“Unhooked” July 31, 2007

I started reading this book as a request by someone to see if it was a good read. I’m not usually into journalistic kind of books where the author reports on interviews, observations, or experiences, but I’ll admit that sometimes they do come by as interesting. I mean, who isn’t interested in a book that talks about sex? Anyway, there wasn’t anything in the book that I’ve never heard before, though I can’t say that I still wasn’t shocked about how casually the young women in the book gave themselves away at times. Maybe some need to learn by experiencing something on their own, but isn’t it obvious through the times that, no matter how hard you try, you can’t entirely detach emotions from sex? Although I can’t sympathize (or empathize? not sure which to use) with the young women in the book because I have never allowed myself to enter the hook-up culture, Stepp does give some good points as to why so many young women subject themselves to it in this day and age. Their stories make me sad, but also really appreciative for the way I have been raised and for all the support I’ve been given in my life without having to “try and take over the world.” If this topic tickles your senses, then I’d say go have a look at the book, but I wouldn’t say it’s a “must-read.”

Harry Potter Week July 26, 2007

I have now finished reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I won’t discuss too much because I know a bunch of people haven’t had the chance to get to it, but it is sooo good. Sad though, as you should expect some to die, but good. J.K. Rowling really knows how to keep you in suspense but always tie everything together at the end so it makes sense (no rhyme intended). If you haven’t jumped on the Harry Potter bandwagon yet, I ask you, WHY NOT?! You are missing out!

Anyway, as you may or may not know, I have been working at Scholastic for the past month and I must say it has been quite the experience. Some days are good and I leave work happy and satisfied, but other days are just downright horrible. I have one boss who is an absolute killjoy. Whenever he’s around, I feel so stressed, incapable to do my job, and often on the verge of tears. I know I’m a soft person and don’t take criticism too well when delivered in a certain tone, but I always get blamed for things that are not entirely my fault. Some days I feel like quitting right then and there, but then I think and realize it will do me no good to give up so easily. I just thank God it’s only a part-time job because I don’t think I could deal if it was every day…

Well, I haven’t really gotten the chance to share more about the retreat or what God has been teaching me thus far, so I guess I’ll do that now. I had a really great time at the retreat listening to the messages and being able to just spend time with people from my church. It wasn’t really anything “extraordinary” that left me on a spiritual high or what you would expect at the end of a retreat, but something even better. I can’t really explain this change except that I feel it’s something more constant; like a pair of old jeans to make you feel at home but also like your heart in your stomach (or whatever combination of organs you feel) when you experience that first drop on a roller coaster. On a slightly unrelated note to the retreat, I don’t remember if I ever expressed this on Xanga, but ever since coming back from Creation Fest, God has really given me a heart for the homeless. It has a lot to do with hearing Mike Yankowski’s stories as a homeless man, but also a bit from reading New Way to Be Human by Charlie Peacock, having Bread with Him every morning (since the retreat), and little things He has shown me everyday to teach and humble me when I get too in over my head. One of the things that stood out to me from the messages from the retreat was how our love for God should be so intense that it makes our love for our family/friends/significant others look like hate. That was a big WHOA for me. It seems impossible at the moment but I know it’s not so because many of people have proven it already. For example, Abraham’s love and faith in God was so great that he was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac. That was another WHOA factor for me. Pastor Jim Om used that story as an example to explain that God knows what is most valuable to us, what our “Isaac” is in life, and how we need to be careful because Satan can use even good things to blur our vision. If I’m not making any sense to you, don’t worry, I don’t usually make sense when I’m trying to explain personal matters. Heh. For those of you who heard my testimony, thanks for your prayers, and for those of you who haven’t, I’d be glad to share if it’ll be any better than this babbling.

On Tuesday, I went with my parents to Rockland Lake State Park. It’s really nice there. I’m sad I didn’t bring my camera with me. We went boat rowing and biking. The park was like a mini Central Park in the way that there was a path surrounding a lake, but a lot less crowded. I got a few blisters on my hands from the oars, but they’re healing already. My dad brought a really old bike to go riding, the kind where the pedals only go up and down. To compare, it was like the bike version of our Vanagon; it broke down. Heh heh. We spent a good half hour trying to get the chain back on track. Good thing the weather was good yesterday or we might have melted. Yo Ling! If you’re reading this, let’s go rowing here next time!

Ginger July 24, 2007

I think I’m beginning to like ginger. Not ginger straight from the plant (or root? what do you call it?), but things that have a ginger flavor. For instance, the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory has a Ginger Ice Cream. It is sooo good. I’m not really sure how to describe the taste…it taste like ginger but it’s sweet. It’s ice cream with a spice tinge. Also, there’s this Raspberry Ginger cereal made by Peace Cereal that’s absolutely delicious. When I first poured it in a bowl, I was like “What the heck?! Those are the biggest clusters I have ever seen!” but Mmmm those clusters are what make the cereal. This reminds me, I made Lemon-Ginger muffins last summer and they were really good. I think I’ll make them again soon. If anyone knows of any other ginger foods that I should try, leave me a comment and let’s go eat!

New Blog July 19, 2007

Hello there. This is my new blog. I’ve decided to move over from Xanga; not because there’s anything wrong with Xanga, (I still like it and I have a lot of history there — blogged there since 2002), but I just wanted to start off fresh somewhere new. I guess the reason for that stems from, to put it plainly, Jesus. Something about him just makes me want to change, to be a better person, and live my life fully for him. You might think that I don’t have to go through all the trouble of starting a new blog in order to live the life I was meant to, but it just makes me feel better, ok? Just think of it symbolically. I guess I’ve unknowingly taken a lot from the church summer retreat last weekend and it’s only beginning to sink in now. (More on that later).

So, you may or may not be wondering about the name of my blog. It’s taken from the the 13th track of Relient K’s most recent album, “Five Score and Seven Years Ago.” It’s my favorite song on the record, not just because of its 80’s music sound, but because it holds a lot of meaning for me. I guess it’s like a mini testimony of where I am in life right now. The song says it better than I can put in words, so I’ll just let it speak for itself.

Yesterday
Is not quite what it could’ve been
As were most of all the days before
But I swear today
With every breath I’m breathing in
I’ll be trying to make it so much more

Cause it seems I get so hung up on
The history and what’s gone wrong
And the hope of a new day
Is sometimes hard to see (what you see)
And though I’m finally catching onto it
And now the past is just a conduit
And the light there at the end is
Where I’ll be

Cause I’m on the up and up
I’m on the up and up
And I haven’t given up
Given up on what
I know I’m capable of
And I’m on the up and up
Yeah there’s nothing left to prove
Cause I’m just trying to be
A better version of me
For you
A better version of me
For you

To be prosperous
Would not require much of me
You see contentment is the one thing
It entails
To be content with where I am
And getting where I need to be
I’m moving past the past
Where I have failed

But I’m finally catching onto it
And now the past is just a conduit
Right there at the end
Is where I’ll be
Oh

You never cease
To supply me with
What I need
For a good life
So when I’m down
I’ll hold my head up high
Cause you’re the reason why

Well that’s it for now. I need my sleep to endure all the Harry Potter maniacs tomorrow. Good night!