i know...it's been awhile...but here's my adventure today...
i got the magic straight perm (aka japanese ion perm) today!!!
if you haven't heard about this before, it's this straightening process that supposedly works better than anything created before...it's been done in asia for years, but it just started becoming legal and popular in the US over the past couple of years. anyways, i've been wanting to try it out cause i hear so much about it, but it's really expensive and i didn't know of anywhere that did it. but last week i found out that a friend got it done in vancouver and so i decided to finally try it!!(actually my hairstylist here in seattle just starting doing it, but she's doing her first one this month and also quoted me at $300)
so me and a couple friends (to provide me support) drove up to vancouver today to get it done at this place my friend got it done at. we get there and the people tell me that they didn't think it will work on my hair cause i have "black people's hair". so we leave and i think maybe i shouldn't get it done, then went and got a second opinion at a nearby place (looked super trendy) and they said "sure no problem, of course it will work". but they seemed way too eager. then i went for a third opinion at another place and this one was a winner...the person seemed sincere when i asked if it would work on my hair and they seemed really friendly.
so...after 5 hours (yes, 5 hours) of sitting in a chair reading magazines and having all kinds of stuff done to my hair (smelly goo, 3 hair washes, steaming, blowdrying, flat ironing two times)...and after spending $250 (canadian)...ta dah! it's actually pretty amazing and i'm very pleasantly surprised with the results and think it might actually last past my first hair wash (though i'm not gonna set my expectations very high) but first i need to wait at least 3 days before i can wash my hair for the first time, i can't even tie my hair back or put it up at all during this time either...gonna really have to get used to this hair down thing.
so yeah, i got it done...i'm happy with the results so far, but i got one more test the hair wash. and yeah, i do sound negative about it all, but if you had my hair and went thru the many trials of straighteners and relaxers and seen the lack of results from all of these products...you'd be skeptical too.
ok...i'll be back after the first hair wash to report back.
Sunday, September 14, 2003
Wednesday, August 13, 2003
another year has gone by, but this time i actually celebrated this year's passing! i don't know when it was that it hit me, but i decided this year that..."dang it, 26 is NOT that old....and I'm going to celebrate this birthday and every birthday to come cause once i hit 30...it's all down hill from there!" ha ha, yeah, i know...pretty short-sighted, but either way...this year's birthday definitely ranked in the top 3 in my short (or long) life.
i celebrated this year by arranging a bowling and bbq party. if you know me, you know i love bowling....the thing is, not that many of my friends share my love of bowling....but that's where the birthday part comes in. i literally used my birthday this year to weild powers that only come once a year =o) because of my birthday i can make my friends do things they normally wouldn't do...like all come out to bowl a couple of games with me and to all come and hang out together despite the different "groups" that were there. it was a super fun night...i had a lot of fun...hopefully my friends did too.
so, do i feel any older? no, not really...i think that over the past few months, i've decided that although i am getting to that stage where work is work and this seems to be the pattern for the next 30 years.....i can still see myself as fairly young...or young at heart at least, and i think that age after 23 really becomes relative. it's not measured on number of years, but rather how much you have accomplished or experienced and how old you actually act. i don't like to focus on age so much because i don't think it's a true measure of how "old" someone really is.
on to other things....i'm really looking forward to labor day weekend. i'll be travelling to ar-kansas for a retreat that alison is putting togther. i hear it's like a whole different country over there and best of all i get to experience it with some great friends...and i get to see the chino family again! yay! i seriously can't wait....only 2 and half more weeks...
i celebrated this year by arranging a bowling and bbq party. if you know me, you know i love bowling....the thing is, not that many of my friends share my love of bowling....but that's where the birthday part comes in. i literally used my birthday this year to weild powers that only come once a year =o) because of my birthday i can make my friends do things they normally wouldn't do...like all come out to bowl a couple of games with me and to all come and hang out together despite the different "groups" that were there. it was a super fun night...i had a lot of fun...hopefully my friends did too.
so, do i feel any older? no, not really...i think that over the past few months, i've decided that although i am getting to that stage where work is work and this seems to be the pattern for the next 30 years.....i can still see myself as fairly young...or young at heart at least, and i think that age after 23 really becomes relative. it's not measured on number of years, but rather how much you have accomplished or experienced and how old you actually act. i don't like to focus on age so much because i don't think it's a true measure of how "old" someone really is.
on to other things....i'm really looking forward to labor day weekend. i'll be travelling to ar-kansas for a retreat that alison is putting togther. i hear it's like a whole different country over there and best of all i get to experience it with some great friends...and i get to see the chino family again! yay! i seriously can't wait....only 2 and half more weeks...
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
whew, these weekends are catching up to me. this last one was just so jammed pack with stuff....but i'm not complaining! i loved it all...just a bit pooped going into this potentially really long, hard week at work.
summary:
friday - went to see the tempest (shakespeare play) where one of my high school girls had a big role. i thought it was really well done and being that i've never heard of the tempest before...i learned a little something too. plus, i got to hang out with cassie!
sat - woke up at the break of dawn (4:30 AM!!!) to meet some CBCers so we could carpool down to a wedding in portland. it was sooo early and we got there with plenty of time to spare. the wedding was nice...funny how with each wedding i go to i think about my own wedding more and more. now i've got the date, the flowers and parts of the ceremony planned out in my head...still waiting on the groom tho =o) had to leave the wedding early to make it back for a pre-rally that night...the rally was small, but it was good to see some of the students again. we (some students and some leaders) ended up hanging out at cassie's place afterwards. it was a fun and relaxful night...played some games and got to see some people get really into charades!
sunday - woke up early...AGAIN! this time to sing for first service, but at least it gave me my first chance to check out the new youth worship service. it was good to see that the students really seemed to enjoy the service more and seemed to be paying attention for once. going to the first service also gave me a rare opportunity to go out for some dim sum.....mmmm...so good. but all things must come to an end and it was back to work for me...at least for most of the afternoon....but let's not think about it. then i was off to a going away party for melinda. saw a lot of old friends...had some laughs...some tears...some good memories. *sigh* so many people keep moving away....(hi-d left too on sat)....so sad...but i know that their moving on to new and exciting things and i know that this time of change will be a good opportunity to make some new friends...new beginnings...
summary:
friday - went to see the tempest (shakespeare play) where one of my high school girls had a big role. i thought it was really well done and being that i've never heard of the tempest before...i learned a little something too. plus, i got to hang out with cassie!
sat - woke up at the break of dawn (4:30 AM!!!) to meet some CBCers so we could carpool down to a wedding in portland. it was sooo early and we got there with plenty of time to spare. the wedding was nice...funny how with each wedding i go to i think about my own wedding more and more. now i've got the date, the flowers and parts of the ceremony planned out in my head...still waiting on the groom tho =o) had to leave the wedding early to make it back for a pre-rally that night...the rally was small, but it was good to see some of the students again. we (some students and some leaders) ended up hanging out at cassie's place afterwards. it was a fun and relaxful night...played some games and got to see some people get really into charades!
sunday - woke up early...AGAIN! this time to sing for first service, but at least it gave me my first chance to check out the new youth worship service. it was good to see that the students really seemed to enjoy the service more and seemed to be paying attention for once. going to the first service also gave me a rare opportunity to go out for some dim sum.....mmmm...so good. but all things must come to an end and it was back to work for me...at least for most of the afternoon....but let's not think about it. then i was off to a going away party for melinda. saw a lot of old friends...had some laughs...some tears...some good memories. *sigh* so many people keep moving away....(hi-d left too on sat)....so sad...but i know that their moving on to new and exciting things and i know that this time of change will be a good opportunity to make some new friends...new beginnings...
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
yay! just had a great weekend...my terms great, that is....meaning lots of "friend" times. man, i even almost forgot i had to work on saturday. so, despite the horrible news i found out on friday about having to work on saturday...the weekend started out with a going away party for hi-d. it was a fun time...lots of people...good food...good company. on saturday...headed into work for 7 hours and even though i had to miss out on the going to the bite of seattle with my friend...the day passed quickly. that night i got to have dinner with one of my high school friends and she came with me to the coffeehouse my church was putting on. it was a fun and mellow event...got to see friends i hadn't seen in awhile and got to hang out in a new setting with my hs friend. she enjoyed it too...that's cool. then sunday was the best day...went to church...good message...got my car fixed up a bit by abe (what an awesome friend)...hung out with cassie and abe for a quick lunch....then headed with cassie to josh and val's wedding. the place was sooooo sweet! the bestest view in washington, a super nice place, ceremony and reception. it was fun to see friends and other church member's there too! the night even ended with some dancing...i guess i kinda do like dancing at weddings...provided of course that there are people willing to dance. after awhile of people standing around we finally all got onto the dance floor! it was fun and pretty cool to see some friends dance for the first time. ha ha...good times! but all weekends come to their end..and it's back to work again. hope next weekend is another blast...got another full weekend ahead of me!
Thursday, July 17, 2003
just read this on another blog....super funny! man, ok...i gotta get to bed...way too late for me.
---------------------------------------------------
We've all been there but don't like to admit it.
We've all kicked back in our cubicles and suddenly felt something brewing down below.
As much as we try to convince ourselves otherwise, the WORK POOP is inevitable. For those who hate pooping at work, following is the Survival Guide for taking a dump at work.
CROP DUSTING
When farting, you walk really fast around the office so the smell is not in your area and everyone else gets a whiff but doesn't know where it came from. Be careful when you do this. Do not stop until the full fart has been expelled. Walk an extra 30 feet to make sure the smell has left your pants.
FLY BY
The act of scouting out a bathroom before pooping. Walk in and check for other poopers. If there are others in the bathroom, leave and come back again. Be careful not to become a FREQUENT FLYER. People may become suspicious if they catch you constantly going into the bathroom.
ESCAPEE
A fart that slips out while taking a leak at the urinal or forcing a poop in a stall. This is usually accompanied by a sudden wave of embarrassment. If you release an escapee, do not acknowledge it. Pretend it did not happen. If you are standing next to the farter in the urinal, pretend you did not hear it. No one likes an escapee. It is uncomfortable for all involved. Making a joke or laughing makes both parties feel uneasy.
JAILBREAK
When forcing a poop, several farts slip out at a machine gun pace. This is usually a side effect of diarrhea or a hangover. If this should happen, do not panic. Remain in the stall until everyone has left the bathroom to spare everyone the awkwardness of what just occurred.
COURTESY FLUSH
The act of flushing the toilet the instant the poop hits the water. This reduces the amount of air time the poop has to stink up the bathroom. This can help you avoid being caught doing the WALK OF SHAME.
WALK OF SHAME
Walking from the stall, to the sink, to the door after you have just stunk up the bathroom. This can be a very uncomfortable moment if someone walks in and busts you. As with farts, it is best to pretend that the smell does not exist. Can be avoided with the use of the COURTESY FLUSH.
OUT OF THE CLOSET POOPER
A colleague who poops at work and is damn proud of it. You will often see an Out Of The Closet Pooper enter the bathroom with a newspaper or magazine under their arm. Always look around the office for the Out Of The Closet Pooper before entering the bathroom.
THE POOPING FRIENDS NETWORK (P.F.N)
A group of co-workers who band together to ensure emergency pooping goes off without incident. This group can help you to monitor the whereabouts of Out Of The Closet Poopers, and identify SAFE HAVENS.
SAFE HAVENS
A seldom used bathroom somewhere in the building where you can least expect visitors. Try floors that are predominantly of the opposite sex. This will reduce the odds of a pooper of your sex entering the bathroom.
TURD BURGLAR
Someone who does not realize that you are in the stall and tries to force the door open. This is one of the most shocking and vulnerable moments that can occur when taking a poop at work. If this occurs, remain in the stall until the Turd Burglar leaves. This way you will avoid all uncomfortable eye contact.
CAMO-COUGHA
Phony cough that alerts all new entrants into the bathroom that you are in a stall. This can be used to cover-up a WATERMELON, or to alert potential Turd Burglars. Very effective when used in conjunction with an ASTAIRE.
ASTAIRE
A subtle toe-tap that is used to alert potential Turd Burglars that you are occupying a stall. This will remove all doubt that the stall is occupied. If you hear an Astaire, leave the bathroom immediately so the pooper can poop in peace.
WATERMELON
A poop that creates a loud splash when hitting the toilet water. This is also an embarrassing incident. If you feel a Watermelon coming on, create a diversion. See CAMO-COUGH.
HAVANAOMELET
A case of diarrhea that creates a series of loud splashes in the toilet water. Often accompanied by an Escapee. Try using a Camo-Cough with an Astaire.
UNCLE TED
A bathroom user who seems to linger around forever. Could spend extended lengths of time in front of the mirror or sitting on the pot.. An Uncle Ted makes it difficult to relax while on the crapper, as you should always wait to poop when the bathroom is empty. This benefits you as well as the other bathroom attendees.
---------------------------------------------------
We've all been there but don't like to admit it.
We've all kicked back in our cubicles and suddenly felt something brewing down below.
As much as we try to convince ourselves otherwise, the WORK POOP is inevitable. For those who hate pooping at work, following is the Survival Guide for taking a dump at work.
CROP DUSTING
When farting, you walk really fast around the office so the smell is not in your area and everyone else gets a whiff but doesn't know where it came from. Be careful when you do this. Do not stop until the full fart has been expelled. Walk an extra 30 feet to make sure the smell has left your pants.
FLY BY
The act of scouting out a bathroom before pooping. Walk in and check for other poopers. If there are others in the bathroom, leave and come back again. Be careful not to become a FREQUENT FLYER. People may become suspicious if they catch you constantly going into the bathroom.
ESCAPEE
A fart that slips out while taking a leak at the urinal or forcing a poop in a stall. This is usually accompanied by a sudden wave of embarrassment. If you release an escapee, do not acknowledge it. Pretend it did not happen. If you are standing next to the farter in the urinal, pretend you did not hear it. No one likes an escapee. It is uncomfortable for all involved. Making a joke or laughing makes both parties feel uneasy.
JAILBREAK
When forcing a poop, several farts slip out at a machine gun pace. This is usually a side effect of diarrhea or a hangover. If this should happen, do not panic. Remain in the stall until everyone has left the bathroom to spare everyone the awkwardness of what just occurred.
COURTESY FLUSH
The act of flushing the toilet the instant the poop hits the water. This reduces the amount of air time the poop has to stink up the bathroom. This can help you avoid being caught doing the WALK OF SHAME.
WALK OF SHAME
Walking from the stall, to the sink, to the door after you have just stunk up the bathroom. This can be a very uncomfortable moment if someone walks in and busts you. As with farts, it is best to pretend that the smell does not exist. Can be avoided with the use of the COURTESY FLUSH.
OUT OF THE CLOSET POOPER
A colleague who poops at work and is damn proud of it. You will often see an Out Of The Closet Pooper enter the bathroom with a newspaper or magazine under their arm. Always look around the office for the Out Of The Closet Pooper before entering the bathroom.
THE POOPING FRIENDS NETWORK (P.F.N)
A group of co-workers who band together to ensure emergency pooping goes off without incident. This group can help you to monitor the whereabouts of Out Of The Closet Poopers, and identify SAFE HAVENS.
SAFE HAVENS
A seldom used bathroom somewhere in the building where you can least expect visitors. Try floors that are predominantly of the opposite sex. This will reduce the odds of a pooper of your sex entering the bathroom.
TURD BURGLAR
Someone who does not realize that you are in the stall and tries to force the door open. This is one of the most shocking and vulnerable moments that can occur when taking a poop at work. If this occurs, remain in the stall until the Turd Burglar leaves. This way you will avoid all uncomfortable eye contact.
CAMO-COUGHA
Phony cough that alerts all new entrants into the bathroom that you are in a stall. This can be used to cover-up a WATERMELON, or to alert potential Turd Burglars. Very effective when used in conjunction with an ASTAIRE.
ASTAIRE
A subtle toe-tap that is used to alert potential Turd Burglars that you are occupying a stall. This will remove all doubt that the stall is occupied. If you hear an Astaire, leave the bathroom immediately so the pooper can poop in peace.
WATERMELON
A poop that creates a loud splash when hitting the toilet water. This is also an embarrassing incident. If you feel a Watermelon coming on, create a diversion. See CAMO-COUGH.
HAVANAOMELET
A case of diarrhea that creates a series of loud splashes in the toilet water. Often accompanied by an Escapee. Try using a Camo-Cough with an Astaire.
UNCLE TED
A bathroom user who seems to linger around forever. Could spend extended lengths of time in front of the mirror or sitting on the pot.. An Uncle Ted makes it difficult to relax while on the crapper, as you should always wait to poop when the bathroom is empty. This benefits you as well as the other bathroom attendees.
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
boooo! still at work at 1am!!! and i'm still fighting this lame cold...bah! plus i gotta still get in at a reasonable time tomorrow to prep for the demo i'm giving. sheesh, i just know that i better be able to leave early tomorrow so that i can make it to the dinner with jo and her fam.
on a better note, i got an encouraging bible reference today...i just wish i had the passion and diligence to be more in the Word.
isaiah 48:17
this is what the Lord says -- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am
the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in
the way you should go.
on a better note, i got an encouraging bible reference today...i just wish i had the passion and diligence to be more in the Word.
isaiah 48:17
this is what the Lord says -- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am
the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in
the way you should go.
Sunday, July 13, 2003
man, i miss nights like tonight. jo is back in town visiting with her fam...we went to the m's game (which i still can't believe they lost) with the whole gang...and then some. then a few of us hung out at the house...catching up with jo and other classmate happenings...and then a long game of apples to apples. some fun times and memories we've had here at the house. *sigh* makes me really remember and appreciate how there are just some special friends that are really the "glue" of the group. when they leave things just never seem quite the same. but it's great how they can bring people together again.
the next couple of days will be fun hanging out with jo and her fam...good times. =o)
the next couple of days will be fun hanging out with jo and her fam...good times. =o)
Saturday, July 12, 2003
sheesh! summer's here and every part of me just wants to relax and do nothing. i hardly even go online anymore which is the reason i haven't posted anything to my blog in awhile. the weather has been super nice, but i think the thing that makes me want to just relax and do nothing is because i'm still working long hours. plus, i just had a bunch of vacation so i shouldn't really be complaining, but STILL...it sucks that i can't enjoy the summer weather cause of work. but at least the work load is starting to lighten...for now.
i'm always looking forward to the weekends...just getting to relax and do whatever i want. even basic and prime time are taking a break this month so it'll be nice to have some down time to myself or catching up with friends i haven't seen in awhile...or friends that will be leaving seattle soon. so sad. so many great friends are leaving...i try to just be happy for them, but when i really think about it i get pretty sad. but life is all about change and at least i know that these friends will always be great friends...despite the distance. i mean, you know... there are just a special type of friend that you know no matter how far away or how little you keep in touch, when you do see each other again, it'll still be good times....just with a little older and a little wiser friends =o)
i'm always looking forward to the weekends...just getting to relax and do whatever i want. even basic and prime time are taking a break this month so it'll be nice to have some down time to myself or catching up with friends i haven't seen in awhile...or friends that will be leaving seattle soon. so sad. so many great friends are leaving...i try to just be happy for them, but when i really think about it i get pretty sad. but life is all about change and at least i know that these friends will always be great friends...despite the distance. i mean, you know... there are just a special type of friend that you know no matter how far away or how little you keep in touch, when you do see each other again, it'll still be good times....just with a little older and a little wiser friends =o)
Monday, May 26, 2003
man, what a great day! this 3-day weekend is really turning out to be the relaxful yet energizing vacation i've been needing. i've started to become that "jaded, bitter working person" that i so do not want to ever be, but this weekend is really doing wonders for me. it started off with a nice sleepover with my prime time girls. really it was just one group, but it was really fun....they're all really sweet girls and just fun to hang with. a little quiet at times, but really sweet. and it was also cool that my roomies and cassie all hung out with us for periods of time.
then the next day, i finally had a free saturday...it was weird, but very nice and very needed. for the first time in a long time i didn't have prime time or basic to prepare for or go to...i could spend the day just cleaning up, doing laundry and chilling at home. it was nice! funny how you take ordinary and somewhat lazy saturdays for granted, it makes you really appreciate uneventful days like that. and to end the nice day by myself...i got to pick up a friend from the airport and hang out with her and another friend that's been gone. and to top it off...we played apples to apples...such a fun game!
that brings me to today which has got to be one of the better days in the past few months or so. went to church and got to see a whole bunch of people i haven't seen in awhile and met some new friends too. the day was filled with a ton of great times...it started with a really great time of worshipping God, i got to hear an awesome semi-engagement story, heard a great wedding story, shared a lot of laughs, went to a mariner's game with more old firends, and hung out and bonded with some newer friends. all in all it was just a really awesome day....and i totally wanna just praise and thank God for building this awesome community of brothers and sisters and allowing me to be a part of all of it. wow!
then the next day, i finally had a free saturday...it was weird, but very nice and very needed. for the first time in a long time i didn't have prime time or basic to prepare for or go to...i could spend the day just cleaning up, doing laundry and chilling at home. it was nice! funny how you take ordinary and somewhat lazy saturdays for granted, it makes you really appreciate uneventful days like that. and to end the nice day by myself...i got to pick up a friend from the airport and hang out with her and another friend that's been gone. and to top it off...we played apples to apples...such a fun game!
that brings me to today which has got to be one of the better days in the past few months or so. went to church and got to see a whole bunch of people i haven't seen in awhile and met some new friends too. the day was filled with a ton of great times...it started with a really great time of worshipping God, i got to hear an awesome semi-engagement story, heard a great wedding story, shared a lot of laughs, went to a mariner's game with more old firends, and hung out and bonded with some newer friends. all in all it was just a really awesome day....and i totally wanna just praise and thank God for building this awesome community of brothers and sisters and allowing me to be a part of all of it. wow!
Thursday, May 15, 2003
all i gotta say is....JOEY & PACEY!!!
ha ha, what an ending to a show that i surprisingly have been hooked to and loved over the past 6 years...crazy! i'm so happy about the ending (sorry to all who are joey and dawson fans). but, really, everyone knows that childhood pals and sweethearts are just that....childhood memories. and to think that they can be both the past and the future is just crazy. alright, alright....i guess why i'm really set on the joey and pacey deal is because i secretly hope that someday i'll find a guy like pacey...someone who will love me despite the flaws and will want only for me to be happy. *sigh*
ok, enuff of this girley talk and teeny-bopper stuff....i gotta get to sleep....this new project at microsoft is kicking my butt. i hope things start falling into place and start getting good...or else this will be a long 7 months!
ha ha, what an ending to a show that i surprisingly have been hooked to and loved over the past 6 years...crazy! i'm so happy about the ending (sorry to all who are joey and dawson fans). but, really, everyone knows that childhood pals and sweethearts are just that....childhood memories. and to think that they can be both the past and the future is just crazy. alright, alright....i guess why i'm really set on the joey and pacey deal is because i secretly hope that someday i'll find a guy like pacey...someone who will love me despite the flaws and will want only for me to be happy. *sigh*
ok, enuff of this girley talk and teeny-bopper stuff....i gotta get to sleep....this new project at microsoft is kicking my butt. i hope things start falling into place and start getting good...or else this will be a long 7 months!
Sunday, April 20, 2003
well...i've been enjoying my so-called "break"...it kinda feels like winter break or something for me because i'm in-between projects right now....so, i have regular hours...little to no responsibilities...it's great! but i've only got one more week of it before i start my new project at microsoft. and i have a feeling it's going to be another intense project. but oh well, hopefully it'll at least be a fun project...then the hours won't seem so long.
as for tonight...we had that basic coffeehouse. it was a really cool event cause it was almost totally organized by our student leaders. it was nice to not have to do much for it and to just watch. we had a pretty good turn out and pretty good program too. it was a great activity to have during easter weekend...really made me reflect on how much i have to be thankful for...and how awesome it is to be able to celebrate and remember what Jesus did for us.
i've also been very grateful this past week for the friendships God has blessed me with...i've had more of a chance to get to know some of the people i serve with, and i also got to know some of the people in my cg group better, and it was fun getting to talk and bake with my roomies. God has definitely been with me thru the many seasons of my life, and He is always providing me with new friends or just the right friends at the right time. thank you, Jesus!
as for tonight...we had that basic coffeehouse. it was a really cool event cause it was almost totally organized by our student leaders. it was nice to not have to do much for it and to just watch. we had a pretty good turn out and pretty good program too. it was a great activity to have during easter weekend...really made me reflect on how much i have to be thankful for...and how awesome it is to be able to celebrate and remember what Jesus did for us.
i've also been very grateful this past week for the friendships God has blessed me with...i've had more of a chance to get to know some of the people i serve with, and i also got to know some of the people in my cg group better, and it was fun getting to talk and bake with my roomies. God has definitely been with me thru the many seasons of my life, and He is always providing me with new friends or just the right friends at the right time. thank you, Jesus!
Sunday, April 06, 2003
whoo hoo! i'm finally done with my project! it feels like i just finished finals or something...yippee! also, i just did my lesson at BASIC tonight...and though it was spectacular, i think it went aight. my lesson was on "the cross"...the topic was suppsed to be Jesus' death and resurrection...i mean of all the topics to give me, it had to be this one...one that has so much to talk about, been done a billion times before, but yet have so much meaning and significance. i think the whole idea of it really scared me and put me at a total lack of confidence in myself. but God pulled me through it...and i do believe a couple of people were actually praying for me too, which always helps.
i was given the idea of using the cross as the center theme of my lesson and it worked great. oh yeah, and i gotta give mention to the book that helped me a ton too...it's called "The Jesus I Never Knew" by Philip Yancey. That too was funny how I came across it. i mean i've had this book ever since i got baptized, but never got around to reading it. and then today, for some reason i was looking thru my bookshelf and saw it. and it was perfect...it was a really good read, plus it gave me a lot of to share about. it was also God orchastrated how just this week i was shown the picture of the cross at ground zero and i was sent a devotional that all seemed to tie in together.
now that i think of it....it's just amazing!
i was given the idea of using the cross as the center theme of my lesson and it worked great. oh yeah, and i gotta give mention to the book that helped me a ton too...it's called "The Jesus I Never Knew" by Philip Yancey. That too was funny how I came across it. i mean i've had this book ever since i got baptized, but never got around to reading it. and then today, for some reason i was looking thru my bookshelf and saw it. and it was perfect...it was a really good read, plus it gave me a lot of to share about. it was also God orchastrated how just this week i was shown the picture of the cross at ground zero and i was sent a devotional that all seemed to tie in together.
now that i think of it....it's just amazing!
Thursday, April 03, 2003
yeah, it's been awhile hasn't it? i've been real busy for the past couple of weeks...yes, with work mostly, but there's been a whole slew of people visiting. it all started with me missing my friends and roomies, so i decide to throw an Oscar's party. but, silly me...being the novice Oscar watcher, i told everyone to come at 6:30p instead of 5:30p when it really began. who knew they actually started announcing awards at 5:30p...i really thought the first hour or so would be filled with red carpet entrances...oh well. i even made up a pretty ballot too for our oscar's pool...but that didn't work out since almost half of the awards had been anounced by the time everyone got there. i guess there's always next year!
oh well, it was good fun anyways...and i got see a bunch of friends...a whole mix of them...some from college, some from hawaii, some from church...it was great. also, visiting that same weekend was jamie...the ol' gang got together for dinner on tues night with her fam...good thai restaurant in fremont...yum! it was good to see J and i even saw mel for the first time in months!
then last weekend, my high school friend..actually long time friend since i've known her since 5th grade came and visited. she now lives in penn and we hardly get to see her since she doesn't go back to hawaii much. anyways, the the 4 of us high school girls hung out the whole weekend. it was a really special weekend....it's been awhile since i've hung out with them like that...even though two of them live in washington we don't hang out that mcuh. we did the whole tourist thing, pike's, downtown, dinner and lots of food...and we even hung out in tacoma! yeah, there really are things to see in tacoma! i was surprised...never really hung out there much or had a desire to, but since one of my friends goes to school down there we headed down on sunday. we made it to the point defiance zoo just before closing which ended up being really awesome since that's when they feed all the animals so we got to see a lot of them in action! the puffins, beluga whales and sea otters where my favorites! i could watch them for hours! we also took a tour of the outdoor exhibits of the dale chihuly collection (famous artist, does awesome glass sculptures) at the tacoma art museum. definitely gotta go back to see that!
now, i'm just wrapping up this project i'm on...one more day and i'm done...free at last! had dinner with my aunty who was in town this week for work. we ate at buca di beppo...ate WAY too much! it was good...but my stomach sure wasn't happy with me! ugh! took it too far and just couldn't enjoy it...bleh!
ok, gotta start work on my lesson and bible study for this saturday...yup..procrastinating like the champion i am!
oh well, it was good fun anyways...and i got see a bunch of friends...a whole mix of them...some from college, some from hawaii, some from church...it was great. also, visiting that same weekend was jamie...the ol' gang got together for dinner on tues night with her fam...good thai restaurant in fremont...yum! it was good to see J and i even saw mel for the first time in months!
then last weekend, my high school friend..actually long time friend since i've known her since 5th grade came and visited. she now lives in penn and we hardly get to see her since she doesn't go back to hawaii much. anyways, the the 4 of us high school girls hung out the whole weekend. it was a really special weekend....it's been awhile since i've hung out with them like that...even though two of them live in washington we don't hang out that mcuh. we did the whole tourist thing, pike's, downtown, dinner and lots of food...and we even hung out in tacoma! yeah, there really are things to see in tacoma! i was surprised...never really hung out there much or had a desire to, but since one of my friends goes to school down there we headed down on sunday. we made it to the point defiance zoo just before closing which ended up being really awesome since that's when they feed all the animals so we got to see a lot of them in action! the puffins, beluga whales and sea otters where my favorites! i could watch them for hours! we also took a tour of the outdoor exhibits of the dale chihuly collection (famous artist, does awesome glass sculptures) at the tacoma art museum. definitely gotta go back to see that!
now, i'm just wrapping up this project i'm on...one more day and i'm done...free at last! had dinner with my aunty who was in town this week for work. we ate at buca di beppo...ate WAY too much! it was good...but my stomach sure wasn't happy with me! ugh! took it too far and just couldn't enjoy it...bleh!
ok, gotta start work on my lesson and bible study for this saturday...yup..procrastinating like the champion i am!
Monday, March 17, 2003
I just came back from seeing My Fair Lady, and i guess i see why it's a classic. it's probably where the whole pretty woman type of theme came about, but i have to say that it was a bit too long. (don't read on if you don't want to ruin the story line) i think it would've been fine to end it after the ball, but instead it went on for another 30-40 minutes about who-knows-what! either that or it's just cause it lacked the chemistry between professor higgins and eliza...i began to shift uncomfortably in my chair (5th Ave seats just aren't very comfortable) thinking...man, how much longer can this go on! and the ending...well, it just didn't cut it with me...but oh well...now i understand the whole "the rain in spain falls mainly on the plain" thing. never really understood where that phrase came from.
Sunday, March 16, 2003
boy, this week was long...i ended up having to work until 9pm on friday...yes, FRIDAY NITE! that really sucked, but i guess it was worth it so that i didn't have to go into work today. today i finally had a chance to relax...i slept in until 10:30a, made myself a big breakfast of waffles w/strawberries and whip cream, eggs, sausage and coffee....mmmm, my favorite! then, i went to church for prime time, and it turned out that only one of my girls showed up. which was totally ok since i had planned to just have a lite meeting. so instead of staying at church, we went to seward park and had a nice stroll around it. the first bit of exercise i've had in a loooong time. it felt good and it was good just talkin' and chillin' with one of the high school girls. then youth council meeting, basic and finally home again.
you might think that this doesn't sound like a very relaxing day, and granted it wasn't totally relaxing, but working as much as i have the past few weeks...today was definitely a nice break from it all...even if it was busy. this reminds me of a truth my friend, cassie, shared with me tonight at basic. she said that she was talking to another friend about working a lot, and she mentioned that at least she wasn't wroking as much as me or some of the other leaders, and her friend wisely reminded her that just cause she's not working as much in comparison, doesn't mean that it's not that much. just b/c cassie has friends like me and others who tend to work longer hours, that doesn't mean that it's the norm..it just means that her "norm" is getting screwed up. i don't know if that made much sense....let me put it this way....i've been working such late hours that when i got to leave early on thrusday...i left work at 7pm and i thought that was early, but that AIN'T early...it just seems like it is relative to what i've been working...but leaving at 7pm is not and should not ever be the norm that i compare things to.
ahhh...i'm just rambling and not making much sense....i should go to bed....
you might think that this doesn't sound like a very relaxing day, and granted it wasn't totally relaxing, but working as much as i have the past few weeks...today was definitely a nice break from it all...even if it was busy. this reminds me of a truth my friend, cassie, shared with me tonight at basic. she said that she was talking to another friend about working a lot, and she mentioned that at least she wasn't wroking as much as me or some of the other leaders, and her friend wisely reminded her that just cause she's not working as much in comparison, doesn't mean that it's not that much. just b/c cassie has friends like me and others who tend to work longer hours, that doesn't mean that it's the norm..it just means that her "norm" is getting screwed up. i don't know if that made much sense....let me put it this way....i've been working such late hours that when i got to leave early on thrusday...i left work at 7pm and i thought that was early, but that AIN'T early...it just seems like it is relative to what i've been working...but leaving at 7pm is not and should not ever be the norm that i compare things to.
ahhh...i'm just rambling and not making much sense....i should go to bed....
Friday, March 14, 2003
and the hours keep racking up! i've worked 50 hours in the past 4 days...CRAZY! but it hasn't actually been that bad (maybe i'm getting used to it)...i think it's because i'm at least doing stuff that i like versus doing lame labor intensive stuff.
on another note, i did get to go see a musical tonight in issaquah. i won these tickets thru my company's united way campaign, and they were AWESOME seats! and the show was really great too! the musical was called The Ark. going into it, i wasn't expecting much even though all of the reviews were good...i mean, come on, the story is about Noah's ark....how much can you do on a ship with a handful of people and a ton of animals?! but much to my surprise, it was a super hilarious show filled with lots of great songs and actors...and it even incorporated some simple themes of faith and prayer. i would definitely recommend seeing it, especially if you like musicals!
side note: not only was the show great, but the tickets i won were for opening night AND we had tickets in the 5th row AND they were right smack in the center AND not only that, we had seats right next to the writer of the musical!! very cool =o)
coming up next, my fair lady this sunday night....again, i have low expectations despite what i hear about it...there's just something about it that doesn't seem very interesting...but we'll see....low expectations normally mean pleasent surprises! we should all set our expectations low...j/k!
on another note, i did get to go see a musical tonight in issaquah. i won these tickets thru my company's united way campaign, and they were AWESOME seats! and the show was really great too! the musical was called The Ark. going into it, i wasn't expecting much even though all of the reviews were good...i mean, come on, the story is about Noah's ark....how much can you do on a ship with a handful of people and a ton of animals?! but much to my surprise, it was a super hilarious show filled with lots of great songs and actors...and it even incorporated some simple themes of faith and prayer. i would definitely recommend seeing it, especially if you like musicals!
side note: not only was the show great, but the tickets i won were for opening night AND we had tickets in the 5th row AND they were right smack in the center AND not only that, we had seats right next to the writer of the musical!! very cool =o)
coming up next, my fair lady this sunday night....again, i have low expectations despite what i hear about it...there's just something about it that doesn't seem very interesting...but we'll see....low expectations normally mean pleasent surprises! we should all set our expectations low...j/k!
Monday, March 10, 2003
oh yeah, i've just had a really busy and long weekend...cassie and i took some of the jr high and high school girls to the Girl of Grace conference. i was very impressed by the organization and quality of the conference, it was well thought thru in terms of topics, the flow, the timing and everything. i also thought the speakers and topics were well presented...the women of point of grace were the main speakers and they each shared about topics that they dealt with growing up: boys, family, friends and their spiritual life. although the topics were not different from any other youth message, the passion these ladies shared with and their personal testimonies added a lot to these normal topics.
i guess i am also a little biased because it was put on by Point of Grace. why am i biased? because God used the music of Point of Grace to speak to me and call me to Him during the summer of 1997. it was during this summer that God opened my eyes and allowed me to see Him and to experience his love. i had a new roommate for the summer and through her influence, i began to take more of an interest in what Christianity was all about. i borrowed a Point of Grace cd from her, and began listening to it at work. i don't know how to explain it, but there was just something to their music that i found calming yet exciting...the lyrics and messages of their songs really spoke to me and helped reveal to me many different aspects of God that i never knew existed. so, yeah, i'm biased, but also extremely grateful for their songs which so clearly portrayed who Jesus is and who he could be to me. the conference was a great experience for me b/c i was blessed to see how they continue to serve the Lord and continue to share the simple truths about Jesus to young girls everywhere.
i guess i am also a little biased because it was put on by Point of Grace. why am i biased? because God used the music of Point of Grace to speak to me and call me to Him during the summer of 1997. it was during this summer that God opened my eyes and allowed me to see Him and to experience his love. i had a new roommate for the summer and through her influence, i began to take more of an interest in what Christianity was all about. i borrowed a Point of Grace cd from her, and began listening to it at work. i don't know how to explain it, but there was just something to their music that i found calming yet exciting...the lyrics and messages of their songs really spoke to me and helped reveal to me many different aspects of God that i never knew existed. so, yeah, i'm biased, but also extremely grateful for their songs which so clearly portrayed who Jesus is and who he could be to me. the conference was a great experience for me b/c i was blessed to see how they continue to serve the Lord and continue to share the simple truths about Jesus to young girls everywhere.
it's been awhile since i've added to my blog, and the reason i've been absent is because of the long hours i've been putting in on my project. i can't wait until i roll off and get some down time...yet, the apprehension of not knowing what i'll be doing next is starting to surface yet again. you'd think i'd get used to this feeling, but i don't...but i guess that's just a part of why i like my job; there's always something new on the horizon.
Friday, February 28, 2003
i'm almost there...thru the end of this VERY LONG week...it's been a tough one...i hope all this wear doesn't make me sick...i'm starting to feel a little stuffy...
started the 30 hour famine tonight and i've got a very full night ahead tomorrow...better hurry up and pack and then get some zzzz's...
started the 30 hour famine tonight and i've got a very full night ahead tomorrow...better hurry up and pack and then get some zzzz's...
Monday, February 24, 2003
soooo tired...
this week is going to be a killer one for me....i am so not looking forward to it....work is going to be extremely busy and we have the 30 hour famine on friday. i dunno if i'm gonna make it...i was all excited to have a saturday free, but i think i'll need it just to recoup from the week....man, weekends just aren't long enough...
on a happier note, i did a draft of my taxes...and i think i get a refund back this year! cha-ching$!
this week is going to be a killer one for me....i am so not looking forward to it....work is going to be extremely busy and we have the 30 hour famine on friday. i dunno if i'm gonna make it...i was all excited to have a saturday free, but i think i'll need it just to recoup from the week....man, weekends just aren't long enough...
on a happier note, i did a draft of my taxes...and i think i get a refund back this year! cha-ching$!
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
WHOO HOO!!! Vegas was awesome! A superbly fun weekend trip...I can't wait for the next one! me and my fam did a bunch of shopping, some gambling, lots of eating and more shopping!! it was great! my greatest purchase of the weekend was a new motherboard, processor and ram....*drool* fry's had their grand opening sale this past weekend in vegas and they had some great deals...soon i'll be flying on my new upgraded computer.....P4 2.5GHz w/ 512 DDR RAM!!! yippee!
my whole fam did pretty well in the gambling dept too...everyone kept hitting 4-of-a-kinds at every casino we visited! everyone but me that is....but it's ok cause i was doing pretty good at my favorite game...Let It Ride. something about this game that i just love, and no, it's not because i do well at it....it's just the thrill of winning big, and the safety of not messing up anyone else (like in blackjack). and the last night was the best ending to a sweet trip....i was on the let it ride table for like 3 hours going up and down. then, just before i decided to pack it up and head to bed, i finally hit one of the bigger hands...i got a full house! 11 to 1 odds, baby! so sweet...i know i had this dorky grin on after that...but i just couldn't help it. =oD and this was just after my fam tried to tell me that it was about time i headed up to the room...i'm glad i decided to stay for a couple hands more.
got back from vegas and went to see the producers with a bunch of friends. we went to dinner first at dragonfish...the food was pretty good, though i didn't think the service was all that great. it's kind of a family style place, but since we had a big party we all split up into smaller groups. then we went to the show....i've been waiting 3 months to see it! and i wasn't dissappointed at all....it was very funny...a parody on the entertainment industry...and on accountants! ha ha, i got a kick out of that one...i just kept picturing my old roomies singing the "unhappy" song!
oh well...all good things must come to an end...went back to work today...despite so many being off b/c of president's day....boo!
my whole fam did pretty well in the gambling dept too...everyone kept hitting 4-of-a-kinds at every casino we visited! everyone but me that is....but it's ok cause i was doing pretty good at my favorite game...Let It Ride. something about this game that i just love, and no, it's not because i do well at it....it's just the thrill of winning big, and the safety of not messing up anyone else (like in blackjack). and the last night was the best ending to a sweet trip....i was on the let it ride table for like 3 hours going up and down. then, just before i decided to pack it up and head to bed, i finally hit one of the bigger hands...i got a full house! 11 to 1 odds, baby! so sweet...i know i had this dorky grin on after that...but i just couldn't help it. =oD and this was just after my fam tried to tell me that it was about time i headed up to the room...i'm glad i decided to stay for a couple hands more.
got back from vegas and went to see the producers with a bunch of friends. we went to dinner first at dragonfish...the food was pretty good, though i didn't think the service was all that great. it's kind of a family style place, but since we had a big party we all split up into smaller groups. then we went to the show....i've been waiting 3 months to see it! and i wasn't dissappointed at all....it was very funny...a parody on the entertainment industry...and on accountants! ha ha, i got a kick out of that one...i just kept picturing my old roomies singing the "unhappy" song!
oh well...all good things must come to an end...went back to work today...despite so many being off b/c of president's day....boo!
Thursday, February 13, 2003
I Made It! Only one more day left...in a little over 14 hours i'll be on my way to las vegas....sin city! ha ha...but yeah, i'm way looking forward to this trip. i dunno if it's because i miss my family, miss the fun and lights 24hr a day, miss the adrenaline from gambling at all hours of the day, miss travelling, or what?! i think it's a whole combination of those things a long with the fact that when you're working long hours...you feel like you need a break BAD! i've worked 50+ hour weeks the past two weeks and i'm ready for some rest and relaxation! i know, it doesn't sound like much to some of you career folks, but for me...that's enuff! at least it's still semi-fun...i'm not the bitter working woman yet!
more to come when i return....do i win big?! or shop, shop, shop!?
more to come when i return....do i win big?! or shop, shop, shop!?
Monday, February 10, 2003
man, i don't know where my weekends go! they just seem to fly by...
this is gonna be a super long week for me...got so many meetings and deadlines for work. thank goodness it's only a 4-day week for me and then i get to jet off to VEGAS!!! i can't wait! it's been so long since i've been there, and i'm looking forward to seeing my grandma. i've been worried about her since my grandpa's passing. i hope she's doing ok, and that the trip will be good for her. it will also be good to see how my mom and aunty are doing too! ha ha, funny how i'm actually looking forward to spending time with family...and in vegas of all places! *sigh* it does make me miss my grandpa though...
this is gonna be a super long week for me...got so many meetings and deadlines for work. thank goodness it's only a 4-day week for me and then i get to jet off to VEGAS!!! i can't wait! it's been so long since i've been there, and i'm looking forward to seeing my grandma. i've been worried about her since my grandpa's passing. i hope she's doing ok, and that the trip will be good for her. it will also be good to see how my mom and aunty are doing too! ha ha, funny how i'm actually looking forward to spending time with family...and in vegas of all places! *sigh* it does make me miss my grandpa though...
Sunday, February 09, 2003
yeah...soooo....ask me how my lesson went tonight.....it sucked!! man, i can't believe how bad it was....but i guess i deserved it, huh? after i was done, i just wanted to crawl up into a hole and hide. i'm so glad there weren't many kids there to see me flounder, flail and FAIL!! and i don't mean to whine about it (b/c i really do deserve it for putting off planning my lesson until today), but i was seriously feeling good about my lesson this afternoon. i mean, i woke up early....studied the various sections of the NT that spoke of Jesus feeding the 5,000...came up with some pretty decent points...came up with a good applicaton point...and i even made a pretty cool powerpoint presentation, and i accomplished all of this before my bible study so i didn't even have to do any last minute scurrying. but, alas, what i did not do was put much thought into the way i would start, transition and the examples i would use. i also didn't print off the slides like i should've done to use as notes....but just a couple of hours before my lesson, i ran thru the slides with some of the other leaders and i felt i knew it pretty well. but... I DIDN'T. i ended up starting horribly, forgetting every point on each slide, i jumped around from topic to topic cause i couldn't remember what was on my slides, i brought up examples that i couldn't explain very well and i felt like i kept repeating the same thing over and over....i haven't felt this bad speaking in a long time!! i almost wanted to stop in the middle, apologize and excuse myself from the room...but instead, i waded thru the mess i had made and wrapped it up as fast as i could.
yeesh...i sure hope i learn my lesson from all of this...and i don't blame God for not helping me thru it...i think i was depending too much on my abilities and not enuff on him...in fact, the only good point is that i'm thankful it was a small group, only about 10 kids. definitely not a good end to my week...
yeesh...i sure hope i learn my lesson from all of this...and i don't blame God for not helping me thru it...i think i was depending too much on my abilities and not enuff on him...in fact, the only good point is that i'm thankful it was a small group, only about 10 kids. definitely not a good end to my week...
Saturday, February 08, 2003
eek! i'm up so early on a saturday morning! why do i always do this to myself...wait until the day of to start planning my lesson for youth group. it's really lame, but yet so familiar. i mean, i've done this my entire life with school projects, papers and tests. i seem to thrive on the last-minute rush and intense study and immersion into whatever it is that i need to get done. but really, that was fine and dandy for school...i really should try and break this habit...i mean it's really not giving my best and all to God! haha, funny how my lesson kinda has to do with just that, but in a positive reinforcement way. my lesson tonight is supposed to be on Jesus feeding the 5,000. and one thing i've learned from it is that we need to bring whatever we have to Jesus and trust that he will provide and use it for something much greater. so you see, even though it is rather late for me to be starting this lesson, i know that He can use whatever i do bring to Him...even if it is last minute. i know, not a really good way of thinking...and probably contradictory to some other teaching in the Bible....actually here it is: Mark 12:41-44 i had to go and find it...i can't have bad positive reinforcement ruling my life.
oh yeah, and i was the biggest flake this week! it came down to just 4 of us going to whistler and i decided that i didn't want to go anymore, i wanted to go to vegas instead. so i ended up having to tell my friend (who really wanted to go). the others didn't really care, but i know i was the biggest flake! i hate being a flake and i hate flakes! grrr...why do i always put myself in these situations. oh well, maybe i can make it up to him by planning a trip to whistler during some other weekend.
ok, must get some coffee going and start working on my lesson!
oh yeah, and i was the biggest flake this week! it came down to just 4 of us going to whistler and i decided that i didn't want to go anymore, i wanted to go to vegas instead. so i ended up having to tell my friend (who really wanted to go). the others didn't really care, but i know i was the biggest flake! i hate being a flake and i hate flakes! grrr...why do i always put myself in these situations. oh well, maybe i can make it up to him by planning a trip to whistler during some other weekend.
ok, must get some coffee going and start working on my lesson!
Tuesday, February 04, 2003
boy, it's been awhile since i've been here...i don't know if this blog is worth keeping up or not. but, alas...i need something to make me stay up even later than i should! anyways, i just wanted to write about how crappy things are going with my search and hope of going to whistler this winter season. i think i've been to whistler every winter for the past 4 or 5 years, and sadly it looks like it's just not going to happen this year =o( maybe it's just not meant to be, i mean i've never had such a difficult time finding a place to stay at. i think we've found like 4 or 5 perfectly fine places to stay and then it either doesn't work out because we took too long, or because now it's hard to find enough people to come. it's getting pretty late in the game now...i'm about ready to throw in the towel.
and actually, come to think of it...i have kinda given up hope cause i'm already thinking of what else i can do that weekend...maybe a quick trip to vegs to meet up with some of my fam or maybe a trip down south to socal to visit some friends there, or maybe a more closer and local ski trip. either way, i'm determined to go and do something that weekend...i mean, it's not often that i have an entire weekend free!
but we'll see what happens...i need to get some zzzs though before i catch that cold going around!
and actually, come to think of it...i have kinda given up hope cause i'm already thinking of what else i can do that weekend...maybe a quick trip to vegs to meet up with some of my fam or maybe a trip down south to socal to visit some friends there, or maybe a more closer and local ski trip. either way, i'm determined to go and do something that weekend...i mean, it's not often that i have an entire weekend free!
but we'll see what happens...i need to get some zzzs though before i catch that cold going around!
Sunday, January 26, 2003
man, what a day! sometimes, my saturdays just seem so long...i forget why i'm doing it all. it always starts off with me trying to sleep in, but having to eventually get up to finish prepping...or sometimes start working on....the bible study for my prime time group. i end up working on it all morning and then end up rushing out the door like a maniac cause i'm running late. i usually arrive at church just in time and meet with my group...then there's the basic leader's meeting...trying to organize or talk to different people...basic...the afterwards catch up and hang out...driving kids home...and then finally returning home. in all that craze and busyness, i often wonder why...why do i devote my entire saturday or a good 8-10 hours of it to do all of this?
and then God somehow brings a little glimpse of why...why He has placed such a love and devotion to these kids on my heart. he gives me glimpses like a student finally opening up and sharing a little bit more to me after years of small talk, or an amazement of the variety and often crazy ways God draws his children to him, or actually receiving encouragement from students that seem to just care about themselves, or being amazed at how a relationship can make such an impact on a student's life, and the list could go on and on. but in the end, it's simply because i feel that though i may have fun doing some other things for myself on saturdays, it would just pale in comparision to being able to witness God at work in the lives of the youth...heck, i can even be right there witnesseing it first hand, and wonder how i am so blessed to be a part of His work...even if i am insignificant to it.
my only worry is that i hope i don't ever forget just why i am there....and that i don't end up doing it for my own glory or significance...
"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" Galatians 1:10
and then God somehow brings a little glimpse of why...why He has placed such a love and devotion to these kids on my heart. he gives me glimpses like a student finally opening up and sharing a little bit more to me after years of small talk, or an amazement of the variety and often crazy ways God draws his children to him, or actually receiving encouragement from students that seem to just care about themselves, or being amazed at how a relationship can make such an impact on a student's life, and the list could go on and on. but in the end, it's simply because i feel that though i may have fun doing some other things for myself on saturdays, it would just pale in comparision to being able to witness God at work in the lives of the youth...heck, i can even be right there witnesseing it first hand, and wonder how i am so blessed to be a part of His work...even if i am insignificant to it.
my only worry is that i hope i don't ever forget just why i am there....and that i don't end up doing it for my own glory or significance...
"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" Galatians 1:10
Friday, January 24, 2003
geez, it's been a long time! well, i guess that's a good thing (sort of) b/c it means that i'm not staying up late online...but it could also mean that i haven't had anything of much to write about. it could also be b/c i've been working like 9-10hr days m-f and i don't feel like going on the computer when i get home....imagine that! yeah, my project is going ok...not the greatest, but i'm not totally hating it either...i think the fact that i know i'll be done with it by mid-march keeps me pretty sane. but i am getting to that "no-good" place of starting to talk like getting off of work at 6:30 or 7:00pm is "early" or a good thing! i really hate it when things start to feel "normal" just cause you've been accepting it for awhile....working more than 8hrs a day should NOT be normal....tolerated at times...but NOT normal! i must keep reminding myself this b/c work is NOT my life.
as for other things....i know it sounds really crazy, but i'm really liking this new show the bachelorette...like the bachelor, but instead of one guy and many women, it's one woman and many "pleasing to the eyes" guys. one of them in particular makes me very happy to watch =o) the show hooked me in the second he came on! i don't know if this show will go much farther for me if he gets "let go"....i really hope he makes it to the final 2! something about guys with josh hartnett looks, a great sense of humor, a romantic poet and a fireman all rolled into one that makes the show soooo worth watching!
btw...i decided to stay with the community group...it's a good study and discussion of the Word and it's nice to get to know some people i don't know so well.
as for other things....i know it sounds really crazy, but i'm really liking this new show the bachelorette...like the bachelor, but instead of one guy and many women, it's one woman and many "pleasing to the eyes" guys. one of them in particular makes me very happy to watch =o) the show hooked me in the second he came on! i don't know if this show will go much farther for me if he gets "let go"....i really hope he makes it to the final 2! something about guys with josh hartnett looks, a great sense of humor, a romantic poet and a fireman all rolled into one that makes the show soooo worth watching!
btw...i decided to stay with the community group...it's a good study and discussion of the Word and it's nice to get to know some people i don't know so well.
Tuesday, January 14, 2003
man, the days just seem to fly by now! i think i'm getting a little too busy now....but it's still in that "pretty good" phase of things. you know, when you are still enjoying everything you're doing, and it's only when you look back or forward on your schedule that you realize you have a pretty full schedule. it's not overwhelming...yet.
so, work has definitely picked up...who'd a thought configuring a package software would require so much work....i still definitely like developing custom apps with java much better! (boy, that sure sounded like a lame techie thing to say....oh well, i can't help who i am) but it's pretty crazy how it's only the 2 week of our project and i'm already working from 8a-7p almost everyday...it normal starts with regular 40hr days and then builds until it's about 2/3 of the way done. at least it's fun working with the people on my team...this team has actually turned out to be pretty cool and fun.
as for my night life...yeah, crazy, huh?....i work 10 hours a day and still have a night life. well, i guess you would call it a night life....but anyways, i'm in the process of checking out bsf and community groups. not sure which i want to join...they both have pros and cons to them...actually they both have good pros and the cons are just lame so i shouldn't even think about them. hmm...yeah...i know...not a life or death decision, but still i find myself pondering it a lot. oh well...i'm sure i'll make a decision by next week....it really is too much to go to bible study on monday and tuesday nights!!
what else do i have in the works? trying to get a group of friends to go up to whistler president's day weekend...i've gone every year for the past 4 years...it's kinda like a tradition for me...except the people that go are different. but i did find a really cheap place...that means even more of an incentive to go! i wonder what the snow fall has been this year...it's been pretty warm down here. guess i should go check it.
so, work has definitely picked up...who'd a thought configuring a package software would require so much work....i still definitely like developing custom apps with java much better! (boy, that sure sounded like a lame techie thing to say....oh well, i can't help who i am) but it's pretty crazy how it's only the 2 week of our project and i'm already working from 8a-7p almost everyday...it normal starts with regular 40hr days and then builds until it's about 2/3 of the way done. at least it's fun working with the people on my team...this team has actually turned out to be pretty cool and fun.
as for my night life...yeah, crazy, huh?....i work 10 hours a day and still have a night life. well, i guess you would call it a night life....but anyways, i'm in the process of checking out bsf and community groups. not sure which i want to join...they both have pros and cons to them...actually they both have good pros and the cons are just lame so i shouldn't even think about them. hmm...yeah...i know...not a life or death decision, but still i find myself pondering it a lot. oh well...i'm sure i'll make a decision by next week....it really is too much to go to bible study on monday and tuesday nights!!
what else do i have in the works? trying to get a group of friends to go up to whistler president's day weekend...i've gone every year for the past 4 years...it's kinda like a tradition for me...except the people that go are different. but i did find a really cheap place...that means even more of an incentive to go! i wonder what the snow fall has been this year...it's been pretty warm down here. guess i should go check it.
Saturday, January 11, 2003
last night was pretty fun, i had dinner and drinks with some friends i haven't seen in awhile. we went to the taphouse grill which has 160 different beers on tap! i've never seen so many different types of beers, and since i don't really drink beer i wasn't too excited about it. but i did have a sip of every beer that one of my friends tried and i have to say, i was pretty impressed with some. the whole nitro thing is really good stuff...makes the beer less carbonated and gassy...more smooth. and there was even this one beer, yakima something-or-other, that even had a somewhat coffee-ish after taste...yummy. gotta try that one again =o)
Wednesday, January 08, 2003
saw the bachelorette premiere tonight, and i am really impressed with the guy selection! i think i'm gonna have to keep watching this show...something about firemen that just gotta make you smile =o)
tonight...gotta try to get to sleep early...not doing so well right now with the waking up really early and going to bed really late. it's weird working back in seattle again after working out-of-town for so long...i thought it would be so easy to come back...but it's actually harder than i thought...i have to figure out a whole new routine or figure out how to balance hanging out, working, ministry and spending time with God. unfortunately, guess which part is suffering the most. =o(
tonight...gotta try to get to sleep early...not doing so well right now with the waking up really early and going to bed really late. it's weird working back in seattle again after working out-of-town for so long...i thought it would be so easy to come back...but it's actually harder than i thought...i have to figure out a whole new routine or figure out how to balance hanging out, working, ministry and spending time with God. unfortunately, guess which part is suffering the most. =o(
second day on my new project today and things are not looking that bad...i think i may even actually like this project. see i was all thinking that i've been so blessed with so many great projects that i was due for a bad one, i even met my new teammates and thought "ooh, not sure if i'm gonna get along with this gang"...but low and behold...they are actually decent people! praise God! i don't know why i keep getting blessed with great projects...but hey! i'm not one to complain.
on another note, i went to my first full basic leaders meeting tonight. i know, doesn't sound like all that much fun...but i actually enjoy attending these meetings and have missed all of them since i was working out of town. i don't know what it is...maybe i just like getting together with the other leaders to share and talk...maybe my "admin" side likes all the planning that goes on...maybe it's just cause i love what we do so much...or maybe it's a combo of all of these things and the fact that i'm just plain "weird". we had a great time of prayer too tonight...prayed for all them students that have been coming...we've totally been blessed this year with the opportunity to get to know so many new students...a totally diverse group of kids...truly a sampling of how great and huge God's love is.
on another note, i went to my first full basic leaders meeting tonight. i know, doesn't sound like all that much fun...but i actually enjoy attending these meetings and have missed all of them since i was working out of town. i don't know what it is...maybe i just like getting together with the other leaders to share and talk...maybe my "admin" side likes all the planning that goes on...maybe it's just cause i love what we do so much...or maybe it's a combo of all of these things and the fact that i'm just plain "weird". we had a great time of prayer too tonight...prayed for all them students that have been coming...we've totally been blessed this year with the opportunity to get to know so many new students...a totally diverse group of kids...truly a sampling of how great and huge God's love is.
Sunday, January 05, 2003
my roomies all returned today...yay! i'm truly amazed at how things have worked out so far with the new roomies...sure, i haven't been here much during the past 4 months, but still...i think it's gonna be ok...maybe even great! =o) i'll check back in about 2 months after i've lived here for a steady time. but really, how could i not love roomies that support my homies collection and can buy and make "duk"?!
on another note, it was really awesome being at church this weekend...it really is my second home and i felt like i had been away from it for a really long time. it's like having a close extended family...i really missed the people there. at communion today, i was so moved by the thought that this second family and the love i feel here was all made possible thru Jesus...before meeting Jesus i never imagined that i would be in a place or have the life i am having now...the scary thing is that i know that things can't stay the same forever and eventually God may ask me to move somewhere else...that's gonna be a hard thing to do.
on another note, it was really awesome being at church this weekend...it really is my second home and i felt like i had been away from it for a really long time. it's like having a close extended family...i really missed the people there. at communion today, i was so moved by the thought that this second family and the love i feel here was all made possible thru Jesus...before meeting Jesus i never imagined that i would be in a place or have the life i am having now...the scary thing is that i know that things can't stay the same forever and eventually God may ask me to move somewhere else...that's gonna be a hard thing to do.
Saturday, January 04, 2003
i'm back in seattle and feeling like crap...i dunno what happened i was fine up until dinner before leaving for the airport, then BAM! i got hit by this cold thing...i felt totally wasted by the time i arrived in seattle and i still had to make it thru my prime time meeting and basic.....but i survived...now i need to get some good zzzs.
Friday, January 03, 2003
i'm heading back to seattle tomorrow night....here's a run down of all the movies i saw during this holiday vacation:
Blue Crush, Men in Black 2, Lilo and Stitch (2nd time), The Two Towers (2nd time), Two Weeks Notice, Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood, Mr Deeds, Crossroads, Catch Me If You Can, Maid in Manhatten (2nd time), XXX, Life As A House, Ballistic, Pretty Woman, Drumline.
Yes, you can say that my family and i went a little movie crazy...but hey, that's what my family likes to do together!
Blue Crush, Men in Black 2, Lilo and Stitch (2nd time), The Two Towers (2nd time), Two Weeks Notice, Divine Secrets of the Ya-ya Sisterhood, Mr Deeds, Crossroads, Catch Me If You Can, Maid in Manhatten (2nd time), XXX, Life As A House, Ballistic, Pretty Woman, Drumline.
Yes, you can say that my family and i went a little movie crazy...but hey, that's what my family likes to do together!
went to the beach today...my last chance to try and get some sun on my gleaming white, kinda scary, japanese tourist looking skin...it was overcast when i set out, drizzling a little when i finally reached the beach...but after about 45 minutes of patiently waiting...the sun came out! hallelujah! it turned into a great day for the beach, had lunch brought to the beach, ate lunch with friends, then headed into the water. it was great...then to cap of the day at the beach we went to waiola's to get some yummy shave ice! best shave ice on the island...i always have to go there once before leaving.
got home and to my pleasant surprise...i do believe i got a slight shade darker. hee hee, good ole uv rays did their job! yippee!
got home and to my pleasant surprise...i do believe i got a slight shade darker. hee hee, good ole uv rays did their job! yippee!
Thursday, January 02, 2003
happy new years!
it was a pretty tame new years this year...just spent time with the fam...this vacation has just been about spending time with the fam...learning more about each other. i hope this year will be more of the same. i kinda feel like i'm finally "all grown up" and i'm feeling like i was a lame, naive kid growing up...never really appreciating my family or my relatives. i mean, i never even took the time to learn who everyone was or even attempt at trying to remember them all...it was always just "aunty" or "uncle"...forget the names and relationships. but now, family is starting to mean more to me...too bad i had to wait until now to start taking more of an interest.
as for the rest of new years day...it started off with the traditional fried mochi with kinako that my dad always makes, then off to a 10 course chinese lunch that was super ono, then to our next stop at aunty kay's house where we sit around and talk for awhile until we feel we can stuff a little more food into our stomachs...after that took a brief pit stop/rest stop at home before heading out to another cousin's house for more food and dessert. man, i can't believe how much i ate today! but oh so good! and it was really fun seeing all the cousins again...most of us are out of college now so we're all kinda on equal levels now. it was a lot of fun!
it was a pretty tame new years this year...just spent time with the fam...this vacation has just been about spending time with the fam...learning more about each other. i hope this year will be more of the same. i kinda feel like i'm finally "all grown up" and i'm feeling like i was a lame, naive kid growing up...never really appreciating my family or my relatives. i mean, i never even took the time to learn who everyone was or even attempt at trying to remember them all...it was always just "aunty" or "uncle"...forget the names and relationships. but now, family is starting to mean more to me...too bad i had to wait until now to start taking more of an interest.
as for the rest of new years day...it started off with the traditional fried mochi with kinako that my dad always makes, then off to a 10 course chinese lunch that was super ono, then to our next stop at aunty kay's house where we sit around and talk for awhile until we feel we can stuff a little more food into our stomachs...after that took a brief pit stop/rest stop at home before heading out to another cousin's house for more food and dessert. man, i can't believe how much i ate today! but oh so good! and it was really fun seeing all the cousins again...most of us are out of college now so we're all kinda on equal levels now. it was a lot of fun!
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