heading home

My parents get so huffy when I call any other place besides their home, "home". But towards home I go, if all goes well, Friday morning. We very very much appreciate your prayers for a smooth ride. Thank you!

This film is a disturbing expose on the evils of corporations.

Some of the most horrifying claims made by filmakers include:

-IBM knowingly supplied technology to Nazis so that data on millions of Holocaust victims could be managed efficiently

-CocaCola created Fanta so it could keep selling soda to Germany during the war

-Monsanto pushed seeds with a "suicide gene" to farmers in India so that seeds could not be saved for future use

-Monsanto has also aggressively pushed drugs to boost milk production resulting in painful sickness for the cows and possibly contaminated milk for people

-Interactive Media conducts full-scale surveys on how and when kids succeed at nagging their parents to buy them stuff etc., so they can manipulate children to nag parents even MORE

It'd be so helpful to get reactions to this film from the few (probably like, one or two) corporate-ish friends that I have. I'm guessing that most other people I know would be as disgusted as I was initially. My perspective is pretty biased and narrow since I have never worked for a corporation (except the Gap for a few weeks) and am prone to consider them evil anyway.

More about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Corporation

clouds and fire

Funny, funny, very funny. Not "haha funny", but "interesting funny".

Today SJKC called to say she had some mail. SHOCK. Disbelief. We actually didn't know what to do with ourselves. If you only knew the schemes we were hatching JUST before she called.

Then, funny funny, interesting funny...tonight in my reading (Num 9) the passage hammers a theme over and over, at least eight times, to the point of exasperation: God instructs his people through clouds and fire. Cloud by day, fire by night. They move when the cloud and fire moves. They camp out when the cloud and fire are still. And they wait and wait til the cloud and fire move again...whether it's a day, a month or a year of waiting. WAITING! All that waiting!! They're trying to get to the promised land after all--what GOD promised himself!!!!! But sometimes, he makes them wait. And then, without much advanced notice, he has them go, and then wait again. What's the dealio? Mysterious ways.

“In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night in the sight of all the house of Israel during their travels.” Exodus 40

time for some fun

Too many words! Not enough pictures! I love these, all taken by one talented DB. I'll try and post more or send a link. I have no idea how to align them better...workin on it!

on the rollercoaster again?

After the good news we heard last week, we're worried we've hit another roadblock. Nothing is for sure, and we keep getting mixed messages. The poor response rate and incosistent information is so heart-wrenchingly maddening! This is terribly hard to swallow after making some plans...but maybe the rollercoaster isn't done yet? The hubby is free soon and we can spend some time together, after a month+ that was definitely taking a toll.

It's so much easier to make plans, and devise schemes than just sit and wait. Tonight, we looked at different options, and it felt better, just for *little* while, to think, we could try and outsmart the situation and fix it ourselves. Trust in him and he will make the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. I never liked Psalm 37 more than I do now.

In other news, I heard a Harry Potter Final Episode theory today: Harry contains the last piece of Voldemort's soul. So, Harry has to die if Voldemort is to be defeated. Horrible, but definitely not implausible!! KK and I tried on a million pairs of boots today, I felt like Cruella DeVille, AND we saw someone with a Totoro backpack!!! We wanted to hug it, but it would have been weird.

If you're still with us--please keep praying!

good news!

We got some good news today! There's still some hurdles down the line, but for now, it looks like progress! =)

on parents

Living with the parents after years of being away is, at least for me, one of life's great challenges.

Every time I am back here for more than a weekend, I inevitably revert back to teenager mode, because they inevitably treat me as a teenager, or more accurately, helpless baby. The problem I think is that both parties (me and them) are trying WAY too hard to fix the other.

THEY are still waging their lifelong rescue campaign to save me from all my shortcomings, from impending cancer/diabetes/heart disease by monitoring what I eat/when I sleep/how much I exercise. They feel it their duty still to shield me from the pain of the world by trying to do everything FOR ME. And this drives me UP THE WALL.

I'm guilty too: I pretty much want to renovate and redecorate their entire house and garden, reconfigure THEIR marriage and communication style, and alter THEIR opinions and attitudes on issues from my brothers to politics to faith.

So I've been pondering, when I'm not spazzing out on them (is that a word? it's probably bad I used it isn't it?), when does one's relationship with one's parents reach a happy equilibrium? Oh the dream: they respect you, you respect them. Happily ever after. And, what, if any, is our role, as adult children, in trying to 'fix' them? I've heard at least 2 pastors say, we're not supposed to parent our parents. What if they are doing questionable things that could be harming themselves and others? I don't want no Dr. Phil answers either!! That stuff doesn't fly in Asian families! Or can it? I don't know. Interventions, counseling, mediation, what Asian family DOES THAT?

And I don't want to hear that it starts with me. That I can't change them, only myself. Because I've heard that before, and really, God and I are working on it, thanks...maybe I'm not letting God in on it as much as could be...teeth gritting, body language indicating, 'back off!'...but...still...hoping for other creative ideas to help the cause...

words from a rock star

I'm reading Bono's biography and I could not get this story he tells out of my head. It's long, but I wanted to share it anyway. It's from a part in the the book where he's discussing the roots of his activism, especially around Africa and AIDS: (excerpted from "Bono in conversation with Michka Assayas")

"Harry Belafonte is one of my great heroes. He told me this story about Bobby Kennedy, which changed my life indeed...Harry remembered a meeting with Martin Luther King when the civil rights movement had hit a wall in the early sixties: [impersonating the croaky voice of Belafonte] "I tell you it was a depressing moment when Bobby Kennedy was made attorney general. It was a very bad day for the civil rights movement." And I said, "Why was that?" He said: "Oh, you see, you forget. Bobby Kennedy was Irish. Those Irish were real racists; they didn't like the black man. They were just one step above the black man on the social ladder, and they made us feel it. They were all the police, they were the people who broke our balls on a daily basis. Bobby at that time was famously not interested in the civil rights movement. We knew were were in deep trouble. We were crest-fallen, in despair, talking to Martin, moaning and groaning about the turn of events when Dr. King slammed his hand down and ordered us to stop bitchin': "Enough of this," he said. "Is there nobody here who's got something good to say about Bobby Kennedy?" We said: "Martin, that's what we're telling ya! There is no one. There is nothing good to say about him. The guy's an Irish Catholic conservative badass, he's bad news." To which Martin replied: "Well, then, let's call this meeting to a close. We will re-adjourn when sombody has found one thing redeeming to say about Bobby Kennedy, because that my friends, is the door through which our movement will pass." So he stopped the meeting and he made them all go home.

Well it turned out that Bobby was very close to his Bishop. So they befriended the one man who could get through to Bobby's soul and turned him into their Trojan hourse. They sort of ganged up on this bishop, the civil rights religious people, and got the bishop to speak to Bobby. Harry become emotional at the end of this tale: "When Bobby Kennedy lay dead on a Los Angeles pavement, there was no greater friend to the civil rights movement. There was no one we owed more of our progress to than that man."

So Bono sums up the moral of this story as: "Don't respond to caricature--the Left, the Right, find the light in them because that will further your cause."

What an idea--for current 'big' events in the news, and for the people I just can't understand myself!

Advice to Boys II

Just to clarify my point 2c from yesterday's post below...

A "helpful response" - includes actions such as:

i) head nodding
ii) sympathetic facial expressions or sympathetic, NON-annoying sounds. "Mmmmm" or "hmm" or even an indignant sigh on our behalf are all acceptable.
iii) the asking of probing questions in an appropriately considerate, but not babying way

I cannot repeat enough that IN NO WAY whatsoever, does "helpful response" mean:

i) giving unsolicited advice
ii) making light of the situation
iii) providing noble reflections about how it's helping to build our chracater.

TIMING, my friends, it's all about the TIMING!!!

Advice to Boys

Not that there are many boys who read this, but STILL I must:

1. Please don't interrupt when we apologize by pointing out OTHER stuff that we *MAY HAVE*, *allegedly*, according to YOUR perspective, "done wrong"

2. Please don't make us feel like crap when we share how we're feeling rotten/sad/frustrated about something by:
a) telling us that it's not so bad
b) telling us what to DO
c) inappropriately changing the subject before you've responded in a HELPFUL way

3. There is a RIGHT TIME for doing 2a and 2b, and even, on very rare occasions, 2c--but RIGHT AFTER we've shared about something really important TO US, is simply NOT THE TIME

4. Every once in awhile, not even everyday, express your appreciation for all the behind the scenes, butt-busting work we do. This is a very good idea.

Sigh.

lovey doveyness

As I have a lot of time on my hands, I have been thinking about all the crazy things I've done for *love*. Well, love for the hubby anyway:

1. Seriously considered writing to Oprah for help, to the point of checking the 'Upcoming Shows' link for anything remotely related to our cause.

2. Pierced my ears in a HK subway station after 25 years with virgin ears because SOMEONE said he liked my ears (?!), and then told his MOM, who THEN bought me earrings PRIOR to my ears being pierced.

3. Wake up regularly at 5:50 AM (as an unemployed person who does not have any reason to wake up til noon let alone such an ungodly hour) to respond to text messages sent by the Dr. on his way to work

4. Froze for hours on my side of the bed with just a corner of a thread-bare sheet covering me for fear that if I try and recapture the STOLEN blankets, I will wake SOMEONE up!!

5. I have a problem. I really can't finish up these lists without feeling MASSIVE pressure to go out with a bang. Sigh, nothing brilliant is coming to me...maybe another day...

6. Oh, oooh. Just remembered one: Laboured for hours at home making lasagna for him, only to have them confiscate it at airport security! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?? Ok...just kidding...they let me go, but they weren't that thrilled...

hmmm...

Sermons and studies have been helping us get through this hard time. But, last week, it was in stories and music that truth about God pierced through confusion in a way that sermons and studies do not.

I was making my way through the Narnia series again. The Horse And His Boy is probably one of my favourites. As many may know, the main character Shasta, is a poor orphan boy running away from a cruel life of slavery to the free North. The most unforgettable scene for me is at the darkest, most lowest point in his journey. He's already faced multiple attacks by lions, separation from his friends and many other frustrating situations. Now he's lost, alone and feeling very sorry for himself. Just when he thinks things can't get worse, he realizes there's SOMETHING walking beside him in the darkness.

He freaks out. Ghosts? Giants? NOW WHAT?? The SOMETHING eventually gets Shasta to talk about his troubles. Shasta dumps out the sob story of his life...all the pain and disappointments and, of course, all those lions chasing them...THEN...we learn from Shasta's companion that: "There was only one lion. I was that lion." The one lion that saved Shasta's life as a baby, the one lion that chased away wild animals so Shasta could sleep, that scared Shasta and his friends into running FASTER so they could sound a warning in time to save many lives. So Shasta was completely wrong on at least two levels when he thought all "those" lions were mean and malicious.

Sometimes I'm pretty sure God is trying to send me a message--and he repeats it in different ways so there's no chance I'll miss the point. Someone reminded me last week that God IS a kinder God than I really know or believe at times. When unexpected, lousy things happen, I'm quite tempted to dismiss him as uncaring and unresponsive! OR assume he's ONLY coldly interested in making me a 'better' person through suffering or something like that. Those are LIES! ALL LIES!! God is better to me than I know--if I stop and think about it, there is a history of this. And just like the one lion in the story, is running around arranging things behind the scenes of my life for my ultimate good. Do I believe this is true?

C.S. Lewis said (something to the effect of) "the hardness of God is softer than the kindness of men." Hmmm...

************

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

~William Cowper, God Moves in A Mysterious Way

***********

this was a great distraction

Simple Pleasures Top Ten

1. Whenever “Bizarre Love Triangle” or “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” or other classic 80s music comes on the radio, at a wedding, or even, back in those very silly days…at a club…

2. The excited discussion that follows when you meet someone from your home town or home country who can sing along to all your favorite childhood show theme songs native to that home country…haha...

3. Hmmm…on a similar note, finding someone ELSE who knows ALL the words, even the talking parts, to ALL the songs in The Little Mermaid (“Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat?”), Beauty and The Beast or The Lion King

4. Hearing some blessed person on the radio announce that school is CANCELLED because of SNOW!

5. Finding money, even if it’s just five dollars, unexpectedly in your pocket! (especially if you are in need of some bad-for-you convenience store junk like Cheetos--but only the crunchy kind not that air puffy garbage)

6. The VERY first time in a new year that you can SMELL spring OR even better, the VERY first day in spring when you can go without some bulky coat and all the winter accessories!

7. Heeee. The hubby's left eye crinkle. I always want to walk on his left side so I can see it.

8. Buying chocolate and magazines or other stuff I don't regulary buy at the airport, because, NOW, I really need it

9. Cutting off the best, sweetest part of a watermelon slice and leaving the rest for someone else to eat. hehe.

10. WOW. I feel pressure to make this one really good, and I'm choking...I can't do it...can't...

randomness and things i miss

I was inspired by a certain pastor's recent post...things I miss from there...

These People (something is wrong with my iphoto and I can't access any pictures that include boys! sorry!)















My children

I still have this random text message from one of these lovely young'uns that says (verbatim): "Mama Jen u bettah b asleep! hehehehe, but just lettin u know dat i last da 40 dayz an i just drunk kool aid!!!!"

She gave up kool aid for Lent. It was 2 or 3 AM Easter Sunday.


FOOD wise: 1. Emack and Bolio Chai Something Yoga Smoothie 2. OISHII SUSHI 3. Friday night meals dreamed up by SJKC or WC!

PLACE wise: 1. Running on the river 2. Jasmine Sola and Tealuxe on Newbury 3. The view from my office into Copley Sq.

On another completely random note, for the Sex in the City fans out there...do you realize that the only thing that changes Samantha's self-destructive ways is the uncondtional love from Smith Jarrod?? Who'd have thunk such a theme would be found in such a place!