Relevant for the Week

These lines randomly came to me while I was traipsing across the numerous puddles on campus, sans umbrella.

Hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on me
Hallelujah, all my stains are washed away, washed away

Amazing Grace will probably always be on my top 3 favorites list. Old-school hymns ftw.

Sunflower Seeds

First off, props to JGao on the new photo. Even though it took way longer than it should have.

During last finals week, I was up late studying and instead of energy drinks or coffee, I had a bag of salty sunflower seeds. They became addicting, and the salt somehow pruned my fingers, while my tongue shriveled up. Whether it was the sodium levels, or the mechanical flow of the crack, flick, and crunch, I didn't get tired at all staying up super late studying for boring topics.
- - -
Instead of life is like a box of chocolates... Girls are like a bag of sunflower seeds, you never know what you're going to get.
On the exterior, for the most part, all girls are the same. Decently friendly, dressed nice, incapable of farting. All the seeds are salty, crisp, and gray. But when you go a bit deeper...

- The plain jacked up
The few that are cracked with scarred holes in the shell, half the seed has disappeared, and you have no idea how a sunflower seed can even taste like this. Sometimes, they manage to be still normal tasting. Other times... well. Approach these at your own risk.

- The run of the mill
On the interior, the majority of the seeds are ok, about what you expect. Decently courteous, can hold conversation for awhile. Pleasant, nothing to object about.

- The naked
There are a few random ones without shells, and at first your eyes light up because hey, no work needs to be done. An easy treat. But then you realize the flavoring is a bit weird and its been over saturrated and exposed. I mean, anyone can just come along and eat these seeds without shells and not do any work for them. This is probably also why this variety is more expensive (by the bag).

- The blindsiding rotten.
The type that seems fine on the outside, just like your run of the mill sunflower seed, but on the inside is for some reason, rotten. These are the nastiest things ever. A sour taste takes over your mouth, and you wish you never would have even started eating these blasted unreliable excuses for snacks.

- The cream of the crop, diamond in the rough.
It tastes as if it has been slowly roasted and bursts with richness. The flavor to size ratio is out of this world. But there is absolutely nothing on the outside that gives away what lies inside.

(if you're reading this, you are probably in the last category :)

What a Decade...

I regret to say that my last few minutes of the decade were spent asleep somewhere in the middle of no where, past Barstow but not quite into civilization yet.

However. I would just like to say that the decade largely defining my childhood was largely, un-freakin-believable. I have been incredibly blessed in so many aspects, graced in so many ways, and the health of my family has been kept so in tact... thank God so, so much, for all this. His greatness really cannot be expressed in these mere putterings.

Without further ado, the bests of 2009, because the entire decade would take too long (and since it would pretty much be 85% of the best of my entire life).

Music Added/Discovered - for the memories and for the musical goodness
- Africa, Straight No Chaser
- Phil Wickham Album (Self-Titled)
- On the Wing, Owl City
- Hosanna, Hillsong
- It's So Hard to Say Goodbye, Boyz II Men
- Come on Eileen, Dexys Midnight Riders
- Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
- Brick, Ben Folds
- The Crane Wife Album, The Decemberists
- The Fray Album (Self-Titled)
- Sing, Sing, Sing - Chris Tomlin
- (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You to To, Weezer
- For Good, Wicked
- Magic Perfume, Charlyne Yi
- Burndt Jamb, Weezer
- Forget and Not Slow Down Album, Relient K
- Heaven & Earth Album, Phil Wickham
- She Drives Me Crazy, Fine Young Cannibals
- Hello Hurricane Album, Switchfoot
- Amazing Grace, Sufjan Stevens

Sports, for the epicness and the memories
10. The greatness that was Pujols, Carpenter, and Wainwright
9. NLDS Game 2... The Holliday drop game
8. John Smoltz debuts with Cards by striking out 7 straight Pads
7. UCI Baseball 5, UCLA 4 (10 Innings)
6. UCI 84, LMU 78 @ LMU with EJ and Pappy
5. Mizzou Elite 8 Appearance
4. UCI Men's Volleyball National Champs
3. Hoai's Game saving catch in summer softball
2. Welcome Week Dodgeball Champs
1. Spring Softball, 0-4 reg season, 4-0 Playoff Champs

The People I have gotten to known better. And to prove that I don't like drinks more than eating.
- Ms. Black tea with milk and 12 pumps of classic & panda express
- Mr. 85 degrees milk tea & Watermelon
- Ms. Gingerbread latte & Ice chips
- Mr. Wine & Carrot Quesadillas
- Ms. Bottled thai tea & Massive pot of chili
- Mr. Ju hua cha & Bao Ze
- Ms. Candy Cane Hot Cocoa & Chicken Pesto Pasta
- Mr. Apple Juice Chugger & Buttered Chicken
- Ms. Bon Epi Tea & Crazy Homemade Cakes
- Mr. Arizona Ice Tea & Weinerschnitz chili cheese burgers
- Ms. Coffee Bean & BJ's alcoholic drinks
- Mr. Hawaiian Punch & Minato sushi