The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

I first want to say 'Happy Easter!' As I reflect today on the meaning of Easter, I know am extremely thankful and blessed for my life and for where I am. I will share with you in a little bit about how I spent my Easter.

Well, it has definitely been a long week filled with the 'good, bad, and the ugly.' Overall things really are good, and I am still loving being here, but I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say that this week was an emotional roller coaster. I will start with the 'ugly' things of the week and end on a 'good' note.

So, the 'ugly' has been that my computer has either gotten a virus or is one step away from crashing. The first two days of the week it worked like normal, and then by Wednesday my laptop started removing a few programs such as Skype, and will not allow me to download new versions. The positive is that I can use my laptop to check email and update my blog by running it in a temporary mode, but I basically lose anything I try to save to the computer. I have a friend that said he is willing to look at it and see if he can fix it for me, and if not, then I will be waiting until this summer to get it fixed in the States. And luckily, it is still under warranty too.

Now for the 'bad' of the week. The week started out on Monday with me having an asthma attack, which I have not had in awhile, and required the use of all three of my inhalers. Unfortunately I did not make it to class that day as it happened a few hours before class and the air that day was very polluted - not the best idea to go out in when you are having trouble breathing. And apparently I was not done for the week since on Wednesday I chipped off part of a bottom molar while eating a piece of bread (I mean all those years I was told not to chew ice because it could do this, but instead it is a piece of bread? Just have to laugh). Unless something changes and I start to have problems, I plan on waiting until this summer in the States to get this fixed too - dentists here don't use anything to numb before procedures and many places still use formaldehyde for fillings (I am pretty sure the latter is forbidden in the States nowadays). Right now the inside of the tooth is not exposed and I don't feel like I am jeopardizing anything by waiting, so in the meantime I am just keeping an eye on it. Oh, and on Friday a group of us went out for dinner and we all ate cow tongue - definitely did not know it at the time. We were at a Korean restaurant and did not order it, but it was accidentally placed with the other meats we ordered, and after eating a few pieces we asked what it was since it tasted different than the rest. All I can say is green tea really does help with digestion of weird foods.

Now, for the 'good' of the week and the things that make it all worth it. On Tuesday this week I attended a Chinese corner where I had the opportunity outside of class to practice Chinese, and I actually felt comfortable in using my Chinese in a discussion. And on Thursday night I went out to dinner with one of my teachers. We had a great time and I enjoyed hearing her heart on what she feels her 'work' is to look like in the next few years. One thing that she desires is to be a mother and to have 4 children (2 of her own and 2 adopted); however, in order for that to happen she would have to move to another country and get married or marry a foreigner. When I stop to think about it, it seems like a simple thing to want to be a mother and to have children of your own or to adopt, but when you have a government that dictates you can only have 1, and you feel the passion has been put in you to be a mother, than it has got to be a challenge, but one I feel my teacher will overcome.

And finally, to conclude my week: Easter Sunday. Twice a year (for Christmas and Easter) here there is a service called citywide. All the foreigners living in the city gather at a hotel meeting room that is centrally located for everyone (about 40 minutes away for me) and have a time of fellowship and celebrating. There were about 225 people there and this morning reminded me of what many of you were experiencing at home on this day - including many people even wearing spring colors. It was also a perfect day weather wise with a temperature of 75 degrees and the sun shining. I am thankful for the sacrifice, rising, and eternal reward.

I hope that you all have a blessed week.