college students who can cook

I have a profound respect for college students who can cook. I mean yeah, you're now away from home and living life on your own, but still. There are noobs like me that barely know how to make ramen and would probably live off of sandwiches, cereal, and salads for the rest of their lives if they never got around to trying.

I (jokingly) blame it all on my mother. She refused to let me in the kitchen all my life, for fear that I would chop off my fingers and never be able to play violin again. Go figure. Now, I hardly have the motivation to learn anymore, just because it's so inconvenient to make something awesome to eat for myself. I'm more of a presenter-gifter, not a self-indulger. What's the point in cooking something amazing just so you can sit down and eat it by yourself? You get sick of it in the process (so I hear.) And plus, I don't have a kitchen. Nor will I have one next year.

But seriously, for those people who do know how to cook and even better,  do cook for me (haha), I LOVE it. There's nothing more that says "I care about you" (in a platonic way, geez) than a home-cooked meal/home-...baked...dessert? haha Treating someone to a meal is nice and all, but cooking rocks!

Yeah. I had to get that out there. Cuz I love food :)

Verse:

"...Jesus asked him the third time, 'Do you love me?' He said, 'Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my sheep.'" (John 21:17)

surprise people

Okay, so total epic fail on writing everyday thing. So...we'll see how this continues.

Today has seriously been the best Valentine's Day of my life, starting with yesterday evening (which was V-Day Eve...and Friday the 13th. Anyway...). Basically, our GCC freshmen boys put together a lovely evening of dessert and a movie. Super cute :) When we entered the room, they were in two rows on their knees, holding roses out to us. So ridiculous. And they had made desserts and decorations, etc. We ended up watching "Ghost" (yes, the one with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, who looks like a guy in the movie), and it was just an overall sweet time.

Then today, I got to hang out with my family group for lunch, which was really nice, and tour Center City a little bit. But even better was at night, the senior GCC boys threw a surprise GCC ball for the 09 sisters, inviting everyone and throwing a surprisingly-not-so-awkward party. Total props to them. It was just super cute and super happy and just really nice for everyone.

The thing about surprises is that when done out of love, it's like ridiculously awesome. I forgot to mention, while CKwon, Tiff, Ahrim, and I were at Love Park today, we saw a proposal happen right underneath the Love Park sculpture. That was like the first time I've ever seen someone propose to someone else in real life. I mean, granted, of ALL days to do it...V-Day...Love Park...are you foreal? And it lasted like 5 min max...haha BUT regardless, it was so awesome, and she was crying, and they hugged, and it was just a happy happy time. I couldn't help but cheer them on.

I remember every year, Valentine's Day was just a reminder that I was single. And though I didn't mind all that much, I also definitely used to think it was just about the consumerism. I used to make "Bundles of Love" (Hershey kiss pouches) for friends and family, but sometimes, it wasn't very rewarding, to be completely honest. I thought I needed a significant other to truly enjoy the holiday. But you know what? I learned today that it isn't just about the consumerism or even about a perfect boyfriend. If you can show love - honest love - to at least one person on this day, then it's totally worth celebrating it. It is about loving your family, loving your family in Christ, loving your friends, loving your classmates, loving your hallmates, loving even strangers. 

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone. Forserious.

Verse:

"May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you." (1 Thessalonians 3:12)

spanish teachers

In my 6.5 years of taking Spanish, I have encountered only 2 Spanish teachers I haven't particularly liked. Actually, one still liked me and was nice to me, so I didn't really dislike her. So I guess just one, then. But she wasn't even my teacher - she was just one of my homeroom teachers/club sponsors in high school. And judging by her accent, I don't know if you could even count her as a legit Spanish teacher.

But seriously, in high school, I was tight with the Foreign Language (particularly Spanish) department the most, and I don't know why, except that they are all just really friendly and warm and laid-back. I guess because learning a foreign language can be so grueling to the average high schooler, they have to work extra hard to make it an appealing 55 minutes. 

I also think it's just part of their culture - the warmth and the chill factor. (Wow, that wasn't a paradox or anything...) 

Yeah, some of them are strict, and I know of many people who hated the Spanish teachers in their lives, but for me, they have always been awesome people, even in college.

So, I totally forgot to turn in an essay today, but my prof was just like, "It's okay, don't worry about it." Now, I don't know if he meant it or not, but at least the words were comforting. 

How many times in our lives have we been exasperated about other people not meeting our deadlines? When they're late to our meetings or parties or rehearsals, or they don't respond to our emails, texts, or calls, and it takes every ounce of effort for us to say with a clipped voice, "It's okay," but really, it isn't? 

For those that are on the receiving end of our frustrations, sometimes, it's really scary and intimidating. You don't know if you ruined the relationship - teacher-student, friendship, even straight up relationships. But you know what? If we're both warm and chill in our hearts, I don't think we'll ever need to put anyone in that kind of position. Of course, that's not saying we need to be pushovers - you have to lay down the law sometimes. But in general, I think people who are able to sympathize and forgive at the right moments (of course, you should always forgive as a Christian...ha), are the ones who will receive the same treatment, or at least a sense of appreciation, back to them.

Dios es amor. :)

Verse:

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment." (1 John 4:18)

greeters

So, I didn't post on Friday/Saturday, so I'll try to make this a big one and do another one later in the day.

I joined the Welcoming team at my church two weeks ago - it's something that I've always wanted to do. There's just something about greeting people at the door with a friendly smile and a cheery "Hello!" that just makes me happy. And I'm sure it makes the people being greeted pretty happy too.

The thing about me is - I don't do it out of any previous experience or because I remember being treated so well at my old church. In fact, I was a pretty big nobody in my Georgia church. I used to just sit in the pews by myself and have no one really acknowledge me or say much to me. And I think out of those experiences, I've decided to never let that happen to anyone else. I'm not the best at discerning those who are alone and those who choose to meet God one-on-one (and thus, seem alone), but I'm working on it. Because regardless of which one it is, I think they still need someone to let them know that the church knows that they're here and that they are most welcome.

The thing about church is - sometimes, we're a very exclusive bunch. And yeah, I guess that's part of being of faith - if you don't have it, then in all literalness, you're not of the same heart. But I think we as Christians should extend a hand out to everyone. Genuinely. I remember being greeted at my old church, and after expecting the welcomer to be able to carry on a simple conversation with me, I was sorely disappointed. And that was even though I was a Christian.

My pastor said a few Sundays ago that we should make our hellos and goodbyes count. I definitely think that this is an important part of human, not just Christian, relations.

So...HELLO.

And...GOODBYE!

Verse:

"And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt." (Deuteronomy 10:19)

guys who are guys' guys

During a lunchtime chat today, I learned that there is a difference between girly girls/guy-ish girls/girly guys/guy-ish guys. I mean, I always knew there was a difference there, obviously, but I never realized my preference has significantly changed. Or maybe it has always been this way, but I always thought differently in my head.

Okay, so that paragraph just made no sense. But basically, what I found was that I prefer to be around guy-ish girls and guy-ish guys. The former is not too much of a surprise to me, because I would say I'm pretty guy-ish myself (after my girlish dreams in fourth grade of wanting to be a pop star) and all my best girlfriends in high school had a guy-ish streak to all of them. But the latter was definitely a surprise to me. I never considered myself the type to like guys who are, well, guy-ish: ignorant, muscular, beef-eating, athletic, reticent. In fact, I always thought I liked the artsy-writer-thinker types: classy, insightful, coffee-drinking, songwriting, conversational. But yeah no.

I love competition - verbal/intellectual, sure, but physical as well. I know that sounds weird coming from me but seriously, it's like my inhibition shuts off when it gets into competition mode, be it video games or (dare I say it?) sports/athletic activities. I also love food, even though I haven't been able to eat as much as I was able to back in the day. I am quite crude, and only since coming to college and becoming more pure-minded/hearted through GCC (ha) has kind of made that side of me dormant, but seriously. My friends in high school know - I am pretty quick on my feet concerning "That's what she said"s.

So I love guys that are totally in tune with their guy side. Yeah, embracing feminine characteristics like sympathy, sentimentality, and fashionability is a plus, but there is just something raw and genuine about guys' guys. I can get frustrated with guys that don't talk much, but that is usually out of lack of motivation/interest. But when they do sit down and respond, I think their way of being is better - they just do. No small talk, no hours and hours being moody and cynical, lost in metaphysical, philosophical thoughts. They just live life and do what they do.

So yeah. I can't believe I just chose brawn over brains. But I guess I'm not choosing it over it; it's only that you can't have just brains, ha.

And I also love the girls who understand me and this guyishness inside of me. :)

Verse:

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." (1 John 3:18)

people who know how to go all out

So I am a very cautious person by nature. I know, you wouldn't think so because I have such a loud voice and a snarky opinion, but seriously, I'm mad careful.

So when I last-minute-decided to head over to Meyerson today, I didn't expect for that trip to studying to turn into an all-out snowball fight on College Green. Like foreal. Of course, I didn't get very owned because the seniors were quite busy owning each other, but I can't wait for this to happen again so I can own others and get owned. I know the latter sounds weird, but I really want to be able to just let go of everything and have some snow stuffed into my face. And feel the sweet taste of revenge when I smush some snow into someone else's face.

I'm not a very spontaneous person by nature. So I love people who know how to be spontaneous at the right times. Who know how to get a bunch of people together and seize the opportunity to just go crazy. Because sometimes, these impromptu epic events happen in the blink of an eye, and there's no amount of planning and debating that can bring about this kind of awesomeness.

Yeah. So the next time it snows like this and there's a call for a 11 pm snowball fight...kiddos, (esp frosh), you better be ready, because I want to go all out.

Verse:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." (Deuteronomy 6:5)

asians with surprising names

I love people who have unique names, particularly Asians. I mean, how creative can we be in English? Asians usually go for John/Jonathan and Brian in terms of guys, and then Christine/a and Jennifer in terms of girls. Even my own name, Sarah, is mad common.

But there are some, where it's like. No WAY. Your name is that? But you're Asian...

For example:

 - Isaiah

 - Micah

 - Harold

 - Evelyn

 - Isabel

 - Tricia

The thing about first names is that your parents choose them for you, so I guess you need to give mad props to the parents who made them. I mean, yeah, there's the occasional "Destiny" or "Kitty" where you just go, Why? But overall, I think deviating from the typical first names really helps out with the typical last names - Kim, Lee, Li, Wang, etc. (I'm allowed to have a plain first name because my last name is so uncommon, ha.) I am definitely naming my kids unique, but normal, names. Like Jeremiah or Nathaniel or Leah or Audrey...? (Okay, so I have trouble thinking of cool girl names.)

Seriously, it's sort of that thing where you can't choose your parents...nor can you choose your own name (until much later when you become legal and you choose to change your name.) Your parents give you both names, first and last. And the last, it just stays with you for generations after generations. Except for maybe if you're a girl and you're the only child. Then you're kind of screwed. 

But the great thing about being called God's children is that this title never goes away, even if you get married into another family or you get disowned or you run off to live in a jungle for twenty-some-odd years and call yourself Mahtonga. If you call Him, "Father," His name will forever be attached to yours. Isn't that pretty sick? Like, I could become the plainest Korean girl ever if I married a typical Korean guy - Sarah Lee, Sarah Kim - but with God on my side, I'm pretty much the most awesome Sarah to walk the face of the planet, regardless of my last name. And my plain first name.

But maybe I should change my name to Shaniqua just in case. :)

Verse:

"And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'"(Matthew 3:17)

people who look like they're too young to be in college

I don't know why, but it's just so refreshing to see people who don't look like they belong here in college. Like they're awkward middle schoolers or something. Toting their huge backpacks full of physics textbooks and senior theses on social norms, flashing their driver's licenses that say that they're eighteen, or even better, twenty-one. And I have plenty of friends who look that way. But that's not to say that they're immature, because they're some of the smartest, wisest, most spiritually sound people I know.

What is it about them that draws people like me - people who always look older than their age - to them? I think it's because usually those kinds of people are very sincere and child-like in their hearts. Someone who is pissed off at the world and holds grudges and says bad things behind people's backs cannot pull off a genuinely child-like face. Unless you're like Satan, who's good at fooling people. But that...was totally uncalled for.

Getting back on track - I just love people who not only look young but are just so youthful on the inside. They could be 75 and I would still love them for their youth if they had that kind of spirit. It's hard to not get jaded by the world by that age, and it's even harder being a joyful college student sometimes. 

In fact, it's all about the inside. I guess I should revise my statement and say that I love people with young hearts. Because that youth translates to the outside effortlessly. I know plenty of people who look like fifth graders but still feel old and more like bratty kids who haven't learned to grow up. Ironic, no?

So yeah. Be young in spirit. Be young in your heart. Love life like children.

Verse:

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children." (Ephesians 5:1)

series premiere

So, it's February. And ask anyone who knows me pretty well, and they will say that I don't really like the month of February. It's awkward. It's got exactly four weeks in it (except on leap years - why does it have to be so high maintenance about its days?), it contains one of the most commercialized holidays ever, and regardless of the groundhog seeing its shadow, Philadelphia will still have its six weeks more of winter (although today was amazing. Tomorrow will be freezing.) And yes, you can consult my Facebook note from last year on February - it had the same stuff in the intro. But this is why I remain adamant about not really liking February. 

When I think of February, I think of the color RED. I associate months with colors. It's kind of weird, I'm sorry. But like it's a little known fact about me. Like March, to me, is yellow. July is navy blue. November is brown. But yeah. February is red.

It got me thinking: why? Because of Hallmark hearts? Maybe. But I thought of a new idea. Hearts are red...because of blood. Yeah, it's a little gross-sounding (like forserious, I know) but blood made me think of one of my favorite songs, "Nothing But The Blood." And hearts also made me think of love. And ironically, that commercialized holiday is supposed to be about love. So I've decided to start a series on love - more specifically, people I love (with the occasional thing if I can't think of anything.) Not exactly individual people, but types of people. And I'm also going to compile Bible verses on love because sometimes it's easy to overlook this "simple" concept that people either romanticize or downplay in terms of the Bible. Disclaimer: they might be totally unrelated to the topic.

So yeah. A month-long series arrives once again. Yay or nay? 

Not that it matters...because I know y'all LOVE reading this thing. 

raising kingdom workers

God loves you.

God loves you.

God? Yeah, He loves you.

God loves you.

I heard this repeated to me throughout the three-day retreat my church had this past weekend. Yes, there were other themes and messages, but this one just resonated within me so much. Why was it that this was so?

Because of its simple truth. There are images of God being wrathful and smiting sinners. But that is not the God that I know, or the God that I want to know. And I need this God, the only one who can truly love me no matter what. No matter how lame I am, how awkward I am, or how ridiculously gross I look with glasses, PJs, and bags under my eyes. God doesn't have a type. God isn't intimidated, taken aback, bored, uncomfortable by/with me. God doesn't play favorites, God doesn't leave me out, God welcomes me wanting to know Him more. 

God loves me.

And He has the capacity to love billions and billions of people, unlike me. He is able to give me 100% of his love, not a sliver, not 1/6,000,000 of his love.

And I no longer have to feel alone. I no longer have to feel like I have to love first and always be nice and smiling and welcoming and cool and qualified to receive attention, affection, and love. Because God does that freely.

That was my revelation. And though I felt empty for a good portion of the retreat, that truth is with what God filled me up.

God loves me. God loves you. God is love.