Ebenezer

Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us."
1 Samuel 7:12

I read this story online.

Dr. F. W. Boreham told of a scrap of paper that was framed and displayed in his parent's home. The words said: "Hitherto Hath the Lord Helped Us." One day he asked his mother about it, and she told him of a time when she and her husband faced a crisis. She was distressed for weeks, but one day as she paced back and forth she paused in front of an almanac on the wall.
"The only thing I saw was the text in the corner," she said. "It was as if someone had spoken the words: ‘Hitherto has the Lord helped us.' I was so overcome, I sat down and had a good cry; and then I began again with a fresh heart and trust."

What a great verse for the New Year! The same God who brought us this far will lead us on. He is our God in ages past and our hope for years to come. If we live in the light of eternity knowing our times are in His hands, we can face each day with a fresh heart and trust.

Hitherto has the Lord helped us.

Sweet and Gooey Chicken Wings

I was at front house alone by myself, reflecting on last year, reading classic novels, practicing guitar, and thinking about future. Fun.. Usually i would fly back home right after the last final. However, this time i purposely set aside a couple days by myself, so i would slow everything down. Plus, i get to enjoy Berkeley without worrying about my schoolwork.

I am making sweet and gooey chicken wings tonight. (super tender!) I am inviting the only brother that is left in Berkeley to join me for chicken wings dinner. He is a grad student. Even though i see him all the time, i never had any chance to talk to him. He must have some deep and good experience with Christ. Hopefully tonight i can get to know him better. =)

Your call is very important to us. Please hold...

Stop saying "Your call is very important to us. Please hold..." If my call is really that important, why don't you hire a real human and pick up the phone?

those who mind and those who matter

I like just to be who I am. I like to say exactly how i feel. I won't say something just to please someone. Also, I won't withhold something that I should say (well, most of the time). Genuineness and integrity are priceless commodities.

Because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind. =)

don't seek it

Brother Ron told us last weekend that don't seek any position in church life. Don't have any expectation to be somebody. He used to tell the trainees that don't seek any position in the church. If it's not yours, you won't get it no matter how you seek it. On the other hand, if it's yours, you will get it no matter what. Just love God!

Strong Amen. =)
But i am open to new opportunity from God.

p.s. oh, i finished my music sight singing final today. lalala..

Got hecka annoyed

Got hecka annoyed over a stupid hypothetical situation. It wastes me so much time to ponder on it. =(

Honestly, I have a better chance to win a lottery than to see that thing happen. silly me.

Anyway, the Lord is still good and the life is still beautiful. :)

Philosophy Final Today

Aristotle says "Things are said to come to be in many ways, and some things are said, not to come to be, but to come to be something, while only realities are said simply to come to be." excerpt from Aristotle's Physics Book I Chapter 7.

Aristotle, Aristotle, should I love you or should I hate you? Why would you write someone like that?

Can someone please tell me what it means? Can you write a three pages essay of that in the final? This is what I have to deal with in two hours. Please feel sorry for me! =(

What does it mean for us to love the Lord?

Today we went to the annual blending conference at Santa Clara. That was much much better than studying finals at home. I am starting to get a little worried becuase my computer security/hacking final is this coming Wednesday. Why do they have the final at the last day of class, which leaves me no time to study??

Anyway, back to the happy things. Brother Ron Kangas asked us "what does it mean for us to love the Lord? What do you mean when you say 'Lord Jesus, I love You!'". This is the same question he asked a group of fourth term sister trainees a couple years an ago. It causes me to really consider how I love the Lord.

1. To love the Lord is to focus our entire being on Him
2. To love the Lord is to appreciate Him and His plan
3. To love the Lord is to open our beings to him
4. To love the Lord is to enjoy Him
5. To love the Lord is to give Him the first place
6. To love the Lord is to be one with Him
7. To love the Lord is to live Him
8. To love the Lord is to become Him in life and nature but not the the Godhead

AMEN =)

They That Wait Upon the Lord

Since the first Berkeley Front House Brothers limited edition album "Things Which Eyes Have Not Seen" is such a great hit, we are likely to produce the second CD very very soon. The second CD may be tentatively named "They That Wait Upon the Lord". The name is tentative because it's just my suggestion. Other brothers need to approve the name.

Isaiah 40:31 says:

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength
They shall mount up with wings of eagles
The shall run and not be weary
They shall walk and not faint.
Teach me Lord, teach me Lord to wait.


Lord, teach me how to wait down on my knees. I just want quietly praying and waiting until in Your own good time You answer my pleas. Your timing is always right. When situations come, I always have the temptations to do what other worldly people would do. Oh Lord, teach me not to rely on what others do, instead I want to wait in prayer for the answer from You.

Lord, teach me how to wait while my heart is a flame. My heart is often burden and wearied. When I am proud and ambitious, please help me humble myself and just quietly call on Your name. Keep my faith renewed everyday and keep my eyes fixed on Thee. Don't help me to be anything else. Help me be on this earth what You want me to be.

Lord, teach me how to wait...

David and Giant Goliath

If you don't know the story about David and Goliath. Look it up online.

When i face giants in my life, that giant is not only there to promote me, but is there to show other who i really am. When people see God's favor in my life, when people see me rise above the adversitites, that not only honors God, but that will help me establish or even prove God's anointing in my life.

People can argue whether or not they think i deserve it, whether or not they think i am talented. But one thing for sure, when I defeated a Goliath in my life, they cannot argue the fact that God's favor is on me.

It's too late to convince me otherwise, because God already blessed me.

It's too late to convince me otherwise, because God already prospered me.

It's too late to convince me otherwise, because God already opened up supernatural doors.

It's too late to convince me otherwise, because what happened in Feb. 2006. =)

It's too late to convince me otherwise, because what happened on 8/20/2007. =)

It's too late to convince me otherwise, because what happened in the morning of one day in last month.

It's too late to convince me otherwise, because of so many other things.

i am seeing God's favor as i never seen it before. :)

I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart =)

Thank you Lord for the things You gave me this year. Thank you Lord for the things You didn't give me this year. In everything, no matter good or bad, I give thanks to You.


I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart;
I will enter His courts with praise.
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made.
I will rejoice for He has made me glad.
He has made me glad, He has made me glad,
I will rejoice for He has made me glad.
He has made me glad, He has made me glad,
I will rejoice for He has made me glad.

black friday shopping

Today I went to Staples and bought a wireless mouse ($12) and a bluetooth headset for my cell phone ($9.99).

heehee...

A Turkey on Thanksgiving - a story by RZ

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/11/20081126-3.html

It's holiday season again. Many students will be back home to enjoy the Thanksgiving dinner. Enjoy your turkey.

I remembered back in high school I wrote a fairy tale for 10th grade English class. I posted the story below and hope you will enjoy it.



A Turkey on Thanksgiving

by Richard Zhang
Nov 27, 2003

Having a turkey for dinner on Thanksgiving is an old tradition of America. Every year on Thanksgiving, millions and millions of turkeys have to give up their lives. However, a ceremony began in l947, when President Harry Truman gave a "presidential pardon" to a live turkey on Thanksgiving day. Succeeding presidents have continued the practice faithfully. Our story begins with Monica, a turkey who was released on Thanksgiving of 2003.

Monica was born in a small farm in California. She had nine brothers and sisters. Under her parent’s unconditional care, she and her family grew up happily. Monica loved this world has to offer: unlimited supply of food, blue sky and polite humans. She was so closed with her family. She felt that the most important thing in her life was to live with them.

It was a blazing hot day. The sun burned down in a clear, cloudless sky. Monica and her family enjoyed the sunshine at the farm.

“You guys are all strong enough to leave us and have your own lives. ” Mother told her children.

“No! We can live together forever!” Monica shouted out.

“We can live together forever!” Her brothers and sisters shouted out together.

Mother’s smile mixed with the sunshine. They were all hugging and kissing.

On an afternoon in early October, Monica was surprised to find out her mom was crying alone.

“What’s going on, mom?” Monica asked.

Mom sign and looked down at Monica. “I’m afraid I have some very bad news for you.” She spoke really slowly. She told Monica there was something that Monica had to know. Last Thursday in November was the people’s Thanksgiving Day, a holiday. On that day, every family was going to have a Thanksgiving turkey dinner. Thanksgiving Day was a holiday for people, but it was also the Turkey Day, the end for all turkeys’ day.

“Thanksgiving holiday is just a holiday. Why do people want to eat turkeys?” Monica was angry.

“It’s a tradition of the American people. You can’t change it.” Mom petted Monica’s head softly.

After Monica spread this bad news to every family member, everybody surrounded Mom and Dad. From time to time, they looked at one other, but with their future such a mystery they could think of nothing to say. Then they were silent. Terrible silent.

At bedtime, Monica tossed and turned all night, scarcely getting any sleep between the loud snoring of dad and her own worried thoughts. The worst time in your life is the time before you know you are going to die and you can’t help it. It’s a crunch time for millions and millions turkeys.

On the afternoon of November 26, 2003, Monica’s whole family were packed in an enormous box and moved into the kitchen in the White House.

“Here we are,” A worker said, in a voice undoubtedly meant to be cheerful. “Your new home.”

Monica looked out and saw the prettiest house on the block. The while bricks had been cleaned very well, and through the wide window one could see an assortment of well-groomed plants.

“You turkeys are going to be a part of the Thanksgiving dinner for the First Family. What an honor!” The worker petted Monica’s father, who was moving from side to side.

“Who is the First Family?” Monica asked her mom.

“The First Family is the family of the president of the United States. His family is the First Family. His wife is the First Lady. His dog is the First Dog,” Mom explained to Monica.

“Are they going to eat us?” Monica asked again.

Mother nodded her head with sorrow.

“Why can’t our family eat his family?” Monica felt cheated.

“My poor girl, turkeys never eat people. We have no choice but to die.” Mother smiled with some bitterness.

“I hate here!” Monica said. Her voices rising as she got more and more upset. “I hate this house! I hate this world! ...”

“I hate it too,” dad said, and Monica looked at her dad with relief. Sometimes, just saying that you hate something and having someone agrees with you, can make you feel better about a terrible situation. “I hate everything about our lives right now, Monica,” dad comforts her, “but we are together.”

They spent their last night at White House. This building was like a jail.

At the morning of Thanksgiving Day, two men appeared in the kitchen. There was a bald man with a very long nose, dressed in a long black robe. Behind the bald man there was a man with very long and skinny arms, at the end of which were two hooks instead of hands. Monica had already been staring and shrieking while they were examining her family. The bald man reached over and held Monica, bringing out of the box.

“This one, okay?” He pointed at Monica.

“Excellent,” the skinny man agreed.

Monica was crying. She didn’t want to leave her family. Her mom was also crying with despair.

The skinny man picked Monica up in one scraggly hand and raised her so she was staring at him in the eye. Needless to say, Monica was too scared to even try to bite the hand that held her. She struggled, trying to escape but not avail. The hand was as powerful as the pliers.

“What’s the matter with you? You are chosen to be released by the President. You should feel lucky!”

They brought Monica to the White House Rose Garden. Monica had a chance to see the so-called “President”, who had just flown back from Baghdad. There were dozens of reporters surrounding him.

The president rubbed his hands with great glee. He moved toward Monica with smile on his face. Then he opened the box, petted Monica’s head.

“Now you are free,” the President told Monica.

Monica hesitated a second, then jumped out of the box. Nobody tried to stop her. She then danced in the grass. The grass glistened wetly, and the ground beneath her was soft and moist.

Everybody applauded. Everybody was trying to take picture for her.

Monica wandered around the building. Everybody she met smiled at her.

She wanted to see her family, but they didn’t let her go into the kitchen.

At nightfall, the First Family was having dinner together. She walked into the dining room looking for her family desperately, hoping against hope that her family members were still alive. But all she saw was her dead mother lying in a dish. Her mom was watching her with a dull look on her face.

“Dad, look! There is a turkey wandering around!” The First Daughter said as she saw Monica.

“That’s the turkey your dad released today. Maybe she wants to give us thanks on Thanksgiving Day. What a miracle!” The First Lady told the First Daughter.

“You don’t have the right to release me!” Monica cried.

The First Family never knew a turkey could talk. They were all staring at Monica.

“YOU KILLED MY MOTHER!!!” Monica said each word with hatred.

“Your mother?” The President was confused.

“Yes. My mother,” Monica pointed at her mom. “This is my mother!”

The First Family gazed at each other.

“Kill me! Please kill me! I must be with my mother,” she begged.

A drop of the First Daughter’s tear plopped down on the dinner table.

Monica tensed her leg muscles, took a deep breath and prepared to jump. Nobody moved. Monica jumped on the table. She wanted to be with her mother.

The First Lady screamed out loud.

One of the security guards hurriedly took out the gun and shot at Monica. Monica covered her mom with her wings before she died.

The next day, the president spoke with the new governor of California.

“Last night I saw a turkey who spoke to me in English. I’m not kidding,” the president told Arnold.

“Yes, Mr. President. You are not kidding. But be careful somebody is going to recall you if you keep saying it.” Arnold shrugged.

Something every heart is loving

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php?t=nt&n=547

Something every heart is loving:
If not Jesus, none can rest;
Lord, my heart to Thee is given;
Take it, for it loves Thee best.

Thus I cast the world behind me;
Jesus most beloved shall be;
Beauteous more than all things beauteous,
He alone is joy to me.

Bright with all eternal radiance
Is the glory of Thy face;
Thou art loving, sweet, and tender,
Full of pity, full of grace.

When I hated,Thou didst love me,
Shedd'st for me Thy precious blood;
Still Thou lovest, lovest ever,
Shall I not love Thee, my God?

Keep my heart still faithful to Thee,
That my earthly life may be
But a shadow to that glory
of my hidden life in Thee.

I realized that some simple YP songs make so much sense right now, after I have been through many experiences. Even though the words are simple, the experience of the writer is deep and sweet.

Oh Lord, Keep my heart still faithful to Thee, That my earthly life may be But a shadow to that glory of my hidden life in Thee.

philosophy paper

In my philosophy class, I have to write a final paper on account of Aristotle's explanation of Moral Excellence. So for the first time in history, I went to the sections from other five TAs to hear what do they have to say about the paper. (unbelievable huh?)

For that paper I have thoroughly analyze Aristotle's idea of Moral Excellence. How does moral excellence leads to true happiness, etc. They are some obscure and random stuff.

It's funny and sad how some people take this kind of stuff seriously, thinking that they have the truth. They don't know that only Christ is the aletheia, the truth, and thus the only way to eternal happiness.

One call of "I Love You, Lord Jesus" trumps all Greek philosophies. =)

Californians Approve Proposition 2

As a long-time and active member of The Humane Society of United States, I am glad that prop 2 was passed! Californians have spoken.

Proposition 2 passed with more than 60% of voters taking a stand against the mistreatment of farm animals. This measure ends the practice of confining veal calves, egg-laying hens and breeding pigs in crates and cages so small the animals can barely move over the course of their entire lives.

As a result, we brought forth a new, more compassionate age.

The President The Humane Society of the United States wrote to us: Giving farm animals a little extra room to stretch their limbs, to move like animals should, is a small matter for us humans. But it’s a very big thing for a hen who would otherwise be confined with a half-dozen other birds in a cage about as big as a filing cabinet for her whole life. It’s a really big thing for a sow who would otherwise be stuck in a crate so small she couldn’t turn around. It’s a way big thing for a calf who would spend life chained inside a miserably tiny crate.

Brother Lee once said that you can tell how much a person loves the Lord by observing the way they treat the animal. I think being humane to animals is one of the good human virtues that express God's divine attribute.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. Of course, the real and everlasting kindness is God Himself.

right path

Christian life is a journey. God leads me to the paths that I would never imagine. I don't want to know everything and plan out everything. It's more fun this way. Human preparation can only take me so far, the rest lies on the hand of God.

Watchman Nee once said "If God leads you to walk a way that you know, it will not benefit you as much as if He would lead you to take the way that you do not know. This forces you to have hundreds and thousands of conversations with Him, resulting in a journey that is an everlasting memorial between you and Him."

Sometimes God's will is very clear to me for some matters through His sovereign arrangement. But some matters I am not sure what the will of God for me is. I just like to keep my heart open and set on the Lord, hoping that the merciful Lord will correct me and lead me to right path if I am on a different one.

Building Up or Tearing Down

When we fellowship with one another, we should always ask ourself: are we building them up or are we tearing them down? That's doesn't mean we are ignorant of the challenges we are facing. Everyone has problems. However, we shouldn't always complain. We can offer each other a word of encouragement, rather than a word of discouragement; a message of hope, rather than a message of fear; a confirmation of belief, rather than a question of doubt.

Being spiritual doesn't necessary mean being legalistic. One definitely can be spiritual and practical at the same time.

During the retreat, the brothers from Texas told brothers, you watch how much does that sister loves the Lord, and sisters vice versa. That's the highest quality you are looking for in another person is how much their heart is for the Lord. When the reality hits, when we are not rooted in Christ and not loving Christ, there is gonna be conflicts. When the money problems come in, there is gonna be conflicts. When the sickness comes in, there is gonna be conflicts. There are many heavy things and pressures that's gonna come up. But what would bring the couple more and more into oneness is that they both love the Lord. Their relationship is based on Christ himself. It doesn't matter how compatible you feel you are, you watch when the pressures come up you will see how uncampatible you are. The thing that really brings us into a sweet oneness is loving the Lord Himself.

I remembered a few months ago during our usual "bros" conversation, Paul Daubenmire told me that "the sister is attractive when she is in her spirit." I didn't feel the same way as him back then. Now I couldn't agree with him more. =)

From the spirit we can get life, peace, strength, hope, joy, deliverance, forebearance, forgiveness and so much more! We can never graduate from loving the Lord. We can tell when we touch a heart of a person, what their heart is for and what's number one in their heart. The number one should be God and His purpose on the earth.

Christians on Campus College Retreat

We went to the college retreat last weekend. It was a great experience. It really refreshed my love for the Lord.

Not only Jesus is the complete God. He is also a perfect man who has total identification of man in the way of experience. He is the one who can be touched with the feeling of out weaknesses. There is no struggle that He cannot identify.

5 ways to pursue Christ
1. by knowing and loving Him
2. by yearning for Him
3. by being drawn by Him
4. by counting all things loss on account of the excellent knowledge of Christ
5. by laying hold of Christ (forgetting and stretching)

The real Christian life is inward and largely hidden. Our life is daily, small, slow, hidden, and also corporate.

We need to develop a good root system while we are in college. Otherwise we wouldn't stand it when the storms come later in our lives.

This weekend the Lord forced me to get our of myself and focus on Him. The mind set on the flesh in death and the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. =)

Dunder Mifflin

It all starts with an idea.
But you can never tell where an idea will end up.
Because ideas spread, they change, grow.
They connect us with the world.
And in a fast moving world, where good news moves at the speed of time and bad news isn't always what it seems.
Because when push comes to shove we all deserve a second chance.
To score.
Dunder Mifflin.
Limitless paper in a paperless world.

I Love Office!!!

Ferrero Rocher chocolate

How do you know that I like Ferrero Rocher Fine Hazelnut chocolate? :D

I LOVEEEEEEEEEE it. Haha. Thank you! Thank you! :D

We are all interconnected. Our dreams, our hopes, and our futures... The actions of each of us , human or nonhuman , have contributed to the world in which we live . We all have a common responsibility for our world and are connected to everything in it .

Baitout?

They want 700 billion dollars from the taxpayers and they want it now!!!

American taxpayer are never so furious. It seems like Congress will approve this massive massive baitout plan in a matter of days without thorough consideration.

Wall Street has all figure it out. They will pocket all the profit in the good time and ask for bailout from the taxpayers in the bad time.

This is the best business model ever! In this line of business, it seems like the more your screw up, the more help you will get from the government. This is the the modern welfare for Wall Street. It rewards risky behaviors and punish prudent choices.

Baitout? What about the bailout of those people who struggling to repay their credit card debt from month to month? What about the bailout of 47 million American who don't have health insurance? What about the baitout of the single mothers who work two shifts and have no time to take care of the kids?

Wall street, the party is over. It's now time to pay.

For the last two years you have laughed at me about this. Well, who is laughing now, huh?

Palin's daughter's boyfriend

I just finish watching Palin's speech two minutes ago. The funniest thing happened after her speech. Sarah, Palin's pregnant daughter and boyfriend walked up to the stage holding hands. His name is Levi Johnston.

I bet he would never dream that he would show up in the center stage of Republican National Convention waving to the crowd awkwardly. He is faking his smile as he walked to the center of the stage. What is he waving at? Is it "hey everybody! I am the guy who got her pregnant" ???!!!

Just days ago Levi Johnston was just another school ice hockey player from Alaska. Today, he was shaking hands with the would-be next US president in the glare of the world's press. He found himself right in the center of the political spot light.

He should be proud of his "achievement". Look at his bright "political career".

Life is a such a joke... LOLLLLLL

today afternoon

Today in my Korean martial art (Yongmudo) class we did many non-stop back falls and face falls. My body and my head starts to feel the pain. I guess the more sweat now, the less blood in the future. =)

Immediately after Yongmudo I went to Poli Sci 179. Today's speaker is Robert Reich, the former Secretary of Labor under the Clinton Administration. He has been this class multiple times.

Everytime he showed up in the class he always talked about how his dated Hillary Rodman back in collegem, how he met Bill Clinton in a boat to England, how Clinton asked him to be the Secretary of Labor. Today is the third time I heard him bragging about this. Hehe. He is a cool speaker and very funny guy.

He went on talking about economics, stagnant-wage, recession, income inequality and social justice. The engineering guy in me was taking a break and the social-justice guy in me just was totally enlighten by his speaking. =) Robert Reich is also a professor here. I will try to take his undergradute class next semester in the Public Policy department named Wealth and Poverty. It's definitely worth it.

Anyway, today is a fun day...

To me much is given, to me much is expected. Thank you Lord!

God wants to surprise me

“If we will keep God first place, if we will walk in His ways, all these blessings will overtake us.” - Deuteronomy 28

Even though I didn't see a way, that doesn't mean this is not a way. I thought the obstacles were there to stop me, to weight me down, to keep me away from my dreams. Instead of them being a stumbling blocks, God have turned it into stepping stones that took me to a higher level. God has a way.

A long time ago I felt like I was at the back of the line. I couldn't get a break and I couldn't get ahead. All God did was to shift the direction of the wind. All of a sudden the last became the first. Just a simple surprise the wind have changed directions. God's favor is blowing me away.

I am still astounded that I am in college, especially in Cal. =) I can’t wait to see what God is going to do this year. It's no big deal for God to have me at the right place at the right time.

who told who about what

......
Person A: she told me that you told her the secret that I told you that you told me not to tell her.
Person B: oh no, I specifically told her not to tell you that I told her.
Person A: arghhhh, don't tell her that I told you that she told me about this.
Person B: okay.
......

swimmign and tennis

In the spirit of Olympic I went to both swimming and tennis today. No work. All play.

little chinese girl singer

The little adorable girl, who song at the opening ceremony, is not the actual singer of the song. As we all know, she was lip singing.

They didn't use the girl who actually sings the song because she is not pretty enough. Rumor says that this decision was made from the China's highest authority: Political Bureau! You thought your middle school years were hard, imagine if your government top officials got together and decided that you were not cute.

Crushing a little girl's dream for superficiality. Unbelievable.

WOW...
Today was...
WOW...

currently reading...

I saw Katie P. cycling at RSF while reading a very interesting book: Blowing My Cover - My Life As A CIA Spy by Lindsay Moran. I borrowed it from her later and started reading them for the last couple days.

This book was touching, entertaining, and funny. It's so much more interesting than the usual James Bond movies and blow-em-up spy novels that you know are pure fiction.

Opening Ceremony: The hottest show in town

"What I can tell you for sure is, the opening hour of the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics bent the mind and stretched the imagination. It was a floor show that made the most spectacular revue in Las Vegas look like a church picnic, and it was a privilege to see it in person." - Mike Downey from Chicago Tribune

church picnic? hahaha...

Kayaking

I went to kayaking today with a bunch of people at Berkeley marina for the first time. It's was tons of fun. My friend Henry was in the same kayak as Camilo. It got flipped by the waves. The rescue boat spotted them and towed the Kayak to the shore. haha...

Exxon has record profit again on soaring oil prices

Exxon Mobil said on Thursday soaring oil prices pushed its second-quarter earnings up 14 percent, again breaking its own record for the highest-ever profit by a U.S. company.

Net income in the quarter rose to $11.68 billion, or $2.22 a share, from $10.26 billion, or $1.83 a share, last year.

!!!???

Exxon Mobil posted record profit again and again while American Consumers suffer record high gas price. Does all this make sense?

Make no mistake I love capitalism and I am a strong believer of free market. I am not a fan of big government regulating business and commerce. However, Where is the "magic of free market" in this case? Anybody who has any common sense will detect that something is not right here.

The answer is not to have more regulations. Big corporation love regulations. The more the better. The more complex the better. Why? Because they can use the regulations to keep new competitors from entering into the market. In Econ this is called the "barrier of entry". The big corporations may have all sorts of resources to comply with any regulations, where smaller companies may not.

In conclusion, American consumers are screwed regardless. What a great economy!

HTC Touch

I finally got my new cell phone. It's a headache to transfer all the contacts in my old phone to the new one. Nevertheless, I can watch the TV and surf the web on my phone now. :)

new cell phone

I am suppose to get a new cell phone today - HTC Touch. A cool phone. Actually I am supposed to get that last Saturday, but the fone art sprint store is closed. So I left work early today and went to the fone art store at around 6:30. It's closed already. Isn't there a sign on the window says that it's open from 11am-7pm?!

Anyway, i will go again tomorrow and pick up my new phone. I will call to make sure she doesn't close it early.

O the joy of having all in Jesus!
What a balm the broken heart to heal!
Never a sin so great, but He'll forgive it,
Nor a sorrow that He does not feel!
(hymn 1079)

broken heart, sin, and sorrow.
You can take care of everything, Lord.

I understand the complexity of the situation and i am also fully aware of the consequences of each approach. It has the potential of producing a lot of confusions and misunderstandings. Your situation is a mess. I didn't say it's gonna be easy. However, I promise i will help you to see the bright light at the end of the dark tunnel.

We had a long conversation yesterday. Thank you for sharing with me the stuff you are going through. I understand it's very difficult to share this with me. I value the tremendous trust you have on me. I can indeed feel the pain you are going through.

(A side note) I didn't realize that the incident in July 2007 still haunts you. You were there and I was there too. You know what happened and I know what happened. It's not your fault. Stop blaming yourself. I can quickly let it go because I don't have stake in that. I don't have much to say about that event. Just let the past be the past. You can't change what happened in the past so don't live in it anymore. Let's forget about the things which are behind. Time is so precious you should focus on the stuff you are facing right now.

For the things that have happened in the last couple weeks, it would have gotten a lot worse. I think both you and I have a clear picture of what's right and what's wrong. We all make mistake in our life. Some make big ones and others make small ones. I am not here to judge you but to help you. I know even though it's a big mess, you still can survive through this.

As mere human beings living on this earth, we rejoice for our silly little gain and grieve for our silly little loss. Taking a journey that is different from what God has for you only results in sorrow and pain. I hope you can see God's purpose for you and His sovereign hand on all these matters. I always had and I alway will pray for you. =)

Anyway, the main point I am writing this blog is to remind you to consider what I told you yesterday. (I don't know if you read my blog. Anyway, I will call you.) There are not that many things I am good at but you know I am good at this kind of stuff. Remember the five steps I told you. Don't "cherry pick" from what I said. You gotta do everything. I know it's tough. There is no better way to do this. I value the virtues of integrity, honesty and loyalty highly. I can keep your secret. I would never hurt you. I always got you back. I am on your side.

Thank you again for trusting me. My job is to make sure you can go through this mess as smooth as possible. In the end, however, human preparation can only take you so far, the rest lies on the hands of God. You do have choices and at least you can choose the right one.

new tennis court

My petition to access the tennis count across the the street is finally approved by the buracratic RSF officials last week!

Hooray!

Now we don't have to go all the way to the beatup/third-world-country Hearst tennis courts. =)

We played there for the first time today and that was awesome. The sunset was around 8:30 so we had a lot of fun.

promise and commitment

A loser makes promises and a winner makes commitments.

video training on Luke

We reached the climax of the training - The acceptable year of the Lord, the year of Jubilee!!!

In the year of jubilee there were two main blessings: the returning of every man to his lost possession and the liberation from slavery. =)

Jubilee means having no worry or anxiety, no concern or care, no lack or shortage, no sickness or calamity, and no problem whatsoever, but rather having all benefits; hence, all things are pleasant and satisfying to our hearts, and we are free from anxiety, at ease, excited, and exultant.

Jehovah gives and Jehovah takes away;
Bless be the name of Jehovah.

7 years old and 5 years old street dancing

Let's meet the future Britney Spear and Eminem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9t0R981_v8

Mixt Green Salad

Today I went out with coworkers to have lunch at Mixt Greens at the expense of the company. =) Mixt Greens is the best salad bar in the financial district according to M*******. We can all design our own salads or chose from any other option they have.

It's quite pricey but the food is all organic and the store is environmentally friendly. According to the restaurant they serve organic, sustainable, local food to the take-away containers (made from 100% compostable corn, really?).

I am too lazy to mix my own so I ordered a salad designed by chef Andrew Swallow name "bachelor". It has red leaf lettuce, grilled prime flatiron, herb roasted yukon potatoes (yummy), roasted cherry tomatoes, blue cheese, balsamic vinaigrette, topped with caramelized onions.

I also grab a bag of my favorite Honey Dijon chips on the way out. =)

No doubt is the best salad I had in my life. I felt so refreshed at work after all.

give it to the Lord

Lord, if You want my parents to move to Tucson, make it happen. If You doesn't want my parents to move to Tucson, don't make it happen. Lead us in a straight path and save us from the evil ones.

starbucks coffee

Life is good. I decide to buy a different flavor of starbucks coffee everyday before work to see how they taste. =) Frappuccino Caramel is my favorite so far.

Frappuccinos here I come...

I like the feeling of holding a starbucks coffee and walk into the cozy office every morning, greeting and getting greeted by everyone. People are nice. It's another bright day.

Free company lunch today. I ordered Grandma Mary's Chickcen Soup from San Francisco Soup Company. It tastes plain. My own chicken soup is much better. Anyway, you can't beat a free deal.

Thank You Lord for giving me this wonderful internship.

US Open Championship

I went home this weekend to take care some business. Enough is enough.

We live pretty close the Torrey Pines Golf Club. So I happened to see a lot of people watching the live US Open Golf Championship. =) All the big names are there. Tiger Woods barely won the championship today. He beat a guy ranked 158th in the world - and the world couldn't get enough of it. haha...

"Southern Californians who apparently don't have to work Mondays like they do in the rest of the country came out in huge numbers to watch. Productivity had to drop to zero in offices around the country as workers sneaked peeks at the television or followed the action online."

working is fun

Working is fun. The people are awesome. Can't blog about it because it's confidential...

I got a free black shirt from them. It prints "WEATHER HAPPENS". I have no clue why it's funny until Jeremy points out. hehe.

first day of work

I started working yesterday at SF. I met at lot of fun people at work.

There are two ways to do anything in life. Onw way is to make it so simple that there is obviously no mistake. Another way is to make it so complicated that there is no obvious mistake.

great summer trip 1

Right now I am in the basement of the hospitality's home in Portland, Oregon. We went to the beach and hiked about three hours in the muddy trail. That was a lot of fun. Pictures will come later when I get back.

Hallelujah!

My brother Robert is baptized today. Hooray! Good boy. Well, it's sort of expected after all those miracles the Lord has shown to me and my family. The Lord did in one day what I lost for three years...

As it's written in Joshua 24:15, "And if it seems wrong in your eye to serve Jehovah, choose yourselves today whom you will serve, either the gods from across the River, whom your father served, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. BUT AS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY, WE WILL SERVE JEHOVAH."

Lord, let me make a fresh consecration to your again. For me and my family, we will serve You for the rest of our lives. Our faith will be counted as righteousness in the eyes of Jehobah. AMEN.

It's not gambling if I know I am absolutely going to win, right? hehe...

hao hao xue xi

I will be free tomorrow night after the last final!!! Then I will play tennis, hit the gym and swim in the hearst pool every day until the great summer road trip. =)

Yeah!

But now is the time to hao hao xue xi.

kittens watching tennis or ping pong

hahahaha...

last day of class

I am finally done with filling out the tedious evaluations for professors and TAs. This semester goes too fast. However, I did many interesting and crazy things. hehe...

I cooked a house dinner tonight (mainly Mapo tofu and sweet sour spareribs). =) No one in the house showed up!!! One was out of the state. One was still at work. One was sleeping (7pm is like the middle of the night). One was in Fremont. One was writing a lengthy paper on campus.

anyway, yummy ribs in the fridge...

random photos

I am so cold!

outside world

two ways to look at the same fish =)

Could the Potter's hand upon the vessel
Ever leave the shaping of the work undone?

Lord, I remember Your promise. You called me out. Please be with me during this exciting journey.

last english class

We will watch the movie "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" tomorrow in my last English class. Yeah!

In the mean time, I have to finish and edit my final paper due at the beginning of the class. Oops, I think I am three pages short...

a letter to God

Dear God,

Yesterday YOU gave me a golden opportunity to "sherperd" someone in a "special" way. I am sorry I hesitated it. I have been praying for this opportunity for couple times. Out of nowhere that happened. That really surprised me. Why am I surprised by my own prayer being answered? Out of YOUR merciful heart YOU have answered my prayers so many times. Praise YOU, Lord!

I am sorry I didn't responde to yesterday's situation, though the situation was exactly what I prayed for. What was I thinking? I was unsure at that moment, because I knew what I would have done is kind of unconventional and out-of-the-box.

However, I would have done it if YOU would give me a couple more minutes. So as I was deciding on whether I should act or not, the opportunity vanished right before my eyes. I regret it and I repent that I didn't respond.

Lord, YOU and I both know that this is not the end of the story. Maybe YOU will arrange similar opportunities in next couple days. May YOU give me the courage and strength when the time comes.

Yours Forever,
Richard

p.s. Lord, when I have a hammer like YOU, every problem becomes a nail. =)

Life is full of dramas. We all feel like we are outsiders. We all try to fit in. We all do things and feel things that are bizarre and unconventional in the eyes of others.

celebration meeting

Tonight's celebration meeting was so good. A new one that is with me commented that before he came, he thought everything is serious but he was touched by so many genuine sharings throughout the meeting. Everyone is caring for each other like a big family. =)

This is what church life all about. What a testimony for our dear Lord Jesus Christ! What a testimony against the dead religion! What a testimony against this corrupted and perverted world!

English paper due tomorrow morning

Argh...The stupidest English paper is due tomorrow at 11. I only came up with my thesis so far. Help me God!

Phase I

I plan to take following classes next semester:

CS161 Computer Security (hacking? virus?)
CS162 Operating System (design Vista?)
Philosophy 25A Ancient Philosophy
PSYCH 1
Music20A Basic Musicianship (2 units)
Yongmudo/Self-Defense
Yoga
PoliSci 179 Colloquium on Political Science (as always)

19 units

It's going to be an exciting semester!

God's operation and Our Co-operation

The messages tonight were really good. It seems like the Lord prepared them for me.

Crystallizations:
1. Say "NO" to Satan, the old man, and anxiety.
2. Say "YES" to God and His move
3. "Slow down" in everything, take time to pray and give it to the Lord
4. Practice in everyday life

Afterward I had a brief talk with Paul O. He was really kind and shining. Oh the Lord is good!

CS61C project

CPU design is not too bad as I start to get a hang of it.

Hehe, fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. You already fooled me once, I won't get fooled again.

Baptism of Ryan Spe*r

Praise the Lord! Ryan Spe*r is baptized into the Triune God tonight. =)

On my second semester (Spring 2007) I invited Henry N. to the Christians on Campus welcome meeting. He brought his friend Ryan Spe*r along with him. Henry only met with us a couple times. However, Ryan has been meeting with us for a year now.

God slowly works Himself back to Ryan and now he is baptized. What a testimony!

human rights in China

When Beijing successfully petitioned to host Olympic in 2001, I was still in China. The government promised to improve human rights before 2008 Olympic Games.

"Surprisingly", they haven'y kept their words. Six years later, the conditions are not improved at all, or even worsened in many aspects. China government should stop prosecuting political dissenters. China's crackdown on activists threatens Olympics legacy.

One World. One Dream.

SF torch relay

The torch changed route in the beginning. It's so lame....

We waited an hour for the torch and didn't get to see it. =(

I may see the Olympic torch relay in SF

Around 3,000 French police on motorcycles, in jogging gear and on skates will protect the Olympic torch relay as it departs from the Eiffel Tower and criss-crosses Paris amid threats of pro-Tibet protests.

......

Pro-Tibet activists have threatened demonstrations, saying they would not reveal their exact plans.The head of Reporters Without Borders, arrested in Greece last month for protesting during the flame-lighting ceremony there, said the group had altered its initial plans because of the heavy police turnout.Without giving away details, Robert Menard promised protests would, nonetheless, be "spectacular".


This is ridiculous. Today in London, there are about 100 security guards and policemen surrounding the torchbearer. Some demonstrators threw themselves at the torch, and at least one tried to snatch it away. Another tried to put out the flame with a fire extinguisher. London police is taking out and arresting protestors alone the way. It's a completely chaos. As a human right activist myself, I would say that the protestors are way out of the line. They are bringing violence to this peaceful event.

The next stop for the torch is Paris. Then it will arrive at San Francisco on Wed. I want to go see it. And the protest is going to be "spectacular". =)

review of "An Inconvenient Book"

Over the break, I read Glenn Beck's best selling political satire "An Inconvenient Book: Real Solutions to the World's Biggest Problems".

In his book, he attacks liberals on a host of issues like Global Warming, Agribusiness, Big Government, Marriage, Porn, Islam, Body Image, Blind Dating, Income Gap, Oil Dependence, Liberal Universities, Political Games, Movie Rentals, Media Bias, Political Correctness, Tipping, Child Molesters, Don Imus, the UN, Minimum Wage, Poverty, and Illegal Immigration.

It's a thought-provoking, funny but extremly biased book. It does have some important points and also many serious flaws.

Republicans are going to love this book, but I hope they read it critically. Democrats are going to hate this book to the bones, but I hope they can read it with an open mind.

Spring Break Starts

Finally, spring break is here! On Friday night, everyone in the front house is gone except me. Nobody is around. Empty house. A sudden sense of loneliness. My friend joked that I would make as much noice as I want. Hehe. Right. But what possiblely can I do?

After spending two days alone in front house, I left Berkeley today and headed back home. It's funny how every time after I pack and about to leave, there is always a mix feeling of bittersweetness. I got too comfortable with the front house. I hate to leave my comfort zone.

On the other hand, many good things to do back home. Catching up with people. Sleeping. Watching Celebrity Apprentice. Playing baseball catch with my brother. Watch Ratatouille with my brother. Politics. WWE tournament. Reading a pile of magazines and a lot of books...

Oh, one week of free food in exchange for many "meaningful" conversations with parents. -_-

Lord, please lead me on a straight path.

writing assignment

In my English R1A class, the teacher cancelled one of our boring papers. Instead she wants us to write a rhetorical analysis of Obama's speech about race. :-) This brightens my day. I can't think of any better deal than this.

what the future holds

I want to make my plans prayerfully and hold them loosely. With every prayer request and every plan I give it to Him, saying, "Lord, if it be Your will . . . ."

We don't know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. =)

CS61C sub

The CS61C sub looks exactly like theguy in High School Musical. I was totally amazed.

Anatol: This guy looks so familiar.
Me: Of course. He looks exactly the same as the guy in High School Musical.
Anatol: Oh...

The greatest danger for me is not that my aim is too high and I miss it, but that it is too low and I reach it.

Let's do it!

shoot for the moon

I am gonna shoot for the moon. Even if I miss, I’ll land among the stars. =)

Transforming Lives $40 at a Time

Dana Whitaker, the author of "Transforming Lives $40 at a Time, Women + Microfinance" showed up in my UGBA "Colloquium on the Social, Political, and Ethical Environment of Business" class. She gave a presentation about how microfinance helped people, especially women, to get a new life. It's so remarkable.

What can a $40 dollars loan do? It can save a whole family in some third world countries. You can't even have a dinner at a decent restaurant with $40 in US. This is insane. This is life.

tennis again

I just got back from playing tennis with Joan and Esther. It's my first time playing tennis at night. It was fun and energic. =)

Back from the retreat, back to work and back to the world...

Lord, You know I love You. And I will always love You. You know my heart.

the true cost of cotton

In my UGBA "Colloquium on the Social, Political, and Ethical Environment of Business"(yes, this is the actual title) class today, a speaker informs us that how Uzbekistan governement and big businesses used child labors to collect cotton by hands in the corrupted government of Uzbekistan. They closed the school and send the children to the hot cotton field by schoolbuses.

It's extremly cruel and inhuman to exploiting little children like that. The love of money blinds those people consciences, if they have any. It's so sad that the pleasures of a few cause pains of so many.

In the video, I remember a 8-years old girl were asked "how long have you pick cotton?" She slowly responded with an innocent look and sad voice, "A VERY LONG TIME..." =(

How many times can I turn my head and pretend that I don't see? How many ears must I have before I can hear other people's cry?

internship hunting

I went to the career fair yesterday. I planed for two hours but I ended up spending four hours talking to recruiters. I can't believe that many employers are looking for CS students. Their eyes just lit up after I revealed my EECS major.

Hehe. Life is great. Praise the Lord!

tennis and swimming

Yesterday is a nice and warm day. I couldn't resist the blue blue sky. So I went to play tennis with Paul Daubenmire.

Afterward I went to swimming at the Hearst Gym on my own. The Greek style swimming pool is so pretty and classy. I like walking on the white marble floor bare foot. O man that feels so good. =) Then I swam for about thirty minutes.

Anyway, the crazy thing is while I was taking a shower in the locker room, the warm water suddenly turned ice cold!?!? =< I get out of the shower quickly. There is another guy who just applied shampoo and soap before the cold water came. So he has to rinse them off in ice cold water. hehe. Hope he doesn't get sick.

Tomorrow I need to go to the job fair to sell myself for summer internship. Gotta do what I need to do...

Valentine's Day

Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love. ~Albert Einstein

Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Senator Mike Gravel in our class

Senator Gravel: "I can solve the energy problem in five years. If I am the president, I will install five million windmills across the country in five years. I will install one million each year. That will solve our oil dependence once for all."



Senator Gravel: "Here is a young man that has a question." (He points to student A)

Prof. Ross: "No. Let's have another student ask the question." (He points to student B far away)

Senator Gravel: "Hey, Professor Ross! Sure he can ask the question. I AM THE SENATOR! Go, you ask the question." (He points to student A)
Laughters....

random

Everybody wants to be different, but nobody wants to change.

election 2008

A current presidential candidate will come to our poli sci 179 class next Wednesday. Yah! The professor wouldn't disclose the name. All we know is that it's not Hillary. Hopefully he is not a loser.

I guess it's mostly like be Ron Paul. Haha. Although it wouldn't hurt if Obama shows up. =)

school starts today

School starts today, yah!

In this incredible chilly morning, we are passing out gospel tracks from 7:30 am. Honestly, it's not a pleasant experience for the flesh. lol. "The flesh profits nothing..."(John 6:63).

I did promise the Lord to pass out gospel tracks every semester. I need Lord to help me to keep the promise. May the Lord call out His chosen ones through the gospel.

San Diego Wild Animal Park

Today we went to San Diego Wild Animal Park. I saw a lot of giraffes playing and resting. =) cute.

In particular, one of the giraffes has a hard time sitting down. Her legs are too long. She tried it couple times and she gave up. Poor giraffes. lol.

I will be back to Berkeley in 7 days. I need to be productive now. I trust everything to the Lord. He knows the plan He has for me, the plan to prosper me and not to harm me, the plan to give me hope and future. He knows and He wills.

universal studio tour

My family and I went to Universal Studios today. It was pouring. :(

It was a fun day at LA, nevertheless.

In the four hours drive back and forth, I listened to Romans Chapter 9 on my ipod again and again. I don't know why. The Lord is speaking to me.

As it's written, "For Jacob have I loved, for Esau have I hated." What can I say? Nothing. All i can do is just to praise the Lord for making me a "Jacob".

I did not look for God, yet He finds me. I did not love Him, yet He loves me.

God is God. Who I am, a mere human being, to talk back to God? Who am I to say "Oh No. You can't do that. That's not FAIR?" If God wills something to happen, who can resist His will?

Praise the Lord for showing me mercy. Prause the Lord who wills.