Recap – Welcome to IUSM

IUSM Winter Welcome Night : Refresh Recap

January 25, 2016 xzhuangLeave a comment

We had a great time, and being “Refresh” for the beginning of the new quarter. We started off with a delicious meal, Korean BBQ, and delicious salad, and home cook rice. Then we heard from two Berkeley PhD students of their experience, and how they have a fresh outlook in life after they investigated and ponder about the meaning of life.

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Of course, you know we will have some fun and games after hearing all the serious things of life. Why are they leaning, Leaning Tower of Pisa?

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Why were their eyes covered? Are those for sword fighting? Glad the swords are foams, and the bystanders dodge out of the way. We even had times of playing foosball.

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Come join us next time!

HG3 Dim Sum & Sacramento Capitol recap

December 18, 2015December 18, 2015 xzhuangLeave a comment

For the few remnant stayed behind for the Winter break, we had a quick outings ourselves. We started off with a good dim sum(点心). Some students tasted dim sum for the first time, 虾饺，烧卖，凤爪，新洲炒面… It was yummy! This inspired the girls for shopping at 99 Ranch for making some Chinese meals 🙂

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Then we went to the California State Capitol for a tour, listened to live music. Baby Joshua approved of the Golden Bear, “Rarrrr!!!” with authority!

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Isn’t this a nice acoustic place to listen to live music? There are even seats down there by the band to enjoy the performances.

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We got to see the two houses/chambers where our government officials gather to debate and pass the laws of the state:

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Finally we visited the tall Christmas tree with the ornament decorations outside, and enjoyed some Autumn foliage.

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Recap: 2015 Thanksgiving Celebration

November 28, 2015November 28, 2015 xzhuangLeave a comment

We started the afternoon with songs, engaging message, and special song and touching sharing from the students. At the end, we put our tags on this display, showing how all our stories fit into God’s story.

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While the turkey and food is being setup, there was a time of games while people waited.

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Look at all these delicious turkeys, 28 in all. Some group had different recipes. I heard the deep fried turkey is the most tender. It’s impossible to eat a portion from each turkey. Still we all had our fill from the turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, candied yam, … Too much good food to list.

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Each group put on song and performances. IUSM put on a performance from the movie Inside Out! Brian sure look familiar. Did they used his picture for Anger in the movie? Are you sure they only had practice for one day? There are some natural talents for these roles.

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Even some dancing as part of the performance by our IUSM members.

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Which 3 characters are they playing here? Disgust, Joy, Sadness. Can you guess which one is which? If you are still not sure, you can ask them the next time you see them.

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Recap: IUSM Special Talk – How Can I Believe in a God I Cannot See?

November 28, 2015November 28, 2015 xzhuangLeave a comment

Our Alumni, Dr. Ng(he wants everyone to call him Kit) received his PhD from Davis Chemistry Department. We asked him to come and talk about this topic, and he came back … home … to lend a hand.

At the beginning, while everyone is settling down. Here we look our views of God: vending machine, good vs bad deeds, aloof, relationship? Put a marble in the jar in front of the picture…

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Dr. Ng talked about 3 different ways how we form our worldviews of daily experiences. And how those 3 ways can help us come to form our view of God we can relate to… There was some good discussion around the table. Then there was the good desserts.

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We ended the night with game of Blind Turkey. One person draw one part of the turkey, and people in each team take turn until they draw the whole turkey. We have some good artistic talents, and some turkey picture(s) looks so good and proportional…

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HG 1 San Francisco Outing Recap

November 28, 2015 xzhuangLeave a comment

We had a trip to San Francisco, including a fun hike at Muir Woods National Park.

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Then we went to Golden Gate Bridge, even had sports and exercise there. A lot of calories burned. All the hike and sports are in preparation for … [what do you think it is?]

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If you say a delicious and hearty dinner, you are RIGHT! Just look at the varieties of food everyone had:

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Chen HG Miniature Golf

November 5, 2015November 28, 2015 xzhuangLeave a comment

Let’s try something new. How about some miniature golf? Sure, let’s go…

There are sure a lot of colorful lights on the miniature golf course. The smaller size course can make anyone be a pro golfer. Come and try yourself!

The food sure is good with some hot soup(Pho). The soup is hot enough to cook even the veggies and the beef. Everyone totally enjoy the dish in front of them. It a complete course meal with noodle, meat, vegetables. Bon appetit!

Din HG Friday post activity – Bowling

November 2, 2015November 28, 2015 xzhuangLeave a comment

For the students who needed a break from studying, let’s go bowling…

Make sure you get the ball with the right weight, or you are going to have a hard time rolling it down the lane.

In between the games, someone got surprised with a cake. Where did the cake come from?? Let’s all sing Happy Birthday together.

I am sure everyone had a lot of fun, whether you are an expert, or a beginner…

Come join us next time.

Din HG TFN and Games and Dessert Recap

October 19, 2015November 28, 2015 xzhuangLeave a comment

We had a great time with Studying the Bible. After that, it’s time to try out some new events. Eric, what should we do? “Hmm, not sure…”

Jin, “let me tell you what we have in store for tonight!”…

What is this, ping pong? You can’t fool me, this is not the way to play ping pong. The Din style ping pong sure looks fun. Everyone enjoyed it!

Where were you? Come join the fun!

There were more?…

That’s all the new games right? Wait, what are those balloons for? Trying to stump and breaking it with your foot? Eric, watch out for your own balloon（螳螂捕蝉，黄雀在后)! Next playing marbles with spoons? That is interesting. Even rolling quarters on the floor in a game of puck on table. There were sure a good variety of games.

Let’s all take a break, and enjoy some of these delicious desserts for the night!

Corn Maze and dinner recap

October 14, 2015November 28, 2015 xzhuangLeave a comment

While some of our friends join the battle on the waters to the east of Davis, we went for some adventure on the west of Davis. We went to the Corn Maze in Dixon. This corn maze set the world record in the 2014 Guinness Book World Record. It sure is large. Don’t get lost, just look at the map. Look at that big map in the picture. Before we start, let’s map the course and don’t get lost. Who’s good with directions here?

While we wait to get the tickets, let’s explore the front entrance area, and picture time.

Let the adventure begin… enter the maze.

Let’s take a break to enjoy the beauty of the sunset. We are not lost right? Because from the top of the platform, we saw different dead end from the carved out paths. We sure don’t want to end up in there.

Anyone brought a flashlight? Whew, glad that we didn’t get lost. We got out before the sun went down.

All these walking sure make us hungry. The food sure look yummy.

Sacramento Aquatic Center Kayak and Buffet

October 13, 2015November 28, 2015 xzhuangLeave a comment

After the battle of West meets East cuisine. Where else can you find a new battleground? Waters…

We had a visit to the Sacramento Aquatic Center, with kayaking. We brought some water(ized), not canonized, weapons along for the fun. What’s a battle without some weapons. Before getting wet, and still on friendly terms, let’s take some nice pictures together…

Once pleasantries are done, and got into the battlefield, all bets are off. Look at the intensity, some getting serious. Even the ladies are taking no prisoners.

Times of truce. Everyone is leaping with joy! Except now the photographer is the only one dry. But spare the camera.

What’s truce without food. Looks at all these good sushi and Asian food, and it’s all you can eat…