A Student Teaching Portfolio

I. Spring Festival in the Country of Lu

2008-03-17T22:18:00.001+08:00

Overcrowded trains during the Chinese New Year are standard fare for most Chinese returning home for this most important traditional holiday. Thankfully, I had a seat for the 9+ hour overnight train, but not everyone was so comfortable, as you can see from the aisles full of people who could only get a standing ticket. And, let me tell you, there were people standing everywhere! There was a guy standing between my legs and the legs of the guy across from me! There was another guy standing on my right! If I wanted to stretch my legs, I had to weave them through the legs of the people standing/sitting in front of me! You know that whole "Americans like their personal space" idea, well, yeah, you better much forget all about that! It wasn't what I would call a comfortable ride, but it could have been a lot worse. Some of the people still had several hours to stand as many of them were headed to the Shanghai and Hangzhou area further to the south.Once in the city of Taian, in the Shandong Province, the site of the famous and revered Mount Tai, I had a few hours to walk around the city while I waited for my friend to come and take me back to his hometown a couple of hours away by bus. Here is a scene from a street market. With meat prices so high throughout the year here in China, the Spring Festival is a time to splurge and get all the things the family likes to eat but don't usually get to the rest of the year.This guy made some of the most delicious salty green onion hotcakes (minus the egg) I've ever had in China! I bought one that day. Then, on my way back to Beijing, I had to get two more! Wow! I might just have to make a trip back there to satisfy a craving! Yum! My mouth is watering now!
The festive mood and decorations brought life to the streets as everyone was getting ready for the lunar new year. One of the traditions is to paste blessings written on red paper on the door posts of all the houses. Somewhat reminiscent of the Israelites putting the blood on their door posts in Exodus...

Olympic Anticipation!

2008-01-28T21:24:00.000+08:00

YESSS!!! I'm super excited!!! Check it out!!!
"We would like to thank you for your interest in applying for Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games tickets. We are pleased to confirm that you have secured your place at some or all of your selected sessions after a random selection on the over subscribed sessions. You will be charged, through your pre-selected payment method, only for the price of tickets that are allocated to you. Please make sure that you have sufficient funds in your specified account to pay for your ticket order.
You have been allocated the following tickets..."

Woooo!!! Hoooo!!! I'm going to the Olympics!!!!!! YEAH!!!

Life in the City

2008-01-28T21:02:00.000+08:00

Here there be foreigners!

All the lonely people, where do they all come from...where do they all belong...

The Golden Arches are everywhere, but I bet these ladies have never seen the movie "Super Size Me"

who are my heros?

2008-01-13T19:14:00.000+08:00

the disabled man who works at the mall picking up trash and gets laughed at by people passing by... the single mom working multiple jobs and barely getting by to provide for her kids... the alcoholic who goes to his first support group meeting... the divorced father working extra jobs to pay child support... the pastor who got caught in sexual immorality but is repentant and trying to start a new life... the grandmother raising her grandkids... the husband who makes dinner for his wife after she's had a long day taking care of the kids... the recovering drug addict who struggles with all of his heart to stay clean... the wife who prays for her husband even though he treats her like trash... the person who has homosexual feelings but tries to live a life of purity... the maimed child who begs daily on the streets for money he has to give to a ruthless crook who cut off his hand to make him look more pitiful... people who try to keep on going, even if they've been marginalized, made mistakes, been a victim, or are in a less-than-ideal situation in life... JESUS, because He knows what it means to suffer, and because He loves us all!

Second Try

2007-12-29T19:59:00.000+08:00

Well, since my application to the 2008 Olympics' ticket lottery was rejected the first time (as seen in the letter above), this last week, as a Christmas present to myself, I tried again to apply for some tickets to the international games. Now I just have to wait a few months before I find out if I get tickets or not. If so, I get to enjoy the event all of China is eagerly anticipating; if not...who knows, maybe I'll just chuck the Olympics and go on vacation!

Qing Ming Riverside

2007-12-08T13:59:00.000+08:00

At the end of last month, I had the wonderful experience of attending an interpretive dance performance of the ancient Chinese painting 清明上河图(Qing Ming Shang He Tu) put on by the Hong Kong Dance Company. My friend Jerry and I went and had a great time watching the artistic creation of the painter Zhang Zeduan's masterpiece come to life on the stage. I hope you enjoy a few scenes from the program bill (and my friend's mobile phone camera) to spark your imagination of this dance extravaganza!Check out the link to see one of my favorite paintings from Chinese art history!
http://baike.baidu.com/pic/1/11943550251553562.jpg

Community Horizons

2007-12-08T13:33:00.000+08:00

This semester, I had the privilege of beginning to learn Chinese sign language. It is really neat to learn about the community of the hearing impaired in China, make friends in their subculture, and broaden my community horizons! Here are some images from the last class when students from the special education school came over to help us with our sign language. It was really fun to be able to converse with students in their own heart language! Some of these students had never before met a foreigner, so it was a great honor and privilege to be able to have acquaintance with them and learn about their worlds! May God bless the hearing impaired community in China and around the globe!

Rural Beijing

2007-11-29T22:09:00.000+08:00

Last month, I went on a church devotional camp at a rural village in the outskirts of Beijing. Here's a glimpse at some of the scenery.

Olympic Disappointment

2007-09-22T18:16:00.000+08:00

Yeah, so, my first week of classes, I got a notice from the Olympic ticket organization...my name was not selected in the lottery of ticket buyers...I'll have to try again next month when they reopen the lottery for ticket buyers. (Since there are so many people wanting to purchase tickets for these historic Olympic games here in Beijing, they enter all potential ticket buyer names in a random lottery...so at least I can say I tried!)

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!" I guess that's what the olympiads have to remember too...

Points of Interest

2007-09-18T19:40:00.000+08:00

This is a synopsis of my summer travels! See the blog entries below for more details.

1. Beijing (departed Jul 14) (returned Sep 1)
2. Shenzhen (stopped through Jul 14)
3. Hong Kong (Jul 14-17) (stopped through Jul 31) (Aug 18-31)
4. Taipei (Jul 17-23, 27-31)
5. Lotung (Jul 24-26)
6. Macau (stopped through Jul 31-Aug 1, 18)
7. Kuala Lumpur (Aug 1-7)
8. Taiping (Aug 8-9)
9. Penang (Aug 10-12)
10. Malacca (Aug 13-14)
11. Singapore (Aug 15-16)
12. Bangkok (Aug 17-18)

Hong Kong, China – Destination #14

2007-09-04T14:44:00.000+08:00

It was nice to be back in beautiful Hong Kong for a couple of weeks!
My last night before heading back to Beijing, I hung out with the youth group from a local church. They're hilarious!

Macau, China – Destination #13

2007-09-04T14:34:00.000+08:00

Basically, I just flew in here from Bangkok and immediately went and caught a ferry to Hong Kong. I love efficient public transportation! Enjoy the view from a Macau taxi!

Bangkok, Thailand – Destination #12

2007-09-04T13:39:00.000+08:00

Since I was previously planning to go to Thailand, I had already purchased my plane ticket from Bangkok to Macau. However, because I needed to cancel my plans and since I could only change the date for my ticket (not the destination as I had hoped), I decided that I may as well see a few of the major sights in Bangkok for a day. So, I did just that! Bangkok is quite a city!
His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej is the longest-reigning king in Thai history. The Grand Palace, which is the former royal residence, is a must see, even if you’re only stopping through Thailand for a day!
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) is in the greater palace complex. The people of Thailand say, “to be Thai, is to be Buddhist.” About 95% of the population practice Buddhism.
Taking a boat up and down the river (Mae Nam Chao Phraya), which is used as a transportation route for everyday life and also for sightseeing tourists, was fun and also quite insightful into local Thai culture. It was very relaxing, as I even dozed off for a brief nap!

Singapore – Destination #11

2007-09-03T21:49:00.000+08:00

This island city-state is quite a remarkable place, geographically, historically, economically, governmentally, religiously, and culturally. The citizens of Singapore really stand out among the peoples of Asia for their high standards in society and quality of life.
My dad visited the island back in his days in the Navy, so it was neat to be able to visit some of his old stomping grounds and experience some of the same sights and sounds.

The island nation is also quite a multicultural center, as seen in this photo with an Islamic mosque, Hindu temple, and Buddhist shrine. These ancient religions all exhist among the modern urban society, ever spreading with construction cranes like the Borg slowing assimilating the natural world.

God is doing great things through various ministries in Singapore, with Christians making up about 15% of the religious population. This high percentage of adherents to Christianity is unique among the countries of Asia.

Malacca, Malaysia – Destination #10

2007-09-02T19:19:00.000+08:00

Malacca is another important maritime and historic location in Southeast Asia. The Portuguese settlement, home to who the locals call “Eurasian” people, is also quite a rare phenomena in this part of the world.
My friends Edmund and Amanda lead a ministry reaching out to the marginalized community of Malaysia. God has done great things in their lives and is doing amazing works in their ministries! They let me stay at their fabulous beach-front home in the Portuguese settlement! Wow! Beautiful! What a view!

This is a really cool traditional church in the historical district of the city. The architecture around Southeast Asia is just AMAZING! Very romantic and diverse!

Penang, Malaysia – Destination #9

2007-08-23T23:54:00.000+08:00

Penang is an historic island, with a long colonial and maritime history.
My friend Jerry is a really great Christian brother, and he showed me around the northern Malaysian island, including the BEACH! Yeah! I love the ocean!
While most Indians in Malaysia are Hindu, there is a small percentage of Christians among them. It was a privilege and a blessing to visit a Tamil speaking Indian church while on the island! In the midst of worshipping with them, the Lord brought to mind a dear Christian Indian sister, Dr. Violet, who recently went home to join the eternal reunion with our Lord! The eyes of my heart saw her worshipping before the Lord with those who have gone before us...May her love of others and impact on so many lives continue forever!
While Sun, Zhongshan was in Penang, he made his base at this traditional style home. Recently, there was a movie about Dr. Sun Yat-Sen filmed in Penang, and they used this house as one of the sets.

Taiping, Malaysia – Destination #8

2007-08-23T23:35:00.000+08:00

The trip to Taiping on the bus went fast with the beautiful Malaysian mountains all around!

Taiping, in the Perak State, is in northern Malaysia. Like many cities in the country, this town also has a long history and has been influenced by the colonial era, as seen in the variety of architecture.

While there, I visited a center reaching out to disabled persons and stayed with the director and his family at their home. It was really inspiring to see the dedication of the servants I met, and I hope I can catch their vision and be willing to humble myself and help others in the same way! Here above, at the work center, some of the participants are making soft seat covers for chairs as they develop in technical, relational, and personal skills.
During the Japanese invasion of Malaysia, many Muslim, Hindu, and Christian soldiers died defending this land. The Taiping War Cemetery was built to remember those souls who sacrificed their lives.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Destination #7 (Continued)

2007-08-23T23:19:00.000+08:00

Indians in Malaysia are predominantly Hindu, and many worship in temples such as this historic one in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysian Chinese people are usually either Buddhist and go to temples like this to burn incense and worship gods…
…or they are Christians and gather in church buildings like this to worship the Lord Jesus Christ.
My good friend and brother Lewis was really nice to take me around the city and help me understand more about Malaysia culture, overseas Chinese society, living in a multilingual setting, and God’s work in Malaysian churches!

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Destination #7

2007-08-23T23:05:00.000+08:00

Kuala Lumpur is the capitol city of the beautiful country of Malaysia. These two towers in the central district of “KL” are definitely a well known landmark, and it was neat to see them up close!
The conference on Christian counseling was really inspiring and encouraging. I hope I have more opportunities to attend similar meetings in the future!
Meeting new friends at the conference was fun, and we had a great time going around the city and sharing what the Lord is doing in our lives! Yes, God also has a sense of humor! :)
As an Islamic country, there are mosques in every neighborhood. The Malay people are officially Muslim and adhere to the teachings of the Quran.

Macau, China – Destination #6

2007-08-23T22:55:00.000+08:00

My flight for Malaysia left the next morning, so I just got a bunk for the night in a little hostel.
The next morning, I had a nice devotional time reading my Bible with warmth of the rising sun in the historic town square of Macau. I love the traditional colonial Portuguese architecture!
Macau is a really cool city with lots of history and character (that is…if you ignore all the gaudy casinos!).

Hong Kong, China – Destination #5

2007-08-23T22:48:00.000+08:00

Actually, I just stopped through Hong Kong to catch a boat to Macau, just a quick transport through the Chinese Special Administrative Region. The Fragrant Harbor is a great transport hub!

Lotung, Taiwan Province – Destination #4

2007-08-23T18:12:00.001+08:00

Every time I go to Taiwan, I have to visit the orphanage where I got a heart for the Chinese! These are the servants who have run the orphanage for over 30years! Here during the water-olympics, they were about to receive the reward they deserve after all those years! Water dumped on their heads by the kids! :)
It was great joining in the water-olympics some short-term trip leaders put on for the kids!
There are always lots of cute babies getting ready to be picked up by their new parents! This little guy was quite mischievous, but cute nonetheless!
I love Taiwan!

Taipei, Taiwan Province – Destination #3

2007-08-23T17:58:00.000+08:00

Visiting brothers and sisters at a great church in Taipei County and sharing with them in their services was encouraging!
Finally visiting the National Palace Museum and seeing all of the really awesome ancient relics from China’s history was a sort of a “Chinese language student’s pilgrimage” for me!
My friend opened a restaurant! They make great noodles! If you’re going to Taipei, let me know and I can tell you how to get there to try some of his delicious entrées!
Sun, Zhongshan (also known as Dr. Sun Yat-Sen)… the world would not be the same without him!

Hong Kong, China – Destination #2

2007-08-23T17:49:00.000+08:00

I attended a church camp, and it was really fun to see some good Christian family and share with them!

Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China – Destination #1

2007-08-23T17:46:00.000+08:00

I just stopped through this special economic zone on my way to Hong Kong, since I got a super cheap flight! Here’s a really interesting view from my bus leaving the airport! :)

Olympic Fever!

2007-04-19T20:16:00.000+08:00

This week Beijing announced the official start of ticket sales for the 2008 Olympics! Since I’m here in Beijing studying Chinese, I figure I can’t afford to miss the chance to see some of the historic moments that will be happening here in China, so I’ve already applied for tickets to either the opening or closing ceremonies. However, since they are using a lottery system for determining final ticket sales, I have no idea which event I will eventually end up attending. In any case, it will be fabulous, as the Chinese people are putting forth every imaginable effort in welcoming the world to their ancient capitol city, which is rapidly transitioning into a first class international city.
As you can see from the picture of the National Stadium, otherwise known as the “Bird’s Nest,” and the bubble-like aquatic arena, the construction of the Olympic park complex is progressing quite nicely. Besides athletic areas, the city is also in the process of building new subway lines and making sure the city public services and areas are in tip-top shape for the masses of foreign guests that are scheduled to arrive next summer. I’m excited about the Olympics, and I can’t wait until I find out what kind of tickets I get for the historic occasion!

Celebrating the New Year in Tianjin

2007-02-25T18:05:00.000+08:00

The cultural streets were traditionally decorated with red lanterns, and I felt like I was in ancient China. I turned to my friend and said, "If we all changed into traditional style clothes, we'd feel like we're in ancient times." Ah, China is so cool!
Enjoy some Beijing Opera in Tianjin during the New Year festivities!
He's got rhythm! This guy is awesome!
YES! I was so excited that my friends in Tianjin treated me to some stinky tofu there! We also added some grey stinky sauce as a topper, raunchily delightful!

Historic Hysteria

2007-02-25T18:00:00.000+08:00

Hey! That’s my job! What are you doing wearing that funny outfit anyway?
(My friends and I saw this “ancient” guard and modern officer in Tianjin and thought it was pretty ironic.)

Load ‘em up!

2007-02-25T17:34:00.000+08:00

On Lunar New Year’s Eve, the streets are almost empty, and most buses basically seem abandoned. This is because most people are in their homes with family and friends eating, watching tv, and closing out the past year. My bus was actually pretty full for the holiday, as I saw others pass by with not even a single passenger aboard.
However, come the few days following New Year ’s Eve, and the busses are all packed again with people out and about, going to temple fairs, and enjoying the festive mood.

Marvelously Stinky Tofu

2007-02-25T17:24:00.000+08:00

Ah, how the glorious aroma of stinky tofu rises among the crowds! Fermented to a stench, fried to perfection, loaded with hot sauce, and sold at an affordable price, this traditional snack of the Chinese is sure to either make you plug your nose in disgust or rush for the counter for a mouth watering adventure!

My first introduction to the infamous appetizer was in Taiwan in the summer of 2002, where the scent of the snack wafts through the air tempting and taunting unwary passerby. It wasn’t until my second visit to the beautiful island in 2003 that I asked a Chinese friend if he would take me to try some. Although the stench was offensively attacking my nostrils, I loaded a bite with spicy white cabbage and clamped down on my first chopsticks-full. Surprisingly, it was like love at first bite, and I’ve been craving the stuff ever since.

In 2005, I was here in Beijing for several months studying Chinese, and when some friends took me out to dinner one night, they ordered some of the odorous bean curd. It certainly wasn’t as good as the tasty entrée in Taiwan, but it was enough to hold me over for the year. While I was in Taiwan this last summer, I regret not having a chance to devour some of my favorite snack there, but I knew I would have a chance in the future.

Then yesterday, unexpectedly, while I was at a Chinese New Year celebration at one of Beijing’s many parks, my senses were overwhelmed with the discovery of stinky tofu shops around the fair. The first stand I saw selling it caught my interest, but the way they made it didn’t quite satisfy my picky tastes. They didn’t put the right spicy sauce on as a topper, and I wasn’t going to set up my taste buds for disappointment. Then, I had almost forgotten about my desired little snack when I ran upon another shop on the other side of the fair. It was like a dream come true! Stinky tofu made just the way I like it! I eagerly ordered a bowl, and quickly began to devour each and every bite! Mmmmmm! Ah, stinky tofu… What would China be without it?

Pig Party

2007-02-25T17:11:00.000+08:00

This would be more fun if everyone wasn't staring at these silly rabbit ears! Besides, it's the year of the pig!
Where does this tunnel end? Is this gonna be psychedelic like in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?Roast lamb anyone?
Don't drop it!

Pig Processional

2007-02-24T15:17:00.000+08:00

Gnaw on a sugar cane or drink from a coconut!
Traditional architecture and decorations made for a festive mood
Toys made from melted sugar blown into cute animal shapes are a fun way of remembering the past
Food, food, food! Chinese New Year is incomplete without a LOT of scrumptious snacks!

Porky Parade

2007-02-24T15:07:00.000+08:00

People were crowding to get into the park for the fair

Everyone was excited to be there and put on their best clothes for the occasion!

There were lots of games to choose from in the recreation center

Anyone for a snack on a stick? Scorpion, seahorse, lizard, larva... Gentile cuisine galore!

Piggly Wiggly

2007-02-21T15:35:00.000+08:00

The Year of the Pig is finally upon us! The Chinese family name “Zhu” is quite common, and since this name rhymes with the word for pig, many parents will plan to have their babies this year.
Yesterday, on the third day of the New Year, I went to a park here in Beijing to one of the temple fairs (the one I went to wasn’t held in a temple and it had little to nothing to do with religion, go figure). It is a time of lots of food, all kinds of shopping, and different games for all ages. It reminded me of a mix between a state fair, the fourth of July, and Christmas. It was really interesting to see all of the different traditional snacks available, and I was glad to get to taste some too.
The festive mood brought out all the wild characters this year! (Actually, this guy was one of many selling crazy hats and masks. What better way to sell them than to wear them yourself and catch the attention of your customers!)
People were relaxing and playing games like Ping Pong, Chinese Chess, and other traditional games.

Shaggy

2007-02-15T22:28:00.000+08:00

So, I had this dilemma… If I cut my hair, I would be really cold (since it is still freezing cold winter brrrr!). But, I looked like a wilderness man. I decided to grow out my beard to see what it would look like and to keep warmer. I didn’t know if I really could grow a whole beard. Well, now I know… It was fun, maybe next winter I’ll grow it out again.
Anyway, today I went and got a hair cut (for about US$2), and I shaved off most of my beard. I feel like a new man, but now I’m cold.

It Actually Snowed

2007-01-15T15:48:00.000+08:00

A few weeks ago, New Year’s weekend, as I woke up from a good night’s sleep, I noticed the glow coming in from outside was rather strange. I hadn’t opened my curtains yet, and I didn’t look out my kitchen window when I was making my breakfast. I just thought, the pollution must be really bad today or something…

Then, later that morning, I was talking with my parents online, and they were telling me about all the snow they got in Nebraska. So, I was telling them about how Beijing “never gets snow.” However, I also mentioned to them that the weather seemed strange that day, but that I hadn’t seen what it was like out yet.
After I signed off with them, I went into the kitchen; as I looked out the window, I realized why the weather seemed odd. It was snowing! I was excited to see the frosty flurries, so I quickly bundled up and ran outside to snap some pictures of my apartment area with snow! Yeah!

The snow stayed a nice pure white in the mini-park behind my place until the snow finished melting this past week, but the sidewalks and streets were immediately a mess of black and brown slop. Riding my bicycle in the slough with snow flakes flying in my face was certainly an adventure! You never know what you’re going to wake up to in China!

The Sprawling Metropolis

2006-12-18T22:22:00.000+08:00

Office buildings, shopping centers, apartments, schools, ancient temples, traditional courtyard homes, freeways, subways, railroads, parks, public squares…

The city just keeps spreading out in all directions. With the 2008 Olympics coming up, there are thousands of construction cranes all over the city building apartments, hotels, shopping centers, restaurants, subway lines, and of course, the Olympic park complex.

It is really exciting to be here at this point in history, and I’m excited to see all of the changes as they develop over the next year and a half. The city will certainly not be the same after the Olympics, but one thing is for sure…the urban sprawl will only continue…
Traffic backs up under an urban rail (subway) station in the Haidian District during the evening rush hourMost of the buildings are apartment complexes to house the city's 15 million people

Special Delivery

2006-12-13T19:32:00.000+08:00

This morning, as I began Chinese classes, I was pleasantly surprised to hear my teacher say I had a package waiting for me at the front desk. So, after I picked up some groceries after my tutoring session, I went and got my box from my school’s secretary. It was from my parents! They had sent me some items I had requested and some other fun surprises too! This is my first package I’ve received this year! Yeah!

I carried the box home on my bike, as you can see it parked in my patio. Yeah…I know…it’s a “girl’s bike,” but it’s the best one the store had to offer when I was shopping for some wheels to get from point A to B. It only cost about US$23, and it works. So, I’m cool with it. When I got one of the inner tube’s replaced (for the second time), the roadside repair guy said (in Chinese) something like, “This bike is no good. How much did you spend on it?” (I tell him the price...) “Oh, you’ve gotta spend at least 300yuan. That’ll get you a decent bike.” So, next time, I might take his advice…but if I spend that much on a bike, it’s that much more likely to get stolen…like my bike last year…

When I opened my package at home, I was excited to see the stuff they sent me! I laid it out on my couch so you can see what I got too!

Pictures
My sister, niece, and me in the summer of 2005 before I left for Hong Kong, One of my adopted grandmas and me (also that summer) (Yeah, as you can tell, my family is really prompt about delivering pictures. If you know me very well, you have probably discovered that about me too!)

Barley Max (from Hallelujah Acres)
Powdered barley grass drink mix that helps with internal cleansing and overall health
(I haven’t gotten a cold yet this year and my hands aren’t drying out like they used to either! Praise the Lord for carrot juice, Barley Max, and lots of fresh fruits and veggies!)

“Back to the Garden”
Free magazine from Hallelujah Acres (see side tab for their website link, you can subscribe for FREE)

3 DVDs from Lorraine Day, M.D.
An internationally acclaimed orthopedic trauma surgeon and recognized expert on AIDS, she overcame cancer and rebuilt her immune system without the help of traditional/orthodox treatments she and her colleagues were taught to prescribe (i.e. chemotherapy, surgery, radiation)
“Cancer Doesn’t Scare Me Anymore”
“You Can’t Improve on God”
“Diseases Don’t Just Happen”

2007 Calendars
My mom knows I need all the help I can get to keep me on time, on task, and on schedule!

Family Time

2006-12-09T18:35:00.000+08:00

This morning, I had a nice visit with my family via the internet and wonderful free technology from Yahoo Messenger. It is fun to see their smiling faces, hear their familiar voices, and "be together" on cyberspace. I can't imagine what it was like just 10-20 years ago, when it was even difficult to make a phone call from a foreign country. It is such a blessing to have such great technology available to us today! When God made us in His image, He certainly gave us creative and engineering abilities! Praise the Lord for great technology that allows me and my family to have "quality" time online!
This is a picture from Father's Day this year. My dad already had surgery and was still using a walker for stability. Now, his walker and cane are collecting dust, as he is doing really well! Praise the Lord!

Pictured: Dad, Mom; oldest sister (expecting a new little one), her husband, and their 4 boys; older sister, her husband, and their 2 girls

A Ceremonial Trip

2006-12-08T17:43:00.000+08:00

Last month, I went to Taiyuan, in the Shanxi Province to see some friends I hadn't visited in almost a year. It was nice to be there and hang out with them. The Sunday I was there, it seemed like there was a recurring theme, ceremonies...
On my way to Sunday services, there was a procession from a wedding ceremony at the church coming down the street and people from the church handing out fliers about what the Bible says marriage is all about. Then, a few minutes later, there was a department store having a grand anniversary ceremony in front of their main entrance. It was quite interesting to see the group of percussionists all lined up beating on drums and symbols in an almost hypnotic repetitive rhythm, almost as if to mesmerize everyone "buy our stuff, buy our stuff, buy our stuff..."
The service at the church that morning also seemed rather ceremonial as their liturgy is much more traditional than what I'm used to back home in the States.

You never know what you'll encounter here in the land of ancient rites and ceremonies...

The Great Wall of Camping

2006-12-08T17:19:00.000+08:00

A few months ago, I went camping on the Great Wall of China with a group from the international Christian fellowship. It was a really fun time, meeting new friends, singing old camp songs around a bonfire, climbing on a section of the wall that hasn't been repaired for tourists, sleeping under the archway of one of beacon towers , and waking up to an awesome view of the sun rising over the mountains. China is so awesome!

My First Beijing Apartment

2006-09-27T20:51:00.000+08:00

I'm here! I'm finally in my own place in Beijing! This is my first apartment on my own, and it is very exciting to be moved in and getting settled!

After a long exhausting venture in looking for an apartment, discussing payment with landlords and real estate agents, and traveling back and forth everyday between the Haidian District (in the northwestern part of Beijing) where my school is and the Xicheng District (in an old city "hutong") where I was staying at a charming little hostel with traditional architecture and interior design, this apartment seems to fit me rather well. It is about a 15 minute walk or 5 minute bike ride from my language school. The area is fairly quiet, and the neighbors are very friendly. I'm looking forward to this being my home for a while.

I've signed a year contract. So, if everything goes well, I'll sign on for another year when this one is almost up. The rent is 1,800RMB/month (which I pay in 3-6 month increments), with utilities being about 100-200RMB total (water, electricity, gas, internet, phone, Chinese cable – these are also paid in 3-6 month increments). So, all together that turns out to be about $250/month, not a bad deal! This area is relatively expensive, since it is close to Wudaokou, the center of foreign student life. It is also nearby Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Beijing Language and Cultural University.

My landlord actually lives in the city (Beijing proper); so, his friend, who lives in my building, takes care of everything like collecting rent, maintenance, etc. Actually, they were coworkers, and this apartment area is the housing they were assigned by their "danwei" (work unit). Apparently, the landlord owns this place, and he must also own or rent another place in the city. The manager's son lived here previously with his wife, but since it is a one bedroom, it is no longer big enough for them, as they are now expecting a baby.

The layout and style of the apartment is typical of many in Beijing; however, since it is a one bedroom, it is somewhat special, as these are difficult to obtain and the demand for such places is high. It is also on the first floor, which makes it even better; so, I'm able to bring my bike inside to prevent bike theft (of which I was a victim last year).

As you enter the apartment from the locked entry stairwell, the first room is a small sitting room with an adjacent small laundry area, bathroom, and kitchen. The kitchen is Chinese style, a sink for dishes and food, another sink for the mop, a gas range, 2 windows (one going out to the "mud room" and one going into the sitting room), and an apartment sized refrigerator I requested they add; there is no oven, so, I may buy a small toaster oven. The bathroom is also Chinese style, with a Western style toilet (common in most middle and upper class Chinese homes – many poor people use a public toilet nearby their residences), a sink, and a hot water heater; the water heater connects to the sink and also has a shower wand attached. There is no bathtub or shower area; showering becomes a time not only to clean myself, but the whole bathroom as well! The laundry area consists of a washing machine which connects with a hose to a facet on the bathroom wall. There is no dryer, so, I hang up my clothes outside or in the mud room.

The other part of my new home is a large bedroom with a long table, wardrobes, a bookshelf, a couch, a double sized bed, and a nightstand. Looking through the bedroom glass door and window, you can see the sun room, which doubles as a study. That leads to the mudroom, which is an excellent place for drying clothes or storing items. From the mudroom, you can go out to the patio, which has a small gate accessing the small garden and exercise area between my building and another in our complex.

As you can see, these pictures are after I just moved in. There is no refrigerator in the kitchen yet, the mudroom is full of things the previous residents left behind, and it hasn't been cleaned or organized. I am still in the process of "Adamizing" the place; it's a slow process while adjusting to life here, starting classes, and trying to get in touch with a few friends. When I get the place in decent shape, I'll show you some more pictures. For now, at least you can get an idea of what my place is like.

Thanks for your prayers! I really needed them while I was looking for the right place! Also, I thank my many Chinese friends who gave me advice in my apartment search, and I especially thank one of the staff at my school for bargaining with my real estate agent! That advice was great, and those prayers where certainly answered! This will be a great place to study, rest, and live here in Beijing!

The Red Lantern Inn, my home during my apartment search. I highly recommend it!

The sitting room where I usually keep my bike.

My cozy little wash room.

My First Beijing Apartment

2006-09-27T20:35:00.000+08:00

My quaint little kitchen.
The washing machine.

The bedroom and adjoining sunroom study.

The mudroom with previous residents' stuff.

My First Beijing Apartment

2006-09-27T20:01:00.000+08:00

The patio on laundry day.

View of the park and building behind my place.

My apartment building, looking up from the patio.

View from the park.

Over the River...

2006-09-19T21:29:00.000+08:00

It was an exciting moment, and I had been looking forward to it for quite some time...

The day before, I boarded the train for Beijing. Since I had taken the iron horse from Hong Kong to the country's capital last year, I anticipated an exciting trip - friendly faces in my train car with an innocent curiosity in who this young foreigner might be, interesting conversations in the hard sleeper bunk area about everyday life in China, stories of visiting various tourist and cultural sites in Hong Kong, and learning more about Chinese language and culture in a very practical, down to earth setting. Last year, due to whatever technical difficulties, our train left late, and the schedule was somewhat altered. So, this year, as scheduled, we passed over the powerful Chang Jiang (Yangtze River) even earlier in the wee hours of the morning than we did last year. I knew I'd have to wait until another time to see the longest river in Asia which flows from the soaring mountains of Tibet and pours into the magnificent Pacific Ocean.

I was getting ready to eat my lunch up on my top bunk, since it is rather inconvenient to move my things up and down, when I heard the announcement over the loud speakers that we were about the pass over the impressive Yellow River. Immediately, I grabbed my camera and scrambled down from my hard sleeper. I had wanted to see this for such a long time. As I looked out the dirt speckled window with a kind retired lady in my bunk area, the power of the river and the extent of its influence created in me an excitement and a gratefulness to be there at that moment in time! To see such an important facet of the Chinese geographical, historical, cultural, and social sustenance was absolutely breathtaking.

Thinking back on the moment, it is actually rather bittersweet. A giver of life for hundreds of millions of people, the river provides the life giving element for so many mouths. A devastating plague of death for millions of others, the river's floods represent many of the harsh realities of life throughout history. The Chinese have endured the bitterness of the tragic existence in this fallen world, and they have much to teach us about being thankful not only for celebrating the abundance of life but also for the lessons we can learn from the unwanted disasters.

It is a bittersweet moment...
A giver of life, a plague of death... A time to rejoice, A time to weep... A time to learn...
Over the River...

A Fragrant Aroma

2006-09-19T20:13:00.000+08:00

My time in Hong Kong this August was absolutely remarkable! Visiting with friends I'd met a couple of years ago in the United States and some I'd met last year in the former British territory was a great time, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to see them and catch up with what's been going on in our lives.

While there, I took the opportunity to get some physiotherapeutic work done on my back and neck, as I had been experiencing some pain, pressure, and discomfort in those areas. I feel much better after those treatments, and I am trying to faithfully continue in the exercises they taught me. This therapy should prevent further problems from developing in the future and thus keep my medical bills low.

My time at the international church was very enjoyable! It was refreshing to see their enthusiasm and excitement as Chinese, Filipinas, Myanmarians, United States citizens, and a Colombian worshipped together in unity and joy! It was fun to visit with some friends at a Chinese church and pleasantly surprising to see a lot of new faces there this year!

The aroma was truly fragrant, as is so beautifully described in the very name of Hong Kong the "Fragrant Harbor."

A Tailor Made Trip

2006-09-03T00:59:00.000+08:00

As I prepared this week for my trip to Beijing tomorrow, there were people to see, things to do, and stuff to buy. The trip will be a 24hour train ride, and I am excited to get some rest on my "hard sleeper" bunk. I love traveling by train in China! It's relatively inexpensive, convenient, interesting, educational, and enjoyable!

When I flew to Hong Kong, one of my new suitcases started coming apart at one of its seams. So, this week, being an experienced procrastinator, I finally stitched it up. Once again, I am thankful for my sewing classes I took in highschool. Thanks Mrs. Sievert, you're the best seamstress in the world!

Once I get settled in Beijing and have regular internet access, I'll update this journal again. Please pray for traveling mercies!

Eating Healthy in Asia

2006-08-25T17:08:00.000+08:00

With my busy schedule, I have to take time for my health, to prevent unnecessary stress, sickness, disease, medications, high medical bills, and other things that would take away from what I need to do everyday. Part of that means eating a diet rich in raw fruits and vegetables, with plenty of fresh carrot juice everyday! I've got to eat anyway, so I figure this is the route to go. There's always a variety of produce to choose from...various leafy greens, carrots, tomatoes, nectarines, and my favorite...Asian fruits, like the ever mysterious "Fire Dragon Fruit."

Keeping a well-stocked fridge is vital for my bottomless belly! Bell Peppers, Garlic, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Ginger Root, Red Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Chinese Spinach, Chinese Lettuce, Dried Goji Berries, Corn, Daikon, Mushrooms, Pumpkin Seeds, Durian, Mangosteen, Blueberries, Raisins, Chinese Papaya, Filipino Papaya, Olive Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Carrots, Carrots, Carrots, Carrots, Carrots, Carrots, Carrots, Carrots, Carrots, Carrots, Carrots, Carrots, Carrots, Carrots...

Don't worry; I don't refrigerate the Olive Oil.

Got Carrot Juice?

2006-08-25T16:37:00.000+08:00

Delicious and Nutritious!

At first, I had to mix it with orange juice to help it go down, but now I drink it pure...mmm...I've got the crave now!

Juicing prep takes time, but it is well worth it! While I was in the States, we started juicing to help my dad heal from cancer and to provide preventative measures so the rest of us DON'T get it or other diseases. My mom did all of the juicing work...now I really appreciate her sacrifice and all of the time she put into it for us! It's amazing how much I take things for granted!

Small economical juicers like this one are available in most cities around the world for about US$50. Of course, you can always buy better models that are more efficient, but it's a good idea to get an inexpensive one when you're starting to figure this whole juicing thing out, like me.

Living Enzymes, Antioxidants, Organic Water, Vitamins, Minerals...The Creator's Pharmacy...all in one mouthwatering glass of fresh, pure carrot juice!

Island Images

2006-08-23T10:58:00.000+08:00

View from a Scooter in Taipei

Taipei Morning

Beach in LoTung, Ilan County

Eating at The Home

Looking Back on Formosa

2006-08-21T21:30:00.000+08:00

Taipei
Having visited Taiwan in 2002 on a college educational trip and spending a couple of months in 2003 serving at an orphanage, it had been 3 years since I had last visited the beautiful island – Formosa. This past July was a great time of reuniting with old friends, meeting new friends, tasting some new flavors, and entering once again into the excitement and fascination of the Chinese culture. Since I studied in Beijing last year, I was able to communicate with many people in Mandarin; so, that definitely made my trip to Taiwan a lot more enjoyable this year. I was able to read signs, talk with people on the street, find my way around Taipei’s winding highways and byways, and talk with taxi drivers about more than just directions. It was also fun to visit with some of my classmates from college, as they are now living in Taiwan and studying the language and culture. God has a great way of bringing friends together in his timing! It was fun to meet some new friends, as my Chinese friend from college introduced me to her brother. He was very kind to pick me up from the airport, show me around Taipei, introduce me to his friends and family, and take me to some of the lesser known - but very tasty - small diners and restaurants around the city.

Ilan County, LoTung
After my week in Taipei, I took a 1.5hr train ride to LoTung, Taiwan. It’s a small city, famous for its dried fruit, cow-tongue shaped cakes, breathtaking scenery, black sand beaches, Turtle Island resting like a sleeping giant on the ocean’s horizon, beautiful mountains, the largest Taoist temple in Taiwan, and a small overlooked orphanage near MeiHua Lake. This is the same orphanage I served at in 2003, during my summer break from college. The founders and directors of the home have been serving there for close to 40years, raising children, helping orphans find a home with adoptive parents, and sharing love with those around them. I have learned much from the people there, and it was such an awesome experience to be there once again. It was great to get back into the daily grind at the home. Feeding babies, changing diapers (I only changed a few this time), eating together during meal times, learning to ride a scooter (which is totally fun and invigorating! I LOVE IT!), and just hanging out and talking about old times and what our Lord is doing in our lives. It was a great experience, and I treasure every moment I can spend with those friends.

Fare Thee Well...
Those last two weeks of July flew by, and before I knew it, I was on the plane to Hong Kong, which is only a 1.5hr flight from Taiwan. Looking down at Taiwan as the plane ascended into the clouds was bittersweet, leaving behind friends and familiar places and preparing for my next adventure in the Fragrant Harbor - Hong Kong...

The Journey to Asia Begins...

2006-07-17T10:18:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, well, kind of "yesterday" (Saturday evening), after saying goodbye to my family, I flew out from Kansas City. That flight went to Los Angeles, where I connected to my other flight going to Taipei, Taiwan. That flight was about 12hrs long, and it was great! I had an aisle seat (which I NEVER get!), and the seat next to me was empty! So, I was able to stretch out and sleep for most of the flight! Whew, I really needed that rest, especially after staying awake for over 24hrs packing the previous days!

Early this Monday morning, around 5:00am, (yes, Sunday never really existed on my calendar, because of the time zone adjustment in traveling) my plane arrived in Taipei. After going through customs, getting my luggage, and changing my money from US$ to New Taiwan dollars, I went through the exit and looked for my friend's brother, who was picking me up. He helped me to the parking garage and took me to my hosts' apartment across the city. We'll probably hang out sometime when he's not working.

It is good to be with my hosts as well. We graduated from the same college in Missouri, and it is neat to see what they are doing here. I'll visit their Chinese class this afternoon, and it will be interesting to see how their classes are set up and how their teacher's style differs from mine in Beijing. I'm hoping to gain some insights so I am also better able to study Chinese on my own and in my classes.

This evening's plans are still uncertain. I'm hoping to hang out with my friend's brother. We'll see what happens.

You never know what will happen on one's journey to the wonderful areas of this vast place called Asia!

Waiting...

2006-07-12T10:03:00.000+08:00

As I sit here at my desk, which consists of a card table, a chair, and my laptop surrounded by various desktop items, I am holding a cordless phone to my ear listening to the music and announcements on the holding system audio-program of the airlines I'm taking out of Kansas City this Saturday. I'm calling to confirm my flight for Saturday, which I don't really have to do until tomorrow evening, but I always overdo the confirmations on these international flights - especially after my flight was cancelled and rescheduled a few times in the summer of 2003 when I was going to Asia during the SARS scare... The airline’s audio recording told me I have a minimum of 10 minutes to wait for the next available service representative... It is also interesting to note all of the airline’s wonderful services and bonuses for which you can apply, services and bonuses I didn't know about until I was waiting on their phone lines! As I think a little deeper on the topic, it is interesting to be represented by a red light that is somewhere blinking incessantly on a phone at the desk of a tired and probably underpaid service representative who is probably sick of answering all of the same questions we travelers are bound to ask.

Usually, I don't write on things like calling to confirm my flight. It does seem rather frivolous doesn't it?

In any case, this week is an interesting experience. It is a period of waiting. Waiting to say goodbye to all my family for 2 years, waiting to go reunite with friends overseas, waiting to get on my flight, waiting, waiting, waiting... Actually, I don't really mind all the waiting. Waiting to say goodbye to my family means I have precious time to spend with them - time I don't want to take for granted. Waiting to reunite with friends overseas means the time we spend together will be even that much more profound. Waiting to get on my flight means I still have time to run to various stores to buy all of those things I ought not forget, pack all of the things I'm not sure I have room for, and get all my paperwork in line so I will be able to obtain the visas I need!

Waiting on the phone line of some airlines, my personhood represented as a red light blinking incessantly as a tired service representative dreads another call from someone like me... Eh, waiting isn't so bad... After all, I can almost recite this audio recording from memory now!

What did I call the airlines for again…?

Am I ready?

2006-06-30T01:35:00.000+08:00

As I prepare to return to Asia for a little over 2 years, I constantly have to ask myself, "Am I ready?" Ultimately, I can never really be adequately prepared for what I will experience, learn, and do, but I have to make every effort to get ready - physically, mentally, spiritually...

This weekend, I am going to visit with my sisters' families in Missouri, and I am excited to see them and hang out over the 4th of July holiday weekend. Then, the next week and a half, as I prepare to return, I will spend time with friends and make final preparations.

Most importantly, I am trying to have some time with my parents. As you know, my dad's health has not been the best since I've been back in the States. However, God is good, and He has been healing his body. Currently, my dad is doing quite well, and he will begin his final major treatments next week - localized radiation on the area of his left leg that contained the tumor. Please pray for my dad's health and continued healing and for my mom as she so faithfully cares for him. Please also continue to pray for me as I prepare to return to Asia.

Am I ready?

Home from the Hospital

2006-05-19T02:52:00.000+08:00

On Monday evening, around 7:00pm, my dad arrived back home from the hospital! Now, a few days after his homecoming, he is doing well, and taking walks around the house, down the porch stairs, and back and forth on the sidewalk in front of our house. He continues to heal and make progress towards a good recovery!

Thank you for your encouragement and prayers!

Praise the Lord for His gracious work in our lives!

Day after Surgery

2006-05-12T12:45:00.000+08:00

Praise the Lord! My dad is doing much better today! When I was up in Omaha this evening, he was doing well, and his spirits were very positive.

Just a few reasons to praise the Lord...
My dad is...
...walking!
...unhooked from the machines!
...off the morphine drip!
...eating heartily! :)
...on track to go home in a couple of days!

Thank you for praying!

My Dad's Surgery

2006-05-11T12:55:00.000+08:00

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts today for my dad! He is now resting and recovering from the surgery, as you can see my little niece encouraging him at the hospital.

My dad and mom left the house early this morning, around 5:15am. He had surgery prep starting at 6:30am. Surgery was from 8:30-12:45, and he got to his own room around 1:30pm. The surgeon seems positive about the outcome.

Overall, he seems to be doing well. His left thigh is much smaller since the large mass has been removed. The morphine he's on for the pain seems to make him nauseous. So, he wasn't able to eat much besides jello and some broth, even though I know he was getting quite hungry.

This evening, he had a very kind Chinese nurse, and a Filipino nursing student was helping with his vital signs. Even at this time, our Lord provides opportunities for us to meet many wonderful people!

Lord willing, my dad will be released from the hospital in about a week! Thank you again for your continued prayers on his behalf! God bless you!

From Student to Teacher

2006-05-07T05:58:00.000+08:00

Being a language student for most of my time in Beijing, I have recently moved to being in more of a teaching role. For the last few months, I have been working part-time in the public schools as a "Substitute Para-Educator." Basically, I am substituting for teacher's assistants, when they get sick or are otherwise unable to go to work.

It has been a good experience, and I am really learning about flexibility and patience. So far, I have worked with a variety of students and special needs, from preschoolers to juniorhighers, from autism to behavioral disorders. So, even though I am in more of a teaching role, I am ever learning and ever growing.

This Life in these United States...

2006-05-07T01:25:00.000+08:00

Having arrived in the international airport in Kansas City, Missouri, in the early morning hours of January 21, a very interesting and quite unexpected adventure began to unfold...

Even while I was in Beijing, my dad had been mentioning for quite some time that he had some strange pain in the back of his left leg. It seemed to be a muscle cramp or something insignificant. So, he had the doctors examine his leg and do some tests to determine the source of the problem. Due to some curious test results, the doctors had him undergo an MRI.

On Saturday January 21, I arrived in the United States from Beijing; on Friday, January 27, after a busy week of driving to various doctor appointments and trying to readjust to my own culture, we received word that my dad was diagnosed with a large, agressive cancerous tumor in the soft tissue of his inner left thigh... If the tumor would not respond to treatment, his leg would need to be completely amputated...

Since that time, amidst various struggles, countless trips back and forth to to the doctors in Omaha, NE (which is about 1 hour from where we live in Lincoln, NE), my dad is actually doing quite well. He has finished a 12 week course of chemotherapy, and...

Praise the Lord! The tumor seems to be shrinking! They will not amputate his leg! He will have a surgery next Wednesday, May 10, to remove the tumor. That will be followed by 6 weeks of local radiation.

When all of this began, my dad told me, that no matter what happened, he wanted me to continue in my plan to return to China this year. Now, we are very excited, because he is doing much better. By the time I return to China, he should be doing quite well.

A TIME OF LEARNING
This whole experience has been quite an adventure for my entire family...

We are learning of the goodness of God! He takes care of us and encourages our hearts when we cannot continue on our own!

We are learning of the faithfulness of our Christian brothers and sisters! They have been so helpful and supportive in so many countless ways!

We are learning more about the importance of family! Together we laugh, we cry, we learn, we grow!

We are learning how to better care for our health! In our culture of high stress, fast foods, processed munchies, destructive chemicals, and countless buffets, we are making ourselves sick with the diet of kings and queens and out-of-control schedules, and now we are learning how to return to the simple diet and lifestyle from which our bodies were designed to draw sustainance.

We are learning...

End of a Journey

2006-05-07T01:07:00.000+08:00

My last month in Beijing was wonderful. Meeting with friends, taking my final exams (which I am glad to say I passed), and preparing to return to the Unites States were all somewhat bittersweet. I was glad to be going to spend a half year with my family, but at the same time, I was saying goodbye to this new life of mine in Asia.

On January 20, after I bid my friends, classmates, and teachers farewell in Beijing, I flew to the United States...

Those 8 months in China were absolutely unforgettable; with 3 months in Hong Kong and 5 months in Beijing, I learned so much. I am very grateful for such an amazing time, and I look forward to going back again this year for yet another journey in the Middle Kingdom.

Snow, Snow, Snow!

2006-01-07T20:22:00.000+08:00

Last weekend, we had our first snowfall! Although Beijing is usually quite dry to begin with, this year has reportedly been unusually much drier with rain and snow falls far below average. While I don't mind the fact that we haven't had any sizeable precipitation (I got drenched enough while I was in Hong Kong this summer...), the environment definitely needs the moisture. It was really nice to see the university with snow on the ground, and it made the university's tranquil statue of Confucius really stand out in the frosty white covering. One of my classmates, an Australian, was really excited to see the snow, as it was his first time in his life to see the flakes falling. While we were in class - already distracted and restless since we were sitting in class on a Saturday, New Year's Eve, of all days – many of us were much more interested looking out the window at the snow flying by than we were in our poor teacher's lecture – she is such a patient teacher.

After class that day, I went back to my room and finished packing up a couple of backpacks. From the university, I took a taxi to the main Beijing train station (Beijing Zhan) where I made my way through the crowds and boarded the train on which I would ring in the New Year. The trip to the Jilin province, in China's frozen DongBei (literally East-North), was a little over 24hrs long. It was fun playing cards and talking with some of your average Chinese people (lao bai xing) on the train. That evening I ate in the diner car, went back to my hard-sleeper car, did my dental hygiene routine, and retired to my bunk early. So, I snored in 2006 getting some much desired rest!

While I was in the Jilin province, it was fun to see all of the snow covered mountains and clear blue skies! Although I really like Beijing and life in the city, it was nice to have a change of pace and scenery. The most profound experience was looking out the window of the train and imagining what life was like in ancient rural China as I saw the farming villages covered with snow and the traditional homes with smoking chimneys. Ah, the beauty of the Chinese winter with the purifying covering of the frosty blessing from heaven!

Merry Christmas from Beijing!

2005-12-25T15:14:00.000+08:00

This weekend has been filled with many fun and exciting activities as I celebrate the "Holy Birth" here in Beijing. On Friday, the school had a Chinese performance competition, which was fun to watch with some of my classmates. Various students performed songs, dances, and skits. Some of the acts had a Christmas theme, and some presented various aspects of Chinese culture. That night, I ate dinner with some friends, and I was able to share with them about some Christmas traditions in the United States. Then, yesterday, Christmas Eve, I joined a choir and went to a shopping and cultural plaza where we sang Christmas carols for all of the shoppers and passersby.

Last night, I had a relaxing evening talking with my family over the internet via Yahoo and Skype. (Last night there were over 3,000,000 users on Skype here in China, which is an incredible amount compared to the few hundred thousand in the USA.) It is really nice to be able to talk with them and see them via our webcams. The family was having a really good time, and it was fun to see my nephews and niece playing together. They are getting so big, and I can't wait to see them all (for real) when I return at the end of January.

This afternoon, I will go to a Christmas service at one of Beijing's churches. I will leave about 2 hours before the service actually begins and arrive about 1-1.5 hours early in order to get a seat. There will more than likely be a huge crowd there this evening with standing room only; so I am excited to learn of yet another aspect of China's culture.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
May God greatly bless you this holiday season and throughout the coming year!

Christmas is in the Air!

2005-12-20T22:12:00.000+08:00

Last Wednesday, my class participated in a singing competition. Since it is getting close to Christmas, I suggested we sing some Christmas carols in Chinese. We ended up singing “Silent Night” (Ping An Ye) and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (Zhu Ni Sheng Dan Kuai Le). Our teacher gave us these hats to wear, and while we didn't make it into the final performance of the competition, we had a fun time.

This past weekend, I went to the Shanxi province to see my friends before Christmas. Even the city of Taiyuan is getting ready for Christmas, as you can see from the picture of the city's cathedral, which is currently being renovated. Although I am not a Catholic, it is interesting for me to note Catholicism's long history, not only in China, but also and notably in the Shanxi province. Some resemblance of Christianity has existed in China for centuries, as this cathedral and the surrounding complex of this Catholic church's buildings clearly testifies.

While many people here have the impression that Christmas is all about shopping and Santa Claus, the churches all across China are preparing for massive amounts of people who will visit during the holiday weekend. Although I am away from family and friends this year, it is exciting to experience the “Holy Birth Holiday” (literal translation of the Chinese) here in China. As you prepare for this weekend, may your hearts be filled with true joy and peace!

Frozen Fruit Anyone?

2005-12-09T22:26:00.000+08:00

As I am beginning to feel the fury of the Beijing winter (which is comparable to Nebraska, but without all of the snow that gets dumped on the American Midwest), I am still enjoying the fresh fruit (from various places in Asia) that is available in fruit shops, supermarkets, and a variety of other places here in Beijing. As you can see, I've stocked up for the coming week. And, yes, I will eat all of it, as fruit is a must in my daily diet. Among my favorite fruits more readily available here in Asia than in the States are the pomelo and the mysterious "fire dragon fruit." All of the fresh fruit you see here was, all together, under US$4; now that's a bargain!

A Beijing Breakfast (Part III)

2005-11-27T22:25:00.000+08:00

A Beijing Breakfast (Part II)

2005-11-27T21:56:00.000+08:00

A Beijing Breakfast (Part I)

2005-11-27T21:38:00.000+08:00

Well, as I’ve said before, my favorite Beijing breakfast item here is the “jian bing” (tones: jian1 bing3). “Jian” means “fried in shallow oil,” and “bing” means “a round flat cake.” People make them differently in other parts of China, as I found when I was able to try Tianjin’s style while I was there last month. Today, I had another one here in Beijing, and it was delicious! Here’s my observation of how they make them:

Step #1: Scrub stone skillet to clean off scraps from previous order
Step #2: Pour batter (apparently made from millet flower) on hot stone skillet
Step #3: Gently spread out batter as it cooks and quickly becomes a nice crepe
Step #4: Crack an egg over the crepe and evenly spread it out
Step #5: Add green onions and other green herbs
Step #6: Flip crepe over so the side with the egg and green onions is on the bottom
Step #7: Add brown sauce and hot sauce (if desired) on the top (Hot sauce is the best!)
Step #8: Add crunchy fried square-shaped crisp in the middle (The crisp has no strong flavor, as far as I can tell.)
Step #9: Fold crepe over the square crisp
Step #10: Break crisp into 3 pieces
Step #11: Fold into a nice easy to eat little package
Step #12: Put in clear plastic bag and hand it to the customer
Step #13: Take cash from customer
[Currently, they are 2RMB (which is around USD$0.25) everywhere I’ve had them in Beijing.]

ENJOY!!! Mmmmm...it’s so delicious! On a chilly morning, like today, the hot “jian bing” feels great going down!

So, whenever you’re in Beijing, you MUST try one!

A Sunday Assembly

2005-11-27T21:11:00.000+08:00

This morning, for the second time, I visited a Cantonese church service, for those with citizenship in areas outside of China proper, especially Hong Kong, Macau, Canada, and the United States. Having spent time in Hong Kong (and a day in Macau), it is nice to listen to Cantonese being spoken and sung. While I don’t understand very much of what is said, I can understand some words and a lot of the characters on the slides. Who knows, maybe I’ll pick up a southern Chinese accent while I’m in Beijing…

Giving Thanks in China

2005-11-24T22:27:00.000+08:00

Today was my very first Thanksgiving away from the United States. While I did miss my family and the wonderful times we have together, it was a very memorable occasion. This morning, I had a "kou yu" (spoken language) test. This evening, I had the pleasure of eating Thanksgiving dinner with some Australian and American friends, as they were so gracious to welcome me into their home. The meal was really delicious, as you can see from my first piece of pumpkin pie in China! However, it was strange to be eating Western food and also to be eating with a fork and knife again, as I have now grown accustomed to eating Chinese food, at almost every meal, with chopsticks. Above all else, today was a special day of giving thanks to God for all of the blessings of family, friends, and a wonderful life! Happy Thanksgiving!

The Great Wall of Traffic

2005-11-23T21:51:00.000+08:00

This past weekend, I took another trip to Taiyuan to visit friends. Originally, I was planning to go the weekend after Thanksgiving and join them in some holiday activities. However, due to my schedule here in Beijing, I had to move the trip a week earlier. So, this past Friday, I took the long distance bus from Beijing to Taiyuan, and it was the normal 6-7 hour trip. We had a nice weekend, and Sunday evening I headed back to Beijing. I boarded the bus about 10:00pm. I put my ear plugs in, and got ready for what I thought would be the routine 6-7 hour trip back to Beijing. We departed Taiyuan at 10:30pm.

Well, about an hour and a half outside of Taiyuan, we stopped and waited...and waited...and waited...and waited... Around 2:00am, I was wondering if we would make it back to Beijing in time for me to get a cab back to my university in time to make it to class at 8:00am... When 4:00am and then 5:00am came around, I realized I had no hope of ever making it to class that day. While we were waiting, I was able to get out and take some pictures of not only of the Great Wall of China which towered over us on the immediately surrounding mountains, but I was also able to get these pictures of the incredible amount of trucks and vehicles backed up for miles on end in the mountains of the Shanxi province. Apparently, there was a truck that broke down and was blocking one lane, but due to the traffic, and the lack of a shoulder, it was impossible for traffic to maintain any kind of steady flow. Also, given the fact that the truck drivers tend to pile up at even common intersections, it is no wonder they did not form a single file line during this situation. Eventually, we started moving again, but all day long, the traffic was never able to even out and recover from this jam. What was supposed to be the regular 6-7 hour trip turned into a 21 hour trip, as we arrived back in Beijing around 7:15pm Monday evening. I got off the bus, went to the nearest intersection, hailed a cab, and got back to my university about 7:45pm. Before I went back to my dorm, I added minutes to my cell phone and called my teacher and explained the situation. She was very gracious, as usual, and she gave me the homework for Tuesday. Monday night, I slept soundly, as I wasn’t able to get much rest on the bus.

While this trip was quite unexpected, I learned several lessons about the daily life and challenges of Chinese people, persevering in uncomfortable situations, and patience with people I don’t know in very close quarters. It was also a great chance to practice my Chinese with the people on the bus. So, overall, it was a really great trip, and I am continuing to learn, learn, learn…

The Chinese Ethnic Culture Park

2005-11-23T20:55:00.000+08:00

A few weekends ago, our class went and toured the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park here in Beijing, which represents the 56 various minority nationalities of China. It was an interesting and educational tour, and we were able to see some replica architecture of various structures from all over China. One day, I hope I can see the real pagodas at Dali, Yunnan, but for the time being, my curiosity rests at ease.

A Saturday Stroll at the Summer Palace

2005-11-10T19:59:00.000+08:00

Last Saturday, I took the afternoon to visit the renowned Summer Palace. Throughout history the splendor of this architectural masterpiece has been enjoyed by quite a diverse group. The history of the palace goes all the way back to the Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan, who ordered the construction of canals to add water to what is now the Summer Palace’s Kunming Lake. Later on, it was the residence of the Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty. During the Republic of China’s time in Beijing, after the last emperor was dethroned, the Summer Palace was turned into a park, and people were free to visit and enjoy its beauty. Now, Chinese and foreigners from all over the world come to Beijing and enjoy this treasure of Chinese cultural heritage.

Unfortunately, the day I visited was very cloudy, and the pollution was thick in the air. So, I was not able to see the splendor of the palace in full array. However, I quite enjoyed my walk, took some good pictures, and had a really nice time of relaxation and reflection as I hiked up and down the hills, strolled along the paths, and took in the beautiful surroundings.

Tomorrow, November 11, I will go to the Chinese Nationalities Park, which introduces Chinese and foreign visitors alike to the 56 different ethnic minorities represented in China. Hopefully, I will have some time this weekend to post some reflections and pictures from this field trip.

A Weekend in Taiyuan

2005-11-10T19:31:00.000+08:00

Time is flying by as life in China continues to teach me unforgettable and valuable lessons about life and people. Two weekends ago, I went to Taiyuan to visit some friends. That Friday, I took a long distance bus from Beijing at 1:45pm and arrived in Taiyuan about 9:00pm. After I arrived, my friends and I sang our hearts out at a karaoke (KTV) suite, for one of their birthdays. Saturday was a fun filled day with friends, and I was able to eat at a restaurant I’d visited in 2003. They have some delicious breaded-fried mushrooms and a great sweet-and-sour entrée! I’ve been craving those two dishes since I was there over two years ago! (Yeah, I know…that’s really sad…) Sunday was also a great day with friends, but I had to leave Sunday night in order to be back in time for classes on Monday. But, before I left, I had to go to a grocery store with a friend and pick up some famous Shanxi Province “cu” (pronounced “tsoo” - vinegar – I just used it on some “jiao zi” dumplings the other day, and it is fantastic!).

I got on the bus about 10:00pm Sunday night. There was a cheap VCD copy of Jackie Chan’s latest hit “Shen Hua” (“The Myth”) playing on the bus; I think it was from a video camera in the movie theatre, especially since the picture was lopsided and all the colors were unusually red-toned. We stopped briefly at a gas station-rest stop around 2:00am, and we arrived back in Beijing about 5:20am Monday morning. I took a taxi back to my dorm and got totally ripped off by the driver, which is rare these days in Beijing. (Next time, I will definitely be more cautious and bargain with the driver first.) Arriving back at my dorm around 6:00am, I had enough time to do my homework, eat some breakfast, and make it to class before 8:00am! Whew!

A Weekend in Tianjin

2005-10-26T21:42:00.000+08:00

This past weekend was really interesting, as I was able to go to Tianjin to visit some friends, an older Chinese couple. They were very hospitable and warm in welcoming me to their city and into their home. It was a really good opportunity for me to practice my Chinese all weekend, since they do not speak English. They made delicious food and showed me around the city. One of the most interesting activities was exploring this old church building which is in the process of being torn down. It's a shame to see such a beautiful structure being demolished, but I'm glad I had the chance to see and explore it before it is leveled. Tianjin used to be where most of the foreign embassies, consulates, banks, and other organizations were located, as the emperor did not allow them in Beijing. This next weekend, I plan to go to Taiyuan, in the Shanxi province, and visit some other friends. I hope to post on that trip when I get back next week.

Great Wall, Great Friends

2005-10-20T21:52:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, my class, along with four or five other bus loads of students in the "B" level of the intensive Chinese college study program went to the Great Wall at Mu Tian Yu. The weather was beautiful and the scenery breathtaking, as the trees are changing colors. As you can see, I had a lot of fun, and we even had a little picnic on the wall with our teacher and a few students from our class. It was a great chance to practice Chinese with each other in a "real life" situation, rather than just in the classroom. Saturday, I will leave early in the morning to catch a train to Tianjin. I'll be there through the weekend, and I hope to post some reflections on the trip, along with some pictures!

Study Time!

2005-10-18T17:17:00.000+08:00

As you can see, I have been quite busy lately studying for tests and doing homework! Tomorrow, all of the "B Level" Chinese students take a field trip to the Great Wall; so I am excited about that! Thursday, I have a short "examination" (as my Greek professor always called them, and still does, I'm sure). Tentatively, on Saturday, I will be going to Tianjin with an American friend to visit some Chinese friends we met on the train from Hong Kong. Hopefully, when I have some extra time, I can write more. Until then, peace!

A Birthday on Holiday

2005-10-05T22:29:00.000+08:00

This past weekend, a Chinese friend of mine who I met in the US, came to visit me here in Beijing. Since Saturday was my 23rd birthday, that was really cool. It is interesting also to note that October 1st is China’s National Day, called “Guo Qing Jie.” So, that made my birthday all the more special this year, as I begin my new life in China.

My friend and I were able to visit the Great Wall of China, at Ba Da Ling, and the Forbidden City. It was really fun, and I am in awe at seeing the Great Wall extend endlessly into the horizon. The Forbidden City (also known as the Imperial Palace or the Palace Museum) is a very intriguing site, as you walk through the halls and imagine the palace in a flurry of daily activities and the regality of the imperial age. Since it was the National Day holiday break, Beijing was especially crowded with tourists from all over China. It was really nice to see Tiananmen Square all decorated for the celebration, and the picture of Dr. Sun YatSen, the “Father of the Nation,” in the middle of the square was quite an impressive centerpiece. The 3 subway stops closest to Tiananmen Square are closed for the holiday, in an attempt to help with the congestion of the millions of people converging on the city. Therefore, the buses are quite loaded with people, especially in the area immediately surrounding the city center.

As long as I’m a student or teacher in China, I will always have a nice break for my birthday, with the annual “Guo Qing Jie” celebration. It has been really nice having a week-long break from classes, and now that my friend has returned to Guangzhou and since I have a test on Saturday, I will need to buckle-down and study, study, study.

The Daily Life of an International Student

2005-10-05T21:11:00.000+08:00

Monday-Friday

5:00-6:00am – Rise and shine!

5:30-7:00am – Preparation for the day

7:00-7:30am – Breakfast
Sometimes I eat some oatmeal or fruit in my room.
Other times I grab a crepe and egg from the cafeteria.
Occasionally, I go to my favorite little shop near the “No. 13” elevated urban train station for a delicious breakfast crepe, called a "jian bing." They cook it up right there in front of you on a hot stone-skillet with fresh batter, an egg, fresh green onions and spices and then put it in a bag and hand it to you. It’s great! Steaming and ready to eat! Mmmm! Have them add the hot sauce…and it’s to die for!

7:45am – Head to class
I walk across campus to the teaching building where my class is held. Then, up to the 4th floor and on to room 403.

8:00-10:00am – General Chinese Class
My class is quite an international occasion everyday as the group of us, 18 foreigners in all, struggle to master the Chinese language. We have patient teachers, who listen to us as we mispronounce words and slaughter the Chinese language, and we also have to be patient with each other, as we learn to understand Chinese spoken in a wide variety of foreign accents.

Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Mauritania, Panama, Sweden, Turkey, and the USA are the places my classmates come from to learn Chinese. Some come to learn Chinese for business, teaching purposes, cultural exchange, college/university requirements, and other personal reasons. However, we are all here together, and we are all having a great time learning about Chinese and each other as we study and learn about life and culture in this remarkable land.

Every hour we have a 5-10 minute break. I usually get up, stretch, stop by the washroom, or talk with classmates in the hall. Sometimes I will stand out in the hall and talk. Other times, I return to the class and talk with people or study as I wait for the next hour to begin.

Every third or fourth day of class, we have a test. We are to prepare to write about 40-45 Chinese characters, our vocabulary lists. We all come, with varying levels of preparation, and after our teacher dictates each character or phrase, we diligently write the characters (at least the ones we remember). This is an interesting exercise in patience and endurance for us in the class, as some of us are coming in with little to no character writing ability. Thankfully, I am coming with some knowledge of characters and the proper way to write them. However, many nights, my time will be consumed with looking up the proper stroke order for writing the characters and practicing them several times before I have committed them to memory. This class is really going to stretch me and force me to use Chinese, which is exactly what I need at this point in my language acquisition.

10:00am-12noon – Focused Language Abilities Classes
Tuesday and Thursday – Spoken Chinese Proficiency
Wednesday and Friday – Chinese Listening Skills

12:00noon – Lunch
Usually, I will eat in one of the dining halls.
Sometimes, I will meet up with Chinese or international friends.

Afternoon
Sometimes I will take a nap, if I have time.
Studying or taking care of daily life and tasks typically consumes a lot of my time.
Exercise is supposed to be on the schedule here (or in the morning), but I’ve gotten out of my regular routine. I hope to resume it soon…sigh…

Evening
Dinner – either in the cafeteria, a small restaurant, or in my room
Study or interacting with my new friends is something I would like to do more.
Getting on the web for an hour or two for correspondence is vital for keeping in touch with family and friends.

9:00-10:00pm – Prepare for the next day, get ready for bed
Usually, I try to go to bed around 9:00-10:00pm; however, recently, I was not able to get much sleep. There is some type of construction project across the little road in front of my dorm. Last week, it was difficult for me to sleep, as the noise of heavy equipment and incessant hammering and clamoring came blaring through my window early in the morning and late into the night. (The work hours here in Beijing, at least for some construction projects, appear to be much longer than in the States. These workers really have a very demanding work schedule. I am learning to be grateful that I am able to keep the hours that I do. They must work long hours in order to put food on the table. So, I may lose a few hours of sleep, but at least those workers can work and eat. Before I know it, I’ll be used to the noise coming in my window.)

As I think about each passing day, I am constantly reminded of all the lessons I am learning, not only about new cultures, but also about myself and my own culture. Not only am I learning to appreciate the Chinese culture and the cultures of other international students; I am also learning to appreciate my own culture and the people who know me best.

Tomorrow is a new day! I am again eager to see what I shall learn as I continue in this new life as an international student!

Learning About Subways and Starting Classes

2005-09-19T19:36:00.000+08:00

This past Saturday and Sunday were good days. On Saturday, I was able to visit with an English teaching friend of mine about teaching ideas and resources, and she was able to help me figure out some of Beijing’s transportation, since she has more experience in that area. Also, I was able to play “tour guide” for the first time in my new life in Beijing, as I showed her where the Red Lantern House is located, so she could get some information about it for some of her family and friends. I really recommend anyone to stay there if they come through Beijing, as it is such a quaint little place with traditional Chinese architecture and artistic expression.

On Sunday, I continued in learning about one of the mass transportation systems here in Beijing. The subway system here in Beijing is really convenient, and I will not have to use the buses as much as I thought. There is a “Number 13” elevated rail station at Wu Dao Kou, which connects with the Beijing subway a few stops away, just down the street from my university. So, I was very excited to figure this out, and I will now use it frequently. (There is also a great little stand by the station that sells delicious Beijing style egg and green onion breakfast crepes. I forgot the Chinese name of it already. You know how that goes, “In one ear and out the other.” Language learning is quite a challenge.)

Speaking of language acquisition, I begin classes tomorrow morning at 8:00am. Excitement and uncertainty rush through my veins as I anticipate the variety of assignments and hours of character memorization ahead of me. I know it seems crazy that I am actually starting formal studies again, especially after I just graduated from college this spring, but I am excited to continue learning. Besides, this seems different to me; this doesn’t seem to have all the pressure and intensity of college studies. Since I arrived in Beijing a couple of weeks ago, I have done some language study, but this will really give me a framework in which to study characters and a practical grasp of Chinese.

That structure is one I have really been looking forward to in my studies. For the past 3 years, I have been studying Chinese in my spare time and have had help from various Chinese friends and informal teachers along the way. Today, I saw that those past 3 years of study have paid off. I am in “Level B” of the Chinese courses here, which puts me beyond basic pronunciation lessons and shows that I have some knowledge of characters and some basic conversational and grammatical skills. So, I am happy to know that I have learned more than simple “Chinese survival skills” in the past 3 years, but I am also uncertain about whether or not I am prepared for the challenge of these classes. Tomorrow, I will find out, as the classes, which I have been looking forward to for the past few years, shall begin at last.

Taking a Bus in Beijing

2005-09-11T18:52:00.000+08:00

Notes from my limited experience and some advice from friends…

-Get on the right side of the street. You’ll be able to get on a bus with the desired number, but it will take you in the wrong direction if you’re not on the correct side of the road.
-Stand near the sign with the desired bus number. Get your bus fare in hand, so you’re ready to pay when you board. Wait until the bus arrives…
-Ready, set, go! Everyone runs to get on the bus and masses in front of the door squeezing through the crowd to board the bus. Unless you’re trying to get a seat, it usually isn’t necessary to push your way to the front.
-Hold on tight! Some bus drivers are heavy on the gas and the brakes… You may need to switch hands somewhere during the ride, so both arms get a workout.
-Bend your knees! If you keep your legs stiff and lock your knees, your body jerks a lot more with the stop and go of the bus.
-Pay the lady collecting the bus fare. She walks back and forth on the bus asking (sometimes shouting above the noise of traffic) where people are going and giving them the rate. You pay her in cash and she gives you a receipt/ticket.
-Keep an eye on your belongings, and preferably a hand in one pocket, if you have anything in it. Keep any bags you have in front of you.
-It’s really cozy…You really get to know the other people on the bus, because you are smashed together. Sometimes you get a small token of their presence – like their sweat soaked into your clothes. When the driver slams on the brakes, that’s when the fun begins…
-Get ready to sweat…no AC, at least not on some buses…
-Be willing to give up your seat for the elderly, disabled, pregnant, or other people in need. This is an element I really respect about Chinese culture and one that the West can learn to bring back into daily life.
-If you’re going across town, make sure you leave about 1-1.5 hours for total travel time. With the stop and go of city traffic, this is a must. Go to the bathroom before you get on the bus. Also, drink some water before the ride, because if you are standing up and holding on, you might not have a chance to let go of the rail/handle and get a drink.
-During warmer seasons, have some tissues or a handkerchief handy – you’ll need to blow all of the black snot out of your nose that has collected due to the pollution, which comes in through the open windows of non-AC buses. (Everyday in Beijing you may think, “Wow, it’s cloudy or foggy today!” Nope…It’s pollution.)
-Be thankful for taxis or other less public means of transportation!
-Prepare mentally for the next bus ride… just kidding :)

Life in Beijing is really fun and exciting! I am learning new things everyday! I really have a lot of respect for people who grew up in Beijing and experience the stress and the hustle and bustle of the buses everyday of their lives.

Safe Arrival

2005-09-08T19:48:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, September 7, around 5:00-6:00pm, my train arrived in Beijing from Hong Kong. It was about a 24hr trip. However, the train was running a little bit late. It was really safe on the train, as there were very few people. Most of us in the sleeper-car I was in were able to meet one another and share together about language, culture, and various other topics. That was a really fun experience, and I really learned a lot!

Last night, I stayed in the Red Lantern House hostel in one of Beijing's "hu tong" areas. I really enjoyed the stay, with the traditional architecture and the old fashioned housing areas immediately surrounding this quaint little place. For dinner last night, I went to a local restaurant with really delicious “jiao zi” (Chinese dumplings). The food is really inexpensive; I ate for about US$1.50.

Today, I moved into the dorm at the university, and I am excited to see what I will learn. Currently, I have a Korean roommate, even though I was originally planning to have my own room. (They ran out of single rooms.) However, this may prove to be very beneficial for both of us, as he does not speak much English. We will be able to help each other learn Chinese! That will be fun! :)

Always learning...

Destination: Beijing

2005-09-03T01:05:00.000+08:00

On Tuesday, September 6, I will take a train to Beijing. It is a 24hr train ride, and I am excited to see the beautiful Chinese landscape, on this journey through the heart of China. When I arrive on Wednesday, I am tentatively planning to stay in a quaint little hostel called the Red Lantern House, in the Hutong historical district. Then, on Thursday, I plan to move into the dormitory where I'll be staying until January 20, when I fly back to the US. Then, that next Monday, registration for my intensive language course will begin.

While I am in Beijing, I will be posting to this blog via email, due to the internet situation available for my use. Therefore, I will no longer be able to post pictures. I hope you have enjoyed the pictures so far, but from now on....I guess it's up to your imagination... :)

The Quote

2005-09-03T00:05:00.000+08:00

My Mom has always said, “Learning occurs at all times...” Her use of this proverb was most pronounced during my home-school days of junior high and high school, but she still stands by her conviction. I have really come to appreciate my Mom’s (and Dad’s) advice and wisdom. That is why I have included it as one of the title features of this journal. My parents have always been my most influential teachers…Thanks Dad and Mom!

Greek 101

2005-09-02T23:36:00.000+08:00

From Sheung Shui, I moved to Sha Tin, where my teacher-hosts live. Almost everyday of the couple of weeks I’ve been here we’ve taken a bus to Kowloon. That is where the college, that I’ve been helping at, is located. While I’ve been here, I have mostly been doing research for one of the professors who will be teaching Greek this coming semester. So, if you’re interested in hearing about the Greek present or imperfect tenses, let me know!

English 101

2005-09-02T23:09:00.000+08:00

For the first few weeks of August, I was busy teaching English in Sheung Shui, in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It was a rewarding experience, and my students were fun and willing to participate. It was also a good time for me to practice some teaching skills and lesson organization. I will miss my students and the other friends I met there, and I hope I will be able to visit again some day.

Time Travel - Episode 5

2005-08-19T02:08:00.000+08:00

July 29, 2005
The trip I took to Macau on Friday, July 29, was very interesting and exciting. I left the apartment, in which I was staying for my vacation, around 7:00am. From there I took the subway, called the MTR, to the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal on Hong Kong Island. There, I had quite an ordeal getting my ticket, going through customs, missing my ferry, waiting for the next ferry, and finally sitting down for the hour-long ferry trip and catching my breath! Whew! The trip there was quite nice, as we passed the outlying islands of Hong Kong and then those of Macau. As we approached the ferry dock in Macau, the casinos lined the waterfront, as the sign for even the “Sands” casino prominently flashed before our eyes. What a tragedy it was to see such an historical place marred by these icons of what are far too often used for manipulation, greed, and corruption! However, my sights were set on other more pleasant spots on the island, as I began my journey from the terminal and into the unknown, winding streets of Macau.

My first stop was Guia Hill with its quaint little lighthouse and chapel. I took a small cable car to the top of the hill and walked to the traditional structures. From there, I was able to see Macau spread out against the backdrop of dark rain clouds waiting to unleash their fury upon the city at any moment. I met an Austrian man up there, and I had a nice conversation with him later that morning, as I coincidentally met up with him again at another place on the island. One interesting location I had the privilege of experiencing was St. Paul’s Ruins, as you can see in the picture above. What a reflective and thought provoking experience this was as I took in the ruins of this traditional structure’s façade, appreciated the artwork displayed in the museum, and grieved over the bones on display in the crypt. It is quite intriguing to see such a strong Roman Catholic influence in this Chinese area. The rest of the day was spent experiencing various facets of life in Macau; figuring out some of the local bus system, eating lunch at the “Galo” Portuguese restaurant, visiting various old church buildings, taking in the mix of colloquial Portuguese and Chinese architecture and culture, finding my way around the narrow roads and winding streets, literally running up and down hills as I went to and from various sites while the rain storms rolled through, challenging my map reading abilities and urban navigational ingenuity as I raced to as many sights as possible before dark and led some other foreign tourists in finding their way, and meeting Chinese, Portuguese, Norwegian, Italian, English, and Filipina people resulted in quite a learning experience. The end of this most memorable day was spent trying some Portuguese food in the Tai Pa village at the “O Infante” restaurant, talking with the Filipina waitresses, and meeting a wonderful Portuguese cook. That excursion to Macau was quite an experience, as I did not arrive back at my apartment until about 1:00am. I hope I am able to return to Macau again some day and get to know some of those people I met. You never know where you’ll go or who you’ll meet, as life is always worthwhile and always an adventure.

Time Travel - Episode 4

2005-08-19T01:53:00.000+08:00

July 14, 2005
As you can see above in this candid photo, I am learning to eat in the Burmese style, as one of my ethnically Chinese friends from Myanmar so graciously welcomed me and some other friends into her home for some delicious Burmese food. The people of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, traditionally eat with their fingers, which I found to be quite enjoyable and actually very practical as well, as it means fewer dishes to wash! You can also see that I have a shirt displaying the Burmese alphabet, which was a gift from this Burmese friend. It has been fun learning about various cultures here in Hong Kong, as I have met people from England, Myanmar, Colombia, and the Philippines. As I travel to different parts of the world, I continue to learn that it is much smaller and more interconnected than I ever imagined. What opportunities we have for education, cultural exchange, and friendships! Let’s take advantage of those opportunities and learn from others!

Time Travel - Episode 3

2005-08-16T21:48:00.000+08:00

July 6, 2005
Learning is a never ending process that involves all areas of life, especially those parts we often overlook... A friend of mine, his grandson, who is half-seen in the picture, and I went to a market to get some lunch from this shop owner. Later that day, we came back through the same market, and the shop owner wanted us to take some pictures together. He got out one of his extra aprons and handed me a duck. It was a real honor to be included in such an integral part of Chinese life. The markets are really bustling places here in Hong Kong, and you can get everything you need for very low prices. It is fun exploring new places, meeting new people, practicing my Mandarin, which a growing number of people understand and speak quite well, and learning about everyday life. My time here in Hong Kong is turning out to be more meaningful than I would have ever thought or imagined.

Time Travel - Episode 2

2005-08-15T02:33:00.000+08:00

June 22, 2005
Although it was a cloudy and rainy day, my first trip to Hong Kong Island was very interesting and exciting. My studies had been very busy, but this first major day-outing on my own was very refreshing and insightful. I met a new friend, and we had fun sharing with each other about our different cultures and life backgrounds. I wonder if I will ever see him again... This was one of the first views of the beautiful Hong Kong skyline I was privileged to see. This is such a fascinating metropolis. Unfortunately, I will not have enough time while I am here to explore its seemingly endless distinctiveness, but then again, how could anyone, even in a lifetime?

Time Travel - Episode 1

2005-08-15T02:15:00.000+08:00

June 11, 2005
As my plane cruises over China, I can only think of all the exciting adventures I will have in this wonderful land of opportunity. China is amazing! I can't wait to explore the beauty of the land and get to know the nature of the people! I love how this picture, which I took from the back of the plane, shows not only the vastness of China but also how it puts this land of immensity in perspective, as the curvature of the earth shows that we are all neighbors in this global dwelling place and that this world really isn't as big as we think it is, while it is larger than we can ever imagine. This is going to be an amazing experience...

Beginning the Journey

2005-08-15T01:45:00.000+08:00

As I write this first post, I have now officially been here in Hong Kong for over 2 months. It has been an exciting journey, as I have learned about meeting the needs of others. As a student, I am continually learning to respect the people who teach me. From the lessons I learn about life from my students to the instruction I have received from experienced teachers, I continue to learn and grow in my understanding of life. As a teacher, I am learning to grow and implement a variety of teaching techniques as I seek to impart knowledge and wisdom to my students. Sheung Shui, in the North District, has been my place of residence and work for the last 2 weeks. Teaching English has filled up most of my time, as I have taught at least one class everyday this past week (including Saturday and Sunday), but I have had some opportunities for recreation, as the above picture, taken at the Tuen Mun beach here in Hong Kong, attests. This "Student Teaching Portfolio" will be a continuing journal as I recount some of my experiences, as I learn from others as a student and as I have opportunities to teach in a variety of ways. I hope you enjoy these accounts, and if you would like to share this blog with your family and friends, please just ask me first via email. I have created this for you and would like to keep it within our personal sphere. There are many problems today with identity theft and other issues, and I would like to maintain this personal privacy. Thank you for your cooperation, and enjoy the posts as I update them periodically. Peace.