Busy...busy

I've not blogged for a few days, and that's because these few days have really been packed. The research methodology module is really intensive (Dr. Rutherford calls it the 'boot camp'). Every week, each of us has to share with the group the development in our thesis. So far, I'm still working on the idealistic individual but it's apparently too broad and I might have to narrow it down to the idea of an idealistic child. Well, let's see how it goes when I meet my supervisor next week.

Earlier this week, I attended a forum called 'Politicians and the media: bedfellows or adversaries?' or something like that. Well, politicians and the media traditionally have an uneasy relationship. In some countries, the media is closely scrutinized by the government, or used as its mouthpiece; in others, the media is very open and free, where everything goes, and it acts as a political watchdog, making sure that the government is doing the right things. One interesting thing (which we actually all know) that was mentioned very much during this forum was that politicians often have a slippery way of evading tough questions posed to them by the media, and how frustrating that is for the hapless reporter.

Anyway, I met this lady who sat beside me at the forum, and I told her I'm in Melbourne studying English Literature. I guess she must have misheard that as 'studying English', because when we parted, she told me (very earnestly) that every speaking and listening opportunity is a great lesson in English and urged me to make the most out of them. How funny is that. I think it's stereotypical to think that every Chinese person who comes to an English speaking country to learn 'English' must be here to learn how to speak good English, and not to pursue other English disciplines like linguistics or literature.

Another thing I have to mention is that I'm so glad that I'll be serving in the youth ministry of a baptist church here. I attended their youth fellowship on Friday and in a fortnight's time, I will be leading the music and bible study. The even more interesting thing is that the youths there are all from a Chinese background, and some of them are from the same dialect group as I am. I'm grateful to God for opening to me areas to serve Him everywhere I go to, in Shanghai and now in Melbourne. This is great blessing indeed.