Here's to hoping I'll write A LOT more in 2015!
2014, we out!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Thursday, December 25, 2014
holiday homework?
Heartbreaking. Sobering. Enlightening.
Although the kids are out and about and school's not in session for the Christmas season, there is always plenty of lessons to be learned outside of the classroom.
This holiday break is no exception.
Although a brief respite from work/school, I've picked up on and am reminded of lessons learned and forgotten.
Over the course of this short break, I have made trips to the children's hospital and to the cemetery, in the same day. If that doesn't get your attention, I don't know what will. Leaving such places, as expected, has brought to mind old lessons that bear repeating; life is precious, life is fleeting, life is hard, life is beautiful. I hope these lessons continue to stick with me.
Seeing a child/baby in the hospital is worrying, but seeing a child/baby who is related to you in the hospital is unsettling. What crosses one's mind if one's own child is in that situation, I cannot fathom this quite yet. Prayers are all I can offer in these kinds of situations.
I've been to cemeteries so often, they seem like any establishment one would normally visit, like the grocery store. But visiting one always, as it should, reminds me of my own mortality. On having to visit on official business, not attending a funeral related, I got to see another side of the funeral business that I was not aware of, the sale of vaults. Unexpectedly, I found the posters advertising the types of vaults and how they are customizable to be HILARIOUS. Don't get me wrong, death is a serious matter, but I couldn't help but laugh at this establishment's advertisements. I'm terrible, I know.
It's been said that God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh. Here's to me laughing at all the parts, both at the appropriate and inappropriate times. Hope He doesn't get too mad.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention this tidbit, in light of all this talk about sickness and death. I am also reminded of Someone who was born whose mission was to die.
p.s. Merry Christmas!!!
Although the kids are out and about and school's not in session for the Christmas season, there is always plenty of lessons to be learned outside of the classroom.
This holiday break is no exception.
Although a brief respite from work/school, I've picked up on and am reminded of lessons learned and forgotten.
Over the course of this short break, I have made trips to the children's hospital and to the cemetery, in the same day. If that doesn't get your attention, I don't know what will. Leaving such places, as expected, has brought to mind old lessons that bear repeating; life is precious, life is fleeting, life is hard, life is beautiful. I hope these lessons continue to stick with me.
Seeing a child/baby in the hospital is worrying, but seeing a child/baby who is related to you in the hospital is unsettling. What crosses one's mind if one's own child is in that situation, I cannot fathom this quite yet. Prayers are all I can offer in these kinds of situations.
I've been to cemeteries so often, they seem like any establishment one would normally visit, like the grocery store. But visiting one always, as it should, reminds me of my own mortality. On having to visit on official business, not attending a funeral related, I got to see another side of the funeral business that I was not aware of, the sale of vaults. Unexpectedly, I found the posters advertising the types of vaults and how they are customizable to be HILARIOUS. Don't get me wrong, death is a serious matter, but I couldn't help but laugh at this establishment's advertisements. I'm terrible, I know.
It's been said that God is a comedian playing to an audience too afraid to laugh. Here's to me laughing at all the parts, both at the appropriate and inappropriate times. Hope He doesn't get too mad.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention this tidbit, in light of all this talk about sickness and death. I am also reminded of Someone who was born whose mission was to die.
p.s. Merry Christmas!!!
Monday, March 31, 2014
Six
If it's your own party: one is never late, everybody is just early.
Although it's 2 days later, I'll still write to celebrate as if it were the day of.
Here's to this blog turning 6!!!!!!
However inconsistent I may post, here's to hoping there's more of it (the writing, of course)!
Although it's 2 days later, I'll still write to celebrate as if it were the day of.
Here's to this blog turning 6!!!!!!
However inconsistent I may post, here's to hoping there's more of it (the writing, of course)!
Monday, July 8, 2013
513
... is the number of miles driven this time around to Cville and back.
19 May 2013. Another set of graduates from dear ol' UVa traipse across the Lawn to wear the honors of Honor. Unseasonably cool for graduation weather but it beats the heck out of the anticipated sweltering mugginess.
This is the 5th one I've been to (mine included) and I feel I have it down to a science. I know where to go, where not to go, when to go, when not to go, etc. etc. Even though I'm 3 years removed, it feels like I've never really left and things have stayed the same. At the same time, TOO much has changed. Newcomb has had an impressive face lift. More buildings have risen up and continue to rise. Faces don't look as familiar. It's a lot to take in and process...
Despite my first world grumblings, I never regret coming back to see old familiar haunts that I both hated and loved at the same time. I'm reminded every time I come back of TOO many people, places, and things that make me miss that school in the hills so dearly sometimes.
A bit bittersweet every time I leave but the next (when???) return is always much anticipated.
Many congratulations to the Class of 2013!
Wahoowaaa!
19 May 2013. Another set of graduates from dear ol' UVa traipse across the Lawn to wear the honors of Honor. Unseasonably cool for graduation weather but it beats the heck out of the anticipated sweltering mugginess.
This is the 5th one I've been to (mine included) and I feel I have it down to a science. I know where to go, where not to go, when to go, when not to go, etc. etc. Even though I'm 3 years removed, it feels like I've never really left and things have stayed the same. At the same time, TOO much has changed. Newcomb has had an impressive face lift. More buildings have risen up and continue to rise. Faces don't look as familiar. It's a lot to take in and process...
Despite my first world grumblings, I never regret coming back to see old familiar haunts that I both hated and loved at the same time. I'm reminded every time I come back of TOO many people, places, and things that make me miss that school in the hills so dearly sometimes.
A bit bittersweet every time I leave but the next (when???) return is always much anticipated.
Many congratulations to the Class of 2013!
Wahoowaaa!
成了!
John 19:30.
Every now and then I'm amazed on how eloquent a phrase is translated into another language. This is one of those times.
At this year's Good Friday service, one of my pastors pointed out one of the last words of Christ as He hung dying on the cross in the sermon he gave.
"It is finished." Says the NIV translation, indicating a real sense of finality. In Chinese, John 19:30 is translated as 成了. Pastor mentioned that cheng le had a double meaning to it. It can be interpreted as what He set out to do was completed and that what He set out to do was successful.
It was successful?! That simple interpretation by Pastor gave me chills. Church going folks always mentioned that God had a plan. Hallelujah for that Plan!
Every now and then I'm amazed on how eloquent a phrase is translated into another language. This is one of those times.
At this year's Good Friday service, one of my pastors pointed out one of the last words of Christ as He hung dying on the cross in the sermon he gave.
"It is finished." Says the NIV translation, indicating a real sense of finality. In Chinese, John 19:30 is translated as 成了. Pastor mentioned that cheng le had a double meaning to it. It can be interpreted as what He set out to do was completed and that what He set out to do was successful.
It was successful?! That simple interpretation by Pastor gave me chills. Church going folks always mentioned that God had a plan. Hallelujah for that Plan!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
5
From a human perspective, it's still quite young. From a working perspective, it has some substance. Overall, there's still plenty of room to grow and evolve.
Too much and not so much has happened in 5 years.
Although it's more than a few days late, here's to another year of writing about everything I see fit.
Hurray, Yippee, Huzzah, Yay, Woohoo!!!!!
Sunday, March 24, 2013
building, no more
Hebrews 13:5.
Seeing a ghost is the closest thing I can say to describe what I felt leaving the place.
I got to work early one day and decided to walk around the downtown area before heading in. Many a fooding trip has lead me to a good chunk of the eateries on the block, but this time around I ventured into a strip of the downtown I haven't been to in years.
In doing so, I pass by a restaurant where I spent more than my fair share of weekends of my formative years. Countless hours were spent in this tiny place that my aunt used to work at on weekends.
Fast forward to present day, the joint is as empty and abandoned as imaginable. Upon peering into the place through the front door I noticed the ceiling falling apart and debris scattered here and there. Looking further, I could see the pick-up window, the only recognizable remnant of years past. I also spied the stickers that most establishments post to gently remind folks of the legal drinking age. 1983. Meaning 2004 was the last time business was done there.
9 years. It appeared whatever business was there last, went under and never looked back. Another unsettling assumption is that no other business has tried or dared to do something with the place. The apparent disrepair and neglect was, however erroneous the assumption, enough proof for me. This sudden realization gave me chills. In turn, the vibe of desolation it gave off made me feel all kinds of bewildered.
Given a lot of business fail but, what happened? But more nagging, why? There might have been a simple explanation for the vacant building, but I think what was unsettling was that it was on such a busy part of town.
Riding on how overtly maudlin and maybe too much of stretch, it reminds me of how people are the same way. Once sprawling and full of life. Then it was met with a hardship. Now it's empty on the inside and unable to bounce back. It's scary that folks end up like this, but a hard matter of the fact is, sometimes they do. The question now then is, how do we bounce back?
I pray that I'd be able to, however rough the waters.
Seeing a ghost is the closest thing I can say to describe what I felt leaving the place.
I got to work early one day and decided to walk around the downtown area before heading in. Many a fooding trip has lead me to a good chunk of the eateries on the block, but this time around I ventured into a strip of the downtown I haven't been to in years.
In doing so, I pass by a restaurant where I spent more than my fair share of weekends of my formative years. Countless hours were spent in this tiny place that my aunt used to work at on weekends.
Fast forward to present day, the joint is as empty and abandoned as imaginable. Upon peering into the place through the front door I noticed the ceiling falling apart and debris scattered here and there. Looking further, I could see the pick-up window, the only recognizable remnant of years past. I also spied the stickers that most establishments post to gently remind folks of the legal drinking age. 1983. Meaning 2004 was the last time business was done there.
9 years. It appeared whatever business was there last, went under and never looked back. Another unsettling assumption is that no other business has tried or dared to do something with the place. The apparent disrepair and neglect was, however erroneous the assumption, enough proof for me. This sudden realization gave me chills. In turn, the vibe of desolation it gave off made me feel all kinds of bewildered.
Given a lot of business fail but, what happened? But more nagging, why? There might have been a simple explanation for the vacant building, but I think what was unsettling was that it was on such a busy part of town.
Riding on how overtly maudlin and maybe too much of stretch, it reminds me of how people are the same way. Once sprawling and full of life. Then it was met with a hardship. Now it's empty on the inside and unable to bounce back. It's scary that folks end up like this, but a hard matter of the fact is, sometimes they do. The question now then is, how do we bounce back?
I pray that I'd be able to, however rough the waters.
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