Whenever someone asks me, "What's new?" or "How are you doing?" I give them my honest and favorite answer, "Life". Enough said. There is a lot of STUFF that is involved in life and learned that everyone has a different approach towards it. I'm just happy that I have a life (literally, not figuratively) and everyday that I wake up is another chance. I have chosen to be an invested visitor - life is a process, yet all of it is temporary because greater things will come after it. In the mean time, I only want to fulfill the work that God has willed me to do and truly be glad in it.

Changes are going on - feeling very blessed that most of them are positive ones to encourage me to get through the few bad ones. Suffering is necessary, but with faith and hope there is deliverance from it. All I can think about is love - just wanting to love, receive love, speak in love, cry in love, laugh in love...just to be "in" love. What an amazing emotion that no one here (earth) can truly fathom, but only hope to truly and sincerely appreciate it to the highest capacity that our minds can understand it.

I yearn for a soul, a soul that is worthy to be lifted and only for God. Everyday is another chance to grow it and it's only in His grace for it to happen. It's another chance to make it right, another chance to be pleasing to/for Him. Yes, changes are happening and come to realize that I have to prioritize and in some cases, shave off items from my life for me to be focused. There is freedom in obedience and I know who has the true power. So for those who desire respect, I hope that understanding will come. For those who demand respect, I pray for mercy - it was never ours to begin with. The more I think about it, the more relieved and happier that I am.

So, "what's new?"

Life.

love and peace.

I'm part of Linkedin for professional networking purposes and receive notices here and there. When approving a connection, on the side bar under the "people you may want to connect with" (or something like that), my ex boyfriend's name was right there listed as the first name. WOW. Actually, no I do not want to connect with him - no need. I can do without him, really. It's not about burning bridges, it's more about not needing him for anything and laughing at that fact because one time in my life, I relied on him a lot. I entertained the thought of thorough closure, but it's not necessary. The best thing he did for me throughout our ENTIRE relationship was breaking up with me. I don't care admitting that I've been dumped (would it make you think of me differently?) because I know the reasons for him doing it and have no regret.  We chatted on AIM a few months ago, very superficial "how you doin'? how's life, work, etc." chit chat. At least he's not dead and his family is doing alright (his parents are very nice people). It's funny to see how much you can pick up through an AIM chat and see how people haven't changed.

I remember blogging about our breakup years back - he even checked my xanga to see if I would blast him on the internet for the whole wide world to see. No, I'm not that bitter of a person. I've forgiven him, and can face him without having the urge to knee him in the groin. And those who were at Jubilee and heard my testimony - yes, this is the same guy. That's the best part about the pain and heartache that I went through - without it I wouldn't have realized the power of healing and forgiveness of God, or God at all. I think about Pastor Peter's message during last weekend's revival and now see that my relationship with my ex was a big warning sign from God that I was blinded to. Fighting, neglect, depression, mind games, tears, pain, guilt, stress, insecurities...I had to go through it and I'm not ashamed, because it's not about me. It never was. Was it all my ex's fault? No, but God had His purpose through my ex, and my ex served it well. It's just comforting to know that he no longer has that same purpose in my life anymore.

The year started with me hitting the ground running - nothing different from 2008 and about halfway into January, I'm tired of it. I've been trying to be more practical and realistic in my schedule so that I can appreciate what is already going on in my life. Furthermore, have a chance to clear out what I don't need in it - spring cleaning of my world so to speak. Getting there, slowly, but surely. We'll see what God has in store for me this year - I'm praying that it's love (in seeing, giving and receiving), improved health, career opportunities, and salvation of loved ones. At Jubilee, I appreciated what it meant to "surrender all" to Him, and that's where I left it - with Him, to take and use because I don't have the power to make it great as He can. I want quality.

I've been trying to stay encouraged as I'm embarking on the second  half of my graduate program - I'm on the track of completing it in 18 months versus 2 years and I'm just going to push forward. No holding back. Maybe I should have been wiser in internship/job searches and should have waited until the second financial quarter since trying to find one now is difficult. I admit it, I was setting myself up for frustration. It's not the right timing, so I shall take it easy and work on me. Groom myself to the young (or not so young, hah) professional that I need to be to do His work, where ever it may be. I have to remember to have as much faith in myself as I do in God so I won't keep going through these "emo" periods; as long as I keep up with the faith in God part.

The work in progress that is me, is a process that is enriched by those in my life. Everyone. I seek assurance, strength, wisdom, grace and mercy. Though this is my "venting" or update, it's ultimately my prayer request, which is something that I haven't shared with those who I should trust with. I'm more of a listener really, but now should start trusting to ask.    

 

I felt that the semester dragged because of the Thanksgiving holiday, but it's finally over and now all excited about going to Texas in a couple of days with my baybee for Lee-Lee and Peter's wedding! Yay! Time flies. I just remember like it was yesterday when we met Peter for the first time, and it was the day after they got engaged. I'm so happy that we get to celebrate a beautiful event in their lives. Also the mini-vacation will be great - it's loooooong overdue.

As soon as I submitted my final paper, I went straight to r&r mode and watched Iron Monkey for the 3rd time out of excitement for Donnie Yen's new movie, Yip Man - it gives me shivers all over (just like for Ong Bak 2). While I was checking out the details for Yip Man, I surfed through Donnie Yen's official website and saw the pictures of him and his wife. When watching his movies, I never noticed this before, but he is a beautiful man - just as beautiful as his wife, Cecilia. Together = one hot couple.

Seriously, I'm in awe of how beautiful they look together, (the same as hot couples who I know) I've seen individual pictures of them, which are hot too, but when they're together it seems like they explode with hotness. Yes, considering that he's an actor, she was in beauty pagents, and can take high quality studio pictures with all of the air brushing, but what I feel from their pictures are the same with pictures of hot and beautiful couples that I know. It's that feeling that they're just not loving, but in love, very strong in love. You can't hide love. And that is more beautiful than anything else. It's the love that makes you hot, but not easy to achieve. I guess that's the beauty of romantic love.

 

 

 

 

I like this picture a lot, it would be great for an engagement photo. Maybe I can get more people to come to my wedding with a picture of them.

 

 

 

However, Amanda - my lovely sister and the proclaimed/assumed maid of honor with tons of ideas thinks this would be better for a wedding invitation. The older generation would love it, don't you agree? Then again, this is the same girl who wants to set up a slip in slide when I toss the flower bouqet.

Life has been busy before going to and returning from New Mexico. I'm already missing the red and green chili, actually I was missing it since I boarded the plane.

My halloween night was spent at church for Holy Win, which was a lot of fun. The students shared their talent with everyone and had a chance to do something alternative to the trick or treating and/or other mischief activities. Honestly, I grew out of Halloween real fast - I probably went trick or treating 3 times in my entire life and felt completely foolish by the time I hit my sophomore year of high school. I never needed that much candy so bad for me to ask a bunch of strangers for it. Anyways, it was great spending a night fellowshipping and seeing everyone's talent - the kids enjoyed themselves, and that makes it worth all of the effort.

Monday I was on a plane to New Mexico and all of my flights were on time. New Mexico is a pretty and friendly state. North East girl here is not used to that. I got to meet a classmate of mine for the first time. It's interesting earning a degree online - we've worked on three group projects in the past couple of semsters, and that Monday was the day we met for the first time. It was a bit surreal yet cool at the same time. Straight from the airport we were preparing for the conference, which was a great event. It was fun learning about the hosting organization (National Hispanic Council on Aging) and working with the volunteers. But the most fun of the conference was meeting the conference attendees, which were mostly Hispanic seniors. I loved them because not only did they have wisdom but also this "spice" to them. The conference was for 3.5 days and it was a great experience working with a new organization and being exposed to similar non-profit organizations specifically geared towards the aging community. I mean, I have an invested interest - I will be part of that community eventually.

I didn't get to explore much while I was in NM since I was working most of it, but I did get to try the local cuisine. It all started with the breakfast buritto and this is not the stuff I see at Wawa's or McDonalds...this is serious where it's the size of an oval platter, and is either dressed with or packed with green or red chili, eggs, meat (chicken, beef, pork, or chorizo) and cheese. I had several of these throughout the trip and had a local favorite, sopaipilla, which is a flour based pillowy, pastry like bread. It's lightly fried and I had it stuffed with chicken and green chili for dinner on election night. I had a chance to visit the plaza in Old Town for a brief moment and couldn't buy much. The most valuable thing I purchased there was this silver pony tail holder from a Native Indian and artisan.

Coming back from NM was an adventure, to say the least. It was the last day of the event, so was up at 6 am, finished the event, did a bit of sight seeing, only to run back to the hotel to get to the airport in time to make my flight. Thank goodness for sprint drills in muay thai practice. Flying out of NM was fine - I arrived in CO on time, however, my plane from CO to NJ was delayed 4 hours...AT FIRST. I did some homework, checked my emails and ate dinner. By the time I checked the monitor again, I saw that my flight was cancelled. The airlines gave me a voucher for a hotel, which was more like a Motel 6 and it was creepy. By the time I got to my room, it was 11:30 pm and had to back in the airport early for a 6 am flight. I didn't sleep, I propped my laptop and snacks where I faced the door and worked throughout the night. I did all of my sleeping on the plane. I was in NJ by 11:30 am, only to be in New Brunswick for the Warrior's Cup V at 4pm. It was a long night, but completely worth it...19 fights of good amateur muay thai fightng. Again, another event coordinating experience, though it was just ticket sales, I never experienced a sporting event like that before and it was interesting to compare that to the conference. Two very different events, yet purposeful to specific communities.


David, Diana JDSN, Joe encouraging Brandon during his reading, which he can do very well. I think he's in 1st grade and read at a 4-5th grade level. I was impressed the other day when he cold read the word "anointed"...a word very fitting of him in a way.



The view from the balcony of my room, looking onto Old Town, you can see a church in the distance.


My crib for the week...and yes, I enjoyed sleeping on ALL of those pillows, so comfy!


Stuffed sopaipilla with rice, beans, and lettuce...OH SO GOOD. I devoured this.


A close of up the church that was in the first picture. This is recognized as a local heritage site and currently under preservation. I went to their gift shop wher I spoke with a very cute store volunteer who asked me how to make Schezuan eggplant....honestly I don't know how to, but tried to guide her with the right ingredients.



The expo hall of the conference. I was amazed with the design work for this...it made it seem like an outdoor plaza.



My "desk" at creepy motel/hotel room, charged with energy drink and fruit bar to work on my cultural heritage case study paper. That is an experience I will not forget.



Leaving New Mexico...when will I ever have a view of mountain ranges like this again?



Go Mark (red corner) GO! Not only did he win his match, he represented our school well with his techniques and dominating that ring.

Crazy week into the weekend to only come back to work this week into complete CRAZYNESS...a lot of stuff went down in a matter of a couple of days and I'm happy that I still have a job after all of it. Now I just have to get back into the routine of school to finish off the semester (within a few weeks) and get ready to go to the south again...HOUSTON here I come!

Mom: Who's this on your phone? Some muay thai thing...
Me: Tony Jaa...Ong Bak...
Mom: Oh...he's fit and built
Me: Many muay thai fighters are...
Mom: well, you're not...
Me: *grumbling* Thanks mom

At least she's not scolding me about my bruises anymore nor about me going to the seminar this Saturday.