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Vibrant Harmonies*
Wanted to update about something I felt was an awesome representation of life in International House, the place I live: a surprise farewell party for a Chinese student who's leaving at the end of the quarter.
The turnout was huge, and he almost cried (that's cool with us!) when people gave speeches - in Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Farsi and Thai, and translated into English afterwards. How international is that!
Then, just to balance out the sentimentality, the boys who live with him briefly shared what they aren't going to miss about him leaving. All in good nature, of course.
Bet you can never guess what nationality the guy who came up with that suggestion was...
Kiwi, of course! Good stuff Moh.
It seems our 21st birthday tradition of telling embarassing stories about the ones we love is unique to New Zealand, but I don't think it'd be such a bad thing if it spread to other countries.
* The title is a phrase from The Message paraphrase of the bible, Colossians 1, where it talks about God bringing together the different pieces of the universe in vibrant harmonies cos of what Jesus has done. Somebody's Cousin has a beautiful song by the same name, and I remember the vocalist explaining how it's about the beauty of diversity in what God's created. Maybe a little out of context, but I found it apt for this entry all the same.
The different cultures, different colours, different countries... I love it! This place is truly an international community.
PS: Is it only Peter who has strong feelings about the situation in Iraq?!
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