de Young Saturdate

I can't believe school's already started. I'm just happy to have spent the last few days of summer vacation with my best friend, Camille. On Saturday, Papa Cali and Mama Julie took Camille, our little cousin Sofia con eFe, and I to the Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier at de Young Museum.

de Young Museum entrance

We started our weekend date having lunch at the museum's cafe. Everyone ordered different things. One of us had California King Salmon, the others, Shrimp Louie, Roulet Roti Roasted Chicken, and Porchetta Tartine. Our stomachs were definitely pleased. McCalls truly never disappoints!

We're enjoying our entrees

I'm glad we ate, because the vibrance, creativity, and colors of Gaultier's show would have drained our energy. Those are even understatements for his extraordinary passion and resplendent sense of style. Gaultier's works consisted of a wide array of drama, nudity, sex, darkness, light, all intricately pieced together into different sections of the exhibit. It was beautiful, ineffable, and ironic.

"Nude" gown

Anatomy Dresses by Gaultier couture

Although I have to admit I was creeped out by some of his creations at one point, I respect and admire his art, as well as the diversity of wonderfully aimless and purposeful ideas that flow from his imaginative mind. In addition to nakedness and appreciation for the human body, Gaultier's collection also includes the fictitious and the dreamy.

Red Bead Galleon Hat

Mermaid display

It is no wonder the Jean Paul Gaultier experience received so much hype. His ensembles are not only carefully done and elaborate, but especially uncommon and out-of-this-world! Had I attended the event sooner, I would have come back to more thoroughly appreciate his creations. Unfortunately, we went on Gaultier's second-to-the last showing. It was particularly crowded that day, but Gaultier was surely worth the time and wait.

Camille and I pose with the croissant breakfast dress

Gaultier's fashion exhibit was not the end of our weekend fun though. On our way out, we came across Tamar Assaf's Artist Studio at the Kimball Education Gallery on the ground floor of the museum. Every month, de Young invites artists to display their art forms and interact with the public. We were really lucky. Turns out, Assaf's residency is being sponsored by Winsor & Newton and Blick Art Materials. So all visitors were generously provided with canvas boards, acrylic paint, and palette knives to play with during our visit.

I am obviously not a palette knife painter (notice the way I hold the knife)

Assaf's artworks are focused on conveying the social influence human beings have in positively affecting animal life and the ecological environment. The theme her team also aims to articulate is Bay Invaders: Non-Native Species are Changing the San Francisco Bay Ecosystem. Hence, her art is centered on wildlife, as well as various aquatic species. We spent a good two hours hanging out at the gallery. It was my first time trying palette knife painting, and I thought it was fun and curious attempt.

(L-R) My lion, Sophia's peacock, and Camille's zebra

Overall, I thought my painting didn't come out too bad. I really enjoyed my trip to de Young. Thank you Papa Cali and Mama Julie for taking us, and Tamar for being so friendly and hospitable. Y'all are certainly on top of our summer (or end of summer) highlights. To everyone who wants to share our de Young experience, it's not too late. Jean Paul Gaultier has wrapped up, but Assaf will stay in residence until September the 2nd. What are you waiting for? Check her studio out!

Showing off what we consider our masterpieces (LOL)!

☮ and ♥

Everlasting Solution

Feeling empty and stoic about my life, I remind myself that: "We can lack nothing, because Jesus died so we can have it all". My brother Freddy texted me these words some time ago. The message is brief and simple, yet its content impressive and powerful. I have known the reality of God's love since I was officially saved in 2002. Unfortunately, like many Christians, I tend to forget the significance and value of His truth. We have been blessed with the greatest Gift of all, Jesus Christ, by the grace and mercy of God. Yet we incessantly count on ourselves to fix situations, when He has already provided us a permanent, everlasting Solution.

A lot of things have been boggling my mind lately, random thoughts and questions about circumstances that are out of my control. These although do not involve me directly, hurt me, because I see my loved ones suffering. I take the problems into my own hands instead of lifting them up to God, and this has not helped me or restored the issues at all. I communicated my advice and opinions about their broken relationships, marriages, and teenage misbehavior management. However, without consulting God's Word first.

I was overwhelmed with unease. Hence, I tried to find immediate resolutions myself, when I should have sought for God's answers. Philippians 4:6-7 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Oftentimes, we fail to remember God's love and grace. When faced with strife, we react impulsively, and take action on our own. While God is only waiting for us to approach Him.

Jesus is inviting everyone who is weary and burdened to come to Him, and He will give us rest (Matthew 11:28). We can easily be stress-free if we choose to surrender our worries to God. But the ball is on our court to give up our cares or not. Troubles are inevitable, but when we leave them with Him, they become less arduous to handle. As a matter of fact, we may even stop feeling the whole weight of the tribulation.

I am still concerned about my loved ones' well-being. However, I have decided to relinquish my concerns and distress to God in prayer. At this point, there is really nothing I can do. The reasonable and better choice is to trust in God and leave the driving to Him. I am uncertain as to where my loved ones' predicament will lead to, but I believe God's will will prevail above anything. And with Jesus Christ, the everlasting Solution on my side, I am assured everything will turn out fine in His time. Like Freddy said, "We can lack nothing, because Jesus died so we can have it all". Letting go and letting God.

☮ and ♥

My Constant Struggle to Glorify God

Glorifying God is not as easy as it seems. It is not simply saying "All Glory to Him" when we receive a compliment, nor is it exclaiming "Praise God!" when we attain success. These are good outward displays of our appreciation and thanks for Him, however, what matters most in God's eyes is our hearts. The enemy is constantly lurking, waiting for the perfect opportunity to attack us and postpone God's perfect will. While our purpose may be selfless and our desires are innocent, we can never avoid the temptation of taking and enjoying the credit that is rightfully God's.

For the past year, I have made it a point to go beyond myself for other people each time I have the opportunity. I made it my personal goal to give back as my response to the numerous blessings God constantly showers upon me. I co-coordinated a successful service program for our honor society called CLICS (Computer Literacy and Internet Competency for Seniors) for our local community, where we provide senior citizens with one-on-one computer instruction. I volunteer my time to help fundraise for various nonprofit organizations like UNICEF, Make-a-Wish, and the American Cancer Society. And I tutor a partially blind student for most of my free-time, hoping to positively impact her academic and educational journey. People tell me I am such a kind soul, and that I deserve all the good things in life. However, I find myself questioning my motives, and become bothered with the same problem over and over: Am I doing this for God's glory, or for the personal gain of feeling pious and receiving praise?

I spoke to one of my good friends about my inner struggle. I shared how it has disturbed me immensely, as glorifying God becomes difficult when the issue of pride and self-esteem enters the picture. Thankfully, I communicated my concerns to someone who shared the same struggle. He told me how all of us are blessed with talents and gifts, whether it be in the form of singing or a giving heart, to bless others back with God's love. My friend has always been complimented for his angelic voice. He sings at his church choir, and is well-admired for this talent. Each time before he sings before the congregation, he prays that God be glorified through his service. It is a constant struggle to give the spotlight to God, when it is effortless to just embrace the glory. The enemy will always aim to confuse our intentions and muddle our thoughts, yet when we perseveringly seek God amidst all this cloud, we are assured that His purpose will always prevail.

My conversation with my friend has reminded me to consult God first before pursuing any endeavor. Good works are great, but when they are God-centered, the results will be to a much more significant extent than we could ever realize. I remember the story of Cain and Abel. Both of them had given their burnt offerings to God, Cain brought fruit and ground, while Abel sacrificed the firstborn of his flock (Genesis 4). God was happy with Abel because this was the offering He had asked for. Unfortunately, though Cain's offering was well meaning, this was not what God wanted from him. No matter how much I give back to others, if these deeds are not what God calls me to do, then I am pleasing myself and not God. Knowing and understanding God's design for our everyday lives will not be as complicated if we only focus on building a relationship with God. Develop a friendship and kinship with Him first, and all the answers to our cares will follow.

Glorifying God completely is still a battle for me. I want my actions to be inspired and moved by the grace of God, that others may see His love when they see me. It is easy to publicly proclaim glory be to God, however it is difficult to magnify His glory through our beings if our intentions are not fixed upon Him. Our chief goal in life should be to glorify God, and I will not stop praying that God overflows me with His love and presence. So that "now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death" (Philippians 1:20 NIV). Giving back is commendable, but to give back as driven by the Lord is amazing.

☮ and ♥