Half way through 2006...

I woke up this morning, and realized it's already June 30th! That means half of 2006 is already over, it felt like the blink of an eye, just gone. Looking back in the past 6 months, I revisited some items on my New Year's resolutions for 2006, a few I have actually made progress upon, then there are some of them which I have not even touched at all, yet half the year is already over.... time indeed flies ..

There is this Chinese saying: "A whole day's plan starts in the morning, A whole year's planning happens in the spring". Alrighty, I take a deep breath, clear my mind, and ready myself for the second half of the journey for 2006!

Sudoku helper

Recently I have been "addicted" to Sudoku, not only do I advance in levels, but I also found and was delighted by the more complex version called "Samurai Sudoku", which is basically 5 Sudokus linked together into a much bigger grid, resulting in a more complex puzzle.

So when I sat down next to this woman at the coffee shop, I glance over and see that she was working on a Sudoku puzzle from the newspaper, not a cross word puzzle. I can't help it but peeked at her version, and immediately mentally started working on it. This woman was apparently stuck, because she stared at it for at least a good 5 minutes and she was not making any progress. After a while, I couldn't bear to watch this anymore, and pointed out to her the answer to one of the squares. She looked at me in surprise at first (guess cuz I was glancing over her shoulder), then asked me for the logical reason behind my answer. We struck up a 10 min. conversation, where I explained to her several rules and tips I found while practicing. She said she'd just started not too long ago, and is intrigued by this purely logical puzzle phenomenon. At the end, she smiled, thanked me for the explanation, and was able to start making more progress moving forward.

She appreciate smile made my day!

Mongolia revisited...

It's interesting how God uses everyone and everything around you to aid in your spiritual walk, all it takes from you is the willingness to look.

Tonight I was "txt"ed to dinner @ my favourite Korean restaurant, during which I met someone named J. When J. was introduced to me as "he went to Mongolia the year before", all of a sudden, without thinking first, I burst out "Are you J. from Seattle?" and followed up with a burst of uncontrollable laughing ... boy O boy... :p Yes, the bay area Asian Christian community is *really* that small...

well, it turns out that J. is the former trip leader for the first GrX Mongolia short term missions trip. And I have already heard an earful of him during those long mid-night chats around the water boiler with other trip members. Natually, he got curious and asked what reputation preceded him. This got us into a discussion concerning the practices and leadership styles, most of all, what we all learned during the short term mission trip..

Coincidentally, ever since the sermon last Sunday, I have been thinking about the team that just left for Mongolia this summer, and memories from last summer came back. I recall all the things I learned during that trip, the lessons God taught us about work, volunteer, cherish financial resources, and most of all, LOVE. I continued to share my lesson learned on the "leader has monopoly on $$" theme with J., and I remembered how frustrating it was to me at first, the culture shock, then the reason behind doing so, and at the end of the trip, how we all came to the conclusion that it was indeed a great lesson learned.

In the past several days, the sermon from Pastor Steve really hit home with me. Also a lot of my friends are leaving for the various mission trips this summer, to witness all their effort and read about their prayer letters really helped me to re-center my perspectives. I will try to write more about my Mongolia trip experience later.. (trouble is, it's hard to share something like that without mentioning the actual people involved and things happened.. kinda conflicts with this "anonymous" thing.... Um... delimma... )

Mongolia --- the land of eternal blue sky, the last frontier of modern Western civilization, a group of people still living on the land and ride bareback on horses... It has been in my dreams now and then... My prayers go out to you all!

a Spiritual washing

(Note: FWD from a friend, thought provoking... )

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in, "Mom let's run through the rain," she said.

"What?" Mom asked.

"Lets run through the rain!" She repeated.

"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain,"

"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.

"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

"This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?"

"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!'"

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes.

Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.

And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed a washing.

GrX message today...

Pastor Steve's message on "the Curse of Death" really hit me at the core today. I have not been this shocked or felt this much spiritual cleansing since 2 months ago. I kept on thinking what he said about how young 20-somethings just assume that life will go on tomorrow, yet absolutely nothing in life is ever guranteed. He talked about "how we think informs how we live our lives". We need to correct our perspective by re-setting our priorities, first thing first: Seek ye First thy kingdom of God!

We live our daily lives never giving a thought to death, which we assume will not happen until years later. Yet we should know that we need to set our lives according to what's important to us, to reset our priorities. The passages below are some of my favourites:

Mark 8: 36-37

36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Q: How can we find hope and life amid the curse of death?Admit that we're not in complete control of our lives. And have an intimate walk with God.

James 4: 13-14 Boasting About Tomorrow
13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Luke 12: 18-21
18"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."
20"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'
21"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

sense of job satisfaction

I appologize to all of my friends to whom I have "disappeared" on in the past few weeks. The truth is that between my dental braces and work, I was just utterly exhausted.

I didn't have much time for myself after work this past week because I have been working until late in the evenings on this project.

I have been feeling pretty miserable about this project because of the upcoming deadline, yet when I finished a major piece of the code on Thursday, I felt this great sense of job satisfaction. I was on this adrenaline rush, which I haven't had in months. Instead of dreading yet another long day, and go to sleep stressed out about the progress, I actually *want* to stay a bit later, and work on this a bit more.

Friday I was able to solve another problem, I have to admit, this past week has been both stressful and tiring, but the sense of accomplishment at the end of the day makes it alright. I still have 2 chunks to go, but I am definitely on track and making progress on this project!

(see, I am going to work on the weekends, and I am not even complaining.. =)

21st Century "Cubism"

hehe... I heard about this reality show "Beauty and the Geek" from a friend last week, maybe I should set it on my Tivo.

according to this article, Cubism is back!!

Today is just ...

Today is just one of those "Urhh ur..h Ah Arhh Urh ... " days!

In the House of the Lord...

(this posting is somewhat heavy .... and religious)

Ever since our church moved into the mobile mode, I've felt weird going on Sunday, because it's held in a hotel ballroom. I can't shake the feeling of going to a wedding or a convention of some sort.

Yesterday, I woke up early in the morning, drove to the service, walked in as usual, and sat down. But after the worship, 10 min. into the pastor's preaching (based on Cain's story apparently), I felt very uncomfortable. I said a quick prayer yet that did not calm me down. I felt like a "wolf" amongst a flock of sheep, no, I don't mean that I am harmful, but that I don't "belong".

I have been experiencing this for some time now, my spiritual walk has really hit the valley floor. To the point that I felt uncomfortable to see my small group members or church friends, because I will feel guilty if they ask "how come we haven't seen you for a while?" Especially after last summer's short term mission experience, I feel particularly vulnerable to these spiritual lows. Because from the bottom of my heart, I know that I am a believer and that I always will. But I felt like a little child who has done wrong, and is dreading to face the big "Daddy" - my hearvenly Father.

I recall 3 period of times in my life when my spiritual walk has faltered like this: Sophomore year, 2001, and 2 years ago. I think I truly understand the term "spiritual" strength now. My belief in the Lord has always been the foundation of my value system, God has been the true North star guiding me in my life. However little I want to admit that I involve the Lord in my daily life, but He's definitely there, and His teachings I have been influenced with. Then how can I feel uncomfortable in the house of the Lord?

I said a quick prayer, and listened to the sermon but I just couldn't focus and concentrate, I felt agitated and restless. Finally, I left the service half way through the sermon (sorry Pastor Dave). I think I am truly starting to comprehend the term "spiritual warfare". I just couldn't sit there a minute longer, when my heart is not pure and my ears not receptive to God's teachings, my worldly self is rejecting everything I hear, and I am struggling within.

dear friends, if you are a Christian, please please pray for me, not for any worldly things, but please pray for my spiritual health, that my walk with God will return to normal, and that I will quickly come out of this spiritual "ditch". My life feels wrong when I've lost my North star, my true spiritual guidance.... Please pray that the almight heavenly Father will lift me up and refill me with the spiritual strength and Joy! (Amen.)

1,000 Places to See Before You Die

I picked up an interesting book from the library the other day, it's called the "1,000 Places to See Before You Die". Quite a catchy title, I thought. Upon opening the book, the first page had this quote that made quite an impression on me:

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the places and moments that take our breath away." - Anonymous

Important vs. Urgent, II

Learn to distinguish "urgent" from "important".

URGENT - "requiring or compelling speedy action or attention" (NOW!) We react to urgent tasks.

IMPORTANT - "of great significance or value" (GIVES RESULTS) Important tasks require more initiative and being proactive.

Sometimes urgent things are important and sometimes they aren't. You will never have enough time for everything, so you need to decide what is really important. IMPORTANT activities are those which help you to achieve your goals. Most of us have learned to respond to urgent requests at the expense of important tasks. Ignore important tasks at your peril - they will escalate and become urgent, at which point you have yet another crisis to deal with!

In Stephen Covey's book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" he categorises activities into four categories:

1) Urgent and Important
2) Not Urgent and Important
3) Urgent and Not Important
4) Not Urgent and Not Important

The highest payoffs and greatest opportunities are usually in category 2.

Stephen Covey asks: "What one thing could you do in your personal or professional life that, if you did it on a regular basis, would make a tremendous positive differencein your life?" Activities in category 2 have that kind of impact. Our effectiveness takes quantum leaps when we concentrate on category 2.

Do you find yourself responding to "urgent" items or requests more quickly than "important" ones? Start making important tasks seem more urgent by setting deadlines for them, and schedule the activities into your day. Make sure you take care of the important tasks, even if they are not urgent. When you do have to react to an "urgent request", spend some time thinking through your response. Solutions that are well thought out are usually better than impulsive reactions.

If you start spending 80% of your time working with "Not Urgent but Important" items, and only 20% of your time on the other 3 categories, your effectiveness will increase dramatically. Most people start with the quick, easy or enjoyable tasks on their task list. Think about starting with the most IMPORTANT tasks instead.

Remember, IMPORTANT activities are those which help you to achieve your goals.

Motivation & Discipline

more Inspiration Quotes:

"No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated and disciplined."
-- Unknown author

"Genius is one percent inspiration, and ninety-nine percent perspiration."
-- Thomas Edison

Important vs. Urgent

"The urgent problems are seldom the important ones."

- Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Many people view a long list of 'to-do's' each day as a sign of their productivity or importance. It is usually a mistaken belief. A lengthy activity list may well be a sign of poor delegation, unfocused effort, a lack of project planning skills or worst of all - workaholism. The fact that you are handling a myriad of details might trick you into thinking that you are being effective but this is rarely the case - you are being efficient at best.

The art of effectiveness is the ability to identify the 20% of your activities and projects that produce 80% of the results and concentrate on these first. Here's how:

1. At the end of today, spend ten minutes identifying the three to five most important things you will do tomorrow.

2. Write down these 'A' activities on tomorrow's 'to-do' list and designate them A1, 2, 3 etc.

3. Now go to your calendar and put aside the first hour of the day to do them - yes that's right, make an appointment with yourself to get them done.

4. Treat this appointment with the same respect and courtesy you would extend if there were another person present. It is vital to guard this 'A' time, because the really important tasks seldom have to be done immediately. If you are tempted by your inbox,or allow a telephone interruption, you'll immediately find youself spiraling down the slippery slope that leads to a pile of less important stuff.

Make this easy 4 step process a habit and you'll be on your way to an early tee time, a school concert or even a promotion!

Japanese sushi

funny Japanese video about sushi and Japanese food!

what is "new Japanese with European influence"? sounds like some horrible fusion menu out of the Simpsons. ;)