I made a great purchase the other day! My friend Ahao and I went on an adventure. Our goal... to get smarter. Or at least get Jessica smarter. Our first store was a little confusing, we couldn't find our smartness hidden among the pants and hats, so we decided to try a different place...
It was hard getting there. The wind was rough and the water was splashing all around, but after 10 minutes fighting the elements, we found the place which would make me smarter.
Once there, it didn't take long. I knew what I wanted and he (Ahao) took it from there. He laughed, he cried (not really), he made his voice sound like he couldn't believe what the seller was saying, he bargained hard for my smartness. He didn't want me to be cheated. I brought the money, he brought the brains.
Finally, it was in my hands, a brand new Samsung smartphone. It sure it smart... someday, I hope I will be as smart as it is...
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Ready... Aim... FIRE!
A friend bought a Groupon for the two of us to use. It was for a foot massage. When she told me it would take 1 1/2 hours, I knew it would just be for a foot massage. It wasn't...
It ended up being a foot massage, shoulder massage, leg massage, back massage, butt massage, arm massage, and,.. if you wanted it- fire cups!
Foot massages in China are a bit painful at times, but overall, very relaxing. The whole process nearly put my to sleep. The last thing I got were the fire cups. This was interesting. They heat up glass bottles with fire and suck them to your body. They stay on for about 10 minutes, then they pull them off and your done. It doesn't really hurt, but it's not very comfortable. It feels like someone is pinching a large section of your skin and slowly it gets tighter and tighter. Afterwards you have large black circles on your back for about a week and a half. My least favorite part is that they kinda itch afterwards.
Bad news... my masseuse told me I was too weak and should exercise more. He also said my shoulders and neck are messed up... *sigh* I really should start working out...
It ended up being a foot massage, shoulder massage, leg massage, back massage, butt massage, arm massage, and,.. if you wanted it- fire cups!
Foot massages in China are a bit painful at times, but overall, very relaxing. The whole process nearly put my to sleep. The last thing I got were the fire cups. This was interesting. They heat up glass bottles with fire and suck them to your body. They stay on for about 10 minutes, then they pull them off and your done. It doesn't really hurt, but it's not very comfortable. It feels like someone is pinching a large section of your skin and slowly it gets tighter and tighter. Afterwards you have large black circles on your back for about a week and a half. My least favorite part is that they kinda itch afterwards.
Bad news... my masseuse told me I was too weak and should exercise more. He also said my shoulders and neck are messed up... *sigh* I really should start working out...
Don't be afraid...
I love it when G-d uses your fears and turns them into blessings. I love it when HE throws opportunities at you. I love it more when you realize that it was an opportunity :) Here is an example...
All of my students know from day 1 of class that I am a Chrstian. Knowing that can create some interesting conversations at times. One of the more recent one went something like this.
student: Jessica, do you go to Chrch?
me: Yes
student: Where is it? I'm looking for one and I don't know where to go.
me: Well, it's actually a bunch of us foreigners that get together.
student: oh, I thought it was Chinese. Do you know of a Chinese one?
me: (being afraid of my students knowing what I do- I've been very careful not letting my school find out my second job) Some of my friends go to one, I'll ask them about it.
student: Great! I hope I can find one
a few days later- after talking with my Shepherd, we decided that if I felt safe, I could invite her, I mean, her soul is pretty important...
me: I know of a place you can go, want to meet and talk about it?
student: yes!!!!
After having lunch with her, I told her about our group, I told her about being careful, about how school can't find out. She was super excited and promised to keep it safe.
A month or so later...
text from our Ch-nese leader: your student will be washed next Sunday!
Thank you G0d. Thanks for throwing this opportunity at me and thanks for giving me the courage to take it. :)
Fear is an enemy. It can stop you from doing things you should or need to do. It's what the devil uses every day to stop us from spreading the Good News. Don't be afraid... I am the L0RD your G0D...
All of my students know from day 1 of class that I am a Chrstian. Knowing that can create some interesting conversations at times. One of the more recent one went something like this.
student: Jessica, do you go to Chrch?
me: Yes
student: Where is it? I'm looking for one and I don't know where to go.
me: Well, it's actually a bunch of us foreigners that get together.
student: oh, I thought it was Chinese. Do you know of a Chinese one?
me: (being afraid of my students knowing what I do- I've been very careful not letting my school find out my second job) Some of my friends go to one, I'll ask them about it.
student: Great! I hope I can find one
a few days later- after talking with my Shepherd, we decided that if I felt safe, I could invite her, I mean, her soul is pretty important...
me: I know of a place you can go, want to meet and talk about it?
student: yes!!!!
After having lunch with her, I told her about our group, I told her about being careful, about how school can't find out. She was super excited and promised to keep it safe.
A month or so later...
text from our Ch-nese leader: your student will be washed next Sunday!
Thank you G0d. Thanks for throwing this opportunity at me and thanks for giving me the courage to take it. :)
Fear is an enemy. It can stop you from doing things you should or need to do. It's what the devil uses every day to stop us from spreading the Good News. Don't be afraid... I am the L0RD your G0D...
Monday, April 22, 2013
Getting Things Done
I have this bad habit that I "write" blogs in my head. I make them so detailed that I forget later if I actually wrote it, or just thought about this. This blog I "wrote" the first time while washing dishes. So, if you already know this stuff, that means I just forgot I already wrote it.
With that intriguing introduction... let's get started. :o) It's quite interesting how I get things fixed in my home. Maybe it's the same as in America, but I've never rented a house, so I'm not sure how it works.
1. Call, text, or email (or all three) Deborah. She is in charge of paperwork for me getting to China. She's the one we talk to about money and apartment things. Basically anything besides what I teach.
2. Deborah calls Mr. Lin and tells him.
3. Collectively through text messages we come up with a time that Mr. Lin can visit (Mr. Lin doesn't speak any English)
4. Mr. Lin comes with Fixer Guy (no idea who this man is, but he's always the same guy). They look at the stuff. Mr. Lin talks to Fixer Guy. After deciding what they need to do to fix it...
5. We make another appointment for Fixer Guy to come alone. (Usually I can fumble through this conversation without Deborah's help).
6. Fixer Guy comes at or around appointed time.
7. I get to use my newly repaired/improved item!!
8, I hope that it stays working long term. :o)
pictures: These have nothing to do with my blog, but pictures are fun, so here some are.
With that intriguing introduction... let's get started. :o) It's quite interesting how I get things fixed in my home. Maybe it's the same as in America, but I've never rented a house, so I'm not sure how it works.
1. Call, text, or email (or all three) Deborah. She is in charge of paperwork for me getting to China. She's the one we talk to about money and apartment things. Basically anything besides what I teach.
2. Deborah calls Mr. Lin and tells him.
3. Collectively through text messages we come up with a time that Mr. Lin can visit (Mr. Lin doesn't speak any English)
4. Mr. Lin comes with Fixer Guy (no idea who this man is, but he's always the same guy). They look at the stuff. Mr. Lin talks to Fixer Guy. After deciding what they need to do to fix it...
5. We make another appointment for Fixer Guy to come alone. (Usually I can fumble through this conversation without Deborah's help).
6. Fixer Guy comes at or around appointed time.
7. I get to use my newly repaired/improved item!!
8, I hope that it stays working long term. :o)
pictures: These have nothing to do with my blog, but pictures are fun, so here some are.
 |
| This is the meal Britney cooked for us. 17 dishes!!! |
 |
| Relaxing afterwards. :) |
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
It's official
I guess it's actually been official for a while, and to be honest, I forget if I already posted this... But I have signed up to return to China for a fourth year. I love my family and friends in America, but I just don't feel like it's time for me to come back.
I'm not sure what will all happen next year, but I plan to stay at my current school for year three. I will have to move since my school will no longer provide my current apartment. I may move in with a Chinese friend. In fact, I have mentioned her a few times in my blog; The "runaway". I'll keep you updated as I prepare for my next here serving HIS sheep across the ocean.
I'm not sure what will all happen next year, but I plan to stay at my current school for year three. I will have to move since my school will no longer provide my current apartment. I may move in with a Chinese friend. In fact, I have mentioned her a few times in my blog; The "runaway". I'll keep you updated as I prepare for my next here serving HIS sheep across the ocean.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
A sad remark
Today in class we had some great debates. The activity was about starting a new civilization. There were 12 people who wanted to be saved, but they could only pick 6. Then, they had to defend their decisions. One of the 12 choices was a man with a religion. Only one out of nine groups picked this guy. They defended their decision quite well. "If we are going to start a new civilization we think they should have a belief. Everyone should have a belief. " I was feeling great... Yeah! You tell them!! ;) but... Then the debate kept going. I decided to let it. I was curious what they would say. One guy (he was sitting directly behind me) said quite loudly and clearly "G0d won't help you when your in trouble!"
They all know I'm a chsrtian, and I had a little reaction to that. Everyone gasped and looked at me. The boy was a little embarrassed. I wasn't upset with him, I was reminded that this is the philosophy of the majority of Chnese people. They are lost. They think people should have a belief, some even want one, they just don't know where to go or what to believe. So, they believe in what they see- themselves, their job, money and power. Earthly, temporary things.
Keep us all here in your thoughts please! We've got quite our work cut out for us. I'm thankful that I know someone who WILL help when I'm in trouble ;)
Picture: here are my students "writing down" their homework. They take a picture of their vocabulary words... Makes me laugh all the time. Does this happen in America?
They all know I'm a chsrtian, and I had a little reaction to that. Everyone gasped and looked at me. The boy was a little embarrassed. I wasn't upset with him, I was reminded that this is the philosophy of the majority of Chnese people. They are lost. They think people should have a belief, some even want one, they just don't know where to go or what to believe. So, they believe in what they see- themselves, their job, money and power. Earthly, temporary things.
Keep us all here in your thoughts please! We've got quite our work cut out for us. I'm thankful that I know someone who WILL help when I'm in trouble ;)
Picture: here are my students "writing down" their homework. They take a picture of their vocabulary words... Makes me laugh all the time. Does this happen in America?
My class
I love my class. They have great personalities, they respect me, and they work well together. There are things about them that make me laugh.
The other week we did an activity called "truth, truth, lie". You have to write two things true about yourself and one lie. The other teams get to vote on which one is the lie. Here were mine:
1. In grade school a boy pushed me and caused me to break my arm.
2. I've played basketball while riding on a donkey.
3. I rode on a tortoise once, fell off and hurt my wrist.
Which one is the lie????
Here are some of their truths:
-in high school, there were many girls who fell in love with me and I refused them all (I'm not surprised, I would have fallen in love with him too)
- if I didn't give money to my friends, they wouldn't play with me. (She said it was 10yuan a day, about $1.50)
- I went to a boy's bathroom just for fun. (I asked "why would you do that?" The class responded "for fun!")
- I had considered to have a relationship with a girl. (This is a girl... She said she only considered it-not sure why she would tell us this...)
The other week we did an activity called "truth, truth, lie". You have to write two things true about yourself and one lie. The other teams get to vote on which one is the lie. Here were mine:
1. In grade school a boy pushed me and caused me to break my arm.
2. I've played basketball while riding on a donkey.
3. I rode on a tortoise once, fell off and hurt my wrist.
Which one is the lie????
Here are some of their truths:
-in high school, there were many girls who fell in love with me and I refused them all (I'm not surprised, I would have fallen in love with him too)
- if I didn't give money to my friends, they wouldn't play with me. (She said it was 10yuan a day, about $1.50)
- I went to a boy's bathroom just for fun. (I asked "why would you do that?" The class responded "for fun!")
- I had considered to have a relationship with a girl. (This is a girl... She said she only considered it-not sure why she would tell us this...)
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