shanghai updates.. :D

hi everyone!!

more time has passed here in shanghai and the scenery has changed so its time for an update!!

i've settled into studying life all over again here at jiao tong university where i'm learning chinese. it actually isn't too strict and theres rarely homework so it's rather nice! i'm living in the school's hotel (ie ucla guesthouse but jankier than motel 6 version) in a double with my roommate who's from hong kong but studied in the uk. though it isn't too hard to meet people, it's been a little difficult making real connections here with people. everyone here isn't concerned with anything but themselves and enjoy indulgences in alcohol and a pretty expensive, wasteful lifestyle. i've been asked numerous times to go clubbing or all-you-can-drink-ing and of course i've declined everytime.

there isn't much hanging out to be had, minus expensive meals that people like to eat so i've had a lot of good quiet afternoon downtime. some days i head into my dad's lab to do some work; other days where there's nothing for me to do, i stay in and read (trusting god and cs lewis). it's been good.

but the longer i'm here, the more i realize how lost our generation is, especially on such a global scale. i've met people from colombia, ecuador, japan, the uk, ireland, mexico, iran (aka alllllllll over) and they all are wrapped up in a culture that encourages self-indulgence and it saddens me to see people just so lost. i hope you guys will join me in praying for all these lost souls.

on a happier note, i should finally be able to go to church this sunday. one of 2 of the addresses jessy gave me for churches is only one metro stop away and seemingly 5 blocks walking (though it'd be insane in this heat as the blocks are long). english services are in the afternoon and are only for foreign nationals but they do have chinese services in the morning that any one can come to (including chinese locals!!). though i'll be going to the english services regularly, i want to go to a chinese service, just to see what He's been doing among the local population!

and on a last, neat little note, i got to meet a high school friend of jen ho's who is also doing the same chinese program as me. she's really friendly and cool and seems to enjoy the simpler, tamer things in life so i'll probably be hanging out with her more often :D AND jen ho is in shanghai too!