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JayHubb
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Name: Joshua
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States
Birthday: 9/12/1984
Gender: Male
Interests: music, art, social issues, politics, spirituality, Hip-Hop, history
Expertise: Being overly analytical, running from comittment, embracing change, skipping class
Occupation: Student
Industry: Other
Message: message me
AIM:  H to tha Izz Ub
Member Since:
2/21/2005
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| The prodigal has returned... I did not voluntarily abandon my xanga blog...I have been in Communist exile. For some reason the PRC decided to block xanga, so I have been unable to access it (even through proxy) for the last several months. I am updating this from Hong Kong. I would love to keep using xanga but it doesn't look like that is going to happen as long as I am living in China (they are not always keen on the free speech). So anyway...if you want to know what's happening with me you can check myspace OR my blog at www.joshuachina.blogspot.com (which also gets blocked occasionally but I can usually still update it). 再见。 | | |
|  | Currently Watching
Dogville
By Nicole Kidman, Harriet Andersson, Lauren Bacall, Jean-Marc Barr, Paul Bettany, Blair Brown, James Caan, Patricia Clarkson, Jeremy Davies, Ben Gazzara, Philip Baker Hall, Thom Hoffman, Siobhan Fallon, John Hurt, Zeljko Ivanek, John Randolph Jones, Udo Kier, Cleo King, Miles Purinton, Bill Raymond
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Let's all make ourselves feel smart by telling other people they are stupid. If we project our own insecurity onto others, no one will notice our vulnerability. We can get vicious when our weakness is exposed.
I've had just about enough of it for a while... | | |
|  | Currently Watching
Hotel Rwanda
By Xolani Mali, Don Cheadle, Desmond Dube, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Tony Kgoroge, Rosie Motene, Neil McCarthy (II), Mabutho 'Kid' Sithole, Nick Nolte, Fana Mokoena, Jeremiah Ndlovu, Sophie Okonedo, Lebo Mashile, Antonio David Lyons, Leleti Khumalo, Kgomotso Seitshohlo, Lerato Mokgotho, Mosa Kaiser, Mathabo Pieterson, Ofentse Modiselle
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The readjustment to China has been much more difficult than I ever anticipated. I never suffered any major culture shock when I first came here last summer. I traveled with a group of about 40 other Americans and moved into a foreign community here at the university. Throughout last semester, we had each other to vent to, encourage, and laugh with about this crazy country and all of its challenges.
But this trip was quite different. I made the entire trip from Charleston, WV to Xinzheng, China alone (4 Airplanes, an overnight stay in the airport, a significant car ride). When I arrived at my apartment at Sias, the campus was a ghost town. After a couple of days to sleep off jetlag, I took a bus to Luoyang for total immersion, staying with a Chinese family for 9 days. Between strange food (kidney, lamb penis, octopus, donkey, etc.), no one speaking English, cramped living conditions, thick air pollution, streets filled with trash, and no shared concept of personal space, I was developing an attitude that was somewhat less than positive. With no other foreigner to share in the experience, I was growing more and more frustrated.
Slowly things have gotten better. I am being reminded each day of why I am here and what a blessing it is to have this opportunity.
Today, I believe the Father spoke to me through a movie. (Laugh if you want, but some of us are stubborn and it takes some theatrics to get our attention). I watched Hotel Rwanda today (not for the first time). Western arrogance is unbelievable. So many of us, without realizing, act as though the color of our skin or the location of our birth somehow makes us deserving of more privilege than our fellow man. We have been spoiled and grown accustomed to frivolous amenities and now are convinced that to live without them (as most of the world does) would be unendurable torment. I am ashamed of my attitude.
On the return trip to Xinzheng from Luoyang, there are a number of noteworthy sites if you look out the bus window: narrow streets saturated with tens of thousands of people dodging buses, bicycles, and rikshaws; sky-scraping mountains drowning in polluted haze; small, rural villages from the pages of National Geographic where people huddle in abandoned buildings and caves...sharing clothes and growing their own food. Too often we forget that these people were created in the image of the same almighty God that gave us breath. They are of great value...the object of the Savior's affection. | | |
| My time in Luoyang was fun...but challenging...
I think I must've hit the culture shock wall or something. I went from being in America to total immersion, staying with a Chinese family for 10 days. It was a memorable experience.
The first few days I was dying for someone to speak to me in English. Then there was the whole personal space issue. I did not have 5 seconds to myself the entire time I was there. Everyone lives so cramped...always touching each other. I've also realized that Chinese young adults are totally dependent on their families...a trait we in the west do not usually find desirable.
I did get to see and do a lot of interesting things. Luoyang zoo, White Horse Temple, Longmen Grottoes....making jiaozi with Jacob's grandparents...meeting his aunts and uncles.
Next week it's off to Shanghai....I'm pretty excited | | |
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