break has been really good; i'll write about it later when i've gathered my thoughts (there are a lot).
i just got back from spending another night at Borders (my family had gym night at church)... and splurged on another massive collection of books that i'm really excited to read and [hopefully] finish before classes start next wednesday!
1) Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis; Sen. Tom Daschle (Obama's appointed Secretary of Health)
[http://www.jci.org/articles/view/36761]
2) Love Walked In; a novel by Marisa De Los Santos
3) Musicophila, Oliver Sacks on music as medical therapy
4) On Call: A Doctor's Days and Nights in Residency; Emily R. Transue, M.D.
5) Attending Children; Margaret E. Mohrmann, M.D.
Started & finished this break:
1) Boy Meets Girl, Joshua Harris
2) Sundays at Tiffany's, James Patterson
3) A Severe Mercy, Vanauken
4) How to Talk to Girls, a children's book,
but adorable: http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1865128,00.html
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
My favorite and most hated of Finals Week
Favorites:
1) CCRB & running 5k daily has become the new alternative for recharging, opposed to naps
2) North camping
3) Late night conversations & talking/bonding with people when they are up just as late
4) Hazelnut coffee is my best friend
5) Whole Foods & Caribou Coffee trips
6) Serendipity soundtrack + Wilbur Pan- Tell Me and Zhao Mi
7) Sweatpants, sweatshirts, cardigans, leggings, and glasses
8) Planning Christmas dinner for Good Life & baking goodies for other people
9) D-ship, LCG, and prayer cards :o)
10 Oreos and cold canned soup as daily sustenance
11) Looking forward to home
Least Favorites:
1) Missing being able to go home on Dec. 4 for my youngest brother's birthday
2) Watching the sun rise (b/c I haven't gone to bed yet)
3) Cold weather
4) When people ask me if I slept (the answer is most likely no or very little, but i promise it will be okay so just don't remind me)
5) Crowded fishbowl and stacks
6) When I'm too tired/stressed to have an appetite
7) Baggy eyes booo
8) When everyone else around me is over-stressed too (sadd..)
9) Excess & unnecessary comments irritate me (shh.. silence is golden)*
10) Not seeing Leslie... ever... and our ridiculous conversations before we fall asleep that are the reason why we can't make it to class the next morning..... (b/c we don't goto bed at the same time anymore)
*It's so easy to get impatient and easily annoyed with small things when tired and stressed... and not reflect that attitude to others... God please give me more patience and love...
*************************************************
It's been a really hard semester, but not so much academically... This was my first semester in college where I haven't gone home every other or every weekend. Though home is only 1 hour away in Troy, I've still get super homesick at times. I'm really close with my dad and rely a lot on him / talk to him about everything, but I think this semester he's been trying to teach me something else: becoming closer to God and learning to rely first on Him. Because I went home so often in the past, and often left Thursday night or Friday morning and didn't return until Sunday night or Monday morning, my on-campus church attendance suffered.
While I'm still adapting to not seeing my family so often, I've been really thankful being able to find a family here on campus in life group where we can fellowship and grow together. The two families are so similar in so many aspects: being loving, forgiving, patient, trusting, understanding, supportive, honest, open, accepting, caring, fun, and most importantly, God-centered. Now that I'm on campus more, and able to fully experience church community, fellowship, and service, it's taught me so much more about God's love and provisions than I would have ever imagined.
1) CCRB & running 5k daily has become the new alternative for recharging, opposed to naps
2) North camping
3) Late night conversations & talking/bonding with people when they are up just as late
4) Hazelnut coffee is my best friend
5) Whole Foods & Caribou Coffee trips
6) Serendipity soundtrack + Wilbur Pan- Tell Me and Zhao Mi
7) Sweatpants, sweatshirts, cardigans, leggings, and glasses
8) Planning Christmas dinner for Good Life & baking goodies for other people
9) D-ship, LCG, and prayer cards :o)
10 Oreos and cold canned soup as daily sustenance
11) Looking forward to home
Least Favorites:
1) Missing being able to go home on Dec. 4 for my youngest brother's birthday
2) Watching the sun rise (b/c I haven't gone to bed yet)
3) Cold weather
4) When people ask me if I slept (the answer is most likely no or very little, but i promise it will be okay so just don't remind me)
5) Crowded fishbowl and stacks
6) When I'm too tired/stressed to have an appetite
7) Baggy eyes booo
8) When everyone else around me is over-stressed too (sadd..)
9) Excess & unnecessary comments irritate me (shh.. silence is golden)*
10) Not seeing Leslie... ever... and our ridiculous conversations before we fall asleep that are the reason why we can't make it to class the next morning..... (b/c we don't goto bed at the same time anymore)
*It's so easy to get impatient and easily annoyed with small things when tired and stressed... and not reflect that attitude to others... God please give me more patience and love...
*************************************************
It's been a really hard semester, but not so much academically... This was my first semester in college where I haven't gone home every other or every weekend. Though home is only 1 hour away in Troy, I've still get super homesick at times. I'm really close with my dad and rely a lot on him / talk to him about everything, but I think this semester he's been trying to teach me something else: becoming closer to God and learning to rely first on Him. Because I went home so often in the past, and often left Thursday night or Friday morning and didn't return until Sunday night or Monday morning, my on-campus church attendance suffered.
While I'm still adapting to not seeing my family so often, I've been really thankful being able to find a family here on campus in life group where we can fellowship and grow together. The two families are so similar in so many aspects: being loving, forgiving, patient, trusting, understanding, supportive, honest, open, accepting, caring, fun, and most importantly, God-centered. Now that I'm on campus more, and able to fully experience church community, fellowship, and service, it's taught me so much more about God's love and provisions than I would have ever imagined.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Do unto others...
...as you would have them do to you. ~Luke 6:31
How often in our lives do we practice the Golden Rule? Though we may try to be kindhearted in our actions, I think many times we lack the will to go the extra yard for others. If it's convenient, sure why not do a friend a favor? If it's not, then a simple response of "sorry I really can't" is responded, and life goes on.
Have you ever wished that you could snap your fingers and things would be brought to you? That money would just fall into your hands when you are running low on cash? [Which is probably everyday for a college student.] Last week, when my flight was delayed back from New York, I had to spend the night in Chicago. When I first realized that my delayed flight from NY to O'Hare was going to be 2 hours late, meaning I would miss the last flight out of O'Hare to Chicago and that I'd have to fly out Monday morning, my life became disastrous. First, it meant that I'd have to miss accounting class Monday morning and a graded group assignment. Next, I had to figure out how to book a hotel and get a taxi to get to the hotel. Then, I realized I had less than $50 on me, and I'd have to figure out some way to get cash to pay for the hotel because United Airlines was not going to cover the hotel. [btw, i am NEVER ever flying with United ever again-- last time my flight got delayed 8 hours, but that's another story.] Being the 30th of the month, my credit card was close to maxed out (the one I had with me had a very low limit). And, my cell phone was showing red battery so I probably wouldn't be able to make reservations at the hotel, call a cab, or get a hold of my dad to get me some money.
Being so overwhelmed by the news of a delayed flight since I don't fly often, I sat down in the middle of LGA on the floor, called my dad, and started crying. I didn't know what to do, and he probably felt just as helpless being 500 miles away. As I was explaining the situation to him on the phone, a lady about 2 feet away overheard our conversation. She came over, handed me $100 in cash, and said, "Here. Take this and go get some rest in a hotel tonight. Call your professor now, and notify her of the situation. I went through college and I know how much it sucks to be tight on money. It's all that I have on me right now, I'd give you more if I had it." I didn't know how to respond. I refused her money: it wasn't just $20 or small cash, but $100. I was sure I could have the hotel charge the fees to my dad's credit card. However, she would not let me refuse her money. I felt so guilty taking her money, but she wanted to leave for her flight knowing that I had somewhere to stay for the night. I asked for her name and address so I could send her a check when I got home, but she refused, saying "Just take it as a gift from God to see you home safely and comfortably." And like that, she got on her flight, and left.
$100. Would you ever hand someone $100 of your money, much less a stranger!? Completely no strings attached? I'm not sure I would have before last week. It's really good to know that in the world today, there are still generous people out there. She could have just tried to comfort me, or even given me her name and address. But, she took that extra step by giving without any expectations of being paid back, and by refusing anything in return. And, little did I know, how far that $100 helped me get home.
Conversely, how would you feel if someone just handed you $100 without expecting to be paid back? This lady really got me thinking. I think I should be more willing to help people out, completely unexpecting anything in return. I would definitely like to reciprocate this favor someday when I have a job. For now, I'll just strive to be the good samaritan on a much smaller scale, giving others some help just because I want to. You wouldn't want to have someone help you out, and feel obligated to return their favor, would you? So go, be servants of God, and help someone out without expecting anything in return, and see how good it feels.
How often in our lives do we practice the Golden Rule? Though we may try to be kindhearted in our actions, I think many times we lack the will to go the extra yard for others. If it's convenient, sure why not do a friend a favor? If it's not, then a simple response of "sorry I really can't" is responded, and life goes on.
Have you ever wished that you could snap your fingers and things would be brought to you? That money would just fall into your hands when you are running low on cash? [Which is probably everyday for a college student.] Last week, when my flight was delayed back from New York, I had to spend the night in Chicago. When I first realized that my delayed flight from NY to O'Hare was going to be 2 hours late, meaning I would miss the last flight out of O'Hare to Chicago and that I'd have to fly out Monday morning, my life became disastrous. First, it meant that I'd have to miss accounting class Monday morning and a graded group assignment. Next, I had to figure out how to book a hotel and get a taxi to get to the hotel. Then, I realized I had less than $50 on me, and I'd have to figure out some way to get cash to pay for the hotel because United Airlines was not going to cover the hotel. [btw, i am NEVER ever flying with United ever again-- last time my flight got delayed 8 hours, but that's another story.] Being the 30th of the month, my credit card was close to maxed out (the one I had with me had a very low limit). And, my cell phone was showing red battery so I probably wouldn't be able to make reservations at the hotel, call a cab, or get a hold of my dad to get me some money.
Being so overwhelmed by the news of a delayed flight since I don't fly often, I sat down in the middle of LGA on the floor, called my dad, and started crying. I didn't know what to do, and he probably felt just as helpless being 500 miles away. As I was explaining the situation to him on the phone, a lady about 2 feet away overheard our conversation. She came over, handed me $100 in cash, and said, "Here. Take this and go get some rest in a hotel tonight. Call your professor now, and notify her of the situation. I went through college and I know how much it sucks to be tight on money. It's all that I have on me right now, I'd give you more if I had it." I didn't know how to respond. I refused her money: it wasn't just $20 or small cash, but $100. I was sure I could have the hotel charge the fees to my dad's credit card. However, she would not let me refuse her money. I felt so guilty taking her money, but she wanted to leave for her flight knowing that I had somewhere to stay for the night. I asked for her name and address so I could send her a check when I got home, but she refused, saying "Just take it as a gift from God to see you home safely and comfortably." And like that, she got on her flight, and left.
$100. Would you ever hand someone $100 of your money, much less a stranger!? Completely no strings attached? I'm not sure I would have before last week. It's really good to know that in the world today, there are still generous people out there. She could have just tried to comfort me, or even given me her name and address. But, she took that extra step by giving without any expectations of being paid back, and by refusing anything in return. And, little did I know, how far that $100 helped me get home.
Conversely, how would you feel if someone just handed you $100 without expecting to be paid back? This lady really got me thinking. I think I should be more willing to help people out, completely unexpecting anything in return. I would definitely like to reciprocate this favor someday when I have a job. For now, I'll just strive to be the good samaritan on a much smaller scale, giving others some help just because I want to. You wouldn't want to have someone help you out, and feel obligated to return their favor, would you? So go, be servants of God, and help someone out without expecting anything in return, and see how good it feels.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
God works in wonderous ways
Exactly three months ago, on January 2, I had no idea what my future entailed, but my heart was set on the furthest thing possible from a finance career. I was considering dropping out of the business school. January 3rd rolled in, and was the deadline to apply for JPMorgan's summer internships. On a stroke of spontaneity, I decided to apply for their summer honors rotational program in investment banking, just for the heck of it.
Honestly, I had no plans of getting in, and still was not thinking about it a finance career. Little did I know, 10 days later, I got a call for first round interviews. This is when I began to think: "Why? Why me?" I didn't even want the internship, and heck, I almost didn't even apply for the position. So in preparations for my interview, I began reading up on the industry. I had no hopes to get extended an invitation to their second round internships, much less an internship offer itself. My only goal was to go into the interview and not make a complete fool of myself because I seriously had no idea what investment banking was, much less any clue of what's happening in the markets or what a bank does other than keep all my cash.
Thankfully, I did not make a fool of myself. But of course I didn't impress my interviewer either. Yet, the research on the industry leading up to preparing for that interview planted the seed of my interest in the financial services. I started reading up on more and more, and realized, this is the one thing I want to do, the work environment that fits my work ethics. At that moment, I also began to enjoy my role as a student in the business school, because I finally saw a purpose for a business degree, and a purpose for all the material I was learning.
Fast forward a few more spontaneous interviews here and there, three months later and a trip to New York, I have received an offer from Citi for the summer in NY. I am filled more with relief than the joy that most others would feel upon receipt of an offer, merely because I am finally able to experience a sense of closure and direction in my life. God has placed in my hands, a highly desired internship by 1,100 highly qualified applicants. I'm not sure from my qualifications on my resume and GPA that I am deserving of it, or what I am doing with this opportunity, but for now I will just faithfully accept it, and trust that God will use this summer to lead me down the path He has planned.
In the meantime, I can only continue to wonder, "Why me?" When I ask my interviewers why they chose me, their answers make sense. However, I don't find any of their answers satisfying, maybe because I know, the only way I'll truly know why I was given this opportunity is to patiently wait for God's awesome plan to unfold as time progresses.
Honestly, I had no plans of getting in, and still was not thinking about it a finance career. Little did I know, 10 days later, I got a call for first round interviews. This is when I began to think: "Why? Why me?" I didn't even want the internship, and heck, I almost didn't even apply for the position. So in preparations for my interview, I began reading up on the industry. I had no hopes to get extended an invitation to their second round internships, much less an internship offer itself. My only goal was to go into the interview and not make a complete fool of myself because I seriously had no idea what investment banking was, much less any clue of what's happening in the markets or what a bank does other than keep all my cash.
Thankfully, I did not make a fool of myself. But of course I didn't impress my interviewer either. Yet, the research on the industry leading up to preparing for that interview planted the seed of my interest in the financial services. I started reading up on more and more, and realized, this is the one thing I want to do, the work environment that fits my work ethics. At that moment, I also began to enjoy my role as a student in the business school, because I finally saw a purpose for a business degree, and a purpose for all the material I was learning.
Fast forward a few more spontaneous interviews here and there, three months later and a trip to New York, I have received an offer from Citi for the summer in NY. I am filled more with relief than the joy that most others would feel upon receipt of an offer, merely because I am finally able to experience a sense of closure and direction in my life. God has placed in my hands, a highly desired internship by 1,100 highly qualified applicants. I'm not sure from my qualifications on my resume and GPA that I am deserving of it, or what I am doing with this opportunity, but for now I will just faithfully accept it, and trust that God will use this summer to lead me down the path He has planned.
In the meantime, I can only continue to wonder, "Why me?" When I ask my interviewers why they chose me, their answers make sense. However, I don't find any of their answers satisfying, maybe because I know, the only way I'll truly know why I was given this opportunity is to patiently wait for God's awesome plan to unfold as time progresses.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
A Time for Everything
My favorite Bible passage, the passage that gets me through each day, Ecclesiastes 3:1-15:
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heavenC
2 A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted.
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up.
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
5 A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing.
6 A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; A time to be silent, and a time to speak.
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace.
9 What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? 10 I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; 13 moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor, it is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him. 15 That which is has been already, and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by.
Ever since middle school, this has been the one passage that I revert to anytime there have been bumps in the road, big or little. It's really brought peace to my mind that God is always in control, that He exalts and humbles me. Though it is often hard to see that and trust him in hard times, that little bit of faith that keeps me hanging on is the faith that becomes so rewarding at the end of the day. We must see that things change. Our lives change with the seasons, but our God never changes. His love will always be everlasting, and He will always be there, even when we turn from him, and this is why I am so thankful for Him and for my life.
So, that being said, God has a plan for you. He has a plan for me. We need to stop worrying about the little things in our lives, and start enjoying the experiences he has planned for us now. Things may be rough, but He has a reason for those experiences for us. Just like the rainstorms that bring sunshine and life, we need patience to wait out the storm, and see His great plan for us.
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heavenC
2 A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted.
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up.
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
5 A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing.
6 A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; A time to be silent, and a time to speak.
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace.
9 What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils? 10 I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; 13 moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor, it is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him. 15 That which is has been already, and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by.
Ever since middle school, this has been the one passage that I revert to anytime there have been bumps in the road, big or little. It's really brought peace to my mind that God is always in control, that He exalts and humbles me. Though it is often hard to see that and trust him in hard times, that little bit of faith that keeps me hanging on is the faith that becomes so rewarding at the end of the day. We must see that things change. Our lives change with the seasons, but our God never changes. His love will always be everlasting, and He will always be there, even when we turn from him, and this is why I am so thankful for Him and for my life.
So, that being said, God has a plan for you. He has a plan for me. We need to stop worrying about the little things in our lives, and start enjoying the experiences he has planned for us now. Things may be rough, but He has a reason for those experiences for us. Just like the rainstorms that bring sunshine and life, we need patience to wait out the storm, and see His great plan for us.
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