Plot Twist

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

-Psalm 20:7

What is the probability that two people (in a uni with 50k students) have 2/4 of the same classes? (The probability is probably higher than expected, actually) But anyway, you guessed it. Last week during MXB241(Probability and Stochastic Modelling II) workshop, I sat at a table with three other students solving some PGF (probability generating function) problems, and ended up exchanging numbers with the one that I worked most with. On Monday, I walked into the lecture hall for KMB200 (Music Scenes and Subcultures. Think punk, deviant music, etc. We also talked about gangs), and as I sat down, I glanced around and saw Jamie sitting three rows back. We were both pretty surprised and took a second before waving to each other. After all, we’ve only worked together for two hours in the past seven days. Turns out Jamie studies Music but is minoring in Statistics because music doesn’t make $$$. Thus is the harsh reality of the world. 

I had brunch with a foodie, a chef, the chef’s brother, and Jackie after church on Sunday, and we went to a restaurant called Gauge. The chef, Ben, was apprentice to Peter Gilmore (a famous Australian chef) and ordered this black bread and IT WAS SO AMAZING! It’s called black garlic bread, it was sweet and savoury,  and the browned butter that goes with it made it even better. Anyway, when I told him I got migraine headaches from cheese, he figured out what chemical element (?) in cheese caused the headaches and what kind of cheese I would be able to eat. Mind-blown. 

Black Garlic Bread

And Aunty Jenny (Viv and Jackie’s mum) finally came back from vacation! She got me so much stuff; I’m so blessed. We had dinner while watching the special commemorating 20 years since Princess Diana’s tragic death. It reminded me how short life is, and it’s even more on the forefront of my mind when I think that I’m only going to spend four more months here (it’s already August :O). Every moment I spend with friends is so precious; I may never see them again after I leave, and I want to leave a Jesus-print (like a fingerprint but not) on every life I touch. Father, how do I do that?

On a random sidenote, I somehow seem to attract Chinese International students. I’ve had many, many encounters where an obviously Chinese girl (lady?) comes sits next to me, introduces herself in English, and proceeds to ask, “Where are you from?” There’s always a look of surprise (+/- disappointment?) when I say I’m an exchange student from the US and that my parents are Taiwanese. And then I don’t really see them again. I’m sorry I look Chinese and can’t relate to you as much as you hoped :/ Looks can be deceiving. 

Today during music tutorial (small-group discussion sessions), we had to do introductions, except we introduced the person who sat next to us. We had to get their name, where they grew up, and what music they listened to in high school. When my partner was called and reported that I listened to mostly classical music in high school, the lecturer asked if I was the one practicing in the studios earlier this week. (Yes, and he was in the studio across from mine when I stumbled through Tchaik’s) He then proceeded to tell the whole class what a great pianist I am. #unnecessary #expectations

Practicing Tchaikovsky

If you’ve made it this far, congrats! You can read about the most exciting part of my week (the plot twist). So (this is embarrassing on my part), I was using the library computers to print out math worksheets, and I may have left my phone by the computer when I left. When I finished printing and realised I didn’t have my phone with me, I went back, but it was gone. I lost my phone. I guess this was bound to happen, considering that I’ve left my flash drive, notebook, phone, and wallet in SCU’s library (on different occasions but gotten all of them back, thankfully). I’m just not sure what to do. 

But because of this, I see how much I’ve become dependent (borderline addicted) to using my phone, and how it’s affecting my relationship with God. I don’t trust Him when I can Google how to cook strange veggies, look up where I need to go, or drown out the loneliness with Spotify. God is no longer my go-to when I have a device that satisfies my immediate needs in my pocket. Today was definitely a reality check, and I think God allowed this to happen so I can realign my priorities (again). I also realised what a selfish prayer I was praying when I prayed, “God, please help me find my phone.” To be honest, it was probably the most desperate prayer I’ve prayed since praying to catch the flight from Brisbane to Melbourne. That’s really sad. I have such messed up priorities. 

Although I’m sad that I lost my phone, I’m also really thankful that this happened. I didn’t freak out (God’s peace?) and I got through the day safely! I’ve also been able to see my heart more clearly and what I value. As much as I would like to ask you to pray that I can get my phone back, I don’t think that’s right. Please pray that the lessons I’ve learned through this experience stays with me and that I can continue to grow deeper in my relationship with God by trusting Him with all my heart and leaning not on my phone’s abilities. To acknowledge Him in all my ways, and not just rely on the things of this world, because they will rust, get destroyed, or simply get lost/stolen (Proverbs 3:5-6, Matthew 6:19-20). 

I did go Bowling and Laser Tag with the Taekwondo club tonight! I checked out the club with Pink on Monday and learned some self-defence moves. Everyone was really friendly, and we had a great time at Strike (except the music was kinda loud). But I’m sad that the apartment smelled (still does) like smoke. My housemates were pre-gaming in our kitchen and the smell drifted to the rest of the apartment, so now I’m downstairs waiting for the smell to go away (or waiting til my headache goes away). Not the best night, but it’s life.