Kollaboration 9

I Love You, Man

I Love You, Man trailer

Class is really boring right now; it's a review of muscle fibers which I learned in undergrad, but basically it's 1 more day before Winter break.

Kanye Video

Kanye West - New Music - More Music Videos

Thoughts from this Week

LA Drivers...

LA Drivers are horrible

LA Drivers during the Christmas shopping season are even worst.

LA Drivers in the rain indescribable

More specifically LA drivers don't signal, don't know how to make left turns, don't know how to stop 

at a red light before making a right turn, and don't turn on their headlights when it would be beneficial to for themselves and other drivers.

Computer Problems

I was foolish and restarted my computer when Microsoft Office was updating, and then my Macbook wouldn't boot up properly.  Boy did that throw me for a loop.  I couldn't sleep well, and I was afraid that I would lose all my data, since I didn't back up my important files (pictures, music, school documents, artwork, etc.)  I did finally get it fixed Sunday afternoon, praise God!  It showed me how dependent I was on my computer, and how irresponsible I was not to back things up.  I was able to get to know the Apple technician pretty well, and talk about what his goals were and stuff.  It was a pleasant experience at the hectic mall (30 min. to find parking).  I've learned my lesson, and A+ for Apple service.

Raining like Norcal

The weather has been pretty ridiculous lately.  It's raining like I'm back in the Bay Area.  The gloomy weather is depressing, but it also means that there is snow, which would only be important if I were going snowboarding which is still up in there air (probably not).

Chick fil-A

Moist chicken

Waffle-cut fries

Coke Zero

Friendly service

Christian fast food chain

Baking

Two of my classmates baked cookies for the entire class and wrapped them and tied them with ribbon and curled the ribbon...lol.  I already told some of my friends that when I move into the house with the guys, that I would bake them a cake for their birthday or cakes in general.  So I was thinking of certain cakes, and I also thought of.....

Black and White cupcakes....

They look AWESOME!!!!  Okay that's enough for the random thoughts post this week.

Olive Crest Dinner

Cornerstone Bible Church organized a Christmas party at a foster home tonight, and I volunteered to go and help and celebrate with them, but I had really no idea what to expect.  I've served at homeless shelters and fellowshipped with strangers there too.  I expected to be going to a foster home for children, but what I walked into was a foster home with 15-16 year old boys.

I was caught off guard, but at the same time it was something I was a bit more familiar with.  Many of the boys were welcoming, but some also had their guard up, and were in situations that I couldn't relate too.  I tried my best to focus on getting to know them by learning about their hobbies and finding out what they do for fun.  I can't imagine being in the same situations that their in and not really having the foundation or support that I have.

One of the boys celebrated his 16th birthday tonight, and I guess he was more appreciative and excited since we were there and people actually celebrated his birthday with him.  It was more than just cake and a song.  On the way home, I thought about all those teenagers featured on MTV's program "Sweet Sixteen (Eighteen)...etc"  They go over the top to throw a party, where there are people who are happy and just satisfied in celebrating a 16th birthday with other foster kids and just random strangers that are just there to chill and throw a party for them.  He emphasized the importance of family during Christmas time when asked what Christmas is about.

Think about what really matters during this holiday season, and cherish what God has blessed with you this year.

Different Situations, Same God

I was watching another episode of "Secret Millionaire," and it reminded me that I wish I could be out there helping people right now, and that's one of the main reasons I want to be an optometrist.

In college, I participated in Alternative Breaks and met people and community groups that were organizing similar programs for the people in their community.  There is a certain joy and enthusiasm you have for helping people like that and knowing that there are bigger problems out there.  But realistically, God has other plans for people.  God doesn't plan for everyone to be run a transition home, or be the next Mother Theresa.  God will uniquely use you, your experience, your skills, and personality for His glory.  His will is for people to know about His gift, and the best way we can show that is through loving one another.

So, even though, our hardships may pale in comparison to those struggling in tough communities, it is reassuring to know that the God need to rely on through the hard times, and praise in the tough times, is the same God those in poorer neighborhoods pray to.

So if it is never in God's plan for us to directly affect the lives of those in poorer communities, we can be sure that God has His own plans for them, and God is loving, and fair.

Zoom Kobe IV

The new Kobe IV's that are low-top basketball shoes. They look pretty slick, but I wonder how much they'll cost. Even off the court, I think they'll be the slickest casual shoes out there. Also, it would be cool if they use the new fly-wire tech, and lunar cushion to make a new fashionable casual shoe that can be this generation's AF-1.

These also look really nice. The LeBron VI in the Anthracite colorway.

Thinking of Others

So I was watching a TV show on Hulu.com, called "Secret Millionaire."  The show is about muli-millionaires volunteering to live in poverty for a week, with a friend or family member.  Through the experience they are supposed to meet people that they feel they can best help with their money.  They cannot reveal their identities, and must live on the amount a welfare check would provide.  They must contribute at least $100,000 to one person or several people, to help their cause or whatever the millionaire says the money is for (personal self-improvement, medical bills, construction project, etc.)

I watched the first two episodes, and was really moved by it.  It was annoying to see the ignorance of those with wealth, but at least they were open minded enough to participate.  How I wish I was in the position to be able to write a check for such a large amount to give to someone to improve their life.  But if that's the train of thought that I have, then I will probably not ever be in that position because it takes certain personalities to make millions.  I don't think everyone has the ability to, or God doesn't plan that everyone become a millionaire.  So that leaves, the question, if there is a passion to help the needy, how can you help now without 6 zeros following the balance in your bank account.

The answer to this would be to contribute time, and to always think of others.  Plan and think about what you're doing and if it's impacting others, specifically the needy in a positive way.  Does buying a video game (which I buy) help me? help others? or have no effect?  Granted I need to buy things for myself, but so long as I don't over indulge myself with needless things, and which money or time could be spent to better the lives of others.  So the plan is to always plan to give back to the community, to others.  How will you pursuing your career improve the lives of the less fortunate, will it be direct, or indirect, and if not directly, what can you do directly to affect the lives of other people.

This idea kind of ties into my dilemma today.  I was disappointed that I somehow lost my focus or concentration before my exam today, and made a few careless mistakes (I don't know exactly how many), but be disappointed or frustrated about a grade does not compare to what others are struggling with right now: finding a warm place to sleep, finding their next meal, or even keeping warm as the weather is getting cooler.

God is sovereign and He always has a plan.  So whatever my grade is, I can only push forward and continue to do my best and keep my eyes, heart, and mind open to God's will for my life.  God is sovereign and has a plan for those struggling as well.  He will test us with trials that we will be able to overcome with the grace, power, and mercy of His Lordship.  His plan is unchangeable, but there is a method to what we deem as madness.