Excitement

One-and-a-half months, 44 days; I can't wait. I already have all the places I want to go to figured out. I am sure there is no way I can fit all the stuff I will purchase in my luggage on the way back.

Preparing for the class is intense, though. I'm working really hard to have lessons on everything including assignments and video clips/pictures. A letter that Dr. Neal Luo read to the team motivated me to really want to rock the students off their base. The supervisor of the team that went to Guangzhou last year wrote a review of their performance; the previous group sounded unprepared and insensitive to the students. They did not have much of a lesson plan and they spoke too quickly. Overall okay experience, could be much better :(

Besides the excitement of being able to teach, I am quite thrilled about the friends I have made that have declared their commitment to taking care of me while I am there. It turns out that my eye doctor's brother and his wife are in Guangzhou, China teaching. He told me that I could meet him and that he could show me around. Some of my closest friends are from Guangzhou; Tiffany and Lauren. Lauren's parents are thrilled to meet me and have been planning ahead of time to take care of me. Surprisingly enough, her father is a Communist official being a high ranking officer in the military. He really likes to combine his personal friendships with business and is known for helping Chinese businessmen in America as well as with board members of booming companies. He also helps many of the local businesses with special favors that wouldn't be seen in America too often. I'm a bit afraid of being introduced to this way of life so closely; however, I know I can learn much this way and can tell people of this experience. It's not everyday that American college students get to become friends with a high ranking official of the Chinese Party.

I finally declared my minor in East Asian Studies. Why not? I already dedicate much time to learning Chinese, I'm going to China, and most of my friends are from East Asia. It would be anything but wise to not get a certificate that says I can officially teach Chinese and East Asian Culture.

Basically, life's good.

Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. --Proverbs 4:25

Work Was Crazy

Today at work was a little non-proportionately frantic. The first hour and a half was fine; I had maybe two customers and not much to do (as I expected for the whole night). Then, I started to do some dished and the water backed up forcing all the goop that smelt like poop in the pipes to come rushing out the drain located behind the bar of the Cafe.

I began to think someone missed the bathroom when I noticed all the garbage-lined water on the floor. After working as a team to clean it all up, it happened again. And amidst all this, I found out that $61 was missing from the drawer. The till had not been changed once today! Four people used it all on one till. All of us were written up. I try not to accuse and point a finger. I know somewhere along the line either somebody left with about $60 in their pocket, or somebody made a big mistake counting back change. Chances are, the issue was not counting back. On top of that, somebody with the knowledge of it only being one till could easily cover it up by bringing in an extra individual making it much more of a complex situation.

We took a couple pictures today at Bible study so I will practice the habit of posting pics:

First Blog

This is my first blog. It's seven 'o clock, and I am waiting for work at eight at Hasting's. Cody called me in to work since he "has a test to study for." Probably not, but that's okay.

Today's Bible study just got over an hour ago or so. It went well I feel like. Today we talked about repenting for our sins and communicating with God through prayer. Lauren and Neo are starting to understand. It's amazing to see how much God has shown to Mock and Yuri. I would like to see Jyihye Yoon pray more for the group, though. I think she is shy to pray infront of others and to pray in English. It's great to see how much everyone is growing spiritually.

The reason I created this blog was to stay in touch with everyone here at home when I go to China. I'm hoping I can post pictures and write a blog daily.