"Delayed"

Just as I had a 2.5 hour plane delay when I left Japan, so has my update on my Japan trip. Sorry! I can easily tell you that I had a great time in Japan visiting not only Joanna, but also the staff team and my Japanese friends. I enjoyed it so much that I would love to go back again. If you know me, I like expressing myself through photos. So here we go!

Yea, we were pretty much excited to see each other. I couldn't believe I was in Japan, even after a couple days. I had to pinch myself to see if this was real.


We went on a double date with Keigo and Ayumi. Keigo wanted to take me to eat the best sushi, so he took us to Sushi-Dai in Tsukiji, where the famous fish market is in Japan. Here we are arriving at the Tsukiji station.


There was a wait at Sushi-Dai, so the girls were kind enough to stand in line while Keigo and I explored the fish market. Unfortunately we got there when all the shops were closing. The fish market opens at 3AM and closes at 1PM! Crazy hours, don't ya think? Well, Keigo and I decided to still look around and we came to one fish shop. The owner was very nice, so nice that he even gave us hot tea! Keigo told me that never happens. The owner invited us to walk towards the back of the shop to show us that huge bluefin tuna head. And I mean, it was HUGE! Just use my head as a scale and then you can figure out how big the fish's head is.


After waiting 1.5 hours, we finally get a sit. Boy, it was sure worth the wait. I have never eaten such good sushi before. I can honestly say, Sushi-Dai's sushi is the best. Everything they served was fresh. Each sushi I ate would just melt in my mouth. WOW.


Here's one of the 11 pieces of sushi we ate.


Then we went to a coffee shop to have some dessert. There was Tiramisu on the menu, so I definitely ordered it.


Tokyo BEST club had their annual Christmas party. It was great to be a part of it. Jennifer prepared a delicious turkey. One man from each table had to cut some turkey meat for his table. Yasushi and I tried cutting it Samurai style and it didn't turn out too well. Just kidding on the Samurai style cutting.


At the end of the party, we had a Christmas gift exchange. I had so much fun seeing everyone's facial expression. Kon (the guy with his back facing us) got a card saying "I owe you a dinner sometime." Everyone was laughing as you can see.


I had the chance to visit Yokohama!


This is downtown Yokohama. It was such a beautiful sunny day, but super cold and windy!


Some friends I hung out with while in Yokohama.


I met up with Kuniyasu and I finally met his girlfriend, Yuka! It was great to see him again.


So Joanna, Mary, and I went to Costco at Minami-osawa. We were walking around the wine section and Joanna saw this wine bottle. Joanna was so excited that she wanted a picture of it.


We got the chance to go to Tama Zoo! We're in the lion bus, can't you tell?


On the side of the bus, there were pieces of meat for the lion to eat. I'll admit, it was kinda scary. I was just waiting for the lion to growl and try to break into the bus. Dunno how, but I just felt like it was going to happen anytime....

This little baby chimp was playing with sticks. He was trying to get the sticks through the small hole and get the leaf out. The chimp was fun to watch cause he was simply "being a kid."


Joanna took me to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, which is the tallest building in Tokyo. It was pretty cool to see an aerial view of downtown Tokyo.


I've realized that I love aerial views because I get to see so much more around me. When I'm surrounded by vastness, my viewing perspective changes. I'm just one person, and there is so much more out there.


Joanna and I also had a double date with Kyle and Jennifer. We ate Chinese hot pot, which is kinda like Nabe or Shabu Shabu. Hands down, we all craved the shrimp!


It was my last day at Tokyo and some of my friends sent me off. I think they're great and I miss them.


Keigo (sticking out his tongue) and Masashi (hands in the air), they are one of a kind.


Keigo and Masashi even ran with the bus I was on! Good friends I tell ya.


Our last picture in Japan at Narita airport.





As I often think and reflect upon my trip to Japan, this picture pretty much sums up my thoughts and feelings. Even though two weeks was short, I enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks Joanna for everything! You're the best!

Another Celebration...

Congratulations to Sam and Tivian!

It was great to see Tivian walk down the aisle this past Saturday. As I saw her in a wedding dress, I thought to myself, "Wow, she is all grown up! She is definitely a gem." Tivian, it's been great to see how much you've grown ever since I first met you in high school. You have a beautiful heart, a beautiful personality, and a beautiful spirit. I still can't believe you're married! But I'm so glad you have married a great quality fella, Mr. Sam Nguyen. Sam, you're a man of God who seeks the Lord with all your heart, so I know that you will love and lead Tivian well. I'm excited for you two! You two are a testimony of how love is patient. I believe you have exemplified that attribute of love to the utmost in the midst of difficult trials. Thanks for allowing me to serve you with your wedding. It's been an honor to help you out. May God bless your life together with His abundance of love, grace, and joy. Congrats!

Some things I'm looking forward to while in Japan...

Sushiro - 105 yen sushi


And Sushiro pudding. I can't forget that.


Ah yes...Haagan Dazs Tiramisu, how I miss thee.


Never been to Nagano in the winter...


So hopefully I'm looking forward to some of this in Nagano!


The last time I went to Tama Zoo, I only could go for one hour. This time I hope to have more than one hour to see all the animals. I hope they aren't hibernating.


Okonomiyaki is delicious.


Riding the Shinkansen. One of the coolest trains invented.


Kirin draft beer. Japanese beer tastes so much better on tap.


Ichiran - aka "Peep Show Ramen"


Seeing my Japanese friends and Tokyo staff team.


Last, but not least, spending quality time with this wonderful gal, Joanna!

Japan, here I come! Yatta!!!

A Month Recap...

I know, I know. I haven't updated my blog since October 8. Here's a little recap of the past month in my busy life.


Every year, the Sunland Navigators have a Road Rally. The purpose is to "Go somewhere with some friends and do something for someone else." This year, we went back to Las Vegas again and helped several non-profit organizations. Even though University of Arizona and Arizona State University didn't participate with us, the California schools (UCI, UCLA, UCSD, SDSU, CSULB, and Cal Poly SLO) had a blast serving the Las Vegas community.

Most of the UCLA students and 1 CSULB student served New Life Christian Center. We helped them shampoo the carpets, mop the floors, organize many shelves and storage rooms, dust, vacuum, clean the kitchen, pick up trash, and the list goes on. Even though some students expected to help feed the homeless, I was encouraged by their attitudes in serving this local church by doing some "fall cleaning."

We all slept in a local church's worship center. The guys slept on one side, the girls on the other. It's a Navigator event, we gotta make sure we regulate. =)

Masashi is a UCLA foreign exchange student from Japan. He's been coming out to Navigators and he really enjoys meeting new people. I was encouraged that he wanted to come to Las Vegas. He said even though he didn't help the homeless, which he really wanted to do, he had a great time meeting new people from different schools. I really enjoy his friendship and I hope we will continue to know each other better.

James Tsang is the fearless UCLA campus director. He has been stretched so much in taking on this new role as campus director, yet I trust that the Lord is teaching him how to lead well. One day, we so happened to wear similar clothing. Yuck.


Peter (left) and Cody (right) had their first experience in eating Korean BBQ. Even though Cody has a serious face, he really did enjoy his meat feast. I know I did. Meat is good.



I was in St. Louis for a week for my Edge Summit and the Navigators National Conference from Oct 29 - Nov 5. Of course I saw the infamous 630 ft. Arch.



The first couple of days, I had my Edge Summit and it was good to see my fellow Edge classmates. Can you find me?


While being in the Midwest, I finally realized that Southern California lacks seasons, especially fall. I never saw such beautiful colors from tree leaves. All I see are green or brown leaves in Southern California. But in the Midwest, I see not only green, but red, orange, and yellow. I miss the Midwest/East because of its fall colors.



Keigo and Ayumi came to visit California this past week and it was fun to see them. Unfortunately, I only got to spend time with them on Monday and the weekend. I wished I could have hung out with them the whole week, but I had a busy schedule at UCLA. We're at Coffee Bean early in the morning before going to LAX on Sunday. They are currently in Arizona, hoping to see the Grand Canyon. Then they're visiting New York for several days.

Not only did Keigo and Ayumi visit, but also some Arizona friends. Ariel, Mike, and Meaghan. It was good to see them as well. Ariel and Meaghan were on my SIJ team for the summer in Japan and these two are quality women. I'm glad they have quality boyfriends who know how to lead and pursue them well. Mike went to Japan last summer with SIJ as well. He's a quality guy too.


But do you know who I'm really excited to see in December for two weeks? This silly girl. Yep, I'm gonna go to Japan and visit Joanna during the winter break. I'm pretty pumped about it. I can't wait! You can call me crazy for flying to Japan to see her, but Joanna is worth it. She has truly been a blessing in my life and I can't tell you how wonderful she is. I've never met someone so gracious, thoughtful, considerate, and understanding as she is. God definitely hooked me up with a sweet gift that I don't deserve. Joanna, you rock my socks off!


That's my update, and hopefully it doesn't take me another month or so to update again. If it does, then sorry in advance. =)

Jesus, I Come to Thee

Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.
Into thy freedom, gladness and light,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of my sickness into thy health,
Out of my wanting and into thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into thyself,
Jesus, I come to thee.

Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.
Into the glorious gain of thy cross,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of earth's sorrows into thy balm,
Out of life's storms and into thy calm,
Out of distress into jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to thee.

Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.
Into thy blessed will to abide,
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of myself to dwell in thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward forever on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to thee.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come; Jesus I come.
Into the joy and light of thy home
Jesus, I come to thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of thy sheltering fold,
Ever thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to thee.

I heard this hymn in church this past Sunday and initially I was excited cause it was hymn. I've been liking hymns a lot more these days. I liked this hymn so much that I was trying to find a recording of the song so that I wouldn't forget the tune. Fortunately I found a sample recording. When it comes to music, I generally listen to the music first, then the lyrics. Some people look for lyrics first when it comes to music. For me, the tune is something that attracts me first.

But after hearing this song over and over, I realized that the lyrics were more beautiful to me than the music (granted I think the music is great). This hymn beautifully portrays the truth that there is freedom in coming to Jesus. I'm free from performance, free from making myself look good, free from cleaning myself up. I don't need to prove anything to Jesus. I never did. He just asks me to come and He'll take care of the rest. Only when I come into Jesus with brokenness and humility, will I ever experience the true freedom He graciously lavishes upon me.

Jesus, I come to Thee...

A Good Reminder

During my senior in high school, my friend (Justin) and I were student aides for the special education class. I got to know one student named Sasan, who's in the picture above. Couple days ago, I was walking towards Office Depot and I saw Sasan out of the corner of my eye. I glanced at him for awhile just to make sure it was him. It definitely was. I remember thinking if I should go out of my way and say hi to him or not. I almost gave into what most people would do; just notice someone they know, then just walk away. But, I'm really glad that I was able to give up what I was doing and say hi to Sasan. I was really surprised that he actually remembered me. Just seeing him smile made me smile as well. I remember feeling like I was valued by him cause he asked questions about me. He was relational. He was genuine. He was real.

I wonder how many people walk by him and think he's under-privileged, physically challenged, or sadly to say, mentally-retarded? I am convicted of how I can be that person, how I can be quick to judge someone by "the cover of his/her book." Sasan was a reminder for me that some of the coolest, most genuine people are those I immediately cast judgment or brush away cause either they look differently, act differently, or think differently than me.

I am so glad I saw Sasan. It was good to see him. I remember walking away filled with joy. I was satisfied. I could tell that his physical condition didn't slow him down or discourage him. He's 22 wanting to pursue art, photography, and travel at the same time. So possibly he wants to work for National Geographic. He's definitely enjoying life.

Thanks Sasan for teaching and reminding me of these valuable lessons in life.