A whisper from the Universe

"I think you are wonderful, but you don't know that about yourself yet."

Spring Break

Conversations

[With dad. We were eating fried fish and rice.]

"The issue of making mistakes is not the mistake itself. There is nothing wrong in making mistakes. What is important is to learn from them and move on."

I love my dad and the deep realizations that he brings me with our conversations.

Conversations with the Father

[While listening to the music of the night, I converse with God]

Dear Father,
My desire is to live an authentic life
that drives me closer to You.
Even as I struggle with feelings of
Inadequacy
Fear
Pain
I have decided to let go
and pursue
The mature path
The narrow path
and grow.

My earthly daddy told me today
To seek understanding.
Understanding and reason will set me free.
(He echoed Your words in Proverbs 3)
"Be wise in your life, my daughter.
Don't be foolish.
Be hardworking and embrace life as it is.
It is no coincidence that you were born into this life,
The heavens will teach you,
Don't be afraid,"
He said.

As an idealist, it is hard to translate my ideals into actions.
It's hard to express myself.
But my intentions are pure.
Teach me, Father, Your ways.
And I will gladly obey.

Thank You for giving me such a good earthly father.

His love and wisdom is a reflection of You.

Meditations on the Father

"God as Father, as source, as guide, as comforter; these are the inner resources with which a man can withstand the mass assault of the world. And this is no mere figure of speech ---it is actual fact. The man of faith is aware of the solicitude, the compassion, the deepseated support of providence in innumerable silent ways even when he is attacked from all sides and the outlook seems hopeless.

God offers words of wonderful comfort and encouragement; he has ways of dealing with the most desperate situations. All things have a purpose and they help again and again to bring us back to our Father."

-----Alfred Delp,
A Jesuit priest facing the inevitability of death in a Nazi concentration camp

"Even our most intimate, unique experiences happen in our life because they encounter similar ones in other men, and thus meet themselves. The history in which we live our common life together is the place where everyone finds himself. Now there we may find a man who called simply the Son and who said "Father" when he expressed the mystery of his life. He spoke of the Father when he saw the lilies of the field in their beauty, or when His heart overflowed in prayer, when He thought of the hunger and need of men and longed for the consummation that ends all the transitoriness of this seemingly empty and guilty existence. With touching tenderness He called this dark, abysmal mystery, which He knew to be such, Abba. And He called it thus not only when beauty and hope helped Him to overcome the incomprehensibility of existence in this world. but also when He met the darkness of death and the cup which was distilled all the guilt, vanity and emptiness of this world was placed at His lips and He could only repeat, the desperate words of the Psalmist: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me!" But even when that other, all embracing word was present to him, which sheltered even this forsakenness: "Father, into Thy hands I commend my life."

----Karl Rahner, in his book Grace in Freedom.

My favourite prayer for this year has become "Father, Father, I love You. Hear my tender cry." Upon facing seemingless and poignant situations, my heart can only find refuge and comfort in the Father arms.

His words, His promise

"And you my dear, shall live abundantly."

God promised us abundant life.

Yet it is our choice to fully believe in His words and live out this truth.

Chiapas

After the end of our teaching program in Oaxaca, a few of my friends and I embarked into an adventure in Chiapas, a Southern state in Mexico.

The beauty of Chiapas is astounding.

Places we visited: 
-San Cristobal
-Agua Azul
-Palenque
-Tuxla Gutierrez (which included a free entrance to the Zoo)
-Cañon del Sumidero

The fun part of the trip was the spontaneity factor. We basically planned this last minute. We stayed in $11 Hostels, hopped into a bus that got us to the waterfalls and ruins. We got free entrance to the Zoo, and laughed our hearts out watching animals frolicking around.

I love traveling.

Conversations

[While driving through a freeway in North Carolina]

"Many times, parents hold on to a lot of guilt -that they did not raise their kids well, did not spend enough time with them, etc. And as their children, we also carry a lot of that emotional baggage throughout our lives. The best thing you can do is to forgive your parents, let go of that baggage and live your life. Parents are also humans. They are not perfect."

You cannot change the past. But you can change how your past affects your present.

Love yourself and others wisely.

Let go of that pain. 

Nomad

Moving, drifting, traveling,
Resting, asking, walking.
Living, eating, drinking,
Talking, pausing, thinking,
Being.

Quarter of a Century

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness

(Psalm 30:11-12).

This Bible verse pretty much sums up my past year.

Earlier on this year, I was very sick and was sent home to recover. At first I was not happy, but little did I know that God used my sickness to renew my health and spirit.

-I rediscovered the love of family and friends. It was so refreshing specially after living years on my own.

-I regained my happiness, health and confidence. 

-I had deep realizations on humanity and love. 

-I was accepted into the International Teacher Education Module in SFU and got to spend 2 amazing months in Oaxaca. 

-And now I get to spend my 25th birthday with my favourite family ever. The Johnsons, a missionary couple I met back in El Salvador, played an important role during my teenage years. They continue to be my inspiration and role models.

The Lord has indeed turned my mourning into dancing. 

I am infinitely thankful for all His love and grace this year. And I believe that there are greater things to come. He is faithful and true. 

My 25th Birthday

Puerto Escondido

I am at Puerto Escondido right now.

Life is hard ;)

The program finished yesterday. We all had a goodbye dinner and danced the night away. Some of my classmates left early this morning.

It's so strange that these last 2 months went by so fast.

But I am so thankful that God has guided me to this program. He has taught me so many valuable lessons through my wonderful experiences in Oaxaca and the people around me.

This journey only gets better. We will see :)

God is with me. 

A deep realization on humanity

I wrote a quick email to my prof after reflecting on our discussion this afternoon:

I just wanted to say that I had a deep realization after you said the phrase "But we are all still humans inside."

I did not realize that I had so many prejudices until today. And it's so unconscious that it bugs me.

I now see life differently.

Thank you, Maestro.


Karen

Reflections on the Midwest

It's been almost a year since I visited my best friends and my brother in Winona, Minnesota.

That trip changed my life and perspective completely.

During my years in Vancouver, I forgot who I was. I lost my identity. 

But when I saw my best friends, I was reminded of who I was. And that there are people who genuinely care and love me.

I was inspired by my best friends' intelligence, personal convictions and joy.

I then decided to pursue my personal dream. Fast forward a year, I am at a Teacher's training program in Oaxaca, Mexico. It's really my dream program because I get to travel, learn new things and teach at the same time.


















Thank God for causing all things work together. Thank God for my best friends.

Life has just begun.

Kandom note: I will be flying to Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 2 weeks! So excited to see my best friend's family. Yeah, we were that close!

Sunday and Monday

Mexico is such a beautiful country.

There is so much natural beauty, culture and history in this place.

But most of all, people are so warm and welcoming. During my 2 months here, I've been able to make kind and lovely friends. God has blessed me through their friendship.

Here are more photos from my weekend.

Sunday: We went to the El Tule (World's thickest tree ~ 2000 years old) for lunch with my Church community.

Monday: Schools were closed because it was holiday. My friends and I organized an outing to Mitla, a Zapotec town known for its Archaeological site. We had SO MUCH fun. We shared our stories, joked around (latino style) and bonded. I'm so blessed to encounter such kind and beautiful people in my life.

I hope I can come back April for a visit. I will miss them so much.

Second last Weekend in Oaxaca

My professor organized an Art Show showcasing the paintings made by Zapotec Children in Cuajimoloyas and Santo Tomas. We helped out with sorting out and framing the paintings.

One of the paintings made by the children. I believe that the young artist that painted this piece was 10 years old! Pretty impressive.

Some of my classmates and I visited the Farmers' market today at El Pochote. I am so blessed to meet such kind and beautiful people in this program.

I then headed down to El Zocalo and Santo Domingo. There were quite a few Weddings happening today! It was so nice to see so many celebrations going around town.

I needed some down time (go introverts!). So I chilled around Santo Domingo before heading home. We are having a dinner party at my professor's house tonight.

I sometimes cannot believe the levels of happiness I am currently experiencing. I never imagined that God would answer my prayers in such a way. He has given me this wonderful opportunity to live life fully again.

I am so grateful for His grace and love this year!

A quote

"It is our duty to compare our present emotions with their former selves and with one another, and thus determine differences. We must compare them with their former selves, to see whether the desires and fears and angry passions which we experience today are less intense than they used to be, inasmuch as we, by means of reason, are rapidly getting rid of the cause that kindles and inflames them; and we must compare them with one another, to see whether now we are more inclined to feel shame than fear, to be emulous rather than envious, more eager for good repute than for money." (Plutarch, 1927/1986: 445, 447)

I give thanks that God has changed me so much this year.
My goal is to become more like Christ in my character and actions.

Young adulthood

Being in your 20s can be confusing.

It's an age of independence, important decisions and transformation.

There are so many changes going on that it may feel a bit overwhelming.

But it's also a liberating and joyful stage in life.

To anyone who is in your 20s, here are some pieces of advice:

• Take risks and don't be afraid of failure. 
• Challenge your presumptions. Open your mind to new perspectives.
• Give thanks for the good and the bad things that happen in your life. This will keep you positive.
• Focus on developing a good character.
• Get to know yourself and love yourself unconditionally.
• Make good friends. Be selective in who you can trust. 
• Stay true to yourself and your convictions.
• Be happy.

My weekend in photos

I am having a fabulous time in Oaxaca. 

I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to meet new people, make friends and explore new places.

Everyday is so unique and beautiful. God has greatly blessed my life. 

Here is my weekend in photos:

At a Franciscan convent in Cuilapam

I've adopted a new attitude in life: Joie de Vivre!

A gypsy band playing near Santo Domingo.

Settlers of Catan night with friends. 

Visited the Santo Domingo museum today. 

The Baroque Architecture is so beautiful and elaborate.

Santo Domingo. My favourite place in Oaxaca.

I love the tranquility of this city.