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August 31, 2005
Expressions
Hmm... my ability to convey my passion and enthusiasm in writing has dramatically decreased these past few years. Everything sounds so... clinical and analytical. (like this sentence! =))
It's sad because if anything, I think I've become more passionate about life? It does feel like a different type of passion compared to when I was younger though -- a more mature passion, if that makes sense?
Maybe part of the problem lies in what I share? We had missions sharing this past friday at Fellowship, and I decided to read the letter I had written to my prayer supporters and friends. When I wrote that letter, it felt like it captured my experiences and feelings... at a high/general level. But as I read it aloud, the letter just sounded so... flat to my ears. Looking back, I wish I had shared specific things that happened, which demonstrated God's work and/or my raw emotions.
It's sad because one of the points I repeatedly emphasized to my students was to use a "show, but not tell" approach when sharing about personal experiences. Yet, here I am (have been) doing the opposite of what I "preached."
I suppose the reason why I'm rambling so much about this is because part of me wonders if I really am losing touch with my passion...
Or maybe, like my pastor and close friends have noted: I think too much about my performance and am too hard on myself... I need to let go, and let God.
I need so much more of you in my life, God!
...and sleep... so on that night, oyasumi~ (although, my thoughts are racing, thinking about all sorts of things... I hope I can sleep tonight...)
Posted by stevelee at 11:50 PM | Comments (0)
August 25, 2005
Photography withdrawals...
I really want to take pictures of lightning storms and tornados. =(
If I ever had any delusions of "going pro" as some friends suggest, one huge fact reminds me of what a bad idea that would be:
For the most part, posed shots bore me. =(
I don't mind doing photo shoots for friends I feel comfortable with (and vice-versa) -- sometimes I even enjoy it when the inspiration hits and creative juices flow! But I still prefer the "photojournalist" style, where I can capture candid, natural pictures and expressions.
I know that I still have lots to learn, especially about lighting and proper exposures. I recently picked up Real World Camera Raw with Adobe Photoshop CS2 by Bruce Fraser. The unnatural (too saturated) look I got when processing my pictures with Photoshop CS2 was bugging me too much, so hopefully this book will help!
Man... there are so many gadgets I really want... it sucks being financially responsible! Haha. ;)
...Although, I do plan to have a few new additions to my photography arsenal by the time the next batch of weddings rolls around at the end of the year! Muahahaha...
Work's been treating me well these days. Busy, stressful, but productive. I'm very thankful for the situation God's placed me in -- my work environment is (usually) laidback, and the stress is never overwhelming. The work remains interesting, the commute's not bad, and the pay's not bad. ;)
At the same time, this makes me all the more aware of the dangers of becoming complacent and comfortable; I always need to place God at the center of my life. I know that He places me in specific places for a reason...
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." - Romans 1:16-17
Posted by stevelee at 11:55 PM | Comments (0)
August 23, 2005
Santa Ramen
After hearing and reading so much about the place, I finally had a chance to try the hyped up Santa Ramen in San Mateo. My full and satisfied belly is happy to report that it totally lives up to the hype!
My buddy and I got there around 6pm and immediately got seated. From what I understand, Mondays are their slowest days, but by the time 6:30 rolled around, the place was already packed with a line outside! The place seats about 30 people (no advance reservations accepted, and the entire party has to be present before they seat you), and is almost always crowded.
Service is polite and efficient. It was also a welcome change to hear Japanese spoken and to see it on the menus (in addition to English)... since like 95% of the Japanese restaurants are Chinese-owned/run! Haha. =p
But, back to the food! I ordered the pork flavored ramen broth with stewed pork ($8.95), and received this big bowl of noodles in whitish-colored broth, generously garnished with scallions and red ginger. In the middle of the bowl rested 2 huge chunks of semi-fatty pork; not the most appetizing looking thing, but OH SOOOOO GOOD! The broth was flavorful without being overwhelmingly salty (or MSG laced) like most other ramen places. Oh, and the noodles? The perfect texture of fresh, chewy, yet firm!
I also ordered an appetizer dish of chicken karaage (which I brought home) for $4.95. You get a decent sized plate of lightly-breaded fresh, juicy, tender and boneless pieces of chicken. It was good -- definitely above average -- but nothing too special. I have the feeling that if you have a huge appetite, you're better off paying an additional $1 for extra noodles. =)
Oh, besides the crowds, expect your order to take a while as there's only one chef (who prepares the ramen/broth upon order). This is not a place where you can come for a quick bite and leave under 30 minutes.
Santa Ramen -- the best ramen I've had so far in the Bay Area, bar none. This includes all the places in San Francisco Japan Town.
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Man... $15 USD. That translates to roughly 120 RMB (Chinese currency), which is enough to feed a big group of people really well! The average monthly salary for Chinese workers is about 500 RMB (not in places like Beijing or Shanghai), and the average meal (eating out) costs 5 RMB...
Going to China has definitely given me a different perspective, and increased my desire (and thankfulness) to be a better financial steward of the resources God's blessed me with.
Posted by stevelee at 12:20 AM | Comments (0)
August 18, 2005
Welcome to, like, last year!
OK OK, so I finally broke down and created a Flickr account. I'm not exactly sure why, but at least I can say "me too!" ;)
On a lighter note about the teaching trip: for the closing ceremony, each class had to go up in front of the school and do "something." Our four classes all ended up singing some super cheesy song; but as the advanced class, we not only sang but did an entire freaking dance routine!
Trust me, we won't be winning any choreography awards any time soon (like, ever)... but we all had fun!
Oh yeah... we sang Backstreet Boys' "As Long As You Love Me"... and I got suckered into playing the part of Nick Carter! O_o
It doesn't end there folks... the speaker system we used had problems, so we could only hear the music and not the lyrics... so not only did I have to dance (read: "make a fool of myself"), but I had to sing too!! Ugh... hahaha. I'll try to get a hold of the video that someone recorded... ;)
Posted by stevelee at 09:01 PM | Comments (1)
August 08, 2005
Perspectives
I'm back! *sheepish grin* I took over 1800 pictures, which I cut down to about 500 for my personal album (yep! I actually made *gasp* paper prints of my pictures!), which I'll need to cut down again for your online viewing pleasure!
Teaching English in East Asia was one of the most awesome and life-changing experiences in my life! I learned so much about myself and God's character that I can't help but be humbled and broken as I reflect back.
Going into this trip, I had many fears and self-doubts... including my ability to teach and speak in front of a group, and how I would handle interacting with the other team members 24-7 for such an extended period of time. But God truly has blessed and gifted me beyond anything I could ask for -- I'm still amazed by how well my students and I connected; by the end of the (too short!) program, even the guys were getting teary-eyed that I was leaving!
God's presence is very much alive in East Asia, and amazing things are happening there! When I went to a certain church, the Holy Spirit was truly moving through the congregation -- their cries of thankfulness for salvation, and tears for the unsaved moved all of us (and reminded me of how so many people here take salvation for granted).
I went to my church's retreat this past weekend and shared about how one thing God taught me during the East Asia trip was love. I completely broke down as I shared about how in East Asia -- a place where I could not even openly share my faith -- I had the greatest desire to share salvation, but I never felt the same back at home. Did that mean I didn't care as much for the people back home as I did in East Asia? I'm still processing and praying about this...
As a final note of perspective, especially for those who believe that the US is "God's favored country" or a "Christian nation": did you know that even though the United States is the most evangelized country in the world, it's the 4th largest unsaved country? Or that there are as many Christians in China as there are in the United States?
If you're Christian, check out Perspectives.
I wish I could share more about my trip... but, for the rest of the story, you'll have to talk with me in person. =)
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On a less spiritual note: other than trying to adjust from 30-40 degree celsius weather (and HIGH humidity), it's good to be back home! I miss my family and friends, as well as the clean air! =)
Work's already kicking my butt, but I'm thankful for my job... after all, how many other places pay you good money to surf the internet all day long?? (haha, just kidding boss!)
Plus, FANTASY FOOTBALL IS BACK, BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dude, if you thought I was a a trash-talker before, fantasy football season always brings out the best (or worst, depending on how you look at it ;))!
Finally... dude, GO A'S!!! Man, I come back home to find the A's almost 20 games above .500 and contending for first place in the AL West! Yeahhhh, boy! Talk about a warm welcome home for me! Hahaha... I'm soooo tempted to rub it in the face of my co-workers (whom are Giants fans) who gave me so much grief in the beginning of the season! I kept on telling them: the season's still young, wait until after the All-Star break before you start talking!
Posted by stevelee at 09:10 PM | Comments (2)