Saint Callistus 2010 Retreat: Be The Change

I'm praying that God will help me to recall the many wonderful experiences I've been blessed with this weekend.

Friday

I got up at 8 am to play tennis with Johnny and we were hitting pretty well.  Only thing was, we were both really sore afterwards and there was no time for a nap.  Patty, my mom, and Dayna dropped me off at church where we had our team meeting.  After going through the schedules, we headed toward the Parish Center where the kid came to check in their luggage and to socialize before we left.  It was nice to see the parents and their children talking to each other, which reminded me again how strong the community of Saint Callistus was!  It was fun checking bags and getting to know the kids in a joking manner.  Eventually the buses arrived and we had to load all the kids stuff in the storage compartments.  I couldn't believe how heavy their bags were and how much stuff they were bringing:  it was like they were planning to stay a whole week or something.

Johnathan and I rode in his car filled with drinks, food, music, and spent the next few hours in traffic on the 91.  Although it was really irritating the pace we were going, we did have a good talk and even made contact with Johnny and Vince who were coming late and catching up with us.  We eventually got there and I was reunited with my partner Carolyn.  Dinner was served and the kids were treated their first round of singing, dancing, and a talk.  Later that night, the "mask" activity took place, which I won't describe in detail in case a student reads this, but it too was an amazing experience for me and my kids:  Sophia, Rowena, Branden, John, Brian, Alexis, Peter, and Raul.  At night, we had adoration with Father Ben, and I was able to perform with Coco a few songs to help the mood.  It's always nice to be able to play music and serve God; two things I love to do.  The night ended with me rooming with Vince, Luis, and Johnny in room 8.  We ended up staying up pretty late baking cookies, but it was a lot of fun even though we were tired.  The hardest part of the night was dealing with the back pains coming from playing tennis earlier:  I slept on the floor with a thin sleeping bag and though the cold didn't bother me much, just getting a good position to sleep was impossible.  I wanted to hike the next morning but I woke up much too late, besides I definitely needed the rest!

Saturday

The morning came and I went down to get some breakfast with the kids.  We listened to several more talks, and did a few more bonding activities, so finally me and Carolyn were able to meet the kids and start getting spiritual and emotional.  I love the interaction and the bond that developed between the kids and also with us, their leaders.  I performed in a skit that was a lot of fun, which led to another skit later that night which was very intense!  All in all, the kids were able to find Christ in the chapel through everything the leaders gave to the kids.  Again I was able to rest in the music and song while we all rested in Christ's arms.  The night ended with affirmation, and this time I was able to get much better sleep.  I was glad to see my old kids touched by my gifts for them :)

Sunday

I woke up JUST in time for the meeting, and then we had breakfast.  We took the kids to the chapel for more talks and serious bonding activities.  By this point my relationship with the kids became so strong and I really loved them and wanted to support them.  Adam's talk and Brian's talk broke my heart, and I was glad to see the end of the retreat really brought out the best in the kids.  Fastforward to going home, we celebrated in a special way prior to mass, and afterwards I headed home to rest.  I'm currently waiting for food to come home while resting in my very soft bed =]  I know this was all brief but, I definitely did not want to say too much!

Kev

First Week of School OVER!

So the school week concluded and I realized how much money I don't have for books and a parking pass.  Oh well, I have to make it work somehow right?  I got to hang out with Leyna and Michelle today catching up about winter break and such.  It was actually really nice to catch up with people, especially with Quyen my partner in crime for a few semesters now!

I have a huge headache, after all I got in a fight with my dad over dumb little things.  The timing sucks seeing as how I'm going to be at retreat all weekend and I have to leave with this on my mind.  God help us get over little stupid stuff please.

-Kev

Last Day At Work

I had such a tough time getting up today!  I snoozed like 3 times before I finally dragged myself to the shower and into the car to head to school.  I did meter parking today, which is still a rip-off to me but oh well.  I'll buy my pass soon when the line isn't so bad.  Anyways, it was funny to see that class was full on the first day, but half empty today.  I bet on test days it'll be full again!  Anyways, I drove back home in order to have some lunch before work.

Mom made com chien, and I, inspired by the knowledge I gained through Contemporary China last semester and Modern China this semester, asked about my mother's family for the first time.  Her grandfather was first a tailor in the Hainan, until he got so fed up with picky complaining customers he switched to the business sector and sold coffee and made rice deals.  He would sail once in a while to Vietnam down China's east coast in a month long journey conducting business until the Communist began to influence heavily the government. 

This man who was my great-grandfather, saw the impending Communist Revolution and went with his brother to Vietnam in order to preserve their wealth, though his brother went up and down on the same voyage to periodically visit family back in Hainan.  Unfortunately, when his brother was visiting in China one time, the Communists took over and prevented the brother from returning to Vietnam.  That left my great grandfather to settle in Vietnam and he started a restaurant that sold dimsum and coffee, which became very prosperous.  Then, the Communist party in Vietnam took over, banning all business licenses including my grandfather's.  Poverty struck Vietnam.

But in a stroke of luck, privileged Communist relatives of my grandfather were able to cheat the system and restore his business, which sold newspapers until this very day, becoming even more wealthy than before.  Thankfully, his being able to settle down and comfortably live in Rach Gia provided the means for the birth of my uncles, aunts, and my mother, who had enough money to immigrate to the United State.

After that enlightening conversation, I headed to work which turned out to be a really easy day, seeing as how it was my last day.  I didn't feel like I was leaving them though, I plan to visit often.  I never had so many hugs from them in my life!

Afterwards we had more hilarious skit practices at church especially with Gerry!  What a comic!  I had Rubios with Charissa and we spent part of the night searching all over for Claudia's keys.  At the end when we gave up, she saw them in her car -_____-  Oh well!  Two more days until retreat!!  I better get packing...

-Kev

Skit Practice and SC Bonding Time

The rain came again in a much healthier dose.  School started at 12:30 today, which meant plenty of sleep for once!  I went to Professor Dabel's Civil War class, and by the way she is probably the best teacher I'll ever have.  The next class was canceled seeing as how Prof. Blutinger had a fever.  Me and Quyen have this inside joke where he would NEVER miss a class because last semester he'd come in and be sick or whatever, like when he lectured though he had laryngitis!  Well, even though we were wrong, I wasn't sad about it :)

I headed home at around 3 and found some food to eat at home.  I made mi wonton and watched mystery quest on the history channel about the lost city of Atlantis.  After lounging around and a brief nap I met up with Claudia, Charissa, and Adam at Oggi's on Harbor and Chapman.  It was everyone's first time and the food turned out to be delicious!  I had a pasta with mushrooms and chicken that everyone picked off of!  Later we headed back to church to practice the skits.

They ended up being hilarious as we were joking around, pervading our skits and dramatizing/comedizing them to the limits!  I can't wait until retreat arrives so we can show off how amazing our performances will be!  Right now I'm listening to Safe by Britt Nicole, a song I heard in Theresa's office that really moves me.  Hopefully I'll knock out in a few minutes so good night world!

-Kev

First Day Back at School

Monday came but the floods of water capable of closing campus did not.  However, I only had one class today, Modern China, which I think I'll really enjoy and do well in because I've had the teacher before and I've taken Contemporary China as well.  A handful of classmates are in it so I'm glad I'll have people to talk to and study with.

Later on I went to work, which was pretty sad because I don't know if I'm ready to leave the kids yet.  However, the decision has already been made and my name is already off the staff list.  That part really hit me and I tried my best to make every kid laugh today.  At least I'll be able to volunteer and visit them whenever I want!

Afterward I headed to Saint Callistus to practice two skits for retreat.  The first one, "The Everything Skit", I am already familiar with, but the second, "Choices", was a little frustrating because I am supposed to play this hot stuff guy who seduces a girl, then becomes a real jerk.  I'm not very good at either but there's more practice for that.  I hope I do better tomorrow I don't want to let down my casters!

This is a short entry, but I'm pooped.  School at 12:30 tomorrow so I better get some rest!  Good night world!

-Kev

Sundays at Saint Callistus

It was nice to finally re-experience the warmness of the sunshine this morning instead of gallons of rain pouring down!  I just lounged around this morning thinking about school tomorrow.  I'm bummed but at the same time, I'm almost done so I will just suck it up and finish strong this semester!  It'll all be over soon...

Anyways, I had Rubios with Angela today and we caught up and discussed a possible grass roots event aimed to raise awareness and support for the Haitians in light of their recent natural disaster.  I'm really excited about that, because ever since I saw the "Hope for Haiti" concert on TV, I've felt the call to lend my support in anyway I could.

I made my way to church and today the kids recited prayers and presented their saint projects.  I was really proud with the work my group of confirmation students did today and I'm really excited for their retreat experience!  The music and Father Ben's homily was great today, I particularly enjoyed the prayer that the entire church participated in for our Lecturer, who has been suffering from a very mysterious migraine that has lasted for years now.  What an amazing community there is at Saint Callistus!

Well it looks like I'm gonna be sleeping early tonight so I can try to wake up on time for class tomorrow.  9:30AM never sounded so freaking early!  Oh and go SAINTS!  Below is my hand, picture drawn courtesy of my student Agnes.

Proud to be Catholic!

Today was a great day!  It didn't start out so well, but it got better quickly, like when this morning, waiting to turn onto Lewis, I see Theresa Tran's BIG SMILE in the rear view mirror!  We had retreat training from 10AM to 2PMish and I am proud to say I am Carolyn's partner which I'm super excited about because she's so chill!  I enjoyed the icebreaker (mostly because I didn't lose at "Baby if you love me you'll smile" game), the discussion, and the com gia we had from Nha Hang $1.99.  I think that our group at Saint Callistus is a really close knit, and strongly wound group and I am really looking forward to teaching Sunday class tomorrow as well as the retreat next weekend!

Later, Hugo, Brian, Adam, and I went to shoot pool at 2000, but I got my butt handed to me by the Hugo+Adam team.  It's okay I will definitely get them next time!  I had my moments but I admit I sucked for the most part, which was disappointing but you know what, the boys and I had a lot of fun and that's all that mattered.  The trash talking and the bromance made my afternoon!

After dropping the boys off at church, Hugo invited me to play tennis with him and some of his friends in Irvine.  How could I say no?  After days without sunshine and dry surfaces, I couldn't resist taking him up on the offer and so we carpooled to his friend's place which ended up being across the Irvine Spectrum.  I have to say that complex was beautiful and had EVERYTHING!  Pools, tennis courts, grilling patios, basketball courts, gyms, whatever!  I met Tina, Ralph, and Jamie, and later on Tina's brother Peter.  We played a LOT of tennis and it was fun to watch Hugo literally dive into bushes to retrieve balls.  I must say though, my arm was STILL sore from boys night out a couple days ago, but I was still able to whack a few balls around.

We all decided to go eat at the Spectrum after cleaning up so we put away our gear and walked across the street and into Red Robins.  While waiting for the food, we played a few games with our hands and thumbs, which was surprisingly entertaining!  I then found out the three others were Catholic and were part of the Newman club at Long Beach State, where I go to school!  We had a great conversation about our faith and political issues involving it.  I really enjoyed getting to know them on a personal level and also a spiritual level, I definitely plan to check out their meetings on campus!

I'm now finally home and reflecting on a great day.  Me and Hugo have so much in common it's surprising, and talking to him has provided me insight about my personal beliefs and spiritual tendencies as well.  I'm glad we had a good conversation about other political issues and how our faith should play a big part in those decisions.  Anyways, I definitely need the sleep right now before it's back to church tomorrow!  Good night world!

-Kev