Day 59.

For Feed 500 on Saturday, our group covered the Columbus Circle area. On the way to the train station on the way home, I saw Viola, a Filippino elderly woman my group met. I stopped by to talk to her and see what she did today. I asked her if she had anything to eat and asked her if I could buy her something to eat. I got her a sandwich and some hot chocolate and talked to her a bit. She seemed very suspicious at first asking why I was doing this. I didn't know how to tell her that I didn't have ulterior motives so I just continued to talk to her. As we were saying our goodbyes I gave her the little cross beads Zion made. For the past week I've been carrying it in my pocket with me everyday and it would just grab it whenever I was anxious, worried, or scared. It would just calm me down and I explained that to her and told her I wanted her to have it and hoped it would do the same for her. Before I left we hugged it out said out "take cares."

HAHA.

First day

Yesterday I went to the school for the first time, and met the kids and the teachers for the first time. I learned so much from them!

I was touched by how much these teachers love the students. One teacher told me that they became loving because of these students. These marginalized kids living at the bottom of society awaked the tender heart of the teachers. They are poor, they are born to be poor, but they all have good hearts that care for others. Blessed is the poor, for the kingdom is theirs. I saw in these kids the purity, honesty and generosity that I couldnt find among the city kids, among the kids in new York.

Many teacher stayed at the school for they fell in love with the kids. Many kids' lives were changed because of what the teachers have done in their lives. These college graduates crossed the social structural barriers and entered the lives of these marginalized little ones and changed them forever.

I asked the kids what they wanna do when they grow up. Many of them said "teacher". Changing lives is the work of "one at a time".

Location:Shuicheng Road (South),Shanghai,China

Day 58.

Exhausted and beat. I was so out of it today, so.. sorry everyone. Half way through the day I just passed out at church and drooled a bit. It's kind of hard to be loving when you're passed out. I need to make sure I get rest.

HAHA.

Feeding One

Today I really felt that God showed me how much I had underestimated my experience at Feed 500 just yesterday. After shopping with an away student friend today, and getting a Jamba Juice, we were heading towards the train station to go home. Along the way, there was a homeless person sitting on the sidewalk with a sign asking for help. I walked past him and always missed him when I suddenly had an urge to buy him food. When we looked around for food, we immediately saw a hot dog stand at the end of the block. No coincidence! We walked back towards the man and asked him if he would like some food. Surprisingly, he was very friendly and said yes. When we were getting food however, I realized I had no money on me and my friend offered immediately to buy it instead. After we gave the man food, he thanked us and we left.

Although it seems very insignificant to feed just one person, I could not stop thinking about how happy I was that he had a warm meal tonight. I regret forgetting and not staying to talk to him more, but I know God is watching over and caring for him. A lot of times I rush by people without really seeing them, the needs that they have. Tonight God stopped me and asked me to give a little love.

Days 56-57.

I believe that food is such a great way to be loving. I'm not just saying that because, but being able to eat together - it's just a good way to fellowship, to catch up, to spend time together. I know having money doesn't mean anything, but sometimes I feel like I can't express my love/gratitude (as well) when I'm unable to treat a friend to some food or to just go out for lunch/dinner with a friend. For the first time in a two months-two months and a half, I was able to withdraw money from my bank account! It was a weird feeling of freedom hahaha. I was able to treat a friend to lunch and eat with them.

Some of us are fortunate enough to be in a position to feel hungry and to be able to satisfy that feeling. Some of us haven't even felt those painful hungry pangs in a while because we silence it before we even feel it. But we aren't blind/unaware of those who do know what that feel like. Those that may even live with it for a day or longer. Living in New York City, we encounter people who are homeless on a daily basis. Being able to provide them with some food is such a huge gesture, but often considered a huge inconvenience..for us. Sure some may reject your offer of a snack you might have and ask for money instead, but that shouldn't stop us from offering food to the next person who is in need. With a group of friends, we served through NYCUP's Feed 500. My goodness it was so awesome. Forget going there with the mindset of helping others..ah sorry I don't mean that in the way that it sounds. But when helping others, we go in thinking we're there to help/be a blessing to those we're helping. But God is so fracking amazing that He uses those we are sent to help to bless us as well. God's an amazing planner/architect/creator. He just makes things happen that blow our little tiny minds.

HAHA.

Day 55.

A friend had to give an argument against a given topic to her professor for one of her classes and she wasn't fully prepared for it. She had an hour until her appointment with her professor during my gap so I helped her practice and gave some of me awesome tips that actually helped. Wow, I know haha. Got home and kind got mad at my mom and yelled at her so to make it up I did some dishes tonight.

HAHA.

Research

Met with a person from department of Ed. Yesterday. He was the one who initiated the policy to move the migrant children into urban schools. He shared with me some encouraging stories of teachers who made differences in kids' lives... Looking forward to meeting with them next week!

Location:Shanghai

Day 54.

Talked to a friend I haven't seen/talked to in a while. It wasn't a long converstaion, but I got to see how he was doing, how he was handling his business and if he was getting enough rest.

HAHA.

Day 53.

Not necessarily enemies, but people who don't like you/approve of you. Being daughters and sons of God requires us to do things that are not of the status quo. Things that are out of the way. Things we don't want to do/say/face. But if we love God, we'll do it right? Not everyone will think that's the "right idea" or you might be the oddball/party pooper/weirdo, but you don't need their approval! I just had a conversation with a friend from school about the past weekend and what I've been struggling with. Yeah, we talked online - that's "easy," but I wouldn't have even done that in the past. God is slowly giving me courage to speak the truth in love.

HAHA.

Trip

I'm at the airport. Yes I'm leaving for China. I'm going there to study a group of disadvantaged children in urban China. Rather than studying, I'd say learning from them, their joys, their pains and sorrows. I'm so excited and looking forward to meeting with these kids. ciao.

Day 52.

Kind of upset cause my day was so unproductive, but it was nice just spending time with brother, cousin, and a church friend just eating and watching one of our favorite shows..Cake Boss! We went out to get some sushi for lunch and for once in a long long long time I had some money so I was able to pay a large portion of the bill! My brother can be such a jerk a lot of the times, but he's a softee inside. He always complains about having to pay for me, but he does it and often even offers to pay. I was looking for a picture that was fitting of today, but I came across this instead. As you can imagine, not a lot of people are fond of my quirkiness hahaha..well not completely if anything. But of the few that do love me and ALL of my craziness are some folk from my family church. I lost sight of that the past couple weeks/months. My bad. To love someone is to love their crappy side, their awesome side, and the side you rather not know/be (seen) around. Thanks & love you too.

HAHA.

Days 49-51.

So I spent the last 2 1/2 days with some Fordham friends. Every year, with the Asian Pacific American Coalition (the Asian American student club at school), a couple of the members go to the East Coast Asian American Student Union. I wasn't as excited to go this year because I haven't been hanging out with school friends as much and my awareness of Asian American issues have been down the drain, but having attended the past 3 years and this being my last made me want to go. I figured spending the weekend with them would be good. I did get to hang out with friends I've known since freshmen year, get to know some new friends better, and catch up with a friend from Bing. It was good, but my patience was being stretched and I had a hard time trying NOT to judge. Oh my gooooness. I felt there was a lot of behind the back smack talking, hate, assumptions, f bombs, pride/feelings of superiority going on the entire fracking weekend. I wanted to get away from all of that, but at the same time I knew I had to be there in order to get anywhere near being loving..at the same time I was constantly reminding myself not to judge them. I couldn't understand why people were getting so angry/upset over something that wasn't worth their time and energy. Why take as little as 5 minutes to as long as all weekend hating on someone and talking smack behind the back of someone you won't see again? I still don't understand the use of the f word. What is the point of using it?? What good does it do?? Either in anger or just to emphasize something good..WHAT'S THE USE?! Am I missing something here? Every other word..neeeow..f bomb!

It was really hard this weekend, buttttt

! I need to work on my patience I guess. I can't go around passing judgment, thinking I'm any better than them. Sin is sin. Someone supaaa wise just gave me some advice which was in regards to something else, but applies nonetheless.."we can't control what others do, but we can always control how we respond to it"

HAHA.

Day 48.

So on Sunday, I finally watched Paranormal Activity 2 with family. Very creepy. There was a scene involving the basement. My parents live in the basement and so do my cousin and niece. My cousin, like me is a scaredy cat and she's watched this movie for the 3rd time. She's too nice to say no to anyone :( Good for us, not so much for her haha. Before she and my niece started rooming together, she would stay in my room whenever we watched a scary movie. Anyway my niece went back to Korea on Tuesday so she's been roommate-less. My momma worried about her so asked me to stay with her. And my parents are gone for the night so she would be alone in the basement. SCARY! If I haven't been so tired the past two nights I would be freaking out if I was there alone. PITCH BLACK then the stupid boiler makes odd noises every once in a while! Always nice to have company :)

HAHA.

Day 47.

Sorry for the late post! And thanks for keeping me accountable and for reading :) Greatly appreciated! Mm so had my Graphic Design II class today. My classmate had done some work, but wasn't able to open it because she has CS5 at home and Fordham only has CS4. In order to open CS5 files in CS4, you need to export it into another file, but she forgot to do that. I had my macbook on me and I happen to CS5 so I let her use it to export her work. On my way home I saw a homeless man outside the train station and because I've been struggling financially, I bring food from home. I had a granola bar and cookie that I hadn't eaten so I offered it to him and he accepted. Sure, you can walk away and forget about the needy, but why not help if you can? You should help because you can. Because you're in a position to.

HAHA.

Day 46.

I know this may seem really petty, but it's pretty sweet. I have my shows that I watch, some of which my brother also watches, but others not at all. He's doesn't like it when I watch it when he's home and it's the same for me with his sports shows haha. So tonight's episode of GLEE featured two Justin Bieber songs - Baby and Somebody to Love! BIEBER! While he was busy with his iTouch I asked if I could watch, but it was a straight up no. I expected it so didn't even argue, but about an hour or so later I started talking to a friend who watched it and started to get really excited. My brother was playing Rock Band by then, but I asked anyway - just to watch the parts with the Bieber songs and he changed the channel without putting up a fight. SO NICE! I think he's getting softer! Like I need help paying my credit card bill again and my mom had already spotted a large portion of it. So I told my brother and he just said to remind him to get cash from the bank. SO NICE! He didn't even call me stupid which is how it usually goes down.

HAHA.

Day 45.

My "niece" is leaving for Korea tomorrow for an unknown length of time. Some church friends and family planned to go to a German restaurant/bar by my place for a farewell dinner..thinking a bar wouldn't be packed for Valentine's Day dinner. Wrong! Well first, dinner gets pushed back an hour because my friend's car battery died. Anyway, eight Koreans walk into a full German restaurant - the only Asians - all the customers that were already there kind of glance up at us, the one waitress barely acknowledges us before she walks to the back of the restaurant and disappears. Bad service mang! We stand there for a minute and with no help, we walk out trying to figure out another place to go that would have space. We decide to just go back home and order in food. We go for some Thai food and I call in to put 8 orders in. They deliver and my brother gets the door to get the food. As he brings the food in he comments/questions whether all the orders were delivered. They were not. My extra spicy tofu green curry was missing! I'm a little annoyed having to call in and get it redelivered or whatnot, but I was okay with waiting all due to my snacking on some awesome kettle cooked potaterrr chips. I guessed they would be busy so figured I can be patient. They redeliver the food and the delivery guy makes sure I know it wasn't his fault and I told him it's okay. Pretty good dinner, but extra spicy MY BUTT! Will make some pretty good breakfast too!

HAHA.

friendship

I was installed yesterday. Although it wasn't a big deal for me, a friend came to the meeting just for my installation. We get along very well, but we don't see each other or talk to each other that often coz we are both busy. Yesterday I felt so loved by what she did!

Day 43-44.

My family left the house early Saturday morning to go shopping and I was planning on leaving about an hour after they did so that would leave my gramma home alone with the dogs. I knew my family would most likely get home late and I was planning on staying over at my friend's house so that meant restless, yappy dogs for my gramma's. And dogs that would pee and poo around the house. My gramma gets super annoyed cause she can't take them out and they get really bored at home when no one plays with them and they start whining and whimpering. Anyone would get super annoyed by whiny dogs that don't stop whining. So I went to take the buppies out. Then as I was making breakfast I noticed the garbage was super backed up again so I trashed it. Score! I feel so accomplished whenever I throw out the garbage or finish a full round of dishes haha.

I need to lighten up, but I get annoyed and dwell in my annoyance and can't snap out of it. Today, I was helping my mom get lunch prepared which I'm glad to do, especially when she's doing it by herself. But then I get so frustrated at whoever's not helping her. People would just come, eat the food, and leave. alksjdlasdjlaksdjlaksdj REALLY?? I need to remind myself that I used to do that. Oy.

HAHA.

Day 42.

My dad's been learning to text and he sends my brother and I texts everyday or every other day. My brother finds it annoying haha. I know my dad has good intentions, it just seems very smothering. Anyway he texted me the other day about some family church business. He had talked to the pastor and some of the other dad's and while they are looking for a new teacher for the youth, they think I should be in charge until then. He told me to pray about it. I haven't talked to him about it until just a few minutes ago. I've kind of been avoiding talking to him cause of the change it could bring. Right now I'm more committed to OCM - I don't know if I'll be able to be equally committed to both and honestly I don't know if I want to. First I feel like I'm not equipped to do this and I feel like nobody if any would even care to see and make change in the youth group. Anyway I was talking to my dad about this and this is maybe our third real one-on-one on the same level conversation. We rarely talk talk, but when we do it's pretty honest from both sides. Although he is a talker, he does try and hear my side. I'm happy he doesn't try to force his opinions on us anymore. Good conversation!

HAHA.

Day 41.

I found out Monday that my mom's off for the next two weeks and I thought it was really random because..it's February. Then I found out a really good friend of hers, maybe her best friend, is visiting from Missouri. My mom's pretty much spent everyday this week with her. That made me "aw" cause that's friendship! Then I found out yesterday my dad's off for a week I think. Probably to have the same vacation time as my mom. That's not so "aw" haha, but that's love! And a bit attached haha..just kidding!
Thinking about it, I should know when my parents are on vacation before they're actually on vacation huh

HAHA.

putting things off is never a good thing

My most favorite professor is my New Testament professor in Alliance Theological Seminary. He has always been encouraging me, telling me that I'm a VERY GOOD Bible student (which I had never thought so before), and helping me realize that I do have talents and gifts and that God did make me useful for His church. He taught me how to study the Bible from a more historical and authentic perspective and to read it from the author's perspective and not just our own. Through him, I learned to think critically about what I heard in the sermon, what I read in the book. Instead of taking them as WHAT GOD SAYS, I process it and compare it with what the Bible and author is really trying to tell us. He is probably the reason why I'm here doing what I'm doing today. He is one of those important people in my life who made me who I am.

I invited him and his wife to my wedding one and half years ago, but he couldn't make it. I have been wanting to invite them over for dinner but I never got chance to. I thought that I wasn't as important as a student of him and that maybe he's too busy. Then I thought that it's not a big deal and I will always have chance to see him.

I drove by school for a few times but never got chance to go in and say hi. I was lazy. I was afraid that after I got in, i would have nothing to say and I hate those awkward moments when I have to think of something to say...

But today... I received a personal email from my dear professor telling me that he now has serious... "aggressive" is how he puts it...lymphoma cancer, a type of cancer in one's immune system. He will be going through Chemos in two weeks. I hope that I could see him before I leave for China. I just want to say hi, thank him that he made me who I am and pray with him.

Putting things off is never a good thing. As one of my coworkers shared after his mother's passing away. "Tell your loved ones that you love them when they are still here". Somehow we Chinese are so stingy to say things like that. In that aspect, I hate being a Chinese.

So, "Tell your loved ones that you love them when they are still here"

Day 40.

I need to stop underestimating the amount of work and time I need to put in for my assignments. Oh my goodness I thought I would get at least 6 hours of sleep last night and ended up with an hour. Fail. I'm so tired. My day wasn't so bad as long as I was moving haha so the train ride and class was not so good. But I realize I slip every once in a while cause it just doesn't process in my head or whatnot. My professor decided to show a short documentary type clip..not a good idea. I don't know why I never thought about it, but I figured out how to NOT MISS MY TRAIN STOP! Set up an alarm on my phone! Haha it worked today, whew. I like to get to my classes before it starts and I printed everything and was ready to go, but a classmate was not so familiar with the printers because she's a Bronx student. So I helped her get the printing done. Anyway I was just planning on going home after class to either get cracking on my hw early and get to bed early or just take a nap first. 15 minutes before my class ends, my brother texts me and asks me to pick up some wires for speakers he bought. I just wanted to go home, but thankfully Best Buy is only a few blocks from Fordham so it wasn't like out of the way. I went, found and bought it. Because the wire was so small I just put it in my bag but as I was leaving I saw that there was a security guard checking receipts and such so I pulled both out and he said "Thanks for doing that, I appreciate it" - not that it was a huge gesture, but that was just nice of him. It was the end of the day and I remember working retail and that is freaking tiring. If I was him I would've just said "Good night" if anything ahha. As I was leaving, a Fed Ex delivery guy was dropping off some stuff in a hand truck and the Best Buy has 2 doors. His partner opened the first door from the outside, but no one was there to open the 2nd one - which isn't so hard since I'm sure he deals with such "dilemmas" all the time, but I backtracked and opened the 2nd door so it wouldn't be a hassle and he said "Aw thanks, that's the nicest thing someone did today" and sure, it could've been sarcasm, but still!

HAHA.

Caring through prayers

I've been feeling constrained for a while because of so many things that I can't do. Most of my day involves sitting, thinking, typing and talking. I was once trying to lift something and the administrator yelled at me for doing so. I got scared afterwards and figuring any heavy duty work is not going to be part of my life for the next half year or so. I got tired easily so at the end of the day i'm always too tired to do anything for anyway.

Recently I've been learning to care through prayers. I used to be always busy for catching up with the deadlines. There just seem to be so many things to do and so little time. Where do I find the time for care for others? And, there are many people I don't see or talk to often, how do I care for them?

I'm now learning to take breaks from work to pray for them. Scrolling through facebook, or ichat friends' list, seeing names, thinking about their needs and praying for them. I may not be able to any thing for them, but God can! Our Father in heaven is almighty and nothing is impossible for Him!

Day 39.

Another day of brokeness and jury duty! I was excited to do - a part of me wished I would get picked. But then I wouldn't want to take time off from classes and such, but I think I would've been off the hook if I told them I was a student. I didn't get called at all so it was pretty much a day of sitting around. Man 5-6 hours is nothing when you have so much to do. Didn't get any work done, but got to send emails, follow up/check in with some people, and catch up with a friend. Even though I've been broke, I've been having lunch/dinner with some friends to catch up and see how they were doing. Thank you God for those Visa/Amex gift cards! And family that covers for you. A friend from school interns around the court house I was at so I met her for lunch and we were able to talk which we haven't done in a long while. After lunch I was food coma-ed out for the rest of the day and I just wanted to go home when I was dismissed. As much as I wanted to, I had dinner plans with friends, one of which I haven't seen in like a month and halfish, so I couldn't cancel. Dinner plans changed and we ended up staying out much later than I had expected, but the company and fellowship was :).

HAHA.

one second..

I never realized how much one second/one minute could add to your day:

Let's say, you woke up a minute late and so within that minute, your sibling went into the bathroom so you ended up having to wait for another 10-15 minutes to use the bathroom.

Or how bout if you stop to grab an AM new york on your way to the train station and your hand slips so you take a few extra seconds to grab a newspaper and then when you've finally done that, you go down the stairs and see your train right in front of you. As you pull out your metrocard to swipe in, you hear "stand clear of the closing doors, please" and as you go into the turnstile, the doors close.

One second lost could lead to a while different day. Because that train left without you, you could be late for your class. Or work. And it just so happens that your boss is walking around the office that day to see who's on time and who's not. Or you could have missed the beginning of a movie. Or worse, if you have children, you miss the opening scene of your child's ballet recital!


So, after saying all this, I was sitting on the train today and as the 6 train pulled into 14th street union square station, I see the 4 train closing their doors and this man running down the stairs trying to make it. He missed the train and looked like he really needed to get on that train. So I decided to pray for him. It wasn't an elegant prayer, just a simple one. I probably won't ever see the man again and I won't ever know if my prayer did anything for the man, but God will know, and I know He was watching over that man today. =)

she's leaving!

My mom's leaving for the Philippines tomorrow. =(
I got my mom some "candy" to last the flight. It's sugar free :)

Day 38.

I was too tired last night so I went to sleep somewhat early and told myself I would wake up earlier to do my reading. It took me about an hour and half to wake up, but when I did I felt so refreshed. I don't remember the last time if ever where I felt so awake after a night's sleep. SO GOOD! As I was making breakfast and throwing something out in the trash, I noticed that it was filled. I noticed it last night too, but was too lazy to do anything about it. I figure I better do it now or whoever finds it full is gonna be pissed. After that with my breakfast - stir fried ramen! and coffee - I went to my room to do my devos. I also had some prayer time which I haven't had in the morning in a long long time. Good refreshing morning! Then I got on the train and knocked out. Drowsy for the rest of the day haha

HAHA.

Day 37.

After youth service I usually help my mom get lunch ready. Some of the kids can require more patience than others and when I went to help my mom today, one of these kids was already helping my mom. Instead of just blowing her off or giving as least attention as possible, I tried to work with her and talk to her which helped.

Superbowl XLV! Not a follower of any sport, but usually watch the big games with friends from church. A friend hosted a Superbowl hangout at her place today and since I was one of the few that didn't really care about the game I helped my friend out in the kitchen prepare snacks and such. Exciting game ahha.

HAHA.

Day 36.

Had a family day which was really good to have. I haven't been home any Saturdays in January, so being able to spend time with most of everyone was good and fun. Went to lunch at Minados, some shopping, and just watched some movies/tv. A good lazy day haha

HAHA.

sooo, recently I've been trying to be nicer/more help around the house like washing dishes, cleaning the table, cleaning my room, getting my parents lunch and all that stuff cause I realized whenever I go to other people's houses, especially to eat, I always try to help out with stuff but I never do so at home. So I thought that wasn't right so I'm trying to help out around the house more.


I cleaned the table and washed the dishes today after lunch without being asked even though I have a whole lot of school work and other stuff to do and was in the crappiest mood ever. But putting it into perspective, God probably has an infinite amount of requests/work to do yet he still has time to love me. So that helps a bit :).

Time to get some of that work done now, greenandyellowgreenandyellowgreenandyellow!


-frostedflakesaremyfavorite.

Day 35.

I feel wiped out. You know that feeling of just being empty? Like you have nothing left to give. Not that I do/did a lot of giving, but today I just felt like I couldn't give anymore. I had no patience. I don't know what happened. The day started kind of exhausted, but got better. But then I got a;ldskja;lsdalksjd for whatever reason(s). I didn't feel like being civilized. I didn't feel like being welcoming/friendly. Didn't feel like ignoring the lakjsd;aisdl thoughts in my head. Didn't feel like waiting. Didn't feel like listening. Didn't feel like saying things. Didn't feel like holding back or stretching out. laksjd;larlaksjdlaksjd. Was a fail. Sorry. I apologize for being selfish and crap today. God, I need to be filled again.

A friend needed to get material for his art/studio classes which like anything else adds up. I had a $20 giftcard to Pearl Paint so I gave it to him. I don't know if this counts since it's more like me returning an act of kindness, but my friend was about 40 cents or so short for a swipe. He always gives me a ride home and I had a cash card on me so I swiped him in.

HAHA.

Day 34.

Saw a homeless man on the train and offered him my bagel I had, but he pointed to his mouth and said something like his teeth can't handle it. He asked for change, but I told him I didn't have - oh how it helps to be broke! But I have my Don't Walk By resource cards and gave it to him..I hope it helps.

I found out the day before that one of my close friends was going through a recent break up. I went over today to keep her company and to talk and all of that. To be honest it was hard, not because I've never seen her so broken, but because I felt like there was no point in me being there other than my physical being. I felt like she could've been talking to anyone. I know I'm being really selfish and I'm sorry, but whatever I said she disregarded and ignored. She would just cut me off sometimes and I just felt like I wasn't worth anything. I know she's hurting really really bad and I don't know how that feels so I'm just being a jerk myself. I feel like I have nothing to offer when people go through break ups. All I got is..just move on and get over him cause you don't need him. Ha! What a fail. I suggested she stayed over so she can be in a different environment and get her mind off even if for a little bit. I don't think it helped. And I kind of fell asleep on her..sorry..

HAHA.

Day 33.

I've been racking my brain trying to figure out one act of kindness today. I can't really think of anything - FAIL - other than a conversation I just had in the last half hour. A friend who I don't usually talk to online messaged me with a link to NYCUP's Feed the Homeless page. That's all. Haha. So I told him I did Feed 500 before and that it was cool. I asked him if he's done and he had not. So I told him we should do it and he said let's do it. So that's what we're doing February 26th. YOU SHOULD DO IT TOO! I want to see more Zion folk do it too. I feel like it would be an eye opening experience for some and it would be good just to be put in a situation where they will be more selfless.

HAHA.

Day 31-32.

Last night I did the HOPE Count with my office at school. Honestly, I didn't really want to do it. I still feel eghh about staying at school longer than I should and I don't really have someone I connect to at school. Having worked at my office for 2+ years, I felt like I should be more active than what I do during my work time. You can't expect others to do something if you yourself tell them "you should do this.." and find excuses not to do it. Mm so HOPE Count is an annual homeless outreach population estimate run by the Dept. of Homeless Services. You go out in teams and survey an area given to your team, and every person you encounter you ask them a few questions to find out if they're street homeless. Not so much outreach in the sense that you offer them help, but by collecting the data from all the teams, the DHS is able to tweak their services to better provide for the homeless. It's held late at night in the winter because that's when the unsheltered and those that need the most help are out. As we were going out, the volunteers were given snacks and info sheets to help get through the night. Being the only one with a big enough backpack I offered my team members to carry their stuff. At the end of the night, my team leaders was busy getting all the information together so I went to get him a cup of hot chocolate and helped him out.

Today was Tigger's welcome back day! My friend was living off campus and she was having problems with her roommates to the point that she needed to get out of there. She decided moving back to the dorms would be best, but no pets allowed. She called and told me her situation and asked me if I could take care of Tigger until Spring break. Of course I would! She found out yesterday that she had to move back to the dorms last night and really needed me to take Tigger as soon as possible. Because of her classes I had to pick him up either before 11 or after 5:15. I knew 11 would be way to early because I'd get home late from HOPE Count, but I would rather do that than leave my house late and get home later. So on 3 hours of sleep I got my butt out of bed, picked up Tigger, got back home and knocked out.

HAHA.