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One of the areas that is particularly impacted by our view of God is our view of ourselves.  If we do not see Him as He really is, invariably, we will have a distorted view of ourselves.  If we have an impoverished view of God, we will become impoverished ourselves. 

7.  “I’m not worth anything.”

More than 42% of the women we surveyed indicated that this is a lie they have believed.  Sometimes the input and opinions of others are accurate and helpful.  But if, for some reason, the person we are listening to is looking through a defective “lens,” his or her vision will be distorted.  Some of us have lived all our lives in an emotional prison because we have accepted what a false, “broken” mirror said about us about ourselves.  Even when the input is true, the Deceiver can use that data to put us in bondage.  For example, a playmate may accurately observe, “You’re fat!”  That little girl will one day find herself in bondage if she grows up drawing false conclusions:  “Therefore…”

• I’ll always be fat
• Nobody could ever like me or want me to be her friend
• I’m worthless
• I have to be the life of the party in order to be liked or accepted by others

These women are letting others determine their self worth.  Jesus’ sense of worth was determined, not by what others thought of him–good or bad–but by the Truth as expressed by His heavenly Father (I Peter 2:4, chosen by God).  It is conceivable that someone who did not recognize or appreciate fine art would toss a masterpiece into the trash.  Would that make the painting less valuable?  The true worth of the art would be seen when an art collector spotted the painting and said, “That is a priceless piece, and I am willing to pay any amount to acquire it.”  When God sent His only Son Jesus to this earth to bear your sin and mine on the cross, He put a price tag on us–He declared the value of our soul to be greater than the value of the whole world.  Whose opinion are you going to accept?

8.  “I need to learn to love myself.”

“Low self-esteem” is one of the most common diagnoses of our day.  Mental health professionals diagnose it in their clients; teachers diagnose it in their students; people diagnose it in themselves.  The lies represented in ads are not the polar opposite but rather distortions of the Truth.  In reality, we were created in the image of God, that He loves us, and that we are precious to Him.  However, we do not bestow that worth on ourselves.  The Truth is that we do love ourselves–immensely.  Jesus tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Ephesians 5:28-29).  Some of us get hurt easily not because we hate ourselves but because we love ourselves!  If we did not care so much about ourselves, to be accepted and cherished, we would not be so concerned about being rejected, neglected, or mistreated.  Our malady is our low view of God, our “poor God-image.”  We need to deny ourselves, receive His incredible love for us, and accept His design and purpose for our lives.  We will no longer have to compare ourselves to others; we will not focus on “self” at all.  Instead, we will become channels of His love to others.

9.  “I can’t help the way I am.”

Perhaps you relate to one of these women: “You’ll be just like your parents–it’s hereditary”, “I had a weight problem because all my dad’s family is fat.  No use trying–it just comes back anyway.  I blame them for my bondage to food”, “It’s that time of the month”, “I’ve never had a model to show me how to raise my kids”, or “My family never dealt with problems so to this day, I can’t really confront issues.”  The implication of all these is that others have made us the way we are–we are merely victims, reacting to wounds inflicted on us.  However, as we reflect on Eve’s story, we discover that it was not a man who ruined her life–contrary to the insistence of modern-day feminism that men are largely responsible for our problems as women.  Eve made a simple, personal choice–there was no one but herself to blame.  The lie makes us into helpless victims with no more control over who we are and what we do than a marionette.  This leaves us without hope that we can ever be different.  The Truth is that we do have a choice.  We can be changed by the power of God’s Spirit.

10.  “I have my rights.”

“Certain unalienable rights”…”Have it your way”…from the Declaration of Independence to fast food, this has been a watch cry of Western civilization.  The modern-day feminist movement was birthed in the 1960s and has been sustained by persuading women to march:  the right to vote; the right to be free from housework; the right to equal employment and wages; the right to control our own bodies; the right to be free from a husband’s name and from every other form of “male domination.”  After all, “If you don’t stand up for your rights, no one else will!”  Today it is assumed that

• you have a right to be happy
• you have a right to be understood
• you have a right to be loved
• you have a right to a certain standard of living, to an equitable wage, and to decent benefits
• you have a right to a good marriage
• you have a right to companionship and romance
• you have a right to be treated with respect in the workplace
• you have a right to be valued by your husband and appreciated by your children
• you have a right to time off and a certain number of vacation days
• you have a right to a good night’s sleep
• you have a right to have your husband pitch in with the household chores

And most important, if any of your rights are violated, you have a right to protest, to be angry, to take action, to insist on your rights!  However, the claiming of rights has produced much, if not most, of the unhappiness women experience today.  The Old Testament prophet Jonah illustrates the natural human tendency to claim rights and become angry when those “rights” are violated.  Jonah felt he had a right to dislike the Ninevites, to minister where he wanted to minister, to see the Ninevites judged by God.  When God acted differently, Jonah became angry with an emotional temper tantrum that resulted in suicidal thoughts (Jonah 4:1).  When God responded, He didn’t sympathize with his wounded feelings or stroke his ego.  “Have you any right to be angry?” (Jonah 4:4).  Jonah refused to answer the question.  Instead, he went to the city’s outskirts and built a temporary shelter to see if God would change his mind.  God provided a vine (Jonah 4:6), and Jonah was happy, but when it was gone, he begged to die again.  “Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?” (Jonah 4:9).  “I do….I am angry enough to die” (Jonah 4:9).  Jonah felt he had the right to control his own life and environment, to have things go the way he wanted them to go, and to be angry when they didn’t.  If I am staking out my own rights, even the smallest violation of those rights can leave me feeling and acting moody, uptight, and angry.  The fact is, successful relationships and healthy cultures are not built on the claiming of rights but on the yielding of rights. 

11.  “Physical beauty matters more than inner beauty.”

I believe that our preoccupation with external apperance goes back to the first woman.  The fruit was “pleasing to the eye.”  The problem wasn’t that the fruit was “beautiful”–God had made it that way.  Nor was it wrong to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation.  The problem was that Eve placed undue emphasis on external appearance than less visible qualities, such as trust and obedience.  From that moment on, Eve and her husband became self-conscious and ashamed of their bodies–bodies that had been masterfully formed by a loving Creator.  They immediately sought to cover up, afraid to risk exposure before one another.  This lie leaves both men and women feeling unattractive, ashamed, embarrassed, and hopelessly flawed.  Comparison, envy, competitiveness, promiscuity, sexual additions, eating disorders, immodest dress, flirtatious behavior–the list of attitudes and behaviors rooted in a false view of beauty is long.  Only the Truth (Proverbs 31:30, I Peter 3:3-5) can overcome the lies we have believed.

These verses do not teach that physical beauty is somehow sinful, or that it is wrong to apy any attention to our outward appearance.  One of Satan’s strategies is to get us to move from one extreme to another.  There is a growing aversion in our culture to neatness, orderliness, and attractiveness in dress.  Do you know who you are?  God made you a woman; accept His gift; don’t be afraid to be feminine and to add physical and spiritual loveliness to the setting where He has placed you.  You are a child of God; you are part of the bride of Christ; you belong to the King–you are royalty.  Dress and conduct yourself in a way that reflects your high and holy calling.  We as Christian women should seek to reflect the beauty, order, excellence, and grace of God thorugh both our outward and inner person.  The “virtuous wife” is physically fit and well dressed (Proverbs 31:17,22), a compliment to her husband.  If a wife dresses slovenly, she reflects negatively on her husband (and on her heavenly Bridegroom).  Further, if she makes no effort to be physically attractive for her husband, you may be sure another woman out there will be standing in line to get his attention.

When the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy about how things ought to be in the church, he took time to address the way women dress.  His instructions show the balance between the inner heart attitude and her outer attire and behavior (I Timothy 2:9-10).  The words translated “adorn” and “modest” in this text mean “orderly, well-arranged, decent”; they speak of “harmonious arrangement.”  The outward appearance is to reflect a heart that is simple, pure, and well-ordered; her clothing and hairstyles should not be distracting or draw attention to herself.  In this way, she reflects the true condition of her heart and her relationship with the Lord, and she makes the Gospel attractive to the world.  No sooner had I turned forty, than I started receiving catalogs promoting products guaranteed to combat the effects of aging.  However, the fact is, I am getting older.  There is a dimension of life that can grow richer and fuller (Proverbs 4:18), even as our outer bodies are decaying. 

12.  “I should not have to live with unfulfilled longings.”

Our society has bought into the philosophy that there is (or ought to be) a remedy (preferably quick and easy) for every unfulfilled longing.  We are encouraged to identify do whatever is necessary to get those “needs” met.  Take a quick look at the covers of women’s magazines at the checkout counter filled with offers that promise to satisfy.  This lie has led women to trade their virginity for a warm body and the promise of companionship.  It has led many young people down the aisle of a church to exchange wedding vows for all the wrong reasons.  And it has led a high percentage of those same couples down the aisle of a divorce court. 

First, we have to recognize that we will always have unfulfilled longings this side of heaven (Romans 8:23, Psalm 16:11, 34:8-10).  In fact, if we could have all our longings fulfilled down here, hearts would never long for a better place.  Our inner longings are not necessarily sinful in and of themselves.  What is wrong is demanding that those longings be fulfilled here and now, or insisting on meeting those longings in illegitimate ways.  God created the sex drive.  It is not wrong to fulfill that drive, as long as it is fulfilled in God’s timing and in God’s way–within the marriage covenant.  Likewise, it is not wrong to have hunger or to eat.  What is wrong is when we stuff ourselves in an effort to satisfy emotional and spiritual longings.  Until God provides the legitimage context to fulfill our longings, we must learn to be content with unfulfilled longings.  We must learn to accept those longings, surrender them to God, and look to Him to meet the deepest needs of our hearts.  The second Truth is that the deepest longings of our hearts cannot be filled by any created person or thing.  Every created thing is guaranteed to disappoint us.  Things can burn, break, be stolen, get lost.  People can move, change, fail, die.

AFFIRM the Truth:  Psalm 139:13-18, Ephesians 1:3-8, Romans 5:6-8, Romans 8:1-2, 13, 15-17

Wednesday, May 14, 2008.  The twins left this morning with their parents to visit Hong Kong for two weeks.  It’s the twins’ first time!  Phoebe was so sweet and sent me a postcard right before she left.  Linton called in the afternoon and asked if I wanted to hear a speaker talk about Darfur that evening.  Sure.  He called Vickie (still in San Antonio), and I called Elliot (visiting cousin).  Greg Wang and Chris came, too.  Later the three of us went to Two Rows to meet up with James and Peter to eat.  We didn’t get seated at a booth until 9:30 pm.  While waiting, James was on the phone and the three guys were chatting about who knows what.  They each ordered a Strawberry Blonde? beer in the meantime.  I was standing idly around awkwardly.  Then, the benches were empty so Linton and Chris sat down on one bench and Peter sat down next to me.  I picked up the Houston Press that was on the bench.  I flipped it open and the top said “Art” so I started reading.  He asked, “Do you you like art?”  I answered that I did, that I’ve had comments that I was pretty good at it (but I admit it’s only because I was copying), but I never thought to pursue it due to the influence of my upbringing.  Now that I’m out of college, I’ve starting contemplating the meaning of art, that it ISN’T a waste of time.  Peter agreed, saying that our parents push only for business, medicine, or law.  I said that they didn’t exactly push those specifics, but they DID push in their nondirect way for something that is likely to be viable soon out of college.  Somehow we segued into comedy.  He informed me of The Aristocrats (which initially I was imagining The Producers previews).  He said he wanted to be able to do that someday, just on-the-spot give a sparkling rendition of the joke.  I didn’t know that the Bob Saget was a well-rounded comedian, meaning that he also uses pretty foul language when not on family-friendly shows.  We discussed comedy in general, like cussing at every other word (or faking stereotypical accents all the time) is really desperation, not smart humor (this includes the Silk Mangos).  He tried to name a few that weren’t too sexual, but it was funny how Chris and James completely refuted them, saying that they were pretty bad.  After we were seated, Braden showed up with Jennifer Ma.  Jennifer didn’t remember Chris or me, but she did realize that she knew Peter.  I learned about Braden’s brother Daven’s marriage.  Jennifer left, Susan came later, then the couple left with like 5 beers ($1 during Wednesday Happy Hour).  I ordered the pot roast sandwich with beans, which the waiter recommended, but I got mushrooms, so I asked, and so I got to eat both, hehe.

Thursday, May 15, 2008.  James called to invite me to dinner at Yantze.  He said maybe Linton could pick me up, so I called.  I went to his house, then he drove us to Phoebe/Hannah’s to feed Missy (who’s 10 years old).  They turned off their water, so he had to scoop it up to distribute.  I’ve never really got a good look at her before.  It was cute that they gave her a big umbrella over her doghouse.  Linton told me not to mess with a hole in the ground, which is a favorite spot of hers–interesting.  Linton says he usually gives her two doggie treats, and I got the preferred one (a red cylindrical stick), but I guess since I was a stranger to her she wouldn’t take it from me.  Then, she ate the other bone-shaped treat.  Linton finally said that I probably shouldn’t be taking pictures with the flash because she might be interpretting it as lightning.  Peter was at dinner as well (his Mandarin Chinese last name is the same as mine).  As we walked to decided between JuiceBox and Star Snow Ice and Teriyaki, we saw Jocelyn Chen and Nike eating at FuFu’s.  They joined us at Star Snow afterwards.  Originally it was going to be more people but turned out only the two of them showed up.  James and Jocelyn met him at the Meta retreat.  He got his name because his ex-girlfriend gave it to him.  He later found out that his sister ended up with the name Nike as well, and they were thinking of changing his name to Adidas since he has everything (sponsor) of that, but he didn’t change it.  When Linton found out that this 35-year-old used to be on some sort of official Chinese basketball team, he asked for his autograph (both English and Chinese).  This guy is trying to get his fifth degree (business, computer science, i forget…) and he says ideally he would be married at the age of 37, although he knows that might not be accomplished given that’s only two years away and he is still single.  Jocelyn commented that James really wants to get married soon, which James was embarrassed about.  They asked Linton how he and Phoebe got together.  Then, Jocelyn told Nike that Hannah’s still single/available.  On the drive home, somehow Linton and I ended up briefly discussing instant gratification, and how that has affected how our generation doesn’t seem to stay at a job too long, the rising divorce rates, etc.

Friday, May 16, 2008.   Greg Wang replied that he was going to join us at Discovery Green (he planned to eat at the happy hour at The Grove but they didn’t have one so he had the cheap food at the LakeHouse which he says he wouldn’t recommend).  At the last minute I called Henry, who said he’d come.  I went to Elliot’s house, and he drove us to see if Charles was home.  He knocked and rang the bell, and I observed upstairs, but we didn’t notice a presence there (his car wasn’t there, either).  Then we went to Henry’s, who said he didn’t care if Elliot’s car didn’t have A/C.  However, Elliot did, so he consented.  Henry drove the three of us to Pappas BBQ (it was okay).  Henry got a half/half combo of sausage and beef slices with potato salad and cole slaw; I got pulled pork with potato salad and candied yams, and Elliot simply got a burger with fries (finally decided against a baked potato).  He also ate our breads that we didn’t eat, hehe, like a beggar. 

We caught the second half of the last UH act.  Henry went to explore the park for the first time since the dance didn’t interest him.  Elliot and I tried to understand but was at a lost.  There were certain patterns, such as their head movements and picking up someone and making a turn, but Elliot made this comment:  “I’m going to tell David [Kalloor] that I saw something he would’ve made.”  Greg said that this is the weirdest of all the acts he’s seen (since he was there on time).  “Green”, which was performed by the Travesty Dance Group, Karen Stokes’ company (she’s also the head of the dance department in the University of Houston School of Theatre and Dance), and the UH Dance Ensemble on the outdoor Anheuser-Busch Stage, was followed at 8:30 pm by a screening of The Cost of Living, presented by the Aurora Picture Show. The 34-minute movie takes place in a seaside town where street performers David and Eddie struggle to find work and romance. The film incorporates sharp humor about the notions of how the fit and unfit are supposed to act.  I loved it– what with their friendship, the hula-hoop girl, the “Believe” by Cher guy with his exaggerated movements, the ballet scene, the bar scene, the insanely hyperenergetic Eddie, the dancing after the rude video non-interview, the last beach scene….not so hot on the fondling and didn’t understand the restroom scene.  I also loved how they showed it, on a huge moon-walk-type screen, hehe!

• Trailer:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itDRZlc7d8U&feature=related
• Part 1:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDTYRbsKcoQ
• Part 2:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrxuexKFPOM
• Part 3:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyAVLc6t5Fg
• Part 4:  …http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcpcujComks
• Part 5:
• Part 6:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHBLrfs2pJc&feature=related
• Part 7:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGjR5h9kYFY
• Part 8:
• Part 9:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQkhQWBx6us&feature=related
• Part 10: 

Afterwards we somewhat played on the playground.  The design was interesting (what is the mound supposed to be? I took a picture of the two of them).  I didn’t know they had the gliding-across-on-a-handle!  We had that in the Sugar Creek park but they took it away.  Wow, Discovery Green even had two height levels.  Yes, Elliot, I relived my childhood memory :).  Linton had to drop off Rebecca at the airport so he couldn’t join us.  He started driving to join us, but the movie was so short so he went to James Wei’s place.  After dropping off Henry off, Elliot and I joined them, where Brian Hui and Chris were as well.  They never DID decide what to do (they ate at Kim Son at 7 pm).  We ended up just hanging around.  They were watching the basketball playoffs on James’s laptop.  Vickie IMed James, so Chris started typing on it, egged on by Linton.  I don’t know if Brian played a part in it, but they did get James to say out loud “Hey baby” LOL.  Then they called Vickie on the computer; she didn’t have a speaker but she could hear us.  She said she heard a female voice.  Linton said lots of girls were here, and Vickie said she’d tell Phoebe haha.  They said it was the TV, but Vickie then thought it was me so she called my cell.  I actually had no idea what was going on, just playing Sequence with Elliot (he got the first sequence, but then I got the last two - with a wild).  The four guys were drinking.  Chris many times had to put a barrier between him and Linton.  James was so tired he fell asleep.  They started doing push-ups with the bar stool, with one hand, two hands, triangle, and rolling on the floor (which James apparently does a lot of??).  I got back home around 1 am.  Linton and Chris left after the game ended; Chris had to work tomorrow and Linton had an Access meeting at 9:15 am.  On the news on the night news, they showed someone with excessive hair with his family and friends.  I couldn’t find the one mentioned on the news, but I did find someone who proudly calls himself the Wolf Man and others who also have Hirsutism / Hypertrichosis. Below are also some other people with rare diseases/disorders/conditions:

• Hand in Hand, choreography by Zhao Limin, performed by Ma Li and Zhai Xiaowei
• “Tree Man” Dede has Epidermodysplasia verruciformis or something related to HPV
• “Pig Baby“ needs support:  http://www.babymiracle.co.nz/ 
• “Elephant Man“
• Blind boy puts on eyes like contact lenses
• Eight-limbed Asian Indian girl Lakshmi Tatma believed by some to be the reincarnation of the multi-limbed Hindu goddess Vishnu

Saturday, May 17, 2008.  Dad left this morning with Gloria Sun’s parents to Austin (since she’s graduating) to drop off Andrew’s VISA to China.  Mom woke me up to join her in a free lunch at King Bo II to honor her dedication in teaching Chinese school at FBCC.  We took up three big round tables.  Stefi, Jennifer Lin, and Rosanna were there.  Stefi’s finishing up her junior year of college at A&M studying biomedical science.  She’s also getting ready for the MCAT, but “I need a backup plan.”  Jennifer worked on a 6×6 Rubik’s cube.  The Chinese ladies talked up a storm.  Howard’s mom, dad, and brother Brian (but not Howard) were also in the restaurant at a separate table.  In the evening, I went to Jing’s early birthday dinner at Goode Seafood Company.  James said there should be a couples table and a singles table, but Jocelyn wanted to sit with the couples, and I wanted to sit with at least one other girl.  It was awkward because Jing’s girlfriend Evelyn sat in front of me, then to my diagonal right was her friend Christine and thus her boyfriend Stephen sat to my right.  The other table had Steve, Will (who’s he?), Jonathan, Linton, Brian, Peter, and James.  Eve sat with her boyfriend, Eveline sat with Michael, and then it was Jocelyn and me and his girlfriend and friends.  Evelyn met Jing during their internships; she’s studying accounting at UT Austin.  Christine is a recent Rice graduate, and Stephen graduated from UT AUstin last year (May 2007?).  They’re pretty and polite but didn’t really converse with Jocelyn or me, only unless we asked questions.  They had their own thing going.  Evelyn does yoga 6x/week and is not interested in swing dancing.  Afterwards the four of them used the helium from the balloons on the table (it’s prom night) to talk high-pitched.  Linton, Jocelyn (4 in a row), and I took lots of pictures then dispersed.  After yes/no/yes/no/yes, Linton and I stopped by James’s place to “help” him pack for his week in Orlando, FL.  I read James’s binder out loud.  Linton drank a Shiner and chatted on IM with Chris (”hey baby cakes”) LOL.  “is this vicky?”  James asked, “Do you like Chris?”  I was lying on the couch but perked up and asked back, “What?”  I couldn’t imagine him asking that outrightly from me, and I was the only female in the room.  But he was asking Linton, so he answered, “Yes.”  That was odd….  James wanted to share “dark secrets” but ended up explaining his job to Linton on his work laptop.  Masturbation was spoken on, though; Vickie said, “I’m sorry you had to go through that [night]” haha.  Eh, I’m used to guys.

Sunday, May 18, 2008.  I talked with my brother on the phone for an hour.  I ate leftovers for lunch, wrote about the weekend, then watched Dead Like Me on TV.  Dad returned at 9:30 pm, as predicted by Mom.  Vickie went out to the UT Rec Fields to hopefully play another game (be recruited if they were missing players, which she was).  She gave me a call.  Dad walked with my mom, then returned and walked with me outside around the neighborhood at 11 pm (interesting that the street lights went off as we passed by, then as we crossed the street and turned around to give it another glance, it turned back on).

I didn’t go see the parade, but this sure is a sad ending to the event:

May 12, 2008, 5:42AM
© 2008 The Associated Press

Authorities say the accident that killed 51-year-old Tom Jones happened just hours after the 21st annual design-and-decorate-a-crazy-car parade had ended.

Officials say Jones had been sitting with a couple of friends outside the museum when a vehicle early yesterday hit a parked car and then smashed into them.

Jones later died.

Police are trying to determine if the driver was intoxicated. Charges are pending.

On the Net :  http://www.artcarmuseum.com

Yesterday was my last day of work!  For now, anyway, haha.  Now I need to start studying for my NBCOTE.  In the meantime, I can now participate in some Houston events:

• FotoFest Biennial - well, I missed this one.  And it was China this time.  Ended April 20.
• Lucy’s Legacy - it’s the world premiere of this exhibit.  Scheduled to end tomorrow but today’s newspaper says HMNS extended it until September 1.
• Houston International Festival - last year it was China, but this year it’s Africa.  April 26-27.
• Dragon Boat Festival - located at Allen’s Landing.  May 3.
• APAHA Heritage Festival - the Asian/Pacific American Heritage Association will host it at Miller Outdoor Theatre.  May 3.
• Cinco de Mayo Celebration - also at Miller Outdoor Theatre (May 4), and Hermann Park (May 3) by the League of United Latin American Citizens.
• Art Car Parade - from the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art.  May 9-10.
• Houston Palestinian Film Festival - at Angelika Film Center and Cafe, MFAH, and Rice University.  May 9-18.
• The Cost of Living - at Discovery Green Park.  May 16.
• Pasadena Strawberry Festival - with the world’s largest strawberry shortcake.  May 16-18.
• Celtic Festival - guys in skirts, w00t! ;) LOL.  May 17-18.
• Slant 8: Bold Asian American Images - at Aurora Picture Show.  May 30.
• Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind - by Hayao Miyazaki at MFAH.  June 1.
• Best of Extremely Shorts: Audience Choice - at Discovery Green Park.  June 27.

Plus, I can finally cut my hair!  I think this is the longest I’ve ever had my hair in my entire life (and I don’t like it, especially for my sleep).  Unintentionally, it seems each time I donate to Locks of Love, I’ve grown it out longer and longer.  Now I’ve reached their ideal (first time was for babies, and I’m guestimating my second time was their minimum of 10 inches and my third time 11 inches): now it’s longer than a foot:  http://prayriefayrie.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/04-26-08-2.jpg (for some reason I’ve tried inserting the image multiple times, over a few days, and even tried a new entry, but all failed.  I guess too long and ugly to display ;-P).

Some more Houston events:

• What’s Up, Houston? published by Brandonwood Press, L.L.C. on 2726 Bissonnet Street #240-153 / Houston, TX 77005-1352.  Email: whatsup@whatsuphoustonmag.com
• 101houston.com

This weekend a lot of people, including Cynthia Lay but especially BASIC members, are out of town attending Ly Tran’s wedding (to Cynthia’s childhood friend) in the Dallas area.  I let my brother know about that since Ly used to be a respected mentor to him.  

Saturday morning I showered then returned Mod Podge to Michael’s.  Then I went to Morris’s neighborhood playground to attend Jaelyn’s party to celebrate her turning two years old.  They had a lot of food (spaghetti, catered sandwiches, fried eggrolls of course yum, cake, fruit, water, cookies….).  Jaelyn seems to like playing by herself and not the friendliest towards others.  We tried to take a picture with her, but she kept walking around.  I went on the swings and she wanted so I placed her on and pushed her a little.  Her mom came over and suggested maybe to play on the playground equipment again, and she complied.  It was a bit windy.  Someone bought Jaelyn her first “car” - I wonder if it’s battery powered, and she really can sit in it and drive it.  My parents left to take grams home.  I left some minutes after. 

Afterwards, I drove over to Panera Bread on Westheimer (next to Fogo de Chao) and tried to enjoy the weather and use their free wi-fi, but since my computer has a glossy monitor it tired me out quite quickly.  Around 5 pm, Linton called me (I had called Hannah a few times but that didn’t work) to eat at Benningan’s (they had gone rock climbing).  I turned that offer down since they were in the northwest.  He called me back and said they changed locations (the Benningan’s in the Galleria), so I agreed to meet them because I was quite hungry (I was going to eat at Panera but..I guess today I just leeched off of their facilities).  I think they didn’t arrive until 6:30 (an hour later than expressed), so we didn’t get our food until 7:30?  Most of us got the combo deal; Elliot and I split the deal because it was perfect–I got the entree and he ate the appetizer and dessert.  Elliot liked my red plaid hat :-)  Hannah Lin said that she doesn’t really wear accessories but when she sees others wear them she reconsiders.  Jennifer Lin, Laurie, the younger sister of Darwin, and Hannah Kwan (on crutches) with her boyfriend were there, too. 

The twins, Linton, and some of the others were going to attend a grassroots concert (one of Phoebe’s classmates was going to perform).  Well, I felt bad that there was no one attending Karin Hsieh’s Mary Kay Makeup Party, so I replied, “Yes.”  Thus I had to turn down the concert since it was at the same time (8 pm).  I got there at 8:30, and then we didn’t end until 10:30ish.  Karin used me as her first guinea pig to practice demonstrating the presentation (showing the different products, letting me try on the makeup, etc.).  It wasn’t too bad, and she gave me some free samples (i.e. I gave my aunt the foundation).  John Hsieh came back (we were at their parents’ gated community) and reported that he went to Swirll (1944A West Gray / Houston, TX 77019 / 713.523.4888) at 8:30 but no one was there so he left.  I called Jessica to see what happened, and she said that they just left there (there were about a handful of people..?) - she just arrived with Derrick late around 9 pm.  No big deal; I was quite tired.

And it turns out on Sunday I did end up going to Swirll after all.  Oliver Huang is the manager (Jessica Ng’s family friend is the owner).  They have the following flavors:  Original, Tart and Icy, Passion Fruit, Raspberry, Pomegranate, Blueberry, Green Apple, Mango, Banana, Cookies and Cream, Coconut, Vanilla Classic, Vanilla (no sugar), Strawberry, Strawberry (no sugar), and Chocolate (no sugar).  Another one (5000 Westhemier #608 / 77056) is supposedly opening up next weekend (free frozen yogurt!).  Call 713.552.0863 to make sure.

I was at home finishing up my activity analysis project since I’m presenting it this coming Wednesday; it was my first time in my life decoupaging.  Waiting is a crucial step.  I didn’t arrive on Willow Park until 1845, so I was surprised people were still playing flag football.  James suggested going to Boston Market to eat dinner.  Charles, Henry, and Elliot loitered until we were the last ones there.  Henry finally went home to shower, and then Charles (who drove Elliot) decided to just start driving and they’ll make a decision on the way.  Ah, my Staffordites. 

The BASIC guys shared a group meal; I was late (onto 288?) so I got the children’s plate.  I ended up sitting in front of Jeff Tang?.  It was a bit awkward…I wanted to join in the group conversation, but he was friendly and asked me questions about what I do and trying to relate, talking about bipolar, etc.  He didn’t play football today but he comes out at times; he just joined for dinner today.  Jeff Chen came later and sat at the end of the table that was moved to connect with a booth (he ended up ordering the same thing as Jeff Tang, haha).  At one point, Robert C asked if I we had a policy that we could not date our patients.  I figure sure, although if there wasn’t one in place, I don’t think anyone would really want to date them!  Robert said that if they were your patient once in their life, then s/he could never date the doctor.  Hm….  Andrew talked about having girls come watch the guys play in their basketball league on Saturdays so that they would play harder but not better - or rather, so that he (with his sprained ankle) could mingle with all the females LOL.  “Will you come, Amy?”  Uh…. 

Robert C convinced me to go to Swirll, saying it was only a few minutes away.  I called Karin to let her know about it (and unfortunately she called me back late at night, and a couple more times at that, while I was dog tired - I didn’t want to be rude but I cut her off and said I had to sleep for work tomorrow).  Vickie called me as I was sampling the flavors so I ended up having no idea what was good.  Derrick said his favorites are Pomegranate and Mango?  I may have totally made that up.  The guys who came were Robert, Robert, Jeff, Jeff, Derrick, John, and Andrew if I recall correctly (Alan and James went back home).  I was on the phone, so I missed something that Andrew said to/asked of me…suspicious….

http://www.paulmadonna.com/aoc/

Houston Outreach Medicine, Education, and Social Services (or H.O.M.E.S.) is a multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary student-run free clinic for the homeless of Houston. HOMES is an innovative and exciting new program in which the major higher educational institutions of Houston collaborate with community organizations to provide quality, accessible healthcare and social services to the homeless.  Sunday was the day chosen for the clinic, because a situational needs assessment conducted that year showed that there was no medical care available to the homeless on Sundays other than the Emergency Room. In 2000, the clinic opened at its original location, the Lord of the Streets (L.O.T.S.), a facility for the homeless that included the Caritas Health Care Clinic. Then in 2007, the clinic officially completed a move to a new location, the Cathedral Clinic at Christ Church Cathedral. The unique three-part learning experience includes social, professional, and personal aspects. During the operation of the clinic, public health, medical, and pharmacy students work together to provide a wide breadth of care, support, and services to the patients. At the end of their stay, students are involved in a reflection period to discuss the experiences, impressions, and thoughts of how these have impacted their view of the homeless population, healthcare, and themselves as providers (http://homeless-healthcare.org/ –> http://homes-clinic.com/default.aspx).

mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos

Like any good blog community, WordPress advertises popular posts from within their domain; it’s one way to probably facilitate their revenue (http://changingway.org/2008/03/12/making-money-from-wordpresscom/).  One of today’s features was “254 - Ludacris’ Rap Map of US Area Codes” from http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/ (published on March 9, 2008).  It was quite an interesting post.  Then I started scrolling down to the bottom (December 22, 2007).  I’m not particularly into cartography or geodesy, but I think I spent more than two hours (that I really can’t afford to give up right now grrr) browsing because it is very organized.  But I believe those that are superb are those which a lay person can even appreciate.  (I remember coloring maps in Geography class in tenth grade.  My teacher loved having me because I drew/colored pretty maps and also she expected me to make 100s on all my tests, which I did because she set my standard so high - like that time I forgot one answer and I sat there for 15 minutes until the answer came to me.  Do you remember Cathy Nguyen?  She started drawing even more beautiful maps, and her three-dimensional one was a piece of art.  I kept thinking that these maps are already drawn, why in the world are we drawing them again?  I guess it was a side “class” on cartography, haha.)  I am really tired from work and I need to work tomorrow, too, but these did catch my eye:

• 253 - Germany surrounded by Switzerland –> literally by its land
• 249 - South of No North: Country Music’s Favourite States  –> showing the sizes of the states so the map looks a bit funky.  Texas is second (after Tennessee).
• 247 - All the World In A Song  –> I saw this on my two-week West Coast road trip.  We didn’t stay long; Rudi wasn’t too impressed with the map store we stopped in at, haha.
• 244 - 5 Million Hits - The Atlas of Strange Maps - Your Help Requested  –> the author is in the process of publishing a book!
• 242 - Nearer the North: Australia in the King Projection  –> dissecting the backdrop of Larry King and Michael Moore’s talk show episode.
• 241 - Every Englishman Is An Island…  –> a mock imaginary island resembling a brain, surrounded by Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and other unpleasantness at sea, and including fear, romance, prejudices, and desires.
• 240 - The American Eagle, About to Spread Its Wings  –>
• 231 - Praise the Lord and Pass the Dictionary!  –> a prayer in many languages?
• 229 - Vital Statistics of a Deadly Campaign: the Minard Map  –> “The best statistical graphic ever drawn” says statistician Edward Tufte.
• 228 - Merry Kiritimati!  –> a lesser known Christmas Island; I like the name.
• 227 - First the Cartoon, then the War: Europe in 1870  –> each country/character is explained.

I really enjoyed the site.  I’ve come across other “map blogging” sites with disinterest, and none took hold of me like this one.  I think it’s because I am tired.  But some of the images appeal to me, or the title.  And if I do find the time to skim, there are words bolded.  And if I make the time to read the entire post, then I get even more out of it.  It’s like what they say about television shows, the ones where newcomers can have enjoyment, but cult followings can log on to answer facts, blog, and stick together the latent specifities that connect within the series.  I guess an example would be CSI, where each episode can stand by itself, but regulars know the backstories of the relationships of the actors and can now even go to the museum for a limited time to try their hand at the profession.  The website made me think if I could blog on something in a similar fashion.  Just for my own sake: something routine that doesn’t take too much time but presents enough of a slight challenge that I am not terribly bored either.  Seems to be the next new thing ;-P  Siwei’s doing it (food - and math, and another for his webcomic), but of course last time that happened I didn’t exactly edify my current support system!  Here are some ideas that came to mind:

• Comics  –>  but really I wouldn’t know how to go about it.  I’m not making one, so it wouldn’t be my adventures in producing one (e.g. sketching, lines, inspiration).  It wouldn’t be dissecting the comics I post (I hated doing that back in English class, although Mr. Murrell was a fabulous teacher).  Here’s an interesting site:  http://24hourcomics.com/.  There’s going to be new management for 2008.
• Missionaries  –>  until I thought for the current ones that may jeopardize their ministries.
• Crafts  –>  of some sort.  I don’t want to write about them.  Well…”I made this for so-and-so for his/her birthday.”  Hm…this might be a viable option.  Something like PostSecret? And the StrangeMaps?  And make a book later?  Haha.  But then I have to take pictures, then upload them….
• Stories –>  of some sort:  romantic love stories, spiritual testimonies, occupational therapy efficacy, Bible verses (like during my birthday), suriviving homelessness, ….really I just like to read these things haha.

Anyway, some more map links:

• An Atlas: Radical Cartography Exhibition - http://www.theredhouse.org/gallery/article.php?article_id=cO1201534566c479df66640fce; http://www.timeout.com/chicago/articles/art-design/24982/charting-new-territory
• New Urban Arts had some youth works displayed - http://www.flickr.com/photos/newurbanarts/sets/72157594408295097/detail/
• Exhibits that have closed - http://home.earthlink.net/~docktor/1999ex.htm
• In Chicago - http://festivalofmaps.com/index.aspx

I was searching for a specific missionary and instead came upon Peter Parker.  Not the fictional citizen identity of Spider-Man, but the physician, missionary, and diplomat:

• The Peter Parker Collection - http://cwmldl.med.yale.edu/gsdl/cgi-bin/library?e=q-000-00—0ppdcdot–00-0-0–0prompt-10—4—-dky–0-1l–1-en-Zz-1—25-about-eye–00031-011-1-0utfZz-8-00&a=p&p=about - the paintings by Lam Qua that he commissioned to showcase his work in China
• “Peter Parker and the introductin of western medicine in China” - http://www.springerlink.com/content/y32507563351487p/ - paints a less favorable picture of him (being recalled by both the US State Department and the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions)
• “Curiosity and Cure: Peter Parker’s patients, Lam Qua’s portraits” by Stephen Rachman - http://www.common-place.org/vol-04/no-02/rachman/

I also read about something called the Three-Self Patriotic Movement.  I don’t know if it’s something good or not, and I’m too tired to read tonight, but here are some websites:

• http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/zt/zjxy/t36493.htm
• http://www.2008olympicsbeijing.org/threeselfpatrioticmovement-tspm.htm
• http://www.amitynewsservice.org/page.php?page=1194
• http://www.chinatoday.com.cn/English/e2007/e200704/p12.htm
• http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/english/200009/21/eng20000921_51066.html

And one last tidbit:  A soft greenish-blue mold called penicillium looks like a paint brush under a microscope. The latin word for paint brush is penicillus. Years ago people used paint brushes like we use pencils today.  –http://www.thinkingfountain.org/p/penicillium/penicillium.html

After 60 years, Polaroid quits instant film business
05:17 PM CST on Friday, February 8, 2008
Associated Press

BOSTON – Polaroid Corp. is dropping the technology it pioneered long before digital photography rendered instant film obsolete to all but a few nostalgia buffs. Polaroid is closing factories in Massachusetts, Mexico and the Netherlands and cutting 450 jobs as the brand synonymous with instant images focuses on ventures such as a portable printer for images from cell phones and Polaroid-branded digital cameras, televisions and DVD players.This year’s closures will leave Polaroid with 150 employees at its Concord headquarters and a site in the nearby Boston suburb of Waltham, down from peak global employment of nearly 21,000 in 1978.

The company stopped making instant cameras over the past two years.

“We’re trying to reinvent Polaroid so it lives on for the next 30 to 40 years,” Tom Beaudoin, Polaroid’s president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer, said in a phone interview Friday, after the company’s plans were reported in The Boston Globe.

Polaroid failed to embrace the digital technology that has transformed photography, instead sticking to its belief that many photographers who didn’t want to wait to get pictures developed would hold onto their old Polaroid cameras.

Global sales of traditional camera film have been dropping about 25 percent to 30 percent per year, “and I’ve got to believe instant film has been falling as fast if not faster,” said Ed Lee, a digital photography analyst at the research firm InfoTrends Inc.

“At some point in time, it had to reach the point where it was going to be uneconomical to keep producing instant film,” Lee said.

Privately held Polaroid doesn’t disclose financial details about its instant film business.

Polaroid instant film will be available in stores through next year, the company said – after which, Lee said, Japan’s Fujifilm will be the only major maker of instant film.

Polaroid got its start making polarized sunglasses in the 1930s, and introduced its first instant camera in 1948. Film packs contained the chemicals for developing images inside the camera, and photos emerged from the camera in less than a minute.

Polaroid’s overall revenue from instant cameras, film and other products peaked in 1991 at nearly $3 billion. The company went into bankruptcy in 2001 and was bought four years later for $426 million by Minnetonka, Minn.-based consumer products company Petters Group Worldwide.

Polaroid’s newly announced job cuts include 150 positions to be eliminated over the next couple months at Massachusetts operations in Norwood and Waltham, which make large-format films for technical and industrial photography. Later this year, Polaroid will close plants employing 300 workers in the Mexican state of Queretaro and in Enschede, Netherlands.

Meanwhile, Polaroid is seeking a partner to acquire licensing rights for its instant film, in hopes that another firm will continue making the film to supply Polaroid enthusiasts.

As it seeks to gain a foothold in digital photography this year, Polaroid plans to sell an 8-ounce photo printer slightly bigger than a deck of cards that requires no ink and prints business card-sized pictures. It uses thermal printing technology from Zink Imaging Inc., founded by private investors who bought technologies from Polaroid as it was coming out of bankruptcy.

Polaroid also has its brand name on foreign-made TVs, DVD players, digital photo frames, cameras and MP3 music players. Those products generated nearly $1 billion in revenue last year for Polaroid’s parent firm, Beaudoin said.

Courtesy of the Polaroid Collections

David Hockney, “Imogen & Hermaine, Pembroke Studios, London, 30th July, 1982,” Polaroid SX-70 composite.

Paul Caponigro, “Two Leaves, Brewster, New York” (1963), Gelatin silver photograph from Polaroid, Positive/Negative 4×5 Land Film Type 55.