Do girls really fart?

getting your ears irrigated is defintely not an experience you're missing out on if you've never had it done to you. For me, it didn't really work. So after I came back to Austin this weekend, I've had a stuffy waxy ear and something had to be done. So I called the 24 hr nurse service and went in today to get my ear drained of the gunk. Basically you lay on your side for 10 minutes with peroxide fizzing out of it and then they take this large plastic needle-looking object and squirt lots and lots and lots of warm water in your ear and supposedly stuff is suppose to come out. that didnt really particularly work for me, so the lady took this miniature plastic rod and jammed it up my ear and removed an odd looking mucusy object from my ear. However, I feel about as deaf as I initially entered the building. Please pray that I'm not going to be permanently deaf and that this deafening phase shall soon pass. Much thanks.

On a lighter note, you know how adults are always telling you not to talk while your eating? I actually think that that is a great way to exercise. Personally, I find that when I eat and talk at the same time, my metabolism speeds up and I dont have that yucky fullness feeling after I eat. It's more of a satisfying meal kind of a feeling. Plus, eating with people is a great way to chill with others...so talk while you're eating...and if you choke, dont blame me.

we worry about things and we're confused about things, but in the end, when you look back on the picture, everything always works out doesnt it?

1 Peter 5:7
"Cast ALL your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

when he says all I do believe that encompasses friendships, school work, fellowship decisions, academic major decisions....and the list goes on.... when the Big Man says ALL I think that means everything.

cuz I fell for Keith Urban's songs....

so maybe Austin does brainwash you to have higher tolerance for country music. crap. what my beloved californians would say if they saw me now. I remember my parents took me to the rodeo in pre-school and I wanted to barf after Woody Gutherie's (is that even his name?) concert. Let me tell you...that as a young fob, country music gave me a bad first impression of America. However, I think my opinion of this music genre drastically changed when a friend of mine started listening to country. And during that open-minded phase in life I was a bit more welcoming to the idea of country tunes being music to my ears. Then my country strike sort of ended when I moved to Texas. So maybe moving to Texas was just a huge plot for me to start loving country music (altho love is too strong of a word to describe any future passions for country music.) Apparently there's some kind of inevitability that people at UT fall for country despite any personal objections. bummer.

In some ways I felt like I was missing out on exciting things in Austin this weekend, but everything I missed was well worth the price paid to come home. Some may object, but I will hold fast to the opinion that there truly is no place like home. It's not so much the comforts that I have here; it's more like the people I have here. I got to hang out with a very special friend of mine. Being home and talking to her was so relieving. Time spent with special friends cant be bought at any price. I really had a chance to reflect on friendships and refresh my own perspective on what kinds people need in their lives. I can go on and on and on about friendships, so it's probably easier if you ask me in person... that is if you really want to know cuz you might want to bring a cup of coffee with you.

Well, everyone in this house sleeps before the crack of dawn and while I'm home I too shall conform to such a tradition. In any case, I do look foward to being back in Austin.

the revolution....

I'm home! As Juice put it, "we're back in the bubble!" There's something both familiar and foreign about being home. Time here progress as it does in Austin, but in the bubble, time just moves on without me. I guess one of the things I miss about being at home is hearing my sister's class presentations. In years past, I would always help her beautify her posters and help her present her topics and then she'd demonstrate it for me. Now, she has to wait until I can come home and present her presentations to me after she's finished presenting to her class. She started to watch Matrix Revolution with me, but then she got waaay too tired and fell asleep with her stinky feet in my face =) On the other hand, I did get to finish watching the movie with my dad who had absolutely NO idea what was going on (cuz he never watched the 2nd one and really didn't pay attention to the 1st). But it was fun...I enjoyed explaining everything to him.

What can I say about the third Matrix movie of the triology? I can see how I could get baggered for this comment, but I actually liked the movie. In fact, I'm rather fond of all three of the movies. Of course, I would agree that the first Matrix was the best and the other two were completely incompariable, but I enjoyed them nonetheless. I'm a horrible movie critic and stop reading my ramblings if you hated matrix revolution, one offense is enough for the night. I tend to favor the really stupid movies (i.e. Dude where's my car), really long movies (Meet Joe Black), and much disliked movies (Titanic)....so now you know what kind of movie critic I am. One thing I can say is that nearly every Brad Pitt movie is excellent. I'm rarely disappointed, not because Brad is in them, but because they're all either real quirked up or just plain entertaining. I think by the time I'm 30, I just might have a complete collection of Brad movies... currently I'm not even close, but I'd say that 3 is a good start =D
I am rather disappointed that I won't make it back to Austin in time for IM football. It woulda been nice to see them Pudgy Penguins get "wrecked" as Lawrence put it...but there's other plans for me here at home. When my dad heard that I was playing co-ed football he thought I was playing soccer...cuz in HK football is synonymous with soccer... British ya know? He kinda looked scared, cuz I have pretty bad experiences with sports. Not that I've died or anything, he just has a notion that all girls are fragile. My sister likes to fall on her head a lot...so one kid with a lumpy head is enough.
Well, I have a 8am dental appointment to attend...so I shall leave you with a thought: Watermelon is good, people should eat more of it before the season ends.

fight the break of dawn.....

I went to watch "Saved" tonight with Rosalie. It was an entertaining movie and I can look past the fact that the director didn't intend for it to be a Christian bash, although outwardly it certainly fit into the category. I actually found the movie refreshing. Here's a review I found for the movie:


Its About Acceptance, May 28, 2004
Reviewer: vickivsn
I had the pleasure of seeing Saved! at the Seattle International Film Festival. What a treat it was, I had no idea. Saved! uses dark, quirky comedy to promote acceptance. While the movie is promoted as being about Mary trying to “save” her boyfriend, Dean, from homosexuality; acceptance of gays is only one example of the movie’s message. Cassandra needs to be accepted in light of her religion, Mary needs to be accepted despite a very unchristian-like mistake, and Roland needs to be accepted as an equal given his disability. But you can’t have a successful dark comedy without an instigator. Mandy Moore does a marvelous job of portraying religious zealot Hillary Fay who acts as the well-intentioned primary judge and jury of those not like her or who have made mistakes. What may look like a poke of fun at Jesus freaks, I believe is the filmmaker’s attempt at adversity with comedy to help set the scene for the need of acceptance. This film is also about friendship with a look at the difference between cliques where popularity rules and true friendship where you can count on each other through thick and thin. The “save the homosexual” storyline takes a back seat to allow for the development of the other characters and situations. In that respect it is not a “gay” movie although it does come full-circle in the end. I give this movie an A+ for the characters, message, and acting.

I like that review. Especially since the need for acceptance is so prevailant in our culture. Although extreme at times, the movie does speak of how Christianity is a belief of acceptance. All the "even you" comments from Hillary Fay towards Casandra were very harsh, but very true. Men are poor judges of character when it comes to the qualifications of who should enter heaven, first of all....who are we to judge anyways? A man loved us enough, despite our shamefulness, to die so that we could be accepted into a relationship we can bet our lives on. The thing about Christian relationships is that they can be genuine. In such relationships there's always a sense of community, accountability and trust. Despite the fact that i cringed at seeing the intense satire of the movie, there is no shame in being a Christian. Not every faith gives you the opportunity to spend an eternity in peace without having done any deeds.

It seems that I've gone on a sudden religious rant these past couple of days. But I guess it's just like when you like someone...everyone can tell because you talk about them all the time, and you wanna talk about them all the time. It's like that with God.

"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do no repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath..." Romans 12:16-19

"When you pray, do not use vain repetitions..." Matthew 6:7

"God does not hear us because we pray earnestly-- He hears us solely on the basis of redemption. God is never impressed by our earnestness. Prayer is not simply getting things from God-- that is only the most elementary kind of prayer. Prayer is coming into perfect fellowship and oneness with God. If the Son of God has been formed in us through regeneration (Galatians 4:19), then He will continue to press on beyond our common sense and will change our attitude about the things for which we pray" --Oswald Chambers

I was reading this last week, and it really helped me reflect on my prayer life. It helped me question every prayer that I uttered. Do you ever find yourself saying the same prayer at every meal? What is perfect fellowship and oneness with God? Have you ever experienced that? How can we have the right attitude about the things we pray for?
Prayer is definitely an integral part of spiritual growth. It's hard to communicate with the Father without this aspect of our relationship with him. And what kind of relationship would we have with Him if all we ever do is ask and take from Him? When we pray, how does our prayer life impact our everyday life? Can people even tell that we are pray-ers? I really think that our attitude toward prayer is a reflection of our relationship with God. There's so much to ponder about it and prayer itself is a part of that journey of discovery to the heart of God.


man...had to overcome my fear of gekcos today cuz I caught one and I think it died.

my awesome sunday school teacher, Mrs. Fong sent this to me....and I thought it was kinda cool...too busy studying for a test or I'd totally share with you how utterly exciting my life is. Meanwhile, enjoy. I think I have a tendency to want to hold on to my frienships longer than purposed, so I guess this helps me understand a little about my lost friendships.


REASON, SEASON OR LIFETIME

The Lord has brought special people in my life, I am sending this to you to see how many of you actually read your emails . Is anyone really out there? Your response will be interesting! Pay close attention to what you read. After you have finished reading it, you will know the reason it was sent to you! Here it goes:

People come into your life for a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime. When you know which one it is for a person, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed . They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally , or spiritually. They may seem like a Godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered, and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount
of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons: things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person , and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. Thank you for being a part of my life!

have a great day and if it wasn't a great day....tomorrow is another day =)

Achilles... man in skirt.....

I apologize for the total loss of self-control now that I am blogging. Just for the record, that is not how I normally lead my life. mind you....I have been studying....

Well tonight I finally saw Troy. Don't worry, I wasn't totally captivated by buff man Brad sprinting around in a mini skirt. The movie was definitely VERY corny, which resulted in my horrible outbursts of laughter, thus embrassing my kind friends who were sitting next to me, BUT it was also beautifully tragic. I must have enjoyed the movie so much because............I've forgotten how the real story goes. I can honestly see how Troy could make any man or woman a little more shallow...take the gorgeous looking cast for starters.... the fire of romance .... the "I'm doing it for love" mentality.... men in skirts .... a cute baby .... and swords! Oh and I can finally see why so many girls (and guys) out there think that Eric Bana is really something special and how those Legolas lovers out there have betrayed their love for the cute curly brown. Bottom line, the movie was well casted. Althought it definitely was not Oscar-worthy, it's got thumbs up from me.

Something valuable I've learned this past week is that sometimes the people that are the hardest to love are those that test what areas I need to work on to become a more effective witness. In realizing what kinds of qualities in people that are hard to love brings out the worst in me and makes me see the areas in my life that could use a little grace, a little wisdom and a little more strength from God. Sometimes I tend to forget that the Bible is living and active and has a word to teach about every situation life gives. I feel like everytime the bible speaks to me, I've been hit over the head with a brick. And like a brick, what God has taught me, I will remember (cuz sometimes it hurts), and other times it just leaves such a dent in my head that I will remember what God is trying to show me.

Some men are fools for love like Paris.... and some men die for love like Hector.... but God's love does not end like the sun sets at the closing of a man's life... it's a love that's not forgotten like great heros...it's a love that is unconditional, freely given and freely received.... God's love loves the pests... it loves the haters... it makes me more like the Jesus who took a stand for love.

what you see isn't always what you get.....

who says God doesn't answer prayers? Well, somehow He answers mine. So my praise report today is that I was able to find an easy (no transfers required) bus route to my volunteering tomorrow. That is a cause to celebrate. My last encounter with the public transportation system was pretty sad (despite the fact that I love adventures...walking around downtown alone isn't that fun). Just a word to the wise, if you ever plan on using the "plan a trip" icon on the metro site, make sure that you put that you're willing to walk at least 3/4 of a mile, because that makes a HUGE difference in your itinerary. In fact, I was able to find a bus route that allows me to get to my location in less time that usual with no transfers. So praise the Lord for that.

I never did get a chance to talk about EKG. Well, to say the least it was really awesome. I enjoyed being able to bond with the freshmen and re-meet people that I've met in the past several weeks but actually got to know them a little better and will remember their names for many days to come. Oddly enough, i was walking back to my room from class and I waved at a few of the girls that I'd met at EKG and initially they didn't recognize me. I had to tell them my name and then they remembered who I was. For some reason, people don't recognize me when I'm wearing my glasses, or if I have my hair down, or any other combination than just having my hair up and no glasses. SO if you ever see a person that's wearing glasses with their hair down, or a person with their their hair down, or a person with their hair up and glasses, who happens to look kind of like me, it's probably me....so say hi =) and even if it's not me....maybe you'll simply make someone's day better by saying hi.

oooh...and I got to meet up with my small group today and eat Tiff's treats. Wow...real butter in cookies sure tastes good....and no matter who makes them, oatmeal raisin cookies are still the best on the face of this earth. It's interesting how much all of us in my small group have in common; yet at the same time we're all quite dynamically diverse. It's pretty cool. Everyone has their fears about what will happen in the year to come but I keep my chin up about the great things God has in store for my small group and our leader this year. *a toast to freshmen year*

And that folks concludes my blogging for some time (doesn't that sound familiar?) for I shall be dedicating my life to nerdification for the time being (and this sounds like something from the Oph chronicles as well) so I urge you to check back in a week or so for another update....or drop by just cuz you think David Crowder sings a mean There's No One like You.....farewell dear friends and to all a good night

Lord of Heaven and Earth......

I remember this time last year, I was pretty excited about Students for Christ at Clements. I really felt that God had something big in store for the future of that club. It was also a reality, that maybe I wouldn't be a part of the group of officers that would see the fruits of the club, but being a part of the group of officers that had a passion for the club was just what God had planned. This year, the club has grown immensely, and they've even gotten nationally renouned speakers to speak at school. The weekly attendence has grown from the average of around 30-40 to having about 60 on a regular basis. Just hearing about what an active role God is playing in SFC is so encouraging and uplifting. It reminds me that all the work we put out for the Lord is never in vain no matter what it may feel like at the time. This situation also encourages me to invest my life in God's work with the end result in mind. I think that one of Satan's greatest lies is telling us that we should live for the moment and that the future doesn't really matter. Some may question what the purpose of life is and day to day activities can be pretty mundane. I remember at camp two years ago the speaker asked if we wanted to make a dent in the Earth, to be an history maker. How great would it be to leave Christ's footprints on Earth as a result of the way one has lead their life?

So today I had quite an adventure. Public transportation is officially on my hit list. You'd think that when the transit is on Guadalupe and 21st that it would be right were it says it would be (especially since I called into the metro system), but there happens to be 3 stops on those streets.....and there's this trend where the bus I'm suppose to catch passes by me on the street next to me. Like when I was on Guadalupe, the bus passes to my left on 21st....then when I was on Congress, the bus passes me on Colorado. Maybe I'll have more luck wednesday. I thought fall was approaching, but by the way people sweat these days, I can see that it is not.

I acquired a fun fact of the day. My sister and I were talking on the phone this evening and she was telling me about how this one kid commented on what an awesome UT shirt she had (yes I got my little 8 yr old sister a "dont mess with Texas" shirt....cute I know =P) Anyhow, she went on to tell me how this cool "dude" of a kid was wearing three live strong bracelets. Then I asked her if live strong bracelets were too big for kids her age and she said yes. So my response was, "you guys should wear them on your ankles." While I thought of that comment as a joke, my sister said, "yeah that's how we wear them, on our ankles." Well there you have it. Elementary school kids where live strong bracelets on their ankles. What a trend right? Do they make these things in kids sizes?

my bonny lies over the ocean.....

I'm emerging from my dormancy. I feel like a bear who has been in hybernation, but I've only been neglecting my poor, ever so forgotten, little blog. I remember in the Heart of Darkness ( I feel like I've already said what I'm about to say, but it won't kill a bird to say it again) that one guy that was like a Buddha who spoke as if people did not like to hear about the business of other people. However, the truth of the matter (which was on the test for that section) is that people are thoroughly interested in the lives of others and that is why I believe people sit around and read novel after novel (of blog context), day after day....or the other theory is that you are really bored with nothing to do (aka no-lifeling)...or better yet a creepy person who wants to learn about other people by reading about their "personal" lives....hehe jp.

Well, I've finally found a place to volunteer for my sw class. I basically get to work with communities and teaching them how to advocate their issues for themselves, at the same time learning how and what it means to be involved with advocacy. It's definitely my first glimpse into the life of a social worker and learning what it means to be really "pissed off". Because some of the issues that social workers deal with....are definitely fist raise worthy. I sat in at this meeting that these leaders of an appartment complex and the school faculty were having and it was really intense. Basically the situation is that their appartments are in crap-shap condition and the land lord doesn't care and waits decades before he does anything to fix it. The tenants would write letters, take pictures of their homes, and a whole bunch of other stuff, before anything would get fixed. I could go on and on and on and on about what BAD conditions and how sad the children and families are as a result of the impact all this is having on them. Ultimately, I'm really excited about helping the families find resouces and learn how to type letters and stuff, so it should definitely be awesome. Please pray that I have the energy...cuz I gotta get up mighty early for this business but it's worth it.

How is college you may ask? Well, many people make it a hobby to check up on the freshmen, which is absolutely NOT a bad thing. Not to go all psycho mom...but I really think it's encouraging to see the elders (older classmen) making sure we're all adjusting well, eating right, not getting too much pressure from classes, meeting the right kinds of people, jogging regularly, having a social life, and of course....eating meals with them. Meals are still great ways of fellowship, even in college.....food is one of God's greatest inventions....by far...=P It's one thing to feel welcomed, but it's another thing to feel loved. (is that cheesy enough?) I think I'm going to bed before I choke myself on the sappiness that's coming out of my throat.

On the Range.....

Everything about being home hasn't changed. I still enjoy being where the mom, dad, sister, bathroom, bedroom, homecooking and car are. I totally freaked my dad out yesterday when I was driving him home from dim sum. It reminded me of the first time he let me drive a car after I got my permit. He did the whole grab onto the side handle bar dealio. Dads....wut characters. And while I'm on the topic of dim sum, I just gotta say that it's good stuff. Every time I shove a shrimp ball down my throat...I regain a since of canton pride.

I finally managed to finish reading a leisure reading book. It's been a while since I've done sucha task but I find great joy and accomplishment in doing so. I think I'll read some more books for fun. Back in the day, I had this bad habit of buying books that people suggested; then I never got around to actually reading any of them. Therefore I have a buncha books on my shelves just waiting to be read. Reading for fun will definitely be something I'm going to regain a love for. First and foremost, I will continue to make a hobby out of reading my ever so expensive textbooks. Anyone with me?

If college meant no homework I'd be all over it. Unfortunate for us college folk, that is not the case. I only get homework in one class and I've been too afraid to see what exactly the homework is. The class average on the first form was 34% while the second form average was 74%...If there was ever a time I wish that I'm above average, it would be now. With two days left before it's due, I might as well give it a whiff. Okay...enough rambling and time to dive in.

creeby jeebbies.....

So I'm really craving steak. According to something I read or something I heard, whenever you have a craving for something, like a REAL craving, not just a junk food splurge, it means that your body is lacking in some sort of nutrient. I must say that the beef jerky I consumed a few hours back was quite tasty....but not quite like a genuine steak. Maybe that'll be a to-do sorta thing when I go home. OHH Outback! Maybe I'll coax my parents into going there for fun this weekend...although I kinna miss good chinese food. I remember as a kid we use to go to Tony Roma's everytime my uncle came to visit, which wasn't nearly enough. Steak is good stuff. Come to think of it...I like almost anything with iron in it fish... hardcore meat.... soy milk... tofu... lalalala......

Ya know...I never thought that psychology could be so much fun. I find great fulfillment whenever I go to that class. It's so easy to take in information, cuz it's so interesting to remember...and I actually enjoy learning about stuff in that class...it's awesome lemme just say. Not to mention my professor is pretty cool. His animation actually keeps people awake...and humor is always good in a class.... we really don't get enough of that in school. Speaking of humor...my bio TA told a joke today.

TA: (in a very strong indian accent) Why is diarreah hereditary?
class: *blank stares* trying to think of exactly what he'd just said
TA: because it runs down your "jeans"

well our entire class laughed....so eh yes...bio TA= funny guy. And while I'm on the topic of biology. I never thought I'd actually learned stuff from Bio. I suppose I proved myself wrong. I totally followed the chromosome dealio during discussion. Mr. Steinkamp was right....even if i didn't win the AP, taking the course in college will be sweet jazz. Of course...I can't say much. I haven't take a test in that class yet, but my professor seems funny and interesting enough that despite any disappointments in grades I should still thoroughly enjoy myself....but check up on that opinion a few weeks from now. I've always enjoyed learning biology, but I just never liked taking tests; who can really blame me right?

The thought of chinese food makes me really happy...just like ice cream on a hot summer day.... peach cobbler on random nights (oohhh kinsolving has good cobbler....well I like it)... dances under a starry spring.... soft blankets in the winter.... falling red and orange leaves in the fall.... by golly it's almost fall.... just a season closer to one of the most beautiful seasons of the year =)

it's never too late to get all extreme and stuff.....

So tonight I had the chance to visit Link (Echo's freshmen fellowship). Once again, it was an overall positive experience. All of the fellowships I've visited (which would be two) have been equally welcoming, in different ways, and both have mission statements which I value. Of course, I don't expect to find a fellowship to settle into until I've looked at more options; but, I'm really commited to finding a community of girls in a small group to grow in the Lord with soon.
It's so tempting to just settle for an asian american community because that's what I've grown accustomed to. Perhaps God is calling me to a ministry of people sharing the same ethnic pride, and maybe He's not. It doesn't really matter whether the community I eventually join uses chopsticks for dinner or not, you don't have to look a certain way to be a disciple of Christ...afterall he does tell us to make disciples of ALL nations....not just the yellow ones.

I must say that the cultures of the US are quite diverse, and it can be hard to submerge yourself into one that you haven't grown up with. But that's the beauty of the US...many nations don't readily get to share in the worship experience with believers of another color. When we worship with red, yellow, black, brown and white, it's like a taste of heaven...cuz you know that no matter what our ancetry is...we all go to the same heaven.

For myself personally, I don't think I'm looking for a fellowship where I'm most comfortable. I'm looking for a place that God is moving, a place where God will speak to me, and a place where God can use me in a way that will change my life and the life of others.

College is a period in our lives that we will never get to live again, and I definitely want to max out my experiences here in UT as well as the course of time I have over these next few years. I dont want to look back on the next several years of my life with regret. I want to leave this campus feeling accomplished and more challenged as a Christian soldier. What that entails, we'll very soon see.

I hope that all of you continue to pray for the college freshmen as we tred the unknown path. May we live fearlessly, and have courage to seek the Lord in a place that shuns us for doing so. May we find a fellowship of believers whom the Lord has placed in our lives to build us up and encourage us through Satan's stronghold on campus. Thanx