Always an Adventure...

I'm taking a Chinese proficiency test on Saturday, partly for fun and curiosity, partly to eventually fulfill the language requirement in my master's degree studies. I'm taking level 3 of 4 because I know I could pass level 2. The problem is that the gap between 2-3 is quite large, and I estimate that I'm right in the middle. For level 2 they suggest you know 1800 characters, and it jumps up to 5000 for level 3 (officially known as "Superior"). Thinking about this reminded me of how proud I was (documented above) to know 30 characters! Ah this language, it has been quite the journey. Now if they test words about education, the bible, or broken legs, I'll pass with flying colors...economics, on the other hand, not so much.

We have a long weekend on Easter this year, as it fittingly coincides with Tomb Sweeping Day. When I tell the Easter story, I usually say that when Jesus friends went to 掃墓 (sweep the tomb) they found that it was empty! This year, I'm not going to boil any eggs (whew) but have some interesting things planned. But for now, a great song that I heard in church today that really helps prepare the heart. The chorus is my favorite part: Living he loved me Dying he saved me Buried he carried My sins far away Rising he justified Freely forever One day he's coming Oh glorious day

When I visited Vancouver last summer, I could see that the Olympic spirit had already started to set in. In summer of 2008, I saw a lot of Chinese national pride in this section of the world, the Olympics were on TV a lot, and I happened to transit through Hong Kong during the summer where all airport employees were wearing Olympic T-shirts. I got my Olympic gear in a care package from my friend Shelly, and a coworker who went home for Chinese New Year brought back Quatchi plushies for all. Unfortunately, Taiwan wasn't as interested in the winter Olympics. Even as late as December when I asked students where the next Olympics would be held, most of them were guessing London or Shanghai... it's understandable since Taiwan doesn't really get much snow, and winter sports are almost nonexistent here. My Olympic updates came mostly via Facebook, with people counting down medals, cheering for hockey teams, and then silence when we lost the first Canada/U.S. hockey game. I could