My Year 2008

I went all the way back to the start of this blog in 2007 and read some entries from the very beginning (for those of you who don't remember or don't know, I did start this blog with a specific purpose to be different from how I used to utilize blogging/online journaling during high school and college). Occasionally I also like to do so to see my progression as a human being, as a Christian, as a woman, etc. I was pleasantly surprised with my entries and overall quite happy with the big picture that they supplied about me. And there was one entry that I did in January that I would like to do again. Perhaps I'll make it a tradition. I think it's another one of those big picture activities and is quite helpful for me to see where God has been working. It's a little late to do new year's reflections kinda stuff but hey, I was busy during christmas break and better late than never =).

My Year 2008

January
• Received my official EMT license
• Moved to Cleveland to live with LD for a semester! It did feel wonderful to be with friends again.
• Began to translate daily email chinese devotionals into English for my parents newly started church, Bread of Life Christian Church in Knoxville
• Volunteered to be the pianist for the Scranton Road Choir and really enjoyed it and enjoyed getting to know the Pikes.
• Went to see Cirque de Soleil in Cleveland
• Hung out with MB for one last time before she went to Mexico.
• Started to attend IV's Oasis again (helping out with snacks and whatnot)

February
• Went back home to attend a family reunion for my grandpa's 80th birthday (technically the 79th but the Chinese like to celebrate it a year earlier. I know, it's weird)
• Started volunteering for a couple weeks at West Side Catholic (in Cleveland)
• Went back home (again) to be one of the emcees for the Chinese New Year program (produced by my mom) in Knoxville
• Went to Cambodia on a roughly 2 week mission trip and my life was changed.

March
• Got back from Cambodia and found out I didn't get into Case.
• Roadtripped to Chicago (and South Bend) for the first time for Case's Spring Break with LD. ER, and EC. Got to stop by EC's house before it got sold too.
• Babysat CG quite often and bond with her a lot over the semester.
• Went back home (again!!) to emcee a Szechuan chinese program in Knoxville
• Received a full scholarship (after an interview) from UT-Memphis for med school out of God's wonderful abundance of love for me!
• Found and bought a condo in Memphis for the 4 years of med school. Another blessing from God.

April
• Returned to Cleveland for a life changing event.
• Cleaned up
• Gave my testimony about Cambodia at Scranton

May
• Went on my last CFW as an IV volunteer. Worked in the kitchen.
• Gave a short testimony at the end of CFW.
• Moved out of Cleveland and back home
• Went to Taiwan

June
• Traveled all over Taiwan. Went to so many church conferences and saw Prince Caspian before it was even shown in the U.S.
• Came back from Taiwan with a spirit totally transformed by God during the time I spent there. I was on fire.
• Went to CA to visit family and attend a Christian conference in CA

July
• Was a youth counselor at the south eastern chinese church summer retreat. The speaker was amazing and an answer to prayer!
• Was able to have very good conversations with the other counselors and with an agnostic girl in my group.
• Went to a childhood friend's wedding in Birmingham, AL and met some of his IV friends from WashU (and discovered that EC knew a mutual friend in the wedding).
• The official opening "ceremony" of my parent's church in Knoxville. The congregation starts out with 5 people.
• Gave a talk for the first time at church about women and the church (I wouldn't call it a sermon)
• Realized that I'm on course to read through the bible without knowing it.

August
• Moved to Memphis a week before school with help of my Mom and DW
• Did 1 week of orientation before med school and the white coat ceremony
• Searched for churches online and found one by the grace of God.
• Tried to transition smoothly to being a student again, to being in med school, to being in a totally new place without knowing a single person.
• Started going to CMDA bible studies as well and their Wednesday lunches.
• Ran for a student government position (for the first time in my life) at med school: VP of notes :P
• Found out one of my best friends is engaged!

September
• Realized that the current student president of CMDA goes to my church in Memphis and God uses that to bless me.
• Severely sprained ankle and got sick in one week.
• Really maturing as an adult in learning how to take care of myself.
• Survived my first exams of med school
• Kept up with the political scene and news in the world for the first time ever.
• Received an invitation to be in a wedding

October
• Had a hard time and got to visit Cleveland Halloween weekend by the mercy of God!
• Voted absentee for the presidential election (for the first time ever)
• God still blessing me and carrying me every single day during the transition
• Mom visited during exam week and decides to do so from then on (visit every 4 weeks)
• Not really liking CMDA bible studies but really liking my church and decided to stick with it for the rest of my years in Memphis.
• Begin accountability (on skype) with MB on Friday nights.

November
• Met up with a childhood friend whom I have not seen in 15 years
• Watched a very historical election (and was proud to take part of)take place in America on tv while studying.
• Went home for Thanksgiving break and cleaned up some more
• Studied during Thanksgiving break.
• Learn a lesson about life and being an adult the hard way

December
• Glad to be done with my first class of med school! Gross Anatomy!! (Probably my favorite class so far!)
• Went to Vancouver for Christmas break!!

Whew! That was somethin'...I like doing those =). Helps me to look back and be thankful. Looking back, I'm content. I'm happy with last year overall and actually, I really enjoyed it. So many exciting and wonderful things happened to me and I changed so much and grew so much last year that words cannot even do it justice. God is truly AWESOME. I'm satisfied with where I've been, where I am, and where I'm going.

Here's to another year. I look forward to seeing God work again.