When I first got to Taiwan, I was so excited. I kept poking Stephanie and saying, “Hey Stephanie, it's Taiwan!” I was excited to get back to Taipei and see the things that I saw the last time we were here. I forgot that this was a completely new experience, with different people and places. I think I figured that out today, and I'm not going to lie it was a little disappointing to come to that realization. I should have realized it sooner, but I guess better late than never.
Anyway, I have 3 roomies – 2 Korean and 1 Bolivian. They are super sweet and it doesn't feel crowded in our skinny room. Everyone pretty much keeps to their quarter of the room and it is all good. We had our registration thing on Monday. There were 2 Americans (me and Stephanie), 2 Mongolians (our new friends Oko and Anuka) and then the rest were Korean. There's a lot of Koreans here... Anyway, Tuesday we had a medical check-up and then nothing so we wondered around campus and then went to Taoyuan city with Oko and Anuka. I can't really describe how I feel about being the only white person around because I haven't really decided how I feel about it. Most of the time though, I think it is hilarious. For instance, we went with Oko to find a laptop and there was a guy that worked there and his friend who spoke English. They came over and the one who spoke English politely asked Stephanie and I if we needed help even though we were obviously not the ones who were looking at computers. Then when the one who worked there found out Stephanie could speak Chinese he started talking to her and didn't really pay attention to the ones who wanted to spend money. This encounter was definitely one of my favorites. Life is truly interesting here.
Today was the first day of classes and as expected, because my major is teaching Chinese as a second language, Stephanie and I are pretty much the only foreigners in our classes. Today was a little frustrating...I kept thinking everything was going to be in English...and then I find out in this major that isn't necessarily the case. I guess that means my Chinese will be even better...everything happens for a reason right? Chinese class doesn't start until March 15 and I seriously can not wait!! I want to speak Chinese and learn new Chinese and feel dumb when I don't know what is going on in class....I miss it! I can't wait...but I do like not having to wake up early in the morning. ;)
So, because Stephanie and I don't really have much to do here yet, every morning and evening so far we have gone out and sat on the bleachers at the sports field and watched whatever has been going on. There is baseball, soccer, people running around the track, and best of all...Cheerleading. There is a competition of some sort coming up, so groups of Ming Chuan students have been practicing, both boys and girls, and every evening they are out there doing their “cheers"...more like dances. It is so entertaining.
Anyway, when things get going and more interesting stuff happens...I'll let you know.
Love you all! Always in my prayers.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
He's everywhere and it's beautiful!
I've told you about the food and how that has become the most prominent memory of my adventure in Malaysia. But I think the thing that impacted me the most was my experience with Stephanie's grandmother, or Ah ma as she calls her and I ended up calling her. Ah ma most definitely LOVES Jesus. I mean absolutely puts all Love and faith in God. She prays for everything, all the time. She randomly sings to God (later she told us that she sang a certain song to God when she was tired and then so was ok – I told her it sounded good once and she laughed and told me that it sounded bad but it didn't matter cause God didn't care.) She constantly reminded me that God would take care of me and there was no need to worry about anything (I later got the feeling that they were afraid of the police, but I didn't ask. I figured that would only freak me out a little). She is a beautiful woman who oozes Jesus love like nothing else. So of course staying with her meant we would be going to church.
Although Malaysia has a very high Muslim population and Buddhists (especially within the Chinese community there), Stephanie's family is mostly Christian. Going there I knew this, so I was really excited to go to church in Malaysia with her family. The first Sunday we were there we went to Auntie Mei Qing's church. (this is Stephanie's mom's best friend from college – she let us stay at her house for a couple of days and is pretty much a member of Stephanie's family. She and her son were absolutely wonderful!) This church was completely in English. They sang songs I knew and sang at church and BCM in Morgantown, so it was kind of like a little piece of home across the world. It was pretty amazing. I was standing beside of Ah ma and she was praying in Chinese and there were other people of all different ethnicities worshiping in their own languages. This was absolutely one of the best days, but the next Sunday was even more amazing. This time we were in BM (I'm not even going to try and spell that out) at Ah ma's house so we went to her church. Her church was completely in Mandarin! All of the songs, the sermon, everything. There was pinyin for the songs, so Stephanie and I could sing along even if we didn't know the characters. There was a band with two rocker chick guitarists, and one of the song leaders was adorable. He kind of looked like a Taiwanese artist named 牛奶(Milk – yes it is a weird name) and he was praising Jesus...so adorable. Anyway, the point is I didn't really understand most of the songs except for one line that said “I am made new” and actually Stephanie had to tell me that one. But that was the most important line because that is what the sermon was all about. Being made new in Jesus and how that involves changing our thinking and letting him take over. By the way, I understood most of the sermon! It was amazing! I don't think I can even describe how amazing I thought it was.
It was such a beautiful thing being in Malaysia and seeing God in my new environment. I truly do love the Khoo family now, I know you've probably gotten tired of hearing that, but they are kind of like a second family to me. Of course they are different than the amazing family I grew up with, but they are also so similar - loud, maybe a little crazy, but so caring.
Stephanie and I haven't found a church here, but I know God has something planned for us. I hope it's a Chinese church...that would be awesome practice!
I love you all! Always in my prayers!
Although Malaysia has a very high Muslim population and Buddhists (especially within the Chinese community there), Stephanie's family is mostly Christian. Going there I knew this, so I was really excited to go to church in Malaysia with her family. The first Sunday we were there we went to Auntie Mei Qing's church. (this is Stephanie's mom's best friend from college – she let us stay at her house for a couple of days and is pretty much a member of Stephanie's family. She and her son were absolutely wonderful!) This church was completely in English. They sang songs I knew and sang at church and BCM in Morgantown, so it was kind of like a little piece of home across the world. It was pretty amazing. I was standing beside of Ah ma and she was praying in Chinese and there were other people of all different ethnicities worshiping in their own languages. This was absolutely one of the best days, but the next Sunday was even more amazing. This time we were in BM (I'm not even going to try and spell that out) at Ah ma's house so we went to her church. Her church was completely in Mandarin! All of the songs, the sermon, everything. There was pinyin for the songs, so Stephanie and I could sing along even if we didn't know the characters. There was a band with two rocker chick guitarists, and one of the song leaders was adorable. He kind of looked like a Taiwanese artist named 牛奶(Milk – yes it is a weird name) and he was praising Jesus...so adorable. Anyway, the point is I didn't really understand most of the songs except for one line that said “I am made new” and actually Stephanie had to tell me that one. But that was the most important line because that is what the sermon was all about. Being made new in Jesus and how that involves changing our thinking and letting him take over. By the way, I understood most of the sermon! It was amazing! I don't think I can even describe how amazing I thought it was.
It was such a beautiful thing being in Malaysia and seeing God in my new environment. I truly do love the Khoo family now, I know you've probably gotten tired of hearing that, but they are kind of like a second family to me. Of course they are different than the amazing family I grew up with, but they are also so similar - loud, maybe a little crazy, but so caring.
Stephanie and I haven't found a church here, but I know God has something planned for us. I hope it's a Chinese church...that would be awesome practice!
I love you all! Always in my prayers!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
I'm full just thinking about all that food...
I don't even almost know where to start. I could start from the beginning, but I'm not sure if I remember all that. So I guess I'll just tell you what I learned and hope I cover the important stuff. First of all Malaysia is made up of three major ethnicities: Malay (obviously), Indian, and Chinese. Since Stephanie's family is Malaysian Chinese, that subculture of the country is what I saw most of and experienced. Generally, the Chinese are more affluent than others so I saw the flat screen TV's, pretty cars, and beautiful homes. I didn't see the poverty that Malaysia has; although, I know it is there. So, keep that in mind when reading this.
So the first thing Stephanie and I did when we got there, besides meet her family was go eat. This nicely foreshadowed what the rest of the trip would be. A whole lot of eating, and then “have you tried this? You should, it's good.” And it is very hard to turn down persistent Asians. Anyway, the first night I had fishball soup, which is fish meet put into ball shape in soup, and I amazed Stephanie's uncle with my chopstick skills, then I amazed everyone with my Chinese. By that I mean I said “I'm good” when someone asked me how I was...very impressive right? I don't remember what all I ate from that point on. There was a whole lot of noodles, my favorite of which is bean hoon (I think that is what it is called). The food was amazing! But my favorite part of meals was how everyone was so loving. They weren't exactly “polite,” Stephanie's dad ate with his hands (which is ok in Malaysia) and everyone reached over each other, but it was so much better than politeness. They were extremely caring and gave each other food they even gave up the best parts of the dishes. They even did this for me! Even though it was with the utensils they were eating with, I didn't care because it made me feel comfortable and a part of the family.
For two weeks I really did feel like a part of the Khoo family. I even got red envelopes for Chinese New Year. Red envelopes are given to unmarried children (I'm pretty sure you are given these until you are married even if you aren't considered a child anymore). I was surprised when I received one, but t made me feel a little more Asian for the moment. :)
Malaysia and the Khoo family were amazing and part of me didn't want to leave. I hope I see them again, they are amazing people!
I have so much more I want to tell everyone, but it is going to have to wait for another day. I love you all and will be praying for you all! I pray that you all keep your hearts open to God because He has amazing plans for each of you! I wish I could hug you all, but since I can't this will have to work...*HUG*
So the first thing Stephanie and I did when we got there, besides meet her family was go eat. This nicely foreshadowed what the rest of the trip would be. A whole lot of eating, and then “have you tried this? You should, it's good.” And it is very hard to turn down persistent Asians. Anyway, the first night I had fishball soup, which is fish meet put into ball shape in soup, and I amazed Stephanie's uncle with my chopstick skills, then I amazed everyone with my Chinese. By that I mean I said “I'm good” when someone asked me how I was...very impressive right? I don't remember what all I ate from that point on. There was a whole lot of noodles, my favorite of which is bean hoon (I think that is what it is called). The food was amazing! But my favorite part of meals was how everyone was so loving. They weren't exactly “polite,” Stephanie's dad ate with his hands (which is ok in Malaysia) and everyone reached over each other, but it was so much better than politeness. They were extremely caring and gave each other food they even gave up the best parts of the dishes. They even did this for me! Even though it was with the utensils they were eating with, I didn't care because it made me feel comfortable and a part of the family.
For two weeks I really did feel like a part of the Khoo family. I even got red envelopes for Chinese New Year. Red envelopes are given to unmarried children (I'm pretty sure you are given these until you are married even if you aren't considered a child anymore). I was surprised when I received one, but t made me feel a little more Asian for the moment. :)
Malaysia and the Khoo family were amazing and part of me didn't want to leave. I hope I see them again, they are amazing people!
I have so much more I want to tell everyone, but it is going to have to wait for another day. I love you all and will be praying for you all! I pray that you all keep your hearts open to God because He has amazing plans for each of you! I wish I could hug you all, but since I can't this will have to work...*HUG*
Thursday, February 4, 2010
If they tell you to put on a parachute...it probably isn't a good thing.
I'm in Taipei!!! Which would be much more exciting if this was mine and Stephanie's last stop, but it isn't. In about 6 hours we have another flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Then I will be an honorary Khoo for a couple of weeks. I am so very excited about that!
Nobody actually told me to put on a parachute, but that was a little piece of wisdom from my father. He is a smart cookie. All went marvelously smooth until we got to LA and then we had a nice little adventure. We had to change buildings, re-check-in, and then go through security again. The change of buildings wasn't bad, just a short walk down the sidewalk. Then, we walked into the international airport I was the minority!! People were speaking all kinds of languages and it was marvelous. Then we tried to find security...well let's just say we were tired and it took us a minute to find the large sign telling us where to go. Anyway, we made it in time to the flight to Taipei and that is all that matters. The 14 hour flight that followed wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I slept for the first 5 or 6 hours of it and then the last hour or so Stephanie and I started talking to the woman setting next to us. She invited us to stay with her in Tainan if we were ever there. Taiwanese people are so nice. Then we got to the departure part of the airport in Taiwan and discovered we could not actually check in our luggage until 1:30pm...that was at 7:30am. But that's ok because we got to walk outside of the airport a little and breathe in Taiwan. It was so warm I was walking around in a T-shirt, but there were people out there in winter coats...crazy people.
I'm not sure how much internet access I will have in Malaysia, so I don't know when the next time I write will be, but as of right now I have to do some research for my capstone. Tons o' Love!
Nobody actually told me to put on a parachute, but that was a little piece of wisdom from my father. He is a smart cookie. All went marvelously smooth until we got to LA and then we had a nice little adventure. We had to change buildings, re-check-in, and then go through security again. The change of buildings wasn't bad, just a short walk down the sidewalk. Then, we walked into the international airport I was the minority!! People were speaking all kinds of languages and it was marvelous. Then we tried to find security...well let's just say we were tired and it took us a minute to find the large sign telling us where to go. Anyway, we made it in time to the flight to Taipei and that is all that matters. The 14 hour flight that followed wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I slept for the first 5 or 6 hours of it and then the last hour or so Stephanie and I started talking to the woman setting next to us. She invited us to stay with her in Tainan if we were ever there. Taiwanese people are so nice. Then we got to the departure part of the airport in Taiwan and discovered we could not actually check in our luggage until 1:30pm...that was at 7:30am. But that's ok because we got to walk outside of the airport a little and breathe in Taiwan. It was so warm I was walking around in a T-shirt, but there were people out there in winter coats...crazy people.
I'm not sure how much internet access I will have in Malaysia, so I don't know when the next time I write will be, but as of right now I have to do some research for my capstone. Tons o' Love!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Well now isn't this exciting?
There's this shout, or some kind of noise, that has been going through my head this past week. I don't know how to write it, but it is the most excited feeling/noise I have ever experienced. That sounds kind of weird, but I guess that's what happens when you don't outwardly show excitement easily. This past semester has been amazing and I have loved every second of getting to know my roommates and friends more deeply. I miss you all already, but this is going to be AMAZING! I can't wait to experience life in a different way. See things in a way I would have never imagined. Worship the same God with new people, in new places, in languages I may not understand. God has given me amazing opportunities, but throughout the semester I realized that I have lived out these opportunities in a selfish manner. God wasn’t a central part of those journeys. When I woke up in the mornings my mind was more focused on “Let’s see how many hot Asian guys I can see today” (those exact words didn’t go through my head, most the time, but you get the point). This time I want it to be more about what God wants me to see and where He leads me. I’ve been asked why I study Chinese and why I like Asia and traveling. I guess that’s the answer, this is where God is leading me right now.
I started this blog to stay in touch with everyone and let my amazing family and friends share this journey with me. I’ll try to write often so that you know I’m still alive, but I am usually not good at keeping things like this going. I love you all and you can always e-mail me, or if you get a skype account we can talk that way. Also, I know some of you are “concerned” with me being gone for so long in another country but don’t be. God is with me, just like He is with you. The safest place for me is where God leads me.
“If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Romans 14:8
I started this blog to stay in touch with everyone and let my amazing family and friends share this journey with me. I’ll try to write often so that you know I’m still alive, but I am usually not good at keeping things like this going. I love you all and you can always e-mail me, or if you get a skype account we can talk that way. Also, I know some of you are “concerned” with me being gone for so long in another country but don’t be. God is with me, just like He is with you. The safest place for me is where God leads me.
“If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Romans 14:8
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