Asterix's Expressions

Touche!

My coworker showed me this short little Dilbert clip. Touche!

posted by Asterix @ 11:44 AM 2 comments

Solution

Here is the solution to the funky chess puzzle:

posted by Asterix @ 10:08 PM 0 comments

Funky Chess Challenge

I don't think I've ever posted on chess before, so here goes: a chess puzzle:

“I saw an amazing position at the club last night.”

“I hope you can remember it better than the last one.”

“I can tell you that there were only five pieces on the board. White had a king, a knight and a pawn, while Black had a king and a queen."

“I don’t see anything amazing so far.”

“The amazing thing is that Black had a lost position.”

“I suppose White played knight check, forking king and queen.”

“Oh, no! The point is that it was Black to move, and he wasn't in check.”

What was the position?

John Nunn

Source: http://www.chessbase.com/puzzle/christmas2006/chr06-5a.htm

You can look up the solution on chessbase.com if you so desire. I'll post it later.

posted by Asterix @ 9:56 AM 0 comments

2007 in Full Speed

Now that I have reviewed 2006, I feel that I can start talking about 2007.

Every year right around this time, all the ministries in my church start blooming, and much planning goes on faster than I can anticipate. I feel as if the train called 2007 has left the station and is picking up speed, and I'm sprinting behind the caboose shouting, "wait, wait!"

This year our church's annual family retreat is on the first weekend of August. Already, planning for it has begun. People have already asked me to take on much responsibility for planning it, responsibilities for which I can't spare the time. I'm learning to say no, but what if no one else wants to do it?

There is also this weird stress called stress about potential stress--I just used the word "stress" three times in the same sentence; my high school English teacher would not be pleased. At any rate, does anyone know what I'm talking about? I'm stressed out right now not because I have so much to do now, but because I anticipate that I will have a lot to do in the future and, as a result, be very stressed then. It's a strange sensation and type of stress, I tell ya.

Anyway, the Lord is my Shepherd, and I will lean on him for strength has we head full-speed into this new year.

posted by Asterix @ 12:30 PM 2 comments

2006 Recap

Finally, I'm getting around to reviewing this past year. A lot happened, and I'm going to share some of it here.

1) I played a number of good games: Psychonauts, Mercenaries, God of War, Fatal Frame 2, and Max Payne 2. I also got to try out the new Wii. Good times!

2) I hanged out with my roommates and friends at my place--a lot. Sometimes it's just throwing around a ball; Sometimes we play games; sometimes we watch a movie; sometimes we go out to eat. It was great fun.

3) The Lord taught me about patience and humility, and I'm very thankful to him for growth in this area of my character.

4) We studied fear, faith, and intimacy with God in my community group. We also shared deeply with and grew closer to each other. What a great group of friends and brothers and sisters in Christ!

5) I learned the meaning tentmaking at a seminar by Dave English. It's really encouraging to know that professionals can share about our Lord Jesus overseas, too. Can this option be a calling?

6) I bought a used car and sold a used car, both of the first time in my life--interesting experiences!

7) I learned to drive manual. Driving is a lot more fun now.

8) The Lord allowed me to train for and achieve a personal goal: running and completing a 10k race. I didn't even dream of doing it even a year ago. Praise the Lord! I felt great, and I'm happy to have kept up with running since then.

9) I picked up casual biking. I rode on the trail near my home a lot, and I even got to commute to work via my bicycle and Caltrain. Save the Air days are awesome! I got to ride the train for free for a few days this summer. :-)

10) I've carpooled for almost three years now. Sherry, Byron, and Andrew, you guys are great.

11) I learned to dance east coast swing.

12) I went back to Shanghai for the first time in many many years. Ah, the memories, the nostalgia.

13) The Lord gave me the privilege of serving with the church choir for a whole second year. What a blessing to sing for his glory!

14) I accepted to serve a term of deaconship at my church. It's exciting yet daunting. By the Lord's grace I'll do my best.

15) I had one of my most relaxing and fun Christmas break at home with my parents.

16) Finally, and the best: I met a gorgeous young woman: Christine. My readers already know about this blessing. :-) :-) :-)

posted by Asterix @ 11:20 PM 0 comments

An old but interesting survey . . .

You scored as Psychology. You should be a Psychology major! Psychology 83% Theater 83% Linguistics 75% Anthropology 67% Sociology 67% Chemistry 67% Philosophy 58% Mathematics 58% Engineering 58% Dance 58% English 50% Journalism 42% Art 33% Biology 17% What is your Perfect Major? (PLEASE RATE ME!!<3) created with QuizFarm.com

Theater?! Ba humbug!

posted by Asterix @ 5:43 PM 2 comments

Some recent blessings and reasons for thanksgiving

• Covered by a blanket, relaxing on a couch, reading a book, and soaking in the heat from the fireplace on a cold winter day
• Being home with my parents
• Meeting Christine’s friends at her church’s Christmas party and gift exchange
• Playing Balderdash with friends at Kittoe
• Watching Silent Hill with friends at Mike’s
• Singing Christmas carols with the choir during the Christmas service
• Christine’s thoughtful gifts
• My job and its flexibility
• Learning to grow more intimate with God in community group
• Praying with Daniel
• Sharing and praying with my community group
• My roommates
• Great fun playing the Wii with friends
• Running with Maria and Sandy
• Health
• Attending a Christmas party with Christine and her coworkers
• Singing at and celebrating Sherry’s and Brian’s wedding
• Eating at Cheesecake Factory and window shopping with Michele and Ezekiel
• Hanging out with Ezekiel
• Gaming with my dad
• Playing Bang! with friends
• Karaoke with friends – Rocky Top Tennessee!
• Praying with fellow saints for Canaan Church
• Privilege to serve at Canaan Church
• Being able to visit two GRX small groups: U.B.U. and R.A.C.E.
• My good friends
• Watching the Vienna Philharmonic New Years Concert
• Playing Monopoly and Sorry with family friends and celebrating New Years Eve together
• Enjoying my mom’s cooking
• Learning about generosity
• Learning about simplicity
• Being able to relax at home with peace, rest, and grace from the Lord
• Dining with the Carters, Harrisons, Kettemans
• Wonderful and thoughtful gifts from my parents
• Christine’s care and support
• Meeting and catching up with Chongsun and Laura; playing Carcassonne with them
• Praying with Christine
• Setting up and tearing down the Christmas tree with my dad
• Having the chance to dabble with a newly tuned piano
• Seeing church friends in my home town
• Members of my community group

posted by Asterix @ 11:40 PM 2 comments

Happy 2007 Everyone!

Best wishes to everyone in the new year!

posted by Asterix @ 10:33 AM 0 comments