"Maybe I don't want a Happy New Year, he said. Maybe I want an intense New Year with a lot of growth experiences & I had to admit I'd never thought of that."

--Brian Andreas

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

Pass me a truffle...

My lovely friends Lindsay and Tim sent me this box of chocolate truffles.

Um, let me tell you about these truffles. Tim makes them all from scratch...I remember watching him do it last year. Buys bricks of chocolate, sweetens it and flavors them himself...molds them and makes them pretty. This box has been slightly shaken up b/c it was mailed to me, but nonetheless, I know that it was BEAUTIFUL when put in the box.

To add to that, they come in wonderful different kinds like "Basil", "Caramel", "Coconut" and something with "Honey Lavendar" or something like that. I can't remember... I just treasure every bite and have to use all my will power not to shove them down my throat.

Anyway, I just had to share the little things that make my day a little brighter.

She was wearing Flair...

I have recently become addicted to the TV Series, "The Office." I think it is hysterical, blunt, and very NOT culturally proficient. After working in a "working station" (aka, cubicle) for the last few months for the first time in my life, this TV series brings an added dimension to my life. OK, so I do recognize that the picture I have added of Jennifer Aniston is from the movie "Office Space," which I have also come to appreciate in a whole new way. It all relates, I swear...
Last Friday, some members of the staff around here went out for a Christmas luncheon where we revealed Secret Santas, etc. As we were driving to TGI Fridays, another lover of "The Office" turns to me and says, "Doesn't it feel like we could be in an episode of "The Office?" How little we knew in that moment that it would really feel that way! It was AWESOME.
We go in and sit down, and no joke, our server (who was a GREAT server by the way), was wearing a cowboy hat, full on Kentucky/southern accent, and suspenders with... yes, FLAIR. I actually have never seen this in real life and my only regret is that I forgot I had my camera and did not take a picture. What is flair you ask? Well, if you have not seen "Office Space" (please do), they are the buttons one wears on suspenders to add "flair" to the uniform. She had GREAT flair... even better than what Jennifer Aniston has on in this picture... and as she turned around, on the back of the suspenders... (suspenseful moment)... she had stuffed M&M's as flair! Not making this up, my friends. Not making this up.
This was a true highlight of my LIFE, I think, and I needed to share that moment. I was semi-inspired ... but not enough to actually do it myself. Please, do know that if you have pictures of folks with flair, I want to see them.

What makes bad days turn into good days?

Babies and kiddos.

My cousin Eunice just posted these pictures of her two daughters, Kyra and Sylvie and it just made me extremely excited to see them soon and very soon. It shows me that I need children in my life. In a recent onslaught of bad news, these mere PICTURES made my day better. I just wanted to share.

Sylvie is the newest member of the family and I haven't met her yet, so I can't wait to just pick her up!! Aren't they just lovely??

I know there are folks who aren't really into kids, but come on, look at these girls and tell me you aren't in love?!

Okay, I've gone on and on, but again, just wanted to share what brought me joy today in the midst of bad news.

Telephones and Turkish Delight

Um, so I'm officially moving up in the world. I came into my "working station" this morning (more commonly known as a cubicle) and voila! I have a new upgraded phone that has caller ID and everything special on it! WOOHOO! I hope I learn how to use it. It came with an instruction manual next to it. Check it out!



It's so pretty...

Now you may be wondering, "What's the connection between new telephones and turkish delight?"

Well, nothing actually, except they are both semi-work related. Everyday, a few of us send out e-mails to one another reminding ourselves of the lunch hour. A co-worker, Tiffany, usually comes up with brilliant little reminders that are incredibly witty and mostly hilarious. Remember my entry on PCUSA superstars? (read below). Well, I think she's one, so when she's not around, I try to put on my witty hilarious skills and send out our lunch reminders. Today, I titled the e-mail, "Our Afternoon Delight" and then wrote, "Yum yum for our tum tums?" I thought it was clever.

Another fabulous co-worker then e-mailed me back saying that the title reminded her of turkish delight which she was now craving. I was like, "What is turkish delight? Is it like a meat? Kind of like a turkey?" So, I googled it. And there is the picture of the beautiful stuff... totally not what I imagined AT ALL. I should have remembered it from the "Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe" movie, but forgot. As I'm writing this right now, I realize that I might sound kind of "slow"... but come on people, be honest. If you totally didn't know, wouldn't you think more meat like substance for a turkish delight? Anyone? Am I really the only one?

PCUSA Superstar

My goal one day is totally to become a PCUSA Superstar. I want to become one and I want to stand in front of the General Assembly one day and be like Mary Katherine Gallagher (played by Molly Shannon) in the movie "Superstar" with one knee bent, arms toward the sky, and yelling, "I'm a Presbyterian Superstar!!" Ok, I understand this is slightly ridiculous, but I'm surrounded by and friends with so many people who I actually call PCUSA Superstars that I can only aspire. However, I believe I am truly on my way. See the picture to your right? That's me on the PCUSA website. Granted, it's because I'm an intern and not because I've done anything particularly special, but still! I'm on my way! You can check out links and more info: http://www.pcusa.org/nvo/youngadultinterns/yai.htm.

The real question is, do I really want that kind of fame, and even more curious... why? I'm obviously not going into ministry for the glory of it... I'm embarrassed half the time to tell folks that I got my masters degree in "divinity" which sounds strange to those who have no idea what one would do with a masters of divinity. Maybe I just want to be a PCUSA superstar because in my heart of hearts, I just want to do the motion of "SUPERSTAR!" Yeah, that's probably it.

Life-Giving Relationships

Greetings from the Pajaro Dunes in San Jose, California!

I have been here for the past few days with a group of amazing Asian American clergy and seminarians for our annual gathering. This time has always been and continues to be a time of renewal, support, mentorship and GOOD FOOD. The group seems small in this picture, but within it are generations of people who have a love and passion for justice and continue to follow where God has been leading them to go and be in the world and in the church. I don't know if it's just super cheesy, but really, it's always a time of awe and at the same time support for me. Life-giving relationships.

And you know, recently I was asked if I were to die, what would I want to have accomplished or said about me? What would I want folks to notice about me? And the answer to that was that I would want the witness of what I cared about, what I worked for, etc. to be represented in the people in the room. Through the lives of the people I was in relationship with, I would hope that hospitality, justice, peace, love, advocacy, etc. etc. would all be present. Life-giving relationships that continue to give life even after one has gone. Sounds kind of morbid, but I don't mean it to be.

Anyway, super exhausted in the best way and just chillin' in a coffee shop with my cousin, Rich in Palo Alto. Headed back tomorrow and feeling a sense of renewal. WOOHOOO!