Monday, February 22, 2010

Psalm 119:105

I just finished the second chapter of the book we’re studying for ladies’ Bible study and I’m just so thankful for God today. I woke up this morning and had that feeling again of worrying about going back to school – and what I was going to do and how I was going to go about getting into a Communications graduate program (I get anxious just thinking about it). But after reading this chapter – a sense of comfort and peace really came over me. Lysa quotes Scripture from Psalm 119:105, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.” I don’t need to create these big plans for my future – all I need is to remain close to God’s Word and trust that He will lead me and guide me to live everyday for Him. And that I can truly honour Him everyday by living everyday in surrender to His promise in His word. What freedom! “Only as I follow Him and honor Him step by step can I be assured that I’m right where He wants me to be doing what He wants me to do,” “for I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” Jeremiah 29:11.

Dr. John Patrick challenged us this weekend at the CLF Conference to know Scripture and live it. Its funny that I encounter that same message today. Thank you Lord for reminding me to read Your Word today.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Little less camera action

So I've decided to start posting pictures…and that’s why I've been taking pictures randomly wherever I go. KRTM kept asking me on Saturday why I was taking random pictures and I ignored him. But in all honesty he has every right to ask - I actually don't generally carry a camera around because 1. its annoying to carry and 2. I suck at taking pictures. So, I finally took pictures and GUESS WHAT…I keep forgetting to upload them. Well, next time.

We went to go see the Yousuf Karsh festival and it was pretty cool. I wasn't impressed with the concept of having to follow the "Karsh Trail" to enjoy for all 2 minutes each tiny display they had all over town, but in the end I think it was a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon. We ended up at a makeshift "stage" they had set up in one of the Archives Library's exhibition rooms. Actually, maybe it’s a permanent fixture…Ottawa is so random.

On a completely unrelated note, I finally finished my roman soldier costume! Hahaha…its actually pretty awesome. So you'll have to wait in anticipation for pictures. But here's a teaser: think cardboard box meets duster meets gold paint. Freakin amazing.

My new obsession recently has been following wedding photographer's blogs. Super embarassing (well not that embarassing since I've been telling everyone), but I really can't help it. It's just so much fun :) I shared with NL that perhaps my calling was to be a wedding photographer and she gently reminded me that I fail at taking pictures EVERYTIME. Sigh she's right.

Friday, July 17, 2009

trop, c'est trop!

Wow, its been a long time since I updated. I guess it’s a good thing since so much time has passed - so I have so much to update on.

Well, first things first…
I'm wearing contacts. It's been about a month and I'm proud to say that it didn't take long for me to get used to the idea of putting something in my eye…and then taking something OFF my eyeball at night. However, I'm still trying to "forget" that there's something in your eye during the day, as recommended by my eye doctor. In any case, I can't help but love throwing on my glasses at night…or accidentally throwing them on in the morning after putting my contacts in. For some reason, I always thought it would be magnetized by a zillion (or atleast double my prescription), but turns out…things just get blurry :( Hahaha, so as soon as I put them on and it registers that my contacts are in, I literally squeeze my eyes close for the dear life of me, and fling my glasses onto the closest surface I can find (by touch…since regrettably, I've temporarily blinded myself).

Anyway, I've also been doing my fair share of traveling - aka two trip to Vegas in 2 months. Not suprisingly, really relaxing and totally fun. I knew I would really enjoy myself, but like all trips - I had a detailed itinerary mapped out the minute my flight and hotel was booked. But Cecile and Ju were troopers - humouring me and letting me be the neurotic planner that I am. Check out photos from our trip (soon to come)...

The second time was with my fams (minus ray). Work was just crazy so I didn't get to itinerarize as much as I had wished, but it was better this way since I quickly realized my parents are…OLD (gasp!) Yes, their frail bodies could only manage a walk across the street (which to be honest, is quite the trek if you've ever been to vegas). But, to be honest, I wouldn't have left our hotel if we didn't have to. Our hotel was pretty sweet…actually I shouldn't call it a hotel…because it was an apartment. Worked well for my parents since they brought their ramyun and selection of korean snacks, just in case… just in case who knows. They never really got used to the time difference, so they were constantly 3-4 hours ahead, sleep wise and food wise. They would wake up at 6am and eat their korean food, and then spend the rest of the morning watching entire tv documentaries on michael jackson …or another morning, woke up at 4am to do jacuzzi. Sigh…it was nice to spend a relaxing weekend with my workaholic parents - but maybe never again unless its on a cruise ship or an all-inclusive resort.

I was made indeterminate at work…which for most means absolutely NOTHING. But to public servants, means everything. Basically, I can indulge in the many benefits which accompany my excellent pension and the matter of not being laid off…ever :) I guess I'm pretty lucky, but I'm really looking forward to something happening to me that's not so boring. Hahaha. I've been meeting up with friends recently who are either visiting for the summer, or who I didn't keep in touch with during the school year. It's been really great save for having to respond to the inevitable question of: "so what's new?!?!?" with "ahhh…ahahahah…seriously? Nothing hahaha…my life is so booooring!" I know it probably doesn't sound so pathetic since I manage to throw in my characteristic nervous laughter. But really, it sucks. These are the bad bits of getting into a routine…you begin to realize that you have to schedule the excitement factor into your life. So, I've been trying to figure out ways to make my not so exciting daily routine a little more exciting, without interfering with my (ahem) routine:
1. Travel
2. Read more aka get around to reading the last two harry potter books.
3. Find new friends.
4. Do volunteer work.
5. Find a new hobby that preferably involves social interaction…like a team sport hahaha.
6. Start dating.

Well, if you've been paying attention thus far…you will notice that #1 is pretty much covered for the year…including the week I'm taking off first week of august for a mission trip in northern quebec at a native reserve. Plus, I only have a week and a half after that of vacation time…which I've vowed to save for Christmas.

#2 - Cecile's been supplying me with the entire shopaholic series, and I'm on the last one and then I will have accomplished what I would say was a desperate attempt at reading again. Kwon jdsn has challenged us slash is forcing us to read all of Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, and 1 John before we head out in August for our respective trips. As most of you know…I hate to read, but I know that its such an important part of my faith to read the Bible and to keep re-reading to uncover and apply the Lord's Word. So, I've been working at it…chipping away at it at the very best :D

#3 - I kind of feel bad for writing this. But to be clear, I don't want to dump any of my current friends…I just want to meet new people who might not be as familiar with my routine…and perhaps will be less forgiving. So…maybe I should've written "meet new people". Well, whatever…you know what I mean.

#4 - Volunteer! I'm actually really excited about this. But its one of those…get your butt in gear types of things that I'm struggling with. I wish I could find a volunteer opportunity that was a lot of fun and would be...easy. But I guess part of being a volunteer is the idea of giving back…"offering yourself"…sacrificing time and effort for the benefit of others. So, I'll have to dig a lot deeper. But I'll keep you posted.

#5 - I actually don't know why I thought joining a team sport would be a good idea. I guess the principle behind this is that I want to stay active…and what motivates the unmotivated? Other motivated people! So…hahaha…yeah…

#6 - Augh, I knew that writing this would be trouble. But for those of you who've consoled me…It's now come to my attention that I now understand what "putting yourself out there" is. In any case, I've decided that this year would be a year of "finally doing what I've been thinking." So…NO…not that. But I'm going to get my act together somehow.

Anyway, this has been a very long long post. A present for those of you who've been waiting in anticipation for so many months!!! Oh yeah…I've been working on my "common french phrases"…and this is probably the only one I remember, "trop, c'est trop".
Have a lovely evening…stay tuned :)

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Post-Phone Call with umma joo

Growing up, I was taught to achieve greater things than my parents. To have a more comfortable life and to enjoy the fruit of my education. I think that’s the whole idea of the second generation Korean…that our parents have sacrificed for our futures.

But the more and more I have been able to share with my parents, I've grown to admire them as much as I respect them - that I would be able to sacrifice for my children and teach them to sacrifice for their own. I believe that the greatest testament to my relationship with the Lord is how He has molded my relationship with my parents to not only honour them but to trust and truly look to them as examples in my life. And I think that's probably why I have such a burden for those brothers and sisters who are seeking Christ-like examples in their lives. For all of them, I really pray that the Lord will work in their parents and use them to minister to their children. For all others, I hope my words and my actions point to God and reflect His character.

Happy anniversary umma & appa!!!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Quick update from work!

I really enjoyed the retreat this past weekend. I think what made it extra special was that my three favourite 88/89 girls came. It was a really fun time of crappy food, cold weather, and sleepless nights.

Work is getting better everyday.
Day 1: 1.5 hours of paper shredding
Day 2: 1/2 hour of paper shredding
Day 3: 0 hours of shredding
But in all seriousness, I love this job. Everyone is really great and they treat me with a lot of respect which is something that you rarely find as a non-senior.
My office is fantastic…I'll upload pictures later…but let's just say…HUGE VIEW of Ottawa River :)

I've been making my lunch everyday and find that I'm eating more than usual. I'm so full that I might burst. Issue may be:
1. Tight pants
2. Overzealous lunch packing: salad, sandwich, carrots, snack pack, granola bar….yeahhh…plus yogurt and coffee from breakfast
3. All of the above
Actually I think what happens is that I start eating my breakfast at around 10 or 10:30 and then it sort of just overlaps with my lunch…so I find myself eating for about 3 consecutive hours. BAD.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Don't Look Back In Anger

Okay, so I know I said no more late night posts. But I'm going to have to retract that from my previous entry because this is really the only time during the day when I can just clear my head and write without distractions. Augh, listen to me! I sound sooooo busy...I didn't mean for it to come off that way.

Anyway, for those of you who don't know...I'm really not into Korean music, but a friend sent me some tracks from Alex's album "My Vintage Romance." And for some reason, it made me feel the same way that Michael Buble makes me feel. It makes me feel girly Mind you...I have NO IDEA what he's saying most of the time...but the style of a lot of his songs makes me feel...girly. hahaha...and that's a good feeling! Anyway, so the big Korean music curse has been lifted from my virgin ears :)

Sidenote: I don't know why I refuse to tell anybody about this blog...because I still write as though someone's reading this. That's embarassing.

I just read a friend's blog and it was really amazing to read what she's been thinking about RE: her recent move to Otown. And it got me thinking and reflectinnnnnnng because I've been really blessed with the people I've met too and the invaluable opportunities I've had that I know I wouldn't have had anywhere else. Sometimes I wonder what my life would've been like if I stayed in Toronto. And despite my wild imagination - I really can't imagine it. And I think that alone is a testament of the heart that the Lord has been refining in me over the past four years. There hasn't been a single moment that stands out...it's been this gradual shift (with small moments of comparable significance), that I can't even imagine anything being any different. Bc the Lord is good...

Anyway, I did a Bible study on Friday with my high school group on free will vs. predestination. Man, I've got to say that they are way too cool. They are all so opinionated...actually, more so convicted in their beliefs that it really keeps me on my toes. I worry sometimes that when I get serious and tell them what I think, they get awkward and silent because they don't want to disagree with me...but I guess that's the price I have to pay for being the lone adult in the room....

In any case, it's getting later than I anticipated. So, I'll leave this here. Have a good night...ps: David Choi smiled :) and now I think I might be in love.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Something about a birthday...

So, yesterday I let it slip that I started a blog. And honestly, I had a bit of a panic attack because I was ashamed of the lack of effort I had put into this. So, I decided to add another post to this embarassing blog...in case someone outs me....

Anyway, yesterday was a really great birthday. It was a weird day...but a good day :)

For those who don't know - OC Transpo (our public transit system) went on strike. And it snowed like crazy the night before. So, I was forced to take the 30 minute cab ride in rush hour traffic, or 30 minute walk in the crazy snow to my exam at 9am. So, being the super trooper that I am...I bundled up and headed out into the snow. I arrived just in time...for NOTHING. They ended up starting the exam 45 minutes late (to accomodate for the students who were expectantly going to arrive late). After sitting there for 15 minutes I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs..."C'MON!" But i didn't. I just waited and waited...looking over my notes...and looking over my shoulder at the 50 other students who had managed to arrive on time. Seriously, c'mon.

Anyway, I finished the exam (quite successfully I might add) and ran out of the room with a post-exam twinkle in my eye...only to step outside and remember...I have to walk back home. If it wasn't for the fact that I had just written an exam, I would've cried the entire way home. On the bright side, I'll be able to tell my grandkids about how "when I was your age, I had to walk miles and miles in meters of snow just to get to school!"

Jan took me out to Benitz for dinner...it was yummyyyy :) Had cornish hen and creme brulee...and some random drink made with alize :) Got my presents - a gold necklace and earrings, and Pride and Prejudice miniseries with Colin Firth (definite highlight!). Then, in Joo family fashion decided to go grocery shopping...seriously, I feel like we go grocery shopping ALL THE TIME. But we had no food at home.

So, my phone had been acting up all day, so I finally had a chance to catch up on my msgs, emails, and txts. Got home and skyped with J, L, and C.

Funny story: Ray, jan and I recorded a christmas card for mom to read on christmas when she's in mali. So, we got ray on the phone on the computer and we harmonized "merry christmas" but because he kept hearing an echo...he was always behind by a couple second...so it sounded like..."merry, merry, merry CHRISTMAS (supposed to be altogether).........christmas (that would be Ray thinking that he was singing on time...)!" This would happen EVERY single time we did it. Oh man, I laughed for like an hour. Actually, I'm laughing thinking about it. It's probably one of those things where you need to be there. But it was funny nonetheless.

I think from now on, I'm going to refrain from posting too late at night...because this is almost more embarassing than just having a single entry per month. Back to my take home :(