I really hate doing this on xanga, but its been so hard to keep track of who's where these days.. but i'll be traveling a bit this summer to places i rarely (gasp) go and i'd definitely like to meet up for a meal/tea/coffee if you're free... and if any of you in the CA area wanna house me, i'll buy you some yummy food? =P just send me an email (bownan@gmail.com) or leave a comment.

- June 10-13 - Princeton, NJ (only free after 5pm)
- August 7-8 - Los Angeles area, CA
- August 8-10 - San Jose area, CA
- August 10-12 - San Francisco area, CA
- Sept 10-14 - Raleigh, NC (only free after 5pm)

On the subject of catching up with people, i can't believe its already been 4 yrs since i graduated from college.. and 8 yrs since HS! It's ridiculous how time flies... looking back, i see so many changes and how God's challenged and grown me not only as a person, but in my walk with Him. I met up with an old friend today and we were talking about responsibility and he shared how in college he always had a "minimal-work" mentality and did just enough to "get by"...but nowadays, he's filled with such an urge to "make something of his life"... work is not for the money, but he wants to do something that counts.

As we reminisced about the past and talked about the present, i couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy... hearing stories of how corrupt the corporate world is, how marital unfaithfulness is the norm, and how the girl he's living with now wants to get married but he doesn't... all these things really made me a bit sad. Is this the kind of world that awaits after the "college-bubble"? Is this the lifestyle that people consider the norm?

He then said something that's been ringing in my head all day.. he said "Bow-Nan, you're an idealist.. and i don't mean to offend you, but the only way someone can be an idealist in this world is in religion". At the time, i responded pretty defensively that there's a difference between being idealistic and not practical, and optimistic, understanding the situation, but being faithful step by step... but the more i thought about it throughout the day, i realized in many ways, he's right. The world we live in is so fallen that apart from Christ, there IS nothing to hope in. But with Christ, all things are possible: with Christ, there is hope to make an impact in corporate america with integrity.. with Christ, there is hope for a healthy family.. with Christ, i can look forward to the best that is to come. Be faithful step by step, but be hopeful because Jesus is bigger than all these things.