August 15, 2007

  • Whoa, it has been a while . I'm finally back home Vegas Vegas Vegas

      Summer has been amazing so far. Being a counselor was pretty kick-butt but tiring.
    When I had my exit interview, I was thrown praises all around, but there was something in the end that got to me. "You were great, you were the best, all the parents and kids and co-workers loved you....but you need to work on one thing. You work too hard, you give too much. You need to draw a line on how much you work, because sometimes people will take advantage of you. Stop being so nice and step back for once." (I'm not saying I was the best or anything, I'm half-quoting what my boss told me during my interview).
       This whole summer I've been struggling with this issue. Am I too nice? Do people take advantage of me because of it?
        Even on the plane ride home, they asked for two people who came together to offer their seats for a father and his toddler. No one budged. I couldn't do anything because I came alone. But in the end, out of all 120+ passengers on the plane, the attendant chooses to ask me, a random Asian boy having a friendly conversation with a random grandma, if I could move. (Which didn't make sense because that still only opened up one seat). Another man from behind who had an empty chair next to him took my spot so that there could be two seats adjacent to each other. (why couldn't they have just asked him to move to the back)? *Shrugs* lol. Anyway, I went through all the chairs and they were all taken..which was baffling to me. Finally, one of the ladies in the very back row stands up and gives me her middle seat because she was a flight attendant chatting with her friend. I hate sitting in the back of anything, more bumpy = booo. lol they offered to buy me a drink though (without me complaining), too bad I was underage (And I don't drink).
       But what would have happened if I simply said, "no, I like my seat in the front." (that's so not me though.. haha)
    And another thing, why did she ask me? Do I give off a "hey lookie here, I'm kind of a nice guy" vibe?
    lol Don't get me wrong, I like being nice. I kind of feel like it defines who I am, and I really enjoy seeing the look on other people's faces when I do something for them. It's rewarding. But how much can I give?

    Also, do people take advantage of me without me noticing? This year there was only one incident where I felt like people took advantage of me. (I don't consider the plane ride someone taking advantage of me; it just simply got me thinking). Is it even legit to say that someone took advantage of me if I, the 'victim,' doesn't recognize it? Also, it can be the other way around. If someone is very nice, don't you take advantage of him/her without knowing that you're taking advantage of him/her?
     
     *Shrugs* Questions that linger in my mind this summer lol.

         Anyway, going back to the camp. I've made some awesome friends .

    Home is weird. I sit around and do nothing. I eat and sleep.
    The Japanese (I think) made a great dessert called...mochi ice cream. My parents bought enough to last my brother and I for a 3 weeks (That's two each a day). Bad news.. I finished it all in 3 days... by myself.. my brother isn't home yet lol. I've also gained quite a bit a weight in a 3 days, w00t, goo summer! lol

    Jesus rules~!

Comments (15)

  • hi young :D ! lol, its so rare to find people who are genuinely and truly "nice" anymore. people who just give and don't expect anything in return, and people would naturally take advantage of that without realizing it, because they admire them and love being with them because they just are so pleasant and great people ^-^ just don't overwork yourself, k? and being the wonderful person you are is great ! don't change :)

  • :] i used to think the same thing all the time. people take advantage of me being too nice and i end up getting walked on and i've turned into a pushover.. blah blah but then my grandma told me it doesnt matter if you get taken advantage of or even if you are just getting tricked and cheated because you are just doing something good. and doing something good should come out of your heart.. who cares if theyre using you, at least youre useful and in a way helping someone out (yeah that sounds a bit too naive sometimes). what comes around goes around too so if theyre bad then.. yeah its their problem at least youre doing whats right. im glad youre such a good person.. we need more of your kind around! :P

  • lol, Young, you took advantage of your brother being away! Just joking

    I feel that in some situations, "going above the call" of being nice is necessary as in your flight situation. If no one volunteered, then the plane wouldn't have gotten off the ground. Another situation could be when your friends are in a bind and need your help. For instance, I'll help clean up tables at my friend's restaurant if it's ridiculously busy. I'll sacrifice much for them but tell them not to make it a habit; otherwise, then I would be a pushover.

  • Hey Young!
    Glad you're back in Vegas!!! =D School is about to start for us. booooo. xD
    Upon reading your post, I realized I also had the same dilema!!! Except, a different situation. but I felt that I was taken advantage of because I was nice.. and then I got mad.. and then didn't wanna be nice anymore. haha. but sometimes I guess you just can't help it cuz you're just.. naturally nice!! I'm glad you are who you are so don't ever change! =]

  • Hey Young. your entry was quite interesting =). i believe that what you do for others is wonderful. Your entry remined me of what Jesus said,

    "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you." - Luke 6:27-31

    it's funny cause that was my devotion yesterday. it made me think of how i am to others. I feel like "yeah, sure im nice, but am i really giving?" it got me thinking. I believe that you shouldnt burn yourself out because you wouldnt function as well. You should be able to decern that for yourself and know what you are capable of (in terms of ministry work). You are a wonderdful soldier for Christ. You keep fighting the good fight because ppl who are as nice and giving as you are hard to find. =)

  • Oh crap, so you finally noticed, huh? Dang, I was looking forward to another take-advantage-of-Young school year T_T

    Nah, but for real, be nice, work hard, etc. But don't be naive. Don't be "innocent" and ignorant in that manner. If you feel like somebody is taking advantage of you, stand up for yourself. DO NOT let them push you around - YOU'RE A MAN FOR GOD'S SAKE! Doesn't mean you gotta push back, just don't let them own you.

    And Young, don't get all fatty fatty on me. Or we'll have to take another picture of you and compare it to your old one ;D

  • youngg. your kindness pulls through and results in a great way no matter what. even if people did take advantage of you, that's just how we humans are naturally, i guess...but you are a great servant of God & the fact that you love to give & care is just..amazing. i think the plane ride was just another proof that God has created you in a way where your image just gives off that good vibe. i wish i could have that...where someone can take a look at me and go... "hmm theres something different about that person." ahahh. maybe i'm overanalyzing eveyrthing but i love you for who you are tehe :) i miss you, young. and the mochi thing...tsk tsk baddd! but hey..you deserve it. :) have fun in vegas! i wish i was in vegas while you two are there. lets talk and catch up soon! have a blessed week! <333

  • Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.1 Timothy 6:17-19
    i think that verse explains a lot ^_^. hehe. when r u gonna be back at C4? I'm sure ur gonna have to come back for UPenn right?
     
     

  • young! you are a wonderful person, but don't overanalyze your niceness. obviously God made you the way you are, and there's very few people out there that are truly giving from the heart.

    "You work too hard, you give too much. You need to draw a line on how much you work, because sometimes people will take advantage of you. Stop being so nice and step back for once."- a little before this statement, you said that parents, co-workers, and the kids loved you! imagine if you didn't work that hard. would the kids have had the same experience? i believe that a person who works harder is more successful and gets a prize far more better than a person who worked less.

    also, you mentioned the ride home. the flight attendant picked you, because she saw in you a very kind person. imagine if God asked you do something, and you just sat there and didn't move or gave a vibe haha. i'm sure that is not what a child of God would do. even though it wasn't a big thing, it was very generous of you to give up your seat. now let's say you didn't give up your seat. it would have taken a long time to find a seat for the parent and toddler. and what if the parent had to sit in your bumpy seat with his kid? or the plane didn't take off? you can think of all the worst case scenarios hah. take another example. Jesus washed the feet of his own disciple. though you thought why couldn't the other guy behind me move back in the plane? Jesus didn't think, "you need to wash my feet for my own comfort."

    you served those kids in counseling and you made a family have a happy flight. don't change for God has you made you the way you are. :)

  • hm... it's interesting reading all the different takes that people have/all the Bible verses that kept encouragng you to give and love the way you do. I'm not gonna tell you to stop b/c it certainly is the way you were made and the way that you show love in genuine ways. however, after having talked to charlene this week, I've realized that I struggle with this similar problem of not having very clear boundaries. and I think in terms of your RA position this summer, well... in that respect, you really do need to be more firm and resolute about certain things. there's always the iffy line between being a friend to the kids and being their RA-- but this doesn't change the fact that you have a job to do and that the main part of your job is to keep them in line. you could be the nicest RA ever, but if you let them walk over you and they end up getting kicked out because they didn't know the limits... well, in part it's their fault for having taken advantage of you-- but your bosses could've also said that it was b/c you weren't clear or stubborn enough about how the rules had to be followed. get what I'm saying? (I'm saying all this hypothetically to make a point here.) so, in the end... don't stop loving people and giving to them-- but you need to know where to draw the line in certain situations or roles because it's your job to. so, as a tip for this year-- because you're so naturally giving and you're gonna be a FOG leader, one thing I might worry a/b for you is that you'll end up giving too much of yourself to it and get burnt out and bitter a/b it in the middle. so just make sure that you always have space and time for your own priorities. it's important to be available for God... but He knows how much we can and should take, and it's our job to discern His will in what's most important. and for sure, your spiritual and physical health is a top priority.

  • welcome back homeeeeee ;]

  • wthecccck? that's like.. 14 each day! fattyyyyyy!! :D

  • Hi Young Mr. Nice jk but yah welcome back how are you ....you had a busy summer well school is starting soon get ready... have fun with the rest of your summer will a last ....

  • well God teaches you to be nice so it's a lot better than not following him .. right?

  • everyone else said nice things to you, so i'm just going to say - I can't believe you ate all the mochi icecream! rawrr! haha jkjk

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