Open up the Skies

of mercy. Why, after it rains, does the sky become so marvelous? Yes, I was on the road to start my day when I snapped this shot from my phone. Instantaneous awe and inspiration flowed in for whoever designed this celestial masterpiece. Props to you, God of all creation.

Catch a Falling Star

..or leaf. Today I was walking Benji and I did a double-take after I saw the brightest yellow leaf on the ground. So I picked it up and brought it home. I wonder what makes us stand out among the other leaves.

Peaceful mornings

Today I finally addressed and reconciled some things that have been on my mind lately. I scribbled them out, point by point, on four blue post-its. Sealed them with a prayer, and took a deep nap. I woke to a sunny afternoon lunch with a peaceful heart.

Fastidious Feasting

There's a whole lot going on in this picture. Too much. This is what happens when God blesses a generous hospitable host who wants to feed us to the brim and over. Yes, that's my hand going for the side-dish. In the silver platter: Spicy Pork ribs. Still full, and it's been 24 hours since this meal.

Chasing Daylight

Ever wish there were more than 24 hours in a day?

Silver-Lining & all

Part heavy blue part dark grey skies pierced by a sudden burst of what i like to call 'egg-yolk' in the sky - the Sun, shades all things black in its luminous light. What on earth can withstand its light-saber-like force?

'Heart'felt Creation

Topped with crushed Grahahm Crackers, Honey, Chocolate Bits, Boysenberry Jam (the Heart), Greek-style Yogurt sprinkled with sugar on two layers of Vanilla & Chocolate bread. I call it bread, not cake, because it's hard :( I need to work on my cake-batter improvising skills (or actually follow a recipe).

Acrylic Attempt #1

I started painting at this woman from my church's house. She's an amazing artist and set up her home as a little studio where people can come and create masterpieces under her wing. I went twice so far, once a week. This painting is still in progress, but it's on hold because I have to study for GRE's.. Just a few crucial touch-ups and we'll be good to go!

Benjamin's Bliss

This was in the moment. 1/2 second later, he could have been frowning, growling or barking (which he hardly does, but he could have been). 1/2 second later he could have fell asleep (he actually was in the middle of a yawn). 1/2 second before he could have been whining or fidgeting around. All these do not matter, because in this moment, he is in bliss.

Lukewarm Side-dishes

This morning at the table my mom had prepared an array of Korean food: rice, bean-paste soup (tastes better than it sounds, especially on a rainy day), beef, and many colorful side-dishes. I slept in for breakfast so I guess this was sort of a brunch; I was hungry. Immediately I stuffed some rice wrapped in sea-weed into my mouth, mmmm. Then I went for the egg dish... I almost spit it out. It was supposed to be hot, but it tasted very very cooled on my tongue. Then I went for the soup which was supposed to be steaming, piping hot, enough to make me have to blow on it to take a sip. It was very much a room-temperature liquid, diminishing its effects of a satisfying bowl of soup on a rainy day. I'm sure my brows scrunched into my forehead as I walked over to the microwave and inserted the bowl inside. 30 seconds on high later, a signal from the nerves in my finger to my brain alerted me that the bowl I was touching was HOT! Happily, I carried it over to enjoy the rest of my meal how it was supposed to be.

I realize this was just a bowl of soup. But rather than criticizing the bowl, it made me want to examine my own temperature. How about us? Do we have particularly passionate lives ourselves.. or are we living lukewarmly? Has our steam gone out?

Do we need to be re-heated??

So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Revelations 3:16

Dance, Math and Endurance

On Saturday we started a dance group, nothing crazy just learning how to do some basic stuff for people who are interested in getting better. Our friend taught us a piece from her hip-hop group. Initially, I could not keep up with the moves! Every time I started to get one down, we learned another faster harder one, and I couldn't connect the two together. I started feeling frustrated and hopeless, like I was never going to get it. I even thought, "I should just quit, I'm no good I'm no good, I look so weird, Why am I even here?

But after many run through's and going step-by-step from the top, it slowly started to sink in. It also helped that others were almost as lost (if not more) than I was (which made me secretly feel better). When we tried the routine with the music it was chaotic, but hopeful; at least we were able to mark the moves. After several more tries, I realized I was picking it up and felt really giddy inside. I'd come so far, farther than I'd ever imagined myself from when I first started.

So I'm studying for GRE's. And one of my arch-enemies in this life is Math. Oh how I loathe it beyond other school subjects! As I sat at Panera Bread trying to depict what x% of y% of z% x 9999 - the average of h .... was, I wanted to throw down my pen (yes, I do math with a pen, it's a French thing), scream, and never see another math problem ever again. however, I restrained myself and tried to interpret the mysterious question again. I ended up reading it over many many times before I slowly started scratching the surface of its meaning - hope. I'd come a lot further than I'd ever imagined from when I first saw this problem.

Endurance. Diligence. Perseverance, whatever you call it, you need it. You need to KEEP going. If you give up when it seems tough, that's how far you'll ever get. If you keep at it even though it feels you could die from frustration, you will experience progress, I promise. And isn't that worth a little pain? Remember, what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. And when you're stronger, just imagine what heavy things you can lift/shove out of your way. :)