I have climbed highest mountain
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you
I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for....
(I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2)
I start off with the lyrics of this song because this is another subject I have lots of concern and prayer for other people right now. In this song, it's obvious that the subject of the song is a woman/person but I've been thinking more along the lines of your job or life's purpose. Do you have a job or purpose in life that you've found that is what you've been looking for?
I feel like so many people have not found what they were looking for in their jobs or life's purpose. So many people have dreams of having a grand job or being passionate about an activity/group yet they can't get there (yes, this economy is not helping). I'm going to detail my own journey to what I looked for in life.
I went to college to be pre-med due to parental and internal pressures but did miserably in it and almost dropped out of college due to depression and not knowing what I was going to do post-college. I kept my history major and eked out a degree in 4 years. I had a few odd jobs for the next few years (clerk at a law firm for 2.5 years thinking maybe to become a lawyer, worked at a gas station for 9 months, worked at a summer camp for 2 summers). I was listless and the only job that piqued my interest was the summer camp job (amazing two summers). During that time I also taught Sunday School with an amazing group of kids. I decided at the age of 24 to go back to school to become a teacher but I wasn't sold on it yet. I went through the classes and got my first classroom experience as a student-teacher a year later and realized that this is where I needed to be so at 26 when I got my current position, I had finally found what I was looking for...my purpose
To describe my life as a teacher, I would say it's been blessing after blessing. I have had so many wonderful students come through my life. I sometimes live vicariously through them and I've seen them struggle as teenagers do but I've seen them blossom as they get older. I've seen my share get pregnant/become fathers (and are still in my classroom) and/or go to jail and I want to cry and pray for them, but I've also seen my share go to college or the military and succeed in life and I want to cry tears of joy for those kids. This job was not without its valleys as I struggled my first 3 years and could've been done and burnt out but God kept me there and this was not a time where I was spiritually strong. Dealing with parents and student discipline can make me very anxious in the year. I've had such frustrating days in the classroom that emotions can get the best of me on any given school day. My heartstrings get pulled in so many different ways.
More than anything, I see my students out in the community and I am proud of them. Yes, we may have different religions or be of different ethnicities but they will always be in my heart as students I truly love and admire. I coached cross country (where I was nicknamed the caboose for being the slowest on the team 3 out of 4 years in HS) and I was blessed and continue to be with those students everyday. I coached the Academic Decathlon team to some great placings at state and continue to be blessed by those students everyday as they kick butt in college. I see students I've taught and I enjoy seeing them after I've taught them. These students all pour their hearts out to me as they say what they've been through and most of them are such good kids that you have to have excitement or empathy for what they are going through (college, job, having a baby, military). At this point, I really love my job so you could say I've found what I'm looking for.
My question to you all is have you found what you're looking for because even though it hasn't been easy for me, it's wonderful to have it. I cherish this feeling of purpose everyday. I urge you all not to give up on your dreams or desires especially if they serve a greater purpose.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
-Romans 8:28
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
The Bonds of Friendship
What does everyone say bonds us all together? Wait, wait...there's an easy answer, right? I say it's God and Jesus Christ through his creation. My non-Christian friends may say friendship and other ways they've gotten to know one another. The reason I get into this subject of bonds is because...well, I've been thinking about bonds between my groups of friends.
I've got different groups of friends. I've got my work friends. I've got my school friends. I've got my friends who cheer for the same soccer/football team. I've got my friends from a summer camp I worked in the Northeast for two summers. I've got my church friends. They all have different dynamics.
What's so funny is that I would do anything for these friends based on these bonds. My experiences at the summer camp with trips all over the NE with my friends have cemented a great friendship where we can visit each other in different towns and countries. My friends at school will share laughs about our job and we'll go out and hang with each other in town. My friends from the pub share a passion for our English soccer team and we'll openly cheer for each others accomplishments and yet we barely know each other. When a school friend comes in town, we'll drop everything to hang out with them. Church friends are great too as we'll hang out at coffee shops, restaurants, and go out on the town. Sometimes in the church, though, I feel some of us get the short shrift of the friendship and when I compare this to other friendships, these friendships can seem lacking in the sincerity, passion, and fire that non-church friendships have.
This post is not intended to offend or make anyone feel bad but I do feel we (myself included) need to do a better job. Maybe there are those whose heart is set for those new to the church and making friends with them. Maybe I feel we're just too focused on the activities/duties at church, getting invited to a party with church friends or our pool of close friends to invite others in or maybe we're just too big. Whatever it is, I urge that we look more outwardly towards others. Don't get me wrong because I'm as guilty as everyone else. I realize that we can't have tons of friends to keep up with but there's a reason people come to our church - it's not just to seek God but to feel God and his acceptance and that comes with the church and its people accepting all who come in.
I've got different groups of friends. I've got my work friends. I've got my school friends. I've got my friends who cheer for the same soccer/football team. I've got my friends from a summer camp I worked in the Northeast for two summers. I've got my church friends. They all have different dynamics.
What's so funny is that I would do anything for these friends based on these bonds. My experiences at the summer camp with trips all over the NE with my friends have cemented a great friendship where we can visit each other in different towns and countries. My friends at school will share laughs about our job and we'll go out and hang with each other in town. My friends from the pub share a passion for our English soccer team and we'll openly cheer for each others accomplishments and yet we barely know each other. When a school friend comes in town, we'll drop everything to hang out with them. Church friends are great too as we'll hang out at coffee shops, restaurants, and go out on the town. Sometimes in the church, though, I feel some of us get the short shrift of the friendship and when I compare this to other friendships, these friendships can seem lacking in the sincerity, passion, and fire that non-church friendships have.
This post is not intended to offend or make anyone feel bad but I do feel we (myself included) need to do a better job. Maybe there are those whose heart is set for those new to the church and making friends with them. Maybe I feel we're just too focused on the activities/duties at church, getting invited to a party with church friends or our pool of close friends to invite others in or maybe we're just too big. Whatever it is, I urge that we look more outwardly towards others. Don't get me wrong because I'm as guilty as everyone else. I realize that we can't have tons of friends to keep up with but there's a reason people come to our church - it's not just to seek God but to feel God and his acceptance and that comes with the church and its people accepting all who come in.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Am I a lost sheep, lost coin or lost son?
I'm on a roll here with old blogs so I figured I write a new one to keep it fresh. Lately, I've been delving into who I really am. I am by no means a mature Christian. Here's an admission for you - I was "lost in the wilderness" (not going to church, not caring about my faith, wanting to be away from the church - specifically the Korean-American church and the cliques I saw and still see) for about the last 2-3 years before the beginning of this year. I went on my own path and became comfortable being alone. For many years, it's been a daily struggle to see who I really am or try to figure out my inner self. I've looked in the mirror and have felt so many different emotions/feelings on a daily basis. I'd be a sensitive soul one day or ice cold another. I'd be vulnerable the other and withdrawn the next. You would think after a certain age that you could be able to predict who you are but I hadn't been able to yet...
...I'm not full of regret for my inabilities or inadequacies. I let the outside world and people be my primary influence for such a long time. That's what drove me until I closed myself off to the church. I lived my life knowing that people didn't care for me, didn't like me, or want me around them and their friends and that affected and bothered me in the past to the point of tears. In the end, I know who loves me which is why one of my last QTs (Luke 15) was a great reminder that no matter where or who I am, Jesus is always with me.
Luke 15 talks about the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin and prodigal son. God is embodied in all three parables as the one who takes care of us when we stray, don't care, go missing/lost, become dirty, or are just miserable and weak. As a shepherd, he tries to guide us the right way and even when we stray, he will carry us back to the flock. As the owner of the coin, he rejoices when he finds the lost coin with all his angels. As our Father, he is so happy when we come back after we fail so miserably on our own (like myself) that he accepts us for our failures and still wants to celebrate by having a big feast. I am all three of these. I am a wretched, imperfect creature who has much to work on but God still loves and celebrates with me when I come back to Him.
My hope is that you are with Him. I hope you understand his love. Even if you are or feel excluded from anything, know that Jesus' love is all you need.
...I'm not full of regret for my inabilities or inadequacies. I let the outside world and people be my primary influence for such a long time. That's what drove me until I closed myself off to the church. I lived my life knowing that people didn't care for me, didn't like me, or want me around them and their friends and that affected and bothered me in the past to the point of tears. In the end, I know who loves me which is why one of my last QTs (Luke 15) was a great reminder that no matter where or who I am, Jesus is always with me.
Luke 15 talks about the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin and prodigal son. God is embodied in all three parables as the one who takes care of us when we stray, don't care, go missing/lost, become dirty, or are just miserable and weak. As a shepherd, he tries to guide us the right way and even when we stray, he will carry us back to the flock. As the owner of the coin, he rejoices when he finds the lost coin with all his angels. As our Father, he is so happy when we come back after we fail so miserably on our own (like myself) that he accepts us for our failures and still wants to celebrate by having a big feast. I am all three of these. I am a wretched, imperfect creature who has much to work on but God still loves and celebrates with me when I come back to Him.
My hope is that you are with Him. I hope you understand his love. Even if you are or feel excluded from anything, know that Jesus' love is all you need.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
And we complained about gas prices 5 years ago...(smirk)
(Edit - This is an old blog post of mine from April 20, 2006. Think about how much we complained about gas prices back then and think about the prices now. Here are some hints on how to keep that gas mileage high from back in that time. I think a lot of this is common sense but you might learn a thing or two.)
With Gas Prices Going Up
(from GasPriceWatch.com)
Here are some simple rules to live by when trying to improve your fuel economy and at the same time make your gasoline dollars go further. Combining several of these tips can improve your mileage by up to 20%.
General User Tips
How to Buy Gasoline
How to Drive Economically
General User Tips
1. Keep a record of your gasoline usage - stop at your local office supply store and they should have a simple booklet you can purchase that you can fill out every time you buy gas or service your car. Make sure you check your fuel economy with every fill up using this record. This is the best way to see if your car may be having some fuel robbing problems. You fuel economy should stay pretty consistent over time.
2. For long trips, use your most gas friendly car - it might be a tight fit, but the savings can be really big.
3. Consolidate trips - try and schedule your trips and combine them. Many times just making a decision to go to a different side of town to shop can lead you to major price savings at the pump.
4. Avoid "reving" the engine, especially just before you switch the engine off; this wastes fuel needlessly and washes oil down from the inside cylinder walls, owing to loss of oil pressure.
5. Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting from dead stop. Don't push pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel. This allows carburetor to function at peak efficiency.
6. Avoid prolonged warming up of engine, even on cold mornings - 30 to 45 seconds is plenty of time.
7. Don't start and stop engine needlessly. Idling your engine for one minute consumes the gas amount equivalent to when you start the engine. Avoid the drive through at the fast food restaurant.
How to Buy Gasoline
1. Buy gasoline during coolest time of day - early morning or late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind - gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to "volume of measurement".
2. Normally the best time to buy gasoline from a pricing point is Wednesday morning. The prices are usually moved up for weekend by the oil companies and by Wednesday you have had three days of competition setting in among the stations to help drive the price down a few cents.
3. Most stations generally raise or lower their prices in the morning - around 10 AM. Expect a rise to occur on Thursday morning.
4. Some stations are fast to rise prices when they are going up, some are slow to go up. If you find that the price has gone up when you go to lunch, try and find one of those slow movers in your area so you can still purchase the cheaper gasoline.
5. Choose type and brand of gasoline carefully. Certain brands provide you with greater economy because of better quality. Use the brands which "seem" most beneficial.
6. Avoid filling gas tank to top. Overfilling results in sloshing over and out of tank. Try never to fill gas tank past the first "click" of fuel nozzle, if nozzle is automatic.
7. Avoid purchasing at exit ramps for highways - especially during holiday travel. These stations may be convenient but they know they have a captive audience. Try to fill up at your local station before you leave town - you know the one - where the prices are lowest.
8. If you have to buy on the highway, try to buy at the border stations when traveling between states. Many times these stations are very aggressive at trying to gain your business and many can take advantage of differences in state taxes.
How to Drive Economically
1. Slow down when possible - driving 55 mph can save up to 10% on gas mileage vs. driving 65 - 70 mph. This is due to wind resistance.
2. If your car has an overdrive gear, use it. Traveling at fast rates in low gears can consume up to 45% more fuel than is needed.
3. Manual shift driven cars allow you to change to highest gear as soon as possible, thereby letting you save gas if you "nurse it along". However, if you cause the engine to "bog down", premature wearing of engine parts occurs.
4. Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.
5. Drive steadily. Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel. Also avoid tailgating - the driver in front of you is unpredictable. Not only is it unsafe, but if affects your economy, if he slows down unexpectedly.
6. Think ahead when approaching hills. If you accelerate, do it before you reach the hill, not while you're on it.
7. Think ahead at stop signs and stop lights - no need to race up to a red light and then jam on the brakes to slow down. Plan to slow down before the light. If you can slow down soon enough to not have to stop at the light, you can save quite a bit a fuel versus starting from a standing start.
8. Stoplights are usually timed for your motoring advantage. By traveling steadily at the legal speed limit you boost your chances of having the "green light" all the way.
9. Regular tune-ups ensure best economy; check owner's manual for recommended maintenance intervals. Special attention should be given to maintaining clean air filters... diminished air flow increases gas waste.
10. Remove snow tires during good weather seasons; traveling on deep tire tread really robs fuel!
11. Inflate all tires to maximum limit. For each pound of pressure the tire is under inflated, you consume about 1% more fuel. Make sure you carry in your car an accurate tire gauge and know what the pressure should be. Check your tires at least twice a month and always before, during and after long trips.
12. Remove excess weight from trunk or inside of car - extra tires, back seats, unnecessary heavy parts. Extra weight reduces mileage, especially when driving up inclines.
13. During cold weather watch for icicles frozen to car frame. Up to 100 lbs. can be quickly accumulated! Accumulated snow and ice cause tremendous wind resistance. Try and keep your car clean at the carwash when possible..
14. Avoid using roof top carriers - they can cause serious drag on the car and lessen your mileage by up to 15%. Pack it in or leave in behind.
With Gas Prices Going Up
(from GasPriceWatch.com)
Here are some simple rules to live by when trying to improve your fuel economy and at the same time make your gasoline dollars go further. Combining several of these tips can improve your mileage by up to 20%.
General User Tips
How to Buy Gasoline
How to Drive Economically
General User Tips
1. Keep a record of your gasoline usage - stop at your local office supply store and they should have a simple booklet you can purchase that you can fill out every time you buy gas or service your car. Make sure you check your fuel economy with every fill up using this record. This is the best way to see if your car may be having some fuel robbing problems. You fuel economy should stay pretty consistent over time.
2. For long trips, use your most gas friendly car - it might be a tight fit, but the savings can be really big.
3. Consolidate trips - try and schedule your trips and combine them. Many times just making a decision to go to a different side of town to shop can lead you to major price savings at the pump.
4. Avoid "reving" the engine, especially just before you switch the engine off; this wastes fuel needlessly and washes oil down from the inside cylinder walls, owing to loss of oil pressure.
5. Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting from dead stop. Don't push pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel. This allows carburetor to function at peak efficiency.
6. Avoid prolonged warming up of engine, even on cold mornings - 30 to 45 seconds is plenty of time.
7. Don't start and stop engine needlessly. Idling your engine for one minute consumes the gas amount equivalent to when you start the engine. Avoid the drive through at the fast food restaurant.
How to Buy Gasoline
1. Buy gasoline during coolest time of day - early morning or late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind - gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to "volume of measurement".
2. Normally the best time to buy gasoline from a pricing point is Wednesday morning. The prices are usually moved up for weekend by the oil companies and by Wednesday you have had three days of competition setting in among the stations to help drive the price down a few cents.
3. Most stations generally raise or lower their prices in the morning - around 10 AM. Expect a rise to occur on Thursday morning.
4. Some stations are fast to rise prices when they are going up, some are slow to go up. If you find that the price has gone up when you go to lunch, try and find one of those slow movers in your area so you can still purchase the cheaper gasoline.
5. Choose type and brand of gasoline carefully. Certain brands provide you with greater economy because of better quality. Use the brands which "seem" most beneficial.
6. Avoid filling gas tank to top. Overfilling results in sloshing over and out of tank. Try never to fill gas tank past the first "click" of fuel nozzle, if nozzle is automatic.
7. Avoid purchasing at exit ramps for highways - especially during holiday travel. These stations may be convenient but they know they have a captive audience. Try to fill up at your local station before you leave town - you know the one - where the prices are lowest.
8. If you have to buy on the highway, try to buy at the border stations when traveling between states. Many times these stations are very aggressive at trying to gain your business and many can take advantage of differences in state taxes.
How to Drive Economically
1. Slow down when possible - driving 55 mph can save up to 10% on gas mileage vs. driving 65 - 70 mph. This is due to wind resistance.
2. If your car has an overdrive gear, use it. Traveling at fast rates in low gears can consume up to 45% more fuel than is needed.
3. Manual shift driven cars allow you to change to highest gear as soon as possible, thereby letting you save gas if you "nurse it along". However, if you cause the engine to "bog down", premature wearing of engine parts occurs.
4. Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.
5. Drive steadily. Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel. Also avoid tailgating - the driver in front of you is unpredictable. Not only is it unsafe, but if affects your economy, if he slows down unexpectedly.
6. Think ahead when approaching hills. If you accelerate, do it before you reach the hill, not while you're on it.
7. Think ahead at stop signs and stop lights - no need to race up to a red light and then jam on the brakes to slow down. Plan to slow down before the light. If you can slow down soon enough to not have to stop at the light, you can save quite a bit a fuel versus starting from a standing start.
8. Stoplights are usually timed for your motoring advantage. By traveling steadily at the legal speed limit you boost your chances of having the "green light" all the way.
9. Regular tune-ups ensure best economy; check owner's manual for recommended maintenance intervals. Special attention should be given to maintaining clean air filters... diminished air flow increases gas waste.
10. Remove snow tires during good weather seasons; traveling on deep tire tread really robs fuel!
11. Inflate all tires to maximum limit. For each pound of pressure the tire is under inflated, you consume about 1% more fuel. Make sure you carry in your car an accurate tire gauge and know what the pressure should be. Check your tires at least twice a month and always before, during and after long trips.
12. Remove excess weight from trunk or inside of car - extra tires, back seats, unnecessary heavy parts. Extra weight reduces mileage, especially when driving up inclines.
13. During cold weather watch for icicles frozen to car frame. Up to 100 lbs. can be quickly accumulated! Accumulated snow and ice cause tremendous wind resistance. Try and keep your car clean at the carwash when possible..
14. Avoid using roof top carriers - they can cause serious drag on the car and lessen your mileage by up to 15%. Pack it in or leave in behind.
Monday, July 11, 2011
There's something to be said about an elegant woman....
(Another older blog that I'm reposting - from February 28, 2007)
Do you know what the image of a woman is today? The popular media can hype them up to be waify twigs who eat nothing but lettuce for their 3 meals. I see this media influence in my classroom with females. In my head, I ask "what's your magazine du jour, Vogue, In Touch, Cosmo...what shall you read today in class before I take it up?" I've seen all sorts of items girls use to "improve" themselves: 1) makeup - twenty shades of compact foundation and twenty more shades of red for your lips, 2) tweezers - clamps for your eyelashes...now really? I had no clue what that was until I saw a girl use it, 3) eyeliners - colored pencils for the eyes? Can I try? No, never mind, because orange doesn't go too well with this light blue shirt I have on, and 4) weaves - Is it true that some of these come from horse hair...if it is, then why would you wear it on your head? Who wants Mr. Ed on your head...gee....
I've also heard "well, if I lose some more pounds here then so-and-so will date me or blah, blah, blah" or "he's so cute and is my hair straight enough because I have to see this boy in between 3rd and 4th period...." and it's well...it's maddening and it's no wonder why one thing goes in one ear and out the other during class instruction. I'm at an utter loss for words when topics like this come up. I exaggerate and it may be teen maturity issues but still, why does it matter for someone that age? Is it maturity or insecurity? Is it because I'm a guy and I just don't understand....
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