roughage's Xanga

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Wed, 14 May 2008 00:04:43 GMT

What I did over the weekend in Boston.

I love this picture.

Uncle Paul and Xi Le, notice the cell phone in her little hand.

The lovely couple.

Grandma and Xi Le.

Me and my fun loving sister.

Death to my Black Berry

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:14:30 GMT

My Crack Berry is finally gone!! I won't be using another one for a very long time

Don't try to act surprised

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:39:42 GMT

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,332834,00.html

Illegal immigrants selling illegals hand bags. I wonder how big of a cut the human smugglers and knock off manufacturers are getting through this trade.

Pretty certain that it's a lot more than my current salary.

Another first.

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 04:26:18 GMT

Today was the first day that I stepped into Carnegie Hall. It is absolutely beautiful! The first word that came to mind was royalty. I honestly felt that it is a place fit for a king. It was quite amazing, there were no microphones and no amplifiers. Just pure acoustics. Truly amazing....

The picture here does the hall no justice. Still, this picture will bring back good memories.

Acid and Mexico

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 02:55:50 GMT

This verse is highlighted in my Bible, Jesus was speaking to the chief priest and elders in the temple. He says to these leaders so simply....

"I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you..." Matt 21:31

Don't know why this verse hit me so hard. I read this during the time when I was questioning the church's responsibilities and it's current position.

I have to say, life is truly interesting. While going home on the train on Saturday, I met a couple that were roadies of the Grateful Dead since 1995. The girl had dreadlocks and the guy had a long beard. It was just me, their dog and them sitting in the front of the train. I couldn't help but listen as they were talking about running away to Mexico. The guy was convicted for either selling or possessing drugs on school grounds. Not only that, he had many convictions for having open cans of alcohol at his many concerts. He said that he is going to get at least two years in jail due to his many convictions. Being that he was in jail twice before, he plans to make a run for the border and renounce his American citizenship. This way he cannot be deported back as a criminal.

As I started to talk to this young man, he opens up to me. I could sense a gentleness to him. He did not seem violent at all, instead he seemed lost. A man with no direction, his own sense of purpose was traveling from state to state to watch a terribly old band play. I wanted to encourage him, but I did not know what to say. I knew that he wasn't not looking for trouble, but I could not condone his actions as well. In the end, I simply gave him my two listening ears. When I came to my stop, I told him that I pray that his life would change for the better. In return he politely says "God bless bro..." I was taken away by that, I should have told him "God Bless.." but I did not. I thought that I might offend him if I said "God Bless." But now that I think of it, he is probably so hungry for the existence of God. I am sure that he is dying to hear of the true hope that can give him meaning to his live.

Don't know his name, but I prayed that God would meet him.

Experience is over rated.

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:50:14 GMT

I was going through a sermon on DVD today and I love what the pastor said..... "Textbooks don't built churches..." He was basically saying that one should not look to the past for creativity, but instead look to the Creator for inspiration. Books can tell us how things were done in the past, but they cannot fully tell us how we should do things in the future. Why? Because people change along with time and circumstances.

When my friends from overseas visit New York City, I've always told them that it is alright to get lost in the city. Why? Because you start to become more aware of the surroundings, and with that, you start to notice the beauty in greater ways. The guide book will only take you so far, after that it's pure courage and curiosity.

Please don't get me wrong, I love to read. I have a whole stack of books to read for the current year. It's just that I do not want to make books my master and claim to be an expert just because I've read a lot. I rather be someone who is fighting to be fully dependent on God than a man fully dependent on himself.

Good Bye 2007, Hello 2008!

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:01:59 GMT

It's been almost 3 months since my last entry, that's 1/4 of a year.

As I look back in at 2007, I can easily say that the past year was an extremely intensive year for me. There were many changes that I went through, and so many things that I had to give up. In addition, 2007 was a very lonely year. Then again, I could only learn the things I did through being a lone with God.

Some of the milestones for 2007 were.

1) Having the courage to leave my old job for a better opportunity.
2) Attending the Hillsong conference in Sydney which changed my life.
3) Making the painful decision to leave my old church in China Town.
4) Being the best man in my brother's wedding.
5) Celebrating my little niece's 1 year old birthday.
6) Having the privilege of mentoring a young man.
7) Learning how little I know, and how beautiful God can make things.

At the end of the day, I thank God for his presence, because it is only through HIM that I have the strength to love others. Heaven knows that I am powerless to show mercy and forgiveness without the power of the Holy Spirit working through me.

I am looking forward to 2008

Someone just turned 1!!!

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 21:59:46 GMT

Little Xi Le turned one over the the weekend. It's been an absolute joy to see her grow up. Working in IT, I have to learn to quantify a lot of things. Computer memory, network speed, fail over response are all things which I can identify with numbers.

The laugh of a child, I don't see how this can ever be quantified.

Happy Birthday!

Someone has her little princess crown on =)

Xi Le loves her new toy!

Dim Sum is not for sharing =P

History's servant or History's master

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 21:48:52 GMT

Samuel Morse later commented, "The only gleam of hope, and I cannot underrate it, is from confidence in God. When I look upward it calms any apprehension for the future, and I seem to hear a voice saying: 'If I clothe the lilies of the field, shall I not also clothe you?' Here is my strong confidence, and I will wait patiently for the direction of Providence." Morse went on to create several other inventions and can be recognized today as the father of faxes, modems, e-mail, the internet and other electronic communication. ["Glimpses," Issue #99 (Worcester, Pennsylvania: Christian History Institute, 1998).]

Xi Le in Singapore

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 02:30:49 GMT

Have I ever mentioned that my little niece is dangerously cute. Life keeps on getting more fun with her.

This is me with Xi Le in the Singapore butterfly garden this past July.

I am very fortunate that my family and I were able to meet up in Singapore. It's a lovely country

Here is Xi Le having fun with grandma.

I think she might be a thumb sucker like I was