11 out of 20 Here comes Athena

Last night I couldn't speak to Ajo. I was waiting for him to call. Before I knew it, it was already 11PM. I was so tired that I called Ajo to tell him that I was going to sleep. I decided to go to my clinical today. It was a busy day. Again, I hope that I get better at what I do. There are things I am less confident in, there are things I am not skilled with, and there are things that I don't feel knowledgeable about.

New York welcomed its first snow storm for the season "Athena" just a week after the superstorm Sandy devastated parts of the NY, NJ & CT. Athena is to bring snow and windy wintry conditions into early Thursday. The wind can knock down power, uproot trees, and cause more damage which New Yorkers are definitely not excited about. I didn't know how bad it had snowed until I stepped out of the office building around 530PM. It was windy, the snow was slushy and it was cold. I managed to get to my car and realized that I didn't have anything to clean the car with. Perhaps, I didn't look hard enough. I scrubbed and brushed the windows with a scarf which I found in the car. I was totally unprepared for the snow storm with my open shoes, and fall jacket. The drive was not too bad, I had to take it slow in some areas.

Another presidential election is over. Obama will remain in office till 2016. He has been voted in for a second term. A close race with Mitt Romney kept American's on their toes until the official declaration late last night. Four years went by really quick. The next 4 years will breeze by as well. With that being said, the policies and the decisions that our country made over the past 4 years will affect generations to come. As Christians, the disagreements regarding right to life and definition of marriage should never be compromised as we live in this country. The other less important issues can always be a personal preference. At the end of the day, after hearing a lot on TV and following a couple of Christian bloggers, I asked myself the question -Did I cast the right vote?  If the answer is Yes, then I need to believe that God is Sovereign and there is an urgent call for prayer. If the answer is No, then I need to still believe that God is Sovereign and there is an urgent call for prayer.

After a long day, I can't wait to go to sleep.

10 out of 20 Decisions and Results

Last night I called Ajo and we talked for about 10 minutes. Ajo was watching a football game when I called. Training is going good. He has another 10 more days in Atlants after today. Time is flying. My breathing was a little better last night and therefore I was able to sleep last night.

I had a meeting with my Director today. I think the talk went well. Not sure if I really spoke my mind out completely. Regardless, I am having a lot of dilemmas recently even though every single step and every single thought up to this very moment had been planned by the sovereign God. Honestly, I feel like I am in limbo.  I wish there is only one open road. Life is not about what I want and how I want it. I feel I am to glorify God in my brief time here and I pray that God will bring a decision that would precisely accomplish that. I may get disappointment on the road and that will be something that God can use to change me.

I voted today! There is a certain power in voting. It stems from having the voice to elect the President of your Country people call home regardless of your nationality, language, or religion. I voted today not for the perfect man but for someone who God can perfect in the future. The depravity of any man is sin and there is no man without sin. Regardless of your registered party, or who you vote for, tomorrow morning the world will wake up to hear the headlines about the new President of United States. The work had just started. Prayer is the work of every Citizen and realizing that we are not able to change men but God is able. Our temporary residence will never be a perfect place but will be far from perfections. As citizen we start to pray for the elected regardless of who comes into office.

I found out today that my exam got postponed again for next week. The aftermath of Sandy left our School without power until yesterday. The power is back on but websites and all phone systems are still down. What a mess! Gas is still sparse. Another storm is headed our direction tomorrow. People are still with out power, heat, and hot water in many parts of NY & NJ. Families are trying to deal with loss of homes, cars, and lives of loved ones and friends.

I haven't spoken to Ajo yet and I pray that he is doing good.

9 out of 20 Slow Road to Recovery

Last night was such a horrible night for me. After doing so many home remedies the whole day, I was struggling with my nasal congestion. I was frustrated! I tossed and turned and walked around trying to get some relief. Tried heat, cold, ice, air, and other options to get my nose to take a breath. I couldn't. Nothing worked! I was getting more exhausted from mouth breathing. I prayed that God would given me some relief. After about 3 hours of agony, I texted Ajo so I can talk to him. I called him as well. I didn't realize that it was almost 1PM. I did eventually fell asleep but Ajo texted me back around 3PM and I told him I needed his prayer. This morning, atleast one of my nasal passages seems clear.Thanks be to God! Work today was a typical busy Monday. I was exhausted by the end of the day. I was sleep deprived from last night which added to my exhaustion. I have been struggling with this lingering illness for the past 16 days. After 10 days of antibiotics, my illness seems to be getting worse or perhaps the road to recovery is just simply slow.

Sandy and it's aftermath frustration continues. Gas lines are still incredibly long, power & heat are still not restored for many, and people are getting uneasy and feeling powerless. Another storm is on the way to the Northeast as per Meteorologist. In the midst of all these, God is still sovereign.

I had a birthday party at work today. Every one cooked incredibly delicious food for me. I felt so loved and undeserving for such a celebration. I am honored to work with some awesome people who treat and love others with their heart. I pray for them all that Christ would overwhelm their hearts!

I had the opportunity to deal with one particularly difficult patient at work. Difficult would be an understatement. He was quite the personality. Every word that came out of his mouth was rude and absolutely inappropriate. He was unhappy, upset, frustrated, and angry. A mix of emotions that did not complement each other. Later I was able to find of he lost the roof of his house in the storm and perhaps lost everything in the process. The conversation was quick but I am guessing that he had anger and frustration stemming from loss and uncertainty. He has to contact FEMA and try to get back to his house to pick up the pieces. I know there are things I could have done better in my interactions but I just needed so much of God's grace.

I am waiting for Ajo's call. It is almost 9PM now.

Tomorrow is election day.I still remember the presidential election 4 years ago while we were staying in Reno. Nevada.

"May God bless America, not because this nation deserves to be blessed, but because He is a God of grace and mercy.  Oh God . . . save us from ourselves." Albert Mohler

8 out of 20 - Message of Prayer!

Need is subjective. I say that because there are obviously need in one person's life may not be a need for another person. There are obviously various degrees and levels of need. Today I woke up at my parents house with congested nasal passages. I always feel blessed to have the option of mouth breathing. I have to say since I have suffered from allergies for years, mouth breathing is tiring to some degree. After breakfast, I returned home to a cool house, I had lowered the heat before I left last night. In the meantime, my congestion worsens, I have to resort completely to mouth breathing to get oxygen.I tried all of my remedies - Netipot, Vicks personal steamer, & Flonase to no avail. I had plans to study, I had plans to attend our 5PM service, I had plans to visit my parents to have dinner - needless to sometimes God has other plans.

I repeated my Vicks inhaler for 20 minutes and decided to listen to a message. I got an opportunity to listen to Carter Conlon's message from last Sunday on their website -It’s Time to Pray
Faith & Prayer and battling fear is some of the contents he talked about. His messages based on Mark 11 was spirit -filled.

²²Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. ²³ I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. ²⁴ I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. ²⁵ But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that you Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

I took a nap and woke up feeling a little better. I am able to breathe through from nose at least partially. I decided I need to stay home today because lately cold air has been causing some allergies and congestion flare-ups hence I am missing the Sunday service. Really would have liked to go.

Ajo called me and we talked for about 17 minutes (our record for the past 8 days). He is doing good. I bet he is tired and I hope will have a great week ahead of him. He had a good time visiting friends, family, church, and just hanging out with his cousins. In one way, I am happy he ended up going to Atlanta instead of California.

My in-laws just arrived back from Philadelphia. They are tired after a long drive.

So long! I look forward for tomorrow!

 

7 out of 20 - Sleep Over

Spoke to Ajo last night and he told me that he can't wait to get out of the hotel room to spend some time with friends and family. Perhaps, that's what he needs to get his spirits up. I do not think I am helping.

This morning I went to Clinical and returned around 3PM. After sleeping for about 1 hour or so, I went to a memorial prayer for my cousin's grandfather. The concept of born to die is a hard reality of life. Regardless when close family passes away, their memories linger on and the grief process takes time. I am glad I was able to go and offer my presence because no amount of comforting words can actually expedite the grief process.

Afterwards, I went to my parents to spent the night. I played with my cute and naughty nephew for an hour and called it a day. I haven't spoken to Ajo the entire day and that definitely bothered me a little. We exchanged few texts prior to me falling asleep.

Obviously it was a little hard to go to sleep  in a different bed and surroundings. Life is good and God is always good despite my craziness.

6 out of 20- Here is Friday

Who knew NY would face gasoline shortage! Superstorm Sandy agonize people as life without electricity, heat, & hot water continues. Now it is down to gasoline. Lines are miles long at functioning gas stations since yesterday. People are lacking some of the basic needs of water, shelter, and food in the wealthiest country in the world. Relief effort continue in the cities and in areas where help is needed. Perhaps we may have underestimated Sandy even though East coast was blessed to not experience a Katrina like catastrophe.

I have been greatly blessed these days. Just to experience that peace and comfort from the Lord is  humbling. Work for me has been a blessing. Ironic enough I am seeking God's guidance in this time of uncertainty. Ajo finished his 1st week of training today. I hope he is enjoying his training.

5 out of 20 - Gridlocks

Today is November 1st, 2012. This year is just breezing by. We have exactly 2 more months left in the glorious 2012. I feel like I am most often not grateful for a lot of things I have in my life. I am so attuned to my comforts I enjoy. I pray for a slice more of gratitude to overwhelm my heart.

I went to work this morning but ended up only working till 1230PM since we weren't quite busy. Call it perks or disadvantage of working part-time. Did I forget to mention that it took me a hour to get to work?. A 15 minute drive today ended up to be an hour due to chaotic traffic on the roads. With limited modes of public transportation, cars were out on the streets like ants. There was a even a 3 person per car restriction to drive into the city. It was hard to find gas as the loss of power had affected many gas stations and the demand of gas had exponentially gone up with generators and the number of vehicles on the road. Not a great day to travel.

I have an exam coming up next week which I need to study for. Since Sunday night, I haven't looked at my books. Blame it on the Hurricane. I really need to get back to business, get focused, and start reading. Class was cancelled today due to the Sandy aftermath. It was good to have a break!

I hope Ajo is doing well in Atlanta. I sometimes don't realize that he is not here. I guess in our normal work week, there are instances (perhaps too many) that I would only see him for 10 minutes or even if I see him, we would just talk for 10 minutes. Life is such in NY sometimes. I would call it the gridlock of life in NY.