010513

by

two hundred and fifty one

Sorry... Again a much owed update...

Funny how the last few weeks of exchange seem to be the most dreaded and lengthy times... Counting down, I now have 59 days left - less than 2 months... Not quite sure what to feel... Not quite sure how to summarise my time.

How much have I really changed? Have I changed at all? Is it only my appearance and/or how I dress that has changed? What if I come back to Sydney and my maturity level remains what it was pre-departure.
That very question matters to me.. Matters on a huge level because that was the very reason I sought after an exchange program - to grow in maturity and to exercise independence. But has it just been a year of mucking around? Of foolery and wasted opportunities?

Perhaps as the days continue to count down, and as I approach the true final days, I will give a more thorough summary of my experiences.. Perhaps in the areas of physical, spiritual and emotional maturity.. Reflection is always good and it would probably be the best way to really assess myself.

Anyway...

Today and yesterday I have been working on a presentation for my Transnational Management class... Funny because I had thought that my presentation was due at the end of this month, but turns out it is due tomorrow (and I only found out on Tuesday)... Haha.... Lovely.

Anyway, it's all finished now and it was quite laid back... I'm glad the question wasn't so hard and I was more or less free to respond to the readings in any way I liked. Although I did find out that I have a bad case of habitual procrastination - after finishing one slide, I'd look up a random video on YouTube.. say a cat video or... a car video... etc... haha...

Last night I went to see Iron Man 3 with Heejin.. and it was quite an enjoyable time. Originally, we organised it to be a group of us seeing the movie... But everyone ended up watching it with other friends or with family, and Heejin and I decided to book seats a day in advance out of impulse.. haha.... (Sorry Selina and Sami). Anyway... the movie took quite a lot of stress off me and I was more excited to finish the semester and enjoy the final days I have left in Korea doing whatever I wanted to (sensibly). With that in mind, later that night I booked tickets to the Philippines and also Jeju island (Philippines in late June, Jeju in 2 weeks haha). I am quite excited as I love planes, travel and good people - a good mix in my opinion. 

Today.. I encountered a panic moment... A dumb moment that I haven't experienced in a long time.... I left my phone at a public spot in my dormitory for a good half hour while I walked to class. On average it takes 15 minutes to walk to class and so by the time I walked into the classroom and realised that my phone wasn't in my pocket, I panicked and rushed back to the dorm hoping it was still there...
But after 15 minutes to class and 15 minutes back to the dorm, thankfully the phone was still there! Untouched and not a sign of thieving intention. Koreans are quite honest people and now I've experienced it.

Class was ordinarily.. ordinary. But my classmates all said they didn't recognise me because of my haircut... Wow....
But yeah.. Thinking about it, I haven't had short hair since year 7... So it is quite weird.. That's like almost 10 years... Whew.... But I do like the change - it's quite refreshing to not have hair flying everywhere in the wind and in my eyes =].

From the time I got back after class until now, it's just been presentation stuff and chats with people. Had a lovely chat with Nick about the three G's... Gym, Gold and God. Quite a great conversation... Really got me thinking and reassessing where my heart is.

It's one of those uncomfortable thoughts where you think about where you place God in the area of 'looking good' and your money.

We started the chat with why people go to the gym and where do you draw the line between motives of narcissism and God-glorifying health. You really should ask yourselves sometimes... Do you go to the gym/work out to satisfy that inner craving to be beautiful? Or do you do it to take care of the temple of God, that is your body?

But with the former question, one can phrase it this way.. What is the extent of your desire to look good? Sure, it's not necessary for you to buy those G-Star jeans or those brand name shoes when you could opt for Big W clothing at a fraction of the price... but why do we do it? Furthermore, why then do you get your hair cut by a hairdresser and why do you bother styling it? With those questions in mind, I think it would be safe to assume that every person has an innate desire to look good... Although the reason and degree for such ranges from person to person, I think the generalisation can be made.

In the beginning, I had thought that it would be acceptable so long as it doesn't become an idol. In keeping with the topic of looks - I was once taught that the moment when your identity is defined by anything other than what Jesus has done for you is the moment it all falls apart. It is sad how some people become so obsessed with looking good that they forget that they are and always have been beautiful because of what God has done for them. With that in mind however, the topic cannot be concluded and there is a need to further explore this.

To tie in the above topic and the next topic, we should look at the basic human nature to satisfy a want/need. Of course one would be able to tell the difference between buying certain clothes out of necessity and buying certain things for the sake of an obsession with luxury. Where the former satisfies a need, the latter satisfies a want. Stemming beyond idolatry, there is another calling for wisdom.... Sure, even if you purchase things out of necessity and that your usage of your financial blessings isn't an idol, there must be a need to consider how to wisely spend your money. With that then, Nick and I further discussed as to where you would draw the line.

A really hard concept to be honest... In considering wisdom when it comes to finances, you begin to consider whether or not you really need that ice cream after your meal... Or even that $30 steak you had at a fancy restaurant with your girlfriend... Or that $10 you spent on fuel to get there... etc...
In considering wisdom, you indeed consider restrictions on luxuries.

The argument then calls to the table - God wants you to enjoy the things He's blessed you with... But Nick then brings in the idea that (I'm) sure God doesn't want you to spend foolishly either. 

It's a really tough topic to discuss... It's tough because we know we all spend foolishly.. We are brought up in luxury and in a state beyond sufficiency. Some of us don't know what it's like to live in poverty and to live underneath that line of comfort... We sometimes spend that $10 note so impulsively and don't even realise that the same $10 you spent on an iced chocolate for you and your girlfriend could have fed a starving child for more than a month. It's a crazy thought... But do not underestimate the HUGE impact of the otherwise LITTLE things that we own.

With those things in mind... From now I do hope I can be more thoughtful with my spending... Before I buy that bottle of soft drink, should I rather save the $2.50 and find a water fountain instead? Or instead of going to an expensive restaurant for dinner every weekend, should I go instead go home and cook, and save that $40 or so? 
There are so many things you can do to save money... And it all has to do with cutting back on the luxuries in life.
Being on exchange has also taught me that I believe... If I stay at my dorm and eat at the cafeteria ($2 per meal).. I can spend $50 at most in a week.
But if I look at my spending chart (I keep a tally of how much I've spent per month).. I've had months where it's $150.. and months where it's $400... And when I look back, yes, it's because I've indulged on luxuries - things that my body and soul don't need, but instead crave out of a worldly desire. It's that $15 buffet you had twice in a week... Or that $20 drinking session you had at the pub.. Luxuries luxuries...

But in summary... we ended the discussion on the note that we really do need some light shed onto this topic... It is a very valid and relevant topic for all of us. We privileged people who live much above the sufficiency threshold and we who have access to monetary earning. I do look forward to the day when my Church or group of friends decide to tackle problems such as these in a biblical and God-guided way. Men's Katoomba Conference anyone? MYC extra-curricular group discussions over free time? 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Below are some pictures taken in the last two or so weeks.. Hehe... Sorry haven't uploaded them.. Quite lazy to take out my USB cable and yada yada...

VEGEMITE!

Sushi buffet... Haha... $10? Pre-study fuel.

My swirling skill.. Or lack thereof.

This was a study day on a Saturday before our mid-term exams.

Studied with Jana. Quite a funny girl, but rather studious to the point where I feel guilty.

Taken on a Sunday before church I think.. A lovely sight to behold.. Springtime is here!

A renovated cafeteria in the main campus.. My campus is becoming more and more modern... But I'm about to leave.. Haha..

This was just last Friday.. Our class pub session with the professor. That's Eric. Awesome guy. Genuine and talented. =]. Korean university culture is quite something.. Thoroughly enjoyed it though.

This was the Saturday after.. Jo, Sami and I went to Gangnam to check up on my eyes.. and had Pizza =].

Potato pizza and BBQ Hawaiian (with grilled chicken).

New York classic and Godfather. SO GOOD.

I bought this suitcase after the pizza because the shop had a 30% off sale.

Vintage-y look but still quite sturdy!
After buying this though, I had my haircut haha........ 

Jjimdak! Soy sauce braised chicken. The Sunday after.

Wooooo!

Yeah it was with this girl. Whilst buying stuff for Nina! Have a safe flight Selina!

This was just today.. whilst studying... haha... Showing off my unhealthy habit of snacking (also a luxury that should be re-considered).

Thankful: My eyes are near 20/20, but otherwise healthy. Exams are over and scores are so far so good.

Prayerful: Really maximise my last 59 days. That's less than 9 weeks but I feel there's still so much room to grow and experience things here on exchange.

Dangers: Laziness, complacency and unwholesome living.