Fatman Returns

Thur-삼겹

Fri Dinner #1-Pasta

Fri Dinner #2-삼겹

Fri Late Late Night-KFC

Sat-Pizza

Sun-Turkey(s)

I think I need a timeout. But speaking of which, my freaking phone freaking froze up again. It's been very frustrating not having anything to listen to (them subways is loud!) and no calls/messages throughout the weekend. I dread the thought of having to go into the A/S center again and wait there for hours only to find out that I need to pay some ridiculous amount again. It's things like this that prevented me from enjoying my weekend even though I had much reason to. I couldn't stand seeing so many people using their well-functioning Galaxy S's everywhere I went. I truly do believe that idols are best revealed when they are taken away from you. I guess in my case, it was my comfort and convenience. Maybe these smart phones are too smart for their own good.

Thought of the Day: Thanksgiving Dinner

Song of the Day: Glee-Empire State Of Mind

쌩유

So today is Thanksgiving in the states, and I am still here in Korea just like all those other years. I don't know how many times I've described the joys of eating turkey and pumpkin pie and getting ready for Black Friday to my many students. But as it is a holiday for giving thanks, I am reminded of the many people I am thankful from this past year.

Nate

Nate has been a very refreshing addition to my life with his youth, energy, and optimism. He has a great desire to share his positive view of life and not taking everything so seriously. I have introduced him to a few of my friends who have been able to reap the benefits of his silliness and fun nature, which I was very thankful for. I think I particularly appreciate his openness in actually hearing me out on my opinions and thoughts on Korea or theology. I think he is a great great presence in our church. What I'm trying to say is I love him because he makes some

wonderful hamburgers!

Pastor Mike

Mike Ra aka Hyunsoo Ra was one of the youth group teachers back when

I was in middle school. Somehow, God brought us together in the motherland where he would not only preach to me every Sunday, but, more importantly, shepherd me as no pastor has ever done before. He is a terribly good listener with much patience and love along with a wide open mind on Korea and the church. I've never had a pastor who has been so transparent with me but also so admirable in a very personal kind of way. PCL will definitely take a hit with his loss in the upcoming year.

Tim Keller

Although he has no idea who I am, I have listened to him speak in over 200 sermons and

lectures this past year. He is definitely the best preacher I have yet to hear who has given me a life-changing view of Christ through his incredibly practical yet theological sermons that I never get tired of. I have shared several of his sermons with numerous friends and hope to continue to share more in the future. The only thing I curse him for is setting the bar that much higher with every sermon that I hear from other preachers. If you wanna get a taste, lemme know!

Dago

More widely known as Dinko or Daniel. We started lovefest in our second year of university but have somehow made an effort to keep it going through gchat even in nations apart. I think of all my friends, I pray for him the most only because I know just how sinful he really is. But if I know just how sinful he is, that just comes to show how transparent he is with me along with my great love for him. He is wise in many ways that I am not and is very good at pointing out various dangers I may not be aware of in my life. I am thankful that he is a seminarian right now and look forward to seeing how God will use him in many other lives as well. The fact that a guy this great is still single gives me great hope and encouragement. Ha.

Zen

I've befriended many girls throughout my life career, but I have yet to have

a female friend for this long in my life. Zen is the only person who has consistently sent me gifts for Christmas and my birthday just about every year that she has known me even though I completely stopped after coming to Korea. She totally became Simon's older sister and my mom's new best friend very quickly. As I've told her a million times already, I really don't understand how we're still friends, but we still are...and I'm still very thankful for that.

우석

This is my basketball buddy that I became really tight with. I probably see him more than I see anyone else during the week. We had played against each other many times last year but finally decided to become partners some time this spring. Through our partnership, we added more and more to our "team" as we now play together in obsessive frequency. I've never met a person who could shoot mid-range so consistently. As my Korean sucks and my shots aren't as good as his, I'm always flattered whenever he asks me to have dinner with him. I truly believe 2010 would have been significantly different if I hadn't met him. I'm still looking for ways to be a bridge for Christ to him.

엄마

After 28 years in the states, she finally returned to her homeland this past July. Her adjusting was a bit rough in the beginning, but she has been settling in much better lately through the help of siblings and friends. I forgot how powerful the presence of a woman could be in a man's world where we tend to eat and clean in such simple and unhealthy manners. My mom brings a great brightness to our home with her wonderful food but also her incomparable love for her husband and son. She washes and irons my clothes with no bitterness. She shops and cooks only out of the interest of her beloved son. My mom shows me a very sobering reality of God's love.

As cliche as it may sound, I can go on and on about the many people that I'm thankful for. But if you didn't make it onto this year's list, try harder in 2011. =D

Happy Thanksgiving.

Thought of the Day: Preaching to the Choir

Song of the Day: J-The Father's Song

8:30

Friend: Let's grab dinner tomorrow. What time do you get off?

Me: 8:30.

Friend: Mmm...let's get dinner next time.

(Dad comes out of bedroom and enters bathroom while I'm brushing my teeth)

Dad: What time do you come home from work tomorrow?

Me: I finish at 8:30.

Dad: Mom wants to eat 삼겹살, so I was thinking of buying some.

Me: Ok.

(Mom yelling NO from her bedroom).

Dad: We can just eat first, and he can eat it later!

(Mom starts scolding).

(Dad walks back into bedroom and closes the door in defeat).

Freaking tutoring.

Thought of the Day: North Korea Bombing

Song of the Day: Buzz-여자가 싫다 (feat Venny)

Teaching on Preaching

A while back when I first started listening to Tim Keller, I found a podcast on Christ-centered preaching that had a series of talks by him and Edmund Clowney. Somehow, I forgot about it and just looked for other things to listen to. But several weeks ago, a Westminster seminarian reintroduced it to me by chance, and I started listening to it today.

I never knew I could be so interested in talks on HOW to preach. I never intend to be a pastor let alone preach a sermon, but I am absolutely fascinated by these lectures and discussions. They describe everything that I look for in a sermon and also share many examples of how to deliver a "good" sermon. I'm even amazed by the challenging questions that the students ask during the Q&A time and realize I'm not as nerdy as I thought I was. One of them even used the word, "corollary," a few times, and I realized that I had never used that word in my life (b/c I didn't know what it meant). Are you looking up dictionary.com right now too? =D

One humbling quote that that seminary friend once shared with me was a quote by Martyn Lloyd Jones: "I can forgive a man for a bad sermon, I can forgive the preacher almost anything if he gives me a sense of God, if he gives me something for my soul, if he gives me the sense that, though he is inadequate himself, he is handling something which is very great and very glorious, if he gives me some dim glimpse of the majesty and the glory of God, the love of Christ my Saviour, and the magnificence of the Gospel. If he does that I am his debtor, and I am profoundly grateful to him."

For all you pharisees out there, join me in loving faithful preaching that always points to Christ but also learning to love our inadequate preachers who are used and loved by God. Less complaining, more praying.

Thought of the Day: Bicycle lock

Song of the Day: Son Dambi & 4Minute-Amoled

Basketball Blues

Liar, Liar

Earlier during the week, I had caused so many turnovers and wasn't making too many of my easy shots, so I was growing in frustration. But on one of the plays where the opposing team knocked it out with my finger oh-so-slightly skimming the ball, I didn't bother to mention that it was out on me cause no one would've known except for me...and Satan...and God.

Ankle Breaker

According to Urban Dictionary, an ankle breaker is "when a person crosses over or changes directions very quickly, getting another player so off balance that they fall over." Earlier tonight, I experienced my first ankle breaker in a more literal sense. This guy crossed me over so fast that I almost twisted/sprained my left ankle in my failed attempt to guard him. I made a pretty ugly noise too. I so would've made it onto ESPN.

Sometimes, I don't "love this game."

Thought of the Day: The Hunger Games

Song of the Day: SNSD-Hoot

Pan's Labyrinth

Last night, I watched Pan's Labyrinth and remembered Prairie mentioning that she had been so disappointed with the movie. I guess that thought lingered in my mind because I had a dream about her and Priscilla and was so happy that I was back in California. Lately, I've been having lots of dreams being back at home and being so happy to see old friends again, only to be that much sadder when I wake up. I call these "nightmares."

Although I didn't care too much for the movie, the one quote that I liked from it was: "Because it is in pain that we have meaning of life."

Thought of the Day: Froyo

Song of the Day: Nada Surf-Where Is My Mind

Relationships

I met up with a friend last night that I hadn't seen in nearly two years. As we caught up, I learned two very shocking bits of news.

1. I met her older brother and his fiancee about three years ago. I was convinced that they would be one of those amazingly happy and fun couples that were totally meant for each other. They ended up getting divorced within a year!

2. We both have a mutual friend who used to date my cousin. I didn't have a very positive first impression and never cared much for her while she was dating my cousin. Not particularly warm or attractive in any way. Homegirl ended up getting married last month!

Even my friend took me by surprise! She has an awesome personality and great sense of humor, but I never thought any guy could fall for her. Turns out she had dated two different guys, one for two years even.

Why are people and relationships so unpredictable? I have a feeling God's going to throw me a curveball too. Hopefully, it doesn't curve so much that I end up living alone in Simon's basement. Somebody tell my wife to stop playing hide-n-seek and come out already. It's not funny anymore!

Thought of the Day: 신당동

Song of the Day: Far East Movement-Like A G6

Monopoly

I pride myself in Monopoly, knowing all of the rules and costs of property. I can jump pieces to the appropriate spots without having to count how many spaces to move. I can also gauge just how much you suck after your first three rolls. In case you haven't noticed by now, I'm known to be a real bastard when I play too. Hehe. The only person I respect in this game is my beloved Snugs.

You know how some people host basketball or poker tournaments? If I had a big ol' house and knew lots of people who were decent Monopoly players, I think I'd like to host a Monopoly tournament. Not only is it America's oldest family game, but it's probably the only board game that I enjoy playing. I wonder if it's because I'm hungry for money/power. When did they change that box? Happy 75, Mr. Monopoly Man.

Thought of the Day: Goodreads

Song of the Day: 2AM-전활 받지 않는 너에게