August 23， 2011

》》You know you're in China when。。。the bike lanes are big enough to fit at least one car down。
Meal-time is really awkward since the grandparents don't speak any English。Saying, “I'm full，“ in Chinese is my top priority in regards to meal-time conversation。 I love the Chinese hospitality， but I can only eat so much。 Right now, the only way I can indicate that I　ａｍ　ｆｕｌｌ　ｉｓ　ｂｙ　ｒｕｂｂｉｎｇ　ｍｙ　ｓｔｏｍａｃｈ！　Ｓｏｍｅ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｖｏｌｕｎｔｅｅｒｓ　ｉｎ　Ｂｅｉｊｉｎｇ　ｊｏｋｅｄ　ａｂｏｕｔ　ｔｈａｔ　ＡＦＳ　ａｌｓｏ　ｓｔａｎｄｓ　ｆｏｒ　＂Ａｎｏｔｈｅｒ　Ｆａｔ　Ｓｔｕｄｅｎｔ；＂　I　ａｍ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｔｒｙｉｎｇ　ｔｏ　ｍａｋｅ　ｓｕｒｅ　ｔｈａｔ　ｔｈａｔ　ｄｏｅｓ　ｎｏｔ　ｈａｐｐｅｎ！
Ｌｕｃｋｉｌｙ，　ｔｈｅ　ｇｒａｎｄｐａ，　ｓｏｎ　ａｎｄ　Ｉ　ｒｏｄｅ　ｂｉｋｅｓ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ａｒｋ　ａｆｔｅｒ　ｌｕｎｃｈ－－Ｉｔ　ｇｏｔ　ｍｅ　ｏｕｔ　ｏｆ　ｆｉｎｉｓｈｉｎｇ　ｍｙ　ｆｏｏｄ，　ａｎｄ　ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｇｏｏｄ　ｅｘｃｅｒｃｉｓｅ！　Ｔｈｅ　ｐａｒｋ　ｗａｓ　ｂｅａｕｔｉｆｕｌ！　Ｔｈｅ　ｐｌａｃｅ　ｗａｓ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｌａｒｇｅ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｍａｎｙ　ｐａｔｈｓ　ａｎｄ　ａ　ｓｍａｌｌ　ｌａｋｅ．　Ｔｈｅｒｅ　ａｒｅ　ａｌｓｏ　ｓｏｍｅ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｎｉｃｅ－ｌｏｏｋｉｎｇ　ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇｓ　ｂｅｉｎｇ　ｂｕｉｌｔ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｐａｒｋ　ｒｉｇｈｔ　ｎｏｗ，　ｓｏ　Ｉ＇ｍ　ｈｏｐｉｎｇ　ｔｈａｔ　Ｉwill be able to see them once they are finished.
School starts in a week. The days are going by very slow--too slow--right now, so I can't wait for school to begin. I'm quite sure if that's a good thing to be thinking or a bad one...at least Iｗｉｌｌ　ｈａｖｅ　ｌｅｓｓ　ｔｉｍｅ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｉｎｋ！　＝）　Ｉ　ｋｅｅｐ　ｔｈｉｎｋｉｎｇ　ｏｆ　ｍｙ　ｆｒｉｅｎｄｓ　ａｎｄ　ｆａｍｉｌｙ；　Ｉwish Iｃｏｕｌｄ　ｆｉｇｕｒｅ　ｏｕｔ　ｈｏｗ　ｔｏ　ｃａｌｌ　ｔｈｅｍ！

Ｗｅｄｎｅｓｄａｙ，　Ａｕｇｕｓｔ　２４，　２０１１

＞＞Ｙｏｕ　ｋｎｏｗ　ｙｏｕ＇ｒｅ　ｉｎ　Ｃｈｉｎａ　ｗｈｅｎ．．．ｂａｄｍｉｔｔｅｎ　ｉｓ　ｔｈｅ　ｎａｍｅ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｇａｍｅ！
Ｔｏｄａｙ　Ｉ went to Yan's (my host-brother--pronounced Ian) badmitten class. We took two buses to get there and one home--all for a little less than $0.50. I'm not sure how much the buses are in the States, but I thought it was a very good price! ...Ｉ　ｐｌａｙｅｄ　ａ　ｌｉｔｔｌｅ　ｂｉｔ　ａｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｒａｃｔｉｃｅ．　Ｉdid pretty good, so I　ｈｏｐｅ　Ｙａｎ　ｗａｓｎ＇ｔ　ｇｏｉｎｇ　ｅａｓｙ　ｍｅ．　Ｆｏｒ　ｂｅｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅ　ｆｉｒｓｔ　ｔｉｍｅ，　ｍｏｒｅ　ｏｒ　ｌｅｓｓ，　ｔｈａｔ　Ｉhave played badmitten, I was fiarly proud of myself.
When we got home, a girl who Yan called his sister （I'm pretty sure he meant cousin） was there。 Lunch was just about ready， so we all ate。  A word about the food： since I'm in the south， we eat rice more than noodles。 What usually happens is you get a bowl of plain rice or what I would consider rice-oatmeal （or poridge）。 Then you take from the communal plates on the table。 You can either directly eat the food， or you can put it in the rice。The food is really good。。。which I am very happy about。 What has been the strangest thing so far is that they serve fish whole （head， tail， bones and all）！ I told them that I never had fish like that before， so they popped out a can of tuna--I didn't tell them that I never ate it like that either， though。 haha
Whenever I try to clean up the table， the grandmother stops me。 I keep trying， though， so maybe she will let me help eventually。

Thursday， August 25， 2011

It's been a week since my adventure has started； I'm not sure if I should say, "already a week," or "only a week。” ：-/
Ever since I was able to talk with my mom， I’ve felt a lot better。 I know that I probably shouldn't call again， but I might call just to make sure they are alright--I heard that there was an earthquake in the United States。。。maybe I'll just send an e-mail.
Anyway， the adjusting is getting easier。 My host-mother wanted me to show her how to make cookies last night， so we had a really fun time。 It was amusing to see her use the mixer for the first time--the dry ingredients flew everywhere！ haha I took some pictures so you all can be amused！
I am starting to find it to be extremely hard to find things to do to pass the time。 I find myself  reading my Bible more often than I ever have。 The family has given me some books to read， but I disagree with a lot of the philosophy of the author. Solitaire has become my bestfriend, but that can get boring after a while. There are still five days till school starts...I'm beginning to pray that they go fast. It's not that I'm unhappy; I'm just bored. :-/

Friday, August 26, 2011

A LOT has happened today. First, my host-father and Iｗｅｎｔ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　Ｔｉａｎｍｉｎｇ　（ｓｐ？）　Ｔｅｍｐｌｅ，　ｔｈｅ　ｔａｌｌｅｓｔ　Ｂｕｄｄｈｉｓｔ　ｔｅｍｐｌｅ　ｉｎ　ａｔ　ｌｅａｓｔ　Ｓｏｕｔｈｅａｓｔ　Ａｓｉａ．　Ｓｅｅｉｎｇ　ｉｔ，　Ｉhad mixed emotions. On one hand, the natural beauty of the complex was breath-taking. However, it was also very sad to see how much time and money has been devoted to false gods--it made me want to cry. There was so many gold-covered statues and precious stones covering every inch of the place. My camera died halfway through, so I didn't get very many pictures. =(
After that, we walked through the adjacent park and had some tea. Once we were done, we met up with my host-mother and -brother and went to KFC for lunch。 I've already eaten there once at the train station in Beijing， so it wasn't a very worth-while experience。 Sandwiches are promoted a lot there； that's what I have gotten both times。 They taste really good， and they make me think about home。
After going into a few shops （including one that had a French horn that I played for my family）， we went to the dinosaur-themed amusement park。 They had some pretty good rides。 I wasn't so keen on trying some of them， but my host-family convinced me to--I didn't know that trying new things included thrill rides！ haha We bought some pictures of us on the rides， so maybe I'll be able to show you guys those。
What I thought was one of the more interesting things about the park is that they kept playing Harry Potter music。 You would think that if they were going to take a movie's soundtrack that they pick Jurassic Park！
Besides the language and missing people back home， I'm starting to forget that I am even in a different country； it‘s starting to feel slightly like home。。。

Sunday, August 28， 2011

There's actually been a lot going on the past few days。 We went to the lotus garden-park （liked) and then the animation festival (didn't like) yesterday. Today, Yan and I went to see Cars 2--in Chinese。 From what I saw， it seemed like a good movie！Anyway， with so much going on， I am really missing doing things with my family：
-I miss the loving embrace of my mother's arms when I am sad。
-I miss my dad coming home from work and telling us about every little thing that happened that day。
-I even miss my brothers yelling at me when I get on their nerves。
Everything seems so far away now--and I don't like it。 I don't know if I can make it here a year； I want to be with my family and friends。 I know that God， my friends and my family are all telling me that this is where I'm meant to be， but my heart keeps telling me to get on the next plane bound for home。 This is going be one very hard year。。。

An Aching Man，
Jonathan A. Miller

August 17, 2011, 7:00 AM, Central Standard Time

Well...things have already been off to a rough start. I got my stuff together a lot slower that Iｓｈｏｕｌｄ　ｈａｖｅ，　ｓｏ　ｗｅ　ｇｏｔ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ａｉｒｐｏｒｔ　ｓｏｍｅｗｈａｔ　ｌａｔｅ．　Ｕｎｆｏｒｔｕｎａｔｅｌｙ，　Ｉ　ｍｉｓｓｅｄ　ｍｙ　ｐｌａｎｅ　ｔｏ　Ｃｉｎｃｉｎｎａｔｉ　ｂｙ　ａｂｏｕｔ　ｔｗｏ　ｍｉｎｕｔｅｓ！　Ｌｕｃｋｉｌｙ，　ｔｈｅ　ｍａｎ　ａｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｇａｔｅ　ｗａｓ　ａｂｌｅ　ｔｏ　ｓｗｉｔｃｈ　ｍｅ　ｏｎ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｆｌｉｇｈｔ　ｔｏ　Ｍｉｎｎｅａｎａｐｏｌｉｓ．．．Ｉ　ｇｏｔ　ｈｅｒｅ　ａｔ　ａｂｏｕｔ　６：３０，　ＣＳＴ．　Ｍｙ　ｆｉｒｓｔ　ｔｉｍｅ　ｆｌｙｉｎｇ　ｗａｓｎ＇ｔ　ｔｏｏ　ｂａｄ．　Ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｃｏｏｌ　ｔｏ　ｆｌｙ　ａｂｏｕｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｌｏｕｄｓ，　ａｎｄ　ｗｅ　ｇｏｔ　ｔｏ　ｓｅｅ　ｔｈｅ　Ｍｉｓｓｉｓｓｉｐｐｉ　Ｒｉｖｅｒ　ｏｎ　ｏｕｒ　ｗａｙ　ｄｏｗｎ！　．．．Ｔｉｍｅ　ｔｏ　ｇｏ　ｔｏ　ＬＡ！

Ａｕｇｕｓｔ　２０，　２０１１，　９：００　ＰＭ，　Ｃｈｉｎｅｓｅ　Ｓｔａｎｄａｒｄ　Ｔｉｍｅ

Ａ　ｌｏｔ　ｈａｓ　ｈａｐｐｅｎｅｄ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｐａｓｔ　ｃｏｕｐｌｅ　ｏｆ　ｄａｙｓ．　Ｗｅ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｇｏｔ　ｂａｃｋ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｃｌｉｍｂｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅ　Ｇｒｅａｔ　Ｗａｌｌ　ｏｆ　Ｃｈｉｎａ－－ｍｏｒｅ　ｏｎ　ｔｈａｔ　ｌａｔｅｒ．　Ｉ　ａｒｒｉｖｅｄ　ｉｎ　Ｌｏｓ　Ａｎｇｅｌｅｓ　ａｔ　９：１５　ＡＭ．　Ｍｙ　ｂａｇｓ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｓｔｉｌｌ　ｅｎｒｏｕｔｅ　ｆｒｏｍ　Ｃｉｎｃｉｎｎａｔｉ，　ｓｏ　Ｉ　ｈａｄ　ｔｏ　ｇｏ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｈｏｔｅｌ　ａｎｄ　ｗａｉｔ　ｔｏ　ｇｏ　ｂａｃｋ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ａｉｒｐｏｒｔ　ｏｎｃｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｌａｎｅ　ｇｏｔ　ｉｎ．　Ｉleft the hotel at about 10:30 and got back at 12:30.
After we ate, we started the orientation. There were a lot of cool people there; we had the kids who were going to Japan, too. Things were interesting...but I just wanted to get to China! haha
We got up at 2:30 and left for the airport at 3:30. The baggage check at LA was actually shorter than in Grand Rapids--Iｗａｓ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｓｕｒｐｒｉｓｅｄ！　Ｔｈｅ　ｆｌｉｇｈｔ　ｗａｓ　ｓｈｏｒｔ－－４５　ｍｉｎｕｔｅｓ．　Ｓａｎ　Ｆｒａｎｃｉｓｃｏ　ｗａｓ　ｆｕｎ　ｏｎｃｅ　ｗｅ　ａｌｌ　（１１　ｏｆ　us）　ｇｏｔ　ｓｅｔｔｌｅｄ　in。　We　ｈａｄ　ｔｈｒｅｅ　ｈｏｕｒｓ，　ｓｏ　ｍｏｓｔ　ｏｆ　us　in　ｔｈｅ　ｇｒｏｕｐ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｇｏｔ　ｔｏ　ｋｎｏｗ　ｅａｃｈ　other！　I　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｌｉｋｅｄ　ａｌｌ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｅｏｐｌｅ。。。We　ｗｅｒｅ　ｆｒｏｍ　ａｌｌ　ｏｖｅｒ－－Houston　ｔｏ　St.　Paul，　Brooklyn　ｔｏ　Portland。
The　flight　ｔｏ　China　ｗａｓ　alright；it　ｗａｓ　very　ｌｏｎｇ－－１２　Hours！　My　ｃａｍｅｒａ　ｄｉｅｄ　ｒｉｇｈｔ　ａｗａｙ，　ｓｏ　I　ｏｎｌｙ　ｇｏｔ　ｏｎｅ　ｐｉｃｔｕｒｅ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　Pacific.　（Sorry!)　It's　ｗａｓ　ａｌｒｉｇｈｔ，　ｔｈｏｕｇｈ。。。ｔｈｅ　ｓｔｅｗａｒｄｓ　ｍａｄｅ　us　ｋｅｅｐ　ｏｕｒ　ｗｉｎｄｏｗ　ｂｌｉｎｄｓ　ｃｌｏｓｅｄ　（ｔｈｅｙ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｐｒｅｔｔｙ　mean！　ｈａｈａ）．

Ａｕｇｕｓｔ　２１，　２０１１

Ｃｈｉｎａ　ｈａｓ　ｂｅｅｎ　ｇｒｅａｔ！　Ｔｈｅ　ａｉｒｐｏｒｔ　ｗａｓ　ｍａｇｎｉｆｉｃｅｎｔ－－ｂｅａｕｔｉｆｕｌ　ａｎｄ　ＨＵＧＥ！　Ｉ　ｏｎｌｙ　ｋｎｏｗ　ａ　ｌｉｔｔｌｅ　Ｃｈｉｎｅｓｅ　ｒｉｇｈｔ　ｎｏｗ，　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅｒｅ　ａｒｅ　ｍａｎｙ　ｎａｔｉｏｎａｌｉｔｉｅｓ　ｈｅｒｅ．．．ｓｏ　ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｈａｒｄ　ｔｏ　ｃｏｍｍｕｎｉｃａｔｅ．　Ｔｈｅ　ｍｏｓｔ　ｕｎｉｖｅｒｓａｌ　ｔｈｉｎｇｓ，　ａｌｔｈｏｕｇｈ　ｉｔ　ｍａｙ　ｂｅ　ｃｌｉｃｈｅ｀，　ａｒｅ　ａ　ｗａｖｅ　ａｎｄ　ａ　ｓｍｉｌｅ！　＝）
Ａｆｔｅｒ　ｗｅ　ａｔｅ　ｓｕｐｐｅｒ，　ｗｅ　ｄｉｄｎ＇ｔ　ｄｏ　ｍｕｃｈ．　Ｗｅ　ｗｅｒｅ　ａｌｌ　ｐｒｅｔｔｙ　ｔｉｒｅｄ　（Ｉ　ｏｎｌｙ　ｓｌｅｐｔ　ａｎ　ｈｏｕｒ　ｏｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｌａｎｅ），　ｓｏ　ｗｅ，　ｍｏｒｅ　ｏｒ　ｌｅｓｓ，　ｗｅｎｔ　ｒｉｇｈｔ　ｔｏ　ｂｅｄ．
Ｏｎ　Ｓａｔｕｒｄａｙ，　ｗｅ　ｗｅｒｅ　ａｂｌｅ　ｔｏ　ｓｌｅｅｐ　ｉｎ　ａ　ｌｉｔｔｌｅ　ｂｉｔ－－ｂｒｅａｋｆａｓｔ　ｗａｓ　ａｔ　７：００.　Ｉdidn't sleep very well, off-and-on, so Ｉ　ｅｎｄｅｄ　ｕｐ　ｇｅｔｔｉｎｇ　ｕｐ　ａｔ　ａｒｏｕｎｄ　５：１５.　Ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｗａｓ　ａ　ｓｍａｌｌ　ｏｒｉｅｎｔａｔｉｏｎ　ａｆｔｅｒ　ｂｒｅａｋｆａｓｔ，　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅｎ　ｗｅ　ａｌｌ　ｇｏｔ　ｒｅａｄｙ　ｔｏ　ｇｏ　ｓｅｅ　ｔｈｅ　Ｇｒｅａｔ　Ｗａｌｌ！　Ｉ　ｄｉｄｎ＇ｔ　ｔｈｉｎｋ　ｗｅ　ｗｏｕｌｄ　ｇｅｔ　ｔｏ　ｓｅｅ　ｉｔ，　ｓｏ　ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｃｏｏｌ　ｔｈａｔ　ｗｅ　ｄｉｄ．　Ｓｏｍｅ　ｏｆ　ｕｓ　ｒａｃｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　＂ｔｏｐ，＂　ｗｈｉｃｈ　ｗａｓ　ａ　ｌｏｔ　ｏｆ　ｆｕｎ．　Ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　８５　ｄｅｇｒｅｅｓ，　ｔｈｏｕｇｈ，　ｓｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｊｏｕｒｎｅｙ　ｗａｓ　ｑｕｉｔｅ　ｈａｒｄ！　ｈａｈａ
Ｔｈｅ　ｖｉｅｗｓ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｄｅｆｉｎａｔｅｌｙ　ｗｏｒｔｈ　ｉｔ，　ｔｈｏｕｇｈ－－ｔｈｅ　ｗａｌｌ　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅ　ｍｏｕｎｔａｉｎｓ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｓｐｅｃｔａｃｕｌａｒ！　Ｗｅ　ｄｉｄｎ＇ｔ　ｈａｖｅ　ｍｕｃｈ　ｔｉｍｅ　ｌｅｆｔ，　ｔｈｏｕｇｈ，　ｓｏ　ｗｅ　ｈａｄ　ｔｏ　ｈｅａｄ　ｂａｃｋ　ｄｏｗｎ　ｒｉｇｈｔ　ａｗａｙ－－ｔｈａｔ　ｗａｓ　ａ　ｃｈａｌｌｅｎｇｅ，　ｔｏｏ！　
Ｏｎｃｅ　ｗｅ　ｇｏｔ　ｄｏｗｎ，　ｗｅ　ｗｅｎｔ　ｔｏ　ａ　ｒｅｓｔａｕｒａｎｔ．　Ｔｈｅｉｒ　ｆｏｏｄ　ｗａｓ　ａ　ｌｏｔ　ｂｅｔｔｅｒ　ｔｈａｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｈｏｔｅｌ＇ｓ，　ｓｏ　ｗｅ　ａｌｌ　ａｔｅ　ａ　ｌｏｔ！　Ｗｅ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｐｌｅａｓｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｋｎｏｗ　ｔｈａｔ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｗａｓ　ｔｈｅ　ｒｅｇｕｌａｒ　Ｃｈｉｎｅｓｅ　ｆｏｏｄ！　ｈａｈａ

Ａｕｇｕｓｔ　２２，　２０１１

Ｉ　ａｍ　ｉｎ　Ｃｈａｎｇｚｈｏｕ　ｎｏｗ．　Ｗｅ　ｌｅｆｔ　Ｓｕｎｄａｙ　ｎｉｇｈｔ　ａｆｔｅｒ　ｈａｖｉｎｇ　ａ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｇｏｏｄ　ｄａｙ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｆｒｉｅｎｄｓ－－Ｉ＇ｍ　ｇｏｉｎｇ　ｔｏ　ｍｉｓｓ　ａｌｌ　ｔｈｅ　Ａｍｅｒｉｃａｎｓ　Ｉmet.
The train was a sleeper-train, so there wasn't much room. There were two bunkbeds that were three high。 I got the middle, which didn't make things any better. The train ride was from 7:30 PMｔｏ　７：３０　ＡＭ－－ｔｏｏ　ｌｏｎｇ　ｆｏｒ　ｍｙ　ｌｉｋｉｎｇ！
Ｍｙ　ｈｏｓｔ　ｆａｔｈｅｒ　ａｎｄ　ｂｒｏｔｈｅｒ　ｍｅｔ　ｍｅ　ａｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｔａｔｉｏｎ．　Ｔｈｅｙ　ｔｏｏｋ　ｍｙ　ｂａｇｓ，　ｍａｋｉｎｇ　ｍｅ　ｆｅｅｌ　ｕｓｅｌｅｓｓ，　ｂｕｔ　ｔｈｅｙ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｂｅｉｎｇ　ｎｉｃｅ．　Ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ａ　ｑｕｉｃｋ　ｒｉｄｅ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ａｐａｒｔｍｅｎｔ，　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅｒｅ　Ｉ　ｍｅｔ　ｍｙ　ｈｏｓｔ－ｍｏｔｈｅｒ，　ｔｈｅｉｒ　ｄｏｇ，　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅ　ｇｒａｎｄｐａｒｅｎｔｓ．　Ｅｖｅｒｙｏｎｅ　ｓｅｅｍｓ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｎｉｃｅ．．．Ｉjust feel awekward right now. :-/ We have had breakfast and lunch so far, and my host-brother and I played a game on the computer. He seems very nice...we've tried talking to each other a bit so far.
I really miss my family, though. This “in China for a year” thing is really starting to sink in Since I had to leave so quickly，I didn't really have a proper goodbye with my family--that's been really hard。 I love them all so much， so it‘s going to be hard to be away for so long。
Before I go, I'd like to make things positive and say that Iｔｈｉｎｋ　ｔｈｅ　ｍｉｎｉａｔｕｒｅ　ｓｃｈｎａｕｚｅｒ　ａｎｄ　Ｉhave really hit it off! haha

Goodbye All

Hey Everyone! Well...This is it; it's finally time for me to be headed out. I created a video for this post, so I hope you like it...I'm sorry that I kept going on of the shot/effect! haha Enjoy...and see you in a year!!!

(FREAKY PICTURE!! haha)



Forever and Always,
Jonathan A. Miller

My TEC Experience--The Beginning of the End (For a While)

Hello All,

This past weekend, I worked for my fourth time at TEC--Teens Encountering Christ, a Christian youth-retreat. This really was the beginning of my goodbyes...

I went through TEC #40 as a candidate, and TEC #41 was my first TEC working (it happens four times a year). What TEC has brought to me is a better relationship with God, a great community of support, and my closest friends (oh boy...here comes the tears). I'll never have to say goodbye to God; He will always be there next to me. I did, however, have to say goodbye to all of my amazing friends.

Growing up, I was (not trying to brag) always the smart kid. In elementary school, when that meant you were the cool kid, I had a lot of friends and a couple super close ones. However, as the years passed, things got harder--people grew apart, and being smart wasn't as attractive as it used to be. Thus, I was left with hardly any great friends; I had some great acquaintances, but there was no one that I could really confide in. During those years, I can remember that I cried with my mom multiple times about how I wasn't that liked anymore in school...It was an extremely hard time; I truly believed that no one cared for me anymore--not even God.

When my brother Michael finally had me go to TEC (and I was SO close to not doing it), that all changed. I had great table leaders, Kathy Door and David Groendyk--who helped changed my spirit. With their help, I realized that God did really care. However, while I was close with my table group, I still didn't have very many people to talk to; I still didn't think I was loved by anyone else.

I decided to work the next TEC (this past one happened to be at the same place), and that is where I found my best of friends who I could count on. One of them, I met over a bottle of spilt Listerine. Another, I met because I didn't want to be creeped out by a stranger always hanging around anymore (You guys know who you are!). They were the ones who helped me build a support and friend network that I have charished ever since. With the other TEC's that I have worked, I have met other AMAZING people who have shown me that there is still love out there (including one that I met over a Physics shirt and another that I met because I was assigned to clean with him)...too many to name!

With this past weekend being the last TEC weekend that I will be able to work until, by the grace of God, I return in a year, things got pretty emotional towards the end. We still have a reunion in two weeks, but this was pretty much the last time that I would see most of them for a year. I began to cry as a hugged all of my great friends and said goodbye...it hurt so much.

I know that I am going to a place in which you have to register to worship or face pursecution...a place where I will have no support group (at least in the beginning)...a place where I could become separated from my faith in God. This weekend has comforted me and taught me that I can be strong, starting with an amazing prayer-time with an extremely Godly-woman (Thank you so much...you know who you are!). Even though I know that I can be strong with God's help, I am still scared--I am still sad--about being away from my great support group and awesome, Godly friends.

I want to thank all of those who have made me seen that God and others do care and love me; I am not alone anymore in my faith and in this world...Thank you for such an amazing time here...I will see you in a year's time.

With Blessings Forever,
Jonathan A. Miller

Reflections

My name is Jonathan Miller...I am a son, a brother, a nephew, a grandson, a friend, a confidant, a leader, a Christian, a worker, and so much more...and I'm leaving it all behind to go to a whole different planet for a years time.

With one month to go--thirty-two days, to be exact--before I leave my home for ten months by getting on a plane bound for Los Angeles, I am perhaps as terrified as I've ever been about going...I'm afraid to lose my family, my friends, my band, my associations, and many other things...I'm afraid of going into the unknown--where no-one knows my name.

Looking back on my past seventeen-years on Earth (today has been particularly nostalgic), I've been noticing how much I will miss...Friends are the keystone in any person's life; if people tell you that you don't really need them, they are wrong. I have known some of my friends for my entire life...inseperable people who were brought together for reasons that I don't even remember. Others, I have known for only a short period of time, meeting only because of a spilt bottle of Listerine (You know who you are!). Either way, I have begun to truly cherish the people in my life; God has put them in my life, so they--you--mean so much to me.

As for my family, I know they'll always be there--they're kind of stuck with me--but what will happen while I'm gone? So much can happen in an instant...If an instant is a second, I will miss 26,784,000 of them!

I guess that I'm just getting cold-feet; everything is beginning to feel so real. I'll miss everyone so much...I'll miss so much in general! On the other hand, I will experience so much...and that is the adventure that is waiting for me in thirty-two days.

Dearest Blessings,
Jonathan A. Miller

Some Pictures...

Hey Guys! I just thought I'd take a moment and share some pictures that were sent to me with my host family application...there are no profound words-of-wisdom accompanying this post, but I hope you like the pictures!

The Appartment (I get my own bedroom!):

The Community (I love the palms!):

Family on Vacation:                                                         (Son -- Father -- Grandfather)


Host-Mother's Sewing:                                           Xiangxiang, the Miniature Schnauzer:

I know that they're not the best pictures in the world, but don't worry...I will hopefully be taking plenty while I'm over there!

Always,

Jonathan A. Miller

My Host Family and City

Hello Everyone!

So...I have great news to share: I know have my host family and city for when I leave in...just five weeks! I will be staying in the city of Changzhou in the Jiangsu Province. I was actually contacted by a German exchange student staying in that city last month (on my birthday, no less) telling me that I would be staying there. I didn't tell anyone because it was not yet official and could have been changed. Although I was really hoping for a REALLY big city, I think Changzhou will suite me well. While Changzhou is small by Chinese standards, it boosts a healthy population of six-million people (if you didn't laugh...that's supposed to be funny)! It also is in southern China directly between Shanghai, a city of 23 million people and Nanjing, a city of eight-million. The average high in July is 89.2°F and the average low in January is 32°F...luckily it's not as cold as it is here!

Next...my host family. Here is a picture of them:

I think the picture is a little old since my host-brother will be 13 in November, but they seem very nice by the picture! My host-father's name is Yue Yu and my host-mother's is Fei Hong. They both work in software-technology jobs, so that should be interesting! My brother's name is Yan Yu (Their names are a lot simpler than mine!), and we will both be going to Changzhou Foreign Language School!

I need to get going, so I'll share pictures and info about the apartment, city, and pet miniature schnauzer, Xiangxiang later!

Blessings,
Jonathan A. Miller