iMAC

Finally after almost a decade we have retired Mary's laptop and our family has bought a new computer.  We got an iMac and you know what, I love it!  We just brought it home tonight and I think it is brilliant. (sorry just saw Love Actually again, Christmas tradition)  When I plugged in my canon digital camera into the iMac it quickly brought all my pictures into iPhoto, downloaded them, and asked me if I wanted to delete the originals from my camera.  

All of our photos look so vivid on the Mac and look how pretty it is.  =)  Christian was pretty excited about it too.

This Christmas I got to catch up with some old friends.  Last week we had dinner with Simon and Lisa at Hayes Street Grill in the city.  (It sucked, don't go there)  Then on Friday I hung out with my good friend Daniel who was in town for the holidays.  Seeing him again made me wish all the more he would move back.  

As the New Year approaches I guess I've been thinking about resolutions.  I usually don't make them but Mary shared this quote with me from John Ortberg and I've been contemplating on it a lot lately.  "You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life."  Doesn't it speak volumes? Another cool idea Mary had was to have one word be your theme for the new year.  My word for 2009 is PATIENCE.

Yea Baby!

We're having another boy!!! And his due date is on my birthday.

Little Drummer Boy

Christian has been obsessed with the drums for quite awhile now. I tried downloading him playing the drums at church but it took too long. Even at home he bangs on everything he can with a pair of chopsticks.



Oh yeah he's also taken up the guitar.

Terrible Tantrum

With my 3 week staycation behind me I am now fully re-immersed into work. It’s not that bad actually. I like my job.

I bought a real football and it has quickly become Christian’s favorite toy. It's so funny because it's almost half his size but still he carries it everywhere. He cried so hard this morning because he wanted to take it to daycare but I wouldn’t let him. Even when he throws a tantrum it still breaks my heart.

The other night he wanted me to get his shoes from outside but I kept saying no. But because he kept insisting I let him put his shoes on. Then he takes my hand and leads me to the garage door to our backyard. He wanted to kick the football around like we did that morning! Sadly I told him we couldn’t because it was dark and really cold outside and he’s sick. Man, he erupted in tears and when I took his shoes off again he grabbed me and raised the biggest tantrum. I think if he was big enough he would have attacked me.

Hopefully when he starts talking he becomes more reasonable. “Come Christian let us reason together, you can’t go outside because it is too cold, we don’t have a light outside and you are sick.” Yeah I don’t think he will buy it.

Christian really enjoys sports of all kinds. I am going to give him the early start that I never had by putting him in some children’s sports leagues. But I’m not gonna push him if he isn’t interested. Maybe he won’t be the next NFL starting quarterback or Major League pitcher, but a father can dream can’t he. Even if he doesn’t play in the college or even high school level, sports is something men keep with them for their entire life. We’re funny that way.

Staycation

I'm on staycation for the month of November. I have so many vacations days banked that if I don't start using them I will lose them. The best part is in December I get another two weeks for winter break. Yeah I know I suck.

I haven't been posting in awhile, not sure why.

Below are some pics from Halloween.

Above is Lucas, Christian's best friend.

Pictures of Christian from Kwong and Lauren's Wedding

King of Queens

My team sent me this today via email. Made me laugh. Nice of them I guess.



My mother in law *Arthur* is coming into town for a week to pick up the rest of her stuff. Thankfully she decided to live in Boston with Mary's sister. It's really difficult for me to love her. I'd rather pick her up and body slam her.

Yesterday our pastor said that we should try to love everyone in our church through God's eyes even if we don't particulary like them. I have a hard time with that distinction. I love to hate too much, like to focus on the negative.

I'm actually working really hard on changing this. One way I'm working on this is not to verbalize my negative thought on things and people. When you verbalize negative thoughts, you give them power and validity. You are basically reaffirming these negative thoughts that you had and giving them life. And these negative thoughts like to breed other negative thoughts. Great now I sound like Joel Osteen.

But I seriously need to change this behavior because I think it is slowly taking over me. I've become a hatemonger. I put a reminder in my Outlook every morning, it says this; Be positive. Negativity breeds. Nobody likes to be around a negative person. Always focus on the postives first! Yeah that's how serious I'm taking this.

I guess it's a lot better than looking at yourself every morning in the mirror and saying, "Nobody likes you. Everybody hates you. You're gonna lose." I actually don't say that. I stole that line from the Last Boyscout, a pretty good lesser known Bruce Willis movie co-starring Damon Wayans. But I totally know how that character felt.

*Arthur* What I nicknamed my mother in law in prior posts based on the character of "Arthur" the father in law in King of Queens.

Happy Anniversary!

Special shout out to my wife on our 3rd Anniversary. What can I say…other than you complete me (doh, j/k).

As corny as that overused clichéd Tom Cruise line is, it is very poignant. I wouldn’t want to do this thing called life without you. We are so different but I feel like we are each other’s perfect compliment because of our differences. So what you don’t know who Paul Newman was, I don’t know any of the Korean actors you talk about except for Jang Dong-Geon. =)

I remember when God brought us together that fateful day at the Talassa pool hall where you asked for my number. Then you were so excited to have my number you called me the very next day because you couldn’t wait the usual 2 day turn around time. The rest is history as they say. I know you remember the story a little differently, but I wanted to truth to be told accurately.

All joking aside, I am so thankful to God for you and Christian in my life everyday. Where would I be without you in my life? I would probably still be at the Talassa pool hall getting drunk with my friends.

Love you babe.

Uniquely Made

Today's QT was about the body of Christ. The main point is that God created us all differently for a unique purpose and each part is interdependent on the other. The author’s application was this; God has given each believer gifts that are to be exercised for the common good of the church (1 Cor. 12:7). But when some don’t pull their weight, others far less gifted in those areas must pitch in. Although the body of Christ continues to function, it is not functioning at its best. There are some overworked Christians around!

I was thinking this morning how people are so different. We often try to put our own thoughts, beliefs, and oughts onto others and when they don’t respond or react the way we think one ought to, then we get angry, discouraged, or hurt. People are so unique, shaped by their own unique, crazy, normal/un-normal experiences and no one person thinks exactly the same way about everything. I think we usually gravitate and make friends with or marry people who share unique experiences or thoughts, but even in those relationships you hit roadblocks. And it’s usually your commitment to each other as a friend or spouse that pulls you through.

I try to reach out in my personal life to different people and when they don’t respond the way I think they should, my usual reaction is to say, “Ok then forget you, I don’t need you”, or “Oh well I tried to get closer to so and so, but they didn’t want to, so I am not gonna try any more”, or even more extreme sometimes I just say, “F@*# 'em!”

But once again I am reminded that God has made every single person different. And the more I think about it, that’s a good thing. Imagine if every single person in the world thought and acted exactly the way I did, there would be a lot of messed up people walking around. We each have certain personality traits that are unique to us, that manifest themselves in different actions.

Some people are shy, but they are really good at bonding with one person intimately. Some people are outgoing, and they like to spread out their friendships. Some people like to take initiative and call people up, others like to wait around and be called and just follow. Some people are aggressive, yet passionate, others are meek, yet faithful. Some people like to talk a lot and say many frivolous things, others say few poignant words.

Every where you go, people are different. Even in a small church like ours we get a very eclectic mix of people. Not everyone will like each other, but that’s ok, not everyone has to. Sure enough somebody different will.

PDiddy's Ordination Service

Last Sunday was our pastor DeWayne's ordination service. This was the second ordination service that I've ever been to.

I was very honored to be asked to speak on behalf of the English ministry.












What I didn't expect was to be asked to lay hands on the pastor and pray before the congregation. It was quite comical actually. Dr. Wagner the pastor who led the ordination said, "Would all the ordained pastors...and Jin Choi please come up?"

Here I am laying the hands on the man.


















This is Dr. Wagner, he used to be the VP of the Southern Baptist Convention. He looks a lot like Charlton Heston.














Here are all the ordained pastors...and Jin Choi.














Pastor DeWayne Strange. I like to call him PDiddy. For some reason it stuck.













Pastor DeWayne invited his Farsi Church that he used to serve at to enjoy in the festivities. It was really awesome to be able to worship God together. It was pretty cool to have so many of our seats filled. Afterwards we ate together in celebration. It truly was a joyous time.

Oriental...Really?

I had professor of Literature and Language call me oriental today, the irony.

Her: What was your first name again?
Me: Jin, like the drink.
Her: Yeah, you have an oriental name…
Me: Asian
Her: Your last name is?
Me: Choi.
Her: So your family is from China?
Me: No Korea, but I was pretty much born and raised here.
Her: Yeah I just had a girl apply for a drama position of Korean ethnicity, her last name was Kim.
Me: Yeah that’s a pretty popular Korean last name.

I wasn’t angry or offended by the conversation, I just thought it was kind of funny her being a professor of Literature and Language and all. She did compliment my staff though, saying how it was better than the last one. But I was a part of the last one too.

Novaform Contour Pillow Review

I've been in the market for a new pillow for quite a while now because my 100 pound head just utterly destroys pillows. I have alway slept on 100% goose down pillows, and I was at Costco ready to purchase another 100% goose down that would eventually meet its demise from my huge noggin, when my wife suggested I buy the contour pillow.

WTH!? The contour pillow? The name of it doesn't even sound comfortable, now down on the other hand just sounds soft.

My friends know that I am a creature of habit. I always order the same thing at the same restaurants, I have tons of clothes but only wear a few go to outfits, and just generally in most things in my life I like routine and abhor change. So against my better judgment I buy this oddly shaped pillow that is supposed to have some type of space age memory foam.

Well you know what? I love it! It's really soft yet sturdy at the same time. Unlike down pillows which get all mishapen because of my huge head, the contour pillow stays firm. It provides really good neck support and yet feels very soft at first contact. Even when you sleep on your side, which I do half the time it still feels really awesome. It stays with you giving your head and neck support as you roll and unlike down pillows you don't have to shift around trying to find another sweet spot. I definitely recommend this funny shaped pillow.

Costco sells a two pack for ~$40. Mary is actually using the other one and even though her head is half the size of mine she loves it too!

Caught in the Act!

You can sum up my day with Christian like this, I pretty much follow him around saying no you can't have that, put it back, and appa joh. He must think I'm such a jerk.

Mam Ma

Christian is getting pretty good at feeding himself.

Feed My Sheep

In the book of John ,Jesus asks Peter 3 times if he loves him, and with each yes reply he tells Peter to feed my sheep/take care of my lambs. The writer of the QT passage I was reading today wrote,"Jesus did not ask Peter if he loved His sheep, but if he loved Him. Affection for God’s people in itself will not sustain us."

That is so true! When we try to do nice things for people or try to "love" people, how often does the response of others not meet our expectations? Almost always. Because we don't really do things out of the sheerness of our good heart, NO people want praise, a gold medal, or something.

There was this episode of Seinfeld where Jerry lets in a car into his lane and he waits for the thank you hand gesture, but he doesn't get it and so he gets furious and sticks his head out of the car window and yells, "I want my thank you wave!"

That's how people are. Even when I do something nice for my wife, I always want something in return, and if she doesn't respond the way I think is appropriate for the act that I did, then ultimately I get disappointed. Where's my thank you wave!?

I've known this truth all along in my head, but it just seems to make a lot more sense to me today. We love because he first loved us. If we do all things out of love for God we will never get disappointed.

Joshua son of Nun

I keep an ongoing list of my favorite quotes, bible verses, quiet time passages, and basically anything written that inspires me.

Today I added one about Joshua son of Nun. He was Moses’ aide, assistant and apprentice for 40 years. He was like a secretary, but he could kill you with his sword and probably his bare hands.

For 40 years he lived under the shadow of the great Moses. But he didn’t gripe and complain, instead he learned everything he could from this great man so that he could step up one day to be the leader of God’s people. Maybe he didn’t even have ambitions of leading the Israelites, but God was grooming him to step up one day.

I think I’m a pretty impatient person. If I want something I want it now. I’m like that with everything and work is no exception. I get impatient and feel like I am ready for the next step and want to move on to bigger and better things. But why not learn as much and everything that you can so that when you do move on to the next step you are not just mediocre, but great.

I think people rush into things too quickly these days. Gone are the days of apprenticeship where a young boy learns a trade from an experienced older craftsman in the hopes of one day replacing him. Of course modern times isn’t really suited for blacksmith apprentices, but patience is a virtue and God shapes and molds you everyday for the next step, and the funny part is you might not even know what the next step is.

Knocked Up Again

No it's not what you think, I was watching Knocked Up again this weekend for the second time. It was a so so movie in the theatre and I rarely enjoy movies in the theatre so I gave it another viewing in the comfort of my own home. Yeah it was a still a so so movie.

But it got me thinking about men and women. In this movie the main guy whatever his name is Ben I think, has to change his life around dramatically for this woman who was having his baby. Granted the guy was a loser and he really needed a swift kick in the ass, but he seemed really happy with his less than mediocre life.

Of course my thoughts redirected itself to me as it always does and I got to thinking about how much I've changed since I've started dating Mary, marrying/living with Mary, and eventually having a baby with Mary. I'd say I changed a lot. The guy I was back then and the guy I am now are so different. The haphazard lackadaisical guy in the movie hanging out with his friends kind of reminded me a little of myself when I was in my early twenties, well to be honest all guys in their early twenties.

Ok so finally the question I've been wanting to ask is this. Do men change more for women than the other way around? I'm going to go out on a male sided, egocentric limb and say yes we do.

Saturday In the Park/Random Pics

The family decided to go to the park last Saturday. Here's a pic of wifey and the boy looking ever so serious.















When I come home he always comes to me and then turns around so I can hold him like this.



















Here he is trying on my Tiger's hat.




















































































Finally!














Christian actually has a pretty good arm. I tried posting a video of him throwing a fastball and striking me out, but it took too long. That's his favorite game to play. He grabs his mommy and makes her stand up and hold the bat so he can pitch to her over and over and over again. He can literally do this all night. He gets so sweaty from running after the ball. I guess he gets that from me.

A pic of us at Tahoe last week. He absolutely loved the water. I think he threw a hundred rocks that day.













And lastly a random picture from bowling awhile ago.

What I've been Up To

Somebody smashed my driver’s side window last Friday. Mary and I took Friday off so we could drive up to the retreat early. When I awoke and peered out my kitchen window I noticed that my trunk was open. I was thinking damn they stole my subwoofer and new stereo. But when I got to the car the window was smashed but nothing was taken. Even my CD case was still here.

What has the world come to when people commit such senseless acts of vandalism. The police officer said they were probably on foot that’s why they didn’t take my sub. And my stereo is mounted in there so it almost impossible to steal. I am seriously going to start a vigilante justice group. The real life Justice League. But seriously our neighborhood has been the victim of a lot of home burglaries, car thefts, and vandalism. The police officer even told me that a family was held up by gun point in their own house. WTH!? This happened right before our way up to Lake Tahoe too. So I left my car with the broken window in my driveway the whole weekend.

The retreat was cool. I felt like I was stretched to love others more. I love to hate, so this will be a struggle for me. Interestingly the last couple of days QT’s were about love.

Romans 12
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves.

What is brotherly love and why does the Bible tell us to keep loving each other when it is so hard? I guess if I wasn’t a Christian I wouldn’t even think about loving people that I don’t care for. The Bible says love your enemies, but that’s not the problem. My problem is just loving the people I’m indifferent towards. Sometimes I think apathy is the worst feeling of all.

I think what it all boils down to is this; live in peace with your fellow neighbors. You can’t force people to like you, but don’t close yourself off to relationships with people that aren’t receptive to you. Don’t keep records of wrongs done unto you, basically let it go, don’t harbor resentment or anger in your heart. Be open with one another and be honest. And finally don’t shy yourself away from people you wouldn’t normally talk to or don’t like from first impressions. Get to know them, they might surprise you.

I saw Batman last night and I didn’t like it as much as everyone else. I think it was mostly because the theatre seats were so uncomfortable and the movie was pretty long. Plus this guy on my right asked me if I could eat with my left hand because I was elbowing him everytime I ate some popcorn. I didn’t even notice. I felt bad and apologized and I tried not to invade his space but that made it even more uncomfortable. He let me have the armrest, but I felt like I was still crowding him.

Anyway Heath was good, I have to admit. I don’t think they will continue with the Joker character because he was that good. The Two Face story didn’t develop enough and Maggie Gyllenhaal was horrible. I hate to say it but she looks too old and haggard to be a leading lady opposite Batman. Pick the one that doesn’t belong, Kim Basinger, Michelle Pfieffer, Nicole Kidman, Alicia Silverstone, Uma Thurman, Katie Holmes, Maggie Gyllenhaal. No brainer right?

I Love Goooold

This is my new car, there are many like it, but this one is mine. Actually it’s not new, it’s a used 2003 Acura TL, but still new to me. What can I say about my new/used car… I only paid $9250 for it. Sold my single guy convertible to get this more *ahem* mature family car?


People at work were making fun of me saying that I looked like an old man now driving this car. I think they were saying that mainly because it’s gold. It definitely was not my first choice in car color, but we got such a good deal on it we couldn’t pass it up. Really at $9250 it was $4-5 K cheaper then all the other ones we checked out.

There were some issues with it all minor, overall the engine’s good and we still saved a bundle. I originally wanted to get a silver type S for $14,000, but my more sensible wife talked me into getting this one. She says she didn’t, but she really did, she didn’t even have to say a word.

Many of you may be saying, “Wait I thought your car was a type S?” Well it’s not. I bought that Type S emblem from Acura and put it on there. Mary says that I’m a liar. Hahahahaha. I don’t care, it looks cool.


Thank God for my car guy. He saved me a bundle doing all the repair work. I think the best present Pastor Joe ever gave me was introducing me to him. He basically charges you wholesale for the parts and almost nothing for labor. Plus he lives like 2 minutes away from me. I owe him a nice dinner for sure.


Yeah boy, you likes that Navigation/CD/DVD player? It was my Father's Day/Birthday present from wifey.

Doesn't look like a grandfather car does it?

Go Ahead and Enjoy, He Really Wants You To

1 Timothy 6:17-18
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

On her blog the other day my wife posted these wonderful words of affirmation. "I love that you are so generous and you don't let your possessions possess you. "

I've never really been someone who puts too high a value on money and material possessions. I've never really been overly ambitious either.

I fault myself sometimes for not being ambitious. When my peers were in school at Cal, most of them had a plan, a track towards making lots of money. I won't say they were obsessed, but they were very diligent. Me, I forwent the money and wanted to make a difference and become a high school counselor. Even went to grad school for counseling but lost my way (I will save this story for another day).

What am I saying here, ah yes, though I have never put too much time and effort into the pursuit of money, God has blessed me richly. I have never been in want and in fact live in excess. Although I don't allow my possessions to control me, I do believe that there should be no guilt for Christians in enjoying the finer things in life. After all God has placed all things here on earth for our enjoyment.

You Won't Like Me When I'm Angry

Gonna go catch dinner and a movie with our Pastor, Strange. It's not strange in an unusual or bizarre way, that's his name, Strange. I told him he should get his PhD so he can be Dr. Strange like the Marvel character.

Speaking of Marvel characters, we are going to see The Incredible Hulk. I think if I were to be any Marvel character, I would probably be the Hulk. I think he really describes my persona well. I have this inner rage that I keep dormant and I tell myself that I've conquered all of my demons, but they resurface every once in awhile. It's not very pretty when they do.

I originally wanted to see Iron Man but alas he saw it already. Mary and I never see movies anymore. The last movie I saw in the theatre was...Eastern Promises? Jimmy told me about a drive-in in Concord that he and his wife and baby daughter go to. He says they pull in reverse style and just camp in the back of their SUV and watch two double features. Sounds fun, maybe I'll try, although our cars might be too small.

Gone Fishin'

Went fishing at Bodega Bay this weekend with my bro Rich. Rich and I are the same age but don't I look like his father in this picture? Anyways it was good to catch up. Rich is the closest thing I have to a brother. We were roommates for 7 years!

We fished for 6 hours but we didn't catch any fish. We did however catch 4 crabs. Next time gotta bring the crab net.





The aftermath. Cooked these bad boys up. The meat was actually very tasty but they were a bit on the small side.

This is Christian's very first picture. Not bad eh Jonathan?


One of his more artistic shots.

Yeah baby!

What are we looking at?