New and Improved Blog

Hey guys! I'm in China right now! To follow my adventures, go to my new and improved blog at:

http://shichensays.wordpress.com

Year of the Double Deuce

Breaking News: I just turned 22, and I'm going to China tomorrow!

I can't believe after months of preparation, I'm leaving on an airplane in 24 hours!

I just turned 22, two twos, which I think it's fitting because this year I'll explore the duality of my life. Living in two countries, having two homes, speaking two languages...And just for good measure, I'll probably do everything twice. Here's what I get 2 look forward to:

2 young women about to embark on the journey of their lives! I am so thankful to have my roommate Leslie as the pair of us transition and adjust to a new culture! 2 is definitely better than 1 and I'm so glad I have someone to share this adventure with!

2 different languages that I want to master! As I teach conversational English, I want to learn Mandarin! You know, enough to be able to buy an eggplant from a street vendor or actually converse beyond "I'm good, how are you?"

2 options of how to volunteer my time: at the local orphanage or small business . Either way, I'm anxious to dive into more aspects of the culture by helping out with the community!

Toast: Here's 2 a great year--the old and new, ups and downs, ins and outs--I hope I'll learn so much from a new life while staying true to my old one!

Thanks for following me on this crazy adventure and I'll try to update as much as possible! It hasn't been an easy journey so far and has been an uphill battle, but with all of the love and support, it's has definitely been worth it.

Always,

Shi

ps: sorry this post was cheesy, but who cares? I'm 22!

Beauty from Ashes

The burn site at Pine Valley

On July 16th at 7AM, I was sitting amidst CTY counselors and students, witnessing heartfelt praises and phrases of gratitude in a sunrise "passionfruit ceremony"--a tradition to honor and reflect as the students took turns sharing what camp has meant to them. I was deeply moved by the sincere tribute to friends and memories, and was inspired myself to reflect on my own camp experiences. I began to think about how I had my first taste of freedom as a CTY camper during my middle school days and how I got bitten by the camp bug as a counselor at Pine Valley for the past two summers.

That was when I received a text saying that Creekside Lodge (of Pine Valley) was burned down to the ground. I was hit with a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts, trying to process the impact this will have on the camp and its purpose. Thankfully, no lives were lost. Creekside Lodge was more than a building as it housed the main office with all the camp records, history, and information, but also the maintenance shed with all the camp's lawn mowers and tools, as well as the infrastructure for the gas, water, and electric systems. The camp was hit at its heart--hard.

I got to visit camp for a couple of days and was blown away by the fighter spirit of the staff and was so encouraged by all the camp supporters and families that came to lend a helping hand. I got to experience true community as everyone selflessly served to help where they could. I mean, people were moving cinder blocks by hand, digging in the dirty ash to retrieve camp files, and running around, trying to make a difference. The camp may be persecuted, but not abandoned; it may be struck down, but not destroyed. It's interesting that beauty truly can come from ashes. And something can't be fixed unless it's broken.

The camp is resilient, like a phoenix ignited from ashes reborn into a new legend. Despite the loss, camp will still go on as campers begin to come back this week. Plans for a new lodge and main office are in the works. There is a new vision for the camp, while staying true to its lasting purpose.

I'm so thankful to be apart of this camp family. If you want to read more about the camp and how to help out with the fire crisis or make a donation, visit their web site. Their impact on people's lives is everlasting and cannot be destroyed.

CTY Great Expectations

My CTY RA staff

I always expect great things.

I just came back from working as an RA for JHU's Center For Talented Youth at Princeton University. I went into these three weeks expecting to meet great people, to experience a new environment, and to be stretched beyond my comfort zone. What I got was so much more.

The people--

With CTY's commitment to diversity, I expected to meet people from different cultures, backgrounds, and worldviews. I fell in love with the staff and the students, each teaching me something new and refreshing about life. Whether it was about hard work ethic by applying to medical schools or about using natural and organic products to honor your environment and body or about being silly and goofy and being comfortable in your own skin, each conversation and interaction expanded my bubble while solidifying my own values.

I expected to be challenged by the differences of people. What I realized was that we are all unified by the need for love and affirmation. Thankfully, I didn't have to do this on my own.

The Environment--

I expected Princeton to be you know, Ivy League-eqsue. I had images of people wearing sweater vests, smoking pipes, and discussing classic literature. Instead, I was surrounded by kids playing silent football, carrying around spoons in their mouths, and cross-dressing. The buildings were beautiful, the town was cute, and the scenery was breathtaking. The lack of AC with the 108 degree heat, the monotonous meals, and the fluctuating weather forced us to focus on the important things, like building relationships and bonding through complaining. Apart from the physical environment, I expected to learn from the social environment. As an RA, my goal was to build community among the residents, making Princeton a home away from home. I envisioned this community physically to look like a hall with a community bathroom (not stuck in the basement), rooms that could prop open doors, and furniture like couches where people could sit and chat. Without all of these, I realized that community is more than just the physical environment, but a social one too. As long as the people are comfortable with other people and free to make their own decisions and stay true to themselves, that is when the environment thrives. Even when 140 people are stuck inside on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

The Zone--

With my RA, counseling, and camp experience, I expected to draw from my memories and recreate them. Instead, I was pushed out of my comfort zone and challenged to make this a new and unique experience. I learned the value of taking risks and putting myself out there, in order to really make my gifts come alive. I expected to do great things, but I realize that staying faithful in the small things has just as much impact. From organizing a talent show to teaching a girl how to do laundry to just smiling, I learned that beauty comes from truth and such actions can show someone a taste of what is good and beautiful and what is true. I learned that going out of my comfort zone while staying true to myself is the cross section of personal growth and aspiration.

CTY, thanks for a great three weeks, for blowing my mind, and giving me lifelong memories. I know there will be much more to come.

Reactions

People react in the funniest ways when I tell them I'm going to China.

My doctor looked at me and asked, "CHINA?! How OLD are you? If my 21-year-old daughter told me she was going to China for her first job, I would be freakin' out!" He basically did freak outt, and I can't help it if Asians age well and that's why I look like I'm 16.

The lady who took my passport photo gasped and said, "CHINA?! Why would you want to go there?" For some reason, telling her that my parents grew up there and I wanted to teach in a different culture and have an adventure didn't seem to suffice.

Moms squeal and hug me and tell me how excited they are. Dads pout and mumble something about Communism. Strangers wish me good luck and friends are supportive, even though I know apart of them feels nostalgic or sad.

The thing about reactions is that they are in response to something. I personally don't have any reactions to going to China because I am not there yet. My reaction to everyone else is reaction is basically a head nod, smile, and a hope that everything will be ok. That's basically all I can do.

Growing up...

Grovers exist outside the bubble! The fusion of my home and school world.

Rachel Lee, this one's for you! It's always great to see Grovers outside of school. I love importing my school friends into the real world--it's weird, but I like it. I met up with some friends downtown Inner Harbor. They were at the Next conference, which is like a Christian conference with speakers like CJ Mahaney and Joshua Harris. I think no matter where we are, we'll always be Grovers. It's comforting to know that there's a huge network of people to support and encourage you, even if you're not on campus anymore. This may be even better, because there's no Noodles & Company in Grove City.

Here's some moments when I felt grown up/mature this past week:
- Going to the dentist BY MYSELF and having my wisdom teeth pulled. Hopefully my wisdom didn't leave with my teeth.

- Getting a tax refund and making a money budget. Don't forget to tithe!

- Talking to my mom about traffic and what is the best route to take to work.

- Using public transportation and paying the full rate (not the student rate!)

- Taking my car into the body shop to get an estimate after getting rear-ended. I remember the days when I rode a bicycle everywhere...

I'm embracing growing up and making the transition into the real world. It's both exciting and scary, but with every moment, I am learning that I can be independent and that I am been prepared to handle these situations. Even though I'm learning to be "independent," I am reminded that I am not in this alone, that my friends are in the same boat and I can count on them for comfort and support.

Blessed be Your name...

"You give and take away!
You give and take away!
My heart will choose to say...
Blessed be Your name."

So post-graduate life is something else. It's like a strange purgatory between childhood summer days and mature monotony. In the past week, I've read so many books, watched re-runs of Friends, started a scrapbook of college memories, and actually cooked a couple of meals. I was trying to build some sort of routine but it's hard when there's nothing to do.

My life lacked purpose. I didn't feel bad for sleeping in because there really wasn't a reason to get the day started (and I'm not really a morning person). I think that's what I needed: purpose, a reason to get up in the morning.

After the season finale of LOST (which brought even more closure to this part of my life), I got an email from a family who needed a babysitter. Their 7-year-old daughter couldn't go to school so they needed someone to take care of her during the day. They sounded desperate, and I guess I was too. I figured I could use the money for next year and it'll be a good growing experience.

It's been three days of babysitting. I honestly don't know how moms can do this for a lifetime. It is a roller coaster of joy and frustration, silliness and sternness. At least I had an excuse to color and make snowflakes., and sing and play guitar. And we bonded over singing Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance." :-)

Tree 63's song "Blessed Be Your Name" was playing on the radio on the way to babysitting today. I was thinking about how life is a series of blessings and trials, and how they can be at the same time. It's always better to look on the positive side of things and appreciate the fact that we have a purpose in life.