cartoonylaura's Xanga

MUNCHKIN UPDATE

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:21:09 GMT

I think I can update once a month now LOL. After joining up on facebook, leisure time no longer exists. For the time being, I suppose 3 jobs have been keeping my hands busy + recent developments in my personal life. Here are a couple pictures of Alex on his first birthday that I couldn't resist posting. He's sucha cutie pie, but unfortunately he's entering his naughty phase. Cheers! L.

THIS ONE'S FOR YOU, KID

Sun, 09 Sep 2007 08:39:17 GMT

It's been a while, I know. I passed my practicum *yay*. Umm, what else.. to be honest, I just logged in to appease my loyal fan Li ;)

A BLESSED GIFT

Sat, 20 Jan 2007 08:32:12 GMT

For Christmas, I purchased this cool pacificier online from www.billybobteeth.com for my "nephew". I previously bought some cool "dentures" from them a few years back and caused an uproar of laughter. :p There's nothing like people laughing at you because of your awfully crooked and stained teeth :) Anyway, they also have this section that sells pacificiers and finally, my cousin was able to send me pics of him with it in his mouth! It was well worth the $$ spent on the pacifier just to see him in it!! LOL

ps, practicum time is approaching come Jan 29. Please say a prayer for me! See you after May 4.

ANOTHER YEAR CLOSER

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 01:02:54 GMT

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!! May the coming year inundate you and your family with storms of blessings :)

mush mush,
Laura

CONCLUSION ON HOMOSEXUALITY

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 07:56:23 GMT

A while back I asked my readers what they felt about homosexuality. A few people started debating it: Christian vs. nonChristian view and I must say it was a bit intense at one point. I've had mixed feelings about it as I've always disliked the condemning stance that so many Christians today have adopted. I also wrote that I would post up my final thoughts after debating was over, but never got a chance to.

Well, it doesn't get better than this... I was reading through some articles today and found what basically represents my own thoughts on it. Voila:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20061120/cm_usatoday/whenreligionlosesitscredibility

"SIEW YEH" at 1 AM

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 08:34:56 GMT

As I sit here indulging in "siew yeh" via flossing my teeth, I reflect on the recent happenings at GM Place both yesterday and today. It was refreshing, absolutely phenomenal that it would be a wonder if it didn't start a mass revival. I attended the much anticipated, much talked about Women of Faith Conference in Vancouver. First, it was just neat to be in a place of worship, to come into the presence of God with 7000 other women. Automatically without men in the picture, we were so much more civilized ;) LOL When singing praise songs, there aren't enough words to accurately describe the overwhelming emotions conjured up by female voices that resonate and echo throughout the arena. The sheer joy of being in a room full of women who are passionate about their faith is absolutely humbling. It was great to be among the presence of other women who live their lives with Christ.

The conference was full of witty speakers, many who are notable authors in the Christian community, others were singers, missionaries and so on. Their testimonies were so powerful and yet so real as they all came from varied backgrounds that demonstrated the power of God manifested in their lives. There was much laughter, tears, joys and triumphs. But the real reason I write this entry is to share how secure I felt among my fellow sisters in Christ. It felt like being back in Taiwan again, so to speak.

When I was in Taiwan, I blended well with the Taiwanese locals. I looked just like one of them and as time wore on, I felt like I was one of them. I felt that I was part of their identity and in a sense, I felt that I belonged, that somehow I was home.

Being with these women tonight from all walks of life and ages but unified by the same God, I felt a sense of refuge and security. I could totally and completely be myself and talk freely and openly about my faith. I wouldn't have to suppress anything for the sake of my secular friends. Rejoice!! It makes me think though, how much Christians are totally oppressed in modern society today. I've been made to feel guilty for believing in Christ...

Anyway, I am always uplifted and encouraged when I am with others who understand and know my faith because they have their own walk with Christ. When my focus shifts away from anything else except this bond with JC, immense anxiety creeps in and disturbs me on hours without end.

Dear God, I now know where my priorities lie. Please help me fulfill them. Amen.

"TWO WEEKS.... TWO WEEKS... TWOOO WEEKS!!!" Arnold Schwartzeneggar in Total Recall

Thu, 26 Oct 2006 22:24:37 GMT

So for the last 2 weeks I've been busy as a bee on practicum at a local high school. The school itself isn't too bad. Teaching isn't as easy as everyone thinks it is. There is so much to keep in mind in order to have your class flow smoothly. Your aim is to educate your students as much as possible, given whatever circumstances you're in. Crying kids, kids misbehaving, kids yelling out randomly, kids talking about everything else but your subject area, kids laughing out loud, kids refusing to do work, kids getting up every five minutes, kids asking to go to the bathroom every minute..... Yes, classroom management is half the battle. Engaging them is the next. *sigh*

On a lighter note, we get to go back to school and be a student next week! HOORAY!! HOORAY for school!!! I wish I could be a student forever.

A MOMENT TO REMEMBER

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 19:53:51 GMT

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving Day so I just wanted to thank God that my dear cousin who passed away exactly one year ago today is no longer suffering. He has definitely turned our sorrow into joy. Miss you, Fargo. 特別是最近我真的感覺到妳不在我身旁但是我心理知道妳在天堂上往下看我們。感謝主。</P>�l2YWN5cHVibGljBQ9wcHJpdmFjeXByaXZhdGUFEXBwcml2YWN5cHJvdGVjdGVkBQtjaGtDb21tZW50cwUHY2hrVGltZQ==

CARTOONY

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 21:31:46 GMT

Wow, it's been waaay too long since I've last posted. You know how it is... school and school! Anyway, just wanted to touch up a bit on why I consider myself "cartoonylaura" or why I always have email addresses with "cartoony" in it. Ever since I could hold a pencil, I always scribbled and a scrabbled and by the time I was in grade 4, had my own comic strip "Solomon" that I've continued over the years (but not recently). It was modelled after Garfield I guess, except it was about a dog named Solomon. It's neat too how the characters sorta transform over the years because in the beginning, it was a lot like how the Simpsons were in stage 1, undefined, experimental etc. :) Anyway, today's the first time in a long time I've drawn anything in a while and it's because one of my math instructors got us to write a poem on the division of zero. My poem was really quite literal and so I had to draw a picture that represented my poem. See below...

BACK IN VANCOUVER

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 03:43:17 GMT

After having another biking incident where a suspicious black car "kissed" my bike, I've finally arrived in Vancouver! Thanks to "Stop" and "Food" for picking me up :D

So here are a few things I'll have to adjust to in going through reverse-culture shock:

1) Throwing toilet paper into the toilet rather than into a smelly bucket teeming with flies/ants next to you.

2) Not being able to eat wherever and whenever for less than $4 Canadian. It's more economical to buy groceries and cook at home but not having a car is a major handicapp. :(

3) Everyone speaking to me in English isn't out to use my poor ability to improve theirs.

4) Cooler and drier weather.

5) DEAFENING silence!! I thought my eardrums were going to rupture today as I sat in dead silence at home. Taiwan has way too many scooters, buses, noisy garbage trucks to ever give you any peace and quiet.

6) I don't have to worry about finding a cockroach on the way to the bathroom. Maybe just a mouse. *phew* :p

7) Seeing racial groups other than Chinese and White.

8) Tipping at restaurants and tax. After being in a place that does not tip AND has excellent food prices that include tax, I now understand the common immigrant's pain regarding this.

9) Catching up with people who have essentially been in hiding the last 2.5 years. A wedding here, a baby there... you know, same old same old.

10) Alas the cleanliness of Vancouver is quite a stark contrast to Taipei's where there's heavy air pollution, "bloody" Taiwanese chewing tobacco stains splattered all over the streets, overcrowded sidewalks etc.

That's all I can think of at the moment. Will post more later when this headache called Life stops swirling!