True to what I've been doing in the past, I'm going to talk about the good and bad stories of the past while...only this time, it'll be a good summary of what happened to me in 2008, the good and the bad. Note that the bad items I will mention aren't necessarily fully bad. They're just some things I am disappointed about, and thus, are things I can work on in 2009. I'm gonna talk a lot about my spiritual growth, but for people who know me better, I have to have some sports and school stuff on the side, just for kicks.
#10 Good
What a year in sports! You got the NY Giants upsetting the NE Patriots in the SuperBowl, then you have the crazy Wimbledon final between Federer and Nadal, then you have the Boston Celtics winning the NBA championship to give Kevin Garnett his first NBA ring (Anything is possible! Top of the world!), then you have Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt tearing up the 2008 Summer Beijing Olympics, then you have the Tampa Bay Rays going all the way to the World Series only to lose to the equally deserving Philadelphia Phillies....I can go on and on, but this year has to be one of the most amazing years in sports I've ever watched.
#10 Bad
Dang, why do the Toronto sports teams suck this year? The Leafs...well, rebuilding, finally! That's actually the right step in their part, but it still sucks to watch how young and inexperienced they are and that it'll take them quite a while before they can turn it around. The Raptors...wow, ok, I thought with Jermaine O'Neal, we can challenge the 4th seed in the East, but we pretty much suck with glaring flaws such as no wingman, and thus, we're stuck out of the playoff race. Hopefully we can turn it around (C'mon Bryan Colangelo!) and somehow squeak in to the playoffs! The Jays...ok, it was another disappointing year, but that's not the reason why I'm sad. It's the fact that the Yankees and Red Sox have both bolstered their team for 2009, and with the Rays still being young and talented, the Jays are gonna have to tank their team and rebuild. Sigh...tough times in Toronto for sports fans!
#9 Good
Had the opportunity to spend more time with school friends this year via school projects, coffee breaks, and other random get-togethers! Really fun group to hang out with, even though we always pull out random nerdy things to talk about! I really hope I can continue to be a good Christian example and one day lead them to Christ. Still a work in progress!
#9 Bad
OK, so school marks haven't been what I've expected, and so far, this university experience has been very humbling in a sense that I learned I can't get what I get. The only downfall is that when I really need the marks to go into Grad School, it gets a lot tougher. I spent quite a while researching about Grad School yesterday and the marks stuff just keep giving me lots of stress, but I just need to do my best and let God take care of the rest (as cliche as that sounds)!
#8 Good
I am truly blessed to have a wonderful family who have been present through the good and bad times with me. I'm really thankful God has given all of us good health and has even brought grandma to Christ earlier this year. Many times we take for granted simple things like good health, but for seniors, it's something definitely to be thankful for.
#8 Bad
OK, so having Jon out of town isn't bad. I actually enjoy the car all to myself, but the downfall with Jon gone is that I have to put up with more of the chores at home and just the random things my parents tell me to do. Jon isn't there to take some of the "over-caring parental guidance" and so it does get annoying sometimes, even though its for my own good! Anyway, being by myself does get a bit lonely sometimes. I did enjoy this Christmas break with Jon back because we got the chance to go shop and do other random things like stay up late playing games, watching random youtube videos and just other things that would be pretty boring to do if you were just doing it by yourself.
#7 Good
OneRepublic! Yes, I totally got into OneRepublic and their "Dreaming Out Loud" CD this year! It's such an awesome CD...I listened to it almost every day during the last half of 2008. I don't know why but all their songs somehow have a deeper meaning, and for a secular band to have those kind of songs, it makes them even cooler! I can't wait for more 1R music! =)
#7 Bad
OneRepublic canceled their Toronto concert this December! ARGH! I was so looking forward to it, but too bad they canceled. I was so hyped up for it, I even bought a 1R shirt to wear for that event, but sadly, no 1R concert.....sigh...guess I just have to wait for their next tour!
#6 Good
New TV shows I began watching in 2008 include My Boys, How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM), The Big Bang Theory (TBBT), Flashpoint (FP), etc.... Man, I had such hilarious and exciting moments watching these shows! I don't know why, but they are just great shows to de-stress! TBBT is definitely one of my favourite shows of all time! So nerdy and so funny at the same time! I'm so excited for more of these shows in 2009!!!
#6 Bad
You could see this coming, but I'm wondering how I'm going to find time to watch My Boys, HIMYM, TBBT, FP, Prison Break, Heroes, AND THE NEW SEASON OF 24!!! Oh boy...
#5 Good
SOFTBALL! OK, there's gonna be a lot to talk about here. I'll start with the many new softball friends I made this summer just being at my softball games as well as watching other softball games. It was fun just spending time with non-SCAC people to get to know how their softball teams ran as well as what their churches are like. It was also fun just establishing connections with other churches! Next was definitely pulling the SCAC Ravens together and making the playoffs again. Truthfully, I didn't expect to make the playoffs because of our hard schedule, but we pulled through with a big lineup with many rookies and even though we didn't get past first round, the season was a success! It was also exciting just spending time with the team on and off the field, establishing friendships and connections and just having fun!
#5 Bad
OK, the bad for softball 2008 was definitely the tainted championship that the Satellites won for the Junior Division. It was definitely a black spot for CCSA and good thing the truth came out and their title was stripped. Hopefully CCSA teams learn from this to never ever cheat their softball players' ages again! I guess another bad is that it was my last year in Junior softball and so it'll be something I'll miss just because of the care-fee attitude of having fun and the cheering that made Junior softball unique. On the other hand, I'm definitely excited for Senior softball this summer! Go SG!
#4 Good
2008 was a year where I had so many wonderful opportunities to chill with the younger ones. Yodel, michy, gps, a+b, etc.....these guys are amazing in their own way and I loved the times we spent together just playing games, chatting, eating, and just other random stuff! It's amazing how much you learn from just talking to them. You see a bit of yourself a few years ago, but you also get their perspective on other things, and for some reason, their way of seeing things just somehow makes sense. Besides that, I also enjoyed just joking around with them. The laughs and jokes will always be a memorable part of 2008! I can't wait for more learning, encouraging, and growing in 2009!
#4 Bad
I don't know why, but I do feel a bit "dang, it kinda sucks that they're not my age" just because they're so cool, but because of the age difference, I don't get to spend as much time with them. It's a bit unfortunate, but they'll always be great younger brothers and sisters to me, and for that, I'm just grateful to know them and to have gotten whatever moments I've had with them! =) I'm really thankful to God for the time spent with the young ones and look forward for more in 2009 as it unfolds!
#3 Good
Speaking of chilling with people, I have to say that it's been great chilling with the 1987s. To still have connection and to still be able to meet together ever 4 months or so for a dinner is just an example of friendships where people are committed to staying in touch, and for that, I am truly blessed. The times we spend are great in terms of relaxing and having fun and hopefully we get more of these as we get older even though that may mean it'll be harder to meet up.
#3 Bad
I love the 1987s. I enjoy being with them, but one thing I realized this year was that they're not as spirit-focused in my opinion (i.e. striving for God in every single aspect of their lives). By no means do I say I strive for God in every aspect of my life, but I do aim for that, and I really want people to have that goal as well so that with a unified goal, we can all spur each other on and be accountable to each other. I feel like that's something missing in the 1987s group, but what I realized this year is that the 1987s are who they are, and no matter how hard you expect them to be different, it's not something in your hands. A bit disappointing I must say, but it's for God to deal with. I really hope my fellow 1987s will continue to have God in every aspect of their lives...meaning they'll challenge themselves to learn more about God via Sunday School, or commit themselves more to spending time with God. We'll see how this goes, but this is definitely something I'll pray about in 2009.
#2 Good
It's now down to the last 2 "good" stories of 2008, and #2 was something I finally accomplished this year after so many failures in the past years. It's hard but when you like somebody for a long time, it's hard to let go. I don't really know what clicked, but after six long years of overthinking and confusion, I've finally moved on from liking this girl. Looking from the outside, you'd think that I was so stupid and weak for not being able to overcome for so long, but if you were in my position, you would really understand how hard this was. Having to see her twice a week did not help at all, but I'm glad that through lots of prayer and encouragements, I've finally come to the point that it wasn't meant to be, no matter how I saw it. I'm glad God finally worked that through me and because of that, the summer and latter part of 2008 was enjoyable as I did not have to think about her. It still kinda sucks how all of this unfolded the past 6 years but I'm glad I've overcome this and I'm sure God is in control this from now on, so hopefully I'll continue to lean on Him through this aspect of my life and we'll see how things go from here on out.
#2 Bad
So I know I just talked about overcoming the emotions of liking her and stuff, and I'm positive that I don't have any feelings for her anymore, but that doesn't mean that my friendship with her is fixed and perfect again. I don't know why, but whenever I'm around her, it just feels weird. It's not like I have anything to do with her anymore. I just don't know why there's still a sense of discomfort. It kinda sucks how a friendship gets messed because of all of this, but I just hope that somehow our friendship would get better eventually. I admit, we don't talk as much. It sucks. I just hope somehow time will continue to mend this broken (but fixable) friendship and maybe 2009 will be a time of good reflection and growth through prayer as God continues to take part in our friendship. I really don't know what will happen. It can get a lot better or it can get a lot worse. I just hope that I do my best in just letting God do His thing and trusting in His will, and accept whatever He wants in my life. Once again, we'll see what happens in 2009, and also once again, this is something to pray about.
#1 Good
It's the time you've all been waiting for (if you're still reading this! hahahah)! And now, the best "good" story of 2008 in my life was...SUNDAY SCHOOL! I've been truly blessed to teach Gr.10 Sunday School to the current Gr.11s AND now the current Gr.10s! They've been a blessing to me because I've learned so much about their struggles and growth and through all of that, I've come to know them better and to somehow see a resemblance in my life. Referring to the Gr.11s, they are such an amazing group of people, and even though they're a dispersed grade, there are many spiritual leaders in that group and so it was great to have them all get-together for a wonderful Hot Pot this past Christmas (see last post)! These kids have such great potential to do God's work and little do they know, they've worked a part in my life as well. Their care for each other and for their respective spiritual lives has taught me that spiritual encouragements are simple things in life that truly have great underrated value! I'm thankful for the time spent teaching them as well as with Daniela and I'm truly blessed to have been part of their lives! The last thing for these Gr.11s to be happy about in 2008 was that 4 of them got baptized this year! I'm so happy for these four and really pray for God to continue to be with them and their walks in life and hope that I can somehow be a somewhat adequate older brother in Christ to them. OK, and now for the current Gr.10s! This is another great grade of youthful and cheerful kids who have great potential to lead Didomi! I'm still getting to know them (kinda like what I was with the current Gr.11s one year ago), but if I get to know them as well as the Gr.11s, then I'm sure 2009 will be amazing! Sunday School has given me so many opportunities to teach, learn, and grow. I'm so grateful God has given me the time and inspiration to teach and I just hope I continue to do my best for Him through this ministry.
#1 Bad
OK, this isn't bad, but it is definitely something to work on. So the #1 thing to work on this coming year is my devotional life. I've been a bit lazy in terms of spending quality time with God. In 2007, I took the challenge of reading the whole Bible and I accomplished it! I don't know why I didn't push myself in 2008, but for 2009, I'm going to push myself to read AND make notes/journal various books of the Bible (to be determined based on what God is leading me to read). As I mentioned earlier, I want to have God be part of every aspect of my life, and it all starts with personal time with God. I hope to fulfill this goal in 2009 and just spend more time reading His Word and learning what He wants me to do in my life.
Final Word:
After all of these "good" and "bad" stories of 2008, there is one striking theme/message I heard, and it's that I have many things to work on in 2009 especially regarding my spiritual and prayer life and hopefully I can do my part in committing myself in prayer. Another theme I got from all of this is that I have so much to be thankful for in my life and God has truly blessed me with so many wonderful people in my life. I can never repay God for all of this, but all I can do is try my best to honour Him in every way I can. We'll see how 2009 goes, but looking back on 2008, it has definitely been the best year in my life!
