Estie in Exile

Big news

2006-09-13T20:13:00.000+12:00

I've been away for the past little while and while I was away I GOT ENGAGED!

I'm getting married in December 16th. That's about 94 days away!!!!!!!

4 more weeks of university and 4 more big essays so not much more blogging to come for the next little while.

On lions

2006-08-16T15:10:00.000+12:00

I have a fascination with Chinese lions.
They're so friendly! (and they sometimes drink tea, too.)

On Ethnicity

2006-08-16T13:35:00.000+12:00

I don't often contemplate the fact that I am part of an ethnic group ...

John Edwards states that "there is the often-expressed equation of ethnic group with minority group, or with a social subgroup. Yet, even the most casual observer can see that all members of some ethnic group or other." (see citation)

I've been thinking about this concept as I slog away at a paper on ethnic identity and politics in China. Although there are 56 officially recognised ethnic groups, the Han majority making up 92% of the population, the term minzu, roughly translated as either nationality or ethnic group, is almost without exception used to refer to the minorities.

We talk about 'ethnic groups' here in New Zealand too, don't we? And 'ethnic foods', 'ethnic culture', 'ethnic film' ... and yet according to Edwards' definition, it's all ethnic! Interesting.

source of quotation: Edwards, John. 1985. Language, society and identity, chapter 1, 'Some basic concepts.' Blackwell.

Sensational tea house hits Christchurch

2006-08-14T11:35:00.000+12:00

Saturday morning saw me hopping into town for tea with friends at the Ya-Ya House of Excellent Teas. The tea house has only been open for about 2 weeks, but it's already growing in popularity. Finally, somewhere that Christchurch residents and visitors can enjoy high quality tea without the incessant grinding of coffee beans and clattering of cups and saucers ... the atmosphere is peaceful and mellow, the staff friendly and informative (they will talk to you for hours about tea) and the teas EXCELLENT. (Anyone for a visit??? Have a look at the link - even has some photos)

"It's a God thing"

2006-08-10T14:44:00.000+12:00

I often hear the phrase "it's a God thing" or "it must have been God", normally used by Christians to refer to unexpected situations or happy coincidences. I've said the same thing too, at times.

This is great, in that it recognises God's work in our lives. We should give him thanks and praise for what he is doing. However, it strikes me as ironic that we don't often refer to our sickness or accident or other calamities as "God things." How about the mundane and ordinary? We easily get frustrated when things don't go our way, or when we don't see what God is doing.

For example, last year I neglected to turn my cellphone off for the first time during class, and it just happened that I got a call in the middle of the grammar lesson from a friend who had accidentally put her house keys in my bag when I visited her the day before, and she couldn't leave home without her keys to lock up! I was able to cycle over and give her the keys ~ if I had turned my cellphone off, she would have not been able to go to work that morning! So I attributed it to God's hand causing me to keep my cellphone on. But what I failed to realise was that God would still have been sovereign if I had turned my cellphone off and she had been stranded at home ...

I think that most of us know God works in all situations to further his purposes and his plans. Jesus said to (the Jews), "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." (John 5:17, NIV) But do we neglect to acknowledge the all-encompassing extent of God's sovereignty when we recognise it only in extraordinary circumstances?

Perspective

2006-08-07T11:19:00.000+12:00

By the time I got to uni this morning, my shoes, socks and bottom half of my pants were soaked. Wet, cold and soggy mmmmmmm just like Jeremy likes his cornflakes!

Some people in the world don't have shoes and socks! Or a warm office with an endless supply of clean, hot water. And the guarantee of lunch and dinner today. And a spare change of dry clothes waiting for me back at the flat. And a house that is dry (and warmer than outside, at least).

Bare feet

2006-08-04T15:37:00.000+12:00

I dream of bare feet.

Research

2006-08-01T11:30:00.000+12:00

This semester I have a Special Topic course as part of my honours degree schedule. It is entitled "Research Methods in Chinese Civilisation" and is basically aimed at equipping students to write a research paper for publication in the field of Chinese Studies.

My chosen subject is, at this stage, on Ethnopolitics in China ... that is, the relationship between politics and China's ethnic nationalities (minorities, in particular).

China has 56 officially recognised ethnic nationalities; the majority group are the Han, making up approximately 94% of the population. The rest are 55 ethnic minorities, mostly located in the frontier regions of China (North-West, North-East, West and South-West).

The research will involve looking at China's policies towards ethnic minorities, in terms of both theory and practice, as well as issues of national identity, culture shift, effects of modernisation and globalisation, etc. These issues will then be linked to movements of integration, assimilation and secession among ethnic minorities.

That's the general idea so far! A bit vague, I know, but it will all get narrowed down in due time.

Maybe ...

2006-07-28T09:48:00.000+12:00

I've been thinking about changing my blog site ...

What is this "marseille sweetie" business?

I think I made up my blog when I'd just got back from France and thought I'd felt some deep affinity with the city of Marseille. And "sweetie" was just a nice way of referring to myself as a girl. However I haven't spoken French in more than half a year, and don't feel any particular compulsion to call myself "sweetie" either.

I don't think that it really reflects what I want my blog to be about, nor who I am as a person.

But we'll see. No definites at this stage.

Recent reflection

2006-07-28T09:21:00.000+12:00

I've been pondering this verse for a while....

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed (NIV).

...in particular the part that says "prepare your minds for action". One recurring theme in 1 Peter seems to be the idea that Christians are "strangers in the world" (1:1; 2:11) who are looking forward to the return of Christ. Peter encourages the Christians in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadoccia, Asia and Bithynia (mostly cities in today's Turkey) to live with a different mindset and lifestyle from those around them, since they are looking forward to eternity with Christ.

Trusting in Christ isn't a passive way of life or a turning-in of the brain in exchange for blind belief. For people to set their hope fully on the grace they will receive when the Lord returns requires prayer, deep reflection on God's word and a head-and-heart desire to be "rooted and built up" in Christ (Colossians 1:6). We have hope - not a kind of wishful thinking - but a certainty that Jesus will come again in glory.

Why some people don't read the Bible

2006-07-22T11:10:00.000+12:00

Because they don't have the Bible in their own language.

According to Wycliffe Bible Translators New Zealand ...

There are 6912 languages in the world, of which

- 2529 have no Bible translation begun
- 1640 have translation in progress
- 862 have at least one book
- 1115 have only the New Testament
- 426 have the entire Bible

(source: Wycliffe Bible Translators New Zealand http://www.wycliffe.org.nz/)

Seem a little imbalanced? Although these statistics are shocking, we can praise God for the work of translation that is taking place. Check out Wycliffe's Vision 2025! This is one (very important) aspect of what God is doing through his people to reach all nations with the gospel of Jesus.

Mmmmmm ginger cake!

2006-07-18T08:47:00.000+12:00

Popular demand has led me to post the ginger cake recipe.
Recipe courtesy of Farida Memon.

Ginger cake

ingredients:

1 1/2 cups (300 g) firmly packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups (225 g) plain flour
1 1/2 cups (225 g) self-raising flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 T ground ginger
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
250 g butter, ,softened
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk (2 T plain yoghurt made up to a cup with water)
1/2 cup (175 g) golden syrup

method:

1. preheat oven to approx. 160 deg C
grease deep 23 cm square or 20 cm diameter tin (or large loaf tin); line with baking paper

2. sift dry ingredients into large bowl; beat with mixer; add remaining ingredients. beat mixture on medium speed until mixture is smooth and changed to a paler colour. using metal spatula, spread mixture into prepared pan.

3. bake cake in moderately slow oven for about 1 hour 20 mins to 1 hour 30 mins (depends on size and depth of your cake tin) stand cake 10 minutes, turn onto wire rack, turn top-side up to cool.

~ cover cake loosely with foil about halfway through baking if it is overbrowning ~

enjoy warm with icecream/cream/yoghurt or at room temperature. goes best with a cup of tea! (with or without contaminants) :)

More on tea

2006-07-12T09:15:00.000+12:00

Tea quotes for Tea Lovers

"All true tea lovers not only like their tea strong, but like it a little stronger with each year that passes." - George Orwell, "A Nice Cup of Tea"

"You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me." - C.S. Lewis

"A Proper Tea is much nicer than a Very Nearly Tea, which is one you forgot about afterward." - A.A. Milne

More on football

2006-07-08T10:30:00.000+12:00

Italy or France????????

The biggest question facing the world on 9 July 2006.

Or is it?

All I can say is: Totti! (pass the pringles ........)

On football

2006-06-16T20:50:00.000+12:00

According to some sources, about one million people's eyes are currently glued to their TV screens as the FIFA World Cup 2006 progresses.

Yup. I'm one of them. Unfortunately without SKY it's not possible to watch much apart from the highlights on One each afternoon. You just don't get the feel of the whole game by watching highlights. You can't sense the building of suspense, the atmosphere of the crowd, the overall vibes from the players as they battle it out on the green.

I'm in a league of Fantasy Football, which is a kind of virtual football game where you select your dream team according to which players you think are going to do well in the tournament. You get a certain amount of money and can select players based on their cost. (no more than 2 players from any one country, ie you can't have Ronaldinho, Adriano and Roberto Carlos). Then you compete against your friends who have selected different teams.

The thing I've learned so far is, no matter how good a player is, he can't get points if his team is doing badly! (A bit like real life, really) If the team does well, odds are your player on that team will do well. Germany's doing awesome! So my German defender is racking up heaps of points for me. On the other hand, Sweden is doing a little worse than expected, and so one of my forwards, Ibrahamovic, isn't getting much of a chance at shots on goal. Thus it's pointless to select players from obscure teams who aren't likely to do well overall. Having Brasilians, on the other hand, is generally a good idea! (no, I'm not necessarily supporting Brasil, but I do love to watch them in action)

I'm still counting on Thierry Henry (Fr) to get some goals. And possibly Rosciky (Cz) as well .... we'll see.

Charlotte Lucia Rohs

2006-05-30T16:25:00.000+12:00

Mutti has gone.

In other words, my paternal grandmother, Charlotte Lucia Rohs, passed away on Monday 22 May 2006 at approximately 1:30 am, at Nazareth House Catholic rest home in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Born on 4 April 1920 in Wien, Austria, she was a lover of her homeland and the Austrian dialect of German.

Mutti was a generous woman, full of spirit and vigour, and had a strong will.

She cared for her children and grandchildren, and loved to share her life story with them and others.

When I was little, she used to babysit my brother and I, and made us 'face to the wall' when we went to bed, so that we would get to sleep faster.

She was a devout Catholic and loved God.

Mutti was an excellent cook and made the most scrummy goulash.

What else can I write? I could go for pages about how much she meant to so many people.

She will be missed. Greatly.

Wuzhen

2006-05-16T10:42:00.000+12:00

I thought it was about time I posted a photo on my blog. This is in a small, ancient town called Wuzhen. It's in Zhejiang Province, China. The region where Wuzhen is located is sometimes referred to as "The Venice of China" because of all its intra-town waterways. Quite picturesque!

Do you drink tea?

2006-05-16T10:33:00.000+12:00

A Guide to Brewing the Perfect Cup of Tea

source: http://www.dilmah.com/teaism/ord_cuppa.html

To prepare the perfect cup of tea, one requires a few moments of time and some simple utensils and ingredients. Most importantly good tea – tea that is picked, and packed at origin is usually better as it implies that the tea is fresh. Tea like Dilmah is origin packed within days of harvesting and that is important because in addition to retaining the aroma, flavour and character of tea, fresh tea is also richer in healthful antioxidants.
Tea is an elegant beverage and has certain subtleties which contribute to the experience of a good cup of tea. Unlike coffee tea does not overpower the water in which it is brewed but enters into marriage with it, creating a brew that is influenced by the quality of both tea and water. The quality of water is very important therefore. Spring water is ideal, alternatively if the water in your area is not hard, water for tea could be drawn from the cold tap. It should be boiled, but just once, because boiling twice would lose the Carbon Dioxide and other dissolved gases in water that fuse with the tea to produce a quality brew.
Using a clean and dry kettle, the water should be boiled and poured into a teacup, mug or pot as desired. A teapot, mug or cup of white porcelain is recommended as its permits aesthetic appreciation of the tea.
It is important to use the right amount of water. One teabag or a teaspoonful of tea will brew a cup or mug of tea (around 220ml). When using a large teapot, care should be taken not to pour in too much or too little water as too much will produce a weak brew and too little will yield tea that is excessively strong. To brew black tea, pour the freshly boiled water directly onto the teabag or leaf tea in the pot. Stir gently after one minute and allow to brew for a further 2 or 3 minutes. In the case of green tea, white tea, or very fine black tea, allow the water to cool for a minute or two before pouring into the pot or cup. When using leaf tea, use a stainless steel strainer to strain the leaves when pouring into the cup.
When making Green Teas, brew for 1.5 to 2 minutes. Certain Green and Oolong Teas can be brewed three times producing three infusions from the same leaves, each time adding 30 seconds to the brewing time.
The addition of sugar and milk are contentious issues, although ultimately it is a matter for individual preference. If you enjoy tea with milk, use warm dairy milk. Most black teas take milk well although there are some such as light high grown Ceylon Tea which would lose their subtlety to any additive. Strong black tea like Dilmah Ceylon Supreme, English Breakfast or Irish Breakfast can take milk well and a touch of milk should be added until the brew lightens into a reddish brown, or as preferred.
The same goes for sugar which is as individual as milk. Delicate teas should be enjoyed straight, without milk or sugar although if sugar is desired, use refined white sugar. As an alternative try a natural sweetener like pure honey. Garnishes such as a sliver of Ginger, crushed Mint leaves or Lemongrass or Lemon go well with tea and in some cases offer additional health benefits.
Tea should be stored in a cool and dry place. Moisture affects tea, causing it to lose aroma and flavour whilst also reducing its healthfulness. Keeping tea in a cool and dry place, such as a clean, odour free and airtight container inside a refrigerator, would permit storage for upto 3 years. Being hygroscopic, tea absorbs moisture and kitchen odours easily and when making tea it is important therefore to use a clean and dry teaspoon, opening and resealing the tea quickly after use.
That is a complex explanation perhaps but then tea is a complex and sophisticated beverage which demands respect! In summary,

Step 1 select fresh tea of good quality, ideally leaf tea. Dilmah Leaf Tea is origin packed in vacuum pouches which retain the freshness and flavour of the tea right until the pack is opened.Step 2 draw fresh water from the cold tap, or if the water in your area is hard, use spring water.Step 3 use a clean and dry kettle, and boil the water, remembering never to use twice boiled water for tea.Step 4 use clean and dry, white porcelain or china teacups, tea mugs or pot and pour the right amount of water directly onto the tea or teabag. The rule of thumb is approx. 250ml of water per teabag or teaspoon of tea.Step 5 leave to brew, stirring after a minute. For black tea, allow to brew for a total of 3 minutes, green tea 1.5 minutes, and in the case of leaf tea add one minute.Step 6 pour into clean and dry cups or mugs, using a stainless steel strainer if brewing leaf tea, and enjoy! Add sugar or milk to taste, but never to green tea, oolong tea or herbal infusions.

我是个知识分子！

2006-05-15T21:15:00.000+12:00

已经晚上九点多了。。。但是我还在学校里写文章。那么，我就是个知识分子。哈哈！

Attention please

2006-01-15T01:24:00.000+13:00

For anybody and everybody's general knowledge, there were NOOOO naked people when I went to school in the jungle. Except when they were in the bath. And that wasn't in the jungle.

Shall I compare thee to a winter's day?

2005-12-30T01:05:00.000+13:00

Winter in China is an interesting phenomenon.

There are so many aspects of life here in winter that don't even exist in New Zealand.

For example, I am wearing "sleeve savers" which are like waterproof open-ended bags with elastic on each end that I put on the end of my sleeves to prevent the cuffs of my puffer jacket from getting dirty. (they are pale blue with a Hello Kitty on each one, just for reference)

Every day getting in and out of the shower is an absolute mission, because it involves running down the freezing cold dormitory hallway wrapped in a towel and clutching my toiletries bag and that little net scrubbing puffy thing on a string ....

Vendors everywhere sell roasted kumara cooked in big drum-shaped ovens on the side of the street.

It is common to see people cycling with a white mask over their nose and mouth (is it to protect from the cold, or the smog?)

No snow yet. But I'm waiting ....

Not blogging sorry!

2005-08-15T21:52:00.000+12:00

Recently I've had a couple of comments on this blog.

Unfortunately I can't view my own blog OR anyone else's, so there is not much point in commenting as I can't comment back.

If you want to get in touch with me, please email me. Thanks

Spring Festival

2005-02-08T17:03:00.000+13:00

It's New Year's Eve, all over again!

I woke up this morning to the sound of roosters crowing; not a normal sound for 21st century urban China! This is because over the past couple of days, people here have been buying chickens and roosters to keep on their balconies until today. They stuff them full of grain, and then later today there will be a great slaughtering of all these chickens, because the big Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) feast is traditionally held tonight.

Everywhere are red decorations; red is a very propitious colour and will supposedly bring good luck. Children get given money in small red envelopes (hong bao) for good luck, and tonight there will be fireworks - the traditional firecrackers have been banned for years.

My family has been given lots of fruit, melon seeds, and zongzi, which are triangular bundles of sticky rice wrapped in bamboo leaves. The ones we have are made with small kidney beans and have chestnuts hidden inside.

To add to all the excitement, there is a stray cat on heat wandering around our campus, yowling at the most inappropriate moments. People don't normally get their cats speyed or neutered here.

Bring on the festivities. It's nice to be on holiday finally.

Estie can't view her own blog!

2005-02-06T20:11:00.000+13:00

For some reason I can edit and add posts to my blog, but I can't comment or even view my blog. How disappointing! For this reason I am not even able to look at other people's blogs. I found out that even Remy has a blog! And I can't see it.

So that is the reason for that. If anyone has any solutions or suggestions, please email me.

Impressions of Singapore

2005-02-03T13:18:00.000+13:00

Yesterday was a pretty full-on day. I feel that I am well-adjusting to Asia already. It's not the same as New Zealand though. Some of my thoughts ...

1. There are so many people. Where do they all come from? Everywhere you go, there they are! At the metro train stations, there are literally floods of people, mostly with black hair, streaming up and down escalators, on and off trains ... I can see why people say that New Zealand is quiet.

2. Most of the public toilets flush automatically, sometimes while you're still sitting on the seat!

3. It is a mix of old and new, east and west. Singapore is multi-ethnic and so multi-cultural, and apparently people mix up all their languages, which are mainly English, Mandarin, Tamil and Malay.

4. There are hardly any internet cafes, because most people have computers at home. I discovered this yesterday after more than 1/2 an hour of searching for somewhere to do email.

5. Food is really good! No potato, meat & 3 veggies here! Yay for rice :)

6. My sesssion is just about up. I'll be in China in 5 hours! How can you explain that?

Estie goes Asian

2005-02-02T21:42:00.000+13:00

Wow, I'm in Singapore!

I arrived here last night, and have had one of my 2 nights in a hotel in the middle of Chinatown. Singapore is so big, so tall, but it feels like most Asian cities - hot, humid, busy and a mix of old and new.

I visited the Asian civilisations museum this morning, and spent 1 1/2 hours looking at Asian history - it included China, Singapore, Thailand, India, Vietnam and many other countries, as well as cultural and religious aspects of these countries.

There are so many people here. I can see why people say New Zealand is so tranquil. I'd forgotten how frantic urban Asia is.

At the moment I'm squished in a net bar in this funny shopping centre. It is on the basement level, right at the end of the mall and around an obscure corner. I am jammed at the end of a tiny corridor of computers next to a whole line of adolescent (or pre-adolescent) boys who are playing computer games and shouting at each other. It's very stuffy! I think I might go soon.

Bring on Christchurch botanical gardens! I need some fresh air and trees. It's great to be in Asia though, and it's nice not to have a schedule.

Off to Kunming, in Southwest China tomorrow! My flight is at 8:10 am, so the bus to take me to the airport is coming at 5:30 am. Early start .... but jet lag helps! More later.

Caught short

2005-01-28T21:38:00.000+13:00

Why do people always hassle short people?

I try not to care about my looks - I mean I try not to prioritise others' opinion of the way I look - and so it normally does not bother me when people look down on me (ha! dad pun) because of my height.

It IS annoying, however, when tall people stoop when they're having a photo taken next to me,

Or when someone makes a short joke, then realises I'm there and apologises,

Or in general when someone gets the idea that I mind being short.

Here are some reasons why it's HOT to be short:

1. You never have to worry about pants/trousers not being long enough to cover your socks

2. You'll never have to marry a guy shorter than you

3. Life is short too!

4. You can fit in small places! Like tramping packs

5. Small clothes are cute! Big clothes are ugly. Why do you think mothers go kid-shopping so much? (Not buying kids, you blight! Just buying kids' clothes)

6. If you get chased by a rooster, you can pretend you are a large garden gnome and just stand quietly by a bush (depending of course on the size of your ears, and whether or not you have a red night-cap on)

7. Beks and Sara are short, and lots of people think they're cool. So it's cool to be short

8. Zacchaeus in the Bible was short, and so he climbed a tree to see Jesus because otherwise he wouldn't be able to see over all the people, and so Jesus noticed him and transformed his life (of course he will transform tall people too ...)

9. A lot of small people are quite quick as well, like small footballers. Quickness is always a positive attribute

10. "Short and sweet" is a commonly used phrase

And the list goes on. So it's true; you've seen the evidence. Feel free to argue your case against me. I still like being short!!!!

3 more days

2005-01-28T15:22:00.000+13:00

After several months without a post, I'm happy to be writing again, this time 3 days before I leave for China.

I think I'll take up blogging while I'm overseas, but this depends on how much time I spend thinking, writing and speaking in Chinese. I might end up blogging in a foreign language! (not, in case you were wondering)

I fly to Singapore on Feb 1st, at 2 pm. 2 nights in Singapore, then fly to Kunming (SW China) on 3rd Feb. Fly to Nanning on 4th Feb - then it's 2 or 3 weeks with my lovely family. After that I'll be cruising over to Hangzhou in South-East China where I'll be studying for a YEAR.

More news later! I really will be in exile won't I.

Wo yao qu Zhongguo!

2004-12-02T19:37:00.000+13:00

The (above) title is pinyin (Chinese romanisation) for "I am going to China"!!! I'll be on an Asia:NZ China scholarship, studying Chinese language at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou from Feb '05 to Jan '06. This is my exciting piece of news for the decade. Hopefully 'Estie in Exile' will serve as a convenient means of dumping all my news on multiple persons simultaneously while I am away :)

Let the Nations be Glad!

2004-11-29T14:35:00.000+13:00

During the past weekend I finished one of John Piper's (many) excellent books, Let the Nations be Glad. The book was recommended to me by a number of people, including Scott Mackay, President of Massey University Christian Fellowship.

It is a biblically-based thesis on the supremacy of God in world missions. It took me quite a while to get through, mainly because I began reading in study week, and then the pressure of my one looming exam meant that I stopped reading temporarily.

Nevertheless, this book is one of the best I have ever read (not written!), both in terms of content and form; Piper's thesis is well-argued, backed-up by scripture, organised, and his writing style has an amazing flow.

I recommend this book to everyone who wants to be part of God's global purposes, for the sake of his glory. In other words, I hope this is every Christian I meet!

Oh Palmy Oh Palmy

2004-11-08T20:04:00.000+13:00

Tomorrow (9th Nov) I am sending myself up to Palmerston North of all places! This is a smallish, unquaint city sometimes known as the Bible Belt of the North Island. It is also home to the most infamous campus of Massey University, where I have a number of lovely friends :) The weather is mostly atrocious, although last time I was there, we had three sunny days out of seven. Apparently that is quite good! I am expecting better this time, since it is almost summer. Despite its flaws, Palmy has many attractions, and I am thoroughly looking forward to my four-day bout of general goodness there. From the 13th to the 19th of November I will be attending the TSCF Student Leadership Conference in Paraparaumu, which will be super!

Unfortunately for all my fans, I most likely won't be blogging until after I return on the 22nd Nov.

More on football

2004-11-07T18:52:00.000+13:00

Steve and I drove off to English Park this afternoon to see the Canterbury vs. Waitakere NZFC match that supposedly started at 6. Unfortunately when we got there at 5:55 all the spectators were leaving since the game had just finished. Sigh ... it was going to be a good game. At least we had our own excellent every-Sunday-afternoon-game-at-Ilam-school today. I scored two good goals, whoop!

HELN!

2004-11-03T10:19:00.000+13:00

On behalf of Hermil once again, a tribute to Heln. After all her years at university, she has only just had a crisis of identity. HELN WHERE'S YOUR PENGUIN?????

I think this is a bag day. I might go home and eat some (dead) chicken for lunch.

Oh la vache!

2004-11-01T09:43:00.000+13:00

What is New Zealand coming to? Some sporting goodness at last?

The front page of the Sport Section of The Press this morning had an article on Canterbury football ... "Smith's golden boot", featuring Jamie Smith AND a football photo. I was quite impressed - no - I was bowled over - and told Helen so. She is adamant that no, football will never be New Zealand's fave sport, but meanwhile I am greatly encouraged.

I've heard there's another home game on Sunday at English Park ... anyone keen? :)

Tried and Treacherous

2004-10-27T13:34:00.000+13:00

Referring to my video player that DOESN'T WORK.

It makes the screen look all fuzzy ... and the more noisy or violent the scene (not that I watch violent films), the fuzzier it gets.

It was fine at the beginning of the year and has become steadily worse since.

I don't really care EXCEPT that I was so looking forward to watching Pride and Prejudice on Sunday night and couldn't.

This reminds me once again that this world is temporary...

Hagley Park (in all its wonder)

2004-10-20T21:27:00.000+13:00

I almost posted "in all its glory" but then stopped because God is the only one who should be described as "glorious", in my opinion. I don't want to go handing out phrases like that to things that they can't be attributed to in the same way as God can ... although I do say "God is good" and "this muesli is good", but we know the difference, in'it!

Back to my point ... had a rush of "I-love-Christchurch-ness" this afternoon when I went for an 8 km run around South Hagley Park ... oh it is so lovely when the sky is infinitely blue and the sun shoots right through the trees and speckles the welcoming grass ... there are oh so many runners out at 4:45 p.m., and we all smile at each other with that subtle kind of sporty identification. Despite the relative heat (relative, because it was only about 16 degrees Celsius, but I was hot from running), the run was amazing and I was able to enjoy an urban glimpse of God's creation for a beautiful 45 minutes.

One exam away ...

2004-10-16T15:53:00.000+13:00

I finished my last piece of internal assessment yesterday and am one exam away from a degree!

The truth is, I'm not actually excited about graduating. I think this points to the inevitable: I must do graduate study.

This is good, I feel, since I am probably moving (oh so slowly) towards teacherhood, and most good teachers do have more than a B.A. Here's my problem: when I come back from China I will be 23. If I do Honours and Masters, I'll be 25 at the end; one year at Teachers' College and one year at Bible college will make me 27, so by the time I actually get into a proper job I'll be practically ancient ...

However, this doesn't matter, because as an old woman pointed out earlier in the week, I currently look like I'm 16, so when I'm 27 I'll still technically be 23 ...

Anyway I don't have definite plans. I hate being so planned out! I'm going for a nap now, I've become tired with all that hypothetising!

Kill the girls and make them cry ...

2004-10-14T16:53:00.000+13:00

I'm writing an essay (the last one of my degree, yay!) on the topic of changes in Chinese society and values since 1978 (The beginning of Deng Xiaoping's economic reforms). Here is an excerpt that has particularly struck me:

Although the overall number of workers needed for farm labour has decreased as a result of decollectivisation, the household responsibility system has meant that family farmers have become more dependant on their offspring to offer labour support and to provide and care for them in their old age. This sparked an increase in the birth rate in the countryside in the early 1980s, yet a conflict with the government’s newly instituted one-child policy meant that many families were forced to have abortions, while other families, eagerly desiring a son rather than a daughter, resorted to female infanticide in order to have a second chance at bearing a son (Meisner, 466)* This shows that in some respects there remains the traditional Chinese value of the importance of sons in the family, however a shift in values has since occurred. In the past, a large number of sons and grandsons would indicate that a family was prosperous, however now sons are needed more for their labour; financial prosperity is manifested in alternative ways in the 21st century.

I think this phenomenon is well-known, but does that reduce the tragedy?

*Bibliography:
Meisner, Maurice J. Mao’s China and After: A History of the People’s Republic. New York: Free Press, 1999.

Four weeks 'til my B.A.

2004-09-28T22:47:00.000+12:00

In CHIN 301 today we got the big "postgrad" talk ... our lecturer plus the department chair came to try to suck us into the perpetual student (aka 'honours') programme ... apparently you can get more money and better job prospects with higher qualifications. Yay (?!) I mean I'd love to do postgrad, but it makes things complicated.

Anyway it's a bit dumb doing two majors, especially when they're kind of different. I want to go and work in a French-speaking place but still do Chinesey stuff. I wonder if there are Chinese people in Algeria? The more I speak French, the more I want to use it in the future, especially seeing as Beijing Olympics are 2008, and it's a major Olympic language ... but Chinese and French are both U.N. languages, which means I could do anything really ...

Ok, Estie's ideal future life (based on her own fleshly and selfish desires):

1. Get a job working in a third-world French-speaking country with Muslims, that just happens to have Chinese people there as well, and bring glory to God through it all

2. End up coaching kids football, or playing football ALL THE TIME, somehow even if I'm in a country that doesn't let women play football it will somehow work out

3. Marry a footballer who speaks French and wants to help poor and disadvantaged people

4. Not become generic

Oh blast, why can't I just be a footballer? Why aren't I good enough to play professionally? Being at uni is so complicated 'cos you have to use stuff that you learn!

What's the use?

2004-09-24T08:41:00.000+12:00

I briefly skimmed the front page of The Press this morning; it featured the decision by the Presbyterian church not to allow anyone involved in a sexual relationship out of the context of a stable heterosexual marriage to be in the church leadership. Yay!

However, the whole issue concerned me greatly. I realise that the media is completely biased, but the only argument the media seems to have received from the church is that Christians think that the passing of the Civil Unions legislation will 'lead to the erosion of family values'.

Ok, it may be backed up with evidential statistics in some cases, but if this is the main argument Christians use to oppose government policy, do we honestly think they're going to take it?

What's the use of using the same arguments over and over again without mentioning the God that we trust in?

Sexual immorality is dishonouring to our loving Creator God. Why don't we tell people this? Not as an argument, but as the simple truth that we want our government to make rules and policies that will bring glory to him?

Also, I believe prayer is the key to this whole issue. Do we believe that God is involved in politics? Do we trust that he has the ability to change the hearts of those who govern us?

I don't disagree that Christians should have a voice and take political action to make sure we are heard. But we can't do this by ourselves! Let's commit this to God in prayer.

Bend it like Estie

2004-09-20T13:42:00.000+12:00

Last night Helen and I watched Bend it like Beckham, which is the most annoying film if you're a chick who is deeply into football and isn't good enough to play professionally but loves it enough to. However, it was satisfying to a certain extent in that I had played football that afternoon (albeit with BOYS) and so identified more with Jes.

If anyone out there ever wants to play football on a sunny afternoon, just give me a post ...

Spring actually is the poet's season, not autumn

2004-09-15T11:40:00.000+12:00

The most beautiful sight caught my eye when I was walking to uni this morning ...

Picture this: an old-fashioned brick wall, tall enough for one not to be able to see over. At the bottom, green grass (the strip before you get to the footpath).

At the bottom of the wall, small shoots of lavender, like tiny people whose heads sway slightly in the breeze. The lavender has pale green stems and leaves.

I looked up, and the sky was blue; bright, bright blue, as it is only in postcards and tourist brochures.

Much to Helen's dismay, I started spouting poetry and wouldn't stop until she excaped from my grasp and headed off into the Law building ...

So boys aren't so useless after all ...

2004-09-14T13:00:00.000+12:00

In fact, it seems that most of the really useful inventors of the 20th century were boys! (men, if you prefer that term)

Some of my favourite 20th century inventions:

- plastic (although does create environmental problems too!)
- university for girls (hardly an invention but it is a good recent development)
- teflon

Even the tampon was invented by a guy, so we've got to give them credit for that, eh girls! (No dodgy pictures don't worry! Boys you don't have to go there to believe me. I'm just proving a point using cheap internet-based sources)

How about you? What are your favourite inventions?

I want to be a mother!

2004-09-13T08:45:00.000+12:00

Please don't take this as a desperate cry for a husband .... I'm pretty confident that the most amazing guy will come along one day ...

But I babysat two boys, Nathan and Isaac Bell (Gareth's little brothers), on Saturday night, and they were so cute, I even got to brush their teeth :) I never knew kids' teeth were so small! Surely mine weren't that small when I was 4?

I know that I didn't get to see them at their worst, and raising children has its ups and downs, but I got this most profound sense of the beauty of motherhood while putting the kids to bed. I want to be a mother!

Cashing in ...

2004-09-11T15:37:00.000+12:00

Last night after watching The Terminal with the Hermil girls and others, I had a conversation with Nathan about money. Primarily I was telling him my personal convictions, which I wanted to summarise here on my blog ...

The main issue I am concerned with is the idea of making decisions based on attaining security and comfort. This can relate to money, time, relationships, etc ... many aspects of life. Not that I never make a purchase in order to make myself feel good - of course I do this all the time. When I buy an icecream I am saying 'yes' to my own personal desire for icecream.

The culture today says "do what you want"; "be true to yourself"; "indulge youreslf." Or at least the media promotes this view very strongly. Take for example the new "vicecream" (I've forgotten which brand it is), which links the idea of temptation and sin with giving way to rules in favour of personal pleasure and indulgence. A very extreme example, perhaps. But you see where I'm getting at ...?

It seems the Bible has little to say to reinforce the idea that we are to strive for material and financial security. I like Matthew 25:14-30 which tells the story of the master who entrusts money to three of his servants, each according to his ability. One got five talents; one two, and one one. The one who received more money was not intended to flaunt what had been given to him; it was not his money to begin with. His role was to use it responsibly for the purposes of his master.

In New Zealand the ideal seems to be to have a big, beautiful house. That's great, but personally I never want to have the situation where a poor person comes to visit and I am embarrassed because I have spent thousands of dollars to make my home aesthetically pleasing.

I think most Christians would agree that it's not wrong to spend money. It does take wisdom, however, to ask God what to keep and what to give away; what to spend and what to save.

Other good scriptures:

1 John 1:15
1 Timothy 6:3-10
Matthew 19:16-30
Luke 14:33
Luke 12:22-24

Stuff that really matters

2004-09-09T14:11:00.000+12:00

We had yet another conversation at my flat last night on the Civil Union Bill.

It's not that I am particularly fond of that topic, but it made me really happy talking about stuff that matters to me (us).

In FREN 301 this week we were each asked by our lecturer whether we believe in destiny (with a lower-case d!) This is because we have begun watching another French film, entitled Le Battement d'Ailes du Papillon. (That was just a critique) The main idea, apparently, is how tiny, insignificant, seemingly unrelated events lead to a guy and girl getting together ... ie they were destined for each other.

It was interesting because out of 10 of us there were 5 Christians, so we evidently had quite a strong view on destiny, and I was upset we didn't get the chance to talk about it further that day.

Again, it is such a joy to talk about stuff that matters. The more university study I do, the more I want to know how to relate to the world I live in.

Whew!

2004-09-08T14:36:00.000+12:00

Had my final CHIN 301 test today, the last written test before our exam in November. I have been studying for the past 3 weeks ... the last one we had was so hard, because we were required to explain Chinese grammatical points in Chinese. Thankfully today we didn't have to do that! It was so easy! I feel on top of the world ... and hey the sun has come out! I feel funny studying Chinese now, because I don't practise speaking all that often ... at least next year I'll get a better chance.

The Race of Faith

2004-09-08T09:03:00.000+12:00

If you're coming to the CU largegroup meeting today, don't read this, 'cos I'm speaking on it!

There are many metaphors about life as a Christian, many of which seem cliché-like and overused, but perhaps this is because they parallel our experiences so well. Metaphors such as the journey, the battle, the adventure, the walk. I have always enjoyed the reference to our Christian lives as a race. Now, we are not competing with each other! But we know that a long-distance race requires perseverance, and each stage has its own difficulties and times of triumph.

In the New Testament Paul likes using this metaphor. In 1 Corinthians 9:25 he writes, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” In 2 Timothy 4 he concludes, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (I don’t think I need to comment on the context of these well-known verses). In Galatians 5 he lovingly rebukes the church, that has become more concerned with observing the Jewish law than living by faith in Christ, and says, “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?”

I like to consider myself a runner, in the natural that is. Yet over the years I’ve never set aside enough time to get really good, to be able to go for three or four hours without carking it. If I keep on casually like this, I will get to the end of my life and be able to say that I was a runner, yet I rarely pushed myself, and didn’t accomplish anything much – mostly because I let other interests take more priority (like university! Ha!)

Admittedly, running a physical race is self-centred. But our spiritual ‘race’ is run with Christ in mind; it is a race of faith, and we are not alone.

Our time at university is but one phase of the race. It may be three years; it may be seven or eight (or more!) Yet we know that it’s important, because so much of what happens here shapes the rest of our lives. It is like what the TV commentators call ‘the critical leg’ of the triathlon. (Helen and I watched the Olympic men’s triathlon back in August and laughed because every few minutes they’d say, “Now, this is the critical leg of the race …”. Of course it’s all critical!)

Therefore I think it’s important to take this university leg seriously – as I know many of my friends do. They’ve shown they are committed to Christ and to his purposes, and want to be part of what he’s doing at university. But is it a sprint? I don’t think so … Christian Union is about “students reaching students for Christ”, but does that mean we drop our studies completely in order to plan and carry out pre-evangelistic and evangelistic activity 24-7? We are students, and students study. We are not full-time Christian workers, and yet as ambassadors for Christ we are called to point our fellow students to Christ and share with them the wonderful mystery of the gospel. I believe finding a balance in this race of life is essential – while living an undivided life, not separating belief from deeds, faith from life.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” This is right after the author lists the famous characters from Israel’s history in the ‘by faith’ chapter. The only way we are going to run this race with perseverance is to fix our eyes on Jesus. Perseverance is needed because of trials and opposition, which crop up oh so often!

For example, what can you do when a close Chinese friend you have been praying for and witnessing to comes out and says she is involved in the Buddhist cult Falun Gong?

And is it easy to wake up at 6 a.m. to pray, or come before God at 11:30 p.m. when you have three assignments and two tests that week, and the only thing on your minds is sleep?

And what do you do when you miss and opportunity to ask someone about their faith in a classroom situation, or you fail to give an opinion because you were afraid others would consider you narrow-minded and judgmental?

Or when you do speak out and are called narrow-minded and judgmental?

All these scenarios have happened to me over the past three years at university. It is very tempting sometimes to get discouraged, and I have been downhearted at times. However I am frequently reminded by the Holy Spirit through the Word that hardship is temporary, restricted to life on earth, and I must fix my eyes on Jesus and live by faith, believing in what is not seen, like the characters mentioned in Hebrews 11. Daniel and Esther aren’t mentioned in the passage, but their stories are always encouraging as well!

Doesn’t it seem sometimes like your years at university are the only ones that matter? But they’re not, are they? Let’s see ourselves contextually. Some of the fruit of our ministry and prayer might not be seen ‘til ten or twenty years down the track. Likewise, many have gone before us and still have a passion for student mission. For example, at the TSCF national conference in April this year, I met an elderly couple, the Roundhills, who have been faithfully praying for and supporting the work of TSCF for decades. They are examples of ones who have run their race with perseverance. That’s who I want to be like. What God is doing always has a long-term impact.

A (short) lifetime of camping

2004-09-06T13:30:00.000+12:00

I've never wanted to own a house.

It probably has something to do with my parents' not having a house either ...

Not that I'm against houses ... they're a fundamental part of society, really; you can do so much with them, use them for missional activity, hospitality, raising a family, etc ...

But for a long time I've felt that God will require me to be mobile, a tent-dweller like Abraham.

Anyway what prompted this? Fraser Hardy from CCC Palmerston North taught at our church service yesterday. He read from Genesis 12, God's covenant with Abraham. Main ideas that he brought up:

- Abraham and Sarah were tent-dwellers, not tied down to their own security, but willing to go where God sent them, even if they didn't know where they were going. God said to Abraham "Go to a place that I will show you." Scary ay!

- Abraham built altars to God, such as in Ai. He set up specific places set aside for worship to God. My couch in my bedroom is a kind of altar - my main place of individual prayer.

- Abraham was sent by God to many places, and God promised to bless all nations through him. The main thing I understood from this section was having a global outlook...

Anyway I didn't come out at the end with any "I have to respond by doing ____" kind of ideas, but was encouraged that God helps build relationship with people by getting them to trust him in times of uncertainty. Which my life seems to be all about.

Is Hermil a tent? Yes, it is a temporary dwelling place. (but that is was an afterthought)

L'Auberge Espagnole (The Spanish Appartment)

2004-09-04T21:04:00.000+12:00

Below is an essay I just finished writing for FREN 301 about Cédric Klapisch's film L'Auberge Espagnole (The Spanish Appartment). It attempts to answer the question "Does the Europe represented in the film correspond to reality?" It is in French, but if you've seen the film and don't know French, let me know and I'll translate it. It's fairly brief, since it had to fit into 380-420 words! The grammar and vocab aren't perfect, anyway.

-------------------------
L'Auberge et L'Europe

La construction européenne est un thème évident dans L’Auberge Espagnole de Cédric Klapisch, donc il est presque impossible de voir ce film sans discuter l’image d’Europe qui est présentée. Avec du dialogue en trois langues, ce film n’est pas que l’histoire d’un français, mais de la petite communauté de sept étudiants européens. Mais est-ce que cela représente vraiment l’Europe?
Selon certains, L’Auberge Espagnole présente un Europe simple qui ne corresponde pas à la réalité. Ceux qui voient le film ne voient que les européens assez homogènes culturellement de L’Europe de L’œust, alors que l’Union Européenne comprend 25 pays depuis 2004, beaucoup plus que les sept nationalités représentées dans le film. Grâce à l’inclusion des nouvelles pays dans l’UE, les aspects de langue, d’éducation, et de gouvernement sont beaucoup plus diverse que parmi les six nations qui ont établi l’Union Européenne en 1950. (Europa: Le portail de l’Union européenne).
De plus, les jeunes européens du film sont d’une classe sociale assez élevée, dont beaucoup d’éuropéens ne font partie. Xavier et ses co-locataires peuvent voyager, étudier et vivre à l’étranger, probablement sans besoin d’avoir un travail à mi-temps, pendant qu’assurément beaucoup d’autres comme eux auraient voulu participer à un tel échange mais n’ont pas les moyens financiers. Quoique la différence économique entre l’Europe de l’œust et l’Europe de l’est soit un fait avéré, cet aspect de l’Europe n’apparaît pas dans le film.
De l’autre côté, L’Auberge Espagnole montre bien qu’il existe néanmoins un certain mélange de cultures, de cuisines et de langues en Europe. Les sept étudiants, malgré leur cultures différentes, apprennent à vivre harmonieusement. Par exemple, la fiche au-dessus du téléphone avec les phrases dans les langues différentes est une solution pour abaisser la barrière linguistique. Selon Europa, 45 pourcent des citoyens européens ont la capacité de prendre part à une conversation dans une langue qui n’est pas leur langue maternelle (Europa: le portail de l’Union européenne), donc les étudiants dans L’Auberge Espagnole exemplifient cela.
Même Klapisch décrit le film comme <<>> (Synopsis: Marvier, webct), ce qui indique que malgré le chaos de l’appartement et de ses habitants, il y a de la unité, comme en Europe. Le film montre comment les programmes tel qu’Erasmus peuvent mobiliser les jeunes, afin qu’ils deviennent plus cosmopolites.
Non seulement plein de symbolisme, L’Auberge Espagnole fait rire, inévitablement montrant un côté avantageux de la construction européenne. Cependant, les spectateurs doivent se demander si le sens fort de l’identité européenne de Xavier veut dire qu’il se sent moins français, finalement.

------------------------------

Bibliographie

Europa: Le portail de l’Union européenne. <http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/policies/lang/languages/index_fr.html#3>

Marvier, M. (2002). Interview avec Cédric Klapisch: Synopsis. <http://www.cedric-klapisch.com/films/aubergeespagnole/presse.php>

This blog is not done for!

2004-09-04T20:00:00.000+12:00

I've just found out that I'll be in China next year, from February to December, studying Chinese language on a scholarship. Don't know where it will be yet, hopefully on the east coast, Hangzhou or Nanjing, maybe Shanghai.

I have been praying about this opportunity for a long time, in particular that God will use me as his instrument in that place, and that I will keep my eyes and ears open to see where he is working. Hopefully I will be able to make some good friends there with Chinese and other international students, and share the love of God with all those I meet.

I'll keep blogging, on a semi-regular basis, to keep my blog up-to-date. Not too much frivolous posting though - I'm going to be really serious about it, hopefully!

This blog is done for :)

2004-07-17T13:32:00.000+12:00

After a very short attempt at blogging, I have decided that it is not for me.

I believe using a blog can be a very effective means of communication, discussion and reflection.

However, as is evident from my small number of posts in the past month, I don't think that I have the time to make it worthwhile.

I barely have enough time to see certain friends once in two weeks, let alone write a decent, well-thought-out post several times a week ...

This is my last semester at uni, and since it is relatively full-on, I want to focus on the essentials: Bible study, prayer, study, meeting up with friends, exercise, blowing my nose (if I don't get rid of this cold before Christmas).... etc....etc....

I have no regrets. Blogging was a very interesting postmodern experience! I have learned a lot. I wish all you readers the very best with your continued blogging. I will try to archive this blog in a couple of weeks' time.

Perseverance

2004-07-16T14:36:00.000+12:00

Nathan was complaining today about my 2-week no-blog period. This was not entirely intentional, yet I am not apologising. I kind of am, however, because I want to be able to make a difference in this world by means of blogging, so I am sorry for all the lives I did not impact in the past few weeks. I am not sorry in some ways, though, because I have been much occupied and have not spent much bonding time with computers.

All I can say is that it takes courage to persevere in life. I had a headache & cold last night before going to bed. I did pray, however, that God would give me the strength to get through today, and so he has shown himself faithful once again! But praying takes courage, because it means you are trusting God to take care of your situation, rather than trying to control everything yourself. It is so worth it though, it is never not worth praying.

Going away

2004-06-27T20:46:00.000+12:00

That was a boring header, wasn't it?

Well I'm heading off to Palmerston North in a few hours! Might not get much blogging time up there.

I read a bit on Nathan's blog about time management & procrasination, working hard etc. and kinda agree, I have been socialising heaps recently which is actually really good but then I was tired yesterday and got grumpy which is not that hot.

It's fun to stay up late heaps and have a good time, but the consequences can be frustrating. There is no alternative for sleep.

Anyway yeh ... I'm so excited raa raaa

A sad day for France

2004-06-26T09:08:00.000+12:00

Well I just went round to Nathan's to watch France vs Greece, quarter-finals of the Euro championships. To tell the truth it was a bit disappointing, in that France had hardly any shots on goal, and despite Zidane's consistently good passes, the match resulted in a 1-0 loss for Les Bleus.

I shouldn't mind, should I?

I do mind. It's not breaking my heart, but I feel that they should get a 2nd chance.

I think I fell asleep for 10 minutes of the 2nd half. Nathan was asleep most of the 2nd half; he woke up in the last couple of minutes of injury time.

So now it's back to daydreaming that that was me on the field today ...

Well this may be old news but makes me happy all the same.

2004-06-25T15:50:00.001+12:00

Did you know that it was Zidane's birthday on Wednesday?

Well if he is playing for France at the age of 32 then I still have a chance at making it to a World Cup! Don't I?

Happy birthday Zidane

Hit "Entrer" on the homepage. It means "enter!"

Being distracted in the library, watching other distracted people

2004-06-24T12:38:00.002+12:00

Ok, I'm not a huge 'people-watcher', but I've been in the library a bit more than usual the past week, and there is this guy sitting near me who doesn't appear to get ANY study done! He looks at everyone who walks past, and then tries to throw lolly wrappers into the bin next to my desk (missing occasionally), and it's distracting me that he's so distracted!

How do you stop distraction? How can you keep your mind focused on study for more than 20 minutes straight without some kind of odd thought coming into your head, like, how many mobile phones do you think are off-silent in the library at this very minute?

If you could spend a day with any one person from history ....

2004-06-22T16:40:00.000+12:00

For me, it would probably be like Hudson Taylor or someone like that. Or Zinedine Zidane, I know he's still alive. Taylor, because he was so keen to go to China to share his faith, and despite much opposition from back home he still went ... Zidane well he's the footballer of the last half century, so why wouldn't anyone want to meet him!

List of things not to forget when I go to Palmy

2004-06-18T10:01:00.000+12:00

I really need to not forget some things. apart from the generic clothes and toiletries. Can you help me out?

- umbrella (for the inevitable bad weather)
- Chinese textbook
- camera
- bike lights (I'm borrowing Aimee's bike)
- little kid cake book (in case someone has a birthday)
- daypack
- football (needs a bit of air first)
- beanie
- sleepingbaag
- book to read (which one?)
- emergency phone numbers
- things for Gareth from his parents
- some photos in an album in case I get stuck in the North island and get homesick

making a rainbow cake

2004-06-17T09:50:00.000+12:00

Stayed up late last night, making a rainbow cake for Babyruth. It has cotton wool for the clouds! My fingers are all blue from food colouring now, because it kept dripping from the bottle. The kitchen table is probably blue as well now. Ah well it can match the dining room table.
Happy birthday Babyruth! The gorgeous flatmate of the inevitable Hermil.

Go away Beaumarchais!

2004-06-16T14:27:00.000+12:00

I'm writing an essay about 2 of Beaumarchais' plays, Le Barbier de Seville and Le Mariage de Figaro. Wish it would hurry up and finish itself! Had a good go at it on Monday, and since then I can't really think straight! My last French literature essay ever.

This is a brand-new BLOG!

2004-06-15T20:58:00.000+12:00

I haven't figured out how to do the whole blog thing yet! But I will do ...