From Genesis to Revelation—Day 162 (12/5/11): Deuteronomy 13
To turn away from You and live against Your will is to accept death. It’s so selfish to forget Your blessings and faithfulness in pursuit of personal pleasures. But I do it all the time. I must return to You and seek after You alone. If I don’t, my life will lack true joy and only death will await me. This reality only magnifies the intensity of Your love and grace for me as I’m truly undeserving to be called Your child.
From Genesis to Revelation—Day 161 (12/2/11): Deuteronomy 12
Tumblr, it’s been WAY too long. I feel like I write this every time I don’t post for a long time, but it’s amazing how I can get so busy and neglect posting on here. Hopefully I’ll be able to catch up now that the semester’s basically over.
You’ve given us detailed instructions on how to live and ultimately glorify You. Yet, these directions are not meant to burden us with mundane laws. If our hearts are right, these rules will lead us into greater fellowship with You and each other. However, our hearts are hardened and selflessness prevents us from living for You and blessing those close to us. Failing to see Your goodness in all things, especially Your commandments, is dangerous but You can soften hearts and move our spirits.
“Senior” Year Bucket List Update
1. Be one of those Asians that pops up on Asians Sleeping in the Library
2. Go to South Bend for Notre Dame football game
3. Visit every California AGO chapter (and Colorado chapters if possible)
4. Go to every home football game
5. Go to Vegas with bros
6. Go skinny-dipping without getting caught
7. Write a complete song
8. Participate in an eating contest
9. Fly with surely
10. Go to Hawaii
11. Make a snowman
12. Go on a mission trip
13. Bring someone to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ
14. Participate in the Fountain Run
15. Laugh until I cry
16. Cry during a movie
17. Go on the Weekender
18. Win Pismo
19. Go jet skiing
20. Go skydiving/parasailing/bungee jumping
21. Join a secret society
22. Go on an epic road trip
23. Go fishing/hunting
24. Go snorkeling/scuba diving
25. Finish reading the Old Testament
26. Visit another country
27. Play Silent Library in a UCLA library during their midterms/finals week
28. Go camping
29. Attend a concert
30. Dominate the LSAT
31. Give someone an unforgettable experience
32. Witness something awe-inspiring
33. Watch the sun rise
34. Give an amazing gift to my parents
35. Visit Elyse in New York
36. Eat turducken/haggis/blood sausage (or anything else weird)
37. Bowl over a 150 or exactly one
38. Create a successful YouTube channel
39. Model in a fashion shoot
40. Grow and maintain my best attempt at a goatee for at least a month
41. Create and eat a meal worthy of Epic Meal Time
42. Pull an all-nighter
43. Be a vegetarian for a week
44. Get a six pack (or just straight-up ripped)
45. Go on a date
46. Learn to do a backflip
47. Make someone laugh so hard milk (or any liquid) shoots out his/her nose
48. Do something ridiculous on campus (i.e. dressing up as a gorilla and chasing someone in a banana costume, dress like Tron and throw a glow-in-the-dark Frisbee, etc.)
49. Make a short film
50. Learn to skateboard/snowboard/surf
4. Go to every home football game (9/3/11, 9/10/11, 9/17/11, 10/1/11, 10/29/11, 11/12/11, 11/26/11): WOW! WHAT A SEASON! Going into the football season, I thought USC would finish with three losses at best. I never would’ve foreseen us finishing with just two losses as the true #Pac12Champs. The first few games made me a bit nervous since our offense (and defense, too, I guess) was a bit shaky and needed a lot of help. I nearly lost hope after our disastrous loss to ASU. But as the season progressed, the team rallied and made huge progress as playmakers stepped up on both sides of the ball. Soon, our offense was rolling and our defense was a force to be reckoned with. The Stanford game was a tough loss but it revealed SC’s character and fighting spirit. And of course, I’ll always remember the epic finish to the Oregon game where we established ourselves as the dominant force of the Pac-12 South and true #Pac12Champs. Lane Kiffin, you have made me a believer even if you do run the bubble screen what seems to be 85% of the time and go for two-point conversions at the most random times. Matt Barkley, I resisted jumping on the bandwagon for three years, but the maturity, leadership, and playmaking ability you demonstrated this year was pretty spectacular. Should our quarterback return for a fourth season, I’d be surprised if we didn’t begin the 2012 season ranked in the top five and end up in the national championship game with a perfect record. I can’t wait for next fall for a new era of trojan football! Watch out because #theSCouthwillriseagain (I made that one up after the Oregon game. I’m quite proud of it.).
———
Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.
-General George S. Patton, Jr.
convivialgentleman asked: Hi bro, have you written any new songs lately?
Nope, I’ve been spending all my time working on school work and AGO stuff. Otherwise I’ve been trying to catch up on sleep. Hopefully I’ll be writing something soon, though!
Anonymous asked: what asian ethnicity are you ?
I’m full Japanese!
From Genesis to Revelation—Day 160 (11/10/11): Deuteronomy 11
It’s amazing to think that You give us so much and all You ask for in return is our love. Such a request seems simple but the reality is it’s incredibly difficult for us to give You that. Our hearts become hardened or torn among idols and we simply place You among them despite Your goodness. But You bless us when we are obedient and faithful while disciplining us when we turn away from You. A heart devoted completely to You is what I need and want and I know You can help me on my journey to achieve it. But I need to do my part and seek after You and love You wholeheartedly.
“Senior” Year Bucket List Update
1. Be one of those Asians that pops up on Asians Sleeping in the Library
2. Go to South Bend for Notre Dame football game
3. Visit every California AGO chapter (and Colorado chapters if possible)
4. Go to every home football game
5. Go to Vegas with bros
6. Go skinny-dipping without getting caught
7. Write a complete song
8. Participate in an eating contest
9. Fly with surely
10. Go to Hawaii
11. Make a snowman
12. Go on a mission trip
13. Bring someone to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ
14. Participate in the Fountain Run
15. Laugh until I cry
16. Cry during a movie
17. Go on the Weekender
18. Win Pismo
19. Go jet skiing
20. Go skydiving/parasailing/bungee jumping
21. Join a secret society
22. Go on an epic road trip
23. Go fishing/hunting
24. Go snorkeling/scuba diving
25. Finish reading the Old Testament
26. Visit another country
27. Play Silent Library in a UCLA library during their midterms/finals week
28. Go camping
29. Attend a concert
30. Dominate the LSAT
31. Give someone an unforgettable experience
32. Witness something awe-inspiring
33. Watch the sun rise
34. Give an amazing gift to my parents
35. Visit Elyse in New York
36. Eat turducken/haggis/blood sausage (or anything else weird)
37. Bowl over a 150 or exactly one
38. Create a successful YouTube channel
39. Model in a fashion shoot
40. Grow and maintain my best attempt at a goatee for at least a month
41. Create and eat a meal worthy of Epic Meal Time
42. Pull an all-nighter
43. Be a vegetarian for a week
44. Get a six pack (or just straight-up ripped)
45. Go on a date
46. Learn to do a backflip
47. Make someone laugh so hard milk (or any liquid) shoots out his/her nose
48. Do something ridiculous on campus (i.e. dressing up as a gorilla and chasing someone in a banana costume, dress like Tron and throw a glow-in-the-dark Frisbee, etc.)
49. Make a short film
50. Learn to skateboard/snowboard/surf
31. Give someone an unforgettable experience (8/29/11-11/6/11): I think it’s safe to say that I can check this one off the list. Talk to one of my Chis :)
———
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
-Proverbs 17:17
From Genesis to Revelation—Day 159 (11/7/11): Deuteronomy 10
You are so good and gracious to me and yet I find my heart to be hardened too often. How can I not be moved by Your demonstrations of love? How can I fail to trust in Your sovereignty when Your plan is so much better than any I could ever plan for myself? You are a great God and worthy of all praise. You are kind and shower me with love when I am deserving of none. Thank You for being a powerful Creator, matchless Savior, and loving Father.
“Senior” Year Bucket List Update
1. Be one of those Asians that pops up on Asians Sleeping in the Library
2. Go to South Bend for Notre Dame football game
3. Visit every California AGO chapter (and Colorado chapters if possible)
4. Go to every home football game
5. Go to Vegas with bros
6. Go skinny-dipping without getting caught
7. Write a complete song
8. Participate in an eating contest
9. Fly with surely
10. Go to Hawaii
11. Make a snowman
12. Go on a mission trip
13. Bring someone to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ
14. Participate in the Fountain Run
15. Laugh until I cry
16. Cry during a movie
17. Go on the Weekender
18. Win Pismo
19. Go jet skiing
20. Go skydiving/parasailing/bungee jumping
21. Join a secret society
22. Go on an epic road trip
23. Go fishing/hunting
24. Go snorkeling/scuba diving
25. Finish reading the Old Testament
26. Visit another country
27. Play Silent Library in a UCLA library during their midterms/finals week
28. Go camping
29. Attend a concert
30. Dominate the LSAT
31. Give someone an unforgettable experience
32. Witness something awe-inspiring
33. Watch the sun rise
34. Give an amazing gift to my parents
35. Visit Elyse in New York
36. Eat turducken/haggis/blood sausage (or anything else weird)
37. Bowl over a 150 or exactly one
38. Create a successful YouTube channel
39. Model in a fashion shoot
40. Grow and maintain my best attempt at a goatee for at least a month
41. Create and eat a meal worthy of Epic Meal Time
42. Pull an all-nighter
43. Be a vegetarian for a week
44. Get a six pack (or just straight-up ripped)
45. Go on a date
46. Learn to do a backflip
47. Make someone laugh so hard milk (or any liquid) shoots out his/her nose
48. Do something ridiculous on campus (i.e. dressing up as a gorilla and chasing someone in a banana costume, dress like Tron and throw a glow-in-the-dark Frisbee, etc.)
49. Make a short film
50. Learn to skateboard/snowboard/surf
15. Laugh until I cry (11/6/11): I’ll elaborate more on this under “Go on an epic road trip,” but for now I will simply say, “It’s not morning ‘til noon” and “Sam, put the cube in my chest.” You had to be there.
22. Go on an epic road trip (11/6/11): nacho, thatguy, and I were forced to drive up to Fresno for an AGO District Training meeting since we missed the Southern District Training a few weeks back. We thought we could get out of it by assuming the Grapevine would be closed due to poor weather conditions. Unfortunately, we were still forced to go and as our luck would have it, the weather was perfect as we drove through the Grapevine and all the way to Fresno. While we didn’t necessarily do anything ridiculous or crazy, the conversation was amazing and oftentimes hilarious. All I can say to describe this trip is, “You had to be there.” Never underestimate the power of a road trip with good company no matter where you’re going or what you’re doing.
28. Go camping (11/4/6-11/6/11): Brotherhood. Nature. God. What more could you want?
32. Witness something awe-inspiring (8/29/11-11/6/11): During my time at USC this past semester has been my favorite by far, mostly due to being Pledgemaster. It’s been an incredible blessing to watch a group of guys mature as Christian men and potential members of this fraternity. I still remember the first day that I met all these guys and thinking about their journeys and what they’re like now is mind-boggling. To see how God has touched them both as a group and as individuals has been an indescribably amazing experience that I will always cherish.
———
Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough.
-Emily Dickinson
“Senior” Year Bucket List Update
1. Be one of those Asians that pops up on Asians Sleeping in the Library
2. Go to South Bend for Notre Dame football game
3. Visit every California AGO chapter (and Colorado chapters if possible)
4. Go to every home football game
5. Go to Vegas with bros
6. Go skinny-dipping without getting caught
7. Write a complete song
8. Participate in an eating contest
9. Fly with surely
10. Go to Hawaii
11. Make a snowman
12. Go on a mission trip
13. Bring someone to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ
14. Participate in the Fountain Run
15. Laugh until I cry
16. Cry during a movie
17. Go on the Weekender
18. Win Pismo
19. Go jet skiing
20. Go skydiving/parasailing/bungee jumping
21. Join a secret society
22. Go on an epic road trip
23. Go fishing/hunting
24. Go snorkeling/scuba diving
25. Finish reading the Old Testament
26. Visit another country
27. Play Silent Library in a UCLA library during their midterms/finals week
28. Go camping
29. Attend a concert
30. Dominate the LSAT
31. Give someone an unforgettable experience
32. Witness something awe-inspiring
33. Watch the sun rise
34. Give an amazing gift to my parents
35. Visit Elyse in New York
36. Eat turducken/haggis/blood sausage (or anything else weird)
37. Bowl over a 150 or exactly one
38. Create a successful YouTube channel
39. Model in a fashion shoot
40. Grow and maintain my best attempt at a goatee for at least a month
41. Create and eat a meal worthy of Epic Meal Time
42. Pull an all-nighter
43. Be a vegetarian for a week
44. Get a six pack (or just straight-up ripped)
45. Go on a date
46. Learn to do a backflip
47. Make someone laugh so hard milk (or any liquid) shoots out his/her nose
48. Do something ridiculous on campus (i.e. dressing up as a gorilla and chasing someone in a banana costume, dress like Tron and throw a glow-in-the-dark Frisbee, etc.)
49. Make a short film
50. Learn to skateboard/snowboard/surf
40. Grow and maintain my best attempt at a goatee for at least a month (10/1/11-10/31/11): I’ve never allowed my facial hair to grow for more than two weeks. It’s because I’m Japanese. And being Japanese, that means I wasn’t blessed genetically with the ability to grow a thick, masculine beard. But I figured, what the heck. I might as well try and see what happens. I definitely felt disgusting during the awkward phase (which some might argue is any time I have facial hair) when my hair wasn’t too long and thinly spread out across my face. Luckily, it got thicker over time and began to cover a decent area of my upper lip and chin. I kept telling myself I couldn’t wait to shave after the month was over, but I gotta admit that I’ve grown used to and even somewhat fond of my facial hair. Maybe I’ll keep the goatee and let it continue to grow and hopefully thicken over time. Or I may shave and leave the mustache since a bunch of bros are growing mustaches for November. We’ll see. It’s nice knowing that I can grow something, though. Now I’m beginning to understand why my dad (who’s had his facial hair forever) has such a hard time just thinking about shaving off his facial hair.
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———
Always remember that the future comes one day at a time.
-Dean Acheson
Keep it real, bro.
