Good Advice...

This is paraphrasing Ms. Romero from the last class I attended for Foundations of American Thought. Last school year.

"While it's admirable that you've read through these books, you musn't mistake reading a book for knowing a book. You may be farther along than alot of your peers, but never equate more knowledge or raw intelligence with being a better person."

Or something like that...

There's so much soul shaping to do, it's near overwhelming!

To make it harder, the absence of vice doesn't equal virtue! In some cases, you might even be worse off for having less vices.

The Publican knew he was a sinner and went away forgiven. The Pharisee didn't know and therefore did not even ask for forgiveness.

G.K. Chesterton in Orthodoxy:

"There are an infinity of angles at which one falls, only one at which one stands."

Tell me about it! It's like adjusting a painting on the wall. "a little left....no, no too far......steady.......right a bit......ooooohhhhhh......back up back up........wait........dangnabit it's upside down!"

And this one from the Imitation gave me a mild panic attack:

"Some walk not sincerely in my (God's) sight, but led by a certain curiosity and pride, wish to know my secrets, and to understand the high things of God, neglecting themselves and their own salvation. These oftentimes, when I resist them, for their pride and curiosity do fall into great temptations and sins...Some carry their devotion only in books...some have me in their mouths, but little in their hearts."

AHHHHHH!!!!

Okay, drama queen episode over. =]

While it's okay to be worried about pridefulness and jealousy and the sin of the Pharisees, we should not let our own shortcomings blind us from the goodness of God. Yes I am a sinner, but Christ is better at being a Savior then I'll ever be at being a sinner. =] (sorry for the ridiculous understatement)

Remedy: Keep up daily devotions. (According to Dr. Reynolds...at least 1 hour or we're DOOMED. Seriously.) Have friends (and mentors!) who will love you enough to watch and tell you if you begin to stray. (check!)

In sum: Be Holy. Love. That's all. ;)

Here's to a blessed year of Love, learning, wisdom, and holiness!

God Bless you all. =]

Foof!

Or Faith of Our Fathers.

It's going to be an amazing Torrey year!

I have never been this excited to take a class. It's seriously jumping up and down bounce off the walls kind of exciting.

And what's even better than spending time with some of the greatest minds of the West? Spending time with some of the most ridiculously beautiful people for a whole YEAR of course! =P

There will be Goodness. There will be Truth. There will be Beauty.

...And silliness! =]

Here's to a wonderful, wonderful life!

P.S. You can tell that summer does wonders for stopping that mushy grey stuff in your noggin from growing. =]

P.P.S. La Mirada should definitely take over all the other torrey classes! That way all the beautiful people could be in class together!

...And join the tissue box cult...but that's another story. ;)

Mood: Vulnerable

After watching myself solo sing for the first time I can safely say that it is decidedly amateur. Ha! You won't believe how much more self conscious I feel watching it than singing it. One would think that it's the other way around huh?

So, if you're not busy and you're ready to laugh at some sub-par singing, I am at your service. =]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q45nU8kGzJg

Personally, I'd rate myself with a two star (out of five), but then again I always have an exaggerated opinion of myself. ;)

Feel very free to laugh, either at me or with me, or both!

Everytime I feel inordinately boastful, this is definitely gonna be one of those pride bashing tools. ;)

I might as well have been singing in boxers!

Enjoy!

P.S. This one's in Russian!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7HTcnIBk-Q&feature=related

Consolations for the Emails...

Okay, here it is:

Our version of the Jersey boys:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU2LnsYVaS8

=] (There is a button that allows you to watch it in high quality, if you're willing to wait)

After your done watching (and laughing) you can search for the Tony Awards version on which we based it. =]

Let me know what you think and Enjoy!

P.S. I shall be gone for a week, so this will have to cover for all my computer interactions. =\

Videos

While we're waiting for Joycelyn to upload the videos from the Loma Linda Chinese Church's first annual Youth-ical (to raise money for earthquake relief in China). Here's a funny video of my friends (who I performed with this year) doing song and dance for a fundraiser last year. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QUWTPnWMdw

A Joke

An original joke by Joycelyn:

What do you get when you cross a chicken with a Wookie?

ChewBOOCKa!!

*applause* *thank you thank you*

As to singing for fund raiser...

There shall be video. =]

Goodnight!

For those of you who've been wondering...

I'm not dead. Been really busy doing VBS (we just finished taking 40 kids to the California Science Center) and preparing for a fundraising concert. It's my first time doing any onstage singing so I shall be nervous to say the least. Heh. Sorry for all of those unanswered emails. Anyway, just to pacify any fears...

How's everyone doing? =]