Well, looks like my long long day is finally coming to an end. I'm sitting in the terminal as I write, watching passengers disembark from the plane I hope to be on in about 20 minutes. Everything is shutting down here. I sat at Starbucks for almost 6 hours, but the folks there didn't give me a hard time at all. They were really sweet to me. I also had a great conversation with some folks at one of the snacks shops. Turns out they were all in The Family, so that was cool. I really needed those folks to help me cool down and chill out and remember what I love about this country. Some days are hard, and it's easy to get discouraged, but keeping a joyful heart actually does work. Repeatedly today I've had to turn my feelings over to the Big Man, and as always he takes care of me. So, I'm sweaty and tired; I've consumed more salt and caffeine than I possibly need, and I'm the last foreigner in the Shen Zhen airport tonight, but it looks like I'm actually gonna get home.

Life at the airport kinda stinks. I've studied Chinese. I've watched some of a dvd. I've browsed the net. I messed with iPhoto. I drank two cups of coffee. I ate a cheesecake. I'm debating whether or not to go for the trifecta and eat at McDonalds for the third time today, or mix things up and go to KFC. I feel delirious. I'd like to take a nap. It is now dark outside. I've been sitting at Starbucks for like....3 hours. I hope they don't get tired of me. I feel a headache coming on. I miss you guys. I'm ready to come home. PTL I can get on the other flight. This place is really noisy. Like constantly. Even with my headphones on I hear it in the background. Buzzing sounds. The automated arrival messages. Chinese people talking to each other. Starbucks jazz music. Cell phones ringing everywhere. A cachophony of noise. These are my Chinese airport observations. We now return you to your previous broadcast already in progress.

MattO and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day

I'm in the midst of a very frustrating day. Ever had one of those days where nothing worked out right? Where you were perpetually 10 to 20 minutes late for ever important thing you had to do?

I went to Hong Kong to visit some friends this week. I love Hong Kong. It was my first time there, so it took so getting used to...but the city is really wonderful. Tons of great restaurants and shopping. It's clean, it's fun, they even have western movies! Well, today I had a flight back to our city at 3:45 this afternoon (Kindly note that it's 4:04 pm as I am writing this). Now, my flight out was not from Hong Kong, but from Shen Zhen, a neighboring city in mainland China. There is a hovercraft thing that can take you back to the Shen Zhen side, or you can take a train to get there. I heard tell that the hovercraft thing left at 1 pm and arrived in SZ at 2 pm. I figured this was my best bet.

Now, you know us Owens' have a problem being late sometimes. I left at 12:20 or so to get the boat, and made it to the ticket booth at 12:50, only to find out that the port that I went to didn't actually have a ship leaving at that time. In fact, the only one they had left at 8am. Okay, so now I'm thinking- plan B. I head to the train station and about 30 minutes later I'm on the train bound for SZ. They told me it took about 25 minutes. It was actually more like 45. So, now it's 2:15 or so and I have to go through Hong Kong departure customs, then China entrance customs before I can even get into Shen Zhen. Naturally, I pick the shortest line that ends up taking the longest to get through. At 2:45 I come out of the station and start asking people how to get to the airport. Taxi or bus are both options. I ask how long it takes to get there- the answer- ONE HOUR! An hour I don't have! So, the security guard helps me find a taxi driver- one of the non-legitimate types I might add. We race down to his car and he puts my bags in and everything. Then I decide to ask how much- the guy wants 300 yuan (almost $40 USD) to take me to the airport. I argue/bargain him down to the low low price of 250, but I'm in a rush- I don't have time for the debate. The driver hits it, assuring me we can get there in time.

In China you have to check in 30 minutes before the flight or they won't let you in. So, I'm steady watching the clock, hoping and praying we'll make it in time. Shen Zhen is a HUGE city. The airport is practically a province away. My driver is going 120km/h but we still get there at 3:25 or so. It's then at that moment that I realize I'VE LOST ONE OF MY BAGS!!!    

I start freaking out in Chinese, asking the guy where my bag is. He has no idea. I don't know how my bag didn't get in the van= but what am I going to do? We're 45 minutes from the terminal, and no doubt the bag is stolen by now. Now, thankfully it wasn't my luggage- but, it was toys that I had trucked out to Toys R Us to get for Gracie, and which I was really excited to give her. It's 3:25, I know I'm late and I'm trying to stay joyful but it's getting harder and harder. I forget the bag and run over to the ticket counter, hoping and praying to get on the flight. It's a no go. They say I can get on the next flight, so no problem- EXCEPT THAT THE NEXT FLIGHT ISN'T UNTIL 10:45PM!!!

Ahh, what a day. At least they have a Starbucks here with wireless so I can post this. I know I'll get through, but man it's been a tough day. I haven't had a day like this in a long time. I toyed with the idea of going back to HK to go back to Toys R Us and buy Gracie's thing again. But, of course, if I did that I probably throw off my chances of getting back home by another day. I miss my wife. I miss my baby girl.

So, this is Matt, signing off from the Mickey D's in the Shen Zhen airport. Stay joyful!

Missing Home

Lately, I've been missing home a bit. I guess it's just that time for me. We've been overseas now for about 10 months, and recently I've just found myself missing some of the great things about home. I miss hanging out with my Mom a lot. We talk every week and that's great, she was even here for a visit, but still- I miss sitting on her couch just gabbing, talking about the Mavericks, talking about the Father, life, whatever. Just miss the intimacy, the relationship. I miss hanging out in bookstores. Sitting in those big comfy chairs in Barnes and Noble, drinking a coffee, just reading, hanging out. I miss going to the comic shop on Wednesdays. I miss going to the movies, watching American tv. Of course I miss my church, and all the friends and fellowship there. I miss the love and warmth, singing, being with others, etc. I miss driving in my car, listening to my music. I miss listening to talk radio. Of course, I miss watching my Mavs, as they are having their best season ever. I miss reading the newspaper. I hate to say this, but I miss mowing the lawn even. I miss my dog...even though I know he's gone now...still. I'll try not to go too much into the food I miss but...man, I could really go for a Chicken Burrito at Don Jose's. With those awesome potatoes they make? Chips and salsa? Sweet tea? Ahhh, man...I gotta stop writing this. China is great, and we love it here. It has it's struggles too. But, America is my home...and my flesh will always feel more comfortable there. And recently, well...I guess my flesh has just been hungering for some of those comforts. Anyways...when you're eating burritos and watching the Mavs win the NBA Finals this year...remember me.