Christmas Wish List

This is just for laugh, I'm not expecting any present for Christmas. And if you are giving me presents, give it to Compassion International, or charity of your choice. I got enough stuff of my own. 

• Switchfoot album, any one will do, although Nothing is Sound and Vice Verse are my favorite so far.
• Fiction Family album. yah.
• Sleeping at Last music, because Ryan makes awesome music
• socks, the fluffy and soft socks
• Doctor Who season DVD, season 5-7 preferably
• A pet snake. Yip. You already know I'm not scared of un-poisoned snakes.
• Chapstick. Whatever is fine, cz I know it will get lost at the end of winter anyway.
• A penguin marching band. How Cool is that?!
• A bow tie. Bow ties are cool.
• Tardis mug, made out of metal. So maybe its a thermostats
• Food mill, for making gnocchi and mash potato, all that goodness.
• Tickets to the Battle of Elves vs. Vampires.
• Lord of the Rings movie/book collection sets. Either one works
• Good Eats cook book. Because that is hours of fun, in your living room or kitchen.
• people to write fanfiction "Tea time with Dumbledore and Gandalf"
• people to write fanfiction "The lion, The Doctor, The Elf, and The wand" (Narnia, Doctor Who, Middle Earth/New-Zealand, Hogwarts) <--oh my, spell check recognize Hogwarts.
• people to write fanfiction "If Spock was a timelord"
• Fanfiction crisscrossing Middle Earth, Sherlock, Doctor. Oh wait, that's Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit"
• Heliodon! No, don't, this one is a horrible present.
• Squirrels in Christmas custom, and invite them to dinner. I bet family and relatives will enjoy that.
• Tickets to Once the Musical. The only problem is it's full house and it's impossible to get tickets.
• Pet duck. That just sound fun for a month, but more fun when dinner comes around. 
• Livestocks, one of each: turkey, duck, chicken, quail. See what I did there?
• "That was awkward" button. 
• 
  

To be continued......

FOOD I WILL MAKE...

cinnamon pancake with pumpkin-spice-syrup

no I have not neglect my life all together, I just prefer writing in my physical journal than on the blog. Hand writing is a nice thing after every full day of computer typing/stirring.

So yah, we have been talking about big companies do not valuate personal value/community value as much as they cherish money.
We've been talking scarcity happens to everything, even to the energy we consume alot. We consume energy as if it is unlimited, even our head believe the opposite is the truth.
I really can't judge how to conserve energy. should we reserve the energy and not use it for anything, or use the energy responsibly but totally enjoy the fun it provides.... maybe the question is, if we are to be responsible to energy usage, how can we help to not abbuse the system, that people around the world can gain equal access to those energy as we can? how can we strive for a more rightous world and equal world? a better world.
Everyone is trying to do good for this world, even non Christians. We try to work for the better good. But until we work with God, I know all the work that we do is going to be futile, because we are perishable beings, and we do not know how to build system that is pure and good that can last for a long time. Some, not alot, succeed to build such a system without God's presence. They have the wisdom.
Altimately, it is the glory of God that matters in the end. I believe it because I know this comes from the words I depend my life apon. This faith comes from learning how little I can control my life. Here's the thing, I live my whole life trying to be good and distingtively good, to not do the wrongs. It is easy to ignore mistakes in life but only focus on what has been successful. No one like s to live a failing life. I don't want to feel like a failure any second in my life, or even just feel like I'm not doing things successfully.
But I guess meakness, weakness have nothing to do with a successful life. By definition the lack of something do not define meak or weak or success. These values/lessons don't have definition that contradicts themselves, they only describe a different situation that the one that I've been living in.

Again, it comes down to love God and love your neighbor. The rest follows these two commandments. God first, loving neighbor second, academic third.

Wednesday sucks

Second week of school, and its wednesday. Feel like if there is any day to be dupper frustrated its wednesday. Everything boils down to it... wednesday is always tiring and draining, and unpleasantness seems to like wednesday the most. Not that the world is against wednesday, but it has not been kind to us. So wednesday, please take emotional manage lesson and learn to be a better friend to us all. We really would appreciate a good wednesday.

Love Does. by Bob Goff

Whimsy is the word. But its a word defying an adult logic: be safe and be prepared. These two logic are so important to what I do it's incredible to know that someone once in a while choose to throw those away, and find God in those situation. The feeling of every instinct in you tells you it is wrong yet you are doing it for "what the hack" sake.

Whimsy. Love Does.
chapter 6, "Go buy your books"
This appears to be the turning point of Bob Goff's live. The moment that enable the purpose of his life to leap through. After waiting for a torturous time on the bench, he was admit into Law school, and from then his whole life course change because of that. If it was to make into a film, that scene will be utterly solemn but fill with happiness/joy/satisfactions. The marble floor echoing the sound of footsteps will be the acoustical memory one can never forget.
I try to understand how whimsy is this scene is. The fact is, I experienced this exactly chapter/scene myself.
Freshmen year, waiting to get into AE. I still remembered Bob Goff telling this story of his on main stage in Jubilee. He told how he waiting on that bench and got in. I didn't get it. I thought something like this you must earn it. And I was bitter. I had yet arrived to the admission, I was still waiting on the bench during Jubilee that year. Life before AE was not life after the day I was admitted in AE. Why? well, for most and obvious, like Bob Goff and law school, AE is the engine starter for the things meant for me to live.
Bob Goff manage to graduate law school, and he believes that is made possible by words that changes everything for someone, words that launch each other, even it is spoken by ordinary people like you and me.
No one ever knew what are the right words to say until they come out and what it triggers becomes a ripple to good things. I don't know have I done everything the way it ought to be (definitely not), or said words that meant for the best (words always escape me, as I say). Launching other people to do love seems insane, but I also know to rise above it will yield a good ripple. This time I know it is time to be whimsy, because Penn State needs whimsy to take heart in all that has happened to us.
Whimsy will help us to see what was wrong, but light-hearted enough to confront us without offending us. Whimsy is sticking it to the end, and that is what we need now. Have whimsy to help us learn the lesson for child abuse, help us live for another year with our football team, and continue the wonderful community that we are, and even best of all, help us advance beyond what we used to know about WE ARE.
WE ARE PENN STATE, and WE ARE MORE THAN PENN STATE.

tell the story and entertain

Switchfoot - "The Original (JT Daly of Paper Route Remix)"

When Switchfoot became hip and hop.... somewhere I never thought they could go to and still be so good. Well, with help they did it.

I want a magic clock!

The magical clock from Weasely house in Harry Potter. I think with the mobile phone with GPS tracking software, this clock is very possible. Lets make it! Who's with me?



The clock has a description as the following:
A magical clock with one hand for each member of the family hung in the kitchen at The Burrow. Instead of numbers, the clock featured reminders such as "time to make tea," "time to feed the chickens," and "you're late." It was probably used by Molly Weasley to keep track of her daily routine. It appears to be weight driven, has many swinging pendulums and strikes the hour and quarters on its three bells.
(from: http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Weasleys%27_kitchen_clock)

free things in NYC

This week I found quite a few free entertainment in the city to go to, and turn out pretty fun.

Summer Stage- went there on wednesday for a dance and live music performance. Comtempary company, with a diverse talent and characters. Their world premiere for "dream child" was a piece with live band and dancing. the music was written for that dance, play with instruments from Africa, Western, and India etc. fun piece, and is beautiful. The company's mission is to break the sterotype for black dancers, and they did just that. The diverse style, age, music, choreography show just that.

Movement Concert- went there because Jon Foreman from Switchfoot tweet about it this afternoon. Turns out, Nesha and some folks from the intern Bible study are going too. We end up sitting together. This is nevertheless, a church based event, with the intro band playing worship music. Kinda didn't expect that, and it's also very weird to have age ranging from middle-school to parent etc. Very odd. Anyway, the whole thing ends up being 2.5 hours long, and the special guest (Jon Foreman) section is specially fun. We were standing at the edge of the stage, 8 feet away from the guest star. Everyone knows he is a super nice dude, fun and easy going. How does he mange 14 years + in music and still passionate about meeting friends is very cool.
We went to pinkberry right after the show ends, and it was just down the block, super close. After refreshment we went back again to meet Jon, and that was fun to see who are his fans, and what they do to appreciate their influence figure. How does he travel that much and meeting new strangers everynight but still not get paranoid from fans? But he shows nothing of that, instead being supportive and just flat out friendly. Thing is, if you make music and play, you are already his friend. Even if you don't, it is still cool. Gotta say he is no country music thou, attempt unsuccessful. lol.

Sufjan Stevens - You Are the Blood

My new found musician.. I know he's hanging around for a while, but I just discover how weird and awesome is his music.

Sufjan Stevens - You Are the Blood

This can be the original vampire movie.... but I mean, this song totally make me change my mind on creepy songs.

Recipe for Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup

this is found on It looks so good that maybe I will try it one day

INGREDIENTS
2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, with juice
1 cup finely diced celery
1 cup finely diced carrots
1 cup finely diced onions
1 tsp dried oregano or 1 T fresh oregano
1 T dried basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil
4 cups chicken broth
½ bay leaf
½ cup flour
1 cup Parmesan cheese
½ cup butter
2 cups half and half, warmed (I would go with only a cup and a half though)
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

DIRECTIONS
1. Add tomatoes, celery, carrots, chicken broth, onions, oregano, basil, and bay leaf to a large slow cooker.

2. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-7 hours, until flavors are blended and vegetables are soft.

3. About 30 minutes before serving prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat in a skillet and add flour. Stir constantly with a whisk for 5-7 minutes. Slowly stir in 1 cup hot soup. Add another 3 cups and stir until smooth. Add all back into the slow cooker. Stir and add the Parmesan cheese, warmed half and half, salt and pepper. Add additional basil and oregano if needed (the slow cooker does a number on spices and they get bland over time, so don't be afraid to always season to taste at the end).

4. Cover and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes or so until ready to serve.

"Between Us" - Peter Bradley Adams

Eastern Hymns for Western Shores EP (2010) (playlist)

"Between Us" - Peter Bradley Adams

Eastern Hymns for Western Shores EP (2010) (playlist)

the not so boring things on a boring day

1. dad tries to explain the viscosity of smoothie....
2. I burnt popcorn in the microwave... yes, another prove for a long list called "I'm not American"
3. Found out Matt Damon is in the family movie "we brought a zoo". What???
4. discover mom only likes family movie and I only like drama and action. Dad prefers sleep-through-the movie.
5. I got fired from my job.
6. tomorrow is July 4th.

Week 4

what happened?
monday - Campidoglio sketching.. then chilled at home sketching that night
tuesday - same story, more sketching
wednesday - late studio night
thursday - presentation, did nothing except packing
friday - left Rome to go to Florence
saturday (aka yesterday) - Florence. A small cultural shock from Rome. Florence is a smaller city yet it felt bigger than Rome... its weird, and you can hear English speakers everywhere. Also the retail industry is flourishing in Florence, a thing to get used to from the cricket whinny quiet Roads in Rome. At least in my mind Rome is more peaceful. You probably will disagree with me. I think I like Rome more.
Okay at this point maybe you are bored. because I can't write. Let me direct you to my friend Lara's blog: http://larakaiserian.blogspot.it/
I am just lazy to keep a sketchbook for class, a personal writing journal and a public blog all at the same time.

Napels

is basically Philly on an Italian shore. But its fun, I like that it is a city along the sea, embracing mother earth yet urbanized. 

We went to the a best pizza dinner, night walk, museum, ate fried calamari, sat on the shore, and came back. 

walking

Went on many walks today. first carto walk, then studio site study walk, and after studio another walk behind Pantheon. The walk behind Pantheon is a new discovery from carto walk, in that little 13 minute walk holds 3 most famous gelato place. yum..

going to Pompeii tomorrow, as a field trip. Gatta go to bed.

backyard

Traversere is the backyard of Rome. It's local and mostly a neighborhood for people. Many have been living here for centuries. Others came in later, and live there. Traversere wasn't fully urbanized until the Renaissance ages, but people have called it their home since then.
It was one of those day when we were stuck inside studio for hours of "???" boring, today was specially boring. I was too happy when 6pm came around. Our residence in Traversere has a garden where couple fruit trees are dangling with delicious ripped fruit in this season, including cherries. Yes, everyday they look darker and darker, and today was perfectly ripped, so I picked some. They are juica-lcious. After that I went on a walk in Traversere neighborhood, realized how tourism did take over part of Traversere. Tourists, are part of daily life in the city of Rome. I'm glad I'm now confident to go explore streets without necessarily needing a map or fear of getting lost.
Came back at almost 9pm, made a 3 course meal. Too bad I was too hungry to take picture. Made rocket salad on bread, pasta in red wine sauce, and sausage and potato.
After that, things went wild with Andrew L, Matt N., and Lara K. ........

it poured, footlose, sausage!, stamps, late night, new sheets

1. It was like pouring buckets of rain on us. Yes, we were on a field trip/walk around Rome, in the rain storm.

2. Everyone was soak from the walk, and all our sneakers were dripping. The joke had something to do with ice-cube drawing. Nevertheless, we went foot lose (bare foot) during the rest of the day. 

3. Finally, I got raw meat product in my grocery shop!!! Meat/poultry in Rome is so expensive I've not cooked any meat for 2 weeks.

4. Do you know it is harder to buy a stamp than exchange money in Rome? That's because stamps are Italian government issued but US dollars aren't. The set up of a post office is similar to bank set up in the US, imagine that line you have to wait in the bank and transfer that into buying stamps. Yip. 

5. Studio night. of course it was studio and of course it was late. 

6. Apparently our dorm maintenance includes change of bed sheets. Spoiled, but I can take that. 

then we got studio...

uh the lovely studio, why one must live without sleep when dealing with you? Honestly I cannot handle more studio classes than what's required by AE, how people get through 5 years of that miserableness is a mystery to me. I'm suppose to be having a great time in Rome, but there we are, sketching away as the sky is pouring rain. There was even thunder storm.
So anyway, we went inside yet another Santa Maria today, it's the one right next to the Pantheon. The only most intact Gothic architecture in Rome. Didn't have my camera with me so no picture for now. Sure I will go get some tomorrow at lunch time.
After that, then maybe I can find sometime to visit the Tempietto. For strange reason we've been near it twice but have yet the chance to go see it.

cartographying Rome

It's a lot of fun to walk around Rome. By being here for almost 2 weeks and learning about the city development during class (nearly 10 hours of them everyday...) we get to learn alot about how to look at Rome. My favorite thing is the Nolli Map. It's a freaking awesome map, even it is made in 1748, it is the first MOST detailed map of Rome. And because Rome has not change much city planning in the last 250 years, whatever was there in 1748 is still pretty accurate for today. Crazy isn't it?
http://nolli.uoregon.edu/map/index.html a link to the map
Anyway so I used a copy of a smaller version of this map to explore around for a smoothie place tonight. Found a lot of scenic and cool things, as well as the smoothie place. Unfortunately it was too late and it's closed. But I don't really mind that, cz walking in Rome itself is a treat already. With that many monumental architecture squeeze in a little city called Rome, everything is in close proximity, and everything is interconnected, so getting lost is a given, but it's never too hard to find your way back, as long as you have a good map.
There are too many reasons for Rome to be cool, it is one of a kind and you can never understand it until you spend enough time here. But once you do, it is impossible to not love it. How can you not love a city where everyone walks to any places? Go to the millennium old Pantheon, enjoy its site with a cup of gelato in hand? or the important IL GESU church located right next to Pantheon and you classroom? What really give Rome its character is that; things of 125 AD and 1551AD be 5 minutes apart? It's not just the things a in close proximity, its also happening to the history of human development while each period is preserved. Yah... the whole city is archaeologically put together, the ancient, the old and the present all coexist in one location, budding shoulders, sharring their wine as if it is perfectly normal.

glad I don't have to be in the architecture major.... gosh they love ideas and abstract things too much formulas and method don't apply to them. one word can deliver 1000 meanings. engineers like to be crisp, clean and short, straight to the point. 

even I suck at engineering classes, i know i can make a much better engineer than architect.

and can we please go out to enjoy Rome?

laundry day, homework day, relax of day. I just love how there is not enough stress to make me anxious... yet. But hey, that's good right?
Anyhow, talking of laundry... have you tried to do laundry in another country? or another language? It was complicated... but I manage to finish 1 load. 1 more load to go.
Homework... yes they still exist, but since this one is the first homework among the 6, it came down easy, just took a lot of time. drawing, it takes long time to draw.

Ostia trip..... and I thought it was Austria..... oh well. it was still a good trip, learned alot, just, under the elements for too long. super tired. dead tired, if that can be realistic. So anyway, some of us went out for dinner, and I did, cz I'm sick of homecooking when food out there is cheap and delicious. delicious white and green (bean) pasta. So after that we came back, yet we left again for gelato. So good. I didn't get a sensible combo, mango and white chocolate with nutella, but each is good on its own. A pretty walk in Rome at night, just good chatting, and seeing. the common night live avaliable in this city.

Walking in Italy

That was the sole activity for the last 2 days--Walking. Yesterday we walked for 6 or 7 hours, today we walk for 8 hours in total for our classes, not including the go on your own to eat and explore.
The awful part of these walking lessons is trying to walk-sketch-listen in open area-take notes-not fall over at once. I say "not fall over" because as I describe, corbel stones are different than paved road, they are often harder on your feet. THe best part of these walks, however, pretty much paid off all the horribleness.
It's great to walk around one of the oldest city with an expert who knows pretty much everything about Rome. We got 2 Rome map experts, 1 sketching and drawing experts (aka an architect), and 1 Italian architect as tour guides/professor, so its like an intellect explosion with occasional comedic moments.
Our cartography guide Allen can basically spell out the significance of every street in Rome. You have to understand, Allen is not only a map lover, he is also wizard of Rome. Following him in Rome means you learn about when each church was build and how to induce information by looking at the facade of every single building. And he doesn't care if you don't draw/write in your sketchbook, but he will get furious if you don't look at the Nolli  Map (a 1748 map that records EVERYTHING in Rome. I mean, even the smallest fountain and chapel are recorded in Nolli)
As for sketching while walking, well, it's still a skill we must master.... My sketches are just bad.

p.s. a bucket of cold water: Spring semester grades are up...... bummer.

searching for the past

part of the reason why Rome is awesome to so many poeple is its ability to combine the life of ancient, old, and present together. look at the Pantheon for example, exist since basically 2000years ago, as a pagan worship place. In the Renaissance, a sculpted fountain was added infront of it. Today, you can go there on a casual after dinner walk and let the ancient history become fabric of your daily life.
Especially for us the AE here, we didn't come here to just take pretty picture of ancient monument, we are here to study the function these streets and building served in the past and today, and the transformation. To us, we literally can see how life was vs. today. Rome is a time machine, if you reach far enough, you can almost live in the day of antiquity, or Baroque period. Its a mind-blowing experience.
A part of me love the idea to go back in time and discover the old. Alot of people will agree with that. Why? I don't know, but I think a part in us see reconstruction as a beautiful activity.

There are millions art project ideas I have already. Inspired by the layers of time and history captured all in one corner in Rome, it would be cool to see how the Romans used the space than vs. how Romans use the space today; today Italian's values vs. values of my own.
idea number 2: a Photoshop timeline comparison of the south-east corner of Pantheon.
And to put life in the whole perspective, and living whole-ly, lets not be culturally educated but spiritually dry.

The beginning of dorm life in Roma!!

We got here!! It was too much fun dragging our big luggage on corbel stone..
(picture by Laura Wu)

After that the group split up and explore the city. For food and daily grocery. But our group got so lost we bump into a place by the great Michelangelo. Still have no idea what's the house is called. It's Renaissance sure.

 
After the cool exploration, we ate at a little club place, and did our grocery shopping next door in a local shop. Do you know their milk comes in plastic bottle?

The habit of bringing your own bag is a common practice here. The store workers rolled their eyes at us when we ask for plastic bags. Carrying bags of goodies like Americans, we marched our way back to our dorm. On the way, we passed by some ancient looking temple, was it the Temple of Portunus? That original one which was built back in 1st century?  And I just past by it? We also passed by a cat sanctuary/ruin, right in the middle of the city next to Teatro Argentina, and much more old ancient architecture/sculpture/ruins, walking on Roads the ancient Romans also walked on. The fact that the whole city is populated with common people all these centuries is amazing. Unlike the Forbidden city in Taiwan or other ancient Chinese city, Rome is a flat city, nothing is build beyond 7 stories. Here is a bird eye view, brought to you by a pidgin.
 
Tonight we girls are going to make our first real home-cooked meal since the landing, and have the blueberry pie from local bakery with dessert wine. Maybe we can get used to this city and stay here forever? lol
Ciao. (goodbye and hello...)

Rome.. 1st day

doesn't feel like the life of the next 7 weeks are going to be a huge deal/once in a life time thing. Now it feels like all of us hanging out in a big city. Although seeing the ancient ruins make it more shocking, and the thought that I'm walking on a 2000 year old street is surreal.
Food is good, wine is rich, cappuccino is creammy (and cheap!). haven't try any gelato yet. Our first dinner at a local place, only cost me 7 euros, with a big personal pizza and wine.

Siteseeing is a great 1st taste of "living" (enjoying) life from the past X weeks of non-stop working.
Arch of Constantine, one of my favorite Old architecture even it's not as old as its neighbor, Colosseum. I like it cz it's a bed rock to many classical revival style. The fact that it's a useful passage way makes me think it holds more value. It's sorta like saying, "hey, welcome to Roma" like a Roman, not that sheet metal on the highway as you cross into New Jersey.

the parting (2)

our friendship began when we met in elements. And now you are leaving to find your home, so here we are parting our worlds into yours and mine. Nothing is wrong with that, you are a wonderful person in my eyes. Its just, I'm always amaze at how subjective the definition for "home" is. 

divide the stuff in life into parts, is an act of separating, aka parting (things).

Parting yesterday and today (or the future) with a warm hand shake, I was anxious but now I am thankful. 

Parting yesterday and today with a warm hug, I was busy but now I am generous. (Well, at least for couple hours. )

Parting yesterday and today with a warm fair well, I was young but now I have grown. 

Onwards. I know one day our ideas of home will collide, where you and I drink lemonade under one roof. 

Don't thank me for the hardwork I poured in for this friendship, because you donate more patients than I donate my hardwork. It's you I need to thank for. 

At the parting, we wrap up this relationship, and begin a different one tomorrow. 

the wrapping

soon 3rd year of Penn State will be over too, and I ponder the seniors who are leaving us. Stacy put it in the real way: "you guys warm your way into our hearts, and then tear it apart when you leave." It's not like any of us can help it, because college isn't meant for more than 6 years (that's including grad school), but if I can choose, I wish departure for our beloved is not the end of our relationships. 

Those relationships don't have to happen in State College. I could've gone to another school. I would be a whole different person then. But why I chose Happy Valley in the first place, was because the unity in the university. Out of all the schools visited in my senior year, all the other school came to me as another place to spend 4 years in, but Penn State, you give your students a pride to belong to, to give each other a common ground. Here, I felt it was a place that would shape me in 4 years, not a pit stop to come and go. 

So, there is no accident for us to meet, to be friends, and to leave. Memories we made together are not the ashes of time, they are vivid music to my ears. If I can, I would dance to it. 

Snow in April

makes me want to punch some animals. I'm still mad about the snow we got this morning. Just why do we get snow in April? that should be against life form. Next time it snow in spring, lets do something ridiculous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MN-wwfwBA0&feature=related

Too fast?

3rd year in this prestigious academic program, it is quite a challenge to keep my world speed align with the speed of our professors. It's a hurricane we must not go under. If we do, well, we depend our groupmates to pull us back on board. If we go under together, we work it out together. Nothing is a miracle, just hard work, wisdom, and perseverance. There have been too many #AEproblem jokes, too many days without enough sleep, too much studying to do, too little time, too anxious about grades, and too many deadlines to meet. In a life spinning at that speed, most of my time is spend on AE, retreat (to retrieve my sanity), and ministry with Elements. Truely there is only too little time left after that (not even for my beloved dance).

Most of the time it feels like school dominates the speed I'm living in. It flies so fast I have to ride on race cars to keep up with life, hence, the world around me seems slower. Someday I pitty all the things I've missed, but fortunately sympathy is an emotion I too rarely experienced, so it don't seem too bad.

I'm convince that you can't slow me down. I'd rather go so fast that no one can catch up to me then slow down. Day by day I run on an accelerating speed, since the day I was born. You may not understand it, because you weren't born in Asia. If you were, you understand what I mean by "since birth". Competition with other children in school, to thrive to be "the best", to be compared with others, I was born in the pressure led me to motivate myself. Now in college, studying in a field where information is updated every 3 years; our curriculum changes every semester. Looking at my future, I found life goals I must strive to meet, weather with others or alone (though hopefully not alone). It seems that nothing can slow me down. If you try to I will abandon you.

Yes, I realize accelerating speed is a good thing, and a very bad thing. I realize my life goes beyond my speed, and the world does not revolve around my speed. For many people, they don't care if everything is going in a goldfish speed (think of the speed a goldfish goes), that is how they learn, how they work. And if you and I strike up a conversation, I am willing to slow down for one or two hours.

Seems strange to live in slower speed, but its my fault for not having "slow" written in my biological program.

If I were to direct a student Ballet club show...

I'm sitting on this idea for a while. The theme for this show is to condense a classical ballet act into a less than 5 minutes song (anything but classical is preferred)

here is some of the pieces I'm dying to find time to choreograph:

A Giselle act 2 themed piece using Cemeteries of London

Midsummer Night's dream into Clockwork (by Sleeping at Last)

Romeo and Juliet into It Will Rain (by Bruno Mars)

The inspiration is due to the lack of interest in technical ballet among the student body. They've heard of Swan Lake and such, but sitting in the theatre to see a 2 hour long ballet can be too much for general college students, so why not do a book club review for ballet, in dance, to educate our dear friends in college what ballerinas love.

But again.... I'm so tied up with other things in life. Maybe partnering with friends. If there are interested for this, let me know.

before I say anything, one thing you must know: Sleeping At Last is a gorgeous one-man band. Love the sound of all their songs.

Pre-Easter is a time of darkness, marking the secrets hidden in the human soul. In my life and the pharisees'. Every year it becomes so overpowering that it seems like the dark can devour the world. My words say I believe in hope, but my strength gave in.

Then Easter comes. They say "it's always the darkest before dawn", how true is that. To say "hold on"
is nothing compare to what admitting my smallness can do. And the mystical power of prayer, not something I can understand but it works! Sometimes reasoning is not necessary. Once again I'm humbled by Jesus love. Easter is a great display for his love. No doubt about his power to rise from the dead, but good does omni-power do without his love.

This sunday, is another day made new because of this love. With this love comes grace, and everything else.

Easter monster

It's that time of the year. When spring comes and nature is singing in joyful song, I come down with depression. Thinking about school, relationships for the past year, next year, stuff, and more other stuff..... Pre-Easter is my personal demon, it haunts me every year and make me sad, and above all, slacking with God.

I won't put it pass myself and unseen spiritual forces, but its annoying that every year I feel worse of life around this time. To fight this mess myself is not working, one. I don't even know what is it that I'm sad about, two. For the later, partly its anxiety and stress from school. The stress in studying is unreasonably high for me in this month. Trying to fight for survival, the chance always look brim. Eventhough it's 100% survival rate.

bitterness

often comes from this question: "why is your life easier/better/funnier/happier/less trouble-some/etc. than mine?"

I wish I'm not asking this question everyday, every hour, but I am. Too many of my classmates agrees that our major curriculum is written by a bunch of student murderers, (or at least torturer).

I miss my dance

Thought busy school life will kill my dancing feet, but nope, dancing feet always find their way back to haunt me.

I want to give up dancing feet because I know it's not my purpose for life, or what I'm good at. I thought it's not worth my time. I see it not having any important virtue in my life. But above all, they still constantly coming back to visit me, making my feet tape in class and during test. I still write in my dance journal even though I no longer dance. Why? If I've given up this one thing, how is it finding its way back to me?

Dance is too peculiar for an emotionless brain to annualized. My brain, which can see through the engineering of an electrical system, and the construction of buildings, can hardly know why I'm haunted by things I love. In the first, why am I suppose to explain why I love what I love? I can't. I can't explain why am I know living in a parallel universe.

So is dancing a potion, or a poison to me? How much of it I can allow?

Life and Family

Finally have a couple of down time for me time. Tomorrow the maarathon will continue. This AE major, is not easy. And I still haven't start my assignment for my minor class. whoops.

(and when I mean down time, it means doing homework while watchting TV/listening to music. With tons of snacks and ice-cream, of course.)

This me time let me to have some time thinking about family. friends who are my friends, and my family. For any one who knows my family, me and my parents immigrate to U.S., hoping maybe our relatives in the state can become closer than when we were on the other side of the planet. But what's broken in the childhood is too hard to fix after 30-40 years of independance . The tension made years before only deepens when the relationships rebirth. Bitterness returns. It is not easy to share lives together again. Differences in our lives drove my family away from me. Call it generation gap, or whatever, but putting the old-schooled with the youngsters or the liberals, cold war will be on its way.

Maybe the good things of traditional family values have diminished in my family. Traditional culture recalls spending time together, every other week, is a must. Where I grew up as a child, busy corporate lifestyle took time away from my parents and my extended family member. Among their own families, jobs, hobbies, and stuff, union with blood family is simply limited to holidays, at the dinner table. Social is a bonus.

My mom thought its important for all of us to spend unity time outside of the dinning room, so she organized one or two family trips to the zoo. All of us were there. Those two days, taught me who's my uncle more than all the meals we had together. I got to see my grandpa smile, which is a rare thing. Family time, has kingdom values.

I guess we can't have it all while we are still on this earth. I would like to know my family is build with support from our blood family, but that's not the case. I admit my childhood was a good one, thou I also know the 3 of us are quite isolated from our blood family. I never missed it until I see my friends sob over the death of their grandparents/aunt/cousins. And I can never understand how to love someone as my siblings. I suppose I envy those who know siblings rivalry.

How will I learn to love someone not like me? If our difference drove my family away, how do I learn to love those who are not like me? As my strength is not caring or loving. I suppose my strength in connectedness, analytically, restorative, activator, command (strength finder test) is important for this finding family journey, but I don't know how for the moment.

not perfect...

That hope promising a heavenly place where everything is going to reflect God's glory? Well knowing that just ache every moment I'm living, because I can tell where I'm living and what life I'm living isn't of that standard. For one, studying feels suicidal, school workload seems like murder etc. For two, I'm not at a place to understand my friends outside of my major where there is still greater need than trying to sleep for an extra half hour.

The later might kills more. Cz if I were to understand why one of my depression friends is at a low point again, be in her shoe, I won't have to try to help her, I will just go help her without judging her for being weak. If I understood community life the struggle in group work won't be what we call "a mess". If I understood that my other friend wants carrying from me more than I want her carrying, our relationship will be better.

for someone who's blind to love, there is too much love out there.

How to love (with small things) when life is busy like hell?

Then fall back to sinful nature, schedule/dead lines/studying/self interest dominates one's life. A 60 hr/wk study schedule is simply not allowing room for anything else. What have I gotten myself into? part my fault (for signing up for all that), part not my fault (what doesn't kill you makes you better, they said). Try not to have these things hold against you, right?

My point is, rather than asking for sympathy for me, how should I reverse it, just for myself? cz obviously by reversing my neighbors won't have to suffer for my sake, find something relationship between you with me. I know I don't do this in my life.

March Madness

its the crazy time of year. loads of fun, loads of work, and loads of stress. When I loss something, it means I'm exhausted work and things. So far i manage to loss my key. Again. I loss counts of how many times I did that, causing incontinence to my life.

the weather is nice and the sun is shining bright.

Then again,the world don't cease to turn.

Too much pressure is building upon other pressure.

Lets hope there will be enough money/time/energy/brain for all that is going on.

Oh! Gravity!

Gravity, by the law of physics, is so important to everyone’s daily life. With gravity, you can know for sure that your phone, watch, cup, backpack, and your alarm clock are at where you left them last night. With gravity you can drink water out of a bottle (without the liquid floating all over the place..). my Arch. Engr. Perspective tells me that gravity holds your house down… so it won’t float in space. That’s pretty important right? Gravity is… essential to normal life. This gravity we live by is called G force, it pulls us to the center of the earth. Literally. It grounds us to the ground we are on.

I think, this G force gravity, not only ground us to the ground physically, sometimes even mentally. Not literally, but you will see what I mean. We are humans, we need to live on food, shelter, cloths, stuff etc. This bounds our thoughts on things in front of us, we think about our survival needs. When I look at my day to day life, I see that I often live life following the G force law. I am grounded to the earth, and think about what I need to do to survive and thrive as a human being.

It’s not a bad life. After all, how are we supposed to maintain a normal life if this fundamental physics law is not true I didn’t think there is otherwise either, until I met Dave.

Dave does everything differently. A father of 5 kids, with a wife as a homeschool teacher, they don’t live with too much. They have the basic, food, shelter and cloths, but there isn’t too much leftover. They have one car, one TV, and one bathroom. I don’t even know does any of his kid have an iPod as presents. But when he finds out someone has a financial problem, he jumps right in to help. When someone needs to talk, he is there. When someone wants to play basketball, he is there. I mean, Dave is qualified to be my grandpa, and he plays basketball with my peer (and make better shots too). When someone needs love, he gives it unconditionally. He lives like his needs are not more important than your needs. What a selfless man. Anyone knows him know having Dave as a friend is like having an angel in your contact list. He doesn’t boast how different his life is, he just simply said it’s the life God made for him. So he “happens” to be a Christian, but it’s not the title “Christian” he is living by. He lives by the Jesus gravity, the kind that grounds him to the center of Jesus heart.

The Jesus gravity, or J force, does exactly what G force gravity does, except with a totally different direction. In a way, it looks so radical, so out of nowhere from here, but it is absolutely safe, grounded as it can be from there. The life of Christian is never about fitting in, and it can look too freaky, or too scary. Well, that is true, if you are viewing it from the G force perspective. When you are living by the J force, this lifestyle comments by the man himself is the safest, most harmony kind of life.

So how do you go from here to there? That is a question of your willingness, I still am praying for that.

I was so young, I had no idea... III

you should only have one home on earth at once... try not to divide up my thoughts and energy for two places is alot easier on myself.

What now? perspective from an African history student

Anything fall so hard needs to re-bounce.

We learned about the hopeless days of Atlantic slave trade, and colonialism. Now we move on, we see some hope for Africa in Nationalism.

I say hope because at last some African realize they were oppress for too long, and decide its time for Africans running Africa. With the higher education they got from Europe or US, they have a chance. Our study focus on the example of Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana.

If you know his contribution and policies, you will know that he is a dictator, did many horrible awful things yet also good, effective things to benefits Ghanians.

I'm just trying to say, why we always get caught in the middle of good and bad? We try to fix, and make all things completely good, but we always fail.

The state Africa is in is better, but still in great debt with the developed world. Is it alright for the poor to owe to the rich? I don't think its bad for the poor to owe the rich, but the debt Africans own is partly Europeans fault. (Part of Africa's independence treaty is to have debt to the Europeans)(yes, footnote, which i need to work on)

Next, Africa is still dependent on Europe. Super long, messy business. So messy that my words just fail to do "justice" to it. Basically that by cutting all ties with Europe, Africa will not survive in many ways. But by keeping the tie, will Africa learn to develop on its own until it can provide for its need? hah, that is something little me can't speak of. Not with the too little I know.

JUBILEE TOMORROW!!!!!!

enough said.

my friend said I make Jubilee sound like a man I have a crush on.

I was so young, I had no idea... II

Those 14 years in Hong Kong...

My friend went to visit HK last summer. She took some pictures, one is at the crosswalk that I used to pass by everyday to school/dance/church/home for 14 years of my life. To her, its the beautiful sunset that catches her eyes; to me, its a long lost memory.

What I meant by long lost memory is that something I can't describe with a definite event, it short of is a memory from doing it as a routine. One can't appreciate such a place until one left the place. To me, that crossover where she took the picture at is a passage between 2 world: the comfy one and the one I most go to in order to be valued as a member of society. The former, is homeward bound, the one I've left behind the day I flow to America. The later, is what I adopt everyday since 5 years ago and call it my mobile home.

A homeward bound has become an idea for me, unpractical and rational, detach from my desire, emotion, or plans or what not. On the other hand, it's nothing wrong with a mobile home, I enjoy it. My meaningful friends, majority of my growth, majority of my life is defined by this "mobile home" I live on.

One day I will settle in my heavenly homeward bound, but until then, I have no intention to return there.

The memory once had is lost and can't be re-lived, so it can't define me as who I am today, especially the significant events in my life didn't happen there. I have to admit if one day my knowledge of my old life haunts me, I will use my memories for good cause. But until then, I do not know what to do with them except stash 'em in a mental box, collecting dust.

I was so young, I had no idea...

Three years ago I was a high school senior. I had a time of my life that year, dare to say I am blessed with good memories (I know not everyone enjoyed high school and/or their senior year). Enjoyed math class and theater club the most (wow, I'm such a nerd). Now that a friend of mine who was a (little) sophomore is a senior in high school, collecting all the last bit of good memories she could while she still have the chance, she reminds me of me 3 years ago.

Do I dare to go back to re-live those precious happy moments? No, even I no longer participate in theater work and miss it with all my heart. Not going back, can't go back, not after all the things I've gone through, and the lessons learn from the hardships and celebrations. No, not after all these. I can't reverse back to that girl who was still searching for purpose of life, for I have found it, and no matter how hard it is to hold on, I can't give it up.

My dream, no, God's dream for me, is what I want the most.

Why Should You Go To Jubilee 2012

I'm super excited for it. Maybe you need a reason to go, so I figure this should do it, If God isw willing.

Jubilee excitement--it's the OMG event in my life (maybe yours too), each time I went I got out with at least 1 major personal theme, and these themes always mark how I’m growing in Christ. Let me share with you a small summary of how Jubilee integrate in my loving Christ every day since I participate in the event.

This is by for the most fruitful faith journey I've gone on since 2 years ago, my first Jubilee. Back then I was so confused with who I was, where could I go. Now I found love, hope, Christ, mission, calling, purpose, promises. I explored what is my calling in life, and found it, because somebody in my profession encouraged me to pursue God's plan in my study and my future. From then, the blessings ripples out of Jubilee conference are more than I can remember. My life would seriously have not been that same without it. For one, I would’ve not stick with engineering and pick up African history. Everytime I go to Jubilee I see God is knitting with life, ensuring his love and power is stronger than the tension of life, and that, is enough of a reason to go to Jubilee.

I try to update my blog as often as possible.

I try to update things that are not mundane, but always feel so when writing about stuff.

But I'm passionate about living by the truth spoken by God, and his good news for us.

Everytime I listen and take notes in my African study class, I see the opposite of good news being taught. That angers me. Alot. I hate inflicting pain in the name of helping; I hate how the Church was heavily involved in the Atlantic slave trade; I hate how the European Government, which foundation based on Christianity, is responsible for its colonization system in Africa, leaving Africa cripple from development. (China as a country as a must better chance to succeed in development than a continent. You tell me is there something wrong.)

With that said, I'm making a goal to update my progress in that specific class (Modern African History) and my thoughts on it. I'm not good with words and my opinion is strong, so I know I will write something incorrect. If it happens, correct me.

In today's class, (Feb 7th, 2012) we spend our time discussing Colonialism In Africa. If you think slave trade is horrible, colonialism is as horrible, because colonialism completely deconstruct any hope for Africans to recover from the slave trade.

Most importantly, when Europe countries start their "Scramble of Africa", they did not see worth in any of Africa's original economy, social, political, religions, and cultural structure! As colonism take root in Africa, in came the European business and government, they did not seriously considered the human rights of Africans, and that is their major mistake. Through Colonism, these business introduce the money economy, then encourage an import-export economy for the Africans. Both system focus on the profit Europeans, not to equip African with self-sustaining knowledge/technology.

The part that troubles me is how much evangelism is used in this process. Through it, Europeans could convince people they are doing good while they rob African's resources. English evangelists established schooled to teach children, forcing them all to learn the Bible in the name of learning English. I would not argue that is meant for a good cost, but the evangelists did a lot more than that. This quote by the famous 1st Kenya president speaks it all,

"When the Missionaries arrived, the Africans had the Land and the Missionaries had the Bible. They taught us how to pray with our eyes closed. When we opened them, they had the land and we had the Bible" - Jomo Kenyatta

Unfortunately that this is not uncommon in the history of African countries. There are many reasons an African descent can use to argue Christianity is the worst thing known to them. My professor believes it is a tool to occupy people minds in spiritual lives, so that they will forget the unjustice they live in.

I sympathize his reason, but knowing this reality angers me. My professor truly sees that Christianity in Africa today is not a vocational practice, and I agree with him, but he blames this religion (introduced by the colonists and missionaries) for the mess in Africa today is not what I can take. Yes, fault on colonists, whom likely to be Christians, and the missionaries, whom enforced the injustice of colonialism in Africa, but no, THESE are not Christ intention for Christianity.

I hate the fact that the class, full of international students and university students, should learn this in a classroom.

I hate it, but I want to see redemption from the mess, which can't be done without love.

How do I be bold in the class while engage an academic study in the classroom? How do I interact with my professor with the 10 classes remaining (it's once a week), and even outside of class? How should I honor Christ but not secure the impression Christians are stubborn brain-washed worshipers?

The answers are still a mystery to me, but I'm eager to see something different than this. Still praying, but just myself will not be enough, so if you read this, please say a prayer for my class and my professor.

Happiness

To be happy. it's an art, it's a psychological sanctification that is beyond science explanation. When someone is happy, the whole world seems bright no matter how unpleasant the situation is.

Is it easy to be happy? It is but it isn't.

I'm afraid the more I ask the more I will not find the answer. Because this is only the beginning of the many questions following it.

Finding happiness, is good, but when I find myself looking to be happy, I feel the least from happiness.

I find the most satisfying happiness when I am not looking for it. Things will make me happy, and I don't need to go look for it.

So is it easy to be happy? It is, we just focus too much in looking it.

Another day in PA

It is so warm this afternoon in central PA one cannot wear more than a sweater. I was wearing a sweater and a little of walking made me sweat. It is suppose to be the day before February.

February, one of my favorite and craziest month of the year. Tests, projects, quizs, homework, meetings, studying, test-preps are kicking in, but Jubilee (http://www.jubileeconference.com/) is also approaching. I expect to be occupied by work all the time. Can't say busy is a bad thing, I like feeling busy, but it is a horrible idea for community living. Takes alot of grace and forgiveness. I don't think a fast paste life is wrong, but I know we are called to live for each other. I'm seeing the blessings and curses of this fast paste life at the moment, through my residential hall experience, classmate interaction, ministry life, personal life, restlessness, academic life, and much more. It is neat to see the good side, but I won't weight what I lost, because I can't, it's the sacrifice I must make. Please stop dragging me back.

And if I talk like a technical nerd, it's because I am. Take it as a practical joke, my dry humor is what I make my living out of.

In response to John Foreman's Making Art Out Of Tension

A blog entry by the vocal of Switchfoot, John Foreman, note that life is a fight of making sense in the sadness, and aiming live good. (to read the post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-foreman/vice-verses-making-art-ou_b_974302.html) He uses music and lyrics to express this fight, hence the birth of Vice Verse, Switchfoot's latest album (that I'm addicted to). I love that it is not about being perfect all the time, but rather the effort to find good in others and yourself. We are bound to fail, that is why life is full of tension. Tension born from unanswered question we ask. This tension, looks like modern dance to me.

modern dance, heavily rooted in the ballet technique, yet is not ballet. It's a form of dance many people don't understand because it's more abstract than jazz or ballet. To a professional dancer like Emily Adam (Jubilee speaker last and this year), modern dance is a physical art form that celebrates humanity. It can be light hearted, but more often it is heavy, and dark, and mad. (see example video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt4AGMWJ30c) Why the mystery? It is because modern tries to make sense of human, exploring topics like movement, existence, relationships, friendship, war, imagination etc. (Yes, these are real topics portraits in real modern dance number, I've seen it) In modern dance, one tries to recognize we are made out of flash but we can do something beautiful with it. With we can't arrive to the beauty, at least explore it.

To a dance for fun dancer like myself, the physicality of modern dance is more like African dance and less similar to ballet. Modern dance uses the form of ballet, but connects one to the ground like in African (dance). Modern dancers don't wear pointe shoes like ballerinas because they don't try to defy human autonomy; they don't wear shoes at all. Dancing on barefoot allows the dancer to properly connect to the ground he or she is dancing on. The lack of shoes cause more friction of the sole, sometimes one needs to fight the ground to move, and sometimes one embrace the friction to stay in a posture. Using this friction to your benefit, learning to dance with it but not bound is an art.

Now back to the making art out of tension. That itself, is a character of modern dance. What do you see in that youtube video? dancers bouncing and bending and stretching in various ways to create movements. In less than 3 minutes you see a (dance) piece is created from more than one movement, there are people doing different things in any given moment. The difference between on an other is a contrast! And contrast is tension to the viewing eyes. Despite the tension, the dynamic is quick and swift, or it can be slow and quiet! It depends on the how far into the dance and the circumstances. In a life time there are too many things that press us to act a certain way, but that doesn't mean we should be press against.

word

my ability to express thought in any solid and well constructed word is... not there. That part of my brain is underdeveloped. So desperate that it makes me to avoid posting on the blog.

The things that happened in the last 48 hours, as I see it, is a relieve from the past 3 months. The final pow. Understand it, analysis it, learn from it, live with it, and stop letting it bother you. The flesh will always die. Get over it. I apologize for being ignorant.

We all need some air to breath. Drowning in this desperate tribute won't help us to process what lesson can we learn from JoePa's love for PennState.

f(x)=……

This mathematical symbol represents what the science nerds call “function”. Function is a brunch of knowledge within the infinitely brilliant pool of knowledge in math…. Well, it is not as difficult as it sound. Like the cash we use everyday, function is a tool engineers, scientists use to solve problems everyday. With it, most everything can be summarize in one math “sentence”. It is a wonderful thing, not only because it has to do with math, but also because it describes the fundamental meaning of life in the way God sees it.

What makes me to say that?

A function consist of 3 parts.

1) An equation (the “…….”, it is the part the differentiate a function to another one),

2) the result (the solution) showing what the function can do,

3) and the domain (the “x”, which represent a number). The domain defines where the function yields useful solution. An analogy here is domain is like the right plug for your electronic appliance, the right plug links for you a useful equipment while the wrong plugs leave you with a piece of useless tool can’t be plugged in.

As you can see, the domain is essential to a function, without it (and the correct one) a function provides nothing for us to use.

When God created human, he sees us as

1) beautiful creation, uniquely different from one and other (___)

2) with capability to do all things (Gen 11:6),

3) Dependent to Him. (John 14:6)

God designed human to perform the best when we live in his order, his realm. This suggest for us the produce the best result in life, we must put in the domain we are made for. The other domains will work okay, but not as nearly as good.

why the hack 2012

Ever thought that classes are much harder than you anticipate? Well it's hard because they are scheduled at 8am, 5 times a week..... All the excitement for new school year fades away way way too quickly. oh well..

I close my eyes and go back in time
I can see you’re smiling, you’re so alive
we were so young, we had no fear
we were so young, we had no idea
that life was just happeninglife was just happening

.....

I close my eyes and go back in time
you were wide-eyed, you were wide-eyed
we were so young, we had no fear
we were so young, we had just begun
a song we knew, but we never sang
it burned like fire inside our lungs
and life was just happening (and nothing lasts, nothing lasts forever)
and life was just happening (and nothing lasts, nothing lasts forever)
I wouldn’t trade it for anything
my souvenirs.

Souvenirs, Switchfoot

what happened in 2011?

My friend did a personal survey for 2011, so I'm stealing her idea.

What did you do in 2011 that you've never done before?

Studied 2 days for a test

African Dance, and commit to it

work in an engineering firm

sublet at a place

saw my first broadway musical

new method to organize my stuff, and it works!

sponsor a child in Ghana

etc.

Did you keep your New Year's resolution and will you make one for this year?

To not be transparent in faith and life. This one is always one the list

Pass FE exam

make money/work more

Did anyone close to you give birth?

No

Is Anyone close to you pregnant?

Yes

Did anyone close to you die?

A member of my old church died from cancer. Didn't know her well except when she helped me on school application once or twice three years ago.

Did anyone close to you get married?

Rachel and Yoshi (Jan), Steve and Emily (May)

Did anyone close to you get engaged?

Yes

What countries did you visit?

No not this year, sadly

What date(s) from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory?

Jubilee (Feb), seeing friends from New Ken again, and the memories of food room.

Summer in Boston. Last summer in Boston, dare I say. It used to be my home. It was great to hang out with my church mates again.

Hot dogs, with elements, as always.

Spring break in Philly with ACF. At least ig should be memorable, and it was. From the abundant bank to sharing a tiny sad shower with all the girls.

etc.

What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

um... what a question. I don't see short in most things. It was a good and full year, and I know 2012 will be another good and full year, but even better.

What's your biggest achievement this year?

summer job in a commercial firm.

Pick up a new form of dance

Start my minor degree in the fall

searching for a life long career/specific job

Biggest failure?

Didn't study hard enough in the spring.

Did you suffer illness or injury?

Being sick on the last 2 days of spring break, and remain sick for an other week.

What was the last thing you bought?

A camera, cost me $157

Whose behavior merited celebration?

Connor Jennings for finishing his first semester in college ever!

Sally Mei for being a good sister and continue to learn in school, family, and Christ

Jess Kazcor for living away from home for the first time

Parents for working very hard in their business

Where did most of your money go?

music/sponsoring/musical tickets (NYC and SC)/fun

What did you really get excited about?

Jubilee, Spring Break, birthday present for myself, to start fall semester, etc.

What song will remind you of 2011?

Brave by Idina Menzel, the song I used to choreograph my first dance (ballet).

Blinding light by Switchfoot

Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?

duh, course is happier, because it's good to feel accomplished. This is thank to my awesome circle of company. Strangely my journal is a member of this company, but that's the way it's been.

What do you wish you'd done more of?

Do more research for career day.

Take pictures.

Time for girls chat..?

Time to sit and care for others

What do you wish you'd done less of?

youtube?facebook? I don't know how much time I spend on each but I'm sure is a good bit of my life.

What was your favorite TV show?

Doctor Who, Sherlock, White Collar

What were the best books you read?

Happiness of Architecture

What was your best musical discovery?

The Generous Mr. Lovewell

Vice Verses

Next to Normal

Peter Adams Bradley

What did you want and got?

A summer job

What movies did you see in cinema?

Sherlock Holmes 2

various Hub movies

What did you do on your birthday? How old did you turn?

nothing much on that day, but I went to see Wicked musical 2 days later. Not enough to go to the bar yet.

What one thing would have made this year more satisfying?

Be on the Deans list?

How would you describe your personal fashion?

T-shirt and jeans. sneakers.

What kept you sane?

School

Elements activity

School

Nommo

work-study

School

Who was the best new person you met?

Mugisha/Connor

What was a valuable lesson you've learned?

Put your time in well use. Not be transparent.