It's been one month since I've returned from my year in China. Within a week, I found myself in the midst of reverse culture shock. I was hoping to bypass that, as it has a horrible reputation. There I stood among 250 loud, proud Americans in a crowded country western bar. What I thought was going to be a relaxing night of jazz music at a classy piano bar ended up being quite opposite. Cowboy hats, boots, belt buckles, blinking beer signs, clanking beer mugs, Texas and America paraphernalia hanging all over the place, and two redneck pianists belting out (rather well, in fact) our favorite country western tunes, along with some classic 90s rock anthems. Texas college fight songs rang out through the place as well. Every now and then, the waitresses would rally and line dance to the crowd's request. I had never been to Pete's Piano Bar, and I'm not sure I'll ever go back. Ha. It wasn't the crowd that made we want to vomit, and country music doesn't bother me that much; it was all those Americans in one room, all that culture. I was feeling so emotionally and physically claustrophobic. The next day was not a good day. I had a minor nervous breakdown, one in which is hard to describe to those who have not experienced it for themselves. I had acquired a migraine, and I wanted to spend the entire day alone in a large, quiet room. I only lasted about thirty minutes in Pete's; most of my time was spent sitting on the curb outside chatting with friends on the phone to pass the time, while the rest of the people I came with stayed inside. Needless to say, I have stayed away from large crowds and the Texas store at Deerbrook Mall.
This month has been an interesting transition. I have been able to reconnect with old friends, but there have been some with whom it has been a struggle to reconnect with, and at times, a bit awkward. I hate to see that happen, but this past year has brought much change.
I sit around the table with my friends, and I feel as though I don't fit in. I can only share so many stories before sounding like an old man who does nothing but talk about life in the war. As I'm struggling to re-adapt, others around me are struggling in their own ways as well, and I need to remember that.
While others might look at my experience and think they wished they had had the opportunity to live a year abroad, they are naive to the loneliness that has spawned since returning home. I fear a lack of inspiration here in America.
The Lord gave me a spiritual epiphany through yet another interesting analogy the last days I was in China to carry me through this awkward time of transition. Some of you might already know this story. :) A few friends and I were on our way to see a Broadway presentation of Hairspray at the Shanghai Grand Theater. We had some time to spare once we got there, so we decided to walk around in the underground markets. Suddenly, the feeling came upon me. My stomach was beginning to cramp up, and I didn't bring any Immodium. I wanted to hold out as long as possible, knowing that my chances of locating a western toilet would be quite slim. Besides, the Grand Theater would have western toilets for sure... Five minutes go by, and my body is letting me know the Grand Theater is not an option. It was then I knew I would have to use a squatty potty. I found the nearest restroom, and of course, there was a line. Once it was the woman's turn in front of me, she wouldn't budge, turning around to look at me as if to say, you can go ahead. In hindsight, I now know why. I risked the already typical American stereotype and rushed ahead of the statue. I opened the newly vacant stall, and to my surprise, there before me was a glorious western toilet! I took my purse and set it on the back of the toilet; I thought I'd really take my time. Ha. The only problem was that I hadn't brought my toilet paper with me that night. I dug around in my purse searching for anything that would suffice. I was forced to use a spa brochure as makeshift toilet paper... a little rough and uncomfortable, but it got the job done!
This showed me that just when we surrender to do something we absolutely don't want to do, the Lord can provide a western toilet in our lives. Life is definitely unexpected. I never liked to use public restrooms, but after having lived in China, the bathroom at the truck stop is mighty fine.
I'm waiting on my western toilet this year. So, although I am unsure of things at this point in my life, I know the Lord is sovereign and will take care of me, especially when I feel like I'm about to explode... no pun intended.... gross. :)
Beth Moore says, "We are going to most believe what we most rehearse, so rehearse praise!"
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
upon returning home
In 1995, my mother did something she had always wanted to do. She had always dreamed of going skydiving at some point in her life. Little did she know, that 'sometime' would come in the form of a Christmas present that year. Her time had come. For those of you who know my mother, the last thing you'd think she'd want to do is jump from a plane... at will. Mom is not that adventurous. Her idea of adventure is braving the crowds at Wal-Mart.
Dad and I just knew she'd chicken out, especially after all those medical forms she had to fill out - "If in the event that death should occur...", and after the training videos we had to sit through. Finally, she was ready. She was going tandem, so that made us all feel a bit better. We watched the plane go up. We looked for Mom's parachute to open. What we didn't know was that Mom and her instructor would be jumping last. As other parachutes would open, our hearts would skip a beat, hoping that Mom wasn't plummeting to her death. Finally, her chute opened, just as planned.
Once she had made it down safely, we ran over to where Mom and her instructor had landed. With a smile painted across her face, she gave us the thumbs up! Her hands were a bit shaky, but she was more than willing to do it again.
Looking at pictures and video of my mother, it was hard to believe she actually did that... Who would want to do something like that? Can that actually be fun?
My parents and I had these same thoughts as I made my move to China. My time overseas was much like my mother's experience in skydiving. Leaving the United States, I was thinking, "What AM I thinking?"... I knew I had wanted to live in a foreign country, and though I seemed prepared to jump, I wasn't sure if I'd actually make it. And I wasn't going tandem - I had to do this all on my own, which made things a bit more complicated and much more crucial. Once you jump, there's no turning back. You can't climb your way back in to the plane. The first few months in China I was free-falling, waiting for my parachute of acclimation and know-how to open up so I could soar through the rest of the year and enjoy the view without the nausea and the whipping wind. Once I adjusted, there were moments of turbulence, but overall, the ride was incredible... Skydivers rarely land where they are projected to; it's virtually impossible. I, too, did not land in the same spot from where I started, spiritually and emotionally speaking. I am a different person in these aspects. I have hit the ground running, like skydivers must do as it makes the landing much softer and easier. Life has continued since I've been away. I have to move on and keep things going for my next phase of life, taking my experiences and learning from them. My hands are a little shaky, but I am more than willing to do it all again.
Folks do this kind of thing all the time (both skydiving and living abroad), but that initial plunge requires a sick individual. Heh. Though I have been away for a year, China went as fast as a skydiving jump. It really feels like a dream. My time in the sky is over, and I'm back on solid ground.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
calendar of events
July 15: Arrive in HOUSTON! This will be home, for now.
July 17: Welcome Home BBQ get-together at my parent's house
(Email me if you haven't received the evite so I can send you one)
Dallas friends purposely didn't get the BBQ evite.... keep reading, Dallas.
July 23, 24: HOT SPRINGS
Starbucks! for two days straight! ha
July 25 - August whenever: DALLAS
That first weekend - I'd like to get a group together and do something, so someone email me some good ideas.
October 8 - 12: NW ARKANSAS (the JBU Choir Alumni weekend)
Fayetteville and Siloam Springs
Abundant Life COG on Sunday morning!
If you're not in any of these places, don't feel cheated... we'll work something out. :)
It's going to be so good to see all of you; I've missed you.
*Please don't forget to email me with your cell phone number when you get the chance*
July 17: Welcome Home BBQ get-together at my parent's house
(Email me if you haven't received the evite so I can send you one)
Dallas friends purposely didn't get the BBQ evite.... keep reading, Dallas.
July 23, 24: HOT SPRINGS
Starbucks! for two days straight! ha
July 25 - August whenever: DALLAS
That first weekend - I'd like to get a group together and do something, so someone email me some good ideas.
October 8 - 12: NW ARKANSAS (the JBU Choir Alumni weekend)
Fayetteville and Siloam Springs
Abundant Life COG on Sunday morning!
If you're not in any of these places, don't feel cheated... we'll work something out. :)
It's going to be so good to see all of you; I've missed you.
*Please don't forget to email me with your cell phone number when you get the chance*
Thursday, June 12, 2008
a bicycle, a box and a brainstorm binge
A bicycle.
"Hello, Teacher," said a chubby boy on a bicycle.
I didn't see him coming; I was in debriefing mode as I was walking home from a tutoring session one early evening. "Hello," I responded, though not sure if the boy had heard me, as he was riding by at a decent speed. His greeting stuck with me the remainder of my walk. It was if I had somehow strangely forgotten I was a teacher, and he was there to remind me. It was as if I needed to hear it from an unfamiliar voice. Teacher Emily.... that's me. I took a sense of confidence in that title, almost an ungodly amount of pride, to be quite honest.
Enter first brainstorm here: my mind suddenly paralleled this title to the titles we have received in Chr-st; the titles we so often forget... the titles we have to dust off every now and then when we're discouraged and dismal. Loved Emily. Forgiven Emily. Accepted Emily. Redeemed Emily. New Creation Emily. Freed Emily. Chr-stian Emily. If only we were addressed by these names on a daily basis, how altered our lives might actually be... one can hope, at least.
A box.
Just shy of a week later, I had prepared a sandbox for my afterschool class filled with... sand, among other things, namely 10 chocolate coins and some plastic letters (I was to teach the children about coins. We were going to have a coin digging competition for one of the activities). So as to keep the children focused on the introductory part of the lesson, I had the box covered with a beach towel. I began to ask the children what they thought could be stowed under the towel.
Once the first student deduced "a box", I began to pry them for ideas about what was inside the box. "Turtles!" one shouted. "Water!" said another. "Bugs!!" declared a boy. Finally, one girl raised her hand. "G-d?" I was quite astounded, though I simply replied literally and without hesitation, "Good try, Connie, but we can't put G-d in a box."
Enter the second brainstorm here: Though the words were leaving my mouth, I was eating them right back up again. "She's right, Emily," He said. "You can't put Me in a box, can you?"
These epiphanies, these moments of vision... it's not so much what was said (as it's all very elementary), but Who gave the words and how they were given... so random, yet perfectly timed.
Matthew 21:16 says, "...and [they] said to Him, "Do You hear what these children are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read, 'Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself'?" Through these two instances with students at the school, I am giving praise to my Father. One way or another, He will receive the praise. How incredibly powerful... I love when He speaks.
"Hello, Teacher," said a chubby boy on a bicycle.
I didn't see him coming; I was in debriefing mode as I was walking home from a tutoring session one early evening. "Hello," I responded, though not sure if the boy had heard me, as he was riding by at a decent speed. His greeting stuck with me the remainder of my walk. It was if I had somehow strangely forgotten I was a teacher, and he was there to remind me. It was as if I needed to hear it from an unfamiliar voice. Teacher Emily.... that's me. I took a sense of confidence in that title, almost an ungodly amount of pride, to be quite honest.
Enter first brainstorm here: my mind suddenly paralleled this title to the titles we have received in Chr-st; the titles we so often forget... the titles we have to dust off every now and then when we're discouraged and dismal. Loved Emily. Forgiven Emily. Accepted Emily. Redeemed Emily. New Creation Emily. Freed Emily. Chr-stian Emily. If only we were addressed by these names on a daily basis, how altered our lives might actually be... one can hope, at least.
A box.
Just shy of a week later, I had prepared a sandbox for my afterschool class filled with... sand, among other things, namely 10 chocolate coins and some plastic letters (I was to teach the children about coins. We were going to have a coin digging competition for one of the activities). So as to keep the children focused on the introductory part of the lesson, I had the box covered with a beach towel. I began to ask the children what they thought could be stowed under the towel.
Once the first student deduced "a box", I began to pry them for ideas about what was inside the box. "Turtles!" one shouted. "Water!" said another. "Bugs!!" declared a boy. Finally, one girl raised her hand. "G-d?" I was quite astounded, though I simply replied literally and without hesitation, "Good try, Connie, but we can't put G-d in a box."
Enter the second brainstorm here: Though the words were leaving my mouth, I was eating them right back up again. "She's right, Emily," He said. "You can't put Me in a box, can you?"
These epiphanies, these moments of vision... it's not so much what was said (as it's all very elementary), but Who gave the words and how they were given... so random, yet perfectly timed.
Matthew 21:16 says, "...and [they] said to Him, "Do You hear what these children are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read, 'Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself'?" Through these two instances with students at the school, I am giving praise to my Father. One way or another, He will receive the praise. How incredibly powerful... I love when He speaks.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
A State of Mourning and Alert
A State of Mourning
The faculty and staff received this email shortly after lunch today, along with some earthquake survival tips:
各位同仁：
根据中国政府的公告，从5月19日起到5月21日，是中国的哀悼日，以悼念四川汶川地区大地震死难的人民。为此学校决定哀悼日中全校降半旗致哀，5月19日下午2：28将和全国人民一起默哀三分钟，今天下午2：25时，全校将通过广播告知各位，请大家组织好学生在原地肃立、低首、默哀。我们公司凡是工作上许可的，一律参加全国的3分钟默哀，
请大家做好准备。在此期间将全校停止一切娱乐活动，特此告示。
校长 郑延定
2008．5．19
Dear all:
The government announced an official three day mourning period starting Monday (May 19-May 21) in memory of people killed in the powerful earthquake in WenChuan Arean SiChuan Province. The national flags at our school will fly at half-staff and join the three minutes of silence at 2:28pm with the whole country today. We will announce the event at 2:25pm through school PA System. Please organize all your students to Stand up, Bow and Keep Silence for three minutes while horns of vehicles, trains, ships and air raid sirens wail in grief. All public recreational activities in School will be canceled.
Principal Yanding Zheng
May 19, 2008
Today is exactly one week after the earthquake struck the nation of China. Please keep our country in your thoughts*.
A State of Alert
Children under 8 years old are facing a scary time and heightened alert as an epidemic called Hand, Foot and Mouth disease is showing up in Kindergartens across this city and in others.
From the International Herald Tribune --
"BEIJING: The death toll rose to 43 from the hand, foot and mouth disease virus that has sickened tens of thousands of children across China, a report said Friday.
A 22-month-old girl from eastern Jiangxi province died Thursday in a local hospital, health officials told the state-run Xinhua News Agency.
As of Wednesday, the hand, foot and mouth disease virus had sickened more than 24,934 children in seven Chinese provinces plus Beijing, Xinhua reported.
The number was expected to continue rising after the state Health Ministry last week ordered health care providers to report cases within 24 hours.
The virus has been yet another major concern for Chinese authorities as they prepare for the Beijing Olympics in August. Cases have been reported from Guangdong province in the south to Jilin province in the northeast, and in major cities including Beijing and Shanghai.
Three people in Jiangxi province remain in critical condition from the virus, Xinhua reported Friday.
Most cases of hand, foot and mouth disease in China this year have been blamed on enterovirus 71.
The virus spreads through contact with saliva, feces, nose and throat mucus or fluid secreted from blisters. There is no vaccine or specific treatment, but most children with mild forms of the illness recover quickly after suffering little more than a fever and rash.
The disease is expected to peak in the hot months of June and July."
As a result of this, sinks have been placed outside of our Kindergarten. All students must wash their hands (using a detailed procedure that even the faculty and staff had to be trained on) and visit the nurse for a quick morning check-up before attending class. Teachers must also wash their hands at these sinks before entering as well. The Shanghai Government Authorites have requested that all major functions that involve the gatherings of parents and children in a small compact space be cancelled. Our classroom observations by the parents were scheduled for last Thursday, but have been postponed indefinitely. We have an annual International Day scheduled for Saturday, May 31. No news yet has been given as to whether or not it will still be taking place. We are assuming as of now that this event will continue. Logic tells us we should cancel it, but the way the Chinese teachers are still busy with decorations and planning, we are assuming it is still scheduled as normal... We are yarping* that the children can still participate in Kindergarten graduation on June 12th.
Children over the age of 8 years apparently have a stronger and more developed immune system to fight off the virus. This disease is very uncommon in adults, though one may contract it.
For more information on this disease, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Protection website at: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/enterovirus/hfhf.htm.
So much is happening in China right now...
*As I was ending this entry, the three minutes of silence began. It was such a chilling feeling to hear the car horns outside as they were the only ones wailing in mourning for those who lost their lives last week. It's a hard thing to describe, the fact that I am being able to experience some of this first hand... wow.
One more quick piece of lighter news -
The Olympic torch will be ran a few blocks away in ZhangJiang tomorrow afternoon (this is the suburb of Shanghai where I teach)! However, the teachers and I won't be able to see it since it will be ran during the school day... bummer.
The faculty and staff received this email shortly after lunch today, along with some earthquake survival tips:
各位同仁：
根据中国政府的公告，从5月19日起到5月21日，是中国的哀悼日，以悼念四川汶川地区大地震死难的人民。为此学校决定哀悼日中全校降半旗致哀，5月19日下午2：28将和全国人民一起默哀三分钟，今天下午2：25时，全校将通过广播告知各位，请大家组织好学生在原地肃立、低首、默哀。我们公司凡是工作上许可的，一律参加全国的3分钟默哀，
请大家做好准备。在此期间将全校停止一切娱乐活动，特此告示。
校长 郑延定
2008．5．19
Dear all:
The government announced an official three day mourning period starting Monday (May 19-May 21) in memory of people killed in the powerful earthquake in WenChuan Arean SiChuan Province. The national flags at our school will fly at half-staff and join the three minutes of silence at 2:28pm with the whole country today. We will announce the event at 2:25pm through school PA System. Please organize all your students to Stand up, Bow and Keep Silence for three minutes while horns of vehicles, trains, ships and air raid sirens wail in grief. All public recreational activities in School will be canceled.
Principal Yanding Zheng
May 19, 2008
Today is exactly one week after the earthquake struck the nation of China. Please keep our country in your thoughts*.
A State of Alert
Children under 8 years old are facing a scary time and heightened alert as an epidemic called Hand, Foot and Mouth disease is showing up in Kindergartens across this city and in others.
From the International Herald Tribune --
"BEIJING: The death toll rose to 43 from the hand, foot and mouth disease virus that has sickened tens of thousands of children across China, a report said Friday.
A 22-month-old girl from eastern Jiangxi province died Thursday in a local hospital, health officials told the state-run Xinhua News Agency.
As of Wednesday, the hand, foot and mouth disease virus had sickened more than 24,934 children in seven Chinese provinces plus Beijing, Xinhua reported.
The number was expected to continue rising after the state Health Ministry last week ordered health care providers to report cases within 24 hours.
The virus has been yet another major concern for Chinese authorities as they prepare for the Beijing Olympics in August. Cases have been reported from Guangdong province in the south to Jilin province in the northeast, and in major cities including Beijing and Shanghai.
Three people in Jiangxi province remain in critical condition from the virus, Xinhua reported Friday.
Most cases of hand, foot and mouth disease in China this year have been blamed on enterovirus 71.
The virus spreads through contact with saliva, feces, nose and throat mucus or fluid secreted from blisters. There is no vaccine or specific treatment, but most children with mild forms of the illness recover quickly after suffering little more than a fever and rash.
The disease is expected to peak in the hot months of June and July."
As a result of this, sinks have been placed outside of our Kindergarten. All students must wash their hands (using a detailed procedure that even the faculty and staff had to be trained on) and visit the nurse for a quick morning check-up before attending class. Teachers must also wash their hands at these sinks before entering as well. The Shanghai Government Authorites have requested that all major functions that involve the gatherings of parents and children in a small compact space be cancelled. Our classroom observations by the parents were scheduled for last Thursday, but have been postponed indefinitely. We have an annual International Day scheduled for Saturday, May 31. No news yet has been given as to whether or not it will still be taking place. We are assuming as of now that this event will continue. Logic tells us we should cancel it, but the way the Chinese teachers are still busy with decorations and planning, we are assuming it is still scheduled as normal... We are yarping* that the children can still participate in Kindergarten graduation on June 12th.
Children over the age of 8 years apparently have a stronger and more developed immune system to fight off the virus. This disease is very uncommon in adults, though one may contract it.
For more information on this disease, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Protection website at: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/enterovirus/hfhf.htm.
So much is happening in China right now...
*As I was ending this entry, the three minutes of silence began. It was such a chilling feeling to hear the car horns outside as they were the only ones wailing in mourning for those who lost their lives last week. It's a hard thing to describe, the fact that I am being able to experience some of this first hand... wow.
One more quick piece of lighter news -
The Olympic torch will be ran a few blocks away in ZhangJiang tomorrow afternoon (this is the suburb of Shanghai where I teach)! However, the teachers and I won't be able to see it since it will be ran during the school day... bummer.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
I love birthdays!
Did you know that when you add the four numbers of my birth year together, you get 23? 1+9+8+5 = 23 (some of you may have seen the movie The Number 23... if you haven't, you should).
I looked online for some interesting things about the number 23. It just so happens one website gave me 23 interesting things about the number 23. Here are a few of them.
1. 23 is one of the most commonly cited prime numbers.
2. The number has been the subject of not one but two films: the 1998 German movie, 23, and The Number 23, starring Jim Carrey, released (naturally) today. Each has a main character obsessed with the number.
3. Charles Darwin's Origin of Species was published in 1859 - 1+8+5+9 = 23. Two divided by three makes 0.666 recurring (allegedly - actually it makes 0.6666666667). The Hiroshima bomb was dropped at 8.15am - 8+15= 23.
4. The Ancient Chinese believed numbers conveyed sexuality - evens for feminine and odds for masculine. They considered prime numbers to be the most masculine, conferring special status on 23 which is made up of two consecutive prime numbers and the only even prime number - two.
5. The terrorist attacks on America on 11 September 2001 have been held up as one of the most portentous examples of the disturbing power of 23. The figures in the date (9+11+2+0+0+1) add up to 23. The independent US commission which investigated the attacks found the date had been chosen randomly by the hijackers and had originally been planned for later in the year. Alternative explanations for the date included the taking over of Palestine by Britain in 1922 and the fact that 911 is the US emergency code.
6. Each parent contributes 23 chromosomes to the start of human life. The nuclei of cells in human bodies have 46 chromosomes made out of 23 pairs. Egg and sperm cells in humans have 23 chromosomes which fuse and divide to create an embryo.
7. The Birthday Paradox states that a group of 23 randomly-selected people is the smallest number where there will be a probability higher than 50 per cent that two people will share the same birthday.
8. "W" is the 23rd letter of the Latin alphabet. It has two points down and three points up. White supremacists use 23 to represent "W" as a mark of racial superiority.
I can't believe I've made it to 23. I remember when my cousin Rachel turned 23... My 19-year-old brain thought she was gettin' pretty old. Now, here I am. And to have a birthday in China! How exciting! I was so thankful to have spent my birthday with my new friends. We had a great time -- bowling a couple of rounds, with a game of speed bowling to wrap things up; heading to dinner down the street at TGI Friday's; finally, the remaining friends and I went to Whisk (an amazing little dessert place).
So, how will things be on my 24th birthday? Quite a lot can happen in one year. Last year at this time, I was closing a big chapter in my life with college graduation. This year, I am closing yet another big chapter, though short-lived. I'm excited to see how this next year pans out.
On a rather sad note, while I was celebrating my birthday, thousands of others were mourning and grieving the loss of loved ones, their homes, and their lives. I encourage all of you to please keep those cities and those people in your thoughts*. It is such a sad thing to see so many people in need...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PS - random piece of information: Some of you know how I've been bombarded with hints of Spanish as of the past few months... I found out today that the kindergartners will be doing a salsa dance (to a Spanish song, of course) at the Kindergarten Graduation ceremony. Just thought I'd throw that out there for ya. Oh yeah, one more thing... I've been assigned the country of Spain for International Day at the end of May.
I looked online for some interesting things about the number 23. It just so happens one website gave me 23 interesting things about the number 23. Here are a few of them.
1. 23 is one of the most commonly cited prime numbers.
2. The number has been the subject of not one but two films: the 1998 German movie, 23, and The Number 23, starring Jim Carrey, released (naturally) today. Each has a main character obsessed with the number.
3. Charles Darwin's Origin of Species was published in 1859 - 1+8+5+9 = 23. Two divided by three makes 0.666 recurring (allegedly - actually it makes 0.6666666667). The Hiroshima bomb was dropped at 8.15am - 8+15= 23.
4. The Ancient Chinese believed numbers conveyed sexuality - evens for feminine and odds for masculine. They considered prime numbers to be the most masculine, conferring special status on 23 which is made up of two consecutive prime numbers and the only even prime number - two.
5. The terrorist attacks on America on 11 September 2001 have been held up as one of the most portentous examples of the disturbing power of 23. The figures in the date (9+11+2+0+0+1) add up to 23. The independent US commission which investigated the attacks found the date had been chosen randomly by the hijackers and had originally been planned for later in the year. Alternative explanations for the date included the taking over of Palestine by Britain in 1922 and the fact that 911 is the US emergency code.
6. Each parent contributes 23 chromosomes to the start of human life. The nuclei of cells in human bodies have 46 chromosomes made out of 23 pairs. Egg and sperm cells in humans have 23 chromosomes which fuse and divide to create an embryo.
7. The Birthday Paradox states that a group of 23 randomly-selected people is the smallest number where there will be a probability higher than 50 per cent that two people will share the same birthday.
8. "W" is the 23rd letter of the Latin alphabet. It has two points down and three points up. White supremacists use 23 to represent "W" as a mark of racial superiority.
I can't believe I've made it to 23. I remember when my cousin Rachel turned 23... My 19-year-old brain thought she was gettin' pretty old. Now, here I am. And to have a birthday in China! How exciting! I was so thankful to have spent my birthday with my new friends. We had a great time -- bowling a couple of rounds, with a game of speed bowling to wrap things up; heading to dinner down the street at TGI Friday's; finally, the remaining friends and I went to Whisk (an amazing little dessert place).
So, how will things be on my 24th birthday? Quite a lot can happen in one year. Last year at this time, I was closing a big chapter in my life with college graduation. This year, I am closing yet another big chapter, though short-lived. I'm excited to see how this next year pans out.
On a rather sad note, while I was celebrating my birthday, thousands of others were mourning and grieving the loss of loved ones, their homes, and their lives. I encourage all of you to please keep those cities and those people in your thoughts*. It is such a sad thing to see so many people in need...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PS - random piece of information: Some of you know how I've been bombarded with hints of Spanish as of the past few months... I found out today that the kindergartners will be doing a salsa dance (to a Spanish song, of course) at the Kindergarten Graduation ceremony. Just thought I'd throw that out there for ya. Oh yeah, one more thing... I've been assigned the country of Spain for International Day at the end of May.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
The Good, The Bad, The Beijing Trip
Well, friends... to be quite honest, I'll never go back to Beijing. Heh.
I'd rather not spend my time complaining about the polluted air and the unfriendly locals. I'd rather not discuss my near nervous breakdown due to the crowds of people in tiny cramped spaces. I'd really like to refrain from a rather long discourse on how I feel the city of Beijing, both its people and the buildings themselves, is in no way ready to host the Olympic games (for various reasons that I will not discuss, like I've discussed).
However... Even though the experience itself was not quite what I had expected, and even though I wore a bare face and am in desperate need of a tan, I was so thrilled to have stood in some of the most famous places on the planet. How insignificant I felt when I walked the Great Wall. How intimidating to stand in a section of the 980 buildings that make up the Forbidden City. How chilling to view the body of one of China's most notorious leaders. How naive I felt to have walked through the Summer Palace, not knowing any of that beauty existed. How athletically inspiring to stand near the Olympic Stadium. I even witnessed these things at a very pivotal point in China's history. Who am I that I would get the chance to do this? And to think, none of the splendor and beauty of these things will last. All of this fades and will perish in light of Him! He is more famous than any of the places where my feet were planted. I thought of this as I was standing in line to see Mao's dead body. I thought, why am I wasting my time to see a man, a man who is called the Son of Heaven?? I know the True Son of Heaven, and this guy ain't him... What an incredible perspective to have in life; to know that we are here for His glory and not for our gain. He chose to allow me to see these things last week so that I might have a greater understanding of who He is and how He is working. If only I could have been thinking this way in my frustrating times last week (sheepish grin).
I'd rather not spend my time complaining about the polluted air and the unfriendly locals. I'd rather not discuss my near nervous breakdown due to the crowds of people in tiny cramped spaces. I'd really like to refrain from a rather long discourse on how I feel the city of Beijing, both its people and the buildings themselves, is in no way ready to host the Olympic games (for various reasons that I will not discuss, like I've discussed).
However... Even though the experience itself was not quite what I had expected, and even though I wore a bare face and am in desperate need of a tan, I was so thrilled to have stood in some of the most famous places on the planet. How insignificant I felt when I walked the Great Wall. How intimidating to stand in a section of the 980 buildings that make up the Forbidden City. How chilling to view the body of one of China's most notorious leaders. How naive I felt to have walked through the Summer Palace, not knowing any of that beauty existed. How athletically inspiring to stand near the Olympic Stadium. I even witnessed these things at a very pivotal point in China's history. Who am I that I would get the chance to do this? And to think, none of the splendor and beauty of these things will last. All of this fades and will perish in light of Him! He is more famous than any of the places where my feet were planted. I thought of this as I was standing in line to see Mao's dead body. I thought, why am I wasting my time to see a man, a man who is called the Son of Heaven?? I know the True Son of Heaven, and this guy ain't him... What an incredible perspective to have in life; to know that we are here for His glory and not for our gain. He chose to allow me to see these things last week so that I might have a greater understanding of who He is and how He is working. If only I could have been thinking this way in my frustrating times last week (sheepish grin).
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