Don't Forget...

I've Moved!!!


http://wanderwithlizzie.com

Please come visit!

Jillian…I’ve always liked Bob better

Today I started the Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred.  If it works for the Biggest Losers, surely it will work for me…right?  Well, that’s the hope anyway.

Day one down, only 29 more days to go…

Hopefully, I will survive and maybe my jeans will fit a bit better.  However, I can guarantee that there will be bloopers, anger, laughter, and triumph along the way.  Check back in to see if I’m still alive on June 18th.

My comment for Day 1: Jillian, I live in a land of squatty potties.  Thank you for making me want to cry at the thought of going to the WC.  My thigh muscles are plotting their revenge.  See you tomorrow!

You know you are a Geek when…

5. You get really excited about iCloud support for your planning software.
4. You don’t understand why others don’t understand Dilbert.
3. You can quote the opening monologue from Star Trek the Next Generation.
2. You get excited when a teammate’s computer is having issues…aka a puzzle to solve.
1. You tell a 4-year-old that they first need to analyze it and then they should be able to solve the puzzle.  (What?  That’s what my dad told me to do…)

Ugly

Today was an ugly day. Girls, you know what I’m talking about. You just feel…ugly.

I walked down the street bound to my thoughts of ugliness. No makeup, a bad hair day, and frumpy clothes paraded as condemning thoughts, pointing their fingers and yelling, “Ugly!” Too mentally tired to argue, I accepted the verdict.

Then, a stranger on the street looked straight at me and yelled, “Beautiful!”

Want to read the rest?  Go to my new home: wanderwithlizzie.com

Full Blog: Ugly

I'm back! (kind of)

Have you ever dated someone for a long time and you knew that you either needed to break up or make a serious commitment?  Well, my blog and I reached that point.  We had been together for quite awhile, but we either needed to commit to each other or go our separate ways.  We decided to take a small break to sort it all out. 

During out time apart, I went crazy.  I would see things and start writing blogs in my head.  My brain quickly became incredibly cluttered with half-written blogs since I couldn't write them out.  I littered notes around the place to remind myself of ideas to write about later.  My keyboard would call out to me in the night begging me to write something.  My Facebook posts got longer and longer as I tried to use them as a replacement for blogging.

So, I'm giving up.  My blog and I...we're committing to each other.  However, I did ask it to make a few changes.  (We got a new address and refined our purpose a bit.)

New Blog: wanderwithlizzie.com

I think we are going to be very happy together... 

So...go to the new site, look around, and sign up for email updates!  You won't regret it, I guarantee it!  (I've been shopping for used cars...can you tell?)

Grief: The Lack of an Answer

At almost 27 years old, I have been to more funerals than some people twice my age.  People I know and love have been taken by cancer, disease, accidents, and suicide.  I have grieved, mourned, comforted, and been comforted.

Whenever people speak of grief, I always remember Mandy.  To this day, I still mourn the loss of such an amazing friend.  I struggle with understanding how she was older than me, but I have now lived longer than her.  I don’t understand how this can be…I don’t understand…

So, even after all this time, the question still rages through my consciousness.  “Why?”  Yes, I did and still do ask the question.  I’m not afraid.  WHY?!

It seems that I will never be granted an answer, but I will cling to my conviction.

He is Good…yes, He was, is, and will be Good.

As these words whisper through my head and my heart,
The conviction always becomes…
The Answer.

Closed...Please come again.

Dear Friends,

I'm closing my blog for a short time.  I haven't stopped writing...I'm actually writing quite a bit, but it's time for a break.  You see, I started this blog to take you with me on my adventures in China.  Well, my adventures are changing.  Therefore, my blog will need to change as I change.  I love to write, I love to tell stories, and I love to make people laugh.  However, those are not reasons to inflict my writing on meandering readers. So, as I re-focus I'm taking a blog-break.  I'll still be on FB offering some one-liners and I'm of course available via email. 

All that to say, I'll be back...in some form or another.

Thanks for reading,
Lizzie

Conversations

Email from brother Eric: Is Mom with you?
My Reply: No, she is not in China with me. She's in Guatemala with Amy.

Call from brother Chris: Where is that box of DVDs we packed?
My Reply: Chris, I am standing on the Great Wall of China...can this wait?

Email from Dad: I'm going to Moscow on business.  Could you hop over for a visit?
My Reply: Dad, that's a wee bit more than a hop.

Some conversations highlight just how NOT normal my family is...these are just a few.  (We've apparently gone International)

Another Top 5 List

Top 5 Reasons Why I Love Being a Foreign Teacher in China

5. No day is ever the same! 
4. I celebrate American holidays AND Chinese holidays.  Basically, I'm celebrating   something every other week.
3. I'm always learning.  Living in a different culture daily challenges my worldview and teaches me new things.
2. Baking is literally part of my job.
1. My Students!  They make every day worth it!

2nd Majors!

Freshmen!

Cold Medication

Dear Readers,

I am under the influence of cold medication.  For those of you who know me, you know this is never good.  Things have gone missing.  Sentences have gone unfinished, and I have stood in front of my gas burner for 10 minutes thinking, "Wow, I'm watching a pot boil...a watched pot boiling.  Who knew?"  Then I thought, who in the world let me use a gas burner while on cold medicine? 

Therefore, I'm restricting myself from writing any blogs at this time.  It just wouldn't go well...I'm sure.  So if you came to my blog hoping for a laugh, I'm redirecting you here.

I'll be back.  (That's a promise not a threat)

Sincerely,
Lizzie

Reading in Progress

I love traveling because I enjoy being stuck in my seat with the complete inability to be distracted by various tasks and to-do lists. For a multi-tasker like me, inability to complete tasks often results in reading euphoria.  For this current trip, I'm logging 15 hours of train time (aka 15 hrs. to finish some of the books I'm currently reading). 

This leads to my confession...I'm a book polygamist.  I usually have anywhere between 3-15 books in progress at a time.  I'm not kidding.  Free book reading, provided by ebookfling, has led to my wandering ways.

On the way to Beidaihe I completed the following:

• The Golden Compass
• A Voice in the Wind (Almost missed my stop while engrossed with this book)

Books I'm currently reading:

• Harry Potter - the Philosopher's Stone
• Surprised by Hope
• Generous Justice
• Heaven's Wager
• Pilgrim's Progress
• Absolute Surrender
• Pictures of the Mind

 Book's I've only taken out on one date (aka read only one chapter):

• Individualism and Collectivism
• The Robe
• The Purpose Driven Life (ironic, I know)

Books in the queue to be started:

• Perelandra
• The Hunger Games
• Anne of Green Gables
• The rest of the Harry Potter Series 

Are there others like me out there? Should I seek help for this?

Hedging and Regrets

1st Part of Today's Sophomore Lesson: Hedging

You should use hedging in the English language if you would like to remove yourself from your statement.  Hedging uses words like perhaps, it would seem, or possibly.

Me: Boys, you might want to use hedging if your girlfriend ever says, "Does this dress make me look fat?"
Charles: *shouts a phrase in Chinese* which roughly translated means, "Maybe this dish isn't so delicious."
Class: Hilarious laughter
Me: No!!  Don't say that!  You could say something like, "Perhaps that dress does not show how truly beautiful you really are!"
Keith: *slaps Charles* See! I told you we need to listen in class!  We need to know this stuff!!

2nd Part of Today's Sophomore Lesson: Wishes and Regrets
(aka language to use when you didn't use hedging)

Challenges

I am an ENTJ, which is the smallest percentage of personality type.  So yes, it has been confirmed.  I am odd.  Moving on…

"ENTJs love, and are energized by stimulating interactions with people.  They often challenge people's statements and behaviors, expecting that others will defend them and that, as a result, mutual learning takes place.  ENTJs admire and seek out people who are knowledgeable and who stand up to them, say what they think, and argue persuasively."*  I couldn't agree more!  I am a bit more cautious these days, but this statement resonates to the core of my being.

My brothers challenge me…and I LOVE it.  They have pushed me to do things I would have never thought possible, and I have become a stronger person for it (a bit more bruised perhaps, but stronger).

Challenges Presented Over the Years:
   * Learn to Water Ski
   * Ski down a Black Diamond before you learn on the Bunny Slope                                        (because apparently no sister of Chris Talcott is allowed on the Bunny Slope)
   * Work at a camp in New Hampshire
   * Learn to play the guitar (still working on this one)
   * Go Skydiving
   * Run a Mini-Marathon
   * Travel to Europe
   * Move overseas
   * …never accept mediocre

I don't know if you are like me, but I tend to stockpile friends who push me and challenge me.  This leads me to my question, "Who is challenging you?"

*Introduction to Type by Isabel Briggs Myers

Rolodex of Answers

Remember when we used a Rolodex to store important information?  Well, I still have a mental Rolodex, and it stores answers to questions I have been asked.

Q: Miss Lizzie, do you want to marry a Chinese man?
For the correct answer(s), spin to the "Date a Chinese man" section of the Answer Rolodex.  Wow!  There are three cards in this section!
1. Well, he would have to talk to my father!
2.  I don't think I'll get married until my older brothers get married.
3.  Maybe I should learn Chinese before I think about that.

Q: Miss Lizzie, can you use chopsticks?
*Spin to the Chopsticks section*
1. I learned back in America.
2. I sure hope so, otherwise I'd starve!
3. We should have dinner so you can see my chopsticks skills! (Best answer)

Q: Miss Lizzie, do you like Chinese Food?
*Spin to the Chinese Food section*
1. I love Chinese food!
2. I love Chinese Chinese food...American Chinese food is just not that good!
3. I love Chinese food...do you?
4. I love Chinese food...do you want to go get some?

Q: Miss Lizzie, can you advise me on how to live in a love triangle?
*Spin to the...the ummm...dating section*  Nope
*Spin to the love section* Nope
*Spin to the No Answer section*
Only card available: "Class, how would you answer that in English?"

The Widow's Oil

Chocolate Chip Joy

So I'm not a widow and I am definitely not running out of oil but, once again, my circumstances remind me of the Widow's Oil.

You see, I'm not really a hoarder.  I usually love to give and share with other people.  BUT…In China, I have tightened my grip on a few things, namely Crisco and Nestle Tollhouse Chocolate Chips.

The Talcott Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe calls for Crisco, butter, and Chocolate Chips.  You can get butter in Harbin, but Crisco and Nestle Tollhouse Chocolate chips are US only.  If you want to make Chocolate Chip Cookies, you generally chop up a candy bar and you use a recipe that doesn't require Crisco.

This past weekend, I invited my Freshman over to make green snicker doodles for St. Patty's Day.  When they got to my house they pleaded with me to make Chocolate Chip cookies as well.  I realized that I didn't have a chocolate bar or the other recipe ready.  But, I had been hoarding a bag of Tollhouse Chocolate Chips with just enough Crisco for one last, special round of cookies.  So, with a pang in my heart, I brought out my hoarded ingredients and baked the cookies with them.  The girls literally danced with joy.

He then reminded me that He knows me, inside and out.  He even knows my childish way of clinging to Crisco and Chocolate Chips for security and comfort. 
For you see, today I received an unexpected package from the states.  And you guessed it, a new bag of Chocolate Chips rested on top.  I almost cried when I saw those beautiful morsels of happiness...tears of joy and tears because I had once again doubted His goodness. 

Deep in my soul, I know I can trust Him with my future AND my chocolate chips.  It's in remembering to trust Him that I so often fail.

Help my unbelief...

Hi Pot, This is Kettle...

Luck…yeah, Americans don't believe in luck.

Uh huh.  Keep telling yourself that. 

For this week's Sophomore attendance question I asked, "Do you believe in luck?" Fully expecting to get a range of answers and maybe some discussion, I only received a resounding yes.  Some even laughed at my audacity to ask the question.  Like there could be any answer but yes…apparently.

Moving on…I asked them to tell me what they did to ensure good luck. (aka What do you do before a big exam?) 

   * Eat a hot dog and 2 eggs (It looks like 100 - perfect score)
   * Wear red
   * Wear Nike (The swoosh looks like a check-mark for a correct answer)
   * Stop showering (She was worried the answers would wash away.)
   * Stand a pillow upright and cut it (I can't remember the "why" behind this one.)
   * Pray

However, I also made a list of things we might do in the US.

   * Knock on wood if someone talks about something bad
   * Throw salt over your shoulder
   * Not walk under ladders
   * Wear a "lucky" article of clothing (I wear the same shirt for all the races I run)
   * Rub someone's bald head (Basketball players everywhere are nodding to this one)
   * Pray

The difference: One culture admits their use of the crutch called luck and the other secretly embraces it. 
The unique similarity: We, if we are honest, often treat prayer like a good luck charm.

"Hi Pot, This is Kettle.  I thought I'd wear black for good luck this week."

Powerless

I had never truly felt powerless until I moved to China.  I always believed that with enough hard work, logic, and persistence I could conquer just about anything. (Yes, I am the daughter of engineers)  However, those days are past.  No matter how hard I work, how much logic I apply, and how long I try…there are some things I just can't do.

A Few Examples Come to Mind:
Crowded buses with frosted windows and broken PA systems = Lost
Large crowds yelling in Chinese = Overwhelmed
Watching a student struggle to communicate but unable to find the words = Helpless
Desiring change for my students = Powerless

But…in this crazy world, where I can control so little, I have discovered a beautiful truth.

I never was in control.  I have always been…powerless.

As I realize my own inadequacy these words resonate in my heart,
"He gives strength to the powerless…"
Therefore, I will live each day knowing, "When I am weak, then He is strong."

Falling for him...

This week's topic for Freshman English: Dating 
I opened the class with a dating story from my own experience...

At my college during Alumni Week, we had something called GYROFAD night. (Get Your Roommate or Friend a Date)  I did not normally participate in these things, but due to a scheduling conflict I was called in last minute to replace a girl on my floor for a double date.  To protect the innocent I've changed the names, so we will say that Julie and I were going on a date with Chris and Tom. 

Chris and Tom took us out for a nice dinner and then, in typical Chicago fashion, we went for a stroll along Navy Pier.  (Now, I won't lie, the date was going pretty good up to this point.  The men were nice, polite, excellent conversationalists, and good looking.  What more could a girl ask for?)  Navy Pier twinkled against the dark Chicago sky casting a soft light on the path as we strolled along with conversation easily flowing around us.  I, of course, gave unwavering attention to Tom as he eloquently shared a delightful story with me.

(This is where the story ceases to be a good dating story and becomes a "what in the world did Lizzie do this time" story.)

Paying close attention to Tom, led me to not pay close attention to the dimly lit path.  This dimly lit path happened to have a clearly marked construction hole.  So, we were walking and talking and then...I fell.  Not for him, but into the construction hole.  Yes, I did.  It was about knee deep which was just deep enough to leave me uninjured but completely humiliated.  Tom rushed to help me up and checked several times to ensure that I wasn't harmed.  Fortunately, my pride is on the inside so he couldn't see the cavernous wound it received.  We then spent the rest of the walk sharing embarrassing and funny stories.  Lucky for me, I had just added another to my long list and was able to regale them with many more events such as this one.

Moral of the story: Some women fall for attractive men…I just fall in front of them.

Madness

What is something someone has done for you that might appear like madness to others, but not to you? 

This question appeared as a challenge on Amy's blog.  Go to The Messy Middle to read the original story.  I loved the challenge so much that I brought my story back to my blog.

I ran my first mini-marathon in 2009. My brother had encouraged me to do it, and I knew it would be a good challenge. However, I never went over 7 miles in my training. Knowing me…I didn’t want to waste a good entrance fee so I decided to run it anyway.
My brother, Chris, came to cheer me on and I saw him at three points along the way.

Point 1 – I was confident
Point 2 – I was in pain
Point 3 – I was .5 miles away from the finish line and unsure if I could keep going

Seeing my pain, he didn’t hesitate. In his jeans and sweatshirt, he jumped across the line, joined the crowd and ran with me for the next quarter of a mile. He looked crazy…I know people thought he was mad…but I didn’t care. Without his voice saying, “You can do it. Just take another step, and another, and another” I wouldn’t have finished. His madness led me to one of my greatest victories.

What about you? What is something someone has done for you that might appear like madness to others, but not to you?

Today's Freshman Lesson: Friends

On the chalkboard I wrote "Characteristics of a Good Friend."  The students then came up with adjectives to describe their best friend:

Kind, patient, giving, caring, warm-hearted, honest, compassionate, respectful, thoughtful, gentle, unselfish, humble etc.

With the list of adjectives, each student excitedly bragged about their best friend to their partner.  Afterwards I asked, "Now, are you all of these things to your best friend?" Silence...their shocked faces displayed their thoughts loud and clear.  Did I really expect them to be all of those things?!?
But, how could I expect them to be what I was not?  Tears sprang to my eyes as I looked at the list, for my best friend truly was and I was not.

Today's Life Lesson: Friends...Be unto others as you would have them be unto you…

I really do have the best best friend.

5 Activities that Make You Happy

Each morning, I receive an email that challenges me to do something small to improve my physical, mental, and/or emotional well being.  Today's challenge: Write down Five Activities that Make You Happy. At some point this week, I'm supposed to complete at least one of the five activities.  I won't bore you with all the mundane workings of my happy meter, but my 5th option seemed just a bit odd.

5. Figuring something out so that I can help someone.

Today, I checked quite a few things off my "beginning of the semester to-do list."  Check, Check, Check!  I then rewarded myself by watching The Blind Side.  As I watched the amazing compassion of Mrs. Tuohy and the incredible persistence of his tutor, Miss Sue, I marveled at their courage and honor.  My happiness meter registered a full tank as I watched these women invest in Michael's life and make a difference.  BUT…a nagging feeling kept bubbling up inside because I felt that I was forgetting someone.  That someone…was the science teacher.  Do you remember her?  She was the first to verbally give the tests to Michael.  Throughout the movie you see her challenging her fellow teachers to look at Michael in a different light.  She met him where he was and she worked with him…in a unique way, but in the way he needed.

She…Figured something out so that she could help someone. 

As I struggle, muddle, and fuddle my way through my first year of teaching I often get discouraged.  BUT, maybe teaching isn't so different from what I already love doing. 
Maybe teaching is...
Figuring something out, aka figuring out what my students need, figuring out where they are, figuring out how I can encourage them, figuring out how they learn…
So that, I can help someone.

Teaching…One of the Five Activities that Make Me Happy...I'll do that this week.

Driving Around the Rules

The State Administration of something or another recently cleared out all the little shops, shacks, and vendors along the road outside our school.  While it did make the place cleaner, safer, and more sanitary…it left us without a place to buy our fruits and vegetables.  *sigh*

However, the major fruit vendor has found a way to bend the rules…or should I say, drive around the rules.  The police monitor the roads until 4:00pm to ensure that everyone is complying with the new sanitation rules.  Then, around 4:01pm the fruit vendor drives his now-mobile fruit stand to the corner, puts down some stilts, and opens for business.

Do the police know about this?  Absolutely.
Do the people know about this? Absolutely.
Am I happy about this? Absolutely.

Win-Win-Win

Fruit Mobile

What's in a Name?

As an English Teacher, I am often asked to give English names to my students. However, you cannot simply look at a student and say, "You look like a Mark."  For they will reply by saying, "Teacher, what does Mark mean?"  The meaning behind the name bears much significance. 

One day, a dear student announced that she would like to give me a Chinese name but she would need some information first.  "What is the meaning of Lizzie?" she asked.  I then explained that Elizabeth was my full name and it meant, "God has made a promise or promised."  She asked me a little more, pondered it for a bit, and then left with a promise that she would come up with a name.

A week later she excitedly brought a piece of paper to me with these Chinese characters: 林恩诺

It took me a minute and then I realized, this was my name! 
I repeated it over and over to get the tones right, "Lin en nuo…Lin en nuo…"

Below the name, she provided the meaning.
诺: God gives you a promise
恩: Grace
林: Family name…perseverance/lucky.

林恩诺: He gives you a promise of Grace.
Elizabeth: He has made a promise.

It does not matter whether it is my English name or my Chinese name, He still calls me by name.  And, when He calls there is always an echo in my name saying, "This is the promise which He Himself made to us: Eternal Life."

Side note- For a little more meaning behind names, read the story in Luke 1.
Elizabeth: He has made a promise/Zechariah: He Remembers/John: His grace

Spankin' Stories

Iain (4-year old on the team) is often asking us to tell him a Spankin' Story.  We, of course, quickly ran out of true stories, so he started to ask us for make-believe spanking stories.

If you need a good laugh, go listen to Bridget's make-believe spanking story.  I'm serious...go.
Iain's Thoughts - A Blog

One of my make-believe spanking stories ended up having a "spanking chair" in it.  This chair re-appeared in many stories thereafter. In fact, Iain liked it so much that he drew a picture...or two.

Look closely - he drew a "bottom" on the chair.

I will leave you with one of the real (or maybe not so real) spanking stories...

When I was young, my brothers treated me harshly.  They would laugh at me, knock me over, and pull my hair.  However, I would love them and say kind things to them.  One day, my brothers were being especially mean and they knocked me over and laughed at me.  My mom caught them and threatened to give them a spanking.

BUT...

Before mom could spank them, I stood in front of her and said, "Mother, please do not spank them!  I forgive them."  So she didn't spank them and they loved me forever.

Steven's ending to my story: ...and Lizzie said, "No!  I'll take their spankings!"
Ben's ending to my story: ...and Lizzie said, "No! I'll be their propitiation."

It was a long time ago...I can't remember all the details.  :-)

Colorful Words

They're back! 

The students are flooding back to campus bringing life and activity again!  Tonight, we had a great time catching up and laughing with a couple of them.

Somehow the conversation led to the fact that Orange is not my favorite color contrary to all the orange evidence in my life (Thank you ExactTarget).

Below is the rest of the conversation:

Troy: Well, what is your favorite color?
Me: Hmmmm maybe blue.  What is your favorite color?
Troy:  Hmmm…maybe it is hard to describe.  Maybe yellow.  But, I mean the yellow that you see when the sun is rising and it shines through the green leaves in the trees and hits the grass that sparkles with the morning blue.  That yellow.  It is so hard to describe my favorite color without using colorful words.

Yeah…I'm the English teacher in this situation.  Clearly.

...and we're back!

Is there really an App for that?

Dear App Store,

You are always saying, "There's an app for that!"  However, I thought I'd send you a list of Apps that would be useful for people living abroad.

• Fruit and Vegetable Recognizing Software - The App would allow me to take a picture of some mystery produce item and my iPhone would then tell me what it is, what I can do with it, and how to wash it.  (Come to think of it, you might want to make a meat one as well…the snouts and feet help me detect what animal it was/is…but I'm still lost on figuring out the rest of the meat)
• Moon Cake Filling Detector - This would scan a moon cake and let me know what is inside before I bite into it.
• Skype Time Zone Reminder - This app would give me a pop-up reminder of the time/time zone of the person I am calling.  Sometimes I forget that the rest of the world is 14 hours behind me. (My brother just doesn't seem as talkative at 2:00 am.)

Please let me know if you would like more information regarding these ideas. 

Sincerely,
The American, who looks like a Russian, living in China

We are Fickle

Morning dawns with promise
We rise to meet the day
Your face comes before us
Our morning activities push it out
     We plan
     We plot
     We begin
MidDay comes with relief
We sit to rest
Your face comes before us
Our afternoon activities sweep it away
     We plan
     We plot
     We resume
Evening comes with sun's setting
We seek food and fellowship
Your face comes before us
Our festivities push it to the corner
     We plan
     We plot
     We feast
Night comes with sigh of completion
We seek rest from our weariness
Your face comes before us
Our unfaithfulness cowers before You
     We plan - You wait
     We plot - You know
     We forget - You remember

Courageous

On the flight from Chiang Mai to Seoul I watched the movie "Courageous." I recommend. 

Anyway, there is scene that had me laughing so hard that I had tears rolling down my face.  A kind hearted Hispanic man was, by sheer coincidence, placed in the back of a police car with a young gangster.  To protect him from the real gangster, the cops said he was the member of a (imaginary) vicious gang. 

Not knowing what to do, he told the kid his upcoming lunch order...in Spanish...in a menacing voice.  The kid, not understanding a word, starts freaking out. He was terrified for his life, and the guy was only talking about his chicken sandwich, waffle fries, and lemonade.  Hilarious - really.

Then I thought more about it.  I think the future is often like the kind man talking about his upcoming trip to Chick-fil-A.  The problem with the future is that the past is a vicious gang of memories. The future speaks a language we can't understand...and through the filter of past mistakes, we hear menace...and we fear.

But what if, all the future is talking about, is an upcoming trip to Chick-fil-A.
...I want to go to Chick-fil-A...

Blue Skies

During our conference, I caught up with several new teachers scattered throughout China.  As we talked about our cities and schools one conversation kept reoccurring.  I thought I'd share it with you.

Person A: What city are you in again?
Person B: [Insert city name]
Person A: Oh yeah!  How do you like it?
Person B: Well, we only get about 2 days of blue skies, but its not too bad.
Person A: Oh that's sad!  We can usually see blue skies 4 times a week!
   (Yes, we monitor our city's pollution by the # of blue sky days)
Person B: Yeah, but do you have cheese in your city?
Person A: No!
Person B: We do...Cheddar and Gouda.
Person A: WOW!!  You are so lucky!

Rinse and Repeat.

Ummm...I think I may have forgotten how to start small talk in the States.

Open Hands

When I first thought about coming to China I was worried about all I would be giving up.  I would be giving up my home, a job I love, my fellowship, language, family, security, culture, and the ability to flush my toilet paper.  All of these things tempted me to stay right where I was...but China kept calling.

So I gave it up.  My fingers were pried off all that I held dear in the States and I went.

Once my white-knuckled grip was broken, my hands remained open to receive all the amazing things He had in store for me.  When what you know is taken away, your ability to enjoy the other things in life intensifies.  It is almost as if my sight was taken so I could discover the beautiful symphony around me.

Here in Thailand I can't help but give thanks...for so many reasons.  My verbal filter is gone and I can share my thoughts without worry.  I am surrounded by so many people who fluently speak my native language. Both fahrenheit and celsius are well into the positive.  Bathrooms have toilet paper AND soap.  People smile and laugh.  The fresh fruit, Thai coffee, and amazing food fills my whole being with joy.  I often burst out with, "Oh taste and see that He is good!" After months in Harbin, my awe and excitement bubbles up over these seemingly small things.

However, if I had clung to my security at home I would never have opened my hands wide enough to receive all His blessings.  Once I shed my shoddy sense of security, He showered me with joys beyond compare.

"You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.  Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life." Oh my hands are open!

Vow of Silence

When you were a child did your mom ever yell, "All I want is some peace and quiet!" As a child, did we ever understand why in the world she would want that? Nope...

However, I now understand...just like she promised I would.

Living in a big city means lots of noise.  Traffic, horns, vendors yelling, chickens clucking, and firecrackers are all a part of my usual cacophany of noise.  After a long semester, all I wanted was some peace and quiet.

However, once I arrived at the quiet retreat center I quickly realized that I don't do "quiet" well.  These people had walking, eating, everything down to an art of silence.  Whenever I clanked my silverware against my bowl I had to catch myself from calling out "Sorry!"

I began to worry that they were all thinking, "Here come those noisy, klutzy Americans" whenever they saw us.  But don't worry.  On the last day I wore my Canadian shirt to throw them off the trail.

The Main Garden where I spend most of my time.

Harbin

I love Harbin.  It didn't really ask me to love it and it definitely didn't try to impress me.  There is no U.S. city to compare it to.  If forced I would say it is a bit like Chicago, but with the reputation of Detroit and 10x bigger.

Harbin is cold, bitterly cold and the people are cold, often bitterly cold.   There is a wide river that completely freezes over in the winter, becoming gray and motionless.  Throughout the city huge, ugly billows of smoke pour out of the coal-burning buildings, turning everything dirty and ugly.  The sun begins its downward course in the early afternoon, ushering in the darkness that shrouds the city with bleakness.

The Chinese people have a way of describing themselves by saying they know how to "eat bitterness."  Harbin has indeed eaten bitterness.  There is a museum in the city that shows the blatant cruelty and disdain for human life manifested by the Japanese biowarfare testing carried out on the Chinese/Harbin people.  It stands as a bleak reminder of the cruelty heaped upon them. 

Surely people cannot live in such a place as Harbin without it changing them, hardening them.

I ask, "What good can come from such a cold, dark, and bitter place?   What beauty and joy could ever be found in a people that have literally eaten bitterness?"

 I don't know...

My heart cries out that I wants to share with you a story bursting with hope...but I don't have a dramatic story to share.  I can only write that my heart knows hope in Harbin.  I feel it...even though I can't see it. I hear it...not often in words but in the meaning behind them.  I look at the faces of my brothers and sisters here and I see the etches of struggle and hardship...but there is a glimmer in their eyes showing the knowledge that their struggles are but one thread in the tapestry of their lives.

The Harbin-rens know ice and cold and darkness.  But...they take the ice of the motionless, frozen river and form beautiful works of art with it.  They take the darkness and add color and light.  They take the cold and breath art into the air.  Beauty is not vanquished forever.  For in this seemingly forsaken land, there is hope. I say to the cold, bitterness, and darkness, "Tremble...for I believe Aslan is on the move and His eyes are on Harbin."

Frozen Beauty (taken by Kayla)

Packing

I grew up with brothers...which had certain consequences.  For example, I had to pack light when traveling or I would never hear the end of it from them.

However, I travel with girls these days.  And let me tell you, some of them do NOT pack light.

For this 4+ week adventure, I'm starting in -6F, spending some time in 28F, and then I'll be in 87F. How does one pack for that?? I hate packing too much stuff, but I'm also tired of getting to my destination and wishing I had such-and-such.

I'm stuck...my brothers are on one shoulder telling me one thing, and my girl friends are on the other shoulder saying something completely different.

AHH!  I hate packing...but I do LOVE the lists I get to make and check things off of.

"Oh China"

With the end of our first semester and the opening of the Harbin Ice Festival, there have been quite a few teachers from our organization staying in my home or with other teachers in the city. It has been a fun time of laughter while sharing our adventures as a newbie, or not so new person, in China.

While listening to the stories, I began to notice a somewhat unconscious yet reoccurring phrase/theme.

The stories all start with, “So the other day I was something, something…” and end with, “*sigh* oh China.”

“Oh China…” It’s a phrase said on the end of a sigh and usually punctuated with a laugh or chuckle. It says it all. It says, “Dear China, we love you but there are days we don’t understand you.” Or it may say, “Dear China, I love you but right now I don’t really like you.” Or at other times it simply says, “Oh China, you amaze and delight me.”

If you live in a foreign country, I bet you will find yourself doing the same thing. However, I wonder if I will come home and find myself saying, “Oh America…”

Lizzie: Respectable and Lovely...and Silent? WHAT?

On the Freshman exams, I asked the students what they liked about the class and what we could improve on.  This was one answer I received for what they liked:

We enjoyed class because we never know what the respectable and lovely Miss Lizzie would do next.

I laughed out loud at that one...respectable and lovely...needless to say, not the normal adjectives used to describe me.  However, I know they are not alone in wondering what Miss Lizzie will do next.  I wonder it myself!!

Before our Thailand Conference, I have signed up to spend 2 days at a Jesuit retreat center.  While there, I will take a vow of silence and reflection.*  During that time, I hope to reflect on the last semester, look forward to this next year, and spend time reflecting on His goodness.  Perhaps, I'll get a glimpse of what I'll be doing next.

Most likely though, I'll come out really talkative, but refreshed and ready to keep wondering as I wander.

*yes, all I can envision is Eat, Pray, Love too.

Traffic Laws

During my short time in China, I have slowly come to realize a few of the completely unwritten but well known traffic/pedestrian rules of the road.  Now, before China-veterans everywhere laugh at the audacity of me writing this blog (I'm known to be a bit cautious), I will say that just because I know the rules doesn't mean I agree to follow all of them.

1. The rules are not written but are known and should be followed...unless you have a reason to not follow them.
2. A single pedestrian does not have right of way, but a group of pedestrians can take the right of way.
3. Crosswalks are good for crossing, but they still do not guarantee you the right to walk.
4. Pedestrians can walk when the walk signal says don't walk, but that means cars can go when the walk signal says walk.
5. When walking across a street, NEVER run.  Taxi's are mentally adjusting their trajectory for you and they have imputed the average Chinese walking speed in their equation...if you run you have thrown off the math of 10 taxi drivers.

Any questions?

Cold to Frozen

The other day, my dear friend Melodie reminded me about how I didn't like visiting my Chicago friends between the months of January and March.  For those of you who have lived in Chicago, you know why.  IT'S COLD!!  It's not just the temperature...it's the nasty, horrible wind.  With that, I found this old blogpost I wrote about Chicago and in view of my present situation (Harbin and Siberian winds) it just made me laugh.

Chicago and I are in a relationship...a marriage of sorts, and I want a divorce but it is trying to woo me back.  I hate Chicago and I love Chicago.  It was an arranged marriage.  I went into it thinking that perhaps we could make it work.  It tried to win my love with cultural events, great food, wonderful music, and farmer's markets.  But then it turned nasty.  It grew cold and withdrew.  It punished and turned ugly.  It made me think of my first love, and in my eye I only saw the beauty and greatness of my first love.  I eventually left and that lasted for a year and a half.  I came back though.  I realized that no matter how bad it treated me, we were in a relationship.  It wooed me all over again, but then it turned harsh and cold.  I finally gave it an ultimatum.  I'm leaving in May.  I might visit every now and then but I'm leaving in May.  It has had a change of heart this past week.  Chicago has shown me how beautiful it can be when it wants to be.  But this time...I know how ugly it can be.  I know and I'm not coming back no matter how hard it tries to win my love.

From Chicago to Harbin...I literally jumped from the frying pan into the fire...or should I say the refrigerator to the freezer.

*I do stand by my belief that Chicago winds are the meanest...Harbin may be colder but Chicago is just mean.