I'm going to stop this once and for all. I really can't be open with people. It just seems like I let them in a certain way, and they end up giving me extra advise. It's more like, I can't tell them what I'm feeling or my perspective without coming across arrogant. A few times it's happened where I I voiced my opinion and was soo scared it would backfire, but it really ended up being ok. And the other party seemed to take it well, they just needed a bit of time to process the information about me. I gotta conquer my fear and step out there. And I gotta know it's not going to be a bother at all. It's just good old honesty - the best policy is what they say. Ok, so tonight it looks like a jazz night and me time. Maybe Robin will come over or I'll meet up with him or whatever. He said he's getting smashed. There's nothing wrong with that, as long as I do what I want. I might just want me time. Just sit at Jazz minds, soak in the music and sip on my one drink. It seems so hard to meet good people in Hawaii. But that's just what they say. I think I'll be alright. K, time to take a shower and head out.
Job Corps: The Journey October 18, 2007 So today is officially my third day at Job Corps. A lot has gone on that I don't have time to explain at this point but will do my best. To sum it all up in one word: confusing. Trying to get situated, figuring out where my dorms were and finding out I'm on somewhat of a different schedule than the normal student or so it seems. The staff are super friendly and professionable. The food isn't as great as good ol' home cooking, but it sure beats popcorn and cookies for lunch and dinner. Just kidding...sorta. Yesterday I got the generic tour of the campus, ate more cafeteria food and basically went around meeting people mass the majority of the day. I gotta admit, Ihave really been feeling challeneged and struggling a bit since I got here. It's not that I haven't had a great time so far but it also been quite a shock to see everything that I am. I walked off that bus and immediately felt different because I know I am. The top three things I spotted about most kids that are different from me is: 1) They swear. Big time. 2) 75-85% of the kids smoke and 3) Many conversations I am around are plain gross. It's not a diss on anybody up here but these are the three things I noticed right away that are different from who I am. I feel like I'm a small minority of people whose beliefs, values and morals are relatively the same. The atmosphere is totally different from what I am used to. I know that God has brought me up here for more reasons than just to learn a good trade. I am convinced that somehow I should be doing something for God but just am not sure of what. I will not lose faith nor hope for it brings me comfort to know that there is something greater in life to look forward to than this. One of my roommates last night was asking "Why am I here? What's the point of being miserable here if there's nothing worth living for at all?" I know I'm butchering his question a bit but I had a sudden thought regarding it. I pulled out my bible and I read him Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have in store for you" declares the Lord, "Not to harm you but to prosper you..." and something like that. I need to memorize that verse. That's the basic message I told him was that God already has a plan for him and that we all (my roommates and I) are up here for a reason, whatever that reason may be we don't know. What I do know is that we are called to serve God and bring Him glory in everything we say, think and do. My desire is to serve the purpose that is in store for me up here. Yes, my emotions have been on a roller coaster ride since I got here but I have not lost sight of my goals and reasons for coming here. Most everything is easier said than done, especially when serving the Lord. I know that as long as I continue to lean on God these obsticals with the kids, the challenges of learning rules that haven't been explained and all else will fall in place. I am told that these next 2-4 weeks will be the hardest. If I could have one prayer request, it would be that no matter what happens in the course the time here that I keep a level head and keep my focus on God and my goals. I will write more when I have time. For now I must go. K.R.E.
幽幽桂花香
上个星期，一阵没头脑的台风迫不及待的把上海人扯进秋天，初秋的晨真叫一个爽，初秋的傍晚真叫一个凉！
院子里的一片片的桂花悄悄地开了，走在小木板路上，一股清凉的微风从水面上迎面拂过来，缠绵地恩赐你一个浓浓甜甜的桂花香吻，你不由得闭上眼，醉了。待你再睁开眼的当儿，但见得天凉好个秋就端正地写在每个邻里乡亲的脸上了！
义卖会上妈妈娃娃行销大比拚
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从敦敦上学起，每年一度的学校义卖会我都不会错过，这不但是做善事，也是我考验自己行销能力的天赐良机。记得有一年，在香港，我不幸滑冰摔着了，拄着双拐我的旧书店照常开张，还真别说，我的身残志坚行为，赢得了大量有丰富同情心的买主。每次书都卖得巨款，在一个固定的社区里卖旧书很环保，有好多旧书都被我循环卖了两三回。真是一本万利。
昨天，我奉敦敦之命，带了一大旅行袋的书，外加新买的游戏机Wii, 下午两点直奔上中校园，马上摆开我的书摊，我虽胆大，但没敢叫卖，因为我面临的是‘全球化竞争’，对面就是日本老奶奶的寿司摊，标价10元，看她们一幅胸有一根柱子的样子，我心想，谁不知道呀，寿司是孩子们的心头好，左边的中国老太太打‘爱国牌’，兜售布艺手工福娃，也是10元就有交易。右边是孩子们开的玩具店，最惨的是身后还有一摊，南韩阿妈妮叫卖3元一杯的柠檬茶，我心想，好在天不热，你的茶水火不到哪去。
知己知彼百战不殆，我先放眼望了望四周，不幸的是，有很多人卖书，但我发现，他们的货色不济，也不注意书的摆放，七分货色三分展示，对此，我自然心中有数。我用问候击倒了把手中代币攥出汗的小娃娃们，“告诉阿姨，你喜欢哪一本书，我送给你。孩子们经不起我这样的糖衣炮弹，纷纷拿出代币来买书，我知道国际学校的孩子们心算能力差，我拿出多年搞统计的看家本事，用各种算法把孩子们忽悠得头晕目眩，你买一本，8 块钱，买两本15元，三本只要25元，还额外加送一本书给你，心动不如赶快行动！先下手为强，不然好书就没了。” 结果，我的数一本不留，全部卖光，敦敦得意地夸他的老妈足智多谋，战绩辉煌。
敦敦自己也频有收获，他用Wii 吸引了很多小孩长时间驻足，间接地使他的同党的妈妈的薯条卖火了。受益不菲。
短短一个多小时，几个孩子和家长们，经过一番如火如荼的战斗，为贫困地区的孩子们义卖了上千元的书款。回家的路上，敦敦和我都感到很累，但也都兴奋得不得了。我告诉敦敦，当你真正用了智慧作了好事，取得一点点成绩都是值得骄傲的。
Wednesday, October 17, 2007HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR RONNIE (DADDY!), HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! Today is Ron's birthday. He is still working on getting off the ventilator.... I bet we know what his birthday wish is! We know it will come true!
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ronowen 70, Male, Texas, USA - 114 entries