Questions's From Yam's Blog Four

Questions's From Yam's Blog Four

What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?
This year, I bought a Christmas tree for my house. It was a small, Charlie Brown tree, but a tree nonetheless. I also visited three countries I had never spent any time in.

Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
My goals for 2011 were: travel, write, and work on my health.
I traveled this year, and I wrote for my church newsletter and blog. As for my health, I need to make a better effort. My goal for 2012 is to make what I eat count, meaning the food should have some nutritional benefit. Like ice cream has calcium, a Twinkie, well not so much benefit.
Goals for 2012: Travel, publish an anthology for my church, and make what I eat count.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
I type no with trembling fingers. No baby showers this year for me.

Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. Below is a segment from my Editor’s Corner from the July 1 PCC Scroll:

On May 1, the pastor of the church I attended when I was a child passed away. I was able to reconnect with him and his wife a few years ago and thank them for all they did for me and my sisters when we were growing up. On May 14, my grandmother on my dad’s side passed away. Although I didn’t know her that well, it was sad to hear of her passing. She was my last grandparent. On June 7, the aunt of one of my close friends passed away. I spent 2.5 weeks with her during my trip to India. She was such a strong woman, a historian, and a story teller. She and the other ladies I stayed with found a sacred place in my heart.

http://latonja.blogspot.com/2011/07/july-1-2011-pcc-scroll-editors-corner.html

What countries did you visit?
I went to Hong Kong, China, and Macau.

What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
I would like to have more of a dating life.

What date from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory?
My trip days are always such a huge part of my memory in any given year. Travel is inspiring and changing. I also enjoyed seeing Prince on December 19 with Desiree.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I’ve had a goal to increase my “I don’t have a job” emergency fund. I’ve made some serious inroads. For 2011, I decided to not drink any alcohol and I kept that goal. I also had a day of devotion where I read scripture, prayed, and blogged about it. I accomplished that as well.

What was your biggest failure?
That’s an interesting question. One thing I have been working on is not letting anything destroy my internal peace. Despite any chaos and drama, I need to remain centered. I’ve made inroads, but I still find myself being taken in by dumb stuff. Need to keep working on it.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major, just a few colds. My health tends to be good.

What was the best thing you bought?
My ticket to Hong Kong. I have also been trying to revamp my closet so I’ve been going clothes shopping.

Whose behavior merited celebration?
I noticed that a lot of people are trying to accomplish their dreams. I am very proud of those people.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
This is an interesting question. I find it depressing when people just don’t tell the truth. Like, if you tell me you love me, then love me.

Where did most of your money go?
I splurge on travel. Technically, most of my money went on my mortgage.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Travel plans and plots on future travel plans. I was also super excited to see Prince again.

What song/album will always remind you of 2011?
Nothing comes to mind.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder? Happier
thinner or fatter? Fatter
richer or poorer? Richer

What do you wish you'd done more of?
I wish I could afford to do more travel.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
I need to stop reaching out to people who don’t really care about me. I should really focus on those who love me.

How will you be spending New Year's?
Watch Night service at church then home where I will have sparkling cider.

Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
Probably my friend Sophia who lives in Florida.

Did you fall in love in 2011?
No, but I developed a crush.

How many one night stands in this last year?
Do people do that? I don’t.

What was your favourite TV programme?
I don’t really watch current shows. I like watching syndicated programs of Seinfeld, The Office, and 30 Rock. I did discovery Grey’s Anatomy via Netflix.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don’t really hate anyone, but there are people who are not healthy to be around.

What was the best book(s) you read?
I keep rereading the same books. I have however rediscovered romance novels. It’s my secret shame.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
I rediscovered Prince.

What did you want and get?
I wanted to travel, and I was able to save enough money to do so. Oh, and my job was upgraded!

What did you want and not get?
Last year this time, I was hoping for Mr. Right to come along. This is kind of a dilemma for me. I am comfortable and happy in my current state. I don’t want someone to come a long just for the sake of having someone. He was to be the right someone.

What were your favorite films of this year?
I must have watched some new films year. I saw Something Borrowed and that was cute. It doesn’t really classify as favorite though.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 37, and I went out to pizza with some of my friends. I also went to other lunches and dinners.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
As I get older, I realize that nothing external can make me satisfied. That has to come from inside. So, I will say appreciate for the blessings in my life.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?
I tend to be casual.

What kept you sane?
Writing and my awesome community.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
The old favorites are still in play.

What political issue stirred you the most?
Democrats and Republics playing silly, partisan games that do more damage than good.

Who did you miss?
I miss my friends who live far away like Yamini, Mary, and Molly.

Who was the best new person you met?
Do I even meet new people? Well, maybe my crush.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
People show you how they feel. Talk is cheap; it takes money to buy land.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?

2011 Letter

2011 was a good year. I can’t remember anything major happening to me. It was more things happening to those around me.

As you know, I have a goal to take one major trip each year. This year, I visited my friend Alice who lives in Hong Kong. We also went to China and Macau. I liked Hong Kong. It was a city with a fast pulse. I particularly liked what I called the real Hong Kong. This is the Hong Kong outside of the tourist area. Macau was awesome. I would actually like spending some time just walking up and down their old roads. They had the best buns, and it made me want to go to Portugal! It had a really good feel to it. I had a small glimpse at China, and I am hungry for me. The greatest part of the trip was being able to hang out with a good friend.

I also traveled to NYC for my job. It was a great trip and my friend Sophia joined me. I was able to see the Spider Man show on Broadway. It was fun to just walk around, and we went to a comedy show that was actually funny.

This year, three great people passed away. It’s weird because on one hand, it seems like a lot of young people are passing away. On the other hand, it seems like a lot of mighty oaks are falling. The pastor from my youth, my grandmother, and my friend Yamini’s Aunt Mani who I spent time with in India all went to the other side.

I am still working for the Port of Seattle. October 1, 2011, marked my 15th anniversary (included my temp time). I am grateful to have a job, and especially grateful that it was upgraded. The first 15 years went by so fast. I assume the next 15 will go by just as quickly. Time is moving!

Church is going well. I am putting the final touches to the first issue of year 11 of our newsletter. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long. It continues to be something I enjoy. I know I was called to write, and my skills as an editor are improving. I am also an usher still. I have come a long way from my “mean usher” days. God has been good to me. God has surrounded me with wonderful people. I am truly blessed in this area. God has sent me a lot of love, and I am thankful for it. I am very excited about our plans to publish an anthology next year.

My hair is coming along. January 8 will mark two years of locking.

I have no idea of what 2012 will bring, but I am excited. I think it’s going to be a good year!

I pray that you had a Merry Christmas and will have a Happy New Year!

Week 52

“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” Ecclesiastes 9:11

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13

I am so relieved that this has come to an end. It started out good, but became a chore, which kind of defeats the purpose of having a day of devotion.

I am a little tickled because I wanted to use a certain scripture to mark the end of my journey. As it turns out, I had created by own scripture by combining Ecclesiastes 9:11 and Matthew 24:13 to make LTB 1:1, which says,

The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

So, part of my finishing the task was enduring until the end. I honestly wanted to quit much earlier, but it was so important for me to finish the race once I started.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

Week 51

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8

This weekend, I was thinking how hard it is to date in our society. This is in part due to what I call the three-date rule.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-date_rule

Now, I admit this is not a hard fact. The survey suggests it might even be a four+ date rule. I use it to illustrate how quickly physical intimacy is happening in relationships nowadays.

I told my pastor and his wife on Sunday that it is going to be extremely difficult to find a man who is going to not bolt over the simple fact that I am abstinent (and trying my best to stay that way).

And, I have been thinking. Part of the reason I don’t date is because I really don't think there is a guy out there who is going to want to wait until after marriage before becoming physically intimate. Sadly, I just don’t believe this. I was thinking about this and the fact that I really have stopped believing that there is someone out there for me. I would love to get married and have a family with someone, but my faith is very weak in this area.

Then, I started thinking about how powerful God is. I had to ask myself why I believed He was powerful in all areas except for this very important area of providing a mate for me.

So, for my devotional, I choose a scripture that basically says who God is. He is the Almighty. If I can believe He created the World. If I believe He was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. If I believe He died and rose again. Surely, I can believe that He can provide someone who wants to walk out this part of my faith with me.

It will be short courtship (smile).

I saw this quote on a Facebook page, and it reminded me of my puzzle.

To have integrity means that you don't agree with everyone you meet, nor do you succumb to pressure to be something that is in direct conflict with your core ethics. ~ Byron Pulsifer

This is and will be challenging. Pray for me!

Week 50

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (NLT)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (KJV)

This is week 50. Two more to go after this.

As each year ends, I reflect on how the year went, and I think about my future and my dreams and desires.

Time my friends is moving way too fast. Since my college years, time has zoomed by. As a child, time seemed to move so slowly. I can remember yesterday sitting on the street corner by the house I grew up in wishing for time to move faster so I could leave. Now, I blink and a year is already gone.

One thing I keep close to my heart is that God knows me and that He wants the best for me. Yes, there are things I don’t have that I want, BUT God’s desire for me is to prosper and to have peace and to have hope and to have a good end.

So, I choose Jeremiah 29:11 to meditate on.

There is another scripture that says God won’t hold any good things from me, which is so true. There are too many things I thought I wanted that I am so happy I didn’t get.

So, be in couraged that God wants the best for you! Sometimes, the good things take longer to come. Plus, timing is everything. Some things we haven’t been ready for, until now!

Week 49

On Sunday, my Pastor spoke about forgiveness, and so I decided to use the scripture for my devotional yesterday. He came from the text in Luke 17:1-4, which is below.

“Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.”

Sometimes without trying, I offend people. Sometimes without trying, people offend me. I try to be laidback and let things roll off of me. Most things won’t matter in a week, a month, and most certainly not in a year.

My goal is to live as peacefully among people as I can. But, not everyone has this goal, especially people whose wounds are still raw or un-dealt with. It’s hard to love people who lash out at you, and it’s hard to want to be around them. However, I’m learning that a soft answer often deflates the rage. If it doesn’t, it’s time to move away. I am not perfect, but it’s never made sense to me to try to fight with a person who is already hurting and damaged. BUT, that doesn’t mean there is a part of me that does wants to lash back. When it comes down to it, I really just don’t see the point. Having grown up in a war zone, I've already seen enough to last me a lifetime.

I was thinking about forgiveness and reactions to the offenses, and I thought about this piece I wrote back probably in 2006. I posted it in 2008, and the link is below. For that entry I used Luke 6:27-38, which talks about offering the other cheek. Not sure if I am there, but certainly willing to give people the benefit of a doubt.

http://latonja.blogspot.com/2008/11/forgiveness.html

When it comes down to it, holding on to bitterness and resentment and anger do more damage to the person holding on to the emotions. Bitterness, resentment, and anger have an impact on our health, and they have an impact on how we treat others, and by others I mean everyone else but the person who made the offense.

Life is too short. Forgive and move on. Easier said than done, but the person they most benefit is you.

Week 48

Psalm 34:13-14
13Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
14Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

It’s hard to believe that this week the last month of the year will begin!

The time from Thanksgiving to New Years is actually one of my favorite times of the year. I love the Christmas decorations and the hustle and bustle. It’s a time of year where I am very aware of Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards Men.

Probably as a result of my childhood, seeking peace and maintaining peace is very important to me. This is why I choose Psalm 34:13-14 for my devotion today.

I will continue to seek peace and pursue it!

Looking forward to 2012

I kind of miss my “old” blog. My decision to use my blog to journey through my day of devotion has turned more into a chore. Not that’s it’s not good for me, more like it’s become part of a routine, or something I am acting out in a roll.

I have five more posts to do because I must see the journey through. I just can’t wait to return to my old way.

Yesterday, I actually took the time to read some past blogs. I miss the spontaneity. I initially thought I would do my normal blogs and my weekly devotionals, but it didn’t quite work out that way.

Anyway, looking forward to my random posts.

Week 47

11And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Luke 17:11-19

In honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to use a scripture on being thankful for my weekly devotional. I was looking for a scripture in the Psalms, but then the story of the 10 lepers grabbed my attention.

There are so many things I have to be thankful for. I have friends and family who love me. I have my health. I have a good job. I have a home. I have resources to take care of my basic needs and some of my wants.

The most important thing I am thankful for is my relationship with God and the gift of salvation.

I want to be the first in line falling down on my face and giving thanks to God. And saying thanks doesn’t really seem like enough. How could one possibly muster of the words needed to express thanks for such a powerful gift?

I am trying to always be present and thankful. I am also trying to present my body as a living sacrifice, which isn’t always easy, but compared to the Cross…well it is my reasonable service.

Week 46

For today, I decided to meditate on two sets of scriptures Ephesians 6:12 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

This weekend, I went and saw the movie Immortals. The story line interested me, plus I think the lead actor is a good actor (not to mention terribly good looking).

I really, really liked the last scene because it showed a war going on in the heavens against good and evil. The scene was something my imagination could have easily conjured up while thinking about the spiritual battle that is going on around us. And it’s interesting to me that this concept is something that people scoff and joke about. If I was in a meeting and proclaimed something that happened was really just a spiritual battle unfolding, I’m pretty sure I’d be mocked, which is fine.

The truth is that we spend so much time warring against each other that we never take the time to think about the spiritual aspect of the conflict. So, I just wanted to remind myself that I am not at war with any of who may intentionally or accidently offend or hurt me. The picture is way bigger and complex that my mind can take a hold of.

Week 45

I am very, very behind in blogging!

Never fear, I did fast week. I just didn’t have time to blog about it. Work was pretty hectic, and I worked very late three days last week. When I did get home, I was exhausted.

What was on my mind was something that I wrote about in week 39.

I revisited James 1:13-15.

13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

I can honestly say that nothing creeps up on me, or at least, not in retrospect. When I wonder where certain thoughts or desires spring up, I can often go back in time and pinpoint something I saw or heard. Or something I allowed my mind to linger on.

Temptation is all around me. It’s up to me to guard myself. I know my areas of weakness and my areas of curiosity.

I think this could have been a more powerful blog when the ideas were fresh in my mind!

Week 44

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

For my devotional, I choose this scripture because quite frankly sometimes I need to be reminded of it. Every seemingly random act and every seemingly little action are all working together to fulfill a master plan in my life.

I remember randomly signing up for a bunch of training early in my career at the port. I took training in every software I could think of: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Illustrator, InDesign, etc. These trainings have helped me immensely in my work life and have even proved useful in my public life.

There are times when I scream internally why some bad things have happened. How can mistakes, judgment errors, accidents, horrible events work together for my good? I’m not always sure on this, but I try to accept that they do.

I know that there have been times when I wanted something so bad, and I was extremely crushed when I did not get it. Then there would be a point in time when I had an “aha moment” as to why the thing I desired so intensely was in fact just very bad for me.

I don’t have all the answers, but I will walk by faith that things are working out for me. Even if I can’t see it now or if I don’t see it all.

Hong Kong Chronicles - The Pictures

Here is a link to my pictures. The password is: italia.

http://latonjab.shutterfly.com/

Hong Kong Chronicles - The Long Journey Home

I have reached home. The flight home was shorter than the flight there. The layover in San Fran was longer.

I left the sunshine of Hong Kong to the rain and fall weather of Seattle. Many leaves have fallen and most of them are in beautiful fall colors.

I forgot to mention that Alice has two cats. An older female named Usagi, which is Japanese for rabbit, and a younger male named Michiro, which is Japanese for lucky child. She actually is getting a third.

Here are some pictures. Michiro is the cat in the outfit.

Hong Kong Chronicles - Homebound NO!

Yesterday, I did nothing during the day but read. It felt nice.

I met Alice at her job and we took the ferry to Hong Island Island. We took the tram (the locals call it ding ding) down to Causeway Bay. We walked around their Times Square and some of the backstreets. We went to this yummy Japanese restaurant for dinner.

Well friends, my plane leaves in three hours to head home. I bought three smutty romance novels to tide me over. I just didn't let myself do the conversion to USD. I am not allowed to purchase romance novels at full price no matter how tempting ;). I will share my secret shame of two baskets of romance novels hiding in my closet with you. SHHHH, don't tell anyone. LOL!

I don’t really want to go. Can one just abandon their life? Tempting thought but alas not very realistic. Though one day maybe I just won't come back. Well back to collect my stuff ;). Ireland felt like home to me. Maybe I should have just stayed there. WAHHHHHHH. I'll be off the ledge when I get back and reality slaps me back into the here and now.

Oh well. Ready or not here I come.

Another summer day has come and gone a way in Paris and Rome but I DON’T want to go home.

Hong Kong Chronicles

I found myself in the New Kowloon area again yesterday. I took the subway to the Lok Fu station. I decided I wanted to see the Kowloon Walled City Park. I have seen plenty of parks this vacation, but the history of this one intrigued me. The area around New Kowloon seems a little depressed. It’s not as vibrant as the areas around Prince Edward, Mong Kok or Yau Ma Tei.

The park used to be in a fortress in 1847. Apparently a legal oversight left the park in Chinese control after the British leased the New Territories. During WWII, it was leveled and a ghetto called the Walled City was built up. It was a draw to triads, drug dealers, heroin addicts, pornographers, and large rats (allegedly the size of small dogs). In 1992, it was torn down and replaced with a park. It still has a sketchy feel to it, which isn’t surprising with all that history.

Since it was near, I also went to the Hau Wong Temple. It was built in 1737 during the Qing Dynasty and has had renovations done sporadically between 1822 and 1988. It was built to honor the emperor Ping’s most loyal advisor.

I then took the subway back a few spots to Mong Kok and walked around that area again. I saw the Gold Fish Market, which I hadn’t seen. It was pretty crowded when I went.

Alice and I will go to Hong Kong Island tonight for dinner since we didn’t go last night.

I woke up and got organized. Ready or not, I leave tomorrow. Funny, I was longing for home when I left, and now I am not ready to go back. I guess it’s always like this. It’s nice having nothing to do. I wake up each day and decide then what to do. At home comes responsibility.

I have a good life. At times during the trip, I felt like I was one of the “privileged.” It’s not really a comfortable feeling for me. No way am I in the top 1% being battled at home, but in the overall scheme of life in the universal family of humans, I have it good.

Hong Kong Chronicles

Last night, Alice and I went to the ladies market. I had been to the market during the day, and I must say I enjoyed the experience at night more. It felt like there were more people, and the energy was pretty cool. I also like that area a lot. It feels like I imagined Hong Kong would feel.

It's about 1:30, and I am trying to motivate myself to leave and do something. Tomorrow is my last full day. I fly out Friday late morning. Since the museum is free today, I feel like that is where I should head. But, alas, I don't really feel like doing anything. Tonight, we are going to take the ferry to Hong Kong Island for dinner and sightseeing.

Must leave building. LOL!

Hong Kong Chronicles - Yum Yum Dim Sum

I met Alice for lunch for Dim Sum. Her friends Aster, Hilda, and Lavender joined us. I was so excited to have dim sum in Hong Kong. The place we went to was Jade Garden, which made me laugh because that is the name of the place I mostly go to in Seattle for dim sum. I can't wait to share this with my coworkers. The food was good. Before I left, I found out that the dim sum items in Seattle are frozen, not fresh. So it felt good having some "fresh" dim sum. It was also nice meting some of Alice's friends.

I decided to come back here and finish blogging. Tonight, we will go to the Ladies' Market if the weather holds. It looks like it might start pouring down any second. I feel like I need to accomplish one thing a day and dim sum was on my list of things I wanted to do.

Week 43 - Regular Programming

As I mentioned earlier, I love the Banyan Trees. There roots are so incredibly thick and they seem to be endless. For my devotion, I decided to use Jeremiah 17:7-8, which talks about trees and roots.

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and who hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

I'm not sure I am completely there yet. There are times when I feel firmly planted, but times when I am moved by things that happen around me. Normally things that shouldn't really move me. Interestingly enough the big things don't really phase me. It's the little things that add up and send me over the edge.

Hong Kong Chronicles

Yesterday, I slept in and was engrossed in a book. I finally left the hotel around one-ish. I took the subway to the Diamond Hill stop in the New Kowloon area to visit the Chi Lin Nunnery, which was quite beautiful. Allegedly no nails were used to build it. There were different openings with statues including one that was a Sakyamuni Buddhist. I don’t know much about the Buddhist faith. I noticed a lot of bowing and incense burning. There was a tape of chanting playing in the background. The nunnery is a replica of a house of worship from the Tang Dynasty, which was from 619-907. It opened in 2000. To get into it you enter a Lotus Pond Garden, which I loved. It was a very peaceful square. There was also another nice park adjacent called Hamma Hill Park. Across the street (and connected by a bridge) was the Nan Lian Garden, which was quite nice. I’ve seen quite a few nice parks this visit. It’s nice to get away from the concrete jungle and enter into the serenity of parks.

I then took the subway back one stop and went to the Wong Tai Sin Temple. There were a lot of people there praying and burning incense, so it was quite smoky. It opened in 1921 and is named for a person who was originally called Huang Chuping who was born in 328. He was said to be able to see the future and make wishes come true. According to my guidebook, worshippers from Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism visit. Again, not sure what the tenets of belief are for any of them. There are a lot of fortunetellers around the area. There was a very nice garden in the temple area.

It was hotter yesterday than it has been. I walked around New Kowloon some, but I didn't find it as inspiring or interesting as the area around the Prince Edward, Mong Kok, or Yau Ma Tei subway stops, which has been my favorite areas so far. I did catch some glimpses at Lion Rock, which basically does look like a sitting lion. No attempt was even made to even think about climbing it.

Came back to the hotel and read some. Then I had dinner with Alice and then read some more.

This morning, I got up and read and then got ready. I am meeting Alice for dim sum for lunch. Yay! Today, I'm not sure what I will do. I might just come back to the room and read after lunch. Or, I could just hop on the subway and see where it takes me. Tomorrow is Wednesday, and I plan to go to another museum. Thursday, I will certainly take it easy. Friday, I fly home. Ready or not.

Hong Kong Chronicles - First Glance at China

This picture was taken from Fortaleza do Monte. Across the river was my first glance of China. I didn't realize China was so close to Macau, or vice versa. The area of China is the Pearl River Delta.

Hong Kong Chronicles, # 18, 19, 20

It is currently Sunday evening in Hong Kong.

On Friday, I took the ferry to Hong Kong Island and walked around. The first thing I did was walk along the waterfront. There are a lot of ferries that go to the outlaying islands. My next visit, I will stay longer and visit some of them. I’m learning not to try to do it all in one trip. I visited St. John’s Cathedral, which was very peaceful. It was built in 1849 and is the second oldest building in Hong Kong. When the Japanese occupied Hong Kong from 1941 to 1945, it was changed into a club and much of the original fittings were taken out. I spent some time walking around Hong Kong Park. I was going to take the tram back up to the peak for the day picture, but the line was too long. I didn’t feel like waiting! In my time here, I have learned that the best way to cross busy streets is by using the subway and was able to navigate around without getting turned around.

While I was walking through Exchange Square, I came across a bunch of men glued to a TV. It turned out that they were watching the Australian rugby team play. It was unexpected and funny to hear them groan and cheer. I have since learned the rugby world cup is going on right now.

As I venture in this area, I realize that there are some cultural differences at play. People don’t cover their mouths when they cough, and I find myself pursing my lips and nose all the time. My sister used to do this, and I hated it. I feel like yelling cover your freaking mouth. Yuck, yuck, and yuck! People also freely pick their nose. I don’t mean the flick across, I mean digging for gold, which wouldn’t be so bad if a tissue was used. Also, the concept of personal space seems to be missing. A few times, I wanted to elbow folks in the stomach. Seriously, get off me. LOL. The concept of forming an orderly line seems to be lost and people try to cut. They then get offended when called out. They don’t understand or didn’t know were already there. Um, no. Get to the back of the line. Finally, there is a lot of spitting, which is so gross. Oh, and a lot of smoking. Double gross.

When I was in the park, I was thinking about this trip and how I didn’t plan anything. Normally, I have everything I want to see outlined with cost and notes like days closed. For a long time, I contemplated going to some island and being a vegetable. It would be great to take two vacations. One vacation that is all planned and outlined, and I do my running around and one that is just a sit on the beach vacation. I’ve also been thinking about life balance and trying to determine what it is exactly. I keep trying to figure out what having it all looks like. How do you balance family, career, etc? Everything has a cost and I guess how much cost am I willing to sacrifice to have it all especially seeing as I have no idea of what it means.

I keep meaning to mention the gambling ship that is docked near my hotel. The ship goes to international waters and people gamble in high stakes. Alice said that a lot of the Chinese think that life is a gamble so why not. There is also this really nice hotel called the Peninsula Hotel. I think Alice said it starts at $10,000 HK a night. It’s an 8 to 1 ratio HK/USA so even with the conversion it’s pretty pricey!

After Alice got off work, we caught the ferry to Macau. It’s about an hour away. Macau is 200 years older than Hong Kong. In the 1500s it became the first European enclave in China. It was under Portuguese rule for 450 years until being give back to China in 1999.

The fist thing we did was eat at a restaurant that was Portuguese / Macanese. I love the Portuguese buns. Yummy. We walked around the casino area near the Wynn and MGM. There are so many lights. The weather is warmer in Macau.

We stayed at the flat owned by Alice’s family.

Saturday, we did some sightseeing. We went to Senade Square. St. Dominic Church, the Ruins of St. Paul’s, and Museum in Monte Fortress. St. Paul’s was built by Jesuits who arrived in Macau around the 16th century. The church was built between 1602 to 1640. In the 18th century the Jesuits were forced out of Macau. The building was turned into barracks, and it was destroyed by fire in 1835. The only part that is left is the façade. The church was originally called Church of Mater Dei (Mother of God). Next to it is the Na Tcha Temple, which was built in 1901. It was supposed to illustrate the harmony amongst faiths as east and west met. We also walked around some side streets with Alice’s Uncle George. I felt like I saw where real people lived and shopped. Oh, and we had some more yummy buns for breakfast. I had two. One warm with just butter, which I think is the best way, and one warm with butter and Spam.

We also went to a Buddhist Temple for a ceremony for Alice’s nanny who was also her great aunt. Alice’s mom and brother met us and her uncle. I had never seen the service before. The priest said a prayer, and they prayed and offered food for her and some other stuff. I felt privileged to witness the ceremony.

I also got my first glance at China because it was across the river. I didn’t realize it was so close to Macau. The region in China I saw was the Pearl River Delta.

I loved the long bridges that connected the difference parts.

We also went to the City of Dreams Casino and saw a pretty cool dragon show called Dragon’s Treasure. It was well done and felt very real. There were times when it felt like a dragon was looking right t me. There were also times when it felt like we were moving down or up depending on the direction. I allowed myself $20 HK dollars to gamble, which is less than $3 USD. I played twice. Once before the show and won $2+ HKD and then after the show and lost it all. Between this and Vegas, I am down $11. I don’t believe in playing big, but I think it’s fun to play the slot machines.

Today, Sunday, we went to Shenzhen, which is located in China’s Guandong province. We took the rail. The ride was around 40 minutes.

I was offered watches, purses, jewelry, clothes, electronics, etc. People called us “missy” as they tried to get us in their stores. Some were aggressive, and it’s like no.

I did see the funniest pair of undergarments for men. They were basically designed like an elephant and the penis goes in the trunk part. It was just too funny not to mention.

People were like spitting in the mall and smoking in the mall. Gross. It was good first glance at China. There is still more I want to see. I’ve always wanted to see the Great Wall. My visa is multi entry and good until September 2012 so who knows what could happen in the next year.

Also, China was country number twenty that I've been too. Some coworkers and I are all trying to reach the goal of visiting 100 countries. My preference is to spend at least a few nights (3 is ideal) in each place. I would rather spend quality time in each place than go for quantity.

My passport has gotten a lot of action as I have been in and out of Hong Kong several times.

Hong Kong Chronicles

At the airport in San Fran, I was asking myself why I was traveling 14 hours away for vacation to a place in a different time zone. In case we haven’t met, the answer is simple. I want to see as much as the world as I can. My desire to travel is huge. While I have the time, money, and resources, I will go. When I retire, I may end up being on a fixed income or my ability to be mobile might decline. I don’t know. What I do know is that I must “work while it is day…the night cometh.” Okay, that was a paraphrase.

Plus, I can completely unplug from the Matrix!

I was thinking about my life. I am very grateful and thankful. I have made some bad choices, and those choices could have ended up worst than they did. I was thinking how different life could be if I hadn’t made those choices. But the truth is choices good and bad make us who we are. I have to belief I am who I am supposed to be.

I should tell you a little more about Canton Road and the mall. Any name brand you can think of has a store. Dior. Prada. Chanel. You name it; there is a store. It’s quite overwhelming. As you walk down the street people are offering you foot massage services and tailoring services. It’s hectic.

I ended up taking the subway from Tsim Sha Tsui to the Prince Edward Station. Every time I hear “Please mind the gap,” I smile. My goal was to get to Boundary Street and walk down Nathan Street to get back home. I would venture off to other streets to see things along the way. When I exited onto Nathan Street at the Prince Edward Station, I was in Hong Kong. Not the Hong Kong of Tsim Sha Tsui, but the real Hong Kong. I thought to myself, you are not in Kansas anymore. I forgot my water, and I had to get some water and the teller told me the amount in Chinese. It made me smile.

Anyway, I started at Boundary Street and made my way back. This street marked the border between British Hong Kong and China from 1860 to 1898. In 1898 the border was moved to include the New Territories for a 99-year lease that ended in 1997. It was of interest to see. Nothing earth shattering, but interesting. I may sign up for a day tour up to the New Territories.

I walked through the Flower Market to get to the Bird Garden, which was kind of sad to see all those birds in cages. It wasn’t quite what I expected. The guidebook said that locals take their birds there for fresh air. So, I was thinking of a park where people take their pets for air. It seemed to me that it was a place that mostly sold birds, but the guidebook made it sound like that was a small part of the novelty of the place. The birds were confined but singing so prettily. It reminded me of the sad song of Sirens. It was interesting to see the free birds there eating food from the edges of the cages.

I then walked back through the Flower Market and gave it some attention. It reminded me that I need to start buying flowers once a week for myself. There were some very pretty flowers. I then walked down Nathan Street and took in the sights and went down side streets that looked interesting. I took a lot of pictures of buildings that looked interesting. I realize that I take lots of building pictures when I travel, but they do tell a story. People’s lives are often displayed in their laundry and open windows. It’s hard to resist peaking in. Buildings also have character. Even ones that are seemingly in decay have a poetic sense of survival.

I walked through the Fa Yuen Street Market, which is part of the Ladies Market. There were streets of vendors sellings things from fruits, vegetables, meat, clothes, etc. I love taking pictures of the stalls, but try to be mindful that the vendors might now want to be in my photos so I try to aim for their goods.

I then cut over to Shanghai Street and walked through some of the Reclamation Street Markets, which had a lot of foodstuff. One of the markets was called Yau Ma Tei Market. I also went to the Jade Market. Basically, there were a lot of markets. It was fun to watch people haggle prices and go about their lives. Having suffered through the tourist at the Market at home, I try to be mindful of things that bother me. Like stopping in the middle of the sidewalk oblivious to the fact that people have things to do.

What I noticed was around Jordan Street, I moved from Hong Kong Hong Kong to tourist Hong Kong. It was disappointing to once again see all the tourist trap stores. Funny how the guidebook had the Golden Mile as the number one thing to do in the Tsim Sha Tsui area of Kowloon. Basically, it’s a bunch of stores for tourist to shop in, which I get. Tourism brings big money to cities.

I then spent some time in Kowloon Park, which was quite beautiful. There was a Chinese Garden, some sculptures, a bird sanctuary, tennis courts, a swimming pool, which I guess is a big cruising spot, and more. I totally love the Banyan Trees. Their trunks are so big and firm and their roots are firmly grounded. I did a lot yesterday and more than made up for the two days when I chill-axed.

I then returned to the hotel and read before going to dinner with Alice. We went to this Canton restaurant. Went home and read and then went to sleep.

Got up, read and then got ready and am now on the Internet. We leave for Macau tonight, and we will stay the night there. I am trying to figure out what I will do today before meeting Alice after work.

Hong Kong Chronicles

Yesterday, after I blogged, I headed to the art museum. Two of the galleries were closed for repairs, which was a bummer. Wednesday is free admission day so I couldn’t really grumble over that fact.

In case you don’t know, I favor oil paints and marble sculptures. I am deeply drawn to sculptures of the (male) human form. Amazing that someone can take an empty canvas if you will and create such powerful forms out of it. One of my favorite pieces is an uncompleted work by Michelangelo called The Prisoners. There is just so much strength in the muscles of the men struggling for release. It’s quite powerful and breathtakingly beautiful. There wasn’t much of that at the museum, at least the floors that were opened.

There was a room dedicated to calligraphy, which was interesting. There were also some etchings and lithographs. They also had a lot of artifacts. In fact there was some pottery from the Neolithic Period that was dated from 3600 to 3000 BC, which is quite old. In truth, I don’t always pay attention to artifacts. It’s only when I take the time to think about the people who used them that they become of interest. Unfortunately, they tend to be displayed in ways that I find overwhelming because I can't quite focus on one piece. If I can focus my mind, I appreciate them. I also appreciate them when someone I know in history used them.

One thing that is clear is that humans have been pretty consistent over the years. I was chuckling at the B.C. purses, bracelet, earrings, etc. Women have always adorned themselves with pretty things.

There were also some paintings. Two that stood out were an oil painting of a storm on a river and an oil painting of a Tonka boatwoman. There was also porcelain from different dynasties like Ming, Yuan, etc.

After the museum, I sat and enjoyed the sun before taking a short walk. I was going to Kowloon Park, which I still haven’t gotten to yet when I went to the hotel and read until time to meet Alice. I just wanted to relax. If I accomplish one thing each day, I’m good. LOL!

We took the ferry to other side and met her mom for dinner. Alice's mother likes me a lot because she said I was always happy and smiling. Okay, you can stop laughing now. Alice's mom is very sweet and has only seen me in small doses. I think two or three days at the most when I stayed with them in Vancouver. Her parents live in the mid-level of Hong Kong. Along the way, Alice pointed out the U.S. Embassy, go USA. Hee-hee. We went to this really great vegetarian restaurant. Her parents live in the same area that she grew up in before moving to Vancouver. She pointed out two other places that they had lived.

We went back to the bottom of the hill and took the tram to the peak. It was an amazing view. I loved all the lights looking into the harbor. I’m trying to decide if I will go back during the day. It would have to be timed for the setting of the sun otherwise the pictures will have reflections. Plus, with the pollution, the pictures could end up hazy anyway. We had ice cream and walked around the area that was filled with tourists.

Today, I will head out in a few. I’m still trying to decide what I want to do. I might walk around Kowloon, or I might take the ferry to Hong Kong Island and walk around. Decisions, decisions!

Hong Kong Chronicles - Picture from the Peak

I had dinner with Alice and her mom. After dinner, Alice and I went to the Peak to enjoy the night view. Here is a picture!

Hong Kong Chronicles

Yesterday, which was Tuesday, I slept in and then got up and was on the Internet in Alice’s room when she came home for lunch.

While I don’t remember when I met Alice, I have known her for over ten years. It may be around 12. We actually met through the port. She was working in Hong Kong at the time, which is where she is from, and she had been trying to get some information from one of my coworkers who was not responding, and she ended up being told to contact me.

When she received the information she requested, she sent me a thank you email and mentioned she was raised in Vancouver BC. It just so happened that I was going to Vancouver for the first time in the near future, which was my first international trip. I asked her for suggestions on things I should do. When I returned from Vancouver, I reported back and we just corresponded back and forth.

Somewhere along the way, Alice moved back to Vancouver, and we decided to go to vacation together in Jamaica. People on my end were sketchy and people on her end were sketchy too because we had not officially met each other in person. Pre-trip Jamaica she came down to the U.S., and we met on the waterfront. She had sent me a picture of her so I know whom to look for. Long story short, we’ve been friends every since. She moved from Vancouver to Victoria for a while, and then she moved back to Hong Kong to work for this hotel.

Alice lives in the Kowloon side of Hong Kong in the Tsim Sha Tsui area, so it’s pretty crazy down here with the tourist stuff. She lives on Canton Road, and her hotel is connected to these shopping malls, which are called Harbor City.

So, back to yesterday’s events. I went to check out the Hong Kong Tourist Board, which is located near Star Ferry to ask about one of the Duk Ling Rides. They are every Thursday, so I may do one tomorrow or the day before I leave.

I ended up just walking along the promenade and kept going and going until I came to the end, which was a building called Fishermen’s Wharf. I was thinking San Fran Fishermen’s Wharf, but this was not it. Then I walked back.

Along the way, I saw this really pretty Clocktower. The Kowloon-Canton Railway and the Orient Express used to end here. I passed through their Avenue of the Stars. I took pictures of the two names I recognized, Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Jackie Chan’s star was busy with people having their pictures taken with their hands in his imprints. There was also a Bruce Lee statue that was pretty busy with people taking pictures struck in the pose of the statue.

There were a lot of fishermen also. As far as I know, the seaway is pretty polluted so not sure what is done with the fish. I saw one man catch a fish that was pretty tiny, but he kept it.

Speaking of pollution, the smog. My goodness. Alice says it blows over from the factories from China’s Guandong Province. It looks like there is a fire burning somewhere and there is constant haze. The air quality is Seattle is perfect, trust. I have to say the red sunset was pretty amazing, which is what smog does.

I also sat and wrote and thought.

I met Alice for dinner. We ate at a Vietnamese restaurant, which was really good.

Today, I plan on going to their art museum. I wasn’t planning on going but some of the banners displaying the art caught my eye. The museum also had some outside sculptures, which I thought were nice. It is also free today. I will also try to get to Kowloon Park, which I didn’t get to yesterday. I must have walked for five to six hours yesterday, which felt good. I am meeting Alice at six and we are taking the ferry to Hong Kong Island to meet her mom for dinner. We are also getting the keys to her parent’s home in Macau. We will go their Friday and come back Saturday. We are going to Shenzhen on Sunday, so it will be a pretty busy weekend.

As I was watching people yesterday, I was thinking about how life isn’t always black or white or good or bad. Things get complicated and our choices aren’t made in those terms. There are things that are morally wrong that seem like the right thing to do at the time, which brings me back to love. “Love and Happiness. Something that will make you do right. Make you do wrong.” But wouldn’t love for the person…well never mind. Another conversation all together. What exactly is doing the “right thing?” I could ask who decides but I know the answer. As a society, we have decided that certain things are wrong. While it is morally wrong for me to go to Safeway and steal bread, this statement could be tested if I had mouths to feed and no money. Yes, there are other ways to get the bread. For example, I could get the money by selling myself, but isn’t that just as wrong? Again, I digress.

I was thinking about success and happiness. Who defines these things? Through my lenses I could look at people and see a “hard life” written in the lines of their faces and their weary gazes. What I realize is that I only notice these things when I am on vacation. At home, I am so busy getting from point A to point B that I don’t really see people and that made me sad. I realize I am part of the problem, not part of the solution.

And, life is so random. We don’t pick our families, color, country of birth, family class or any of those things that could give us an edge up or edge down. I say this knowing that every family rich, poor or whatever has problems, but at the same time, having food on the table is one less hardship. Having clothes on one's back and heat and shelter. Again, I digress. I am supposed to on vacation, sigh.

I was reading about the fact that there are a lot people here from Indonesia and the Philippines working as domestic help. They send money home. Alice saw a documentary about the children of mothers who move to other countries to work because they can’t find work at home. So, the children grow up without mothers – or with mothers who raise someone else’s child. As adults, their mothers are strangers to them. This hit home to me because my mother didn’t raise me. So, in my head I ask what is better. Better to stay at home and live in poverty or better to leave home and see your kid maybe once a year but be able to send money home for your child’s education and nutrition. It’s actually a question I can’t answer. I can’t decide what is best for anyone else. I can barely decide what is best for me. And what about these kids whose parents are there but leaving their care in the hands of someone else. Life is like web.

Anyway, I must be off. Excuse any typos. I will edit when I get back.

Hong Kong Chronicles - Now, back to special programming.

Last night (Monday night), I gratefully laid my head down on the pillow and went to sleep around 11 p.m. I woke up off and on throughout the night, but I rested a lot better than I thought I would. I do feel a little out of sorts right now. My body knows it should be sleeping and is lethargic, but I will get through the day.

Today, I plan on going for a walk. It’s about 1:30 p.m. here. I’ve been up since 10 a.m. but unpacking, getting cleaned up, and getting organized.

This vacation is going to be different than my recent previous vacations in several ways.

First of all, I plan on getting some rest. No days packed with rushing from here and there. So, there will probably not be many long drawn out history lessons of what I saw and why I saw it. So, it may be a little boring. I will be doing the equivalent of a beach vacation in a bustling city.

I have set no agenda. I have not made a list of places I must see. I will take each day as it comes. Alice works from 9 to 6 so I will amuse myself during the days before meeting up with her at night. There may even be a day or two when I don’t venture far from home. I am almost tempted to avoid any and every area that even suggests tourism, but can’t commit to that. LOL.

I may do a harbor cruise at some point, though riding the ferry to Hong Kong Island may count. I will go to Macao and China (Shenzhen), but not sure when. That’s all I know for now other than I want to go to the Peak (yes it is touristy), go to a night market (okay, more touristy), and have dim sum (which may or may not be touristy). Okay, okay. I will be a tourist.

Week 42 - Regular Programming

Once a year, my blog becomes a travel blog, which I will call special programming. This post is part of my regular programming for 2011. Once a week, I do a day of devotion and then blog about it. This entry is one of those. So, if you are only here to read about my travels, feel free to skip on to the next entry. Or, read on (smile).

I normally fast on Monday, but since I would be in the air and a little confused on timing, I decided to fast on Sunday. The subject on my mind was love because I went to a wedding on Saturday. During the ceremony, there was a part where the bride and groom said words they had written for each other.

The groom said something about the bride along the lines that she had:

Loved the unlovable

Gave hope to the hopeless

It touched something in me, and it made me think about what exactly is this thing called love. I am so convinced that love can heal people. There is a song that says, Love lifted me. Love lifted me. When nothing else could help, love lifted me.” I like this song because I know the words to be true.

The funny about this word love is that it’s a word I hear often. I often wonder if people realize what they are committing to when they say it? If you tell me you love me, it should mean something and it should result in something. Should there not be evidence in the declaration? When I don’t know everything about love, I don’t think love is easy come and easy go yet it seems so transient nowadays.

I certainly don’t have all the answers. I know how I think it should be, but I have to wonder how much of my belief in what love is has been clouded with romantic notions. I don’t think love is something that can be easily turned on and off, yet I wonder about how seemingly easy it is to transfer emotions. I think love should be unconditionally, which gives room for forgiveness. I don’t think love should take advantage of that or find excuses for hurtful behavior.

People are more interested in having someone serve them without any desire to serve the other person. People want to have all their needs met without every considering the impact their needs have on the other person. I can go and on, but I decided to find a scripture that talks about love and meditate on that. I do think that a big part of the problem is that people seem more interested in taking than giving.

I used 1 Corinthians 13:4-8m “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth.”

You know weddings have away of doing something. It is an awesome thing to see two people commit themselves to each other. It brings a longing that someone would feel that way about me to commit their life to me. That someone would declare to the world that I am the one they want to commit to, be with, cherish, and love. It’s more than a schoolgirl notion. In the end, love is about being willing to sacrifice something of myself to another person.

Queue the song “Ready for love.”

Hong Kong Chronicles - Hong Kong or Bust

I am in Hong Kong!

I left my house around 4:40 a.m. Sunday, which meant setting my alarm for 4:00 a.m. I actually woke up around 2:00 a.m. and drifted in and out until it was time to get up.

The trip to San Fran was forgettable. I was tired. I think my layover was around three hours, but I spent it texting, reading, and journaling. The 14-hour flight to Hong Kong felt long, and my butt was hurting (okay TMI). Although I knew the length of the flight, I forgot how it actually felt. The total flight time was 13 hours and 50 minutes. We went over Alaska, Russia, and China. The only other time I flew to Hong Kong was with Desiree on our way to India. Having a companion made it pass by quicker. I read, watched some movies, drifted off to sleep twice, and waited for time to slowly pass by.

When we finally arrived, I went through immigration and customs and waited for my bags. I normally don’t check bags, but I was bringing some stuff for Alice so I had to bring a big suitcase. Then in Seattle they were looking for people to check in their larger carry on. Since I already had a bag checked, I checked mine. I forgot how annoying it is to wait for your bags. Though it was nice not having to lug it around in San Fran and not have to worry about finding space in the overhead bin. Because of Murphy’s Law, my bag is always one of the last bags off. I was a little bitter that they took one of my locks off never to be seen again.

Alice told me to go out Customs Hall B, and I did. I was so happy to see her face in the crowd of people waiting. We took a train and then taxi to the hotel that she lives and works at (actually she works in the hotel down the street but it’s the same hotel family). I got settled. We ate, and she took me on a short walk to point out some landmarks. Now I am getting ready to hit the sack. My body is confused and with a 15-hour difference, who can blame it!

More later.

Week 41

Psalm 8:4 is one of my favorite scriptures. It reads, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”

There are times in life when I am very aware that God is mindful of me. I am currently in a season of awareness. So, this scripture was a good one to think and meditate on.

Earlier in the year was a little rough on me. I felt really uncertain in myself, relationships, and life. It didn’t really feel like God was mindful of me. I say that lightly because by now I am aware that even my darkest hours have always worked out for my good.

I am extremely thankful for God not forgetting about me and my desires. No, I don’t have everything I want, but I mostly have everything I need and that is a lot to be thankful for.

I am thankful for the little things. I need new tires and they are buy three get one free. That is a blessing. My job was recently upgraded. That is a blessing. I am going on vacation soon. That is a blessing. I have more to be thankful for than I can begin to write. Far more than any complaint I can register. I have more than enough “evidence” that God is mindful of me.

Week 40

Luke 10:25-28
King James Version (KJV)
25And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

Matthew 22:36-40
King James Version (KJV)
36Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38This is the first and great commandment.
39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

I find myself looking for elaborate answers, and often than not, the answer is pretty simple. Basically, I tend to complicate simple situations, which probably isn’t unique to me.

I find that when it comes to my walk with God, I complicate that too. But, I think when it comes down to it; it really boils down to love. Love of God, and love of my neighbors. Imagine how much easier relationships would be if love was the order of the day.

My pastor and his wife did a series that was geared towards the singles at my church. One thing they said about marriage is that you have to go in wanting to give to the other person, as opposed to going in wanting/needing your needs to be met.

So, my goal for the rest of the years is act out of love, which is easy to say but hard to implement.

I choose the scriptures above myself to remind myself to go back to basics: Love.

Volume X, Issue IV PCC Scroll Article

Article that will be published tomorrow in church blog.

When I was a child, I remember going through safety drills at school. These drills were never quite taken seriously by me or my classmates. As an adult, I go through similar drills at my job. These drills are not quite taken that seriously either. People roll their eyes and some don’t even bother going through the motions of leaving the building or ducking and covering.

Then, there are the occasional real, unscheduled fire alarms. They are followed by the anti-climactic discovery that nothing was seriously amiss. Normally, the café had burned something. In an odd way, it’s actually disappointing. It is Much Ado about Nothing. It is like we are rehearsing for a play that we do not really believe will ever have an opening night.

During the real drills that turn out to be dress rehearsals, I have a coworker who comes out to our meeting area with a duffel bag that contains his emergency supply kit. He is prepared.

The theme of this issue is preparing for what is to come/preparing for challenges. When I began thinking about my article for this issue, my coworker came to mind. The more I thought about him and his duffel bag, the more I realized he is the only one that is prepared. It reminded me of the Parable of the Ten Virgins.

It is a familiar story. Ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom. The bridegroom was delayed, and they slept. They were awakened by a cry in the night that the bridegroom was coming. Five were wise and had enough oil for their lamps, but five were not prepared. Though the parable refers to being ready for Christ’s return, I would like to use it in relation to being prepared in a natural sense.

In the work scenario, my coworker with his duffel bag is the lone wise virgin. The rest of us will no doubt, like the unwise virgins, plead with him for water or food. And he, like the wise virgins, will have to decline.

We have been told that a big earthquake is expected in our area. Yet, how many of us have taken the time to prepare for it? It is better to be prepared for a disaster and never need it than to try to scramble to get supplies together amongst the chaos of the aftermath of an actual disaster.

The economy is sputtering, yet how many of us have an emergency savings just in case. Yes, God will take care of us, but God expects us to be good stewards and prepare.

Tomorrow is not promised, yet how many of us have a will in place?

Of course, our spiritual preparation is extremely crucial, and knowing God’s word and voice is so important. Disciplines like fasting, prayer, and Bible study are a huge part of our preparation.

I would like to encourage you to prepare. We don’t know what is going to happen in the next hour, week, or month, but we can prepare ourselves both naturally and spiritually.