Welcome! Don't forget to take off your shoes.

Don't try to walk when your foot is asleep.

2012-01-04T11:10:00.000-08:00

I twisted my ankle yesterday. It was painful when I fell to the ground but the pain gradually left. It wasn't until I was at the mall trying on a shoe did I saw the effects of the fall. My ankle was so swollen that it looked like an egg was living underneath my skin. When I got home the swelling was twice as big and the soreness was in no doubt not there. I didn't quite understand why my two sisters insisted on poking it. My mom helped massage it, which revealed an ability I never knew I had... squealing. I resorted to using the kitchen chair (which has wheels) as a means of transporting myself around the house. Yup, it works like a scooter but for your knees.

I am happy to say that I woke up this morning with a better ankle. One that does not hurt as much and is not size of a fruit.

My family makes me smile. When I am sick there is no other place I would rather be then with them, because I know they'll take good care of me.

Thank you Father for my family.

A Fun Celebrity Encounter

2011-07-14T20:50:00.000-07:00

Guess who I met today? Here is a clue...

As soon as I caught site of him, my right hand shot up above my head! I waved and smiled in hopes of receiving the same response, and and... he sure did return some friendly gestures (even though my friend insisted that they were meant for her)! =)

Today I learned that it is impossible for me to be chill in front of celebrities! They are like you and I, but I am unable to help it.

Jam out to this!

2011-05-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

Look what I stumbled upon early this week. This song is one of my all time favorites!

Time to fall back into creativity.

2011-05-10T19:47:00.000-07:00

Here is a glimpse of what I have been up to! Typically at car dealerships there are these colorful triangular banners. They sway in any direction the wind blows at them. The colors of each triangle seems to clash with the one or the other, but it serves its goal by attracting our attention. Well with the same concept, I decided to make something similar as a gift. The progress of this project has been great. Prolonging the project has certainly been harder since I have so much time on my hands now.

I found a piece of Orlando at the bookstore.

Ma Mere

2011-05-08T19:59:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is certainly a special holiday that was celebrated bright and early in my household. It took us a couple of hours to make our traditional breakfast, which gets exceptionally better every year. We got the approval from our mom herself.

She is one of the most important person in my life. I am dearly thankful for her.

Yes, weeds. But they are bright and ravishing to look at.

My sister Bo and I drew these comics for Vivian. I hope she found them humorous considering she works at a pizzeria.

Owl City's New Music Video

2011-05-06T20:19:00.000-07:00

The sky was slightly gloomy with a hint of sun. It was cold and the there was occasional light rain. Yet, it didn't stop me from walking home after work. Driving would have taken probably three minutes. Walking took about thirty. I was in no rush and my legs were already at an automatic leisure pace from the all the effort I put into work. The height of my walk was listening to music, specifically Owl City.

Speaking of this band, their latest music video "Alligator Sky" was just released today. My sister & I just watched it with big BIG smiles. They are having a concert here next month w/Matt Kearney. I plan to take my youngest sister to see them ( it is going to be her very first concert)!

Bike Ride

2011-05-04T17:22:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I took a bike ride for the first time since last summer. Lets just say it was delightful, but the peddling uphill part was excruciating. Oh... the consequences of being out of shape was immensely felt the next couple of days. During the bike adventure, I did come across these lovely trees around my neighborhood. Yet, their name still remains unknown to me.

Hello Summer.

2011-05-02T21:17:00.000-07:00

School is out and summer has finally made its way back into my life. I wonder what is in stored for me this year. Surprisingly, it has always been different, plentiful, and better than the previous. Divine mystery.

I have already created a mental list of the actvities I aspire to tackle this summer. For one thing, blogging. I would like to shift my focus from statuses to journaling. Posting a few words about my day does not really cut it anymore. Each day is filled with something new and meaningful, a short status is limited. During this long anticipated summer, I hope to use this space to share what goes on and snippets of my random thoughts.

First randomness: I absolutely enjoy flying in the sky. Being able to look down from such great heights reminds me of how substantial God is.

2011-02-20T22:01:00.000-08:00

It would be nice to end each day like this.

Christmas Excitement

2010-12-25T22:20:00.000-08:00

This is my absolute favorite time of the year. When I was a little girl, this holiday always brought an thrilling sensation all over. Everyday I was a countdown to open and exchange presents. It was exhilarating! At times the excitement even made it really hard for me to breathe. Now, I'm experiencing that excitement differently. Spending time with my family is something really special to me. I am so thankful for their presence in my life. When I think about them, I immediately look to God. He created them and chose them just for me. He knew that we would fit perfectly together. Realizing how wonderful God is brings joy. Christmas is really beyond presents and decorations.

Stay Sharp

2010-11-25T07:24:00.000-08:00

"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." -Proverbs 27:17 ESV

"WHEN YOU ARE stuck in sin, what are you compelled to do? Are you compelled to engage other believers and prayerfully work through sin's power in your life? Hopefully that is the case, but for many believers we urge ourselves to withdraw, retract, and disengage from those who would walk through our sin with us.

Let us remember, as Christians, we are called to confess our sins to one another (James 5:16), and this is not an arbitrary rule meant to shame us into compliance. Contrarily, it is intended for our benefit and building one another up in love. We may be grieved by our sin, but if it is habitual and ever reoccurring, we are unrepentant. This is because repentance is much more than feeling sorry about our sin, it is literally turning around, and going the opposite direction. It is leaving that sin splattered on the concrete, instead of, like a dog, returning to it (Proverbs 26:11).

Rather than living in the dark and returning to your folly, confess your sin to a brother or sister, and stay accountable to him or her. When this happens, you will find you both become sharper, more useful tools for the Lord. " -Relevant Magazine

This devotional spoke to me because it's something I've been dealing with. It's hard for me to talk to anybody about my sins. I get uncomfortable in sharing because I worry about how people will take it. Will they judge me? Perhaps. Hear it and then walk away? Often times, yes. When that happens I always wish I didn't say anything at all. In those cases it would've been the same if I had just kept it to myself.

After reading this devotional I started thinking about others' reactions. Does it really matter how they take in your confession? God's word says to talk to others about our problems so that we may not be consumed by it. I'm happy to know that I do have a couple of people that I can share this with.

A friend of mine always reminds that, "We are not called to walk life alone."

Childish Sewing

2010-11-06T07:31:00.000-07:00

I remember the first time I started sewing. My mom's friends, whom I called grandparents, gave me a barbie doll for Christmas. Barbie and I were inseparable from that point on. I probably even played with her in my sleep. There was one time when I wanted to give her a new hair-do. I heated my hot crimping device (you may correct my tragic description). Every time I crimped her hair, strands would unexpectedly detach and fall to the floor. After a few tries it finally dawned on me that what I was doing was evidently not working. If I didn't stop crimping then, barbie's hair would've been short as Ken's. Although, this technique did give my barbie a snazzy look. Her hair had a poofy volume with afro bangs. Then I was onto her clothes. I ransacked my mom's room for any serviceable fabric. I think I was only 7 years old when this took place. I was surprised my mom had no objective to me wanting to use a needle. I didn't exactly know any right way (I still believe there is no such thing) to sew. So I would sew barbie's clothes right onto her. Her clothes would had had to been destroyed if she ever needed to be changed. I actually did okay for my first try. I was amazed by my ability to fabricate garments.

I think that's where my joy in sewing started. Oh, and where my vision of hair styling died.

Sewing is something I enjoy but rarely do I make time for it.
It's something I'm actually good at.

Football with Commentary

2010-10-30T18:40:00.000-07:00

A stadium full of yelling fans watching players run around chaotically. I don't think I'll ever understand this sport. I'm so glad I had commentary from Ayana and Dolphy.

Oh Sweet Optimism

2010-10-28T19:31:00.001-07:00

I can't even remember the number of scholarship essays I've written in high school. The continuous act has broken my desire to even want to write anymore. Honestly, they made the process so tedious. Sometimes I wish scholarship committees would just be blunt, "Hey, we know we made a broad opening. This was sincerely done so that non-potential applicants may also think that they have a chance at the scholarship. Ahhhaha! Truth is they don't." I didn't even get one of those scholarships! I look back now, and I can finally laugh about it. I was so optimistic, I went for what I wanted blindly.

This semester I have three writing courses on my schedule. I still wonder how that came about too. It was most likely the influence of my wild optimism, again. Essays has been assigned from left to right. The results of each essay continues to convince me that I'm not a worthy writer. Although, today was different. My professor returned my essay to me with a smile. I did good. I presented my views clearly. I wrote.

That moment brought a smile to my face too! I was exhilarated. When good things happens it really feeds my "optimism."

Enjoying lunch with my two friends, Edwin and Stef.

"He Who Doubts is like a Wave in the Sea."

2010-10-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

The best part of my day was when I stopped thinking. Thinking about my current... and future responsibilities? I've gotten into a silly habit of planning. Perhaps it's not entirely planning. It's more of thinking ahead, sometimes a little too far ahead. I try to picture myself being... and doing something extraordinary. Right now, I have a handful of responsibilities already. I notice that they get complicated when I doubt. Surely, I've been thinking ahead because I've been doubting God's plan for me.

"But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." James 1:6

I want to believe and not doubt.

Being Impacted When You Least Expect It.

2010-10-24T20:13:00.000-07:00

It's funny how I strive to influence other people. Sometimes it doesn't always turn out that way. Instead the ones I try to influence... are the ones that leave a greater impact on me. That brings me to my old Youth Sponsor, Gayle. She once told me that when I teach I actually learn more than who I am teaching to.

I am so happy to work with a group of wonderful kids every week. They are very young, intelligent, hilarious, and EnERGeTic! When I see their energy I wonder where mine had gone. They keep me on my toes. In a sense they make me feel alive! Today one of the teachers shared that he came to Christ by the help of a little girl. A girl just like the ones I work with every week. This is beautiful and ever so powerful. I leave each week learning more from them than I've ever thought possible.

They were mastering the art of apple bobbing.

Having a Gryo With Tim Gunn! Not Really.

2010-10-23T17:30:00.000-07:00

Tim Gunn from Project Runway was at the mall today. He's the guy who humorously over uses the phrase, "Make It Work." Oh and my all time favorite, "Where's Andre?" Whats funny is that I was just going there for lunch. It was definitely a surprise for me! I am a huge fan of the show. So, it was pretty neat to see him in person (30 feet away, on the 2nd floor, and with a partial view of a pole).

I must say having a gyro outside with good weather is delightful!

2010-10-17T19:22:00.000-07:00

There's this peaceful place.

It's been a place of rest. I still make my way there on any occasion. Comfort was there.

People surrounded the gates. Their footprints flooded the inside. It's recommended that you wear a padded suit before entering. You'll know exactly why when their eyes lands on you. They smile, I in response do the same, and BAM! It's like an intimation for them to come at you with a full force of affection. I don't panic because it's just a friendly gesture. It's a strange one but i've learned to accept it. So this becomes our new friendly greeting.

I ran in, out, in, and out of the gates. The sole of my shoes started to deteriorate. So I stopped running. I sat on a nearby bench. Surprisingly it was right across from my peaceful place. I could see those familiar faces surrounding the gates.

Everything looked so different from where I sat. I realized I've forgotten. I've forgotten what led me to that place.

The Pleasure in Reading

2010-10-12T20:56:00.000-07:00

I picked up a book this morning and just read. You see I haven't read for pleasure for quite sometime now. The last book I read was called the Son of Hamas. I remembered it was an incredible book. I even had difficulties putting that book down. It was engaging and it kept me on the edge of my seat. Now I don't really read books but textbooks instead. Reading is no longer enjoyable but rather boring. How is it possible to experience something so soothing, and then you just suddenly abandon it? That's what happened to me. There's just so much art, books, and things to do. I think boredom is caused by the individual themselves. I heard a saying from my professor, "If you are bored, then you are not really living." Do you agree?

Any recommended books?

Careless Caring

2010-10-09T19:02:00.000-07:00

I was at school earlier today. School has been my new home this semester. Oddly, I don't mind it so much. Hmm.. this is probably the nerd in me speaking. I'm always thrilled to see familiar faces around campus. Those faces are like a burst of excitement for me. Today at the library I met a guy. Don't get too excited! What I am about to write is not going to take a romantic route. I was sitting at the computers listening to music, Pandora to be exact. My music player has been lacking in new music. Anyways, I could tell he wanted to say something to me. Snow Patrol was streaming delightfully into my ears. I really didn't want to pause it or take off my headphones. So I stared intensely into the computer screen. As hard as I was trying to fool him into thinking that I was busy, it was undeniably unbelievable. He finally said something in my direction. I couldn't play dumb anymore. My hands gave in. I tugged a headphone from one ear. I turned my head towards him and politely responded. A few exchanged words turned into many. He was very chill and unexpectedly friendly. I walked out of the library glad. I was glad that I fought my rudeness.

I wonder when I ever started to become this person. Someone who is deliberate in being careless. As far as I can remember I've always had and expressed concerns for others. This is far from what I know I should be. I want to care. I want to smile to unfamiliar faces. I want to unconditionally love others, like Jesus.

French Bakery at Winter Park

2010-10-07T19:36:00.000-07:00

All classes school wide were cancelled today. You really don't hear that often! Vivian, Naveed, and I drove across town for a non-school related meeting that was cancelled without any notification. I got to say it was a bit disappointing and unprofessional. However, I quickly cheered up when lunch came around. We went to a lovely french bakery. Il était délicieux! It was neat to hear people speak french. When I go to Toronto the dominant language I hear is english. French is a requirement in a Canadian's curriculum but it's rare for me to hear people speak it there. I've taken at least 5 years of this language and still I'm incapable of holding a conversation. The next time I go there I'm determine to order in french. Really, how bad could it be? Well, it could get pretty bad with me. They might even find me disrespectful but I have to practice, or else I'll loose it completely.

Winter Park is a scenic place. I had such a nice time walking around. I would like schedule a picnic date there in the near future!

Chicken Sandwiches

2010-10-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

Today was a good day! My sister and I went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch. I guess you can say the college cafeteria food won't always cut it. The chicken sandwich I ordered resembled a turtle! That reminds me of the movie the Master of Disguise "turtle, turtle." The chicken looked like a turtle. The bun on top of the chicken/turtle completed the shape of it's round shell. I wanted to blog about it but I didn't have a camera. Hopefully I'll encounter something like this some other time! Here's a picture of a heart shaped chicken I had last month though. They always have the oddest shaped chickens (yay! for real meat).

I'm probably coming out too strong about my sandwiches, huh?

The Night Sky

2010-10-04T17:42:00.000-07:00

The weather is surely changing. I couldn't help but to step outside and indulge in it. The sun had set but yet the color in the sky was still so visible. It was a pleasant blue. I found delight in just looking up. Bright stars scattered all around. The stars played a distinct role in illuminating my neighborhood. This is one reason why I like living away from the city. I learned in Astronomy that stars are better seen in areas with less pollution and lights. Even the planes flying about resembled shooting stars. I wonder where those planes were headed. It's almost time for me to go to bed and they're still operating. I know, the world still goes on when I fall asleep. It's just strange that many people will start their day when I end mine.

Sometimes I'm unsure of where to look at in the sky. Should I look at the deep color, the hidden clouds, the glittery stars in front, or maybe the flying objects on my left? The sky is so vast. There is not one place I can just focus on. Not one. So I did what some would call uncommon. I took in the new cool air. I placed my eyes towards the sky. I slowly placed my foot in front of the other. My body gradually spun in circles in my drive way. I smiled, and the first thought that came into my mind was, "thank You Father."

Sunday

2010-10-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

Right when I wanted to let go, I was reminded.

Granny Glasses

2010-09-29T20:13:00.000-07:00

I thought I saw the world like you. I woke up every morning and my eyes would automatically open. Of course there are those mornings. Those sleepless mornings when you refuse to open your eyes. It's silly. You would think that if your eyelids didn't open then your body will have no choice but to fall back to sleep. Ah! The failure in this technique.

I guess my story really started a few years ago. It took place at a yummy place called Chick-Fil-A. There was an advertisement hanging on a string from the ceiling. It was in a form of a cereal box. Yup, a cereal box. It was pretty neat. My dad pointed to it with a small grin on his face. I looked but didn't find any humor or any other emotion about it. I couldn't decipher what was on it. The words and colors were blurred together. So my dad lend me his glasses. It was then that I realized that I was blind! I'm exaggerating just a bit.

I am now a proud owner of a beautiful granny glasses. I really do see everything differently now. I especially wear them for driving. Lines, signs, streets, cars, distance, and PEDESTRIANS are much clearer now. Oh, driving at night is the worst! I'm a creature that needs light, without it I drive hesitantly. This reminds me of high school. When I walked into a classroom I would usually try to sit closer to the front. I always thought that my teachers just all had an inability to write the lesson big, but I was wrong. It was just me and my poor vision.

I thought I saw everything the way it was. It wasn't until I got glasses that clarity came into the picture. I am even more captivated when I look at the sunset. I no longer see a just a nice mixture of colors. I now see the layers of beautiful colors running in the sky. I now see the different shades close and away from the sun. I see the world differently now.

This got me thinking. What about the way we've been looking at our own life? Are we really seeing it clearly? Or are we just blindly walking through it?

Jack Johnson & the Lunch Buddies

2010-09-28T16:42:00.000-07:00

I stayed up later than usual last night. For one thing I had some unfinished homework! However, homework wasn't my source of energy to not fall asleep. I've been listening to Jack Johnson a lot lately. His free music video "At or With Me" on itunes definitely started this! He has another video that just shows him surfing. As odd as it sounds I enjoyed it very much. It was so cool to see him surf, the waves, a view of the sun from within the water, and even just seeing the beach. I'm starting to think that I've been surrounded by the suburbs for way too long. I get excited when I see something out of my bubble. I hope I get to surf one day. That would really be a good day!

Surfing was on my mind. I checked out Bethany Hamilton's website (http://www.bethanyhamilton.com/). If you don't know about her, she's a surfer from Kauai, Hawaii. At the age of 14 she lost her arm to a shark attack. Even to this day she continues to surf through her obstacle. Her story is crazy and motivates me to not give on my dreams. Bethany has daily devotions on her site. Last night or this morning at around 1 a.m. I came across a beautiful verse. It was from Proverbs 16:3, "Commit your action to the Lord, and your plans will succeed." I love hearing God in places where you least expect Him. That very moment I just wanted to stop thinking about surfing or what I wanted to do in life. I opened my bible and read Proverbs 16. My heart was overjoyed in knowing such a beautiful God. He wants me, all of me.

School use to be just school for me. I remember solely going to class and hitting the books. I'm not going to lie, it was awful! It made me feel lonely. I made a decision not to do that this semester. I want to be involved and be around people more! Meet Kathy, Ruth, Josh, and Vivian! They're my awesome lunch buddies. I don't mean to categorize them as my "lunch buddies" but we usually only get to hang out during lunch. Plus the name in some aspects makes us look cool? Anyways, they're good people and I am delighted to spend time with them.

Yeah, they knew they were being photographed!

The Great Pleasure Music Brings

2010-09-10T15:20:00.000-07:00

I do mean it when I say, "music is beautiful." I'm not sure if I've ever encountered a day with no music. It's lovely to the ear and the soul. My english professor once said that it's the best thing in the world! Out of all the people I've met in my life, he's definitely the most abnormal. My first impression of him was negative, unpleasant, and flat out depressing. Through his lectures and conversations, I saw a different person. He's a man who carries the broken pieces of life's experiences. Every so often he talks about music. I can't help but notice that he escapes reality with the push of play.

That's the crazy thing about it too. How is it possible that music can make you feel away from reality? Music is beautiful. Somedays I'll feel down, but that feeling leisurely dissipates when I allow my mind and heart to beat with the rhythm. If I ever get wings, I could really see myself flying endlessly in the sky to the sound of music.

Outdoors

2010-04-23T12:07:00.000-07:00

There's something special about being outdoors that makes me happy.

Victoria