I sleep in the living room on an airbed, next to a nice, big window view... of buildings. I guess that was a given living in an apartment on the 27th floor of central NYC. Though the view isn't anything to boast about or glamorous in any aspect, I've been thankful each day waking up, and every night as I lie awake before heading to bed.
I know the stars didn't align for me to come and live here. Beyond my own plannings and preparations for this coming internship, I've come to realize how much God had set up behind the scenes for me. I'm so bless to know 2/3 roomies before my arrival and to be connected to the last one thanks to these relationships. Like a domino effect, one event led to another, and from being introduced by one roomie to this accommodation option that is own by another roomie back in March, to helping another roomie whose in my program to find a place to stay and happens to cross paths with me time and time again, we are all happily living together now.
It may sound confusing and crazy how everything started out as it did, but at times I am still caught up in disbelief that I am residing in the heart of NYC. I feel so spoiled by the convenience of my accommodations and the generosity of my roommates. Though personal space is limited and being mindful and forgiving of individual habits are typical roommate situations to be conscious of, I'm so glad that not only do we just "live" together because of our circumstances, but we go beyond to cook, clean and care for each other as well. I know this roommate culture we've established is temporary, but it makes me feel capable of moving out and living with a few close friends when I return. As with anything, there are a few downsides, such as the obvious single washroom situation. With four females, its a given that we should be conscious of how much time we individually maintain personal hygiene. From observation, our schedules haven't been clashing with one another, but with 3/4 of us getting up early to head out for our internships starting Monday, it may take an earlier alarm or two for us to be ready on time. However, I believe that that will be a minor issue for us as we are all mature grown ups.
Unlike living in dorms during my exchange (which was a comfortable, but unfavorable experience due to the lack of cooking and cleaning convenience), or in a community house during my Urban Promise days (I enjoyed the fellowship, but felt like the designated house duties and busyness of the place kept me from expressing my own routines), I'm truly enjoying this period of living in close quarters and being challenged on a personal level of what it means to show respect and demonstrate responsibilities of being a fellow roommate, without sacrificing my routine and living comfort.
Here's to the next six weeks, Roomies.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
A Special Grace
I just feel like reflecting on these past 7 weeks right now. The first 3 were pretty slow and steady and I would make a mental note of what I accomplished each day. Then, after the Victoria long weekend and the return of my grandma from her three months vacation ( you can read all about it here), days turned into weeks, and weeks into me flying out tomorrow. I can't stress how one's busyness just seems to snatch time away from one's grasp.
From flashmob surprises, to birthday plannings, to gatherings, to a special wedding (CONGRATS Kau & Dau xP), to farewells, to now, I can't believe I'm flying out tomorrow! First flight of the year and I actually didn't want to go due to such precious memories noted in my last blog post. All the while, I've been so occupied to remain silent and submerse into God's presence. This past Sunday's sermon truly reminded me of why its so important to "be still and know that [He is] God" -Psalms 46:10. I have an issue with doing nothing and not filling up my schedule, and I know there is much to be learned in this department of spiritual growth. Its no wonder that God tells us to honor the Sabbath and make our time His, the creator of Heaven and Earth who works outside of our time. Its actually so much harder than we think to "rest" and be at peace with His presence.
These next few weeks will be filled with educational learnings, professional growth, reunions and fresh experiences, but I want to re-re-commit myself to spiritual maturity as well. Re-establishing quality quiet time, seeking God in the little and grand scheme of things, being bold in sharing my faith to new people and places, and letting Him direct where I should be, rather than deciding that for myself.
The more you grow, the more you realize you just don't know, but God's grace has been so good from finishing school until now. He's granted prayers, selfish wants, and forgiven me again and again of my failures and sins. Dang God is good. Where would I be without faith?
That, ladies and gentlemen, is a very good question. Ponder on that for a more than a mere moment while you remain still and take in His holiness.
From flashmob surprises, to birthday plannings, to gatherings, to a special wedding (CONGRATS Kau & Dau xP), to farewells, to now, I can't believe I'm flying out tomorrow! First flight of the year and I actually didn't want to go due to such precious memories noted in my last blog post. All the while, I've been so occupied to remain silent and submerse into God's presence. This past Sunday's sermon truly reminded me of why its so important to "be still and know that [He is] God" -Psalms 46:10. I have an issue with doing nothing and not filling up my schedule, and I know there is much to be learned in this department of spiritual growth. Its no wonder that God tells us to honor the Sabbath and make our time His, the creator of Heaven and Earth who works outside of our time. Its actually so much harder than we think to "rest" and be at peace with His presence.
These next few weeks will be filled with educational learnings, professional growth, reunions and fresh experiences, but I want to re-re-commit myself to spiritual maturity as well. Re-establishing quality quiet time, seeking God in the little and grand scheme of things, being bold in sharing my faith to new people and places, and letting Him direct where I should be, rather than deciding that for myself.
The more you grow, the more you realize you just don't know, but God's grace has been so good from finishing school until now. He's granted prayers, selfish wants, and forgiven me again and again of my failures and sins. Dang God is good. Where would I be without faith?
That, ladies and gentlemen, is a very good question. Ponder on that for a more than a mere moment while you remain still and take in His holiness.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Drugged on Fellowship
I'm not even joking.
Since a dinner get together at a fellow brother's house two Fridays ago, I've been on a fellowship high. I'm just so drawn to be around people, converse, laugh, share, eat-whatever it may be. I feel like as extroverted as I can be sometimes, I feel that this is beyond it. I just love spending time with my brothers and sisters and I can't seem to get enough of it!
I'm on overdose!
Call me crazy (which you may have).. "happy crazy," "Sarah's happy hour," "after 8 syndrome," and the list goes on. But honestly, I love you all and I find myself bonding and getting closer with people I don't usually talk to as much too. It's amazing and I love how our common denominator of faith is the glue holding us strong!
I was reflecting earlier on how I would pray, rant, share about the lack of unity in church or groups of people in the past, but to even just visually skim what has happened these past few months is quite extraordinary. I believe this is only the beginning of so much more hang outs, gatherings, joyous celebrations, and informal chillings.
I even felt like not wanting to go to NYC for my fashion internship anymore. How bizarre is that? I use to jump on any opportunity to get out of Deadmonton (and still would), but wow I can't even grasp this side of me right now. With a week to go, I have my reservations and some expectations, but all I care for right now is to invest as much of me as I can into my friendships and dear sic relationships.
I'm out of control and I'm just craving for more.
Fellowship time anyone?!
Let's pop some fellowship pills!
Since a dinner get together at a fellow brother's house two Fridays ago, I've been on a fellowship high. I'm just so drawn to be around people, converse, laugh, share, eat-whatever it may be. I feel like as extroverted as I can be sometimes, I feel that this is beyond it. I just love spending time with my brothers and sisters and I can't seem to get enough of it!
I'm on overdose!
Call me crazy (which you may have).. "happy crazy," "Sarah's happy hour," "after 8 syndrome," and the list goes on. But honestly, I love you all and I find myself bonding and getting closer with people I don't usually talk to as much too. It's amazing and I love how our common denominator of faith is the glue holding us strong!
I was reflecting earlier on how I would pray, rant, share about the lack of unity in church or groups of people in the past, but to even just visually skim what has happened these past few months is quite extraordinary. I believe this is only the beginning of so much more hang outs, gatherings, joyous celebrations, and informal chillings.
I even felt like not wanting to go to NYC for my fashion internship anymore. How bizarre is that? I use to jump on any opportunity to get out of Deadmonton (and still would), but wow I can't even grasp this side of me right now. With a week to go, I have my reservations and some expectations, but all I care for right now is to invest as much of me as I can into my friendships and dear sic relationships.
I'm out of control and I'm just craving for more.
Fellowship time anyone?!
Let's pop some fellowship pills!
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Mourning of Distance
Yesterday I had a fun night of laughter, fellowship, and delicious eats. One probably couldn't even tell that a "close" death had been made known to me earlier on that day. Personally, if particular circumstances or events don't affect the course of your day, your mood, or even what you focus on, than it shouldn't be of any significance right?
Well this was the death of my mom's dad, so my grandpa. The interesting matter about this death is that, for the life of me (literally), I've probably only seen him 5-6 times if anything? Each of these times wouldn't be long either as he resided in Hong Kong. With any family overseas, there tends to be distant separated my time zones, borders, culture, and lack of intimate communication, but the major reason why I've never felt my grandpa was close was because he wasn't close to my mom, in fact, none of my mom's side.
To keep ancient history short, basically my grandma never married my grandpa because when they were dating, his family had arranged him to marry a wealthier lady back in the day. However, he still came back to see my grandma and ended up having four children with her; respectively my mom and her older siblings (but he never cared for them). Can you see how asian-family-drama-esque this is sounding? Another interesting fact is that apparently to this day, his legally married wife and family tree doesn't know that our side of the family exists. It still intrigues me how we got the memo of his death if no one on his side of the family knows us... or so I thought.
When I was first texted the date and occurrence of the incident by one of my brothers, I was clueless and thought he meant the death anniversary of the husband of my grandma I live with who had died before I was born. It didn't make sense to me as I felt that was a very random text and it didn't answer the initial question I had posed to him, but that's a different story. Later in the day, when I saw my mom, she had told me that grandpa had died, and I honestly just brushed it off, but at the same time I felt like everything had made sense now, at least my brother's text did. Yet, I didn't feel anything, even though he died of old age, I didn't feel sad, or unfortunate, and I have not shed a single tear.
I'm making myself sound brutally cold hearted, but how is one to react to a death that is so distant? Physically and psychologically? Its as if this was a death I read in the paper, except I actually feel somewhat bitter and angry towards those innocent victims' murderers. Its a very odd scenario now that I ponder on it, and very weird when I think that my mom won't be going to her dad's funeral.
Well this was the death of my mom's dad, so my grandpa. The interesting matter about this death is that, for the life of me (literally), I've probably only seen him 5-6 times if anything? Each of these times wouldn't be long either as he resided in Hong Kong. With any family overseas, there tends to be distant separated my time zones, borders, culture, and lack of intimate communication, but the major reason why I've never felt my grandpa was close was because he wasn't close to my mom, in fact, none of my mom's side.
To keep ancient history short, basically my grandma never married my grandpa because when they were dating, his family had arranged him to marry a wealthier lady back in the day. However, he still came back to see my grandma and ended up having four children with her; respectively my mom and her older siblings (but he never cared for them). Can you see how asian-family-drama-esque this is sounding? Another interesting fact is that apparently to this day, his legally married wife and family tree doesn't know that our side of the family exists. It still intrigues me how we got the memo of his death if no one on his side of the family knows us... or so I thought.
When I was first texted the date and occurrence of the incident by one of my brothers, I was clueless and thought he meant the death anniversary of the husband of my grandma I live with who had died before I was born. It didn't make sense to me as I felt that was a very random text and it didn't answer the initial question I had posed to him, but that's a different story. Later in the day, when I saw my mom, she had told me that grandpa had died, and I honestly just brushed it off, but at the same time I felt like everything had made sense now, at least my brother's text did. Yet, I didn't feel anything, even though he died of old age, I didn't feel sad, or unfortunate, and I have not shed a single tear.
I'm making myself sound brutally cold hearted, but how is one to react to a death that is so distant? Physically and psychologically? Its as if this was a death I read in the paper, except I actually feel somewhat bitter and angry towards those innocent victims' murderers. Its a very odd scenario now that I ponder on it, and very weird when I think that my mom won't be going to her dad's funeral.
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