this is insanity!

I'm starting to wonder if beginning Insanity workouts was a good idea before leaving for Shanghai. Day 3, here we go go!

Of course it is! I better feel and look awesome by the time I start the next semester. Happy New Years, everyone.

Today is Sunday!

Today, the taxi driver Ellie and I had was so excited to have foreigners in his car that he called his friend while we were driving just to tell him. We really had a fun conversation with the guy. He was so excited to learn that I "come from two countries" -- China and Vietnam. He wouldn't believe me when I told him I am an American because he said I looked Asian... Well, yes. He also really liked my hair and said that the short hair on the left side and long hair on the right was "beautiful." As we were nearing our destination he started talking about the guy on the phone and said that he was the same age as me. He asked me if I could be his friend's girlfriend but I said, No, I can't. I have a German boyfriend. I thought it'd be fun to make something up :P Probably one of the funniest taxi rides I've ever had.

It's almost Christmas! A bit sad to be away from home but mostly too distracted by all my assignments and exams I have this week. Stressing out a bit but should be all good.

The student I am tutoring is making such progress, I'm so happy! It's seriously so awesome when he remembers things I've taught him. This past week his parents took me out to dinner with some other friends of theirs and we had delicious Sichuan style food. Seriously such a blessing to have them in my life. Working and teaching in China was exactly what I wanted to do since before I even left the States!

Made new friends from Madagascar today at my church. Actually, a lot of people from Madagascar live here in Nanchang and I'm pretty sure all of them were at service today and sang beautiful Christmas songs. One of the guys came up to me and asked me to jam out with him and his friends sometime and worship together. Heck yes! He's got a wonderful voice and I'm pretty positive about asking him to help me lead worship next weekend.

Anyway, I'm running on 3 units of electricity right now. Thankfully, the last 20 units I've had has lasted me the entire weekend, just in time for me to pay the bill tomorrow morning. I was so relieved I was able to continue using my internet and write most of my 2500 word paper on Saturday even in the freezing cold. I'm going to use it to the very end!

So I'm off to bed. Another odd post but I figure I should try to be more consistent.

Until next time,
 Lizzy


 

Raving cravings

  It's not even cool how much I've been craving Chipotle since I've been here in China. I am craving some serious Mexican food right now. Luckily, there's an American-owned "Mexican" restaurant in town that can satisfy these gosh-forsaken cravings but alas, I'm still a poor Chinese college student on a budget (And by that I mean a meal shouldn't exceed more than $5)!

  Anyway, I know I've been absolutely terrible with updating this blog. I'll try to make it a weekly thing (said that last time and it's been about two months since my last post). The semester is rapidly coming to an end so many of us are finally being studious and preparing for finals exams, papers, and presentations. Not to mention it's almost Christmas! Some of us will be traveling about while others like myself will hang around Nanchang and do our own thing. I feel like dressing up and eating Indian. That's right, we have Indian food here and it's not half bad :)

If it seems like all I'm thinking about right now is food, well, you're right because I'm pretty hungry right now.

Um, what else? I have about 8 weeks off for the winter semester! If you think that's insane I should also add that I have no place to stay during that time! Crazy, exciting, a little scary but I think I'll be spending that time traveling around China via train. Should be awesome and exhausting but I'm stoked. Backpacking through China for a month or so then hopefully finding a place to stay and working a bit some way, some how. Fingers crossed.

Tonight my student's parents have invited me to dinner with them and their colleague. Looking forward to that but not sure how to return the favor! My student better be fluent in English by the time I leave, I guess!

So, this was an odd post but I'm slowly transitioning into working on my first paper of the semester.
Hope you all are enjoying your Winter Break, staying warm, drinking lots of hot chocolate, getting fat, spending time with your family and friends, and loving the life the F*ther as given us :)

Love, peace, honor and all the good stuff,
Lizzy

a brief update

Hello world,

I apologize for being so terrible at updating my blog. Now that I finally have a functioning VPN and consistent wifi access I have no excuse. So, posts on the last month are to come. For now, here are some random ramblings and rants:

1. I love that food is so cheap and delicious here and a decent meal never exceeds $3 (that includes a whole dish and a drink). I know I can always leave a place satisfied!

2. I get excited when I hear K-pop or Wang Lee Hong's music in stores and recognize the songs. So glad I prepped myself with Asian music before I came over here.

3. China is so cool but really gross sometimes. It's probably the dirtiest country I've been too. It's industrializing so quickly but sometimes hygiene is just so... different from what I'm used to.

4. I'm elated when Chinese locals compliment me on my Chinese speaking and listening. ELATED. Seriously, this language is difficult.

5. Gangnam Style is really popular here. Apparently it's popular everywhere because all my European friends know and love it. It's a top hit in Germany! Look it up if you don't believe me.

6. My Chinese teacher doesn't really speak English. I'm so weird and it's probably from playing too many video games growing up but, in my mind, for every English word he uses to help us in class we automatically get deducted life points because it takes away his magic juju or something. I need a 1+ in that class or mushrooms or something...

7. I also created a back story for the man who owns a restaurant down the street from my dorm. I pass by him just about every day. His face is unique looking and doesn't seem typical Han Chinese. I think he's secretly an extremely talented karaoke singer when he's not cooking fabulous dishes. I call him Mr. Karaoke Man. I told you, I'm weird.

8. I like that it doesn't even phase me when I see a woman carrying a bag of 4 dozen eggs in one hand and a bag of tofu in the other inside the bank.

9. People still spit in China and I don't think I'll ever get use to it. It's like that loud, mucous-y spit you have when you're sick except EVERYONE does it normally ALL THE TIME.

10. I really like China. Did I tell you I'm officially a resident here? At least, until next summer then my residency expires but it's still pretty cool to think about.

Zi Gong, Sichuan Province, PRC

11. Oh yea, and I really, really, REALLY miss Vietnamese food and Vietnamese people. I think I'm going to have to ask the cousin to send me some goodies from the other motherland... maybe make a visit during the break. 

Noodle Soup

From 9/12/2012

So this evening I decided to grab dinner in the alley way down the street from the apartment complex. It rained today making the streets cool and comfortable enough to walk through with a t-shirt, pants, and boots. I’m glad I made the decision to go alone rather than with a large group because I learned it’s when I’m by myself that I better meet the locals and speak Chinese with them. Tonight I walked by a small little noodle shop with white walls adorned with cute, colorful stickers. It appeared friendly enough and quite empty so I decided to give it a shot, especially because it looked like a place where I could sit down and study from my Chinese workbook.

As soon as I walked in I was immediately seated by the young man who worked at the shop. He began to explain the menu to me and with the little Chinese I know I nodded my head and acted like I understood what he was talking about. When he finished speaking I asked him (in Chinese) what he thought was good and he proceeded to explain. I smiled all the while understanding him here and there when I finally asked him if he spoke any English. After he said no, he called over a young lady who really did not know much English either and eventually I decided to pick the very first dish on the menu, which was 7 kuai. After he told me that it was very spicy I picked my veggies, my meat and got comfortable.

The young woman served me a Coke before sitting down at my table. I’m extremely proud to say that during my evening at the little noodle shop I was able to hold an entire conversation with her in Chinese! I was surprised with how much I actually know of the language and I got to know her a bit. I told her I was from America studying at the Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics. I asked her if she worked at the noodle shop but I found out she was only accompanying her boyfriend, the young man who sat me down when I entered the restaurant. It was not awkward at all even as she sat directly in front of me as I ate. We talked, asked one another questions and I showed her pictures of friends and family I saved on my iPhone. She was so friendly and sweet, and then she treated me to my entire meal! It was unexpected for me and especially kind of her. I am very grateful! (The bowl of noodle soup and coke, which for sure would cost anywhere from $6-10 in the US, cost about $1 USD here, by the way. So if you come visit me and ever want a good, big bowl of noodles, I know a place!). Anyway, I told her I would take my friends there next time. Of course, we exchanged numbers and I’m happy to say I made a new friend this evening.

Friends from the noodle shop in the alleyway down the street.

I hope you make a new friend today or enjoy a bowl of delicious noodles.

With love from China,

e.

First post from China!

Da jia hao!

Hello, everyone! I hope this message finds you well and in good spirits. So, this is my first official update since I’ve arrived in China about one week ago. I can’t believe a week has gone by already yet at the same time it feels like I’ve been here for a while.

For those of you who don’t know I’m currently living in Nanchang, which is located in Jiangxi Province. I’m attending the Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, where I’m finishing up my International Studies undergrad degree. This semester I’m taking Chinese language courses, international economics, and martial arts. I’ve already befriended the other international students here. We have people from all over the world living on the same floor. There are several students here representing the countries of Germany, Belgium, Finland, Uzbekistan, Sweden, and yes, America! Everyone is very friendly and amiable.

Classes for the overseas students begin tomorrow and I’m looking forward to it. I’ve had a very long summer and now that I’ve adjusted to life in China (yet still adjusting!) I’m excited for school. The campus is beautiful and has everything I need! The weather here is quite hot and pretty humid. I think we’re considered Southern China so the climate is almost tropical. I’m really enjoying it here so far and there’s still so much more I need to learn. I’ve been using my Mandarin a bit and will definitely be using more! Not many foreigners come to this part of China so it’s a spectacle to see us international students out and about on campus and in the city. Most people here are pretty friendly and helpful.

My friends and I have a saying now: “T-I-C”, which stands for, “This is China.”

It’s an incredible blessing just being here, meeting all these people, and living life.

Thanks again for the prayers and support. I’ll keep this update short and hopefully you all can see my photos on Facebook.

With love from China,

Lizzy

wherever you go shine bright

a final picture with the guys from SGV before we said our farewells!

Just a quick update: Continuing the eating and shopping in SoCal, enjoying my time with friends, both old and new. Today's activities included church, a big Italian family-style meal, chilling at Starbucks, shopping for camping gear, extreme farting, a (second) viewing of Batman: The Dark Knight Rises, and more eating. All in all, it's been a wonderful day as I am reminded of the many blessings that are showered upon me. Blessed with an ever-growing community and the Spirit that goes before me preparing a place for me.

and may you be a light unto the darkness.

-e.

i love traveling but i feel empty without my guitar or piano. sad but true.

California

I've been in California since Saturday evening and it's already been a wonderful time, as always. I was able to meet up with old friends from the San Gabriel Valley Vietnamese Alliance Church (including Youtube star Ms. Cathy Nguyen!), and reunite with my aunt and bond over Hong Kong style dishes and conversations, just to name a few. Of course, I've been eating a lot since the moment I got here.


I spent my entire day with my lovely besties Thi and Tran in Anaheim and the evening in LA. I'm so worn out from the day that I can't even remember everything that happened let alone type up a proper story. We did get to see Sierra Nobel and Laura Schwartz perform at Barroot and they were both amazing artists! I'm a new fan. Anyway, I need to sleep.

-e.

this is my heart

T-minus 2 days to leaving for the West Coast. Currently in the process of packing and my room is a trivial mess!

I'm leaving on a jet plane

About to embark on another incredible journey. I'd say it's already begun as the actuality of leaving has become a mass reality. I suppose here is the place where I'll post all the obscenities, absurdities, and obsessions of my travels. I'll try to keep is it as entertaining and upbeat as possible.

Oh, and for those of you who don't know, I'm leaving the roots in the Amish Country for life in the Orient. This bird is leaving the nest and flying out to China to study Mandarin Chinese and finish the International Studies degree. But before that I'll be spending some much needed time on the West coast in the Golden state. Even in California I've got my secret spot to pray, meditate, and spend some time in solitude before heading out on this crazy adventure.

I'm anticipating this time to be unlike anything I have ever experienced before. Despite the international traveling I've done on my own in the past (road tripping Greece, and living in Vietnam, while conducting my own anthropological research on the K'Ho tribe in 2010, teaching English to middle school students in Hong Kong before spending some time exploring Cambodia in the summer of 2011...) I reckon this year abroad will be filled with many obstacles, challenges, but most of all, many blessings.

That said, I'm pretty stoked. I'm extremely grateful for all the prayers and support from family and friends. It is not without sadness that I leave but I know G has got some pretty BIG things in store that none of us could conjure up ourselves. I guess it's more excitement now than anything.

So, may the Spirit bless you with a kiss that is like a breath of life.

-e.