About CBT

About Chiong Bin To

Chiong Bin To is a Romanization of the Taiwanese pronunciation of my Chinese name, which in Mandarin is Zhang Min Dao. I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, from a mixed Taiwanese home; my mother was benshenren, my father was waishenren. I was educated up until 18 years of age in the public school system. From the pit of Model Minority Hell, I was plucked and placed onto my path by none other than The Most High. From there, I sojourn to discover all the places through which my path leads. I am first and foremost a student of cultures and languages, from which I draw inspiration to fuel my creativity. My mission is to reveal to all people the beauty of each person, in the context of their native cultures, so that God may be glorified as Creator.

On this page, you will find information as to what I'm doing with my life, with posts published in timely fashion below.

Fall Term Update 2

I published a new creative piece some time ago, titled "Falling Without Style." I don't know why I'm actually linking from here, since nobody reads this (that I know of). I suppose it's just out of principle that I do this.

I wanted to get finger tattoos, but I found out they don't last all that long. I was thinking about getting branded, but that would be super-painful, even more than tattooing. And I wouldn't be able to conceal finger-markings. And branding is pretty much permanent. But... I probably would have gotten this on my left hand: "ga zua," Taiwanese for "cockroach." I'm a fucking cockroach that cannot be killed by anything I encounter in this world. On my right hand, "חרם," Hebrew from the Scriptures for "to devote to destruction." I hunger and thirst for righteousness, and I shall stop at nothing to be given it.

My mind is shot. I'm running on E, and I haven't really done anything today except sit in class. Maybe that takes more than I realize, to pay attention for five hours with of class. I don't feel very fulfilled by what I am doing in these classes. I would like to be creating, but I almost don't remember what that feels like, anymore. I should have chosen to be a writing major. I was created to create, and not doing so makes me feel wasted.

On the upside, I do know that the Gospel is the one thing that I believe in, in this world. Nothing else holds my attention for long. Money could never drive me. Neither can pride, really. All I have that is real is love-- God's and that of my brethren. To multiply that love is my goal in life. Anything I do will be to oppose the systems and powers of darkness that attempt to shut the light out of their fortresses and domains.

In spite of all that weighs on me, I have hope. I need only lean harder on Christ and push through to Thanksgiving. Je vais ai mon jour.

posted by Ezra M. Chang at 11/03/2011 11:26:00 PM