Thursday, April 23, 2009

Random Thoughts

1. "Scream It!" - I picked up the martial art of Hapkido recently. A Korean martial art, its an eclectic style that combines kicks and short range attacks with a lot of defensive locks and throws to disable your opponent. Its only my third week, but the workout is intense but very invigorating. One of my favorite parts of the art is the guttural scream that you are supposed to do before a kick, a roll, a stance, or a punch.

"Yah!" "Aigh!" I scream and attempt a kick...and barely pass muster. But, the release is good and gets alot of energy out of your system and towards your opponent and barrier. I was watching one of my favorite basketball players in the NBA, Carlos Boozer, and I love it how he just roars when he gets a basket while getting fouled. He yells in success while slapping a teammates hand...invigorating.

Screaming, not in anger, I believe is great for letting out energy. You don't have to be the Karate Kid, but yelling like Carlos Boozer when you get the job done or trying to kick has its uses.

2. Teaching - its cool. The kids are getting more stressed as mid-terms near, but I try to give these test taking robots some relief with my class, because learning should be fun and more experience driven. This year's freshmen class is a bit different from last year's class; they're a bit more laid-back and more active (an oxymoronic statement), so classes, thanks to our Lord, have been more smoother this year.

3. The Weather - its been up and down. Two weeks ago it was warm and the cherry blossoms were out in full bloom. This week has has been frigid and windy. Well, that beats when the humidity turns up to 90% and I'm sweating enough salt to supply Mickey D's for the week.

4. Trip to China - I'm headed to China for the first time in my life, and I'm kinda excited to take it to the Middle Kingdom and experience the culture there. We'll see what Shanghai has to offer. Three day road trip starting next Saturday.

5. 9th Wonder - the name of this hip-hop producer who takes old samples and just absolutely kills it with some wonderful snares and melodies. Just how hip-hop should be. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2OtuN-JkbQ&feature=related.

6. Rice and kimchi - Korean food is a miracle food. Good for my mind and body, keeps me invigorated throughout the day.

7. In the midst of troubles, I can be a light.
Economic pains, seasonal rains in the midst of life,
A little girl's father lost her job,
While people running amuck, savings lost,
They just got robbed,
While ouncing to make a living,
I sit here pondering what I could be giving,
My money, my time, my talents, my skills,
I sit selfishly trying to pay my own bills,
It kills me to see a fake world gone wrong,
A little girl sits her in chair, her face so long,
Hope living in me, shine forth Holy Spirit,
If you ain't living the life, no one will hear it,
They put on a smile, yet looks so sad,
Cuz no one will ever listen to them about their dad,
Who drinks, and curses in the middle of the night,
While their little brother needs help from pain n' strife,
A helpless omma sees no hope,
A child broke, no one to cope,
"Step into the game my young one,"
I hear God call to me, I the adopted one,
"I put you here for a reason, get it done,"
I talk to this girl for one night, moment number one,
Next thing you know, through God's Spirit I hear,
"Well done, have no fear..."

One.

Marky

Saturday, April 11, 2009

He Has Risen Indeed!

Just a quick shout out to my brothers and sisters in the Lord out there, whoever will be reading this blog.

I woke up in South Korea to a sunny spring day. After spending some time with my Lord through prayer and Bible study, and after listening to an Easter Sermon by Stonebriar Community Church Pastor Chuck Swindoll, I woke up with more vigor and energy than I usually do on a Sunday morning.

This is because this is the day calendar day we celebrate the rising of our Savior and Messiah, Jesus Christ. Not just physically, but spiritually we are alive because of His death and resurrection.

Swindoll in his sermon points out in story form about the gut-wrenching torture our Savior went through so that we may have true life. He describes (paraphrase):

"From a little carpenter boy, he became a prophet and became the Messiah, the Savior of the world."

From a little Jewish kid, He stepped into His role to take upon our sins, our sorrows, and our burdens, things that we are ashamed of and that would eventually bring us to death...for eternity. Instead, He gives us...eternal...life.

If you don't know Jesus today, I encourage you to find Him, because He is waiting for you. Get your life right; know God and His grace, because He loves you.

As the beautiful spring rolls around with the gorgeous cherry blossoms springing about near my school, I'm reminded of His grace which gives me energy and life, especially through the dark times of my life. Jesus paid it all, and He knows what we are going through, that's what I call true friend, that's what I call a true Lord.

When you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, invades your life and does a little bit of housekeeping in your heart and soul. He helps you clean up your life and live a Holy Life, one that honors God, who rules the Universe. The Holy Spirit protects you and gives you direction in your life, because He speaks the words of God to you...what an amazing Spirit!

I like that term, "invasion." The Holy Spirit and you as a believer have a battle each and every day to fight against the sin in this world and the spiritual attacks we face on a daily basis.

But...and as my friend Jon Neufeld says, "but is a great contraction when it comes to Grace," BUT, WE HAVE VICTORY IN JESUS!

He has risen indeed!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

"Just Been...Loving Mr. Soni"

I decided to write something more lighter with all the economic issues, mass killings, hopelessness, worldly views, and despair in this world today. Here's something sweet in the midst of the sin that's in the world.

I'm teaching one of my favorite and more effective conversation lessons at my high school lately, called "High School English." I call it that because the PowerPoint addresses more trendier language usage such as "what's up" rather than "hi," and "how's it going" rather than "how are you."

Well, one of the questions in the lesson is "what've been up to lately?" Its a common conversation starter to see what the other person has been doing this past week. For a Korean learner, its important to give them a structured answer or formula to keep their answers to the point but at least allow them to maneuver for more answers.

The answer is, according to my PowerPoint, "Just been + Verb + ing." Insert any verb of choice to tell your listener "what've been up to lately."

I choose different kids in the classroom to present their answers to me, or practice the dialog with a partner in a different part of the classroom. They can earn $oni Dollars for their participation.

While teaching class 1-8, I ran out of volunteers as the main active girls already raised their hands and got the ball rolling. I needed more participation, so I decided to choose a girl of my own to keep them on their toes. "Jeong...Ji...Na. Who's Jeong Jina?"

Jina bashfully raises her hand and stands up. The girls are giggling at her.

Mr. Soni: "What's up, Jina?"
Jina: "Nothing much, what's up Mr. Soni."
Mr. Soni: "Nothing much, how's it going?"
Jina: "I'm cool."
Mr. Soni: "What've been up to lately?"

(Pause)

Jina: "...just been...LOVING...Mr. Soni!"

There is a huge roar of laughter and "ahhhhhs!" I'm quite embarrassed myself but being at a girl's high school, its natural to have a crush on the male teachers. Its part of Korean girls high school culture. So with her participation, I have to give her a $oni dollar for her efforts, but this time around, the girls see it as a "love gift," and as I hand the money to her the classmates around her "ahhh" in admiration.

One classmate, Kye-rin smirks at me, "I am going to cry now."

"Just been loving Mr. Soni."

Get It Done...

Get It Done...
2010: The Year of the Soni Tiger