Greetings all!
This is Abe blogging. Allison and I will have to apologize for not blogging sooner, but we've gotten pretty dang busy with work over the past few months. Right now, I (Abe) am actually recovering from the stomach flu, while Allison is at church. I really wanted to go today, but obviously God had different plans for me today.
Being sick is not fun--as a matter of fact, I really hate being sick. I am usually pretty active between work/school/other stuff, so it stinks when I get sick. I sleep a lot, watch a lot of tv, drink a lot, play my Xbox 360 more than my wife would like, and probably become more needier than I should be. The good news is that I am feeling better than even 24 hours ago.
Let's see. What is going on with me? I am about halfway through my MBA program at Loyola. I just started a Managerial Economics class last week--I can already tell that I will learn a lot from this class. As for Allison, she is busy preparing for annual meeting with her employer. We're also going to be house-hunting in the NW suburbs of Chicago in the near future, so we'll see where God leads us. Beyond that, my sister and brother-in-law will be coming into town next weekend, so we're excited about that! They are expecting their first child in the summer, so it may be the last time we see them before the baby is born.
In any case, we have become more enamored with facebook as of late, so feel free to look us up on Facebook. Have a good one y'all!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Content
Allison here...I've been trying to cultivate an attitude of contentment lately, so I thought I would list some of the items I'm thankful for, especially in this time of national economic uncertainty:
1. Our apartment. I am thankful that it is a safe place, that it is a cheap rent for this area, and that renting gives us flexibility. I am thankful that this place is home and that we have not been forced to leave our home because of finances.
2. Our cars. I am thankful for our main car -- for the fact we have never had to take it in to get worked on beyond an oil change. I am thankful for how it has kept us safe during our long commutes and how it gets wonderful gas mileage. I also am thankful for our second car. Even though it's 15 years old, this car still gets us where we need to go, although it sits on the street most of the time.
3. Our experiences. We have traveled so much this year. I have been or will be going to San Antonio, Los Angeles, Denver, New York City (twice), Detroit and Waikiki. We have done more and experienced more than I could have imagined at the start of the year.
4. My gym memberships. I am thankful that I have access to gyms in my city where I live and the city where I work. I am thankful for ways I am strong and healthy.
5. My cell phone. What would I do without free nationwide long distance? I am so glad that became a reality the same time I graduated college because it has allowed me to have good conversations with family and friends.
So, what are you thankful for?
1. Our apartment. I am thankful that it is a safe place, that it is a cheap rent for this area, and that renting gives us flexibility. I am thankful that this place is home and that we have not been forced to leave our home because of finances.
2. Our cars. I am thankful for our main car -- for the fact we have never had to take it in to get worked on beyond an oil change. I am thankful for how it has kept us safe during our long commutes and how it gets wonderful gas mileage. I also am thankful for our second car. Even though it's 15 years old, this car still gets us where we need to go, although it sits on the street most of the time.
3. Our experiences. We have traveled so much this year. I have been or will be going to San Antonio, Los Angeles, Denver, New York City (twice), Detroit and Waikiki. We have done more and experienced more than I could have imagined at the start of the year.
4. My gym memberships. I am thankful that I have access to gyms in my city where I live and the city where I work. I am thankful for ways I am strong and healthy.
5. My cell phone. What would I do without free nationwide long distance? I am so glad that became a reality the same time I graduated college because it has allowed me to have good conversations with family and friends.
So, what are you thankful for?
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Seven Random/Weird Facts
Hi...Allison here...my dear friend Mandy from college tagged me on her blog and asked me to post seven random/weird facts about myself. So here goes:
1. Two people commented yesterday on the shirt I was wearing. One said it was from Banana Republic; the other said it was from J. Crew. Seriously, I can't remember the last time I was in those stores. I hate to pay full price for anything, so that's why the awesome emerald-colored shirt I was wearing was from T.J. Maxx. Yep...T.J. Maxx.
2. I once flushed a pager down the toilet. Yes, it was an accident.
3. If I need some motivation when I work out, I flip my iPod to Justin Timberlake or other music you would typically hear at a wedding reception. Pretty much any JT song will get me moving on an elliptical trainer.
4. I recently joined another gym. Yes, another. Now I'm a member of a gym near my work and one near my home. Actually, I've been working out over lunch for the past week and I absolutely love it. It gives me so much more energy for the afternoon that I may be able to forego my lunchtime diet Coke habit!
5. I know how to say "Man, who just farted? Your fart stinks!" in Cantonese. (Thanks to my husband for that one.)
6. I recently learned that the soup I typically eat at my father-in-law's favorite restaurant includes chicken feet. I didn't know that until I saw my mother-in-law sucking on a chicken foot after I had been eating there for two years. Needless to say, my appetite was gone.
7. On that note, I was the pickiest eater growing up. I basically ate a hot dog every day of my life. I wouldn't even eat what my parents were cooking and now I'm having to deal with chicken foot soup! Who would have thought it?
8. (I'll throw a bonus fact in...) Mandy, the dear, precious friend who tagged me, tried to get me to eat more veggies (well, really, any) when we were college roommates. It's taken me a while, but I do eat a lot more veggies now. I now realize they are making me strong and healthy...and help me keep my figure!
Hope you all enjoyed this!
1. Two people commented yesterday on the shirt I was wearing. One said it was from Banana Republic; the other said it was from J. Crew. Seriously, I can't remember the last time I was in those stores. I hate to pay full price for anything, so that's why the awesome emerald-colored shirt I was wearing was from T.J. Maxx. Yep...T.J. Maxx.
2. I once flushed a pager down the toilet. Yes, it was an accident.
3. If I need some motivation when I work out, I flip my iPod to Justin Timberlake or other music you would typically hear at a wedding reception. Pretty much any JT song will get me moving on an elliptical trainer.
4. I recently joined another gym. Yes, another. Now I'm a member of a gym near my work and one near my home. Actually, I've been working out over lunch for the past week and I absolutely love it. It gives me so much more energy for the afternoon that I may be able to forego my lunchtime diet Coke habit!
5. I know how to say "Man, who just farted? Your fart stinks!" in Cantonese. (Thanks to my husband for that one.)
6. I recently learned that the soup I typically eat at my father-in-law's favorite restaurant includes chicken feet. I didn't know that until I saw my mother-in-law sucking on a chicken foot after I had been eating there for two years. Needless to say, my appetite was gone.
7. On that note, I was the pickiest eater growing up. I basically ate a hot dog every day of my life. I wouldn't even eat what my parents were cooking and now I'm having to deal with chicken foot soup! Who would have thought it?
8. (I'll throw a bonus fact in...) Mandy, the dear, precious friend who tagged me, tried to get me to eat more veggies (well, really, any) when we were college roommates. It's taken me a while, but I do eat a lot more veggies now. I now realize they are making me strong and healthy...and help me keep my figure!
Hope you all enjoyed this!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Our new sister!
Here are some pictures from my (Allison)'s brother's wedding this weekend. We had a blast celebrating the marriage of Bart & Liv. Liv is one amazing woman -- she loves God, loves her family, and loves the hurting (she is so involved in helping improve her community). She is smart, funny, beautiful, and loves my brother dearly. We are proud to have her as our sister and to welcome in her wonderful sisters (and brother-in-law and their little ones) and parents into our extended family.
In order to welcome my family into the bride's Filipino family, the guys wore barongs at the rehearsal.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Redeeming Moments
Today I (Allie) learned that officially Chicago is ranked as the most stressful city in America. Even crazy NYC is #2. Chicago is stressful because of its urban density, high cost of gas, wild weather, and commuting nightmares (OK, so I added some to the official list of reasons).
This ranking, of course, does not surprise me. The pace of Chicago life is enough to bring a person to his or her breaking point quite easily. Due to flooding and special events, it's taken me 1.5 hours to get home from work each night this week. And, my work schedule is such that I leave at an off time.
I just had dinner with a good friend who, like me, is a transplant Chicagoan. She and I talked about the disadvantages of city life, especially how we spend so much time commuting and dealing with cityness that we are not as involved in serving in our church.
Yet we know that God has a plan for us to be here. Yes, we could be more involved if we lived in more sustainable towns, but this is where God has us now. And, we know that God gives us ministry opportunities right under our noses.
Tonight, as I drove home from dinner with this friend, I stopped by our local drug store. I was contemplating my purchase, when a woman asked for my help selecting diapers for her grandson. I quickly explained to her that I don't have kids, but she still asked for my input anyway. She was a Greek immigrant who didn't speak or read much English. She didn't know which brand was best and which would fit well on the grandson she's babysitting. We walked to the check out counter, and as I left I said goodbye to her and smiled.
So, while yes, city life is stressful, God still places situations in our lives where we can love others and serve them. Whether it's simply not adding stress to the other drivers we're with on the roads each day or helping someone out when we could be too busy. The key is recognizing those moments and choosing to love and serve instead of focusing on our own stress.
This ranking, of course, does not surprise me. The pace of Chicago life is enough to bring a person to his or her breaking point quite easily. Due to flooding and special events, it's taken me 1.5 hours to get home from work each night this week. And, my work schedule is such that I leave at an off time.
I just had dinner with a good friend who, like me, is a transplant Chicagoan. She and I talked about the disadvantages of city life, especially how we spend so much time commuting and dealing with cityness that we are not as involved in serving in our church.
Yet we know that God has a plan for us to be here. Yes, we could be more involved if we lived in more sustainable towns, but this is where God has us now. And, we know that God gives us ministry opportunities right under our noses.
Tonight, as I drove home from dinner with this friend, I stopped by our local drug store. I was contemplating my purchase, when a woman asked for my help selecting diapers for her grandson. I quickly explained to her that I don't have kids, but she still asked for my input anyway. She was a Greek immigrant who didn't speak or read much English. She didn't know which brand was best and which would fit well on the grandson she's babysitting. We walked to the check out counter, and as I left I said goodbye to her and smiled.
So, while yes, city life is stressful, God still places situations in our lives where we can love others and serve them. Whether it's simply not adding stress to the other drivers we're with on the roads each day or helping someone out when we could be too busy. The key is recognizing those moments and choosing to love and serve instead of focusing on our own stress.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Ode to Caramel
Hi everyone...sorry it's been three weeks since we've blogged. I (Allie) have been dealing with some dental issues that have caused pain and, at times, have prevented me from even eating or drinking. Lord-willing, I think we may have turned the corner.
So one thing I wish I knew before the dental work process is that I would no longer be able to eat caramel. I love caramel, and this season is the perfect time for caramel. Caramel apples, caramel in desserts...ahh...oh caramel. Unfortunately, I scheduled the dental work to happen right after our Hawaii trip so I wasn't as prepared with how the dental work may affect my eating habits. Anyway, I want to say goodbye to one of my favorite foods. Goodbye, caramel...:(
Ok, enough of the sob story about caramel. This season has been a good learning experience for Abe and me. We've learned how to talk each other down from going to "crazy town" (a term our friends Paul & Kristen use to describe freak outs) when we start having stress reactions. God always uses these experiences to refine us...it's just the refining fire is very hot!
Now that our lives (hopefully) are settling down, we're getting excited for a big event to come in the next couple weeks -- my brother's wedding! We are so excited to see our family and to spend time with our future sister-in-law and her wonderful friends and family. We're ready to party!
So one thing I wish I knew before the dental work process is that I would no longer be able to eat caramel. I love caramel, and this season is the perfect time for caramel. Caramel apples, caramel in desserts...ahh...oh caramel. Unfortunately, I scheduled the dental work to happen right after our Hawaii trip so I wasn't as prepared with how the dental work may affect my eating habits. Anyway, I want to say goodbye to one of my favorite foods. Goodbye, caramel...:(
Ok, enough of the sob story about caramel. This season has been a good learning experience for Abe and me. We've learned how to talk each other down from going to "crazy town" (a term our friends Paul & Kristen use to describe freak outs) when we start having stress reactions. God always uses these experiences to refine us...it's just the refining fire is very hot!
Now that our lives (hopefully) are settling down, we're getting excited for a big event to come in the next couple weeks -- my brother's wedding! We are so excited to see our family and to spend time with our future sister-in-law and her wonderful friends and family. We're ready to party!
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