Oh Christmas Tree ...

Our first Christmas tree in Monterey. Our first Christmas tree as husband and wife. I know, it's not your normal tree; in fact, it's an outdoor tree. But that's not the important part about putting up a Christmas tree. The important thing is the spirit with which we put it up, thinking about the nativity story as written in Luke 2:8-14.

So, we like this tree. Our first Christmas tree.

"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Merry Christmas to all.

Death & Resurrection

Today is the day that I fast until about 3 pm, like I've been doing for most of my childhood and adulthood. I do this in remembrance of Christ's suffering and death about two millennia ago, otherwise known as Good Friday.

I'm trying to meditate and ponder on three things this year:

1) Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice but He was not a martyr. His death was not a sad event; it was the supreme triumph. Oswald Chambers once wrote that in life or death, in time or eternity there is nothing more certain than Christ's achievement [my paraphrase]. The Cross gives us back fellowship with God.
2) Jesus came to die. His death and resurrection didn't happen by accident. Rather, His sole purpose was to die for us. His incarnation would have meant nothing had He not overcome suffering and death. Christ's death and resurrection was foretold with such accuracy in Isaiah 53 (circa 700 BC), Psalm 22 (circa 1000 BC), and others, that it would take intentional unbelief to not accept it.
3) It is a Cross of God, not a cross of man. This means I can never fully comprehend it with my human knowledge and human experiences. But I do understand this: it is so easy (too easy!) to receive the gift of salvation because it was tremendously difficult for God. Or how about this: the price of salvation is too cheap (free, in fact) because God paid such a high price. Either way, what a waste it would be to reject and throw away such a precious gift.

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Rain Delay

It's raining in Monterey, again. We've been getting a lot in the past several weeks, thanks to the Pineapple Express. Or, is it La Niña? Anyway, most are getting a bit tired of it and I'm dying to play some golf. For now, I've been confined to just watching golf. Guess it's not the worst thing ... this region could probably use the rain. Besides, I do need to keep busy with work and prepare for an important exam. It's interesting how a lot of rain can have the effect of changing a person's mood. It makes you want to stay in and have ramen noodles (라면, in Korean) while watching a movie. Or, listen to Satchmo (the great Louis, that is) and read a good book. But more importantly, I'm talking about the sense of solitude brought on by the damp greyness. To me, solitude means "just me and God," not necessarily feeling alone. In this sense, solitude is a very good thing.

They say the spring season began a couple of weeks ago. For me, spring is finally here now that baseball season has officially begun. There's nothing like taking in the sights and sounds while being at a ballgame. If only the rain would let up ...

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George Mason Univesity ...

Go Patriots!! Wow! I can't believe GMU is doing this well in the March Madness tournament. The school I graduated from, James Madison University, is in the same Colonial Athletic Conference ... sweet! OK, GMU finished 15-3 while JMU finished 2-16, but that's not the point. More importantly, I'm excited for GMU because I'm a native of NoVa (that is, Northern Virginia; NoVa is a suburb of D.C. and often distinguished from the rest of Virginia for hosting the Pentagon, Langley, America Online and other tech companies, Tysons Corner, and 25% of the Virginia population) and pratically grew up next to its campus in Fairfax. I used to deliver food there when I was a kid!! There must be crazy celebrations going on back home right about now... Can they really beat no. 1-ranked UConn??

Spring is always the most exciting season, as far as sporting events go. I always look forward to NCAA basketball, Major League Baseball, the Masters, and the French Open. Ooohh, the anticipation...


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I am [a] Tiger [in the] Woods.

I went to the golf range with some of the Korean guys today for the first time since I left Virginia. Being out of practice, it was rough. Still, I remembered how fun it was. I'm thinking: I gotta start practicing again and make it a point to get back out on the golf course.

Actually, I got to play 18 holes once since I came out to California (almost three years ago). They say Monterey is the "Golf Capital of the World" because of their dozen or so beautiful golf courses in the area (including the famous Pebble Beach). What a shame it would've been if I never played a round while I lived here! Mr. Han took me out to Rancho Cañada in Carmel Valley (photo on left) last summer. It was also pretty rough, but oh so fun. I think my score -- had I kept track of it -- would've been around 105 or so.

All my friends know that baseball is my favorite sport. But golf must be a close second place because of two main reasons: 1) it's a sport I can play and still enjoy regardless of how poorly I play; and 2) being out on the course always reminds me of the things that emmerse my senses, i.e. the smells and sights of being out there give me a sense of being close to God in my solitude. Does that make sense? I hope so; everyone should experience it. Anyway, my goal is to hit the range about once a week or so for a while and then find someone to go out on the course with. If I don't find a partner, I'll gladly go out on my own.

Too bad golf is a hobby that requires quite a bit of leisure time and money. It would take less time if I didn't hit 'em into the woods, I guess. Coincidentally, my middle name is Ho (in Korean 호, in Korean-Sino characters 虎 [Korean names traditionally have Sino characters]), and it means "bengal" or "tiger." Nike used to market the phrase "I am Tiger Woods."


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17 Mile Drive

It was a beautiful day for a drive after church. I took the two Korean Visiting Fellows (I'll refrain from publishing their names here but simply post this photo. Left, from MOCIE; center, from KITA) for some leisurely R&R through Pebble Beach. They both seem so far to be intelligent, clever, ambitious, and good people in different ways and to different levels. I can see that they are both similar yet contrast sharply in various aspects of their characters and personalities. But I can't help but wonder how much vision they have or lack in their lives. One has proven to be more receptive and responsive then the other, even confessing that they had never been before so challenged. But I cannot -- I refuse to -- be content with such small steps. Knowing that both men are very likely to be and remain in the international policy field for a very long time, I hope and pray the seeds I planted will bear much fruit. Our world needs more people who work and live with God's perspective on everything.

To some, this may seem arrogant of me. But it absolutely is not. I merely want to share. I wish for others to experience and know the same rewards I've had in working and living for God. There's nothing else like it. Time is a constant that is fleeting. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that I may have lived half of my life already. What regrets will I have as I look back in thirty years? This is my greatest fear: to think back with remorse and know that I could have done so much more, and I haven't the time left to do them.

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