thoughts on thunder

Last night there was an amazing thunderstorm in Beijing. I turned off the lights in my apartment at one point because of the intense brightness from the lighting outside. Amazing. Even this morning as I look out my window its as if the entire city is covered in a grey cloud with the sound of rolling thunder still looming in the air. I love the power of thunder. Almost like God is brewing something special. While I'm sad I can't ride my bicycle to work this morning because of the pending rain, I'm comforted by the thunder, and realize the fact that Something Bigger is in control of things.

reflections on "the karate kid"

So, I don't know, but recently I've somehow become obsessed with the most recent "Karate Kid" movie. I think it has something to do with living in Beijing and the move being set here (scenes were apparently filmed just 5 minutes from my apartment! hello!), but I LOVE the lines and the shots in the trailer.

I feel like identify with the karate kid on some strange level. I watched thishttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY8amUImEu0&feature=channel and was hooked.

Lines I love:

"I feel like we are on a quest to start a new life." China does seriously give a person a chance to re-invent themselves in a way. I can't believe it took the Karate Kid to help me articulate this. I love how travel, in general, does give someone some perspective on their life and realize how small we are and how incredibly significant we are at the same time.

"I thought you were just a maintenance man." - No one is ever just a maintenance man here. Or anywhere for that matter.

"Welcome to Beijing" - I remember hearing this for the first time and my heart starting to race. Everything became a reality all at once and I knew I would love this city. It is one of the most intense relationships I've had with any place I've traveled to. I have had major highs, major lows, and huge learning curves here. Welcome to Beijing. I still get goosebumps whenever I ride my bicycle down Chang-An Avenue at night after work.

"I just wanna go home" - I've said this to myself a few times as well. Ok, well more than a few times. China sometimes teaches you tough lessons about yourself, and sometimes all you want it a dose of your mom's TLC to sustain you. China isn't your mom's TLC, that is fo-sho.

"Everything...is kung fu" - I like this. Connecting to the energy around you. I think sometimes as humans we get so caught up in work and day to day troubles that we forget to listen to our surroundings and the pulse of our environment.

"I don't want to be scared anymore" - I'd like to change this to, "I'm not scared anymore."

"Remember, always strong." - Yes. Thank you Jackie Chan.