I got a new bag today to add to my collection of handbags. I will think of all my peeps in the Detroit Metro Area ☺ when I use it!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
It's on like Donkey Kong!
For the past 2 days Michael and I have had cultural training, which has been extremely helpful. It is going to help Michael know how to be a good "Chinese" boss at work and it is helping me see what one of my challenges is going to be. And that is to break down some walls.
I was hanging with my girl Aimee tonight and telling her about our training. One thing our trainer pointed out is that Chinese people do not really have a problem with racism, like some Americans do. But Chinese are very classist. There is a very clear hierarchy of who is "above" who. And especially since Michael and I are going to be in a city that does not have many Westerners it will be even more apparent than say Shanghai, that is more modern.
Our trainer was telling us how if we get an Ayi (maid), well actually no he is pretty much telling us that we definitely should get an Ayi. Anywho, he was tell us there are many positive reasons, especially when we are first there, that an Ayi would be beneficial. They will grocery shop and cook, all of which I can watch her do, so that I can learn how to do it. And our trainer was saying that both our driver and potential Ayi can help with many other daily living things like paying utilities, which have to be paid in person at like the post office or some other government building because the government controls all of those things. And since we do not speak Mandarin it will be difficult until we learn how. Our trainer said those are things that our driver or Ayi can do as well, which is very helpful. They can also show us best local places to shop, eat, get clothes tailored, etc... So that is very useful. It definitely made us thing that we probably will get an Ayi.
The thing I did not like is that he said that it is inappropriate for me to eat lunch with my Ayi and driver at home because of the hierarchy in China. That I could fix my lunch or the Ayi will and then she will clean up and she can have hear lunch break and then rest. Most of the western houses have a room for the Ayi to keep her belonging..purse, etc... And then it is very common in Chinese and other Asian cultures to rest after lunch. For example, it will not be unusual for Michael to see his coworkers taking a short nap after lunch.
When our trainer told us that eating lunch together is not appropriate because of the different status of myself from our Ayi or driver for example, it was all I could do not to say something. I totally understand it is a different culture and I respect that. This is the Chinese norm. When our trainer talks about it, it seems like no big deal. But this idea of hierarchy is like 100% opposite of what I am about.
God has made it very clear to me in the past few years, as I was soul searching and trying to figure out what God wanted me to do with my life, that my purpose on this earth is to be a servant. God has given me a servant's heart. He has given me a passion for serving others, especially those people who are looked down upon in our society or people who are hurting, etc... I know that I have not been put on this earth to be anyone significant. I was put on this earth to serve others. I can say that I gladly accept that this is what God created me for. I do not do it perfectly, nor do I pretend to. And as long as I am on this earth I never will. There are many hours I waste doing nothing, shopping, thinking about myself, sleeping, whatever....but I do try and I do have a desire to serve and volunteer. And I praise God for His grace and mercy and patience with me.
So as much as I understand I am not going to go to China and change the class system. I do know that in my house I can make changes. I will eventually eat right along side my Ayi. And I will make it clear to her that she is just as important to me as anyone else. I don't know how this will happen. And I know I need to be respectful of cultural norms. But I know God will open the door when the time is right. So my Ayi and driver might be there to serve me, but believe me I am going to serve them right back! ☺Because that is what God has called me to do. So stayed tuned for the adventures of Kim Kim and her Ayi!
I was hanging with my girl Aimee tonight and telling her about our training. One thing our trainer pointed out is that Chinese people do not really have a problem with racism, like some Americans do. But Chinese are very classist. There is a very clear hierarchy of who is "above" who. And especially since Michael and I are going to be in a city that does not have many Westerners it will be even more apparent than say Shanghai, that is more modern.
Our trainer was telling us how if we get an Ayi (maid), well actually no he is pretty much telling us that we definitely should get an Ayi. Anywho, he was tell us there are many positive reasons, especially when we are first there, that an Ayi would be beneficial. They will grocery shop and cook, all of which I can watch her do, so that I can learn how to do it. And our trainer was saying that both our driver and potential Ayi can help with many other daily living things like paying utilities, which have to be paid in person at like the post office or some other government building because the government controls all of those things. And since we do not speak Mandarin it will be difficult until we learn how. Our trainer said those are things that our driver or Ayi can do as well, which is very helpful. They can also show us best local places to shop, eat, get clothes tailored, etc... So that is very useful. It definitely made us thing that we probably will get an Ayi.
The thing I did not like is that he said that it is inappropriate for me to eat lunch with my Ayi and driver at home because of the hierarchy in China. That I could fix my lunch or the Ayi will and then she will clean up and she can have hear lunch break and then rest. Most of the western houses have a room for the Ayi to keep her belonging..purse, etc... And then it is very common in Chinese and other Asian cultures to rest after lunch. For example, it will not be unusual for Michael to see his coworkers taking a short nap after lunch.
When our trainer told us that eating lunch together is not appropriate because of the different status of myself from our Ayi or driver for example, it was all I could do not to say something. I totally understand it is a different culture and I respect that. This is the Chinese norm. When our trainer talks about it, it seems like no big deal. But this idea of hierarchy is like 100% opposite of what I am about.
God has made it very clear to me in the past few years, as I was soul searching and trying to figure out what God wanted me to do with my life, that my purpose on this earth is to be a servant. God has given me a servant's heart. He has given me a passion for serving others, especially those people who are looked down upon in our society or people who are hurting, etc... I know that I have not been put on this earth to be anyone significant. I was put on this earth to serve others. I can say that I gladly accept that this is what God created me for. I do not do it perfectly, nor do I pretend to. And as long as I am on this earth I never will. There are many hours I waste doing nothing, shopping, thinking about myself, sleeping, whatever....but I do try and I do have a desire to serve and volunteer. And I praise God for His grace and mercy and patience with me.
So as much as I understand I am not going to go to China and change the class system. I do know that in my house I can make changes. I will eventually eat right along side my Ayi. And I will make it clear to her that she is just as important to me as anyone else. I don't know how this will happen. And I know I need to be respectful of cultural norms. But I know God will open the door when the time is right. So my Ayi and driver might be there to serve me, but believe me I am going to serve them right back! ☺Because that is what God has called me to do. So stayed tuned for the adventures of Kim Kim and her Ayi!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Will they ever end...
As I have mentioned before we have had to get some vaccinations before we move to China. Actually, we did not have to get any. All of them are optional, but even though I hate shots, I hate getting sick and dying even more.
So far we had Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Tetanus and Polio. I thought I got out of Hep B because I had it years back when I was a volunteer in a hospital, but when my doc, who is awesome (if anyone is looking), checked for the Hep B antibodies and could not find them recommended I get the series again. It is a series of 3 shots. I went and got my second shot today. Overall the shots have not been as bad as I make them out to be in my head. The pokes have been barely noticeable. It has been so easy that when the nurse pokes me we laugh and exchange pleasantries. Well, not today. It burned like a marshmallow over a bonfire. And it is never good to hear, "Oh, we got a bleeder." That is the first time I heard that since getting shots. Oh well, we are done for now. We do not have to get our 3rd Hep A and B shots for 6 months.
Oh but wait, we are not done. While in China, we went to the SOS International clinic to be introduced to our doctor. It is a great facility and I felt very good about the care we will receive in China. But the doc recommended MORE vaccinations. Now we need to get Meningococcal A+C, Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies. Yep, Rabies folks.
When we came back and talked to the doc at Michael's company, he did not feel it was necessary. He said we are low risk unless we pet random animals or something. And guess what, I pet random animals. I love animals. Especially stray cats and dogs. While I was in China I did pet a stray dog or two. Actually, when I would see a cute little stray dog, I would call for them and if they did not come I would try and chase after them, so when the doctor said it was low risk unless you pet random animals, Michael was like, "Yeah, my wife needs to get the rabies shot." He knows me well!
We do not have time to get the shots here, so we are going to get them when we go to China. I figure it is better to be safe than sorry. I guess you get Japanese Encephalitis from mosquitoes who go and bite a pig in the country and then come back and bite you in the city. So for sure I am going to want to be vaccinated against that. I'm thinking the likely hood that I will get bit by a mosquito is probably quite high.
So there are more shots to come, but I would rather get a shot than let's say RABIES! I don't think Michael wants me to be more rabid than I already am! ☺
So far we had Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Tetanus and Polio. I thought I got out of Hep B because I had it years back when I was a volunteer in a hospital, but when my doc, who is awesome (if anyone is looking), checked for the Hep B antibodies and could not find them recommended I get the series again. It is a series of 3 shots. I went and got my second shot today. Overall the shots have not been as bad as I make them out to be in my head. The pokes have been barely noticeable. It has been so easy that when the nurse pokes me we laugh and exchange pleasantries. Well, not today. It burned like a marshmallow over a bonfire. And it is never good to hear, "Oh, we got a bleeder." That is the first time I heard that since getting shots. Oh well, we are done for now. We do not have to get our 3rd Hep A and B shots for 6 months.
Oh but wait, we are not done. While in China, we went to the SOS International clinic to be introduced to our doctor. It is a great facility and I felt very good about the care we will receive in China. But the doc recommended MORE vaccinations. Now we need to get Meningococcal A+C, Japanese Encephalitis and Rabies. Yep, Rabies folks.
When we came back and talked to the doc at Michael's company, he did not feel it was necessary. He said we are low risk unless we pet random animals or something. And guess what, I pet random animals. I love animals. Especially stray cats and dogs. While I was in China I did pet a stray dog or two. Actually, when I would see a cute little stray dog, I would call for them and if they did not come I would try and chase after them, so when the doctor said it was low risk unless you pet random animals, Michael was like, "Yeah, my wife needs to get the rabies shot." He knows me well!
We do not have time to get the shots here, so we are going to get them when we go to China. I figure it is better to be safe than sorry. I guess you get Japanese Encephalitis from mosquitoes who go and bite a pig in the country and then come back and bite you in the city. So for sure I am going to want to be vaccinated against that. I'm thinking the likely hood that I will get bit by a mosquito is probably quite high.
So there are more shots to come, but I would rather get a shot than let's say RABIES! I don't think Michael wants me to be more rabid than I already am! ☺
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Dreams do come true!
I am blessed to have such a great husband who is making all my dreams come true. God gave me the perfect husband for me. He is kind, generous, patient and loving.
I always hoped to live overseas. I just think it will be a great experience for many reasons. After getting married I kind of thought that would never happen. Michael loves his job, is at a great company and I saw myself in Detroit for the long haul. And that is not being said in a negative way because I love the life God has given me in Metro Detroit. But I just figured there would never be any reason for us to leave because the industry Michael is in is predominately Detroit based.
So when God opened this door for us to live in another part of the world I could not believe it. I am seeing my dreams come true and that is an awesome thing. It makes me cry whenever I think about how God has blessed me because I know I am a flawed human being that does not deserve God's love and mercy. But that is the awesome things about God, He gives it to us anyway.
So I thank God for my husband and I am looking forward to our adventures in China...TOGETHER!
Monday, August 22, 2011
ahhhh!!!!!
So Palmer, our moving company just came to assess how big of a container we will need to ship our stuff. We also set a date for them to come and take our stuff so they can ship it to China.
SEPTEMBER 14th is D-day!!!!
or I guess MOVE DAY!!!!! but it just seems so soon. That means after Sept 14th we will be living out of our suitcases. AHHHH!!!! Luckily we are not taking our bed because it is old and going in the trash when we leave, so we can at least sleep on that in our empty house. ☺
Time...
For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to a hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. -Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
This has always been a favorite verse of mine. I believe in it to my core. I believe my life is going to be filled with good times, bad times, times of plenty, times of want, times of sickness, times of health, times of happiness and times of sorrow. I believe that if I am living the life God intended me to live that I will experience every emotion, not just good and not just bad. For me believing this verse has given me peace in my life when changes come. I trust that what God says is true so big things like moving to China don't shake me... too bad. It does not make it easier to say good bye to friends and family. But it has made this whole moving process easier. I think that believing this verse and that God is in control of my life has given me the peace to move to China with my whole heart and hopefully make an impact for God in China.
I believe that is why God is moving me there...not be a lady of leisure or a lady who lunches, but He is moving me to China to be a lady who takes the grace, mercy and light God has given me and spread it to others, not keep it to myself.
So I praise God that He has blessed me with the ability to quit my job early, because this packing and house cleaning is no joke! And I know that not everyone would be able to do that. I know that it is a blessing and I praise and bless God for blessing me with the gift of time right now. It is something that I am trying to use wisely, by spending times with friends and family and then also packing and cleaning. So please remember to praise God in the good times and the bad times because He is with us all the time.
p.s. here is an updated picture of my packing! added 4 more boxes today, even had to move our big green chair to make way for more boxes! ☺
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Hurry...Quick...
You better get to Borders before I buy everything! Since they are going out of business and it is not going to be easy to get English literature in China, I have been trying to stock up on some new reading material.
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