Chicken, Shock Factor, Thanksgiving

Striving to increase the popularity of Chinese Neighbors, I hope this image may draw some attention from the shock factor. Except I know that my country-girl mother won't bat an eye, since she is rather adept at 'cuttin-up-chickn'.

We eat one of these guys every other week. I buy them frozen, with the feet tucked neatly inside the carcass. Unthaw, chop off head and feet, rub with spices and roast for an hour. Leftover pieces and bones are boiled to make chicken stock.

Seven little chickens got roasted in our toaster oven for Thanksgiving. Our group of twenty had a nice spread, and in addition to the meat, the Addingtons contributed a california medley casserole and a green bean casserole (homemade cream of mushroom soup, homemade french fried onions). Nice holiday, all in all.

The superior part of the holiday was hearing a few friends and students say that they are thankful for my friendship. Some servants work hard for no thanks. In the past two years, I have consistently sensed that China appreciates me on many levels. "You're welcome, China! I love you!"

p.s. I better mention that this picture is swiped from a friend's blog. I need to charge my camera.

It's Good Work

Rachel and I count ourselves privileged to join in good work with our neighbors. We are thankful and encouraged to join the one who is giving the growth!

mentoring group: The guys continue to grow together as we meet weekly for lifting, accountability and study. Recently, we had some additional unexpected encouragement from a like-minded South African engineer that happened to be installing some new equipment at our university. Also, we have been working on leadership skills and sharing with other students.

follow-up study: A girls' follow-up study is continuing from last semester. It's led by a young but mature Chinese girl. Rachel helps by hosting and playing guitar.

seeker studies: This week three new seeker studies kicked off. Two are being led by the guys in the mentoring group and one is being led by another female student. All the groups are being done in Chinese.

english corner: Our team helps facilitate and lead small group discussions at an English corner at the local national Body. It continues to be a great place to invite students for deeper conversations. We love supporting the national Body.

more english corners: Every week, our team hosts two English corners for students. We aim to draw out life's deeper questions by watching thought-provoking media and discussing it.

Students' Self-Introductions

Do you have an idea of what Chinese university students are like?

This week our freshmen composed oral self-introductions. I don't think the students will mind if I share a few with you, but I have changed names and place names nonetheless.

Good afternoon, everyone. Let me introduce myself. My English name's Anna, and I study in Changsha University of Science and Technology. I want to be a teacher. In fact, I was a shy girl and I'm not confident. I want to visit Norway and I love it very much. Also I very like listen to music and watch movies. I want to make friends with everyone. That's all. Thanks.

I'm Jay. I'm 21. So I'm very old in the class. I like street dancing. Dancing is everything in my life.

Hello, everyone. My name is Yu Tang and my English name is Belle. I am a optimistic and kind-heart girl. I like reading and playing badminton. What's more, I like English very much. My dream is to become a business translater in the future. So at that time I will be able to take good care of my parents and pay them back. Let's get along well with each other and make progress together.

My name is Tanya. I am from HuNan ShenYong. I like playing computer games and sleeping. I can I could spent a week to play computer or sleep and not go to outdoors. I think my habit is very bad. because it's not active. and it's hamful to my health. I am a homesick people. I miss my parents very much. So I hope I will have a job in my hometown staying with my parents forever.

Hello everybody. My name's Dustin an outgoing boy from Hongying (Hunan province). I'm a Happy traveler. The most interesting thing is that I'm wearing a T-shirt which logo is Black-Cat-Police (a Chinese cartoon character) go to Disneyland and take a lot of photoes. Also, I'm a crazy fan or Jolin Tsai (a very popular female singer from Tanwan). I hope I can get along will with everyone.

My name is Jennifer. I love listening to music. And I love singing very much. My favorite singer is Beyonce. I think she is so brilliant that even Lady GaGa and Rhianna are her huge fans. Last but not least, hope you have a good day.

Boys' Photo Reel

Here are the promised 42 pictures.

(click on the slideshow for fullscreen)

Observations on the Eldest Child

Titus, or Taide (泰德) as he is often called, is usually a charming 26 month-old. Some of his unique qualities include:

1. Persistent concern for guests at the dinner table.

He will not rest until everyone has food on their plate. If someone's plate is empty, Titus feels responsible for serving that person. I did not say that the service is tidy.

2. Bilingualism.

I am surprised at how much Titus comprehends in Chinese and English. We recently read a children's picture book. I quizzed him, "Where is the ___?" in Chinese, for every noun in the pictures. 100% correct. Then again in English. 100% correct. Granted, it was a 6-page board book.

3. Whining all the day long.

Today he was wonderful. But some days I wonder if this indefatigable mewling indicates that something is wrong with the kid? Or is this normal? Help.

4. Grandparent-mania.

Some kids get hooked on Disney, Legos, Thomas the Train, Tickle-Me-Elmo, et al. Titus is fixated on Wai-Gong, Wai-Po, Ye-Ye and Nai-Nai.

5. Kisses as apologies.

Titus whacks Mom on the head with a book; kiss ensues. Titus steals toy from friend, who begins crying; kiss ensues. Titus spins bucket around the living room like a wrecking ball, battering the furniture; kisses on dents and dings ensues. (By the way, Titus will kiss on command, even when bid to kiss strangers, and yes we do that when befitting.)

Observations on the Second Child

Mikey's Chinese name is yet undetermined at four months of age, but he is affectionately known as Mai-Mai (麦麦). About Baby:

1. Please stay this mild forever.

I recall a time when I thought babies were hard to care for...did I really think that once? I heard that some babies are difficult. Not this one. He is like his father: feed me, hug me, let me sleep and I'm happy.

2. Smiling, Laughing.

At this stage in life Mike is particularity keen on having his cheeks and lips tickled by his own toes, accompanied by some high-pitched baby talk. Laughter eruption.

3. Teething?

I used to wonder why baby outfits often come with a matching bib. Now I know, it's for drool-meisters like Michael. Could this, paired with fussing, foretell the appearance of a tooth?

4. Grabbing for toys.

Mike has reached a developmental stage where he is amused to sit and grab for whatever object is placed within reach, followed by tasting the object.

5. The life of the second-born.

Compared with first-born, he is picked up less quickly when fussing. His diaper is changed less immediately. He is bathed about 90% less than first-born was. Mozart, tummy-time, reading, baby massage and other essential activities also wane for #2. But he is well-loved, yes, we cherish our handsome, dark-eyed, hairy Michael.

Some Things Are Just Wonderful

1. Lately, a friend or a few students have been cooking for us about once a week. They don't have their own kitchens, so they are happy to use ours. We are happy to eat their food.

3. Titus, Mike and I ate in the school cafeteria, with our friend Qiufen, for the first time. Picture a multi-level college dining facility filled with hundreds of Chinese students. And us.

4. Titus & Mike have freshman girl babysitters every Monday when I'm at Chinese class. When I came home last week, my friend was also here waiting for me. She has a 6 month-old baby. She said "Michael was hungry, so I tried to nurse him. But he wouldn't take my milk." I'm like, "Yah, it was probably too spicy." (Our area is known for spicy food.) Call it a collectivistic culture -- trying to nurse another's baby, without the mother's knowledge, and we're not even that good of friends...I love it!

2. Our girls' study is phenomenal. I feel that I am a part of something amazing. Last night we learned a praise song in Chinese; it was beautiful.

Chapters in Life, in China

Portia is a good friend; she was our teammate almost two years ago as we were studying Chinese here in Changsha. She is now back in Hengyang, a smaller city just south of Changsha, where she is teaching English at a university.

Not only is Portia an observant and reflective person, she is also a very good writer. So if you're looking to understand life-in-China (and our life) more, you must read her blog as well. This week in particular, she has chronicled her experience at a Hengyang orphanage -- an experience similar to ours in Changsha.

Check out Portia's blog, Chapters in Life.

Sunday Morning

One of the most serene and renewing times of the week.

Openhanded

We send snail-mail newsletters every couple months. If you would like to receive those let me know. Here is a portion of our November letter.

China has changed our perspective on “stuff”. As you might guess, Chinese people have considerably less junk than Americans. We have learned to live with less as well. We don’t own a home, any appliances, furniture, or a vehicle. (Chinese apartments include basic furnishings in the rent.) My clothes fit into a two-foot-wide wardrobe. Our apartment doesn’t have any closets…can you imagine? No junk storage! Everything that we possess could be laid in a pile on the living room floor. It’s not much.

Am I bragging about our lifestyle? Not at all. I’m just saying that we like this way of living; it feels free. If I ever start accumulating stuff, please remind me that I don’t need it.

Part of the reason that we feel compelled to live with less is because we have seen more poverty. How can I buy my kids more toys when our little buddies at the orphanage have no toys at all? How can I buy expensive beef and cheese when on the streets of Changsha sit hungry beggars? Drew reminds me, “Rach, the more money we spend on ourselves, the less we can spend on others.”

Have you heard this story? I’ll paraphrase from Luke 18. A rich guy asks, “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Teacher says, “Have you kept the commandments?” Rich guy says yep. Teacher says, “Great. You’re still lacking. Sell everything you have and give the money to the poor. Then come follow me.” Rich guy is depressed. Teacher says, “How difficult it is for the rich to follow me! It’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.”

This passage really clicks with me. Think about it – in India, Africa, SE Asia, North America...what groups of people are moved to follow the Good Teacher? The poor and oppressed. Why? They know their physical and spiritual poverty. They are dependent and ready to accept a gracious offer for life. Have you ever heard of a people movement among the rich? The rich foolishly mistake their possessions for security, and perceive no need for the Good Teacher.

Another example, from Luke 8: “The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares, riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.”

My point: Wealth is a hindrance. We haven’t arrived yet, but China is teaching us to throw that hindrance off, live with less, and be more openhanded.

Jia-Jia You Are Welcome Here

Jia-Jia followed us home one day last spring.

This week she showed up at our door again, wanting to watch TV or look at pictures on the computer as usual. I don't know much about her, other than that her mother sells steamed corn at our university's gate. She is ten years old, a little dishonest towards me, and loves the boys. She is most welcome at our house.

JJ: Where does Titus sleep?
me: On the floor.
JJ: EEE! Really? He's not afraid?
me: Afraid of what?
JJ: Rats!
me: Haha. No. His room doesn't have any rats. .... Does yours?
JJ: [nods yes]