Tokyo, Japan -- So, I had written a blog... but apparently when I was finishing it, I accidently clicked something else and I lost everything. And so I decided at that point just to go to bed.
These last few days I've done everything from Japanese class to cooking Mexican food to play volleyball with a whole bunch of Brazillians. I've also had some good talks about culture and living here and things that the missionaries face here with Christine and have also learned a lot from Tim. That's been really helpful, along with hearing from various people their experiences and observations. I kinda see my job as listening, observing and investigating.
The Japanese class was crazy. It was taught all in Japanese and there were 2 girls from Sri Lanka who were with me. One of them spoke Japanese already, but she was accompanying the other girl. It takes a while to catch on, but eventually you do. And at the end you have to introduce yourself, tell where you are staying (the area in general) and tell where you are from. There's a lot more words to that than it sounds like. But I made it through it, and came home and was grateful to spend the afternoon with familiar stuff like making some Mexican food.
The Mexican dinner party turned out well. There were Tim and Christine and the two newbies- Ben and Joe and Kazo and Abbey (probably didn't spell that right), the associate pastors of the church and their two daughters. They're Japanese and spent 3 years living in Tasmania. I really enjoyed getting to know them; I felt a connection with them-- they're great people! Oh, and the food was good too. They ate a ton of it and as far as I've heard, no one's sick-- so that has to be good right?
Today we went to another part (I don't remember what the stop is called) and played volleyball. It was part of an outreach that the Brazillian church does-- there were 4 new people (which is pretty good)... and one of them was a Peruvian. Her name is Gianina-- which is pronounced like my name, only with an "a" at the end. How ironic is that?? I was so happy to speak to someone who spoke Spanish... But we played for a long time and it was really cool to get to know them some more... the pastors really have a heart for the people, you can tell. And the church people who were there are really sweet.
It's really hard to get people to come to things because of their work schedule. People work really hard here... and it takes a really long time to develop relationships here and see fruit. That's one of the reasons why missionaries go home from here... it's not like other places where you can see easily the fruit of the work you've been doing. Here it takes a really long time because of their schedules, because of their perspectives and way of life and because of their group mentality. But when they do decide, they do it whole-heartedly.
One of the really cool things that I got a chance to see and even participate in was the Gospel choir. I'm not a singer by any account, and Gospel isn't my genre, but I wanted to see this. It's a program going on here in the church-- Japanese people really like Gospel music. And so, it's open to the public and they can come in and sing. I went on a morning with fewer than usual people-- and it's the session that's not as much attended as the other. But, they sing the songs (in English) and there is the translation in Japanese at the bottom with some Bible verses (and they offer a time beforehand to explain the meaning) and they work hard at singing the songs.
And boy do they get into it. My mouth dropped. It was so powerful! Here are a bunch of non-believers (there were 3 believers that day) really singing powerful music and you can tell it's doing something on the inside. And people are getting saved by singing. They realize that the atmosphere is different, there's power in praise music and they want Jesus. I was really touched to see it all.
This week's favorite invention here is the carpet warmer. I haven't investigated it enough to know how it works, but it really warms up the carpet. If you're standing, you can feel that your feet are warm-- so just imagine sleeping on it... since we sleep on the floor here!And speaking of that, I need to get some sleep. Tomorrow won't be as busy as some of the other days this week, but I want to get all rested up before I head next week out to see more of Japan!!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Theoretically Speaking
Tokyo, Japan -- So my new theory is about why Japanese people are so thin. And that's because it's ridiculously expensive here.
Of course, I'm joking. Not about the expensive part though. I'm astounded at the prices of everything. ASTOUNDED. What? THREE dollars for TWO tomatoes? I went to the store just to look around yesterday and to get out by myself and just gaped at prices. $2 for a half loaf of bread. $6 for a travel size jar of peanut butter. Juice- somewhere around $5.
But some things are a bit cheaper (not much from what I can see)... Tofu is really cheap. You can get like a small block of it for less than a dollar. And you can get some stuff at CostCo which I hear makes it cheaper.
Another astound-ment is just the sheer number of rules here. There are SO many rules and ways of doing things. The Japanese are well-ordered, just-so kinda people. And high-tech. I have some cool ones that I'll just have to tell you about in person.
Which brings me to the funny story of the [yester]day. I went out with this other newbie named Ben- he's been here for like 2 months or something like that- and we went to Machida, which is where they're going to do the youth church plant. And after walking around seeing stuff and the area and all that, we were hungry and went to eat. There's this place that we went to- and what you do is order what you want from a machine and pay for it there... Think vending-machine. It prints out a ticket and you give it to the cook. And then they bring you your food when it's ready and you sit at this diner-ish bar. But it doesn't look diner-ish, so don't get confused.
So, there are a million buttons on this machine. Ok, maybe like 100. But it's only written in their language and has NO pictures. Hmm? What does Janine want to eat today?? Mmmmm.... I'll take.... THAT one.
Nicely enough there was a girl that spoke some English and really only gave us 2 options: pork soup or fish soup and then showed us the buttons. Went for the pork. It was pretty good. And I ate the noodles with chopsticks. Yeah, I know I'm pretty awesome.
Actually, the Japanese are a lot more awesome (because they can do it with style; I can do it with capability). But that's beside the point.Have you ever heard of the company that was trying to sell diapers in Africa but couldn't? The diapers weren't selling, so they did a little investigation. Most of the people in that area couldn't read, so they bought based on what the packaging looked like. The packaging that the company used had a picture of a cute blonde baby in a diaper on it. So, they wouldn't buy the diapers because they thought that what they'd be buying was a blonde baby.
But, in some respects, I feel the same way here. I bought something the other day, paid, left the store... and it was not what I thought I had bought. Going to the store, I walked around and had no idea what the stuff actually was. Well, not the obvious stuff, like octopus or bread or something like that-- but like aisles that have boxes in them... or sauces or spices... or even the difference between the creams and that kind of stuff. It'll all take some getting used to. And I'm glad to be kinda getting used to being here. I feel more comfortable now, and it's been nice to have Christine show me the ropes a bit. It was a good day, and I felt less.... lost? I feel more like-- ok, I can do this (survive) here. Of course, I knew I could, but... hmm... I don't know how to describe it.
But I had a good talk with Christine about all kinds of stuff, which I'll talk about at some point. Don't worry-- I may not know what to do or how to read here (yet), but I AM learning a lot about culture and new words and all kinds of stuff.
Today, we went to the store at another part of town called Shin-yuri-gaoka to buy some food, and Christine challenged me on which train to use. Right before that, I commented at we clipped along, "I ALMOST feel like I know what I'm doing." And I got the train right.
Ok, 2 more things before I head to bed, which I need to.
-We went to this huge building in Shinjuku to see Tokyo. You know how you see pictures of how big Tokyo is in books? Yeah, well.... I was like-- I don't even know what to do with this site! It's HUGE! And awesome, because the sun was somewhere near setting.
-I can't remember what the other part is. I'll get it tomorrow. But, I'd like to repeat, as I have a few times since being here-- it should not be this cold anywhere on earth. Oh yeah, now I remember- but I'll talk more about the language and some interesting stuff about the people later.
Of course, I'm joking. Not about the expensive part though. I'm astounded at the prices of everything. ASTOUNDED. What? THREE dollars for TWO tomatoes? I went to the store just to look around yesterday and to get out by myself and just gaped at prices. $2 for a half loaf of bread. $6 for a travel size jar of peanut butter. Juice- somewhere around $5.
But some things are a bit cheaper (not much from what I can see)... Tofu is really cheap. You can get like a small block of it for less than a dollar. And you can get some stuff at CostCo which I hear makes it cheaper.
Another astound-ment is just the sheer number of rules here. There are SO many rules and ways of doing things. The Japanese are well-ordered, just-so kinda people. And high-tech. I have some cool ones that I'll just have to tell you about in person.
Which brings me to the funny story of the [yester]day. I went out with this other newbie named Ben- he's been here for like 2 months or something like that- and we went to Machida, which is where they're going to do the youth church plant. And after walking around seeing stuff and the area and all that, we were hungry and went to eat. There's this place that we went to- and what you do is order what you want from a machine and pay for it there... Think vending-machine. It prints out a ticket and you give it to the cook. And then they bring you your food when it's ready and you sit at this diner-ish bar. But it doesn't look diner-ish, so don't get confused.
So, there are a million buttons on this machine. Ok, maybe like 100. But it's only written in their language and has NO pictures. Hmm? What does Janine want to eat today?? Mmmmm.... I'll take.... THAT one.
Nicely enough there was a girl that spoke some English and really only gave us 2 options: pork soup or fish soup and then showed us the buttons. Went for the pork. It was pretty good. And I ate the noodles with chopsticks. Yeah, I know I'm pretty awesome.
Actually, the Japanese are a lot more awesome (because they can do it with style; I can do it with capability). But that's beside the point.Have you ever heard of the company that was trying to sell diapers in Africa but couldn't? The diapers weren't selling, so they did a little investigation. Most of the people in that area couldn't read, so they bought based on what the packaging looked like. The packaging that the company used had a picture of a cute blonde baby in a diaper on it. So, they wouldn't buy the diapers because they thought that what they'd be buying was a blonde baby.
But, in some respects, I feel the same way here. I bought something the other day, paid, left the store... and it was not what I thought I had bought. Going to the store, I walked around and had no idea what the stuff actually was. Well, not the obvious stuff, like octopus or bread or something like that-- but like aisles that have boxes in them... or sauces or spices... or even the difference between the creams and that kind of stuff. It'll all take some getting used to. And I'm glad to be kinda getting used to being here. I feel more comfortable now, and it's been nice to have Christine show me the ropes a bit. It was a good day, and I felt less.... lost? I feel more like-- ok, I can do this (survive) here. Of course, I knew I could, but... hmm... I don't know how to describe it.
But I had a good talk with Christine about all kinds of stuff, which I'll talk about at some point. Don't worry-- I may not know what to do or how to read here (yet), but I AM learning a lot about culture and new words and all kinds of stuff.
Today, we went to the store at another part of town called Shin-yuri-gaoka to buy some food, and Christine challenged me on which train to use. Right before that, I commented at we clipped along, "I ALMOST feel like I know what I'm doing." And I got the train right.
Ok, 2 more things before I head to bed, which I need to.
-We went to this huge building in Shinjuku to see Tokyo. You know how you see pictures of how big Tokyo is in books? Yeah, well.... I was like-- I don't even know what to do with this site! It's HUGE! And awesome, because the sun was somewhere near setting.
-I can't remember what the other part is. I'll get it tomorrow. But, I'd like to repeat, as I have a few times since being here-- it should not be this cold anywhere on earth. Oh yeah, now I remember- but I'll talk more about the language and some interesting stuff about the people later.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Adjustments
Tokyo, Japan -- So now I have like 3 days in Tokyo... and I'm still a bit culture shocking.. mostly because I don't know what to do with myself... there are so many rules and specific ways of doing things that the Japanese have and I have no idea when to bow and when to do what and so I'm just a bit confused. That and I feel kinda illiterate.
In a day or two, when I'm a bit more comfortable, I'll kick back into myself... not that I'm not me... I'm just like... uhhhh?
So, having SUCH the experience and time here in Japan, I have found that my favorite invention (because they have 'em for everything here) is the toilet seat warmer. Yep. It's warm.
The shower here is a bit schizophrenic. You turn the water on in the sink then flip a switch and it goes on in the shower. And it'll be nice and warm, and then for no reason at all, it goes cold. REALLY cold. Then, you have to shiver through it and wait for the hot to come back. It's not a big deal really, just different.
Also different is walking around in socks. In church, in the house... I've brought my shoes indoors but for a day or so, they were outside. And there are special bathroom slippers that I keep forgetting about, because I have "slippers" or flip flops that I wear especially for my house in Mexico... because it's cold! So, I'm starting to get better at remembering not to treck those things back through the house again.
One of the big differences here, and Christine was talking to me about this, is the space issue. It's so important to make use... sometimes multiple uses out of really little space. You're always bumping into things and I keep my stuff tucked inside my suitcase at all times.
I'm sleeping inside the church, which is downstairs. And since it's not their living quarters, it's nice because I can have a bit more freedom to have my stuff out (overnight) and in the morning, I pack it back in. And every morning, you fold up the covers and the sheets and the mattresses (they're like pads) and you put them back into their space. And then in the night you put it back. But during the week, for the most part, it'll be more relaxed.
The other things that Christine was talking about that can be difficult is depression... it's one of the spiritual battles here... and that I can explain more in person about it... but there is no like touching or hugging or many people smiling here... a lot of pressure and stuff.
I'm also surprised at how much English people do speak here... last night, the bilingual service was pretty cool... there was a guest speaker who had a very cool story and a good message... and we sang in Japanese and in English... there was a Hillsong song and one-- As the Deer... do you know it? It was really cool to sing that in both languages!
And last night we put together a schedule so that I could have some idea of what is going on... It's full! In it is included meetings as a group, Japanese classes, going to the Gospel Choir, helping out around the house, going out with the young people to make contacts, seeing a bit of Tokyo and that.... It's going to be a full week!Well, I'm going to head to the store real quick because I now know where it is, and I'd like to see what they have there...
So, to explore!
In a day or two, when I'm a bit more comfortable, I'll kick back into myself... not that I'm not me... I'm just like... uhhhh?
So, having SUCH the experience and time here in Japan, I have found that my favorite invention (because they have 'em for everything here) is the toilet seat warmer. Yep. It's warm.
The shower here is a bit schizophrenic. You turn the water on in the sink then flip a switch and it goes on in the shower. And it'll be nice and warm, and then for no reason at all, it goes cold. REALLY cold. Then, you have to shiver through it and wait for the hot to come back. It's not a big deal really, just different.
Also different is walking around in socks. In church, in the house... I've brought my shoes indoors but for a day or so, they were outside. And there are special bathroom slippers that I keep forgetting about, because I have "slippers" or flip flops that I wear especially for my house in Mexico... because it's cold! So, I'm starting to get better at remembering not to treck those things back through the house again.
One of the big differences here, and Christine was talking to me about this, is the space issue. It's so important to make use... sometimes multiple uses out of really little space. You're always bumping into things and I keep my stuff tucked inside my suitcase at all times.
I'm sleeping inside the church, which is downstairs. And since it's not their living quarters, it's nice because I can have a bit more freedom to have my stuff out (overnight) and in the morning, I pack it back in. And every morning, you fold up the covers and the sheets and the mattresses (they're like pads) and you put them back into their space. And then in the night you put it back. But during the week, for the most part, it'll be more relaxed.
The other things that Christine was talking about that can be difficult is depression... it's one of the spiritual battles here... and that I can explain more in person about it... but there is no like touching or hugging or many people smiling here... a lot of pressure and stuff.
I'm also surprised at how much English people do speak here... last night, the bilingual service was pretty cool... there was a guest speaker who had a very cool story and a good message... and we sang in Japanese and in English... there was a Hillsong song and one-- As the Deer... do you know it? It was really cool to sing that in both languages!
And last night we put together a schedule so that I could have some idea of what is going on... It's full! In it is included meetings as a group, Japanese classes, going to the Gospel Choir, helping out around the house, going out with the young people to make contacts, seeing a bit of Tokyo and that.... It's going to be a full week!Well, I'm going to head to the store real quick because I now know where it is, and I'd like to see what they have there...
So, to explore!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Tokyo Welcome
Tokyo, Japan -- I was kinda sad to leave Bali... it was a good trip! I enjoyed meeting everyone, hearing their stories, seeing Bali... feeling my toes again! It was beautiful!I got to go on the motorcycle ride! That is tradition-- and I so enjoyed it... it was the first time I rode with a helmet on... Chris, a friend from orientation, stopped suddenly at one point and I slammed right into him, which was funny.... But I was very content to go.
Have to find somewhere here in Tokyo...The only place that I would have liked to have seen is Tanah Lot... but maybe next time?? haha.
So, I went to the airport and they took about 20 or more minutes to find my ticket and since I was the only one there, I was a bit concerned. But it went well, and I found a place to sit and eat in the airport... I swear the WHOLE country of Japan was on my flight to Tokyo. There was a million of them!! And they listened to the Japanese announcements and talked during the English ones and I wanted to stand up and hush them so I could strain my ears to hear what was going on.
Tokyo welcomed me with snow... well, it was more like flurries, but I was excited. Freezing, freezing cold here... and the people I was going to meet got there on time to meet me at the stop, but my bus got there early, so I waited outside... and thought, I'll take Balinese warmth anyday over the cold cold cold.
Speaking of which, I've caught a cold from the temperature change, but I think that in a few days it should go away.Yesterday, after sleeping like a log through the afternoon (the jet lag hit me hard), we went to a Brazillian church in the evening. THAT was pretty cool. Obviously, they speak portuguese (and Japanese) and I understood! Well, about 80% of it I understood... I communicated in Spanish and they in Portuguese and we got along great. There was a Peruvian guy there who just got saved and he told me I talk like a Mexican.
Today was 2 Japanese services... and tonight there is a bilingual one...But I have to go because the bilingual church is starting... Should be great!
Have to find somewhere here in Tokyo...The only place that I would have liked to have seen is Tanah Lot... but maybe next time?? haha.
So, I went to the airport and they took about 20 or more minutes to find my ticket and since I was the only one there, I was a bit concerned. But it went well, and I found a place to sit and eat in the airport... I swear the WHOLE country of Japan was on my flight to Tokyo. There was a million of them!! And they listened to the Japanese announcements and talked during the English ones and I wanted to stand up and hush them so I could strain my ears to hear what was going on.
Tokyo welcomed me with snow... well, it was more like flurries, but I was excited. Freezing, freezing cold here... and the people I was going to meet got there on time to meet me at the stop, but my bus got there early, so I waited outside... and thought, I'll take Balinese warmth anyday over the cold cold cold.
Speaking of which, I've caught a cold from the temperature change, but I think that in a few days it should go away.Yesterday, after sleeping like a log through the afternoon (the jet lag hit me hard), we went to a Brazillian church in the evening. THAT was pretty cool. Obviously, they speak portuguese (and Japanese) and I understood! Well, about 80% of it I understood... I communicated in Spanish and they in Portuguese and we got along great. There was a Peruvian guy there who just got saved and he told me I talk like a Mexican.
Today was 2 Japanese services... and tonight there is a bilingual one...But I have to go because the bilingual church is starting... Should be great!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Time Out
Bali, Indonesia -- I'm just taking a time out from my beautiful sunny gorgeous, warm, sweat yourself away Bali trip to write a few moments... :)
Let's just say that this bed is the most beautiful thing I've felt in a loooooonnnng time. Since yesterday.
Well, I've arrived. Obviously. The flights were good...The 13.5 hour one from Dallas to Tokyo was well... long.. but the guy I was sitting next to was really cool and is somewhere in Taipei right now, if I'm correct. But he's a Chinese Christian, very involved in ministry and doing stuff in Dallas.
Landing in Tokyo was rather anti-climatic, I'm sorry to say. I think that's because it was all brown, and we didn't fly over the city. But watching all the boats and stuff in the water was cool as we were nearing Japan. We flew over the Rockies, past the Alaskan archipelago...? Is that what it's called? Anyway. And then over the sea to the east of Siberia. In that kind of an ark. It was nice to watch on the screen.
Somewhere around the second flight I began to lose my sanity... It was a really nice flight though... there was noooo one... so in between them feeding us a million times, and after watching Mamma Mia, I stretched out and slept for four hours.
Chris, a friend, picked me up at the airport, and I was never so happy to check into my room... my roommate was already sleeping and she got up, answered the door, said, hi, welcome, you must be tired, you should go to bed. And then she laid down and went back to sleep.
And I was still standing there.The bathroom and shower is outside (there's a wall for each room) and it only had cold water. I didn't mind, I just wanted to get clean and get to bed.
Slept for a few hours and got back up. Did I mention it's really hot in Bali? Well, it's not so much hot as it is humid. Anyway, we went up a volcano on the day before the conference started on the ridge that goes along the cone top and saw the lake inside... it was cool. Lots of shopping... which I haven't bought much but they do have a lot of neat stuff... but still, it's cool to see everything. We changed rooms yesterday, which was nice and I changed roommates. She's a single missionary working in Thailand and she's from the Philippines... she's great! I like her!
Oh, and the bathroom AND shower is inside in this room. And has hot water. I like this room! Oh, and it has a balcony. Beautiful!
The food is really good and there's a place right around the block that we've been frequenting, beside the meals we eat together at the conference.The conference is also really good-- the teachings have been really applicable and very moment right... even the theme! Dale preached tonight and it was a very, very good message... and another guy that I really look up to taught on the phases of planting an indigenous church, and Chuck taught on persevering... Phil. 3:13-14... It was all very good!!! Still 2 more days of the conf... it's very relaxed and there is a lot of fellowship which is a big thing for us. It's REALLY cool to meet all the people who are working around here... well, in this continent... They're all VERY cool, and I love to listen to their stories... That's one of the best parts about it all... a lot of important stuff goes on during those times.
Well, I need to get to bed. I know it's like 9am for you all, but it's like 11pm for me, and I have to get up at like 6....Blessed sleep! I really could use a LOT more sleep, but.. it's Bali. BALI. Sleep is not that important when there's so much to see and do and people to talk to.
More individual stories to come when I have freer internet and more stories to come... which! I think I'll get to carry on the tradition and ride on a motorcycle tomorrow. How fun!
ALSO- if you could pray for me... I'm fine, and I really just need to drink more water, but I've been dizzy... which I know is dehydration. We're the slighest bit south of the equator and it's hot and humid and you sweat a lot!Apart from that, I'll be back soon! Updates will be more regular in Japan where I don't have to pay for internet... I bought a card for 2 hours for this week which I'm trying to regulate in short times!Yeah, yeah, I'm going!
Let's just say that this bed is the most beautiful thing I've felt in a loooooonnnng time. Since yesterday.
Well, I've arrived. Obviously. The flights were good...The 13.5 hour one from Dallas to Tokyo was well... long.. but the guy I was sitting next to was really cool and is somewhere in Taipei right now, if I'm correct. But he's a Chinese Christian, very involved in ministry and doing stuff in Dallas.
Landing in Tokyo was rather anti-climatic, I'm sorry to say. I think that's because it was all brown, and we didn't fly over the city. But watching all the boats and stuff in the water was cool as we were nearing Japan. We flew over the Rockies, past the Alaskan archipelago...? Is that what it's called? Anyway. And then over the sea to the east of Siberia. In that kind of an ark. It was nice to watch on the screen.
Somewhere around the second flight I began to lose my sanity... It was a really nice flight though... there was noooo one... so in between them feeding us a million times, and after watching Mamma Mia, I stretched out and slept for four hours.
Chris, a friend, picked me up at the airport, and I was never so happy to check into my room... my roommate was already sleeping and she got up, answered the door, said, hi, welcome, you must be tired, you should go to bed. And then she laid down and went back to sleep.
And I was still standing there.The bathroom and shower is outside (there's a wall for each room) and it only had cold water. I didn't mind, I just wanted to get clean and get to bed.
Slept for a few hours and got back up. Did I mention it's really hot in Bali? Well, it's not so much hot as it is humid. Anyway, we went up a volcano on the day before the conference started on the ridge that goes along the cone top and saw the lake inside... it was cool. Lots of shopping... which I haven't bought much but they do have a lot of neat stuff... but still, it's cool to see everything. We changed rooms yesterday, which was nice and I changed roommates. She's a single missionary working in Thailand and she's from the Philippines... she's great! I like her!
Oh, and the bathroom AND shower is inside in this room. And has hot water. I like this room! Oh, and it has a balcony. Beautiful!
The food is really good and there's a place right around the block that we've been frequenting, beside the meals we eat together at the conference.The conference is also really good-- the teachings have been really applicable and very moment right... even the theme! Dale preached tonight and it was a very, very good message... and another guy that I really look up to taught on the phases of planting an indigenous church, and Chuck taught on persevering... Phil. 3:13-14... It was all very good!!! Still 2 more days of the conf... it's very relaxed and there is a lot of fellowship which is a big thing for us. It's REALLY cool to meet all the people who are working around here... well, in this continent... They're all VERY cool, and I love to listen to their stories... That's one of the best parts about it all... a lot of important stuff goes on during those times.
Well, I need to get to bed. I know it's like 9am for you all, but it's like 11pm for me, and I have to get up at like 6....Blessed sleep! I really could use a LOT more sleep, but.. it's Bali. BALI. Sleep is not that important when there's so much to see and do and people to talk to.
More individual stories to come when I have freer internet and more stories to come... which! I think I'll get to carry on the tradition and ride on a motorcycle tomorrow. How fun!
ALSO- if you could pray for me... I'm fine, and I really just need to drink more water, but I've been dizzy... which I know is dehydration. We're the slighest bit south of the equator and it's hot and humid and you sweat a lot!Apart from that, I'll be back soon! Updates will be more regular in Japan where I don't have to pay for internet... I bought a card for 2 hours for this week which I'm trying to regulate in short times!Yeah, yeah, I'm going!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
My Soil
Dallas -- It is COLD in Dallas. I'm sure it's colder in stl, but dear goodness... isn't Texas supposed to be at least warm? But Dallas has heat, so that makes up for it.
I continue the sleep deprivation today. While yesterday I did sleep for an hour on one of the buses, at 1am this morning I was still wide eyed and thinking about how much I needed to get some sleep before 4:30 rolled around. It did, and it seemed really unfair and loud the alarm.God knows me, and I'm so glad that at no point yesterday did I have people to have to sit right next to. Let's pray that it continues to be that way for the next 21 hours of flying time.
However, there was a guy a seat away from me on the flight to Dallas last night who spoke really good Spanish and I wouldn't have expected it of him. He looks like the kind of guy who would have the horrendous pronunciation and thick accent. But he grew up in Argentina and now works for Radio Shack and spends a week in DF (Mexico City) and a week in Fort Worth, where he lives. But he was a nice guy and complimented my Spanish and also said I don't have an American accent. I said my kids still make fun of me when I mix up my Spanish.
Which is what I did last night. You know, I KNOW I'm in the States, but it still confounds me every time I arrive back. Why does no one speak Spanish? (Don't answer that one)... Dear goodness, the people in general are tall and large... What do you MEAN we don't have room for one more in the hotel shuttle??? WHERE THE HECK ARE WE????
And then I realize, oh, you can't pile people on top of another here. Oh, there are rules for the road and people freak out when the driver is the slightest bit spastic in his driving.
This is my world people!
And by the way, it's not fair to put a trash can right next to the toilet... Actually though, it's worse if there is no trash can because that's just like playing mental games with me. Eventually (this morning) I remember that you can flush the tp here... although it kinda feels like sin.
Last night, I became "friends" with the hotel shuttle guy who was from Somalia. I kept speaking Spanish to him (and to everyone else... couldn't control it)... and I don't know exactly what he was thinking, but I suddenly became his "sweetheart". He was altogether a nice guy though...
I got to the hotel and took a blessed shower. Water pressure... this is another thing that never ceases to amaze me. What, I can finish a shower in 2 minutes? I got in and decided, oohhhh... I need to do this again in the morning. I don't want to leave!! And then later that night, the covers did not weigh 10 pounds to keep me warm, but were all light and airy and the bed was soft. You may think I'm exaggerating, but these differences you note.
One other cool point... I happened to slam my foot in door last night and lost the shoe, which Mr. Somalia picked up for me... but my arch throbbed all last night. At one point I was laying in bed feeling the painful throbbing and I began to pray, Dear Lord, if You could please heal my foot... and AS I WAS PRAYING IT, the pain, right in the middle of a throb, went away. My eyes opened wide in the darkness and I was like, WOW. THAT was cool. Thank You, Lord. And it feels great this morning!Well, I'm going to go check out and see what they have for the continental breakfast and catch the shuttle back to the airport. And at some point this morning, get a coffee from Starbucks... it's been too long, precious one.
I continue the sleep deprivation today. While yesterday I did sleep for an hour on one of the buses, at 1am this morning I was still wide eyed and thinking about how much I needed to get some sleep before 4:30 rolled around. It did, and it seemed really unfair and loud the alarm.God knows me, and I'm so glad that at no point yesterday did I have people to have to sit right next to. Let's pray that it continues to be that way for the next 21 hours of flying time.
However, there was a guy a seat away from me on the flight to Dallas last night who spoke really good Spanish and I wouldn't have expected it of him. He looks like the kind of guy who would have the horrendous pronunciation and thick accent. But he grew up in Argentina and now works for Radio Shack and spends a week in DF (Mexico City) and a week in Fort Worth, where he lives. But he was a nice guy and complimented my Spanish and also said I don't have an American accent. I said my kids still make fun of me when I mix up my Spanish.
Which is what I did last night. You know, I KNOW I'm in the States, but it still confounds me every time I arrive back. Why does no one speak Spanish? (Don't answer that one)... Dear goodness, the people in general are tall and large... What do you MEAN we don't have room for one more in the hotel shuttle??? WHERE THE HECK ARE WE????
And then I realize, oh, you can't pile people on top of another here. Oh, there are rules for the road and people freak out when the driver is the slightest bit spastic in his driving.
This is my world people!
And by the way, it's not fair to put a trash can right next to the toilet... Actually though, it's worse if there is no trash can because that's just like playing mental games with me. Eventually (this morning) I remember that you can flush the tp here... although it kinda feels like sin.
Last night, I became "friends" with the hotel shuttle guy who was from Somalia. I kept speaking Spanish to him (and to everyone else... couldn't control it)... and I don't know exactly what he was thinking, but I suddenly became his "sweetheart". He was altogether a nice guy though...
I got to the hotel and took a blessed shower. Water pressure... this is another thing that never ceases to amaze me. What, I can finish a shower in 2 minutes? I got in and decided, oohhhh... I need to do this again in the morning. I don't want to leave!! And then later that night, the covers did not weigh 10 pounds to keep me warm, but were all light and airy and the bed was soft. You may think I'm exaggerating, but these differences you note.
One other cool point... I happened to slam my foot in door last night and lost the shoe, which Mr. Somalia picked up for me... but my arch throbbed all last night. At one point I was laying in bed feeling the painful throbbing and I began to pray, Dear Lord, if You could please heal my foot... and AS I WAS PRAYING IT, the pain, right in the middle of a throb, went away. My eyes opened wide in the darkness and I was like, WOW. THAT was cool. Thank You, Lord. And it feels great this morning!Well, I'm going to go check out and see what they have for the continental breakfast and catch the shuttle back to the airport. And at some point this morning, get a coffee from Starbucks... it's been too long, precious one.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Spare Hour
Mexico City -- For an insanely long period of time, I've been waiting for this very moment... I happen to be sitting in the food court in the Intl Airport of Mexico City Benito Juarez... on my way to various stops in North America and Asia.... A LOT of thought, prayer, planning and saving has gone into this moment.
From where I'm sitting, you can see all the people coming out of customs and the people who are waiting behind the posts for them to arrive. People moving around, standing on tip toes trying to see through the frosted glass doors. It reminds of me of when my family comes and I'm trying to figure out if they're going to come through E1 or E2... running back and forth, checking the monitors that are only reliable for being wrong. I can also see offices in the high ceiling and a new screen that shows the same 3 commercials repeatedly... a new flight to Madrid, a new flight to Sao Paolo and a Telcel commercial.
Anyway, there's still about 40 minutes before I need to head through security and I've had the whole morning to sit on buses and think about everything that has led up to this trip and I'm eager to see what God will do and hear what He will say and meet all the people that I'll meet.
What a ride since last September... so much has happened... ... Whatever happens... good or ugly, the only thing you can really do is give thanks and walk forward.
The cutest little boy just walked up to my table and his mom came up to smile apologizingly and take him away.
Back to the point. Walk forward. There will always be good things and things that we don't like as much, but either way you can get stuck. Keep walking... always giving thanks because we know that God is leading us to somewhere good.
So, I'm about to head to the pharmacy here in the airport. Can you believe that? I don't remember seeing pharmacies in other airports. Maybe I don't pay enough attention. But I only need some bandaids to put on my heels. I have a pair of utterly cute shoes but that are rubbing against my heels.
Well, here I am in Mexico City, beginning a huge adventure for me... Indonesia... Japan... And I'm really excited for what this will bring into my life. I'm excited to learn, see, smell, meet... eat weird things... and be on the beach! You can't ask for much better in January.
Speaking of eating, I know it's obvious, but how expensive is food here in the airport! And large, large portions. I wanted some pizza, but decided $5 wasn't worth a slice and a drink and so headed to McDs. More choices: hamburger or chicken? Went with a chicken sandwich... Ate about 3/4 of it and maybe 1/2 of the fries and not near all of the soda. And I was hungry too!
What is this all about? The chicken sandwich was incredibly disappointing too, with only a pieces of plastic-y looking cheese and round shaped bacon. Round.
I should have stuck with the hamburger.
Bon voyage.
From where I'm sitting, you can see all the people coming out of customs and the people who are waiting behind the posts for them to arrive. People moving around, standing on tip toes trying to see through the frosted glass doors. It reminds of me of when my family comes and I'm trying to figure out if they're going to come through E1 or E2... running back and forth, checking the monitors that are only reliable for being wrong. I can also see offices in the high ceiling and a new screen that shows the same 3 commercials repeatedly... a new flight to Madrid, a new flight to Sao Paolo and a Telcel commercial.
Anyway, there's still about 40 minutes before I need to head through security and I've had the whole morning to sit on buses and think about everything that has led up to this trip and I'm eager to see what God will do and hear what He will say and meet all the people that I'll meet.
What a ride since last September... so much has happened... ... Whatever happens... good or ugly, the only thing you can really do is give thanks and walk forward.
The cutest little boy just walked up to my table and his mom came up to smile apologizingly and take him away.
Back to the point. Walk forward. There will always be good things and things that we don't like as much, but either way you can get stuck. Keep walking... always giving thanks because we know that God is leading us to somewhere good.
So, I'm about to head to the pharmacy here in the airport. Can you believe that? I don't remember seeing pharmacies in other airports. Maybe I don't pay enough attention. But I only need some bandaids to put on my heels. I have a pair of utterly cute shoes but that are rubbing against my heels.
Well, here I am in Mexico City, beginning a huge adventure for me... Indonesia... Japan... And I'm really excited for what this will bring into my life. I'm excited to learn, see, smell, meet... eat weird things... and be on the beach! You can't ask for much better in January.
Speaking of eating, I know it's obvious, but how expensive is food here in the airport! And large, large portions. I wanted some pizza, but decided $5 wasn't worth a slice and a drink and so headed to McDs. More choices: hamburger or chicken? Went with a chicken sandwich... Ate about 3/4 of it and maybe 1/2 of the fries and not near all of the soda. And I was hungry too!
What is this all about? The chicken sandwich was incredibly disappointing too, with only a pieces of plastic-y looking cheese and round shaped bacon. Round.
I should have stuck with the hamburger.
Bon voyage.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
On the Road
Altotonga, Mexico -- For you computer people, I have a problem with my lap going on screen saver (black)... but I have it to not go on screen saver. It didn't before I "calibrated" my battery as HP said I should. If anyone has any idea why it's doing this and what I can do to not have it go on screen saver, let me know!
Ok, on to business. Tomorrow I leave for the big trip!!! Yay! I'll be travelling until Sunday, so keep me in mind and pray for me if you would.I'll be keeping this thing updated as much as possible... from Bali, from Tokyo, possibly Kyoto... all the places that I go. This week has been a bit busy... but today was more relaxed. I woke up with a cold but I'm feeling a bit better now. Thank God! I really didn't want to be feeling ugly for the whole ride.
So, please be praying for me during this trip for:
- For travelling (safe, that I don't get lost!, to not have lots of jet lag, no lost luggage, no problems in customs or immigration... all 6 times!)
- To be in great health for the trip
- That I could clearly hear God's voice while travelling and know the direction He is giving me.
- That I could learn a LOT, by all kinds of methods... and connect with the culture.
- That it'll be a rockin experience! I know I'll enjoy the trip.Well, I think it JUST hit and I just got that rush of excitement that wow... this trip I've been thinking about since July of 2007 is here!
With all the other things I've had this week-- discipleship, meetings, going here and there to see people, all kinds of things... leaving the house clean and everything organized and in its place, I've known that I'm going, but I've been very calm.
Even as kids came tonight to say goodbyes and tell me a MILLION times to take care and to please come back, I was still calm. And I reassured them that I had paid the ticket back already so I'd be sure to come back. :)
Well, I really need to get some sleep tonight, so, until soon!Thank you for your love, prayers and support. Without you guys, this trip wouldn't be happening. Thanks for being part of the team! You are wonderful... many blessings!
Ok, on to business. Tomorrow I leave for the big trip!!! Yay! I'll be travelling until Sunday, so keep me in mind and pray for me if you would.I'll be keeping this thing updated as much as possible... from Bali, from Tokyo, possibly Kyoto... all the places that I go. This week has been a bit busy... but today was more relaxed. I woke up with a cold but I'm feeling a bit better now. Thank God! I really didn't want to be feeling ugly for the whole ride.
So, please be praying for me during this trip for:
- For travelling (safe, that I don't get lost!, to not have lots of jet lag, no lost luggage, no problems in customs or immigration... all 6 times!)
- To be in great health for the trip
- That I could clearly hear God's voice while travelling and know the direction He is giving me.
- That I could learn a LOT, by all kinds of methods... and connect with the culture.
- That it'll be a rockin experience! I know I'll enjoy the trip.Well, I think it JUST hit and I just got that rush of excitement that wow... this trip I've been thinking about since July of 2007 is here!
With all the other things I've had this week-- discipleship, meetings, going here and there to see people, all kinds of things... leaving the house clean and everything organized and in its place, I've known that I'm going, but I've been very calm.
Even as kids came tonight to say goodbyes and tell me a MILLION times to take care and to please come back, I was still calm. And I reassured them that I had paid the ticket back already so I'd be sure to come back. :)
Well, I really need to get some sleep tonight, so, until soon!Thank you for your love, prayers and support. Without you guys, this trip wouldn't be happening. Thanks for being part of the team! You are wonderful... many blessings!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Update
Today I took the kids to Teziutlan. We had just a fun time where we bonded, did something different. So, we went by bus to Teziutlan, about 40 minutes away and had lunch there and saw a movie. It was a good time and I think it was nice for them to get out and have some fun too!On the way there, Karen got a message from a friend that her other friend had passed away about a half an hour beforehand. She was riding her horse on Thursday, I believe, and something happened and the horse jumped up, and she fell off. She ended up with 6 fractures in her skull, a couple of broken ribs, a punctured lung and a broken ankle.It was very sad for Karen as the girl she was talking about was a friend-- a smart one that colleges were wanting, one with a future ahead of her. So, we talked about it, she shared her memories and this will be an impacting moment for her for sure.
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