CHEERS!

I had truly one of the best birthdays ever. My b-day was last Monday (12th) and it was unique in so many ways. This is my 2nd birthday away from my fam, and friends back home but my new friends (and one old one) really made it special. J my roommate suprised me that morning when I opened my bedroom door..the apartment looked like it vomited ribbon and balloons. She even decorated the bathroom, which made showering that morning a bit tricky. A group of us went to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner. The World Cup is happening here now and is creating so much energy it is palpable. So we watched the U.S. get stomped on by the Czechs, which wasn't so great, but it was cool watching it on a jumbo screen. We went to the river side after for the cake part of the day. Australia beat Japan that day so there were a lot of really happy and really drunk Australians around. It was a great party atmosphere.
So, to explain the top picture...I approached the group of really happy (and intoxicated) Australians and asked if I could have my picture taken with their blow up Kangaroo. Actually to correct that I managed somehow to approach the cutest, happiest and DRUNKEST Australian man there, and as you can see from the picture I got more than I bargained for...he was hilarious, and very friendly.. I have video footage if you are interested. **not to be used for blackmail purposes....

Uncommon Kindness- and my selfishness

I was standing in a really long line today waiting to buy my monthly tram pass ticket. I had waited for awhile for the line to creep closer to where I could finally buy the ticket from the rather harassed looking man, who was the only one selling tickets. (Though there were several KVB employees standing around laughing and smoking...) I had a lot to keep me entertained visually as I waited. The women at the front of line was taking a really long time, making the woman just in front of me (who was next to be helped) really antsy. She kept turning around and saying something to me, I think she was trying to get me as upset as her. Fortunately I had my iPod with me and was boogying inside my ear phones to Arcade Fire's "Rebellion", and don't you dare laugh...Queen. So I just kept smiling nicely at the lady, but basically ignored her. I was looking around people watching, and I saw a blind elderly Asian man with his stick, feeling his way along the underground area that was teeming with people. He was having a difficult time finding his way and I wasn't sure what he was looking for, either the next exit, or the escalator that would take him to the underground tram line he needed. I watched him but did nothing to help him. I was almost at the front of the line you know...Anyway, I wasn't sure..I mean maybe he did want to go up that exit, and what about the potential language barrier? I don't speak Chinese...
These were all the excuses I had in my head for not jumping out of line and helping him. So I turned away and watched again the antics of the woman in front of me who had decided at this point that she needed to show the women (who was still being helped), just how irritated she was. So she walked right up next to her with her money ready and out, and gave her an unmistakable "look" that spoke more than any obnoxious words. I was feeling pretty good that I wasn't letting it ruffle me at all, and then..
As I continued to wait, I saw a young girl around 8 or 9. She was walking slowly along and on her arm she had the hand of the blind elderly Asian man. She walked slowly with him, so that he could feel his way and the direction he was going. She walked him slowly to the beginning of the entrance to the tram line he needed. I watched...and my eyes stung with tears. How often had I griped to friends that the people here are so cold to each other? I had even witnessed a case where a women was hit by a car while riding her bicycle and people just sat there watching while she struggled to get to her feet. (In case you ask, yes I did run back and help that lady).

I should have been the one to help that man. But I didn't. That young girl without even thinking about it, did more to help that man than an entire area full of adults. I was ashamed, and couldn't believe that I had blown such an obvious opportunity to be the face of Christ to someone who desperately needed a helping arm. Just an arm, just a minute of my self-righteous music listening too time.

How simple a lesson to learn, but a really hard one to get smacked in the face with, when I think about what I am here in D-Land to be.