Christmas Thoughts

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is such a fabulous time for me. It’s wonderful because as a Christian, I can celebrate and revel in the peace of knowing that Christ had been born to save us. It’s wonderful because as a workaholic, I can take a little time to relax. It’s wonderful because as a human, I use the holidays as an reason to spend time with my family and loved ones.

I really do love spending good quality time with my family. It makes me remember how kind God was to create other people in our lives so that we won’t have to spend our time on earth alone.

“The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’”
~ Genesis 2:18

Perhaps this is a naive way of thinking but I’m curious — when did life start to develop this whole “me against them” way of thinking? When did everyone start to feel the need to protect their assets, protect their gains as though there are not enough to go around in the world? When did the privileged just want to keep what they have just to themselves and not share? When did pushing others down to make your way to the top become an envied trait? When did caring about other people become not cool? When did sharing get lost, people? We learned this in kindergarten so I know some people somewhere still felt it was important but somehow on the road to growing up, we lost some of it. When did material goods become replacements for quality relationships? When did quantity replace quality?

I don’t really care to know when any of these happen but I do wish to know why it happened. I may be lost on a lot of other things but I am not lost on this and it’s that we were made on this earth to love. Christ showed us that during his time here. When we love, miracles happens. I know this because when I heard of Christ’s love, when I felt His love around my arms, my world turned upside down but suddenly made sense. This here is a man who loved those who betrayed Him, who loved us before we loved Him. By all this world’s standards, he’s a fool. But to me, it’s someone finally worthy enough to worship.

This article on how some of our country’s richest think about the Occupy movement really irritated me when I first read it. And these details of the Sandusky case literally made me sick to my stomach. I just couldn’t believe the nerves of some people, how they can be so trapped in their own world and produce this really twisted view of life. And then I realized I am no better if I just put them off that way because the truth is, I have never been in their world so I have no idea what it’s really like. I can just guess and say things like, “oh, if I were in there position, I would NEVER think this way, I would never act that way.”

But would I really?

It just comes down to me living my life and the things I’ve seen and the things I know and the people and actions that have touched my heart. With all those things I have come to know that:

• *Happiness does not equal joy.
• *Money does not equal happiness.
• *There are so many things I can’t change in my life already so with the things I’m granted free will to change, I need to make wise decisions on.
• *I can’t change other people so I can only change myself.
• *I may only be one person and I may not be able to make all the difference in the world but I can make a difference and that in it of itself makes all the difference in the world.
• *Each person does not have the same path set for them.
• *All things are possible through Christ.

posted by Janice | Comments: 1 | God, Love

My Short Arboretum Trip

One of the best parts of the holidays (and there are so many, aren’t there) is the time I get to spend with my family.

On a regular basis, I generally already spend a fair amount of time with my folks but it’s usually hanging around the house or trips to the mall or getting groceries or something. It’s not…quality time, I should say. But it is something I’m working on.

I was determined to get my parents and grandma out of that lovely round kitchen table they usually sit at for most of the day and into the sunlight to soak up some Vitamin D so I made plans to take them to the arboretum.

My family, in our usual fashion, lagged and hemmed and hawed and stalled and reconsidered but I was adamant to get them out of the house this particular afternoon.

I daresay our trip to the Fullerton arboretum was a success and that they even enjoyed themselves (a little sunlight can do that to ya). But why don’t you decide for yourself in the video below? Check it:

posted by Janice | Comments: 1 | Los Angeles, Love, Personal

I Don’t Like White Elephant

This year was my first time participating in white elephants for work and friends and I have to tell ya, I don’t like the game ooooone bit.

For some reason, it seems to bring the mean competitive streaks out of everyone and no matter what, people’s feelings get hurt– whether it’s you brought a gift that no one else likes or you unwrap the perfect present only to have someone steal it from you.

I suppose it’s also ’cause I like personalized gifts because it shows the person took care and thought into what to get me.

Like this picture my co-worker Peter took of me.

What can I say? I sing like no one’s watching. Unfortunately for me, someone was.

posted by Janice | Comments: 2 | Personal

Bringing Christmas Back Pt. 2

Once you start, you just can’t stop.

So since I decided to do my little part in reviving some of the Christmas spirit in our household, I suddenly was on a roll to do all I can to bring more Christmas cheer back.

I went to the 99cents Only store and bought a couple of boxes of lights to hang all over our house. My stupidity did not warn me that the number “20″ on the box means just that– 20 lightbulbs. That meant I had a whole bunch of really short strings of lights and couldn’t really do much with it except to toss around the fireplace and hang on the stairs.

Our family threw away our beloved fake Christmas tree the last time we moved (along with all the ornaments) so instead of going out to buy a new one, I decided to just decorate a regular ol’ fake tree that’s been standing in our living room. Bought a couple of fake snowflakes from Target and viola! Not a bad impostor, eh?

Oh yea, and I also baked snicker-doodles for the first time. The soggy dough threw me off for a bit but they came out of the oven nice enough.

And also for the first time ever, I ended up buying everyone in my family gifts that I actually think they will really like! No more last-minute JCPenney tie for dad or that lame plate set that I picked up from a white elephant exchange that I decide to regift to my cousin. Is this what growing up means? If so, I dig it.

posted by Janice | Comments: 1 | Friendlies, Love

Point & Shoot

You know that gut feeling you get that something’s not right?

It’s this deep-sitting stone that sits in your stomach and no matter what you do, you can’t shake it out.

That’s what I had all day today.

I thought it was due to the book I was reading, “Th1rteen R3asons Why” by Jay Asher which, though rightfully award-winning-worthy and a page-turner, is by no means an easy read.

I thought it was due to the movie I just caught a screening of this morning. Spellbound, a korean flick which though is an adorable romantic comedy, also happens to be a pretty freaky horror flick.

I thought it was due to traffic ticket I rightfully got this afternoon for texting while driving which SERIOUSLY PEOPLE, is a stupid thing to do while on the road and you should NEVER participate in it. You can text “lol” after you’ve parked.

But nope, I do believe that impending doom of a gut feeling I felt was warning me about what was to happen tonight.

My friend Melly and I stopped by LoveLetter, a Korean pizza and fried chicken joint in Cerritos to catch up. Amidst hearing all about Melly’s new venture, NewMediaRockstar, and what Audrey Magazine has coming up for our Spring issue, this man with a black beanie covering his face strides up to our table waving a gun in the air.

“Go to the back. Go to the kitchen,” he says, poking Melly with the gun. He then turns the gun to me, “You too.”

We head to the back, a million thoughts racing through my heads. I head towards the melodramatic so I was thinking something along the lines of, “oh no, he’s gonna shoot, he’s gonna shoot, hey I’m passing a butcher knife, what if he uses that to slice us all to death, should I take that up and slice him up instead? Why is he herding us to the kitchen, does he want to burn the kitchen down?”

Then prayer settled in.

Because sometimes in life, there is nothing you can do but kneel to God and pray as hard as you can to be at his mercy and grace (which he always gives abundantly and righteously). There’s no right move or wrong move in this situation because you really have no idea how crazy the man is, what his motives are, how fast or slow he is, how many people are helping him, etc etc. All you can do is pray.

At that, a calm settles over when you leave it all to the hands of God.

Praise the Lord for granting not a bullet to sound in that restaurant that night, not a person hurt (except for this poor elderly lady who fainted). Praise the Lord for the robber to only leave with the restaurant’s cash. Our stuff was left untouched, can you believe it? Praise the Lord for this alarm ringing that life is short. It can all change in the blink of an eye. Not a lot of people live with that at the forefront of their attention and they need to.

NOW is the time to tell your dear ones you love them and to love them, actually love them. NOW is the time to ask for forgiveness. NOW is the time to forgive. NOW is the time to be bold and daring. NOW is the time to search. NOW is the time to act. NOW is the time to take a vacation.

Thank you all for your love and support. I didn’t mean to tweet the gunpoint holdup but I wasn’t thinking very clearly and it seemed like something two new media generation kids would do. But I didn’t want to worry you all with such a cursory footnote of what happened so here is a more detailed version of what happened.

My hands are still kind of shaky as I type this and my heart is still flopping around a bit but I thank God for this wake up call.

Let’s start living. <3

posted by Janice | Comments: 3 | God, Personal

Bringing Christmas Back

My family’s hitting that awkward age where all the children have grown up and adults feel like there’s no need for getting into the Christmas spirit anymore. Like, we all know Santa doesn’t exist so why decorate the tree? And why wrap presents when you can just give cash in a red envelope?

Well, I say nay to that! Nay to that!

First, I hung a wreath up on our doors (lights will hopefully come later once I find out a) how to hang them b) how to light them without getting myself electrocuted). It’s just the right cheery touch to welcome someone in.

Next up, I intended to revive postal services again by mailing a few of my dearest with Christmas love. Who doesn’t like receiving mail, right?

I didn’t plan a good system this year though. Post-it lists and using mailing labels 5 sizes too big do not pretty Christmas cards make. Next year, I’ll try harder!

I even started doing some gift wrapping! I really do love gift wrapping. I should open my own gift wrapping business. Any takers?

And a present to all my dear blog readers…a revamped Media Maid layout thanks to the talented Modeh!

May your Christmas be bright.

PS. Just learned this week that Christ was NOT born on Dec. 25th! Nonetheless, his love is so real and deep, hallelujah!

posted by Janice | Comments: 0 | Blog, Personal

When Trees Attack

In Southern California, we’re not known for crazy weather.

But as the winds from a week ago can attest, mother nature is one ferocious beast.

I made a video about my reaction to the winds.

By the way, is it vblog or vlog? I never knew the difference.

posted by Janice | Comments: 3 | Personal

Motivational Monday: ‘When The Lights Come On’ – Jin ft. Joseph Vincent

The allure to clubbing wore me out after only a few short years. When friends ask me to go now and I say, “nah, I’m kind of over it,” they reply, “Whaa! But you’re only [however young you think I am]!”

Trust me, I had my fun(?) back in the heyday.

Short skirts, sky-high heels, false lashes, shots, shots, more shots, chasing down with a can of Coke, cramming into cars, avoiding being designated drivers, long lines before you even see the dance floor, getting in because you’re a girl, checking out people, checking out people checking you out, loud loud LOUD MUSIC, a mess of faces, squeezing between those faces, drinks, more drinks, being careful not to spill drinks, spilling drinks, oops, loud, can’t hear, can’t think, just moving, moving any part of my body that can feel the beat, checking out, any cute guys?, no cute guys, how about average guys?, how about just a guy that’s taller than me?, spot target, smile, yelling things, “what’s your name?”, “wanna dance?”, dance, dance, revolution, pained feet, numb feet, step, step, step, jump, jump, wave your hands in the air, toss the hair around a bit, hands on waist, hands on hips, hands on — don’t even think about it, shake shake, “wanna drink?”, more drinks, how many drinks am I on? I don’t care, just want a cup in my hand, the music has become indistinguishable, one tune sounds like the other, “Ooh I love this song! At least I think I do…”, jump, jump, turn around, holding hands, with whoever — boy, girl, friend, stranger, dance, dance, ‘I’m getting sleepy”, eyes can’t stay open anymore, dance, turn, dance, jump, sip drink, toss hair, toss toss, lights ON, people looking a lot more towed up and tired than I thought they were, uncontrollable giggles, smooch, need water, need water NOW, heading home, talking WAY TOO LOUDLY in the car, dozing off, get into bed, KNOCKED OUT.

Sound familiar? I get the whole clubbing culture and why people can think it’s so fun and freeing, especially after a long work week or an especially tough finals period but after awhile, it just all started to feel the same to me. No matter how hip or hot or happening a club is, at the end of the day, it’s just another dark crowded space with loud music blasting on high jam-packed with a bunch of people looking to hook up or be drunk out of their minds or the occasional rare person who actually just wants to dance (that’s me *cough cough).

This music video and song perfectly encapsulates how I feel about the whole clubbing thing now:

We are made for more. We are made for so much more.

The funny thing is, I do still go to clubs every once in a (long) while. But I don’t go looking for a hookup anymore and I really do dance like nobody’s watching (sometimes it’s really not a pretty sight so you actually really shouldn’t be watching). And you know what? I have the best time ever when I do that.

Shoutouts to homeboys Joseph Vincent and Tom Ngo for the awesome video and nice to know Jin still got it!)

posted by Janice | Comments: 3 | Inspirations, Music