Sunday, January 28, 2007

The Driving Force Behind Apple

A must-see for any Apple fan is a video of Steve Jobs, pre-black-turtleneck-and-blue-jeans days and with all of his hair, at a keynote in 1983 showing for the first time ever the famous "1984" ad. He was so smug and the audience went so wild it's like being in a cult.

Reading some stories of Steve Jobs from people who worked with him, I believe one of the reasons Apple's products are so beautiful and work so well is his demand for excellence. For him, good isn't enough and it doesn't worth doing something unless it's done great. This may sound quite harsh but he brings out the best work from the people around him.

I should demand more of myself. Higher expections can bring growth. But I'm not sure how much I should expect from my children. Too low can stun their potential, while too high will be discouraging. Praying for wisdom is a must for parents!

Monday, January 22, 2007

Not Our Choice to Make

It's the 34th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion. I have so much to say on this issue but I'd keep it short (relatively) this time.

I've yet to find an remotely strong argument against life begins at conception.

It's not about women's right. It's not about telling women what do to with their bodies. It's not about limiting women's choices. It's about life that's totally different from the women's own. The unborn baby/fetus has a different DNA right from the beginning.

I do want to extend sympathies to those who got pregnant by means they didn't consent. However, two wrongs don't make a right.

The government should increase awareness on support for unwanted pregnant women (and men). The public, including teens and children, should be educated on the development of babies inside the mother's womb. And teaching on taking responsibility on your own actions will help too.

I had an ultrasound on my second baby at 9 weeks after conception. And I saw AND heard his heartbeat. At 9 WEEKS ONLY! Stopping that heartbeat intentionally is anything but murder is really beyond me.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Wow! They're In!

(Tribune photo by Jim Prisching)
I'm happy for them, really. My hubby is so excited. I saw some photos of fans and wow, so devoted. But the real test of devotion is who's going to fork out big $$ to fly to Miami for the game. I read that tickets to the game alone will cost thousands of $$.

By the way, quit the tradition of pouring tubs of drinks on the coach already. Someone can get very sick.

AAAAAH! She's In!

First of all, I don't agree with her views on social issues, and possibly more when I have time to check out her positions.

Is it just me or does she often appears arrogant and mean? She's a very smart lady, no doubt about it. But you can display your intelligence and confidence without appearing arrogant, a la Ms. Condoleezza Rice. Now there's a smart, confident AND cool and collected lady I'd like to see continue working in the White House.

It'd be interesting to see how Hillary and her spin doctors try to soften her image during her campaign.

I have a feeling the '08 Presidential election is going to be a "who'll-do-the-least-damage type of vote". Yikes.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

The Best Part of Waking Up...

...is cat poop in your cup?

Apparently for as high as $400 a pound, you can buy a delicacy coffee called Kopi Luwak. It's made from coffee beans that has been eaten by some cat-like animal. When they come out from the other end, humans collect and process them.

I'm not kidding. Check it out.

Friday, January 19, 2007

Am I a “Christian?”

I'm cautious in calling myself "Christian". Unfortunately, there are people that associate that with people who hold signs that say "God hates homosexuals", or it reminds them of their hypocritical uncle who go to church on Sundays but lies and cheats.

And then there're also people that call themselves "Christians", but what they believe or do is nowhere near what the Bible teaches.

Since the word "Christ" is in the word "Christian", obviously being Christians has everything to do with Christ. I would define a Christian as a disciple/follower of Jesus Christ.

So what does that entail?

According to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, "follow" can be to engage in as a calling or way of life, to be or act in accordance with and to accept as authority.

So to be a disciple/follower of Jesus Christ, I believe one has to:
  1. Study His words/work to grow in knowledge of Him. (i.e. the Bible)
  2. Grow a personal relationship with Him. (prayers, not only know God in your head as intellectual knowledge, but know Him in your heart as well)
  3. Do what your Lord says, regardless of how you feel.

Of course the above points will need further dissection. The fun has just begun.

Definitions

Different people interpret different words or phrases differently, since our experiences shape how we view so many things. I believe this is one of the major causes of miscommunications. For example, person A tells person B "I'll call you SOON." For person A, "soon" means a few days, while person B's version of "soon" is a few hours. Miscommunications often lead to conflicts.

I'm cautious in using words that often have different meanings for different people. Exploring how I define things is important for me, it helps me to know clearly what I believe and why I believe them. It also helps to avoid being misunderstood.

I'd post them as I tackle them.

Monday, January 15, 2007

Blink

Today is one of those days when all of a sudden my 2-year-old boy seems much much older than, like, two days ago. I didn't realize how tall he became, nor how well he can talk. How did I miss them? I guess I'd better never blink again.

What're Your Distractions?

(Tribune photo by Jim Prisching)
It's the football playoff season. My husband is excited to have his team going for another round. If they win one more game they'll be going to Superbowl.

I'm no sports fan, but I do enjoy watching a game or two occasionally. I can't quite understand how some people can live and breath sports. They take the results of games personally, even though they are not employed by or associated with the team in any way. Is it because they have nothing else in their life that is as exciting? Is it because they need escapes from their daily life so much and so badly? Do they have any other people or causes that they can root for as much as "their" team? Unless you or someone you know work for the team, I think sports are really just entertainment. It's really just a game. Chill out.

But it's not just sports. It can be any hobby. Some people spend lots of time, money and energy on cars, and I spend way too much money on cameras and too much time on the internet. All these are fun and fine, as long as they don't interfere with nor distract us from our real purpose in life, since even the best photo ever of my kids has no eternal value.

Now you DO know what your purpose in life are, don't you? (Surprise! It's not about you!)

Friday, January 12, 2007

Moo

I realized that not only I feed my kids. I, myself, is a food item. Part of me, anyway.

While some days I feel like a cow, I think nursing is the greatest idea for new mothers. It provides food for the baby, strengthens the mother-baby bond, and it's convenient and FREE! Whoa, God thought of EVERYTHING.

And did I mentioned it's FREE?

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Winter Wonderland...

...in the Seattle area? While the East coast is warm and toasty?

I remember one early morning in my college days in Iowa, I was walking home from one of my "photo marathon" in the darkroom. It was a twenty-minute walk and the snow was just starting to fall. All was still and quiet except for a few city workers. I have yet to re-experience the beauty and serenity of that morning in the snow.

The Apple Love Fest


I'm not tech-savvy enough to be a geek, but "woooo-ing" and "ahhhhh-ing" while watching the MacWorld Keynote Address should put me closer to become one, right?

Saturday, January 06, 2007

The Death of Saddam

I know this is old news, but there're thoughts that I need to get out of my system.

The death of Saddam. Does he deserve it? I'm pretty sure. Is it going to make a difference in the development of peace and democracy in Iraq and other Middle East countries? Probably not, at least not in the near future.

So what does this accomplish? For one thing, he needs to pay his penalty for his order of torturing and killing of thousands of people. Is his penalty fits the crime? Well, his death is probably less painful than many of his victims, however, I don't think the justice system should get down to his level.

There're people in the world that rejoice in his execution. I'm not one of them. I think his life is a tragedy. And for people who filmed, posted, and watched his execution, what you did make me sick.

I'm sad by the whole thing. I'm sad by what Saddam has done. I'm sad for the people and countries that he so ruthlessly destroyed. I'm sad that there are so much darkness in his life. I'm sad for a life that lives constantly under fear for betrayal. I'm sad for a life that is defined by insatiable appetite for absolute power and hate. I'm sad for the fact that real evil exists in this world. I'm fearful for him for what God's wrath has installed for him.

I wonder if he ever truly loved someone more than he loved power. I wonder if he was born in a different family, or if he has a different life circumstances if he'd be different. I wonder if anyone of us was put in his situation, if we'd turn out the same as he did.

I know "sin" is the correct, but very general answer of why he did what he did. But I'm eager to search for some other answers so that I can believe there's good even in a person like Saddam. I wonder what God's purpose for him was, and how does that going to fit in the whole picture of the human history.

With these thoughts written, my mind is now a little less crowded. A few more adoring looks at my sleeping sweet baby boy and I'll be back to my usual cheerful mood.

Wasting Time

I wonder before the invention of the television, internet and video games, what people waste time doing. Since we don't have a TV, (one of the best decisions we made!) browsing the internet has been my way of flushing valuable time away. I hope I'm at least learning something in the process. By the way, do you know it takes glass bottles 1 million years to biodegrade? And with plastic soda bottles, apparently they almost never will. See? These are the things I'd otherwise never knew if not for my time on the internet.

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Job 1-2

My husband and I want to read through the whole Bible together in 2007. Today's reading is Job chapter 1-2.

The book of Job probably one of the books of the Bible that generates most questions. The premise is basically about this righteous man Job, and Satan tempted him by destroying everything he had, even his children, and inflicted horrible diseases on him. Yet Job remained godly and never said a bad word about God, even as his wife said to him, "curse God and die!" Wow.

The questions/debates for this book generally involves God's versus Satan's part in human suffering. Though I read Job before, I look forward to read it again and see what God wants to teach/show me this time.

The verse that stands out to me today is what Job said after he learnt that he lost all his processions and children:

And he said, "I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21 (English Standard Version)

I think one of the most useful things to know in life is that God's the giver of all good things, and the God of the universe has every right to take away whatever he has given to us, for whatever His purpose is. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28 (ESV) It doesn't make losses easier, nor lessen the suffering. It does, however, gives us hope and peace to carry on.

Only a parent would appreciate...

... the sound of a baby pooping. As a nursing mother, I wonder if my 2-month-old is eating enough. So when I hear him poop, I get reassured that there has to be input in order to have output, plus I'd know that his digestive system is working!

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Back to "normal"?

So today comes January 2nd, the day when most people go back to work. While I'm sure it's wonderful for most people during the span of holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year, to spend times with family and friends, eat big meals and party, it's kind of a relief to go back to the routine.

Today would be a good day to celebrate Christ's birth, instead of December 25th. While I love all the festivities of Christmas: the decorations, the gatherings, the songs, the gifts exchanges, even the cheesiest Christmas sweaters, they're too much distractions from the true meaning of Christmas. If Christians pick another day to celebrate Christ's birth, and on that day, we'd worship, pray and meditate, then on December 25th everyone can say all the "happy holidays" they want. Even "merry Christmas" sounds shallow to me. I don't recall in the Bible Paul greeting his fellow Christians "merry" nor "happy." How about wishing each other peace and joy?

Not that I can rid Christmas off my mind any time soon. My 2-year-old, in all his cuteness, still belts out " O Come, all ye Faithful" everyday.

Monday, January 01, 2007

A New Year Resolution

While I'm not sure about the purpose (why wait till a new year to make resolutions?) and effectiveness (how many years I've resolute to work out?) of new year resolutions, it does kind of give a stonger sense of a new beginning. So here I am, joining the ever growing trait of babbling to virually nobody. Hopefully a year from now, as I look back my entries, I can thank God for a year of growth, becoming a closer follower of Jesus Christ, a better servant for God, a more decent human being.