Summer Nostalgia: People

My Sophomore and Senior yearbooks!

As some of you may know, I'm currently on my summer vacation and as the month of May comes to a close, June is around the corner and during this time of the year it has become pretty nostalgic for me. A couple of weeks ago, I visited my old high school and I got to see some of my old teachers and a couple of my friends who are seniors now that I've missed a lot, and just thinking that around this time TWO YEARS ago-- I can't believe it's already been two years-- since I've graduated high school! That sounds so weird! I've always been used to saying, "I graduated last year"; "Last year, I did this..." or "Last year I did that.." I was so used to saying "last year," but now it's TWO years since its happened. 

Although, I don't miss the "high school" part of high school, I do miss the people. A little over a week ago, I got to hang out with one of my homies, which was so much fun! He's a senior in high school and I'm so excited for what he has planned for the future-- what he's doing now! While we hung out, he asked me about the kind of things we (my friends and I) do for fun, while in Redding at Simpson. I mentioned the dollar theater, Castle Crags, hiking, the lake, on-campus events, and Dutch Bos.-- all of which are pretty legitimate events and places to go to. But let's face it, Redding is a pretty small city and there really isn't much to do-- I apologize completely to the city of Redding and those that live there, I hope that statement does not offend you. But as I continued to think about the kind of things there are to do for fun, I probably made Simpson sound a lot more boring than it actually is, but now that I think about it, I didn't mention the people that makes Simpson fun! Throughout the academic year while at Redding, I continue to laugh uncontrollably, grow and live with such amazing, authentic, and crazy funny individuals that without them, Simpson would not have been as great as it is. 

That is where its been nostalgic. People. It's the people I went to high school with, graduated with, and shared memories with that, thinking of it now, haven't really talk to since my high school graduation. When I visited my old high school two weeks ago,I realized that after this class graduates (the Class of 2015) I will more or less know no one who attends El Cerrito High School. Well, besides my sister, who will be attending E.C. this upcoming fall, but that's besides the point. Due to graduation for the Class of 2015, I decided to look at my old year books. I reread my friends signatures and the paragraph/ page long entries about our time together and to tell you the truth, I laughed and almost cried. Trust me, I do not miss high school AT ALL, but I really miss the people I've gotten to know, all who I most likely will text/ call very soon! I should also admit, I probably wouldn't want to see the majority of the people I went to high school with just because it was high school. It's the people I've spent so much time with whether it were during class or on the softball field that I really miss hanging out with.

As I traced the hand writings of all of these people that I've spent 4, 3, or 2 years of my life with that signed my yearbook, I know without a doubt that we've all changed. I know I've changed that as I grow and become more of who I want to be, who God has created me to be, I want the people that I've become friends with to be a part of that. I know there still is social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, and all that good jazz, but there's nothing like spending physical/ legit face-to-face time with someone and becoming closer in language. What I mean by "becoming closer in language," (it's something I learned in Philosophy) which means "communication." In other words, the only way we tend to get to know people and grow in friendship is through communicating: language. It's talking and listening that I feel has established friendships and stronger bonds between people, two foundation social interactions that have been eminent factors in my personal friendships: Time. Spending time with people. I guess you could say time is one of my love languages because, now having spent two years in college, time is important and continual. Knowing that someone wants to spend time with me means a lot. Knowing that as precious as time is, they want to spend it with me.

It blows my mind to realize how important relationship is. It's really cool to think that in Genesis 2:18, the Lord says, "It is not good for the man to be alone," which I have interpreted as, we (us, you, me, people) were made for relationship! Correct me if I'm wrong, but God does not say "It is NOT good," again throughout the creation account besides having seen Adam needing a companion. I feel that this is not limited to JUST a significant other, but with family members, friends, and acquaintances. It's meeting new people and growing in relationship that I feel closest with God. To learn and love his people that I may pursue and love as He does. So, not only will I be reading and running this summer, but also pursuing relationship!

Thank you so much for reading! You the real MVP!

I hope you have a great day!

-Jacky

Summer Reading Bucket List

This Summer, one of the many things I want to do is read as many books as I can! Before I went crazy, I knew I wanted to start with a goal! With the month of May JUST starting, I've set a goal of 10 books in 4 months! It may sound cray, but I've heard people read at least 3-6 books a MONTH (#BookTube) and I am determined! Despite that comparison, I know I can do it! Before starting this goal, I came face to face with a hard decision of picking a book to read first, which took as as much time I could spare (very little time). So I did the most strategic way to pick my first book to read: Eeny, meeny, miney, moe. And as fate picked it, I landed on Everything Is Illuminated by Johnathan Safran Foer. The following list is the result of continuing with that Eeny, meeny, miney, moe strategy! 

*Summer Reading Bucket List

1. Everything Is Illuminated by Johnathan Safran Foer

2. The Martian by Andy Weir

3. Robopocalypse: A Novel by Daniel H. Wilson

4. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

5. The Maze Runner by James Dashner

6. The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker

7. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

8. The Giver by Lois Lowry

9. If I Stay by Gayle Forman

10. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstrern

Although I am very determined to finish this list before I head back to Simpson, I also want to make sure that I have fun with this list! The last thing I want to happen is reading becoming a hassle, but looking at this list now, I have noticed that this list has such a wide variety of genres. From contemporaries to apocalyptic fiction and YA Fiction to realistic fiction. I am so excited to start this Summer Reading Bucket List ASAP!! Wish me luck!

Thank you for reading!!

-Jacky 

*If you'd like to tag along with me on my reading progress, follow me on Goodreads!!

Plans for the Summer of 2015

It's almost the end of April already!!! I can't believe how fast my last semester of my sophomore year went by! (AAHHHHH!!!!) It drives me crazy to look back and remember all the things I've done, which I hope to share with you now that I am finally back home for the summer! Besides having planned taking classes, working, internship-ing (I think that's a word), and HOPEFULLY meeting up with some of my homies, I have a feeling it's going to be four long (and hopefully busy) months this summer! I miss everyone back at Simpson already! I can see it now, going back to campus in late August and awaiting the arrival of all my friends and all the other residences-- which reminds me!

I don't know if you were aware, but for the academic year of 2014-2015, I was a Resident Assistant (RA) for 1st Floor Irwin! Being an RA has been a GREAT blessing and so much has come from being an RA that I know that I wouldn't have built such strong relationships, grew to LIKE people (soon turned into love because people are actually really cool!), and become closer with God if it weren't for being an RA! But as of the 2015-2016 academic year at Simpson University, I will not only be an RA, but in 1st Floor of Morgan-Sharp!! It's a different building, but I know the Lord has even more things planned for me as I transition into a new team and group of girls!

I JUST finished my Sophomore and I can't stop thinking about next school year! But anyways, I am currently taking advantage of the freedom I have now, which consists of Netflix, popcorn, and sleeping until I get hungry! Just kidding! I wake up at least 5 minutes before I smell the food cooking so that I have enough time to brush my teeth! Okay, I'm completely kidding about that too! Although I do brush my teeth before I start my day, I'm going to really try to take advantage of the extra time on my hands before things start to get a little too hectic! Since being back from University, I have been running in the morning and trying my best to eat better! Being home, I know I tend to eat a lot more because it's NOT cafe food, so I plan to exercise more often! Just wish me luck that I keep it up *I type this with one hand as I put more popcorn into my mouth* 

I also hope to get up as early as 7:30A.M. for my morning runs-- only because my little sister is still in school and I really want to make an effort to get up early while also starting my day out with a run! I mention that my sister is still in school because now that I'm home, I can drop her off and her school is a little over half a mile from my old high school, including a lot of hills, so I run from her school to my high school and back! It's a good mile and a half give or take (I should mention again that there are a lot of HILLS!) 

Besides running and eating healthier, I also want to read as much as I can! Since I don't normally have time to read for fun while in school because of the amount of papers, meetings, classes, and other reading assignments, I hope to fill my imagination with the worlds that have been bravely shared by numerous authors! Although I may have not had the time over the academic year, that didn't stop me from buying books, so I'm well over stocked for this summer! After every book I finish I hope to post a book review about them and if you have any recommendations, let me know about what books I should read!

Above everything I've mentioned that I'd like to do this summer, I hope to continue to grow and strengthen my relationship with the Lord even more! On my long drive home from Simpson (3 hours long) I pray. I pray and talk with the Lord for I don't know how long and it mostly ends with tears of joy and I am quickly reminded that I have to see in order to drive, so I also pray that I get home safely! This summer with all the things I have planned, I know that it might not be what God has planned. One thing is for sure, I want to glorify Him in anything and everything He does have planned for me. I hope that connecting with people does not stop at Simpson and I don't want to find myself spiritually dry. I think this summer and what was very eminent this past semester is prayer. This summer, I want to make sure I spend in prayer. Prayer for the summer, a potential internship, summer classes, and work. I also pray for the upcoming academic year, Simpson University, and Student Development. For my family and friends, for motivation and peace, and for new experiences-- experiences lived and remained with the Father and Christ my savior!

That is what I'd like to do this summer! 

Thank you so much for reading! <3 comment-3--="">

-Jacky

1st Post of 2015

As I sit here in my dorm lobby composing this, the first 20 minutes consisted of typing out an intro then deleting what I had, then typing out something else, then deleting it again; there has been an endless cycle of different thoughts and what to start talking about. 

I guess, I could first say that I could not believe that this is going to be the first post I've done in the year of 2015!!! Which reminds me, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I reflect back on 2014, which may call for another post, but I have grown so much in this past year that I have seen the Lord work in everything I have been going though! Considering that it is already February-- the 21st at that! I thought to do a quick, "What I've been up to since the beginning of the year!" :)

In January, I started the Spring semester of my sophomore year and at the start, I have been thrown into the homework/work grind, which may be a good excuse to say why I haven't posted since last year! I also have done so much!!! (AAHHH!!!) So much has happened now that I think back about these past few months that I am so excited to write about and share with you! But as of now I am in mid-terms, leadership applications, FASFA, as well as registration for next school year! It has been keeping me busy! It blows my mind that I'm already in the middle of the Spring semester! It's constant that I ask time to SLOW DOWN! 

As of February, I had my 20th Birthday, which was SUCH a blessing!! It was crazily filled with so much love, friends, and laughter that it has been THE best birthday I have had thus far!! My sister, Samantha is still in boot camp, but in about three to four weeks, she will be graduating and I will get to see her graduate in South Carolina!! I am so excited!

For the rest of the semester and 2015, I plan on taking things as they come and I'm really excited to see what the Lord has in store for me! I also would like to thank you for reading this and I can't wait for you to experience this year with me!

Thank you for reading!! I hope you have a blessed day! :D

1st Ever Ashland Trip

This semester, I had to to take a trip to Ashland, Oregon, which was about an 2-2.5 hour drive from Simpson to watch Shakespeare's The Tempest for my Intro to Literature class. Going to Ashland has been the farthest north I have ever been and experiencing the drive up there was BEAUTIFUL! Holly, who was very kind to drive us to Ashland, said that the drive up to Ashland was nothing compared to driving up to Washington. So I've added going on a road trip to Washington on my bucket list. 

Each year. a handful of English classes were required that students go to Oregon to watch one of the Plays at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. I got to go with three amazing, wonderful, and Jesus loving women. Each of us shared our testimonies that the more I got to learn about everyone, the scenery up to Ashland could not compare to the beauty of their souls! (And I'm sure once I take that road trip to Washington, their souls still wouldn't compare). 

As far as watching The Tempest, I enjoyed it immensely! Each character was fully distinctive, the costumes were so detailed, and the play was well directed. We also got to meet up with other Simpson Students, who went to see the same play, which was really cool! After the play, we all went exploring around the main area, which was so pretty! It was so cute seeing all the little shops and the weather was so crisp and chilly, I really loved it! Ashland has definitely grown on me.

Quick Check Up

Before I start with this post I just want to say thank you so much for considering on taking to time to read my blog. It means a lot to me that, you, spending time to read about things I'm interested in or random stuff that I think are cool to write about. I really want to say, THANK YOU! 

As the title suggest, I haven't written on this blog for such a long time and so much has happened since that last time I have written a blog post, so I thought I would do a "quick check up."

Since late August, I have started working as an Resident Assistant and have started my second year at Simpson University! So far, the experience as an RA (Resident Assistant) has been insightful, blessful, and an amazing experience. I have learned so much about people, God, and myself. I have gotten to meet and connect with so many beautiful people and getting to experience and learn about their souls, goals, and personalities has been awe inspiring. I have grown so close and have made great relationships with other people that I am overwhelmed by the love and care they have given me. Before applying to be an RA, I did not like people-- in a sense that I did not want to interact or socialize with them. There were moments when I'd walk out of my house and see my neighbors working on their lawns or their kids playing in the front yard, and the first thing I would think of was, "EW, people." But I no longer think that anymore. I have grown a passion for people and their stories, which is one of the many aspects that I have felt that God has worked in me. I continue to enjoy meeting new people and gaining more experience throughout the year!

Now, coming back to Simpson for my second year has been somewhat different from my freshman year. Similar because of the classes, homework, homework, campus, and homework. Different because although the environment may seem familiar and I've attained a "groove" of the campus, a sense of, "I know what to expect," kind of mentality was reassuring. But I knew that it was going to get a lot busier and it has been. This year has been such a huge learning experience for me that in certain areas that I thought I knew, I didn't, but have grown and learned form that. I feel that I have also grown, am growing, and will grow closer to the Lord and it has been an overwhelming experience. 

So for now, I am doing great! Busy, tired, happy, and content.

Thank you so much for reading!

The End of My Freshman Year!!

Some of my very close friends!

Asian Fellowship!!! :D

Lake Tahoe Trip!!

Homecoming Game!! We Won!

More of the gang!

I am very embarrasses to say that although school is about to start, I really wanted to post this entry. I am well overdue for a blog about ending my first year of college, which I entirely apologize for, but nonetheless, her it goes!

My freshman year of college was one of the BEST years of my life! It was filled with amazing people, breath taking laugh sessions, a closer and forever growing relationship with the Lord, and mind blowing experiences. Looking back at my freshman year, I am so happy and excited to start my Sophomore year! :D

On the first day of orientation, God instantly blessed me with so many kind and friendly people who I have grown in such great friendships. When I first arrived on the Simpson campus, I didn't know what to expect-- I was scared and nervous, but excited and so happy! That whole first day I didn't want it to end because I dreaded when the time came to say "good bye" to my family. I knew that I was going to cry and I knew if I cried, they were going to cry. But when the time did come, the only thought I had when I said "bye" was "I'm going to see them again, I'm going to see them again, I'm going to see them again," over and over in my head to keep myself from crying. Although I could see tears forming in their eyes, I was later informed that they did end up crying when they left driving their way back.

This was also the year that I drank legit "grown up" coffee for the first time and with 3 shots, which was a very bad idea because I was CRAZY hyper. I was jumping up and smelling people's names, running around campus, and talking really fast.

I also joined the Asian Fellowship Club, and Women of God. Both clubs were so much fun and I felt that I really connected and got to grow and get to know so many people.

There were so many things that stand out to me looking back into my Freshman year. The people I met were a blessing, my Christian faith grew immensely, and the classes were challenging. Next month, classes are about to start and I couldn't be more excited and if you don't know already, I will be a Resident Assistant this school year, which I am SO EXCITED about. My co-RA, Sarah, and I have so many plans for our floor and-- I am so excited to start! 

Overall, my freshman year was scary, exciting, and breathtakingly beautiful! And I look forward to an even more amazing school year!

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