Reading is a good thing

I just got off the phone with my buddy Clark who asked me how things were going. I went on about the usual things, talking about my building and students that were getting into little incidents, and about school and then I said..."I've never read so much in my life... but it's a good thing I think." He confirmed and said, "yeah, that is good for you."
Here are some sweet excerpts and quotes that I have found in a couple of the books I'm reading.

Fabric of Faithfulness by Steven Garber
"Very often in life people don't want to tell you the not-so-good thing. It is important to develop a community of people who are honest to keep you straight."

"As I have gotten involved in politics and business, I am more and more convinced that the people you choose to have around you have more to do with how you act upon what you believe than what you read or the ideas that influence you."

"One of my prayers materially is the Proverbs 30 prayer: "Lord, give me enough that I shall not want and cry against you-but don't give me so much so that I am full and forget you." I pray that for myself because I know my limitations. God, don't make me wealthy because I might forget you. So before we even get to that point, why don't we not aspire to wealth. It's a struggle not to let the heart get what it wants. But God is a shield to those who walk in integrity. My Life is safe. I'm a single woman. I'm vulnerable to a lot of things. But I know that I am safe when I am obedient, and I feel insecure if I step out. This is a set of internal boundaries that I know and I walk within sometimes better than others."

Forgetting Ourselves on Purpose by Brian Mahan
"Now-here is my secret: I tell it to you with an openness of heart that I doubt I shall ever achieve again, so I pray that you are in a quiet room as you hear these words. My secret is that I need God-that I am sick and can no longer make it alone. I need God to help me give, because I no longer seem to be capable of giving; to help me be kind, as I no longer seem capable of kindness; to help me love, as I seem beyond being able to love."

"The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."

"In ambition, the prestige of the achievement often seems to depend more on the dignity of the role itself than on the dignity of the one who fills it."

Table for Two by Caedmon's Call

Danny and I spent another late night over pancakes,
Talkin' 'bout soccer
And how every man's just the same
We made speculation
On the who's and the when's of our futures
And how everyone's lonely
But still we just couldn't complain

And how we just hate being alone
Could I have missed my only chance
And now I'm just wasting my time
By looking around
But you know I know better
I'm not gonna worry 'bout nothing
Cause if the birds and the flowers survive
Then I'll make it okay
I'm given a chance and a rock
see which one breaks a window
See which one keeps me up all night and into the day

Because I'm so scared of being alone
That I forget what house I live in
But it's not my job to wait by the phone
For her to call

Well this day's been crazy
But everything's happened on schedule
from the rain and the cold
To the drink that I spilled on my shirt
'Cause You knew how You'd save me
before I fell dead in the garden
And You knew this day
long before You made me out of dirt

And You know the plans that You have for me
And You can't plan the end and not plan the means
And so I suppose I just need some peace
Just to get me to sleep.

random but cool...

My friends Marti and Sarah put this up on their blogs so I thought I'd give it a shot. I feel like we use to get this stuff in mass emails and now we're getting them on facebook and posting them on our blogs. It's amazing how this stuff evolves into the new things that we do. Friends, feel free to copy and paste and put it up on your own blog.

Some Things I’ve Done & Not Done in My Life

Started your own blog - Yup. Sometimes I think I should just get rid of it, but it's lasted this long...
Slept under the stars - Yes, freshman year of college we slept on the beach and froze our tails off....I don't think I got any sleep actually.
Played in a band - Kind of...I've been part of a praise band, and have been part of singing groups...
Watched a meteor shower - Yes, junior year of college, we woke up at 2am...it was cold, but cool
Given more than you can afford to charity - At points in my life I have....yes
Been to Disneyland/world - I grew up going to Disneyland and love it. I finally got to go to Disneyworld with the Fam a couple of years ago.
Climbed a mountain - El Capitan and Half Dome in Yosemite.
Sang a solo - Yup.

Taught yourself an art from scratch - Taught myself to play the Guitar.
Held a praying mantis - No...this is a random one. I don't feel like I'm missing out either.
Had a pillow fight - Yup

Taking an overnight train - No.

Taken a sick day when you’re not ill - Oh yeah, I call them mental health days...
Built a snow fort - Yup, with my cousins.
Gone skinny dipping - I have not, and I feel like I don't really want to either.
Seen a total eclipse - Yes.
Watched a sunrise or sunset - Yes, the last sunset I watched, I was in the Outer Banks with my Fellows Friends and I was PISSED that I had to be up that early.
Seen Niagara Falls in Person - Yup. Maid of the Mist Cruise and all..
Seen an Amish community - Kind of...I don't know....everyone in Western PA is amish right?
Taught yourself a new language - No.
Had enough money to be truly satisfied - No, I could always use a little more money and I think I will always think that.
Gone rock climbing - yes
Sung karaoke - As my friend Clark would say..."Is a pigs a$$ pork?" Definitely could sing Karaoke every night if I could.
Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - No
Walked on a beach by moonlight - Spring Break, Junior Year...Marco Island.
Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - Nope, would love to one day.
Played in the mud - I'm sure I have, but I can't remember. Maybe I haven't because my mom is a clean freak.
Gone to a drive-in theater - Yes, I went with SB2W people during ruddy week one year.
Started a business - Does a lemonade stand count?
Served at a soup kitchen - No, but I will during Spring Break in Alaska.
Gotten flowers for no reason - No, unfortunately guys don't get flowers for no reason.
Donated blood, platelets or plasma - I have donated blood before.
Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - No, but I have been to several memorials and museums
Saved a favorite childhood toy -I think my mom gave them all away...poop.
Visited the Lincoln Memorial - Yes.
Eaten Caviar - I don't think so. I've eaten fish eggs....but not "caviar".

Stood in Times Square - Yes, several times....it's pretty sweet.
Broken a bone - Yes, I was like 1 and half or something I don't remember it. A garage door collapsed on my toe apparently.
Been on a speeding motorcycle - No, a Scooter yes.
Had your picture in the newspaper - Yes. Mostly school papers.
Read the entire Bible - I'm trying to...it's hard.
Visited the White House - Outside of it. They don't give tours anymore because of Sept. 11
Killed and prepared my own meat - Fish? Does that count?
Had chickenpox - I think so...I'm not sure
Sat on a jury - I was suppose to do Jury Duty, but the day I was suppose to go in was September 11, 2001....I didn't think I'd mention that date twice.
Met someone famous - Andy Dick, Coolio, Selma Hyek, Aaron Neville. I lived in LA so...yes.
Joined a book club - When I was a kid I was in a book club at the local library so I could get prizes like Pizza Hut Gift Certificates
Lost a loved one - Yes.
Owned a cell phone - Yes. Who doesn't?
Been stung by a bee - Yes, I was really young. I stomped on a bee and thought it was dead so I picked it up and then it stung me....bastard.

Bungee jumped- No.
Visited Paris- No, one day hopefully.
Watched a lightning storm at sea- For living close to sea for most of my life I have not done this, it must look sweet though
Adopted a child- No, I hope to one day.
Had food poisoning - Yes, it sucks...
Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty- No, I've seen it from the outside but they don't let you go in it anymore because of a certain event that happened on a date that I have mentioned too much already.
Seen the Mona Lisa in France- No, again one day hopefully.
Hitchhiked- No. I don't think I ever will.
Held a lamb- Not so much. There are not too many lambs rolling around in Pasadena CA.
Been to a Broadway show in NY- Yes, Phantom of the Opera. Amazing.
Ran a Marathon- No, I ran a 10k for running class in college and almost died.
Been in three states at once - No...maybe I've been to the 4 Corners, I don't remember.
Ridden in a gondola in Venice- No, one day.
Hit a home run- Yes, in Intramural Softball in college, but it didn't count because Guys weren't alllowed to hit HR's....but I hit a couple in little bat this year too.
Been on a Cruise- Yes, a day cruise in Alaska and I got SO Sea Sick I wanted to die.
Visited the birthplace of your Ancestors Yes, I went to Korea in 4th grade.
Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person- No, again something that I hope to do.
Seen Michelangelo’s David- No, see answer above
Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt - Yes, I was too young to really enjoy it so I want to do it again.
Visited Africa- No, add it to the list.
Been transported in an ambulance- Nope, and I hope I don't have to either.
Gone deep sea fishing- Nope.
Seen the Sistine Chapel in person- List it....
Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris- list
Kissed in the rain- Nope. Came close though
Been to Grace Kelley’s grave in Monaco- eh? No, and I don't really care.
Visited the Great Wall of China- List
Taken a martial arts class- I was born with that stuff so there was no need.
Swam in the Mediterranean Sea- No
Visited Russia- List
Sold Girl Scout cookies- Nope, I don't think guys are allowed to sell them. I'll probably have to sell them with my daughter one day though.
Gone whale watching - Yes, 6th grade field trip. I got sea sick, it sucked...
Gone sky diving- No, but I will one day....
Bounced a check- No
Pieced a quilt -No, pieced a quilt? I think this survey was made for females...call me sexist.
Toured the Everglades- No
Been fired from a job - No
Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - No, in Ottawa yes. List it
Seen the Grand Canyon in person - Yes. My family tried to hike down it, without any water. I was 4, so my cousins took turns carrying me on their shoulders all the way up....hahaha
Published a book- No, one day I hope to finish, "The Asian Glass Ceiling"....look for it on the NYT Best Sellers List.
Visited the Vatican- No, list it
Bought a brand new car- I leased a brand new Civic and plan to buy it...so kind of.
Walked in Jerusalem- No, list
Saved someone’s life - No.
Had a baby - No I don't think that is physically possible, although that one "guy" who has been on the news lately had one....I hope to produce several baby's one day.
Seen the Alamo in person - No
Swam in the Great Salt Lake- No
Been involved in a law suit- No

Happy 2009

After a couple weeks in Southern California, I got to go to Camp Soles for the Summer's Best New Years reunion. It was a great couple of days hanging out with old friends and catching up as well as being able to play games like the Techmo Freeze Bowl, War Ball, and Snow Football. I also found out that I will be officially at camp this summer running Programs. This has been my dream job at camp and things always never worked out for me to do it, so after many years, my dream has come true! I'm excited and nervous at the same time because I feel like the bar has been set high for me and I want to live up to the expectations. Glory goes to God, and he'll be with me this summer. Can't wait.

I then headed down to Charlottesville, VA to see my old Fellows friends. It's always so refreshing to see them. No matter how long it has been since we've talked or seen each other, it seems we can just jump right back into things. C-ville will always be special to me. So many great experiences, and memories are all tucked away "on the grounds" at UVA, at restaurants, bars, and especially at Trinity Pres Church. I grew so much there spiritually and mentally, and met some of my best friends. My year in Charlottesville, was one of the hardest years of my life, but also one of my best. It just goes to show that you can't always have everything. There will always be some aspect of your life that isn't going well. I always have to remember that life is not suppose to be perfect, or else we would be living on earth as Christians for no reason. How boring would life be if we got everything we wanted all the time? We would lose our dependence on God. I think God gives us hardships sometimes to shake us up and put us in our place.

(Group pic in DC)

(Dance party at the Wood's...Beat it)

As I look back at 2008 I can really say, what a difference an year makes. At this time last year I was running Spring Orientation at Covenant. I could have never imagined that I would be at Geneva, working as an RD, and taking grad school classes. It was a tough decision to leave, but really what I needed.

2009 has already started with a bang. I feel so busy and overwhelmed already and the semester has just begun.

Big events to look out for in upcoming posts.
-My first Leadership Weekend....
-Spring Break trip to Alaska
-Easter Break trip to Boston...hopefully
-First Red Sox game of the year after not going to one last year for the first time in 8 years.
-2009 Scott Hwang Summer wedding tour (more brief this summer because of camp)
-Parents visit camp!!! My mom is going to be a nurse for 3rd term. I can't wait for them to see and experience the place that has impacted me so much.

Christmas Break!

It's been a while since I've posted. My friends keep on telling me that I need to post something new, but I have tried to not post anything unless something significant has happened. I guess I'm going to try to break that habit and try to post more often, and really reveal myself. I wouldn't know that I have so many avid readers out there since no one comments on anything...HINT HINT.
Anyways, I have finished my first semester at Geneva College. It has been a sweet semester and I couldn't have asked for a better start to this new chapter in life. I still look back at it and think that I shouldn't be where I am right now. Being at a different Christian College has been a breathe of fresh air. It has given me perspective in the things that I should look for when seeking my next job at a Christian institution. I definitely loved my time at Covenant, and don't have any regrets. I learned a lot about myself, and gained valuable experiences, but hindsight is 20/20.
I think what has made my transition so easy to Geneva has been the RD's. You guys are great and have made me feel welcome, loved and appreciated. I've told some of you this before but I think I lost confidence in myself socially when I was at Covenant. My life was my job, and I had no social life outside of it. I didn't have peers to confide in and I felt like I was a burden to my peers. I couldn't be myself....it was weird. It's been the total opposite at Geneva and the RD's are the main reason for this change.

Totally switching subjects now. I am at home in South Pas. I love home and I'm proud that I'm from LA. I love that movies are filmed in my town. I love that I get to watch the Lakers on TV. I love my house and my bed. I love being able to sleep in everyday when I'm here. I love my Mom's home cooking, and all the great food here. I could probably write a whole post on different places to eat in LA. I love that I get to come home to sunshine and warm weather no matter what month it is.
(Preface: I can't believe I'm saying this but it's really how I feel.)
It's always bitter sweet though because I don't have too many friends here anymore. I definitely regret not keeping up with High School friends, but that is another post. There is SO MUCH to do here but there is no one to do it with...wow that sounds really depressing. I guess what I'm trying to say is, that I can't wait for the day I can bring my wife( God willing) and show her around. I want to take her to Disneyland and take pictures with Mickey hats. I want to go to the "Price is Right" and try to win "A BRAND NEW CAR!!!" I want to drive her in my mom's convertible with the top down and ride up and down Pacific Coast Highway. I want to take her on top of Mulholland Drive at night and stare at the LA lights.

So what does an RD do? Well, the picture to the left is a brief snapshot of a day in the life. This past Saturday the RD's in the apartments hosted Thanksgiving Dinner for our residents. We had about 150 students show up so thank goodness we made 5 Turkeys. I just want to say thank you to my mom for cooking Thanksgiving dinner all these years. It's no easy task, and carving a turkey is no easy thing either. Those things are hot, greasy, and hot....
Brian(another RD) and I went shopping Friday night and joked around about what it means to work in Student Development. In every job description for Student Development you will always see the following words, "any other tasks or responsibilities given to you by the Dean of Students and/or other supervisors".
This means that you will become good at random things. This list includes but are not limited too;
1. Buying massive amounts of food from Wal-Mart or Sam's Club
2. Trying to guesstimate how many students will show up for an event.
3. Carrying massive amounts of food and drinks into cramp spaces, in severe whether conditions.
4. Going to meetings with a smile...sometimes.
5. Setting up and cleaning up for events.
6. Closing off the month of August for some type of training, Orientation, or welcome week.
7. Grabbing "coffee" to catch up with students, co-workers and friends.

A list of things that I never thought I'd be doing for my last 2 jobs.
1. Cutting wood posts in a shirt and tie with a hacksaw.
2. Dressing up in 80's clothes while rollerskating with students till 3am.
3. Apologizing to Aquarium authorities for near deaths to fish, turtles and other exotic marine creatures.
4. Defrosting 5 turkeys in my bathtub and cutting 10 onions the next morning.
5. Taking multiple trips on a bus or in a van to and from the airport at ungodly hours.
6. Making students do stupid games that I created in college for Rec Classes, for bonding purposes.
7. Convincing people that I am not a student, but a worker at the college....Do I really look that young?
8. Hearing, an improve skit quoted to me EVERYDAY...."I'm Scott Hwang, you don't even know!" is so dead to me, but the students here don't realize it.

Back from NCMSLC

This past weekend I attended the National Christian Multi-Cultural Student Leadership Conference. I along with 3 other staff members and some 50 plus students made the trip to Eastern University near Philadelphia, PA. As soon as we arrived the students received a lecture from Tony Campolo. Tony spoke on different controversial topics like homosexuality and illegal immigration. His theories on these topics were outside of the box and something you wouldn't think a "Christian" would say. But that was the purpose of Tony's talk, to start conversation and a mentality of approaching things in a different way. Students were exposed to several different speakers and presenters throughout the weekend.

I attended a workshop on racism and was challenged by the speakers theories and philosophies towards it. According to Ernest Crosby, when we get frustrated or angry when we see or experience racism it is because we personally haven't dealt with the pain and sores that we have within ourselves. We have sores and scabs over our hearts, and when we get rubbed in the wrong way the sores and scabs are exposed. We need to come to peace with ourselves and begin the healing process. We also are called to speak up when we see or experience racism. If someone tells a racial joke or when a racial act occurs we need to call them out. We are afraid to offend or to cause trouble but without exposing racism it will always be a part our society. Racism will die if we talk about it openly, and more and more people begin to understand why something is offensive.
I was convicted by Ernest' words, because I often step back or don't say anything when something bothers me racially. I got to put this conviction into action when a student from another college said a racial joke about Japanese people while presenting to the larger group. I pulled her aside and told her that I was offended by the joke. I'm not sure how if she really understood why I pulled her aside but I was happy that I talked to her about it and got my feelings off my chest. Hopefully she will think about what she says in the future.

My favorite part of the weekend overall was that I got to meet several students from Geneva and bond with them. It's amazing how one weekend brings people together. It was great to laugh and joke around with students in a different setting.