Once again I got called off of work. When I say "called off" what I mean is that the manager calls me and asks if I want the day off. Even when I don't want the day off, I still oblige because I'm a pushover. I know that it will help them if I don't come in, and I want to be helpful. But it doesn't help me because I'm poor. Anyone got a backbone you can lend me?
So as I drove to It's A Grind for my cup of joe (addicted) I thought about the fact that I have an over abundance of free time. How did this happen? When I moved to Utah I immediately started working at both K2 and PF Chang's. About 8 months later I picked up job #3, working for Calcutta Mercy Ministries. Then my internship at K2 ended, giving me some free time although I still volunteered. Then... I moved to California. Job count: ZERO. February rolled around, no Israel, no money so I started working at PF Chang's out here. But then again... can you really call it work? I don't.
Hmm, I thought, what could be the meaning of all of this? I've been blessed. Blessed with a lot of free time to assess myself. Painful, but then again, God answers prayers so despite the discomfort of self-assessment, God is good. Sure, sometimes I want a break from figuring out my life and I get a little bored, but I'm reading three books right now, I write letters, I cook, I clean, I get to go to Oregon this weekend, and in an hour I leave for the Dodgers game. Not to mention, I am a Su Doku master. And, no, I am not ashamed. I'm happy today.
Peace.
P.S. My mom was admitted to the hospital today for an infection in her foot that they need to treat through IVs. Sheesh, when will that woman get a break? What are my marching orders? "Catherine, if you do not go to that Dodgers game and get your Casey Blake bobblehead I will be sorely disappointed in you. Don't even think of coming to visit me because I want to see that bobblehead. Do you understand?" Yes, ma'am. Did I mention we're big Dodgers fans? Anyway, prayer is always good!! Thanks!
5.20.2009
5.09.2009
More on Things I Read
"We must have global vigilance. And never again must we be shy in the face of the evidence." - President Clinton's apology in Rwanda, 1998
I finished reading 100 Days of Silence: America and the Rwanda Genocide, by Jared Cohen. When I began reading it, I thought most of the book would be lost on me. It's written in the manner of a text book and there are more acronyms than you can shake a stick at, all in reference to government departments or positions. Because of this, I was surprised to find the book truly interesting. The subject matter fascinated me, and perhaps such interest is a prerequisite for reading and enjoying the book. There was so much information readily available to the American policy makers that it astounds me that nothing was done in regards to Rwanda until after the genocide was over. Excuse after excuse was made for the delays: bureaucracy, not appreciating the magnitude of the violence, and so on and so forth. I really thought Cohen did an exceptional job at writing an honest record about what really went on in the US government during the Rwanda genocide. Anyone who is interested in this particular subject should read it if for no other reason than to understand what was happening in Rwanda in 1994.
I'm now reading two books. A Mind Awake is an anthology of C.S. Lewis. What a brilliant man.
The other book is called The Faith Club, written by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner. Ranya is a Muslim, Suzanne is a Christian and Priscilla is Jewish. I'm about 100 pages in and am captivated as I sit in on their weekly meetings and listen to these women dialogue about their religions and their own personal faiths. A focal point of their discussions is viewing all three of their religions as having the same roots. I also realize that I don't know how I feel about all the things that are being said in the book, but having never had a Muslim friend, or a practicing Jewish friend, it's very interesting to me to read what Ranya and Priscilla write. Particularly, I was surprised to read Priscilla's reaction to Suzanne's description of the crucifixion story. I would really like someone else to read this book so we can discuss it. Any takers?
Sorry for the long post.
Peace.
I finished reading 100 Days of Silence: America and the Rwanda Genocide, by Jared Cohen. When I began reading it, I thought most of the book would be lost on me. It's written in the manner of a text book and there are more acronyms than you can shake a stick at, all in reference to government departments or positions. Because of this, I was surprised to find the book truly interesting. The subject matter fascinated me, and perhaps such interest is a prerequisite for reading and enjoying the book. There was so much information readily available to the American policy makers that it astounds me that nothing was done in regards to Rwanda until after the genocide was over. Excuse after excuse was made for the delays: bureaucracy, not appreciating the magnitude of the violence, and so on and so forth. I really thought Cohen did an exceptional job at writing an honest record about what really went on in the US government during the Rwanda genocide. Anyone who is interested in this particular subject should read it if for no other reason than to understand what was happening in Rwanda in 1994.
I'm now reading two books. A Mind Awake is an anthology of C.S. Lewis. What a brilliant man.
The other book is called The Faith Club, written by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner. Ranya is a Muslim, Suzanne is a Christian and Priscilla is Jewish. I'm about 100 pages in and am captivated as I sit in on their weekly meetings and listen to these women dialogue about their religions and their own personal faiths. A focal point of their discussions is viewing all three of their religions as having the same roots. I also realize that I don't know how I feel about all the things that are being said in the book, but having never had a Muslim friend, or a practicing Jewish friend, it's very interesting to me to read what Ranya and Priscilla write. Particularly, I was surprised to read Priscilla's reaction to Suzanne's description of the crucifixion story. I would really like someone else to read this book so we can discuss it. Any takers?Sorry for the long post.
Peace.
5.08.2009
An overuse of the word "Amazing"
My best friend, Jo, came to visit me this week. Thank you Allegiant Air for $9 plane tickets (yes, it's true). No thank you Allegiant Air for trying to charge Jo for her water.
This week we:
We went to the Fashion District in LA. It was hot and smelly, and I felt really bad for the little turtles. I also was not a fan of having to pay 50 cents to use the restroom. But Jo and I had a good time. I'd say one of the highlights of the trip was making it back from downtown LA, during rush hour, in one hour and ten minutes. Amazing...
We spent Wednesday in Pasadena enjoying a perfect day. Got a little tired (shopping tires me out), but a little caffeine and the smell of books at Barnes & Noble and I was up and running again in no time. Add to that Matt James joining us for amazing food at amazing prices, amazing weather, and an amazing server at McCormick and Schmick's Happy Hour, some Pinkberry frozen yogurt, running into Dr. Hodgins from Bones at Ikea in Burbank, and you've got yourself a great day!!
Yesterday we went to The Getty Villa in Malibu with my mom. The art was incredible, but we all agreed that the building that housed the art was almost more amazing. It was beautiful! If you're in California, go check it out. You just have to pay for parking. The Getty Center in LA is awesome as well, but definitely not as aesthetically pleasing.
Jo left today, which was sad, but she left chocolate on my pillow. What a great friend!! Also, those of you that know Jo will appreciate that she smuggled Chipotle back to Medford, OR by wrapping it in aluminum, putting ice over it, and putting the lid on it. I hope it worked and Todd is satisfied.
Peace.
This week we:
We went to the Fashion District in LA. It was hot and smelly, and I felt really bad for the little turtles. I also was not a fan of having to pay 50 cents to use the restroom. But Jo and I had a good time. I'd say one of the highlights of the trip was making it back from downtown LA, during rush hour, in one hour and ten minutes. Amazing...
We spent Wednesday in Pasadena enjoying a perfect day. Got a little tired (shopping tires me out), but a little caffeine and the smell of books at Barnes & Noble and I was up and running again in no time. Add to that Matt James joining us for amazing food at amazing prices, amazing weather, and an amazing server at McCormick and Schmick's Happy Hour, some Pinkberry frozen yogurt, running into Dr. Hodgins from Bones at Ikea in Burbank, and you've got yourself a great day!!
Yesterday we went to The Getty Villa in Malibu with my mom. The art was incredible, but we all agreed that the building that housed the art was almost more amazing. It was beautiful! If you're in California, go check it out. You just have to pay for parking. The Getty Center in LA is awesome as well, but definitely not as aesthetically pleasing.Jo left today, which was sad, but she left chocolate on my pillow. What a great friend!! Also, those of you that know Jo will appreciate that she smuggled Chipotle back to Medford, OR by wrapping it in aluminum, putting ice over it, and putting the lid on it. I hope it worked and Todd is satisfied.
Peace.
4.24.2009
I just really liked this...
...and wanted to share it with you.
"Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
Those whose walk is blameless,
who do what is righteous,
who speak the truth form their hearts;
who have no slander on their tongues,
who do their neighbors no wrong,
who cast no slur on others;
who despise those whose ways are vile
but honor whoever fears the Lord;
who keep their oaths even when it hurts;
who lend money to the poor without interest
and do not accept bribes against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken."
-Psalm 15
I would like to be a person like this.
"Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
Those whose walk is blameless,
who do what is righteous,
who speak the truth form their hearts;
who have no slander on their tongues,
who do their neighbors no wrong,
who cast no slur on others;
who despise those whose ways are vile
but honor whoever fears the Lord;
who keep their oaths even when it hurts;
who lend money to the poor without interest
and do not accept bribes against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken."
-Psalm 15
I would like to be a person like this.
Caramel Apples, Mountains, and Sun
Wow... I've been back from Utah for a couple of days and I finally feel like I'm over my self-inflicted sleep deprivation. The cure: sleeping 12 hours in one night. That's right. Twelve. I won't lie... I can sleep, but even that is a little excessive for me.
Utah was amazing!! Thank you to everyone I got to spend time with! I had a blast, felt so incredibly loved, and I'm even more excited to get back to Salt Lake. I'm so thankful for such great friends, an amazing church community that feels just like family, and my old roommates who are so giving, loving and prayerful. I had so much fun being back by those awesome mountains, playing Wii with Heidi and Daniel, being outside in the beautiful, sunny weather (I really miss places like Liberty Park and Park City...), going to K2 and getting the chance to surprise a couple of my students, hanging out with the middle school group for a night. It was better than I could have predicted, imagined or asked for.
God willing, I'll be home (that would be Utah for those of you who are a little slow on the uptake) in three months! I can't wait to see what God has in store!
Peace.
Enjoy some pictures from the trip:
Chimay and sweet potato fries at The Bayou is tradition
My awesome roommate
Hanging out with the Vertical leaders
Things you only see in Utah
Utah was amazing!! Thank you to everyone I got to spend time with! I had a blast, felt so incredibly loved, and I'm even more excited to get back to Salt Lake. I'm so thankful for such great friends, an amazing church community that feels just like family, and my old roommates who are so giving, loving and prayerful. I had so much fun being back by those awesome mountains, playing Wii with Heidi and Daniel, being outside in the beautiful, sunny weather (I really miss places like Liberty Park and Park City...), going to K2 and getting the chance to surprise a couple of my students, hanging out with the middle school group for a night. It was better than I could have predicted, imagined or asked for.
God willing, I'll be home (that would be Utah for those of you who are a little slow on the uptake) in three months! I can't wait to see what God has in store!
Peace.
Enjoy some pictures from the trip:
4.08.2009
Did video REALLY kill the radio star?
Or does the radio just suck??
What is up with horrible music on the radio today? Due to difficult economic times I've not been able to buy many new albums, so I've resorted to using that ol' thing called the radio. But there is something just wrong about what people are putting out these days... Let me just give you some examples of some horrible lyrics I've had to listen through recently:
1) "All my single ladies (all my single ladies). All my single ladies (all my single ladies). Whoa oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh. Whoa oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh. If you like it then you should have put a ring on it." (By the way, does Beyonce really have the right to sing this song? After all, Jay-Z put a ring on it. What's she complaining about? All of us ladies who are actually single thank you for rubbing it in...)
2) "P-p-p-p-p-p-poker face. My p-p-p-p-p-p-poker face." Now, granted I don't know why Lady GaGa is singing about her poker face. And I really don't care to find out. Plus, I think it's tasteless that her other song "Just Dance" is about being so drunk you don't know what club you're in or where your keys are (you shouldn't be looking for keys if you can't remember where you are Miss GaGa) and even more tragic for the rest of us is that "Just Dance" is just so darn catchy...
3) "Blame it on the Goose, you're gettin loose. Blame it on Patron, you're in the zone. Blame it on the a-a-a-a-alcohol, blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-a-a-achohol." Really? I mean, really?? Nuff said.
4) For my last example, I can't remember the actual words (thank goodness), but it's something to the effect of "I won't cheat on you as long as you remember that I can have any girl I want, but I chose you." Wow... Well if that's not true love I just don't know what is...
This leads me to ask the question: Is there really any good music on the radio? Sure, I'll admit it. I like Ne-Yo. I even like that new Black Eyed Peas song "Boom Boom Pow" (although twice I've turned the radio on and three of LA's radio stations were playing that song at the same time). And even a little Britney never hurt anyone... maybe... But I would prefer more Miley Cyrus on the radio. Good, wholesome music. Miley's a girl singing songs that are appropriate for a sixteen year old. Unlike Kelly Clarkson, who currently sings a song entitled "My Life Would Suck Without You." Really deep I'm sure.
So... what kind of music do you like? I'm all ears...
What is up with horrible music on the radio today? Due to difficult economic times I've not been able to buy many new albums, so I've resorted to using that ol' thing called the radio. But there is something just wrong about what people are putting out these days... Let me just give you some examples of some horrible lyrics I've had to listen through recently:
1) "All my single ladies (all my single ladies). All my single ladies (all my single ladies). Whoa oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh. Whoa oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh. If you like it then you should have put a ring on it." (By the way, does Beyonce really have the right to sing this song? After all, Jay-Z put a ring on it. What's she complaining about? All of us ladies who are actually single thank you for rubbing it in...)
2) "P-p-p-p-p-p-poker face. My p-p-p-p-p-p-poker face." Now, granted I don't know why Lady GaGa is singing about her poker face. And I really don't care to find out. Plus, I think it's tasteless that her other song "Just Dance" is about being so drunk you don't know what club you're in or where your keys are (you shouldn't be looking for keys if you can't remember where you are Miss GaGa) and even more tragic for the rest of us is that "Just Dance" is just so darn catchy...
3) "Blame it on the Goose, you're gettin loose. Blame it on Patron, you're in the zone. Blame it on the a-a-a-a-alcohol, blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-a-a-achohol." Really? I mean, really?? Nuff said.
4) For my last example, I can't remember the actual words (thank goodness), but it's something to the effect of "I won't cheat on you as long as you remember that I can have any girl I want, but I chose you." Wow... Well if that's not true love I just don't know what is...
This leads me to ask the question: Is there really any good music on the radio? Sure, I'll admit it. I like Ne-Yo. I even like that new Black Eyed Peas song "Boom Boom Pow" (although twice I've turned the radio on and three of LA's radio stations were playing that song at the same time). And even a little Britney never hurt anyone... maybe... But I would prefer more Miley Cyrus on the radio. Good, wholesome music. Miley's a girl singing songs that are appropriate for a sixteen year old. Unlike Kelly Clarkson, who currently sings a song entitled "My Life Would Suck Without You." Really deep I'm sure.
So... what kind of music do you like? I'm all ears...
4.06.2009
I Try to Read
I read a lot. And I hate leaving a book partially read, but there are some books I just cannot get through. Love In The Time of Cholera was like that. Really, I tried. I put forth a significant effort to trudge through the slow parts, but to no avail. I just asked my friend, Crissy, how it ended. Months ago I picked up The Memory Keeper's Daughter, by Kim Edwards. I wanted to know how it ended, but I just couldn't get through it. I picked it up a few days ago once more and could not put it down because the ending was really intriguing. I guess sometimes it pays to finish a book. So The Memory Keeper's Daughter, not bad, but definitely wouldn't recommend it to everyone. 
Next on the reading list is 100 Days of Silence: America and the Rwanda Genocide, by Jared Cohen (author of Children of Jihad). I'm really interested in this book because it explores the Rwanda genocide (which began exactly 15 years ago today and lasted for about 3 months) and America's response to it: why it wasn't a priority, who was really to blame, etc. I've read a few memoirs from the genocide, but not the politics. Should be an interesting read. I'll let you know how it turns out.
By the way, tonight the Ryono household mourned Michigan State's loss to North Carolina for the championship. Next year... The good news in sports is that baseball season is finally here, and the Ducks are still in the running for the playoffs!!!
Peace.
Next on the reading list is 100 Days of Silence: America and the Rwanda Genocide, by Jared Cohen (author of Children of Jihad). I'm really interested in this book because it explores the Rwanda genocide (which began exactly 15 years ago today and lasted for about 3 months) and America's response to it: why it wasn't a priority, who was really to blame, etc. I've read a few memoirs from the genocide, but not the politics. Should be an interesting read. I'll let you know how it turns out. By the way, tonight the Ryono household mourned Michigan State's loss to North Carolina for the championship. Next year... The good news in sports is that baseball season is finally here, and the Ducks are still in the running for the playoffs!!!
Peace.
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