Just my thoughts. Nothing more, nothing less. Take of it however you please. Just know I have no real expectations, so don't be surprised if I'm surprised.

Recently I happened to find out that one of my friends was upset with the role (or lack thereof) of Christians in the events in memory of the tragedies that occurred on September 11th. To my understanding, it was a cry of frustration and anger in how Christians could sit back and act as if nothing had happened, as they carried on in their own lives. What this implied was a basic disregard for the memory and honor of those who died on that day, as well as a blatant act of disobedience towards Jesus’ command to be the light of the world. How could we be the light of the world if we couldn’t even light a candle?

As someone who chose to workout at the gym, as opposed to going out to the vigil held on campus, I feel there is somewhat of a responsibility in a sense to explain my actions, and give my own personal opinion of the matter. After all, freedom of speech right?

People have many different ways of dealing with these tragedies. Just by observing the news, it’s obvious that different people of all different backgrounds have found different ways for remembering those who died on 9/11. Some choose to be with family, friends, and loved ones, just to be with one another in an act of appreciation and examination of what we hold dear, and what can so easily be taken away as evident one year ago. Some choose to be by themselves, using solitude as a mechanism of effectively reminiscing over all the emotions swirling around them. Some pray. Some close their eyes. Some laugh and attempt to enjoy themselves. Some cry. Some cannot help but cry. Whatever the method, people have different ways of going about remembering the loss of those innocent lives on that day. To criticize one act of remembrance, is at the very least, a bit misguided. Are we to criticize someone for not coming out to a public display of memory, if he or she chooses at another time, to pray and cry on his her own time? Is someone who decides to do his homework instead of going to a vigil, any worse than someone who was in class during the moment of silence at noon?

As for myself, I made an active decision not to go to the vigil. Was it something I was adamantly opposed to attending? Not in any way. I just felt that for myself, I don’t think I could have as respectfully remembered those lives at that time, than if I had decided to remember those lives in my own way, on my own time. Could going to the gym as opposed to a candlelight vigil be considered disrespectful? Perhaps. But to consider that action in that light, would be to disregard any other possible reasons for that course of action.

Food for thought. Is someone who chooses not to go to the vigil, and remember on his or her own time worse than someone who goes to the vigil and cares absolutely nothing of it?

In regards to these courses of actions reflecting the flaws of the “Christian community,” granted there are some valid points. Christians do have the tendency to hide in the shadows of numerous other problems, feeling that these problems are too big and that God wouldn’t be appropriate for the time or place. Christians are faulted for forgetting that their own lives are but pieces to a larger plan by God, and to act in ignorance of societal and global problems is to act in fear, shame, and deserving guilt. But often, in the process of attempting to generalize these faults, we often forget possible justified and viable reasons for these seemingly shamefully ignorant Christian actions. Furthermore, to pinpoint a group of faults, and categorize them, simply because they are disagreeable in one person’s mind, is to in itself be ignorant of countless other problems.

Don’t like the lack of action Christians took on the one year anniversary of 9/11? Then you should be bothered by the fact that child prostitution is rampant all over the world, and that millions of Christians aren’t doing anything about it. Friends and families of Christians are living and losing their lives everyday without knowing Jesus. And a lot of Christians aren’t doing anything about it. Tyrannical forces are oppressing and starving millions of it’s subjects, and guess what, many Christians aren’t doing anything about it. Want to say that there is something wrong with Christians? Tell us something we already don’t know. But to look at human inadequacies, and call them faults of a Christian community is misguided. We’re human. It sounds like a cop-out answer, but it’s true. God has reminded us of this since the beginning of time, and we’re constantly forgetting. To attempt to find faults with Christians is no hard task. But the more important question is where you go with it.

Our purpose in life is to know and have a relationship with God, thereby choosing to glorify Him. We live our lives hoping to attempt to bring glory to God, however small, however pitiful, or however magnificent it may be. We’re not always going to be able to. God knows that. And sometimes we’ll get sidetracked with our own lives. God knows that. But that’s why we walk our lives with Him, because we know He’s a faithful, patient, and forgiving source of light and love, making sure we shine until the end and after.

-Phil

I've been having a pretty good day thus far.

It was a pretty bad start as I woke up and was five minutes late to my soc discussion. I hope she doesn't take points off my section grade for that.

In Drama, we played a simple game that we've been playing for the last week or so. It's called Please/No, and is pretty simple. Two people sit in chairs across from each other, and one person only says "please" and the other person can only say either "No" or "okay." It is the "please person"'s responsibility to try and get the other person to say "okay." The other person only responds in "No," unless he or she really feels the situation or the person is really deserving of an "okay." Simple right? It's a lot more complicated than you think. No moving around. Hands at your side. Most importantly, you're not being asked to act. You just use those words. Up until today I could not understand how in the hell this game was important. But today it just happened to strike. I'm beginning to understand it. There are too many things to try and explain about the game, but all I can really say is that the game is one of the most brilliant exercises I have ever witnessed or experienced. Without going too much in depth into it, all I can say is that it's the first step into real naturalistic acting. You're placed in a situation in which you're not being asked to "act" per se. Because when peple try to dramaticize it and act it out, you find that it looks like crap. But when you just use those words, and go on long enough, you realize you create something. You create a scenario in the minds of yourself and the audience, you generate emotions that are REAL, but placed within this imaginary world. Any anger or tension or happiness isn't a personal act at all, yet it's the most real and intricately precise mode of acting the majority of the people in the class has seen. And the amazing part is that these people aren't "trying" to act.

Once again there's so much more to it (I was the only person in the class furiously scribbling away in my notebook because I didn't want to forget a single observation), but yes, all in all, some amazing stuff.

Today on Sproul at Noon, there was a moment of silence in memory for all those who lost their lives on 9/11. It took a while for there to true silence, but eventually it came, and it was almost eerie seeing how quiet it had become with the exception of the sound of the fountain. To be honest, it was the emotional I had felt ever in terms of recollecting 9.11. I think it was because I had never allowed myself to really think about the effects and implications of that tragic day.

One thing that really pissed me off when a guy was walking around holding up a sign that said something along the lines of "WTC 3000. I'm mourning the deaths of 3000 Iraqi children." While I'm not criticizing his views at all, I was pissed about the action he took to express them. I felt like, "For once in your life can you please not politicize this event??!" I mean five freakin minutes. Those few moments of silence weren't about rights and wrongs. They weren't about politics or American bombing tactics. They weren't about whether or not you agreed with the attacks or felt they were justified. Those moments weren't about patriotism or anti-americanism. It was a simple moment of silence in memory for those innocent lives which were taken away, and to remember those who gave up their lives protecting others. But to say anything to that person at that time would be hypocritical.

Anyway, Diana and Henna are here. I must attend to them. Hehe...

-Phil

Here's a quiz I took to entertain you guys. It was done over a period of a day and at some points I was incredibly tired, so I really don't know what I wrote, or if it was THAT honest or funny for that matter. Whatevers.

Starting time: 7:34 PM 9/07 (Will probably finish this over the length of a few hours)
Your name: Phil
Do you like it?: Eh, I could have thought of a few betters ones, but I’m so used to it that I can’t really complain.
Nicknames: Nho, Soondoongeeh, Phildo :O!
Age: 18 (still…)
Birthday: 11/6/83
Birthplace: San Fran, CA
Sign: Scorpio
Location: Berkeley, CA
School: UC Berkeley. GO BEARS!!!
Screen Name: SoonDoongEeh (Please only IM me if you’re cool. Thanks!)
Eyes: Two. Hahah okie no dumb remarks like that. I assume the color of my eyes are being asked, in that case, brown.
Natural hair color: Black.
Current hair color: See above.
Height: 5' 8"
Shoe size: Varies depending on the show. Anywhere from 9-11.
Pets: My brother Kevin, age 16.
Siblings and ages: See above.
Been so drunk you passed out: Nope. I’ve never even been buzzed before. It makes me wonder….
Gone out in your pajamas: I don’t really have pajamas. I usually sleep in shorts and t-shirt or tank top or something.
Missed school because it was raining: Heck no!!! Miss school!?!!?! Jigga what???
Set any part of your body on fire for amusement: No….
Kept a secret from everyone: I’m pretty sure I have, but I’m sure which secret.
Wanted to hook up with a friend: (The part of the quiz everyone seems to have the trickiest time with) I’ll be honest, yeh sure I have. Now all my friends are wondering…..heheheh
Cried during a movie: Never actually. Kinda sucks. I hear chicks that sensitive kinda junk in a guy. What can I say?
Had a crush on a teacher: No freaking way. If you’ve seen some of my teachers you can understand why. Ms. Bradley? Mrs. Juarez? Mr. Aladeen???
Planned your week based on the TV Guide: Nope can’t say I’ve had the pleasure of doing that.
Been on stage: Yup, the stage of life!
Used Herbal Essences Shampoo: Sure. Stuff smells darn good. Doesn’t make me go all crazy like in those commercials, but I do feel pretty after using it.
Favorite colors: Blue and silver. (Random side note: Hear those were Columbine High School colors)
Day or night: Depends, but on the whole I guess you can call me a night person.
Summer or winter: Ergh…tough call. Last year I would have said winter all the way, but summer has it perks. Warm laziness, or chilly frantic fun? Ummm…I plead the 5th. No clue.
Satin or lace: Uh….satin just sounds sexier. Yeh baby.
Favorite cartoon characters: Calvin and Hobbes, Vegita, and countless other characters I’ve fallen in love with watching Anime movies.
Do you like anyone: Bleh…I don’t think so anymore. Bleh.
Friend you have known the longest: Bbin 2x fo shizzle. We balled with each other when we were two!
Loudest friend: Dishonor would go to either Fil Wu or Ms. Vivian Hua. Can you imagine if they had kids??? Craziness.
Who's the most shy: Tricky one again, because when I think of shy I think quiet which isn’t always the case. Then you also have, shy around new people or just shy in general? Because if you’re shy in general that means you can’t really hold a conversation with them. I dunno really.
Who do you go to for advice: Different people for different things. Friends on and off. But the most consistent and best source would be God.
Closest friends: Ahhh I'm not gonna name names. If you are one of my closest friends, you'd know.

IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS HAVE YOU:
Cried: Nope. Not much of a cryer anymore.
Cut your hair: Yup my roommate Korey cut it. It’s like a long version of his hair on my oddly shaped head. Try and imagine that.
Worn a skirt: No, but if you count…
Met someone new: Tons. Stinkin’ freshman.
Missed someone: Of course.
Hugged someone: Everyday. I’m a hugger.
Fought with your parents: No we like this *crosses fingers*
Wished upon a star: Nope, can’t see the stars in Berkeley. Lighting and pollution and what not.
Laughed until you cried: No, but I do laugh awfully hard at some points.
Played Truth or Dare: No way. That is so…middle school.
Watched a sunrise, or sunset: No, but I should. Chicks dig that romantic artsy fartsy stuff.
Spent quality time alone: Any time with me is quality. On the john, when I’m eating, heck even when I’m sleeping.
Ate rocks: …NO.
Are you lonely: In what context? For friends? For a social life? Spiritual loneliness? Love? In most senses, I think I’m good. Content. Good to go for now. But in any situation you have to wonder just a little.
Are you happy: I’d say generally content.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:
God and the Devil: Yessir.
Love: Yuppers.
The closet monster: At my old apartment I did. My clothes started smelling like crap and some items started turning moldy.
Yourself: Hmmm…had to think there….generally I do. There’s a difference between believing in yourself and being in denial. That’s why I KNOW I can’t do certain things, but as a person I have the upmost faith myself and in my abilities and talents given to me.
Superstitions: Not really. Just don’t ask me to say bloody mary to a mirror in a dark room by myself.
What is your full name: Philip Soon Nho. (There you go! My middle name!)
Who named you: Well my parents did. But I heard it was a suggestion from my mom’s friend. The first thing I was called though when I popped out was “banana head” by the nurse.
What color pants are you wearing?: A nice looking blue.
Song playing right now: Lifehouse “Breathing” Lifehouse rules it brahs.
What is your computer desk made of: Wood.
What is your favourite number: 145. It’s a dirty joke. Ask me and maybe I’ll tell ya. Wouldn’t wanna corrupt your virgin ears.
What was the last thing you ate: In N Out!!! Be jealous. C’mon.
Where do you want to go on your honeymoon: I dunno, either the typical tropical island place where the sand is like white powder and the water is crystal clear, and it’s sunny and warm all the time…or New Zealand. Ever seen Lord of the Rings? Place looks gorgeous!
Weather right now: A little chilly. But it’s night so yknow.
What did you do last night: Went to large group and played xbox games.
What do you first notice about the opposite sex: Well face is the first. Maybe that’s too general. I know for sure that clothes, body, and all that aren’t the very first things I notice. It’s hard to say what about the face. If I had to key in on one feature, it’d be a toss up between eyes and her smile.
How are you today: Alright I guess.
How do you eat an Oreo: Dunk it in milk for 3.4 seconds and stuff it in my mouth, and wash it down with milk.
Dream car: Was never really a car guy, but I remember that when I was a kid I love the Jaguar XJ220 for some reason.
Favorite food: Ahhh too tough to say really. Korean bbq? A nice steak dinner? Ergh….to hard.
Favorite day/month of the year: Friday/December
Favorite guys and girls cologne: I dunno….
Do you sleep with a stuffed animal: Nope.
Strange habit or weird thing you do: I’ve been told that when I talk to people I usually I put my hand to my face in some way or another.
Have you ever been in love: Only with Jesus.
What is the stupidest thing you have ever done: Too many to name. Getting hit by a car on 2 different occasions? Accidentally spilling the beans? Unintentionally scissor kicking a teammate in beach soccer?
What will your first son’s name be: We could go through all the joke names. Poor. Yes. Hell. Yeh yeh….but I really like the names Ethan and Paul.
What will your first daughter’s name be: I dunno, but I kinda like something along the lines of Lina. Or maybe that sounds ugly. I remember it sounding really good at one point in time.
Do you like scary or happy movies better: Happy movies rule.
On the phone or in person: In person baby. Why hide behind lines?
Like or love: Confused….ummm love is good? I dunno what’s being asked really.
Do you consider cheerleading a sport: I could try and defend this and everything, but I’ll just say no.
Favorite body part of the opposite sex: Their heart. Cheesy but time and time again we realize the importance of this part.

RANDOMNESS
[ Favorites ]
Song: Too many again. Jimmy Eat World “Praise Chorus” Lifehouse “Somewhere in Between”
Movie: Jurassic Park. Fight Club. The Usual Suspects. Dumb and Dumber. My Sassy Girl. Tee hee….
Band: Must be divided by genres. You guess the genre: Jimmy Eat World, Lifehouse, Green Day, Linkin Park
Class: I dunno….We the People in High School was cool. So was frosh Honors English. History 7B here at Berkeley over the summer.
Teacher(s): Never fallen in love with a teacher yet.
Drink: Alcoholic or non? Iono, for either, Sobes are nice. Sex on the Beach was really good. Water is an all time classic.
Veggie: Potatoes rule it. Brocolli, carrots, and tomatoes are money too.
TV Show: Out of tradition, WWE programming.
Radio Station: Don’t listen to radio much anymore. 105.3?
Store: Hate shopping with passion, so I’ll say Safeway.
Word: MONEY.
Animal: Tigers are pretty sweet.
Flower: White roses. Orchids are money as well.

[ This Or That ]
Me/You: You!
Day/night: I thought I answered this. Uh night?
Aol/aim: AIM. AOL stinks.
Cd/cassette: CD. You don’t have to sit there winding it up with a pencil.
Dvd/vhs: I don’t have a DVD player, but DVD’s are still pretty money.
Jeans/khakis: Eesh, tough one….I’ll have to go with jeans though.
Car/truck: Cars def.
Tall/short: For me or what I like? Confused here….tall?
Lunch/dinner: Hmm, lunch seems like a relaxed, comfortable, cheery, sunny kind of thing, while when I think of dinner I think of romantic, suave, fancy shmancy money nights. As for just the food itself, dinner portions are bigger so I’ll go with that.

[ The Past ]
Last thing you heard: Base bumping from neighbor’s pad.
Last thing you saw: This monitor.
Last thing you said: Oh well.
Who is the last person you saw?: My roommate Kwan.
Who is the last person you kissed?: My mom.
Who is the last person you hugged?: I think it may have been Mr. Phil Sharp. He looked like he needed a hug.
Who is the last person you fought with?: I’m not a fighter.
What is the last song you heard?: Evan and Jaron “Crazy for this Girl”

[ The Present ]
What are you wearing?: Shorts and an old summer swim team t-shirt.
What are you doing?: Taking this quiz and avoiding reading.
Who are you talking to?: No one at the moment.
What song are you listening to?: New Found Glory – “My Friends Over You”
Where are you?: In my apartment at UC Berkeley.
Who are you with?: Me, myself, and I. Well Kwan and Elvin are next door.

[ Future ]
What day is it tomorrow?: Monday….ughh…
What are you going to do after this?: Read. I swear.
Who are you going to talk to?: Whoever talks to me first.
Where are you going to go?: Probably here. This quiz is awfully nosey.
How old will you be when you graduate?: 21 I hope.
What do you wanna be?: Hahahah you tell me.
What is one of your dreams?: To Fly!!
Where will you be in 25 years?: Who knows except God.

[ Have You Ever ]
Drank?: Yes
Smoked?: Nope
Stolen?: Yeh, but nothing that big. I think it was a packet of cream cheese in the lunch line once. Oh actually once I got really pissed at some deli lady at Albertson’s, so as an act of defiance I walked out with 8 sandwiches without paying for ‘em. :O Scandalous.
Done anything illegal?: Of course
Wanted to die?: Nope.
Hit someone?: Why I oughtta…

[ Other ]
Do you write in cursive or print?: Both. I write a hybrid sort of both, which would be called Pursive or Crint.
Are you a lefty or a righty?: Right hand man, man.
What piercings do you have?: None. Not a piercing kind of guy.
Do you drive?: Yes and with style may I add.
Do you have glasses or braces?: Had both, only contacts now
Did you like this survey?: Could be better but it’s alrite.

[ Fashion ]
Do you wear a watch? Nope
How many coats and jackets do you own?: I dunno if I have any coats. Oh maybe the dress kind. As for jackets, only a few.
Favorite pants/skirt color?: Umm jeans are pretty money. Khakis are money too.
Most expensive item of clothing: I really don’t know. Maybe my leather jacket?
Most treasured?: My underwear, so handy.

Ending Time: 7:41 PM 9/08