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
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
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:
Are there others like me out there? Should I seek help for this?
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)
- Harry Potter - the Philosopher's Stone
- Surprised by Hope
- Generous Justice
- Heaven's Wager
- Pilgrim's Progress
- Absolute Surrender
- Pictures of the Mind
- Individualism and Collectivism
- The Robe
- The Purpose Driven Life (ironic, I know)
- 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?
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
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)
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)
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
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
"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
Monday, March 26, 2012
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?"
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?"
Monday, March 19, 2012
The Widow's Oil
 |
| Chocolate Chip Joy |
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...
Sunday, March 18, 2012
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."
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."
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