Today’s been quite an eventful day, well kind of. So I’m usually not the type of person who gets way defensive over my religion. I can take a few jokes, but something happened today that was just over the line and stupid.

A group of us was debating between whether John Procter from the crucible has changed throughout the book. 3 of us says he has and 1 doesn’t agree. I throw in the fact that I wrote about Procter for my character analyzsis and I got credit for it. This guy comes back with saying I have a stupid teacher and that our class is stupid. Because I also mentioned that we have started our first draft of our JRP and thesis, etc – he says that their class is smarter because they don’t need the teacher to help them. (When he needs help and goes crawling to the teacher with the JRP, I would laugh.) But that’s beside the point, he suddenly pointed to my necklace. It was a cross, symbolizing Jesus who died on the cross, symbolizing Christianity. Then he took out his necklace (jewish symbol I think) and showed me and said “See, this is why.”

I was upset, I don’t want to seem like a person that are so defensive and gets angry easily from comments from other people about my religion. But I couldn’t stand in, I felt myself ready to yell at him, but instead I just walked away holding in my anger. The thing is, we were talking about John Procter, AM studies, how the heck do you relate that to Christianity? Not cool I tell you. Not cool.

I watched the varsity guys rugby game today, it was an intense game, violent, as usual. A couple of people got hurt towards the end of the game, one had to go to the hospital (the ambulance came), one has to get stiches, and a couple were limping towards the end. They did well today, it was a bad game but Best of luck to all them going to Beijing tomorrow for China Cup. Bring back HKIS pride!

Other than that, day was pretty good. I am quite tired and going to crash now. Tomorrow is a half day and I will be spending the rest of the day at Lamma Island with the Latours. Looking forward to it.

Cheers Jo!

When was the last time you’ve written a letter by hand? I know for me it’s been a long time. I can’t remember the last time I had a penpal. It was good fun though. Although I am big on emails and technology, I have to say hand written letters are definetly more personal.

Just this past summer, I was at a youth conference – DCLA. One night, we were challenged to pick up a packet, each packet representing a precious child in need of sponsership. Nobody I knew was going to sponser but I felt called so, and God has blessed me and guided me through this process.

Just a few days ago, I recieved a letter from Jose, a six year old little boy living in Nicaragua. I was shocked and a little bit angry with myself because I have not written him a letter since the summer. I have promised myself I would but I have been so busy with my own life, I forgot about him. Just tonight, I had some spare time and decided that I should write a letter back before it gets lost into one of my long to-do-lists. Writing the letter made me happy. It’s one of the most satisfying feelings. Imagining the face of Jose when he recieves the letter is precious. The way he would smile, the way he would feel, feel loved.

Sometimes it doesn’t matter how busy we are with school, how much fun we’re having with friends and all, there is something missing. And for me, it’s helping someone in need of love. Stepping out of our comfort zone and reaching out to someone living a lifestyle totally opposite from us. To us, this may still be one of the many things we do everyday. But to them, every little thing we do lights up their day and gives them hope for the future.

“…and whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me.” – Matthew 18.5

Cheers Jo!

Four more days to go this week. It won’t be too hard considering we have two half days, even if I have to stay in school. How was ya’lls monday? Monday is Monday, can’t expect too much. But that’s beside the point. I recieved some good news today, and I’m very excited about it!

These two beautiful people. I love them. I only knew them for a year or a little bit more than that, but I will never forget them and I think about them often. Before the moved to philipines, we would hang out and go out for dinner when we had time. I would go chill at their house, we would play basketball, I considered them as one of my good friends. Today, I found out that Anna is pregnant. My jaw dropped when I found out, I couldn’t believe it, but I was so happy for them at the same time. To think back, just a few years back, they were “daniel and anna mayhugh” now it’s going to be “daniel’s family”. Just like how when the laTours just arrived, it was Tim and his wife. Now it’s Tim’s family, Tim, Cindy and their one year old Lillian! The things that changes in just a few years time. It will take me a while to get my head around the fact that they are fathers and mothers now. It’s hard to believe but it’s an amazing thought.

Imagine less than 9 months from now, another beautiful baby will be born. How amazing God’s work. Then Lillian will be able to walk. Isabella (Mike Rose’s daughter) will be too.. I think. And they will all be friends. Ah. How Adorable?

Congrats Mayhughs… I miss you guys and can’t wait to see you both!

Cheers Jo!

It’s already Monday tomorrow. This weekend has past quickly, too quickly. I am not ready for school yet. At least this week will be shorter, maybe, but stressful at the same time. It’s 9:15 at night and I’m exhausted, I’m ready for bed.

Church today was good even though I did not finish listenning to the sermon. I will when it is up on the internet. So come back and stay tuned for an update about the sermon. But for now.. “we are what we think.” Think about that. What does it mean?

Helping Cindy set up for Lillian’s one year old birthday party at their place in Lamma Island was good fun. I have to say chocolate covered strawberries are good, beyond good. Yet so unhealthy. Cheese with crackers are good. They’re simple things to make but they can make the best food. Nanda, Emily and I was there at around 12 and didn’t leave until about 4:30. The whole time, I’ve got to say we ate- non stop eating. It was good fun.

See all the food? Damn it was good. I’m definitly going back to pig out, clean up the house and listen to music at the same time. Again, happy one year old birthday Lillian. Lots of people came to the party, a bit upset I didn’t get to stay and hang out with all the cool kids.

The Carlsons also went to the LaTours for this party. I didn’t expect to see him there but he was there. He was my 3rd and 4th grade teacher, also my first teacher in HKIS. The teacher who saw me puke on the first day of school when I arrived at school. He taught me english, he pushed me to reading novels, he plays such a big part in who I am right now. Everything I see him, I think of how amazing it is that we are still in touch and that I occasionally go over to their house to chill out. Today, that feeling was stronger. I want to thank him for everything, he is the best teacher i’ve ever had. The best teacher anyone can ever had. He’s such a great person with a great personality. I love him.

I got home and my mom have invited a bunch of her co-workers and their families over for a party. Again, after I played basketball there was a great dinner. 4 tables full of food. Salad, fruits, meat, sushi, anything you can think of. I don’t have a picture of it but it was damn good. I don’t think having two very very good and unhealthy meal helps me get in shape for basketball. Oh well, food is important right?

Having said that, sleep is also very important and I’m dead tired right now. Hoping that I will be more ready for school when i wake up tomorrow. I hope ya’ll had a great weekend.

P.S. I got a message from you yesterday. I was happy, I sent you two messages since then but I haven’t heard from you. I miss you. I miss being able to tell you what I have been doing. Hopefully, we can meet up soon enough. “I wonder how whathisname his been” 🙂

Cheers Jo!

Six more days until the end of the quarter. How crazy is that? It’s already been two months and it’s almost november. We say school goes by really slowly, but this weekend I’ve been reminded of the events in the next couple of weeks. Next saturday is the last open gym, then the following Monday is basketball tryouts. That following weekend is Love Actually and the following saturday is The Santuary – Christian Youth Conference.  By the time we know it, it’ll be christmas!