Ahh...it's that special time of the year again that makes people feel really comfortable about being single, or really uncomfortable about not having someone special to share the day with. Many have come to view it as a holiday for couples...not to be cynical, but I happen to believe there is more in store for singles on this day of the year.
Everyone knows that Valentine's Day is a business...numerous signs everywhere suggesting that you pay a 100% premium for gifts to express your feelings for a special person are inescapable...the idea that it's a given kind of puts pressure on a person and sort of takes away the genuineness and integrity from the whole effort. That's why I believe that for couples, it's a no win situation...if you make an effort, it's expected, and if you don't...well, can't say much to that.
For singles on the other hand, it's a once in a year opportunity to have an excuse to ask someone out...a reason to season the love brewing in your pot of passion. ;p
So if you're single, at least there's something to gain.
So yeah, don't be bummed out this friday...take the initiative!
I suppose as my namesake suggests, I should probably offer comments on each week's Smallville episode. Contrary to DaSh's opinion, I thought last week's episode was very entertaining and pivotal, and after seeing the previews for this week's episode, I imagined an episode about introducing Lex's lost brother to be quite silly and a certain letdown, the last episode being a difficult act to follow. However, I was pleasantly surprised and entertained as the show managed to weave intricate tales of duplicity with groundbreaking (ok, maybe not groundbreaking, but significant nonetheless) revelations and even got biblical at times. Next episode looks to be exciting, and I can't wait to see what they do with Christopher Reeves in 2 weeks.
Today I had the opportunity to attend a panel discussion with the Homeless Studio, a class offered in my department that deals with how design may apply to issues regarding the homeless. Some of the students' projects include maintaining daily contact with a homeless person and documenting his behavior and schedule, and coming up with designs that meet certain needs. Another fascinating project was to design a shelter that would fit the specific program of the organization...those students involved in that project were quite fortunate since the organization they're working with is actually moving their site so the students are actually designing the real site! I just think that is so exciting...not that I'm trying to romanticize the issue, but I'd really like to have that kind of opportunity for a design/build project that actually has social impact. Anyways, the panelists included some very experienced people in the academic, design and social service communities that deal with homelessness, and the discussion covered topics such as causes of homelessness, understanding why they avoid shelters, strategic areas of focus, and of course identifying areas in which design can be applied to key issues and problems of providing care. Some of these issues include:
- designing a space that's welcoming to both the homeless and service workers;
- creating multifunctional rooms to save space and cost;
- use of materials that are durable and easy to keep clean;
- designing centers to be in character with the community so as to prolong longevity;
- and using design to address the issue of overcrowding in homes and how to implement design so that different individuals and families in the same household can share services, save cost and maintain their autonomy at the same time.
Overall it was an energizing discussion, although I did feel a little out of place the whole time. Just before the show started, I was quietly sitting on a stool nearby the wall, and the department chair motioned me and all the other students to not be shy and sit up there with the panelists. For some reason I just went, although I really had no place up there since I wasn't even a student in the class. I had many questions I wanted to ask, but I felt guilty already for taking up valuable real estate. However, I was able to ask the panelists informally after the discussions ended, which was actually nicer because it allowed for lengthier discussions...I also managed to pick up a few cards to pass out to people giving them info on where to find free food and shelter.
I really want to participate in that program in the near future, but as for now, i'm still a guppy in the Art Center world...have to wait till like my 4th term...or maybe next term if I'm lucky. I feel so much more energized and motivated this term though, just because God has revealed to me ways in which design can be applied, such as the Homeless Studio and the Rural Studio, which deals with creative and resourceful methods to build houses, churches and community centers for rural areas that aren't rich in resources. It's truly a blessing, especially since towards the end of the last term I was beginning to lose motivation regarding projects.
This past weekend was quite an experience for me, but not in the typical sense. With my roomate up in SF, this weekend proved to be very...
...quiet.
With the exception of having dinner with a friend Friday night, I did not have any human interaction with anyone over the entire weekend. Even phone conversations were minimal, as my cell phone lasted the whole weekend without recharging. May sound like a lonely, bummer of a weekend, but I am VERY GRATEFUL for the time that God has given me to reflect and organize myself and my thoughts. Sure it was a strange sensation, and yes at times it did feel lonely, but right now I feel so much more at peace when I can look back and see how valuable that time was, that before the weekend I seemed so out of tune with God, and that He reveals much when we take the time out to listen. Originally I was excited about this weekend because I could really catch up on my work and be on top of things...but God had other plans for me this weekend, and although I did not accomplish much in terms of my projects, I do feel more on top of things in other ways.
Ok, I guess it wouldn't be completely accurate to say that I had no human interaction at all over the weekend...I actually spent a considerable amount of time exploring and interacting with people I didn't know, complete strangers. It's kind of interesting now that I think about it...am I more inclined to pursue deeper interactions with strangers because of that human need for fellowship which I am so accustomed to with people I am familiar? Perhaps I am guilty of being too comfortable with just having the community around me, that I am reluctant and uncomfortable with pursuing interaction outside that community. I dunno, perhaps others can relate, but it certainly was a disturbing realization.
Another thing that I'm happy with is that I finally found the determination to organize the mess that's been building up around my workspace...dreadful when I have so much work to do but feel so uncomfortable in my working environment. sigh...now on to the bedroom. =)
On Sunday I went to Mosaic for service to attend their special program called "Romance Unwrapped". I woke up early to attend the 9am service, which was the service for singles (couples service was at 10:30...darn it, the church is 80% single, why do the couples get the good time slot?) The service was basically about how to find the right person to date, and the pastor and his wife spent most of the time surveying the people about the weaknesses and negative characteristics we look for in relationships and related it back to how the kind of person we look for reflects on ourselves like a mirror. So like if someone is willing to date a non-christian, that really says something about that person's relationship with God. Point being, we should examine ourselves and make sure our walk with God is healthy before thinking about dating. The pastor also made 3 points that rang true to me:
-stay focused on and faithful to God's mission (for you). I think sometimes it's really easy to get caught up in the passions of a relationship, but it's necessary to realize that the ultimate purpose is to glorify God. Kinda goes back to Alfred's email about how fundamentally important it is that both people share the same vision. Focusing too much on the relationship aspect can give way to insecurity and other dreadful feelings.
-core needs cannot be met by a person but only by God So true...I think that your significant other has a lot to do with encouraging and challenging you to aspire to greatness in serving and witnessing for God, but true strength only comes from Him.
-stay open to people of character. Meaning be aware (not beware) of the people that have these Godly qualities...which I think should come naturally. =)
Recently while driving on the highway, out of habit I accelerated off the onramp up to about 80 mph and and cruised along with traffic in the left lane, and for the first time I actually questioned my driving. Is speeding along at 80 mph a bad way for a christian to live by example?
Now keep in mind that I do live in LA, and almost everyone drives at 80 or higher (even cops pass me by when I'm doing 80), and I've always believed that it is safer to drive with the flow of traffic, even if it is breaking the speed limit. Why? Simply because you have more reaction time when the difference in speed relative to all the other cars around you is less.
But even if everyone else is speeding, shouldn't we as christians do our part by living by the law and setting a good example? I know this example may sound trite, but it's one I can't really decide on, also because I have a natural tendency to speed...not because I get high off speed, but just because I don't like to waste time on the road and I often become uncharacteristically impatient. I guess it's an issue of safety vs. righteousness. I suppose that if we do the righteous thing, the Holy Spirit will protect us from oncoming traffic barreling past us?
ok boys and girls, i am officially making an effort to bring back this blog. i thought that it was ironic that the reason for starting this blog was to document my life at school so that i could reflect on it in the future, but in actuality i blogged all the way up to when school started and haven't blogged since.
as you can see, some changes have taken place. gone is the customized jayville page, the annoying chatterbox and the banner of me flanked by lana. i realize now that it is inappropriate, since i have an even more terrific woman in my life...
my mother.
jk. =)
so anyways, today i woke up early before class to do my quiet time (been trying to make it a habit) and something in Romans chapter 8 made me smile. so as i started the morning off with a smile, i decided to grab a jamba juice on my way to class with the jamba card i just got for chinese new years (compliments of uncle dan su). i never get jamba juice (it's loaded with sugar!!!) but it was quite a treat, and probably enhanced the smile on my face. you may think it's a strange observation to make, but my usual mornings consist of me getting up late and rushing out the door, speeding on the highway so that i don't make it to class *too* late, and often times remembering on the way there what i forgot to bring with me, and most likely all the while with a tense look on my face. so anyways, i decided to make it a point to smile at everybody today, just to see what difference it makes. i smiled at random people in the halls on the way to class, and i noticed that some of the ones that wore a familiar tense expression loosened up a bit and managed to return a smile (not to say that there weren't a lot of others that paid no attention). that kind of made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but the big payoff goes with my conclusion that you're more likely to have your way if you smile. so i was sitting in class today, and the teacher was reviewing everyone's paper topic and finished without reviewing mine. i spoke up, and she checked her list and said that i was not on her list. that was quite alarming, because i've been going to the past few classes, staying up late nights and doing all the homework, and i'd be darned if it was all in vain. so i checked the campusweb and indeed it was not on my schedule...bad news for me because the last day to add classes was over a week ago. anyways, i went to enrollment to see what i could do, asked for the person in charge, and with a big smile made my case to her. she let out a sigh and mentioned that the last day to add classes was over a week ago and that i should have checked my schedule then, but she kindly suggested that i go get a signature from the academic chair and bring it back to her and she'd be able to handle it...i was SO RELIEVED.
so i was thinking...i guess there is some kind of correlation between smiling and pursuasiveness...i wonder if there are smile gurus out there that charge people for teaching them how to smile. maybe they'd even offer more advanced sessions and teach you how to smile in different ways for specific circumstances and needs.
