Click over to Shadows of WCG: Next Generation, for a post that I could have written myself.

There are far too many good parts of the post for me to quote, without re-posting it in its entirety, but I will give you the passage that made me go “HELL, YES!”

Am I making excuses? Of course not. The intent of this post is to burn home to those reading this fact: The second generationers were the most indoctrinated, most impacted sponges of all of the Armstrong Empire. And when the Empire broke up in 1994 and 1995, the emotional stress of it, I am willing to bet, impacted second generationers the worst. Understand this: Their entire way of life since birth was shattered or changed. It is much like taking one gender and throwing that gender into the body of the opposite gender. You must adapt, learn, and change to your new circumstances – but in many ways, you will always be the you you always mentally were.

Click. Read.

We are the children of the church.

15-Item Accessory Bundle for Apple iPod Touch 2G 2nd Gen 8GB 16GB 32GB + New iPod Touch 3G 3rd Gen 8GB 32GB 64GB
Reviews from Customers

“great deal”
I agree with the person who commented on the low quality of the “build” of the items, but overall, I’m EXTREMELY satisfied with the purchase.

The items I use most often:

1) Mesh travel bag (drop both iPod & original headphones in it, and occasionally my very fragile Plantronics bluetooth headset)

2) Silicone cover

3) Screen protector

4) Wall charger adapter (which works to charge other devices connected via their USB cables)

5) Car charger (which also works with not only my iPod touch, but also other devices)

6) Car Audio 3.5MM Jack AUX Auxiliary Cable that allows me to connect my iPod to the Car Stereo on my Honda (AUX) and play over car speakers!!

Items I plan to use, as needed, but haven’t used much:

1) Retractable USB cable (I have it on hand as a spare)

2) Extra USB cable (I keep it in the car in case I don’t have my computer bag with me, which has the original cable

3) Arm band which connects to the silicone cover for working out while listening to the iPod

4) Extra headphones (if I want to share something with someone, see #5)

5) Splitter, which makes it possible for 2 users to listen to iPod using headphones

6) Cable keeper (shaped like a fish). Not very good, but serves its function and I keep the extra headphones wrapped up on it

7) Black Silicone cover: will probably use it eventually if the white one gets junky looking

Items I never plan to use:

1) Clear plastic case which seems very fragile and will probably break if used much

2) Leather case: too bulky, and I don’t like having things clipped to my belt. (Lost a cell phone that I clipped to my belt… slid off)

BOTTOM LINE: If you’re not buying this package for the leather case and/or the clear plastic cover, I think that you will be happy with your purchase. I’m EXTREMELY happy with mine!

“Amazing Amount of Stuff”
What an amazing amount of stuff for my 3g ITouch for a small price. Everything is compatible and works well. The headphones, while not equipped with a mic are even as good as the earbuds that came with the ITouch. I am frankly amazed at how much there is and that it is all usable. My husband had my Touch inscribed with a sentiment and I really wanted a clear case but could not find one for less than $15. This package had a clear case and two others, plus cords, cables, chargers, earphones – any accessory you could possibly need. Terrific value!

“Value for money; leather case has a belt clip.”
The items I received were pretty much what I see in the picture, except that the synthetic leather case has a belt clip that protrudes out. It is not removable. So it would not be suitable if you want to put it in a shirt or pants pocket, which is what I am looking for. The photos on the website do not show the reverse side of the leather case.

Other than that, the items were usable. Construction quality is not as refined. For example the USB sync cable that comes with the standard iPod Touch box is of better quality than that in the accessory bundle.

There are 4 cases — a hard plastic case, a white silicone case, a black rubber case and the synthetic leather case mentioned above. Well, I can only use one at a time as they are made to fit my iPod Touch 3rd Gen nicely.

See all detials of 15-Item Accessory Bundle for Apple iPod Touch 2G 2nd Gen 8GB 16GB 32GB + New iPod Touch 3G 3rd Gen 8GB 32GB 64GB

I'm a Creative Fan Contest - Win a 4 GB or 8 GB Vado HD Pocket Cam.

We’re all friendly over here, a right cheerful bunch actually. And with such sunny disposition, we gravitate to other friendly folk. I am guessing you are one of those friendly persons. In fact, I am willing to bet you are. Luckily enough for you, we are holding a friend-exclusive contest. It may be one of the easiest contests you will ever enter. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube and you will be entered to win one of our new, glossy, Vado HD pocket cams. There are many chances to win, as we will be giving away both a 4Gb and 8GB Vado HD every month until December. With THAT many opportunities to win, how could you possibly not want to be our friend?

Plus, we love you. It’s true. Why, you make our whole world go ’round. So go find us and friend us. We will be there with you to celebrate when you win. And while you are on all our fun social networking sites, take a look around, say hello. We are always here when you want to chat, when you have questions, or when you simply need a friend.

Drawings happen at the end of October, November, and December (please see details below). Encourage all your friends to join. Of course, if they win, you can remind them who told them about the contest. Maybe they will give you visitation rights to their awesome new toy.

Lovingly, Tawnee

——————————————————————————

Creative Labs Official I’m a Creative Fan Gen2 Vado® HD 2009 Drawing Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.

I’m a Creative Fan Gen2 Vado® HD 2009 DRAWING IS OPEN TO UNITED STATES AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY. The Drawing is sponsored by Creative Labs, Inc., 1901 McCarthy Boulevard, Milpitas, CA 95035 (“Creative Labs” or “Sponsor”).

ELIGIBILITY: The Drawing is offered electronically via the Internet or by mail. It is open to all natural persons the age of majority in his or her respective country or older who are residents of the United States or Canada for the duration of the Drawing, and who either have Internet access as of the day before the Drawing or who mail in an entry (as described below). Employees, officers and directors of Sponsor, its parent company, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising, promotion and fulfillment agencies, their immediate family members and persons living in the same household are not eligible to participate in the Drawing. Void where prohibited. All federal, state, provincial and local laws and regulations apply.

HOW TO ENTER: You may enter the Drawing in one of two ways: (1) by joining Creative Vado Pocket Video Cam’s page on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Creative-Vado-Pocket-Video-Cam/26099524863?ref=ts, adding Creative’s YouTube channel to your list of friends http://www.youtube.com/wearecreativelabs or friending us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/creativelabs. For more detailed step-by-step information on how to connect with Creative see our blog post at http://blog.myvado.com/im-a-creative-fan-contest/ If you are an existing member of Creative’s group, you are automatically entered; or (2) by legibly hand-printing on a 3″ x 5″ card the words “I’m a Creative Fan Gen2 Vado HD 2009 Drawing” along with your name, address, e-mail address (if you do not have an e-mail address, print “no e-mail address”) and telephone number and mailing the entry to: I’m a Creative Fan Gen2 Vado HD 2009 Drawing, Creative Labs, Inc., 1901 McCarthy Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035.  Only one entry per person is permitted. In order to be eligible for the drawing, completed electronic or mailed entry must be received by Sponsor no later than 10:00 am (Pacific Time) the day of the relevant drawing.  If multiple entries are submitted, only the first entry received will be entered into the Drawing. All entries become the exclusive property of Sponsor, and will not be acknowledged or returned.

PRIZES: Two (2) winners each month will be selected and first name drawn will receive a Creative® Vado HD Pocket Video Cam 8GB Player (retail value USD$199.99) and second name drawn will receive a Creative® Vado HD Pocket Video Cam 4GB Player (retail value USD$179.99).  Only entries received within the above specified timeframe by the dates set forth below will be eligible for the drawing. No alternative prize or other substitution is permitted, except by Sponsor in the event of prize unavailability. All federal, state, provincial and/or local taxes are the sole responsibility of the winner.

SELECTION OF WINNERS: Winners as specified above will be determined by random drawing from all eligible entries received, to be held on last weekday of each month beginning October 30, 2009 and continuing through December 31, 2009.  All decisions are final and binding. Odds of winning will be determined by the number of eligible entries received. Winner will be notified by e-mail or airmail at Sponsor’s discretion within 5 days of the drawing. Winner will have 15 days from notification to accept the prize by e-mail or by airmail. Sponsor is not responsible for and shall not be liable for late, lost, misdirected, or unsuccessful efforts to notify winner.

Winner may be required to sign and return a declaration of eligibility, release of liability, and, where lawful, a publicity consent agreement, all within 15 days of acknowledged notification. By accepting and/or using prize, winner agrees to the use of winner’s full name, voice, and/or likeness for the purpose of advertising, publicity, trade, or promotion of Sponsor’s company and/or products without further compensation, unless prohibited by law. If a selected winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim a prize, or fails to timely return the completed and executed declaration and releases as required, prize may be forfeited and an alternate winner selected. In the event of a dispute regarding who submitted an online entry, the entry will be deemed submitted by the authorized account holder of the e-mail account.

CONDITIONS: By entering, each entrant agrees to abide by and be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor, which shall be final in all respects relating to the Drawing, including without limitation the interpretation of these rules. Sponsor, agents and representatives of Sponsor, its parent company, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising, promotion, and fulfillment agencies, and legal advisors are not responsible for and shall not be liable for: (i) late, lost, delayed, damaged, misdirected, incomplete, illegible, unintelligible, or postage-due entries; (ii) telephone, electronic, hardware or software program, network, Internet, or computer malfunctions, failures, or difficulties of any kind; (iii) failed, incomplete, garbled, or delayed computer transmissions; (iv) any condition caused by events beyond the control of the Sponsor that may cause the Drawing to be disrupted or corrupted; (v) any injuries, losses, or damages of any kind arising in connection with or as a result of the prize, or acceptance, possession, or use of the prize, or from entering in the Drawing; or (vi) any printing or typographical errors in any materials associated with the Drawing.

ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE THE WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE DRAWING IS IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK REMEDIES AND DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH ENTRANT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify, suspend or cancel Drawing in whole or in part at any time for any reason, including the following: if a computer virus, bug, or other technical problem corrupts the administration, security, or proper play of the Drawing.

By entering in the Drawing, each entrant hereby releases and holds Sponsor and the employees, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, representatives of Sponsor, its parent company, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising, promotion, and fulfillment agencies, and legal advisors, harmless from any and all losses, damages, rights, claims and actions of any kind in connection with the Drawing or resulting from acceptance, possession, or use of any prize, including without limitation, personal injury, death, and property damage, and claims based on publicity rights, defamation, or invasion of privacy.

DISPUTES: As a condition of entering in this Drawing, entrant agrees that any and all disputes which cannot be resolved between the parties, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Drawing, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively, before a court located in the City of San Jose, California having competent jurisdiction, which court shall apply the laws of the State of California without regard for doctrines of conflict of law. Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstance will entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby waives all rights to claim or receive punitive, incidental or consequential damages, or any other damages or costs, including attorneys’ fees, other than entrant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e., costs associated with entering this Drawing), and entrant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.

Winner List:  Winner’s full name may be displayed at:  us.creative.com Creative Vado Facebook group page http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Creative-Vado-Pocket-Video-Cam/26099524863, Creative Twitter feed: http://www.twitter.com/creativelabs, YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/wearecreativelabs and our Vado blog: http://blog.myvado.com/

©2009 Creative Technology Ltd. All rights reserved. The Creative logo and Vado are trademarks or registered trademarks of Creative Technology Ltd in the United States and/or other countries.

Welcome back.
First, a short summary of where Christopher and the twins went in, timeline-wise, the end of episode nine.

Because of the increasingly crowded main house, Christopher packs his bags and sets off to find a new place to live. This has been on his schedule for a while, he just had to work up the skills to provide for himself.

Luckily, the house just down the road was recently put up for sale and, seeing how spacious it is, the twins beg him to let them move in as well.
_____________________________________________

But, shortly after, nature works its way and Adam bids farewell.

Heather takes it all in her stride, but Jamie looks like she really misses the old goof-ball.

She lingers around the remains of her father-in-law until Bryan comes home from work.

And together they cry.

Heather does her best to console the grieving Jamie.

She has to be the strong one, and finds comfort in how Adam led a full life, going from rags to riches, fulfilling his dream.

After the burial, Heather takes the opportunity to spend some time alone by Adam’s side. Alone with the cold tombstone representing her late husband, Heather can finally release all her grief and say her goodbyes to Adam.

When she believes she’s all cried out, she heads over to Christopher and the twins to offer some comfort.

Inside, Dana is busy with her aerobics, still in formal clothing.

While asking Christopher how he’s coping with life-

-Heather is overcome with sorrow and cries her heart out on Christopher’s shoulder.

The twins, not really sure what to do to console their grieving mother, decides the best course of action is to show how responsible they are, at least giving Heather one concern less.

Not even the promise of an heir can keep Bryan’s feeling in check for very long.
Speaking of, it’s gotten to the point where hiding is pointless; apart from the increasing waist-line, Jamie really eats like a pregnant woman. ‘

“You called for me?”
One day, Adam decides to check in on his family.

Or to check out the new computer games he’s been missing out on.

Heather finally gets his attention, and they chat about the after-life.

When the raising sun chases Adam back to his resting place, Heather has made her decision.

She’s ready to follow Adam into the dark.

Jamie is the first to realise, and howls for a while before alerting the rest of the family.

Heather is buried right next to Adam in their family cemetery.

With just the two of them in the house, Jamie often wakes up in the middle of the night to wander the quiet house. Her loner trait stands strong, and she enjoys the peaceful solitude these early morning hours offer.

But she’s not completely alone.

Adam occasionally drops by to do some reading in Heather’s old garden.

Finally, Brayn gets an exclusive interview on what awaits beyond.

Suddenly.
“Hoo-boy, I should write a book about this.”

Somewhat an obsessive compulsive control freak, Jamie stuffs a babbling Bryan into the passenger seat and drives to the hospital herself.

“Oh God, this is so scary, I want my mum!”
Ghhh.. it’s sort of embarrassing to witness this.

A few hours later, the Owen family has increased its population with 100%, please welcome Eden (absent minded and good) and Ellenore (easily impressed and friendly) Owen.

Loving father Bryan still cries out for his mother.
_____________________________________________

Author’s note;
I recently discovered that the patriarch/matriarch-rule was optional, so I’ll stick to letting the first-born carry on the legacy, meaning the next heir is Eden.

The twins are fully trained in all toddler-skills and left under the watchful eye of good ol’, nightmare-inducing Glaring Turtle™.

Christopher spends his newfound spare time on playing the guitar.

One day, Bryan wakes up feeling kind of funny.

“Hhh, shouldn’t have had that casserole mum whipped together last night.”

“OYH! I’m wearing dad’s old underwear!”

Bryan becomes ambitious, and his LTW is set to becoming Star News Anchor, so he applies for a job at the local corporate tower.

One quick interview later, he’s officially hired as a paper-boy.

Meanwhile, Dana would like some attention.

Don’t let that divine look deceive; she rolls evil!

Doria quickly follows.

And rolls bookworm.

Bryan’s been celebrating with a few friends over at the diner, where he runs into his high school sweetheart, Jamie.

They instantly pick up where they left, and parts with the promise of going out again soon.

And here is Adam, alive and well, determined to stay in shape.

Sadly, it looks like his mind is beginning to deteriorate a bit; it’s no longer that he wants to push and feel the burn — he forgot where he was going.
Guess that’s not unthinkable for a guy his age (87).

A little break in front of that abandoned shack to get his strength back before heading home.

…

Yeah, go ahead, spend the entire day in that creepy place.
What about your family, the reason you retired?

Well, Doria’s been busy tormenting her oldest brother, playing tag all evening.

Stopping occasionally to freak out over various premonitions.

Despite her evil trait, Dana spends the evening cuddling up with Christopher’s old teddybear.

But to compensate for an entire day’s worth of well-behavedness, an evil sim just has to act out, somehow.

Giving your poor old mum a small heart attack might be a bit over the top, though.

Christopher is either very tired of school, or sad that his old Teddy has more screentime than him.

So he aims for adulthood.

Congrats, Christopher. Your final trait is bookworm and you want to be Master of the Arts.
Where that old dad of yours is hiding, we can only guess.
Good thing that hotpants-wearing, freaky child dropped by to fill out the cheering crowd.

Ok, comparison-shot; NOT twins.

Twins.
Get it?

Ah, there you are.

Perhaps it’s time to head home and congratulate your second child? ..Adam?

What are you–

Oh, whatever.

Unaware of his father’s mental state, Bryan’s been going out with Jamie every night. This evening he leads her to the bench where Adam and Heather shared their very first kiss. (Of the events that followed, he probably does not mention. At least not tonight.)

Inspired by the sentimental mood, he finds the courage to pop the question and boldly asks for her hand.

Actually, they decide to get married as well right away.

“This is the happiest day of my life, ahyuk!”

MINE!

Calling Jamie Owen’s first encounter with Christopher, now officially her brother-in-law, kind of awkward would be understatement of the year; besides wandering around in his underwear, he immediately asks if she’s pregnant yet.

Dude, what?!

Funny thing is, Jamie has the dislikes children-trait.

Luckily for Bryan, this doesn’t stop her from enjoying the process of making them.

With seven people in the household, living quarters are a bit cramped.
For now, the young couple resides in one of the small bedrooms above the garage, sharing bathroom and kitchen/living area with Christopher.

Oh my! By the looks of it, we’re already in for another brat bundle of joy in the Owen residence.

Isn’t that wonderful, Adam?
Adam?

With two new babies in the family, the exhausted parents are glad for the extra help provided by their two teenager boys.

Christopher cares for little Dana (insane and clumsy), tossing a few jokes at his elder brother about the two of them being exploited as free baby-sitters.

Bryan, here seen with Doria (brave and neurotic), is a natural talent with his younger sisters; thanks to his family-oriented trait, he carries a fair share of the burden for his elderly parents-

-allowing Heather to take some time off for peaceful gardening.

During weekdays, where the boys have to get ready for school, Adam usually takes care of the morning-routine so that Heather can tend her garden.

He would like to retire and spend more time with the girls, but with six of them to feed and dress, Adam can’t afford to enjoy his golden years just yet.

With the boys out of the house, Heather enjoys a quick nap.

The peace and quiet never lasts for long, not with two hungry babies that require round-the-clock care and attention.

“QUIET, YOU, OR I’LL STEAL YOUR SOUL!”
Loving, doting mother as always, she is.
No, seriously, Heather really loves her children, but her expressions when staring at them scare me at times.

Good thing the boys will take the evening-shift; they just have to finish up their homework and have a bite to eat.

Adam’s not as energetic as he used to be, and is often found resting up after dinner.

Thanks to the boys, he’s rarely awaken by crying babies.

Giving him the energy an old man needs to care for two youngsters.

And the time to spend some quality time with his wife.

Suddenly–

–Heather decides to age thirty years in an instant.

They make a lovely, old couple.

Seeing how the family is growing, some savings are invested in building a small apartment above the garage.

The boys make themselves at home, feeling good about the privacy an apartment offers, but still living close enough to help out with the twins whenever needed.

Heather feels she’ll be of more use at home, and decides to retire. She doesn’t make nearly as much as Adam, anyways, and there is just so much to take care of around the house.

The garden is doing great.

And, when the boys are at school, she sneaks inside the apartment to tidy up there as well.

The main-house is still the favored place to hang out for Bryan and Christopher, offering homework help and free food. In return, they tend to the twins as often as possible.

Whom by now has taken over their old rooms.

Oh, look who just turned into a toddler! (Dana.)

And for some reason, an ogre seems to have kidnapped Doria.

She would very much like to become a toddler as well, thanks, so if you could just put her down and get off the Owen’s lawn?

No? ..fgsfds

Bryan eventually rescues his terrified sister. The traumatic incidents leaves her bald for the time being.

And so the fun begins, all over again; potty-training.

Those first steps.

And first words.

Exhausted, but very proud of their accomplishments.

Funny thing; the boys look more alike each other than the twins.

Confident their savings are sufficient, Adam finally allows himself to retire.

The boys stick around to help out, none the less.

(Even though they are better parents by autonomy than in the Sims 2, crying babies are not rare occurances in the Sims 3 either.)

Oh, for the love of… just put Doria in the crib and let her sleep, you senile, old fa–

Or don’t.

_____________________________________________

In all seriousness; caring for six sims really test my nerves to the limit. The only comfort is to think how high my blood-pressure would be if this was the Sims 2.

Welcome back!
Adam and Heather are finally living the middle-class dream, and they’ve been busy providing the next generation as well. Heather spends a moment on herself, finishing that book she’s been planning on reading for ages now.

Toddler Christopher is sleeping peacefully.

Adam’s busy .. being Adam.

And Bryan’s starting to, durr, really look like his father.

Heather, still refusing to shut the door, takes off for another day at the office.
She’s Mayor now, by the way.

I can only guess, but it looks like Adam still prefers formula over Heather’s cooking.

A few evenings every week, this guy drops by to help out as a babysitter.

By the looks of it, Bryan wouldn’t mind him doing some cooking as well.

Then, later the day where Bryan almost choked on his mother’s cooking, Christopher would like to become a child.

Hey, wait, have you seen Adam?

….duurrrrr

That’s.. that’s.. really something, Adam.

Mild retardation; the third hidden trait of the Owens. Jeebus!
(He rolls Good sense of humour.)

Christopher has some cake with his family, trying very hard not to comment on Adam’s outfit.

“Yup, all up the nose! Oh, looks like there’s still some left here–”
“EWW, GROSS!”
Christopher is the charming one, I guess.

He’s much sweeter when half asleep.

Adam NEVER tires of this.

With two kids in the house, Heather’s days are filled up with cleaning, cleaning and.. more cleaning. At least they are mature enough to play peacefully together.

I loves mah suit!

Bryan is ready for those awkward teenage years.

Okay, okay, I’ll get rid of that wall! ..Eventually.

Hello world! Bryan adds neurotic to his traits.

His favorite pastime is staring blankly out the window.

And care for his little brother. It’s good to see they still get along.

Despite his family-oriented trait, he prefers hanging around in public without his parents (like most teenagers do). The library might be a decent place to pick up a new skill or two, and maybe some of the cute girls from school goes here to study as well?

No potential friends, but two strangers that should learn the meaning of PERSONAL SPACE?!

Glaring Turtle™ is alive and well, teaching youngsters the basics of tinkering, and an added bonus; horrifying nightmares of indescribable nature.

When not sleeping, staring into space or having his personal space invaded by strangers at the library, Bryan wanders around to check the various appliances and repair what his father ruined during the day.

Hum, just two broken sinks and one clogged toilet?

Plenty of material for a little LiveJournal-rant.

And.. FINALLY, we’re rid of that horrible, purple suit.

Flashback to bathroom-crowding, seen in previous installations of the Sims.

Christopher would like to become a little more independent as well, but takes his time to say goodbye to old Teddy.

Darn, forgot about that wall.

After a quick dive in the dresser and a haircut, Christopher Owen is ready to take on the world. Or charm a few girls; we have a flirty sim in the house.

N-no. No no no no no.

Yes.

Adam takes to the news with more dignity; almost an elder, with two sulky teens in the house, a little bundle of joy should make a lovely addition to his retirement days.

Oh Adam, how could you possibly wish for more joy and excitement than this?

With two teenagers, and another addition to the family on the way, Heather tries to reduce food expenses by growing vegetables in the garden.

Have a long look, folks, this is the last time we’ll see Adam the way we’re used to.

Wheeee~

No time to celebrate; the moment Adam stops spinning, revealing an older version of himself, Heather goes into labor.

You might think Adam is ready and able to handle emergencies by now.
You’re wrong.

The usual routine pass; Heather calls a cab, Adam wanders off someplace in the house, cab arrives, cab leaves with Heather, Adam realises and calls for another cab, Heather is already done delivering and waiting for him when he arrives. Oh, look, it’s a girl!

Bu.. wha…

Oh ****, you’ve got to be kidding me.

One is like none, two are like ten -old saying on children.

DAD! The turtle is eyeing me again!

Sorry, Adam is busy hypnotizing Christopher to sleep.

Surprise, surprise, it doesn’t work. Time for plan B.

Now, drink all of your green goo and grow big and strong! Like your dad!

Nom nom, delicious baby.

Then he’s off to save Bryan from the glaring turtle.
“Mumble grumble, wish I had a turtle like that when I was a child.”

“BUT I’M NOT SLEEP– Zzz”

Adam, dear, would you mind looking after your second born before I eat him raw?
Sleep deprevation is starting to take its toll on Heather.

Y-yes dear!

Heather tries Adam’s technique of beating helpless appliances around the house when stressed out.

Adam adopts Heather’s habit of not closing the door.

Christopher decides to let his birthday pass unannounced to his (temporarily insane) parents.

This reminds me of that time, back in the ancient days when I was a child; Scientists reported the yellow Legos were toxic and mass hysteria ensued, leading to tons of Lego being destroyed. The thing that, perhaps, should’ve been included in the report, was that if the child was to suffer any danger from exposure to yellow Legos, it had to consume 100 kilos every day for at least a year.. Oh, well.

Looking at this shot, we can only guess what Adam devoured when he was a child.
“Dad.. are you serious?”

“Love!”
“Aaaawh! And who do you love?”

“Nachos!”
“A.. yeah, come to think of it, nachos are delicious.”

“Woooh! Go Christopher! Go Christopher!”
“Adam, this is Bryan.”
(On another side-note from my childhood; dad usually went through the entire family tree before getting to my name. He even called me by the dog’s name, once. Oh, the joy of having siblings.)

“Growing up tickles!” (Bryan rolls family-oriented.)

Adam and Heather, caught in a tender moment.

Nothing’s like making out in the bathroom, knowing your children are safe under the watchful eyes of a glaring turtle.

Perhaps they are celebrating the nearing completion of their new home?

It might not be grand, but it’s a leap up from living in a modified shed.

Like most siblings, they don’t always get along too well, but it’s still a bit early to argue about the dishes, eh?

Hidden Owen-trait; nevermind the door, okay? We like it drafty.

As the newcomer in class, Bryan is persuaded into staying behind and clean the bug cage. He decides to finish up his homework before heading home, knowing his father will most likely try and help, but not exactly improve his grades.

But at home, Adam’s been busy moving furniture and neglecting his hungry second-born all day.

The outcome is not too shabby. Regarding the house. Not starving toddlers.

Finally settled in the new house, Heather is not very pleased with her kitchen.

In a very undramatic matter, Adam announces he has reached his LTW of becoming a superstar athlete. Wooh! ..Nice suit.

“DAD, be QUIET in there, I’m TRYING to actually LEARN something here!”
Kids struggling with homework is just the cutest thing ever.

Before bedtime, the brothers spend some quality time with glaring turtle.

Bryan eventually caves and heads to bed, giving Christopher the opportunity to finally try and lodge a building block up his nose.

Ok, so I have had a new obsession lately with something most people are probably already over.  That is Apple’s iPod Touch 2nd generation.  I have owned 2 iPods; first the 2nd generation iPod Shuffle, and then the iPod Nano 4th generation.  I got the nano because I thought the shuffle was getting annoying without having a screen and you would have to browse through every song to find a particular one.  I have now owned the Nano for about 5 months now and I started researching about the iPod Touch.  Even though I love some of the Nano’s features, I thought the touch was better because of 1. The larger screen and 2. The option of downloading apps and 3. The touch screen and sleek design.  The one I enjoy the most though is the larger screen because even though the Nano can play video; the screen is so small it’s harder to see.  Also, I think the apps are good though because the touch can go on the internet and you can download songs for iTunes right onto your iPod from there.  There are also a lot of apps I would enjoy; but too many to list.  But I think the innovative idea of a touch screen is amazing, and I love how it is combined with a sleek design.  I have been reading on the internet a bunch of articles about the iPod and reviews.  Now I’m trying to save up because I am considering one of these.  But until then, I will stay content with my Nano; it’s not so bad, at least I can listen to my music and watch videos.  Now I want you to comment if you have an iPod Touch and tell me if this is a good idea.  I really think this is an amazing product though.

♥Kim 

I only have an iPhone, so I haven’t tested this. Maybe someone can post a comment about whether this works.

The 2nd gen iPod Touch & 4G Nano have mic-in JACKS. Use iPhone headphones & combine with VoIP apps like Truphone & Fring. This should allow you to make calls while in wifi locations.

Unfortunately, without having an iPod Touch to test this, I can’t say if the audio will be full duplex. Can someone test this & let me know if they can hear the other person while on a call? I also wonder about quality. Please post a comment below.

As of Midnight tonight, these users should also be able to use SKYPE!!! Woo Hoo! Get in line for the download at the App Store. There is bound to be one.

I said Zunes are better than none-touch/accelerometer iPods.

Buy me an Apple iPod Touch 2nd gen or an Apple iPod Nano 4th gen please.

xoxo

foreverBLUE

It’s been two months and a few days after I got my first iPod. It’s a silver, 1GB, 2nd gen Shuffle from Ate Lou-an (cousin). I haven’t had enough alone time with my iPod when…

…this came. I know iPods are nothing compared to Zunes but my shuffle looks like a carbomaniac next to these babies. It’s like ole Stevie from Apple forced my Shuffle to be an “Ana Mia” so they could look twice as small in dimensions. It’s half the size of second gens. Wait, did I mention these tech anorexic-bulimics come in 4GB and are available in black and silver variants for only 79$? I know my second gen is only 1GB but they are of the same price. Can you believe that? They also moved the controls to the cords and included a feature called “VoiceOver” which tells you the name of the song or the playlist your currently listening to. Oh, yeah. This Shuffle handles playlists, too.

I know it’s not worth getting depressed and stressed-out because of this but you don’t know me. I didn’t like iPod Shuffles before but I survived using it for two months and I can’t believe I swankier one just arrived. You don’t know what I’m thinking of right now and I’m not telling! You might be ROFLOL ’til the next Shuffle comes out. I’m doing that in my head right now. LOL.

I feel like I want to break-out right now but I can’t. My mother will probably shout at me if I do.

xoxo

foreverBLUE

Brb posting from an ipod.

…how ironic, I didn’t expect to be an owner of such an overhyped, pricy gadget.

P.S. Plus points for multilanguage / keyboard support.

I can’t string decent Japanese sentences although I’ll just leave this here…
ーーその目だあれの目？

12.02
KINWITS
綠色小人 要走到指定的格仔 有難度喔
遇到藍點會變成藍色 而且會轉相反方向
可以下載來玩

HAIRSTYLE LITE
可以變換髮型的遊戲 ★看此介紹

CRAZYMOUTH LITE
很白濫的遊戲 有2種嘴型笑聲 ★看此介紹

BANKARAMA LITE
我覺得好好用的又簡單的記帳軟體
可是試用版只能登記20筆耶
可以開不同戶頭 還可以用移轉的功能 可以清楚戶頭或錢包有多少錢
可是沒有CATALOG的分類顯示 所以不知道自己的分類花多少錢

S&D
訓練眼力的遊戲 一次出現6個數字 你要把他記下然後輸入
一共25題 看看誰比較厲害吧
我玩一次我的分數是56646

TRACE
可以自己畫路徑 然後走到星星的位置就過關
一共100關喔 還是免費的喔

SPACEMONKEY
太空人把猴子丟到外太空撿垃圾 他的四隻都可以接東西
遇到電池要旋轉或避開 不然會被電死
畫面蠻美的喔

AQUA BALLER
記得小時候都會買的玩具嗎?
裡面裝滿了水 壓一下就有圈圈可以套住喔
這是投籃球的遊戲 好懷舊唷

IXMAS TREE
自己裝飾聖誕樹吧 好應景唷~
很可愛喔

MYPAINT FREE
很簡單小畫家 畫好可以上傳到他專屬WEB
不過我都畫好後直接拍照(按住回主畫面鍵+POWER鍵 可以拍螢幕照)

CLARA
適合給小小北鼻看的 有動物跟車子 按下照片會發出叫聲喔
要記得用橫的觀看才會發出聲音

ImagePuzzle, v1.1,
(無聊的拼圖 把自己的照片可以當拼圖啦)

Files lite, v1.1,
(可以跟電腦分享檔案的程式)

iPint, v1.1,
(運用平衡把啤酒杯移動到人的手中…有啤酒杯的動畫 可以假裝喝啤酒 好瞎!)

シェークジャンプ FREE, v1.1,
(手要一直上下動 兔子才會跳 搞不懂有啥好玩)

Chimps Ahoy! Lite, v1.3.1,
(可以兩人對戰的用球打磚塊遊戲)

Scroll Driver Lite, v1.1.5,
(運用平衡不讓車去撞到坑洞..小無聊…)

Dougie Moo Lite, v1.0,
(把顏色一樣的球也是運用平衡讓他結合 這適合小孩啦)

Jive Lite, v1.0,
(就是跟動物管理員差不多啦 把一樣的動物轉來轉去消去)

Cowabunga, v1.0.2,
(要用跳板讓牛過河 有點難 因為牛跳很快)

Mahjong Solitaire Free version, v1.0.1,
(四川省麻將啦)

★Scoops, v1.3,
(付費$0.99 運用平衡接冰淇淋的遊戲 接到洋蔥就死啦 死三次就重來 累積最高分)

老地方冰果室, v1.1,
(APPLE 新聞)

fring, v1.0.1.5,
(聊天)

MiniPiano, v1.1,
(鋼琴小鍵盤)

iBowl, v2.0,
(會把他區丟出去的保齡球遊戲)

Labyrinth Lite Edition, v1.4,
(彈珠閃過洞洞就贏了)

iChoose, v2.0,
(選擇遊戲-硬幣正反面.骰子點數.生男生女.愛不愛我…)

Facebook, v2.0,
(最近會把關於他區小疑問都丟在上面)

Balance, v1.1, (不好玩的家計本)
CashFlow Free, v1.1, (不好玩的家計本)
QuickBank Lite, v1.0, (不好玩的家計本)

ESPN Cameraman, v1.0.2,
(很難的大家來找碴)

Discover, v0.9.2,
(可以與電腦連線的檔案分享)

MyHomesLite, v0.3,(也是不好玩的家計本)
★TapExpense, v1.2,
(我付費買的家計本 還在紀錄…只能紀錄支出不能有收入紀錄耶)

SQUARE MASTER LITE
(最愛:手指移轉方塊)

SUBWAY SHUFFLE LITE
(移動車子到指定點)

從app store下載 fring軟體
可以支援msn.skype.icq….集成一體的通訊軟體啦
要註冊有一個fring user id 帳戶後才可以開始加入msn或skype

接下來就是重點 通話 通話 我要講話聊天!!!都給我講!!!

*去買一個支援IPHONE的耳麥 我在NOVA的某店買 300元
你可以買原廠的喔!!!才一千(哈哈哈按下連結)

開啟buddy list 選取要通話的朋友

按下名字會出現 CHAT 跟 CALL 要用語音通話 當然要按CALL

————就是這麼簡單 就可以開始對話了————-

接下來要用的是SKYPE打出去手機
一樣要登入fring後
開啟IPOD TOUCH FRING的 DIALER視窗

輸入手機號碼(台灣)
00886+去掉0的手機號碼
(手機去掉0之後的9個數或市內電話去掉區碼的0九位數)
按下skypeout
就可以正確的撥出網路電話囉

沒錯 我在通話中了…

是不是真的很屌呢 哈哈哈哈
不過在FRING軟體內沒辦法查詢SKYPE餘額點數 所以自己去SKYPE頁面查詢囉

是不是真的很簡單呢
有了SKYPE通話 我更愛我的他區TOUCH了 哈哈哈哈哈

看一下我今天在NOVA外面打給TJ的示範影片吧

3 days remain.

I only have 3 more days in Canada.

There are only 3 more days until my wife and I begin our new life in Seoul, Korea.

How did it get this way? How did we end up leaving our ministry and our life in Montreal to move to the other side of the world?  How were we so sure that this is where God was calling us? How did we know that this was God’s will for our lives?

When talking about God’s will, it’s easy to get sidetracked and have seemingly unending theological discussions.  Rather than getting sidetracked, I’d rather keep things practical and relevant.  As a result, Psalm 37:4 is really the driving theme of my life and of how I discern God’s will.

“Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.”

We never planned on leaving Montreal after two years.  After all, we were even thinking about buying a condo there!  Sure, there were times when we wanted to leave, but there were also times when we wanted to stay for a while.  So what convinced us that it was God’s will for us to leave?

Late June 2008, I received a call from Eddie, my former youth pastor when I was in grade 5 – 7.  Not knowing why he called me, we merely talked for a few minutes just catching up about everything.  He then asked me if my wife and I would be willing to move to Korea to partner with him in the English Ministry of Onnuri Community Church.

WHAT?!?

Where the heck did that come from?

When he asked me, my immediate internal response was “NO! Why would I want to move to Korea? Things are amazing in Montreal – we’ve finally developed solid friendships, the youth ministry is thriving and growing, school is working out well.  Why would I move somewhere else? I’m delighting myself in God, and he really is giving me the desires of my heart – success in ministry and life.”  However, even though my immediate internal response was “NO!”, I kept on asking questions about the ministry in Korea.

Although ministry and life was amazing in Montreal, my wife and I always sensed that it would be temporal.  We knew that God placed us in Montreal for a season, but we knew it wouldn’t be “the place where we would make our maximum impact.” (Perhaps I’ll unpack that idea in a later post).

As a result, despite my internal response being “NO!”, perhaps I kept on asking questions because I knew (somewhere deep within) that my season in Montreal was coming to an end?

The thing about University Bachelor degrees is that the first year is always so general.  The first year is so general because the school wants you to receive exposure to a lot of the different nuances in your discipline, so that you can choose what you want to specialize in.  As a result, the second, third, and fourth years, respectively become increasingly specific.  (For example, you can choose arts or sciences.  If you choose sciences, then you have to choose from all of the different disciplines – like biology, chemistry, health sciences, etc.  Then after that, if you choose biology, then you can choose between marine biology, microbiology, biochemistry, etc.)

In the same way, I believe that we all have specific God-ordained callings on our lives that are based on our talents and our passions.  However, we’ll never know what that specific calling is until we start exercising and developing our talents and passions.

Therefore, I didn’t just wake up one day and decide that I had a God-ordained calling on my life to work with multi-/inter-cultural type of ministries, focusing on developing leaders.  It all started by understanding that God wanted me to love him and love others (the central and universal calling that God has placed on all human beings).  Thereafter, the calling upon my life became clearer and clearer as I moved towards loving God and loving others.

For me, that meant God continued to open up doors in my life to enter full-time vocational ministry.  For my wife, that meant God continued to open up doors for her to study social work and counseling.  For one of my friends, that meant God continued to open up doors for him to become a medical doctor.  And for others, it could be something else.

What I’m trying to say is that when we delight ourselves in the Lord, he will give us the desires of our hearts.  Don’t we all dream that someone would pay us to do what we were naturally talented at doing and what we were passionate about?

Well that’s what I’m doing!!! That’s what happened to me, and so many others that I know!  And it happened to me because my focus was on God, and not on myself.

As a result, why Korea?  Well, as much as I was able to exercise and develop my talents and passions in Montreal, God is continuing to clarify my specific calling.  On top of that, he’s beginning to open my eyes in regards to how my specific calling is intertwined with my wife’s.  In Korea, I will have a greater opportunity to work with multi-/inter-cultural type of ministries, focusing on developing leaders.  And In Korea, my wife will have a greater opportunity to discern her specific calling.

Do I think this present opportunity will be the last one? No, not really.  But I do know that my wife and I will be there, giving and doing our best, until God calls us elsewhere.

Thank God that I don’t know what the next step is.  God is a bigger dreamer than I am.

]]> http://laughtrack.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/930-peter-christopherson-of-coil-to-play-brainwaves-08/ Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:38:28 +0000 Luke http://laughtrack.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/930-peter-christopherson-of-coil-to-play-brainwaves-08/ http://danielim.wordpress.com/2008/08/22/our-calling-in-life/ Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:33:09 +0000 Daniel Im http://danielim.wordpress.com/2008/08/22/our-calling-in-life/

“Every assignment that God gives His people is His primary means of sanctifying His leader.”

These are the words of Crawford Loritts that have encouraged me today.  In a sermon entitled The Call to Courage from the 2008 Desiring God Pastor’s Conference, Loritts digs out an amazing insight from Joshua 1:1-9 regarding the calling that God has given us and how God uses it to sanctify us.

Here it is:

“Every assignment that God gives His people is His primary means of sanctifying His leader…some of us are getting burnt out because we are separating the sanctification process from our ministry. I understand boundaries, rest, variety in life, etc…

…but the very thing that God is using to draw you to Himself is the calling that He has given you.”

Wow.

The primary calling that God has given me is to love God and love others.  More specifically, he is calling me to do that through pastoral ministry.  Getting even more specific, God has given me a desire to minister to those who are intercultural (those people who are attempting to balance their different cultural backgrounds and upbringings).  And to really hone in on exactly what God is calling me to do – he has given me a calling to minister to 2nd generation Asians (those born and raised in a country that their parents immigrated to) and to those who minister to 2nd gen Asians.

Perhaps that is why I am so energized and have such a renewed sense of calling upon coming back from ministering to 2nd gens in Korea?

In many Asian cultures, false humility is rampant. Helen Lee, in Growing Healthy Asian American Churches, describes false humility to be “humility in the guise of deference.” For example, in a situation when a person is asked to perform a respectable task, many Asians will automatically reply with a humble “no,” even though they know that they are more than competent to do the task. In the same situation, a Westerner would typically jump at the opportunity to get ahead of the pack. Why is there such a difference? What’s the motivation?

Many Asians do this, Helen Lee states, “to avoid potential conflict or embarrassment.”

In other words, many Asians (mostly Confucian-based Asian Cultures) are influenced by the motto – “The nail that sticks up gets nailed down.” However, the motto in the West is – “The early bird gets the worm.

That’s all fine and good, but what about people like me? I’m neither Asian nor Western – I’m both! So how do I reconcile these seemingly contrary qualities?

Well, as a Korean-Canadian, the Asian side of me seems to be much more dominant than the Western side. In other words, my soul hates conflict and doesn’t like to stand out, but my brain knows that I need to put my foot forward if I want to thrive in this Western culture I live in. So is there a constant battle going on within myself? Is there this constant struggle between my Asian “ness” and my Western “ness”? Do I have symptoms of schizophrenia??

Haha…no’p!

Here is how I reconcile it: Instead of placing my foundational identity in my Asian “ness” or in my Western “ness”, I place the roots of my identity in Christ Jesus. I find my identity and my acceptance in Him. After that, I do whatever I need to do to thrive (notice that I’m saying thrive and not survive) and work in excellence.

Thus, although I hate conflict, when I know that someone or something needs to be confronted, I will suck it up, and I will do it. When I know that there is a significant opportunity to advance my knowledge or my experience, I will put my foot forward and volunteer myself. Is that because I am more Western than Asian? No, I don’t think so. I believe it’s because I’ve learned to mold the two cultures into one – a uniquely Korean-Canadian Daniel Sangi Im.

What about you?

The New Testament and Multi-Ethnic Groups

When examining the incarnation, the apostles, the early church, and the eschatological vision in the New Testament, the ethnic picture is unambiguously multi-ethnic. This is best portrayed by looking at the very first multi-ethnic church.

The Church in Antioch as a Model for the Multi-Ethnic Church

The very first multi-ethnic church in the history of Christianity was not established by the Holy Apostles, but it was a handful of “Christians” (Acts 11:26) who, obeying Jesus’ words in the Great Commission and the Ascension, traveled to the “ends of the earth” – Antioch – to “make disciples of all nations.”

Antioch, the “religiously pluralistic and pleasure seeking” urban port city was “the provincial capital of Syria,” and “the third largest city in the Graeco-Roman empire after Rome and Alexandria.” As a result of the city’s multi-ethnic demographic, there was constant interaction between “Syrians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Persians, Armenians, Parthians, Cappadocians, and Jews,” which created a cultural ethos of “hatred and fear rooted in intense ethnic antagonisms.” Thus, in this global and urban port-city, the first multi-ethnic church was formed.

The church in Antioch was multi-ethnic because it was a community of faith that was composed of more than two different ethnicities, where not one ethnicity held a significant majority. For example, the leadership of the church consisted of one Jew from Jerusalem (Barnabas), another Jew from Tarsus that was also a Roman citizen (Paul), a black African (Simeon who is called Niger), a man from “the capital city of Libya in northern Africa” (Lucius of Cyrene), and the step-brother of Herod Antipas, a Roman tetrarch (Manaen).

Not only was the leadership of the church multi-ethnic, but so was the congregation. And not only was the congregation multi-ethnic, but so was the city.

Obviously, a multi-ethnic church isn’t something that can be realized everywhere, but should they not be much more evident in multi-ethnic metropolitan cities?

(Sources Cited: Ken Shigematsu, Thomas V. Brisco, Michelle Slee, Crutiss Paul DeYoung, Michael O. Emerson, George Yancey, Karen Chai Kim)

Is the debate between mono-ethnic and multi-ethnic churches merely a twenty-first North American phenomenon, or is there wisdom to glean from the Israelites and the early church?

The Old Testament and Multi-Ethnic Groups
Despite the assumption that God developed a multi-ethnic vision in the New Testament when the risen Christ commanded the apostles to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), God was actually concerned with all cultures from the moment he created the first one!

Even though God chose Abraham and his lineage to be the specific nation to bring about his redemptive plan (Genesis 12:1-3), nowhere does God state that this nation should be exclusive or ethnocentric. This specific nation, later named the Israelites, had always been multi-ethnic in makeup, beginning with the patriarchs. For example, Jacob’s family had “Aramean, Amorite, Canaanite, and Egyptian elements within it.” Also, Moses and many of the other Israelites married non-Israelite women (Moses married a Cushite). Even when studying Jesus’ genealogical history (Matthew 1), one notices that non-Israelites, such as Ruth and Rahab, were incorporated, not only into the nation of Israel, but also specifically into the genealogy of the Messiah.

In addition to being a multi-ethnic nation, one notices that God is deeply concerned for all cultures in the Old Testament, just as much as he is in the New Testament (Psalm 24:1; Isaiah 66:18-19). This multi-ethnic vision in Isaiah 66:18-19 is very reminiscent of the biblical vision in Revelation 7:9-10. Ergo, it is evident that God, as described in the Old Testament, is a multi-ethnic God, and his chosen nation is a multi-ethnic nation

When reflecting on the magnificent vision that John had regarding the Church in Revelation 7:9-10, I cannot help but wonder if contemporary twenty-first century North American churches are embracing this future eschatological revelation.

If God gathers individuals “from every nation, tribe, people and language,” (Rev. 7:9) into his Kingdom, then why are mono-ethnic churches increasingly prevalent in a North America that is progressively becoming multi-ethnic?  Why does segregation, violence, and hate amongst people of different ethnicities, races, and cultures exist?  If it is truly the People of God being described in this biblical passage, then why is there not more harmony and reconciliation amongst the People of God here in North America?

Do mono-ethnic churches, perhaps, add to the existing disunity amongst the People of God, or are they merely indifferent to this biblical vision?  Maybe multi-ethnic churches are the answer to fulfilling this biblical vision in twenty-first century North America, but what exactly does a multi-ethnic church look like?