Stuff That Matters in Life

On the practical side, the average income of a college graduate is higher than one who did not finish college.
I am sure there are studies done on this, but I will not bother to look them up. The earning differential between college and high school graduates probably varies over time, but no matter how you figure it, I am pretty certain that unless you are Bill Gates, you will earn more with a college degree than if you didn’t have one.

When you have to pay for rent, and car insurance, and food, and shoes, and movie tickets, and a new computer, and Starbucks, and, and, and…Money will suddenly seem important.

We took down our Christmas decorations, stripped the Christmas tree of ornaments, and housed everything back into the appropriate boxes. Back into the rafters they go until next year.

It feels even more final when Elliot packed up all his things and went back to school. My reservations about having him at home were gone as he really enjoyed being home with us. He worked on my website and taught me a bit more about working on it myself. Now back at school, he is on his own once again. Once again I release him to God, and trust that He will be Elliot’s shield and His Word will be lamp in his daily walk.
Amy goes back to school tomorrow too. She is dreading it. Not so much that school itself is bad, but just the lack of free time and being to do whatever she wants.

I, on the other hand, am so lucky I still have quite a bit of discretionary time. There is a lot for me to do, but at least my time is flexible. But I have a bad cold and/or allergies, my sinuses are congested, and I feel very tired.

It’s good to have responsibilities like school and work. It gives us somewhat of a purpose, and some short term goals to work towards. If it were vacation everyday, we would be undisciplined and basically be a bum! Yeah, I know, sounds pretty good …

For the first time in the history of the Lee’s, Mike and Elliot watched an entire football game on TV!

Growing up I watched some sports with my brother, but Mike and Elliot did not even know the basic rules of football. Since Elliot started school at USC, we occasionally watched a bit of the games.

The Rose Bowl, of course, was not to be missed. I was surprised, however, that they actually watched the entire game from beginning to end.

I hope this is not going to be a habit though. I don’t want to be a football widow. Perhaps the fact that USC lost to UT will discourage further interest.

After a week of deliciously sleeping in, I woke to the alarm at 6:20am to get Audrey for school.

Then I climbed back into bed and slept till 10am. But it was not a peaceful sleep. I had several very frustrating dreams, dreams that make you scream, yet in the dream you are voiceless.

I dreamt that my mother-in-law threw away the tamales that Theresa gave me for Christmas! I yelled, “Why did you throw them away? I only get those once a year!” I opened my mouth to scream, and cry. My frustration mounted as I couldn’t express the anguish in the dream.

Theresa, if you are reading this, it is the honest truth that I dreamt this!

You may laugh, but my tamales are serious business.

We just came back from dinner with several families of our church. Sharing a meal together brings people together in a special way. It is these times of sharing that I appreciate our church.

We go to a small church. Sometimes it seems like we take 2 steps forward and 3 steps back! Our church facility needs renovating and could use a touch of class. Activities are not coordinated well. Programs could be better organized.

But if you look beyond the machinery, turn your attention to the faces, you will see the heart and soul of a church family. Our children laughing and eating together. We help each other wherever there is a need. There is freedom here to be yourself, use your God-giving gifts, and contribute to the building up of eah another across generations.

There are many areas that could use improvement. That, I think, is just part of being a family.

2006!

What comes to mind when you think of the start of a New Year?

That’s right, new year resolutions.

Here are mine:

1. Be able to make a simple website and edit my KatyLee.com site.
I know I had said this before, but it wasn’t in the form of a new year resolution. Now that it is, perhaps it will help me to be more focused in my efforts.

2. Be more encouraging and positive with my words.
I think, I am not sure of this, perhaps someone can validate or correct me here, that Chinese tend to use shame and guilt to motivate. Growing up, I do not remember many encouraging words. Even now, the first thoughts that come to my mind when I see something are usually critical – how it could’ve been done better, what I don’t like about it, what I would rather have instead. Over the last couple of years, especially with children, I have intentionally held back the expression of those thoughts into words. This year, I would like to hear more positive words come out of my mouth. I do not mean flattery. I mean honest appreciation for people around me. Many good things in my life I take for granted. My resolution is to look for the positive, thus enjoying my life more.

I will start with just those two for now.

May God’s mercy and grace be with each of us.

The power of a side comment made to me:

When I was in my 20’s, I was at a friend’s house, finishing a glass of water. I was just about to rinse out the glass at the sink when my friend’s mother said, “I don’t understand why people rinse a glass without scrubbing the rim of the glass. Rinsing the inside of the glass doesn’t clean the dirtiest part where the lips touched the glass.”

Woa, how did she know I was just going to swish out the inside of the glass without scrubbing the rim?

From that day on, I always clean the rim with care.

My friend’s mother died recently. Yet, that side comment she made that day completely changed the way I wash dishes today.

OK, I know. The way I wash dishes is not close to finding the cure for cancer. Yet, it did change a lifelong habit in my life.

My point is, a small comment can be remembered and change someone’s life, in big or small ways. I am sure she had no idea I would remember it to this day, and that everytime I wash a glass, I think of her.

I wonder if I ever said anything that changed anyone? I hope it was positive.

You never know the power of your words.