Not This Time

So I don't think I can make it to Passion's Regional this time... "Oh, did't you say that already last time?" you may ask if you have read my last post. Well, yeah, but as I said, things are always changable as the weather.

At first, I got Passion's invitation to Dallas on Feb 15-16.I didn't have a passport so I applied immediately. Then I was told it would take 15 workdays to get the passport. Combined with the visa interview wait time at the embassy,I would say two words for sure," No way!" I looked at my calenda and cried for like a few mins, it's kinda hard not to cry cos I missed such a good opportunity! But I wasn't really disappointed.Oh, well...I emailed Pasion back and told them I probably couldn't make it in time.That was the end of the story when I post last time.

As there is an encore to every concert, there is an encore to this drama.In the next few days, I told a few friends that I am not gonna make it in time. But they said it was unusual that I got the invitation and I probably shouldn't give up
that early. "I don't know" is all that I had in mind. So I prayed and waited for God's answer. Ha...the next day, the drama did take a turn. In the morning at about 8,I called the emabssy to see when the earliest interview time would be - Feb 13. No,thanks! I didn't have my passport yet anyway. Then at 10:30, my father called and said my passport arrived. Wow! He told me my passport numbers and then I immediately called the embassy again. The interview time - still Feb. 13! "I can't book the time for you now. I am afraid you gave a wrong passport number. A Chinese citizen can't have a passport number that starts with a J",said the lady over the phone. "Oh, ok, thanks, I will check again!" I hung up and called my father again to check. Oh, it was actually a G and not a J. But at this momnet, my embassy calling card ran out of mins (54RMB for 12 mins - crazily expensive!) Then I went to the CITIC Bank to buy another phone card and called again. " The ealiest interview time is Feb 4..." said the lady. "WHAT! Feb. 4!" I couldn't believe my ears! I thought God made the miracle happen! After reserving the interview time, I sat down with a little relief and then emailed Passion again and also told a few friends I might make it this time. They were all very happy for me. Later, Passion emailed back and said they might change my trip to Washinton DC on Feb 22-23, but they hadn't decided. So, I crossed my fingers and wished "Please, NO!" Well, last night they emailed again with a final decision that they decided to want all their guests to attend DC regional instead of Dallas. School schedule contradiction + my father's concern= No way! At this point, I think I can draw the closing curtain to this drama - Not this time!

Honestly, I can't fake and say I am happy about this, but I am OK! After all, Passion is coming to HK in Oct. Trusting that God always knows the best,I am trying to be patient...it is not easy though.

Thanks to all my friends (esp. Jesse, Chao,Jade and Amber!)who have given me so much support thus far! Love yal!:)

Never Go Down - 张学友

Listening to this English song "Never Go Down" by 张学友, I just have to say "OH-SO-GOOD!". It is the kind of Jazz song that I would play over and over again. It protraits a person walking alone at night and ...Hmmm...I'd better not sketch the whole picture yet, and let you draw your own as you listen to it. Enjoy!:)

I found a link to this song: http://music.360quan.com/u/f6f47/play/2868

Never Go Down

Alone in the city Ain't no streets of gold
Wallowing in self pity In a world so hard and cold
Walking the streets in vain To a find a friendly face
But all I got was pain
And I was lost without a trace
Scared and alone I didn't have the strength to carry on
I thought that I would never win this fight
Took solace in my loneliness
But now I see the light
Cozoh l I'm never going down again
I said I-Oh-I
I'm never going down again
I've danced with the devil I have prayed to the Lord
Drewned in a sea of sorrow
My joie da vivre was overboard
Too many broken hearts
So much gone undone
But I'm trying to find the spark
And all the darknee overcome
Looked to the sky
I was searching for salvation from on high
But hope springs eternal like true love
And I made a vow somewhere somehow
That I would rise above
Coz ll I'm never going down again
I said I-Oh-I
I'm never going down again

Changable As Weather

How is the weather forecast made on BBC? Is greenhouse effect the only cause of global warming? What is the trend of the changes of global climates. Whose responisblity it is to tackle the climate problems?

I found out all the answers last night. Anna and I attended the Cafe Scientificque Night hosted by the British Council at the Green Island Cafe. They invited Bill Charles to give a speech and it was amazing! Bill was a meteorologist from the U.K. and the Editor in Chief of the BBC weather forcast program before he retired. He has taught us so much last night. It is intersting to learn that the weather man we see on BBC is actually a meteorologist himself and he has to be, because there is very limited time between recieving datas and broadcasting. Once the weather man receives the data, he must analyze them, draw the weather map and then think about how he can put it into simple language so that anyone can understand(In Bill's word, it is called "bus-stop" language). The whole process is mainly done by the same man.So he must be a meteorologist and a broadcaster at the same time.

Smart and famous as Bill was, he wasn't snoppy but very nice. He answered our questions patiently even after the event ended. Anna and I were honored to take a picture with him. :)



Changable as the weather is my plan to attend Passion's Dallas Reginal in Feb. My mind was blown when I got their invitation, but I am sad to find out I can't make it in time for the conference because it takes over a month to get a visa. It's a pity but I am certainly not disappointed cos God took me through so many last-minute dramatic changes last summer that I've learned to trust His plan. At least, I have applied for a passport which I probably wouldn't get if it were not for this invitaion. If God wills, I am sure there will be a future opportunity. :)

A for "Apple", B for "Boy"...I for :)

I went out of the classroom after study tonight and headed back for my dorm. The night greeted me with cold fresh air and tranquility. I looked through the redbud trees waggling in the wind, and saw pieces of lamp light sparkling like gold. Another charming winter night to embrace...

Just when I stopped trying to breath in the night, I heard a woman's voice from behide, " Aaaaa is for ?" Silence... "Bbbbb is for ?" Silence... "Cccc is for?" "C is for Cat,Babe!" a man said in a soft voice. "Ahh...C for Cat" a cute voice followed. I turned back and saw a man holdinhg a little girl (about 3 years old,I think)on his shoulder and a woman was walking beside him. I smiled and watched them walk past me, with my memory brought back to my childhood -I used to sit on my father's bicycle rack and followed him as uttered those few English words he knew -"I am a worker." I heard that again in my head and repeated...

"Iiii is for?" the woman's voice took me back to the winter night. " I...i...I is for Ice-cream!" the girl shouted cheerfully. Hahaha...laughters and applauses.

Good job,girl! :)

P.S. With that in mind,I'd like to share a song that keeps me smiling this week. - 摇瑶(a song written by 张学友　for his daughter.)
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/fRidtWb9HWg/

M-E-R-R-Y Christmas!

This Christmas is really and unexpectedly MERRY! I got great gifts, saw great friends and heard great news…Haha, here I am to count all those merriness with a grateful heart.

Christmas Eve on Shamian

So this year is actually my first time to attend the Christmas Eve Service in Shamian Church. I used to avoid that before cos church was always packed that day. But since I got some precious girls going, I decided to fight for a seat this year. I arrived 45 minutes before the service and the ushers were already blocking people from entering for the church was way packed. So I kinda sneaked in with the assurance that Jade had already saved me a seat. (Thanks,sis!) The service started at 7 and it was AMAZING from the beginning to the end! Choir, solos, story telling, sharing, brief sermon…all combined together in a beautifully decorated church where warmth and joy mellowed and overflowed. Aww…and all those praises and worship were given to the Holy One – Jesus Christ! After the service, policemen had to help keep the order outside of church for people were still trying to flood in. The night time on Shamian Island was pretty charming, except that it was way too crowded that night. (I wish all people would know the true meaning of Christmas.)

I’ve posted a photo album on facebook so that you may see more of what the church and service were like. If you still aren’t on facebook, you really should get on!

A Talk with Amber!
I think the greatest gift I got for this Christmas was a long talk with Amber on phone!! She got me an international phone card this summer so that I could call her. It was so refreshing to hear her sweet voice!!! We were both excited...

Magan and Adam Got Engaged!
This is the greatest news of the year!! I am sooo excited for them. I am trying every effort to go to America to attend their wedding. Pray that everything would work out.

Passion Worship Coming to HK
Yeah…there will be no Passion Worship events in Atlanta or LA or anywhere in the States in 2008, cos they will be touring the world. AND they are coming to Hong Kong in October!! I hope I will get to experience it. More infor will be launched out on their website later in January. Get pumped, people!

Chao Visiting Guangzhou



Chao came back to China to see his family for the first time in a year and a half after he has been to LSU. I was happy to finally meet him. He came all the way from Hunan province to visit Guangzhou yesterday. I met up with him at the train station and showed him around Shamian. We had a great time talking and visiting. He told me what life of Chinese students was like at LSU and I told him what being a Christian was like in China. Oh, and he got me a whole box of Ferrero chocolates! So happy! Thanks, bro! :)

Zhang Xue You Concert
Here he comes – Zhang Xue You, the greatest singer! He is having two concerts in Tianhe Sport Stadium both last night and tonight to conclude his 2007 world concert tour. I am glad he selected Guangzhou as the final spot. Tickets were usually sold out a month before his every concert wherever he went. So I was lucky to get a ticket for tonight, although it was expensive. Can’t wait!!

I’d like conclude this long post with a link to my favourite Christmas song of this year by Zhang Xue You. It’s called Lost Christmas. I think you will find a peace in it. Enjoy!

http://video.baidu.com/p?word=lost%20christmas&pos=1&s=1

¡Quiero estudiar mas español!

Hace cuatro meses que estudiar el español. Para mi, el español esta cada vez mas interesante y lo me gusta mucho. Lo aprendo tranbjando y con mucho entusiasmo. Me levanto muy temprano todas las mañanas porque quiero leer mi libro de español antes de mis clases.¡Que contento estoy que puedo hablar español! Claro, ahora lo hablo solo un poco, pero yo estudiare mas en futuro. Deseo hablar español tan bien como los españoles.

Ademas de el idioma de español, me gusta mucho la cultura de España. Las canciones, los bailes de flamenco, los edificios, las comidas, la gente y el futbol – todos son fabulosos. He visto unas programas sobre Madrid y Bacelona por la television. ¡Que bonitos son esas ciudades! A lo mejor yo ire a España un dia para viaje o trabajo. ¡Quien sabe! Jajajaja... :)

Oye, mi compañero me ha dicho que hay una pragrama de Hong Kong Radio. La programa llama “Ole,Ole,Spain” y ensaña español. Estoy la escuchando ahora y me la gusta mucho.

Chicken Rice,please!

The other day, my roommate shared an interesting story with me and I translated it as follows:

My name is Ming. The first time I went out to eat in a restaurant, I looked at the menu and ordered BBQ Pork Rice. It tasted good-the meat was crispy outside and soft inside, together with the honey sauce, my taste buds told me they had the best experience ever. Since then, I would order BBQ Pork Rice every time no matter which restaurant I went to.

(Restaurant A) Ming: May I have BBQ Pork Rice?
(Restaurant B) Ming: I want BBQ Pork Rice!
(Restaurant C) Ming: Waiter, BBQ Pork Rice, please!
(Restaurant D) Ming: Waiter…
Waiter: BBQ Pork Rice!! I got it!

Surprisingly, BBQ Pork Rice tasted good everywhere! One day, I traveled to another city and went into a restaurant at noon. I searched through the menu but Alas, NO BBQ Pork Rice. What am I gonna eat?! I started to panic as the waiter approached me. I frowned and flipped the menu hectically at a light-year speed. Reading my face, the waiter suggested, “Chicken Rice is good. TRY it!” “Ok,” I replied. Then the Chicken Rice was brought before me. Feeling like a guinea pig, I took the first mouthful, then I took another, and another and another…until the plate was shiny clean. Gee…Chicken Rice tasted GOOD! For the first time, I realized that besides BBQ Pork Rice there was something else that was awesome too.

I went to restaurant D again.
Ming: Waiter, I want Chicken Rice!
Waiter: What?!
Ming: CHIC-KEN Rice, please!

Later, I even realized that there were actually many different kinds of rice that were amazingly delicious- Steak Rice, Roasted Duck Rice, Roasted Goose Rice, Minced Beef Rice…just to name a few. The question is: _WHY_ was I so afraid of making changes and trying new things? After all, if Chicken Rice didn’t turn out to be good, I could still order BBQ Pork Rice next time. Life should be full of new tries so as to be colorful.

I can really resonate with this story. We all have times in our lives when we are with an one-side mind and just cling to the good-old things in the name of safety while missing something else, something new, something creative and something of vitality. They can be good too. Hey, friends!
Let’s order Chicken Rice this time!

Job Hunt - First Wave

Just came back from my daily English reading and thought that I should take a few minutes to update my blog. To practice my interpretation, I've formed a habit of reading out English loud for around 30mins most evenings (though I want to say "every evening", but God would know I lie) since last semster. A slight sense of giult was gripped off from me this evening when I closed my book cos I haven't spent the amount of time that I should have on my practice lately... Tracing it to the essencial cause, I have been swept into the first wave of job hunt.

October and December is the time when the so-call " Head comapnies"(namely large companies and cross-national cooperations) recruit different kinds of trainees. So campus talks come one after another like waves, bewildering enough to drown students who have little knowledge about them like me. I used to ignored those things cos I thought the chance of offer was too slight, say 1/80,000. Although the chance doesn't seem any better now and it will never be, I guess I can't shut my eyes against opportunities any more. About a month ago, I ran into a friend who graduated from Zhongda and now working in the Bank of China, he asked me if I was submiting my CV online. I shrugged my shoulder and replied,"NO". Then he tensely gave me a warning lecture right at the exist of the metro. I was thankful to that cos it was for my own good. Then as I was interning in the trade fair in the next three weeks, I didn't do much about online job application. That means I might have missed many good companies. Last week, I finally submitted my first online application to Nestle, and then this week to Maesk and maybe later to AC Nielson and Weyth... Again, the chance is slim, but as my friend says,"no matter what it turns out to be , you won't regret it as long as you have tried your best." So true!

Another thing that makes me have a complicated attitude towards this job-hunt wave is that I might be hanging in the air. As I involve myself in this wave, I can't spend as much time as I am supposed to in studying Spanish and preapring for TEM8 (test for English Major Band 8). That really causes me to feel unstable.

Last week, Vicky came into Guanzhou from the University City and we met up at Teenmall. You know, what a great feeling to hug the person whom you share telepathy with! Her situation is better cos she has been admitted to the graduate school of Zhongda, but she has immersed herself in this job-hunt wave much ealier than me. To her - those are more options besides going to grats school. It's really funny that she put her situation like this," I am just on a reprieve of two years." Haha...to be honest, I am sure such a talented girl won't have any problem finding a good job.

At this point, in face of the wave, I keep reminding myself:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11

That's what friends are for

I just heard this beautiful song from the O.C. - "That's what friends are for". Can't really describe how much it touches me! Today is the kind of days when I have specail feelings from the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep,although nothing special actually has happened. The deepening realization of having awesome friends in my life is like a blissful spring that flows inside me, sweetly and gently,irrigating each body cell.

Haha...may be a little emotional right now, but just think that I should let you all_My Precious Friends_, know that I LOVE YOU - and that's what friends are for!

Here is the link to the song and lyric: http://www.likenote.com/listener/artic/211
If you happen to bump into this note of mine and still get another 4:15 minutes, would you please listen to this song and allow it to tell you how much I appreciate you, each individual of YOU!

The song is still playing in my computer...I think I'd better keep silent right now and let this blissful feelings soak deeper in me.:)

A Huge new TV

Over the National holidays, my father bought this huge new Panasonic Plasma TV. I was thrilled at the size of the TV when he took me to the store and showed me that.The "WOW! No way!" kind of thoughts were still running through my head as I sat at the sofa in the living room and watching at the widescreen. The interesting thing about widescreen is that everthing seems shorter and ...fatter (I think it's somewhat funny). But overall, it is as luxurious as having a small private cinema at home. :)

The old TV is still watchable, but just doesn't work so well at times,plus the new one is not cheap, which was why mum and I asked dad to think twice before he bought the new one. But I assumed dad was right in sticking to his purchase philosophy - buy things with better quality and relatively higher yet affordable price. The old one he bought has been used for 17 years without repairs.

Speaking of the ole TV, I remember a funny scene: one day 17 years ago,when I was back home from the kindergarten, I hit my nose at a big and tall case sitting at the door. It took me quiet a while to realize it was a new TV (a big one to me at that time). Then for the next 30 mins, I danced around the case quite the way an Australian aboriginal did around his prey over fire. Haha...I had an insane kind of excitement in me, I guess.