just like heaven

I watched this yesterday - picked it up from the library. I think when it came out it didn't get great reviews but I enjoyed it. The name makes no sense at all though - I think they just wanted to take advantage of the Cure song and its remake which are both on the soundtrack.

Last weekend we celebrated E's birthday. He keeps forgetting how old he is - he's telling everyone he's 40 a year early (for the record he's 39). Saturday we went to dinner at our sentimental favorite French hideaway, Danal, caught a road trip play about an Asian family, a father and two sons, and then stopped by the Strand, a huge used bookstore.

The play Durango featured that former Wheatie, James Yaegashi. Apparently he's the it guy if you need an Asian male for your cast. Not that Christians can't be in plays that address issues of homosexuality, but I did turn to E and pondered, "I wonder if he's still a Christian." I read an article about Kristin Chenoweth who I've also heard is a believer recently. It's interesting to see what roles Christian actors choose, how they conduct themselves, etc. I'm sure that no matter what they do there will be critics. There's also that difference between being a (fill in the blank) who is a Christian and being a "Christian" (fill in the blank). I know E has dealt with this as some people want a "Christian" psychologist when E considers himself more a psychologist who is a Christian....meaning that talk of God, the Bible, prayer don't typically come up during his sessions but that his faith informs who he is an in turn, his work.

One of E's quirks is that he really likes canvas bags. The reason we stopped by The Strand was because I had a coupon - buy any two books and get a free bag! His looks like the one on the left but in different colors.

The next day we had dinner with his family. My sister came along, too, the first time seeing the clan since our wedding. We rented a zipcar, just like E's birthday last year...a Civic this time since it was available and close. There was an article this morning in the NYT about how small cars just can't be that safe due to their smaller size and weight. Guess we will have to reconsider our dreams of a Mini one day.

This past weekend was a full one, too - bowling with our Home Fellowship Group, carol sing-along at our pastor's place, the Angel Tree party, and then dinner at my old roommate's new place in the Village. I will try to post some pics soon.

This week I'm finishing up at school by giving a test...five students missed the test yesterday and I have the feeling that trying to give make-up tests is going to be a nightmare especially since today is my last day. I'm also trying to get things set up with my Columbia work. It looks like for the information gathering part (focus groups and survey) I'll be hired as a consultant and for the work I'll be doing in the spring (coordinating faculty workshops, etc.) will be done as a casual employee. I really hope this can be settled before the end of the year. I still haven't been paid for my summer work because of the paperwork hang-ups.

It's hard to believe I'm heading out to CA tomorrow for the last wedding of the year, a childhood friend from First Chinese Baptist Church. I'm also looking forward to seeing a couple friends I didn't get to see over Thanksgiving and maybe even celebrating Christmas a early with Mom, Dad, and my youngest sister (the middle one is staying in Sweden for the holidays).

2007 Travel plans are shaping up - Ezer to China in January to do HIV related work; a possible spring break trip to Europe, including Berlin where our church sponsors a former intern who has planted a church there; an August trip to Yellowstone with several relatives to pre-celebrate Dad's 60th birthday; my 10-year Homecoming at Wheaton in September; Christmas in California