Friday, June 30, 2006
Rainy Season
It is the rainy season. You know how I know? Because it rains almost everyday! The best part is that every morning it is beautiful out...and extremely hot and humid to the point that you want to live in an air conditioner, but then come around 12 or 1 a huge black cloud all of sudden blows in from nowhere and it starts to downpour. This rain is usually accompanied by thunder and lightning and wind. It lasts anywhere from 1 to 2 hours and then it moves on. I have been caught in more than a few downpours this semester. Now, I always take my poncho with me. Lesson learned. However, riding your bike in a poncho is almost worse because it has the sauna effect. Humidity with rain does not mix with bikes and ponchos. I'm ready to come home now.
Monday, June 26, 2006
The beginning of the end
This year is fast coming to an end. In 8 days I will be on a plane bound for America. Crazy...I look back over this year and there is so much to remember. So much has happened this year. I think of all our crazy and amazing stories and I have so much to tell. Some of my friends have already made their way home. They talk about how normal and convenient everything is. One of these friends is Michelle. We took her to the airport last Wednesday. It has been so hard without her here, but she had to go home early for various reasons (I would tell you to check her blog, but she never posts...haha). Without her here Kelley and I are ready to go home. Her leaving signified the end of the year in every aspect. She started the process of leaving. It will never again be the five of us here in EA. Gosh, I miss her tons! And I'm going to see her when I get off the plane.
With Michelle gone I've realized how much I crave attention. She would always pay attention to me. I would just wander into her room and jump on the bed or sit next to her at her desk. Now I wander around the apartment, usually find my way into Kelley's room. It's funny. I guess I really do need attention. I also have this weird need to tell Michelle everything that has gone on since she's been gone. When I email her or talk to her online I want to tell her all the details and in return I want to hear all the details of her life. I guess that's what happens when you share a year together. I think I will feel the same way about Kelley. I will want to call her up everyday and hear all about her life in Wisconsin. Crazy, it's like we're all married to each other!
On this note, I'm a little scared to go back to WSU. Right now I'm having a roommate fiasco. I was supposed to get a single but somehow things got messed up. Right now I'm playing the waiting game to see what happens. The other night I had a long conversation with Steven about going back home that triggered my fear of going back to school. The more I think about it, the more I am nervous to live in a freshman dorm and go back to taking classes. I have no idea what it will look like. I don't want to be that "strange" upperclassman who lived overseas for a year and now can't relate to others. I've been praying about it a lot and I know that God wants me back at WSU next year, so I know if He wants me there then He will give me the peace and the joy that comes with following Him. I am excited to go back and live on the same floor as Michelle and Shelley and I am excited to reach out to freshmen girls. I just have to keep trusting God and believing that His plans for me are better than anything I could ever imagine!
Dropping Michelle off at the airport...Before we all started crying. I actually started at the airport and continued to cry almost all the way home. Kelley put up a front and then broke down an hour later in the van. Leaving is never easy...
With Michelle gone I've realized how much I crave attention. She would always pay attention to me. I would just wander into her room and jump on the bed or sit next to her at her desk. Now I wander around the apartment, usually find my way into Kelley's room. It's funny. I guess I really do need attention. I also have this weird need to tell Michelle everything that has gone on since she's been gone. When I email her or talk to her online I want to tell her all the details and in return I want to hear all the details of her life. I guess that's what happens when you share a year together. I think I will feel the same way about Kelley. I will want to call her up everyday and hear all about her life in Wisconsin. Crazy, it's like we're all married to each other!
On this note, I'm a little scared to go back to WSU. Right now I'm having a roommate fiasco. I was supposed to get a single but somehow things got messed up. Right now I'm playing the waiting game to see what happens. The other night I had a long conversation with Steven about going back home that triggered my fear of going back to school. The more I think about it, the more I am nervous to live in a freshman dorm and go back to taking classes. I have no idea what it will look like. I don't want to be that "strange" upperclassman who lived overseas for a year and now can't relate to others. I've been praying about it a lot and I know that God wants me back at WSU next year, so I know if He wants me there then He will give me the peace and the joy that comes with following Him. I am excited to go back and live on the same floor as Michelle and Shelley and I am excited to reach out to freshmen girls. I just have to keep trusting God and believing that His plans for me are better than anything I could ever imagine!
Dropping Michelle off at the airport...Before we all started crying. I actually started at the airport and continued to cry almost all the way home. Kelley put up a front and then broke down an hour later in the van. Leaving is never easy...Sunday, June 18, 2006
Wow...we are happy!
Pagodas make us happy...
Mountains make us happy...
And Steven, well, he's always happy!Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Olny srmat poelpe can raed tihs
I got tihs tuhorgh an eimal from Kelley:
cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!
cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!
Monday, June 12, 2006
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Censorship *edited*
I heard about this the other day from some friends of mine and didn't believe them. I found this article on USA Today about the Chinese government pulling the film "The Da Vinci Code" from theaters. A more recent article is here on Entertainment Online. News sources are saying that Chinese Catholics were protesting and causing political unrest. I'm surprised they even released this movie in the first place, but I think I'm more surprised that they pulled it.
*added later*
So, I posted the above and then thought about it and now I have more to say on this topic. "The Da Vinci Code" has lots of deceiving information in it. I do not approve of the content of the book or movie and certainly do not agree with it. I have heard it is a good read and I have seen the movie and it was compelling. With that said, I'm glad that China pulled this movie from theaters but I'm also a bit mad about it. I'm glad because in many countries there are people who do not know the Truth of God or His Word. When people who have never known Truth watch, or read, "The Da Vinci Code" they get a skewed view of Christianity. Recently I have been listening to Josh McDowell's podcast on his response to "The Da Vinci Code" and I have come to the realization that most of Dan Brown's "facts" are actually fiction. I am amazed at how much he fabricated to make the plot work. In light of that, people who see this movie also have a right to know the Truth and decide for themselves about who Jesus really is. This is why I'm glad China pulled it from theaters because so many people in China don't know the Truth. I'm upset because of the motivation behind China pulling the film. The reasoning is not moral or even religious. It's not because the movie is deceiving or causes people to leave the Church. The Chinese government pulled the film because it was causing political unrest among their people. It was because they were trying to please the protesters, the fact that those protesters were Catholic has nothing to do with it. This is what frustrates me. The same government that pulled "The Da Vinci Code" also censors religious information and gatherings. They censor the very people they are trying to please by pulling the movie from theaters. It is a reminder that in the world today there are still countries that proclaim freedom for their people, but keep them in check through censored media and news.
However, I admire these Christians that have stepped up to the plate and took a stand against their government. Even though the government's ban wasn't a "noble" cause, the protesters' actions were. In other countries, such as Fiji (see link below), Christian protesters also were able to persuade their government to ban the movie. These are efforts that change countries and make an impact. I highlighted some more articles below about the movie being banned. In Pakistan, the government banned the film "out of respect for the country's minority Christians" (see article below). Where's America in all of this? If Christians in America make a big enough deal about it would it ever be banned? Can Christians in America stand up for something they believe in and make a change like these others have? Is it our society that makes it so hard to be heard? Or is it our hearts...
Some other countries that banned "The Da Vinci Code" from being played in their theaters are: India, Fiji, and Pakistan. Egypt is still deciding.
*added later*
So, I posted the above and then thought about it and now I have more to say on this topic. "The Da Vinci Code" has lots of deceiving information in it. I do not approve of the content of the book or movie and certainly do not agree with it. I have heard it is a good read and I have seen the movie and it was compelling. With that said, I'm glad that China pulled this movie from theaters but I'm also a bit mad about it. I'm glad because in many countries there are people who do not know the Truth of God or His Word. When people who have never known Truth watch, or read, "The Da Vinci Code" they get a skewed view of Christianity. Recently I have been listening to Josh McDowell's podcast on his response to "The Da Vinci Code" and I have come to the realization that most of Dan Brown's "facts" are actually fiction. I am amazed at how much he fabricated to make the plot work. In light of that, people who see this movie also have a right to know the Truth and decide for themselves about who Jesus really is. This is why I'm glad China pulled it from theaters because so many people in China don't know the Truth. I'm upset because of the motivation behind China pulling the film. The reasoning is not moral or even religious. It's not because the movie is deceiving or causes people to leave the Church. The Chinese government pulled the film because it was causing political unrest among their people. It was because they were trying to please the protesters, the fact that those protesters were Catholic has nothing to do with it. This is what frustrates me. The same government that pulled "The Da Vinci Code" also censors religious information and gatherings. They censor the very people they are trying to please by pulling the movie from theaters. It is a reminder that in the world today there are still countries that proclaim freedom for their people, but keep them in check through censored media and news.
However, I admire these Christians that have stepped up to the plate and took a stand against their government. Even though the government's ban wasn't a "noble" cause, the protesters' actions were. In other countries, such as Fiji (see link below), Christian protesters also were able to persuade their government to ban the movie. These are efforts that change countries and make an impact. I highlighted some more articles below about the movie being banned. In Pakistan, the government banned the film "out of respect for the country's minority Christians" (see article below). Where's America in all of this? If Christians in America make a big enough deal about it would it ever be banned? Can Christians in America stand up for something they believe in and make a change like these others have? Is it our society that makes it so hard to be heard? Or is it our hearts...
Some other countries that banned "The Da Vinci Code" from being played in their theaters are: India, Fiji, and Pakistan. Egypt is still deciding.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Learning to RAFT
This weekend we debriefed. It was an amazing time of starting the goodbye process and yet making more awesome memories. During this time we talked a lot about leaving well. How to build a good RAFT (reconcile, affirmation, farewells and think destination). I'm the type that doesn't really like goodbyes. I would much rather write a card and wave as I drive away. Goodbyes seem so final, so definite. However, it was good to start thinking about what it will be like to say goodbye, and how I really need to do it (even though it will be hard). I have to say goodbye to my town, to my girls, to my friends and neighbors. I have to say goodbye to the local Starbucks and all the wonderful baristas that work there and have become my friends. I should probably call up the Yumways guy too and say goodbye to him and let him know why we won't be ordering sandwiches 5 times a week next month. Yeah, there are so many goodbyes to say.
We also thought a lot about this year and what it means to us. We made a list of all the fabulous things that happened and we want to remember. We practiced our 15 second recap of the year for people back home who ask. Looking back over this year made me realize how blessed I have been. I have had the opportunity to see some amazing places and make some amazing friends. God has done amazing things in my heart and I've realized more and more of what it truly means to pursue Him and surrender all.
This is a just a glimpse of what my mind is constantly thinking through. I need a whole day to process everything and just remember and prepare myself for the journey home. Less than one month and I'll be back in a plane to America...leaving East Asia behind me.
We also thought a lot about this year and what it means to us. We made a list of all the fabulous things that happened and we want to remember. We practiced our 15 second recap of the year for people back home who ask. Looking back over this year made me realize how blessed I have been. I have had the opportunity to see some amazing places and make some amazing friends. God has done amazing things in my heart and I've realized more and more of what it truly means to pursue Him and surrender all.
This is a just a glimpse of what my mind is constantly thinking through. I need a whole day to process everything and just remember and prepare myself for the journey home. Less than one month and I'll be back in a plane to America...leaving East Asia behind me.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Rain equals crazy days
I should be packing right now. But I'm not. Instead I'm going to share about my crazy day in EA in the rain...
5:15am: woke up on my own to a very loud motorboat going past our apartment on the canal.
5:45am: got up and showered
6:40am: Michelle and I left our apartment to go and catch a train into the city for another doctor's appt for her
6:55am: arrive at train station and board train
8:20am: train arrives at destination
8:30am: buy tickets for return ride home. tickets are for 2:50pm
8:35am: get on metro line to go to doctor's appt. during ride I play a leaning game with a guy behind me on the metro who insists on using my back for support. everytime I moved, he searched me out with his backside.
8:55am: rendezvous at Starbucks (by now it's pouring buckets of rain)
9:05am: buy Louis Vuitton umbrella for $1.25 while getting a cab to hospital for a doctor's appt that was supposed to be at 9am
9:20am: get to hospital. because we're late we have to wait over an hour for next available time
9:45am: see mercedes-benz taxi cab
10:15am: watch a very pregnant lady have an emotional breakdown on the front steps of the hospital
10:30am: go in for Michelle's appt
11:45am: finally see the doctor
12:23pm: Michelle gets hit on by strange Australian man wanting to share a cab...
12:25pm: leave the hospital, head for the coffee shop/office to turn in forms for insurance
12:45pm: arrive at coffee shop
1:30pm: leave coffee shop and get a cab (miraculously) right outside (note: it's still raining...very hard)
1:40pm: arrive at Burger King for lunch; at this point both Michelle and I are starving
2:05pm: leave Burger King
2:15pm: get on subway
2:25pm: go to change lines for subway (remember our train leaves at 2:50)
2:32pm: get on other subway line
2:45pm: arrive at train station and hit the ground running
2:46pm: duck under the exit gate b/c our cards didn't have the right amount of money on them
2:48pm: arrive at soft seat waiting area where the little lady tells us it's too late (after we've run through the rain)
2:55pm: exchange tickets for 3:45pm train
3:10pm: go to waiting lounge and laugh about how incredibly wet we are and how nothing is going right today
3:40pm: board train
4:40pm: arrive at destination
4:55pm: get home :-) the first good thing to happen all day
5:10pm: order in sandwiches
5:15pm: start watching Emperor's New Groove
6:00pm: dinner arrives
6:50pm: leave for team meeting
7:00pm: start team meeting (prayer meeting)
9:00pm: meeting ends
9:20pm: get home (soaking wet from riding my bike in the rain)
9:30pm: Kelley and I have a very long, very good conversation with Michelle (who we woke up). This conversation lasted a long time. Now it's almost midnight and I still have to pack. Today was one of my most challenging EA days...ever. The rain always complicates everything. And now, I can no longer say that I haven't missed a train. However, Michelle and I were able to laugh about it. In fact, I don't remember being irritated until later on when I thought back on it. Now I'm wondering how I made it through it. I'm glad I got to share it with Michelle, she's amazing! Ok, I'm going to pack for our trip now.
5:15am: woke up on my own to a very loud motorboat going past our apartment on the canal.
5:45am: got up and showered
6:40am: Michelle and I left our apartment to go and catch a train into the city for another doctor's appt for her
6:55am: arrive at train station and board train
8:20am: train arrives at destination
8:30am: buy tickets for return ride home. tickets are for 2:50pm
8:35am: get on metro line to go to doctor's appt. during ride I play a leaning game with a guy behind me on the metro who insists on using my back for support. everytime I moved, he searched me out with his backside.
8:55am: rendezvous at Starbucks (by now it's pouring buckets of rain)
9:05am: buy Louis Vuitton umbrella for $1.25 while getting a cab to hospital for a doctor's appt that was supposed to be at 9am
9:20am: get to hospital. because we're late we have to wait over an hour for next available time
9:45am: see mercedes-benz taxi cab
10:15am: watch a very pregnant lady have an emotional breakdown on the front steps of the hospital
10:30am: go in for Michelle's appt
11:45am: finally see the doctor
12:23pm: Michelle gets hit on by strange Australian man wanting to share a cab...
12:25pm: leave the hospital, head for the coffee shop/office to turn in forms for insurance
12:45pm: arrive at coffee shop
1:30pm: leave coffee shop and get a cab (miraculously) right outside (note: it's still raining...very hard)
1:40pm: arrive at Burger King for lunch; at this point both Michelle and I are starving
2:05pm: leave Burger King
2:15pm: get on subway
2:25pm: go to change lines for subway (remember our train leaves at 2:50)
2:32pm: get on other subway line
2:45pm: arrive at train station and hit the ground running
2:46pm: duck under the exit gate b/c our cards didn't have the right amount of money on them
2:48pm: arrive at soft seat waiting area where the little lady tells us it's too late (after we've run through the rain)
2:55pm: exchange tickets for 3:45pm train
3:10pm: go to waiting lounge and laugh about how incredibly wet we are and how nothing is going right today
3:40pm: board train
4:40pm: arrive at destination
4:55pm: get home :-) the first good thing to happen all day
5:10pm: order in sandwiches
5:15pm: start watching Emperor's New Groove
6:00pm: dinner arrives
6:50pm: leave for team meeting
7:00pm: start team meeting (prayer meeting)
9:00pm: meeting ends
9:20pm: get home (soaking wet from riding my bike in the rain)
9:30pm: Kelley and I have a very long, very good conversation with Michelle (who we woke up). This conversation lasted a long time. Now it's almost midnight and I still have to pack. Today was one of my most challenging EA days...ever. The rain always complicates everything. And now, I can no longer say that I haven't missed a train. However, Michelle and I were able to laugh about it. In fact, I don't remember being irritated until later on when I thought back on it. Now I'm wondering how I made it through it. I'm glad I got to share it with Michelle, she's amazing! Ok, I'm going to pack for our trip now.
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