October 31, and nothing more

Isn't it freeing to arrive at that place where you stop pretending to like something and just say, "Hey, i don't like this. i've never really liked this. That's that."

Halloween...you and i are officially over.

As a kid, anticipating the deluge of forbidden sugar was enough to overcome my anxieties about finding a costume, as well as numb my young brain to the fact that Halloween is a pointless "holiday" whose background has little/nothing to do with the Halloween of today. As i got older, i recognized a conflict within, but being the weak-minded sheep that i am, i continued to go with the flow of the day.

"Gosh i hate coming up with a costume for a pointless holiday." i'd think. "But all my friends are doing this or that; and besides, everyone who's anyone does something on Halloween...right?"

Don't get me wrong. i'm not going to condemn people i know for wanting to go out, or dress up, or have a party, or do whatever on October 31st. i "celebrated" it all these years past and let's be honest, if you're a live human residing in the U.S., the day is just inescapable. All i know is i'm tired of getting caught up in this Halloween insanity, and i'm certainly not going to be one of the Americans slated to spend a combined $5 billion on Halloween this year.

city names are weird

My job consists primarily of data entry; more specifically, people's contact information. i see a lot of crazy names, crazy street names, and and i get to learn about (probably not) exciting cities all around the US. Take yesterday for example...

Hm okay, next person. Wappingers Falls, NY? Haha what a funny city name. I better look it up on Google maps to make sure that's correct. www.maps.google.com-"Wappingers Falls"-*Search Maps*. Hm, whattya know. It's a city in the southeast portion of New York. Innnteresting.

Some time passes...

Ocoee??? Now that CAN'T be an actual city. www.maps.google.com-"Ocoee"-*Search Maps*.

"Did you mean:
Ocoee, FL
Ocoee, Orange, FL

Ocoee, TN
Ocoee, Polk, TN"

Whaaat?! Not only is Ocoee a real city but there are TWO of them in the US. Wow.

Mexico

Ahhh vacation...

I just got back from a family vacation in Akumal, Mexico, located about an hour and a half south of Cancun. It was quite a trip. My parents, my sister and her family, my brother and his wife and I (10 of us in all) headed south of the border for a week of sun, rain, beach, pool, snorkeling, good food, and rest. It was a perfect time to go. The resort was nearly empty. There were about 100 people staying at the Akumal Beach Resort, which made us 10% of the guests there. It was like having a private resort. It was nice. On the plane I sat next to a guy who's been a state prison guard in Oregon for the past 20 years. He told me one or two crazy stories and made the point that everyone should visit a state prison because so much of our tax money goes there. Next family vacation...state prison.

This was the view from our room. It rained a fair amount while we were there, but as you can see it was still gorgeous. The nice thing was that the rain was a warm rain and we could still snorkel or swim even if it was raining.

Mimi, Tamara, Eric | Mom and Lydia

The resort we were at had archery. Micaiah is a pro.

Okay, yes, we all know Cheryl is an alcoholic. That established, one of the greatest things about staying at a resort is the alcohol is "free." Here's my sister Kris and I enjoying some margarita action. It was nice to be able to try so many different drinks without paying a kajillion dollars each for them.

One day we went snorkeling in this lagoon not too far from the resort. I couldn't get a picture of his head but this here is Mr. Eel chillin' among the rocks at the edge of the lagoon. We were all grossed out for about 2 seconds then we just started talking about unagi. My family and food are just inseparable.

And speaking of food, here's me with a Magnum, the BEST ice cream bars in the world that you can only find outside the U.S.

Michael Vick has illegal dog fighting rings...The Owyoung family has illegal hermit crab racing rings. Step 1: Find hermit crabs on the beach. Step 2: Create racing boundaries. Step 3: Race hermit crabs. Step 4: Realize hm, my family is crazy.

(That family picture didn't turn out too great but it's the only copy I have) It was a great trip; I was bummed my little brother couldn't have come too. It was a great time to have fun, relax, and think. I am so thankful for such a great vacation. I am incredibly and unfairly blessed.

(pardon the formatting errors...I don't know what happened and I'm too lazy to fix it)

what's next...

Tomorrow is my last official day working at Fishy Finds, and Friday is the last official day of my internship at CHF. Then i'm off for a week to vacation with the family, then i start full time at CHF in an administrative position. Yup, a full time job. Strangely, the decision to accept the position wasn't as easy as i thought it would be; partially because the week they offered it to me was just insane...

Monday of that week i found out that i didn't make the cut for a job that i wanted pretty badly to work out; a job whose application process has taken up nearly a year of my life. it's impossible for me to be bitter about it because i learned and grew so much from trusting God throughout the process, but it was still a bummer. Tuesday, through some random circumstances, i became "convinced" i should go into the Navy and do their language program. Wednesday, my supervisor told me to start thinking about whether i'd be interested in a full time job at CHF. Friday morning, Cal Lutheran's graduate services left a voicemail, informing me they got my application to work in their office and they'd like to set up an interview. Friday afternoon, my supervisors gave me a formal job offer for CHF. When it rains, it pours.

There was a lot to consider. That insane week had thrown off my perspective and goals for my short term future. Plus i felt guilty that this road to a job at CHF has been so easy for me (i believe i'm qualified to be there but let's be honest, i got in initially because i had connections) when so many other people would do anything to work there. i also felt bad that i'd be quitting Fishy Finds so soon after starting. Also, i've always been reluctant to work at a place where every coworker is a Christian. Anyway after doing a lot of thinking and seeking God's wisdom, He provided a practical solution to each of my misgivings. After more thinking and seeking, i decided to take the position as simply a "next step" in life.

i have no idea how this will end up, and unfortunately i've already begun battling discontentment and impatience (two familiar adversaries) as my lame mind races ahead to "well what about after CHF? what should i do next?" all i know is ultimately i'm glad God reveals His will in small steps, because it forces me to better trust and submit to Him.

On a lighter note, i saw "Across the Universe" and it was pretty good. It was more of a musical than i thought it was going to be, but the choreography was very creative, a lot of their Beatles covers are better than the originals (in my opinion), and it was just a visually incredible movie. And oh mylanta, matinee movies at Irvine Spectrum are $11 now! Unacceptable.

being real

my dad directed me to the blog of this guy who's living in Uganda with his family working with the people there. while i only read a couple of his entries, i was refreshed by his incredibly witty, realistic, and brutally honest views. he says things that (in my opinion) are true but that most American Christians probably don't want to hear. i wouldn't take his views as biblical truth or anything, but i think he has some very valid points that everyone, especially American Christians should at least consider.

www.stonesinuganda.blogspot.com

that burqini is so hot right now...

So in approximately 12 days my family (minus Jon) is departing for Akumal, Mexico to spend a week lazing around in the sun, snorkeling, eating, and scaring geckos out of the beds. All of us are really looking forward to it, except...

My sister-in-law is white, and her Wonder Bread skin burns faster than you can say "ouch." So she went online and found this super sweet burqini.
While she's not Muslim, our family has agreed this is the best alternative for her. In attempting to maximize the appeal, she's decided that i should get one too, so we can match. i'm not too keen on the idea because that burqini is still WAY too immodest for me. i mean your hands, feet, and face are still showing! gosh put some clothes on! in any case, hopefully it'll prevent some sunburnage "inshallah." (Arabic & Turkish for "if God wills it")

Colorado, Chipotle, & Cavities

yesterday i went running for the first time in, oh...months. bleh i'm so out of shape. i cherish the memories of times past when i was regularly working out and in good shape. one of those times was that glorious summer in Colorado at STP, playing ultimate (translation: sprint after sprint) week after week in that slightly-higher-than-California altitude known as the Colorado Rockies.

speaking of Colorado...

that was the state in which i ate at and fell in love with Chipotle for the first time. it changed my life. i ate at Chipotle yesterday for the first time since Colorado. i scarfed down my fajita burrito with everything like a piggy and got food all over myself which i'm sure impressed my new friends with whom i ate. i think i had food all in my teeth too; i was a sight to behold.

and speaking of teeth...

on monday i had to get my first filling for a cavity EVER. i was devastated when i went to the dentist last week and was told i have my first cavities. 22 years of no cavities and there they were, between my teeth where i should floss more regularly. fortunately the filling is small because the cavities were small and between my teeth instead of right on them. the whole process has made me think a little about how easily our bodies fall apart and how fleeting vanity is. so many people are obsessed with fixing something that's already broken and that will only continue to deteriorate no matter what. i'm thankful that God has given us reminders even in our own bodies of how weak we are, so that we might see the grace and beauty of trusting in an eternal God.