Sometimes a class that is easy to take for granted will prove itself worthwhile. Such is the case with my Intro to Cross-Cultural Communication class with Mr. Killebrew. I took it because it is a general education requirement, and it had potential to enrich my interest in world cultures. Indeed it did.
The mid-term assignment was to engage in a cross-cultural activity and write about it. For my cross-cultural activity, I went with my "cross-cultural buddy," Eden, who is from China, to St. Louis Chinese Lutheran Church. I was already interested in Chinese culture, but this experience made me want to go to China and immerse myself in its culture more than ever. Chinese people are beautiful and precious. I appreciate Eden and her willingness to let me tag along with her, her friends, and family for the celebration of the Chinese moon cake festival on Saturday and the church service on Sunday.
While I was working on my mid-term paper I thought of the idea of having Eden teach me Chinese. I postponed my work to send her an email about it. Shortly after, she wrote back saying she'd like to. I was so excited! I want to be able to read and write in Chinese, and God has given me the opportunity through Eden to do them. I believe I will go to China someday, and learning the language could be preparation for my trip.
MBU is offering a Chinese class some time. Because I am taking baby Greek (Elementary Koine I), I do not think it would be wise for me to take the course. If you would like to learn the Chinese language, however, contact Dr. Han, Humanities chair and English professor, for more information.
I am so thankful for the experience and the encouragement to learn more about heritage and cultures from Intro to Cross-Cultural Communication. I think it is Mr. Ray Killebrew's best class. I can honestly say that learning about a particular culture is best done by experiencing the culture yourself.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Thursday, October 04, 2007
What Has Happened?!
I have not blogged for over a month! My apologies to my devoted blog fans. I have become busy, but that is no excuse. Has busyness ever stopped me before? No! I have been quite tired many times that I've thought about posting, but that again is no excuse. Have I been tired before before writing? Yes! I pledge this day that neither tiredness nor busyness shall hinder me from my grand, privileged duty to serve my beloved audience and to make my opnions and experiences known!
Anyway, now that I've got 100 percent lameness out of me, allow me to attempt to fill you in on what's happened since September 1st and fail.
...
Well, it seems much has happened. Next week is mid-term--man, has the time flown by! School is school; I don't have much to say about it except that I am taking baby Greek, a class I've wanted to take since about my junior year of high school.
...
Yeah, academics definitely isn't at the top of my priority list anymore. I like the new freedom I have from feeling "enslaved" by my studies. It is an answer to a prayer. Hmm, what are some more important things?...
My Relationship with God
I'll be late for class almost anytime on account of Chapel. (This semester, it is World Literary Types I'd be late for. Sorry, Dr. Han!) I count any spiritual thing that could happen in Chapel more important than school, so if I have the opportunity to continue praising God after students are dismissed, I will most likely take it. Another example of my relationship with God being more important than academics is that I give my religion classes priority over my other classes.
My Relationship with John
Yep, I esteem John over academics. That's a no-brainer, right? Usually, if you find John, you will find me.
My Relationships with Other People
I have come to learn that people are very important. In fact, they are most important after God. People are interesting, diverse, enjoyable, sometimes captivating, and loved by God. They should be loved by people too. ;)
Sleep
Yes, unfortunately, sleep sometimes takes priority over academics. Most of time, it takes it accidentally.
...
What has happened over the past month? I continue to grow in Christ and grow closer to John. Both of these actions have manifested themselves in different ways. John adds more and more pictures to our photo album on Facebook as evidence.
This is so bad. The only thing I can think of in particular is my birthday. The Wednesday before my birthday on September 22, John surprised me with a trip to the Laumeier Sculpture Park, a picnic at the park with food from The Perk, and a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo, my favorite novel. My favorite part of the park was the Nature Walk. Though it was a hot day, it was still beautiful, and I thoroughly enjoyed the time we got to spend together. On my birthday, my parents took me to the Olive Garden in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where my sister surprised me with a visit. I also received my gifts there. After eating, we all went shopping. It was inside Target that I listened to a voicemail from John in which he, Katie (my roommate), Clayton, and maybe others sung "Happy Birthday" to me. I loved it. The last segment of my birthday occurred Sunday evening when I arrived at my dorm room. Katie told me "happy birthday" when I entered and had balloons tied to the end of my bed and a chocolate cake and a card sitting on my bed. Mmm! The cake was delicious, and the card was cute! Katie is a wonderful roommate, by the way.
...
Well, that is my terrible attempt to recapitulate what has happened in the past month. I may throw in more details in future posts.
Anyway, now that I've got 100 percent lameness out of me, allow me to attempt to fill you in on what's happened since September 1st and fail.
...
Well, it seems much has happened. Next week is mid-term--man, has the time flown by! School is school; I don't have much to say about it except that I am taking baby Greek, a class I've wanted to take since about my junior year of high school.
...
Yeah, academics definitely isn't at the top of my priority list anymore. I like the new freedom I have from feeling "enslaved" by my studies. It is an answer to a prayer. Hmm, what are some more important things?...
My Relationship with God
I'll be late for class almost anytime on account of Chapel. (This semester, it is World Literary Types I'd be late for. Sorry, Dr. Han!) I count any spiritual thing that could happen in Chapel more important than school, so if I have the opportunity to continue praising God after students are dismissed, I will most likely take it. Another example of my relationship with God being more important than academics is that I give my religion classes priority over my other classes.
My Relationship with John
Yep, I esteem John over academics. That's a no-brainer, right? Usually, if you find John, you will find me.
My Relationships with Other People
I have come to learn that people are very important. In fact, they are most important after God. People are interesting, diverse, enjoyable, sometimes captivating, and loved by God. They should be loved by people too. ;)
Sleep
Yes, unfortunately, sleep sometimes takes priority over academics. Most of time, it takes it accidentally.
...
What has happened over the past month? I continue to grow in Christ and grow closer to John. Both of these actions have manifested themselves in different ways. John adds more and more pictures to our photo album on Facebook as evidence.
This is so bad. The only thing I can think of in particular is my birthday. The Wednesday before my birthday on September 22, John surprised me with a trip to the Laumeier Sculpture Park, a picnic at the park with food from The Perk, and a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo, my favorite novel. My favorite part of the park was the Nature Walk. Though it was a hot day, it was still beautiful, and I thoroughly enjoyed the time we got to spend together. On my birthday, my parents took me to the Olive Garden in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where my sister surprised me with a visit. I also received my gifts there. After eating, we all went shopping. It was inside Target that I listened to a voicemail from John in which he, Katie (my roommate), Clayton, and maybe others sung "Happy Birthday" to me. I loved it. The last segment of my birthday occurred Sunday evening when I arrived at my dorm room. Katie told me "happy birthday" when I entered and had balloons tied to the end of my bed and a chocolate cake and a card sitting on my bed. Mmm! The cake was delicious, and the card was cute! Katie is a wonderful roommate, by the way.
...
Well, that is my terrible attempt to recapitulate what has happened in the past month. I may throw in more details in future posts.
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