February 2012
3 posts
1 tag
Vday
this was my first time “celebrating” vday. made these for deb. instruction here if you’re interested. actually, those were the worst instructions ever, so if you actually are interested i can show you!
3 tags
i have a few ingrown hairs on my thighs. anyone else have this problem? i think i just need to exfoliate them more.
The Weight of Disappointment
Over winter break I realized some things about myself. One of those things was disappointment. My fall semester and summer before fall semester was filled with it. Not disappointment in other people, but in myself. I’m writing about this now, not because I desire affirmation from the people around me, but because I realize that there is healing in the process of sharing. Also, because I know...
January 2012
13 posts
When I was little
I remember getting butterflies over small things. Things like opening Pokemon cards or when my favorite show was about to start. The thought of Christmas made me smile, and the chaos of opening presents was all I needed to be happy. I used to collect a lot of random things - pencils, erasers, stamps, beanie babies, legos - and it was enough to make me happy. It was enough to make me smile. Things...
Inspiration
http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html
listen to this talk or read the transcript. definitely worth it.
”..there are leaders and there are those who lead. Leaders hold a position of power or authority, but those who lead inspire us. Whether they’re individuals or organizations, we follow those who lead, not because we have to, but because we want...
1 tag
Technology Lies
One reason I want an iPad is because reading on it will be 10x better. I’m not much of a reader, but when I get an iPad, that will all change. I will change my lifestyle to fit reading into it. I’ll download every new book, and get really smart. That’s just one reason why an iPad is awesome.
But WAIT, there’s also the Bible. I will also read the Bible more. Wherever my...
On Speaking Well
“As you grow older and life itself becomes more elaborate and complex, you find yourself using simpler words. And this is not only because your brain cells are dying. It is also, for some of us, because you have grown used to life, even comfortable with it, and understand that it comes down to essentials, that the big things count and the rest is commentary, and that way down deep in the...
perfection is not the goal
i’ve been seeing this idea play into my life just about every day now. not really every day, but more often than not. it’s like yousef. life is a game of yousef. the object of the game is clear - don’t lose. in fact, you can do exceptionally well in this game by going for 2nd best, 3rd best, or even just 2nd to last. you think that’s sad because the asian in you cries out...
perfect pitch
for the first time, i actually enjoy a book i have to read for class. it’s about pitching in the advertising context, but relates to other areas as well. he pulls examples from the OJ trial, and discusses flaws in OJ’s prosecutors. another premise of the book is about perfection. if perfection is the goal, then you’ve already lost. i realize that i’ve told you pretty...
“No work of art is more important than the Christian’s own life, and every...”
– Francis A. Schaeffer, Art and the Bible (via naomikuo)
50 reasons not to date a photographer
i’m pretty sure only like 10 of these relate to me, but here’s what deb thinks:
“oh my….
all of that is 100 percent true
man…that post was so eye opening”
They rather hold their bulky camera, than hold hands with you.
On a romantic date, you’ll watch the sun go down and think “Wow this is gorgeous” and they’ll go “mirror lock, tripod, and stop down f/8 at...
Intimidating
The photography industry is intimidating. The wedding photography industry is even more. I saw that first hand when I went to a bridal show on Saturday just to see what it’s like. There were a lot of really good photographers, and a lot of really crappy ones. The crappy photographers made me feel good, but the good ones made me feel like a little kid in a candy shop. But that wasn’t...
What do you look forward to when meeting Jesus?
I just finished reading the book Beautiful Outlaw by John Eldridge. It’s an amazing book, and I recommend it to everyone!
At the end of the book, John discusses an interview he had where he was asked, “What do you look forward to most on the day you meet Jesus?” His answer was “Spearfishing.”
What do I look forward to when meeting Jesus? My first thought was,...
God Speaks.
I had a vivid dream last night. I don’t feel like going into detail about it, but it was like I was looking at my life in the future. It was scary…convicting…and a relief to wake up.
I’m kind of at a loss of words right now because I feel like it was an answered prayer - a prayer that I never verbalized, and an answer that I never expected or imagined. I’m still...
December 2011
4 posts
Back-up. Do it!
The other day I bought a new hard drive to back-up my external hard drive. I was having some issues with my back-up, the one with all of my Day 7 photos, and figured I should fix that. Btw, I don’t store photos on my laptop, just on my hard drive. So, a lot of photos all in one place. Definitely need to back it up…
Select drive. The new drive. Format. MS-DOS for Mac and PC use....
The Kitchen Window School
One day a man decided to board himself up inside his house.
He sealed off the doors, the windows, even the chimney. He left only one opening - the kitchen window - through which anyone who wished to speak to him was forced to speak. Fortunately, there were people that still wished to speak to him, so they called on the man at his kitchen window.
Over the years this fellow came to the conclusion...
Throw up and Christmas Parties - My East Asia post
I’ve been waiting patiently, too patiently, for a time when I could blog about my trip without feeling obligated to do so. It’s 6am, and I’m jetlagged still, so I think this is my opportune moment. I’m going to abstain from checking email, Facebook, and any other web-related stuff…I hope I get some good stuff down!
Well, this journey was an adventure. From the start...
Dear Spotify
I hate your acoustic guitar commercials, and I know what you’re trying to do. But you know what?! No matter how hard you try, I will not give in and upgrade. I will endure the annoying announcements every 10 minutes if I have to!
November 2011
5 posts
“I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the triune God, I want to want thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me thy glory, I pray thee, so that I may know thee indeed.”
Home vs. New Home
I’ve been thinking a lot lately my two homes. On one end, Houston is old and gray, on the other, Austin is new and hip. Even though I would consider myself to be more acquainted with Austin, I feel more comfortable in Houston. I don’t think it’s something I can escape, but I think it’s at least worthy of thinking about. Since I’m considering living in Austin, it...
1 tag
The Namesake
Just watched this movie by myself. It was good and one worth watching if you haven’t. This isn’t a party pleaser or an eye-catcher, but definitely worth the watch. A lot of people have probably read the book already, and the movie is from 2006.
It’s basically about a multigenerational Indian family and a son who comes full circle in understanding his identity. It’s long...
Thoughts on control and surrendering
It’s hard to be honest with myself nowadays. It’s hard to see myself for who I really am, or to see my reality for what it really is. Today I got a glimpse into myself, and I’m glad I did. I hope I continue to keep searching.
Some things I learned are that I need to stop trying so hard. I need to let go by opening my fist and just leave my palms up.
I need to give up my...
Struggling with
Priorities..
Spending time with God…
Giving God my time…
Finding my strength in Him and not myself…
Feeling like my life is mine…
Living for eternity
Having eternal perspective…
Trying to control my life, future, business, school, ministry, social life…
Balance…
Submitting support raising into God’s hands instead of my own…
Enjoying...
October 2011
1 post
Mang bu guo lai
“too busy to handle it”
busyness has been on my mind for awhile now, trying to figure out what i can and can’t cut out. i’ve concluded that chinese is the source of my constant and never-ending busyness. a breath of relief after one vocab quiz is halted by the test on the next day. i’ve accepted the fact that i just need to keep running no matter how slow because...
September 2011
3 posts
knows our needs, self inspired.
we’re going through genesis for the next two years in Quest at acc. thats a lot of genesis. if you’re interested, you should come check out acc! ….
——————
Genesis 1:18 - Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
the one thing that stuck out to me was how God met...
This summer I met
This summer i met an alcoholic. he was homeless, and knew he had a problem. i can’t remember his name, but i heard him say multiple times, “I need help. I’m going to die. i have one month to live.” his scars from past surgeries, odd-sized knees, and a belly the size of a basketball all pointed to the fact that he needed help. he was in his mid-fifties, had psoriasis, and he...
August 2011
5 posts
over it
i definitely felt overwhelmed before tonights prayer meeting. i’ve never had so much on my plate, and at one point of overwhelming frustration today, i told myself i just want to quit. is this what it feels like to crack? what if it happens more regularly, and what happens if it starts to make me bitter or angry? i was feeling all that today while stuck in traffic hitting every single red...
current happenings
i was scared out of my mind last night. i left houston at 11pm from a wedding i was second shooting at to return to austin. deborah kept me company for a good hour and a half or so on the phone before she went to sleep. after she hung up, i realized it was about 1am, i was driving through hw 71, and it was pitch black. the only thing i could see was about a 30 ft radius of empty black road and...
Empty Me
After coming back from the ACC Lighthouse youth retreat, I had a mix of emotions that I didn’t know how to explain. I still don’t know what I feel really.
It was really cool seeing all the kids - it reminded me so much of my own youth experience, and for the first time, I started to feel a part of ACC. I know I’ve been involved with ACC and even been working there for the past...
deborah.
you know deborah? or known as deb, princess of darkness, and best of all, the lovely girlfriend of mine.
if you think this post is for her, then you’re right, it is. i have been with her for so long now, and i feel like i just haven’t told her enough of how much i appreciate her and care for her. it’s crazy to think i’ve lived 20+ years without this girl, and now...
July 2011
5 posts
You're going to fail. →
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do good, but I cannot carry it out. - Romans 7:18
I can’t do ANYTHING good on my own.
For it is God who is at work in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. - Phil. 2:13
It’s GOD working in me.
Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as...
powerless
Romans 7:18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
there’s something so liberating about understanding that we are powerless. even in my most tempting situations, i am powerless, and in my most righteous feat, it’s not my power. we, on our own, are 100% completely,...
two questions
i was recently asked this question: how is your walk with the Lord?
i went on to list all the things i do to spend time with God. it was great. i could have written a book with all the things i’ve been doing.
then i was asked this: when’s the last time you fell face down in the presence of God and just worshipped him?
silence…thinking…digging deep for an answer. i was...
does anyone else think this is ridiculously ugly? →
June 2011
4 posts
We're all uncool
i read this article about how we (as christians) strive so hard to be cool. we try to find the ‘cool’ church, the “hip” church and in the end we sacrifice genuine and authentic. do we look for a “relevant” church instead of an authentic community?
i’m having a hard time connecting my thoughts, but i feel like there’s something to be said about...
holiness, habitual, humility
as obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. since it is written, “you shall be holy, for I am holy.” and if you call on Him as Father who judges impartially, each according to his own deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were...
Kristian Stanfill - Holding My World
My God is the God who will never forget All of His goodness and all of His promises He’s holding my world in His hands
And I am your child, beloved And all of my days, my future is laid in your promise Jesus, to the end of the age I am not alone or forgotten
3 tags
Plans
“
Dear readers,
For most of you, this is my first column in your paper. In the future, I’ll be answering your questions, but for today, I want to take a break from my usual format and talk to you about the subject of plans. Not so much plans for this column, but..life plans…how we all make them, and how we all want our kids to make good, safe plans of their own. but if we’re really honest with...
May 2011
7 posts
it comes from inside
this summer i’m hoping to see where i “fit.” i’m working part-time at austin chinese church as the college intern. i’m also working part-time at a start up company, basically as a graphic designer and whatever else they throw at me. oh, and also trying to build Day 7 Photography on the side. all very different, but all starting to look the same.
i’ve always...
it's official
austin is my new home. today my mom told me, “are you ready to go home tomorrow?”
i’m in sugar land right now, and i’m going to austin tomorrow. austin is my new home, even according to the parents.
10 reasons why a fake rapture is good for you and...
in light of the recent hype, i’ve decided to implant this memory into my brain by writing about it. here’s a list of 10 things that stand out to me. if i don’t get to 10, consider me gone. as in, i’ve been raptured. if this has been posted anywhere, there are two possibilities: 1) i posted it from heaven, or 2) someone nearby loves enough to hate to see this post go to...
“Money isn’t the prime asset of life. Time is… and your time is...”
– Wallstreet: Money never sleeps
Is he dead?
tonight deborah and i walked to 7-11 to get a red box movie. as we’re walking, i notice a cop sitting in his own personal black suv reading a thick book with tabs sticking out everywhere like a bible. i made a joke saying, “he looks like he’s sleeping.” we kept on walking, go to 7-11, can’t find a movie we want so we left, then we went back to my apartment.
three...