Sorting...

Sometimes I feel like I'm just walking and exploring through a maze...

Recently, I've been doing a lot of sorting of my heart and feelings. I am starting to "refeel" some of the feelings that I thought I have gotten over with and were long gone. It has been a thought-provoking process, as well as feeling quite uncertain and vulnerable.

Kui

(This is an unprofessional yet friendly restaurant review.)

The number of Korean restaurants in CoMO can probably be counted on the fingers of one hand (actually, one finger was enough...). It was therefore cause for celebration when Kui opened on 9th Street earlier this week.

City Lights Day 3-- A Right Heart & Keep Looking Up, Up, Up!

"Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God." (Psalm 42:5, MSG)

After getting oriented throughout the weekend, the day of going to the worksite had finally arrived.

City Lights Day 2, part one-- Mingle & Stretch

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:7)

March 27th, 2011. Sunny.

City Lights Day 1-- The Start Of A Journey

They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Isaiah 61:4

March 26th, 2011. Cold/Cloudy/Snowy.

My Always Well-loved Blueberry Muffins

Thursday evenings are my free evenings, nothing really to do... so that often spells "baking"!
I am the dessert bringer for a prayer meeting tomorrow evening. Other than the (secret) savory snack, I baked up some of my always well-loved blueberry muffins!

What Do You Want To Do When You Grow Up?

I recently proof-read/corrected a short paper for a friend. What she's written made me really happy, I felt that the conversation she and I have had positive impact on her (we've had long discussions about whether we both should pursue a PhD degree or not and what to do in the future, etc.)

Cheerio Treats (& some thoughts...)

Well, I personally think that this is a "healthier" alternative to the "Rice Krispie Treats" .
It's really really very simple and requires zero baking, just mix and stir and there you have it. Since it's so simple, I didn't feel the need to a step-by-step pictorial instruction walk-through... not wanting to insult anyone's intelligence here!

Being Diplomatic? Get Outta Here!

In Awana (the children's ministry program I serve in on every Wednesday night) today, I had a conversation with Yongog, a Korean boy who's been in the US for less than a year, a "1.5 generation".

Precious In His Sight

This post is completely pro-life, if you are an ABSOLUTE pro-choice opinion holder, please do NOT even bother reading. Discussions are welcomed, but I have no interest in arguing about this topic for I fail to see the point of doing so.)

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.

As life picked back up its constant pace for me (the last two months were kinda crazy!), I am able to be a more diligent blogger than I have been... I used to be able to come up with something to say on my Chinese blog everyday! (uh, not too surprising, right!?)

Be With, Be Among, Be In

I must have been "ultrally" (I know, I make up my own words!) nice these days! I was given flowers 2 days in a row!

Sounds Quite Nice, But...

(Here is a small something to keep in mind before starting to read this quite lengthy post: I am NOT an extremist or a legalist, nor do I oppose "dating"... I think dating is a good thing, when done in a godly manner.)

Recently, I was asked to "QC-read" a book for potential group study material, a book on dating for Christians.
I take it as a privilege whenever I am asked to serve as the "quality control" person for books or materials; and since I enjoy reading a lot, I usually don't mind reading an extra book or two on top of my own leisure reading.
Since the topic for this "reading assignment" is especially important and meaningful for the group, I started this book with a prayerful heart, hoping to examine the book humbly yet fearfully so I can give faithful and truthful feedback.

Banana Nut Oatmeal Cookies

A snowy/rainy/yucky day, very ripen bananas, Thursday evening after Bible study... what's better than baking!?

Vincent's Story

I have been reading (and almost finished!!) Michael Yaconelli’s "Messy Spirituality" and I'm really enjoying it.

A story shared in this book brought me to tears and echoed in my head unceasingly.
It's a story about grace graciously given in the messiest of circumstances, I call it "Vincent’s Story".

Enticed to Lust?

(This is NOT pointing finger at any certain person, it's just how I feel; this is also based on a Christian perspective.)

Now, where do I begin...

It was a very very nice day today, feeling like early-spring, nice sunshine and comfortable breeze. Mid-fifty, I'd say.

Words

"Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." (James 3: 5, 6)

"... a gentle tongue can break a bone" (Proverbs 25: 15b)

The Expression of Scents

Miss Dior Cherie

The other day, a colleague ran into me in the hallway and asked: "Charis, were you just in that lab down the hall?"

"How you know?" I asked.

"Because I could smell you" she replied.

Play Date with Beth!

I left Columbia at around 10 to get to O'Fallon to pick up something real quick and then kept heading ease for St. Louis for my play date with Beth :)

"Let's meet at 270 and 40" said Beth, sounded very much like a local, we met up in a parking lot of a shopping complex and then headed in town.

Snow, snow, go away...

Hmmmm... cleaning?

The first snow of the year fell on the tenth day of January.

And when I said fell, yeah, did it fall!!

It all started with some cute little flurries, and then turned into this big, unstoppable, super cold snow day(s!!!).

Well, what can I say? 

Space heaters, hot beverages, books, and blankets!

(what I actually wanted to say is: FIREPLACE!!!)

Asparagus vegetable medley + Sunday lunch gathering!

Asparagus vegetable medley

Don't know what to bring for spontaneous impromptu gatherings?

Here's a quick and easy dish that is pretty, well-liked, and nutritious!

Happy Birthday, Pei-Fen!

The second day of the New Year is Pei-Fen's birthday.

Pei-fen is a dear friend who is also from Taiwan, we like to get together on a regular basis to talk and update each other with things and have some nice conversations.

Yee-Tsuey & I piano duet

Before starting dinner, Yee-Tsuey and I sat at the piano (as usual...) and had fun with it. Playing songs that we know and trying out different ways of playing and singing.

New Year's Resolution No. 1

"Rich" or "wealthy" usually are not words that would use to describe myself, especially materially; but after seeing this and hearing the sermon this Sunday, I think I could consider myself very rich.

Good-bye 2010 and Hello 2011!

New Year's Eve is always a good time to look back on what had happened in the past year, count blessings, think about all the good and bad, be with family and friends, and, do extraordinary things.

For the most part, 2010 just flew by...

I could still remember getting my new schedule book for 2010 and start writing things down and making plans, said good-bye to family and friends in January and then came back to keep working (more..) on my research, celebrated my birthday on "my year"-- the year of tiger--making my age the multiple of 12, more research and work, a great Spring Break in the tri-state area with friends from Taiwan, more research and work, then a great and spiritually fruitful summer in Taiwan with family and friends, said good-bye again, more research and work, met my dear friend Saba, more research and work, made my first turkey, started watching Cold Case, Leverage, and Bones (and was attached...) drove both ways to Chicago in 1.5 days.