Good Byes

I had no idea I was going to do this so soon...but a lot of things have been changing in my life in the past week or so, and I felt I needed a fresh start in something.

That something turns out to be my blog. 

For the past year or so, I've been yammering on about things here, and I admit, I'm going to miss this blog. 

But sometimes, change has to happen. 

Sometimes, we have to say good bye. 

So here's to the memories, the days when I've struck gold via the not-so-inky pages of this blog, and the days I've failed to make sense. My rambling about Taiwan, and my obsessions with weird food.

Here's to all of you out there that have put up with my crazy chunnering, and annoying posts of end times nonsense. 

Thanks so much, I love you all!!

*wipes away a tear*

Buuuuutttt....here's the good news!! 

I'm not completely off the blogging train!!! 

I just switched to Wordpress, so head on over to https://takingthehiddenpaths.wordpress.com and take a look at my shiny new blog!

:D

So adieu for the moment!!

Shalom,

Yeshua be with you! 

~Marissa

Positive + Negative

This time of year, folks are always spouting off 'New Year's Resolutions', plans, changes they want to make...etc. And generally, everyone is posting this stuff on social networks, preaching sermons about it, reading about it in magazines, and attempting to restart their lives. Again. 

Now I'm not saying all of this isn't good to hear, it is. It's just often very difficult to face a new year, with new resolutions, while knowing that last year...well...you failed miserably. 

In the back of your mind, you're thinking: 'Well, I failed last year, what's to say this year will be any better, easier, or happier?'

Haha. 

So...we're all inclined to be slightly negative at times...it's apparently inherent in the human race. 

But does that mean we ought to be negative all the time? Or that it's ok to be negative? 

I...don't think so. 

Those of you that know me, know I'm...not exactly a positive person. Actually, I'm pretty pessimistic, pretty much all the time these days. 

That good? No, who am I kidding!

{Insert pause to go wrangle some kids into behaving themselves} 

Ok, so where was I? 

Oh yea. 

So pessimism isn't really something we as a human race look upon as an enviable trait. Rather, pessimisitic folk are often enlightened of their unique take on life in tones of distaste and annoyance. In this age, people are supposed to turn a sunny face towards the world, and heaven forbid that face crack for any reason. 

Of course, this theory doesn't always work, which is why we see those poor broken down people wandering the streets with a lost look on their face. And when we do see them, we often think: 'Well, I'm just glad I have enough backbone to resist a downfall such as that.' We feel temporarily sorry for that homeless, loveless, (and honest) person, and then go on with our lives without a second thought. We would never ever entertain the thought that the person standing on the street corner with a cardboard sign could be us at the drop of a hat. Ever. We just...wouldn't. 

But...this post isn't meant to promote sympathy for the homeless dude and his cardboard sign. 

So back to my previous topic. 

Every single day, we wake up, we stare groggily in the foggy mirror...and we are faced with a choice. 

(No, I'm not talking about choosing between forgoing makeup, or taking the time to look like a celeb.) 

A choice of how we are going to view that particular day. 

Now, I know some of you are thinking: 'Well, how am I supposed to make a choice like that, when the alarm didn't go off, the kids are yelling--it's still 5am--and I think something might be on fire in the kitchen?' 

(Hehe, we all have days like that. wheither we've got kids or not.)

Anyway, think about all those disasters this way: The kids are still alive--hence the yelling--while the alarm didn't go off, you're still awake--at an evil hour, but still--and you don't KNOW that something is on fire, maybe the cat just fell asleep on the woodstove lid again, and is smoking slightly. (He'll discover his problems, and deal with them on his own, believe me.) 

So instead of thinking: 'Drat, life's a mess!' You're thinking: 'Well...we're all still alive, and it's a new day!'

(A hint: no matter what hour of the morning you get up, or how close you are on time, make sure you get at least one 'thing' related to God in your mind. It makes the whole day run better.) 

This isn't to say you can prevent bad days from happening by reading your Bible, or listening to worship music, things will happen, no matter what you do. It's the way of this sinful world. But we can be prepared to look at life from His perspective, and try to find what good things are happening, instead of all the bad. 

On a side note, I know it's sorta funny that a nineteen-year-old girl is talking about kids, and 5am alarms as if she's a mother--when she's not even married--but I feel like a mom sometimes, living with kids about 90% of the time. (Also, I'm really looking forward to the day when I can be a mom.) 

And the 5am alarms? Well...I try to make it 5:30am. 

All the rest, I've learned from trial and error this year, living on my own for the first time. 

Now, before you all get the idea that I think I've arrived at 'young adult perfection', let me enlighten you. 

I'm TERRIBLE at remembering to recharge on 'God' every morning--sometimes, coffee is easier to face. 

I can go days without consiously attempting to destress. (A VERY bad thing for me to do.) 

I get depressed, frustrated, and mad at life in general. I blow up at people--yes, I still do, yes, I'm working on it. 

I still try to do EVERYTHING myself. (No God, I CAN do this on my own...oohh...maybe not. HELP!!)  

I've definitely NOT arrived yet. Haven't gotten much of anywhere, really. 

But those days when I DO remember to read my Bible in the morning, and I turn on worship music as my brain wakes up, when I remember to make something good for breakfast, and add some Mozart to the mix...when the makeup doesn't happen--or does--when I don't say the snappy things I want to when my roommate asks me if I want coffee...again...(I don't. I really don't.)...in a word: When I purposely attempt to be happy, to be kind...life just goes better. 

So in this new year--this weird, spacy, sifi, year called 2015--what'd you think you'd like to do? Try to set new standards for yourself, lose weight, eat healthier, change your look or accent...be a better person? All good things, yes. 

But while you're busy with all these things, don't forget that God is the reason we're here on earth at all, and He doesn't want you--or me--to be looking at everything in life as a bad karma...or whatever the savvy-new-age-crackpots call it these days. 

He'd ruther us look to Him, ask Him what He want's us to do this year, and to be joyful, happy, cheerful people that give energy, instead of taking it. 

That's MY challange for you--and me of course--this year. 

BE HAPPY. Be Positive. :D 

Shalom, 

Yeshua be with you all this week!!

~Marissa H. 

Life. Live...what?

Afternoon from...from...cold, wet, and amazing Taiwan. 

(yea, I know you weren't expecting that one, Taiwan is a tropical country after all...right?)

Well, it's cold here. Despite common sense. 

Sorry I've been out of it for so long, things are always crazy here, and I got the flu last weekend, so I've been sorta dragging myself uphill since then.

But on to my topic. 

(Side note, at some point, someday, i'll continue my 'Be Prepaired' series, but for now, I'm stuck between ISIS and the Bible, and which, what, where, when...etc.)

Anyway, my topic: 

TAIWAN

Well, right now, she's cold, sorta wet, and actually pretty darn awesome. 

But there's more to the topic, than my redunant mentioning of the cold. (AMAZING cold, remember?) 

Cooking in Taiwan. 

It's so very interesting!! I have a toaster oven, hot plate, crockpot, two rice cookers, and a blender to work with. Not too bad...unless you consider the fact that the toaster oven doesn't always work, the crockpot dial is all in Chinese, and the hot plate periodically goes on the fritz. In the middle of my pouring milk into a white sauce, stirring tuna, cooking noodles...BLAM and HEAT like none else. 

But all of them still heat up, or cook, or do SOMETHING. So I'm pretty happy with it. :) 

So toaster oven cooking...I wanna bake muffins? Yay...amuffin at a time...(actually six) in individual little pans...hmm...why not cut the recipe in half you ask. 

Well duh. 

But for some reason, that 'duh' was a long time coming to me, and it was only today that i discovered other people DO use toaster ovens, and they DO have recipes for the toaster oven!! 

(Wow, what a revelation, right? Right.) 

So I 'might' be getting smarter. (might) 

But there's a reason why we only have a toaster oven here. 

In Taiwan, people do not cook their own food, unless it's barbecue, and in that case, only meat and vegatables. Never bread, cakes, cookies...etc. (no blanket-statements here, it's true, there ARE people that cook their own food, but it's rare.) 

Instead, most food is bought from the night markets, little resturants, or the local bakery. 

Therefore, no need for an oven in every house, like in America. 

I personally would prefer an oven, but the toaster oven works pretty well, and it's not like I can't cook. I just learn to be...creative. :) 

Oh, and food. Before I came here, everyone was telling me that because no one cooks, there really aren't grocery stores. Well...bah humbug to them. 'Cause at least where I live, there's a morning market, two grocery stores, at least three organic stores--somewhere...idk where, can't find them--so no lack of fresh food, or meat. (and flour is getting easier to find as well.) 

Suffice to say, unless it's something like 'specific' American foods, you can buy pretty much anything and everything here. Taiwan is, after all, a first world country. We even found powdered sugar here last month! (talk about making icing a whole lot simpler to mix up.) 

There are some places here, that feel so like America, it's almost comical. We have a Costco in Chiayi--just like American Costcos. It even smells the same. Carefore (A French grocery/clothing/everything else store) is about a half-an-hour's walk from the train station.) 

Oh, that's another thing about Taiwan, the train is how one travels. Everywhere, anywhere. Trains, buses, and taxis. (hehe, the taxi drivers drive like maniacs, and road rules are...somewhat...followed.) 

That's...all I can think of saying today...I'll post pictures of all this at some point this weekend, so to one and all...

Happy New Year from Taiwan!! 

I'll talk to you all in 2015!

Shalom

Yeshua be with you all! 

~Marissa

Human Trafficking and the Church

Warning - This post contains some sensitive statistics - Please be aware as you read the following! Thanks!

Human trafficking is a global atrocity, which the Church in America largely avoids. The Church consequently fails to administer biblical justice and mercy in an area of desperate need. Micah 6:8 says, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” [1] The book of Micah was written as a warning to Israel during a time of unprecedented wealth, juxtaposed to unparalleled oppression of the poor and failure of leadership to right injustice. The Church in America reflects this same condition. I would like to be a “Micah” in the twenty-first century. I would like to help call the church back to its biblical purpose as declared by Jesus. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus declares “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” I want my life to count for something…I want to do something about human trafficking. I want to be a modern-day abolitionist.

            Because of the disconnect between the more affluent sector of society and the reality of human slavery, trafficking remains a growing injustice in the world. According to a study conducted by the Well-House, there are four times as many slaves in the world today as there were in the year before the Civil War.[2]  Slavery is an appalling reality, which we must not turn a blind eye to. Human trafficking is a growing annual $32 billion industry, second only to the drug market.[3] According to recent statistics this market is soon to become the single largest criminal industry in the world. According to the International Justice Mission over four billion people live outside the protection of the law.[4] For these disenfranchised children and adults the public justice system is broken. The police and courts, which are supposed to protect them, are so corrupt that there is nothing to shield them from oppression.

            Bringing justice to the world is an explicit command in God’s word. While, it is comfortable to do things that are culturally inoffensive, that’s not what God’s word is directing the church to do.  God’s word instructs us to seek justice and to do it. And one of the ways that we can pursue justice is to fight for those who do not have a voice.  

            By the time Zach Hunter was sixteen years old he had written two books that had a profound impact on my life: “We Are Generation Change,” and “Be the Change, Your Guide to Freeing Slaves and Changing the World.” Zach was young, but that did not stop him from doing some very significant things for the Lord against human trafficking.  When Zach was twelve he started an organization Loose Change to Loosen Chains (LC2LC). Zach wanted to motivate teens to become involved in freeing slaves. I attempted to start an LC2LC campaign at my homeschool co-op. An administrator said that some parents might be offended by the discussion of human trafficking. Another parent said their son would be uncomfortable on the campaign leadership team because of the sexual content. Unfortunately, both labor and sex slavery is highly objectionable but the Church must begin an open discussion.

            Human trafficking is not just a condition that exists elsewhere. Bill Lewis of the FBI said, “Sex trafficking is not something that only happens outside of the United States, but victimizes Americans in our own backyard.”[5]  Sadly human trafficking really does exist in our own backyard. According to national studies the largest human trafficking thoroughfare is Interstate 20, which runs from Texas to South Carolina, and straight through Birmingham.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”[6] Isaiah 61:1 clearly affirms that the Lord has sent us into the world to help free those who are in both spiritual and physical slavery. As an advocate for those without a voice, perhaps I will be blessed by seeing the Church grow in its understanding of human trafficking and become a means of rectifying the injustice of slavery. While this atrocity is overwhelming we are still called into this task to help those who are entangled. While we are not called to solve the problem, we are called to be obedient and to pursue biblical justice and mercy. And He who calls is faithful.

--AnnaKatherine 

---

[1] Micah 6:8 English Standard Version

[2] The Well-House is a private Christian Shelter in Birmingham, AL, which reaches out to women and girls who have been hurt by human sex trafficking. It was founded by a rescued victim. http://the-wellhouse.org/

[3] United Nations Factsheet on Human Trafficking http://www.unodc.org/documents/human-trafficking/UNVTF_fs_HT_EN.pdf

[4] International Justice Mission is a “global organization that protects the poor from violence in the developing world.”

[5] Bill Lewis – Assistant Director FBI Los Angeles Field Office  http://www.businessinsider.com/a-portrait-of-human-sex-trafficking-in-america-2014-8

[6] Isaiah 61:1 English Standard Version

I'm Hungry! I Want To Eat!

See, I said I would post anything and everything on this blog...but seriously. I'm starving. 

(The title for this post is actually really funny.)

It has absolutely nothing to do with food, it's part of a class I teach the kids over here called Hungry Caterpillar. (We all know that classic book by Eric Carle, right?) 

I've taught that class so many times, whenever I'm hungry now, I'll belt out 'I'M HUNGRY! I WANT TO EAT!' Which is the class vocabulary. 

Well...currently it's 10:35am. I'm sitting at my desk in the office, looking at food. 

I'm supposed to be writing a script for a documentary film I'm shooting next semester for HTC. 

Oh well, it needn't be finished till December 26th...I've got time. ;) 

Food. 

Seriously, I'm skinny, and look like I never eat a thing. And the funny thing is, I eat a TON. 

Like, I eat like a hobbit. 

Problem is, lately I've been eating like I want to kill myself--processed foods, saturated fats--McDonalds never had such a friendly customer. 

(They actually know me so well that now when I walk in, I can't even say: 'liu' [pronounced 'leo' --means six] the lady just says 'Number six?' and hands me my food. It's pathetic, I'm telling you.) 

'Course that isn't to say I can't enjoy my food...I just need to eat more...healthy stuff. 

Dr. Chen was right when he said it's easier to eat prepared foods when teaching, cause it's so much work to cook, and I'm always tired. 

Anyway, on to the good stuff. Right? Right. :D

That was my attempt at soup. It was pretty good, all things considered. I made it in a rice cooker, and the only thing missing was tomatoes. (My Mum had it right when she told me to add tomatoes to bean soups.) 

Another attempt at eating healthy--this wasn't all that bad. Potatoes, plain yogurt, clover sprouts, and [simi] whole grain bread. In fact, this was such a hit with Fenny and some other of my co-workers, that I'm making it again next week for lunch for all of them. 

(which means I need to wash the crock pot. ugh.) 

Anyway, it was super simple, here's my recipe: 

Potato and Clover Sprout Spread

Roast golden potatoes in crockpot until fork-tender. 

Mash three-six potatoes in a bowl with skin. 

Add three/four heaping spoonfuls of plain yogurt to mashed potatoes, mix thoroughly. 

Finely chop Clover (or another kind) sprouts, add to potato mixture. 

Add a dash of salt, to taste. 

Spread on whole grain bread or toast. 

Enjoy! 

Now, this may be a little odd sounding, but really, it's simple, tastes good, and you spend all of five minutes preparing it. 

A win-win in my opinion. :) 

And yea, I promise to post more food stuff in the future. 

(Oh, I've got a hint about the next post. Roasted grape tomatoes and garlic. SO good.) 

Shalom

Yeshua be with you all this week!

~Marissa 

When Things Go Wrong

When things go wrong...

We all have those days that just seem to get worse and worse. 

You get up determined to have a good day, regardless of how bad yesterday was...

And just one little thing happens. 

Suddenly you know.

It is going to be A Very Bad Day. 

There's a song by U2 called 'Sleep Like A Baby Tonight'. 

The main message is 'no matter how bad today was, or how terrible the prospects are for tomorrow, you can sleep like a baby for just one night. Because while tomorrow may "dawn like a suicide" nothing will disturb you this night.' 

But do we ever think that when we're headed to bed after a bad day, knowing that the next will likely be worse? 

Not often. 

We worry, and we fret. We agonize, we threaten to just quit. We shake our fists at God and demand 'why'? And we complain. A lot. 

Did you know it is a sin to worry? 

I didn't, till yesterday, when I was listening to a sermon by Dr. Gibbs. 

At one point in his sermon, he stated: 'I worry about things in life, and then I worry because I am worrying!' 

(Let me tell you this much...I don't think that I would have signed up to be a Christian if I had known it was going to be so hard when I started.)

Thankfully, I didn't know. :) 

Anyway, we're currently worrying about the Very Bad Day that's slowly creeping into our lives...and we're NOT thrilled. 

EVERYTHING has gone wrong the past few days, and we really don't think we can handle ANOTHER bad day. 

Psalms 77:3 says: 'My soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.'

Isn't that just what we do?

Something goes wrong, and we refuse to look to God. Then when we can no longer go on alone, we look to Him, and expect Him to fix everything. If he doesn't, then we get upset. If He does, we often aren't grateful. 

Instead we ought to follow Psalms 77:1: 'I cried out to God with my voice--To God with my voice; And He gave ear to me. In the day of my trouble, I sought the Lord...'

But what DO we do when things go wrong? 

Moping definately isn't a good idea. 

There's essentially three things:

First, know that regardless of what happens to you, or what affects you, know that everything--good or bad--will touch SOMEONE for God's kingdom. 

Everything happens for a reason, even if it isn't for us to learn from.

(Oh, and we may never know what impact that chapter of our life had.)

Second, pray. Yep, that simple. Just pray. Because nothing that we ever experience can be survived without prayer.

Third, praise God, no matter what. Look for the benefits in what you are experiencing, and what good may come of it. Even wars happen for a reason. Be positive. Nothing will tear you down quicker than yourself. 

'Its hard to be happy when someone's always being mean to you.' ~Unknown

One last thing...smile. 

Yes, find a corner, hide, and cry your eyes out for a moment, but come out of it smiling. Because nothing kills a bad day quicker than a smile. 

Oh, and say something nice to the person most annoying you that day. It helps a lot. 

(Disclaimer: I definately can't say I've got it all together--this post was inspired by A Very Bad Week I just experienced, and I do have to say...I've got a lot to learn before I'll get to the point where I'll be able to deal with Very Bad Days the way I just explained. It's the theory, that's all.)

Shalom, 

Yeshua be with you this week!

~Marissa

Runways Winter 2014

What, you think I'm going to discourse on the evils of the fashion world? 

Well, not this time. 

Just some honest conversation about current fashion. :) 

This year has seen an influx of rather...interesting colours and designs, but the 'most wearable' list is actually quite modest and becoming...for this day and age at least. 

This is the current pantone colour palette for the fall/winter seasons. 

As you can see, understated jewel tones are all the rage these days, including a saturated red, deep purple, and vibrant pink. 

Of course, such fashion lines as Prada and Dior took the palette to an extreme...as usual. 

Beyond that though, there have been some remarkably beautiful and modest styles this year. 

Take for instance the top five fashion styles this year:

While the last photo is a little...extravagant...each and every one of these are relatively becoming. Number two and three are exceedingly modest at the same time. 

Or what about Porly? Bringing in a Catholic vibe, the colours are based on gold, black and the deep Samba red that is so popular this season. 

Then we have Polo Ralph Lauren.

Beautiful lines, patterns, and design. The cut of the item on the left is both modest and form-flattering at the same time. Not exactly something easily accomplished. What stands out about the item on the right, is the layering and combination of texture, pattern, and form. 

Also observe the return of the 'dreaded' sandles and socks made infamous by hikers and gentlemen alike. Unlike though, than that fashion faux pas, this combination of socks and sandles is extremely becoming, and more than enough to convince the average viewer that maybe it is not as bad as is indicated. 

Here we have instantly wearable Giulietta and Josie Natori on the left and far left, and then items strippers ought to avoid on the right by Antonio Berardi and Tory Burch. Not to mention the lines of both being extremely ill-flattering. 

And of course Rodarte never disappoints by proving that the jumper dress is indeed not out of style quite yet.  

(And observe the sandle/sock combination once again.)

Oh, and last but not least, there's always one fashion company determined to undermine their prestigious title by designing fashion nightmares such as this: 

 

A...chip bag...

Not much one can say about that. 

Let's just hope Moschino realizes that designs of that tenor will never sell to the average (if well-off) American. 

Anyway, that's all folks!

Adieu, 

Yeshua be with you this week!!

~Marissa