Mr. Feng

When it comes to language-learning, it can be a pretty brutal butt-whipping process; so I take what little victories I can get.

Today, on the way back home from dinner, I got into the front seat of a taxi next to a jolly taxi driver. Right away, he started chatting it up with us. I made what jokes I could in the Main language, and he actually laughed! I knew then that this would be a good cab ride home. We talked about how I look like a local, but am actually a foreigner (which was followed by the usual long rundown of my family history to explain this phenomenon). Then after I'd exhausted just about every dialogue I can remember from my seven weeks of class, he started talking about something I'd never learnt. Being gracious though, he kept trying to repeat the words slower and slower (like that was going to change the fact that I've only been learning this language for two months!) But PTL, something clicked around his fifth attempt, and I realized he was talking about our gov't and the elections coming up! So I did my best to explain that our current leader isn't all bad, sometimes war may be necessary, but we're not a war-happy people, being president isn't an easy job, and why I'm not voting this year. Although I didn't agree with everything he was saying in response, I was definitely entertained. Oh, and I learned how to say "vote", "president", and "war" in the Main language. Woohoo!

Before we got to our destination, I asked his surname. He told me it was Feng, so I called him Mr. Feng and told him that he was an excellent teacher. He seemed pretty delighted by that. :-) I'll tell ya, there's nothing like being able to express yourself in a place where it's so easy to miscommunicate all the time.

One small step in a taxi, one huge leap for language learning!

Homemade Food

Although I can get much of the food that I'm used to these days (ie- Chinese, Japanese, coffee, etc.), some foods are definitely less accessible.  Take for example, pasta sauce!  I have been able to find spaghetti for a fairly reasonable price, but this isn't so with the Ragu.  Hence, I decided to venture into unchartered territory for me: making my own pasta sauce.  

I peeled a couple of tomatoes, added oil, italian seasoning (that I brought over), and salt; let the pot simmer for about an hour...and voila! my first homemade spaghetti!

And here it is!!! (it was less orange in real life)

Sisters, Brothers, and Senator

This week has been filled with some exciting things.  On Thursday, I took my first big language test at my school, and I have to say that although I didn't do a perfect job, I did pretty well (by His grace of course!)  Language is still a huge insecurity for me, but it's also allowed me to trust that much more on His provision and grace, so I'm just trekking along!

Then this weekend, I got to spend some time away from the Big City with some friends.  It was definitely interesting for me, being the only single girl in the bunch.  The times with the women were awesome, especially when we got to get together for a time of encouragement and lifting up our burdens together.   There's nothing for me like getting to share my heart with other women.  What a blessing it is to be a woman!...(most of the time) ;-)

Then, there were the times when the moms had to be with the kids, and I hung out with the guys!  It wasn't as weird as I thought it would be.  They just let me be a girl, and it was actually extremely educational (like did everyone know how much guys like and identify with "The Wonder Years"?...I just never connected with that show)  At one point, it just felt like I was getting a glimpse into what it would've been like to grow up with all brothers...and I have to say, it's pretty nice!

Then there was the game I learned this weekend (I actually learned two, but I sucked too much at the other one to acknowledge it).  The game was Senator, and although I was at first skeptical, I actually really enjoyed playing this game!  It was an exercise in diplomacy, shrewdness, foresight, and a bit of dumb luck thrown in there just for fun!  All in all, this game comes highly recommended with a 9/10 (minus one point because I couldn't win on dumb luck alone).  

Until Next Time,

M

CURTAINS!!!!

I have never been so glad to have curtains in my life!  When I first moved into my new apartment, I quickly bought this nice white fabric that I was intending to make into new curtains.  (The old ones were a little bit too busy for my taste...think lots of flowers, and then some!)  

Unfortunately, because of time and a language barrier, I delayed getting the curtains made for about a month.  I'd also, without thinking, already taken down the old ones and gave them to my roommate.  So for about a month now, I've been without curtains, which makes for a lot of strategic changing and hoping that no one's peering into my window (OH Puleasse no!).  

Well, this week, I bucked up, looked up the word for "curtain" in my dictionary, and marched down to the guy at the supermarket with a sewing machine to get my curtains made.  Today, I finally went back to pick them up, and they are awesome!!!

Check it out:

 

= having to duck below viewing level every time I change, leading to unnecessary aggravation of back and neck pains

 

= A Deep Sigh of Relief

LIfe Has Changed

Hi friends!  It's been a month and a half since moving to the Big City, and although I was hesitant to give blogging another try, a good friend convinced me that it would be good just to have a place to share the daily activities of life here.  So thanks CW for the recommendation, and a big thanks to SL for setting this baby up!

This weekend has been very contemplative for me.  There are many things that I'm excited about, especially as good conversations are being opened up with some of my new friends.  It's also been a bit of a battle because of the reality of the challenges of being here.  It's easy to get completely overwhelmed and discouraged if not for the hope that Someone Else is in charge and if not for the reality that He is good.  

I've been thinking a lot about the life I now lead, and it is SO different that anything I could've imagined when I graduated from school 4 years ago.  Who would've thought then that I'd be living half-way around the world, where I spend 4 hours a day learning language and climb up five flights of stairs everyday to my apartment- in which the shower, toilet, and sink are all within one 3x6 ft room, and outside of which lives my morning wake-up all, who hawks up a gross loogie every morning and looks a bit too much like Jabba the Hut? (more on Jabba later) Yes, life has changed, and really, so has my perception of life.  My preferences, my dreams, my desires, everything has been surrendered.  As scary as it seems that I have no idea what's up ahead, I am reminded every day that in Someone Else, I can rest.  Knowing that He carries me through the unknowns and unchartered territories makes them definitely less daunting.  And really, to get to go out on a limb with Him everyday- is there any other way to live life?

Until Next Time,

M