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.

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.