"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"

- Isaiah 43:18-19

There are moments, frequent moments, when I feel like I've faltered and I've run out of patience with myself. I see my friends growing around me, sinking in their roots. Not that I haven't grown myself or that a stable career is the "end-all, be-all," but I know in terms of my own academic growth and application, I've sort of plateaued. I find that I'm floundering around, dwelling on what I haven't accomplished, and once again, stuck at a fork in the road. Then I start wondering what His plan is for me...

I can definitely say that if it wasn't for my faith that it would be difficult for me to be patient or optimistic for so long. I've measured myself on other's words and assumptions of me. I've let them knock me down and define who I am, even when I surely know I am not in the wrong.

"Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near...let him who walks in the dark, who has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God."

-Isaiah 50:7-10

"So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

-Isaiah 41:10

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

-Jeremiah 29:11

I am told that when you ask God for a virtue like patience, wisdom, or confidence, etc. He will definitely make sure you know the true meaning of it! You learn by intercepting His challenges. Then you're like "God Why!?...Oh, because I asked for it." I know when I have overcome that mountain, this is when He will be glorified.

It is encouraging to remember that He has my back and that he strives to mold me into a righteous person in every way. This is what He does for me. I can surely say this.

It's kind of a pet peeve of mine that bloggers always take a moment to dwell on the fact that they haven't written in awhile. I have no idea why this bothers me, but I'm going to be a hypocrite and do the same thing (as I've also done before): It's been awhile blog. I've missed you.

So much has changed that I didn't want to continue writing here. I just wanted to drop everything that happened in the past and start new - a brand new blog! I even made one, but it will just be taking up cyberspace because I cozied back up to my old faithful blog. It's okay to resume again. I'm not going to take time to fill in the gaps because I'm more excited about the present AND the future :-)

So three cheers to getting back on the wagon!

THE HOLIDAY RENEGADE CRAFT FAIR, SF

Less than two hours to scour the whole floor was not enough!!


Lovely shops and lovely people:

• Amy Hevron
  
• Honey & Bloom
• Cookie & the Dude
  
• Petit Collage
  
• I Made You a Beard
• Small Adventure
• DKNG Studios

...aaand the full vendor list :)

I'd like to hit the ground running. Do what I've intended to do. Finish things I start - do it right away. Smile more. Spend less. Seek the knowledge I was waiting to be given. Shoot and ask questions later. Have a plan. Not just a week plan, but a year plan, hopefully leading into a 7 year plan.

Coming home to Aiken always allows me to take a step back, think and think some more. I sit here like a lump and watch TV for a good part of the day, but in the back of my seemingly blissfully vegetated brain, I am contemplating a growing checklist of all things I need to do/learn/begin when I get back home to San Jose...and where to go from there...and from there...

I'm really excited for all the possibilities in this new year :) Happy 2011.

My Dad's remodeling a house nearby to ours in Aiken. Looks beautiful so far. It's so interesting how the layout of a house has such a significant impact on how efficiently and comfortably the space is used. My Dad's done such a great job and I'm so so proud of him. Just wish I could be here to help finish it up.

SINGING IN THE RAIN. REALLY.

I missed my bus stop on the way to Union Square, but this made up for it:

CHINATOWN, SF

dim sum for 2: $4.50
the photos turned out a bit blurry...meh...