Q&A with Me

Since coming home to LA for the holidays, I have been asked many questions. Many of the questions are similar. Therefore, I thought it would be fun to do a Q&A session with myself. If this keeps people from asking me the same ol' questions in person, that would be great. But if I still get the same questions, I will not begrudge the questioner. I am honored that people even care about what's going on in my life and support me.

Q: Where did you go? Vancouver or Toronto? Is there a time difference?
A: Vancouver. It is in the same time zone as those in California.

Q: Which classes did you take this past semester/quarter?
A: Regent College is neither on a semester nor quarter system. Each term consists of 12 weeks (with final examinations in the last week) and 2 reading weeks. I took (1) Old Testament Foundations, (2) Perspectives on Biblical Languages (Greek & Hebrew), and (3) Christian Thought & Culture.

Q: Do you live in the dormitories? How far do you live from campus? How are your living conditions? How far are you from Richmond?
A: Regent College does not have dormitories; it is a Christian graduate school (no undergrads). I live approximately 3 miles from the school, which is on the same campus as the University of British Columbia (UBC). It takes me about 10 minutes via bus to get to school. I sometimes walk as well, if the weather is nice and I have time. I live in a tiny basement suite with really great landlords who make me yummy Chinese soup every Wednesday. I am a 1-hour bus ride (with one transfer) to Richmond. I usually only go down to Richmond if I have a ride.

Q: Isn't the food great in Vancouver? Do you eat out a lot?
A: The food is good in Vancouver, but there are far more varieties and better prices in LA. Since I'm a poor seminarian, I rarely eat out. I mostly cook my own food for all 3 meals. It's nice that Regent provides microwave ovens and a refrigerator for students' use.

Q: What has been the hardest thing about living away from home?
A: Loneliness. I have made some friends in Vancouver, but it's hard not having my immediate family and close friends around. And it's particularly hard being in a city with which I am not tremendously familiar. And there's definitely a sense of loneliness in knowing that my American Republican perspectives are in the minority. I am still shocked when evangelical Christians tell me they like Clinton (either one).

Q: Were you homesick? What did you miss the most?
A: I was homesick the entire time. I missed my family, my friends, work and my church... and having a car. Oh... I also missed the sunshine.

Q: What have you learned so far?
A: I have gained a lot of knowledge in school and it has been really hard work. But the biggest lesson God has been teaching me lately is about dependence on Him. In LA, I could always count on my familiar surroundings, work, and friends and family to feel security and success. But in the last 3 months, I have not had these things as readily available, if at all. So, in turn, I have been "forced" to acknowledge my need for God. He is the reason I am doing what I'm doing, even if it makes no sense to many other people. I have continued to wrestle with Him about various things, but my trust is in Him.

Q: What degree are you pursuing? How long will it take? What do you plan on doing afterwards?
A: I am enrolled to pursue a Master of Christian Studies (MCS), but I am still trying to figure out which concentration to pursue. I am interested in several of them, but am waiting for God to reveal to me which one to declare. I should be done with the program in 2-3 years. My future is in God's hands. I may go back to being an event planner or I may even end up in full-time traditional church ministry. In God, the possibilities are limitless.

Q: Have you met a potential husband in Vancouver?
A: No... but thanks for asking, Uncle Phil. =)

If you have additional questions, please feel free to ask me through the "comments" section.