Electrifying

Contrary to popular belief, I actually do have a little spare time on my hands while being in China. So I have this love of reading. My Kindle has been one of the greatest investments I ever made for myself for being abroad, and for my life. I'm currently in the process of reading a book entitled "Barefoot Church". I recommend it. I recommend reading Shane Claiborne's "Irresistible Revolutions" first, then read "Barefoot Church". You may not agree with all the points made, but it will certainly give you a lot to chew on.
I could go on and on about reading, but I won't. I just love it. I also have this love of being creative. The cool thing about blogging is that they incorporate both. Reading the writing of others inspires creativity, and admiring others creativity spurs on more creativity and all-around goodness. So I've spent some time recently browsing blogs and the writings of others, those who are my age, those who are in different areas of life, in different areas of the world. I couldn't help but notice a few things.

1: there is such a huge emphasis on possessions, things that people want that are on a "wish list" for the future or things [physical things] their lives will be incomplete without.
2: there is such a huge emphasis on self-empowerment and self-promotion.
3: there is such a huge emphasis on dating, finding true love, and giving anyone and everything a try.

1: I think the reality of how different my life is just hit. In fact, looking at these blogs and looking at these themes makes me nothing but sad. It makes me want to grab people by the shoulders and shake them in the most kind and loving way, awaking them to a greater reality and richness to life. Really? A wish list for the top ten purses you hope to own some day? This is what consumes your mind and your thoughts? I have a friend who is currently working in Palestine, witnessing modern-day Apartheid first hand. I guarantee you that purses are the last thing on her mind.
I understand that people have different values. Even here, on team, it's evident that we each have different priorities and values in our lives, which when working together compliment each other well. There is a richness in living life with people who are willing to give up everything they have for serving others. Yes, we have possessions and things to get by, we certainly do not go without, but people always come first. Our wish lists consist of opportunities to have significant conversations with students

2: In all honesty, I haven't been in a Barnes & Noble in 9 months, but I know that if you do go there it's clear to see that a primary focus of publishing companies is to feed into the narcissism of society and the betterment of self.  Again, I think about this and it makes me nothing but sad.  Who are you trying to impress? I would so much rather be looked upon with favor by the homeless population than any boss I ever work for. True greatness comes from humbling yourself but that idea and mindset is so against the norm of what we're told to believe it makes no logical sense. Society is telling and people are believing that they are the only ones who can help themselves. I know I would be laughed at if I piped up to say "that's not true", but the reality is that they probably wouldn't even hear me because their heads are too deep in the get-yourself-ready-for-a-boyfriend-without-needing-botox books. Unfortunately so many of them (mostly women) are trying to to prepare themselves for #3.

3: I don't really want to touch this one because I still have so many questions and moments of simply shaking my head, but I feel like I have to, so I'll be as brief as possible. How is that society has twisted our thinking to believe that you're not successful if you're single? How is it that in order to be deemed as worthy of having something to say, you must have a significant other in order for your voice to be heard? Most importantly, where is this pressure coming from? I'm not a hippie [although i do love me a good tie-dye shirt], but I proudly proclaim "let go and live". I simply cannot understand why so many women and men for that matter are simply consumed with finding a partner in order to fulfill their place in the world. The truth is that you still have a place in this world without that significant, so use the place that you have!  Sorry, that's my two second rant.

Culture shock is going to be electrifying.
Oh society, I have a bone to pick with you when I come back.

Long Story Short

My original thought:
"Surely I can have one blog that is devoted to purely China, and one blog that is about being a young adult."

That's just the issue. I cannot simply be "China" and be a "young adult" as two separate things. I originally thought that China would be an adventure, and though it certainly is that, it is not just a stand-alone adventure. It is an intricate and meaningful part of the story of this young adult. It will forever continue to be a a crucial chapter, causing significant turnings in the story of "life". To separate the two would be a complete disservice to both, creating a catch-22 of sorts. Neither story would be completely satisfied without the other. The person in China and the young adult need each other to best serve and interact with the surrounding people, both in China and in America. Now looking in hindsight, i realize the ridiculousness of the original thought as I truly had no idea how these 11 months would be changing me and my story.

Speaking of story, I recently read a phenomenal book that I highly recommend everyone to read. Pronto. You see there is this famous author named Donald Miller who wrote a famous book. People then wanted to make a movie out of it so as they are going through the movie-making process, he writes another book about the things he learns along the way. It's really quite intriguing and he does a fabulous job at articulating parts of humanity that we all intrinsically know, but have never spoken. The book is called "A Million Miles In A Thousand Years". It's a quick read, it'll probably take you four hours total. Just a chapter a night [well, you'll want to read more than one at a time…].

It's got me thinking a lot about story, which seems to be a major concept of life in this semester. You see, we're building a curriculum based off of story, teaching second language learners to tell their story, incorporate story in their everyday lives, and recognize the story of others. The theme of each class is illustrated in another story, usually [well, always] a parable from the books of Matthew, Mark, or Luke. It's been a fabulous opportunity for me as a teacher to re-evaluate these stories and tell them in my own way, and it's served as a wonderful teaching tool in class to have students engaging with language they rarely use.

Anyways, you'll be hearing more about that at another time I'm sure. Long story short (haha), read the book and tell me what you think!

Dream Story: Romance & Escalators

So a friend of mine has some occasional blog entries with dreams that she has had. Literal dreams. Very rarely do I remember my dreams, but I told myself, “Self, if you happen to remember one, write it down.”

It was a weird one. But I told myself I would.  So that’s what I’m doing.

I was going to teach my pronunciation and phonetics course. In my hands I carried a lesson plan and a romance novel. I had an entire lesson planned, talking about vowel sounds, the international phonetic alphabet, and activities for them to do. I got to class and instead chose to read to them from the romance novel [mind you, I’ve never read a romance novel in my life…]. The class began with them fully engaged, but as fifteen, thirty, forty minutes passed they lost interest, throwing paper planes and texting on their phones. Even though I was aware of this I didn’t stop them or try to get their attention… I just kept reading. The bell sounded for a 5-minute break and something snapped in me, remembering the original lesson plan that was prepared.

“Class”, I said, “use this 5 minutes to prepare. When I come back, you’re going to have a little quiz”. And with that I darted out of the room.

I “remembered” that I had left their quizzes and their homework on my desk in the office. I was running down the hall to grab it, but my legs were an extra twenty pounds heavier. No matter how long of strides that I took, I couldn’t seem to reach the office. I tried to take a different route. I hung right. Instead of the corridor that is usually there, I entered a shopping mall, complete with people of all ethnicities, ages, and languages. I had to get to the office. I rounded corners, dodging babies in strollers and people with bulging bags.

I came to an escalator. Something in me told me that what I really wanted was so close. Something familiar and something that I needed was nearby. I quickly glanced all around, frantic, and hoping to find it. I wasn’t satisfied. In a panic I hopped on the escalator going down. I rode it for a long long time. Getting impatient, I began charging down, hopping over babies and diaper bags. I was still in the mall, so I chose an ally of stores to pursue. As I kept looking the crowd became less and less dense. I came upon my team leader, Dan, who was window shopping at what seemed to be a medieval sorcery store [which, if you know Dan, is not surprising at all.]. Panting and weak-legged I asked him in a super desperate manor “Dan, where is God?”

Super casually, Dan pointed upstairs. “Oh Kayla, you just missed Him. If you go up the escalator and hang right, His place is right on the end of the hallway.”

…and then I woke up.

Whats gotten into me?

I told myself i wouldn't do it. I told myself that I wouldn't let a month go by without updating my personal blog. Not while in China, because China is personal.

But I did it. I slipped up. I failed my personal expectations. It wouldn't be the first time.

But then I was looking upon some other writings and things of the like, and I realized that they are more personal in nature. And my mommy always tole me to share. So I figured I would do just that. In case you haven't gotten a chance to read up on what's happening on this side of the world, THIS is my life from January, and THIS is my life from February.

I'll do better next time, I promise.

It's just funny.

“It’s just funny”

That’s something those closest to me are accustomed to hearing, as it is often my excuse for bursting into a random fit of giggles.  Caught up in the world solely visible to me, replaying humorous events or envisioning possible interactions and encounters, out of my gut bubbles noises of delight. Of course, these bubbles overtake my being and entrance me to continuously laugh to the point at which I can’t remember the original entrancement. When left to explain myself, I often end up with a lack of words, and wonderful ‘memories’ that never happened.

It’s just funny.

How is it that you can be somewhere, but feel like you’re somewhere else? Caught in the purgatory between darkness and dreamland, my mind can take me to dozens and dozens of places, as rapid as film in a movie player. How is it that I can be laying in a bed in China, but feel my father shuffling down the hall? How is it that I can smell the kitchen on Old Ivy, or feel the cool counter tops in the tips of my fingers while laying in a bed, 7,000 miles away? What does it mean when I can feel someones hand in mine who is on the other side of the world? It’s just funny what our memory allows us to remember, and what it makes us forget. I am continually surprised by the vividness that is created and experienced, trapped behind my eyes, electronically firing through neurons.

It’s just funny.

My mind, when left to wander, will come up with completely ridiculous and unrealistic scenarios on its own. It is not a dog, it cannot be taken to Training School. It is not diseased and Ritalin won’t do a thing. My mind quickly and efficiently creates its own sagas and soap operas, most of which end in tears exploding from my face in needing to say goodbye to one whom I hold dear. Some of which involve re-living instances of the past and changing a thing or six. Still yet some of them involve achieving, reaching for a particular goal which the figment of my imagination wanted, but not me. Once in a leap year, they end with a happily ever after.

It’s just ...funny.

A Little Hint

Dear men who would like to date me,

If you’re looking for a way to steal my heart, let me give you a hint: take me to a place with water and lights. Preferably to a place where one could see the reflection of lights on the water. Deal=sealed.

Theres something purely magical about lights and water. I don’t know if that’s something that years of Disney has installed in me, or it it’s actually something so beautiful that it makes us as humans want it and crave it.

Our team found ourselves wandering the streets of Guangzhou and we came across lights and water and a skyline that made our jaws drop and makes cooing sounds escape from our mouths. Entranced would be the proper term to describe exactly what happened. We were captivated by the artistic and mystical atmosphere that was created by lush palm trees, pods of water that sprouted lanterns and lights, illuminated greenery, and a warm and gentle breeze. Together we joked that our hearts were stolen and never going back to the frozen tundra that we came from.

…don’t worry, we will.