GOT TAGGED
Ok…since everyone’s busy studying or sleeping I guess I’ll blog. I really wish there wasn’t a time difference – I can’t ever talk on phone anymore cuz by the time I’m ready to crawl into bed and chat, everyone’s already asleep!
I’ve seen this going around and I’ve finally gotten tagged by Jeff, so here goes. 5 random things about me. I’ll go with a washroom theme:
1.
I like my toilet paper placed a certain way. I’m sure it sounds stupid and anal but my housemate in Waterloo actually voiced this concern…I knew then that we were meant to live together. When the roll is empty, I like to replace it with the paper coming in from the top. This prevents dirty hands from reaching underneath to search for the first sheet – it’s already on top, right where you can see it! =)
2.
I really don’t like the aerosol air fresheners. Granted, I think it’s really sweet that you think of others who may need to use the throne after you’ve sat on it for a decade but I don’t like how the seat gets sticky from the freshener droplets. Plus, we used to have one that left yellow marks…definitely not something you want to see on the toilet. Just turn on the fan or light a candle…or ten.
3.
Guys, leave the seat down when you’re done, especially when you know that a female will be using the washroom. It’s just courtesy. Think of it as opening the door for a lady. No woman wants to walk into a glass door…just like no woman wants to fall into the toilet bowl. It’s happened before and that’s why I’m giving you all a heads’ up! When you’re stumbling around after waking up in the middle of the night, no one wants to turn on the light and the LAST thing you would do is to check if the toilet see is down.
4.
I like washrooms, I always have. It’s been my little sanctuary at home; a place where I can read quietly and no one will disturb me. I don’t always sit on the can, sometimes I sit on the floor or in the tub. The washrooms are also where I usually visit when I go to a new restaurant. That’s actually one of the ways I judge a new restaurant – by how clean their washroom is and if there’s anything unique about it (ie. music choice, decorations). I think it’s cuz when I was really little, I wasn’t allowed to leave the table to play. So my only excuse to move from my seat was when I said I had to go to the washroom. As I grew older, I needed to escape from boring adult conversations during meals. So I would play with the soap and blow bubbles in public washrooms. Yes, this is what happens when you’re an only child. Besides, I’ve always had a small bladder so washrooms were necessary.
5.
It’s not exactly about washrooms but when I was younger; my grandmother would have be pee in a tofu bucket. Then she’d take my urine and pour it over the plants outside in our backyard. Has anyone else had an experience remotely similar to this??? Apparently it’s supposed to be a good fertilizer. I would’ve thought that it kills the plants because of the acidic nature. She said only kids’ urine would do when I asked her why she didn’t do it. See how obedient I am!
So the moral of this blog is to call Vanessa late at night so then she won’t write more embarrassing things about herself. Please!
My turn! Who hasn't received one of these things yet and hasn't blogged in a while? Ok, I tag...Steph, Iris, Tee, Dennis and Alex. Get to it people! =P
THAT SINKING FEELING
Okay…update needed since my exams are over, I had my break week & winter quarter has already started.
Hmm. I’ve been in a not-so-good place for the past week & a half. The place where you know you’ve done something bad but instead of facing up to it, you ignore it, even become apathetic towards it in hopes that it will just disappear. John Ortberg talks about "that sinking feeling" in his book. I'm there.
I’ve been trying to make amends. Taking the first steps. I think I’m still lacking the sincerity and humbleness. I haven’t cracked open The Book cuz I’m afraid of its conviction. I need to be completely broken and yet I’m scared to fall completely apart.
~"Something Beautiful" Jars of Clay
REFLECTION
I just got off the phone with my mom and can I just say how much my parents continue to astound me with their actions? Since my cousin took one of the cars back to Western, my aunt & uncle have one car to share with their other teenaged daughter. So my parents are now lending them their car every Mon. – Wed. Turns out that a lot of times, my dad drops my mom off at work in the morning and since my dad gets off earlier, he goes to buy groceries & prepares dinner while my mom takes the bus back home. Why? Cuz it saves money (gas is expensive) & it’s much easier for her to take the bus anyways instead of my dad making the trip to pick her up again.
How many of us would rather pay the extra money than to take the bus? And it’s not like they can’t afford it, I mean they’re supporting my education in the states; that not something everybody has the option to do. But my parents have always tried to save in areas that could be saved. It makes me look at my own life and where/how I spend my money. I must confess that I squander it away on self-indulgence.
Their marriage is one that I admire so much. There is so much giving from both parties and they always choose to look past each other’s weaknesses and just focus on each other’s strengths. And they work so well together as a team. If my dad cooks, my mom cleans. If my dad does the floors and dusting, my mom does the laundry & scrubbing. Every morning, they will wake up and make the bed together and every night they will read & pray together.
Not that they never had problems, but I have to say that seeing the changes in their marriage as a Christian couple was one of the most influential witnessing to me because I experienced it day in & day out. There was so much more peace in their relationship, a reason why they were together other than “well I married you and promised to spend the rest of my life with you”. It’s weird to think that there was a time when I was little that they were seriously contemplating divorce. If you’re interested, you should ask them to share their testimony some time. I’m sure they’d be more than happy to speak of some of their experiences. Their 26th wedding anniversary is coming up next week. It’ll be the first time that I won’t be there to celebrate with them since I was old enough to know what it means to include me.
Time and time again I look at my life and I wonder why it is that I am so blessed. I am so thankful for each day and I can’t help but wonder what am I being prepared for? “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more with be asked” ~Luke 12:48
My parents have so much, and yet they give without thinking twice. Why can’t I do the same? Learning to be unselfish sure is hard. I really need to remember: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart…” ~Job 1:21 The things that I have here are only temporary, the possessions, the respect, the time. I can’t take any of these things with me so why do I place such a high value on them?
I was reminded over the weekend as to why I follow Christ. It’s shouldn’t be because I’ve been given all these things – these gifts, these talents, the material wealth. It shouldn’t be because of opportunities presented to me just short of being miraculous, like getting into optometry. It even shouldn’t be because I have an eternal place in heaven.
It’s because I can gain intimacy with God through Jesus that I follow Him. And I think I’ve forgotten that. I’ve forgotten that the joy of christian relationship is not that He does something for me but that He IS something to me. I’ve forgotten that Jesus gave me more than all these blessings; He gave me Himself.
God, I want to know the joy, fulfillment and satisfaction of being with you.
JUST WHAT I NEEDED
Stole this from Iris' page...check it out, had a good laugh. In particular was the guy in the background playing video games & never turning around.
Ever had the feeling of a complete mental shutdown? I've experienced it twice already this past week. It's the most interesting sensation: I'm not tired or anything, it's just that mind becomes blank - utterly relaxed and devoid of any information. I flipped out the first time cuz it was while I was studying for pharm - I thought I lost everything that I studied. My roommate was quizzing me and things that I answered half an hour ago...I just sat there staring at her. Fortunately, it came back after an hour or so break.
The second time happened today, during my optometry final. Again, I was very fortunate cuz I had already finished the exam and was just going over my answers. So I just got up and left...figured it was my brain telling me it's had enough. Isn't crazy how our body sends us signals?
Ahh finals...I love finals week. Seriously. I'm not being sarcastic. It's amazing how much your can learn in such a short amount of time. It just makes me feel that going to classes are quite a waste of time. Besides, finals time are always more flexible. It's just study, eat, and sleep. I can plan my own schedule the way I want. Can't do that when there's lectures and labs to go to and assignments and papers to do. But still, between working and going to school...I'd choose school any day! Work is so routine, 9 to 5 every day. Not to say that my schedule isn't routine rite now...but at least I have a choice. I can choose to skip class. I can't choose to skip work, otherwise I'd be fired. It's so much more fun and relaxed at school. =) Maybe my thoughts will differ when I'm in 4th year. I doubt it though.
Okay...time for my meeting. Be back soon!
TRY THIS ONE ON FOR SIZE
New quiz!
Auditory : 42%
Vanessa, you possess an interesting balance of hemispheric and sensory characteristics, with a slight right-brain dominance and a slight preference for visual processing.
Since neither of these is completely centered, you lack the indecision and second-guessing associated with other patterns. You have a distinct preference for creativity and intuition with seemingly sufficient verbal skills to be able to translate in any meaningful way to yourself and others.
You tend to see things in "wholes" without surrendering the ability to attend to details. You can give them sufficient notice to be able to utitlize and incorporate them as part of an overall pattern.
In the same way, while you are active and process information simultaneously, you demonstrate a capacity for sequencing as well as reflection which allows for some "inner dialogue."
All in all, you are likely to be quite content with yourself and your style although at times it will not necessarily be appreciated by others. You have sufficient confidence to not second-guess yourself, but rather to use your critical faculties in a way that enhances, rather than limits, your creativity.
You can learn in either mode although far more efficiently within the visual mode. It is likely that in listening to conversations or lecture materials you simultaneously translate into pictures which enhance and elaborate on the meaning.
It is most likely that you will gravitate towards those endeavors which are predominantly visual but include some logic or structuring. You may either work particularly hard at cultivating your auditory skills or risk "missing out" on being able to efficiently process what you learn. Your own intuitive skills will at times interfere with your capacity to listen to others, which is something else you may need to take into account.
**If you have nothing better to do, I'd say see how they analyze each question after your down the quiz. I found it very interesting...Boy, I sure don't want to study!**
P.S. Remember when I mentioned that I saw Vanessa Rodrigues performing during the JazzFest in Montreal? I was reading old comments and she actually posted something! Whoa...crazy and cool! Now I REALLY have to be careful of what I say...there are actually ppl who read this blog that I don't know or never met. How weird is that? *laughs* That's the pot calling the kettle black cuz I know I do the same thing too. =P
TIME FOR ANOTHER QUIZ
My fav line: "You'd absolutely refuse to date someone dumber than you, for instance. " HAHAHAHA. Gotta love that! Yeah, I really should be studying... |
INDESCRIBABLE
So I went to the service last night where Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman & Louie Gigli0 came to Willowcreek to celebrate it's 30th aniversary. For those of you who don't know, Willowcreek is this really huge church out in the boonies (Simon compared it to the Air Canada Center) that's had a really big impact around the world this past little while.
I had gone to visit when everyone came down for Thanksgiving and although the new auditorium wasn't filled on that Sunday, it certainly was filled last night. In fact, every seat in all the balconies were filled. To top it off, their "old" auditorium was filled; as well as the overflow room. It was nuts. I have never been in a place where SO MANY people gathered just to worship our God. It was a very humbling moment.
Have you ever had one of those moments? I get them once in a while on Sundays when I'm at service. I'll be sitting there and suddenly think of my parents, how they're probably at church too...and how many other churches are filled or how many other groups are coming together all around the world to pray to our Lord. How worthy is He! Just the thought fills me with awe. Doesn't it ever make you wonder why we get together? Doesn't it make you want understand who this God is that we worship? What is it about Him that draws so many people and changes so many lives?
I do. And I pray that as I continue to seek Him, that this desire will just burn deeper and stronger. They were saying last night that Willowcreek started out as a small youth group...God sure can do amazing things if we're willing to be used by Him.
EVEN MORE CONFUSED
I just found out I'm class rep. I'm shocked and pleased...but also very confused. Words of wisdom anyone? In need of more prayer.
TOPICS
#1. So I was doing my usual check-up on blogs and it seems as though no one's been updating recently other than Mike and Jolyn. What's up with that? But then I realized who am I to talk since I haven't been consistent either. My guess is that everyone's busy with midterms and living an exciting life...one that doesn't require the escape through blogging. It's coming down to the last 2 weeks for the quarter for me (ie. finals are closer than I care to imagine) so of course, I shall be slacking off and begin blogging again =)
#2. I did something last week that is completely out of character for me and I'm still trying to come to terms with my actions. I decided to run for the position of class rep. You guys know me: I care too much about what others think of me so I'm definitely not one to be involved with anything that requires voting (too many memories of being picked last for sports as a kid), especially when it's 150 of your classmates. I think everyone was surprised that I ran, even my close friends. It's like running for student council in high school - you normally know people, and even though I'm nice, I'm not exactly extroverted. Oh well, this is all besides the point. I ran cuz I care about my classmates and thought that I would do the job well. Is it what I'm suppose to do? I don't think so. It's weird, I ran but I don't think I'm suppose to be class rep. And here's where coming to terms with my actions takes place. I think I've seriously messed things up cuz I tried to take things into my own hands again, doing what I thought was right and good. Above all else, Thy will be done. Is is wrong to still be happy about doing something even though it wasn't what you're suppose to do? I'm glad I submitted my name and said my speech. I'm glad I got the chance share my thoughts with my classmates and friends. Most of all, I'm glad that I faced my fear head-on...not that it's still not there but I didn't run away and hide from it. Is that good or bad? What is the purpose of fear? Is there a time when you should listen to fear (other than in life-threatening situations)?
#3. What do you guys think about meeting someone on-line? It seems to be more common down here in the states, at least at this school...I've heard it at least twice now. I've always been skeptical about it, probably cuz I used to pretend to be different of ppl in chat rooms when I was younger. I know - I'm terrible. But the conversation came up and the reasoning behind it was that you're in school all the time (and our school is small) so you don't really get a chance to meet other people. Which started to make me wonder...how do you meet people once you've graduated? I look at some of my single friends in Chicago, and I realized that it's true...they all just hang out with each other. So the only time there are changes in dynamics is if someone new joins the group - in which case, they'd be "fresh meat". I know a lot of times it's through your friends, but what if you've met their friends already or there is none? Even in those cases, I wouldn't have thought to go on-line but it seems to be working out for them so far - maybe it'll be a possibility in the future(?) *laughs* I don't know why, but I have this bad connotation that finding someone on-line is something that you do when you're not attractive and desperate. And it's totally not true! My classmates could totally find someone to date through the "traditional" means if they wanted to, it just so happened that they went through the internet instead. So now my old roommate is trying to get me to find someone online but...
#4. ...I'm actually perfectly happy where I am right now. It's odd cuz back in high school, I've always been the type of person who wanted to date and wasn't satisfied unless there was someone to obsess over. Now, I look at all these people around me who are in relationships and I thank God that I'm not. That's horrible isn't it? I should be thankful just in and of itself, not by comparison. To see people so focused on their significant others or to see them in pain and suffering...and I'm grateful that I'm not in their position. Doesn't that sound so pretentious? It's so selfish of me to think so but I can't help it. Not to say that I'm not moved when to see some of my friends so thoughtful and soo in love and that I don't sympathize when see my other friends going through their struggles...I am and I do! But in the end, I look at all of the emotional rollercoaster that's involved and I think that there are better ways I want to spend my energy. So yeah...I guess that just means I'm not ready for a romatic relationship yet! *grin* My roommate, the one I mentioned above, thinks that I'm just scared and that I need to get out cuz otherwise I'd get rusty. It's possible that I'm scared...at times I think might be, but is it possible to be rusty? I mean, isn't it just like hanging out with someone and getting to know them better? I assume that's how all relationships are approached and as long as you maintain your friendships, you shouldn't be rusty right?
That's a wrap of topics discussed when we really should've been studying for the pharm test that we had today...maybe then I could've done better!
BTW, I got my first piece of mail today that was addressed to Dr. Vanessa Wong. Doesn't that look weird?!! Obviously they didn't realize that I haven't graduated yet but I completely forgot that this will be how I am addressed after I'm done school. There's a big "whoa..."
OVERWHELMED WITH LOVE
So I was sitting at dinner on Friday night surrounded by family & friends and couldn’t help but start tearing up when I realized just how loved I am. It’s weird cuz only recently, I started having doubts about a lot of things in terms of my relationships with people and here was God blatantly reminding me that He is always at work. Praise God for His continuous faithfulness even when I lose faith. Cam, Irene and Simon came down with my parents this year to visit me and tour Chicago. Their attempted surprise didn’t go as planned since I walked up to the car that they were hiding in while looking for my parents but it was still exciting. I have the most awesome friends! And of course, my parents…whatever will I do without them? They would go to the ends of the earth just to see me.
So we went to Joy Yee’s on Friday after dropping off the bags. It’s the best Chinese food in Chinatown that I’ve had and everyone that I’ve brought there so far agrees with me. I think it’s the fresh fruit drinks that tips the balance. Afterwards, stayed up late chatting of course even though it was a long day for everyone.
Saturday morning, we left to go outlet shopping and I got my birthday present – a cell phone!! Finally, at the age of 23, I have my own cell…I know it takes me a while to follow trends (personal cell phones became popular in high school right?) but I’ve arrived to the 21st century =). I also got a new jacket as a birthday present (my mom said the phone wasn’t a real birthday gift cuz it’s also for emergencies…I’m willing to believe it although I know it’s just an excuse for my parents to spoil me). I splurged on a new wallet – it was more expensive than the one I currently have (granted I got it for 10 bucks at an Esprit outlet when I was in grade 8) but I figured since my old one lasted for so long...this will be another one of those “investment” deals. We went to Maggiano’s for dinner...the most “bang for the buck” I’ve had in terms of fine dining. Granted the wait was 1 and 1/2 hrs long but it was definitely well worth it! I have so much leftovers in my fridge right now - my meals are sooo set for the next few days. After being stuffed silly, we ended up just hanging out in my room while slowly digesting our food. It’s so much fun just to sit around and chat with friends back at home...everyone should come down for a visit!! *grin* I know, I know...now I'm just being greedy.
Sunday morning, we woke up early to go to Willowcreek for service. I haven’t been there since my interview and they’ve totally renovated the place since then. It’s so huge! But the sermon was as impactful as the last time I went. God is doing some crazy things with that place. I kind of want to go there again – apparently they’re having a worship concert with Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, and some others, just for people who go to their services. Too bad I don’t have a car. After church, we went to Giordano’s for Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza. In my opinion, still not comparable to our dinner from the night before but I guess it’s like comparing apples and oranges. We had a hard time finding unblocked roads since the Chicago Marathon was happening. We ended up parking a few blocks away down by the University of Illinois – Chicago and walked instead. It was so cool cuz I actually saw someone I knew running - Gooo Manlee! What are the odds of that in a marathon this big?! After lunch we did the tourist thing, going to see Buckingham Fountain, the big silver bean and walking around Millenium Park. Today was the perfect weather. And then we had to say our goodbyes after which I totally crashed for 2 hrs.
That pretty much sums up my fun-filled weekend. Thanks again for coming down guys - I really appreciate it! Now back to reality…