7:365 Days of Love-- Loving my pet

Day 7: Has it actually been 1 week since I started this? Wow! Hahaha. Well, today was very eventful... I could actually talk about something else, still related to a pet, but that involved tears and the vet...SoO how about I talk about something happy :) This evening my lil' cousin & I exercised at the local park, about 10 minutes from the house. I caught sight of an abandoned tennis ball and asked my cousin to get it for me. You see, I'm trying to get out of the habit of sleeping on my stomach, and this article said to tape a tennis ball on your shirt while you're sleeping.

Well, when I got home, Speedo (my chihuahua) caught site of the small round object. He started jumping and running in front of me. Honestly, I fail to recall the last time we played fetch together. At first, I was thinking "Oh no! This one is for me!!" But I couldn't resist, he looked so happy to see such a rare & minuscule toy inside our home. As we rounded the corner towards my room I let him gain full sight of it and then threw it down the hall. He ran with full speed to the ball, grabbed it with his small mouth and brought it back to me. Again, I threw it in the opposite direction, haha, he bumped into the door as he chased a ball that seemed to be alive itself. This went on for about 10 minutes, until he finally got tired.

It's fun seeing Speedo's eyes in full focus; Watching his body leap over my legs, across pillows and even bump into walls just to get the refreshing and satisfying feeling of accomplishment (obtaining the ball).

Speedo needs my love too!!!

6:365 Days of Love - Taking a Stroll

Day 6: Once again, I'm surprised at what today's "love" moment would be. I thought I had identified the act of love that I had committed for the Lord earlier this afternoon, but you know, your day isn't over until it's over. Today, Love was taking a stroll with my mom at 9:30 in the evening. She was really upset, more so in an angry manner than sad or distressed. I won't go into the details because it's personal, but I'll just say this: Sometimes, people just need someone to listen. For me, this took a long time to understand. I'm an only child so in the past I've just kept my emotions or whatever to myself and never really felt the need or urge to say what's on my mind. If one of my friends asked "are you okay?" I'd say "yes" or "I'm fine" when I'm really upset inside. For those people who really know me, of course they know I'm lying. I don't have a poker face, so my emotions are right there on my sleeve.

Even now that I've matured (at least I think I have), I find myself venting to my friends, but sometimes when other people close to me are upset I tell them that their tears aren't worth shedding for that person/thing that hurt them... I hope that sounds right, I'm trying to say that they shouldn't waste their emotion on something/someone that doesn't care about them.

In actuality though, they just wanted me to listen to their cries of hurt and anger. And allow their tears to fall.

This evening, I allowed my mom to say what's on her mind. Of course I added in my 2 cents, it's my job :) as her best friend & daughter. But I noticed that I didn't full out dismiss what she had to say, nor did I tell her to just let it go. I wanted her to express her feelings and release the energy inside.

5:365 Days of Love - Nomination for Daisy Award

Day 5: Today, I took my aunt to her cancer treatments, but that's not exactly what act of love that I'm talking about today. It actually relates to today's procedures. My aunt and I, or sometimes she and my mom go to the Outpatient Treatment Center at the local hospital in our county. We've had several nurses assist her throughout this past year, but there's one unique woman who stands out. Today, I finally decided/suggested that we nominate her for the Daisy Award. The recipient is recognized as a stellar RN who works in this hospital system. The nurse that really touched us and inspired us to nominate for this award is Yve Roche. The first time we met her I was kinda nervous, she was new to the department, but not new at all to the profession. She shared how she moved from NYC to ATL and that she too had breast cancer. That day after my aunt finished her treatment, she told me that when Y.R. put in the IV, it didn't even hurt.


Today was the first time I've seen Y.R. in months. But again, she was very personable and empathetic with my aunt. In fact, she told us that her cancer has returned. But she doesn't complain and she still keeps busy working at the hospital. When she puts the IV in my aunt's arm she does her best to only stick her once and even gets annoyed at herself when she must try more than once. She herself has gone through that before. What I'm typing here doesn't even describe nor is it even fair that I try . But she is an RN who deserves this award and I hope this nomination wins it for her :)

4:365 Days of Love - Driving Extra Miles

Day 4: So far I've driven 89.1 miles today according to Google Maps. The first 40.7 miles was planned, I mean if you live in Atlanta, it's what you have to do... so anyways I took my cousin to work, then I drove up 85 to Law-Suwanee, stopped at Kroger to pick up a Redbox movie when my phone rings. "Ashley honey, where are you?" It was my mom. "Don't you have to take MyLene to school?" "I already did, I'm in Lawrenceville now," I replied. "Well can you please come here and pick up this check to pay for the SUV?"

>BREAK<

This was not what I wanted to hear. My mom is all the way down 85 South at Emory. Honestly, I can't say I eagerly jumped into my car and drove back towards Atlanta.
Me: "Well, can you pay it tomorrow?"
Mom: "No, there will be a late fee."
Mom: "We just got out of a meeting <2:28pm> and I haven't had my lunch break yet."
Me: ... "Okay mommy, it's going to be a few minutes."
Mom: "Thank you honey I really appreciate it."


This afternoon I was supposed to watch a movie with my good friend Joy before she moves away. I planned to get the movie and then pick up 2 slushies from Sonic, (Happy Hour rocks!). But this day demonstrated that if you wake up and ask God to use you, maybe you'll have to take a detour.

I'm happy though, when I finally arrived at Emory, my mom had a smile on her face. She was so thankful and relieved at the same time. I must acknowledge my mom has already done so much for me this summer and I should be the one who is thankful for her.
Besides... I still have time to go watch that movie, it's only 5PM now... gotta hop back in the car ;)

3:365 Days of Love - Praying for "Sarah"

Day 3: Today, not only did I have the opportunity to attend a different church, Living Hope Ministries (the English Ministry of a local Korean church), but I was also given the chance to pray for someone. I left with a good impression, I've never been to a church where they actually make a specific time to pray on a Sunday (every last Sunday of the month). Yes, there are Wednesday night prayer meetings, but this prayer time allowed everyone of the English Ministry (EM) to pray as a group. First, Pastor Young had us pray for ourselves, then for the people in the room, later the Japan missions and lastly, he instructed us to physically get up and pray for people in the room. Since it was my first time there, I sort of looked around with uncertainty. I glanced at Julie and the girl next to me (I can't remember her name). I questioned them, "Do we just get up and start praying for someone?" Nobody was really moving, but she said "Yes." Okay, I thought, so I slowly stood up, as they did, and walked towards the back of the room. I saw 2 young ladies with white shirts on, I locked eyes with one of the girls and walked over to her. She introduced herself as "Sarah" and also the other girl in white, her sister.
"Sarah" and I spoke for a few minutes, getting to know each other, and asking one another about our prayer requests. We both primarily wanted to have a prayer to prepare us for school and the other up-coming activities. I began, and she ended. Both of us satisfied and thankful with the prayers that we "exchanged" with each other. Actually, I was really amazed and so grateful when she was praying for me, only 2 years younger than I, but her prayer felt like it was from someone the same age as me, or even older.
I honestly can't remember the last time I actually sat down with someone and just prayed for them one-on-one. I love prayer, it's one of my spiritual gifts and God always answers. Even though this opportunity was made, I believe that it was also a blessing for the 2 of us. Prayer can be short and simple, or a long dialog with God. And people of all ages can participate.

2:365 Days of Love - H2O, Keep Hydrated

Day 2: Saturday 07/24. Today (well I'm posting Sunday but I haven't gone to bed yet...) my younger cousins came over to mow the lawn at my stepdad's house. My mom dropped them off and immediately they went to work. I asked my mom "why did you bring them over now? it's way to hot." In fact the temperature today was at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit. She asked me "Well what time will they do it, it's already 7pm..." Wow, she did have a point. Not long after our short conversation, I decided I would give them each a glass of water to stay hydrated as they mowed, weed-wacked and edged the lawn. Normally, I would wait until they come inside and ask for water, but not today. They even finished earlier than they usually do; normally it takes them awhile to finish the task, but despite the heat, they finished very quickly. During hot summer days it's important that we stay hydrated. Often when I'm driving, I ask myself, how can that construction worker stand this heat? Just the other day our local Christian station challenged listeners to bring popsicles or water to such people... maybe I will do the same at a future date. H2O = Simple compound,Necessity to life

1:365 Days of Love-- Helping a Granny

You never know where God will put you, and what acts great or small he can use you. I'm starting this blog today as a challenge, inspiration (by Jaeson Ma) and eye-opener to myself. I'm challenging myself because I know God uses me, I've seen him do it, especially this past year at my school. And I want to expand doing his services everywhere I go. I'm inspired by Jaeson Ma, a pastor who's based in L.A. but travels all over the world (with a focus on Asia) whose New Year's Resolution was to do a good deed every day. And finally, the act of love each day will be an eye-opener to me, to find out how many ways God can use an ordinary young woman like me.

Day 1: Friday 07/23, I was meeting my friends to give them a beach umbrella to use at Hilton Head this weekend. Of course, surprise surprise, they were on Filipino Time/Non-American Time. Well, really, I had nothing to do so I told my younger cousin (who accompanied me) that we would walk around the plaza of one of my favorite grocery stores (haha yes I like grocery shopping) -- H Mart. She and I were reaching the "shoreline" of the parking lot, perhaps 20 feet from the store, when this granny perhaps a 할머니 (halmeoni pronounced hal-mu-knee = Grandma in Korean). She asked very kindly in that grandma sort of way, "Excuse me," and she pointed to the last item in her cart, a 20lb bag of rice. She said, "It's really heavy, can you please help me?" "Of course," I replied and as my cousin held the cart I lifted the bag out and into her car. "Thank you, thank you" the woman said happily. She closed the door to the trunk and I took her cart to the front and returned it for her.

That was the end of our short encounter with that lady, honestly I left somewhat surprised, but not phased either. I was surprised because no one has asked me to help them load anything into their car. And I was not really phased by my actions because, I love helping people. Today, I realized that hey, helping her get that bag of rice in her car put a smile on my face :)