Have You Eaten?

In preparing for my upcoming trip to China, I met with a teacher from my high school to learn more about the culture.  He also taught me some helpful phrases (here's to not speaking Spanish to Chinese people!).

We started at the beginning:
ni how
Hello

Then he said there's another phrase I'll hear more often:
ni chi le ma
Have you eaten?

He said it's not really a question of whether or not you've eaten.  It used to be back when there was a famine in China.  But now it has become more of a greeting.

"Like here asking 'How are you?'  No one cares; it's not any of my business if you've eaten or not," he said.

America, when we ask "How are you?" Do we really care?

More often than not, the answer is no.

I heard a story once about professor and a student walking opposite ways down the hallway.  The professor greeted the student and asked how he was.  The student answered, and they both continued to walk towards each other.  In that moment of awkwardness, again the professor asked, "How are you?"  Again the student answered before they finally passed and went on their way.

That professor didn't care how the student was doing; he just wanted something to say.

I'm guilty of it, too.  People ask how I am and I say "Good" before I even think about the question.  In being more conscious of this, I have started to say, "No, that's a lie.  I'm ok."

Of course, you can't spill your soul to everyone you meet, but it is vital to have at least one someone to whom you can say, "I'm not ok and this is why."

Take it from someone who doesn't have constant access to that kind of friend anymore... it's not easy being alone. 

Because we're not intended to be alone!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Hebrews 12:1-3 (emphasis mine)

Let's re-claim "How are you?" and only ask if when you mean it.

But it's hard.

For me, when I really mean it, I'm trying to train myself to ask, "Are you having a good day?" 

What about you?  Do you have any tips?

Wo chi le
I've eaten
<>< Katie

PS: It is grammatically correct to answer "Good" OR "Well" to "How are you?"  However, it would be incorrect to answer "Good" to "How are you doing" unless you are actually doing good... and serving in a soup kitchen, working on a mission trip, loving the Lord's people...

ILYTM

In my family, we love Post-It notes.  They decorate our house with their plethora of colors and meanings.  A Post-It on the liquor cabinet contains a phone message.  A Post-It at one's spot on the kitchen table means "Do this as soon as you're done eating breakfast."  A Post-It on the fridge says, "Mom, please go to the store."  A Post-It on the light switch at the top of the stairs stakes claims for the first shower in the morning.  The Post-Its on my bedroom door, bedside table, and pillow are my personal favorite.  They all read the same thing.  I know my sisters each have a collection of the same Post-Its.  That makes them a lie but a cherished lie.

Every time Dad leaves overnight on a business trip or something, he leaves four identical notes across the house.  While we were growing up, they were always tucked in the collars of polo shirts and left on pillows.  What we did with these shirts showed our varying personalities.  Christina wore hers as a nightgown every night until Dad's return.  Laura cuddled with hers like a blanket, enjoying Dad's smell all night long.  I was the first to lose my polo shirt privilege thanks to the constant questioning of whether or not it was clean.

At the end of Dad's trip, the polo was returned, washed, and worn.  The Post-It became a bookmark.  A trophy.  A reminder.

I love you the most.  Dad.

Of course, he can't love four people the most, but he claims he can.  That means we can all claim Dad loves us the most and we have the note to prove it.  After all, he always says his favorite number is "one-two-three."  As Number One, I think he loves me the most since he says my number first.

Happy Father's Day! 
Dad, I love you the most!
<>< Katie

So many thoughts, so little time

I'm sorry, I've been a bad blogger! My fellow college students know that midterms and following is the craziest time in a semester because professors try to cram everything in before the semester's out. However, that is no excuse.

Even with all our work and needs to be done, we still need to give time to God. He is more important than anything we're studying in class. Twenty years from now, Snowden's secret in Catch-22 isn't going to matter. God will still matter. Let's give this time to Him!

With that said, I have about four blogs that are in the process of being written (both mentally composed and on here as drafts). Hopefully those completely blogs will come to fruition with in the next couple of days.

God loves you! He thinks you're beautiful!

<>< Katie

"Behold, you are beautiful, My love, you are beautiful." Song of Solomon 4:1a