Moving...

Well, I'm DONE with my degree (PARTY! *big smile*) so I figured I should "turn over the leaf" and start anew. I'm hoping to blog more (to help arrange my thoughts and continue to do some literary work) so I've created a new blog to go with my new Gmail account!!

www.var-cog-jum-zzz.blogspot.com

Yes, the blog is probably going to be as crazy as the URL link ;-) . I will explain the title, what I'm going to blog, blah blah blah, over there.

Oh and fyi, my pseudonym is Caravyn Jazmin - and yes, it does relate to my real name but just my middle initial :) .

Yesterday was the day I found out that I passed my last test. And yesterday, was also the day I received my CP! alumnus t-shirt!

Cool, isn't it? The back is a little more boring with "I am reinventing college" in Arial font.

Chopin Scherzo No. 1

Why do we keep complaining?

This past Sunday, our pastor shared an extremely touching and convicting video of a man who can look at life with a smile... even looking at a life - without limbs.

Life without Limbs

Here were my thoughts after I watched the movie:


Really, how can I go on in life saying, "Oh, I can't do this because I'm not capable,"? Why do I moan when something is too difficult? I've got both hands AND feet and I can't do some of the things Nick did. How many times have I "failed" to do something because I didn't even TRY it?  How many times have I been too proud to step out and do something for others or been just plain too lazy?  


What things could I have done better in my life?


It's only over when you stop.

~Victoria

SOOO EXCITED!!

WARNING: I'm so excited right now, my post is probably not going to make much sense, but if you get the gist of what I'm saying, you'll understand. :D So - please forgive my grammar, spelling, etc.

Guess what, guess what, guess what?!?!?!?  My mom was just talking with my aunt (her sister-in-law) and our cousin... and guess what?!?!?!?  They both accepted Christ as their SAVIOUR!!!! HALLELUJAH!!! :D :D :D (overdose of smileys here).

Annnd... now she's off the phone.  Basically - there's this (what I think is outdated and just plain stupid) system of, children only being able to get into good middle and high schools if the Dad has connections with school faculty.  Ummm... when was the last time people did that?  SO ANNOYING... Anyways - my Mom gave some testimonies on how God has been leading Alice and me through College exams and courses (never imagined God would use my schoolwork to bring children into His family :D ) and how Jesus could do the same for our cousin (named Lili).  Mother then went on to explain the Gospel completely (Jesus' death and resurrection, our confession and repentance of sins, etc.) and my aunt AND cousin were willing to accept!!!  Albeit, my aunt was somewhat doing it out a rather worldly motive (so her daughter can go to good schools), I mean, how many people do you know accepted Christ just because they didn't want to go to hell?  SO - this is a HUGE beginning!!!  Please pray that they can find a solidly-Bible-founded church that isn't controlled by the government and that we would also be able to help them in their walk with Christ.

Ok, I gotta go practice piano... I don't think I'll be able to concentrate :P  Thanks for reading my rambling... :D

~Victoria

Piano, Chocolate, and Snow pictures

Well - here's the video I said I would post with me practicing piano:

I did not even try to "perform." I played as though the camera were not there... so the wrong notes... er, yeah :P .

For Christmas... we got chocolate from Arizona friends whose Dad had just come back from Switzerland.  The chocolate just tastes Switzerland-ish... very rich with a unique flavor.  And the raisins surprisingly add a nice touch!  And most certainly - they wrap their chocolate more vivdly than Ghirardelli or Lindt. Here are some pictures:

(Sorry that a lot of pictures are not rotated... I uploaded without checking)

AND SNOW PICTURES from December 26th... the last snow of 2010.

Alice said that these birds might be migrating.  Rather late if ya ask me...

Yep - that's me with my flapping hood :P ...

Isn't this house just beautiful?!?!  There are no children to step around in the yard :( ...

Me sitting on the huge snowman part that Jane and I were working on.

The backyard early morning of the 27th...

Well... hope you enjoyed that... I should get back to my family :D

新年快樂!!!!

Cinnamon Dare

Well... I did the cinnamon dare 5 weeks later than I had planned with my CP! friend... and uploaded it onto YouTube, but just got the chance to blog about it :P .
Basically, you get to see me make faces I rarely make.  The cinnamon burned in the beginning and I'm positive it got into my nasal cavity since I duct-taped my mouth.  I will say, it's not NEARLY as bad as the hot sauce we have for dinner or lunch almost everyday, but few people I know can handle that hot sauce :mrgreen: .  The worst things were that it was rather bitter, very grainy, until you got enough saliva for it to stop burning your gums and the mass felt extremely like wet silly putty or extra firm jello or that glue mess you made in pre-school :P .
Anyways - here's the video: (I can't make myself to ask you to enjoy it, because I doubt you will...XP).


And for some reason the video cut, so I did an "ending as well".



Later I hope to upload videos of me playing piano (cause Lil' Es told me to :P ) and perhaps one of our new Taylor guitar, but that may not come until I get the nuts adjusted AND I learn to play the guitar chords without thinking 5 seconds between each chord :roll: ...

2 days, 7 hours, and 46 minutes before the new year!!  :D

~Victoria

12 Rules for Ministers by John Wesley

During winter break, our family is going through this spiritual warrior training thingamajig and the speaker brought up the 12 rules for ministers by John Wesley.  Now, I'm not what I would call a minister, but these rules are definitely applicable to all Christians.  What's really funny is why Wesley made the rules.  Firstly, to provoke other ministers to jealousy. Secondly, to supply the lack of service towards those who are perishing for lack of knowledge.  No wonder people of Wesley's time didn't like him!
Well anyways - here they are:

1. Be diligent. Never be unemployed. Never be triflingly employed. Never while away time, nor spend more time at any place than is strictly necessary.

2. Be serious. Let your motto be: "Holiness to the Lord". Avoid all lightness, jesting, and foolish talking.

3. Converse sparingly and cautiously with women, particularly young women.

4. Take no steps toward marriage without solemn prayer to God and consulting with your brethren.

5. Believe evil of no one unless fully proved; take heed you credit it. Put the best construction you can on everything. you know the judge is supposed to be on the prisoner's side.

6. Speak evil of no one, else your word, especially, would eat as doth a canker; keep your thoughts within your own breast till you come to the person concerned.

7. Tell everyone what you think wrong with him, lovingly and plainly, and as soon as may be else it will fester in your own heart. Make all hastes to cast the fire out of your bosom.

8. Do not affect the gentle man. A preacher of the gospel is a servant of all.

9. Be ashamed of nothing but sin; no not of cleaning your own shoes when necessary.

10. Be punctual. Do everything exactly at the time. And do not mend our rules, but keep them and that for conscience's sake.

11. You have nothing to do but to save souls. Therefore, spend and be spent in this work. And go always, not only to those who want you, but to those who want you most.

12. Act in all things, not according to your own will, but as a son in the Gospel, and in union with your brethren. As such, it is your part to employ your time as our rules direct; partly in preaching and visiting from house to house, partly in reading, meditation, and prayer. Above all, if you labor with us in the Lord's vineyard, it is needful you should do that part of the work which the Conference shall advise, at those times and places which they shall judge most for His glory.

"Observe, it is not your business to preach so many times, and to take care merely of this or that society, but to save as many souls as you can, to bring as many sinners as you possibly can to repentance, and, with all your power, to build them up in that holiness without which they cannot see the Lord. And remember, a Methodist preacher is to mind every point, great and small, in the Methodist disciplines. Therefore you will need all grace and sense you have, and to have all your wits about you."

Aren't these perfect for new year resolutions?

Note: I've got some things I've been meaning to post, but haven't gotten a chance to.  Hopefully before the new year, I'll post the necessary pictures and Youtube links ;-) .

But if I don't say it in time - Happy New Year everyone!! :D