I have been absent from here awhile and I will try to post more in 2012. This year will definitely be a year of continued reliance on the Lord and I can’t wait for what He has in store for me! Stay tuned!
2012
2 Comments
Video Games Raised Us.
If you scroll up the page and click on the “Info” tab from this page you will see me and my older brother Jason playing Super Street Fighter II on the Super Famicom in Hong Kong (1992). Throughout our childhood we have always played games. And really we spent more time in front of the TV than in front of our books.
We are from the Video Game Generation.
Let me ask you, do you know the buttons for Hadouken? Did you know how to get “Soda Lake” in Super Mario World? How fun is using the bandana in MGS? And who remembers blowing the bottom of the cartridges to get them to work?
This isn’t going to be full extensive history of video games nor is it me breaking down how it has affected our culture. I simply want to pose a question; and that is whether video games are ruining are youth. Yes thats it.
All I heard growing up was my dad telling us that when he grew up he never played games. He said he would go outside and play sports or tell us stories about how growing up in Indo he would pull pranks on the local food cart vendors and catch animals and battle them like pokemon (this was to try to criticize my love for pokemon of course). Now let me ask you, are these good examples to why we shouldn’t play games? LOL
In all seriousness though, when I raise my kids I definitely would NOT let them play video games the way I have. All we did was plop ourselves in front of that TV and not move a muscle, eating junk food and soda. Yes I was obese as a kid. It is a miracle we even liked sports growing up. And a lot of my brother and my fist fights were caused by video games.
People always say that because of video games there is an increase in violence and crime. I forgot if that was Hilary Clinton who said that or not but I totally disagree. Have you seen the people that play video games? I don’t think this is where we get our gangs and crack dealers. But have I heard of people getting into fights at PC Cafes over CS or Starcraft? Yes but those are Koreans…lol jk.
I didn’t mean for this post to be that long. I guess these are just some of my thought about Games. I still play games and they are sometimes the best things to unwind with on the weekends. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHT ABOUT VIDEO GAMES? DO YOU THINK THEY ARE A PROBLEM TO OUR SOCIETY OR ARE THEY COMPLETELY HARMLESS? On a more lighter note, what memories do you have of playing video games and which ones are you most looking forward to playing?
Some of the Games I played:
Pioneers
What kind of legacy are we to leave for further generations?
I have often been curious about who my ancestors were and how their lives were lived. As a child I loved to hear stories of past generations of my family; what their lives were like, what sorts of occupations they had, what sorts of struggles and accomplishments they have achieved.
I have often asked myself whether their lives were like mine. I wanted to know them. To know their dreams. Their aspirations. Their joys. And their high points. To know if they felt weak. If they felt insecure. If they felt doubt. If they felt the pain I know. And I wanted know most of all who they went to for their deepest comfort when they were at their lowest.
And it is amazing how our God is the same. Then, now, and forever. The God they served is the God I serve now. The God that loved them is the God that loves me and poured out Himself for us. In a sense, I wanted to have a closeness to my ancestors in this way. Our common sins and our common savior. Our Lord Jesus Christ.
In 1904, a young man named Kam Fook was born to a buddhist family. And God loved this man mightily. He grew up in a very poor village in south China and had very little. The gospel became real to him through going to christian school. At the age of 12 he was already an orphan. Having no place to live and no where to belong but in God’s loving arms. So God found him and brought him up. He went to seminary school because loving God was all he knew in his hard life. He was so poor he began to fall behind in his payments. But he attributed all his blessings and determination to God in order that he is made a messenger of the Gospel. Just two weeks before his final exam at the end of his second year he was dismissed by the dean because of his payments. He left the seminary in tears. But lo and behold God still provided a path for him. He never knew in three years God would bring him back to the school and he would graduate seminary at the top of his class. God used such a weak individual to proclaim His truth so mightily. His life and the trials he overcame is a living testament to how our God can use the least of us for His kingdom.
This is my Great-Grandfather.
My Great-Grandfather was a musician too. (Right)
He soon changed his name from one that meant “Golden Luck” to Tsang To Hang, which simply translates to “the good news” or The Gospel. God quickly called him to full time ministry and he and his wife were sent to a far of island of Bali where he knew no one nor their native language. He was the first Christian Missionary to the Island of Bali.
In his biography, I read of his daily struggles. He was only admitted into the island because the Dutch government during their occupation thought that he would preach to the Chinese immigrants. How sad is it? The Dutch claimed to love God but they wanted to keep their faith to themselves. But through this, my great grandfather gives the glory to God saying that through this God still paves a way.
His first few months were not pretty. He only knew Cantonese. How could he minister to the local people? He wrote of his congregation only having 4 people: his wife and two neighbors some weeks. But he kept having faith and believing in the power of the Gospel.
He wrote has he had to ride his bicycle miles and miles just to minister to the people he knew. Often times getting injured on the road and getting lost in the jungles. God was still with him.
And God continued to work and bless his ministry. God provided him a translator and the local people began receiving the Gospel. O what a blessing. And the glory again was given to God. Many people came to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Even when the locals were in opposition. He stood firm. He retells in his Diary of the local Hindu witchdoctors using black magic in order to inflict him. But to know success. They’re attacks and curses were pointless and meaningless to our great God. And no this was not just as easy as I made it sound. My great-grandfather writes of the blood that was shed and the lives that were lost because of his ministry. But God was still good.
He also wrote of a time when the whole village surrounded him in the hundreds ready to kill him. He was alone in the circle and he wrote he was ready to die a martyr’s death but God spared him. So he continued in his ministry.
This picture here shows him and the witch doctor who eventually came to saving grace because he realized how great and mighty our Lord is. And now that witch doctor’s grandson is the pastor of the church in Bali today.
Standing next to a changed man.
Later in his life he served in Malaysia as well and he recalls of having fear serving in that church because he heard that the Japanese soldiers were coming to kill Christians. He was praying so that they would be protected and he gave the glory to God once more. The very next day he heard news that the allied forces have defeated the Japanese and World War II had ended and the Church would still stand.
All throughout his biography he writes of his accomplishments and also his trials and fears but attributes them to God. Everywhere he writes it was for the Gospel message to continue and that only through the Grace of our God could this happen. What an inspiration! What a testament to God’s amazing love.
When I read his words I really felt a closeness to him and I felt tears run down my face. Like he was telling this story and he was speaking to me. I never knew him and he died 9 years before I was born. But through these words I know our God is great and He never leaves us. He writes: “Moreover, all through my life I declare the sin of man and the saving GRACE of Christ. This is my message.”
I knew from his diary of his weakest points. His struggles. His doubts. His pain and fear. I knew of his joys. His accomplishments. His dreams and aspirations. I read and knew of the purpose he knew he had in this life. And that was the legacy that he left behind for me and my family. And so whenever I look and reflect on the lives of generations after him and my own life I know for a fact that God has never left us. And His hand has always guided our family. So I can sing at the top of my lungs and praise Him knowing that He has loved us so.
Rev. Tsang To Hang and his family. (My grandfather is the little boy on the left)
I knew that Rev. Tsang To Hang lived a difficult life. I now know that he too was like me. He felt the same things I did. And God was there. This is the legacy he left me. I can see of his legacy affecting our family. His son (my grandfather) also loved God. He was a pastor as well and his kids love God with all their hearts. I know this because my Mom is his daughter. And they always remind me that God has never left our family.
Rev. Tsang To Hang and his family. (My mom far right. My uncle far left.)
And so although I did not personally know him, I can say that He was a man after God’s own heart. I can’t wait to meet him personally in Heaven!
*If you would like a copy of his short Biography and ministry let me know. I have a copy of it on PDF.
True Greatness
I found this segment by ESPN to be very inspirational. It allows us to see and learn of how to overcome adversity and challenge ourselves to be greater.
“He’s a guy that has every reason to quit. He’s a guy that has every reason to hate everybody. Greatness is not about the guy that has all the skills and talent. Greatness is measured by the setbacks that you had in life, that you been able to fight through them and become stronger.” – Mike Singletary.
Patrick Willis is MY favorite athlete.
Next post: A Biography of my great-grandfather’s Life and Ministry as the first missionary to the island of Bali.
Music the Universal Language?
So you’ve always heard that music is the “universal language.” What does this necessarily mean? I have pondered that in the past and although this statement or catch-phrase is cliché I’ve often wondered if it had any merit?
So to answer that I look backwards into my upbringings to “re-experience” some of the influences playing in my life:
As a child I was immersed in musical expression and brilliance. My mother not only was an amazing piano teacher but a classical wunderkind. My father always told us of when he would go out and watch one of my mom’s many piano recitals and concerts. I’ve always looked at her as the authority of piano genius.
MOM
Her father played all sorts of instruments: accordions, trumpets, harmonicas, clarinets, violins, and flutes. He believed that while on this earth God gave man the ability to learn and master many skills. (He also knew 6+ languages). My grandfather was a musical renaissance man and from him came the musical intrigue our family has. My aunt Rebecca has an amazing voice and can also play multiple instruments. My uncle David like his father can really play anything by ear.
Uncle and Phil
My father, although not musically gifted as my mother, loved all sorts of music. I remember he would love to sing along to the Beatles, the BeeGees, and all sorts of “oldies” music. In fact he still loves to whistle on his spare time LOL. It can get very contagious or annoying.
Now comes to me. Although I am not as musically talented as these folks I too have some sort of experience with music. I am a proud dropout of my mother’s piano teaching (she loves to bring up how ashamed she is at my skills 
), and to all the band geeks out there, I too was one of you.
I remember my early exposure to singing was in church choir and video game music from Street Fighter (me and my bro are experts! look at the “Info” tab). But my first experience with listening to music was back when we had 93.5 The Beat. It was around 95′ or 96′ and Gangster rap was the scene. I was only about 8 but I remember sneaking our Sony Walkman into my room to listen to those violent beats and abrasive lyrics. I know this really shaped my taste in music. I remember during choir practice we would yell out “West side” and threw up what we thought were gang signs. We had no idea what were saying of course.
Pac
I was never hip enough to purchase music early on so I never bought tapes. I began buying CD’s in the early 2000s. My first ever CD that I purchased was Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory (Gabe Lee I’m lookin’ at you!) This was a new wave of style I was not used to. I never liked Rock music in the past But i was drawn in to the fusion of hip-hop and punk.
My musical taste really grew in High school (like most people). Napster was big and stealing music was definitely in fashion. I got a mix of electronica/rave/techno music and R&B. Each year seemed to change. I listened to Switchfoot because the cool guys that got the girls listened to that kind of music. John Mayer was really huge in my entry into Blues and adult contemporary. I really got into Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin because I had never heard those sounds. Those icons really shaped modern music today. It seemed I left hip-hop like fat people leave diets.
Then I found out Hip-Hop was still alive. Common, Jay-Z, and Mos Def my all time favorite rappers brought me back. Them and Kanye (before the 808 days). My soundtrack in college.
My musical library has grown as well. It now includes country music and also some of the music Rachel enjoys. And that’s part of the joy of listening to music. You can share and change someone’s perception of what music is. (I love Adele’s music because of her).
I’ve noticed how music has continued to evolve. My taste in musical expression has evolved and continued to shape me. And I’ve only begun to realize how music is an expression of our inner-being. My mom always told me that Real music is expressed from the heart or in her words “has feeling.” Now I know music, whatever type of music is REAL Music. It all comes from human expressions. I know my library has a lot of holes still left in it. It’s part of the joy in completing it.
My Top Musical Influences: Common, Mos Def, Marvin Gaye, NAS, Boston, John Mayer, Al Green, Lauryn Hill, The Roots, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, and Van Halen.
SO WHATS YOUR MUSICAL UPBRINGINGS AND/OR INFLUENCES??? Leave your comments. I want to know.
“I believe in music, good music and bad music. I don’t believe in the lines and words that separate music, you know. Pop music, rap music, R&B, and country music. It’s all music, you just use different instruments. Like it’s all the same thing. It all comes from creativity; it comes from your joy, your pain. Whatever you drawin’ to create these songs it all comes from the same place.” – Jay-Z
I'm Trying. 2007?
Black Card, Black Cars, Black on Black, Black Cements
So who’s campin wit me and my bro? The most anticipated shoe release in my life so far. Sad huh?I’m trying to grow up in terms of fashion but this is the only thing I will always hold on to. Ghetto Fab as Rach calls it.
Hova in them.
Apples to Oranges
Third Post. Sorry for the delay friends.
Since being up here In Sactown for about more than a month I have decided to see what I’ve learned but really I wanted to put Sacramento on a balance against my beloved hometown. I do miss Los Angeles and it is dear to my heart but Sacramento is a beautiful town with the kindest people I’ve ever ran into. With that said lets put it to a litmus test:
Climate/Weather
Stalemate. They both lose…it is really disgusting in the Summer here. It reminds me of the dusty hot weather of Riverside. I’m sure downtown LA isn’t this bad (and neither downtown SAC) but this is not fat man weather I can tell you that. I wear tanks everywhere when I’m home. And plus school has a dress code and I have to wear collared shirts and ties all day so this is not good. Hoping for Fall and Winter to begin. Why can’t cities be like SF?
Verdict – Neither
Traffic
You think I would answer Sac here but….you are incorrect on this one. Although there is mad traffic back home, it still moves and people aren’t stupid. Yes people can be very mean and I often get the finger in LA but here ommmygudness!!!! People are sooo slow. Everyone and their grandmas have to drive like all the lanes are slow lanes. Yes people are nice here but this lack of road awareness can really be a hazard. Plus all the traffic is due to small bridges, small lanes, and really really unresponsive traffic lanes. Trust me there aren’t that many people here. Easy one.
Score – Los Angeles
Diversity/People
Los Angeles is a melting pot in the melting pot of America but really its major population is Hispanic. Not that its bad, I love my Latin Peoples but I don’t see anyone else. Here in Sacramento there are a rich diverse collection of people. Yes not like in SF but people really get along well here. People are willing to smile and greet you here. I guess Big town’s usually don’t have this vibe. Except SF (wow is there an underlying theme here?).
Decision – Sacramento
Mayor
Easy one. My new mayor is KJ Kevin Johnson. Need I say more?
Pick – Sacramento
Sorry Hakeem.
Food
The food isn’t too bad here in SAC. Really there’s a lot of sushi places here and good dive bars. Although the people here are more diverse, the food isn’t. Really I hate the food here. I miss Los Angeles and its many selections of food. Most noticeably the Korean food and Mexican food (duh…).The Ramen here I haven’t tried but I will have to side easily with Santouka and Daikokuya.
Winner – Los Angeles
via Rachel
Environment
LA is always buzzin. I like all that media and all the fun things to do downtown. It seems like there’s somewhere to be something to do. Not that case in SAC. Small town feeling. Really quiet and quaint. You would think I would go El Lay on this but…I really enjoy the slowness here. Perfect for studies. Perfect for really finding yourself. Yea real cheesy I know Rachel…
Conclussion – Sacramento
To sum this all up, I am really starting to appreciate this town and what God has provided for me right before my eyes. I can complain and compare but in the end I am blessed. And who says I’m staying here forever? I love LA and I fully intend on going back. Soon too!
Quick things I learned at church (River City Grace Community Church):
“Peace Be with You.”
1) Genuine Peace with God can only be known repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
2) Genuine Peace with God is the privilege and possession of every true believer of Jesus Christ.
3) Genuine Peace with God does not mean the absence of activity or adversity.
4) Genuine Peace with God in Christ is the context in which true believers must understand His sovereignty and loving discipline.
5) Genuine Peace with God is experienced ever more fully in connection to prayer.
6) Genuine Peace with God is to be manifested in the lives and relationships of true believers.
7) Genuine Peace with God is the message believers are called to proclaim. The Gospel of peace as we are ambassadors of peace.
Christ gave us peace with God by putting our Sins on the cross with Him. We are reconciled with God. And this is the peace that we have.
Upcoming: My Birthday, Seeing Rachel, Thanksgiving, CHRISTMAS!!!
Things I’m listening to: Adele 21. GO! – Common Classics. Watch the Throne.
Things I’m Reading: Pharmacy Textbook…yuck. AND Living the Cross Centered Life. WIN!
BTW who caught that Raider victory over the Jets? Lets talk about it in the comments section below.
Magic at today's game.
ONE MORE 
I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Do you guys like the Tony Bennett Version or Frank Sinatra?
Last week was a quick week mainly because of Labor Day. Really getting used to this Sactown grind. Things are definitely slower here but Pharm School is not allowing for that at all. Reading, reading, and more reading. Always being assessed and examined everyday. I wish I could get to know the city and what it has to offer. No time if I want to do this school game right. HA.
Enjoying my classes, particularly Drug Delivery, Biopharm and also my Self-Care Class. Really getting a grasp of the mechanisms behind drug action and therapeutic affect. Self-Care is great. I have a good handle of the sphygmomanometer and reading blood pressure and also radial pulse. But that wasn’t my highlight. As soon as class let out early Friday I blazed a trail immediately to the city by bay.
The weekend in San Francisco, what a great one. I got to hang with my brother before he went out to play ball on Treasure Land. The I waited for Rachel by getting ahead of my studies…while watching NBA TV…soooo ya, not so productive. Watched the 1984 Game7 not good. Go look it up
Rachel Finally Came and this was the REAL reason I came out to SF (sorry Jay). She really is the greatest. The world seemed to stop when I saw her and I forgot I was away. So I got to spend time with her catching up.
Jason back sweaty and his knee banged up. His sweaty shirt said, “There’s nothing to fear but lack of beers.” LOL. Him and April took us both out for dinner (soup Dumplings etc) and dessert hopping. Mitchells then Crepes. Then took us around town. Lombard, treasure Island. Then we noticed Coit was red white and blue for 9/11 so we headed over there (April said it look like a popsicle. Right?):
Coit 9/11/11 Weekend.
Saturday me and Rach hung out with our friends. REAL REAL fun. Chinatown madness. Too many people. I think Mooncake festival. Whatevs I got my fix of Don Tots (egg custards) a dozen was what I got. Ate lunch at Yuet Lee. It was OK but the chef had soo many pictures with celebs…then to tourist traps. Pier 39 and Ghirardelli. But I must admit I still enjoy these places. Can’t always be a hipster. Then off to Union Square. It was just me and Rach. We had dinner and walked around the town. Here:
Union Square
Afterwards me and Rach took the Muni back to Sunset. Thought we were just gonna relax but Bro ended up taking us out to get some more icecream. This time Bi-Rite. I got the Olive Oil and Balsamic Strawberry. Rachel got the salted Caramel. (she ended up going there on Monday too…)
Sunday
Dim Sum in the morning with Jay. I beasted that up. He knows how to make me fat. He peaced out for church. So I walked up to Andrea’s to go to church with our friends. After Church me and Rach picked up some Chirashi and drove up to Twin Peaks to have picnic. Here’s the View:
Twin Peaks 2011
So then I needed to get back to Sac. Saying Goodbye is never easy. She’s very understanding and I miss her already. God has really blessed us. We didn’t think we would be able to see each other so soon. He really is good. And She’s the best!
Back in Sac yesterday. Studying and NFL football tried to cheer me up. I always have good memories in Frisco. O ya, here’s this picture she took of me:
First Post.
Finally posting on my blog. I had it up for a month now and just fiddling with it and getting familiar with it.
Wow, God is really amazing! I really didn’t imagine this would be reality but here I am in our state capitol, Sacramento. Thought it would be colder up here but it feels just like the valley and Chino Hills. I heard it will get colder here though so that’s not good news. I just finished a week long orientation and my first week at school and I must say God is faithful to me. I’ve been praying for this for a while. Classes I’m taking: PHAR621 Biochem, PHAR631 Medicinal Chemistry, PHAR632 Drug Delivery and BioPharmacy, and PHAR641 Self-Care1. There’s buttloads of reading right off the bat so I am having to plan for all that. I’m staying on target don’t you worry and I am ahead of readings so far. I also found a church thanks to April who ask some friends. I attended 2 Sunday Services at River City Grace Community Church. I really enjoy Pastor Greg Stoever’s sermon and also the worship style. It is very traditional and we sing from hymn books. It’s like my grandpa’s church.
Planning on going to a Kings game…if and when there’s an NBA at all.
Missing home A LOT! I miss Socal. I miss my mom and dad and my mommy’s home cooking. I miss Rachel very much. I miss yall, whoever’s reading this. Keep me posted on your lives as well. Keep me in your prayers!
From Sactown.
James
Disneyland 2009.
Disneyland 1989.
