In case you only read this and do not get my emails, I have arrived safely home.
I’ve been busy. Busy avoiding something, busy with other things. Figured it was high time to write.
My trip back was relatively uneventful. Stayed in a nice hotel in Beijing, did some shopping. Had to check out around 5:30 AM, then proceeded to fly for the remainder of the day and the day following. The flights weren’t as crowded as they are in the summer, which is obvious. I hear that Northwest’s trans-Atlantic and domestic flights are terrible, but their Pacific flights are not bad.
In Seattle, I thought I lost one of my bags, which would be the first time ever, bu t it turns out someone took it, found out, and checked it into lost and found. So I made a B-line there, figuring I’d find my dad later (he’s a big person and all that). Well he anticipated my movements and met me at baggage. With my mom.
A pleasant surprise.
So we then met with my brother for breakfast, then hung out in the Alaska board room. My parents had graciously arranged to fly home with me—9 hours after arrival. It was good.
So now I’ve been getting settled. I’m glad I first came here. 98% of all my friends are in Washington, which means things are really quiet here. It gives me about a month to readjust, which is definitely taking time. This town is too small, I’ll tell you what. Yesterday I had three appointments. I had to go to the health clinic to get my TB test read, which was negative; then, the dentist, who told me my tooth is really just an irritated gum, but I should get my teeth cleaned (pending an opening in their schedule); finally, the chiropractor who told me one leg is longer than the other and my back is a bit weird—but whose isn’t.
Today, I have a meeting with the newspaper, tomorrow another chiropractor appointment.
Want to know why this town is too small? I know the dentist’s oldest son, I graduated with the daughter and son of the two ladies who work in the dentist’s office. My chiropractor is the father of three boys, the oldest graduated with my brother, the youngest with my sister, and I hung out with the two younger boys. Then I happen to go to the post office where I ran into two people I know.
So anyway, that’s life for now. I’ll probably start laying insulation underneath our house soon. Then my feet won’t be so cold when I go downstairs. My room is in the attic. Although it is zoned for heating, the temperature up here tended to be opposite of downstairs. So if I was freezing, they’d be warm. If I’d be dying of heatstroke, they’d be freezing—and turn up the heat. So years ago I shut off the heat and got a space heater… and life has been bliss.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Mixed Feelings
So I haven't written in a while. I've had dozens of potential things to write about. I'm sure they'd be interesting. I could've written about the beggar I saw with a live monkey that starred at me. I could've written about our small (5) Chinese 2 class having dinner over at our teacher's house, then taking her out the night after and the great times we had. I could've written about some friends from church taking me to an island here for the day. I could've written about my last Sunday and church and how sad I am to leave. I could've written about my Chinese 2 exam…
But each time, I just didn't want to organize my thoughts. Perhaps I'm in denial.
I'm sad to go. It hit me on Sunday when I was chilling out front on a beautiful Xiamen day talking with some friends at church. I looked around and realized I was leaving. I wouldn't be here anymore.
And I was sad.
It seems our group as loosened up in these last days. We seem more carefree, more energetic from a very exhausting semester. We've had some good times, and I'll be honestly sad to see some of them go. I'm going to miss some of the profs I've had, the friends I've made.
The experiences I've had.
I'll have plenty of time for introspection as I travel for two days or so to get home. But this is it for me. These last five months have been the first taste of my dreams, my goals: China. I've been here, I've seen it, tasted it, smelled it, heard it, LEARNED it. This is the beginning…
And I don't want it to end.
Sure I want to go home and see my family. I am so excited to see my dad in SeaTac and spend my layover with him. I'm stoked to see my mom in Ketchikan. My sister wouldn't even make a bet with me whether or not my mom would cry! She just said she would. I'm excited for these things, to see friends, family, and the like.
But I feel alive here. Like I'm doing something, like I'm living life. Life is a constant adventure, an adventure that I am interested and eager to get on. Now, I understand that my time, for now, is over. I understand that I will return someday. But understanding and feeling are often different.
So as I finish packing, as I attend my 5,654th banquet in China, my last one, I leave with mixed feelings. I am excited to return home, to relax, to see those I miss. But I'm sad to leave, leave the adventure, and leave those that I will miss. I've made friends, people I would love to spend more time with. People who make me laugh. People who I've learned from.
I could write a book on what I've learned, and not just about China, but about myself.
I know I've changed, but I don't know how. A quote in a book we had to read said that, "Living overseas spoils you for regular life."
And I know it has.
But each time, I just didn't want to organize my thoughts. Perhaps I'm in denial.
I'm sad to go. It hit me on Sunday when I was chilling out front on a beautiful Xiamen day talking with some friends at church. I looked around and realized I was leaving. I wouldn't be here anymore.
And I was sad.
It seems our group as loosened up in these last days. We seem more carefree, more energetic from a very exhausting semester. We've had some good times, and I'll be honestly sad to see some of them go. I'm going to miss some of the profs I've had, the friends I've made.
The experiences I've had.
I'll have plenty of time for introspection as I travel for two days or so to get home. But this is it for me. These last five months have been the first taste of my dreams, my goals: China. I've been here, I've seen it, tasted it, smelled it, heard it, LEARNED it. This is the beginning…
And I don't want it to end.
Sure I want to go home and see my family. I am so excited to see my dad in SeaTac and spend my layover with him. I'm stoked to see my mom in Ketchikan. My sister wouldn't even make a bet with me whether or not my mom would cry! She just said she would. I'm excited for these things, to see friends, family, and the like.
But I feel alive here. Like I'm doing something, like I'm living life. Life is a constant adventure, an adventure that I am interested and eager to get on. Now, I understand that my time, for now, is over. I understand that I will return someday. But understanding and feeling are often different.
So as I finish packing, as I attend my 5,654th banquet in China, my last one, I leave with mixed feelings. I am excited to return home, to relax, to see those I miss. But I'm sad to leave, leave the adventure, and leave those that I will miss. I've made friends, people I would love to spend more time with. People who make me laugh. People who I've learned from.
I could write a book on what I've learned, and not just about China, but about myself.
I know I've changed, but I don't know how. A quote in a book we had to read said that, "Living overseas spoils you for regular life."
And I know it has.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Art
I think I’m going to skip clever intros and just cut to the chase:
My art teacher came to class with a hangover.
I probably could end this post right here, but I’ll explain a bit. He’s a grad student here at Xiada, studying art. He’s really good and loves what he does. He really wants to help us and wants us to get it. A nice guy, albeit a bit single minded at times. For several days, he would come to class late. Like an hour late. We didn’t mind too much, we’d just paint. However, the day before, he was absent and the assistant director of our program happen to be in the building and stop in. When she heard our teacher was absent, she made some phone calls to the Overseas College here. He showed up.
The next day, he was on time! Like right on time!
With a hangover.
Now, that isn’t even the best part. Class started like this.
He walks in, looking a bit tired, under the weather. We’re getting ready to paint.
He goes to the board and begins to write on it. He says, and this is a direct quote, “Yesterday, I am drinking.” The mistake made there makes a ton of sense now that I speak a little Chinese. They do not conjugate verbs. They have one word for am, are, is, was, were, will be. You just throw another word after it to denote time. Anyway, I was a bit surprised, and on reflex, everyone turned to look at Ted, our TA, who had been translating for the class (the teacher speaks some English). He looks back and says, “What? He has a hangover.”
I understood, I was just a bit shocked.
Anyway, we’re done with painting now.
I just have one exam left, my Chinese 2 exam, and a short paper to write. The exam will be interesting because of the oral part. I’ll probably spend most the weekend studying. The biggest problem I have is usage: Chinese grammar, although loose in some areas, has a fairly rigid structure. Word order is extremely important. Sure I know the words. Sure I can say them with reasonable clarity. But where do I put them? Study study.
Picking up my ticket to Beijing today. Six days from now I leave for Beijing. A week from today I leave for America.
My art teacher came to class with a hangover.
I probably could end this post right here, but I’ll explain a bit. He’s a grad student here at Xiada, studying art. He’s really good and loves what he does. He really wants to help us and wants us to get it. A nice guy, albeit a bit single minded at times. For several days, he would come to class late. Like an hour late. We didn’t mind too much, we’d just paint. However, the day before, he was absent and the assistant director of our program happen to be in the building and stop in. When she heard our teacher was absent, she made some phone calls to the Overseas College here. He showed up.
The next day, he was on time! Like right on time!
With a hangover.
Now, that isn’t even the best part. Class started like this.
He walks in, looking a bit tired, under the weather. We’re getting ready to paint.
He goes to the board and begins to write on it. He says, and this is a direct quote, “Yesterday, I am drinking.” The mistake made there makes a ton of sense now that I speak a little Chinese. They do not conjugate verbs. They have one word for am, are, is, was, were, will be. You just throw another word after it to denote time. Anyway, I was a bit surprised, and on reflex, everyone turned to look at Ted, our TA, who had been translating for the class (the teacher speaks some English). He looks back and says, “What? He has a hangover.”
I understood, I was just a bit shocked.
Anyway, we’re done with painting now.
I just have one exam left, my Chinese 2 exam, and a short paper to write. The exam will be interesting because of the oral part. I’ll probably spend most the weekend studying. The biggest problem I have is usage: Chinese grammar, although loose in some areas, has a fairly rigid structure. Word order is extremely important. Sure I know the words. Sure I can say them with reasonable clarity. But where do I put them? Study study.
Picking up my ticket to Beijing today. Six days from now I leave for Beijing. A week from today I leave for America.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Laughter
Today after church, I went down to the bookstore to get a friend one of the bilingual Bibles. I wanted to pick one up myself, so I told the lady I wanted two books.
In Chinese, there are words called “measure words.” They are exclusively used after a number to denote the KIND of thing. There is a general, catchall word, but it is more appropriate if you use the proper word. So far I know the measure words for cups, bottles, books, pieces of meat (or just chicken, I haven’t figured that out yet), paper, desks, money, and probably a few other things I am forgetting. It roughly translates as two “things” or “units” and if you know the specific one, then it would be just like saying, “I’ll have two PIECES of chicken,” or “I’ll have two BOOKS.” Now most the time I do not know the measure word, so I just use the general word, which is fine. However, when I do know it, I try to use the proper one. They like that.
So, when I asked for two books, I used the general measure word. However, after a second I realized I KNOW the measure word for books, so I corrected myself by saying two books with the proper book measure word.
The lady burst out in laughter.
Now, this was not a patronizing, your-an-idiot laugh as much as the he-actually-said-something-correctly laugh. Well, I like to think of it that way. I think she was giggling because when I correct myself I purposefully pronounced both words very clearly and exaggerated the tones.
Anyway, that just made my day. I had this old woman in the church bookstore laughing for five minutes.
After that, we all went to a big Thai festival that was being held on campus. In our building alone, there are tons of Thai students. This year they had a public celebration of the Loi Kratong festival, which is a full moon type lantern festival. It seems every culture has some sort of fall/full moon festival. Ours may not be a full moon, but merely full stomachs. Anyway, they had an international beauty pageant that three of our girls were in. One of them is half-Chinese, the other full-blooded Mexican, and the third is just … white. Anyway, we went out and supported and cheered for them as they looked beautiful.
I stayed away from the Thai food, however. Twice going to Thailand and twice getting food poisoning tends to give one a physical aversion to the food.
In Chinese, there are words called “measure words.” They are exclusively used after a number to denote the KIND of thing. There is a general, catchall word, but it is more appropriate if you use the proper word. So far I know the measure words for cups, bottles, books, pieces of meat (or just chicken, I haven’t figured that out yet), paper, desks, money, and probably a few other things I am forgetting. It roughly translates as two “things” or “units” and if you know the specific one, then it would be just like saying, “I’ll have two PIECES of chicken,” or “I’ll have two BOOKS.” Now most the time I do not know the measure word, so I just use the general word, which is fine. However, when I do know it, I try to use the proper one. They like that.
So, when I asked for two books, I used the general measure word. However, after a second I realized I KNOW the measure word for books, so I corrected myself by saying two books with the proper book measure word.
The lady burst out in laughter.
Now, this was not a patronizing, your-an-idiot laugh as much as the he-actually-said-something-correctly laugh. Well, I like to think of it that way. I think she was giggling because when I correct myself I purposefully pronounced both words very clearly and exaggerated the tones.
Anyway, that just made my day. I had this old woman in the church bookstore laughing for five minutes.
After that, we all went to a big Thai festival that was being held on campus. In our building alone, there are tons of Thai students. This year they had a public celebration of the Loi Kratong festival, which is a full moon type lantern festival. It seems every culture has some sort of fall/full moon festival. Ours may not be a full moon, but merely full stomachs. Anyway, they had an international beauty pageant that three of our girls were in. One of them is half-Chinese, the other full-blooded Mexican, and the third is just … white. Anyway, we went out and supported and cheered for them as they looked beautiful.
I stayed away from the Thai food, however. Twice going to Thailand and twice getting food poisoning tends to give one a physical aversion to the food.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Thanksgiving
I am certainly envious of my friends and family who have related stories of delectable meals and wonderful times with family.
How do you celebrate an American holiday in… not America?
By going to Pizza Hut.
Yes, friends, you heard me correctly. Of course, I have never eaten at Pizza Hut in the US, mainly because I’d rather spend my money on other pizzas. However, in China, a land largely free from pizza, you really don’t have a choice. Furthermore, Pizza Hut is a fancy restaurant here. And expensive. They serve all serves of other entrees, soups, salads (with a full salad bar), and a host of desserts. And the pizza isn’t have bad.
Most of our group went and we were joined by one German friend, studying here at Xiada, as well as five or six Chinese friends. And considering one of our group is a Korean who is from Paraguay (it’s complicated), studying in the US, and now studying in China (I told you…), we had three continents of the world represented.
Pretty sure the first Thanksgiving only had two.
Other than that, I haven’t done much. As a friend and I stared out his window and chatted, I commented that for almost five months I haven’t had much time to NOT do anything. I find myself increasingly tired, on edge. Time is drawing near, and I’m ready for it.
We actually did get a Thanksgiving break, which after I thought about it, was the first days off school that we’ve had. Our trips we’ve taken are all required, so I don’t really count those. Then I also realized that I’ve never missed a class, since we have a zero attendance policy, and I’ve never been late, since it is INCREDIBLY rude to be late here.
However, I still have homework to work on. I have a presentation to give about my family on Monday, in Chinese, and I need to continue to work on my translation of a Chinese song.
Sounds like tomorrow.
Oh and in case you were wondering, I did call my parents on Thanksgiving--at least Thanksgiving there. I may be half a world away, but I still must do my sonly duties!
How do you celebrate an American holiday in… not America?
By going to Pizza Hut.
Yes, friends, you heard me correctly. Of course, I have never eaten at Pizza Hut in the US, mainly because I’d rather spend my money on other pizzas. However, in China, a land largely free from pizza, you really don’t have a choice. Furthermore, Pizza Hut is a fancy restaurant here. And expensive. They serve all serves of other entrees, soups, salads (with a full salad bar), and a host of desserts. And the pizza isn’t have bad.
Most of our group went and we were joined by one German friend, studying here at Xiada, as well as five or six Chinese friends. And considering one of our group is a Korean who is from Paraguay (it’s complicated), studying in the US, and now studying in China (I told you…), we had three continents of the world represented.
Pretty sure the first Thanksgiving only had two.
Other than that, I haven’t done much. As a friend and I stared out his window and chatted, I commented that for almost five months I haven’t had much time to NOT do anything. I find myself increasingly tired, on edge. Time is drawing near, and I’m ready for it.
We actually did get a Thanksgiving break, which after I thought about it, was the first days off school that we’ve had. Our trips we’ve taken are all required, so I don’t really count those. Then I also realized that I’ve never missed a class, since we have a zero attendance policy, and I’ve never been late, since it is INCREDIBLY rude to be late here.
However, I still have homework to work on. I have a presentation to give about my family on Monday, in Chinese, and I need to continue to work on my translation of a Chinese song.
Sounds like tomorrow.
Oh and in case you were wondering, I did call my parents on Thanksgiving--at least Thanksgiving there. I may be half a world away, but I still must do my sonly duties!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The Moon
I got done with Taiji today and took off to… well to hide. On my way to hide, I stopped at a restaurant. As I sat down, I looked up and saw an incredibly bright moon against a blue sky.
The moon. It seems brighter in the Middle Kingdom.
As I waited for my food, I pondered the moon and its importance in Chinese cultural and mythology. There are all sorts of myths about the moon and people hiding in it and all these cool things. The moon itself, however, is important within the culture.
Each September or early October, Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated. There are this sort of not good tasting things called mooncakes and in Xiamen there is some cool dice games. The roots of the festival have to do with harvest times and all that, kind of like Thanksgiving. But another meaning is the moon.
Mid Autumn Festival always falls on the full moon. There is a poem I have written down somewhere that has to do with it, but basically it is that the moon looks the same anywhere you are on the earth. We had to memorize a Chinese poem, one of the more famous ones in China, which has to do with the moon and missing your home.
When asked about the importance of Mid-Autumn, many Chinese told me that today they just remember their families if they cannot be with them during it. They often would say that they would look at the moon and dream of home. The idea is that that same moon is seen at home.
So, as I ate my food, I starred at the moon, which did seem bright, and ponder of home.
Perhaps it is fitting on the eve of Thanksgiving.
The moon. It seems brighter in the Middle Kingdom.
As I waited for my food, I pondered the moon and its importance in Chinese cultural and mythology. There are all sorts of myths about the moon and people hiding in it and all these cool things. The moon itself, however, is important within the culture.
Each September or early October, Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated. There are this sort of not good tasting things called mooncakes and in Xiamen there is some cool dice games. The roots of the festival have to do with harvest times and all that, kind of like Thanksgiving. But another meaning is the moon.
Mid Autumn Festival always falls on the full moon. There is a poem I have written down somewhere that has to do with it, but basically it is that the moon looks the same anywhere you are on the earth. We had to memorize a Chinese poem, one of the more famous ones in China, which has to do with the moon and missing your home.
When asked about the importance of Mid-Autumn, many Chinese told me that today they just remember their families if they cannot be with them during it. They often would say that they would look at the moon and dream of home. The idea is that that same moon is seen at home.
So, as I ate my food, I starred at the moon, which did seem bright, and ponder of home.
Perhaps it is fitting on the eve of Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The Note
So yesterday was a bad day.
No specific circumstance, just me coming to exhaustion. I won’t go into it other than as I walked back to my dorm last night, through the bustling streets of Xiamen, I prayed, “God. I know I’m not alone. Send me a sign. Something.”
So, last night I went to bed early. Here’s a quick shout out to my roommate who was really good about being quiet.
I get up today, make some oatmeal and coffee, as I have for the last year or so, and am poking through emails and news. I start talking to one of the Business Concentration girls on MSN. The six business concentration peeps are now interning full time with companies over here. Two of the girls are required to use MSN at work to communicate between workers. And friends.
So, we’re talking, and she says, “Did you get the note outside your door?” Now, initially, I thought it was from her, but she went on to say, “Someone gave notes to everyone. And M&Ms!” Remembering my prayer last night, I replied, “Interesting.”
So I grab the note on my way to painting class and forget about it until I’m in my room for lunch. I pull it out, read the note. Encouragement, yes. From the note, I surmised who wrote it… It made me smile and laugh and be overall encouraged. I’m reading along, “…I just wanted to encourage you because I’ve seen your amazing people skills--“
Wait, what?
If I were to take a self-assessment test right now, I would rate my people skills as fairly low. In fact, the ONE thing I have struggled with the most and been challenged on the most in China has been my people skills. During my internship, this was something we worked on. I have felt that I’ve grown in this area. However, I’ve had plenty of opportunities that could be used to illustrate the poor use of people skills. I’ve even burned a few bridges, pissed a few people off. Now, I can’t remember if I mentioned struggling with this to this person or not, but I have a feeling I did.
Now, I know some responses to this will likely be proving me wrong, and I do appreciate your encouragements, but please understand that things have been different here. For close to five months, none of you have seen me, interacted with me (unless of course you’re reading this from China, which I’m almost certain is not the case). Things over here are different, personal faults and weaknesses are more exposed.
We all have our moments.
But the moral of all this isn’t about me, but about how God is continually faithful. To quote a book I was given at the end of my internship, “If God calls, he enables.”
Those M&Ms were good, too…
No specific circumstance, just me coming to exhaustion. I won’t go into it other than as I walked back to my dorm last night, through the bustling streets of Xiamen, I prayed, “God. I know I’m not alone. Send me a sign. Something.”
So, last night I went to bed early. Here’s a quick shout out to my roommate who was really good about being quiet.
I get up today, make some oatmeal and coffee, as I have for the last year or so, and am poking through emails and news. I start talking to one of the Business Concentration girls on MSN. The six business concentration peeps are now interning full time with companies over here. Two of the girls are required to use MSN at work to communicate between workers. And friends.
So, we’re talking, and she says, “Did you get the note outside your door?” Now, initially, I thought it was from her, but she went on to say, “Someone gave notes to everyone. And M&Ms!” Remembering my prayer last night, I replied, “Interesting.”
So I grab the note on my way to painting class and forget about it until I’m in my room for lunch. I pull it out, read the note. Encouragement, yes. From the note, I surmised who wrote it… It made me smile and laugh and be overall encouraged. I’m reading along, “…I just wanted to encourage you because I’ve seen your amazing people skills--“
Wait, what?
If I were to take a self-assessment test right now, I would rate my people skills as fairly low. In fact, the ONE thing I have struggled with the most and been challenged on the most in China has been my people skills. During my internship, this was something we worked on. I have felt that I’ve grown in this area. However, I’ve had plenty of opportunities that could be used to illustrate the poor use of people skills. I’ve even burned a few bridges, pissed a few people off. Now, I can’t remember if I mentioned struggling with this to this person or not, but I have a feeling I did.
Now, I know some responses to this will likely be proving me wrong, and I do appreciate your encouragements, but please understand that things have been different here. For close to five months, none of you have seen me, interacted with me (unless of course you’re reading this from China, which I’m almost certain is not the case). Things over here are different, personal faults and weaknesses are more exposed.
We all have our moments.
But the moral of all this isn’t about me, but about how God is continually faithful. To quote a book I was given at the end of my internship, “If God calls, he enables.”
Those M&Ms were good, too…
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