollable and arousal is uncontrollable. But attraction and arousal are not love. They can lead to love, but they are not love. Love is a choice.

Likewise, you must choose to love G-d; he won’t force you to love him (Deuteronomy 30:20). You can thumb your nose at G-d and go a totally different way. You can destroy your life if you choose to do that. G-d still won’t force you to love him. Because he knows love can’t be forced.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Request

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray also that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
(Ephesians 6:19-20)

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Things that make me adore China today

Aida programs half in Chinese

Loose Chinese women eyeing their foreign tickets to the West

Walking through the 798 modern art district in Beijing, looking at things that "shouldn't" be there and walking with people who make you forget where you are - Asians and Art, might as well be Seattle!

Broken couple face leading to opportunities to share HIM

The belief that Avril Laveigne's My Happy Ending is the best therapy for a broken heart

72 Starbucks in the Beijing city limits

Multiple pants and shirts worn on a brisk, sunny, dry day

Major Railway lines changing their generic bed covers from clean white to baby powder blue with hearts galore

The randomness of a Chinese text book poem (courtesy of Angelyn)

Come hither, brother polar bear.
I share your anger with mankind.
You have been bastardized by Coca-Cola...
A Christmas mascot uncalled for.

I have often wondered, given your sheer size
How big your turds are.
Sadly, they are hard to find.
For they are hot, and sink deep into the snow.

Haven't you ever wanted to just get out of the cold?
Maybe hop a plane to Hawaii?
I mean, damn, Of what profit to a bear is it...
To gain the world at the expense of his warmth?

SOME PHOTOS FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT: Everyday IS my Birthday

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Don't You Trust Me?

Last week, I finally completed what G-d (quite unexpectedly) turned into a two year process in my life and submitted eight applications to law schools throughout the states. The first time I began applying, he quickly made clear the path to China, and I put my letters of recommendation and transcripts away, and got on a plane. The second time, I uncharacteristically procrastinated filling in blanks and no words would come to me when it came time for essay writing...and I just knew without say that it wasn't time yet. This year, aside from the expected bumps that my genetic material inserts into my every endeavor, the path was smooth and clear. No hesitation, little reservations. Yet I clicked the submission buttons with a sense of insecurity, questioning not the path I was taking, but my strength to walk it.

I have so many questions, prone to worry and anxiety over the most irrational things. The sense of dread I have at the fact that admission councils in Boston, Chicago and Seattle are judging me...deeming my worth...why should that concern me as it does? My future, my ability as a partner, money, even elections...why should I fear outcomes and results? Behind my fear I hear a voice, almost mocking in laughter, but with an intense, very real underlying pain: "Don't you trust me?"

When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to ransom you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you? (Isaiah 50:2)

I have been slapped with truth from the Word the last few weeks - has anyone ever proven himself more to me? It seems borderline ridiculous to me that I even have this trouble when I look back on my life, the ways that I can see him gently turning me in directions I never saw myself going, or the blaring road signs that changed my path altogether! Foreign lands, old friends with new roles, the security of my family. He has proven time and again that his arm is mighty and powerful to save, as well as bless. And what a promise I have for my future...In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am... my eternity is secure so how can I not, Trust in G-d, Trust also in [Him]?

If my past proves his control, and my future his promise, how can I have anything but assurance in my here and now. I am His child, he has a vested interest in my pain and my joy. And so much more than that, He has a purpose for me; that my life exudes truth and brings others to know it. My breath, my waking, the very words I speak and the people I interact with every single day - He will be there, because I come from Him. So is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. [So will] you go out in joy and be led forth in peace. (Isaiah 55: 11-12) This is no Aladdin on a magic carpet with an outstretched hand and shaky promises...this is my G-d.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Oh, to teach Democracy...

I'm not going to spend any time talking about my political views. We are of a greater kingdom, and one of the blessings He gave us was our incredible country. Living in China has left me with such an appreciation for our freedom, and more full of hope for where this leader is going to take us. I have trust in President-elect Obama, and am looking forward to him proving himself to us all. But I have the utmost faith in our Lord, who is so much greater than the divisions we create.

However, I did want to tell you what we did this monumental day because it was just too much fun. We celebrated Election Day with the Breeland's party agenda determined by a vote on hanging chad ballots! We watched Obama speech highlights, including the 2004 DNC speech where it all began and his acceptance speech. We pinned the lips on a pig, played a rousing game of Obama trivia, said goodbye to Bushisms, and watched the movie "Recount". Finally, we ended the night with a prayer for our country, lifting up its newest leader into the hands of the Father. Btw...
Spending 45 minutes in class explaining checks and balances and liberal vs conservative, and discussing the economic crises, and Obama's future policies - priceless.

To close, I wanted to post this today. From Barack Obama's 2004 DNC speech:
For alongside our famous individualism, there's another ingredient in the American saga, a belief that we are all connected as one people. If there's a child on the south side of Chicago who can't read, that matters to me, even if it's not my child. If there's a senior citizen somewhere who can't pay for their prescription and having to choose between medicine and the rent, that makes my life poorer, even if it's not my grandparent. If there's an Arab-American family being rounded up without benefit of an attorney or due process, that threatens my civil liberties. It is that fundamental belief -- I am my brother's keeper, I am my sister's keeper -- that makes this country work.

Now even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes. Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America; there's the United States of America. There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America. The pundits, the pundits like to slice and dice our country into red states and blue States: red states for Republicans, blue States for Democrats. But I've got news for them, too. We worship an awesome God in the blue states, and we don't like federal agents poking around our libraries in the red states. We coach little league in the blue states and, yes, we've got some gay friends in the red states. There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq, and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq. We are one people, all of us pledging allegiance to the stars and stripes, all of us defending the United States of America.

In the end, that's what this election is about. Do we participate in a politics of cynicism, or do we participate in a politics of hope? The hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs; the hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores; the hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta; the hope of a millworker's son who dares to defy the odds; the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too. (Turn's Out, It's The White House!) Hope in the face of difficulty, hope in the face of uncertainty, the audacity of hope: In the end, that is God's greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation, a belief in things not seen, a belief that there are better days ahead.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Oh China, You Win Again

I promised photos - sorry for the delay Mama. Thank goodness you can always blame China for your short comings!
October Days Photos - including Fall picnics, Xiangfan delights and Absentee voting.
This has been such a whirlwind of a week...it took me a few days to recover and muster the energy to even write this blog post. I met with some of our sisters for our meditation time this morning, and we read about "growing tired and weary"...my sleep-deprived, cold-ridden, spent body screamed "Amen!". But make no mistake - it was arguably the best week of my life. (I will attempt to condense, just for you Dave, and downplay the exclamation points, for Brian)

Halloween
To make up for last year's shortcomings, we filled this halloween with makeshift jack'o'lanterns....turns out, halved gourds work too. Trent showed up the the Great Pumpkin to redeem us all, and Kat made a self-portrait out of hers. It worked so well, that I gave 5 pumpkins to my students, and let them have a competition. They were incredible! My sad little smiling gourd lost a LOT of face... We showed less than frightening classics like Casper, Sleepy Hollow, Ghostbusters and The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown...as the Chinese have low tolerance for fear. I lost major guanxi with my fellow teachers when 5 of my students ran down the hall wrapped in toilet paper, moaning like mummies.
In honor of Halloween, the week was spent with a nightly horror flick. We watched such classics as Poltergeist, the Shining, Halloween, the Night before Christmas, and Dracula. So after many sleepless nights, long days of teaching, and sugar induced comas...we threw a Halloween party. Tradition dictates that Qi Yuan hosts a Halloween party, as it falls on the same day that Angelyn blessed the world. So in honor of her birth, we threw an 80's themed Halloween party. Blue Eyeshadow, Pat Benatar, and China sweaters - as an 80's wardrobe is not all that difficult to come by around here! Needless to say, our Chinese friends were really confused about how dressing in their daily attire made them costume perfect! Good time had by all, and the night ended with the annual showing of "Teenagers From Outer Space" - Brian, we missed you. In your honor, let me just say...That is of no consequence to YOU Thor!
Halloween Photos

Oh China, You Win Again
I have almost no words...but let's be honest, I always have some...the Xiangfan crew is amazing. They composed this song for English teachers around the country, and it is sure to be the most successful China Now recruiting tool ever. For all of you at home, finally, something that can adequately convey life in China. Enjoy the video!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

How mean Miss Jessica made her students do service for their midterms...

It's midterm season here in Shiyan, and this semester I decided to ask my students to use their personal time to go out and serve the "less fortunate" in their community in some way...and bonus points if they could do it in English. For their presentations, they had to show me video or photographs documenting their activities, and then tell me how their world view was changed. I was so proud of them...they went to orphanages, nursing homes and kindergartens. One family even cleaned up garbage for hours after a major campus wide event. They all expressed really great insight afterwards, and there were even promises of continuation of service. It was so refreshing to bring the values of the Father into the classroom, and see how those moments of service challenged them.

So, I have to share one family's service project in particular with you - the Knights. I have to share this, not because it was particularly successful mind you, (actually, they kind of missed the point and I had to give them a bad grade!) but because:
A) Their English is just SO bad, I have to share my downfall as a teacher with you
B) I love these girls and don't care that their English is bad...they are hilarious
C) Andy chases a boy

Thursday, October 23, 2008

The Little Things

This week has been so full of little insights and heartbreak, complete randomness and incredible blessings...as well as apparent adjective over-usage. Anyway, just a few little things to show you how He is taking care of and entertaining us over here.
  • Rediscovery of the 80's thanks to YouTube. Watch TAKE ON ME, the literal version...I have seen this video 18 times in the past week, and am only slightly exaggerating. Thank you Kat and Trent!
  • Visit to Xiangfan: Carie's homemade potpie, Amish American survival cookbook with inappropriate tips and complicated breadfruit recipes, and Mexican Twister ala William. (Shiyan representing!) We had a great time, and were able to visit a local orphanage as well. I named three boys John, Mike and Sarah, and showed off my impressive sling shot skills - what a blessing to be around those kids! "I miss having kids around"
  • Angelyn and I exercised our American democratic right - and BARACKED it!
  • New author I am aspiring to be like: G0d. We've been discovering his incredible writing style through our morning studies in Isaiah. Hemingway has nothing on him...that's for you Finn. Faulkner...
  • Wildflowers, turtles and flip books
  • One of my favorite students, Lawrence, has been working his tail off to get to America and just found out he was accepted into a really competitive program at Ohio State University. I'm not sure if America is ready for this guy, he is going to shake up their world...
  • Learned that no one should ever, EVER, ask me to explain a participle...you would think by now they would know I am only pretending to know what I am doing as an English teacher
  • Talked to my top 5 international callers, even got to hear Dane's voice
  • Had the opportunity to do an English Talk Radio Show with one of our Qi Yuan favorites, Crazy Christina, which hopefully had some value. Educating the girls on campus about self-protection, safety, and wise choices when surrounded by strangers during the International Wushu Festival. There will be hundreds of foreigners arriving in Shiyan next week, and there is already concern that some of them may have come with dishonorable intentions. Please lift up the safety of the Chinese girls over the next few weeks, they are so trusting, its truly terrifying
  • Old-fashioned Wushu restaurants with meat dish, after meat dish, after inedible meat dish...
  • Singing nothing but Hard, Fighting Soldier these days. A friend from the Children's Home of Lubbock and an inspirational warrior for the Father passed away last week...can't sing it without thinking of you Billie, bet you are rocking that heavenly choir!
Cool verse of the week: I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand - I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion 'You are my people'. This verse really impressed me this morning, looking at how G0d holds us close one moment, comforts us and brings us into these safe, comforting arms...then not-so gently reminds us that he is also the ruler of the world and bigger than anything we could possibly imagine. Its like He's saying, "I'm your best friend, your Daddy...and by the way, I am ALMIGHTY G0D" I love that about Him!

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Mr 152 insights into my soul!

Thank you Mama Kat, for what has proven to be a highly entertaining and kindred read...  Last week I borrowed a little book called Lost on Planet China: the strange and true story of one man's attempt to understand the world's most mystifying nation...or how he became comfortable eating live squid.  If you want to really understand my life here, and get a perspective a little more eloquently presented than this blog, I suggest you read this book.  From describing just how disgusting it is to be surrounded by the sound of 1.3 billion people hawking loogies...to pondering why it is that the world's most powerful nation can't figure out how to stop their toothpaste or milk from poisoning people...this guy gets China.  Allow me to give you a sampling:
It was after crossing a street that I came to my second observation about life in Beijing [China]: Do not play chicken with Chinese drivers.  Even if they see you, they will not slow down.  Even if the pedestrian light is green, they will not slow down.  So do not play chicken with Chinese drivers.  Or you will die.  
A moment later I made my third observation about life in Beijing [China]: Do not play chicken with Chinese cyclists.  See observation 2.  Same applies.  You will die.
How does one navigate through the mayhem that is a Chinese city?  Very, very carefully.  Crossing a street was no straightforward wander from curb to curb.  First, I'd dart through the mass of bicycles and mopeds that hugged the road near the curb.  From there, I'd cross the street one lane at a time as cars whooshed by just inches from my being, and I'd try very hard not to linger on the noteworthy fact that China has the world's highest per capita rate of vehicular fatalities.  
(Note, Shiyanites refer to street crossing as the ultimate game of Frogger.  I believe we are all somewhere around level 98 - No Hesitation!)

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Kids Say the Darndest Things - quotes of the week

On Dating Culture in China, versus America:
"In China, you should plan a time to meet the girlfriend. But, if you become to busy, you should say 'I have something important to do', and she will not be angry...in addition...in America, if you invite [a girl] to dinner, you have a better chance of extreme development after, so the first date should be lunch."
...insert Chinese chuckle

On Getting Accosted by a Crazy Waiguoren:
"Oh No"
...insert rolled eyes of 5 year old child

On Getting to Know your Teacher Questioning:
Student:
"As you have lived in China for one year, do you find yourself fall in love with Chinese boy?"
Teacher:
"hahaha, No, I am sorry, I have not!"
Student:
"Oh, will you fall in love with me?"
Teacher:
"I don't think so..."

On Irony Completely Lost on your Chinese Students:
"Mouse, why were you so quiet in class today?"
...insert dad dance here

Monday, October 6, 2008

Traveling with the top 5

I know, I know - chastising completely deserved. My pledge to write less and more often has become an afterthought, and I'll go ahead and apologize now, this post is about to be standard Jessica rambling. So for the faint of heart, and irritated of length, stop here; I have to fill the rest of you in on the last amazing week.
Angelyn, Trent, Finn, John, Megan and I hopped on a train 9 days ago for an October Holiday travel, 4 days in Beijing, 4 in Qingdao, 50+ hours of train rides total. After a potential international conflict with 32 many luggages and sword-wielding (okay, carrying) Hungarians on the train, we arrived in Beijing...China's capital city...in the middle of a national holiday...you get the picture. Craziness ensued, but nothing a little ill-gotten Papa John's couldn't fix. That night we hit up Tiananmen Square and basked in the 30 foot portrait of Mao himself. In other highlights: "I know pipes, my father owns a pipe factory", and "We will find her more handsome man, with many more money".
The next morning we went to Temple of Heaven, my favorite place in Beijing. While the others visited the sights I'd already seen, I spent the morning practicing my Tai Chi, playing Badpong with a grinny old man, being educated on the art of Chinese massage stones, and listening to the most ear-splittingly hilarious music. We met back up to do a little worshiping of our own at the temple, to a much bigger Man. Then we packed up our bags and began the journey up the wall...one that would not end until the next morning because we had a mission. Go BIG or go HOME, we were sleeping on the great wall! So we hiked up Mutianyu, a much less crowded section of the wall, for a few hours - until we were out of sight of as many people as possible - and set up our tents atop guardtower #19. Team Wussy made a handsome showing, we sang songs under the stars, heard some real life ghost stories, learned of our chances of being murdered, and slept on some 1,500 year old stones. Other highlights include an unfortunate chicken pancake choice, and an ill-timed visit from a mule for Angelyn.
In the morning, we woke up before dawn to a haze of Chinese fog and the beautiful solitude of being the only people for miles on the wall. We hiked down the wall to the luge, and then proceeded to luge down the great wall. I feel no need to embellish this with flowery words - its as amazing as it sounds. That night we met up with the Hills, a couple who used to live in Shiyan and have moved to Beijing, for some catch-up time at Peter's Tex-Mex to the complete joy of all the foreign taste buds (Mexican food is hard to come by, lest a Calvillo is feeling kind). It was great to see them, and we spent the rest of the evening wandering around looking for the Olympic Stadium - not meant to be, but who cares when you are wandering around the city for hours with your top five?
The next day we were leaving Beijing, so of course, a Starbucks trip was in order! Waking up with the sun turned out to not be necessary, as China apparently doesn't understand the concept of coffee being used for its caffeine properties, and XingBaKe doesn't open its doors until 9:30...this was followed by the accosting of a Chinese guard's comfort level...and another trip to Tiananmen to visit forMAOdehyde (Megan), Mao's preserved body! Sadly, and for the second time, we were told to go away because they were cleaning...ew...Trent continued in his efforts to secure PLA paraphernalia, but is still looking for someone to give him that belt. We finally made our way to the bus station, to be pleasantly surprised with a sleeper bus for the 13 hour trip to Qingdao. Zaijian Beijing, you redeemed yourself on so many levels...Beijing Photos
While the motto for Beijing was "Go Big or Go Home", Qingdao's was "Qingdao - No Plan". An old German colony on the ocean, this quaint Chinese town of a few million people is east meets west. The city is filled with German architecture, if it weren't for the Chinese street signs and blackhaired people chewing on sticks of squid, one could easily forget where they were. We arrived at 2 am to a hostel in an old church, with lavender-sprayed linens thanks to Mama Kat. The Breelands and the Xiangfan crew had already arrived, and after rousing the troops in the morning, we hit the beach! Now the ocean is generally were I find the fulfillment of my souls...but as you'll see from my photos...Chinese beach life is a little different. Imagine wall-to-wall people wading in the polluted mucky sand in their business suits and high heels, or nakedness, covered with umbrellas lest they get dark, and digging for craps amongst plastic bags and sunflower seed shells. Still the ocean, but not exactly my ocean. Still, we walked around the pier for a bit, then explored the island of little Qingdao. That night, the foreigners trekked across town to seek out Lennon Bar - a Beatles themed hole-in-the-wall bar that turned out to be hiding the most amazing cover band I think I have ever seen! As fun as that was, there was dancing on the agenda, so a few brave souls ended up at Feeling Club - being more or less, but definitely mostly more "felt" by a crowd of Chinese on a bouncy floor, listening to Weezer's Beverly Hill's while black and white Communist war movies played on the big screens behind the DJ. Only in China...
The next day was more "Qingdao-No Plan" fun. Trent, Finn and I spent the day wandering between the pier, starbucks, and grassy knolls - reading, ipod listening, chillaxin. The highlight was definitely when we were approached by the Chinese Mickey Mouse club, a group of adorable little kids from Wuhan who had traveled to Qingdao to practice their English with foreigners they met on the street. There was nearly a group kidnapping effort of "I'm MIKE". That night was more squid on a stick, and more Lennon bar.
Since we were at the beach, an early morning to catch the sunrise was required. We left the hostel around 4:30 am, and arrived at the coast just in time to watch the stars fade. It was peaceful and definitely soul-replenishing, despite the sad fact that we "orb" was not "actually" visualized. Dissatisfied with what Qingdao's beach had offered us, we hopped on a ferry later that morning to go to another beach per Lonely Planet's suggestion. Good suggestion. We found the real beach, miles of red, golden sand fewer people and cleaner water, and we spent the day swimming in the Yellow Sea (check) and sunbathing. It was perfect. As was the night spent watching Qingdao go to sleep from the roof of the hostel...I've been a lot of places in China, but no where has captured by heart like mellow, intriguing Qingdao. There is something in the comfort of just seeing a church from your window in China, of remembering that life can slow down for just a minute. Qingdao Photos
So we are home, more rested and with more pleasant memories than I have ever had from a China trip. This last week has been a testament to Abba, who blessed us at every turn with laid back, amiable travel companions and a system that aimed to please. I have so many incredible memories of moments with those close to my heart, and hilarious stories of sniffing strangers... slapping strangers...poking strangers...generally alienating strangers. As great as the trip was, of course there were the twinging moments of missing you. Mom, you would have loved Qingdao, I thought of you at every interesting architectural turn. Dude, boys, seriously...you should have HEARD this band - you would have loved it. Heather, I wanted to call you so badly from Beijing - if only you had been there with me, to pull away for a classic gab fest over a cup of coffee. But, back to Shiyan, back to the day-to-day. Thanks for the memories, you are all securely in my top five! ;o)

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Do Not Fear

But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend. I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, 'You are my servant; for I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your G-d. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.' (Isaiah 41:8-10)

Thanks to a particularly convicting discussion with Barry and Angelyn on the passage above in our morning study, I have spent the last day meditating on the idea of fear. The WORD is filled (I've heard over 300 times, but don't quote me on that) with the plea of the L-rd, 'Do not fear', and as I ponder its obvious importance, I am struck with how I truly live as a slave to fear.

I am often told by my students I am very brave, whether its my ability to have a conversation with a boy, my insistence on following my own ideals, or the fact that I moved halfway around the world and left all familiar things behind. But I realize that the idea of fear they have is so far from the truth; how little they recognize the little girl inside of me who carries a heart burdened with it! The more I think about it, when He says not to fear, HE is not asking me to be confident and unafraid in the face of consequences, but addressing the spirit inside who crumbles at the idea of vulnerability. The spirit who fears abandonment, or crushed pride, or misunderstanding. The spirit that lives in fear of being unworthy, or never enough. How much more this fear permeates and overtakes my life than anything physical. "I will not throw you away" - how directly these words speak to, and refute, exactly what is feared.

People ask me if I am afraid, being here in China, doing what it is I do. In all honesty, fear of "trouble" is nothing compared to the fear of the students and friends I meet never knowing truth. I'm wondering more and more if his call to be brave is not directed more at the things not of this world, than the things in it. Fear not what can destroy the body, but the soul within it, right? Do not fear the evil one, fear a life without ME. Do not fear a broken heart, but fear a spirit broken by sin and timidity. To not be a slave to those fears, but to fear the L-rd. I'm reminded of another word picture in Isaiah, that the same G-d who holds the hollows of the waters in his left hand, cradles me in His right. How can you fear anything with that picture in front of you?

As I continue to meditate on fear, I realize how closely it is linked with learning to love. How can you really love in fear? Abandonment of that fear is the only way to embrace the spirit of boldness I have as his child, the one that is vulnerable enough to cry Abba, and then give itself up to those around me. I am a bow in your hands, O L-rd - Draw me, lest I rot - Do not overdraw me, L-rd, I shall break - Overdraw me, L-rd, and who cares if I break? (Nikos Kazantzankis)

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Weekend Update, the short of it

Studies...We have a large and unexpectedly interested group of seekers - students who have just come out of the woodwork! We have begun studying the book of John with them, and our discussion group a few days ago led to some really wonderful discussions of the HS and "swimming" (hopefully that translates) Angelyn and I will also begin a study with some sisters on the book of Acts, which is sure to challenge. I'm excited to dive into this with them, as it speaks to powerfully as to exactly what WE ARE as HIS children, and what HE asks us to do to spread the Word. HE IS POWERFUL!

Foreigners...There is a new foreigner who joined the team of our college this year - Praise HIM for Barry! His testimony is phenomenal, and his life is so full of joy that all the Chinese are flocking to him like a magnet. He has already been a powerful witness in just the short time he has been here, a complete answer to our "requests". (And, my new guitar teacher) The other foreigners are delightful, from the sarcastic to the hilarious, I'm so blessed to be surrounded with old and new kindred spirits. I have such great memories of each of them already, from daredevil shopping cart antics to electric slide, flashdance inspired moments. Its incredible to see the others discovering China and their purpose here through the eyes of experience, I can see Him working on them as He did on me.

Funding...Brian returned to the states this summer, and an anonymous member of his congregation asked if he could send $150 monthly to another foreigner from Brian's family. Combined with Broadway's aid, I now have $3,400...almost exactly the amount I first requested and enough to provide for all my needs.. HE IS AMAZING!

Lucy...basically, she has not eaten a drop of food in 2 weeks and after numerous trips to the Vet, we learned she had a stomach virus with a 30% chance of survival. But Ang, I and Lucy are warrior women, so we are fighting and after 3 days of 3 shots her temperature is way down and she shows signs of improvement. Which is good, because she is so beloved among the foreigners and our chinese, there may have been a pretty extravagant grieving display. This xiao mao has been pr-y-d over and cuddled more than any other cat in China, and we are so glad she's ours.

Personally...working on law school applications despite my kitten's best efforts to distract me with her cute face. Am still struggling day to day to learn to love to the point of idiocy, though I feel I may be making great progress as have probably been making others uncomfortable with my over the top adoration! Have both failed and succeeded, depending on the day, in my efforts to spend more time talking HONESTLY with my Abba...he is so patient with my fickle heart and rambling words. Finally, I am missing my family and friends this week, I would love to hear from you. All my love.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Mid-Autumn Festival: The Legend

Happy Mid-Autumn Day! I have spent two of these holidays in China, and so far as I can tell, its a day celebrated by eating gobs of mooncakes and taking the day off class. Today, the family spent an amazing day at the lake, and as we were traveling home I realized that I didn't actually know WHAT we were celebrating....almost like Boxer Day. So I paid a visit to my friend Google...

According to a famous Chinese legend, there were ten suns hanging on the sky. The suns scorched the earth so much that people could not farm. There was nothing to eat. A young man named "Hou Yi" was strong and powerful. He was a very good shooter. He wanted to help people and save their lives. So he shot down nine of the suns with his magic bow and arrow.
From then on, people could live in peace and happiness. Hou Yi became famous and honorable for what he did. He married a beautiful girl, whose name is Chang O. Hou Yi was a good husband. He loved his wife very much. He wanted to live with his wife forever. So, he hoped to find the herb of immortality.One day, Hou Yi went to visit the Western Goddess. He told her what he wanted. The Western Goddess was very touched by Hou Yi. She decided to give him the herb of immortality. However, the herb was only good to make one person immortal. Hou Yi never wanted to leave his wife. So he could not decide who should take the herb, his wife or himself. Either way, one of them would have to leave the other one behind.

Therefore, Hou Yi told his wife, Chang O, to put the herb away for the time being. Chang O put this magic herb in a secret place. However, a man called Bu Mo heard and saw everything. He wanted to have the herb of immortality himself. So, three days later, after Hou Yi left for hunting, Bu Mo came to visit Chang O and ask her about the immortal herb. Chang O became suspicious about Bu Mo's ntention. She put the herb into her mouth trying to protect it. But she swallowed it by mistake.After a while, she felt her body become lighter and lighter and start to float up higher and higher all the way to the sky. She could not stop herself, because she did not want to leave her husband. However, Chang O landed on the moon and became an immortal godness.Hou Yi could not believe what had happened; his wife had left him. Late at night, he looked into the sky and saw that the moon was extremely bright. There was a shadow on the moon, which looked like his beloved wife, Change O. this made him miss his wife even more.

According to the legend, Chang O transformed herself into brilliant moonlight. Today, couples would declare their love for each other under the full moon of this mid-autumn day. Separated lovers make wishes for their reunion.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Our kitty is definitely not a Communist

So Angelyn and I have had a plan since December of last year - the day we met the Sim Garden Hostel puppy in Chengdu - get a China puppy (against the expressed order of our school) and name him SimSim. We decided to go for it when we got back this year, so on Sunday morning two of Angelyn's students went with us to pick out a puppy at the dog market (the petting, not the eating kind). There were SO many adorable puppies, from giant face to baby cockers to beautiful huskies, but no one jumped out to us. None cried "SimSim". So we begrudgingly set out to go home, when my heart called to me to go look at the kittens.Now a kitten was never in our plans, but when the rescuing hearts of two women cry out, what can you do? Amidst a tower of kittens sleeping peacefully in their minuscule cages, we heard a pitiful, hoarse, screaming kitten. There on the ground in front of us was a little orange and white kitten attempting to bite, claw and scratch her way to freedom. We looked at each other and said instantly, "We are taking that baby home!". So practically ripping her away from the evil cat lady (who should be shot, btw...), we put kitty in the taxi and took her home. Our hearts will never be the same again!Now I don't want to be one of those new parents who does nothing but talk about their children...but I just can't contain myself. She is the best kitty ever! We tortured her with a bath, picked all the fleas off her, cleaned her ears with giant q-tips and then passed her between 30 people, and she still loves us best. Well, she still loves Angelyn best, but I'm working on her. She will scream and scream unless she can see us, and bounds around the apartment following our giant feet. She purrs at the same time she screams, and she's already a cuddler.We tossed around a few names: Amendment, Liberty, Harriet Tubman, Madame Bovary, Amelia Earhart, Karen Carpenter and Fran Drescher (for various reasons). For about 24 hours, kitty was nameless. But finally we settled on Lucille Ball (Arnaz). The reasons are multi-fold:
-Red hair
-Constant screaming and crying
-Living with foreigners
-Clingy and needy (we are her Ethel)
-She is definitely not a communist (explanation: during the Red Scare, Lucille Ball was called before the Committee of Un-American Activities...she was cleared, and Dezi was quoted as saying "the only thing red about Lucy is her hair")

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

On Love

Each day, I have a tendency to surprise myself with my incredible capacity to fail in love. The number of things I wish I never said, or things I never had the openness to say in the first place...they could fill volumes, perhaps entitled, "Ice Princess" as a rather wise woman once said. I long to love others as HE did, to give freely and without reservation or entitlement.
I recently climbed my own personal Everest in the form of my first Dostoevsky novel, The Idiot. A admittedly fantastic read after the first 300 pages, I was struck by the obvious correlation between the Prince's humble, given and abused love to everyone around him, regardless of their love of him to the point of idiocy - and the love by which HE loved.
I would love to learn to love to the point of idiocy...I ask for the constant strength to love better.

Meditations on Love:

"The desire to feel loved is the last illusion: let go and you will be free. Just as the sunrise of faith requires the sunset of our former unbelief, so the dawn of trust requires letting fo of our craving spiritual consolations and tangible reassurances. Trust at the mercy of the response it recieves is bogus trust"
(The Ragamuffin Gospel,
Brennan Manning)

"Why am I afraid to dance, I who love music and rhythm and grace and song and laughter? Why am I afraid to live, I who love life and the beauty of flesh and the living colors of the earth and sky and sea? Why am I afraid to love, I who love love?"
(The Great God Brown,
Eugene O'Neil)

"The way we are with each other is the truest test of our faith. How I trust my brother or sister from day to day, how I react to the sin-scared wino on the street, how I respond to interruptions from people I dislike, how I deal with normal people in their normal confusion on a normal day maybe a better indication of my reverence for life than the anti-abortion sticker on the bumper of my car. We are not pro-life simply because we are warding off death. We are pro-life to the extent that we are men and women for others, all others; to the extent that there is no human flesh that is a stranger to us; to the extent that we can touch the hand of another in love; to the extent that for us, there are no 'others'."
(The Ragamuffin Gospel,
Brennan Manning)

"Reason demands moderation in love, as in all things, but faith destroys moderate love. Faith tolerates a moderate love of ones fellow man no more than it tolerates a moderate love between man and G-D."
(
John McKenzie)

"Israel, don't ever be so foolish as to measure my love for you in terms of your love for me! Don't ever compare your thin, pallid, wavering, and moody love with my love, for I am G-D, not man. More pleasing to ME than all your prayers, works and penances is that you would believe I love you"

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Welcome Home, in case you were wondering, the Honeymoon's definitely over...

Just a quick post, because I've promised the Allens to work on that, but mostly because I am jet-lagged and ready to sleep in my own big, unparalleled, envied, comfortable China bed.
Coming to China the second time is a little less glamorous, and a little less nerve-racking, but you can still be thrown for some incredible loops. My trip home included lost tickets in the Hong Kong airport, baggage "probably being on the same airplane you are", lugging around 60 lbs of suitcase (inexplicably, since I only left with 45...) with immense loss of face around the Chinese and their phenomenally tiny packing skills! I had forgotten most of my Chinese, we arrived home in Shiyan to a downpour promised to continue "twice as harder" in the next two days, and I walked into my apartment in clothes soaked to the skin with rain and sweat, in who knows what order. But all of this paled in comparison to the greatest tragedy: missing the DNC speech by the fabulous Michelle Obama, and the Roll Call Coverage selecting Future President of the United States Barack Obama!
But in less important news...I am home, safe and sound, and so happy to be here. Come to find out, I still love China! I can't wait to wake up tomorrow, clean my apartment (cause I am a sick person who finds her happiness in that) and hit the rain soaked streets to fresh my ZhongWen...but for now, my bed is calling, as is the Joe Biden speech on YouTube to diatribe me to sleep...Good night, Wode Meiguoren Pengyou...

Monday, August 25, 2008

My Meditation

You said "Ask and you will receive" whatever you need
You Said "Pr-y and I'll hear from heaven and I'll heal your land"
You said, Your glory will fill the earth like water to seas
You said "Lift up your eyes the harvest is here the kingdom is near"

You said ask and I'll give the nations to you
Oh L-rd, thats the cry of my heart
Distant shores and the islands will see your light as it rises on us

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Giving Out Your Phone Number Online...now that's just desperate

I realize that many of you tried desperately to call me last year while I was in China, but your best attempts were thwarted and confused by the british chick on my answering machine, and the forwarded international number. (I choose to blame the difficulties of communication, and not the ambivelance of my loved ones) I have faced the difficulties of long distance communicae myself (ask the Heather to tell you a Spain story!), so I am attempting to do my part...and begging for your phone calls...hopefully a culture-shocked American will be thanking her clever self in the future.

SKYPE is an amazing invention.
If you have SKYPE, this means:
*We can talk for free...anytime...anyway.
*We can chat for free...when I am around my computer.

If you do NOT have SKYPE:
*Its free, you should download it
*Check out www.skype.com for more information on what it means.

Otherwise:
I have just shelled out a hefty sum of my summer fund to pay for another 12 months of an international phone number. My phone number is 1-360-566-2881.
If you call this number, you will either hear my sweet, childlike voice on the other end, or a snobby British girl forwarding you on to my cell phone in China. Either way, I will get your phone call! And if I miss you, I have voicemail!
1-360-566-2881, this is a Washington State phone numer, please, feel free to put it in your phone. For my fellow technologically challenged friends, having this is what this means:
*For others with 360 numbers, this is A LOCAL CALL and charged as such.
*For those with other stateside area codes, its your NORMAL LONG DISTANCE. After 7 on nights and weekends...FREE with most cell phone plans!

Please, if you have any questions...well...I'm not sure I could explain it any more clearly. Put check out SKYPE's website, or send me an email. I want to hear from all my loved ones while I am over there, and while I would love to contact you myself, it IS CHEAPER FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED FOR YOU TO CALL ME. So, you know, feel free. Now that's "putting yourself out there" ;o)

Friday, July 25, 2008

Beans A Brewin'

Contrary to what you may be thinking, I did not fall into the ocean on my way home from China. I landed safely on American soil, and really have not stopped running since. It’s amazing to me how quickly I fell into the pace of stateside life again, the days seemingly filled with nothing, yet blurring past you like you are driving 80 miles an hour down a country road (which I never do…)

I have been in the states for a month now (which I cannot believe), and these weeks have been such a blessing. I made it back to the South, where my kindred, spirited college friends and I blended into our old rhythm, trying to ignore that time was limited and I would be getting on a plane again. I’ve had time with my family, spent mornings walking on the beach, and read, read, read… after a horrifying downward spiral into the ridiculous addiction that is the “Twighlight” series; I have resurfaced to literally gulp down “The Ragamuffin G-sp-l”. After stealing it (yes, stealing a J-s-s book) from a friend’s bookshelf, I have found such peace in the words spoken (read) at the perfect time, when my mind is still reeling from the two worlds that I find myself living in.

“Each moment of our existence, we are either growing into more, or retreating into less” – The Ragamuffin G-sp-l

A few people asked me, “What was the biggest lesson you learned in China?” I have responded with what I felt was my biggest revelation – the revelation that I almost felt ridiculous coming to as I sat in my apartment, 4 weeks into my time in China. After having a talk with a student that flowed in and out of fruitfulness, it suddenly hit me, “What am I doing here that I shouldn’t be doing every single day of my life as a child in HIS kingdom?” It took traveling thousands of miles around the world, to remember that HE is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow – 4,000 years ago, and next week, HE will still be working for the redemption of HIS people, and will still be longing for me to be at his side, wherever I am.

But it’s harder for me here (in the states, that is) than it should be. To be even more frank, it seems likes it harder in the comfortable places than the uncomfortable ones. Why can’t I make my hands, feet and mouth do what my spirit longs to? Enter Object Lesson #1.

Five days after I returned to the states, I pulled up to a little Espresso stand by the side of the highway in town. My friend and I were in the car, talking about denominations, and various dissatisfactions with the way ch-rch-s seemed to display their priorities, a promising topic for a pick-me-up. At that time, reverse culture shock was rolling and I was seeping myself in negativity, even the undertones of my praise were wallowing. And as if the timing could not be more perfect (of course it couldn’t, that’s how HE works), the window slid open, a little old woman leaned out of it and suprised me. There was no discussion of talls or shorts, doubles or singles, 2% or non-fat. The first question that rolled off her tongue was of a different aroma, “Do you girls know J-s-s?”

Awesome G-d, YOU are awesome. It was just the reminder I needed, to see her in her simple act of service and love, naturally oozing with the love of Chr-st and the desire to make Your truth known. That is supposed to be me! How beloved am I that You give me gentle reminders, even in the kind face of a barista, that my heart is to overflow with the message. So constant failures, each day that I let opportunities pass, they will get fewer and farther between…I’ll be that lady in the Beans A Brewin' someday Abba, thank you for your patience with me while I try to get there.

Monday, June 16, 2008

You Would Have Been Enough

When I moved to China, I fully anticipated remaining in my English bubble. Glancing over those terrifying characters, I felt immediately that I would never be able to make sense of what appeared to be an intricate system of squiggles (Admittedly, over one billion people speak this language, so its not quite as unintelligible as I first thought). But it didn’t take me long to fall in love with the beautiful pictures their words painted. Unexpectedly, the idea of language and words began to capture my heart. Our morning Isaiah study revealed incredible nuances to me as well…how I have wished I took the odd Greek or Hebrew course at university…there is so much more to be found within each sentence than I ever thought possible! Words like 阿巴父 (Aba Fu), (Dao), Abba, Nazar, Veritas…the power of language hit me in a way it never had before. And then, dear YiChang Beth (whose blogs are a constant source of inspiration and piracy to me) posted a note about a word. A fellow closet linguist! When I saw her post and studied the word, I felt there could be no better expression to sum up my first ten months in China.

The word is Dayenu. "Day" in Hebrew means "enough" and "Enu" means "our." The word Dayenu (:דַּיֵּנוּ) means, "it would have been enough for us" or "it would have sufficed." It is used in a traditional Passover song that talks about being grateful to God for all of the gifts he gave the Jewish people. It basically states, had God only given one of the gifts, it would have still been enough. The song appears in the haggadah after the telling of the story of the exodus and just before the explanation of Passover. Here is an excerpt: If He had split the sea for us, and had not taken us through it on dry land — Dayenu, it would have sufficed! If He had taken us through the sea on dry land, and had not drowned our oppressors in it— Dayenu, it would have sufficed! If He had drowned our oppressors in it, and had not supplied our needs in the desert for forty years — Dayenu, it would have sufficed!

I feel like there are no more words…Dayenu Father, Dayenu. How He took care of me! I wish I had time to dive into a list of all the ways he wiped away my fears within my first few days in this country, how He worked His wonders right in front of my face while I was too busy looking elsewhere, or the countless blessings He heaped upon my heart in the strangest of ways. Dayenu Father, Dayenu. YOU would have been enough…yet you gave me a hundred other people to love, to call brother and sister. The life that other’s expected of me, or that I had planned for myself, would have been enough…but you had something so much greater planned. Seeing one person open their heart, abandon themselves and turn to you would have been enough…yet you had so many more to bring into your kingdom - you allowed me to witness it – play a part in it. Being the lowliest servant in your courts would have been enough…Dayenu…but you made me the daughter of the King.

If there had been no beautiful mountains, no classrooms full of endearing students, no exotic places to explore, no incredible dishes to eat around tables with friends…Dayenu. If there had been no songs lifted up to heaven in the blending of many tongues…Dayenu. If there had been no Angelyn and Brian, no Zoe and Dacy, no kindred spirits…Dayenu. You brought me to this place, this country, with no expectations but that you were going with me. The knowledge that you were here…Dayenu. But like the doting Abba that you are, you chose to give me more than I could have imagined or asked for. This year, with its highs and lows, still ended with your child coming to what should not be a startling realization. Her Father longs to bless her. You have, Abba…but may I never spend so much time focusing on those blessings that I forget you are DAYENU, my enough.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

The Curse of the Beijing Olympics

Most of the American ideas of China surround magnificent mythology, the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon legends...these are of course, sadly, not always true. But the one aspect of Chinese cultural that we do tend to get right is the superstition. And never has there been such a shining, ridiculous example as in the Curse of the Beijing Olympics. This is so fascinating, check it out!

Some might disagree but they are the most superstitious people in the world. Perhaps it’s the lack of organized religion, but the Chinese are quick to link natural disasters, accidents and violence to a combination of divine intervention and heavenly anger. Now China’s online “net citizens” are linking Beijing’s Olympic mascots to a string of misfortunes in the run-up to the Games. Four out of the five “fuwas” - literally friendly toys - are being tied in to the natural and human disasters visited on China during the turbulent build-up.
Jingjing - the Panda - an animal closely associated with Sichuan Province, epicentre of last month’s terrible quake.
Huanhuan - the Olympic torch - the round the world torch relay was a PR disaster of awesome proportions.Yingying - the Antelope - native to Tibet, the location of the March riots and the military crackdown. Nini - the Kite - the kite city of Weifang is located in Shandong, scene of April’s deadly train crash that killed 72 people. Beibei - the Fish - a Chinese sturgeon found only in the Yangtze River. Is this the location for China’s next major disaster as many are guessing.

“The scariest part of the message is the question it raised,” said website editor Chen Wei after seeing the postings. “You never know what Beibei (the sturgeon) has in store”. In other words the worst may be yet to come. I won’t say I believe it, but I do feel a little worried about the unknown.”

Now there is also concern about the number eight. It’s supposed to be a lucky number. So much so that China’s Olympic Organizers have chosen August 8, 2008 as the opening date for the Games. But the online doom and gloomers point out that this year’s snowstorm, the worst in a century, struck on 25/01 and if the numbers are added up they total eight. The same applies to the date of the Tibetan riots 14/03 and the earthquake 12/05.

The website reports: “The conclusion: counter to conventional wisdom, eight brings bad luck and untold disaster is in store for August 8, 2008. The very date chosen for the Olympic Opening Ceremony because of its supposed auspiciousness.”

Chinese culture is steeped in superstition, with numbers playing a major role in birthdays, wedding dates and naming. Six, eight and nine are considered lucky numbers. The pronunciation of nine means everlasting, particularly in relationships, while six means things will go smoothly. Telephone numbers, license plates and even residential or business addresses which use any of or a combination of those numbers are extremely popular and often cost more. Conversely, anything involving the numbers four and seven are avoided as much as possible. Four sounds like the Chinese word for death. Seven translates as “gone” which can also mean death, while one can signify loneliness.