Blog Neglected

With the hustle and bustle of life, and with Facebook, this blog has been neglected. But, thanks to Situ, ichowdown 2.0 will soon appear. Stay tuned for more information.

And on a side note, thank God for cheaper gasoline!

Facts on Prop 8

This video articulates the truth about CA Proposition 8. We need to pray for our great nation.

Voting

This world is degressing rapidly. Where were the morals and standards that the US was built upon? Many people in our society are thinking what they know best instead of relying on a sole, supreme authority.

I am a values voter, which means that I am pro-life, pro-traditional marriage, and pro-anything else that is properly supported in Scripture. I hope that you find this information informative...

Please vote:
1. For John McCain/Sarah Palin as they:
- Are Pro-life
- Are for traditional marriage
- For the increase/promotion of adoption
- Believe in smaller government (the last thing we need is the anti-Christ*)
- Understand the threat of terrorism and Iran
- Want to win the war in Iraq before fully withdrawing troops
- Promise to elect conservative supreme court judges

2. Against Barack Obama/Joe Biden as they:
- Pro-choice
* Obama: the question when life begins is "above [his] pay grade"
- Obama: pro-infanticide. Check his voting records.
- Pro-traditional marriage but attended/accepted $ from a homosexual fundraiser
- Obama's questionable theology:
* mentored by Reverend Jeremiah Wright
* "obscure passage in Romans" <-- look this up
* believes that Muslims, Jews, etc can go to Heaven
- Want to pull out troops in Iraq no matter what
- Will elect liberal supreme court judges

3. For CA Proposition 8 (bringing back traditional marriage). I received a call last night from a No on 8 campaigner. I told her that I will vote Yes on 8 and that I don't want my future children to be taught about homosexuality in 1st grade. She said that I was being unfair to same-sex couples who love each other. I responded by saying that what about individuals who want to marry 2 life partners or 3 life partners? Or, those who want to marry their pets? Are we then being unfair to them? The conversation quickly ended by her. If we allow same-sex marriage, where do we draw the line?

4. For CA Proposition 4 (parental consent for an abortion). It hasn't received nearly the amount of publicity as Prop 8, but you can read Wikipedia's version to get more information.

I know that some of you reading this may disagree with me. Everyone has a right to their own opinion. I am not blogging because of hate, but because I want to declare the true morals God has written in the Bible. He wants all people to come to Him, repent, and love/serve Him with all of your heart.

This world is not our home, but we need to vote.


*The belief that a large government is the solution to our problems allows for the anti-Christ to spring up. I am not claiming that Obama is the anti-Christ, but he has characteristics that show that he may be or may pave the way for him/her.

If I Could Only Be

My guitar playing skills have peaked since the days from college. Actually, it probably has degressed. When I was young, I wanted to be in a boy band. Now, if I could only be as half as good as this dude, I would be... well, you know.

Gap Man

We spent our Labor Day today at Ontario Mills. We walked around for about 3 hours window shopping at various stores. The window shopping ended at The Gap. Looking at the quality of their clothes and their prices, I turned to my lovely wife and said "I think I am a gap man". Turning to me with a smile on her face and humor in her mind, she said that I am funny. Funny? Maybe. Stylin'? For sure!

Needless to say, we opened up a Gap card. Normally, I oppose obtaining store cards but they gave us 15% off, and discounts to Banana Republic (a great store but a little more pricey) and Old Navy (a bargain store but lower quality). How cool is this?

Ichowdown has turned into a Gap man. I bought a nice vest for work, 2 sweaters, and a pair of jeans for less than $70.

A close 2nd place is H&M.

Steven Curtis Chapman

Steven Curtis Chapman is my new role model. His passion, his heart, and his character is unbelievable! On the radio show, Focus on the Family, he explains how God has shaped his family's life after his daughter's tragic death. One of his 3 adopted children, Maria, was accidentally struck by his biological son when he was driving into their home. Maria was just 5 years old. She was adopted as a waiting child having a hole in her heart, but it did not stop him from adopting her. With love and warmth, he opened his home. Now that the Lord has taken her home, he is now more focused on eternal matters. What a man after God's own heart!

His campaign continues to be for the plight of the orphaned. Not everyone is called to adopt. But, this miracle of adoption should be considered by more people. And, not just as a last resort due to infertility or any other reason, but as a first option to extend their love to the needy.

On a slightly different note, here is an interview with his wife on Good Morning America.

Cinderella

In view of the tragedy that occured to Maria Sue Chapman, Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter, this song is both touching and inspirational. I have new-found respect for Mr. Chapman. He has done so much for the worthy cause of assisting with the plight of the orphans who number about 150 million worldwide.

Wall Builders

Pastor Rick Green was a guest speaker 2 Sunday's ago. He is from Wall Builders, an organization that presents the Christian roots of America. Did you know that the majority of our founding fathers were Christians? Many had seminary degrees, others were even pastors. Before the first session of Congress, they even took the opportunity to pray and have a Bible study.

Look where the U.S. is today compared to those days. The definition of marriage is about to be redefined. Abortions take place everyday. Movies/TV/magazines are getting more explicit and vulgar. Prayer is not allowed in public school. The display of the 10 Commandments, the cross, the phrase "in God we trust", the word "Christmas", and anything else religious has been removed from the public sector. Our world is turning into Sodom and Gomorrah.

One of Wall Builders' chief objectives is to inform Christians and get them to vote. Pastor Green delivered this message clearly mixed in with a little humor. He's speaking again at Calvary Chapel La Habra on 9-14-08. Lets rock the vote!

Take This Poll

Check out this poll to see which major presidential candidate do you feel evangelicals can more closely identify with at this time?

Whatever you decide, please don't forget to vote in November.

A Twist in Our Adoption Plans

God has thrown a curve ball for us to adopt a healthy Thai toddler. All of the agencies that facilitate Thailand adoptions are either closed or require us to be infertile.

So, now it's time for plan B. We still want to adopt, but from where? We'd like a child that at least somewhat looks like us so here's a list of Asian countries:

• China: takes about 28 months!
• Vietnam: closed
• South Korea: very costly
• Kahzakstan: length of stay at the country is like 2 months!
• Philippines: this is plan B

The full layout of plan B is to adopt first from the Philippines. Since my wife is Filippino, the process is quicker. After we have our Filipino toddler (boy), then we still start the process for China (girl) so that it doesn't seem like we are waiting forever. This will inspire me to learn some Cantonese. What a plan!

Just pray that there isn't a plan C. And, if there is a plan C, may we both trust in the Lord that He will ultimately provide.

Just think: father = Chinese American, mother = Filippina, son = Filippino, daughter = Chinese.

James 1:27 & Myanmar

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

-James 1:27



Can you imagine what this world would be like if everyone helped out orphans and widows, and walked in accordance to the Word of God? It is so far-fetched from the truth today, that I cannot.

My heart reaches out to the civilians in Myanmar afflicted by the typhoon and its aftermath, especially those who have lost a loved one or their entire family. Their militia government, the "pollutants", must repent for their neglect of human life. To not allow foreign aid in is just ruthless. Only Jesus has the great, perfect love to show absolute forgiveness to these cruel authority figures. Our Redeemer lives!

I am troubled by all of the Burmese children left orphaned and the government's lack of responsibility to care for them. It makes me want to adopt one. After the earthquake in China, over 200 people in the U.S. contacted the Chinese government to adopt. I am 99.99% positive that Myanmar will not be open to adoptions, but God can work miracles.

On another note, what does this say about the value of human life in this world? We don't value a fetus as a human. And, we certainly don't value humans as humans.

Sad.

Can I Go?

So, this is how the conversation went last Friday between me and one of our preschool-aged AWANA girls:

Girl: Guess what? I'm going to a birthday party tomorrow.
Me: Wow, whose birthday?
Girl: My friend. She's turning 5.
Me: [with glee] Can I go?
Girl: [pure silence]
Me: [with a saddened look and pouting] Why not? [fake tears start to roll down my eyes]
Girl: [glaring at me] BUT YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW HER!
Me: [trying to hide my chuckling]
Girl: Hey, you're not sad! You're laughing! You're laughing!

I find my conversations with her hysterical sometimes. Nevertheless, she is one of the most intelligent kids that we have. And with her big ears, one of the cutest. But, I love them all and so does my wife. So, this is why we are returning to AWANA at CEFC next year. Hopefully, you will consider AWANA too.

You know you're Chinese when....

This is a snip of a funny email that I received from my aunt. Those with a * apply or have applied to me.

Subject: You know you're Chinese when....
> You unwrap Christmas gifts very carefully, so you can save and reuse the wrapping (and especially those bows) next year.*
> You only buy Christmas cards after Christmas, when they are 50% off.*
> You use grocery bags to hold garbage.*
> You say "aiya!" and "wah!" frequently.*
> You beat eggs with chopsticks.
> You have a vinyl table cloth on your kitchen table.
> Your stove is covered with aluminum foil.
> You like to eat chicken feet.
> You use the dishwasher as a dish rack.*
> You keep a Thermos of hot water available at all times.
> You eat all meals in the kitchen.
> You save grocery bags, tin foil, and tin containers.
> You always leave your shoes at the door.*
> You have a piano in your living room. *
> You twirl your pen around your fingers.
> You also use the jam jars as drinking glasses.
> You've eaten a red bean Popsicle.*
> You bring oranges (or other produce) with you as a gift when you visit people's homes.
> You have a collection of shampoo bottles that you take every time you stay in a hotel.
> You never order room service.
> Your dad thinks he can fix everything himself.
> You majored in something practical like engineering, medicine or law.
> You have a teacup with a cover on it.
> You reuse teabags.
> Your mom drives her Mercedes to the Price Club.
> You're a wok user.*
> You prefer your shrimp with the heads and legs still attached -- it means they're fresh.
> Your parents tell you to boil herbs and stay inside when you get sick.*
> Your parents use a clothes line.
> You starve yourself before going to an all you can eat sushi.*
> You've been on the Love Boat or know someone who has.*
> You never order sweet-n-sour pork, egg foo young, or chop suey at a Chinese restaurant.
> You hate to spend more than $5 for lunch.*
> You look like you are eighteen.
> Your unassisted vision is worse than 20/500.
> You drive around looking for the cheapest gas.
> You never made the school football or basketball team.*
> You have two middle initials instead of one.
> You grow your own bean sprouts in the kitchen.
> Your mother made you peel water chestnuts and snowpeas.
> You cut your own hair... or had someone in your family do it.*
> You keep fresh garlic and ginger in the kitchen at all times.
> You know at least three people named Alan Wong.

Thoughts About Adoption and Other Stuff

So, I was reading the news today and I found out that the country of Vietnam is no longer accepting applications to adopt. Although we are not adopting from Vietnam, the fact is that many needy, abandoned children will now be denied a loving home. Not only is Vietnam prohibiting adoptions, but other countries (i.e. China) have now made it increasingly more difficult for couples to adopt.

Adoption, in my opinion, ideally should be an easy, affordable, quick process. It is a process by which both the child and the parents both benefit.

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On a side note, also in the news are those "racey" photos of Miley Cyrus. The pictures are NO BIG DEAL. A little bit of her back is exposed and the media blows it waaaaay out of proportion. I'm not a Miley fan but I do care about her reputation and influence.

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Another side note: Reverend Jeremiah Wright. The words he speaks definitely is not right. After what he said today, how can anybody vote for Obama?

My Grandfather, Frank Hong

If you ever wanted some history on my family background, or are keen about Chinese-American history, then you'll be excited to read in the Minnesota Monthly about my grandfather, Frank Hong, who I just discovered was born in San Francisco (all along I thought he was born in China). Hmm... this would make me not 3rd generation, but 3.5 generations (my mom's side - Hong - I am 4th generation and my dad's side - Chow - I am 3rd generation).

Synopsis of the article:

"A prominent leader of the Minneapolis branch of the Hip Sing association during the 1925 raids was the dapper, well-spoken Frank Hong. According to his son Walter, Frank Hong was a charismatic, westernized Chinese American. He organized support in the Midwest for the Chinese revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen and was among the first wave of Chinese to cut off the queue and adopt Western dress. “It was not unusual,” his son remembers, “that as soon as Frank started to express an opinion, all went silent.”Frank Hong was born in San Francisco in 1887. His father was a laborer in a cannery. When Hong was 6 years old, his parents made the return trip to China, leaving young Frank with an uncle. He never saw them again."


"Because Frank Hong had achieved the coveted status of “merchant” under the Exclusion Act, he could travel back to China and re-enter the United States. Technically, Hong should have been considered a citizen, as he had been born on U.S. soil. But immigration officials were reluctant to grant citizenship to Chinese Americans. In Hong’s case, it would have been next to impossible to prove that he had been born in San Francisco. As a merchant, however, he could legally plan a trip to China to find a wife, and shortly after he moved to Minneapolis, Hong took steps to do so."

"“The desire of Mr. Hong to have his citizenship established is based almost entirely upon sentiment,” it continues. “He has lived all of his life in the United States, his children were all born in Minneapolis and are being educated as Americans. He is a prosperous businessman, identified financially and personally with this community. Whether he is adjudicated a citizen or not means nothing whatever to him from a financial point of view. But, he desires to have the record established that he is a citizen of the United States and not a wayfarer in a foreign land.”His appeal was successful. On January 14, 1931, Frank Hong became an American citizen."

As you can see by the picture of my grandfather, he does not look very Chinese. It makes me wonder, was he 100% Chinese? Why do I and other of my Hong relatives look mixed? My Chow relatives look a lot more Chinese (albeit some of them have a dark Hawaiian tan - my grandparents immigrated there in the 1880's).

If you notice, his face structure is fairly similar to mine. He has low cheek bones. He has round eyes like me (we also both have bags under our eyes). His hair looks kind of wavy (mine is too when it's grown out). We're not Chinese-looking... we have a Eurasian thing going on.

I never met my grandfather but I would have liked to. He seems like an intelligent man that has many stories to share.

Tips on Pumping Gas

I don't know if this is true but I received this from one of my relatives:

Fill in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Storage tanks are buried below ground, the colder the ground the more dense the gasoline. Gasoline expands as it gets warmer, so when buying in the afternoon or evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon.

When filling up do not squeeze the nozzle trigger to the fast mode. You should be pumping in the low speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. Hoses at the pump have a vapor return. In the fast rate, some of the liquid going into your tank becomes vapor. These vapors are sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.

One important tip is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL or HALF EMPTY. The more gas in your tank the less air occupying its empty space so it minimizes the evaporation. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine.

Another reminder, when you stop to buy gas, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks DO NOT fill up. The dirt that normally settles on the bottom of the storage tank is being stirred up and you could pick up some.

How Old Are You?

Last week, during AWANA I asked a few of my Kindergarten students, “How old are you?” They quickly responded with “5” while holding five fingers with their right hand. I then exclaimed “wow, I am 5 years old too!” Unfortunately, they did not believe me even for the slightest, itsy bitsy second. With their adorable, puzzled faces, they smiled, looked at me, and chuckled. While my fingers rubbing my chin I then inquired, “How old do you think I am?”

“I know, you are 100 years old!”, one of them shouted. In a moment’s notice, I just aged 69 years.

Ice Cream

The past week or so, it's been colder than normal. On Monday night, it was not only cold but windy. So, where did we end up going to get something to eat?

Yes, Albertsons... because "it's your store". And, what did we buy? Yes, ice cream because we screamed for ice cream.

Of all of my evil desires, ice cream ranks #1. The evilness of cookies, chips, candy do not compare to the desire for ice cream. Not rain, sleek, snow (although we don't have any here), etc can keep me from the soft, tasty, scrumptious taste of wonderful ice cream.

Thanks be to God for Albersons' buy one get one free Breyers ice cream sale!

FOLLOW-UP FROM MY PREVIOUS POST: I am now sleeping on time. Getting to bed around 10:30pm is much better than 3:00am.

Sleeeeeeeeeeeep

Well, it's now 3:22am on a Sunday morning and for some odd reason I am wide awake. To kill time, I am blogging.

Possible reasons for my inability to sleep:

• 3 hours ago, we watched "The Invasion" starring Nicole Kidman. It was scary! Not as scary as some movies I've seen but it definitely is eerie.
• Heavy, constant downpour of rain hammering down on our roof
• 6 hours ago, we were playing the board game "Apples to Apples" with my wife's siblings. The game is tons of laughter and fun.
• Had LOTS of sleep the night before. When this happens, it's hard to fall asleep the next night.

Good night. Sleep tight. And don't let the bed bugs bite.

Phil Wickham

Phil Wickham is playing at Calvary Chapel of Pasadena on Sunday, February 17th at 6:00pm for FREE. He is a pretty well-known alternative/contemporary Christian artist. I saw his brother, Evan, open a Fernando Ortega concert in West Covina and he is pretty good too.

Mark this event on your calendar. It is a can't-miss opportunity. Pastor Xavier Ries will even deliver a short message afterwards.

Feminine?

After 3+ years of marriage, one must ask me: "Chowdown, are you now more in touch with your more feminine side?"

Being single, most guys don't really care all that about hair style, body image, clothes (fashion), fragrance, etc. I, for one, could have cared less about matching my shoes with my shirt and my socks with my pants. Now being married, my wife has taught me all of these things and more...

Granted, I don't subscribe to "Glamour" magazine (nor will I ever do so), but I now do have somewhat of a sense of style. You will never find me on the cover of GQ (nor do I really care) but I can pick out a nice shirt (sometimes) and wear it fairly well (looking at a mirror in a darkened room).

Also, I bought my first bottle of cologne (Polo Sport) when I was engaged. Before, I just used my natural sweet-smelling body odor as my scent. To my wife delight, she kindly persuaded me that I need help. Just this past Christmas, she bought me my 2nd bottle of cologne (and for some reason this bottle is much larger... hmmm).

Presidential Race

Before I begin, this is my first blog for the new year. I can't believe it's 2008 already. This means that I've known my wife for 6 years, which has just flown by.

It's interesting reading and listening to news about the 2008 Presidential race. Having a candidate who is pro-life and against same-sex marriage ranks at the top of my list of must-haves. This boils the race, in my opinion, down to being between Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee.

I cannot vote for a Mormon. I have nothing against Romney as a person, but I do not believe in the many things that Mormons stand for. Plus, in looking at the Bible and at the O.T. kings that ruled over God's people, God really wanted them to love and serve Him. It would be really difficult to have a president lead our nation under the true and living God.

Although Huckabee lacks in experience (and possibly knowledge) in certain areas, he seems grounded in the faith and a strong leader. He may not be the most qualified candidate but I believe that God uses are weaknesses and can turn them into strengths.

My vote is for Huckabee.

Will you be a Huck-a-maniac (as like a Hulk-a-maniac)? Ok, I have digressed to talking about the WWE, formerly known as the WWF.