Came true for me this morning at church.
Every Sunday before I leave for church, I double-check to make sure that if I'm on the music schedule for the day that I have all my necessary music. Somehow, I forgot to do that today and it was nearly disaster.
I was talking to a friend before the service and she was mentioning having me accompany her next week. She didn't have the music, but said she'd get it to me before next week. Right when she said "music," I realized something really bad: I forgot my music for TODAY at home!
By this time, I had 5 minutes to get over to the piano to begin prelude. Not enough time to go home! The violinist for whom I was accompanying didn't have an extra copy of piano music so I was a bit stuck. I sent my little sister home to get the music, telling her to "drive quick!" I thought to myself, "there is NO way she is going to get home and back in 15 minutes." That's when the panic began.
I ran over to the violinist and told her my troubles. Then I ran over to our pastor and told him my problem. I mangaged to have him move the order of service so the offertory could be later . . . just hoping Kristine would be back in time!
The service started. Still no Kristine. The announcements were made. Still no Kristine. The second, third, fourth songs were sung. Still no Kristine. The scripture was read. Still no Kristine. My brother gave a camp testimony. Still no Kristine. I'm looking at the order of service thinking, "there is NOTHING left to postpone!" But then our pastor had the special music perform. Still no Kristine . . . UNTIL the last verse of the special. I motion her to run over to me and give me the music. Right then, there was prayer and the offertory started.
Such a close call! I cannot tell of the panic that was rushing through my mind before I got the music. It all went well, but I'm definitely checking for my music before walking out the door next time!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Trip to see a movie
So I finally did it! I finally went to see a movie . . . after being home for 3 weeks, it was long overdue. This was truly an adventure and in my perspective, merits its own blog entry.
Scenario: Me, my brother and my mom want to see a movie. My uncle and my two cousins also want to see a movie. My little sister decides to meet us after work to see a movie. This is the story of seven silly Asians who tried--and succeeded--in going to see a movie late on a Friday night.
8 p.m. At my aunt's surprise 60th birthday, my brother decides he wants to see a movie. It was opening night for "Up," and he wanted to see it in 3-D. We checked listings and the next showing was at 9:50 p.m. After leaving the party, we went to Bellevue Square (those not from WA, that's 15 minutes northeast of Seattle). We get there around 9:20 p.m. and meet Kristine only to find out all showings of "Up" are sold out for the evening. Go figure.
9:30 p.m. We call my uncle who was going to see "Star Trek" at the Imax with two of my cousins, because now that our movie is not available, we had no plans. There are lots of movies I've been wanting to see (Star Trek, Obsessed, Up, Brother's Bloom, Ghosts of Girlfriend's Past, etc.) We drove to Seattle to meet them at their house and get the times for the Imax. For some odd reason, the 11:30 p.m. showing of "Star Trek" wasn't showing up online, so we decided to see it at Southcenter (those not from WA, that's 20 minutes south of Seattle). Crazy, right? I suppose, but we really wanted to see a movie and Southcenter had "Star Trek" at 11 p.m.
11:05 p.m. Right as we are exiting the freeway to Southcenter, my uncle finds out that the Seattle Imax really was showing "Star Trek" at 11:30 p.m. We pull into a Denny's parking lot to double-check and sure enough, it was playing. So instead of pulling into the mall parking lot (we were across the street), my uncle decides that he really wants to see the movie on the Imax screen. We get back on the freeway and head back to Seattle.
11:20 p.m. I'm gunning it down the freeway, watching all around me for any signs of cops. This was only the beginning. It's Downtown on a Friday night during prom season . . . tough luck finding parking! But somehow after circling around for a while, I found a spot somewhat near the Imax.
11:31 p.m. Remember, we'd just come from my aunt's party, so I was in heels. Not good for running up a hill on uneven concrete! But, somehow I make it and we get our tickets to Imax. We very briskly walk to the entrance and the place is nearly packed. The movie has been playing for several weeks, but I guess it's still a big hit. We found a row of seats three up from the front . . . kinda close, but whatever.
1:40 a.m. Movie is over and all of us enjoyed it. Time for food! Yes, we're Asian and anytime is a good time for food. We decide to wait a bit until we're closer to home (because I live about 30 minutes north of Downtown).
2:40 a.m. McDonald's! Yep, we got burgers, fries and yogurt parfaits at 2:40 a.m. Crazy? Yeah, probably. Worth it? Definitely.
3:43 a.m. I'm sitting here writing this blog entry. It's not nearly as entertaining or interesting in print/screen as it was in person. And I'm super tired, so it probably doesn't all make sense. But the whole point was, that we went to three different theatres just to try and watch ONE movie! I'm not normally a "Star Trek" type of person, but I really enjoyed the movie. Intense, entertaining and funny. This is most certainly a night to remember!
Scenario: Me, my brother and my mom want to see a movie. My uncle and my two cousins also want to see a movie. My little sister decides to meet us after work to see a movie. This is the story of seven silly Asians who tried--and succeeded--in going to see a movie late on a Friday night.
8 p.m. At my aunt's surprise 60th birthday, my brother decides he wants to see a movie. It was opening night for "Up," and he wanted to see it in 3-D. We checked listings and the next showing was at 9:50 p.m. After leaving the party, we went to Bellevue Square (those not from WA, that's 15 minutes northeast of Seattle). We get there around 9:20 p.m. and meet Kristine only to find out all showings of "Up" are sold out for the evening. Go figure.
9:30 p.m. We call my uncle who was going to see "Star Trek" at the Imax with two of my cousins, because now that our movie is not available, we had no plans. There are lots of movies I've been wanting to see (Star Trek, Obsessed, Up, Brother's Bloom, Ghosts of Girlfriend's Past, etc.) We drove to Seattle to meet them at their house and get the times for the Imax. For some odd reason, the 11:30 p.m. showing of "Star Trek" wasn't showing up online, so we decided to see it at Southcenter (those not from WA, that's 20 minutes south of Seattle). Crazy, right? I suppose, but we really wanted to see a movie and Southcenter had "Star Trek" at 11 p.m.
11:05 p.m. Right as we are exiting the freeway to Southcenter, my uncle finds out that the Seattle Imax really was showing "Star Trek" at 11:30 p.m. We pull into a Denny's parking lot to double-check and sure enough, it was playing. So instead of pulling into the mall parking lot (we were across the street), my uncle decides that he really wants to see the movie on the Imax screen. We get back on the freeway and head back to Seattle.
11:20 p.m. I'm gunning it down the freeway, watching all around me for any signs of cops. This was only the beginning. It's Downtown on a Friday night during prom season . . . tough luck finding parking! But somehow after circling around for a while, I found a spot somewhat near the Imax.
11:31 p.m. Remember, we'd just come from my aunt's party, so I was in heels. Not good for running up a hill on uneven concrete! But, somehow I make it and we get our tickets to Imax. We very briskly walk to the entrance and the place is nearly packed. The movie has been playing for several weeks, but I guess it's still a big hit. We found a row of seats three up from the front . . . kinda close, but whatever.
1:40 a.m. Movie is over and all of us enjoyed it. Time for food! Yes, we're Asian and anytime is a good time for food. We decide to wait a bit until we're closer to home (because I live about 30 minutes north of Downtown).
2:40 a.m. McDonald's! Yep, we got burgers, fries and yogurt parfaits at 2:40 a.m. Crazy? Yeah, probably. Worth it? Definitely.
3:43 a.m. I'm sitting here writing this blog entry. It's not nearly as entertaining or interesting in print/screen as it was in person. And I'm super tired, so it probably doesn't all make sense. But the whole point was, that we went to three different theatres just to try and watch ONE movie! I'm not normally a "Star Trek" type of person, but I really enjoyed the movie. Intense, entertaining and funny. This is most certainly a night to remember!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
It makes my head hurt
Since I'm a relatively poor college student, I think about money. I think about money a lot. And in the process of thinking about it, I wonder: What makes these 2.61" x 6.14" (yes, I looked it up) pieces of glorified paper worth anything?
I know, I know, there is supposed meaning, significance and worth to these legal tenders, but really, how can a piece of paper really do that much?
Take it to yet another level--plastic. One swipe here, another swipe there and all of a sudden I have debt to pay. All because of my spending via a magnetic strip on the back of a piece of plastic.
I'm not interested in the scientific explanations for the logic of the financial world, and I'm probably taking this too far, but it really makes my head hurt to think about it.
I know, I know, there is supposed meaning, significance and worth to these legal tenders, but really, how can a piece of paper really do that much?
Take it to yet another level--plastic. One swipe here, another swipe there and all of a sudden I have debt to pay. All because of my spending via a magnetic strip on the back of a piece of plastic.
I'm not interested in the scientific explanations for the logic of the financial world, and I'm probably taking this too far, but it really makes my head hurt to think about it.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Am I "amusing [myself] to death" with technology?
Facebook. Twitter. Text messaging. Netflix. Gtalk. Blogger. YouTube. Hulu. iPod. LinkedIn. Email.
The list could go on and on about the technology that has invaded my life. But am I complaining? Definitely not. I love technology and the vast amount of information it affords to me, but I do realize it has established itself in my life and is not planning on leaving anytime soon!
My mom recently mentioned to me that I use too much of my day on technology. One minute I'm sending a "tweet" to my Twitter. Another minute I'm texting a friend. Then I login to my Facebook. Before I know it, it's time for another "tweet" as I simultaneously bring myself to my happy place with my iPod.
How did this all happen? I mean, how did I become so reliant--so dependent--on technology? My parents didn't own any cell phones until I was 10. We didn't own a computer until I was 12, and even then, all we could do was type on Microsoft Notepad . . . not even Word! We thought we upgraded when we got dial-up Internet. I bought my first digital camera for my 16th birthday. I bought my own laptop right before going to college my freshman year. We finally got broadband Internet after I went to college.
Do you catch the trend here? My family has always been a bit S L O W when it comes to technology. How have I gone from growing up in such a technologically-challenged family to being so addicted to it?
It amazes me how quickly things just creep into my life. I didn't take computer classes until my sophomore year in college, yet I knew how to work these things. Nobody taught me how to text with T9, but somehow I caught on. Nobody gave me little tutorials with Facebook, Twitter or Hulu, and yet--with a few minor mistakes--I'm a pro (slight exaggeration) with each of these.
So I understand how my mom thinks I use too much time on technology--I'm not denying that in the least bit. I just wonder when it all started.
The list could go on and on about the technology that has invaded my life. But am I complaining? Definitely not. I love technology and the vast amount of information it affords to me, but I do realize it has established itself in my life and is not planning on leaving anytime soon!
My mom recently mentioned to me that I use too much of my day on technology. One minute I'm sending a "tweet" to my Twitter. Another minute I'm texting a friend. Then I login to my Facebook. Before I know it, it's time for another "tweet" as I simultaneously bring myself to my happy place with my iPod.
How did this all happen? I mean, how did I become so reliant--so dependent--on technology? My parents didn't own any cell phones until I was 10. We didn't own a computer until I was 12, and even then, all we could do was type on Microsoft Notepad . . . not even Word! We thought we upgraded when we got dial-up Internet. I bought my first digital camera for my 16th birthday. I bought my own laptop right before going to college my freshman year. We finally got broadband Internet after I went to college.
Do you catch the trend here? My family has always been a bit S L O W when it comes to technology. How have I gone from growing up in such a technologically-challenged family to being so addicted to it?
It amazes me how quickly things just creep into my life. I didn't take computer classes until my sophomore year in college, yet I knew how to work these things. Nobody taught me how to text with T9, but somehow I caught on. Nobody gave me little tutorials with Facebook, Twitter or Hulu, and yet--with a few minor mistakes--I'm a pro (slight exaggeration) with each of these.
So I understand how my mom thinks I use too much time on technology--I'm not denying that in the least bit. I just wonder when it all started.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Why read the news?
Here's a recent editorial I wrote for The Collegian.
The Collegian Online: "Do you know what today’s top news headlines are? When is the last time you read the news? Why don’t we keep up with what is happening around us?
Many Christians are ignorant of the news of the day. Maybe time is the issue—the news is not high on our list of priorities. Perhaps we discount the importance of the news because we believe the coverage is presented from a liberal, left-wing point of view. While many media outlets may present their ideas and stories with an imbalanced perspective, we still need to keep informed. Thus we must use good judgment in evaluating what we hear and read.
Current events are often great conversation starters with those we come into contact with on a daily basis. If we’re not up-to-date with the news, we have little to converse about with those around us, making us appear uninterested and uninformed.
By staying informed, we can more effectively represent Christ and our faith. We’re reminded in I Peter 3:15 to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” How can we defend our faith and our viewpoints on current events if we don’t know what is going on in the world?
The way news is presented will always reflect the particular media outlet that we choose to read, watch, listen or subscribe to, and we have the responsibility to evaluate and discern which outlets to follow.
The bottom line is that news is news, and it’s worth our time to know what is around us so we’re not uninformed when we discuss current events with others."
The Collegian Online: "Do you know what today’s top news headlines are? When is the last time you read the news? Why don’t we keep up with what is happening around us?
Many Christians are ignorant of the news of the day. Maybe time is the issue—the news is not high on our list of priorities. Perhaps we discount the importance of the news because we believe the coverage is presented from a liberal, left-wing point of view. While many media outlets may present their ideas and stories with an imbalanced perspective, we still need to keep informed. Thus we must use good judgment in evaluating what we hear and read.
Current events are often great conversation starters with those we come into contact with on a daily basis. If we’re not up-to-date with the news, we have little to converse about with those around us, making us appear uninterested and uninformed.
By staying informed, we can more effectively represent Christ and our faith. We’re reminded in I Peter 3:15 to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” How can we defend our faith and our viewpoints on current events if we don’t know what is going on in the world?
The way news is presented will always reflect the particular media outlet that we choose to read, watch, listen or subscribe to, and we have the responsibility to evaluate and discern which outlets to follow.
The bottom line is that news is news, and it’s worth our time to know what is around us so we’re not uninformed when we discuss current events with others."
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Time Change
Time zones are such wonderful things. Completely false statement. Time zones are horrible, especially when trying to get back in a routine.
I've been home for 9 days, and I am STILL on the East Coast time. Or at least my body thinks I am. I can't help but wake up every morning at 5:30-6 a.m. wide awake and ready to tackle the day. Only problem: at 5:30 a.m. there is nothing to tackle!
I've tried to compensate by staying up really late. Since I'm used to staying up late, this "late" is really subjective, but it's been around 3 a.m. My logic is if I can stay up late, then I'll be tired enough to sleep-in and get a normal night's sleep. Right? Wrong. I've tried this, and the latest I've been able to sleep-in has been 8 a.m.
So it's been fun being home, but I just wish my body would catch up to the rest of life. It's about time to get on the West Coast timing!
I've been home for 9 days, and I am STILL on the East Coast time. Or at least my body thinks I am. I can't help but wake up every morning at 5:30-6 a.m. wide awake and ready to tackle the day. Only problem: at 5:30 a.m. there is nothing to tackle!
I've tried to compensate by staying up really late. Since I'm used to staying up late, this "late" is really subjective, but it's been around 3 a.m. My logic is if I can stay up late, then I'll be tired enough to sleep-in and get a normal night's sleep. Right? Wrong. I've tried this, and the latest I've been able to sleep-in has been 8 a.m.
So it's been fun being home, but I just wish my body would catch up to the rest of life. It's about time to get on the West Coast timing!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
School is Out!!!
Yep, yep, school is officially out for the summer!!
I am so excited to go home tomorrow, but at the same time I am really sad that a lot of my friends graduated and are leaving me to begin their lives away from college. I know that is selfish, but it is true!
Anyway, I'll be home in less than 24 hours and will be blogging a lot more frequently for sure!!
I am so excited to go home tomorrow, but at the same time I am really sad that a lot of my friends graduated and are leaving me to begin their lives away from college. I know that is selfish, but it is true!
Anyway, I'll be home in less than 24 hours and will be blogging a lot more frequently for sure!!
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