Duck in the Box

While exploring my neighborhood yesterday, I came across a very interesting little food establishment:

Yep... Duck In The Box!

And, yes, there are actually ducks in that box. 

Cooking Outside My Comfort Zone

I learned how to cook from my Grandma... and then my Mom showed me the easier way to make all the things that my Grandma would. Since then, I've pretty much stayed cooking the same things that I was taught at home: Chicken and Dumplings, Quesadillas, Oven-Roasted Chicken, etc. This summer, I tried to branch out of that wheelhouse and make some Chinese dishes I had learned. Those turned out pretty well, and now I am branching even further.

Last night, I attempted to make a curry-ish, masala-ish dish, and boy oh boy was it yummy!

I used onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, chickpeas, cilantro, and various spices and flavorings.

The result:

Over rice:

I think this might become a staple dish in our dinner rotation.

The Diverse City

I've only been here about a week, but I can already tell that Changchun is very different from Zhengzhou. For one, it feels small. This may seem crazy, as Changchun has a population of 5-6 million. But, coming from a city of over 11 million, this city feels quaint to me. How did that happen? Changchun is also different in a very noticeable factor: foreigners. It has so many foreigners, myself included. In Zhengzhou, seeing another foreigner was a rare sight. Here, there are thousands. Changchun is known for being the best place to study pure Chinese, and so it attracts thousands of people from around the world. My university alone has over 600 foreigners on campus. This has many impacts on daily life. I'm not such a novelty here, so I don't get as many stares. Also, there are a plethora of western restaurants and shops.

This past Sunday, I was able to go to a fellowship and meet with like-minded people from around the world. The music was led by friends from Africa, and one of them also gave the message. What a cool picture of what we have to look forward to!

Words Words Words - 8/17/14

Our greatest fear as individuals and as a church should not be failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter.

Tim Kizziar

Summer So Far

This summer is flying by so fast. I only have about one month before I return to China, moving to the far north to begin language study. Here are some highlights from my summer so far:

1. The Plane Ride Home 

Can this be considered the summer? One each flight, I sat next to someone immensley interesting, including an Apple executive and a Education Dean at a famous Chinese University. The conversation was so enjoyable on the ride. 

2. First Sunday at Redeemer

Oh, how I miss Redeemer when I am away. It was just so edifying and encouraging to be with the body again.

3. Family and Friends, 

This is a no-brainer that the best part of any trip to Texas is being with the ones that I love. 

4. World-Cup Watching

Even though my beloved Argentina lost in the end, it sure was fun to watch the games with good friends. 

5. Running

After finding that my knees are not so injured as I had originally thought, I have been running again, and it feels so good!

6. Cooking

I've been trying my hand at making some of my favorite Chinese dishes over the summer, and that has been quite enjoyable. Last night, I, with the help of Dona and Justine) made jiaozi and disanxian. Delicousness!

Friends and Family, thanks for making this summer a time of fun and refreshment. I never feel stressed to be home and here with you! 

Words Words Words (6/21/14)

“Having a soft heart in a cruel world is courage not weakness.”

- Katherine Henson

You and Harry Potter

Song, my absolutely wonderful friend, came to visit me tonight. 

While we were talking, she said, "All of my favorite people have green eyes... you and Harry Potter."

 Love her.