Count your blessings, everyday.

You have absolutely NO idea how blessed I feel today AND how God worked in the tiniest things possible.

After work today, I had go to to WEM to pick up something..... except I forgot it was "long weekend", and... the mall was jam-packed with cars... Bad idea, I know. Of all choices, I could have walked from work to the mall... driven away and go another day... but I decided to park in a slightly tight spot with little room to move around....

Working at 5:30am does not allow me to make the best decisions (especially after a semi-crappy day at work) and I just wasn't thinking right. I was hoping for a spot near T&T area (because people come and go faster = more availability of parking spaces)..... and of course, this lady waves at me and tells me to park into her spot because she was leaving. And because the mall was jam-packed... cars were EVERYWHERE..... and I ended up making a bad decision, parked the car in a BAD angle, heard a crushing sound, and ended up scraping the back of another car.....

Some thoughts came into mind. OH SHEEEEEET. Worst day ever. Why is this happening to me? Why me? What to do.... and I was in panic mode.... because once I saw the damage.... I knew my mom would probably rip my head off.... The damage was pretty bad.... to my car anyways... not only did I scrape it.. I also dented the right passenger door....and... the damage to the other car wasn't as bad ... only scraped the paint off (no dents, no cracks).....but it still looked like it would cause over $1000 to fix....

Of course I couldn't just drive off like that, that'd be wrong... so I parked the car and spent some time writing this car owner a note apologizing and telling them that I was willing to pay for the damage I caused and left them with my number.... I was pretty shaky throughout and extremely stressed out because of my financial situation lately with paying my mom back for the new car, I knew paying for the damage was not possible at all (which meant I would have to borrow at least $1000 from my aunt, which would take a while to pay off....). This happened around 2ish.

Afterwards, I went to the police station to report what had happened. Because I was so out of it, I didn't even register at the front desk, but somehow filled out a statement and sat there for an hour and a half wondering how all these people got ahead of me. It was really calming when I sat beside an old lady who was reading the Bible. She looked like she was waiting for someone... as I was sitting by myself waiting for a constable to do the collision report, I texted a few friends and asked them to pray for me and the situation. You have no idea how blessed I was to have them support me and think about me. As I was waiting and waiting, I was hoping the car owner would call me back.... it was nerve-wrecking and I was so worried about finance and how many more hours of Starbucks I would have to take in to make up for the amount... I was also scared about who the car owner is... male/female... age... how hard they'd take what happened, etc... my mind was everywhere.

I went home around late 5ish from the police station.... I felt pretty dumb waiting at the station for 1.5 hours for nothing where other people left within 30 -40min. Of course, I also felt really bummed out from all that happened and was glad to be finally home. And I was still waiting for the phone call...

My mom and I had a conversation about today, and it wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be... then around 6ish I realized I forgot to bring in my stuff and the police report so I went back to my car to get it. As I was walked, my phone rang ... and I picked up right away because I just knew it was the car owner. He asked if I was Karen and he told me that he was the owner of the car that I hit. The first thing I said to him was "I'm so sorry for what happened to your car". You wouldn't believe what he ended up saying to me... "don't worry, it's okay... I don't think you meant to do that right?" and there I was on the other end apologizing like crazy. He pretty much told me that I didn't have to worry about it, and I kept telling him if he needs anything in the future, he can call me or e-mail me. What touched me the most was, before we ended our conversation, he said "have a nice sleep, don't think about it and rest well!" (You probably think he is a very nice guy.... he totally is. I also have a feeling that he might be a Christian as well...)

Miracle, you say? MIRACLE INDEED. God worked his magics today. After he hung up, tears started falling out my eyes. They were tears of joy, tears of relief... tears of blessings. I just couldn't stop crying for a while. All I felt at that moment was God's blessings showering over me, so abundantly! I just couldn't believe what had happened to me. God answered prayers!

Today was one big crazy today.... lessons learned today.... being honest and responsible for all that you do, God will bless you and keep you. I also learned to keep counting my blessings! There are so many ways you can be a blessing to another person. This gentleman's grace and forgiveness was a blessing to me!

God is SO BIG and SO GOOD and TOOOOOO AWESOMEEEEEEEEE.

Thank you, God!

Quaecumque vera -- "Whatsoever things are true"

Do you all know the background to the University of Alberta's motto -- "Quaecumque vera"? It is taken from Philippians 4:8, which states:

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and there be any praise, think on these things." (KJV)

Today was a very special day for me. After 2 years of stressful schooldays, endless nights.. uncertainties..., and 14 weeks of student teaching at two junior high schools - I finally received my Bachelor of Education! Today was a day celebrated with my loved ones!

The Admission addressed by the Chancellor moved. She addressed these words to all graduands:

"By virtue of the authority vested in me by the Legislature of this Province and with the consent of this University, I admit you to the degrees to which you are entitled, and invest you with all the powers, rights and privileges pertaining to such degrees. I charge you to use them for the uplifting of the whole people; to inspire the human spirit; for all those who believe, to serve your God; and to pursue more steadfastly whatsoever things are true."

Thank you God for providing us all with education. May my degree(s) glorify you in the future through serving you wherever you decide to call me to.

----------------

Here are some snapshots from my convocation, these are the most important people in my life =)

Mom and Dad =)

The graduands

The Lims

The Dwarfs =) (minus a couple)

ASKies

TYF girls

3 very important "men" in my life

Yay! Finally graduated!

Help me rediscover YOU.

This song by Starfield speaks out my thoughts for the past couple months, especially since Mark West.

Where is my passion? Who is my passion for? Where is my faith? Why is my heart so hardened? How do I get back to Jesus? Healing? Revival?

Jesus, help me to REDISCOVER YOU.

----------------

I need to just admit

My faith is paper thin

I'm feeling so burned out on religion

I say an empty prayer

I sing a tired song

I need to just admit

that the passion’s gone

And I want to get it back

You told me

Look for you, and I will find

So I'm here

Like I'm searching for the first time

Revive me, Jesus

Make this cold heart start to move

Help me rediscover You

I want to learn to pray

The way that David prayed

I want my soul to burn

when I hear Your name

I want to feel like new

I want to hunger for You

Bring me back to life like only You can do

‘Cause I don't want to stay the same

Lord, I want to be Yours today

I want to know the passion of the saints

And how they were changed

I want to burn for You

Bring me back to life

Jesus, help me rediscover You

In loving memory of...

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever."

This was the Psalm I read to you before my friend and I left your room on Tuesday. My last words to you was: "Goodbye, I'll come visit you again tomorrow."... and that was my last goodbye to you, ever. I really wish you waited for us on Wednesday so we can hold your hand and say goodbye to you. I wish I obeyed and respested you more and listened to your words when I was younger. I wish I was able to finish reading the book of Mark to you before you left. I wish you waited for my convocation so you can celebrate with me once again. I wish I had the opportunity to spend more time with you, but I am really glad you waited for me to come back from camp to spend the last few days with you before you left.

It's hard to not blame myself...especially with the fact that everything just happened so quickly and unexpected, just like shooting stars. A close friend reminded me the morning when you left to treasure the little things that I did with you, even if it was just reading scripture to you in your room. I really enjoyed reading parts of the book of Mark to you, and I hope you enjoyed hearing it too, even though my Chinese might not be that great.

It's only been two days since you left and reality is beginning to sink in. It's odd not following the regular routine visiting and feeding you and it's been hard to accept that fact that the Lord took you away. But despite all this, I know you must be very happy to be up in heaven, reunited with grandpa and sitting at God's right hand - watching over us.

Rest in peace, grandma. We really miss you and you'll be forever remembered in our hearts.

Reality check

Camp withdrawal is still occurring at this very moment. I miss camp, and I miss the people already. I miss spending time with these people and sharing my lives with them!

A friend told me about her thoughts on the "true" wilderness, in which the challenges will come to us now that we are back into the city. Coming back into the city, I am already facing different challenges and fears... knowing that grandma won't be lasting very long.. knowing that there is an unknown future ahead of me, and so much more...

I still have many fears... fears of falling into the temptation of going back to my old, unclean lifestyle again. But I am reminded about the new wineskins: "no one pours new wine into old wineskins - if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and wineskins will be ruined."

On the other hand, today's sermon on "Is your family all right?" made me ponder more on what we've learned at Mark West. The healing that Elisha performs reminds me of all the different types of healings that Jesus performs. The faith of the mother reminds me of the faith of the ones wanting to be healed by Jesus...the emphasis of the passage on family... and so much more..

God has the power to do all things.

"The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing." -- Zephaniah 3:17

ASKamp & Mark West 2010

Back in Edmonton! Although it feels kind of weird being back in the city and not the wilderness. I spent almost 10 days at Pioneer Ranch Camp with great friends and met new people!I learned lots, ate lots of salad/fruits, spent lots of time with people, showered everyday, and so much more! There is still a lot to reflect on and needs to be processed, but hopefully that'll happen soon! =)

Now that we're back in the city.. I'm experiencing camp withdrawal and a bit of cultural shock.... not used to seeing more cars than trees, not used to not being with people almost all the time... and I'm eating... veggies.. haha - what's wrong with me?!?!?!?!?

I MISS CAMPPP. I wish I can go back and spent more time there!

Deja vu?

Although it feels like I'm going through this "deja vu" moment right now, I know in reality I am certainly not. Right now, I think I'm in shock mode...

This morning I woke up to a call from my aunt from the hospital, telling my family that grandma went into the emergency room around 5ish.

While I was showering, things just started connecting: two years ago, I finished off a degree. This year, I finished another degree. Two years ago, I started my job at Starbucks. This year, I am going back to Starbucks for the summer. Two years ago, my grandma was in the emergency room... and this year, it's happening again.

These series of events exactly happened two years ago. I really hope the doctors find out the reason she is hospitalized and I really hope that she'll be fine (at least til I come back from camp)... because I don't want to worry too much when I'm gone to camp for 10 days starting Thursday...

:(

My mom is a fob...

I love reading stories from mymomisafob.com

I would never imagine my mother to be part of this "club" as well.... At the dinner table tonight:

Me: "Did you watch the ending of that Chinese show?"
Mom: "No, I was on the phone with Cheu."
Me: "OMG, that show is so lame."
Mom: "What, you forgot her name? How could you?!?!"

Yup. That is my mother and I love her :)

Emptying it all out

There's so much on my mind this past couple of days... I just want to dump everything out and leave it behind. The problem is... I don't know how to dump it all out because I can't even put it into words or express any of my thoughts out...

A student once asked me if I had to choose one superpower to have for the rest of my life, what would it be. I remembered my answer very clearly: time travel. There are days where I wish I can travel back in time so things won't change....

....I feel you have changed so much and I don't know how to respond to all these "changes". I am the worst person to respond to changes... Should I be giving up on this? Should I even bother try "fixing" things and see if things will go better or worse for us? I have no idea. I sometimes wonder why my eyes would start to tear up and I don't even think you're worth me shedding tears for... I feel awkward, I feel weird, and I feel hurt... I'm waiting for the healing and grace from God.

One thing I know out of all these unexpected changes is that: God knows the answer to all my questions - I also know that I should trust that whatever God decides put me into this, He'll be the one that pulls me through.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Interesting thought...

I have absolutely no idea where this money is all coming from... God has been so abundant and gracious to me this past week...it's amazing and hilarious now that I look back on it.

Last week, I was stressing out over some of my financial struggles:

• the amount of money in my bank account is lower than my upcoming VISA bill
• being unemployed for the past few months means no income at all...
  
• paying $50+ on gas every 9 - 10 days piles up my VISA bill even higher
  
• eating out with friends on Thursdays and Sundays regularly (and other random days) can make your bank account go down by a whole lot
• is it worth it to still sponsor a child on my own and another one with a few friends?
• ASKamp + Mark West + transportation = $500 estimated....

However, God has blessed me with the following:

• my mom has graciously offered to help me pay for Mark West at the moment
  
• employed at Starbucks again starting May 10th until I find a teaching job
  
• quarterly GST credit of ~$60 into my bank account on April Fool's
• breaking my piggy bank of emergency fund filled with coins gave me $29
• tax refund will give me over $300 very soon
  
• my dad (whom I rarely talk to) gave me his night's worth of tips money
  

What more can I say? I have enough to pay for ASKamp and miscellaneous things!!!

Why worry for nothing? :) Give all your worries to God and He will not only take care of it, but bless you abundantly!

At the cross

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!" -- Philippians 2:5-8

[Our hearts should be like that of Jesus Christ: missional, humble & sacrificial, servant and submissive.]

Jesus, thank you for dying on the cross for our sins.

Oh Lord You’ve searched me
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me

Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There’s no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now

You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me

God-driven conversations

I am amazed.

I don't think I have ever encountered a conversation entirely driven by God in my life. It was funny and unexpected because I was not prepared, and it was definitely not planned. I was unsure whether or not it was the "right" timing to bring it up, and somehow I felt that God was tickling me to bring it up, and as a result, stirred up a great conversation.

As simple as 1-2-3, all I really did was say grace for our meal, and asked God to bless our conversation - and He did. It was all Y-O-U.

Thank you, God :) We both feel so blessed. Thank you for reminding me that YOU are in control of everything.

All For You.

My students make me laugh..

This little grade 7 Korean kid just loves talking and showing his so-called "talents". Well, these "talents" are quite impressive.

Here are a few things he did that I don't think I'll ever forget:

1) P: "Missssss CHUNG. Can you pound it PLEASEEEEEE?"
Me: "No, P. Later..."
P: "BUT, we are the only Asians in this school, we must have a special handshakeee! Let me teach you, it's really easy! You first pound it... then you spin a whole 360, you turn back and go WHOOSH GO ASIANS!!"

2) P: "Misssss Chung, want to see me break an apple?"
Me: "Eh, sure.. how are you going to break it?"
P: "With me head!"
Me: "...."

And he did it...

3) P: "Miss CHUNG!! Want to hear this rap that I made with C?"
Me: "I guess, what is it about?"
P: "MCDONALD's!! This is how you should order next time at McD's!"

He proceeds to spending the next two minutes rapping his order...

Loving people

A dear friend of mine gave my hair a trim last night, and she gave numerous of people haircuts and trims for the duration of her stay in Edmonton. She told us that this is her way of showing love to people! We all love and miss her dearly as well, as she has moved back to Calgary...

I was thinking through this loving people thing as I was driving home to church today. Jesus showed us his impartial love by dying on the cross for us, so we are saved. That is how Jesus loved us and he loves us dearly for who we are.

For myself, one thing that I absolutely enjoy doing is serving people. I serve them through offering them rides to places and driving them around. I have been doing this for as long as I was given this car by my parents. I love it a lot.

Let me ask you this question today: What is your way of loving people? Or in other words, how do you go about loving people?

Call-back day! :)

Today...I did not have to teach, and I was on campus :)

Today marks the end of my 4th week of APT, which means... there's only 5 more weeks of INSANE BUSY teaching left! I have completely taken over my mentor teacher's two grade 7 and two grade 8 classes, and on Monday, I will be teaching the grade 9s as well. Oh-em-gee. It's gonna be busy busy busy... I hope I will still be alive, but good thing spring break and Easter is SOOOON. 9 more school days to last before a FUN week of break and then I'll just have 3 more weeks to pull through! My APT experience has been quite wonderful. Busy, but I am enjoying it and I am learning a lot each day about myself as well.

Today was "Professional Growth Day" for all secondary APT students, which we also called call-back day. It was absolutely fantastic seeing my classmates again after being in our practicums for this past month. We shared stories and experiences and it seems like almost everyone's practicum is going quite well. I really love my prof, she's like a granny to us and very motherly at times. =)

Today I cried. Happy tears, of course (or I hope so anyways). We got our last final assignment back and I not only passed, but got above average. I know it sounds silly, but I told my classmates sitting at my table "I finally got above average for once!" and started laughing really hard...and mayhaps I was touched as well, my lacrimal gland began to excrete lacrimal fluid which flowed through my main excretory ducts into the space between my eyeball and lids. My teacher thought I went crazy, but knowing that I got above average (compared to below average in all the rest of my assignments) made me feel good. It was a indeed good day.

Today I also ate very yummy food. A very special person graciously passed on some food to me and another friend, and we had a great time eating the food at the ASK office. The food consisted of the following ingredients in which a name still needs to be given: RICE, mushrooms, zucchini, carrot, broccoli, garlic, onion, and CHEEEEEESE on top with this special sauce made out of onion, garlic, milk, butter, flour and seasoning. YUMMMMMMM.

Today I went for bubble tea with my very manly friends. I love spending time with them =) We also went to Dollarama and bought CHOCOLATE which made us happy. Two of them started craving nachos... so afterwards we went to BPs and had some nachos ^^ After we all dispersed and went our separate ways, I found out from two of the manly friends that I have found three men/boys...(??) (courtesy of one of these manly messengers) and people looking forward to my wedding o.O What a day? As for my wedding, only God will know when it will be and time can tell. But I have my ring barrier and flower-man all figured out already. SCORE!

Today I also did no school-related work whatsoever, which means my weekend will be messed up because I have SO MUCH to do. But I had a good nap here and there after dinner. Hmmm.

Today I found out that I have double toenails for both my pinky toes and... my mom has it too....so I have almost a total of 12 toenails, or to be more exact, 11.

Today I also discovered the abundance of yogurt in my refrigerator upstairs and downstairs. Two tubs of strawberry and raspberry yogurts, and almost 24 packs of miscellaneous flavored yogurts, all dated for best before March 18.... I suppose my life full of yogurt is back. AGAIN. Oh.. dear....

Well, that's my Today =) What's something interesting that happened to you today? Share with a friend or two today.

Patience...

A note for myself to remember to try not to explode in people's faces or rip someone's head off... because they're stupid.

P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E. I sometimes really dislike this word...

Favorite text of the day =)

Me: "Maybe you boys shouldn't jwalk just to go to mcd's :p Haha jk. Have a good night :)"
_____ : "Ha ha, you should have just hit us :)"

You know your brain stopped functioning when.....

.......

1. you see a Timmy's donut with red maple leafs on them and your comment says: "wow, that's a lot of Canadian flags on a donut..."
2. you play pool with friends and you hit a striped ball thinking it's the white ball....
3. your mind wanders off as you have a conversation with someone
4. you cannot express your thoughts correctly...
   
5. you turned at the wrong intersection...
   
6. you forgot to text a friend that you usually would text daily
   

... and the list goes on and on and on....

Blog blog blog your feelings away!

How often do you blog? What do you blog about? I was talking to a friend just now and she is currently in psycho-blog mode. She told me it doesn't take long to blog.... you just have to spill out your feelings.... and raw thoughts are the best thing. Half the reasons why I don't blog is because I hate sounding emo and angry all the time....

First week of APT is finally over. This past 4 days went by really fast yet really slow. I have enjoyed my experience at St. T's so far.. my mentor teacher is wonderful and awesome and amazing, and the students are not as bad as people think they are... driving 100km/h everyday to go to Sherwood Park makes traveling time shorter by a bunch. I taught my very first lesson today and things went quite well. I got to connect with the student teachers at that school and I have enjoyed their company. I found out I was the only secondary APT there.... until the secondary IPTs come later.... On the down side... I miss seeing people, I miss being with people... and even though I had the chance to go out tonight.... being at home for the past few hours kind of hit me....

I have a lot of thoughts in my head right now.... God... school, future, family... friends... so much that I feel so overwhelmed and pressured about. I blew up at my brother last night... I was stressed from family stuff in the past few weeks..... I "lost" a few friends "again"... I haven't done my resume and cover letters or my portfolios and applying to school boards... my mom has been semi-pushing me to think of getting a job, making money and supporting the family....some relationships just isn't the same anymore... I have given up my thoughts on mentorship for the next while since my last fail... there is just SO much... as A lot have changed in the year of 2010... already... things changed as time passed...

Do you ever ask yourself: "What's wrong with me?"... this question definitely applies to me right now...I wish I could travel back in time... I wish some of you never changed..... I wish there were second chances.... and I wish we could all start from square one all over again... I wish you were there for me when I needed you guys the most....

It's so hard to give these things up to God... it feels hard to let God take control of the situation... it's hard not to let these emotions take over you...

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." -- John 14:27

Who knows what will happen next? Only God will know and time will show.... waiting is the key... patience....

FREEEEEEEEEEEEDOM.... until....

... next Tuesday.... when all my friends have Reading Week and I start student teaching :(

I'm done my last university final EVER (unless I do more schooling....) Well, the exam went okay today... I wasted an hour fighting sleep and brain damage.... then finished it within the 3 hour time slot given :) I was the last one out.... -.- they were all at RATT waiting for me... haha. *sigh* I cannot believe how long we spent sitting at RATT celebrating and... they drank SO MUCH... and of course, I drank none. My classmates are out drinking again tonight... haha they really love spending time bonding via drinking. I guess that's not too bad if that's how we built community for the past 5.5 weeks.

I feel a bit...depressed at the moment. The fact that classes are over and I won't be on campus anymore is starting to hit me. I'm beginning to feel isolated from people and things... the feeling of detachment is kicking in slowly... Of course, I'm not letting these emotions control me or anything...that's just too silly and not worth it. But yeah, just some thoughts that's been going around this past few days...

In other words... I'm not quite ready yet for change... but I should prepare myself to move on.


"This is how change happens, though. It is a relay race, and we're very conscious of that, that our job really is to do our part of the race, and then we pass it on, and then someone picks it up, and it keeps going. And that is how it is. And we can do this, as a planet, with the consciousness that we may not get it, you know, today, but there's always a tomorrow." -- Alice Walker

Hmm...

I was waiting in CAB for a friend today and I bumped into someone who I don't really talk to but see often at ASK. I think it was a good hour spent talking with her. I never thought our conversation could have gone that far, it's kinda like having a first coffee together... but not really?

Well, what surprised me the most was when she told me she still remembers the story I shared at Large Group about Friend A and B....and she asked if I was feeling okay about it still....I was shocked how someone whom I never really talk to can remember such a sharing? Yup. I think God touched my heart right there at the very moment. I think that's something exciting because you never know or can expect who will remember your sharing way back in November? Maybe you have somehow impacted a person's life by sharing your stories with them. Who knows :)

What happened today gave me hope once again when I looked back at some of my "failures" within the past two years.

Anyhow....back to focusing and studying ... -.-; but YEAHHHH, I'll be experiencing "freedom" in less than 16 hours. :D

Last day of Starbucks!

January 31, 2010 marks the day where my life at Starbucks has come to an end.

I will miss the customers and maybe some partners there, but I definitely will not miss the job and my wage... I never got my raise that I was suppose to get... and ended up only getting a 10 cent raise near the last couple of weeks of my shift... yes... for the all the crap that I do... I, myself think I am a pretty hardworking and responsible person.... a 10 cent raise is just very lame... it's like mocking me... and my ability to be a competent shift supervisor, especially when I am clearly so much more competent than... everyone else there. Sadly, no one will ever get a raise fairly there, so I won't complain... But I cannot believe being treated like this at work... and I was nice enough to give a 6 week notice.... oh well, it just simply concludes that my career at Starbucks is done... forever!

As I leave this workplace, Starbucks will eventually become "middle-aged woman going through menopause"-land very very soon - with angry, i-cant-handle-stress and easily-pissed off humans working... and the older generation.. will replace the newer generation... it will never be the same anymore.

So long, Starbucks! You will not be missed.

Healing that never ends

I received something in the mail today from a friend in Calgary. After reading the letter, it reminded me that God is truly a miraculous healer - and He will never stop healing our wounds.

"He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds. " -- Psalm 147:3

A wedding invitation

What a pleasant surprise.

On my way walking into the church this morning, I saw an old friend that I have lost connections with since Junior High. She waved me down and said she has something for me. I was curious what it could be, and she slowly pulls out this red envelope from her bag and passed it to me.

An invitation to her wedding ceremony on February 20, 2010!

I still remember how we met at church in grade 3 and how we had similar backgrounds! She was one of the first people I met upon coming to Edmonton. She was considered one of my best friends pretty much from then until Junior High. Junior High and High School totally changed things, a lot of shifts and changes.... and we never talked much anymore since then. There were times where I tried to "fix" our friendship, but nothing happened. Up until University years, I was upset and angry because I felt like things were not the same again.

I think this invitation brought some kind of miraculous healing from God. I am so very happy for her because she has found the one, and I am glad to know that we are still friends even though we never talk anymore.

APT Placement...

It's 2:28am, and I am staring blankly at my computer screen trying to feel tired so I can go to sleep before my shift at 6:30am....

January 22, 2010 was a big day for all Faculty of Education students who are doing their IPTs and APTs, because that's when they find out where their placements are. Well, like everyone else, I found out where my placement is... my mind currently is thinking through things, and I am praying for some guidance in how things should be the way God wanted it to be.

I trust that God will take care of everything, especially what is on my mind right now, and when it's time, I will share with you all :)

The sad life of a professional procrastinator...

10:30pm: Home time from work (8 more shifts left with Starby's)

11:00pm: Start on STS assignment

12:00am: Start... on assignment again (after MULTIPLE distractions)

2:30am: Finish Part 1 (2 pages) - start Part 2 (2-4 pages)

3:30am: Spent 15 minutes in the washroom with my beloved toilet bowl... throwing up nothing.. but acid... still feeling nauseous and lightheaded... >.<"" 3:35am: Part 2 of assignment half complete...

4:04am: Part 2 almost complete.... nap time. :(

7:01am: Wake up time... aiyaaaa!

Lesson learned: Never procrastinate? However, I still procrastinate.... after almost 6 years of University.... this...is...so... sad.

Unashamed

I feel overwhelmed.I am stressed. It's been like this pretty much since school started. A lot of ups and downs, just like a roller coster ride. There were times this past week where I broke down into tears, cried, and shed tears. My heart has never felt so shattered before, the pain feels like as if someone stabbed right through my heart.

People say that a picture is worth more than a thousand words. I agree to that, but for me, I'd say that lyrics represent my feelings and thoughts. I came across this song as I was driving to work today. Thank you for granting me peace in my life, God. I am thankful and blessed, because I know God still loves me and you no matter what we go through. He never gives up on us.

I have not much
To offer You
Not near what You deserve
But still I come
Because Your cross
Has placed in me my worth

Oh, Christ my King
Of sympathy
Whose wounds secure my peace
Your grace extends
To call me friend
Your mercy sets me free

And I know I'm weak
I know I'm unworthy
To call upon Your name
But because of grace
Because of Your mercy
I stand here unashamed

I can't explain
This kind of love
I'm humbled and amazed
That You'd come down
From heavens heights
And greet me face to face

Here I am at Your feet
In my brokeness complete

"Don't worry about it..."

This is what my brother and I talk about when we converse...

Me: "I ate my lunch cold today..."
Bro: "Why?"
Me: "I didn't have time to go find a microwave and I was starving."
Bro: "Oh...what did you have?"
Me: "Rice, chicken and broccoli"
Bro: "Um...I don't think the chicken wasn't cooked enough...I had some today and the bones were a bit red."
Me: "Oh em gee!! Dang...thanks for telling me now..I didn't get sick from it...but still.. why did you tell me?" T__T
Bro: "Don't worry about it, don't think about it!"

I love my brother =)

School has been going well so far, one assignment down...more to come... a bit nervous about my practicum... a bit nervous about the assignments... and REALLY nervous about finding a job...only 3ish more weeks of classes left... and I'll be done AGAIN. It feels weird to be graduating... AGAIN... Hm, my mind has been quite...full lately. But on the other hand, I passed China 414 and only 10 more shifts at Starbucks.

A very exciting note: my friends and I are sponsoring a child through World Vision! It's REALLY exciting to have a second child ^^ I cannot believe it has been two years since I have sponsored Hilda. By the way, she wrote me a Christmas card! I feel satisfied being able to help out with the needy.

I have a really packed week ahead of me. Will update soon enough ^__^ Have a blessed week!

Happy 2010!

It is past 3am, and I just got back not long ago from my very first date and my very first meal of the year with my xiao shrub, we celebrated 2010 with a late 2am meal at McDonald's.

We both went to church for an event called "The Resolution", which was a worship night hosted by TYFers. It was from 10pm to 1am, and I would have to say, it was the best way to end the year of 2009, and a good start to the year of 2010. Throughout the night, we sang a lot of worship songs (old and new), people shared their lives, and we had prayer time in groups. It was quite the refresher, especially after Winter Con. Amen to such a great kickoff to the year!!

Well, it's getting late. I will be blogging more regularly =) Happy New Year, everyoneeee!