the Beijing experience, and some randoms (part 1)

Have been telling myself to update my blog but something always gets in the way. I admit I no longer have the passion for blogs the way I had before when my multiply was so alive and kicking it felt like I have something to write everyday. But of course things were different back then...and now is what I have to deal with.

Anyway, lots of things have been going on in this sweet (and sour? nah!) life of mine. Last week, I and three of my friends went to Beijing. Yes, Beijing - the capital of China, where the 2008 Olympics was held, and the Paralympics as well.

I remember many years ago, my father's boss gave him a calendar made of cloth with the painting of the Great Wall on it. And since it was made of cloth, it survived for a long time. It was hanged on our sala for many years...

And I never thought that one day I will be able to see not just the bigger painting, but the real one...the Great Wall with all its wonder.

I remember telling a friend once that I wish I know what the future holds. "Don't even think about it cos if you do, you'll go crazy!" he said. He was funny in many ways but he said those words seriously. And I do agree with him.

Who could have known that I will one day live in China? Or that one day I'll be a teacher surrounded with Chinese students. I mean, I did not even thought that one day I'll step into the Ice and Snow World in Harbin when months before that I was just gawking at the pics of it from the internet.

You'll never really know what life throws at you. And I am glad that I only have the present to live and the future is like one big wrapping paper to another.

And so, in Beijing, 99 percent of the time we used the buses and subway to get us around. In that way, we had the experience to live like Beijingers do - rubbing elbows inside buses and subways, jerking and holding tight at the steel bars every time the engine machine screeches, and asking around at the many times we lost ourselves in that big city.

We stayed in Liang Cheng Hotel in Qianmen Lu, a stones throw away from Tian'anmen Square and The Forbidden City. The Paralympics was ongoing the whole time we were there (Sept. 13-15) so you could just imagine the many travelers - local and international - roaming around the Beijing streets. Across the street, opposite side of our hotel, was a very

busy street with probably a hundred small shops where you can do a lot of bargaining.

What got me really excited though was the Silk Street, one bus ride away from the hotel. The place is made especially for foreigners and so the vendors know how to speak many languages - English, Russians, etc. And they know how to charm shoppers. One time, I was looking at a black sleeveless dress, and the vendor, sensing my interest, casted her spell (or spill) on me. The conversation goes like this:

Vendor: Hello, beautiful girl. Do you like this?
Me: Yes, it's nice!
Vendor: It's only 480 RMB
Me: Oh no, that's so expensive!
Vendor: Okay, how much you like?
Me: 50?
Vendor: Oh, beautiful girl, you're killing me!
Me: I'm not, believe me.
Vendor: Okay, 200.
Me: Hmmmm, 50!
Vendor: Stop that, beautiful girl. Give me a real price!
Me: 50 is a real price.
Vendor: Ahhh, you're really killing me. Come here! (grabs my elbow and
whispers in my right ear ---- "Don't tell your friends, I'm giving it to you for
120...that's the best price.")
Me: Hahhaha, you're so nice. But there are many shops here, I'm gonna go
and look and I'll go back here to buy that stuff.
Vendor: No, beautiful girl...buy it now. It's very cheap! (She grabs my
elbow again, this time it's quite tight)
Me: I'll be back. (Tries to pull myself from her grip, its getting
painful)
Vendor: No, buy now! Buy now!
Me: I'll be back (I had the serious look which reads "This is not
funny!")

And the vendor let go of me but still tried to convince me. She was on her way to reach out to me, probably to grip me once again. It was almost like I heard a buzz on my brain that sounded like "caution, caution!". Before her hand landed on my arm, I was already far from her.

I ran away from her like crazy. I guess I overdid it cos some people glanced at me with a horror-look on their faces.

Is that funny, or what?

(to be continued)

Note: First pic on this post was on Qianmen Lu, while the second pic was with friends outside Silk Street/Pearl Market, from left: me with Bonie, Joy and Ren.

night song

The night sings
of its silence
and here I am
listening to its song

Sing to me
of that distinct sound
that lures
the dawn to come

Sing to me
of certainties,
of hope, of goodness
of love

Sing to me,
let me fathom
your rhythm,
your language, your mystery

Sing, o night
charm this shadowy heart
by your grace
by your song

acperez.sept8,2008

nugget of the week

For some years now, I am one of those that are blessed by receiving author John Mason's Nugget of the Week by e-mail. These nuggets are features lifted from his books like: You Are Born An Original, Don't Die A Copy, An Enemy Called the Average, and Taming An Enemy Called The Average, to name a few.

This morning, I received another nugget and was once again blessed. It's worth reading, and meditating, until the very end of the article. What's even more touching is that in the article, my name was really in it.

God never fails to amaze me by using things, like an email, to greet my day. And thank God, for John Mason!

To: Ann Catherine
From: God
Date: Today
Re: What I Think About
You


I want to tell you that I have known you since before
the foundations of time. I even know the hairs on your head. I put you
together on purpose for a purpose. I looked at you and saw that you were
fearfully and wonderfully made. I even created you in my image.

I
know the plans that I have for you. Plans to prosper and not to harm you. Plans
to give you a hope and a future.

I also gave you gifts to prepare
and equip you for the plans I have for you. These gifts I've given are
irrevocable. Don't neglect them. Exercise them and stir them
up!

Ann Catherine, I want you to be confident about this: When I
begin a good work in you I will carry it on to completion until the day of
Christ Jesus.

Although you may encounter tribulations in this
world, I want you to know that in me you have peace. Be of good cheer. I
have overcome the world.

I am not slack concerning my promises.
Forever my Word is settled in heaven and my faithfulness to all generations.
When I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; When I have purposed it, I
will also do it.

You can look to me as a refuge and strength, a
very present help in trouble. Cast your burdens upon me and I will sustain you.
I shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Come unto me when you labor and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. For I am your rock, your fortress,
your deliverer, your strength in whom you can trust. Though you fall you shall
not be utterly cast down, for I will uphold you with my hand.

Don't
listen to the ungodly, don't stand with sinners, and don't sit with the
scornful. But rather delight yourself all day long in my Word. If you do, you
will be like a tree planted by the river. You will bring forth fruit in season
and whatever you do will prosper.

Finally, Ann Catherine, I want
you to know I love you. I love you so much I gave my only begotten Son. When you
believe in Him, you will not die but have healing, freedom, victory,
forgiveness, and eternal life!

spiritual clincher

Today's insight of Oswald Chamber's "My Utmost for His Highest", (a devotional that is both deep and powerful and is my daily read since 2003) is a spiritual clincher:

"God's purpose is not simply to make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to
make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us."

korean lunch-ing

So me and my former student, Faraway, went to a Korean restaurant just outside the students dormitory...and this was what I ordered.

Too bad, I never took down the name of this food. It was a big plate with rice, pork steak with a special kind of sauce, and veggie salad...all for only 16RMB!

Yummy!

something worthwhile

Students preparing for my class

Room 204 where I hold my classes. Each student would have their own individual computer...and I have two!

So today was the first day of class in my second year of teaching in Tianjin University of Finance and Economics, Pearl River College.

And I guess I'm used to it.

I'm used to students with different levels of English, students who are too shy they can't even open their mouths, students whose faces are totally p-o-k-e-r, students who smile even without any reason at all, students who seem to flirt (this goes for the guys, good grief) and students who seemed to have this invisible question mark right above their heads.

But even with these, I see faces that are open to learn. Faces that show interest at what I shared. Faces that are friendly and respectful. Faces that could get there with perpetual encouragement and motivation.

Believe me, even with the rough edges that comes along as I teach, the fulfillment always outshines the negativity.

I don't know what these students will become one day. I don't have a clue where life will lead them, but I wished that they learned something from me and even if I'm gone and no longer teaching in this university, I have passed to them something that is worthwhile.

fresh start

With friends at Bo's Coffee in I.T Park the night before my flight to Beijing. Clockwise from left: Cynthia, my sister Maricar (standing), Daisy, Carol, Phoebe, David, your very own, David and his twin brother Pax.

Party of 5

Thank God blogger is now accessible here in China! Whoah!

I just had an amazing vacation in the Philippines with my family and friends. I could not believe time is running soooo fast. As I'm tapping these lines, I'm also thinking of what to do tomorrow as the start of another semester in the university opens up - the Tianjin University of Finance and Economics.

The vacation I had in the Philippines was with so much mixed emotions. The week I arrived, I was very excited to meet family and friends, and then some weeks after I got kinda bored at home as my friends are in their offices and schools, and then the last week, for some reason, I wished I have more time in my hands.

But well, life moves on.

This morning, I met my friends here in Tianjin. I was so glad to be back, and also saw new faces that I'm sure will be nice friends.

It made me realize how beautiful this world is because of people. And I am thankful that God is faithful in meeting me wherever I am.

And so...this is another fresh start.

And a new blog, new site!