March Madness

I cannot remember why I was soooooo happy in this picture, probably giving trouble as usual.
The grandparents of one of my students.
She gave me a book to read called "The Little Pince" its bilingual. I told her I really liked it and I would buy one. She asked me to wait for four days and then we could go and buy it together on Saturday when she wouldnt have classes. I complied. She met me at my house and we set out. The first book store didn't have it so we went to another one. I thought this would probably be a one hour trip, go get the book, maybe eat or grab some icecream. She said"after we buy the book, I want us to buy some pants. My mother wants you to help me buy pants for school. And then, we can go and see my grandmother, she is in the hospital and she wants to meet you." We went to about 3 bookstores and then we got icecream. I asked her to help me pick out flowers for her grandmother. We went to get her pants which only took about 4 different store visits- they were really cute. Then I bought a vase for the flowers, went to see her grandmother. We bought pineapples and then ran into her other grandparents. I think we were out for about three hours! We had a good time though. She told me that she thought I was great for coming to China and teaching English and working with the students. I had an opportunity to talk to her about God. We had a good outing.
At the park on the hill, it was sooooo hot.
Reading "He came to set the captives free
Mary reading "Single and whole"

Two Choices

What would you do?....you make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?



At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its

dedicated staff, he offered a question:

'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection.

Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.

Where is the natural order of things in my son?'



The audience was stilled by the query.



The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story:



Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.



I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'



Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.

In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.

Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.



At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.



However, as Shay stepped up to the

plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact...

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.

The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.

As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.



The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.

Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.



Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first!

Run to first!'

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.

He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.



Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.

BY the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.



All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'



Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third!

Shay, run to third!'



As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team



'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.



Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

Ringing in the Spring

The weather is so nice, it rained yesterday but temperature is great.


The grade 8 classes have been split so now each class has 2 teachers so I lost some of my students and got new ones. Today I saw one of my students who normally frequents my house; who I've tutored and who after the split is no longer my student and begs me everyday to come back to my class. When she spotted me, she started hiding behind another student so of course since she drew attention to herself I walked over, I said "child, why are you hiding from me?" She said in Chinese that she doesn't understand the question so I asked her in Chinese "are you afraid of me" and she nodded her head affirmatively. So I looked at her puzzled and asked her why; she looked up and said "you are too beautiful"; I playfully smacked her head and we bid each other farewell :)At lunch, Mary and I went to a banquet to celebrate a baby's one month birthday (a lady from the church invited us); the food was so delicious; the fellowship was great and we had a good time.

Mary, Pastor with his wife and daughter
Mary, Pastor and I
The family/host, Mary and I
Look how tall I am compared to all of them!

When I walked into class, there were 2 boys deep in sleep which means that they must have been sleeping for a while in the previous class. I woke them up and spoke to them. After class, I told a student to tell the head teacher - Mr. Chou that they were sleeping (these boys of all the students need to be up listening because they always get bad grades which is why I took it to a higher matter). She said ok and I thanked her. I started walking home and I saw her, I asked her where she was going;

Rose: Sunny, did you tell Mr. Chou already?
Sunny: No, I have PE class. I will tell him in the afternoon
Rose: You have some time before class starts go tell him and then go to class
Sunny: OK I will tell another student to tell him now. (she starts inching off very hesitantly)
Rose: What is wrong, why don't you want to go?
Sunny: Rose, I have to change my clothes first- Mr. Chou is is
Rose: is what (laughing between words)
Sunny: he is very traditional, you know old man...

Her clothes was too tight and way too fashionable for school's rules so she knew she would be in trouble as well. I was laughing when she told me but at the begining of class I complimented her on her outfit so I am no better!

I was wondering why she was hesitation to go!

The heat is rising

Everytime Chinese people come to my house, they immediately start complaining or stripping off clothes. I prefer to have my house feel like a sauna but since they are dressed in layers and thermals- they feel uncomfortable.

Tonight my Chinese friend Erica came to my house for our second night of study. We are reading the book of John. She is doing English and I'm doing Chinese! The first night we studied I laughed so hard because she was trying to teach me to say 从 cong pronounced tong with a very light tone. She demonstrated how my tongue should be positioned and advised me not to make my tongue touch the bottom of my gums! I found it hard enough that a word that starts with "c" is pronounced as a "t" so I tried and she said "no, your tongue touched" and then I would say it right, she would get excited and I would say it again and she would respond "tongue touched!"

Anyways, tonight we got to a verse that was talking about the Holy Spirit so she asked me to explain. I was happy to explain and she seemed very happy with the answer I gave. She then started pointing up towards the ceiling (the heavens) and changed her face expressions and got very solemn, I started getting a mixed feeling of anxiety and excitement as she motioned to where ahe thought the Holy Spirit was and then said "can we turn off this one" pointing to the heat! :)

We moved into another room where she was comfortable for a while and then later stripped down. We had a very good study, completed the chapter and she is happy to be on this journey.

A Busy Saturday

A group of 50 primary school students came to visit our school. Apparently, they are Junior journalists-- so mini reporters. After taking a tour with them; Mary, Jennifer, Erica and I met Mr. Yang to have the students interview us.
First, we entertained them by playing Simon says; after we played duck duck goose where I was outrun by a little boy because I noticed there were 2 boys running instead of one. I dropped my cellphone while running so I was running away from one and another was running after me to hand me my keys. Since I had "failed the mission" I had to sing a song, so I danced and sang them Mary had a little lamb.
duck duck goose
this game we steal other people's children
The winner in Simon Says
We took some pictures with them, answered tons of questions like "what's the most beautiful place in America, how do the buildings look, how do you say in English the elements of China!, why is it that the plane takes 1 hr to Hainan and not 30 mins!?!"

When we got ready to go back home, the students asked us to sign their booksAfter we went home for a short time, ate lunch with Mr. Yang; Erica and I went to the bank; then I met up with Mary to go develop pics and go to the supermarket. I was then supposed to go to the nail salon with Erica. When I called her to meet me she was at my house sleeping so I came back home and we hung out for an hour. Jingjing came to see me, so we all talked, a few minutes later went to meet up to go to dinner and karaoke.

Putting English to use

School is officially back in full swing and my students are doing well. Today a student asked me if they could use my dictionary; looked up a word and asked me to pronounce it. I said "s a vage"- he said thank you; turned to his classmate and said "you are a savage!".

After class, another student comes by and asks me the meaning of "百痴 bai chi"- so I said "idiot". He smacked his friend in the back and said "let's go idiot!"

I thought I was spreading knowledge for development; all they want to do is insult their friends. In a mean way, its kinda cute!

Another class came in and after the lesson of superlatives, a student wrote on the board while I was talking to some of students "Rose is the most beautiful teacher I know"

How to Live

HANDBOOK 2009
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner
like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less
food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9.. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what
their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.
Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits..
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with
His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate
others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away
like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your
friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
40. Don't be content with average- stay there while working on excellence!

Awesome Night

The pastor at my local chrch asked Mary, Jingjing and I to take over Friday Night Studies completely. This was our second week and it was just awesome. There was a strong presence of unity, joy and peace. We asked members to give testimonies about what God is doing in their lives. Last week, I gave my first testimony in Chinese! This week I led praise and worship; Jingjing gave a message taken from Rick Warren's Purpose Driven life and Mary gave an English lesson teaching a few words with the basic meaning that "There is only one God and money, power and fame will not make you happy. Only a relationship with God can make you happy"

It was just awesome!

Who is Your Role Model?

OK so based on numerology, we can tell who you would most like to be like...

GET A CALCULATOR (if you are not mathematically challenged, you can work this out in your head)

1) Pick your favorite number between 1-9

2) Multiply by 3 then

3) Add 3, then again Multiply by 3 (I'll wait while
you think really hard....)

4) You'll get a 2 or 3 digit number..

5) Add the digits together

Now Scroll down ..............
















Now with that number see who your ROLE MODEL is from the
list below:



1. Einstein



2. Nelson Mandela



3. Abraham Lincoln



4. Oprah



5. Bill Gates



6. Gandhi



7. Barack Obama



8. Thomas Edison



9. Rose-Anne Angus (aka Angel, Jasmine, 艾甜甜，罗思，Rose, Alicia)



10. Margaret Thatcher



I know....I just have that effect on people...one day you too can be like me.... Believe it!
PS. Stop picking different numbers. I am your idol, just deal with it!!!!

By the way, I do not believe in numerology!

Thoughts on Love

If love is supposed to be this grandeur form of expression then wouldn't the concept of puppy love/infatuation or physical love (erotic love) or anything less grand- not only be a fluke but an oxymoron?

As in, rather than categorizing love as true love, pure love or any other defining term, shouldn't there just be the term "love". Shouldn't every other stage one experiences before getting to "real love" not be considered love until it can actually be called love?

Did I lose you chief? In which case, we have the vague question of "what is love?"

My thoughts? I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours :)

From Valentine's Day

After Valentine's Day, an old teacher came by to visit. Her name is Lisa. She stayed for two days so we were busy hosting. The next day we go to a dumplings restaurant and a group of students come in to dine. About 15 mins after making a plan, one came over and started speaking English. She introduced herself and informed us that she had a twin and it was her birthday, and it was also her twin sister's bday! (as if we wouldnt figure this out). After each student introduced themselves, they asked us to sign their books

A prissy dog named Nono






I told you I was a local celebrity :)-- Elle thats for you!