February 12th, 2008

so it's been what, a month now? well, i was in china for a lil while. that was... interesting. my uncle owns a company on this island called hainan, and while we were there i went with some of his workers to help out in some of the more rural farming villages by handing out pamphlets about hepatitis B (every 6-person household has atleast 2 people carrying the disease.) i mostly just played with the little kids and handed out candy. this was my second time going, but it was a real eye opener. these kids make do without videogames, or computers, or whatever. and they make their houses by themselves. these people might be "poor," but that's only in terms of material – simply a means to an end, something that isn't really necessary. they live honest, loving lives based on community and, simplicity. they can harvest their own rice, grow their own fruit, and raise their own chickens and pigs and cows without soiling the environment. the air over there is purer than anywhere i've been to. and the kids i played with loved their lives. they weren't dejected, scrawny kids in tattered clothes. sure, some of their shirts were a little to big, but they weren't at all in awe of westerners, or anything like that, despite what the stories of poverty you hear over here might lead you to think. no, they lead lives and play games that are just as fulfilling and enjoyable as ours, if not more so. there's a certain satisfaction in catching your own cricket and listening to it's chirping, then watching it fight with other ones. and juggling with the pits of peaches (all home-grown) and climbing coconut trees for the sweet milk are both just as fun as shooting someone down in halo. i'm not gonna lie, though, it did feel good to get my hands on a 360 controller when i got home. and it did take a lil getting used to the whole take-the-shovel-out-back-if-you-need-to-take-a-shit thing, but i think i got it down. but none of that changes the fact that this made me realize how vain and superficial our lives can be. these things that most of us associate with goodness – wealth, possessions, looks – really just prevent us from living lives of true virtuousness and happiness. what really matters are family, friendship, and a sense of community. i admit that i'm anything but a saint, and i know i might sound like a hypocrite. i'm not saying to abandon things like T.V., but next time you're pissed about losing that round of slayer, or can't seem to survive because the cable's out, just remember – there are millions of people out there who live rich, full lives without these things at all. remember and be thankful for good health, a family, and don't take for granted the luxuries that are normal parts of our lives. and next time you see a fundraiser for something like UNICEF, or Child's Play, just put in a few cents, a dollar or two – just give back to the world for everything you have.