Sloshing Around

Since I came back to Vancouver earlier this month, the weather had been uncharacteristically "un-Vancouverian". It was definitely cold, but the sun was shining as well. On Monday, however, we received a bunch of snow. Since then, it has been warmer (high of low 40'sF), overcast and rainy (very "Vancouverian"). With all these weather conditions put together, there has been a lot of melted snow around. I am grateful for my waterproof Bass boots and my water-resistant REI coat, but an LA girl just doesn't like sloshing through dirty slush. I return home everyday with the bottom of my pants soaking wet and muddy. (This makes a second day of wearing the same pair of jeans impossible.)

But instead of concentrating on the slush while walking to school this morning, I looked up and saw all the people walking through the same slush as I was. These people around me were happily going about their day while I was muttering under my breath as I stepped into yet another muddy puddle.Then, I remembered that even though I don't enjoy the weather here, I ought to be grateful about where I am. God wants me here. I am thankful that He's including me in His plans, even if I'm not sure what they are. Some days, I feel like I'm just "sloshing through life", but it's awesome to know that the "messiness" is intended to teach me more about God and about faith.

So, no more complaining about Vancouver weather! Okay... I guess that's not totally possible for me. I'll try to complain less. =)

Mac vs. PC Parody

What do you think of these videos?



When I first saw them, I was a little disturbed. Obviously, the "Christian" is portrayed as rigid and boring, and the "Christ-follower" is hip and cool. From the outside, I am very much like the "Christian" because I get dressed up on Sundays and I embrace "rules." However, I believe I am like the "Christ-follower" in my heart. I enjoy and cherish my personal walk with Him, feeling little need to explain it to anyone. I don't like the way the videos mock the "Christian" and aggrandize the "Christ-follower." I think we need a balance. An outward display of your faith is not wrong, but an only outward display is wrong. A personal faith with God is good, but a personal faith that puts down others and has no regard for the community is not so good.

Just my two cents. Thanks for reading.

Common Church (Mis)Conceptions

On Sunday at church, the pastor presented "the six most common misconceptions people have about the [Christian] church." Here they are (in no particular order). Please comment on any or all of them. I'm curious whether or not these somewhat hold true in your church or any church of which you've been a part. Why do people have these (mis)conceptions? How have we contributed to these (mis)conceptions? Are they all really misconceptions? How do we, as Christ-followers, curtail them?

• The church is a religious organization with a political agenda.
• The church is male-dominated and oppresses females.
• The church is homophobic.
• The church is judgmental and negative.
• The church arrogantly claims that all other religions are wrong.
• The church is full of fundamentalists who take the Bible literally.

* The pastor did not actually address all these statements, except the one about the church being male-dominated and oppresses females. I think he chose to address this particular one because the church is planning on ordaining their first female pastor in the near future.

In Search for Peach Smints

Ever since Carolyn introduced me to peach-flavoured Smints in the UK over ten years ago, I have been hooked on them. During that time, I was unable to find them in the US. Then, after a couple of years, I saw them at Target and then by the bulk at Smart & Final. Then, mysteriously, both stores stopped stocking them a couple years ago. So, I searched the internet... no luck.

Does anyone know where I can purchase them... on the internet, in Vancouver or in Los Angeles? Or, if you have them where you live, can I coax you into buying some for me?

The End of Ethics

For my Business Ethics class, we were scheduled to submit our first research paper and take a quiz yesterday. I spent several hours studying, researching and writing this past weekend. And just as I finished editing my paper on Monday morning, I received an email from the registrar's office notifying me that the Business Ethics course was canceled due to a lack of student enrollment. Needless to say, I was rather upset. But that quickly passed into frustration; now, I have to write another paper this week (due tomorrow) for my "back-up class" on Biblical Exegesis & Interpretation. At least... with over 100 students in this class, I know it won't be canceled. ***Sigh...***

Business Ethics: What Would You Do?

I attended my first Business Ethics class last night. The professor presented a case study, which stemmed into a lot of discussion. I'm curious what others think.

You are a buyer for your company. A supplier offers his company's Superbowl (or some other really great event) box seats to you and your supervisor . Your supervisor accepts the ticket. What do you do?

• (a) You tell your supervisor that you'll meet him at the Superbowl.
• (b) You tell your supervisor that you feel uncomfortable receiving such a valuable gift from a supplier and decline the offer.
• (c) You tell the supplier that you feel uncomfortable receiving such a valuable gift from a supplier and decline the offer.
• (d) You ask your supervisor how you can reimburse the supplier for the Superbowl ticket.

Even if your answer differs from the given multiple choices, I'm curious what you think. I always thought I was pretty ethical in my business practices, but after discussing this case study with fellow classmates, I'm questioning myself.