Japan

So, I'm not sure if anyone is still checking out this blog. I mean, jeez, almost 5 years since the last post?

Anyway, I'm here to let you know, I'm heading to Japan! And to keep people updated on what's going on, I created a new blog called SEE Japan. Pop over and check it out! In the mean time, I'm going to keelhaul this blog into something presentable.

See you soon! Ja mata ne! じゃまた！

Hail President-Elect

As I curled up on the hard sofa of my apartment last night, listening as Senator Barack Obama said his first words as President-Elect, I couldn’t help but feel the dread and excitement of the coming future. Uncertainty seemed to latch itself to the pit of my stomach and my fingers gripped the cushions tightly. I was so overwhelmed, in fact, that I feel asleep during his speech. (O.k. so I was really, really tired.) But in all honesty, I’ve been looking towards the future and what it means for the United States, for our nation, but one of the biggest impacts for me is looking to the world. Reuters posted “Postcards” from around the world for President-Elect Obama.

Here are just a few things people write:

From Baghdad, Iraq
"I as an Iraqi, I am asking Obama to keep his promise about withdrawing the U.S. security forces here from our land."

Gaza
"By the name of the Palestinian nation, I ask Obama to find a just solution for the Palestinian cause. I hope that he will be better than the ones before."

Beijing, China
"I hope you can help American people set up more understanding to Chinese. And maybe also help all the people from the world to know what happens in China. It's very important for me."

Click here to see other postcards.

BBC records the response of world leaders:

From European Commission Chief Jose Manuel Barroso
"This is a time for a renewed commitment between Europe and the United States of America. We need to change the current crisis into a new opportunity. We need a new deal for a new world.
"I sincerely hope that with the leadership of President Obama, the United States of America will join forces with Europe to drive this new deal - for the benefit of our societies, for the benefit of the world."

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon
"This is, I believe, an historic opportunity.
"I am confident that we can look forward to an era of renewed partnership and a new multilateralism. If ever there were a time for the world to join together, it is now."

Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas
"President Abbas congratulates US President-elect Barack Obama in his name and in the name of the Palestinian people, and hopes he will speed up efforts to achieve peace, particularly since a resolution of the Palestinian problem and the Israeli-Arab conflict is key to world peace."

Read More…

It’s interesting to see that Obama doesn’t just stand for “HOPE” to the American people, but also to the whole world. And it’s frightening to see their expectations. Each country desires the best for their own. But, what’s America going to do?

Congratulations President-Elect. All eyes are on you.

Streams of Green Running Dry

P.S. (Pre Scriptum) The title just sounded cool. There are no streams of green where the Lord has planted me. I'm really actually quite broke. But I praise God for what He's given me.

Today, I would just like to say my Visa card was charged unexpectedly. No, it was not identity theft (thank God). My bank account may have suffered a 60-some-odd dollar loss, but I am now the proud owner of an ESV Study Bible. <-- Go on, click it. You know you want to.--

I am a firm believer that the Bible is the Word of God and stands in His power. That is to say, if you are studying the Bible you should be able to answer questions through the same verse, or the next verse, maybe in the next chapter, maybe it's somewhere in the rest of the book or possibly another book altogether. You just need to know where to look and a wealth of knowledge is suddenly at your finger tips. That is where this Study (a.k.a cheater) Bible comes in. It points to other places in scripture that relate to what you are reading. Study Bibles also provide insight that the original audience would understand, but for us it's not common knowledge. It brings a deeper understanding of the Bible. Hurray!

So, although my pocketbook is a good deal lighter, I feel like this will be a very good investment.

Jiffy

So I decided to check out the idea of blogging.

You see, my mother did her grocery shopping at this place called Laneco. I don't know if Laneco exists anymore, but I do know I loved sitting in the shopping cart as my mom wheeled it around the store. There was just something magical about Laneco. It was also the home of Jiffy Blueberry Muffin Mix (not to be mistaken for Jiff Peanut butter). Oh, Jiffy--the glorious saint of the most uh-mazing blueberry pancakes ever. See, Jiffy didn't use just any blueberries. Jiffy used fake blueberries composed of some blueberry flavoring, a little artificial blue dye, and 99% sugar. Absolutely wonderful.

Then one fateful day, Laneco shut down. My house was in chaos when my brothers and I realized what that meant for our Jiffy pancakes consumption:

No. More. Pancakes.

But you, dear reader, say, "How can you not eat anymore pancakes for the rest of your life?" (I guess if you don't like pancakes you wouldn't actually say that, but roll with it.)

And I would answer, "Of course we ate pancakes. Who wouldn't? But they weren't Jiffy pancakes, the god of all fake-blueberried pancakes." So there was great mourning in all the household.

My family went without Jiffy for several years. That was, until I stumbled upon a box hidden in the depth of Wal-Mart. How such evilness can house such deliciousness, I have no idea. But it was there. Oh, never was there such rejoicing in my house. Well, actually, my mom was kind of like, "Is that really Jiffy mix? I haven't seen that in ages. Could you put it in the pantry next to the cake mixes?" But I was pretty excited about my discovery. So excited, in fact, that the same box resides in my cupboard at school. Still unopened.

So, I really haven't been able to enjoy one of my fondest childhood memories but there is a great comfort in knowing that, should the nostalgic desire to revisit my childhood arises, I have Jiffy on hand.

And what does this have to do with starting a blog? I have no idea.