Hello. I don't know if anyone is reading this. I have just realized recently my inability to articulate those things that are central to what I believe. I am beginning now on my journey online to communicate those things to whomever is out there willing to dialog with me.

One of the first things on my mind today are some questions facing our modern industrialized society, "How will democracy survive all of the threats that are facing it?"; from internally perceived threats of moral corruption, apathy for education and character development, acquiescence to greater concerns for security vs. human and civil rights, or likewise external threats like terrorism, resurgent authoritarian regimes, corrosive effects of globalization, or irrational fundamentalism.

A few sites that I just recently found that seem like interesting starting places for a few pieces of these questions are http://www.whydemocracy.net

Short thoughts

Hello everyone, I've finally been able to figure out this blog thing. At first it was only showing up in Chinese, but now since I have a limited knowledge of about 100+ characters I was able to figure out how to change the language. Anyway, hopefully I'll be writing a little more now.

I feel like I've been able to think so much more clearly while I've been over here. Maybe it is the new environment, the spirit of adventure I've been forced to acquire, or maybe the persistant need for discipline that is necessary to be able to do all of the things that I want to. Or maybe they are just blessings from above. I think thoughts are a unique thing. I can never quite be certian that I am the author of my own imaginings.

One thing that I've been thinking about lately is the purpose of work. I've read a little lately from this guy I respect called Mortimer Adler. He wrote a book called How to think about: The Great Ideas. In it he has a few chapters on the topic of work. He got me thinking about how when there is a personal-moral component added to any type of work then it immediately becomes much more tolerable. Here in China, work is often done for the work unit, or for your family, or for the country. These things tend to make any sort of position a little more honorable, even one where you are cleaning up someone elses mess. I haven't studied the Western business world much, nor have I participated in it, but it seems to me to lack much of this personal-moral component. I'm not saying that what I just mentioned before is what I see as the best means to a motivation for work but, nevertheless it is more tolerable. Our motivations for work are often more simple, and often more selfish. "I work hard to keep my job."...or..."I work to make money [to spend when I am not working]." I believe that there is One truly satisfying, intensely personal, and beautifully moral component that we can add to work so that it could even seem as if our work is doing itself.

Personal note: Next post on truth vs. wisdom.

Before she leaves the port...

Consider this the official christening of my blog. On this site I will hopefully be chronicling my new Asian life and living during my stay over in the far East. My goal is to as transparently describe my experience as possible to whoever is interested. For anyone who doesn't know, I will be traveling to China starting tomorrow, the 29th of December. Our first stop will be Hong Kong, I will be with some friends visiting a friend in China where we will learn about the Business As Missions idea. Hopefully, there will be more to come concerning all of that. The majority of my semester will be spent in the city of Xiamen, however. I will be an international student with the China Studies Program. 18 other students and I from other CCCU schools around the country will spend about 4 months discovering the ins and outs of Chinese culture, public policy, religion, society, history, along with getting to know local Chinese students and other international students.

I will hopefully be updating at least once each week. I would love lots of feedback, or just hearing how each of you are doing. I am open to questions about anything, if you were wondering something about me, or where I am or what I am experiencing please ask. I want to share this opportunity with anyone who is interested.

If anyone was wondering about the title-this may become apparent as I continue to journal- but I like being rather cryptic. It could mean than I have become rather obsessed lately with the idea of God's great grace and forgiveness and how 'far he has removed our transgressions from us.' Or it could be that I am going somewhere to the far east of here. Or it could be that while I am in Xiamen my mind may be wandering somewhere East of where I really am. Or it could be a reference to my own existential search to enjoy life East of Eden while ideas like, "...the grass is greener..." tempt me to less than disciplined ends. Or it could have to do with a certain work by an artist that I appreciate. Or it could be a mysterious blend of all of those things together. But that is just me. Anyway...enjoy!