Project Serve

30th August 2009

Sorry for the late update guys, here it is:

And so, today marks my 8th day in the United States of America, Maryland, Baltimore; Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. 

God has been very gracious to have me know this brother called Jack who works in Maryland. He was a 94′ graduate of Hopkins and is actively serving in the Church here. I am attending his church - http://www.hengtongchurch.org/ Huntingdon Chinese Baptist Church. Yes it is a Chinese Church, many Taiwanese and China people. I did plan to find an English Church initially but there are just so many kinds of churches. From Homosexual leadership ones to scientology, all just across the streets of my school. So I thought it will be good to just go for the Chinese one. 

My teacher is coming here tomorrow, and our studio will have our orchestra placement auditions on tuesday. For those who really want to know how I am doing, I will not play the strong guy and just admit that, yes, I am indeed struggling. The standard of percussion music here is high. I am intimidated, but in a good way I guess. The important thing is to keep the focus on playing for God’s glory, and I can feel how easily my heart will wander in a first rate conservatory like this. 

I do struggle with making friends. I finally understand how International students feel. It is just that feeling of _____ when people don’t speak your hometown language for the most part. Everyone also asks “How are you/What’s goin on/Wassup/How’s it goin” (Notice no question marks) all the time. I mean, all the time. And you know what? The standard answer is just good, cool. It’s funny cause I once tried to tell the person who asked me, how I was trying to register for my modules online, and he looked a little taken aback. Like, woohoa.. are you really telling me how you are? After which he just said, ok, and walked off. 

Weather is really hot here. It’s late summer. But the air is cold. And the School is just way cold. My dorm room is constantly on winter temperatures and there’s no way to make it warmer. My roommate is a nice Turkish chap. My first friend from Turkey actually. He was quite surprised to know that Singapore sells Turkish Ice Cream. Sophomore Composition major, very cool guy, I told him I din like girls sleeping over (which is allowed here btw) and he was completely fine and made the change on the room agreement form. He gave me headache medicine yesterday and played Turkish music for me to sleep, and when I woke up, I recovered! 

So, yes I am officially culture shocked, but it is still manageable I guess. Music will be much tougher as the season progresses. I have nothing now but to trust in the grace of God. By my own standards, I confirm CMI. God help me. 

Trust that all is well in Singapore. Do send me an email or sth if you have any prayer requests, or just to share what’s goin on. (Yes I care when I say What’s goin on)