live.laugh.love

Day 3 — Your parents

It’s been quite some time since I’ve blogged, but this is a perfect opportunity for me to brag about some of the best people in my life: My Parents. Parents hold the stereotype of being overprotective, over-caring, overacting, and even overdoing. As children, we see these gestures as a nuisance because they’ve been like this since day one. We grow accustom to the ways they express themselves towards us, and soon, it becomes a routinely act which we may perceive to be annoying. Whether they are bickering because curfew was broken, or grieving because they are actually afraid of what could’ve happened to you in the wee hours of the night, the bottom line is that we so often fail to see what lies above the bottom of the line. Simply put, here’s the bottom line: Parents worry too much. And the line above? Because they love us so much.

 I cannot begin to FATHOM how much my parents love me. The way they raised me, the support they showed and continue to show for me, the unending love they pour out onto me despite my unwise decisions in the past. Never have they given up, but always have they encouraged me. Thinking back on this really challenges me in so many ways. How many of us are able to continue to encourage someone who disagrees with everything that is naturally “right”? The answer for me is not “very few”, it’s “my parents”. I pray that I may grow to be even half as good of parents they were to me, for my future children. God blesses us all in many different ways, but He has blessed me tremendously with my gentle, understanding Mom and my ever-supporting Dad.

The family should be a closely knit group. The home should be a self-contained shelter of security; a kind of school where life’s basic lessons are taught; and a kind of church where God is honored; a place where wholesome recreation and simple pleasures are enjoyed. 

 -Billy Graham

The Green Hornet

Just came back from watching The Green Hornet with my little brother. I thought it was a pretty good movie, although my movie standards typically seem to be that of my brothers standards…nonetheless I had a few good laughs which I desperately needed. Without a trace of knowing what the green hornet was (or that it was even a super-hero), I blindly walked in to the theaters only to find that this movie wasn’t like the other super hero movies. Humor all throughout. Which I again, thought was great. I actually don’t want to get into detailed plotting of the movie or any other specifics because quite frankly, I’m a spoiler when it comes to this. And I absolutely hate my kind. So I will only leave you with this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9btZIK3Obpg

For those who have yet to see the trailer of course…

Oh and a little bit of this.

My cousin told me this guy was some guy that looked like John Cho from White Castle, and throughout this whole movie I could’ve sworn she was wrong because I thought it WAS him. Not long until the movie ended though and I waited for the credits just to see that its some guy named Jay Chou. Which also takes me to my next point in thinking his Chinese accent isn’t fake at all. It has nothing to do with the fact that he really is Chinese, but go take a look at some of his pictures on google…mad fobbed out! Whateva though, he was super sexy in this movie. (minus that accent please)

And so, moving on…from the entire movie if there is one thing I’ve learned, it would definitely have to be mastering the cool leafy looking designs on the foam of the lattes. (like the ones at Urth!) Sure it may seem highly irrelevant to the green hornet or any action of that sort, but it is the most practical act throughout the whole movie. Which you can really apply to life coffee!!!

**On a side note, after the movies my brother and I ordered some to-go at The Loft Hawaiian Restaurant. I ordered a chicken katsu and to my disappointment they did not have a ‘mini’ size, nor did they have that sweet and tangy orange colored sauce that every other hawaiian restaurant seems to have for dipping the katsu in. For the most part, the meal was delicious and the portions were huge but…chicken katsu just isn’t the same without that sauce. My craving is unfulfilled yet I am extremely full, so there is nothing left to do because I obviously cannot eat anymore. So cheers to that, I’ll have a naked juice instead. Good night world.

Day 2- Your Crush

Currently crushing on someone I probably shouldn’t crush on. He’s nice, easy to get along with, and seems to have a positive outlook on life. Good guy overall, I just don’t know him too well (which I wish I did). I think we’re on two different pages though, which may make it tough. Haha I talk as if we are soon to be in a relationship.

So because I do not know this fellow very well and neither of us make enough of an effort to getting to know each other, maybe I’m wasting my time, maybe I’m not…but I think I’ll just let this one slide. Not sure if it’ll be worth the effort in the end. So with that said, there are plenty of other fish in the sea. Just keep swimmin!

The Most Valuable Lesson Learned

Diagnosed with leukemia at the young age of 18, a dear brother from our college ministry was fighting strong for 7 months. We as a body of the church believed he was healed after those several months, but a few days after our relief of our brother’s diagnosis, God decided to take him earlier than anyone had expected. On January 7, 2011, our dear brother Alex passed away. 

As today was the memorial for Alex’s funeral, I did not know what to expect. Never have I been to one considering the fact that I was never a relevant figure in the lives of those who have passed. But here I was, sitting in what seemed to be a small chapel, wearing all black. Upon entering the room, the mood was quite different from just 5 feet away to where the doors were. It already pained me to see Alex from a distance laying so still in his casket, but I tried all I can to avoid those tears. As the service went on, we reached a point where a slideshow with Alex’s pictures were shown. As the background music (Josh Groban- You Raise Me Up) played, Alex’s pictures transitioned beautifully from birth to high school graduation. And this is when it hit me. When recent pictures came up to where his face was recognizable from when I first met him. This pain was nothing you can fathom. It hurt…from the bottom of my heart way up to the top. Tears were all that were able to be spoken.

I cannot say I knew Alex inside and out, in fact, I only knew the outside of Alex. We served in praise team together when i was in high school and he was one of the singers. Never did I take initiation in getting to know him, and rarely did I ever say “Hi.” I did not bother caring for him because I was too busy caring only for the people I wanted to care for. I figured he’d find his own way around things because he was quite the oddball. If I could of course, I’d take back every wrong I ever did towards him..but clearly it’s too late. There are so many things I can go on about what I could’ve should’ve would’ve, but that’s not what Alex’s passing taught me. Through this incredibly difficult lesson, Alex has taught me to be selfless, to care about everyone around us (despite their quirks), and to never..EVER think our battle is the only battle.

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

-Plato

My friend Angela once told me, “Every week we come to church and sit next to different people. And though we may have our own issues we never know what kind and how big of problems the person next to us is going through.” Many of us, including myself, fail to recognize that we ourselves are not the only ones who exist in a pool of blood from time to time. We are all guilty of the same charge. It does hurt me to see that it took this much for me to grasp the importance in recognizing others, but I am ever so thankful. 

Alex, although you are no longer here, I would like for you to know that a huge impact was made in my life today. I learned one of the biggest lessons in life. Funny how simple it is too. You’re in a much better place without anymore pain and everyone is so happy for you. We all love you and will miss you but don’t ever hesitate to visit. 

Rest In Peace 

Alex Lee

11/29/1991~01/07/2011

Day 1- Your Best Friend

Since our innocent elementary days, to becoming amateur rebels, to splitting up and taking our separate paths, I’d definitely have to say we came a long way. It was just last year when you would come to my apartment in LA every week to sleepover or kidnap me back to Cerritos. You lived at my apartment on weekdays, and I at yours on weekends. Our year was full of spontaneous and sometimes (most times) crazy events. Looking back on it all we had so much fun, but now that we’ve both made a choice to forward ourselves in life, we have taken completely different approaches in doing so. You, in ROTC and preparing to join the army, and I, at Cypress College trying to transfer to a UC. As 2010 rolled around, you dedicated yourself to becoming a devout Christian. You quit smoking and drinking and left the party scene entirely. I can’t say I didn’t try to rekindle our friendship after a few rusty months, but after some time I stopped, realizing how different we had become. You were following through with what you put your mind to, and I on the other hand took one step forward and two steps back. We didn’t see or talk much in the whole year of 2010 due to differences in school, friends, and interests overall. You have inspired me through the silences in 2010 though, and as this new year begins I am ready to tackle on what you’ve tackled last year in hopes of change for the better. You did it. And I’m damn proud of you. :) I know we don’t talk anymore and neither of us take the initiative to call each other, but I’ll always be here for you when you need me. Be strong in whatever you do, and continue to be that fighter you are! You are so independent, strong willed, and beautiful and even if you change, those three will always remain in you. And THAT I know for a fact. I’m not so sure what the chances are of you coming across my tumblr that I just started and really don’t know how to use, but if one day you see this, you’ll know it’s you who I’m talking about. This indefinitely goes out to you cus I really miss and love you!

30 Day Challenge

Day 1 — Your Best Friend

Day 2 — Your Crush

Day 3 — Your parents

Day 4 —Your sibling (or closest relative)

Day 5 — Your dreams

Day 6 — A stranger

Day 7 — Your Ex-boyfriend/girlfriend/love/crush

Day 8 — Your favorite internet friend

Day 9 — Someone you wish you could meet

Day 10 — Someone you don’t talk to as much as you’d like to

Day 11 — A Deceased person you wish you could talk to

Day 12 — The person you hate most/caused you a lot of pain

Day 13 — Someone you wish could forgive you

Day 14 — Someone you’ve drifted away from

Day 15 — The person you miss the most

Day 16 — Someone that’s not in your state/country

Day 17 — Someone from your childhood

Day 18 — The person that you wish you could be

Day 19 — Someone that pesters your mind—good or bad

Day 20 — The one that broke your heart the hardest

Day 21 — Someone you judged by their first impression

Day 22 — Someone you want to give a second chance to

Day 23 — The last person you kissed

Day 24 — The person that gave you your favorite memory

Day 25 — The person you know that is going through the worst of times

Day 26 — The last person you made a pinky promise to

Day 27 — The friendliest person you knew for only one day

Day 28 — Someone that changed your life

Day 29 — The person that you want tell everything to, but too afraid to

Day 30 — Your reflection in the mirror