A Lovely Evening!

I had a very nice evening and I wanted to share why!

1) Marvin Olasky
Though known mostly (from my understanding) in politics as the father of "compassionate conservatism," Marvin Olasky is also a professor and editor of World magazine. He is also a Christian. I was listening to NPR this evening and caught a bit, aurally, of his appearance at the Commonwealth Club. I had no idea who this guy was but he sounded very intelligent. Then came the question that hooked me: "Do you mind telling us about your religious conversions from Judaism to atheism to Christianity?" Sounds interesting, no? So he basically said (and I paraparaparaphrase):

As with a lot of young Jewish males that grew up in Jewish school, etc., I became an atheist at age 14, the year after my Bar Mitzvah. This came about mostly via reading some H.G. Wells and Sigmund Freud. I went to college during the Vietnam war, participated in a lot of demonstrations and became as liberal as possible by joining the Communist Party. After a couple of years I started to question atheism and because of this resigned from the Party. I began grad school in English literature [I think; not quite sure] and needed a working knowledge of Russian so began to study it in earnest [he had been studying it anyway to speak with his Russian comrades]. One evening I was looking in my bookshelf for some Russian to read and I came upon a copy of the New Testament in Russian that I randomly had and kept more just as an interesting thing to have. I started reading it very slowly since I was trying to learn Russian, and after some time the words began to make sense to me. Next thing I knew I was assigned to teach a class on early American literature. What is early American literature? Its Puritan sermons. I began reading and teaching Jonathan Edwards and began to agree with the consensus that he is the most talented philosopher produced on American soil [next to Danny Chai, of course. I see you turning red, Abby-abba]. I read a lot of Francis Schaffer, C.S. Lewis and came to the conclusion that this was the Truth. And the last 30 odd years have not repudiated that fact but strengthened it.

Isn't that amazing? I was floored by how perfect God's timing was and how beautiful the Word of God is, namely that its potent in all forms, sharper than a double-edged sword! It will cut through any heart and at any time God chooses. How wonderful is it that Mr. Alonsky had to read the NT slowly, because to him he was just trying to learn Russian but to God Mr. Alonsky was reading the WORDS OF LIFE. AMAZING! And how insane to teach a class on Jonathan Edwards, completely by chance. The Lord indeed chose Mr. Alonsky way, way before; he opened his heart to him, challenged him to reject atheism, placed the Bible in his home and numerous other things, experiences, relationships. God works out so many things in our lives just so that we can see Him. Its INSANE.

SN: I am becoming flamingly liberal on the outside. I listen to NPR, own a KQED fleece, subscribe to Harper's, bring my own grocery bags to Trader Joe's, am interested in purchasing shoes from stores like The Walk Shop, drink lattes, want to join the Commonwealth Club, and drive a Volvo to boot (and am thinking of purchasing a Subaru next!). And I haven't even mentioned the Berkeley connection yet! Funny thing is, I am concurrently becoming Brooks Brothers conservative fiscal policy-wise. I've been reading a book called The Undercover Economist and its been so much fun learning about why my lattes are three bucks (mainly because I fork out the three bucks for them and thereby approve of the price), why rich countries are rich and poor countries are poor (I don't take him literally on this one; I basically think its pretty much whether or not you have Protestant roots or not), and so much more! I like the emphasis on personal responsibility in most conservative policies/opinions, esp. in stuff concerning race relations and affirmative action. Read White Guilt by Shelby Steele. LOVED IT! I'm trying to make my way through Affirmative Action Around the World by Thomas Sowell, who also wrote a book called Black Rednecks and White Liberals. "Good title." 10 points if you know where that last quote is from. Hint: If the rumors are true, he would be the most notorious plagiarizer in all of history.

2) I got in touch with one of my friends from high school, Van3ssa Lee!
V and I were great friends at Homestead. Though she was much more part of the cool Asian crowd than I was, we managed to stick together and have a good bond. Anyway, we lost touch after I left for Germany but I found someone who had her contact info. Turns out she's living in the city and working at my favorite company on Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mt. View! So I emailed her a little apprehensively because I was afraid she wouldn't write back because she decided she hated me now. I don't know why I think those things but I do. I remember when I was in all my Homecoming Princess glory in the fall of 1997 at Diesner Field, Fremont High School (Vanessa by my side, D8vid Daines my date), wearing a beautiful Jessica McClintock dress and a curly bob haircut, I was afraid that someone would from the crowd would shoot me. Why? I don't know. I just thought everyone hated me. I think that's code for "I hated myself." Danse macabre aside, I didn't expect Vanessa to write me back. But she did! She said that she was so happy to hear from me and that she wanted to see me. Yay! I missed her so much and thought of her fondly from time to time. Anyway, I was so happy to get back in touch with her!

3) Grandma
Mama Pak is back East visiting the Zishes, so I am on Grandma duty this week. Halmoni has been feeling much better these days and it seems that some of her mental faculties have reappeared. She responds when called, can nod when asked questions, etc. Its great! We've been having a jolly old time singing her favorite hymns. I can tell that she is laughing at me when I screw up my Korean because of her nice eyes. Quite a feat without her voice and mouth function. Anyway, I thought I'd give you a copy of our recent concert. Her lips are moving but no sound is coming out. Interesting no? I just think its great that she can remember the words to the hymns but not my name. Well, not great but you know what I mean. BTW you'll have to bear with my singing, and I think the sound is a little off. :(

Its been a week of Jonah days so I'm so happy to have had such a nice evening! AND, after a week of taking care of a lot of others, I have all day Saturday free TO MYSELF! AND, I won an old Chloe blouse on eBay for $49.99! AND my dad approves of my new job! AND I've managed to work my way into the heart of my cousin's daughter Kyungjin! AND, its M&M's 2-year and 10-month anniversary! AND... I'll stop before I literally explode on your computer screen.