My first dinner when i arrived back to America was Red Lobster (for my Chinese readers, that’s a famous sea food restaurant). As i typically do at dinner time i ordered a nice cold glass of Coca-Cola. When i got the coke i took a big gulp and thought, “this sure tastes weird.” Then, i realized that there is a noticeable difference between American Coke and Chinese Coke. “What is the difference?” You ask. I’ve been racking my brain to put my finger on it, but i finally have a decent answer. i think what it comes down to is that Chinese coke is sweeter. Almost too sweet for my liking. But when i was in China i didn’t drink the coke and think, “wow, this is too sweet.” No, nothing like that happened. I simply found that while in China my little taste buds prefer Pepsi.

So pay attention, here’s todays lesson… If you are a coke lover and you find yourself traveling to China, try the Pepsi. I personally prefer Pepsi in China, but Coke in America. Interesting, I know. However, if you are a Pepsi lover in America, well then i just don’t know what to tell you. You’ll have to do your own experiment.

So, what about you? Pepsi or Coke? (in America)

Tonight i was reminded that it’s such a cool accomplishment to read a book all the way through. I read a lot of books, but for some reason, this latest book felt really good to finish. Maybe because it was 296 pages and that seems like a lot to me. I pushed through the last 60 pages today and as i finished i felt really good for a few seconds and then i remembered that i started that book way back in China. A couple of months ago i started reading it while leaning against a tall tree in the grassy field across from apartment in China. And then it traveled with me across an ocean and i read the last page while sitting in a tiny coffee shop in a tiny American college town.

And now you’re frustrated because i haven’t said anything about the book… not even the title. Well, that’s on purpose i’m afraid. Maybe one day we can sit face-to-face and i’ll tell you all about it. Great book. Great stories. Very inspiring.

What was the last book you read cover to cover?

P.S. If you know what i’ve been reading do not put it in the comments… thanks.

Last night i went to eat at my usual little chinese restaurant where i have a great relationship with the owners and the food is always good. I asked the owner’s wife if she would teach me some Chinese and she agreed. So there on that back table of an empty restaurant we started our small dialogue in Chinese. Occasionally she would stop to explain some words and occasionally i would be able to say a few words instead of simply nod my head. Surprisingly i was able to understand a lot of what she was talking about. For almost an hour she helped me use Chinese to express my love for Chinese people and my reason for wanting to live in China.

Then, before i could figure out what had happened i realized we were singing “Jesus Loves Me” in Chinese. It was amazing. We were singing very loudly in this quiet restaurant and i had a moment in the middle of the song where my brain paused and i suddenly realized what exactly was happening. I was sitting with a dear friend in a small restaurant in a small town singing “Jesus Loves Me” loudly and passionately. She was singing the language of her heart and somehow i’ve been graced with the ability to join right in. Even today i’m still trying to get my head around that surreal moment. How many people in the world have had an opportunity like that? Maybe a lot more than i think, but to me it was special and it’s a memory that will stick with me for a long time.

It’s a small thing, i know, but it’s significance it’s massive.

And here we go…

Top 8:
1. I saw Stephen Proctor the other day.
2. I saw Leighton Ching too.
3. I watched a chinese movie tonight.
4. I got to hear great insight from my friend, Kristen.
5. I watched “The Dark Knight”
6. Curtis Black bought my lunch.
7. Hanging out in Atlanta was a ton of fun.
8. I took a sunday afternoon nap

Bottom 4:
1. I wish studying Chinese was easier in the states
2. I just ate McDonald’s at midnight
3. I have too many book to read before i leave
4. Gas is expensive

Last night i drove to Atlanta with some friends to see The Dark Knight. While i’m not prepared to give a full review, nor do i desire to give a full review… i will tell you a thing or two from my perspective.

Reasons you should see The Dark Knight…

1. It was sold out. That alone should make you desire to get in the loop.

2. About 3 times during the movie the entire theater of people clapped and cheered. Doesn’t that make you want to go see what all the cheering was about?

3. Heath Ledger, AKA the Joker, was super creepy… i mean SUPER creepy.

4. I don’t even like comic book movies, but i might see this one twice.

Did you see it? Share your thoughts without giving away any of content.

Here is a short story about a member of John Calvin’s 16th-century church in Geneva, Switzerland.

“Calvin was a strong believer in practical and living theology, and he encouraged his parishioners to apply Christianity to every aspect of their daily life. One day, a stranger entered a shoemaker’s shop run by one of Calvin’s congregation. When the stranger found out that the shoemaker was a Christian, he said, somewhat sarcastically, “Oh, well then you must make Christian shoes!” “No,” the shoemaker quietly replied, “I don’t make Christian shoes, but i make shoes well.”

(Warning: if you have no interest in learning another language then this post is going to be boring for you. Come back later for something more to your taste… literally… just wait until you see my next language and culture post)

Ok, so if you made it past the warning then i will assume you have some vague interest in learning another language or maybe you already speak a couple of languages or you’re thinking of speaking another language… whatever your case, this post is about learning language and specifically the pros and cons of Rosetta Stone language learning software.

What makes me credible to give such a review as this? Well, nothing really, i just own the software and have used it for several months both in America and in China and i have combined it with other language learning strategies and tools. I’m no expert… did you catch that? I said, I AM NOT AN EXPERT. These are just my simple opinions based on my experience.

So, let’s dive in.

Overall, i think Rosetta Stone is a great tool for learning language, especially if you are living in a culture where the target language is not the one spoken (for example, studying Chinese while living in America). RS (can we call it RS?, Thanks.)… RS does a great job of immersing you in the language, where literally you can get lost for hours in the wonderland of listening to and speaking another language. However, if you live in the same culture as the target language then your best bet is to get off your butt and just go talk to people in the neighborhood.

What are the RS shortcomings?
1. RS is not conversational. The software does an excellent job at going through useful vocabulary by using the words in practical sentences, but it fails at teaching practical conversation elements. It doesn’t teach, “Hello, how are you?” or anything of that sort. This is a significant problem.
2. RS doesn’t teach sentence structure or offer ANY clues to the meaning of the sentence. I think there should be a, “give me a clue” button. Also, when learning such a different language as Chinese, i think there should be lessons that teach the difference in sentence structure and grammar. You may figure out the vocabulary in each lesson, but it will be impossible to piece together the rules of structure without some other outside teaching.

Do i recommend Rosetta Stone?
For Chinese? Yes. For any other language? I don’t know, haven’t tried them. I recommend it for a couple of reasons. For one, the depth of the software. There is so much you can do and so many lessons to go through. The depth of RS continues to amaze me, that aspect is far more than i expected. I also recommend because it’s like carrying a chinese book, but on a CD-ROM. It’s amazing. I can carry around a heavy book or i can have a CD to stick into my computer whenever i want. And the last reason i’ll mention here is that it’s a lot of fun. It really does feel like playing a game. Sure, i get frustrated when i can’t figure it out, but i also have a ton of fun when i see the progress i’m making.

Ok, this post can’t stop with just my opinion. If you read this far then i need to know what you think and what you’ve tried and how that’s worked or not worked.

What successes have you had in learning another language? Is there a strategy, software, website, etc. that you could recommend to us?

In terms of measurable productivity, you would say it was an awful day. I only read one chapter of a very important book i’m reading and i barely touched a web project that i need to finish. But in reality, this was a great day and i’ll tell you why.

Reason #1: My friend that i’ve been encouraging to move to New York finally got offered a job there. I love to see people follow their hearts, and for this season, being in New York is where his heart is.

Reason #2: I spent about 5 hours with a great friend of mine that i rarely get to see because he loves to move around a lot. We had an intense and honest conversation about life in the states, the condition of the Church, authentic worship, girls, and living in asia. I loved it! Thank you!

Reason #3: I had an interesting phone conversation with a friend while he drove back to Nashville. We mostly talked business, but somewhere in that call he got me thinking about how online social networks are advancing the global church, but how this wired (and wireless) culture is affecting the local body and face-to-face ministry. I hope to write more on this later after i ponder it tomorrow over a cup of coffee.

Reason #4: I hung out with two great friends that i don’t get to spend quality time with very much. We talked about old memories and laughed about life and current events. I feel like the time there sitting around talking was time very well spent. That is how i want to spend my days in America.

So, as you can see, good days aren’t always about checking off a to-do list. It’s about people.

Scoops. Mountain Lion. Jack Hammer. Cougar. Whatever you choose to call him, Patrick Kuhlers is one of the greatest friends i have. He moved to Nashville while i was still in China so i haven’t seen him yet. He’s looking to buy a house in the Nashville area so if you have a hook up then let him know. Patrick is a big dude with a soft heart and absolutely one of the funniest people i have ever met. We spent a summer traveling the northwest together and we’ve had plenty of crazy moments in Auburn. He certainly keeps the party alive wherever he goes. I love Patrick and i hope he comes to visit soon so we can go out for our usual CiCi’s lunch and Sno Biz. I have great friends.

Yesterday, while driving to a wonderful birthday party for my friend, Katlin, i noticed 2 skinny little white girls jogging down the road. They were chatting casually and listening to their iPods at the same time (i’ll never know how that works). As i drove by these joggers i was reminded of my friends in China.

One day in China while i was walking near one of the soccer fields and running tracks i was making small talk with a few students and the idea of exercising and jogging came up. As the sun was setting and it was gradually getting darker i noticed a few more joggers starting to emerge from the darkness. My friends went on to tell me that most girls will jog at night because it’s dark and they don’t want people to know they are trying to lose weight. And sure enough, when we left 30 minutes later, it was fully dark and the running track was swarming with college girls enjoying their daily jog. Some of them chatting and listening to iPods at the same time.

This small incident shows me an interesting cultural difference. College girls in China (not ALL, but the ones i saw and talked to) jog for exercise and weight loss and don’t want to be seen doing it. College girls in Auburn (not ALL, but certainly many) jog to see and be seen. Jogging in Auburn is for social interaction, even if it’s a silent interaction between the pretty jogger and the college boy staring at her while he drives by. This is an interesting difference in exercise habits and motivations. i wonder why girls in Auburn will jog down the busiest street in town when they could go to a smaller area and jog in secret. Is it for the exercise or for the social factor?

As i begin processing more of these cultural differences i will share them with you. I personally think it’s very interesting to notice the small differences…

Do you?