Prague, day 1

Arrived at Prague airport ~3:30 pm, got a shuttle to the hotel. Hotel Lunik's a pretty quaint looking hotel, but nice. And free internet that was pretty fast (in comparison to other free ones we got later on). We chilled in our room for a while, freshening up and stuff and actually all took a nap. So we didn't venture forth until dinner time. Was actually a little scary walking around at night not many ppl on the street and not knowing the language in an unfamiliar city, but once we got to Wenceslas Square, it was fine cuz there were lots of people out and about (very touristy).

We had dinner at Restaurace u Provaznice (By the Ropemaker's Wife). It's a pub and the story goes that the ropemaker had a very beautiful wife, but he would often be at sea for his work (making ropes on ships). He loved his wife dearly and she desired to run a pub, so he let her. Her pub soon become very very popular and rumors spread that she provided her patrons with additional services besides just beer & food. Her husband heard and began to get suspicious and killed her in a fit of jealousy. From then on, the innocent wife haunted the pub.

Didn't see her ghost, but saw a statue of her. Tried the bread dumplings & potato dumplings. Not at ALL what i expected! I thought they'd be chinese dumpling shaped and filled with some kind of meat or something...but they're flat, cylindrical dense things of carb. quite tasty with the saucy dishes that we got. Riza really loved 'em. :) We all ordered a small pilsner urquell each (after all, we're in prague!), but the waiter must not have heard R & me correctly, cuz they gave us pints (but C got a small one!). I totally couldn't finish mine and felt a little light-headed afterwards too!

After a very very filling meal, we decided to head back to the hotel and get ready for the next day. We stopped to take pics at Wenceslas Square where we were accosted by these boys (looked like they were in school uniforms or something). They got SOooooo excited when they saw us. It was weird and one of them jumped in our pic. A little farther along, closer to our hotel, we were waiting at a light and a drunk guy came along and upon seeing us, started happily chirping "waikiki-eeeeeeee....maui-eeeeeee....hawai-eeeeeeeee...." kind of amusing actually. haha

the Adventure begins...

couldn't believe the day had finally arrived! i'd be on a plane to europe in less than 5 hrs. This is a pic of [from left to right] me, Riza (Dayna's college friend), and Christine (Riza's co-worker) on the plane.

The Flights out
Air France is nice...individual TVs...that made Riza's day. there were a bunch of movies available, but i only watched The Constant Gardener and slept thru most of the flights. But REALLY really cramped and uncomfortable. never felt so squished on a plane before! i was so thankful to be short! =P Apparently, there was a major commotion on the plane as one of the passengers got really sick and maybe even had a heart attack! Christine woke up & witnessed it all, but R & i were fast asleep.

There was a mix up on the food (C requested vegetarian meals) and all 3 of us ended up getting VG meals!! For dinner, there was grilled veggies with rice and fruit...and let me tell you that I have never been so hungry after an airplane meal in my entire life!!! And for breakfast? We got fruit...with a side of fruit!! But i guess it was good that we got our fruit & veggies in at the beginning of the trip. Cuz I certainly didn't get them for the rest of the trip.

Daffodil Days

So I'm just about off for europe (where it looks like I can look forward to some rain & cold...sigh)...but here's my last post since i'm uploading all my pics off my camera. I feel like I've got so much to say, but i'm feeling rather lazy so you'll just have to wait till after i get back and hopefully i'll remember it still. :)

Daffodils are so pretty. Especially the ones that are 2-colored. But they're so delicate! They never last for more than a week (at least the ones in front of my house). And I think they only bloom once a year. so sad.

This trip has sorta just crept up on me. I feel like we've been planning it for so long (since jan) that there's still a long ways to go before it comes, but nope. We leave tomorrow! omg!!! and this last week has been crazy busy cuz i am so unprepared. :) i still can't quite believe the time's finally arrived. hrm...i think i'll start getting excited on the plane. i'm already excited about ditching work! haha i really hope i get over this cough before we leave. But actually, despite our hectic schedule (11 days = prague, krakow, budapest, vienna & frankfurt...in that order), i'm actually thinking this trip will be nice & relaxing compared the generally nutso-ness of my life recently. i'm soooo ready for a break. i can't wait!!

Youth Girls' Appreciation Night

Last night was girl's appreciation night at youth group. The first ever at Canaan so it was really exciting and none of the girls knew what to expect. It was such a special night! Better than any prom. =P From the moment we arrived, the guys were serving us, escorting us from the car down a red carpet to the house, preparing a delicious 4-course meal (we were all sooo stuffed!), acting out some hilarious skits about the gals, sharing about how they appreciated each of the girls and ending in a slideshow of some great memories. It was all so impressive and touching. I've posted some pics below, but to see more stuff from the night, click here.

and the studly gentlemen who escorted us in...

hurray!!

wow. my 2nd post in less than a day. you are all blessed. =P
anyhow, couldn't contain my excitement...i'm now officially over half-way done reading the Bible (specifically, i'm on day 186)! Hard to believe that there's still so much more to go tho...feels like i've been reading it forever already (since sept). i wonder if i should speed it up by reading 2 days worth in a day. i hope i'll be able to keep it up during europe...i know it's gonna be so hard...as the k-drama leading ladies would say: 加油! (arm pump) 加油!

can't believe i'll be in europe in a little over a week. ack! i feel so unprepared. and i'll be missing the first ultimate game of the season!! :( booooooooooo can't wait to play when i get back!! i really need the exercise.

amazing!!

I'm finally caught up on TAR9 and can't wait for tomorrow's new ep. yippee! My favorite team is BJ & Tyler. They play the game well (at least so far) with good sportsmanship and integrity. and it doesn't hurt that they're fun & silly and one's from SF. go NorCal! represent!

Even tho TAR hasn't come up with any new twists to spice up the game...it's still my favorite reality TV show. There's something about watching how real ppl deal with tuf situations, overcoming their fears, reacting to just plain ol' bad luck, coming up with clever ways to get ahead, taking risks...or not, etc. you definitely learn alot about the contestants in a short amount of time. i think the constant stress brings out the core of who you are (the best & worst parts). it's still a dream of mine to be on TAR one day...i'm just scared about what kind of contestant i'd be. i definitely see the possibility of me turning into the most annoying & whiny contestant ever!! *shudder*

i gotta limp

This'll probably be a little disjointed. Lots of thoughts combined in one post.

Last last week's small group study on being formed for God's family was pretty inspiring. We examined what it meant to have true fellowship...truly sharing your life and experiences with each other. Not just the superficial "how was your day?", but being able to talk to one another about hopes & dreams and even fears & weaknesses (sounds like those higher levels of communication, eh?). In short, being Authentic. I really hope we can learn to be comfortable enuf with each other to go deeper and experience fellowship as God intended. I'm convinced that once we have, we'd never again accept anything less!

Anyhow, our group thought that one of the things that really hinders this authenticity is the fear of being judged. Especially when it seems like everyone else is doing fine, better than fine even, so why am I so messed up? And that really brought to mind some stuff Brennan Manning wrote about in Ragamuffin Gospel. I really wish I still had the book so I could take some excerpts cuz he's such a better writer than i am. But i'll try my best to paraphrase.

He believes that Christians aren't supposed to be holier than thou, halos-on-too-tight types. That's pressure we put on ourselves cuz that's how we think Christians ought to be or something. But we all have a limp (from past hurts, mistakes, etc), and it's by God's grace that I can be accepted just as I am, loved just as I am. So why am I still so ashamed of my limps? my, oh so many, weaknesses? Why do I try my best to hide them...even from myself? If I love Jesus and follow Him, I'm victorious even in my weaknesses & failures. This is what God has promised! It's what Paul writes in 2 Corinthians: 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10b For when I am weak, then I am strong.

In fact, it's the very fact that the all-powerful God can use me in spite of my limp...or even more, that he can use those very shortcomings for his glory....that makes him worthy to be so greatly honored & obeyed. Oh that I could be more like Paul! To have the courage & strength to walk boldly with a victorious limp. Show it off to the world so that everyone knows that the things i accomplish, aren't me at all, but God alone.

Side Note: funny thing...but i actually am walking with a limp now. Guess i should be careful what i ask for...hee hee Think i hurt my foot running up & down hilly SF in the wrong shoes during the scavenger hunt this past Sat. (which was lots of fun, btw and perfect weather...definitely an answer to prayer...check out pics here. my team was Fresh Ken.)

wish i could go

i've been meaning post about some reflections...but never seem to have time to sit down and write it all out! i'm so hoping that life will be boring after the europe trip...Boring sounds so nice right now.

in the meantime...check this trip out! Can you believe how expensive it is?! but it sounds so cool!! *sigh*

*dreamy sigh*

I got the Pride & Prejudice DVD for my bday and I couldn't wait any longer! I popped it into my computer (just to make sure it worked you understand)...and ended up watching almost the whole thing! (i FF'd thru the boring parts =P). And now i'm reduced to a puddle of mush!! again!

*sigh* ... *sigh* .... SOoooooooo romantic.... *sigh* such a satisfying love story...

but then again, i'm a hopeless romantic and i don't wanna get everyone's expectations up and then be disappointed when they finally watch the movie! So yeah. it's nothing special. just another chick flick. no biggie.

ok...time for bed...so i can dream sweet dreams. :)
*dreamy sigh*

Three times a...never a...wah?

Sherry & Brian are engaged!!!!!
ok. so that's old news...
...and Phoebe & I are gonna be in the bridal party!!!!! I'm so excited & honored to be part of such a big day for Sherry. Can't wait to go wedding dress shopping with the whole group later this month! bridal gowns are so purty. yippee!!

i woulda sworn last Sept after my friend's & sister's weddings that i didn't have anymore weddings to even attend for at Least a year...and now i'm helping out in one!