WELCOME GAVIN!!!

We just recieved the news that our little nephew came in the the world at 6:27am! Gavin is 6lbs. 9oz. and is 19 inches long. It was a surprise to all that Gavin was Gavin and not Kayley! Sure wish I could have seen my family's faces when they found out! We are totally excited...many pictures to come!
-L

Teaching Update

My classes started last week and so far I love teaching here. My students are absolutely brilliant. They are all getting PhDs in things like...Atmospheric Physics, Nanotechnology, Astrophysics, and Microelectronics! I teach seven classes, 3 writing and 4 speaking. My main goal is to prepare them for professional publications and presentations since most of them have already been learning English for about ten years. Quite a difference from seventh grade...

~A

Language Update

Since everyone has been asking how language study is going, I thought I'd give you a quick update. I've learned about 200 word total, however, at this point about 5 of them are relevant to my everyday life. Therefore, while I can point and say "donkey" or "raise your hand," I cannot yet communicate with the waiter that I would like a bottle of water or a bowl of rice. That is a little frustrating, but I know it will get better...eventually.

I've also learned just enough to get me in real trouble. The word for "Mr." is the same word for "husband". And the word for "me" sounds a lot like the common surname "Wu." The tricky thing is that by slightly altering the sound of a word instead of saying, "Mr. Wu is my teacher," I could be saying, "My husband is a teacher." Also the word for "father" is ALMOST IDENTICAL to the word for "baby poop". I'll let you come up with your own illustrations of the misuse of these words. So, in short, I must be very precise to keep from making HUGE mistakes! This brings us to the second problem. Knowing how to say certain sounds. If for some reason I can't understand the difference in the way I say a sound and the way a teacher is saying it, I am instructed to consult the textbook after class. Here's a few examples:

"This sound is an unaspirated bilabial nasal which is produced by keeping the lips closed, lowering the soft palate and the uvula and releasing the breath through the nasal passage."

"It is an unaspirated voiceless palatal affricate which is produced by raising the front of the tongue to the hard palate, pressing the tip of the tongue against the back of the lower teeth and then loosening the tongue and letting the air squeeze out through the channel thus made."

Clear as mud?

-L

First E. Asian Haircut

I got a haircut yesterday. Little did I know that it would be such a long drawn-out ordeal! I walked in and confidently handed a picture of myself to the barber, sat down in the chair, and prepared for a less than all-american crew cut. Thinking this would be the regular 15 minute Pro-Cut type job, I didn't even allow myself to get comfortable in the chair.

To my surprise, they washed my hair...twice, messaged my head, neck, shoulders, arms, and hands. Actually, "massage" is the closest thing in English we have to the procedure. It was something between being massaged, squeezed (even my eyebrows), beat, slapped, and shook. I told A that 70% really felt good and 30% was just really strange. I drifted in and out of conciousness, partly from being so relaxed and partly from the concusion, but I think it lasted about an hour. Yeah, an hour! I started thinking, "How much is THIS going to cost me!?" Finally, the barber, deemed enough time had past (or maybe his soap opera was over), got up and proceeded with the real reason I had come.

Not the best hair-cut, but as you can see not too bad either. The haircut was followed by yet another shampoo. As I prepared to forfiet my right hand to pay for this pomp and circumstance my mouth dropped to the floor as he anounced the price. I thought to myself, "TWO AMERICAN DOLLARS FOR ALL THAT!?" I don't know what you pay to go to the spa or get a haircut, but I think two bucks for three washes, a haircut, and a one hour massage isn't too bad.

To make a short story long, we decided that everyone who comes to visit should come needing a haircut. Or maybe that everyone of you who need a haircut should come for a visit! It is definitely worth the experience.

-L

Botanical Gardens

On Sunday we spent the afternoon at the Botanical Gardens close to our apartment. It was such a welcome change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the city. I especially enjoyed the rose garden.
~A

I especially enjoyed conversation with my wife!
-L

We're On the Move

We have now joined the millions of people around the world who use a bike as their primary means of transportation! So many of you have been very financially generous to us in recent times. Without you, we would not be able to have these very nice bikes or be able to afford the quality language tutorials we are now recieving. We appreciate you so much!

Shoilets

A shoilet is basically a shower head over a toilet, where one bathes while soaking their entire bathroom. They are very popular here and yesterday I had a very embarrassing encounter with one. I had used the restroom in a friend's dormroom and thought I was flushing...instead I had turned on the shower and got my clothes all wet! Thank goodness for the western bathroom in our apartment!

~A

A New Law

I love these poignant, satirical words by Derek Webb. It is written as a plea to God, with a response from God at the end. It is a call for us to think for ourselves and learn how to make sound decisions about life, politics, war, ethics, love, etc. Sometimes we live in a way where we immerse ourselves in our Christian sub-culture and think that as long as we maintain the status-quo we are living “good Christian lives.” The problem is that our market driven pop Christian sub-culture has lulled us to sleep with false expectations of what Christ wants to do in us and through us! We also blindly follow a church, a leader, a political party, without engaging our minds, studying Scripture, asking the hard questions, etc. The real question is, what are we really trading when we settle for a “new law” instead of reaching for the freedom promised when we “listen to the spirit?”

A New Law
by Derek Webb

don’t teach me about politics and government
just tell me who to vote for
don’t teach me about truth and beauty
just label my music
don’t teach me how to live like a free man
just give me a new law

i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me
i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law

don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
i prefer a shot of grape juice
don’t teach me about loving my enemies
don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
just give me a new law

i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me
i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law

what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
do not be afraid

My thoughts? Well said Derek, I’ve never thought about things quite this way before! Isaac, I appreciate your comments on the last post. Anyone feel like weighing in on this one?

How do you say that again?

This is a snap-shot of a conversation with my language teacher today, at least from my perspective:

Her - repeat after me: oooo
Me - oooo
Her - no, oooo
Me - oooo
Her - that's not right, say: oooo
Me - oooo
Her - let's try it again, oooo
Me - oooo
Her - no, put your tongue on your teeth
Me - oooo
Her - oooo
Me - oooo
Her - no, that's not right
Me - what am I doing wrong?
Her - you're saying oooo, I'm saying oooo
Me - I'm saying what you're saying
Her - NO! I'm saying oooo, try it with me
Both - oooo!
Her - I don't think you understand
Me - oooo
Her - say eeee and then make your mouth small and round
Me - oooo
Her - No, oooo
Me - oooo
Her - no, oooo
Me - oooo
Her - that's not right, say: oooo
Me - oooo
Her - let's try it again, oooo
Me - oooo
Her - no, put your tongue on your teeth
Me - oooo
Her - oooo
Me - oooo
Her - No, YOU'RE DOING IT ALL WRONG!!!
Me - WHAT AM I DOING WRONG!?
Her - YOU'RE SAYING oooo, I'M SAYING oooo
Me - I'M SAYING WHAT YOU'RE SAYING!
Her - NO! I'M SAYING oooo, ok, now try it with me
Both - oooo!!!!!!!!!!
Her - say EEEE and then make your mouth SMALL and ROUND!
Me - oooo
Her - No, oooo
Me - oooo
Her - oooo
Me - oooo
Her - oooo
Me - oooo
Her - oooo
Me - oooo
Her - oooo
Me - oooo
Her - No, oooo
Me - oooo, can we just move on?
Her - ok, fine, you practice and we will try again tomorrow

If Timing is Everything I Failed Today!

12:40 - discovered I was locked in the house (haven't figured that one out)
1:20 - made it to my 1:00 class
4:00 - left my class in a taxi headed to the Visa Office
4:30 - time the Visa Office closes
4:31 - made it to the Visa Office
4:32 - hailed a taxi to head towards home
5:04 - stopped at a restuarant to take home food
5:15 - Chef came out and said something to owner
5:16 - owner gives waiter money
5:17 - waiter leaves on bike
5:27 - waiter returns with my food
5:45 - get food and leave restuarant to walk home
5:46 - starts pouring down rain
6:00 - arrive home
6:01 - rain stops

Don't Want to Leave You Hanging...

My last post was getting a little long, but I want to give you a list of ways you can get involved. All of these organizations have ways to can give, but I encourage you to do more than give, GET INVOLVED! Most of these organizations also have opportunities for you to serve, educate others, or host events to promote awareness.

Great Organizations:
One Campaign
World Vision
Mocha Club
International Justice Mission
Blood Water Mission
Bread for the World

Great Books to Educate Yourself:
Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger
The End of Poverty

Closer to Home (if you are close to my origin):
Mission Arlington
Ft Worth Opportunities
Texas Homeless Network

Mockingbird

Recently I've been enjoying the new Derek Webb album Mockingbird, which you can download for free at www.freederekwebb.com. Since my attempt to spark conversation with a recent post on Our Library failed, I'll try here on the main page with a few of Webb's lyrics. Here's one of my favorite, another will be soon to follow.

Rich Young Ruler
by Derek Webb

poverty is so hard to see
when it’s only on your tv and twenty miles across town
where we’re all living so good
that we moved out of Jesus’ neighborhood
where he’s hungry and not feeling so good
from going through our trash
he says, more than just your cash and coin
i want your time, i want your voice
i want the things you just can’t give me

so what must we do
here in the west we want to follow you
we speak the language and we keep all the rules
even a few we made up
come on and follow me
but sell your house, sell your suv
sell your stocks, sell your security
and give it to the poor
what is this, hey what’s the deal
i don’t sleep around and i don’t steal
i want the things you just can’t give me

because what you do to the least of these
my brother’s, you have done it to me
because i want the things you just can’t give me

I'm glad to hear Derek Webb join the Christian community discussion. A and I learned a lot recently about God's concern (this is a really watered down word, how about passion, love, compassion?) for the poor and righteous anger against their exploitation. I also learned that I, as a middle-class American, have been a part of that exploitation, though unaware. So, we soothed our conscience by giving a little and reasoned we would "get more involved" when we moved overseas, or in the words of Webb when we "moved closer than 20 miles across town, back into Jesus' neighborhood." Since we've been here our hearts have been broken more than once over the poverty we see everyday. I have also realized that I could have taken time from my so-called busy schedule to do more while in the states. God needs followers who are willing to ENGAGE in the world poverty issue!

Please hear my heart in this...I am not judging those of you who visit this site. I just want to let you in on what God is showing me and help us face the facts. A third of the world does not have access to clean, safe water, adequate food, hygiene or education. Though the richest believers in the world (middle-class Westerners) could END POVERTY, we have done practically nothing! Most are completely unaware and uneducated about this huge problem, which no doubt grieves our Lord more than we can know! We must educate ourseleves, seek God's will, and then obey. And we must do it quickly!

Home Remedy Anyone?

We need help from a housekeeper more proficient than ourselves. Here is the situation: We dust, sweep, mop, then dust again. In keeping with the culture, we keep our floor really clean so that people can take their shoes off at the door and we never wear shoes around the house. An hour after cleaning we can see dust accumulating on every flat surface! A dusts probably three times per day. We have no idea where it could be coming from or how to curb this problem. We have A/C and I’ve inspected it, thinking the problem could be coming from there, but it doesn’t seem to be the culprit. I bought a guitar stand so I could leave my guitar out where it would be handy to pick up, but I don’t want to leave it out because of this. Anyone out there have any thoughts? Nifty tricks? Critique of our cleaning habits? Home remedies? Old Wives Tales?