fall and flowers
photos speak for themselves. =)
.the end
On a more important note: Cleveland weather is BEAUTIFUL this week ! And I haven't been able to take many pictures ! I did take a few so those will be uploaded soon.
Watching CSI makes me wonder about all the people that go to jail. And I was thinking what it would be like to be in jail. I've read that some homeless people purposely commit crimes so that they could live in a jail cell where it's warm, food provided, clothing provided, athletic facilities, etc. So much better than being homeless, no? And then I read this on bbc today: Ex-Prisoner Buys His Former Cell.
It's not the fact that he bought it back.... but this part: "But after leaving prison, Mr. Alford turned his life around. He stopped drinking and gambling and became a motivational speaker, writing the top-selling book Never Give Up about his experiences."
Obviously something happened in jail that made him turn his life around. Was it the amount of time that was spent in there and he was able to be counseled by someone? Was it that the time allowed him to reflect? was it that he got used to not drinking and gambling and so when he got out it was just normal not to do it anymore? WHAT HAPPENED IN THERE I guess is my question. And now I really wanna read his book just so I could find out. Aren't you?
Pictures to come laterrrrrrrrr
today was a very good day !
praise God !
1. I read my Bible.
I'm still terribly behind. But I'm still hanging on b/c the Word never gets old.
2. I had breakfast with my college pastor and his family... !!!
That's right. He came and spoke for Koinonia last night at large group. It was good catching up with them and gaining encouragement, knowing that my discouragements need to be lifted up to God. They are so full of wisdom ! And a wonderful example of a faithful couple. I'm just so thankful they came out despite their schedules.
3. Modern Masters @ the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Clara and I only got through like half of the museum so we're DEFINITELY going back to finish up the exhibition ! But there's still so much more to see ! I came to realize that I really enjoy studying sculptures of people. Maybe b/c they're 3-D and I can see all sides of it whereas in a painting you can only see one side. I can't even see the back of the canvas. Mistakes are easily found in sculptures, too. The emotion of the figure is what gets to me the most. Maybe I'll take a class on sculptures sometime and I can talk about it in a more intellectual fashion. =) But the exhibition is FREEEEE so if you're in the cleveland area... go go go !
4. FEMINARRRR
Koinonia girls.. every year... SO AWESOME !!!!!
Why are we so awesomely blessed ?!
Look how beautiful they are ! Numbers have quite dwindled since last year, but it was still so blessing and powerful. I'm so lucky. really. Each one of these girls are HILARIOUS, TALENTED, UNIQUE, and positively CAPTIVATING. and total maaad props to the freshmen girls, too ! lisa, janet, justeen, and caitlin (who had to leave early, unfortunately). They're so cute and I'm so thankful for their thirst to work at their relationships with God.
We also made brownies for the boys and I took pictures of the presents, but what's important are these girls. I dunno how to explain it. I'm just joyful and I hope that next time we take another feminar picture, there will be more smiling faces. :]
TOMORROW.......
is another day. another story. more blessings. more praises. more struggles.
I have to work tomorrow: 8am-3pm. I can't go to church =( I hope it doesn't rain. I reeeeeally hope and pray it doesn't rain.
I have lots of work to do. The weekend is another world, another dimension. But once Sunday night hits, it's back to work. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not.
But nevertheless, I will sleep soundly tonight, knowing that God heard our prayers. knowing that He is watching over us. knowing that He LOVES us. knowing that when we confess our sins and turn towards Him, He will embrace us again and again. knowing that even if tomorrow doesn't come, it's okay.
I lived today. faithfully.
the mona lisa
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7056041.stm
interesting indeed. the article reveals that the mona lisa really did have eyebrows.
"Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa originally had eyebrows and eyelashes, a French inventor has claimed after digitally scanning the painting."
i remember seeing the mona lisa at the louvre two summers ago, but there really was no way to be able to tell b/c it was behind a glass wall and there were hundreds of people crowding around it and the painting's small ! i guess you can't always take what other people say about something. there's always room for questions and investigation. that's what i've been learning in my buddhist art class.
speaking of classes.....
here's my potential schedule for next semester.
well most likely, i'm going to get this schedule. the only thing that BLOWS is the chem305 on FRIDAY !!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. SHOOT MEEE. i HATE having classes past noon on Fridays. I'm so busy w/ Koinonia large group and am always running around. Having lab is just going to ruin me. The only other time for the lab is 830-1130 on Tues & Thurs. but there's a class that I really really wanna take and art classes always change each semester so there's no guarantee that there will be a classes like this next year.
arth284 - history of photography all the way from the beginning to present time. How is relates to other art forms, the technology behind it.. etc.
arth102 - second part of intro to art history =) from the renaissance to modern art, i believe.
arth367 - 17th and 18th century FRENCH ART. that's why i reeeeeeally wanna take this class. i love french art. it's not quite up to 19th century, but 17th and 18th centuries are the prof's specialty.
chem305 - physical chemistry lab. enough said. just shoot me.
weather's dreary again. typical cleveland. so i'm feeling gloomy.
i'm also wasting time and not doing much. i'm gonna go to body worship practice and then sweat my head off in the cardio room. i reeeally need to exercise. the tours and badminton isn't enough. it was last year and i lost weight ! oh wait, that's b/c i starved myself last year. yeea i dunno why i didn't eat last year. but this year i'm eating... way too much. and i just bought fluff and peanut butter and bread........ so this is b a d.
AHH well, i'm off. midterms were good. all As and one B as expected. So no worries so far. ^________^;;
classical concerts - how to really enjoy the concert
my suitemate, JOYCE, is absolutely awesome ! God bless her for her beautiful piano, guitar, smiling, laughing, encouraging, joyful talents !!!
she performed a beeeautiful concert today. here's the program:
1. Bela Bartok - Piano Suite Opus 14
Allegretto
Scherzo
Allegro molto
Sostenuto
2. Claude Debussy - Preludes
Bk. 1 V. Les collines d'Anacapri
Bk. 1 VIII. La fille aux cheveux de lin
Bk. 2 XII. Feux d'Artifice
3. Frederic Chopin
Nocturne Opus 48 Nr. 1 C minor
4. Frederic Chopin
Grande Valse brillante Op. 18 E-flat Major
Unfortunately, classical music isn't the favorite genre of all and some people tend to fall asleep easily. So here are a few tips to keep in mind when going to a classical concert next time. these are just things that i've picked up. no guarantees that this will for sure keep you awake or to enhance your experience next time.... but hopefully it will somehow enlighten your next concert.
1. Wear something that looks dressy, but is also comfortable.
So for the ladies, don't wear something too tight or something that'll make you self-conscious.
And for the guys, don't wear bowties if you feel like it's itching your neck or if it's too tight. don't wear a winter jacket in the summertime. you want to dress comfortably because you don't want to be thinking about anything else besides the music and the performer(s).
2. sit with a good posture.
try to sit up but don't get all rigid that your back muscles start cramping up after 5 minutes. you want to maintain good posture so you don't fall asleep as easily. when you slouch, when you let your head drop on your hand, or when you get too relaxed, you're more likely to fall asleep.
3. don't fidget with the program; instead, fold your hands and place them on your lap.
i like to face the palms up, right hand on top of the left. i used to interlock my fingers, but then i lose sense in them and can't get 'em out of the position. haha !
4. follow the performer's(s') emotions.
usually when it's a soloist, it's easier to follow. when it's a full orchestra, the concertmaster or the majestic arm movements of the conductor usually helps. are they frowning, smiling, concentrating (of course!), closing their eyes, etcetc. watch their body language: do they bend at the knees, crouch over the keys, sway from left to right--the music is somehow moving them. how is it moving you?
5. close your eyes every once in a while, but don't fall asleep !!!!!!
i like to let the imagination take over once in a while. closing my eyes helps b/c then i'm not distracted by the tall person in front of me or even by the performers. just let the music take over for a minute or two.
6. Lastly, CHECK OUT THE MUSIC before you go to the concert.
Usually, the concert program will be posted online somewhere or if it's your friend, then he/she will let you know beforehand, hopefully. Download them, borrow CDs, or read up on the music. KNOW what you're getting yourself into. If you don't like modern music, then stay away from Mahler and Bartok. If you like classical then lean towards Mozart and Beethoven. If you want Romantic and emotional then consider Chopin and Rachmaninoff. There are so many composers to consider ! But take a listen. See if it does intrigue you. If it doesn't, then think twice about purchasing a ticket and risking falling asleep during the concert !
that's it from me.
it's fall break for case. sssoooo i'm totally relaxing. hitting up the gym. and not getting enough sleep, still, ironically.
money
when i need it, it isn't there.
when i don't need it, it's everywhere.
well i guess there's never a time when you don't "need" it. but when i'm not really thinking about it, i have tons of money to spare.
i currently owe $6000 for my tuition bill for this semester. it was due yesterday. i was stupid and assumed that my financial aid was enough. apparently not.
i have $117.12 in my bank account and by tomorrow there will only be about $60 left because of food and gas.
There's $0.78 on my casecard because of printing, starbucks, and drinks from vending machines.
My piggy bank holds $1.25 for laundry which actually costs $3.00 each time.
My spare change cylinder has just over $1.00 but much of it also goes to waste because of metered parking everywhere on case campus.
i receive about $100.00 (give or take $20.00) every two weeks for my paycheck.
these numbers and dollar signs are killing me. and i don't even pay my own phone bills or anything. imagine what'll happen to me when THAT happens. i need to start learning fast.
pray. pray. pray.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7038532.stm At the prayer meeting on Thurs. we prayed for a 14-year old student who committed suicide after shooting two teachers and students. Fortunately, the victims didn't die. i was scared when i heard the virginia tech shooting, but it wasn't anywhere close to where i lived, so like an ignorant person, i slowly forgot about it. but this... happened right here in cleveland. i also heard that this kid was a genius. his family was in shambles. he got suspended from school and maybe that sent him over the edge. whatever it was, i'm urged to pray more. whatever drove him to such anger and hardships that he couldn't handle it anymore is beyond me. i can't even imagine it. i've dwelt on suicide, too, but i came to realize that Jesus really is the only saving grace. if only someone had reached him earlier.
Bible Reading Plan
I am VERY VERY VERY behind on my plan (Bible Reading Plan on the right). I'm like 5wks behind. I know. Quite disappointing. But I was going back and reading my very first posts and how excited I was to write. I still write lots of questions and notes and responses, but I'm just doing like two or three passages a WEEK. -___-;; But here is the very first post I wrote on the first day of the plan. =)
"Matthew 1-2 May 20th, 2007
After Chapter Focus Week and taking "Loving God's Story", the genealogy in Mt1 makes a lot of sense and doesn't seem so pointless. How Mary got pregnant is always going to puzzle me but I guess that it's one of those working of God that just can't be explained. After all, God is of wisdom that is beyond all human understanding. v21 says "Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." And in the notes it says that Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua. That's pretty cool. =) I wonder if scholars talk about that. How Joshua from the OT could be like Jesus. Matthew wrote the gospel targeted to the Jews. He says that the word of the Lord fulfilled...blah or that the prophets' words fulfill [insert event]. He wanted to show the Jews that Jesus truly was the Messiah and not just some wise teacher. Looking at the evidence, I don't understand how they still do not believe. Were there some parts in the prophets' words that were contradictory? Was there any prophecy about the Msesiah NOT fulfilled? I like in v9-12 how the wise men are already worshiping Jesus even though he's merely a baby. I wonder what thoughts ran through their head: He's just an ordinary child ! Can He possibly be the Messiah? But the Bible leaves no room for doubt. Therefore, neither should we.
I like carefully reading through the text like this. I'm not quite doing inductive Bible study but at the same time, I'm not just reading and leaving it at that. Personally responding to it is really helpful. I really hope I can stick to the schedule and finish the Bible in the whole year ! ^.^"
Kind of random and stuff. But now I'm kinda doing more Inductive Bible Study ish thing. Going through each verse and really meditating on it. Observing and trying to interpret. Grabbing some application points b/c ALL parts of the Bible are applicable ! =)
Anyway. I just really like reading the BIble. It really does teach you something new about our AWESOME GOD everyday !
so blessed.
as much as i'd like to think that i fare better on my own and that i have no "real" friends. i really do. i really do have people who care. i really do know people who love me. but most of all, i have a God who provided me with all these people.
enough talking. get to the pictures. ^ ^
first of all, on sat. koinonia had the progressive dinner.
and while i'm mindlessly watching tv, people start singing, "happy birthday." i didn't think it was me b/c my birthday wasn't until monday. so i turned around to see who we were singing to, and here comes yoon with a cake towards me ! so that was quite a surprise.
so that was when the celebration all started. On Sunday at church, the youth group also got me a cake and an awesomely decorated card, too. I love my youth group !!!! =D
then Sunday night, Yoon & I went to Melting Pot and took a bunch of pictures...... that Yoon has on his camera. -___-;; and he's kinda slow in getting back to me. So those pictures will be up latersss.
But I do have a bunch of pictures of the roses he got me.
Then on Monday, my actual birthday, my awesome older sister and oppa took me out to "That Place" for lunch. I've never been in there and I always talk about it on my tour so now I can recall a personal story ! =D
thank you urrrrryone. =)
finally 21. but it doesn't feel any different. ^_^;;
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