1st Post in the US

Hey Guys (and Girls, to satify any feminst requirements)!

This is my first post in the US, and a very small step in the long journey of education overseas. I'm in Dickinson College and it's a great school. Lots of tradition and strong academics. I haven't officially attended my first class yet though.

Well, how do I start? Beats me. So many things have happened to me and I'll try my best to reflect my thoughts here.

So let me rip some photos from my brother's facebook:

It was an emotional day for me when I was flying off. NS was only 2 years and I could come back on weekends. This is a totally different game. I am the minority in a whole new environment without having my family near to me. I didn't exactly ask friends to come down and they did. Thanks to those who came, really appreciate the effort you have made.


Quite a few of the youth from the church came down to see me off too. And I can testify here that they are faithful workers of Christ. I maybe away from church for quite a long time, that doesn't mean I am not connected to them! I'll continue to pray for NLYM (my Church youth ministry).

Also, NLYM prepared a farewell book. Gotta ask Tim who contributed to it, as it does look like a lot of effort was poured into it! I am thankful for the gift, and I'll certainly keep it :) Well, NLYM played a huge role in my spiritual growth and I do not regret serving there (I didn't want to initially). One thing's for sure: NLYM has a bright future provided the members work together. Remember, love each other and others will see you are disciples of Christ.


Blooded Ones from Barker Days came down to see me off too (sniff). They are perhaps the closest buds in my life, and I have to admit I did get a bit stranded from them. Got my balance a little wrong (with concurrent stuff going on) and I couldn't spend much time with them before I left. No worries, I cherish the good times and relations we had. We all are going seperate ways and know what, we shall keep in contact! Not an obligation or 'duty', but as close friends. That's my promise.

How to make a 21 year old guy cry? One way is to give him some free time (to have memorable experiences), a good home to be comfy in, build close relationships with others (Church, friends etc.), caring and supportive parents, and forget he is going to be away for a long long time.

Trust me, I cried quite a bit in the holding area before going on the plane. Couldn't hold back the spontaneous tears, and as a guy...felt the natural need to hide the tears. Abnormal psychology you can call it (if you are a girl). Couldn't help but just cry, maybe it is the 'new' feeling of severing the warm links built for years.

The Flight (SQ 22)

I took the direct to US flight, so that meant 19 hours of flying and reliving the long flight experience (I did it a couple of times before this). It flew Northwards all the way, even above the North Pole, and right down to Newark NJ. I tried peeking out for a view at the North Pole. I just saw clouds. Bummer.

If you are going to take the direct to USA flight, do keep this in mind: When you go over Ulan Bator, make sure you look out of the window! When I was there, there were no clouds and I could see the pristine fields of Mongolia. It was like those geographical maps made real, fields of green, crumpled ridges of mountain/hills, rivers of solid blue and dotted towns that lined the waterways. I respect map-drawers of the past, daring to chart maps without seeing it from above. Furthermore, it's a glimpse of how great God is. He created the world we know of now, and let's it continue to live on...

Caught 5 movies in the flight. Fracture (need to know some US lawyer lingo to fully appreciate this one), Hot Fuzz (good concept, really over-the-top and bland ending), and the Shrek Trilogy (back to back!).

Thing about Shrek, I don't follow the common conception that the first is the best and the third sucked yada yada yada. The 3 episodes each dealt with different aspects of a new sub-genre of fairy tales that challenges the 'disney norm', and can't say if one is better than the other.

There's one character that made my mind think quite a bit.

Prince Charming

You know Prince Charming? He's a good example of human psychology. He is blessed with good looks, has a mom who takes good care of him (manipulates for his advantage), supposed to marry a beautiful Princess Fiona, and become king. He had a lot of things going for him and he naturally expects success and popular support.

I call this the 'Prince Charming Syndrome'. When we perceive that we have a slew of blessings (grades, looks, popularity etc.), we feel wholly superior than others. That could lead us to firmly believe that are deserve the recognition of others. Convinced that we are the head above the rest, special treatment is expected. I am worth a lot to others, and they should have it my way.

This is dangerous as it leads to a trap we will find it very hard to get out of. We have no control of events outside of our lives. Things will go wrong, regardless of how blessed I am. Other people can get on with their lives without you. Once smacked with failure and rejection, we can dwell in self-pity and hunger to reclaim our 'destiny', or face a very hard truth. Self-worth is not based on how others treat us or any success in our lives.

It is not for me to dictate what self-worth is, as everyone will have a different view of this. What I can say is that the Bible is a good source to find that out. It's gotta do with your concept of God and the things He gave you in your life...whether you are using them intentionally, for your own needs or for His Purpose, because there will be a time when we can't do anything about them anymore.

In a practical sense, as an overseas student I'd expect preferencial treatment from my friends/family back home. With so much well-wishes, people who miss you, or others who dearly feel your absence, I would like to expect them to care about me at the instant I come back. 'Look guys, I'm here from all the way from USA and aren't you happy to see me??? (Come and make me feel treasured)'.

Don't worry, I want to avoid that.

Well, that's a load of stuff to type here...and I don't want to bore anyone to death :) I'll leave it here and I will post new updates on my life all the way in America. Currently, I am going through orientation and getting to know the school better, integrating myself into the community and one thing's for sure: I will be busy.

Hope to see you again at this spot of the internet!

Have fun and God bless,
Joshua