Fairness

Life is sometimes really fair. So fair, that you crave mercy and grace. You don't hear that every day.

Life is, of course, sometimes really unfair especially when you consider all the tragedies in the world that find themselves in the lives of innocent children, poor people, suffering countries, etc.

Contemplating fairness is a very tiring thing, I think.

Inspiration

It's amazing what inspiration would do to a person. Recently, I heard that Jeremy Lin listens to Lecrae before his games. I thought, No way! I listen to Lecrae before I take exams! I also learned that J.K. Rowling wrote her Harry Potter books in a cafe. I get all my stuff done at cafes! I know I'm stretching it here, but what amuses me is the fact that these people, both Lin and Rowling and others who share my sources of inspiration, can accomplish so, so, so much more than I ever have (and will?)...

I don't feel it often, but I do feel surges of inspiration once in a blue moon. These insanely brief moments of inspiration have pushed me to display insanely brief moments of genius and/or productivity in my life i.e. the time I decided I would go for pharmacy, the time I decided I would make my own jam, the time I realized I should apologize, the time I discovered I wasn't depressed but just fatigued, etc. Inspiration. It is key.

In the spirit of list-making (one of my most frequently mis/not-understood pastimes), the following are a few of the biggest inspirers that come to mind:
- Lecrae lyrics
- Eating at Whole Foods
- National Geographic magazines
- Waking up to the sound of David grinding coffee
- Good weather
- San Francisco
- Skies during thunderstorms
- Leaf veins
- New years eve/day
- Scripture
- La Belle Vie tasting menu
- American Short Stories books (particularly 2011's volume)
- Quiet beauty of really humble and/or hardworking people, i.e. Michelle Obama, Audrey, Meryl Streep, John Piper, Jeremy Lin, Ben Carson, my dad.

I'm telling you, inspiration is vital to enjoying life.

Threshold

Why is it so hard to pass thresholds?

Thresholds are the hardest things to pass. It's so easy to get right to the door, but why is it so hard to turn the knob and walk in? Getting to the threshold point is easy; all you have to do is wish for things, want things, and have goals and hopes. What gets you past that point is actual ACTION, though. But in order to get there, you need that force that's strong enough to make your feet move. Kinetics calls it "activation energy"; the amount of energy that must be matched if not exceeded in order to surpass the first hump, obstacle, or "transition state" of a process (or reaction). This is the hardest step (also known as the rate limiting step). Everything after that is downhill, literally, in terms of energy.

Yes, I am applying lessons learned in physical science/kinetics/chemistry to my daily life. And the first step to contributing to this activation energy/crossing this threshold might be... turning off this music (OMG Coldplay Mylo Xyloto is awesome.)

Boasting

During worship today, I felt my soul recognizing some truths.

I have nothing and no one but the Lord to boast in.

The Lord showed me recent scenes of when I did not boast in Him, but in other things. In David, in my accomplishments, in my possessions, my health, my time, my talents, my style, my life. I was saddened by my own idolatry. All the blessings I've been showered with comes from God in the first place, but I act as if I've earned my life. The truth is, I did nothing and am capable of nothing without the Lord. I am just a measly cup. The Lord is the one who fills it.

Summer

I was never the most avid traveller, but this past year has proven to be quite contrary to be my normal patterns. David has really helped me with that. I realize that I absolutely love what traveling does to my soul. I love how when I see people from other places in the country, or the world, I am inspired. Food culture is especially exhilarating to me.

Living in Minneapolis feels like a constant vacation at times; people here are not as fast-paced as people in CA or NY. I'm learning, here, that things can get done and that success can be reached without ripping your soul apart and neglecting your family.

On the flip side, I miss SF terribly. I miss how adventurous people are in the Bay Area. You could see the personality of communities in the food that they create. Sadly, food in Minneapolis absolutely pales in comparison to food in SF, Napa, NY, and LA. It seems that everyone here eats a lot of meat and potatoes... and the height of their "Mexican" food is... Chipotle.

Granted, there are a few nice places here like 112 Eatery, Capital Grill, Picolo, Cave Vinn, and Bar La Grassa.. but I am spoiled, and I complain that these restaurants are 1. ridiculously priced 2. pretentious 3. not even THAT great 4. so far apart from each other and hidden. I'm used to entire neighborhoods full of great eateries that neighbor each other (ie. Cheeseboard, Gregoires, and Love at First Bite @ North Berkeley.)

This summer, I was fortunate enough to satisfy my appetite in SF (twice), LA, NY, and Chicago.

Almost every day, David and I tell each other how thankful we are to be here. At the same time, we tell each other how we cannot wait to move back to the Coast.

I am thankful. So thankful. So so so thankful for my life.

Good Friends

I am so lucky to have good friends. :)

my LA trip in words

Parent's new city view estate on a hill: feeling so thankful for God's providence, reflecting on my parent's incredible successes through the grace of God despite their hard journey as immigrants

My first gift to them with my first serious paycheck: a 55' Samsung LED flatscreen, the proud yet hesitant look on my dad's face

Angie and Brian's wedding: feeling a wave of joy for these two and genuinely hoping for only the best for them, seeing all my true friends at the wedding including those who I haven't seen for a while..

Sam-Jane-Joann/Sam-Suejung-Joann reunion: realized and was so deeply relieved that nothing critical has changed, and I love this group like crazy

Visit to David's grandma: she got so healthy all of a sudden through the wonders of medicine-- she is able to wheel herself around!

Massage with my in-law's: this was the first massage they've ever received over their long and hard-working life. my father in law didn't want to come when David asked but when I took over the phone and asked him to come, he immediately changed his clothes and came out. I think he loves me.

Mitsuwa with sister: if there's anything truly missing in MN, it's solid Japanese markets like Nijiya, Mitsuwa, and Marukai. Sis and I went on a japanese make-up binge buying session and ended up buying 2 beautiful nail colors, 2 truly costly mascaras, "etiquette scissors," quality cotton pads, peach colored blush, and twist up pearl eye liner. I love japanese make up.

Coco Ichibana: a night on the town with the entire family (parents, david, sis). it'd be hard to go there with anybody else, because my dad owns mall property and it would be seriously hard to be humble/quiet about it. i will probably avoid going to any of my dad's properties with friends as to avoiding this situation. haha..

Beach walks: a trip home is not complete without a few walks on the beach with my parents. dad bought ice cream cones as per usual. one for himeself, one for david.

Tina's bridal shower: i felt so happy and relieved for tina, and felt very happy that she is surrounded by good people.

PCC: didn't get to see Rankin. sux0rz.

Santa Barbara trip: David planned a very romantic overnight getaway to Santa Barbara, where we went on a wine tour through the vineyards, saw the ocean, and slept in a very luxurious bed and breakfast hotel in Solvang. Had lots of wine & pastries. After one year, the husband is still so romantic and thoughtful. I love you, David Synn.

Facebook: found out that my dad had facebook since April and didn't add me. >:( so i logged onto his fb and added myself. >:)

Things I ate: Mario's peruvian, pat bingsoo, Cafe Hyeri drinks, King's Hawaiian paradise cake and french toast with coconut syrup, Aloha Teriyaki platters, large sushi rolls from Toyo Sushi, nengmyun and soontofu at BCD, basically everything on the menu at King Taco, In 'n Out, Little Mermaid in Solvang (crappy Swedish food), Coco Ichibana, mom's dwenjang gook.. :)

It was lovely. The smell of the beach, fresh beach breeze in the South Bay, true diversity, huge Korean and Japanese markets all over the place, and brightly dressed people all over the place (for some reason, people in MN wear a lot of maroon, grey, olive green, black, ivory, mustard yellow, etc. whereas LA people wear every odd color out there like, hot pink, vivid purple, metallic colors, sheers, salmon, lime green, fuscia, coral, aqua, etc. what's up with that?)

Looking forward to a great SF trip in early August... Oh the things I'll eat/do/see. :)