good and evil

wow. haven't written in this thing for a while.

iono. too busy with other things in my life? hanging out with family. doing projects/lesson plans/homework for teaching credential program (which, mind you, is busier than my undergrad). cardio kickboxing and spinning classes. baking tons and tons of yummies. or busy checking facebook instead? =p

now i only use xanga to occassionally check out beautiful pictures (taken by my wonderful lil sis) or read up on friends who still update. 

i find xanga a great tool to encourage others. but at times, i'm befuddled by people in the world who have no manners and write rude comments that hurt. it makes me pissed off and very sad at the same time. grrRrrrr.

okay. i know i can't judge others and should only watch myself and what i say. anywho. i'll leave it like this: 

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." -Romans 5:1-5

have a great summer ya'll. =]

whole milk vs. fat free milk

milk in general  is good for you. it is rich in calcium, protein, vitamin D, riboflavin, and other o-so-wonderful other vitamins and minerals. milk is essential for the growth and maintenance of teeth and bones. so milk = good.

for as long as i could remember, i have always drank fat free milk. i could never understand how people would gulp down glasses of whole milk, which to me, looked so icky- chunky and thick.

however, a couple days ago, stranded without any of my marvelous fat free milk to go along with my yummy special k, i decided to be a little adventurous and try my roomate's whole milk (which she says enhances baked goods - she makes the best peach cobbler btw...). i will admit that whole milk does intensify my special k, making it much more sweeter and creamier which tasted rather nice.

so... whole milk or fat free milk?

at home, supposedly studyin' for my cset, i ended up skimming through The Wellness Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Family Resource for Safeguarding Health and Preventing Illness compiled by the Editors of the University of California, Berkeley (which is a very interesting book btw)... and found out that:

Whole Milk contains a considerable amount of saturated fat and cholesterol, which can be harmful to the cardiovascular system.and after the age of two years, it is advisable to switch to low-fat or skim milk

Skim and Low-fat Milk are as nutritious as whole milk except that they are deprived of fat-soluable vitamins such as A and D. However, in the US, they are always fortified with vit. A and almost always with vit. D. so we're all cool! and thus i conclude that i will stay with my fat free milk...

An Ambition To Please God

The past month or so, I have been reflecting on what that looks like- to be someone pleasing to God and living out a life that shines for Him.

[Attire]
I recently saw some posted pictures of myself on facebook- freshmen year and I talked with good ol’ bird about how things have changed. Snickering over the phone, she mentioned that she had a delightful time over the first week of break fumbling over old photo albums of the three of us and how dorky-looking we were, more specifically me and how erm funny I looked. (and no I will not post up any pictures) When I went home last week, I glanced over some photos and realized that I have come a long ways to where I am now. Full-fledged tomboy of baggy pants, big t-shirts, and short short hair for convenience sake - this is all no longer a style I prefer anymore. Yet, still challenge me to go for mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, snowboarding some terrain, and maybe a game of soccer, I’ll be up for it. I have realized that I am a little bit more grown up (just a tiny bit) and growing up entails more responsibilities. I use to hate everything girly. The frivolous laces and flashy colors (other then dark blue, black, and grey representing a majority of my closet) were never appealing when I was younger. Interestingly enough, I have become more adventurous over the years and I can say with much amusement that I have ONE pink shirt now hanging in my closet. But back to responsibilities and the big topic about pleasing God… with an expansion on my wardrobe, the issue is not longer learning how to embrace my feminity but how to glorify God with it.

[Attitudes & Actions]
Actions speak louder than words. In addition, for every action there is a reaction. The way we dress is one way we communicate who we are: our personality, our style, and identity-to others. How we act around others is very similar. Living in a culture that is saturated by feminism and ‘women should rule the world’ and ‘be super aggressive in everything’… well, I have to admit that it’s hard not to have that mindset even for myself.

-How do I affect others when I walk into a room?      
-Does my demeanor, my way of carrying myself and handling myself, tend to be loud and defiant? Or do I show servanthood, grace, peaceful godliness and wisdom in my mannerism?
-Do I bash my brothers in Christ?
-Same as dress, does my actions defraud the brothers around me? [a.k.a. –creating expectations that you cannot righteously fulfill-more plainly speaking… flirting].

These things…. I’m not done thinking about…  I only pray that I start moving in the right direction towards becoming someone God can be pleased with. It’s not easy: to learn how to respect others, to be proper, godly, and honorable…. to encourage and uplift my brothers and the sisters around me. But it never hurts to ask Him. Lord, I’m willing. Show me areas where I need to change.