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.

Funny Moment

As previously stated, I am Chinese-American. But, I look more American than Chinese and only use Cantonese when ordering dim sum. With this said, let me tell you what happened on Thursday.

I ordered food from one of my favorite hole-in-the-wall-non dim sum-cheap-Chinese-food places. The place is family-owned and friendly. After paying the bill, the owner said "Happy New Year!" I responded with the same, but only in Cantonese. She looked up, and after second guessing herself, started smiling then chuckling. It wasn't a mean laugh, but one of more shock if anything else.

Well, needless to say that made my day. Very much amused, I drove off smelling the delicious aroma of chow mein and with a smile in my heart.

Chinese or Filipino?

I, a Chinese-American man, am married to a wonderful Filipino-American girl. After 3 lovely years of marriage, one must ask: "are we more Chinese or more Filipino?"

1. Food: we eat more Chinese food, period.
2. Church: we go to a white/hispanic church but on Friday it's a Chinese church.

(so far, that's 2 for Chinese)

3. Music: don't listen to either of which, but I have learned the tune of
"Nandito Ako" by Lea Salonga.
4. TV: don't watch either of which, but sometimes my wife would watch "Kababayan" on
Channel 18.

(now it's 2 for Chinese, 2 for Filipino)

5. Medicine: we both take "po chai" for stomach aiches. No Filipino "drugs" taken.
6. Grammar/Language: I have learned how to spell Philippines - it's not Filipines,
Phillipines, etc. - and Filipino - it's not Philipino, Fillippino, etc.
She can read/write/speak Tagalog. I can write "one", "two", and "three"
in Chinese. I think it's pretty obvious where this one sways.

(okay, it's 3 each)

7. Cooking: I cook Chinese stir fry and don't dare to try to cook adobo, pancit, or
any other Filipino dishes. She seldom cooks Filipino food but she uses a lot
of fish sauce, cilantro, ginger - so it's more Vietnamese if anything.
8. Clothing: I don't own any clothing that's Chinese and don't want to own any
Chinese clothing (or Filipino for that matter). My wife is the same.
9. Utensils: Chinese people use chopsticks. Filipinos use a fork AND a spoon AT
THE SAME TIME. I never eat the Filipino way. My wife used to eat the Filipino
way but I have "converted" her. =)

So, what is the point of this? There is no point at all! Just a bunch of interesting/not-so-interesting facts.

Bring Back "Christmas"

Old Navy, Gap and Banana Republic are owned by the same company. And all three boycott Christmas. Old Navy doesn't sell Christmas gifts. They sell "holiday" gifts. They don't close their stores on Christmas. They close on "holiday." They don't observe "Christmas morning," they observe "holiday morning." They don't wish customers a "Merry Christmas." They wish them a "happy holiday." Old Navy boycotts Christmas. Old Navy even makes a joke of Christmas by offering video greetings called "Happy Chrismukkah."

Sign this petition to tell them in a kind and polite way that as long as they boycott Christmas, you will boycott Old Navy. For more information on other stores like Old Navy, click here.

And, for those of you who find the term "Merry Christmas" offending, you might want to listen to this and you'll then find "Happy Thanksgiving" offending too. After listening to this, if you find both offending, then this world is way too politically correct.

Funny Video

On a lighter note, this is one of the most funniest videos I have ever seen. Enjoy!

The Value of Life

Michael Vick received a 23-months sentence to prison for his involvement with dog fighting. Even though this is a senseless crime, what does this tell you about the value of human life, more specifically human fetuses? Thousands of soon-to-be babies are being killed. If Michael Vick's significant other had an abortion, would they get any sort of punishment? Of course not, but is this right? Society puts the value of dogs over the value of human beings. Very sad!

What else is more valued than human life? Endangered species are very well-protected. Many people find that trees are to be treasured and would risk their lives for them. And let's not forget the terrorists who kill in behalf of their religion.

What is this world coming to? I'm glad that there is a "better place" (aka Heaven) and a perfect God who has the final say.

LA Lakers

Reaching Out

There are over 143,000,0000 orphans in the world today. In Cambodia 98% of girls in prostitution are the main providers for their families and in Vietnam 49% of girls in prostitution were victims of prior sexual abuse. Some 80% of sexually exploited children in Thailand were from dysfunctional families and 31% had been victims of sexual abuse.

As a Christian, we are called to reach out to the orphans in some way or another. Here is how you can do it.

Concert Connection

TWO OR MORE
Tonight at 6pm, my church is hosting this band and tickets are FREE. They have a latin pop up-tempo flavor that's really groovy. You can listen to their songs at their website or their MySpace site. Their music makes your head bop and hips shake. Sorry for the late notice.

FERNANDO ORTEGA
Another concert ($10/ticket) is on 12/14/07 at Bethany in West Covina. Fernando Ortega is also a latino but his music is of a different style. The way that Mr. Ortega sings and worships is amazing! In this blog, I have to refer him as "Mr. Ortega" because he deserves my respect. His music is more of hymns and inspirations, which instead of making your body groove, it makes you get on your knees and pray.

Adoption

My wife and I have talked and prayed about international adoption. We have decided that we will likely adopt and it will be from a baby in Thailand.

FAQ
Q: Why Adoption? Are you not able to have kids?
A: It's a calling from the Lord. We are able to have kids, but when there are so many kids available out there that need a home, why have one?

Q: Are there any other reasons as to why you want to adopt? And, why Thailand?
A: Other than the fact that the Bible talks about caring for orphans, we think of it as a great pleasure to raise a child in a loving, Christian home. Especially taking a child from a predominently Buddhist, third world country and showing him/her the love of God. Also, Thailand is notorious for child prostitution and slavery, so we'd love to take a child out of that environment.

Q: When will you start the adoption application process?
A: If the Lord wills, sometime next year. It will take ~21 months from the time we apply to get the child. It will cost about $9,000 + travel costs to adopt. But, it's all worth it!

Q: Do you want a boy a girl? Any other preferences?
A: We're open to any gender. We would like a healthy baby. We're pretty open. If the baby has a sibling, though, we'd like to adopt the sibling too.

Q: You two are still young, will you ever have kids of your own?
A: There is a possibility. But, not at this time.

Today, we attended an adoption information meeting sponsored by Holt International. There were 4 other married couples at the meeting, all over the age of 40. It's so neat being around others who want to adopt. Seeing their heart wanting to reach out to kids is indeed touching. I wish that more and more couples out there will consider adoption, or at the very least sponsoring a World Vision child.