Outsider Looking In (4)

Time just flies and flies and flies! How can it already be early September? This time last year I was battling H1N1 and starting to teach. Now I'm battling tons of heavy textbooks and learning how to be a student again.

So far my classes are super challenging, but really interesting. But why all the math? I'm doing calculus in Economics class; learning computer programming language in my Statistical Analysis class; and overcome with numbers and concepts in my Public Finance and Budgeting class. Only Public Management has so far proved to be math-free. But probably not for long at the rate I'm going.

I'm tempted to feel overwhelmed and inept with my classes, but I'm still feeling confident and fairly relaxed. Maybe that will change, but I just have a lot to be thankful for right now. For example, I work in a place that has real toilets. No squatty potties in sight. I count the little blessings.

A lot of people have also been thinking of me so I could connect with a good fellowship and other believers. Thank you! I've met up with an InterVarsity grad chapter on campus; and so far I just want to cry with thankfulness. They are intelligent, hard-working, easy-going, and really on fire for Him. Some of them have brains that are quite large (like one who is a 5th year PhD student in Economics), but they are still easy to connect with, especially since authentic Christians are few and far between.

I've still been seeing a lot of the city. This morning the weather was pretty chilly, but I biked downtown to the awesome Farmer's market I've managed to go to every weekend since I've been here. I just can't get enough of zucchinis and Mennonite people. My friends and I also went to an art festival downtown and ate Thai food on the sidewalk. Later, in between reading for classes, I went to another friend's cute little house and played Scrabble. It was great.

And now, on to my usual observations about an aspect of American culture.

4.) Volunteerism

I don't have much to say on this topic, but it's still such a noticeable part of American culture, that I have to mention it. In China, volunteering is virtually non-existent. The government takes care of most every facet of life, and that's the way the government and most Chinese people seem to like it. People take care of their immediate circle, but that's it. The poor, disabled, unfortunate, and the environment are out of their circle of influence. That's up to the government or nature; why bother to interfere? They're not heartless; on the contrary. However, that's just the way things are.

In America, everyone seems to be a volunteer. There seems to be a big passion for "causes" and fundraisers, many of which I'll be involved with through my master's program and work. You can volunteer to take care of puppies, children, gardens, wetlands, elderly people, etc. And there's a non-profit organization in America for nearly every cause in the universe. In fact, the government and a lot of non-profits seem intertwined. So that's sort of cool.

I'm off to plant a tree. Actually I think it's time for bed soon. Have a wonderful weekend!