Don't you hate how much seemingly little things in life can so often set you back - like a stressful meeting at work, an argument with a family member or spouse, even reading a disheartening news article about yet another senseless killing or kidnapped child? And yet when your days are going well - long summer nights outside with friends, happiness in a relationship - it is so easy to forget the hurting and despair that lurks just around the corner deep within the hearts of people feeling lost? Well, find hope and take solace, friends - in each other, in the word of God, and in believing that love conquers all. Book recommendation: I'm more than halfway through "Three Cups of Tea" and it has been a very interesting read of a man providing help to others in his own unusual quest to heal his own hurts and find his purpose.
Romans 5
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Live long and prosper
Who thinks that ladies wouldn't be interested in Star Trek? Not me! Four other gal pals joined in the fun last night, and everyone enjoyed the flick. I got hooked on Star Trek TNG (The Next Generation) by sister Debbie in high school, and the new movie did not disappoint. It will definitely reside in our DVD collection some day. The classic push and pull of good vs. evil (spoiler: love wins! :), great effects and an effective soundtrack pleased this moviegoer so much, I'm planning to go again soon and bring the hubby!
Also, a friend sent a funny and useful tip to check out www.runpee.com which not only provides helpful suggestions as to the ideal times during a movie to make a run to the bathroom, but even provides an explanation for what you will be missing (this part is optional and accessible only if you choose to press the unscramble button to reveal the info). Great link to keep on hand if you suffer from frequent runs to the bathroom like me! Thanks, "cousin" Kim :).
Also, a friend sent a funny and useful tip to check out www.runpee.com which not only provides helpful suggestions as to the ideal times during a movie to make a run to the bathroom, but even provides an explanation for what you will be missing (this part is optional and accessible only if you choose to press the unscramble button to reveal the info). Great link to keep on hand if you suffer from frequent runs to the bathroom like me! Thanks, "cousin" Kim :).
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Too blessed to be stressed
OK, so maybe the bumper sticker expression went out of style years ago, but it's not a bad idea to remind yourself of the concept every once in a while, you know? Things at both of our jobs continue to be pretty stressful, but we both feel blessed to still be collecting paychecks and regularly make decisions to be purposeful about being charitable with our giving. And with a roof over our head, a happy marriage, and good health, well, you get the picture.
We are grateful for our loving families as well, in fact, we had a nice holiday weekend with the Barton's parents in town from Illinois. They like to joke that they are always well fed when they come for a Michigan visit, and this time was no exception. Friday night we dined at the Royal Kubo in Clawson, they even let me pick the Filipino fare to sample. But there was no karaoke indulgence to be had, instead we headed up to Paciugo's for gelato, seriously good stuff, folks. Saturday morning found us walking on Paint Creek Trail, so we just had a little breakfast & lunch at home before cleaning up and heading down to the DIA to see the Norman Rockwell exhibit, which we all enjoyed. Afterwards we took them to Polish Village in Hamtramck for an early dinner, they couldn't believe the affordable prices or the line out the door at such an early hour. We also stopped into the New Palace bakery to pick up a few sweet treats for later before ending the evening walking around downtown Royal Oak and cooling off with some refreshments outside of Bean & Leaf. Sunday after church we enjoyed a delightful brunch at Josephine's in Ferndale, and in the afternoon we loaded up and headed to my parents house for a little family/friends barbecue, good times and good food! Monday took on a slower pace, Mr & Mrs Mac headed to Somerset Mall, I stretched my legs with a bike ride before a little work (boo) and some errands in the afternoon before I left the crew with dinner in the fridge so I could visit for a couple hours with my friend Karin who was in town from Florida. I arrived back home after an apparent Scrabble showdown (hubby won again, that bugger! :), just in time to join the group for a short walk to the local Dairy Queen. They headed out Tuesday morning to zip up north for a quick trip in Traverse City before driving home.
Wow I should really buckle down on the whole calories in/calories out thing, I'm pretty sure that the yoga class that I forced my tired self to last night didn't quite cover the spread, but we had a good time and that is certainly something to be thankful for!
We are grateful for our loving families as well, in fact, we had a nice holiday weekend with the Barton's parents in town from Illinois. They like to joke that they are always well fed when they come for a Michigan visit, and this time was no exception. Friday night we dined at the Royal Kubo in Clawson, they even let me pick the Filipino fare to sample. But there was no karaoke indulgence to be had, instead we headed up to Paciugo's for gelato, seriously good stuff, folks. Saturday morning found us walking on Paint Creek Trail, so we just had a little breakfast & lunch at home before cleaning up and heading down to the DIA to see the Norman Rockwell exhibit, which we all enjoyed. Afterwards we took them to Polish Village in Hamtramck for an early dinner, they couldn't believe the affordable prices or the line out the door at such an early hour. We also stopped into the New Palace bakery to pick up a few sweet treats for later before ending the evening walking around downtown Royal Oak and cooling off with some refreshments outside of Bean & Leaf. Sunday after church we enjoyed a delightful brunch at Josephine's in Ferndale, and in the afternoon we loaded up and headed to my parents house for a little family/friends barbecue, good times and good food! Monday took on a slower pace, Mr & Mrs Mac headed to Somerset Mall, I stretched my legs with a bike ride before a little work (boo) and some errands in the afternoon before I left the crew with dinner in the fridge so I could visit for a couple hours with my friend Karin who was in town from Florida. I arrived back home after an apparent Scrabble showdown (hubby won again, that bugger! :), just in time to join the group for a short walk to the local Dairy Queen. They headed out Tuesday morning to zip up north for a quick trip in Traverse City before driving home.
Wow I should really buckle down on the whole calories in/calories out thing, I'm pretty sure that the yoga class that I forced my tired self to last night didn't quite cover the spread, but we had a good time and that is certainly something to be thankful for!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Weekend funny
Clearly, no one will find this as funny as I did, but I had to share. One Saturday morning I dragged the hubby to the gym, the poor guy hadn't even had this coffee yet, but I was on a tight timeline to get to my next destination for the day so off we went for a quick workout. Wrapping up the hour, I looked up from the bike to see him just a few feet away perched on the abs machine. So I mouthed to him "I have two and a half more minutes" and he replies "I know". So then I say, out loud, "What, how can you know that?" and he says, quizzically, "You just said 'I'm hot for you', right??" Needless to say, it's a good thing I was just on a stationary bike, or I would have fallen off, laughing! He's so funny, ha.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Birthday sisters
Happy birthday to you both, ladies!
Monday, May 11, 2009
International Super Spy
Saturday night I accompanied Olivia to the annual dinner of the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce at the Royal Park Hotel. It was a black tie or "ethnic garb" affair, and I chose the former (though I will have another post later about being a White Guy in a Barong.)
When I wear a tuxedo, there's a part of me that feels like I'm Chuck Bartowski pretending to be Charles Carmichael, International Super Spy. (And yes, I have been called International Super Spy, by my nephew Kieran, who picked up the phrase from the Backyardigans.) It's like I don't feel that I belong at a black-tie event, I'm just pretending to be someone who does.
I've been thinking about this recently after reading Malcolm Gladwell's new book Outliers. In his book, he mentions that one of the major differences between children raised in middle and upper class househoulds is that they are taught to be comfortable in situations, to be confident enough to ask a doctor questions, for example, when compared to children raised in lower class households. Failure to feel comfortable in situations helps to explain the difference in achievement between children from different economic backgrounds.
I've been learning a lot about this through my wife. I am amazed at how she is able to feel comfortable and be herself in all situations, from public speaking to formal situations down to looking in the clearance aisle at K-Mart for cheap ways to help stage my house last year. When I'm with her I feel more comfortable with who I am. I'm no longer playing the role of International Super Spy, I'm me. And that's just one of the reasons why I love her!
When I wear a tuxedo, there's a part of me that feels like I'm Chuck Bartowski pretending to be Charles Carmichael, International Super Spy. (And yes, I have been called International Super Spy, by my nephew Kieran, who picked up the phrase from the Backyardigans.) It's like I don't feel that I belong at a black-tie event, I'm just pretending to be someone who does.
I've been thinking about this recently after reading Malcolm Gladwell's new book Outliers. In his book, he mentions that one of the major differences between children raised in middle and upper class househoulds is that they are taught to be comfortable in situations, to be confident enough to ask a doctor questions, for example, when compared to children raised in lower class households. Failure to feel comfortable in situations helps to explain the difference in achievement between children from different economic backgrounds.
I've been learning a lot about this through my wife. I am amazed at how she is able to feel comfortable and be herself in all situations, from public speaking to formal situations down to looking in the clearance aisle at K-Mart for cheap ways to help stage my house last year. When I'm with her I feel more comfortable with who I am. I'm no longer playing the role of International Super Spy, I'm me. And that's just one of the reasons why I love her!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
