How do small tasks explode into huge ordeals??? I had a 1,500 word homework assignment due today for my Contemporary China History class. The requirements for the paper were simple: find two online journals that are based off the same topic then compare them. Now, tell me why after 6+ hours searching Google Scholar like a mad woman I still didn’t have “the” articles I want. Then someone please tell me why printing out “the” articles has to be such a frustration??? I had (no joke) three octopus cards and one student ID card which I thought all had money on them. NOPE. Wrong-O Becky. You are the weakest link. Good-bye.
Argh. It was the little things that put me in such a bad mood. I was certain that the aura around me was, “Don’t mess with me OR ELSE!” The worst part of it all was the fact that I didn’t even care. My point of view: I was in a bad mood, so get over it!
Well what do you know it was nearly 10pm and I’m still at the (insert a nice word) library livin’on a prayer’ with my assignment due in the AM. Then out of no where my friend Dan comes over, taps me on the shoulder, takes two steps back, and asks, “Hey, are you ok?”
Let me digress:
(Do you know when you’re having a bad day and you haven’t been able to complain about it to anyone so you’ve got the response engrained in your head just waiting for someone to ask if everything is ok?! Well when Dan asked I already knew my response: ARGH Dan you have Noooo idea what kind of day I’m having. Do you know I still don’t have my flippin’ articles? Google- what is all the hype about anyways?! Then the &*% printer won’t accept my student ID money and I literally just put money on it and….Wait a second…wait a second….did he just took like two steps back?!…OMG (chuckle) I must REALLY have a bad aura.
I couldn’t help but laugh and think, this guy didn’t get into Cornell Law for nothin’ he’s got enough common sense to stay an arms length away if I get too out of control. My response after my laughter died down, “Yeah Dan, I’m fine. Just loosing my mind, that’s all.”
It's the small things that really get you down...
It's the small things that bring you right back up.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Monday, April 16, 2007
Virginia Tech
This morning I received an e-mail from my sister:
"22 dead on Virginia Tech campus...really atrocious story...check the news"
My heart sunk as I watched CNN video clips. The shootings are all over the news here in Hong Kong too. Questions of concern followed from local students asking, "Why do people do that?" or "Does that happen a lot in America?" or "Does everyone own a gun?"
We're also effected by the tragedy of Virginia Tech halfway across the world. You can tell somethings happened by the way the teachers call off class a bit early, or by the way things are a bit quieter...basically we've been reminded how precious life is.
VT my thoughts go out to you today. May you find peace and understanding, calmness and security.
"22 dead on Virginia Tech campus...really atrocious story...check the news"
My heart sunk as I watched CNN video clips. The shootings are all over the news here in Hong Kong too. Questions of concern followed from local students asking, "Why do people do that?" or "Does that happen a lot in America?" or "Does everyone own a gun?"
We're also effected by the tragedy of Virginia Tech halfway across the world. You can tell somethings happened by the way the teachers call off class a bit early, or by the way things are a bit quieter...basically we've been reminded how precious life is.
VT my thoughts go out to you today. May you find peace and understanding, calmness and security.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Lord please open our eyes
Meet Nathaniel, a recent addition to my Sunday morning Bible study. He's a refugee from Liberia and has quite a story to tell. For starters his father and mother were murdered during the Civil War that boke out soon after his birth. After his parents tragic death he moved in with his grandmother who died a couple years later from breast cancer. With no family and shelter, he was forced into the military and at a very young age was taken into the deep jungle area and taught how to shoot guns and obey authority at all costs. "I had no other options. I wanted to leave but they would have killed me." He fought in the army for 3 years till he escaped after being sent on a task to get medical supplies. (Much more on that story)
He then caught a bus to the city and found a group who promised they'd take him to America if he paid them money. He gave up everything and trusted them knowing he had no other options (his commander would hunt him down and kill him if he stayed any longer in Africa). He was betrayed and sent to Hong Kong at age 15 and left with no ID, money, or familiarity of surroundings. Was left on the streets for 6 days till he ran into a couple from the church who took him to the UN to get refugee status. (I'd love to meet and thank this couple someday.)
But it's still no walk in the park. He'd been living in Hong Kong for 2 1/2 years then was arrested by the Hong Kong police for lack of ID. (The UN is still in the process of getting proper identification which evidently can take years due to lack of resources). He was confined to a high security prison "with no sunshine" and was released 4 months later when they were able to have proof that his papers are still being processed.
I'm nearly in tears blogging our conversation out.
How can this happen??? How can someone grow up in such warfare yet I live in complete security surrounded by family?? He has no one, NO ONE. Can we fully grasp that?! Being completely alone in a foreign country where you don't fit in, wanting to return home yet knowing if you do you risk your life?!
Nathaniel's story is so uplifting because even after his tragic past he still has dreams.
He dreams of being an accountant and having the opportunity to go to school (he's yet to step foot in a classroom).
He dreams of returning to Liberia and running for president to "look after the welfare of my people".
He dreams of happiness and security (he still has anxiety of his commander coming to hunt him down and kill him).
Who is going to help him?!?!
Brothers and sisters we need to open our eyes and hearts.
Verse of the day: Matthew 25:40
He then caught a bus to the city and found a group who promised they'd take him to America if he paid them money. He gave up everything and trusted them knowing he had no other options (his commander would hunt him down and kill him if he stayed any longer in Africa). He was betrayed and sent to Hong Kong at age 15 and left with no ID, money, or familiarity of surroundings. Was left on the streets for 6 days till he ran into a couple from the church who took him to the UN to get refugee status. (I'd love to meet and thank this couple someday.)
But it's still no walk in the park. He'd been living in Hong Kong for 2 1/2 years then was arrested by the Hong Kong police for lack of ID. (The UN is still in the process of getting proper identification which evidently can take years due to lack of resources). He was confined to a high security prison "with no sunshine" and was released 4 months later when they were able to have proof that his papers are still being processed.
I'm nearly in tears blogging our conversation out.
How can this happen??? How can someone grow up in such warfare yet I live in complete security surrounded by family?? He has no one, NO ONE. Can we fully grasp that?! Being completely alone in a foreign country where you don't fit in, wanting to return home yet knowing if you do you risk your life?!
Nathaniel's story is so uplifting because even after his tragic past he still has dreams.
He dreams of being an accountant and having the opportunity to go to school (he's yet to step foot in a classroom).
He dreams of returning to Liberia and running for president to "look after the welfare of my people".
He dreams of happiness and security (he still has anxiety of his commander coming to hunt him down and kill him).
Who is going to help him?!?!
Brothers and sisters we need to open our eyes and hearts.
Verse of the day: Matthew 25:40
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Aww Dad
Yesterday I called my dad to thank him for looking over a recent homework assignment and after we caught up on things he asked, "So...when are you coming back home?"
Oh man, he TOTALLY misses me! I soaked in the moment for what it's worth because my dad hardly shows weaknessness.
For those of you who haven't been blessed to meet THE "Randy" Lovell let me describe him to you. He's:
-Mr. I grew up on a farm in Oklahoma and don't show emotion
-Mr. When you were born my first words to you were, "When you're 18 you're out of the house."
-Mr. Why are you calling me??? Fix your own darn tire!
-Mr. For your college move-in day I kicked your boxes to the kurb and drove away saying, "Two down...two to go!"
Now to you see why I'm soaking in the moment?! Mr. I'm glad you're half way across the world wants me to come home. You bet I'm going to rub that in when I return.
Oh man, he TOTALLY misses me! I soaked in the moment for what it's worth because my dad hardly shows weaknessness.
For those of you who haven't been blessed to meet THE "Randy" Lovell let me describe him to you. He's:
-Mr. I grew up on a farm in Oklahoma and don't show emotion
-Mr. When you were born my first words to you were, "When you're 18 you're out of the house."
-Mr. Why are you calling me??? Fix your own darn tire!
-Mr. For your college move-in day I kicked your boxes to the kurb and drove away saying, "Two down...two to go!"
Now to you see why I'm soaking in the moment?! Mr. I'm glad you're half way across the world wants me to come home. You bet I'm going to rub that in when I return.
D=Domination
Yesterday we had an awards ceremony for the Presidents Cup innterhostel competition. Yea yeah Hall D!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
I <3 You Tube
I'm cruising You Tube and randomly came across this neat video. Click here to check it out! Really, why did it take me so long to find it?!
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