best of friends
Mastro’s Ocean Club - Newport Beach
This place was awesome! It was a high class, expensive white people restaurant. I dont think i have felt more out of place being an Asian at restaurants until now. And i have been to a lot of good restaurants.. Its almost borderline racist. But the food here is just delicious. The steak here was very good, well cooked, tender and melts in your mouth. The sea bass that Calvin had just breaks apart with ease. It was really good! Our waiter was very knowledgeable and was a good host. For dessert, they had their Signature Warm Butter Cake. It was really good. Texture was smooth, not too sweet and makes you want more. The wine that we had was good. I always enjoy the hard smooth stuff more…so the Cab was delicious…and ultra expensive. The beach is across PCH, so i would imagine the view to be beautiful during the day time.
The most crazy part of the restaurant. In the mens bathroom, there is a guy wearing a tux. His ONLY job is to turn the faucet on for you to wash your hands, squeeze soap into your hands, hand you a towel to wipe your hands and then turn off the water. Then theres a variety of gum, cologne, and even cigarettes for you to choose from and take…
I usually wouldnt go to the same restaurants again. But I would..i would take a few people that is special in my life.
C & O Trattoria
I really love this restaurant. I have been here three times now and it has never disappoint. Whichever pasta you get it really good. Garlic Knots pretty much fills you up before pasta gets here. It is kinda far but next to Venice beach. This is probably my favorite Italian restaurant. The price is really good for what you are getting. To top it off, a bottle of wine will do the trick =)
My dad and Auntie, the two oldest of six on my dad’s side. My bros and cousin, the four oldest grandchildren on that side as well. So…theres some power and authority at this table. =)
It has been a great week and a half with my auntie and uncle. Went to some great restaurants, good wine and good times spend together. Now that as they leave and my cousin stays to attend school here at Santa Monica College. My uncle asked me to take care of my cousin, get him to open up. It is my job to take care of him and make sure hes doing ok. God just gave me another reason and confirmation to why i work out at UCLA.
My uncle has really affirmed my perspective of myself. They have money and they can do things that makes life easier.. The biggest thing that we have in common is our love for good food and knowing how to eat. In these two weeks, i made two impression on him. I love good food and can be trusted to choose where to eat. And that my personality and morals are very respectable. He said that he is impressed with how i carry myself and love others. I am surprised that he picked that up. But he affirmed me and told me to continue doing what I am doing and be who I am.
thoughts from my over-thinking mind
-God has the authority. how to translate that…..
-kindred spirit: In an informal way, this term has come to mean someone you feel a connection with, or someone who understands you. There are kindred spirits who seem to share all of your goals, ambitions and thought processes. :: It is great to have someone that understands you before you can understand yourself. It makes interaction and communication much easier as well as looking out for the best well-being of the other end.
-I am a hopeless romantic.
-I might be ok with not entering another relationship. The more i observe and think about it. the harder i cant come to sense with it. I dont understand it. I guess i am less comfortable with the idea now than before. When i expect something from myself, it has to be my best, no less. And i am not the best.
-I would give my best for someone before i would expect the best for myself.
-2 years. Open doors.
-miss. has so many meanings. :: To lose a chance, To be unsuccessful; fail, To leave out; omit, To feel the lack or loss of :: *I am beginning to understand what the last definition means. When something is so important to you in life, that it hurts to lose it or feel like its going away. Breaks my heart.
-I love to eat well. drink good red wine. And spend all my money before i can buy a 20k car.
-I am drained. I am looking to get away from responsibilities. But i am especially looking to get away from expectations. Exceptions from anywhere…feel like i am falling short. Need to just get away.
-BUT…what am i complaining about. I am made to serve! and i will serve until my cold body hits the ground. full out. 110%. God give me energy, strength and focus.
-learning that i am loved. that i might just not get left behind like i usual do.
reminders i carry…
I wear my watch, and two wristbands daily. It has become who i am and reminds me of who i am.
1. Watch: obtained in Hong Kong. Brought for my birthday/Christmas present this past year. always. Its light, stylish and serves its purpose. Reminds me that my parents are always looking out for me.
2. Light blue wristband: obtained in China mission trip in 2008. Hope. That word has stuck with me ever since then. At that time, I remember how appropriate it was when the kids gave it to me on the last day we taught there. I hope that they would come to know Christ, hope that they will find that calling they are meant to have. But i didnt realize that it would have an important meaning to me. Hope for a better tomorrow. Hope for the best. Hope so that others have hope. Reminds me of have much fun and what an experience it was at China. It reminds me what my life is made for..missions.
3. yellow/blue wristband: obtained at UCLA. This one really stood out to me as a reminder, i am a servant and i am made to serve. At UCLA i was really taught to serve selflessly even more than i have before. There are patients, co-workers, doctors that i can work my hardest to serve them. I am serving them because God allows me to. I want that to show as an extension of God’s love in service. And people have notice the difference and they ask me why. I am a servant, i am made to serve my God.
burnout.
I am tired. drained. exhausted. weak. on Every single aspect. I silently admit that i cannot fight anymore. i am down and going out..
Physically: headache everyday. it causes me to walk around in a daze. 4-5 hours sleep..my body is exhausted. 14 hour days are killing me. I want to stay home when i get home. I want to curl up and die..
Mentally: brain is still sharp but working hard to stay that way. Its hard to focus at work and keep up at a pace that i demand from myself. With everything that i do coming from mental strength, this one is really taking a toll on decision making.
Emotionally: short tempered, giving up, dont have the mental power to fight through anything anymore. I just want to give up on everything. It is hard getting a handle on my emotions. Whatever i feel comes out. I get especially ticked or angry.
Spiritually: need a break. soon.
with just everything crashing down. This is my breaking point. I have kept it together well and compacted for a good while. But just with mounting responsibilities and agendas…it doesnt end. Forgive me if i have hurt you. ignore me if i have been unreasonable. forget me if i have been rude.
fight on..float on…stand strong.
guess i am down to just floating on now..
float on till June. 104 business days and counting..
piew piew ~} ->
New Year Resolution Commitment
This year I am going to continue to make mistakes, continue to fall short, continue to be average. I will continue to be weak, to fail, to be harsh. But i will continue to be committed to live my life as God has called me to. To serve, work hard, and love others. I will continue to give praise to God through my actions. I will rely on God’s strength more and trust that He has the best for me. I will be teachable when i am wrong, be thankful when i am blessed, be dependable to those around me. I will continue to live and stand strong for God. Everything else will work itself out. Give, Serve, Love.
2011
——-
[JAN] -car accident
[FEB] -started working at Santa Fe Footwear
[MAR] -Encounter started
-Accepted into UCI teaching program
-Receive job offer at UCLA
[APR] -started working at UCLA
[MAY] -new car
[JUN] -Shoshone
[JUL] -Met Wilson at church
[AUG]
[SEP] -relationship with Joy ended
-started teaching sunday school
-blessed with strengthen friendship
[OCT] -resumed being small group leader
-started playing piano for worship again
[NOV] -paid off car
-ended probation at UCLA
[DEC] -turned 24
-best Christmas ever
This year has been a year of up and down. Dramatic Highs and Valley Lows. But in the end it has been a great year of blessing. God did not let up on his blessings even though my life was going through a year long crisis. I have nothing to say or complain about. God has been faithful and good to me. From daily activities to memorable events. But this year, has been split into two GIANTS….UCLA and the breakup with Joy.
IN the beginning part of the year, God opened all the doors for me and let me choose what i wanted. I could have gone in three different paths that would have determined my year. UCI, UCLA, or Santa Fe Footwear. UCLA was the choice, and what a great great blessing it has been. I am happy to have put off school for a year and be able to work at UCLA. God has blessed me and taught me so much through the people there, the work experience, and life. To be honest, since working at UCLA, life has been brutal. Commute and workload is insane. But God allowed me to see the gifts that he has given me. Hard work and perseverance. God put me in a place to serve all different kind of people at UCLA. He has made my heart bigger for people that i dont know and a heart to be a servant. I have learned and have been blessed with so much here that even though it is not much or the pay isnt the best. I love what GOd has allowed me to do. THis is why i love UCLA.
But also since the beginning part of the year, i watched my relationship with Joy crumble. I was trying to save it, to keep it together. But the battle just lasted so long and was so draining. We were just not seeing eye to eye anymore and the relationship had changed. It was a year of mental, emotional breakdown and devastation. At times, i sat and just didnt know what to do anymore. In the end, it just wasnt it. Since the relationship ended, God showed me a lot about myself and who i am as a person. He gave me more room to love the people in my life. But even though this mess, God has been faithful. I was able to serve God more through sunday school, encounter, small group. God also expanded my friendship when someone when i needed it most. He blessed me with someone that understands me and is willing to put up with all my weakness. I cant ever show how thankful i am for that love. I wouldnt be where I am today if it wasnt for the friendship and loving care.
I have been blessed with so much this year. Blessed with more than what i ever needed. So i turn it back and bless others around me. Thanks God for 2011.
AWOLNATION - Sail
have been hooked onto this song. love driving on the freeway with the windows down and the bass blasting
Glee season 3 ep 8- We are Young
Prickly City. LA Times December 25, 2011
Love this Christmas card. Meaningful and simple
