Keeping the Faith

So I work at a Neighborhood Walmart located in probably the poorest part of town and currently we are raising money for the Children's Miracle Network (CMN). CMN is a non-profit organization that "raises money for children's hospitals, medical research and community awareness of children's health issues." I know with the economy and all, people do not have much to give. They already have to cut back on other necessities. I do not even try asking the pharmacy customers when they come pick up their medications because most already complain about the medications being $5 when they used to pay $4 (yes I have encountered these before). Or people who are on Soonercare complaining they have a $0.65 copay! So I just gave up asking for donation. The reason why I wrote this post is because a lady at work told me that even though the store is located at the poorest part of town, our Neighborhood Walmart has raised the MOST money for the past two years! Shocker to me. I guess this is why the rich always get richer and the poor becomes poorer. The people with low income always tend to give more because they know someone who needs charity or have been there before so they understand. That is my opinion on that subject. The whole reason why I wrote this is because I do not remember how I gave up so easily when it came to asking for donation. I should give people the opportunity to give and not deny them because of my own (prejudice) thinking. If they say "no" then so be it, on to the next customer! The lesson I learned today is not lose faith so easily because then I might lose out on helping a child in need. So keep the faith people. Until next time.

Matchmaking...really?

Have your parents every tried to be matchmakers? Well...mine did! The thing is, my parents were never like this. They were so strict about dating before so them trying to set me up with someone is a shocking to me. My problem is that I do not know how to approach this situation. I'm pretty positive that he knows of me and I of him, but what now? I missed the opportunity to meet him when he was in town (note: he lives 45mins away from my parents' home). Basically, he has met everyone in my family with the exception of me. I never realized how small the Asian community really is until recently. Let me expand on that...this med school guy and my older sister are friends! And his family is related (long distance cousin-ish) to my roommates' family, who I grew up with my whole life! To me, that is really weird. 

When my younger sister told me that he is "cute" I got curious, thinking "my parents actually has good taste? wow." The thing is, when my parents first brought it up when I came home for Easter, I thought he was probably going to be a short, dorky, unattractive guy. I know, I sound judgmental and vain but I'm only human. I cannot help but paint a picture in my brain. The good thing about today's society is that...we have FACEBOOK! So as any normally, curious person would do...my friend Jennifer and I creep on his photos. To my surprise, he was the total opposite! He's tall for an Asian (which is a good thing), has a good face, and probably likes to keep in shape (bonus!). The only bad thing is that he hangs out with ALL Asians and I am at the opposite end of the spectrum. Can someone be "too Asian" for me? or me being "not Asian enough?" possibly. 

I know I should not form a conclusion before I even meet the guy, but I cannot help myself. My friends told me to meet him and my mom is probably praying that it we will connect when we meet but...still doubts. I feel like this is going to be one of those awkward "hi...I know of you and I know you know of me..." kind of meeting. I do not even know how to continue the conversation after that! I mean, what do you do after the introduction if you know it is going to be an embarrassing meet & greet? June 5th is going to be an interesting day (that's when I might possibly meet him). There is an event for one of his relative and I am suppose to go to it since I missed the one in Muskogee (that is where my parents live).

I guess you are not living an interesting life if you do not have embarrassing stories and parents trying to be matchmaker right? I guess the point to this whole thing is, we should all try to venture out. I know I will have a memorable story after this even if it does not work out. I'm always up to meeting new people (not in this way though) but there is a first to everything! This will be my first and hopefully my last (from my parents).

reflect

Have you ever wonder why we are in such a hurry these days? I know we live in a high tech, fast pace world but...have you ever "stop and smell the roses?" Life is not going to stand still and wait for us to finish all our errands. I feel that sometimes we need to take a break from our materialistic things and be one with nature: take time to walk around the neighborhood or hang out with your love ones: take a break and reflect on your day or your life in general. Are you feeling like you have missed something because you are living life too fast? Slow down your pace or you might miss something important.

courage

This came to mind today, "Talk to people whom you have never talked to before, and actually listen..." those people may become your best friends one day. All friendships has to start somewhere, why not go out on a whim and make new friends today.