CHI-CHI-CHICAGO!
Hello everyone! I have arrived safely to Chicago. Thanks to all of you that keep my family and I in your prayers. For those of you that I have not spoken to in a while, SURPRISE! =) I actually got accepted into Optometry this year and will be studying in Chicago for the next 4 years (provided that I don't fail out!)
To Update:
We set off on Saturday morning, was suppose to leave at 8am but dwaddled until 10am. Got to Chicago around 7pm Toronto time. BTW, Chicago is 1 hour behind so keep that in mind if you're planning to call and send your love =P. I got to meet up with my roommate that night at a coffee shop. I still haven't had a chance to go to the Cheesecake Factory yet cuz there was a 2 hour wait...that must be some GOOOD cheesecake!
Sunday morning we went to church before moving in. I had wanted to go to Willowcreek on last time before my parents left but we got lost this time. We ended up going to The Moody Church instead. It was okay, the speaker was pretty good but the environment reminded me of the old gothic churches - kinda big and scary. On a interesting note, there's a radio station that plays Christian music all day, every day...AND they also had live service broadcasts on sundays. I thought that was pretty cool - I've never noticed any station like that in Toronto.
Anyways, we moved into my room afterwards. My roommate arrived a heck of a lot earlier than me so she was pretty much done by the time I arrived. Got settled in, had to rearrange the furniture a bit though. We think that our double room was originally a single cuz it's smaller than our suitemates...but it's ok, I'd like to think that we're a lot more cozy! =) I went out for dinner with my parents, my roommate and one of my suitemates to a restaurant called "Foodlife". It's kind of like Marche but much more casual and the food wasn't as fancy either. Then we went back to our dorm and got ready to go to a bar to meet some classmates. Wasn't all too exciting considering all we wanted to do was crawl into bed after a long day of unpacking. It took us about an hour to get to the bar and we walked about 1/2 hour to get to the station. So I only stayed about 45 mins chatting with some ppl then went back home to pass out.
Some brilliant person decided to call at 8am this morning and turned out to be the wrong number so after that, neither of us could go back to sleep. So we woke up earler and got our photo ids done. Then went to pcik up some last minute stuff.
I just goodbye to my parents and my mom started to cry =( On the plus side, my webcam's finally set up so I can talk to them face-to-face once they get home! (I got it as a going away present for them). Anyways, that's all for now - I know it's not very insightful but it'll have to do until next time.
HMM...
To be honest, it's been quite a while since I've updated and there are some things I'd like to mention but after reading Alex's blog, I don't feel it's the time. Instead, I'll post one of my journal entries from when I did a sandwich run back in mid-May:
I don’t know what to say. It’s been a very different experience. Doing the sandwich run today was something I’ve never done before and I’m still trying to digest my thoughts. I want to do it again. I want to be able to listen more, I want to be there more for them. Right before we met our first homeless person, Karen told me how whenever she comes downtown with a friend, she’d always buy a couple of taco bell’s or something just to hand out. She’d never really had a chance to talk to them though; which is something we're trying to do this time...to really spend some time getting to know them better. The first guy we encountered just wanted food. We didn’t really get a chance to get to know him better because there were so many of us. But he was friendly. Wasn’t rude or scary or anything. Very civil.
After the group split up, the second guy we met was one that really touched me. He was a middle Eastern who said hi to me as we were walking by. So we stopped to chat and to offer him some food. He wanted a ham & cheese and I asked where he was from. He said somewhere that I couldn’t quite hear and then he made a joke about how I didn’t know my geography. He bowed a lot to us. Sometimes from the waist and once on one knee. So we bowed back. The part that really moved me was when he asked me what was the first thing I did when I saw him. I wasn’t sure so I said, “Hi?”. He disagreed and so I said “Would you like a sandwich?” and he said “No”. He said, “you smiled at me”. He called me an angel face and told me to never stop smiling. And he told me to smile for his mother (whom I assume is in heaven). He said that I had a dimple, just like him. Now that I think about it, we do have a lot of similarities. As Joannie read yesterday in Psalms 22:2 “Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all”. I am so amazed at how the Lord is working in and through them. So many have felt God’s presence, even in their situations.
Like the third woman that we saw sitting on a bench. She had a shopping cart full of cardboard boxes – some with writing on it, relating to hunger and God. When we asked which sandwich she wanted she said egg, that it was her favourite. Then she said that she was hungry, and asked if she could have another. She was great to talk to, and ask us which church we were from. She told us that she went to the city hall but didn’t see any church people and ask if we knew if they handed out food there on Saturdays. Then ask we talked, she told us about needing to go to Baltimore because her green card has expired for 3 weeks and she needed to renew it but she needed to get $200 to pay for the bus. She had all her tickets but it was stolen before and she left it on the bus another time. Apparently she was from Windsor but had married an American who died. She was waiting for next week to come around so she can get her $195 but until then she’s broke and has no food. She told us how God was good to her because she was hungry and He sent us.
The fourth guy we talked to joked that he didn’t do drugs as we approached him. When we offered him food, he asked for juice. And then he asked for the sandwich as well. He told us that he doesn’t normally panhandle but likes to see if he can get a couple of smiling faces. He was so amazed by the four slices of ham inside the sandwich and joked about that being why we didn’t want to give it to him.
The last guy we saw also asked for juice. We got to talk to him for about because as we approached him he asked me if I knew Christ. Just like that. He then told me how wonderful God was because it didn’t matter how many times we screwed up, He’d still be there. He introduced himself and gave his hand for a handshake. I was taken aback because Peter had warned us not to touch anyone. But I’m glad he did that because it reminded me that this was something I would normally do if I net someone for the first time. I asked him about the books he had in his pocket and he said that those were for light reading. He opened the knapsack that he was sitting on showed us a few of the books that he was reading. “Warlock” and some other fantasy novels. I wish I could donate my books to them. He told us that his favourite book was the book of Isaiah. I want to know why now. I’m amazed at how much love these people have for God. That He is all that they rely on and they have that complete trust that God will provide.
An amazing thing happened during our debriefing. Since it was outside, it was pretty cold and we sat on benches newar some homeless people. One of them came over during our meeting and offered a bagful of food. Said he had too much and thought we should have it, and then left it for us. Amazing. Even in their own need, this man gave to others. Why can’t I be more like him?
Peter asked a good question at our debriefing. He asked us “where do we find our security?” Do I find my security in my home? My possessions? These people do have any of those things. Or if they do, it’s often robbed from them. Many times, all the security they have, they find from God. Why can’t my security come from God instead of materialistic belongings? It’s so true. If Jesus really was here, he wouldn’t be among us preaching. He’d be where they are, loving them, caring them and teaching them. I would like to do that, but more so, learn from them. There is so much to know.
The second thing that I realized that my blessing. God gave me a smile. I remember talking to my mom about finding spiritual gifts when we were on a plane coming back from Winter con and I told her that I thought my gift was my smile. I guess I truly realized how much this gift was meant to be shared today…shared with EVERYONE, no one excluded! So many of them are just looking for some recognition, to be acknowledge and greeted. How horrible is that? To go through a day without getting one smile...I seriously don't believe God intended it to be this way. I mean, He had to make smiles possible for a reason or else it couldn't be such a universal gesture.
Another amazing thing happened as we were going on the train back up. As we were having a discussion, a woman sitting next to Karen asked if we were students. When we said yes, she said that she was really encouraged to see such wholesome kids our age. She said that even before she heard us talking about God, that we had the ‘expression of Jesus’. She said she had heard of people talking about it but never really experienced it until today and told us that it was such a good witness to others. I am constantly in awe by the people God has placed in my life. He has blessed me with so many opportunities and experiences and I just pray that I will make use of all that He has provided to me.
So yes, I'm glad I got to read Alex's blog. Its helped to refocus my time with God - less on worldly worries, more sincere listening in my prayer please.
THE NON-STICK Me
Ah! I just came out of a shower and I can't tell you how nice it felt. One thing that I've definitely taken for granted is air-conditioning. I've been working at my optometrist's office until my summer job at the Science Centre starts, and I tell you, it's been pretty brutal. How brutal, you ask? Well, think of the weather we've been having the last couple of days (~28 Celsius) and imagine stepping out of an office where this weather is considered very nice & cool. I can't possibly imagine how some families who may not be able to afford air-conditioning actually live during the summer - especially on days were there's smog and the temperature is well over 30. I guess it makes me appreciate just how many luxuries I have in my life.
On a side note - T.V. is EVIL!!!
I waste away in front of the screen...watching cleaning & home-decorating shows. You know you're getting old when this is more appealing that anything else on television at that moment. *sigh* I mean, if I was at least watching cooking shows I could maybe say that I'm being productive. Help! I need accountability!
THANKFUL...
I got this in a e-mail a little while ago and just thought I should share:
If you woke up this morning
with more health than illness,
you are more blessed than the
million who won't survive the
week.
If you have never experienced
the danger of battle,
the loneliness of imprisonment,
the agony of torture or
the pangs of starvation,
you are ahead of 20 million people
around the world.
If you attend a church meeting
without fear of harassment,
arrest, torture, or death,
you are more blessed than almost
three billion people in the world.
If you have food in your
refrigerator,
clothes on your back, a roof over
your head and a place to sleep,
you are richer than 75% of this
world.
If you have money in the bank,
in your wallet, and spare change
in a dish someplace, you are among
the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If your parents are still married and alive,
you are very rare,
especially in the United States.
If you hold up your head with a
smile on your face and are truly thankful,
you are blessed because the
majority can,
but most do not.
If you can hold someone's hand,
hug them
or even touch them on the shoulder,
you are blessed because you can
offer God's healing touch.
If you can read this message,
you are more blessed than over
two billion people in the world
that cannot read anything at all.
You are so blessed in ways
you may never even know.
There is much that I should be thankful for, especially now. I pray that I can always remember: I don't deserve anything that's been given to me. Many tough choices are ahead; may I be able to approach them with a thankful, serving, and most of all, humble heart.
CHECK LIST/UPDATE
Ok, my progress so far:
#16
I was helping/learning how to cook dinner today. I realized that making fish wasn't all too hard so I will no longer be AS impressed when Cass says that she cooked fish for dinner. *grin* I also realized that I enjoy making a mess but don't really like following instructions. Case in point: My mind started wandering the minute dad starts to explain the proper way to cook chicken but I laughed myself silly when i spilled soya sauce all over the the cabinet doors, counters and floor. Almost as bad as the time I spilled the rice bag - almost! *sigh* yes, i know i'm a klutz.
#8
Started reading "Jesus among other gods". Someone I know wanted to more about Christianity so I figured I read this book first to see if it's worth lending it. Apparently it's a very good book and comes highly recommended from lots of ppl that I've talked to. We'll find out
#1
I've found a class at Seneca that looks pretty good so I'm thinking about taking it. Is anyone else interested??
Basic conversational Mandarin
Mon 7-10pm or Sat 9:15-12:15pm
May 10th - Aug 14th
$198
#31
Standard First Aid & CPR
Dates are flexible
$85 (the cheapest one so far...St. John's was $159! What?!!)
I don't want to take either class alone but will be forced to if no one else is willing to join in. It should be fun! I know it's steep. Heck, anything more than 10 bucks and I think it's expensive but I think they're well-worth the shiny penny.
I was productive today in that I've cleaned out and re-organized most of my closet, compiling my waterloo and toronto clothes; cleaned out my dad's closet (i wonder when he'll notice that it's suddenly really empty); and cleaned out my mom's closet (and stole a couple of her unwanted garments...it's only fair since she took some of mine!). It's funny cuz the she took one of my unwanted last time and finally decided to get rid of it today...only I picked it back up. We really don't want to give that piece away! That's about it. I only came home last night so spent most of the day sleeping. Hopefully tomorrow will be even better spent! =)
Oh! Almost forgot, I finally watched "My Sassy Girl" after hearing others talk about it so much...only to realize that I've actually watched the darn thing before! Note to self: must less oblivious to everything!!
DAYDREAMING...
So yes, studying has not been productive b/c of daydreaming. Plus it doesn't help that all my friends that are in the same program as me are already all done and partying it up while I'm still stuck at the library. We went out to see Kill Bill yesterday and everyone decides to go for bubble tea afterwards, guess what I ended up doing - that's right, I went home to sleep so that I could wake up early for a last minute cram session before my exam tonight. What am I doing right now? Well, obviously not studying!
Cass lent me her Bond CDs and I have to admit they're pretty good! For those of you who've never heard of Bond, they're female string quartet ensemble that kind of mixes classical w/ trans music. And, oh yeah, they dress quite provocatively as well...that's actually how I first heard of them, going through some guy's DVD collection and saw their concert special. *tsk, tsk*
Anyways, I'm hooked on a couple of their songs and I started thinking how cool it would be to use them during a wedding reception cuz it's fun and upbeat since its latin and greek(?) based. Most weddings seem to be more distant and sombre. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? A wedding's normally suppose to be a joyous occasion but it generally seems like the usual dinner/speech/pick-on-the-couple program....maybe it's the Chinese thing. I want a fun, everyone-going-crazy-dancing-and-laughing-all-night-long type of wedding...like a REAL celebration of the marriage. Listen to the CDs and you'll understand the type of wedding I have pictured. So yes, looks like I'm going to have to find me a husband that's willing to do that (ie. make a fool of himself by dancing and doing fun/silly stuff in front of all his relatives - yes, that means his grandparents too). Going to be mighty tough since he has to know how to cook and carry a conversation with me as well! *laughs* Ah well, time will tell, watch me end up with the complete opposite for a husband...*grin*
Ok...back to studying! T minus 10 hrs until I'm freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
WANTED
The Opportunity:
Providing valued opinions regarding female apparel
Qualifications:
-repected and mature male; OR female capable of providing a masculine perspective
-brutal honesty
-patience
Date:
Flexible
Benefits:
-Possible opportunity for outlet shopping in the States
-Other terms negotiable
Apply below or through the various contact means available.
~~~~~~~
For real...I want to go through my closet and change my wardrobe. And I seriously do need someone that's willing to be the 'guy' and tell me what's ok and what needs to be gone. Any takers? Like I said, we can negotiate the benefits! (free meal, etc)
ONLY IN WATERLOO...
...would we, as students, be geeky enough to go to war over a stupid library cubicle.
I have to admit that it was my fault it all started anyways; but today, things got a little too far out of hand. I am beginning to get a glimpse of the temptations Martin Luther King Jr. must have faced when he encountered all that opposition...it's so much easier to be bitter; to just lash out in anger and in vengeance. I truly admire his strength and perserverence.
" King had developed a sophisticated strategy of war fought with grace, not gunpowder. He never refused to meet with his adversaries. He oppoised policies but not personalities. Most importantly, he countered violence with nonviolence and hatred with love"
~ What's so amazing about Grace?, Philip Yancey
I hope that my actions may always be out of love as well.
NEW ADDITION
As you may have noticed, to your right hand side there is a lovely addition of things that I would like to do sometime in the next couple of years. Many require only 2-3 hours so I was hoping to do them this summer but as I started to write all of it down, I realized that these hours will add up! *laughs* So I changed it to just a general list of things - keep in mind that this list will be ever changing as there will be more that I want to do (and hopefully others will be checked off!) Since I actually used some html to put that list up...I think I'm well on my way to completing #26. What a great way to kick off the list! =)
*sigh* You can totally see that I'm procrastinating...
EMOTIONS
I have so much to blog about but so little time as I've been hiding out at the library. There is a lot that I want to share but I also want to do it personally - so be expecting my call after exams if I know your phone number. Just a brief outline, these past several weeks (i'd say the last month or so) has been the most trying for me. I've been keeping to myself and keeping a lot to myself...and things were pretty much ready to explode. I apologize now to all those who had to put up with the distant, very non-me person during this time. I think I haven't experienced this wide range of emotions and shed this amount of tears in a very long time but I knew throughout the whole time that this was a opportunity in which God wanted me to grow. I'm not saying this is over by any means, I'm still learning to rely on Him; trust in Him; and praise Him in whatever situation I may find myself in. God has been exceeding gracious me and I know that I am utterly unworthy to be given anything else after offering me the greatest gift already. I do not know what His purpose is but I pray that I will be able to be and serve as He originally intended for me.
On a side note, prayer meeting was great today. Thanks Tim for reminding us of using joy and enthusiasm when studying. Too often do we take for granted the education and books we have before us, and too often do we approach them with a heavy and resentful heart. I am excited to learn and excited to write my exams, and I pray that this may continue and spread to others throughout the entire exam period! =)