Rice and Reason

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2010-07-01T16:41:00.002-04:00

Well we made it home at 3AM this morning. The flights over were probably the best we've ever had. We had virtually no layover time, we just kept going from flight to flight. Which turned out to be to our advantage.

This morning we spent getting reacquainted with some very important things: Bruegger's bagels, Tito's Pizza, Boda Pipes, and Coffee and Crema. Tonight is hot dog night and it will not come a second too soon.

We already started moving some of our things into our new apartment. We are so excited to begin this new chapter in our lives.

Final Exams

2010-06-22T09:50:00.001-04:00

Well here we are; only a little over a week to go and final exams have begun. This semester is off to a ravishing start. Only the second day and I already have 11 students who were caught cheating. It can only get better from here, right?

The apartment is once again turned upside down as we drowned in a sea of paperwork. We are determined to get our exams graded and the paper work done early. We'll need as much time as we can get to pack and say our final goodbyes.

8 days.

TSC

2010-06-20T01:58:00.002-04:00

This is a Three Self Church founded originally in 1934 in Tianjin. They still hold services in the building today.

There is the outer building that is connected through a narrow courtyard to the main meeting hall.

Hungry?

2010-06-19T03:47:00.001-04:00

Hungry? Why wait? Grab a giant earthworm.

Sum Up China

2010-06-18T01:35:00.001-04:00

Just think about it for a little while . . .

Packing

2010-06-17T00:39:00.001-04:00

So the packing has begun. We know it is still 2 weeks out, but doing a little every day is making the task much easier.

Unfortunately, most of our stuff is the husband's books. Heavy books. So we are doing our best to divide them up between 4 suitcases and 2 carry-ons. Also we have 3 massive paintings that a friend made for us that we could find no justification for leaving.

Throw in a few odds and ends and the suitcases are filling up fast! Most of our clothes will not be making the journey back with us. The main reason is they don't fit us anymore. We've lost so much weight that all our clothes are at least 2 sizes too big. We are not complaining; we enjoy these kind of hardships :-)

13 days.

The Italian District

2010-06-15T21:26:00.001-04:00

In the heart of Tianjin stands the Italian district. At the heart of the Italian district stands a massive angel statue fountain. By far one of the prettiest sites to see; especially at night.

Also, there were several Italian style villas and restaurants with, for the most part, fairly authentic Italian food. The atmosphere was lively and well Italian! Plenty of German(?) beer to go around and a great hang out spot for us to enjoy the World Cup.

TIANJIN 中国天津

2010-06-14T03:36:00.002-04:00

This past week we had the great pleasure of traveling to the city of Tianjin. We've posted a bunch of pictures from our trip and you can visit them by clicking on the link that says "view all pics here" on the side menu.

The above picture is of one of the massive buildings of Culture Street. This style architecture was built during the Qing dynasty.

We also visited Italy street. Which is where the Italians built a little section of the city mirroring the homeland. That portion of the city was allotted by the Chinese government to the Italian government as part of a trade agreement. The Italians are no longer here (except for this one ;-) but their architecture and art remains.

We'll try to have subsequent posts.

24hr Construction

2010-06-07T20:29:00.001-04:00

One impressive thing about China is there 24 hour a day 7 days a week construction.

This building is going to be 11 stories when all is said and done. Just a few feet from our campus apartment, they have been working non-stop for the past 6 weeks. With 2 cranes and over 100 workers the noise never stops. Fortunately, our windows block most of the sound.

Class Outside

2010-06-05T08:43:00.001-04:00

Now that the weather has finally turned, bright, sunny and warm days are here; we've decided to hold some of our classes outside. The students were so enthusiastic about it they insisted on taking a picture.

Yes, I did the entire class wearing my sunglasses.

Taking it to the Airwaves

2010-06-03T21:41:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I had the distinct honor and privilege of being a guest on a local radio show. Apparently being a foreigner has its perks!

The host asked me a lot of questions about differences between America and China, what I liked most about living here, etc. But I also had an opportunity to share about my marriage. Marriages in China are very difficult; it is believed that marriage means your life is over. As a result, Chinese people seek to delay marriage as long as possible. After a brief description of my marriage, the host asked me to explain why I was so happy with my wife and why our relationship was so good. And so I did. I explained who can be at the foundation of our relationships and help us to practice forgiveness and humility.

I thought it was time to give credit where credit was due.

Sleep Magic in a Bottle

2010-05-29T22:02:00.001-04:00

This little magic bottle has been the secret to a full night's sleep for the wife. Two of these 2 hours before bedtime and there is nothing but deep rest for at least 8 hours. The wife says it tastes like apple cider vinegar. So we asked our friend, the Chinese medicine student, if it was made from apple cider vinegar; she assured us there was neither apples nor vinegar in it.

So then, what is it? Chinese medicine. What is IN it? It could be anything from a simple herb to dehydrated snails, or even powdered turtle shells. This is China, ignorance is bliss.

Though perhaps a teaspoon of sugar will make the medicine go down, there isn't much that can stop it from coming back up.

Shopping in Walmart

2010-05-27T22:44:00.001-04:00

This little piggy went to the market.

In Class Conversation with Students

2010-05-25T05:57:00.001-04:00

The Husband: "What do we call a woman whose husband has died?"

Students: "A widow"

The Husband: "What do we call a man whose wife has died?"

Students: "Happy!"

Government Jobs

2010-05-23T08:27:00.001-04:00

Government jobs are government jobs no matter where you are in the world.

Winter to Summer

2010-05-22T02:54:00.001-04:00

The name of our city in Chinese means "eternal spring." Which actually is a a giant misnomer. Considering that winter lasts for 8 months out of the year, we find it difficult to imagine how our city got its name.

Last week the average temperature was in the 50's and raining. This week's average temperature is in the 90's. When exactly did spring poke its head in? Maybe while everyone was sleeping.

On a happier note, because all buildings in China are made of solid concrete and have spent the last 8 months in sub-zero temperatures, our apartments have a sort of natural air conditioning. It is 90 degrees outside, but we have our windows open because it is a cool 66 inside.

No Road Sign - Use Tree

2010-05-19T04:18:00.002-04:00

Apparently, they ran out of road signs that said "Caution: Giant Pothole in the Road Because the Manhole Cover is Missing."

So they used a tree instead.

Medical Memoirs of the Wife - PART 2

2010-05-14T01:00:00.000-04:00

Next thing I knew I was standing inside a tiny clinic waiting to see Kathy’s professor, who also practices medicine. . .

The front of the shop was lined in glass counters filled with over the counter remedies, and in back was the pharmacy of sorts -- tall chests of red lacquered drawers labeled in Chinese characters, and a man busy weighing, pulverizing and mixing various odd smelling substances.
I had no idea what to expect. We sat down on stools and waited for my turn to see the doctor. He was sitting at a small, cheap folding table midway back the shop, and in front of him were a small blue pillow and a prescription pad. When it was my turn he instructed me to lay my arm on the table palm up, with my wrist on the blue pillow. Then he put three fingers on my pulse and listened.

The check up lasted about 10 minutes. He would listen to my pulse, frown, scribble on his pad, ask me a question, listen again. More scribbling, more questions, more listening, a look at my tongue and it was all over. Kathy tells me that there are as many as 24 different patterns of pulse that a Traditional Chinese doctor is trained to listen for and discern. The questions were the same ones any western doctor might ask. I was surprised at how objective and even scientific it all was.

I received a plastic bag stuffed with doses of the medicine and instructed to take one packet three times a day, then see him in a week so he can re-evaluate my symptoms and see if the next round needs any adjustments. The doctor is firmly convinced he can help me. I remain skeptical, but have been amazed at the improvements on the medicine. The husband keeps teasing me about the hamburgers and breaded chicken he says I will soon be eating again.

Meanwhile, after every meal I submerge a packet in hot water to heat it up

pour it into a bowl (for purpose of faster chugging)

and down it goes!

I figure it can’t hurt me, it seems to be helping, and as long as I’m taking it it’s a great excuse to reward myself with candy three times a day. And for those who have asked me what it tastes like -- walk into your closest health food store, breathe deeply of the strange herbal smells... and imagine licking the floor. That’s all I’m going to say about that.

Medical Memoirs of the Wife - PART 1

2010-05-13T01:00:00.000-04:00

Anyone who has ever lived abroad knows that sometimes we do things just to say we did them, or just for the sake of a new cultural experience. We don’t actually expect to like new and strange foods, we just eat them so that we can say we tried it once. I expected my latest Chinese cultural experience to be one of those times.

I have a dear sister who is studying Chinese medicine. Often when I have a cold or other malady, she scribbles some characters on a scrap of paper and informs me of where I can get it and how to take it. These were all over the counter herbal remedies, and I never actually took any of them, because I prefer good old chicken soup and vitamin C. When she (we shall refer to her as Kathy) found out about my celiac, she told me she thought Traditional Chinese Medicine could help me.

I disagreed at first because there is no treatment known in America to have any effect on celiac outside of a life-long gluten free diet, and we know the disease to be genetic. Besides, aren’t Chinese Medicine doctors crazy spiritualists who subscribe to all sorts of strange eastern beliefs? On top of all that, I had heard that the herbal concoctions prescribed by this strange breed of doctors usually taste so bad that you must immediately wash the taste down with something else to prevent your natural reflexes from suddenly and violently rejecting it.

After talking with the Husband for a few days about Kathy’s offer to take me to a good doctor, I changed my mind and decided to try it. We reasoned that one time in my life I will be in China with this condition, and if there is no treatment in America, I may as well try what China has to offer while I am here (though I drew the line at needles and meridian points! No acupuncture for me, thank you). We also decided that Kathy is strong enough to know the difference between medicine and philosophy. If she says it’s strictly medicine, well then I’m willing to check my western hang-ups at the door.

Next thing I knew I was standing inside a tiny clinic waiting to see Kathy’s professor, who also practices medicine. . .

to be continued tomorrow.

Focusing on What Can Be Eaten

2010-05-12T08:03:00.003-04:00

Lately we have had to focus on the foods that the wife can eat. This includes mostly fruit and rice.

Two of her favorites include mini-nectarines and mini-mangos. They have just come into season and are especially good and cheap. That is one of the blessings of living in China; the abundant supply of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Typical Convos

2010-05-11T09:38:00.001-04:00

The Wife: "I'm going to take a nap"

Student: "What is this? Is it a fruit?"

The Wife Revising in Chinglish: "It is the same as 'have a rest'"

****

The Husband to a friend: "You are too nervous. You need her to work on you."

Student begins to massage friend.

The Husband to student: "Do you specialize in massage therapy?"

Student: "Acupuncture"

The Husband: "Cool! Can you stick needles in his neck? I want to see that."

Friend: "I'mmmm not comfortable with that."

Student: "I brought my needles with me. Don't be nervous."

(Friend gets more nervous)

****

Battery Powered Snicker Bars

2010-05-10T04:15:00.002-04:00

PRESS RELEASE:

ALL NEW! Battery powered Snicker Bars! Hungry? Why wait for your old Snickers bars when you can have supercharged Alkaline Snickers! Alkaline Snickers is the latest in cutting edge technology. It is a energy bar without the carbs! Where does the energy come from? Two triple A Energizer batteries!

Before eating, simply insert the batteries into your Snicker bar. Carefully eat around the battery and prepare yourself for a supercharged candy bar experience!

This is one product for which we are proud to say "BATTERIES INCLUDED."

Cinco De Mayo!

2010-05-07T01:00:00.000-04:00

This week we took a night to do something we never get to do. EAT MEXICAN FOOD!!!

Together with the help of a few friends we scrounged up all the necessary ingredients to make a successful, authentic mexican dinner. Thanks to everyone's efforts we had mexican rice, beef, chicken, chips and salsa for burritos! We even had homemade sour cream! (1 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 tblsp of vinegar).

Ok so maybe ping pong is not exactly Mexican, but our homemade pinata never materialized. Hey, you gotta make do with what you got.

And You Thought Only Germans Had Good Beer

2010-05-06T01:00:00.003-04:00

One of the most popular drinks in China is beer. The one type of beer that the Chinese are most proud of is QingDao beer.

During World War 1 Germany occupied the current city of QingDao on the East coast of China. One of the fortunate blessings that grew out of that occupation was the German's fascination with beer. Over many years that Germans passed on the recipe of good beer making to the Chinese in QingDao. From then on, QingDao became the beer producing capital of China.

It is no wonder that the Chinese are proud of the popularity of QingDao beer. The Chinese have seemingly perfected what the Germans engineered. At just 50 cents (USD) a can, it is easy to see why it the most popular beer in China.

Laborl Day Picnic

2010-05-04T01:00:00.002-04:00

This past weekend was Labor Day in China. We decided to celebrate it American style with a few Chinese and American friends. We had some ground beef for burgers and a friend made some ka-bobs and someone else brought a grill. We loaded our treasure trove of goodies into 3 taxis and headed for Tong Ye park.

However, before we could leave we all had to chip in and make the ka-bobs.

Once we arrived at the park, we knew it was going to be a great picnic. The weather was gorgeous. It was about 65 degrees, not too windy, and beautiful clear blue skies. We picked a spot close to the river.

We spread a couple of blankets out. Not that we needed them, but it made it a little more comfortable.

We probably spent more time that we ought to have trying to get the grill started.

In the meantime we threw around a football.

Some of the guys grilled the ka-bobs. They actually look like they know what they are doing!

Finally it was chow time!

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is an American hamburger . . . made in China.

A Final Decision

2010-05-02T07:37:00.003-04:00

As we are sure you are aware by now, our journey in China has not been an easy one. We have had consistent health problems from the beginning; more for Kara than for Mario.

After much wise counsel and consideration we feel led to leave China and return to the states. We are deeply saddened to leave China. It is difficult to explain in detail all the factors we took into consideration to make this decision, but the major overarching issue is Kara's health. We are unable to sustain a viable diet for her to maintain stable well being. We were hoping to see marked improvement in her health that would indicate to us that staying long term was a viable option. Unfortunately, her health has continued to slowly decline.

In a way, we view this as an answer to our requests. We were seeking His will as to His plan for us in China. He has made it abundantly clear that we cannot effectively work here given our strict dietary needs.

We are not sure what the future holds when we return in July (8 weeks); we are hoping to continue to work in full time service in some capacity. We are beginning to explore current opportunities, but nothing is certain as of yet.

Thank you everyone for all your thoughts and support. We could not have lasted this long without your graciousness and generosity.

(We will continue to post periodic updates to this blog)

Underwater Basket-Weaving

2010-04-30T01:00:00.001-04:00

Or should that be underwear basket-weaving?

Our washing machine likes to get creative with our laundry. Now if we can just get it to actually clean our clothes . . .

How to Be an Efficient Little Celiac: A Pictorial Guide (by The Wife)

2010-04-28T01:00:00.000-04:00

My kitchen is small. Really small. Remember when walk-in closets were so small they couldn’t fit two people? That’s how small my kitchen is. What I refer to as “counter space” would more aptly be called a “windowsill”. When I realized I was going to have to cook every bite of food I put in my mouth and shop solely in the produce and meat departments, I decided I would have to find a way to get the most out of my closet, er... kitchen. So here is my streamlined kitchen, in pictures.First, every meal starts here, with my rice cooker. This was one of my first purchases after returning to China with a Celiac [self] diagnosis. This little guy is a life-saver! I tucked him into this little space right next to the stove, so as to leave the windowsill as free as possible.
Biggest drawback: it’s so close to the range that I have to wipe the splatters off of it after every meal. No biggie.
Greatest joy: nobody’s allergic to rice, right? I go through a ton of this stuff.

The next step in every meal happens here at my permanent chopping, slicing, dicing station. I leave this cutting board here all the time, because with no such thing as frozen foods, every meal involves this corner of the windowsill.

Biggest drawback: with all this slicing and chopping, my fingers have banded together to inform me that it is unfair they should take the brunt of my new diet. I’m learning better knife technique, but I’m thinking of investing in one of those stainless finger guards.
Greatest joy: While chopping, I get to people watch! I love to stare out the widow at all the students walking by (usually arm in arm), and wonder what it must be like to live in their world. I also get a daily dose of asian fashion, which is far more becoming and far less quirky than what you’ve been led to believe (though it definitely has it’s quirky moments).

Here is my range. It has only two burners, which is typical. In fact most restaurants I’ve been in only have two burners in their kitchen. Wow. Anyway, I’m learning to cook more and more on the stove and less and less in the oven. In fact, my cooking skills in general have been radically better lately. All the practice is paying off!
Biggest drawback: How I miss bigger ranges!

Greatest joy: Words like “deglaze”, “reduce”, and “sear” are becoming my second language, and I’ve even invented a dish or two! Seriously, it is a real blessing to become more adept in the kitchen, and I’m very thankful for this opportunity to cook and learn so much.
Here’s my poor neglected oven

Finally, this is where every meal ends. Be thankful for your dishwashers, folks! The metal bowl is my washbasin, and I dry dishes on the rack and on the top of the oven on a towel. I try really hard not to get behind, but when I do, the Husband is often very kind in helping out.

Biggest drawback: the kitchen is on a separate water heater, which is the size of a basketball. I have to be really careful with hot water, or I run out of hot water before I run out of dishes!

Greatest joy: I’m actually learning to love doing dishes.

I’m getting better at all of this, but I’m also seeing more and more how Chinese culture revolves around food. Even though I’m learning to handle my diet, I’m feeling increasingly isolated. In a culture where virtually all relationships revolve around eating common food together, this is a big problem.

Thank you to all who have been faithfully thinking of me!

Truth: Prescription for Guilt

2010-04-26T00:09:00.001-04:00

"I just feel really guilty" she said as she used napkin to wipe the tears from her eyes that seemed to pour from the dark clouds of emotion that loomed over her countenance. "I don't want to be responsible for him becoming a failure."

I had just finished the second part of a two part lecture on counseling couples in relationships. We examined some important principles and worked our way through some pretty hairy case studies. She had attended both my lectures and when the last one was over she asked very softly if she could talk to me.

"Sure" I said "I'd be happy to. What can I do for you?" The last of the attenders were drifting out.

"My situation is very much like one of your case studies" she said. I told her to have a seat.

"How so?"

The tale she went on to relate for the next 45 minutes (interrupted only briefly by my clarification questions) was one that is so typical of Chinese adolescence, and one that I had heard umpteen times before. She was in love. But her parents did not approve of her boyfriend and insisted on her breaking up with him. Her boyfriend was a college flunk out and so chose the only recourse left for him, the army. He is a demanding, immature, controlling, selfish and childish spoiled brat who, by all her friends' opinions, did not deserve her.

So why the reluctance to give him up? Why the tenacity to hold on to the "bad boy"?

These were the questions we had to explore. The answers I found were ones as old as sin itself. We desire the forbidden. There is something irresistibly attractive in what we cannot have. Eve knew this desire all too well. It was her and Adam's forbidden desires that plunged mankind into it's present state of depravity.

As we talked more I soon discovered that she did not even enjoy being in the relationship and believed she would be happier if she broke up with him.

There was something more. What else would make her want to hold on to something that she KNEW could not bring her happiness? That's when she said something that perked my attention. "I just feel really guilty.I don't want to be responsible for him becoming a failure." Jackpot. She felt her actions would cause him to fail at being a soldier (his last resort) even though he was clearly the only one responsible for his past failures in life. Aside from the fear of man issues waiting to be explored, I made my way right for the heart. Using Truth I had to show her how to deal with her guilt and help her to believe the truth.

As she got up to leave, those dark clouds had been replaced with sunshine. Armed with the truth in a renewed mind she bore the confidence to bear the fruit.

Dear Mr Sun

2010-04-24T01:32:00.001-04:00

Dear Mr Sun,

I don't know if you noticed us or not, but the other day we saw you peaking out from behind the clouds. We weren't sure if it was really you, but then when we saw your big beautiful face and we were sure it couldn't be anyone else.

It was so good to see you. Please don't be such a stranger. It feels like we haven't seen you in ages. Anyway, we hope to see you again soon. Maybe next time you could stay for a little while. You always make our days so much better.

Open Letter to Our Common Ancestor

2010-04-21T05:56:00.003-04:00

Dear Adam,

I am not very happy with you right now. Because of you and your proud and selfish actions I have spent the last 36 hours in the worst pain of my life. It all started with being extremely cold. Like no matter how many layers of clothing you wear under how many blankets you can not get warm. Slowly, tight stomach cramps settled in. These turned into shooting pains and aching kidneys. Eventually my whole body ached and I couldn't get comfortable to save my life. I spent several hours moaning and groaning begging for relief, but none found me.

As time dripped by my stomach muscles began to clamp up. Long about 4:30AM I got that sinking feeling in my stomach and sweaty palms. I rushed to the bathroom in time to heave what felt like my entire gastrointestinal tract. This spelled relief for about 30 minutes, where I was promptly struck with the most uncomfortable case of nausea. Hours past as I drifted in and out of consciousness blazing with a high fever moaning unintelligibles.

Finally, after a 4 hour nap I broke my fever and nausea subsided. I woke at 3:30PM to find a beautiful day had passed and left me sweat through my clothes. So Adam, I blame you for the events of the last 36 hours of my life. Had you not stooped in arrogance to breaking divine law, none of this would have happened. I certainly hope you're happy.

The one evidence of grace in all this was the wife's patient, tender love and kindness in nursing me back to sanity. Even now, she putters around the kitchen preparing a suitable dinner for me; eggs and dry toast.

I am very upset with you Adam, but I guess had our roles been reversed I could not honestly say I would not have made the same choice.

Snow to Rain

2010-04-19T04:57:00.001-04:00

Well most of the snow has melted. Now we have entered the rainy season. It has rained for the past 4 days straight. We actually don't mind it too much. The temperature is beginning to warm up. It was 45 degrees today and the forecast says it is supposed to reach 60 by Saturday.

In other news the wife has one of the best weeks health wise followed by one of the worst. However, currently she is feeling great and is making great strides toward better overall heath. The time has come for us to decide if we will be renewing our contract with the university for another year, or if we need to come home to be able to stabilize the wife's health situation.

This isn't an easy decision.

Seriously, It is APRIL People!!!!

2010-04-14T23:50:00.002-04:00

So we woke up this morning and looked out our window. Look what the wind swept in: 3 inches of snow!!

IT IS APRIL PEOPLE!!! Seriously!

Someone contact the global warming nuts and tell them if they want anymore proof that global warming is a hoax they need to come to northeast, China!!!!

I Never Thought it Would Get this Bad

2010-04-12T22:49:00.001-04:00

Well it has finally happened. The wife and I are now sleeping in separate beds and in separate rooms. I have to admit I never thought things were going to get so bad that we would not be able to sleep together anymore. But when she has a reaction she can't lie still and can't go to sleep. She just tosses and turns for incessantly for hours. So out of kindness and grace she will go sleep in the living room so she won't keep me up. Wait, what did you think I meant when I said we were now sleeping in separate beds and in separate rooms? SHAME ON YOU!!! How could you think that?!?!?!

ANYWAY, the wife hasn't slept in 3 days. This is strange because we have been cooking all of our meals and being extra careful. We are not sure where she might be getting a hold of something.

At the very least we appreciate you remembering and uplifting her.

And while you're at it you can repent of those thoughts you had when you first starting reading this post.

You've Been in China Too Long When . . .

2010-04-06T00:33:00.001-04:00

- you forget what clean air smells like.
- you barely flinch when you see a small child emptying his bowels in the street.
- you find yourself crying over a menu in a western restaurant because they serve salad.
- you haven't eaten anything baked in months.
- you eat every kind of meat off the bone, and spit the bones on the table.
- you can expertly maneuver your bike through any traffic situation.
- you know how to use a squatty potty.
- grown men and women often say hello to you, and when you reply they run away giggling.
- you can't decide if you love or hate the country you're living in.
- you see nothing wrong with standing on a white stripe in the middle of a highway while cars whiz past you at 90kph
- you don't blink an eye when a complete stranger wants to take a photo of you with his family
- you eat soup with chopsticks
- you use Kleenex for table napkins
- you drink warm sodas and find them refreshing
- you no longer use articles when you speak ("we went to store and see friend there")
- you bargain with the grocer over the cost of a head of lettuce
- you no longer question why nothing has an expiration date
- you buy a movie on DVD that hasn't even been released in the theaters yet

- you accept that the red stamp is all powerful
- you find yourself spitting in public places (i.e. the street, restaurant) and not thinking twice
- you start wearing a face mask on windy days and wonder at the "silly foreigners" who don't do the same
- the smell of dorian (stinky fruit) doesn't faze you anymore
- you have learned to enjoy being stared at by strangers
- you stare back at the strangers
- long underwear is a wardrobe staple 6 months of the year
- you have trouble sleeping when you go home for a visit because the beds are too soft
- you have ten different responses to the question, "Do you like China?"
- you know ten different ways to point out a foreigner in Chinese.
- you point out foreigners to your friends even though you're foreign yourself.
- you find yourself asking anyone and everyone if they can make the price cheaper.
- you know words in Chinese for which you don't know the translation in English.
- you answer 'China' when people ask where you're from
- you answer 'China' when people ask where you live

- you get a discount if you speak Chinese, but you pay more for English
- you start thinking that stupid questions are reasonable
- you call home and your family tell you to speak faster and stop correcting their grammar and pronunciation
- you think that having the runs for 2 weeks is normal
- you completely ignore most people who say "hello" to you

- you say "maybe" when you mean "yes"
- you have a conversation while sidestepping feces, vomit, and mysterious green puddles on the sidewalk without blinking.
- you eat cake with chopsticks
- you answer 'So is mine.' when people say their English is so poor
- there are only 4 students sleeping in class and you consider it a good class.
- you start saying "play computer" and "have a rest" and other assorted chinglish.
- you hold hands with others of the same sex and think nothing of it
- you avoid touching those of opposite sex like they have cooties.
- you whole-heartedly agree with things that you don't agree with.
- smoking does less harm to your lungs than breathing
- you point over your back with your thumb when using the past tense.
- everyone wants to teach you Chinese
- you tell people you don't understand, so they write it for you - in Chinese.
- groups of people find it fascinating to watch you buy an orange at a fruit market.

- you are annoyed by all the foreigners in big cities.
- the ugliest western man always has a beautiful Chinese girlfriend.
- a hike up a mountain calls for a plastic grocery bag full of junk food.
- you start thinking instant coffee tastes pretty good.
- only five minutes of prep time for a unannounced class no longer fazes you
- evaluating the contents of your shopping cart is the past-time of all the other shoppers in the store
- you leave your laundry hanging up for more than a day its dirtier than it was before you washed it
- at English Corner (aka English Speaker Cornered) a person asks you how to "improve my oral English" and when you tell them the only way is to continually practice they walk away dejected and sad
- you begin to question your own pronunciation
- you can use "face" as a weapon

- you actually believe you're here to teach English

Spicing Things Up

2010-04-02T20:41:00.005-04:00

This is the wife's definition of a proper "spice rack." A rack with every spice known and unknown to man. I don't complain. Last week she made the most amazing pork chops this side of the world has ever dreamed about. The spices definitely played into that.

Sometimes when we take trips to different places and we are gone over a meal, the wife will take a hot soup or something in this thermos. She is quite the efficiently little wife.

Unfortunately, it is only a single serving thermos, so I have to eat moon pies, chocolate dove bars, and snickers. It's rough, but someone has to make the sacrifice.

Little House in the City

2010-03-30T22:05:00.002-04:00

Well I couldn't title this post "Little House on the Prairie" because we aren't on a prairie, although the decor lately leaves one reminiscing of Laura Ingalls.

The wife took her mother-in-law's advice and is putting her fruits and vegetables in a basket as opposed to our 1 square foot refrigerator. They are actually last for three whole days now. Kudos to hubby's mum!

Now all we need is to get the wife on the coupon regiment and we'll spend 13 cents a week on groceries like the wife's mum. Seriously, who else do you know pays for groceries with a quarter and gets change back?

Logic

2010-03-28T02:51:00.001-04:00

The husband: (looking at a stain on his shirt)

How did I get a stain?

Is it coming from me?

Is it coming from the inside?

(looking inside his shirt)

Have I been SHOT?!?

(it was BBQ sauce)

The Weekend

2010-03-26T22:31:00.001-04:00

We got together for an encouragement party last night, unfortunately when the wife gets a hold of wheat, this is usually how she ends up spending the evening. Curled up on the couch with a fever and nausea seems to be more than norm lately.

One change we have had to make to reduce the number of reactions is shopping for fresh produce and meats 3 times a week. Aside from the time and energy involved in such excursions, there is the considerable increase in expense. While in America we spent roughly $75 USD a week on groceries. Now, here in China, where the exchange rate is in our favor, we spend about $150 USD a week on groceries.

And still, it has been very hard to stay away from wheat and cross-contaminated products. Because of days like this, we often have to miss out on activities or cancel our prior commitments because she is just unable to do anything. Today were scheduled to go on a trip with students to the Yitong Volcano. We had to cancel.

As days like these become more and more the norm, it leaves us asking the question again and again of how much longer we can stay in China.

More Handsome-er Than a Textbook

2010-03-23T06:08:00.002-04:00

The Husband (to a student in class): "You look distracted. I don't think you have even looked at your textbook."

The Student: "I haven't. I am looking at you."

The Husband: "Why?"

The Student: "Because you are more handsome than the textbook."

The Husband: "Well, it's nice to know that at the end of the day you judge my looks in reference to a textbook."

Where's the Water?

2010-03-22T04:36:00.002-04:00

What makes shopping 3 times a week and cooking every meal every day even worse? Having no water. For some unexplainable reason (and believe me, we've tried to get an explanation) they have turned the water off in the apartment building.

As a consolation prize we received one free 5 gallon jug of water (pictured above). I guess that is supposed to tide us over until they turn the water back on. Current estimates say we will be out of water for 3 days. Either this is going to make the most creative shower known to man, or just some really smellly people.

They do realize that if this was America they would have a riot on their hands, right? I guess that's the point. We're not in Kansas anymore.

Kant Ignore the Past: Immanuel Kant vs. Peter Kreeft and the Effects of the Enlightenment on Modernity

2010-03-20T04:37:00.003-04:00

vs.

Recently I've been studying enlightenment philosophy as part of my graduate education. I have been consistently amazed at how what some people wrote 350 years ago has so definitively shaped modern liberal theology, pseudo-orthodoxy and orthopraxis.

In particular I am thinking of Kantian philosophy. Immanuel Kant is considered by many to have sort of kicked-off the enlightenment movement. I would try to write something original about it, but instead, I will simply extensively quote Roman Catholic Theologian Peter Kreeft who has written a brilliant analysis of Kant and the effects of his philosophy on modern Christianity.

"If we ever engage in conversation about our faith with unbelievers, we know from experience that the most common obstacle to faith today is ... the assumption that religion cannot possibly concern facts and objective truth.

The business of religion, according to this mindset, is practice and not theory; values, not facts; something subjective and private, not objective and public. Dogma is an "extra," and a bad extra at that, for dogma fosters dogmatism. Religion, in short, equals ethics. And since Christian ethics is very similar to the ethics of most other major religions, it doesn't matter whether you are a Christian or not; all that matters is whether you are a "good person." (The people who believe this also usually believe that just about everyone except Adolf Hitler and Charles Manson is a "good person").

Kant is largely responsible for this way of thinking. He helped bury the medieval synthesis of faith and reason. He described his philosophy as "clearing away the pretensions of reason to make room for faith"—as if faith and reason were enemies and not allies.

Kant thought religion could never be a matter of reason, evidence or argument, or even a matter of knowledge, but a matter of feeling, motive and attitude. This assumption has deeply influenced the minds of most religious educators (e.g., catechism writers and theology departments) today, who have turned their attention away from the plain "bare bones" of faith, the objective facts narrated in Scripture and summarized in the Apostles' creed. They have divorced the faith from reason and married it to pop psychology, because they have bought into Kant's philosophy."

While Kreeft and I differ on many points, I have to give him a pat on the back for this. Unfortunately, many today view religion as something "private" and thus with great hesitancy are even willing to discuss it. This would not be half as bad if this attitude had not permeated the Church. Unfortunately, Sunday after Sunday our pulpits preach to nothing more than pew warmers.

How far we have come from the days of Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield, who had men echoing the Philippian jailer with a beggar's passion "What must I do to be saved?"

see Peter Kreeft's whole article at: http://www.peterkreeft.com/topics-more/pillars_kant.htm

AMERICAN BEER: The Result of Feminism

2010-03-17T22:12:00.004-04:00

OR

As Herman Melville put it: “The world’s on a ship passage out, and not a voyage complete; and the pulpit is its prow.” This quote describes wonderfully how feminism ruined beer. Our culture is lead by its pulpits. As the preachers of Christianity became emasculated, our culture was dragged into effeminacy. Part of this trend in our culture is reflected in the destruction of our beer.

We see the result of this curse in the drastic disparity between American beer and the beer served throughout Europe during the last century. For decades America’s beer of choice has been the watered-down lager, brewed (as was recently advertised) in vats the size of Rhode Island; whereas our European brothers have enjoyed a diverse selection of the richest and darkest beers. What transpired in the American religion to rob us of this selection? Our culture, with our European ancestors, began well, but something happened along the way.

Beginning in Europe, one of the most Christian beverages in the European world was beer. Charlemagne’s favorite brewer, Saint Gall, was a Christian missionary to the Celts. Shortly after Charlemagne’s reign, the church became Europe’s exclusive brewer, and in order to imbibe, one needed to be on good terms with the church. When a young woman was married, the customary response to any wedding gifts was a special ale the church brewed called the “bride ale” (which later evolved into our word bridal). This close association between the church and beer was originally part of our own country’s heritage. When the pilgrims, seeking religious freedom, landed at Plymouth rock, the first permanent building put up was the brewery.

However, somewhere along the road America lost its stomach. This is evidenced in the type of beer selections that Americans have been given over the last eighty years. Europe has been blessed with a great variety of beers, from the Belgian Ale to the English Porter. America, however, has had one beer—a watered down lager in an aluminum can. Why is that?

During the latter half of the nineteenth century and into the beginning of the twentieth, American culture experienced a major shift in power. This shift is more thoroughly described in the Thema of this issue, but the result was a bowing of the church to feminism. As the reins of the clergy passed into female hands, piety became blurred with femininity. This abdication of masculinity paved the way for prohibition. In general, beer, especially the darker beer, is a drink preferred by men. But as femininity became enshrined as godliness, the feminine scorning of alcohol became more and more synonymous with virtue.

During the early twentieth century, the fight for a dry country and the fight for women’s suffrage went hand in hand. The following lines from a prohibition era song demonstrate this: “But if the men can’t drive it out we’ll call for women voters; they’ll scrub out the nation’s barber shop with all the whiskey bloaters. When we get women voters, good-by to beer-keg toters.
O-ho! O-ho! When we get women voters.”

In order to drive out the sins of America, what we needed was women voters! Many of the prohibition songs display this presumption that the sanctifying influence in this world was femininity. “Twas near the hour of midnight, two lovers loitered late. The moon hung o’er the city, while they hung o’er the gate. And as he stooped to kiss her, his arm around her belt, an odor strong of liquor then suddenly she smelt. In vain he did deny it, then vowed he’d drink no more; When she replied, sarcastic, ‘I’ve heard such talk before.’ How often, O how often, he begged, and then did sigh; how often, O how often he listened for reply. At last, in desperation, he swore that he would quit; but in the moonlight tender, she simply said, ‘You git.’”

Prohibition was simply applied feminism, and the passing of the eighteenth amendment was feminism victorious. When prohibition was finally repealed in 1933, most of the breweries had gone under. Only a few of the largest had been able to survive during prohibition by making malt products or near beer. (It was often said that whoever named near beer was a poor judge of distance.) When prohibition was finally repealed the remaining breweries were then left with the task of reintroducing the American people to beer.

Since only the largest breweries had survived, brewing became a mass-marketing endeavor. Beer was pumped out as quickly as possible and marketed to please the greatest number possible. Unfortunately, the repeal of prohibition had not removed the great prejudices against the drink. To fight the resentment that women had against beer, the breweries had to market their product to please women. This became even more important as World War II replaced the working man with Rosy the Riveter. Brewers had to brew beer that the working woman would like. The solution was a very light beer that anyone could get down—a lager.

The lager is a lighter, practically clear beer. It’s a far cry from the dark, chewy porters and much more appealing to feminine tastes. American brewers even advertise how few calories lagers contain, appealing to the weight-conscious female mind. It would seem that the goal of American brewers has been to brew a beer that bears as little resemblance to beer as possible.

Recently, as the micro-brew market has opened up, America has seen the resurgence of a number of great beers. But this is only a superficial recovery. While it is true that we are now offered a variety of beers, the root of the problem remains. The church, in general, still links the prohibitionist mentality to piety and can’t even stand alcohol in the Lord’s Supper. It would appear that the American culture aptly portrays the American church. We have an emasculated church and wimpy beer to match.

This article was originally written by Ben Merkle and published in Credenda/Agenda vol 11 no 2.

Why It Is So Frustrating

2010-03-17T01:40:00.002-04:00

What makes life in China so frustrating at times? Aside from not having a refrigerator which causes us to grocery shop 3 times a week, the food that we do get doesn't keep. In case you are wondering what exactly that is in the picture above, it is supposed to be fresh green peas. The white stuff is mold that formed 48 hours after we bought it. This is fairly typical of food in China. Unless you buy food and cook it the same day, it is basically lost.

Still want to complain about food containing preservatives?

Not Quite. But Almost.

2010-03-16T05:11:00.001-04:00

The Husband: "There are two elements to every argument of logic. A premise and a conclusion. For example: premise = That animal has wings, can fly, and eats worms. What is the conclusion?"

The Students: "It is a bird."

The Husband: "Very Good. Now, here is another example. Premise = That animal has 2 legs, is majestic, and bald. What is the conclusion?"

The Students: "It is YOU!"

The Husband: "Actually it's an eagle."

Two For One, No Wanton

2010-03-13T04:18:00.002-05:00

One popular thing to see here in China is the free bonus item you find stuck to random groceries via masking tape. There is the free salad bowl that comes with your toothpaste. The peanut butter that is attached to a package of tissues.

One of our favorite freebies is the orange juice attached to the can of Pringles. After all, you should brush your teeth after eating a salad, wipe your mouth with a tissue after consuming peanut butter, and, of course, down some OJ after devouring a can of Pringles.

Move over buy-one get-one free. Buy-one get-one random semi-relevant object free is here to stay. (sorry is that too many hyphens?)

Close Encounters of the Gay TSA Officer Kind

2010-03-10T04:06:00.002-05:00

Ok so here is the long awaited gay encounter post.

It all began as the wife and I were in line going through security at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. She was ahead of me and passed through fine. I put my coat, laptop, and shoes on the conveyer belt to pass through the x-ray machine and stepped forward to walk through the metal detection box thingy. The TSA security man waved me through. He was a short and very skinny middle aged man. He never actually made eye contact with me, but starred with a fixed gaze at my pants.

Now, when traveling internationally the last thing you what is to where tight or uncomfortable fitting clothes. So I decided to wear the most comfortable pair of pants I own, a pair of blue flannel pajama pants. Don't misunderstand, they don't look like pajamas, they look like really comfortable pants.

As I passed through the metal detector his eyes never strayed from my pants. He didn't notice the metal detector and whether or not it buzzed. "Those look comfortable" was his opening line, "I'd sure like a pair like that."

"Uh . . . yeah they are comfortable." Was all my now awkward and grossed out brain could think to say. "They even have pockets" he said as his eyes darted all over the place, "Do they have pockets on the back too? I'd like to see if there are any pockets back there."

"Uh nope, no pockets." I said as I looked at the wife with a face as if to say "Can you believe this?" and walked briskly to get my stuff which had by this time cleared its security check.

I've never wanted a shower more in my life than at that moment.

Everything But the Kitchen Sink

2010-03-08T22:32:00.001-05:00

So I am working on the computer when all of a sudden I hear POP followed by Ssssssssssssssssssssssssssss and a girly voice saying "Uh, baby . . . "

It was the kitchen sink. The hose had rusted out and decided to spew gallons of water all over the floor. I was able to quickly shut off the valve. However the real mess was yet to come.

After contacting the building supervisor and apprising him of the situation he sent the maintenance guy up immediately to fix the sink. Which apparently warranted removing the sink from its very fixed position and depositing the contents on the kitchen floor.

With a few hoses replaced it was wisted back into place and the nice maintenance man was off to have his supper.

The Cross Contamination Factor

2010-03-07T04:03:00.003-05:00

The last four days have been somewhat of a test period for the wife. Over those four days she has had 3 severe reactions to food. In the first instance we told the restaurant we were eating at not to use any wheat products in our meals. The food definitely look differently than when we had ordered from them before and its flavor was dramatically altered. Nevertheless, the results were catastrophic and the wife was confined to bed.

In the second case, she had three french fries from a friends meal that caused her to be out of commission for half the day.

In the third case she ate some gluten free crackers that we found at our local market. This was not as severe as the previous two reactions but still enough to render her immobile for the better portion of the day.

So what would possibly cause severe reactions to things that by all accounts should be "safe" to eat? Cross-contamination. The food that we ordered without any wheat products was still cooked in the same wok as food with wheat products. The french fries were deep fried in the same frier as the breaded chicken. The gluten-free crackers were processed in a factory that processes gluten products (China doesn't have the same health inspections to insure sanitation that we do in the States).

Just one more hurdle to jump, bridge to cross, mountain to climb, and mystery to solve.

A Plane with a View

2010-03-05T04:15:00.000-05:00

This was the view from our window seat aboard our connecting China flight home. So breathtaking.

It is hard to imagine leaving Greenville in the high 40's to low 50's and arriving back in China with daytime temps in teens and 6 inches of snow. However, we really aren't bothered too much by the transition. We try to just take it all in stride. It is what it is (as coach John Fox would say).

Currently, the wife is preparing dinner and the dining room for dinner guests this evening. We are trying not to waste any time, jumping right back into the swing of things.

Day 1

2010-03-04T17:59:00.001-05:00

Day one felt good to be back home. We somehow remember our apartment being nicer than it is. It is a nice apartment, we think it just was exaggerated in our minds while we were away; "absence makes the heart grow fonder."

In other news, the wife had her first gluten reaction yesterday and spent the better part of the afternoon curled up in the fetal position in bed. We are not sure who the culprit was, but our primary suspect at the moment are three cross-contaminated french fries.

The good news is we are now the proud owners of a self timed, combination rice cooker vegetable steamer. This is going to be our "go-to" gadget for fast and safe to eat meals.

Now all that is left is for us to finish unpacking, start lesson planning, print out 500 class syllabus, and begin classes on Monday!

Olympians

2010-03-03T19:51:00.002-05:00

While waiting for check in to open at the Chicago airport for our Seoul flight, we saw Olympic Estonia team check in for a flight to Copenhagen. It was kind of interesting to see them navigate a foreign airport. If they had not spoken, you would have never known they weren't Americans.

Once we checked in, we stopped off for some dinner before going through security. That's when we saw the Olympic Norwegian team also on their way to Copenhagen. They were eating deli subs. I don't understand why they would fly through the USA (and Chicago of all airports) en route to home.

Nevertheless, it was just one of the many interesting experiences we had on our way home. Don't worry, the TSA office story is coming.

Guess We're On Our Way

2010-03-02T16:24:00.001-05:00

So we left Greenville around 3PMish, after a brief goodbye with the family, we were driven to Charlotte by a wonderful man, boarded our connecting flight to Chicago, managed to get through security with relative ease (minus the husbands gay TSA office encounter, something about nice pants and I want to see your backside, full story to follow in subsequent post) endured the most horrible 13 hours of our lives with migraines and flu like systems on the red eye flight to Seoul, where we now sit waiting for our final connecting flight to China.

Gotta love Kingdom work.

Packing Day and Departure

2010-03-01T17:04:00.001-05:00

So today was our packing day. We finished up around 11am and got everything into 4 bags. After saying our goodbyes we headed to Charlotte with Allan where we sit at our gate waitig for our flight.

See you on the other side!

A Safe Place

2010-02-25T22:20:00.001-05:00

One safe place for the wife to eat is P. F. Changs. It is very Celiac friendly, with a completely separate gluten-free menu. Some of our very good friends took us there this week for a special treat.

We wouldn't mind making it a regular stop for date night, but the drive might be a little far for us ;-)

It's a Hoppy Day!!!

2010-02-22T13:47:00.001-05:00

One of our dear friends who teaches english with us in China is a Russian who speaks with the most adorable accent. One thing she does to wake her students up and get their attention ready for learning is to ask a question at the beginning of class. "Whot kind of day is eet?" she asks, "eet's a hoppy day!" is the usual answer said in a much louder (but still adorable) Russian accent.

Today is one of those happy (hoppy?) days. The wife is feeling like a normal person and has relatively all her strength today. The agenda includes a trip to the Asian market with Jennie Cirillo to peruse gluten free products and gain much insight into the world of gluten free cooking.

This must be done with relative speed as we begin our 7 day countdown until takeoff. We leave March 1st.

Tough to Be, Gluten-Free

2010-02-20T10:19:00.004-05:00

For those of you wondering what is it like to have to cook and eat Gluten-Free meals. This should give you an idea. Last night the wife made lemon chicken with green beans. A completely delicious and completely gluten-free meal.

Want to try it? Let us know how it turns out!

Ingredients

1 package Thin Cut Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
2 cups Rice Flour
½ cups Butter
¼ cups Lemon Juice, A Little Less If You Want It Less Zingy
10 dashes Pepper, One On Each Side Of The Pieces Of Chicken
10 dashes Salt/garlic Mix- I Use A Salt/dried Garlic Mix Grinder
1 package Feta Cheese

Preparation

-Juice the lemons and set the lemon juice aside.
-Put the rice flour on a plate.*
-Melt most of the butter, leave a little to melt in the middle of the cooking. Use medium heat.
-Wash each piece of chicken in cold water and immediately put it in the rice flour and cover both sides.
-Put chicken in the pan along with the butter. Season the exposed side of the chicken with pepper and salt/garlic mix.
-Once all of the chicken is in the pan and cooked about half way, flip over. Season the other side of the chicken with the spices. If necessary, add the rest of the butter.
-When you have cooked the chicken until it only has about a minute or two left, add the lemon juice. It might steam a little.

*(It is possible to omit the flour entirely).

Follow Up

2010-02-18T09:51:00.001-05:00

YESTERDAY was our follow up appointment with our internist. Every test they ran has officially come back negative or normal. The CT scan shows nothing of importance or cause for concern. Which makes us wonder, what were all these tests for? I understand hindsight is always 20/20, but when you spend thousands of dollars for tests to come back negative, it can be very discouraging.

Our internists and GP recommended we see a gastroenterologist. However, we don't have another $4,000 for them to run a test that will tell us that the wife is "normal." Understand, we don't blame the doctors for the negative tests or even the costs. It's just that when you spend that much money and get no answers it kind of takes the wind out of your sails.

The only test that has come back positive was the "eat wheat at Sticky Fingers and see if you have a reaction" test. And that only cost $6.95. So, thank you to all the medical staff for your help. We'll be heading back to China ready to implement a gluten free diet.

Back to the Doctor

2010-02-17T08:49:00.001-05:00

We have a follow up appointment with our Internal Medicine doctor this morning. She is going to go over the test results with us and offer some suggestions about what we can do, some changes we can make, and where we can go from here.

With time quickly running out (only 12 days left in the country) it is unlikely that we will see any other doctors before we go. Which makes it very likely that we will leave without a diagnosis. Nevertheless, we will still will have a game plan for some lifestyle changes that should greatly improve the wife's overall quality of health.

When we get news of what the doctor says we'll be sure to update.

Over the Weekend and Through the Woods to Grandmother's House We Go

2010-02-15T09:11:00.003-05:00

Well the weekend proved interesting. A lot of the preliminary tests results came through and showed that the wife did not have Celiac or
even anything close to a wheat allergy.

So we decided to have a little experiment and test of our own. We went to Sticky Fingers for dinner and the wife got a barbeque sandwich. Whoa ho ho Nelly! Her symptoms came roaring back with a vengence.

I don't care what the doctors say or what the test results say, whatever else may be wrong with her, one thing is certain, THE WIFE CANNOT HAVE WHEAT.

Some Results

2010-02-13T09:26:00.003-05:00

Preliminary results from the CT scan yesterday are showing nothing serious (i.e., clots, blockages, tumors, etc.). The doctor will continue to analyze the results and let us know what she thinks early next week.

The results from the blood work have come back. All the tests for thyroid, lupus, vitamin deficiency, etc., have all returned normal.

There is one more test she has to do next week. But we are not expecting the results to tell us very much. In the meantime we are continuing to explore and experiment with gluten in the wife's diet.

More Tests

2010-02-12T08:14:00.002-05:00

YESTERDAY the wife had her appointment with the internalist. They drew 6 viles of blood and are running every test under the sun; everything from thyroid to vitamin deficiency. We should get some results by mid to late next week.

TODAY we are at Saint Francis hospital getting her a CT Scan. These results should be available next week as well.

Doctor Appointment

2010-02-10T08:51:00.001-05:00

Yesterday we were finally able to secure an appointment for the wife with an internal specialist. The appointment is for Thursday afternoon.

In other news our computer is in the shop getting a new hard drive. So it may be a few days before we can return emails.

Keep At It, He's Worth It

2010-02-07T17:36:00.002-05:00

This morning the wife and I had the pleasure of revisiting old friends in the Fusion College Ministry at NHCC. I remember what it was like, week in and week out, serving our college students. In so many ways we really miss our ministry to them, but we are so grateful for the time that we had.

The two and a half years we spent serving with them really prepared us for our current ministry. Although slowed down by certain current physical limitations, our hearts were encouraged to press on even harder. Peter Hub's message this morning was just a further reminder to keep at it, because He is worth it.

A New Perspective on Marriage

2010-02-05T10:04:00.001-05:00

Some of our dear friends are getting married this weekend. It has caused me to muse on the subject of wedding vows and marriage in general.

"Do you take this man/women to have and to hold, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part as long as you both shall live?"

What a vow. It is loaded with words that, sadly, have been reduced to just words. But I will not even try to offer pithy wisdom about marriage (especially since most of you reading this have been married longer than I've been alive). Instead I will simply quote the immortal words of the great theologian and philosopher Bill Cosby:

For two people in a marriage to live together day after day is unquestionably the one miracle the Vatican has overlooked.

Enough said.

Internalizing the Problem

2010-02-03T22:25:00.002-05:00

As part of our on going effort to diagnose the wife, we are currently trying to get an appointment with an internal specialist. Unfortunately the doctor we want to see is not accepting new patients until May, but they are working on getting us in asap. Something to keep in your thoughts. We should know within 48 hours if we can get an appointment before we leave on March 1st.

On a related note, a reputable source has proposed the possibility of Type 2 Diabetes. The symptoms are a partial match, and do explain some of the others unrelated symptoms, but we'll have to pursue this avenue further with the internalist.

The patient wait continues. . .

In Addition

2010-02-02T07:35:00.000-05:00

In addition to the dietary change, the wife will also be trying to rule out Thyroid problems. The link with her gluten problem and Thyroid is subtle. The Thyroid secretes hormones which regulate metabolism. It could be possible that a problem with gluten comes from an inability to metabolize gluten thanks to a faulty Thyroid.

So for the next week she will be taking her temperature every morning as soon as she wakes up. If her body temperature runs slightly cool for a week, it will be a good indication of a Thyroid problem.

Again, we wait and see.

Where We Go From Here

2010-01-31T08:38:00.001-05:00

Although the test results have returned negative, we are not swayed from our position of Coeliac disease (or at least some type of wheat intolerance). The fact is, when the wife stops eating wheat her health dramatically improves.

Whether this is due to a malfunctioning Thyroid, Coeliac disease, or both (or Hashimoto's disease?), we feel like the best course of action is for the wife to go completely off of gluten for 1 month. If we see improvement in her health we'll know we've at least uncovered an important fact about her dietary needs. If we don't see an improvement (which is highly unlikely because she has been off of gluten for the past 4 days and we've already seen improvement) than at that point we can explore our options, and go from there.

Several of you have asked us how will this effect us being in China. That's very simple. We don't know. Until we can return to China and begin to live out our strict diet it will be hard to say whether or not we can stay, for how long, etc.

We can say it will be difficult. We will have to cook all three meals every day. Pretty much every restaurant in China uses some kind of gluten product in it's food. Even if we asked them to prepare the food a special way, there is no real guarantee that they will, and for the wife to ingest a little gluten after not having it for a while is serious.

So, the bottom-line. This is where we go from here: the wife will go off of gluten for the time being and we will continue to monitor her symptoms and hope that they improve. When we return to China on March 2 we will continue to live gluten free by cooking all of our meals and continue to monitor her symptoms.

That is the plan for now. We'll see how it plays out over the next several weeks.

The Results

2010-01-29T14:52:00.001-05:00

Test Results: NEGATIVE

Back to the drawing board.

Taking the Test

2010-01-28T13:04:00.001-05:00

By way of update to everyone, we went to the doctor on Wednesday morning. We had a good talk about our options and where to go from here. We should get the test results in 3-5 business days. We are hoping for a positive result so that we can finally know for sure what is wrong and how to treat it.

At the moment our working hypothesis is Coeliac Disease. For those of you who have been asking what exactly that is, let me explain.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder that effects the small intestine. It is caused by a reaction to gluten protein that is found in wheat, barley and rye. When the wife comes in contact with wheat containing products, her body reacts to and with the gluten as a foreign agent and begins to attack it, which leads to an attack on the small intestine. This interferes with the absorption of nutrients and cause the body to be malnourished. The only known effective treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet. Symptoms result in the gastrointestinal system and other parts of the body as well, including headaches, migraines, nausea, vomiting, random fevers, and extreme fatigue.

While the disease is caused by a reaction to wheat proteins, IT IS NOT THE SAME AS A WHEAT ALLERGY. It is much more serious. Because she has had this condition for so many years, the doctor fears that the wife's small intestine may be severely damaged. We may need to visit a specialist (gastroenterologist) for further tests.

But as for now, we just wait for the test results.

Jet Lag

2010-01-26T10:31:00.001-05:00

Having arrived on Saturday we have entered our third day and worst day of jet lag. The first two days weren't actually that bad. But today seems to be taking a turn for the worst. They say the fourth day of jet lag is supposed to be the worst. So far day three is competing for that honor.

Today the husband is working on graduate school and the wife is down in Easely visiting her grandparents.

Anything to keep from sleeping.

Home Again

2010-01-25T09:40:00.001-05:00

So here we are, home again. Recovery from jet lag has begun. We got a full nights sleep last night, so we are hoping that helps get us through the day.

First order of business: Big American Breakfast, eggs, bacon, hash browns, and biscuits.

Second order of business: Big Mexican Lunch

First Stop: South Korea

2010-01-23T02:32:00.002-05:00

Well we are in Seoul, South Korea at the moment. We are enjoying a 3 hour layover in the airport. We stopped off at a McDonalds to grab a quick bite and then had a donut at Dunkin' Donuts. Ah . . . acclimation was never so easy.

Almost There

2010-01-20T09:07:00.003-05:00

Well we are only 3 days from arriving back in Greenville. Tomorrow we will spend the day packing and cleaning the apartment. Friday we have some last minute errands to run and then it's to bed early for a long day of traveling. Literally a day of traveling. It will take us 22 hours from take-off to touch-down to return to Greenville (including a 1 hour trip from the Charlotte airport).

In other unrelated news, the wife's health has gotten considerably worse. It took a turn downhill about 5 weeks ago. Severe insomnia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headaches, and other symptoms you probably don't want to know about. We have an appointment scheduled with our family doctor for early next week to run some tests. We should hear back with the results in under a week.

We appreciate your thoughts for us during this time.

Snowmen

2010-01-18T01:51:00.001-05:00

Some art students (apparently bored) thought it would be amusing to build snowmen for the foreign teachers. So a bunch of them got together and constructed these 2 giant snowmen outside of our apartment building. They seemingly have become almost permanent fixtures.

We were touched.

Scaling Mnt. Never-Rest

2010-01-14T23:04:00.001-05:00

This week has been finals week. All of our more than 300 students have been frantically texting us asking us questions about their final exams (oh like you never hounded your professors in college about it!).

Unfortunately this also means that we have the daunting task of grading more than 300 final exams, and filling out (correctly!) all the necessary paper work for them. This is not really a problem except it turns our offices and living room into a pile of papers affectionately known, hereafter, as Mnt Never-Rest.

PS. For those of you in Rio Linda, Mnt Never-Rest is a pun on Mnt Everest. Never-Rest refers to the fact that there is so much paperwork we can never rest, or never "have a rest" if you are chinese.

We're Moving on Up

2010-01-13T01:29:00.001-05:00

Just like the theme to the 70's TV show "The Jeffersons" says, "We're moving on up." Though, not exactly to "the east side" or a "deluxe apartment in the sky."

We are advancing to the next level of our Mandarin language learning! We have moved up from the Newbie to the Elementary level.

We never knew how freeing and intimate language was until we were unable to use it. Being isolated from others because of language difference is not only frustrating, but it can be polarizing. Learning the language has drawn us closer to the Chinese people and to the chinese soul.

我们喜欢学中文!

wǒmen xǐhu�n xué zhōngwén!

We love to study chinese!

Saint Sofia's

2010-01-12T02:43:00.001-05:00

Saint Sofia's Cathedral: (圣索非亚大教堂) a former Russian Orthodox church (Софийский собор в Харбине), stands in the heart of Haerbin, Heilongjiang Province, China.

It was built in 1932 but closed during China's Cultural Revolution period. Recently it was turned into a museum, showcasing the multi-cultural architecture of Harbin.

Sadly, the interior has not been kept well, and with the harsh climate conditions of NE China, one can see the how such a recent church can deteriorate so fast. Fortunately, however, many of the painting murals are still visible and are just as breathtaking as if in their original condition.

The Cast of the Haerbin Trip

2010-01-11T02:14:00.001-05:00

The cast of our recent trip to Haerbin included both teachers and students.

This pic was taken inside St Sofia's Cathedral. It is a former Russian Orthodox Church that currently serves as a historic Chinese architectural museum.

Living Room 2.0

2010-01-09T00:01:00.001-05:00

Three chinese scrolls with 3 of our favorite passages written in mandarin now grace our living room walls; courtesy of a dear friend.

Actual Conversation

2010-01-08T04:37:00.002-05:00

The Wife: What is the temperature outside?

The Husband: (after checking) It is 10 degrees!

The Wife: It's balmy!

The Husband: Wow! Should I bother to wear a shirt today?!

Haerbin Trip

2010-01-03T01:03:00.001-05:00

These are some pics from our recent trip to Haerbin. Every year they host the world exhibition of ice sculptures. These almost life-sized sculptures of famous buildings from around the world are made from massive bricks of ice. Hundreds of thousands of lights are wired INSIDE the ice blocks; creating a magnificent and breath taking spectacle.

If you want to see more pics, check out our picture list to the right ->

Simply click on a picture and it will take you to our flickr page.

Enjoy!

Northeast China Winter Survival Suit

2010-01-02T07:33:00.001-05:00

Notice on this (very handsome, athletic and stunningly handsome) young man, that the survival suit contains a good sturdy winter hat. Essential to keeping your brain from freezing. Next, the fluffy hood. Not at all to be considered girly or frilly. The plaid face mask keeps the nose from falling off due to sub-sub-zero temperatures. Padded gloves keep the fingers operational and under the jeans lies 2 additional pairs of leg coverings. Add to all this 2-3 pairs of socks and you are ready to survive the untamed frigidness of Northeast China.

Weather Update

2009-12-29T22:54:00.000-05:00

And now the weather: It is mostly sunny today, chance of minor snowfall with little accumulation.

Current temperature: - 24 degrees Fahrenheit

When it gets this cold, sometimes we wonder if the temperature actually matters.

Time is Ticking

2009-12-27T08:38:00.001-05:00

1 more week of Oral English: Encouraging

2 more weeks of English Writing and Listening: Exhausting

3 more weeks until final exams: Excruciating

4 more weeks until home: Priceless

There are somethings money can't buy . . . unless you are in China.

More Pics

2009-12-27T03:18:00.001-05:00

Pin the nose on the reindeer, musical chairs, and making Christmas cards.

All in a days work.

Christmas Par-tay!!!!

2009-12-24T03:02:00.001-05:00

This week has been a fun week teaching wise. We took advantage of the opportunity to have Christmas parties in class with our students.

The wife made chocolate covered marshmallows.

The students brought snack foods and we all played traditional Christmas games like musical chairs, 4 on a couch, and pin the nose on the reindeer. What a great time!

Just Around the Corner

2009-12-22T21:01:00.001-05:00

I recently went on a walk with a friend through the backstreets of China. As we came around the corner there to greet us were a few mules!

At first I was startled, but I soon realized these large beasts were in a friendly mood. After all, it's hard to get your feathers ruffled when you are standing in -4 degree temperatures.

We also saw a baby cow. But I didn't get a picture of that. :-)

A Warm Embrace

2009-12-21T01:09:00.001-05:00

As I (the wife) sit here writing this, I think of my first few weeks in China. I began scouring markets, shops and even Walmart for familiar apartment decor. I looked for earth tones, for natural materials, for wood, bamboo, cotton, metal -- in short, anything that conformed to my imported idea of what made an apartment look "homey". After several disappointing shopping trips, and a few amazed student translators (who couldn't understand my aversion to pink and purple) I gave up.

A few weeks ago however, I couldn't stand my bare apartment any longer. Something had to be done to make it feel like home, so I resumed the scouring. As I shopped, I noticed that a change had taken place. We bought a second hand couch in a shade of orange that would have made me blush six months ago. I ordered pillows to accent it in a wild print consisting of grey, brown, orange and blue -- pillows that seemed more at home on an ikea show floor than in my old idea of a perfect apartment.

Next I shopped for the kitchen. A stack of blue plastic plates caught my eye, and I found myself picking them up. Then I added a stack of green cups, green bowls, and modern print glasses to tie it all together. I drooled over a plastic berry colander, and put orange serving bowls on my wish list. When I got it all home and spread the things on the kitchen table, I got a familiar feeling. Who knew that China could feel so much like home? The shock is subsiding, and the "embrace and assimilate" process has begun.

Time to Boot Up

2009-12-18T03:45:00.001-05:00

They are not the picture of fashion, we'll give you that. But with the temperatures of late being in the negatives it has been increasingly harder to keep the extremities warm and well circulated. These new pair of boots (pictured above) for the wife are the latest in a serious of attempts to keep warm.

The wife has had frostbite on her toes for 2 weeks. We finally got that cleared up. Hopefully the new pair of boots will help a little, but when things are this cold there is just not a whole lot you can do to stay warm other than stay home.

The husband's shiny bald head has been fairing well. He wears a winter hat, sweatshirt hood, and winter coat hood (who knew what an important role hair can play in keeping our heads warm?). So far no signs of freezing to be alarmed about.

Looking on the bright side, there is no doubt that we will be having a white Christmas.

Surprise!

2009-12-13T06:46:00.002-05:00

Knock knock knock . . . we open the door.

"TRICK OR TREAT!" Three students stand at our door and they start handing us traditional Chinese candy.

This is what is called "reverse trick-or-treat."

Wait . . . isn't it almost Christmas? It doesn't matter. It is always the thought that counts.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

2009-12-06T22:27:00.001-05:00

Charlie Brown has nothing on us. The wife found the ultimate pathetic case for a Christmas tree that would make Charlie Brown look like a decorating genius. But what can you expect for $7?

Anyway, we are just glad to have a tree and sit in our living room where the joys of Christmases past meet the anticipation of Christmas present.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

2009-12-04T22:26:00.000-05:00

Today's temperature is slightly cool, -16 degrees fahrenheit. What does that do to mother nature?

It makes the trees become completely covered in ice.

Brings new meaning to the phrase "winter wonderland."

Our Thanksgiving

2009-12-04T01:52:00.001-05:00

I'm sure in the 17th century, as the pilgrims gave thanks, they did not use chopsticks to eat turkey and pumpkin pie.

But when in Rome . . .

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful. . .

2009-11-28T01:47:00.001-05:00

Yesterday's temperature was a balmy -11 degrees F. What does that feel
like? Very interesting. As we walked from our apt to the street the
INSIDE of our noses froze. Frozen snot; a new kind of sensation.

First Snow

2009-11-25T04:49:00.001-05:00

Our first snow!! It snowed for hours we got a good 5 inches!

We're Feelin' It

2009-11-21T06:02:00.001-05:00

Special thanks to all of you for your thoughts, well wishes, and home remedy recipes. We are both on the mend and feeling better. The husband's nose is healing and we are hoping that there will be no scarring. He still has a nasty bruise in his eye that looks like someone reamed him.

The wife has finally gotten rid of her cough (thank you chinese tea!), but is nursing a bruise from a slip and fall on the ice.

So we're feeling pretty beat up, but our good physician puts us back together and keeps us going.

Everything's Beachy

2009-11-21T05:53:00.001-05:00

One of our stops along the way included a beach. It was very pretty, but unfortunately cold. The temperature never got out of the 30's, and the wind speed was in the 20's. Cold is bad enough, but it is always compounded in severity when there is wind.

The island in the distance is part of the city; a resort island for the wealthy. We didn't get to visit that beach.

Brief Trip

2009-11-18T23:38:00.001-05:00

The wife and I recently traveled to Shandong province. The city we were in was fairly modern with convenient public transit. It was a lot cleaner and less polluted than our current city of residence.

Colds, Flus, and a Kamikaze Door

2009-11-17T19:27:00.001-05:00

Have you ever felt like a dump truck ran you over, then backed up and ran you over again? Well neither have we . . . until this week. Some type of bad cold/flu has taken over us. We have a violent cough, sinus pressure, heads that feels like inflated balloons, joints that ache, and our body feels like it was pummeled in a boxing match.

The wife was vomiting mucous because her stomach was full of it and was having trouble breathing. I almost broke my nose by walking into a door on my way out of class (sorry no picture), but only suffered a big gash to the bridge and a badly bruised ego.

And its only Wednesday . . .