JuliaLee's Xanga

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:47:17 GMT

Baby clothing?

If anyone has baby clothing that they would like to donate, please comment!
We started doing outreach at a shelter for young, single mothers and there's a need for babies' clothing and toys, etc. If you have and would like to donate, please holler at me. Thanks!

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:09:52 GMT

why i DON'T (gasp!) oppose the war in iraq

but neither do i completely support it. but as an american citizen, i feel that if there's a war that my country is engaged in, it is our responsibility to support it, especially the troops. (after all, a country divided against itself cannot stand.)

anyways... i DON'T oppose the war in iraq (secretly) though i know that it's a main reason why a majority of the american population dislikes (a.k.a. hates) bush. But I must say, what happened to the sense of loyalty and patriotism that we first had going into the war? I think we've all too quickly forgotten how we got into it in the first place. Remember this? The terrorists attacked us on 9/11. Our immediate response at that time was of two main options: go to war or another alternative. And with what they did to us, I think that the response was appropriate. It calls for tough measures... and there was fruit in it in Sadam Hussein's capture. A reminder that I read on this WSJ article.

But why are we there for so frakkin' long then? What... then should we have just left the country after Hussein's capture? And in doing so, leave a country completely dismantled? I think that there is some honor in the decision that Bush made in taking the time to rebuild the country and the troops. After all, to set up a completely different governing system (democracy) isn't an easy job. Even Obama recently retracted his previous statement of taking out all the troops in Iraq if he becomes the president. He stated that there should be a transition instead (like what Bush is doing right now)-- this after his visit to Iraq. Quite honestly, we don't know what it's like in that country but I do know that the blur between religion and state is that it is in fact a real blur, that religious extremist groups do exist, and justice may be infrequent to see. I honestly think that as Americans, we want to see immediate results and gratification.. after all, our lives are centered around malls and the internet, all given to us on a silver platter that we don't even know exist. If we supported the decision to go into war initially, I think we should continue to support.

Personally, I hope that Iraq gets rebuilt. I know that it's going to take a long time though and there's no easy cookie-cutter answer to this situation. But, yeah... my 2 cents.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:01:25 GMT

so how was this week?
--------
my list of things to do during unemployment (a.k.a. job-searching) on a weekly basis:
1. study for the praxis/licensing exam - got through several pages of review
2. practice spanish - got through like 2-3 audio mini-lessons, si
3. engage in some sort of physical activity (i.e. jogging, swimming, biking) - lazy week
4. visit a museum or something cultural went to the international center of photography
5. intercede - not measurable b/c i can probably never do enough of this; practically though, started a prayer list
6. edit: read - finished 2 books ("persepolis" and "dive from clausen's pier" and started "the soul of politics by jim wallis)

on a side note, went to 2 interviews in brooklyn on the same day. brooklyn's so big! it's like another world. it took me over 2 hours to get to the first interview site (late by 30 min) and 1 hour to get to the 2nd interview site (within boro, mind you!! late by 1 hour to the interview)... at one point, i was dropped off by the bus to wait for the next one and looked at the map to see where i was b/c i felt strangely like a foreigner- bedford-stuyvesant. holler.

Monday, June 09, 2008

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:46:11 GMT

my list of things to do during unemployment (a.k.a. job-searching) on a weekly basis:
1. study for the praxis/licensing exam
2. practice spanish
3. engage in some sort of physical activity (i.e. jogging, swimming, biking)
4. visit a museum or something cultural
5. intercede

i thought that this list was somewhat practical and realistic to do each at least once every week. i'll be starting this plan this week so we shall see how it goes... i mean, the things to do on this list aren't the only things i'm going to do be doing each week, but i've found that a lot of time is passing by me in unproductivity and hang-time (which has been awesome btw so no complaints) so thought that this would be good for now. i'm also toying with the idea of traveling someplace by myself -not too far though- maybe like canada?

if you had a period of a chunk of free time (a.k.a. unemployment or mucho extended vacation time), what are some practical things you would wanna do?

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:53:06 GMT

Bleeding Love

I've been digging the song "Bleeding Love", a recent hit radio single, sung by Leona Lewis. I heard the song on Z100 and the lyrics, though a human love song, reminded me of the Christ's oh-so-persistent love for us displayed through His death... and how He keeps on bleeding love despite our failures. (Almost teared listening to this.) Just thought I'd share. Listen to it..it's quite catchy. ;)

Closed off from love
I didn't need the pain
Once or twice was enough
And it was all in vain
Time starts to pass
Before you know it you're frozen

But something happened
For the very first time with you
My heart melted into the ground
Found something true
And everyone's looking round
Thinking I'm going crazy

But I don't care what they say
I'm in love with you
They try to pull me away
But they don't know the truth
My heart's crippled by the vein
That I keep on closing
You cut me open and I

Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open

Trying hard not to hear
But they talk so loud
Their piercing sounds fill my ears
Try to fill me with doubt
Yet I know that the goal
Is to keep me from falling

But nothing's greater
Than the rush that comes with your embrace
And in this world of loneliness
I see your face
Yet everyone around me
Thinks that I'm going crazy, maybe, maybe

But I don't care what they say
I'm in love with you
They try to pull me away
But they don't know the truth
My heart's crippled by the vein
That I keep on closing
You cut me open and I

Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open

And it's draining all of me
Oh they find it hard to believe
I'll be wearing these scars
For everyone to see

I don't care what they say
I'm in love with you
They try to pull me away
But they don't know the truth
My heart's crippled by the vein
That I keep on closing
You cut me open and I

Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open and I

Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open and I
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Wed, 21 May 2008 10:52:05 GMT

the day has finally come...

I'M FINALLY GRADUATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(meaning no more deadlines, papers, quizzes, projects, 16 hour days, unpaid slave labor, tests, finals, paperwork, etc... holler!)

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Wed, 14 May 2008 20:18:54 GMT

let's dig the wells of this city... 'til the water flows.

i was introduced to this song (video below) when dave sang this song with the japan missions team at service. this is such an intercessory song for our city and for the cities of this world. i feel like so many of my xanga entries are about this but really, there is so much brokenness in this city, in whole communities. there is so much more to do.. so much more wells to dig. not just here in nyc but all over the world.

i came across the blog of the band who originally wrote this song and i liked what they wrote. here goes:

I'd love it if church started being more proactive, people getting their hands dirty. I'd love to have more opportunity to get my hands dirty. Still not sure what that looks like, if you know, do tell.

The song God of this City was written in a bar in Pattaya, Thailand. We went there as part of a missions trip to Thailand. Our expectations were none, we hadn't done this sort of thing before - I'd personally never been to Asia before that time. Did we have some 'heart' for Thailand prior to the trip? Not particularly! Sorry, no offence Thailand! We just hadn't experienced it.

The truth is, when you worship in a place, you start to see God's heart for a place. One of the most revelationary moments of my life to date has been playing a worship set in a strip club and hearing God say "I'm the God of this city". These people are oppressed and exploited, they're sold and forced to do the most derogatory acts - and in the midst of them God says 'I love these people'.

We look with our eyes and we see the wrong, but when we look beyond the situation and we see the true beauty and value in someone's existence, we see what God loves without condition. The things I've seen, I've been helpless to change - that's the truth, I am totally powerless to change anything by my own strength. In spite of all this - God, give me the opportunity to be part of the change, to resound your voice that says 'I love you, without clause or condition'. To renounce condemnation of the world and say that despite the dirt, despite your history, there is a new way - there is a banquet and you are invited.

That's my God.
-----

Sad to say, but I've grown accustomed to the idea of digging with a few faithful, sometimes even alone, when it comes to ministry to the poor or the marginalized. Where are the people who would not only talk about the issues of this world but will arise and get their hands dirty with the heart of Christ that beats with jealous love for whole communities of people-- mothers, brothers, fathers, sisters, children? How I long to see the day when the Church as a whole would unite and arise to dig the wells together-- how much of an impact we would make! There is SO much to do... SO many wells to dig. Let's DO this!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Tue, 13 May 2008 09:59:46 GMT

what's goin on with the world today mama?
(so many people dying.)

last week's cyclone in myanmar resulted in an estimated 62,000-100,000 deaths.
the earthquake in china yesterday resulted in an estimated 10,000 deaths with a many under the rubble.
a volcano in chile erupted last week, evacuating thousands.
the worldwide food shortage is still going on.

"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains... 28"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30I tell you the truth, this generation^[e] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." - Jesus quoted in Mark 13

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Sat, 03 May 2008 10:09:37 GMT

ok so i'm kinda calmed down from the last entry.
i think.

still frustrating but my supervisor told me really kind words and gave me a thank-you gift so i feel a little bit better.... hahaha.

anyways, so i cannot wait until everything is over. graduation is so close yet kinda far. just have to get over the hump of neuroscience final (it's an ONLINE final if anyone's good in neuroscience and wants to help me! haha-- i need to get at least an A- on the final since i didn't do so well on the paper....), finish up an independent study, apply for licensing and the national board test, and my last 2 days of mt sinai. and then.... it'll be over. and then i have to job-search, haha. but i'm glad i don't have to wake up at 6:45am every morning!!! holler!

btw, i really liked the movie 'juno'. i know that some christian circles are really promoting 'bella' as a movie of redemption and life but i feel that 'juno' may do a better job at it. it was really well-crafted and it was a story or redemption in a 16 year old girl's quest for perfection and redemption in a broken world.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:44:25 GMT

SO PEEVED!!!

i RARELY get angry... but like REALLY.

#1. one of the interns doesn't have a supervisor. she didn't since the 2nd week of our internship there since her supervisor left on maternity leave, leaving her to cover her supervisor by herself. her supervisor, upon leaving, didn't even say "bye" to her or leave a note or anything... she just left.

#2. we've been doing slave work this past month or two- running the speech department on our own while our supervisors gossip or talk on the phone or to each other or email.

#3. i was prescribed "bed rest" by the doctor. i told my supervisor and she didn't suggest that i take off or anything.

#4. one of the interns has jury duty next week and is moving back to long island. she still has to make up the days she missed, next week (supervisor told her to tell the jury duty people that she's a "student" so she can't)- the days that she missed because she had CLASSES.

#5. we're there 4 days a week (full-time) for over 3 months now with no spring break. whatever days we missed, we're expected to make up at the end of the semester. basically, no sick days.

#6. our supervisors have been gone for a total of more than 2 weeks each during the whole time we were there - a.k.a. we've received no supervision for weeks straight (which is a no-no according to national board).

#7. we're graduating soon and need to find jobs- no grace there! no days off to do this while we're taking classes and stuff.

anyways, just REALLY unfair and not ethical and not cool. but nothing can be done because they're my recommendation/reference. argh i hate hierarchy and this culture!!!!!!