My Year at 22

It’s my last two days as a 22 year old, and as always, I like to reflect on the past year. And boy, what a year!

Work at 22

I completed my first year at work. I feel like I’ve learned so much, done so much, and yet still know so little. Highlights from this past year at work include hearing from great education leaders like David Johns, Dr. Karl Alexander, and Pedro Noguera; meeting people who work directly in community schools; sitting in on meetings with congressional staff on the Hill to advocate for community schools; and going on trips to Gettysburg, PA, Chicago, IL, Newark, NJ, and next week, to Albuquerque, NM.

Gettysburg, PA

The Bean, Chicago, IL

Working at an education non-profit has enlightened me, not just about issues of equity, race, poverty but how they are rooted in systemic injustices. Sometimes, I feel like I’ve become that annoying social justice advocate, but hey, these are real problems and it is not fair that millions of children are denied their chance of success because of their skin color or where they grew up. As stressful and overwhelming my job can be, I love what my organization stands for and what we believe in. In my performance review with my boss, he asked me if I knew what I wanted to do career-wise. I still have no idea, but I do know that I want to continue fighting for equity and quality education for all.

Lifestyle at 22

I’ve done a lot more “adulting” this year — and yes, I did make up that word. But over the past year, I have felt more like an adult. I’ve paid off one of three student loans–HOOT HOOT! Yes for slowly chipping away at that student debt! I found a dentist and had my second check-up for the year (no cavities!). I can now drink wine that is not just fizzy apple juice without making a face. I’ve joined a gym and am doing pretty good at sticking to working out 3 times a week. I’ve gotten back into reading for fun, and yes, I have read a grand total of two non-fiction books. Look at all that learning (*in a slightly sarcastic voice*). And not only have I watched a few food documentaries, but I have actually tried to change my diet to accommodate more natural foods and less processed products.

Homemade black bean and sweet potato burgers with whole wheat buns made from scratch!

Adventure at 22

I was lucky enough to go a couple trips this year. First to Providence, RI and Boston, MA with a good friend from high school, and a second trip up to Philadelphia, PA for the Fourth of July weekend with a couple friends from college. Now that I’m out of school, it’s so much easier to make these trips and actually explore the East Coast. My favorite city I’ve been to this year was definitely Boston. I loved the historic charm of the city and didn’t find it too overwhelming like NYC, which I also got to visit on a free night during my work trip to Newark.

Shopping along Newbury Street in Boston.

Front door on a house on Elfreth’s Alley, Philadelphia, PA–the oldest street in America.

I also had some closer-to-home adventures this past year including apple picking with my housemates at the time, making an Olaf-inspired jack-o-lantern, going camping and exploring the Shenandoah Caverns, attending my friend’s baby shower (my first friend having a baby!), doing the color run with my bible study girls, facing the hordes of crowds for the cherry blossom festival, and riding the Capital Wheel at the National Harbor.

Apple picking at Graves Mountain in Syria, VA.

The Capital Wheel at the National Harbor, MD.

Hardships at 22

Although it is much nicer to focus on only the fun parts of the last 12 months, I believe it is also important to reflect on the hardships, because most of the time, it shows you how you’ve grown stronger from those obstacles in your life. The main ones being adapting to work and homesickness.

Being at a small non-profit, you have the usual struggles of being over-worked and under-staffed. Add that to my perfectionism and desire to please everyone, and you get a lot of stress and anxiety. I’ve always been an anxious-prone person, but never before had I experienced panic attacks. I will say these weren’t full blown attacks, and I know people suffer a lot worse. But I did have moments where my heart started racing and I literally could not do anything for 30 minutes. It’s come up a couple times at work, once right before bed, another time at church, and it is one of the most scary and uncomfortable feelings. It’s definitely taught me to turn to God for peace and also to not hold such high expectations for myself. I am not going to be perfect, and it’s okay to not meet certain deadlines to preserve your sanity and mental health.

As this was my first year out of college, I did not have the luxury of going home for summer break as I had the past four years. And it was a lot harder on me than I thought it would be. I love DC, but Hawaii will always be my home. My family and friends are there. I miss the culture and people of Hawaii. I miss the Ko’olau mountains and waterfalls you see after a big rain. I miss the year-round warm weather. I miss digging holes in the sand on the beach and sitting in them till the waves disintegrate the sand walls pilled around you and rush into the hole.

It’s also been really hard being away from my family as we had to put down our dog, Maka, after 16 long years, as my Grandma got surgery for her rotator cuff, and now as my Grandpa has been in and out of the hospital this past week. I really wish I could be with my family for these times. And besides Maka, I’ve never experienced death, and I’ve been really worried about my Grandpa. At his age, you never know what could happen, and I don’t want him to go before knowing for sure that he will be heading home to heaven.

Christianity at 22

As I talked about in a previous post “The Dangers of Comfort” I’ve realized I’ve lived most of my life as a casual Christian. I did not let the Holy Spirit convict me to live as Jesus called me to live. God has opened my eyes to the seriousness of the Gospel and that people’s souls that are destined for condemnation if they have not put their faith in Jesus. He has pushed me to be more open about my faith in the office and to care and pray more diligently for my church and community.

Looking back at my 22nd year of life, I praise God. Honestly, I don’t know what I would have done without him. He has brought me through the worst points of anxiety in my life, given me mercy to keep on living for his name, and worked out seemingly impossible situations. God has proven again and again his faithfulness and I trust God will continue to work out my life for year 23.

Amateur Status: Learning Design

A coworker introduced Piktochart to me earlier this year and I am now obsessed. Piktochart is an online program that allows you to make sleek, modern, creative infographics, posters, and presentations. I’ve been using it at work to create flyers and have been loving it. As someone who has zero graphic design background, it’s super easy to use and has now sparked an interest in design!

During the evenings and weekends, I’ve been playing around with Piktochart to create my own graphics. Here are some of my favorites (please keep in mind that I am a total NUBE and these are among my first creations).

John 3:30 – One of my favorite Bible verses.

Lyric from Hillsong Worship’s “No Other Name.”

Because tea is awesome.

Inspired by a poster being sold at Prose and Politics in DC.

Hope you enjoyed them! I’m looking forward to learning and creating more of these in the future.

The Dangers of Comfort

Snuggling up on a stormy night watching Netflix and drinking hot chocolate. Hanging out with your best friends as you do every weekend and laughing till your abs hurt. Taking off your pants, lighting a candle and plopping down on the couch after a long day of work.

These aren’t all inherently bad things, but it is so easy to seek the comforts and security of this world instead of God. Before I knew it, my life had become a pursuit of comfort and an avoidance of risk and fear. In this bubble I created around me, I dared not let God test my faith resulting in stagnant growth in my relationship with him. I stopped turning to God for strength and boldness because I didn’t need him when I surrounded myself in a comfort and safety. Last weekend, God changed my heart.

I went on a young adult retreat with my church over the weekend. The theme was “Made Distinct,” and we learned how the Christian faith, morality, joy, and love should make believers distinct from the rest of the world. We have a faith that says “what God says is true, what God has is better, so I will follow him.” We strive to be perfect because God calls us to live holy lives, just as Jesus lived. We have a joy that cannot be shaken because we place our joy and our hope in Jesus who is never changing, unlike the fallible things of this world. We have a love for others that knows no bound because we receive an unconditional and never ending love from God.

When I reflected on my faith and how I live my life, I realized people outside my church community probably don’t know I’m Christian. What in my life sets me apart from the rest of the world? How have I shared the love of Christ with others who desperately needs him? Why hasn’t my faith been growing? Why isn’t God using me to reach the lost when I see my friends sharing the gospel unashamed with their coworkers? Why aren’t I living with the same sense of urgency as the early church did?

Here is my conclusion to all these questions: I’ve been to scared to trust God and share my faith with others. I’ve been living in fear and did not want to do anything that could rock the boat (i.e. talk about going to church on Sundays or having coworkers see me read my bible in the office before I start working). I was so comfortable in life and scared of what God would do if I stepped out in faith that I hadn’t allowed God to convict of my selfish desire to remain comfortable. For months I held on to my sin and did not let the Holy Spirit work in my heart. But God certainly humbled and moved me at the retreat.

God can be trusted. Though the sermons, the worship, and hearing other’s testimonies, God reminded me time throughout the weekend of his goodness and faithfulness. I may be weak, selfish, and inarticulate when talking about my faith, but God works in people’s hears despite that. He has called us to be his chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own possession, who works all things to the good of those who believe in him. For when I am weak, then I am strong, and God fills all the holes in my heart to make me whole and pure. God is good and he is worthy of all our trust and faith. He is worthy of sharing his gospel for those in darkness. He deserves all our hearts, minds, and souls. He has called us to be set apart from this world, to be made distinct, and I do not want to be scared to go where he calls me.

All Sons and Daughters captures this message perfectly in their song, “Called Me Higher.” And I’ll leave you with part of the chorus:

“But you have called me higher
You have called me deeper
And I will go where you lead me Lord.”