...

I just got an e-mail from my girlfriend. She went back to Taiwan for summer. It's so good to hear from her again. We've been e-mailing each other back and forth. But this time she reminded me of a lot of things about friendship and life in general. She's a friend that I truly appreciate. I can be the true me whenever I'm with her. Yeap! Just be myself!

Andddd, we share the same interests!! Cooking, baking, arts and crafts (she's way better than me though.. haha! At least I try....) and of course shopping! We also like the same types of flowers! This girl is just great! Anyways, my point is if I ever go to Kansas City for the job, I'm sure gonna miss her lots!

Niki and me after the commencement

My daddy left...

I couldn't believe two weeks passed by just like that. It seemed like it was just yesterday when we picked up our Dad from the airport. And, now he's gone again!

I'm so used to having my mom and dad around. It's just so much fun when the whole family gathered. Mom and grandma are still here, but I just wish that Dad is here as well. Having my dad around is so much fun. I mean so so so so so so much fun!!

Now that he's gone, surely there's no more midnite snacks (ice cream, fried rice, fried rice and fried rice) Yeah, fried rice is kinda a snack to him...

So anyways, the apartment is different without him around. I hope all of us get to gather again soon....I miss those moments...

I got a job!

It was a hectic weekend that I had. We went to Kansas City on Friday afternoon and stayed the night over. Well, the story began last Sunday (two days after graduation). I was at church. Once I was done practicing for the worship service, I went to the back of the sanctuary and said hello to a man from the Kansas' Baptist Association's director. He asked me what I was gonna do after graduation. I told him, well, I'm looking for a job right now. Then, he asked me what my major was, and I said, "Communication."

The next day I got a text message from my pastor's wife, who happens to work with this man, telling me to call her director. So, I called. He said, there is a vacancy for a communication position in Kansas City with a Christian University. He said the president was really interested to see me and wanted me to come for the graduation reception on Friday night. I agreed.

Thursday night, I had all my stuffs packed. Then I felt so uneasy. I'm not sure if I was willing to move to Kansas City leaving my church (thats my only thing that held me back). Did a lot of thinking that night, prayed really hard, went to sleep.

Friday morning, before I left, I received a phone call from a company who interviewed me last time. I kinda turned them down last month because I wasn't interested with the position they were interviewing for. But they still called and asked me if I was still available. They wanted to interview me for a director of mobile marketing position. I SAID, "YES!" So, they said they are going to interview me next week.

Left to Kansas City, did the very casual interview with the University's President. And at that time I learned that I interviewed for a Director of Communication position. At the end of the interview, the president asked me if I was going to be available for a lunch with his wife, nephew, and the graduation's guest speaker so that we could talk more about the position. He also wanted to keep my portfolio overnight and returned me the next day. I agreed.

Saturday, at lunch, we were just talking very casual. He didn't mention anything about the job. None! Until the very last minute of the lunch. He asked, "So Amelia, if I offered you the job and the other company also offers you the job, which one will you choose?" I smiled and said, I will pray for both. He smiled. He looked at me. Then, he said, "So Amelia, the Communication Director's position is yours if you want it. I understand that you're in the process of interviewing with another company. That's fine. You can think about it. And, if you do decide to take my offer, you can begin whenever you are ready." I was speechless. All I could say that moment was, "Thank you, God!"

God is so good! It never crossed my mind that I would get a job offer this soon. I mean, a week after graduation? I was looking for an entry-level job, but God provided me with a better one. He even gives me options! Isn't that something?

It's not something for me to be boastful about, but I just wanted to share how wonderful God works are in our lives. So, when I looked back at those times when I was frustrated with the job situation about a month ago, God really reminded me that this is what you get when you surrender your life to Him. Now, the hardest part is to step out in faith.

It is my prayer now that God reveals where He wants me to be at...

Roller Coaster ride

Friendship is mutual. It totally cannot be forced. I haven't been forcing it. And, I don't plan on forcing it. I tried my best to always be there whenever I was needed. Lending my ears as much as I could. Giving up my sleep as much as it's needed. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed being available when a friend is in need. And, I still do. I celebrated the happy moments that this friend had. Tried my best to be an encourager.

However, when I go through something, I'm not sure where this friend is at. When I celebrate my happy moments, I'm not sure if this friend was around.

The past year or so have been a friendship roller coaster ride for me. It wasn't an intensive ride that I'm really conscious about the whole time. But, I come to realize that this ride has to end somewhere. And, I finally have found my exit door.

Sometimes I wonder, if I'm just a "big dumpster" to hold all those complaints. Well, I don't know..
All I know is I am mentally exhausted.

"Help me to remember, Lord, that
nothing's gonna happen today that You and I
can't handle together."

Thank you...

It's been a very hectic, yet satisfying weekend. After about two years, I finally made it through graduate school on Friday, May 12, 2006. I went up the stage, bent, and finally they hooded me. I am relieved. I feel that the weight (well, part of it) has been lifted from my shoulder.

Thoughout my life and graduate school journey, there have been some people who have provided me with love, supports, and encouragements.

To my father, Andy S. Hendra, who has always given me good advise, inputs, and encouragements. He has been my role model since I was young. He has guided and pushed me to have the confidence with what I am doing. His perseverance and hard work have enabled me to pursue my education in the United States. He is a man that I deeply love and respect.

To my mother, Netty M. Hendra, who has always encouraged me in many ways. I would not be here today, if it was not because of her endless prayers, patience, and love. She is a woman that I deeply love and admire.

To my precious sisters, Jennifer and Melissa Hendra, who have always supported me. They have always been there even through my darkest hours. Words cannot describe how much I thank God for having both of them with me in Wichita.

It is my hope and prayers that my achievements will make my family proud, because they deserve much of the credit for the person I have become.

I would also like to acknowledge the individual who, more than any person, helped me to make these (thesis and thesis and thesis) possible. My committee chairperson Dr. Patricia L. Dooley dedicated enormously absurd amount of time to the completion of the thesis. Thank you for giving up your days, nights, and weekends and holding my hand through this process. Thank you for your patience and words of encouragement. You are more than an advisor to me. Thank you, Dr. Dooley!

I would also like to thank my other committee members, Dr. Amy Mattson-Lauters and Dr. Jodie L. Hertzog. You all provided me with new perspectives. Thank you for your time and advise.

On a more personal note, I would also like to recognize other individuals who helped and supported me through my masters program. To my fellow GTA/officemate/research buddy/girlfriend Jasmine Tan, thank you! You have encouraged and challenged me to do better.

To my brothers at “The Mission,” Abrizal, Hendry Gunawan, Tze-Hoong Tan, Pierre Hendrawan, Vinsensius Tanoto, Tony Ngansop, Nic Huang, and Nikki Yodo.

To my pastors and mentors Karl and Vicki Timmons, and Brad and Jamie Simmons.

To my dearest girlfriend Niki Chow. You've been with me through my ups and downs for the past few months. Thanks for your ears, advise, times, and prayers. Those really mean the world for me.

A simple thank you will never be enough to acknowledge what all of you have done in my life. Thank you for your earnest prayers. Thank you for helping me distribute the surveys. Thank you for those IHOP, Starbucks, and Newton’s Doughnuts moments. Above all, thank you for being wonderful people in my life. Without all of you, I wouldn’t have made it this far.

I love you all very much!



"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
Phil 4:13

It was such an embarrassing moment! Oh man, I can't believe I did that!

___________________________________________________


My prayer was finally answered! I hope it stays this way...

Greetings from someone who is really really free!!!

Okay, as I said in the previous entry not long ago, I'm totally free now.. I'm done... So, I took the quiz that I got thru my buddy's blog. Yeah, I wanna know my language of love... Hahaha! So, here's the result. I think you all should take the quiz too and tell me what yours is! Well, just for fun...

The Five Love Languages

My primary love language is probably
Quality Time
with a secondary love language being
Acts of Service.

Complete set of results

Quality Time:		10
Acts of Service:		7
Physical Touch:		7
Receiving Gifts:		3
Words of Affirmation:		3

Information

Unhappiness in relationships, according to Dr. Gary Chapman, is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. Sometimes we don't understand our partner's requirements, or even our own. We all have a "love tank" that needs to be filled in order for us to express love to others, but there are different means by which our tank can be filled, and there are different ways that we can express love to others.

Take the quiz


And here's another quiz I took! Haha! Mannn, I'm so bored!

How You Are In Love

You take a while to fall in love with someone. Trust takes time. You give and take equally in relationships. You tend to get very attached when you're with someone. You want to see your love all the time. You love your partner unconditionally and don't try to make them change. You stay in love for a long time, even if you aren't loved back. When you fall, you fall hard.

How Are You In Love?

Am I done? For real?

Yesterday my students gave their commemorative speeches. It is a speech where they praise and celebrate their public speaking experience. This is a speech that I always look forward to, because you actually get to know how they feel about taking the class.

So, they gave their speeches yesterday. Many of them said that they have enjoyed taking the class. They have learned quite a few things. They have made friends with each other. And many other things. As I was listening to their speeches, I began to realize how much they have grown in a semester. I still remember the very first speech they gave, introduction speech. Many of them didn't really know what to say. I have one student who even just smiled for the entire speech time because she didn't know what to say. But yesterday, they have completely changed. They were a lot more confident. They had a lot less UHMS! Isn't that something?

I have mixed feelings again. Well, I always do (call me sentimental!Haha)... But yesterday was totally different... I realized that this is gonna be my last semester teaching. I'm sure gonna miss all these moments. I love working with students! Maybe I need to start looking for a teaching job back home...

Okay, enough about jobs.... Today, I told my buddy that I can't believe that we're getting ready to submit our theses to the grad school. That means we're done! I just can't believe this! This time last week, I was freaking out and preparing for the defense. Oh man, I can't believe I'm through all this grad school process. I'm so done! What an experience!

hmm....

well, i never thought i would ever arrived to this point. not sure what it is. not sure how to describe it. but it is sure very pleasant and joyful. although i've experienced it before, i'm not too sure how to handle it. but, with open mind and heart, i'm just gonna let God do His will. totally looking forward to whatever happens...