Overcoming Anxiety and Receiving Strength

Many of us readily seek God and praise Him during happy times. However, when stress and anxiety start to come our way, we forget that He is more powerful than our strife. Instead of seeking refuge in Him, we count on ourselves to carry the burden. Lately I have been slacking in school due to the myriad extracurricular activities I participate in. In addition to being Vice President for Beta Theta Omicron, Skyline College's chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, I am also a member of the Earth Day Committee, Online Chair for Relay 4 Life San Bruno 2012, Public Relations Coordinator for the Environmental Club, a volunteer at the Pacifica Community Center, and tutor to Nancy, a visually impaired student. Although small duties when looked at separately, they stack up when combined. I know it is always better to help. Nonetheless, spreading oneself too thin does not benefit anyone either.

2 Corinthians 9:8 reminds me that: "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." He promises to give me more than what is sufficient to fulfill my responsibilities, I just have to ask and petition for strength from Jesus Christ. He will not give me obligations that I cannot handle, or work that I cannot use to glorify Him.  When God blesses us with wealth, whether in the mental, physical, material, or spiritual context, He expects us to use these to give back to others.

Tonight, I only pray that God chisels me into becoming more Christ-like. What is the purpose of serving others if I complain about my lack of time and turn bitter in the process. God wants us to "Do everything without grumbling or arguing" (Philippians 2:14), simply reiterating that when we do good, we have to do so with a willing heart. All our endeavors need to be God-centered in order for us to reap most out of what we sow. As pursuing what is human desire will wear us out, whereas "to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).

In closing, I feel a different energy and exuberance as when I began writing this entry. I was overwhelmed and ready to give up at first, but now I am filled with ease that Jesus will walk and lead me through my busy schedule. I put my complete trust in Him, that His grace and mercy will sustain me and I will overcome this temporary adversity. God is able to keep us from falling, and He is able to provide. God definitely does not give us a problem-free life. But once we are sober and realize our necessity to have His will overrun ours, the world becomes easier to manage. God's plan for me is perfect, and I will continue to honor Him through thick and thin.

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:6-7

☮ and ♥

Club Rush 2012

I do not know what I have done for God to be so merciful and gracious to me. Each time I fall short of His glory, He picks me up and redeems me. Whenever I begin to doubt myself and feel unworthy, God surprises me with treats and reminds me that He has my back. Yesterday was Club Rush at my college, so it was a long day for me. I am involved in many organizations at school, so I arrived home drained and tired. Nonetheless, God shifts my mood and motivates me to continue my good work. I received my All-California Academic Team medallion and certificate in the mail last night. I was informed of about my selection into the academic team a month ago, but having the awards packet in my hands just exudes a different, very positive sense of emotion.

All-California Academic Team Certificate and Medallion

Only 68 out of 2.9 million California community college students are awarded this distinction. Academic team members are selected based on academic achievement, community service, and involvement in campus activities. So I praise God for the opportunity to serve my college and community with His grace. Furthermore, I would like to thank the professors who took the time to nominate, recommend, and finally pave the way for this state-wide honor. I will forever be grateful for the lessons and practical experiences I have learned from my advisor, Dr. Christine Case and instructor, Kathleen Feinblum.

The description on the 2012 All-California Academic Team program.

In addition to this good news, while exhausting, Club Rush was very fun and exciting! Club Rush is a semi-annual event wherein various school organizations come out and set up tables to recruit new members and encourage involvement. It has always been an effective means of engaging students into becoming active individuals in the college, and enable us to fellowship and build networks with each other.

(L-R) Christina, Denice and my awkward leg, Camille, and Norman showing off our Beta Theta Omicron booth boards.

Although I am also part of the Skyline Christian Fellowship Club, I mainly manned our Phi Theta Kappa: Beta Theta Omicron and Environmental Club booths. It is difficult to imagine that this will be my last semester. These campus activities are what have made my school life interesting and valuable. Time goes by real fast, like running water slipping through our fingers.

Everyone is all smiles for Club Rush - Spring 2012

This semester, Beta Theta Omicron focused on promoting the importance of finishing community college with an A.A or A.S. degree. Many students drop out or transfer without even trying to earn credentials for themselves. We gave out bookmarks with helpful facts about the advantages of being certified for completing education. This is our contribution to the nationwide C4 (Community College Completion Corps) initiative, and helping create the solution for America's shrinking labor force.

Student body president nominee, Mark Lipkin supports our initiative.

Skyline Go Green, on the other hand, stressed on our cause against water bottle consumption for the upcoming International World Water Day on March 22nd. We are hosting a "Flow: for the love of water" film showing event on that same day to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. "FLOW" confronts the disturbing reality that our crucial resource is dwindling. The documentary discusses the effects of pollution, wastefulness, privatization, and corporate greed to every aspect of our human life. It warns viewers of the dangers such abuse to our water supply will cause. "FLOW" presents us with the sad realities of water scarcity at different parts of the world, and how the Earth will eventually become uninhabitable and humankind, extinct, if we continue with our careless practices. 

The Environmental Club booth and our poster made by yours truly!

Club Rush was hectic, but festive. We had a great time meeting new people and promulgating our initiatives. It was especially memorable for me since a lot of us will be transferring or leaving soon. The friendships formed while I was in service will forever be etched in my heart. I know Spring's going to pass by real quick, but I will definitely treasure and make the best out of every moment.

Emma and I form a heart.

God is beyond good and beyond amazing. I would not be able to do what I do today, without His strength and guidance. When I think about giving up, He carries me through my predicament. He spoils me with His love and blessings, reminding me that I am His daughter, and I will never be alone. God has not only blessed me with the confidence that I can achieve success, but with people and friends without whom I would feel helpless and lost. God deserves all praise!

☮ and ♥

ΦΘΚ NV/CA Regional Convention 2012

The Phi Theta Kappa NV/CA Regional Convention 2012 was held on March 9-10, 2012 at the Suncoast Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. This was my first ΦΘΚ regional convention, so you could imagine how nervous I was for the awards ceremony. Beta Theta Omicron, the ΦΘΚ chapter at Skyline College, has worked so hard the past year to continue the excellence and example that our ΒΘΟ alumni have set for us. Hence the convention offered not only a sense of reward for the time and dedication we put into the chapter, but has also created mixed emotions for me over the fact that my term of office is nearing an end.

Beta Theta Omicron represents at the Phi Theta Kappa NV/CA Regional Convention

Looking back 365 days ago, I was not the same person that I am today. I was just an average student then, whose goal was simply to fulfill my required credit units and transfer to a four-year university. If anything, my Phi Theta Kappa experience has taught me that age is not a factor in determining success, nor is the length of time one invests in a particular project. With discipline and constant follow-through, we are able to accomplish the outcome that we envision.

Best friends and co-officers. We are ugly and pretty together. It's called solidarity!

Through ΦΘΚ I was able to build lifelong friendships    peers or colleagues with whom I share intellectual exchanges, trust as my support system, and seek for encouragement and advice. It was in Phi Theta Kappa that I learned to be a scholar-servant-leader; through its various scholarship programs that aim to uncover the community college student's potential not only in the field of academia, but also at the personal and holistic level.

My good friend and 2011 ΦΘΚ NW District Vice President, Arvind Ravichandran.

Phi Theta Kappa has served as my foundation for success in life. It has propelled me, as well as my fellow honor society members, to brainstorm and come up with prospective plans that we can then execute for the good of society. As trite an expression as this may seem, ΦΘΚ made me realize that we are never too young and it is never too soon to make a difference in our community.

My co-BOOfficers. I love these ladies to death.
(L-R) Denice, Camille, and Amber

We committed an immense amount of effort into all ΦΘΚ endeavors that our chapter participated in. Therefore the regional convention awards ceremony was the icing on our cake, as we were able to reap the recognition that we have earnestly sowed through the leadership and service programs that we led and cultivated for ΒΘΟ.

BOOs Anton, Denice, Camille, and Amber were sent to represent ΒΘΟ.

Our chapter was awarded 3 certificates of participation (Chapters United, Project READ, M.A.D.D.), placed third in the Travel award, and placed second for our Honors-in-Action Project and College Project. We also received two individual awards: Regional Scholar, 2nd Place and the Regional Distinguished Chapter Officer Award.

Anton Molina place second on the Regional Scholar award and I won the Regional Distinguished Chapter Officer award.

Finally, Beta Theta Omicron received the prestigious, Regional Distinguished Chapter Award, in addition to winning the 5-Star Chapter Development Award for our continued excellence, the Yearbook Award, Honors in Action Issue #9 Award, and Distinguished Chapter Officer Team Award. So many BOOs contributed to the success of our chapter. I only hope more people take advantage of their Phi Theta Kappa membership, and get involved. This is not only to ameliorate oneself, but also to embrace the opportunity to serve others and give back to society in the process.

Just wanted to share this photo of the tantalizing dessert I had for our last lunch buffet at the convention.

For my few words of acknowledgement, I would like to thank my advisor and mentor, Dr. Christine Case, and professors, Kathleen Feinblum and Jennifer Merrill, for writing the recommendation letters that helped win me this award. 

If y'all want to be a part of Beta Theta Omicron's amazing Phi Theta Kappa journey, feel free to drop by our Spring 2012 general meetings. They are on Mondays at 2pm in Bldg 7 Room 7106 at Skyline College. Have a blessed day! To God be the glory.

☮ and ♥

Fruit Jam

Fruit Jam: Orange, Strawberry, Apple, and Green Grape, (missing Purple Grape)

After 30 years, since its conception in 1982, Fruit Jam has officially called it quits after Apple's demise. The group had been the biggest band Skyline College had ever seen. They were on top of the world, on top of the Skyline. Fruit Jam had got along well until the fame finally caught up to them. The band consisted of five fruits, Apple the lead singer, Strawberry and Purple Grapes as the guitarists, Orange the drummer, and Green Grape on bass. There is hearsay that the band members became more dependent on High Fructose Corn Syrup as they became more popular. Hence, it is under investigation whether Apple's death was a homicide or due to Fructose overdose.

Apple, Purple Grape, and Orange getting some 'Tose.

The High Fructose Corn Syrup addiction had been going on for awhile. The public only saw their success, while behind the scenes, they had already begun to break apart because of Apple's pride and impossible ego. Purple Grape could not stand his arrogance, Green Grape hated his attitude, Orange blamed fame, and Strawberry thought it was the 'Tose.

Apple posing with her 'Tose

The chaos that surrounded the band almost made it impossible to think that they were actually happy together once. Since their rise to fame in the 80's, their relationship had gone downhill... ultimately leading to Apple's demise.

Fruit Jam partying it up for the last time.

The Happy Days

Apple was last seen with Purple Grapes and Orange on the second floor of Building 7. The case is still being analyzed.

The last few minutes before Apple was spotted dead.