I hesitated then pointed down the sidewalk and said, "There's supposed to be a good noodle shop down there..."
My voice trailed off.
............
We entered the narrow entrance to a noodle shop and looked at the cooks.
The cooks looked back at us.
A man got up from his seat and said- "You come in. Sit." And then walked out.
We eyed the orange cafeteria tables and chose one right in the entrance of the shop.
One of the cooks approached us with a menu in Chinese characters, pointed and seemed to ask if we could read it. Laughing he put it down again and pointed to the man sitting behind us busily eating noodles and brown meat.
"Er mein?" He said, asking if we wanted two orders of what the man behind us had.
We laughed, "Dui, dui- xia xia!" We agreed it looked good, so what was the harm in trying?
We waited a few minutes and the man brought out a couple bowls of soup- a broth with some herbs- green onions and cilantro. I think it was a beef stock. Simply wonderful, though a bit warm to be able to enjoy as quickly as I wanted to. Then he brought us two platters piled high with wide noodles and shaved meat, something pickled, and lots of little green herbs with a sauce all over it.
I mixed it all together.
I took a bite.
Everything went silent.
The once busy street turned into a field with a gentle breeze. The shop turned into a small hut in a remote village. Everyone seemed to disappear in that one bite. Heaven.
The moment ceased as I swallowed the mouthful of noodles and identified the meat as a tender beef, the herbs as more green onions and cilantro, and the noodles, oh those sweet sweet noodles- as the most amazing noodles I've eaten in almost 3 years.
At long last, I've found my "noodle joint", conveniently located a short walk from the school I tutor at twice a week. Guess I will betray my twice weekly "Chinese burrito" stand and will from now on, frequent my new favorite place in the world!
(PS: For those wondering what a "Chinese Burrito" is....
A thin layer of dough fried on a round hot thing, egg cracked and smoothed over the dough, pickled something sprinkled over the egg, green onion sprinkled on, lettuce shreds, and then folded, peanut sauce applied, a little red pepper sauce applied, and then crunchy thing put on before finishing the wrapping job and cut and placed into a little bag to carry it away and eat it. It rather quite good!)
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
The Longest Mile
Today marks the longest I have been out of the country at one time.
........
I sit and sip my Strawberry Mango Ginger tea. The aroma alone is enough to entrance me.
I walk to my window and open it; I breathe in.
I am met by the surprisingly light fresh smell of sea tainted air. Three long blocks away from the sea, but seven floors up, I somehow catch a whiff of sea mixed with the wooded mountain next to my complex.
I look up, I see Orion looking back down from the stars. I look down, I see the fish pond surrounded by greenery and palm trees. I look out, I see a tall building with lights on the perimeter of the roof- a beautiful sight in the foreground to my view of the ships at sea.
I listen and I hear the deep call of the fog horns on the ships coming in to port; I hear the gentle playing of piano music from neighboring apartments, and I hear the chatter of the people below.
Welcome to Xiamen- Southwest side of the island.
The scene I have just painted describes the perfect spring night with a touch of coolness after a unusually warm day. The sun came out for a bit and we even got to see a little bit of blue sky peeking out from behind the blanket of winter haze holding on.
I walk through the markets to find my fruits and vegetables and am hit with the pungent smell of tofu, but my senses are gently eased after the fresh scent of cilantro wafts into my nostrils and can't help but smile as I smell the familiar tang of citrus and strawberries. I walk past buckets of ginger and garlic and piles of cabbage, potatoes, various types mushrooms, carrots, and peppers- hot peppers, mild peppers, green peppers, red peppers, long peppers, short peppers, dried peppers-any kind of pepper you desire!
I walk back past the small stores and noodle shops that line the street, past the flower shop and the dry goods market, past the small place I get my bubble tea, cross under the big road and see my turn off.
I can never help but smile as I walk past the guards into the courtyard- there always seems to be a gentle breeze and now that it is a bit warmer I am greeted by parents and grandparents sitting around the fish pond chatting while their children ride their bicycles and up and down the little stone road and run back and forth playing tag. I could not be happier with my new location.
Good thing too, because as of yesterday if this had been any other trip I have been on, I would have gotten back to the States yesterday with a whole lot of pictures, souvenirs, memories and stories to share with all of you. No. Now I see. This is my new home.
"This is home, this now I'm finally where I belong...after searching for a place of my own, maybe this is home? Yeah, this is home...I've seen the enemy, but I won't go back, back to how it was. I've got my heart set on what happens next- I've got my eyes wide it's not over yet- we are miracles and it's not over yet!" ~Switchfoot- This is Home
So I press on, the days when it is cold wet and rainy, the days when the breeze is not from the sea and is filled with the pungent smell of rotting fruit and smelly people. When the buses are crowded and I almost get trampled just trying to get on the bus. When I slip on someone's spit on the sidewalk and someone else laughs at the crazy klutzy American girl who does not know how to walk. Why? Because this is home and it does not always feel or look like the paradise I see today, but it is where I belong.
In the meantime, I will enjoy the fresh scent on the cool breeze and gentle piano music in the background of children's gleeful laughter.
This is it- life for the next 17 months.
There is no turning back now!
........
I sit and sip my Strawberry Mango Ginger tea. The aroma alone is enough to entrance me.
I walk to my window and open it; I breathe in.
I am met by the surprisingly light fresh smell of sea tainted air. Three long blocks away from the sea, but seven floors up, I somehow catch a whiff of sea mixed with the wooded mountain next to my complex.
I look up, I see Orion looking back down from the stars. I look down, I see the fish pond surrounded by greenery and palm trees. I look out, I see a tall building with lights on the perimeter of the roof- a beautiful sight in the foreground to my view of the ships at sea.
I listen and I hear the deep call of the fog horns on the ships coming in to port; I hear the gentle playing of piano music from neighboring apartments, and I hear the chatter of the people below.
Welcome to Xiamen- Southwest side of the island.
The scene I have just painted describes the perfect spring night with a touch of coolness after a unusually warm day. The sun came out for a bit and we even got to see a little bit of blue sky peeking out from behind the blanket of winter haze holding on.
I walk through the markets to find my fruits and vegetables and am hit with the pungent smell of tofu, but my senses are gently eased after the fresh scent of cilantro wafts into my nostrils and can't help but smile as I smell the familiar tang of citrus and strawberries. I walk past buckets of ginger and garlic and piles of cabbage, potatoes, various types mushrooms, carrots, and peppers- hot peppers, mild peppers, green peppers, red peppers, long peppers, short peppers, dried peppers-any kind of pepper you desire!
I walk back past the small stores and noodle shops that line the street, past the flower shop and the dry goods market, past the small place I get my bubble tea, cross under the big road and see my turn off.
I can never help but smile as I walk past the guards into the courtyard- there always seems to be a gentle breeze and now that it is a bit warmer I am greeted by parents and grandparents sitting around the fish pond chatting while their children ride their bicycles and up and down the little stone road and run back and forth playing tag. I could not be happier with my new location.
Good thing too, because as of yesterday if this had been any other trip I have been on, I would have gotten back to the States yesterday with a whole lot of pictures, souvenirs, memories and stories to share with all of you. No. Now I see. This is my new home.
"This is home, this now I'm finally where I belong...after searching for a place of my own, maybe this is home? Yeah, this is home...I've seen the enemy, but I won't go back, back to how it was. I've got my heart set on what happens next- I've got my eyes wide it's not over yet- we are miracles and it's not over yet!" ~Switchfoot- This is Home
So I press on, the days when it is cold wet and rainy, the days when the breeze is not from the sea and is filled with the pungent smell of rotting fruit and smelly people. When the buses are crowded and I almost get trampled just trying to get on the bus. When I slip on someone's spit on the sidewalk and someone else laughs at the crazy klutzy American girl who does not know how to walk. Why? Because this is home and it does not always feel or look like the paradise I see today, but it is where I belong.
In the meantime, I will enjoy the fresh scent on the cool breeze and gentle piano music in the background of children's gleeful laughter.
This is it- life for the next 17 months.
There is no turning back now!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
The Miracle of the French Baguette
One girl in China.
Far away from home.
...........
So anyone who knows me at all knows that I love my pasta and bread. I'm German and Italian- and they tell me to watch my carb intake- with that kind of blood? Yeah right.
So I've been living in China for eh, 3 weeks today actually. Three weeks. Not a very long time.
But three weeks of VERY limited bread and pasta? And not that I am complaining, but Chinese bread is very different from Italian bread. No country white with a dusting of flour on the crispy crust...
I can almost smell the warm inviting aroma of freshly baked bread...
When I decided to come, I told my Father that I would come, but I was really going to miss not having pasta and bread. I knew I could survive without it, but it's like my favorite food in the whole wide world! Well, I was in an expensive Western food store and spied gnocchi!! You can just hear my squeals of delight when my eyes clapped on to the package of beautiful potato pasta and my eyes traveled up the shelves scanning each shelf for Alfredo sauce.
Check.
(Granted, it cost at least double what it would cost in the States, but sometimes you just gotta go for it!)
All I needed now was the bread.
I was told there are two stores on the island that carry anything similar to Italian bread or a French Baguette. I was only going to have contact with one of them, so it kind of had to be at that store.
Well, I entered the store and was greeted with some Sinatra and rugby shaped bread. I knew I liked the place, but I could not find a single loaf of country Italian bread or a French baguette.
My heart started to sink.
I happened to walk past the kitchen and noticed the baker packaging a long loaf of bread.
It was fate. Sinatra continued on....
I knew it was a baguette!!
I walked over to the kitchen with my American friend and she said something quickly in Chinese to the baker and he looked at me and handed me the baguette!
Now, based on the price of the last several items I bought for the delectable dinner, and rumors I had heard about how expensive this bakery was, I was expecting it to be pretty pricey.
Yeah....it cost me about $1.05usd.
That's right 8rmb. That's it.
Sinatra continued on as I walked out of the store, sugary substance crystallizing on my strawberries on a stick in one hand, and the aroma of my freshly baked French baguette wafting to my nose from the other hand.
He does it just because he can, you know? He knows what we love and it makes him smile to see how excited we get over the "little" things like gnocchi alfredo and French baguette with roasted garlic and herbs smeared all over the top. I love that he loves to do that- He's my Father and He loves me more than I know. Truly!
Far away from home.
...........
So anyone who knows me at all knows that I love my pasta and bread. I'm German and Italian- and they tell me to watch my carb intake- with that kind of blood? Yeah right.
So I've been living in China for eh, 3 weeks today actually. Three weeks. Not a very long time.
But three weeks of VERY limited bread and pasta? And not that I am complaining, but Chinese bread is very different from Italian bread. No country white with a dusting of flour on the crispy crust...
I can almost smell the warm inviting aroma of freshly baked bread...
When I decided to come, I told my Father that I would come, but I was really going to miss not having pasta and bread. I knew I could survive without it, but it's like my favorite food in the whole wide world! Well, I was in an expensive Western food store and spied gnocchi!! You can just hear my squeals of delight when my eyes clapped on to the package of beautiful potato pasta and my eyes traveled up the shelves scanning each shelf for Alfredo sauce.
Check.
(Granted, it cost at least double what it would cost in the States, but sometimes you just gotta go for it!)
All I needed now was the bread.
I was told there are two stores on the island that carry anything similar to Italian bread or a French Baguette. I was only going to have contact with one of them, so it kind of had to be at that store.
Well, I entered the store and was greeted with some Sinatra and rugby shaped bread. I knew I liked the place, but I could not find a single loaf of country Italian bread or a French baguette.
My heart started to sink.
I happened to walk past the kitchen and noticed the baker packaging a long loaf of bread.
It was fate. Sinatra continued on....
I knew it was a baguette!!
I walked over to the kitchen with my American friend and she said something quickly in Chinese to the baker and he looked at me and handed me the baguette!
Now, based on the price of the last several items I bought for the delectable dinner, and rumors I had heard about how expensive this bakery was, I was expecting it to be pretty pricey.
Yeah....it cost me about $1.05usd.
That's right 8rmb. That's it.
Sinatra continued on as I walked out of the store, sugary substance crystallizing on my strawberries on a stick in one hand, and the aroma of my freshly baked French baguette wafting to my nose from the other hand.
He does it just because he can, you know? He knows what we love and it makes him smile to see how excited we get over the "little" things like gnocchi alfredo and French baguette with roasted garlic and herbs smeared all over the top. I love that he loves to do that- He's my Father and He loves me more than I know. Truly!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Like the Ocean
I sit here and type; I think of all that has transpired in the last four to five years.
I think of my family; I think of my friends.
I think of the trials and hardships, of the victories and losses.
.............
As I think of the people that have touched my life and the circumstances that have come in and out of my life, I cannot help but think of the waves I see on the beach here, always rolling in and going out- it never stops- every wave is new. Some of the sand remains for a while- but then it is washed back out to sea.
Life is like the tide, always rolling in and going back out; people are like the sand, coming and going with the tide- some staying longer than others, but all of them there just for the amount of time they need to be there.
For I know the plans that I have for you, says the .., plans of peace and hope, plans to prosper you and give you a future.
These plans included my grandmother's home-going, they included the end of my basketball career and my soccer career; they included my graduation from high school and first year at college. His plans included my own Dad's home-going and a trip to Argentina, they included hardship and trials, they included tears and broken hearts; his plans even included the moments that I did not understand. They included trips to China, Haiti, and South Africa, they included my graduation from college with a degree and making new bonds of family and friends; His plans included new pages written in new chapters, new jobs, old friends, new places, old lessons. His plans even included a "last minute" decision to move across the world, but the most wonderful thing about this is that it wasn't "last minute" to him- nothing that I have just mentioned ever took him by surprise.
Nothing shocked him.
There was not a moment that passed or circumstance that arose that made him second guess himself- because he already planned it.
Who would have ever guessed that any of that would happen? Who would have guessed that my brother would be married this year or that my best friend is married and having her first baby or that another friend just got engaged and another is getting married soon too? Who would have guessed that another friend would have been taken home suddenly soon after my own departure to a foreign country, or that I would be asking these questions while sitting in a foreign country?
Truly, I cannot know his plans- if I did I would probably say they were impossible, that I would not survive the next trial, or I could not bare life without that person. I would cry and dig my heels in against the trials to come.
Though the storms come and the rain beats down hard upon the already unsettled ocean and constantly shifting sand and mercilessly drags sand away from the shore at the least expected times, we can rest assured that a peace does indeed come in the morning. "Peace be still", and all is calm. The storms will pass and the roaring waves will subside. The shore will never be the same again, but it will always be there- sustained by his master plan.
I think of my family; I think of my friends.
I think of the trials and hardships, of the victories and losses.
.............
As I think of the people that have touched my life and the circumstances that have come in and out of my life, I cannot help but think of the waves I see on the beach here, always rolling in and going out- it never stops- every wave is new. Some of the sand remains for a while- but then it is washed back out to sea.
Life is like the tide, always rolling in and going back out; people are like the sand, coming and going with the tide- some staying longer than others, but all of them there just for the amount of time they need to be there.
For I know the plans that I have for you, says the .., plans of peace and hope, plans to prosper you and give you a future.
These plans included my grandmother's home-going, they included the end of my basketball career and my soccer career; they included my graduation from high school and first year at college. His plans included my own Dad's home-going and a trip to Argentina, they included hardship and trials, they included tears and broken hearts; his plans even included the moments that I did not understand. They included trips to China, Haiti, and South Africa, they included my graduation from college with a degree and making new bonds of family and friends; His plans included new pages written in new chapters, new jobs, old friends, new places, old lessons. His plans even included a "last minute" decision to move across the world, but the most wonderful thing about this is that it wasn't "last minute" to him- nothing that I have just mentioned ever took him by surprise.
Nothing shocked him.
There was not a moment that passed or circumstance that arose that made him second guess himself- because he already planned it.
Who would have ever guessed that any of that would happen? Who would have guessed that my brother would be married this year or that my best friend is married and having her first baby or that another friend just got engaged and another is getting married soon too? Who would have guessed that another friend would have been taken home suddenly soon after my own departure to a foreign country, or that I would be asking these questions while sitting in a foreign country?
Truly, I cannot know his plans- if I did I would probably say they were impossible, that I would not survive the next trial, or I could not bare life without that person. I would cry and dig my heels in against the trials to come.
Though the storms come and the rain beats down hard upon the already unsettled ocean and constantly shifting sand and mercilessly drags sand away from the shore at the least expected times, we can rest assured that a peace does indeed come in the morning. "Peace be still", and all is calm. The storms will pass and the roaring waves will subside. The shore will never be the same again, but it will always be there- sustained by his master plan.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Purim
Purim: A Jewish holiday which name originates from Haman casting lots to decide on the day that the Jews would be annihilated from the kingdom.
A British student here suggested that we celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim. None of us had ever celebrated a Jewish festival before, but his reasoning convinced me to join the group celebrating and I am glad I did! Not only did we enjoy fantastic food from a northern province in here, but also wonderful fellowship around the meal and following the meal when we gathered to read the book of Esther.
Jews are known for their active listening when reading stories such as Esther's so we were to boo and hiss at the name of Haman and cheer for Mordicai and Esther. As you might imagine, it was the most exciting reading of the book of Esther that I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Between the booing, hissing, cheering, and wailing, we acted out the story a bit, making it literally come alive to us! I had never read a story out of the book like this before, but I so wish I had! The concepts that came alive to me are still resonating in my head and heart.
We talk about Esther and how brave she was, stepping out and trusting. How she saved the whole kingdom- just by being brave. (Obviously a lot more goes into it than that, I realize that and I know we know that....) But the point is, how many of us have been given tasks like Esther's but shied away from it for fear of humiliation or destruction? Maybe someone else has been given our task because we failed to complete it?
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?
I never realized before that the deliverance would have come from someone/somewhere else if Esther did not complete her "mission". But it's true, if we fail to step out when we are given a mission, someone else will. If He commands it, it must be done, whether by you or someone else. What a tragedy to have such a high calling, such a purpose in life and to choose against it!
Now for one more thought: the whole idea of deliverance.
Deliverance.
Everyone needs compassion. Kindness, the hope of nations!
Every day. Every moment. My chains are gone, I've been set free! I have been DELIVERED! What a concept, what a thought! I am delivered. I was a slave in bondage, and I have been given deliverance. I am still pondering this idea. Deliverance from a sharp tongue, deliverance from a stubborn thought, deliverance from a sad attitude, deliverance from unwillingness.
Deliverance.
The Jews have a whole festival to remember their deliverance from death and bondage under King Ahasuerus, do we celebrate our deliverance? It doesn't necessarily have to be a "festival" per say, but maybe a little joyfulness to the one who delivers?
A British student here suggested that we celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim. None of us had ever celebrated a Jewish festival before, but his reasoning convinced me to join the group celebrating and I am glad I did! Not only did we enjoy fantastic food from a northern province in here, but also wonderful fellowship around the meal and following the meal when we gathered to read the book of Esther.
Jews are known for their active listening when reading stories such as Esther's so we were to boo and hiss at the name of Haman and cheer for Mordicai and Esther. As you might imagine, it was the most exciting reading of the book of Esther that I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Between the booing, hissing, cheering, and wailing, we acted out the story a bit, making it literally come alive to us! I had never read a story out of the book like this before, but I so wish I had! The concepts that came alive to me are still resonating in my head and heart.
We talk about Esther and how brave she was, stepping out and trusting. How she saved the whole kingdom- just by being brave. (Obviously a lot more goes into it than that, I realize that and I know we know that....) But the point is, how many of us have been given tasks like Esther's but shied away from it for fear of humiliation or destruction? Maybe someone else has been given our task because we failed to complete it?
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?
I never realized before that the deliverance would have come from someone/somewhere else if Esther did not complete her "mission". But it's true, if we fail to step out when we are given a mission, someone else will. If He commands it, it must be done, whether by you or someone else. What a tragedy to have such a high calling, such a purpose in life and to choose against it!
Now for one more thought: the whole idea of deliverance.
Deliverance.
Everyone needs compassion. Kindness, the hope of nations!
Every day. Every moment. My chains are gone, I've been set free! I have been DELIVERED! What a concept, what a thought! I am delivered. I was a slave in bondage, and I have been given deliverance. I am still pondering this idea. Deliverance from a sharp tongue, deliverance from a stubborn thought, deliverance from a sad attitude, deliverance from unwillingness.
Deliverance.
The Jews have a whole festival to remember their deliverance from death and bondage under King Ahasuerus, do we celebrate our deliverance? It doesn't necessarily have to be a "festival" per say, but maybe a little joyfulness to the one who delivers?
Home Sweet Home
Sunday afternoon brought a new chapter to this journey.
Another move.
Another room.
But this time it was to a place to call home.
..............
A friend of mine was recently called a "power-nester" for her ability to almost instantly turn an empty apartment into a warm and inviting home, I laughed when I heard the term, but I think I'm the same way.
I left my hotel room around 2:30pm today- The crazy American chick with two giant suitcases, a duffle, backpack, bright pink "New York" bag, and flowery pillowcase with a monkey head sticking out of it. Needless to say, on the short walk from the hotel entrance to the street (just a few short yards) I got more than three strange looks and giggles from people walking along the street as they watched me cross the uneven sidewalk and try to hail a taxi. Now that I write this, I realize what a spectacle it must have been!
The short trip was not without casualties and I regret to inform you that the wind knocked my pillow off its perch on top of one of my suitcases and landed it in a puddle of water on the side of the road.
I was very sad.
In fact, it distressed me so much that I almost named the blog after the event, but upon further consideration decided that finally moving into my new home was indeed more important than a whole blog documenting the demise of my pink flowery pillowcase housing my fuzzy pillow, fuzzy blanket, and fuzzy monkey.
We finally pulled up to a tall white building with a blue roof.
Apartment 701. My new home.
I walked into my room and was surprised to look out my window through the haze and mist to see a small ship on the sea! An ocean view. Boy, I never thought I'd have this privilege! I predict my window seat will be my new favorite place. :) After about an hour and a half, my once empty room looked like home. Geoffrey my giraffe and my baboon that carries so many fond memories on one shelf, my scroll from Mengzi on the opposite wall, my furry blanket on my bed, and Nemo (of course) who was very happy to come out of the vacuum bag resumed his rightful place on my bed.
**As a side note, vacuum bags pretty much saved my life this trip....seriously- who would have guessed I could take my pillow, blanket AND Nemo with me half way across the world?! I am definitely not complaining.**
I was welcomed with a vegetable stew and grilled cheddar cheese sandwich for dinner!!!! Ah, what a sight for sore eyes. Only a week, but I was already craving my beloved cheddar cheese. After dinner: fellowship with a few sisters- a time of quiet meditation and contemplation. Also, a message brought from a brother from New Zealand. A beautiful picture of the family we have. I have only been in my new home for a few hours, but already I feel as though I've been here for a good while. Now that I am not lulled to sleep at night by the taxi horns honking or buses and trucks driving by, or noisy hotel guests.... I am really starting to appreciate the work here- and I am so excited that my father has brought me to this place to grow and serve.
Psalm 23:1
Another move.
Another room.
But this time it was to a place to call home.
..............
A friend of mine was recently called a "power-nester" for her ability to almost instantly turn an empty apartment into a warm and inviting home, I laughed when I heard the term, but I think I'm the same way.
I left my hotel room around 2:30pm today- The crazy American chick with two giant suitcases, a duffle, backpack, bright pink "New York" bag, and flowery pillowcase with a monkey head sticking out of it. Needless to say, on the short walk from the hotel entrance to the street (just a few short yards) I got more than three strange looks and giggles from people walking along the street as they watched me cross the uneven sidewalk and try to hail a taxi. Now that I write this, I realize what a spectacle it must have been!
The short trip was not without casualties and I regret to inform you that the wind knocked my pillow off its perch on top of one of my suitcases and landed it in a puddle of water on the side of the road.
I was very sad.
In fact, it distressed me so much that I almost named the blog after the event, but upon further consideration decided that finally moving into my new home was indeed more important than a whole blog documenting the demise of my pink flowery pillowcase housing my fuzzy pillow, fuzzy blanket, and fuzzy monkey.
We finally pulled up to a tall white building with a blue roof.
Apartment 701. My new home.
I walked into my room and was surprised to look out my window through the haze and mist to see a small ship on the sea! An ocean view. Boy, I never thought I'd have this privilege! I predict my window seat will be my new favorite place. :) After about an hour and a half, my once empty room looked like home. Geoffrey my giraffe and my baboon that carries so many fond memories on one shelf, my scroll from Mengzi on the opposite wall, my furry blanket on my bed, and Nemo (of course) who was very happy to come out of the vacuum bag resumed his rightful place on my bed.
**As a side note, vacuum bags pretty much saved my life this trip....seriously- who would have guessed I could take my pillow, blanket AND Nemo with me half way across the world?! I am definitely not complaining.**
I was welcomed with a vegetable stew and grilled cheddar cheese sandwich for dinner!!!! Ah, what a sight for sore eyes. Only a week, but I was already craving my beloved cheddar cheese. After dinner: fellowship with a few sisters- a time of quiet meditation and contemplation. Also, a message brought from a brother from New Zealand. A beautiful picture of the family we have. I have only been in my new home for a few hours, but already I feel as though I've been here for a good while. Now that I am not lulled to sleep at night by the taxi horns honking or buses and trucks driving by, or noisy hotel guests.... I am really starting to appreciate the work here- and I am so excited that my father has brought me to this place to grow and serve.
Psalm 23:1
Thursday, March 8, 2012
LAOSHI
Laushi, Laushi!
The constant ringing in my ears. Pronounced "Laouw-sher" it means "Teacher". I have been in China for one week now and have been teaching for six days. I have now learned the meaning of the word "observe"- to observe that there is a need for teachers in a class and now I must teach it!
............
I departed from the grand old USA last Wednesday and got delayed on my flight out of JFK by about an hour. I flew a mostly uneventful flight from JFK to Beijing, but not to be disappointed, I could not make it smoothly into Xiamen.
I have always wondered what it would be like to be stranded in a city over night and have the airline pay for a hotel room. Don't ever wonder that. Don't wish it. Don't think it would be cool. It's not all it's hyped up to be.
We arrived at the Golden Phoenix Hotel about 2-3 hours after I should have left for Xiamen. Needless to say, it was not very golden, and once in line another American I had met about an hour earlier informed me that unless we paid 150rmb more, we had to share rooms with another guest. Needless to say that 150rmb seemed a rather small price to pay for privacy and a quiet room after a 14 hour flight with a few hundred other people, and hours in 3 different airports.
The next morning I arrived at the airport excited and ready to get to my final destination...and hour and a half after departure time we finally left Beijing- Xiamen bound.
Friday I met my new boss and host family. I was told that I would be staying with a Chinese mom and her daughter and I would have my own room/bathroom. When we arrived at the house we found that I would be taking the daughter's room and sharing a bathroom with three or four other people as the family had guests for 3 months that that they neglected to tell us about. Needless to say, the mom only wanted me there to teach English and the situation soon demanded that I find a new place to stay for my own sanity. Now I am staying in a hotel room until the apartment I will be renting becomes empty.
Saturday I was supposed to observe for a few hours, but ended up observing for 40 min before jumping in and teaching two classes.
Sunday I went to an international fellowship and greatly enjoyed my time there with some fellow brothers and sisters! The afternoon was spent with some new found friends and coworkers.
Monday saw me observing my new kindergarten class in the morning with tutoring in the afternoon.
Tuesday-Thursday I taught my new kindergarten class and tutored most afternoons and evenings. My tutoring classes consist of ages 5-14 years old and I tutor at 4 different schools.
I have been completely overwhelmed by how the pieces continue to fall in to place for me and for those who I am working with over here. He is good and his mercies endure forever. Truly.
The constant ringing in my ears. Pronounced "Laouw-sher" it means "Teacher". I have been in China for one week now and have been teaching for six days. I have now learned the meaning of the word "observe"- to observe that there is a need for teachers in a class and now I must teach it!
............
I departed from the grand old USA last Wednesday and got delayed on my flight out of JFK by about an hour. I flew a mostly uneventful flight from JFK to Beijing, but not to be disappointed, I could not make it smoothly into Xiamen.
I have always wondered what it would be like to be stranded in a city over night and have the airline pay for a hotel room. Don't ever wonder that. Don't wish it. Don't think it would be cool. It's not all it's hyped up to be.
We arrived at the Golden Phoenix Hotel about 2-3 hours after I should have left for Xiamen. Needless to say, it was not very golden, and once in line another American I had met about an hour earlier informed me that unless we paid 150rmb more, we had to share rooms with another guest. Needless to say that 150rmb seemed a rather small price to pay for privacy and a quiet room after a 14 hour flight with a few hundred other people, and hours in 3 different airports.
The next morning I arrived at the airport excited and ready to get to my final destination...and hour and a half after departure time we finally left Beijing- Xiamen bound.
Friday I met my new boss and host family. I was told that I would be staying with a Chinese mom and her daughter and I would have my own room/bathroom. When we arrived at the house we found that I would be taking the daughter's room and sharing a bathroom with three or four other people as the family had guests for 3 months that that they neglected to tell us about. Needless to say, the mom only wanted me there to teach English and the situation soon demanded that I find a new place to stay for my own sanity. Now I am staying in a hotel room until the apartment I will be renting becomes empty.
Saturday I was supposed to observe for a few hours, but ended up observing for 40 min before jumping in and teaching two classes.
Sunday I went to an international fellowship and greatly enjoyed my time there with some fellow brothers and sisters! The afternoon was spent with some new found friends and coworkers.
Monday saw me observing my new kindergarten class in the morning with tutoring in the afternoon.
Tuesday-Thursday I taught my new kindergarten class and tutored most afternoons and evenings. My tutoring classes consist of ages 5-14 years old and I tutor at 4 different schools.
I have been completely overwhelmed by how the pieces continue to fall in to place for me and for those who I am working with over here. He is good and his mercies endure forever. Truly.
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