No freedom...no rights

So on Jan. 19, 2006, I tried to leave the country on vacation. I have never been stopped at customs before, but there's a first time for everything. It was scary; they searched through my stuff.

And so, it continues…I’m still here, I still have this lawsuit hanging over my head, can’t get out of the country, can’t see my family, can’t see my fiancée.

But, looking at the big picture, it could be worse. And, it made me realize how much less freedom the people in this country have. I mean, they're restricted from doing so many things, and on the spiritual level, most of these people don't have freedom. I can take comfort that I have an eternal hope, that there is a loving God who delights in doing His people good, who has a perfect and wonderful plan for my life, and that even before there was a problem, a solution was on the way.

I'm praying for a speedy resolution to this problem, and that my heart won't be hardened towards this country. I keep reminding myself that there is corruption and unfair treatment anywhere, even in a country like Canada, and I can't just hold a grudge against this country in particular...and I need to remember not to stereotype all the people here. It's hard.




THat the world would know Christ and be transformed.



Sigh.

Fun quotes from the group

We have a little quote book going on over here to record memorable things that have been said over the year. So far, D.Lu and Kaix are way in the lead with a bazhillion quotes. Here are a few of the more memorable:

I could date a girl for 3 months and then elope. - Suave D.Lu
If this were real life, I'd hire a hitman to take you out. - D.Lu, playing president/janitor the card game
You know what keeps me up is organizational structures. D.Lu (obviously an uber-nerd)
Glitter was ahead of it's time. - Mariah Carey (I just put this in because we all agree it's a great quote, not because I actually heard her say it or anything)
I'd like to say right now that I feel like you should all sacrifice your lives for me because you've lived longer. - D.Lu
There are some pretty hot 70-year-olds. - D.Lu (Edit: D.Lu keeps complaining about being mis-represented, so I will now give you the context for the quote. He was talking about Sarah from the Bible. Okay? Okay. Because all the Pharoahs were after her. So she was obviously hot. So obviously there could be some hot 70 year olds.)

Sorry, so I guess D.Lu actually dominated the funny quote section. The others are apparently very un-amusing in what we say. So that's a smattering of life over here in Asia.

Oh, and my fast is done today, so street meat, here I come!

More random thoughts...

In continuing my little rant on people viewing God as a blessing dispenser, I think the problem is when we ask God for things that we want more than God. It's okay to ask for things, and He wants us to ask Him for all our needs, but if we want those things more than we want to know God, more than we want to seek God, then there's a problem.

“You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways.” - Daniel 5:23

This is materialism…worshipping gods of wealth, fame, success. And yet, we ignore the God who holds in his hands our LIVES. Forgive me for being distracted by anything other than you, the God of the universe, who created me and has a wonderful plan for my life. Forgive me for thinking that I know better.

Will you hesitate?

"...I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God." - Paul, in Acts 20:24-27

Paul boldly declared his innocence of shedding any blood. At the end of it all, will I be able to say the same thing? Will you?

How do you summarize the last few months?

Well, seeing as Amanda even broke her allegiance to xanga to comment on my blog that has sadly remained unupdated for eleventy billion months, here it is.

How do I summarize the craziness of the last few months?

1) I got engaged!!! By God's grace, I found him right in front of me! I love you, Kevin. No wedding date yet, plenty of time for you all to suggest the perfect dress, food, flowers, etc.
2) I got a lawyer to handle my horrendous bicycle case. My frustration with this is lessening, but it's definitely something I need to give up to God everyday.
3) I dressed up as a bird for our halloween party and proceeded to kick another Canadian guy's butt at fishing chocolate balls out of ketchup with my mouth. It was DISGUSTING. It was made even more disgusting by the fact that someone MAY have taken some of the chocolate balls that my competitor had already fished out of his ketchup plate and put them into my ketchup. Blech. I proceeded to fish those out too, without knowing. But, in retrospect, not such a big deal in a country where most of the eating is done communally.
4) I had yumsy food for my birthday dinner. We FINALLY hit up TGIFridays and I had some delish ribs.
5) Kevin came to visit and we had an amazing time. He ate something that makes me a little upset, but I'll forgive him. And no, it's not dog. Too bad, because it's tasty. ;)
6) I finally did shopping for myself and bought a pair of Miss Sixty knockoffs, which proceeded to lose their button as soon as I got home. Sigh. Knockoffs.
7) Watched NHK and realized how much much much I am missing authentic Japanese food. The fish looks...well, fishy, here. Probably not a good idea to eat it.
8) I fasted for 10 days and had the most intimate encounters with God that I've ever had. I definitely encourage everyone to do it.

I wish I could sum up everything I've been learning in a blog entry, but that wouldn't do it justice. I will say that He is everything good, everything beautiful, everything wise, everything patient...He IS everything to me.

One thing that's frustrating me right now: The idea of God as a good-luck charm or wish/blessing dispenser. He's not there for us to use whenever we feel like we need Him. He is so much more than that. You're not a Christian just because you believe in God. Even the demons believe in God. You're a Christian because you FOLLOW God, and you can see the fruit of that in your life.

Maybe I'll start updating more.

Maybe.

Funny Asia pictures with captions

Hey, so that picture on the Mickey D's cup is REALLY real. No photoshop here. But it isn't me. But it looks like me. Actually, I'm surprised ppl don't come up to me in the street to ask whether I'm the girl on the McDonald's cup. Hmmm.

Another icky pic:
D.Lu's dirty Asia feet" - Donculously dirty


P.S. D.Lu went to take a nap and is snoring up a STORM. Ahahahahah.

Gah, surprise entry eaten...

D.Lu, I know I made fun of you for your blog being eaten by blogspot, but the monster has also attacked my blog entry so I apologize. Stupid blogspot monster!!! Gah. I'm going to select what I'm typing every 5 seconds to copy it, in case. AHahahaha.

Anyhoo, I was raving about how great street meat was, and was going on for quite a while, but seeing as that entry was eaten, I'll leave you with a few choice highlights.

Street meat is sooooooooooooooo great.

Can't beat stuff on a stick grilled and seasoned to perfection over hot coals! :)



Last time we had street meat, we also did a load of DVD/CD purchasing, which was so great. I decided to recapture my fobbiness. Or, well, I never had much fobbiness, so let's say I'm letting it take over. Anyway, I was browsing the j-pop section for some Namie and Ayumi and had a CD in my hand when a guy next to me turns to his friend and says disdainfully (in Japanese), "Oh, look, she's checking out Namie Amuro." To which I reply by turning and saying, "Oh, why, you don't like her?" AHahahahahahahaha, he was totally like, "You know how to speak Japanese?!?!?!" I was like, "Surprise!!!!!!!!" :) Ahahahahaha. It's because I look Asian, and no one thinks I'm Japanese. Mwahahahaha.

For the record, I had eleventy billion people ask me on Saturday HOW I could be Canadian, because I am Asian. Therefore, I am winning the competition, booyah D. Lu!

Itchy all over...

Happy Thanksgiving! This weekend, we cooked a chicken, mashed potato, stuffing and veggie dinner (with salmon for Sarah B. who doesn't eat meat), and it was yummyyyyy. :) It was good to have the other ppl visit us from the other city! It was an amazing week because I spent the week having really intentional times with God, and He spoke so clearly. I also got to talk to a girl this week about her beliefs, and I'm so excited to share with her...

I am thankful for:
1) For knowing God intimately
2) For my family at home and here and all my loved ones
3) Incredibly amazing housing
4) Incredibly amazing street food 2 on the street outside our housing complex
5) For grace.

Gah, so I am officially itchy ALL over. It started a couple days ago, and I thought it was because of a new soap I was using. I discontinued use of that soap (ahahaha, now I'm diiiiiiiirty!) ;) but am still itchy. I consulted a doctor friend, and because I'm also nautious, he said I was having an allergic reaction to something. If I scratch anywhere on my body, I get hives. Gah. I never knew what hives were till today. Sigh. Itchy. All over. Sleepy. So sleepy.

Random factoid: THere is a mosquito in my room that I failed to kill, and now I am living in fear of said mosquito.

Funniest thing ever!

So D.Lu, who is part of my group here needed some new undies. Now, if you know anything about shopping in Asia, everything is 2 sizes smaller than in Canada. So, he walks up to some underwear vendor man and requests LARGE undies, because he's D.Lu. (like J.Lo) A.k.a. he has an outtie bum. Anyway, the vendor pulls out these XXL undies, and D.Lu thinks to himself that those undies are not even going to fit over his ankle. Sooo, he asks for bigger ones. And lo and behold, what does the vendor pull out? XXXL? Noooo....



AAHAHAHAHAHaha, count 'em, that's SIX X's.

XXXXXXL!!!!!
That's SIX X's!!!!!!!!!!!! That's HUGE! They were called "Big Sir Boxers". THey have a big farmer on the front of them!!!!

They are SO funny. Asia is full of funny pictures, but this internet connection takes forever to load them. They will come slowly and surely though.

One of the things that really excited me at the beginning of the year was meeting the Japanese team who was going to be doing the same thing as me in our city, but at a different university! They are amazingly amazing!

I had to translate a speaker session for them, and I was sweating BULLETS. I was so hot and I couldn't think of words and I don't think I will ever translate into Japanese again. But they were so nice and cute. The funniest was that the middle guy said that one of the only things he could say in the language was "Will you be my girlfriend?" and I was fully like, "Way to be useful with your team!" Ahahahaha.

SO that's all for now. Wow, this has got to be some record, updating twice in 2 days. Don't get too excited, it could be it for a couple months!

Breaking the silence

I'm finally breaking the long blog silence with....

Ahahahahaha, being tagged by Laura!

Rules of the game: Post 5 Weird and Random facts about yourself, then at the end list the names of 5 people who are next in line to do this. Also leave a post on their xanga (or blogspot, which is even better) to let these people know.

(I can't believe it, everyone's doing this, I had no idea because I hadn't read xangas in so long. WHO am I going to tag?)

1. I can play rock, scissors, paper, with my toes. I have long toes. What can I say?

2. I've never been to Florida. Honestly, EVERYONE'S been to Florida. Not me. I always wanted to go to Epcot, but now I think I'm too old to romp through Disneyland and Epcot without yelling at kids in line or doing some other crazy thing like that.

3. Wow, I really suck at thinking of random facts...Oh, I know. My big toenail once ripped off when I was small, because I was eating and driving at the same time. That is, I was riding my tricycle around my kitchen while eating ice cream. Apparently ice cream consumes my attention, because somehow my toe got stuck and off came the nail. Gaaaaah, so painful. I shudder when I think of it.

4. I had a shirt that said, "Majah Flavah" on it. Come ON, imagine me with a Majah Flavah shirt, ahahahahaahahahahaha. I'm ridiculous. I should get it for Laura. ;) Oh, but confession, I returned it. I couldn't pull it off. No majah flavah here. Sigh.

5. I write stuff on my hand to remember it but am constantly falling asleep on my hand, forgetting I wrote on it. Therefore, when I wake up, I am left with very attractive backwards-writing on my cheek, to go along with my attractive drool splotches. I have Majaaaaaaah flavahhhh! AHahahahaha.

Okay, so now I tag...Naoms, Emiks, um...gah, I need more friends...Dan and um...Steph and Patricia (ahahaha, don't check Patrish's she never updates!)

I'll try and update more often...but no promises...net connection over here isn't the greatest.

In Vancouver!

Yep, I'm in Vancouver. I've been up for...42 hours straight. I flew in a plane where I only got 3 cups of cranberry juice and 4 bags of pretzel mix. It was called Sunny Mix, but it was not sunny, considering that was the ONLY food you got. I had no idea WestJet lacked food. I will know for next time. So, the combination of lack of sleep and hunger makes me one grumpy grumpy camper, on top of the fact that my computer, my PRETTY new HP computer, doesn't like the programs we're installing during our IT session. I don't know anything about computers. All I know is that if my computer didn't have pretty blue lights, it might be tossed at the wall.

Okay, so I'm grumpy, but I'm totally totally excited for going overseas. THere's so much you need to know, to think about as you do cross-cultural ministry. Asian culture is so different, but I think one of the interesting things we talked about in training was about emotional maturity of Asians. I mean, not ALL Asians, but many Asians. The fact is that they are so achievement-oriented that they spend most of their childhood trying hard in school. By the time they get to university, it's almost a relief, but at that point, it's almost like these girls start experiencing childhood. Thus, the obsession with cutesy things. I don't know, it was an interesting point to think about. It's interesting too because the person that originally thought up this theory is an Asian girl who saw all this first-hand.

Gah, I'm so tired. I miss you lots, everyone! All your plane letters were amazing, and I cried. I actually bawled like a baby at the airport. I'm glad getting on the flight to Asia won't be as hard.

Eleven months will go by like that.

gah, missing a wedding...

Last night my tooth cracked.
Then later, the chunk fell off.
Then I got home and my dad's car was broken into.

DRAMA!

I have a wedding I was supposed to go to today. I can't go.

Life is so funny sometimes.

Oh, but don't worry, nothing was stolen, and I'm getting the tooth fixed today, yay! Meanwhile, the jagged edges are scratching my poor tongue.

Ahahahaha, it's just funny that it's been so crazy. You can't say life is boring!

PTL!!

PTL = Praise the Lord!

I have awesome kids this camp session!!!! Fifteen super-sweet kids in the morning (albeit 10 are boys and 5 are girls, and they may already be getting rowdier), and then 7 ultra-talkative kids in the afternoon. I have one boy who is slightly space-cadet-y and likes to wander, but I chalk it up to his young age (he's 5 in a 6/7 yr old class, gasp, I know).

The funniest is the cute asian girl with glasses in the morning who could teach the class, really. The first day, I was demo-ing something with clay, and she piped up and said, "Oh, that's called coiling. Are we making clay coil pots?" HOW does a little 6-yr-old know already about clay coiling?? This girl is brilliant. She spouts out random facts about everything...the human body has this much water, etc. She's as cute as Dora the Explorer, with the nerdiness of Bill Nye the Science Guy. I know. She's a catch.

I loved cottage weekend!!!!!! You gals are the best, and we must cry over sappy Korean movies some other time, but with less memory loss!

My incredible talent...

I'm icing my nose/eyeball. Sigh.

So I have an incredible talent for 1) being very bad at softball, ahahaha, which leads to 2) being very good at hurting myself while playing softball. Ahahahaahha. Oh man. It was pure America's funniest home video moments today as I hit the ball back into my FACE. Ahahahaha. I can only shake my head and laugh.

Divine Design

When a manufacturer designs a coffee mug, they don't make a mug and then try to find a purpose for it. No engineer would design something without an idea of what it is supposed to do. They know what it's going to do before they design it. They think about the best features and details they could put into a cup in order to make it fulfill its intended purpose in the best way. In the same way, God did not create us and then look at the world and say "hmm... I wonder what purpose I can give them before they come to heaven." He created us with our purpose in mind. He designed our lives, our personalities, our strengths, our weaknesses with the idea that we would fulfill our intended purpose. - Margie

What's your purpose?

Random things that are fun to do!

1) Cleaning cars. But only newer ones. Old ones that don't seem to get clean after you clean them are not fun to clean.
2) Piggy-backing ppl, and being piggy-backed. But not while running. Walking is good, running is not.
3) Salsa-dancing. Ahahaha, I have no rhythm. But still fun. Gotta learn not to stare at the feet.
4) Family bonding - doing puzzles together is uber-fun
5) Dutch blitz - a very goot vonderful game
6) Text messaging
7) Being in air conditioning on hot days
8) Singing random songs
9) Sharing a room with your sister
10) Doing cross-eyes and then moving one eyeball back and forth, ahahahaah

Wow, this was a list from so long ago that I totally didn't get around to posting. So many drafts piling up. Not as much blogging time these days, probably because meeting with ppl in person is much more funner. I love making up words. Funner! :)

P.S. Naomi, how's Operation Cupid (ahem ahem) coming along???

Metro Man the horticulturalist or Plant nerds really do have more fun

Another installment in the ever-popular Metro Man series. A.k.a. Why we need more acronyms in life.




Another sunrise in Tortham sees continued peace and quiet, with the fashion world dozing in a assured slumber, knowing their village was safe in the hands of the capable Metro Man. After escaping from the evil clutches of Scary Pirate man and saving the beloved BB sign, Metro Man's credentials were firmly established in the hearts of the Torthamians. Torthammers? Hm.
But just as any trendy fashionista knows, along with the new shows during Fashion week comes change of a lesser fashion.

A dark figure emerged from the shadows of a Tortham bungalow. She looked like any other average Torthammer, with one exception...to the naked eye, she was ordinary, but to Metro Man's trained colour-contacted eye, she was a walking fashion disaster waiting to take down the rest of the world into the pits of fashion despair.

Metro Man was awakened from his slumber as the FD (Fashion Disaster) stepped onto the sidewalk in a pair of...gasp, penny loafers, complete with real pennies. AND she was wearing white after labour day! His fashion-sense was tingling and he flew into action. Calling his loyal campadres, the Knitting Knave and the Proofer, he leaped into carefully coiffed action.

The TAATT (Tremendously Above Average Torthamian Trio) jumped into the Metro-mobile, and Metro Man crooned stylishly along to the sounds of The Best in Boy Bands...


As they contemplated the capture of the FD, Metro Man's heart was saddened...He realized that it wouldn't be fair to capture the FD and lock her away in FD isolation. There must be some other way...there must be something else they could do...

As Metro Man's thoughts wandered back to his vacation in ,and his days beside sparkling waters and colourful tropical flora, he had a brilliant idea! He could save this white-after-Labour-Day-disaster! He just needed one thing...

As quickly as you could say "Sale at the Lancome counter", the trio was off to the Royal Botanical Gardens. On the way, they picked up Krazy Karl and Smiley Sam, 2/5 of the Stupendously Stupendous Fashion Quintet (SSFQ).

{Smiley Sam had been recruited by the Knitting Knave after bonding over quilted jackets and capturing fish at Gardening Camp in '04, back when quilted jackets were all the rage,

while the TAATT had spotted Krazy Karl's telling-time-by-the-sun-skills while he was still a member of the OTHER TAATT, or the Tremendously Above Average Time Tellers.

They didn't think it was any coincidence he happened to be a part of a superhero group with the SAME acronym, so they quickly recruited him}

The SSFQ were now complete! The newcomers and Metro Man posed for a quick picture to add to their superhero portfolios, and they were on their way.
(notice the perfected Blue Steel expressions)

Suddenly, the sounds of peaceful snoring arose from the deep corners of the Metro-mobile...gasp!


The Knitting Knave and Proofer had been taken out by a Powerful Peaceful Slumber Pill (PPSP, for short). They would be out of commission for the day. Better to leave them in the car, lest they warn the FD of the imminent danger via their nasal snoring.

As the three approached the heavily guarded Royal Botanical Gardens, they noticed the first in a series of security measures...

Smiley Sam, like The Proofer, had a penchant for shiny, brightly coloured objects and was quickly confounded by the colourful booby trap at the front gate.

Krazy Karl, on the other hand, was taken aback by the fleet of security henchmen poised to strike...


Not one to lose his wits so easily, Metro Man quickly rescued the two from their frozen stupors and snuck onto the grounds. Along the way, the brilliant Smiley Sam picked up a disguise to pose as a Rich Lady With Too Much Time to Look At Flowers.

She blended in well.

As they sashayed their way through the gardens, the scent of various pansies and roses was overtaken by the scent of something much more appetizing. Immediately, 3/5 of SSFQ decided on a lunch break and sat down to gorge.


One cannot operate at full superhero power on an empty stomach.

As the last french fry hit the perfect pout of Metro Man, the three moved into action.


"We're looking for a rare purple gooberflower," explained Metro Man, putting his vast knowledge of tropical flora to work.

"Aha, I know JUST what flower you speak of!" exclaimed the equally plant-nerdy Krazy Karl.

The three began their hunt of the elusive flower.

As they proceeded on the gooberflower hunt, Krazy Karl proceeded to dazzle Metro Man and Smiley Sam with his abundant knowledge of Poufy Flowers...

While Smiley Sam's great gastrointestinal knowledge came in handy in the Hall of Herbs.


Suddenly (as in all superhero adventures, nothing is every this easy...), they encountered what would be the trickiest of tricksy booby traps. The Concrete Column (CC).

"How do we get past it?" they wondered.

Smiley Sam quickly put her kiddie gymnastics experience to work. "Maybe the Ya Ya Hi-ya move will work!"

Alac and alas, the CC stood unaffected by her great flexibility and Gumby prowess.

"Oh, here, I'll do it. Get out of the way!" Krazy Karl shoved Smiley Sam off the CC.


As Smiley Sam nursed her perky yet bruised gluteus maximus, Krazy Karl's attempts at conquering the CC were also proving futile.

"HERE, I'LL do it," cried Metro Man in exasperation.

Metro Man made quick work of the CC using his Belly Flop skills and the trio moved on.

They continued the hunt and passed some of the rarest flowers in the world.


'Hmm,' thought Metro Man, 'That pink one would go great with my silver shirt..."

Metro Man seemed distracted, but Smiley Sam seemed even more prone to losing sight of their goal...

'I wonder if I could make matching corsages and boutonnieres for prom...'

Until...

Swept off her feet by an unusually dashing man of straw, Sam was rendered useless due to Hearts in the Eyes Syndrome.

Disheartened but determined, Krazy Karl and Metro Man continued the hunt...


Metro Man sniffed...no, not a gooberflower...

At last, Metro Man spotted the Evil Arachnid poised high above them in her evil lair (can lairs be evil?). This HAD to be a sign of the gooberflower's presence nearby.


In a brave attempt to avoid the Evil Arachnid's poisonous fangs, Metro Man sacrficed his perfect coif and dove into the Raging River.


He cautiously made his way past the lounging Prickly Pear Poisson...


...and finally, Metro Man arrived at the Northern Bank.

'Hmm, having wet clothes really sets off my muscle tone,' he thought as he stole quietly towards the gooberflower plantation.

The rare purple gooberflower was in his sights...


"Aha! I've found you at last, you rarest of purple flowers!" exclaimed Metro Man triumphantly.


He could now use the purple gooberflower to mix up his special Artist-Formerly-Known-As-Prince Purple dye, in order to salvage the ghastly white outfit sported by the FD. Tie-dye would be back in style again. Another fashion disaster had been averted thanks to Metro Man's quick thinking and discerning eye for fashionable colours.


After rescuing Smiley Sam and Krazy Karl from the Deserts of Distraction, they celebrated by doing the Airplane Dance and headed home.

Back in his IKEA-fied bedroom, Metro Man took some time to reflect on the day.

'Tortham is safe once again,' thought Metro Man as he pulled his silk eye mask over his sleepy eyes. 'Another one in the bag.'

And he drifted off to sleep.

The END!

**thistookmuchtoolongandsoundsbetterwhenNaomiwritesitanyway!

Maya Angelou quotes (thanks Patrish!)

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seemstoday, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."
"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the wayhe/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."
"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with yourparents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."
"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life."
"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."
"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart,I usually make the right decision."
"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one."
"I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."
"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

No pain, no gain

The wise healer endures the pain. Cry. Tears bring joy. - Erykah Badu

Honest communication is SO GOOD

What more is there to say than honesty and openness in a relationship, in communication and in conversation is absolutely fantastic? It's so so so so so so good to clarify.

I got my film developed from when my grams was here, so here are some small and fuzzy copies of them!

Me and Grams in Kleinburg


My sister and I being goofs at my family grad dinner


Welcome to my office