Firework Show

Good mornin! I was so tired this morning and had the hardest time waking up. But we had a "Code Red" fire drill on the first floor and the whole building had to evacuate. Probably the first real fire drill I've experienced and I guess it woke me up a little. Zzz. Haven't been able to update because I've been so busy and so much excitement has happened in so short of a time!

Before I forget, recap to the weekend of November 8 when Matt and I got engaged! Probably one of the most meaningful moments thus far in our relationship. The past few years were filled with much joy but also a lot of change and transition that really tested our relationship. One thing I'm so thankful for is how persistent and unyielding he was in showing his love and commitment to me. On the day he asked me to be his girlfriend at the Starbucks next to UCI, he had written out his goals he had for our relationship and a few applicable verses. Few of those goals were that he would propose to me his second year of dental school and that he would never stop showing grace and love for me. Come engagement day, he read off the same thing and lo and behold- he's proposing his second year and I can definitely say that this man is a recipient of God's grace by the way he shows love and grace.
What Matt said would be a "Firework Show" at Corona Del Mar, was actually a "Sparkler show" at sunset for our engagement! Afterwards I was thinking... Firework show at 5:30? Really Erin??

Some pictures taken and edited by Lily and Robert.

!!!

sweet sisters

:') <3

always a good time 

After a crazy few months with new changes in relationship and work, finally get a few weeks off (much needed) for winter break. May we all find rest physically as well as spiritually through the comfort of His word this Christmas.

Hello Fall

Happy Monday :) Spent this whole morning at a UCLA neurology department meeting where I got to actually see Dr. Feinberg and Dr. Mazziota's faces. I saw them a few months back but only got to catch a glimpse of their semi bald heads and receding hair lines. They're really important people by the way... Bosses to my boss's boss. It was basically a meeting for the doctors and some of us staff got to sit in. Even though I had no idea what kind of medical terminology they were using, it was still fascinating to hear their discussion regarding upcoming medical research goals.

The most exciting thing about this meeting though was a 15-year-old high school student from Hollywood who came in as a guest to one of the head doctors in the Movement Disorder clinic. It's uncommon for high school students (under 18) to participate in research. But this 15 year old personally contacted the head chairman of UCLA Medicine saying that although only 15, he can and will make a difference to the school of medicine. He has so much going for him- top of his class with dreams of going to Harvard Medicine to become a neurosurgeon, volunteers and interns, speaks 5 languages, etc. But what stood out in his speech was when he said this: "I've adopted this mindset from a personal relationship I've had my whole life: that I came to serve but not to be served." I was like... Say what? Did he just preach Bible? Here is this little guy in front of doctors and directors, sharing his passion for medicine and mindset of serving others instead of receiving service. I don't know this boy nor do I know if he truly has faith and salvation in Jesus. But I was encouraged of his boldness to proclaim his faith and servant-minded heart. It was awesome and I left the meeting with an enlightened perspective to humbly serve God's people with the mindset that their needs are greater than my own.

On a side note, about a week ago I tried carving a pumpkin for the first time. It was fun for the first 3 minutes... and then I realized I had only carved out less than half an inch through the pumpkin and wasn't strong enough to persevere. So I ended up just drawing the alien's face and ears on the pumpkin and Matt did all the carving. Hehehe.

This picture reminds me of the time before we started dating when I needed furniture in college. So I asked Matt to take me to Ikea and then he built all my furniture for me afterwards. I have no idea how carving a pumpkin led me to this memory.

Finished product. "You have been chosen. Ooo the Claw... " I hope you get my movie reference :)

ta-da !~

The remnants. And the best part. ^^

Monday, Monday

Happy Monday! I normally don't look forward to Mondays because I feel so tired from the weekend, but I've had one of the most relaxing weekends and slept early last night so I'm feeling rejuvenated for this week. Today's especially special because there's a UCLA career fair in a few hours where they give us free stuff and one of my coworkers brought homemade chile rellenos to work. :)

I'm finally getting used to the daily grind of work. It's not as stressful anymore and I even find it enjoyable to be here. It's great not being the newbie anymore. We've been getting a lot of volunteers from UCLA next door and I've been assigned to interview and assign work to them. It's been so fun getting to know these collegians and it reminds me of when I used to volunteer at the Torrance Memorial Hospital when I was a senior in high school. It makes me want to help them even more because I know how helpful it was for me. The one bad thing is that I accept almost everyone I interview and now we have over twelve volunteers. Oops...They're all just too cute and sweet. :) 

Something that I've been hashing through recently: What it means to fight for joy.
I've heard this phrase thrown around so many times in sermons, conversations, etc but it wasn't until I really experienced circumstances where I needed to 'fight for joy' that this phrase actually became meaningful. I can't even describe the countless times I've fought back the heaviness of discouragement or weariness. The terms "Hope in God" "Look to Jesus" were so central in our way of thinking and talking in our Christian community, yet I still struggled to foster a continuous heart of joy. Because my external circumstances were oppressing and my internal emotional condition was weary, my perspective to fight for joy was disheveled: I didn't see a purpose to even fight if I was bound to feel this way again.

After many months I came to the remarkable thought that there will never be a moment where I won't need to "fight for joy." How is this awesome...? Because fighting for this joy in Christ means constantly meditating and thinking about Jesus to the point where our thoughts and actions become shaped by God. It means being so saturated in Jesus and in the Word that all our earthly problems decrease and Christ increases. I see this in pastors at my church, in my dad, even in psalmists in the Bible. Their approach to hardships reveal much about their relationship with God-how even in the midst of tribulation, their hearts are directed towards Jesus with an overflow of praise. It's amazing to see the transformation of our thoughts about life,  emotions, burdens and cares when we are fixed upon Jesus.

I'm getting so much work done right now... Haha. Probably should go take a break now. ;)

Sleepless in Seattle

Good morning! It's 12:37 am and I can't sleep. I'm assuming it's because I'm traveling to Seattle tomorrow morning! I can never sleep the night before I travel. Probably a combination of excitement, worry, and exhaustion. I definitely have a mild case of travel anxiety... Besides not being able to sleep, I am super excited to be able to travel with my roomies who haven't even packed yet! W00t~

Anyway a quick thought before I sleep. If I can describe the past month in one word it would be: 'Waiting.' I realized after I graduated, I am constantly waiting for something new to happen. New job? Different direction in ministry? Relationships? It makes me so eager to want to know my future. At the same time though it made me think of why God has allowed so much of our lives to be consumed by waiting. I'm seeing how much God values the fruit produced in the soul that learns to wait patiently for him. He takes pains to cultivate this in us. Such pains only lead us to gain trust and dependence in our Lord and produces hope as He never fails us and His promises remain secure. I am thankful that I can learn to trust God's promises as it is really developing my capacity to hope in eternal life. Practicing every day not to trust in my perceptions and emotions but on His promises.

I should probably try to sleep now. Sigh. I think another reason I can't sleep is because Matt is still up studying for his last final tomorrow. Wish I had something to study so I can stay up with him. Can't believe I'm saying this, but I really do miss college finals week. There really is nothing like staying up with your friends all night and... studying. HAHA. Okay I really must be tired.
This is Matt trying to frown but failing hardcore... And I just look like Squidward. Yay.

So proud of this good lookin' feller. 

Seriously contemplating on whether to watch "Sleepless in Seattle" or not. Title is kind of ironic... I love Meg Ryan. And Tom Hanks and Seattle! But mostly SLEEP! ><

Good night!