031012

by

forty two..>!>

Quiet quiet quiet quiet day today =X.
Stayed indoors for the majority of the day watching documentaries and chatting with Vic + JDM boys about what I'm going to do to my number plate when I come back to Sydney.. LOL.

Mmmm... Breakfast time!... at 12.30pm LOL.



Coco Balls!!!!!!!!!. magical.

So yeah... all day was spent on the computer because I could not be bothered to venture out, thinking shops would be closed due to today being a Public Holiday [National Foundation Day] for South Korea =D.

When dinner came, it was cafeteria food with Julia at 6.30pm =D.

Julia is a funny girl.. She's turning 18 soon and she's going through her 'rebellious stage' in adolescence HAHA!
You see, for oldies like me, my parents don't monitor me and make decisions for me so I have a degree of freedom. But for Julia, her parents are always in her business (and for good reason) and sometimes she just wishes she was left alone for a bit so she could make decisions for herself..
When we talked about whether or not she would be happy to leave Korea next year, she said "no" because it would mean going back to her parents and her 'caged' life back in America..
For me though, I would love to return to Sydney - to see my friends and family and to resume what I had left behind. But I guess we are both coming from different stages of life... 

- I'm approaching the end of my university degree, but she's just starting hers... 
- I've had a taste of full-time work and being financially independent, but she hasn't... 
- My parents have grown accepting to the idea of me having a girlfriend, but she's not even allowed to bring boys over...

XD.

OHH TO BE YOUNG AGAIN.

jokes.


Julia is a sweet girl, she's got the fresh vibe of a high school graduate and an innocent, young view of the world.
I think we all feel like older brothers and sisters and thus feel like we have to protect her.. HAHA. Fun times!

After dinner, Nelson, Nicole, Julia and I decided to wander around Wangsimni... and found some very interesting places!

A Playstation cafe.. Kinda like City Hunter, but for playstations =D

NET CAFE! Mmmmm L4D..

I had a hoddeok (Rice cake with sugary, syrupy goodness sandwiched inside) for 700 won (60 cents).

We also managed to find a DVD room where we can watch movies for a small fee ($2 per movie per person) =D. We are planning to watch Old Boy and perhaps some Horror movies.. =X.

On the way back to the dorms... we all decided to study a bit... so we agreed to meet up in 5 mins while we all got our books.

The cafe we went to to study!

Iced Americano [Iced Long Black] + Cookies

The cafe is very new (2 days old)

Nicole's Iced Green Tea Latte =D

The cookies were freshly baked, warm and very home-y. BEST cookies.

Whilst we were studying... Julia and I brought up the topic of departure... and how we are going to see Nicole off at the airport in December (Nicole is only staying for one semester).

The thought of the first batch of departures is... exciting and sad at the same time...

I am excited because it would mean my turn next... but sad because it would mean the physical separation from the friends I've made here.

When I think about it... I only have a month and 2 weeks before Lyna leaves (She leaves late Nov.) and 2 months until Nicole leaves...

Which means another 9 or so months until I leave... Wow... Time goes fast..


At 11.30 ish... we all went back to our dorms and said goodnight..

I stayed online on FB and chatted to a few people.. Good chats and encouraging stories all around!! It must be springtime love because I have in mind a few people who are ready to step into a romantic relationship.

It does feel like I am missing out on a lot of stuff back in Sydney.. but I am all the more thankful that I am somewhat updated =D.

In Korea, couples are everywhere... Couple-mindedness is also common (Cafes having couple sets.. Restaurants, movie theatres, etc..) and it wouldn't be hard for someone to feel a sense of bitterness and envy... It is easy to question God "When will it be my turn?"... which will later lead to "Come on!! Aren't I good enough? Aren't I mature enough!?!?"

... Both are prideful thoughts that distort the intended goodness found in healthy Christian relationships...

If one were to base one's worth based on a successful initiation into a romantic relationship, that's idolatry.
To put it simply, if getting that girl/boy is the end-goal of your passion to grow in biblical maturity and to let go of a sinful habitual lifestyle, that's idolatry.
Where is God in that equation?

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33

If you idolise a romantic relationship, there are huge negative consequences... I have experienced these myself in the past and they definitely are not on your side.
- You begin to forget your duties as a Christian partner.
- You begin to forget your responsibilities as a family member both in blood and in the Church.
- You begin to change the person you're truly following.. Following your partner instead of Jesus.

Though these may/may not happen to everyone, they are just examples that I have experienced.


However, if God remains as the center in your pursuit of a godly relationship.. I believe this is the only true way of glorifying God through said relationship.
- By putting God's glory as the end-goal, you will study and act out the biblical responsibilities of a Christian partner out of honor and love for the Lord.
- If you are pursuing God and Godly characteristics, it will be reflected through how you treat your Christian partner... during conflicts, after conflicts, in the good, the bad and the long-term vision.
- If God is the center of the relationship, it is hard for the relationship NOT to double your ministry... where both sides are encouraging one another - always pointing back to God at all times when times are good/hard.


For all the above reasons... I should not feel frustration, envy or bitterness towards the fact that I am still single... as a matter of fact, I should feel a great joy, excitement and an even greater need to pray for those looking to start a romantic relationship.

Although I remain uncertain of what will happen between me and ____ in the future, I will remain faithful... that whatever plan(s) God has in store for me will be for the best. I may not agree sometimes with what He wants, but I must remember that my small, incompetent mind cannot comprehend the mysteriously divine works of His. 

I am praying daily for godly relationships among the Church (romantic and non) and especially for me to not grow feelings of bitterness towards singleness.

Today has been a good day.. Smiles all around and a determined spirit to continue facing what the remainder of this year brings.

Thankful: Times of sharing among fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, their mature view(s) towards important matters and for God's presence and intervention in all things.

Prayerful: A continuing trust for the perfect, divine will of God in all aspects of my life.. No matter what comes my way.

Dangers: My forgetful and often lazy mind almost caused a break in the daily habitual prayer routine.