no.76 130715 Thank you for my sunbae

Gam-ja-jeon or potato pancake. Ingredients: 100% potatoes.

Bold: adj. fearless and daring; courageous.

I had a lunch date with a friend of mine today. I've known her since my first year of university. She's my friend and also my sun-bae. Sun-bae means a senior at school. My friend was in her second year when I was a freshman. We both majored in art history but I first met her in a geography class.

I was taking geography as my elective. At first, I wasn't friends with her but I was introduced to her through our mutual friend. Ironically, that friend and I don't really talk anymore, but my sunbae and I remained good friends til this day.

If I were to choose one word to describe her, it would be 'bold'. People say I'm confident but I'm not sure if I am bold. You might be questioning "being bold and confident.. aren't they the same thing?" In my opinion, I think they are the same in general, but to me, boldness is a stronger word. To me, when you say someone is bold, I sounds like he or she is confident times two. I can't share everything with you but I can tell you that she is a bold woman, and I love that about her.

I'm thankful for my sunbae. I'm grateful to have someone like her in my life. She is a great friend, mentor and sunbae! Just want to share a quick message to her. Thanks for always listening to my stories and complains. Thanks for helping me to look to the bright side when I'm down. Thank you for the life and career advices! I'm often challenged with your stories from your experience. I'm so happy for your new adventure unni, and hopefully I'll be able to join you in the months to come!

no.6 130506 Thank you for the mentors in my life

I forget where I got this from, but I read somewhere about the importance meeting and maintaining a good relationship with these types of people in your life - your best friend (spouse) to love you for who you are, your friends to support you, and your mentors or teachers to guide you. I want to focus on the last one today. There can be a career mentor who is more experienced in the field you're in, such as your professor, who counsels you in regards to your career path. There can also be a Christian mentor. The role of a Christian mentor is similar to that of a career mentor - as a more seasoned Christian, he/she counsels and disciple you in your spiritual life.

I met my Christian mentor for lunch today. She was my one-to-one Bible study leader that I met in my first year of university, and she helped me shape my spiritual life eversince I became a Christian. When I have questions about my spiritual life and Christianity, she is my second go-to person to seek advice (My number one go-to person is Jesus for anything and everything in my life from the smallest things to the biggest problems!). Before knowing her, Christianity was merely a religion to me. I never knew that you can have a personal relationship with God (read my testimony below to learn more about how I became a Christian). I'm so glad and thankful that God has provided me with such a wonderful Christian mentor in my life.

As I am given with wonderful mentors in my life, I also want to mentor people. Whether I be a Christian or a career mentor (I prefer both!), I hope to mature in both my spiritual life and career to counsel younger friends who are in need of advice and help.