40 Already?

No I did not turn 40.. that was years ago.. but Asian American Christian Fellowship (AACF) celebrates it's 40th year on campuses this year and NorCal celebrated in San Jose with a reunion of sorts.

This was the closest to a college-reunion I was going to get.

I have to share with you on how this organization affected not only my college life but it has left lasting impressions in me as an adult.

AACF is a student led ministry of JEMS (Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society). Currently there are 5 chapters of AACF throughout the NorCal area (UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Santa Cruz, SF State, and SJ State). Their goal is to reach the Asian American students in college campuses for Jesus.

Oh and they sure reached me!

I came to CAL as a newly turned 18 year old who could not wait to move out of my parent's house to experience FREEDOM! I was soooo ready to go off to college! I was so lucky to have a place (an apartment) all ready and waiting for me to move into in a nice quiet area of north Berkeley right off campus which I have dubbed... 'heart attack hill'.  If you have ever gone up to my apartment, you would know why I called it that.

My cousin Cheryl was a sophomore at CAL and also my roommate who helped me acclimate to college life. She was a true blessing since I am a follower and she a leader. So I just followed her and did whatever 'college' kids did (at least her college friends) in college. And that was to go get plugged into a Christian Fellowship.

Cheryl Jue (Worship Coordinator-UCB 1987-88) and Don Chin (Core Coordinator SJSU 1987-88) leading worship

Don & Cheryl Chin both emceeing this reunion event

I was what you called a 'baby' Christian. I asked Jesus in my heart when I was 12 when Cheryl shared the gospel to me but I never went to church nor really learned what it was like to have a relationship with Jesus.

AACF was the place where I literally 'grew up' and learned who I was in God's eyes. I had not truly experienced life with it's ups and downs until I was in college. I was a very sheltered introverted naive low-self-esteemed 18 year old. I learned how to cook; do laundry; and manage my meager allowance. I learned how to manage my time (in college you have so much 'free time' as compared to high school). I had my first relationship and my first heart break; attended my first dance; first sleepover that wasn't at a relatives' home;  pulled my first all nighter; a first going out to Denny's at 12am; and received my first F on my report card. Yep... lots of firsts.

It was here in AACF that I learned who true friends were and learned who God was and what He had planned for me. Gosh, the friends were good. Not those back stabbing drama queens you meet in high school. These gals were true sisters in every sense of the word. And the guys...were sweet, funny and kind. One of my first friends was Andre and he is still today like a big brother to me.

We had great leaders. Les Yee was AACF UCB's and SJSU's staff advisor for four out of the five years I was at CAL. A wonderful teacher, mentor and glue that held the many facets of our group together along with building inter-campus relationships especially between UCB and SJSU.

Les sharing about the history of AACF at the reunion

Les giving a message at one of our End-Of-The-Year banquets

Then came my discipler, Christine Tong, who took me under her wing and showed me how much God loved me and that He had incredible plans for me as His child. She built me up when I was so very down and loved me as if I was perfect in God's eyes.

Then there was Larry Jay, our staff adviser who replaced Les. Larry taught us as a team to use our spiritual gifts together for the greater good of the whole.

Larry and Christine made a great team

We were doubly blessed to also have Arlene and Shannon team up with Larry to guide our Core Group of Student Leaders. On top of spiritual guidance, Arlene 'tried' to teach me how to swim; Shannon helped me learn how to drive a stick-shift. Yes, they invested in us students.

Core Group (aka leaders of the 1988-1989 AACF at CAL): From the top L-R: Arlene (staff), Joy (co-small groups), Chika (bodylife), Bobbie (worship) and me (large group); Bottom L-R: Michael (co-small group), Daryl (evangelism), Shannon (staff), Mark (core and our fearless leader) and Larry (staff))

Through the five years at CAL I not only got a Bachelor's degree in the Social Sciences but I got the opportunity to learn how to find, develop and use the gifts God gave me to glorify His kingdom.

I learned that I am good in administration. I like to organize things, coordinate events, make lists and carry a clip board. Thus I was the Large Group Coordinator that oversaw all of our large group gatherings once a week. I also learned that investing in a person's life is key in helping to build them up. It's that 'pastoring/shepherding' gift of staying in touch with others, encouraging them, remembering what's going on in their lives.

Yes, I am not who I am today without the influence of the people in AACF.

So we had a reunion of sorts, to celebrate AACF's 40th year in ministry on college campuses. It was so good to see so many that I have not personally seen face-to-face in so many years. It has literally been 24 years since I have graduated from CAL. Almost a quarter of a century has passed but when I see these old friends, it felt like time stayed still and we easily reconnected as if no time had passed.

At the reunion, worship was lead by AACF alumni, Steve Kim (SJSU) with his wife Linda (SJSU), and Audrey Kwong (SJSU), Anthony Yuen (SJSU and current SJSU staff advisor) and David Fong (CAL and current UCB staff advisor).

Audrey, Anthony, Steve, Dave (hidden behind Steve) and Linda

Testimonies were shared of how AACF has impacted lives of former students.

Brian Wo shared the impact AACF had on his life

1987-88 Core Group: May (co-bodylife), Christine (discipleship/evangelism); Cheryl (worship); John (core); James (small groups); Brian (large group) and Sharon (co-bodylife)

Former AACF Director, Rich Hong, came and gave a message to encourage us about leaving a legacy behind for God.

Funny thing, Rich is now one of our pastors at FCC. It's such a blessing to really get to know him after just knowing him by name and title 'The big boss from down south who's coming up to NorCal'!

 We reconnected with old friends...

Cheryl, Teruo (1984-1988 AACF) and me

The three of us at NorCal Retreat April, 1986

And to former mentors...

Les & Christine Yee

Larry and me with Arlene & Brian Jue

...who's weddings were the firsts of many that I coordinated!

 Les & Christine will be celebrating 23 years of marriage

23 years for Arlene & Brian also

Christine was supposed to be one of my bridesmaids but she got pregnant and was due to deliver during the same time as my wedding! (What a reason to cop out of being in a wedding huh?) Well she had her #3 child, Brandon, just a few days before my wedding. But her #1 son, Jordan, was our ringbearer. He is now at Seattle Pacific University. Les and Christine currently have 6 children (3 boys and 3 girls) in all! Yes, they have been very busy during those 23 years!

AACF gave me much blessings: a firmer faith in God, true-long-lasting friendships and my husband! Yep.. I met Matthew there at AACF when he was a freshman and I was a senior. God placed me at the right place at the right time. He does that sometimes!

UCB Alumni: Mark, Larry, Matthew (AACF 1988-1992), me, Brian and Ed (Small Groups 1990-91)

I cannot say this enough... being in a Christian fellowship during your most 'independent' time in your young life (college) can be the most life changing experience you can ever have.

Those of you who are reading this post and were a part of AACF but were not at this event,  I wanted to let you know that you were sorely missed and your friendship is so treasured.

Old Haunts

After hunting for owls, we were really hungry. Birding can give you a big appetite and I was so excited to go back to our 'old haunts' of where we loved to go eat back in college.

I didn't have much money to spend to eat out. $5 for lunch seemed like a lot of money to spend to eat since I only was given $200/month for bills, food and extra curricular spending when I was at CAL. But if I had to choose to eat somewhere it would be Steve's Korean BBQ in the Durant Plaza.

It used to be located in a tiny hole in the wall where there would only be 4 tables for 2 and like 6 counter seats.

Now its located in a larger hole-in-the-wall in the Plaza.

Their BBQ chicken is to die for! 

Matthew got the short ribs.

Since we were on Durant we could not not get a polish from Top Dog.

Their prices sure increased since 1989... and I think the dog got smaller too!

It's still super crowded...and only one person working!

After lunch we gave the girls a quick tour of Sproul Plaza showing them where we would hang out or meet friends for lunch at the 'AACF table' or at the 'fountain' (which had water this time... I rarely see water in it.)

The campanile

I can't believe it's been 24 years since I graduated... sigh... time flies! But the campus looked pretty much the same. Some things never change!

Whoo? Where?

My friend Edmond told us of a great place to see burrowing owls this time of year. So of course we had to go there since Emily has never seen a burrowing owl in it's natural habitat.

We headed to the Cesar Chavez Park near the Berkeley Marina.

It took us awhile but we eventually found this little guy! Binoculars helped!

Emily found this beautiful blue heron just posing for us.

There were so many gopher holes with these gopher squirrels all over the place.

It was a very cold and windy day!

Also caught sight of this willet too!

Then we moved to the 2nd location near the soccer fields..

This little guy was super easy to find...

He just stood on the rock for all to come see and take pictures!

So thrilling to see them and Emily was very happy!

No Detention is Good

At the end of every trimester, KHA's middle school celebrates with a No-Detention Party. If you did not get a detention throughout the trimester, you get to attend. If you have, you have to stay at school and do a thick packet of work. Not so much fun.

As discipline, demerits are handed out to the students if they don't obey, are disrespectful, didn't do what the teacher told them to do... basically not good or inappropriate behavior. You can also get a demerit for breaking school rules such as out of dress code (school uniform) or being tardy. Four demerits equal to a detention. If you are late to school four days, that's a detention. Bottom line, don't be late to school. So if you have earned no detentions you can celebrate. Student Council decides on what they will do at a no-detention party.

The first trimester they went ice skating. This was Emily's second time skating so she was not a natural. But they did it and hopefully had fun!

Shawna and Emily ready to skate!

For awhile she stayed on the sides but eventually...

...she ventured out to the middle. So proud of her!

For the second trimester they went bowling. Emily has bowled before and got a strike on the first try without bummers!

Overall I think it's a nice treat for the kids to earn at the end of every trimester. For the last trimester I think it may be a swim party... we'll see if Emily gets to attend that one too!

Balut

On the flip side of my last post on yummy food, this one to me, is not yummy food. It's the furthest from anything edible to me. Of course that is only my opinion. My dear Filipino friends say that this is a delicious delicacy.

These eggs were given to us by our Buffet Club President who has been dying for Matthew to try them!

This is a balut.. a duck egg ... a fertilized duck embryo that is boiled and eaten.

From wikpedia, "The eggs are savored for their balance of textures and flavors; the broth surrounding the embryo is sipped from the egg before the shell is peeled, 

After boiling the egg for 15 minutes, Matthew cracks the egg open and proceeds to drink it's broth. He says it tastes like strong crab broth.

and the yolk and young chick inside can be eaten. 

Then he proceeds to crack it's shell to see what the egg looks like before he eats it..

All of the contents of the egg may be consumed, 

Apparently I was told he ate it the WRONG way.

Quack quack?

although the white may remain uneaten; depending on the age of the fertilized egg, the white may have an unappetizing cartilaginous toughness."

Funny thing is that the only part Matthew really ate was the 'white' which I was told was the part you discard. He usually eats the egg whites of chicken eggs so that was the first part he took a bite out of. Was tough and not too appetizing. Then he continues to take it apart.. basically he dissected it which I was also told that he was NOT supposed to do.

How you should eat balut is: Crack a small hole in the egg and then take a small spoon, some salt and pepper and scoop the contents out to eat. Do not take apart the egg and look at it. Seeing it is a no-no. I can understand why... I wouldn't eat it if I saw that! Would you?

CNY

To celebrate the Year of the Snake, we went out to dinner to eat yummy food at BK Bistro. The place was packed and was reservations only.

Emily with her grandparents and cousins. Not sure where Hannah went.

steamed shanghai style dumplings

dried scallop with yellow chive soup

roasted peking duck with buns

sauteed egg white with scallop over broccoli

steamed empress clam with bean thread in garlic sauce

sauteed pea sprouts

braised mushrooms with seasonal veggies

beef short ribs with honey pepper sauce

braised e-fu noodle with mushroom

I forgot to take pictures of three additional dishes: diced duck meat with lettuce wraps,  honey glazed walnut prawns and red bean soup for dessert. I was so busy eating that by the time I remembered to take a picture of the dish it was almost all gone! Everything was delicious!