Kenya

I'm going to Kenya next June. I got really excited about learning about Africa this past summer and, of course, there was then an opportunity to go. I'll be there for ten days. And, right now, I can't wait.

Last night, I happened to flip my TV to CNN. There, Anderson Cooper was hosting the Hero Awards. I like the idea. Let's bring attention to what norman, non-celebrity, types are doing to change and impact the world. There were several categories. One, on championing children, was won by Steve Peifer, a guy who moved to Kenya and started feeding kids. The local dropout rate in schools was near 50%. Steve thought, well, if we can give kids a well balanced meal (something they would get close to never), maybe that would entice them to come to school. And, it did. The dropout rates fell and fell and fell.

Here's a link to his website: http://kenyakidscan.org/.

Not only that, but he also started creating computer labs that now run on solar energy.

I think it's people like this that inspire me and make me realize that I can make a difference.

Wednesday

So, I'm in NC on vacation, visiting my family for the Thanskgiving holiday. Today, my Mom and I went to Charlotte to visit the Billy Graham Library. I'll put a picture to the right, so you can get a glimpse, but it's a massive building. 40,000 square feet devoted to the work that Billy Graham did for the Lord. Quite impressive.

Anyways, his wife, Ruth Bell Graham, passed away this past June. On her tombstone, the only inscription says, "End of Construction. Thanks for your patience." Story has it that Ruth was driving through a construction site and saw that common sign at the end of the renovation. Immediately, she said, I want that on my gravestone. I think it's quite profound. We're all a work in progress, one that is not completed until our time on earth is done. And, ultimately, those around us, my exhibit great patience as we learn and grow and learn some more.

Great Picture

I'm a big fan of road signs. I guess this one speaks to me because I often view my ideas as the right ideas. Sort of like there's only "one way" and that's my idea. Recently, however, my eyes are being opened to realize that a world beyond black and white is one that allows us to see the radiant sunrises, awe inspiring lightening flashes, and breathtaking sunsets. So, perhaps there are many ways. Of course, my initial reaction is that I'm always right, but I'm a work in progress.

Thoughts

Well, it's been over a month since I've posted on here. I've certainly thought about all of the great things to write about, but have failed to follow through. So, here I am.

I've been out of the office for most of the past two weeks. And, yet, I choose to write on this rather than address the mounds of paperwork sitting on my desk. I call this, my procrastination technique. It looks as though I'm actually doing work, when, instead, I'm merely avoiding. This is a wonderful game that I often play with my paperwork. I avoid it. It doesn't get the hint to file itself or fill itself out or recycle itself. So, in time, I'm left to actually address the pile. See, I don't like random pieces of paper lying around my office. It bothers me. So, each piece has a place. I just wish that it would find it without me getting involved.

In other news, I just returned from my first real trip to Texas. I've recently survived a fall down a flight of stairs at my parent's house. I started teaching a class at my church for some students. Last month, I published a book of pictures (and I gave it to my Dad for his birthday.) And, now, I'm ready to decorate for Christmas. Yes, I'm one of those people who embraces Christmas music that starts on November 1st.

update v. 10.4.07

Well, it's been busy. I'm not sure where all of my time goes. I guess it mostly is spent and consumed by work. Even when I'm not at work, I'm still doing work things. But, it's cool. I'm convinced that many of the students with whom I have the pleasure to work will one day find cures to dreaded diseases, write new economic theories, influence the modernized world to fend for those who can defend themselves and find a way to really work towards world peace.

So, while I don't need a dictionary to talk to them anymore, I'm still impressed everyday by something that one of them does. Like, this week, one of our students (along with one of our RAs) is on her way to Norway to speak at a conference on Computational Life Science with her study of "Using Simple Molecular Orbital Calculations to Predict Disease: Fast DFT Methods Applied to Enzymes Implicated in PKU, Parkinson’s Disease and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder." And, she's only a sophomore. See what I mean?

This week I went to the Liberty Bowl to watch the University of Memphis host Marshall University in football. I tried to yell out "We Are Marshall" numerous times, but my friends threatened to leave me without a ride home. So, I clapped and cheered for Memphis.

Also, I'm expanding my college t-shirt collection. I've added N.C. State and Memphis to my collection. Next up: Oregon, Notre Dame and, maybe, I don't know South Carolina or Clemson.

If you're interested in what I've been doing, here's a link to a press release about some of my work: http://www.rhodes.edu/9745.asp

Tired

I'm flashing back to college today. I remember times when I was so tired that I couldn't force myself to stay awake in class. Well, not just class. I couldn't stay awake during movies, even ones in movie theatres. Today, I've been in meetings straight since 8 am. And I feel like this kid...

I recently had to update my resume (though by instructions of "not job search ready") and I started to wonder how do I qualify and quantify all that I do. I mean, I feel like my life has been much fuller in the past year. This is largely due to finding greater fulfillment inside and outside of my job. But, with all that I've added to my life, sometimes it just doesn't seem like I do enough. So, here's my philosophical delimma: how do you know when you matter? I'm not looking for affirmation that I do, in fact, make a difference. I rely on my faith that my efforts are not in vain. But, in chatting with a student who's having a faith battle, I started to wonder if my question really lies in wondering if others know that I'm making a difference. Do I only impact others if it's recognized and acknowledged by them?

I can't believe that my life is all about me. It's certainly not. I just don't know how to encourage others to not grow tired and give up.

Miss Teen USA contestant from South Carolina beats Michigan

By now, most of the world wonders about the educational system of South Carolina. From the times of my childhood when I could comprehend the news, I knew that South Carolina was near the bottom in states for the rankings of education. Then, a few weeks ago, this clip
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww&mode=related&search=). As my friend Khorey pointed out...how do you get from a geography question to Iraq and South Africa? Who knows. Anyway, Caitlin had the chance for redemption on the Today show.

And the rest of the story can be told in the words of Pat Forde:

"First came word via "The Today Show" of a recruiting coup for the little school in the North Carolina mountains. Caitlin Upton, the freshly famous Miss Teen South Carolina, whose dingbat answer to a beauty pageant question became an instant YouTube classic, told Matt Lauer she planned to attend Appalachian State. This might not have dazzled the academic folks on campus, but I guarantee the male students are stoked.

Including the football team, perhaps? Maybe Miss Upton's commitment was the final motivation for the Mountaineers to defrock college football's winningest program in America's largest stadium.

Remember the score: App. State 34, Michigan 32. "

Marcus Buckingham

If you haven't heard of Marcus Buckingham, then let me tell you about him. First of all, he is beautitful (but I think he's married.) Secondly, he launched out of Gallop (you know the Gallop Polls at election time) to write some books and speak to people. His platform is focusing on your strengths to drive your success in life. I think that we get caught up in defining our strengths in terms of our jobs and careers. But, building on what Marcus talks about it, what if we discovered what we are passionate about and pursued our lives to build upon those qualities? I have to think that we would all be much happier and more fulfilled. Just a thought.

Check out Marcus and what he thinks here:
http://www.marcusbuckingham.com/index.php

What I Do

For the past fifteen days (and for nine months out of the year), I have the privilege to work with and support some student leaders as they work to make this college community a great place to live and learn. Here's a picture of us as a staff....

These kids are fun. Most of them don't take themselves too seriously. I try to live life like that as well. Too many times, it's easy to get caught up in the drama of things. But, I truly appreciate that when we're around each other, there's a lot of laughter.

They get to be the front line for all of the joys, sorrows, conflicts and victories that the students at Rhodes face. I get to support them through that. It's trying work. If you've been an RA, you know that it's not always easy (or natural) to bear all of these burdens around you. However, it's rewarding, at times. But, beyond all of that, these kids embrace the family that comes with the job. Individually, each achieves success in ways that are unspeakable (or, untype-able as it would be.) Collectively, they inspire me.

The 30th Candlelight Vigil for Elvis

Every August, Memphis becomes the hot spot destination. Not only hot because of our soaring temperatures, but really hot to honor the memory of Elvis Pressley. In August of 1977, The King died in his home, Graceland, in Memphis, TN. This year, the 30th anniversary of his death, I decided to head down to see the annual Candlelight Vigil.

We met impersonators from Spain, Italy and somewhere in Asia. We saw female Elvis impersonators, Elvis mantel pieces and the Heartbreak Hotel. (Yes, it's on the corner of Lonely Street.)

Beyond all of this, we didn't participate, because the line was a 3-5 hour wait. What's cool is that Graceland lets all of these people (for however long it takes) take a candle and make the journey up the hill to the grave of Elvis.

We wanted to see people crying, wailing and tearing their robes. Instead, we found people of all ages who were passionate about remembering the legacy of the one simply known as the King.

A visit...

My brother and sister-in-law flew in late last night. Oh, it was so good to see them. And, I am now tired because I stayed up a good three hours past my bedtime. I did entertain myself while I waited for them to call from the airport by watching that Braves play in, yet another, extra inning game. And like many of the other games that have gone into extra innings, they didn't do so well. But, it's always great to see pitchers used as pinch hitters.

On a different, yet sports related note, the Carolina Panthers just traded for safety Chris Harris from the Chicago Bears. Now, you might be saying, "so what?" I, for one, am excited. I've worked with Chris's twin brother, Gerald, for the past two years. Now, I have a real shot of getting to go to a NFL game. Chicago was too far for a weekend, but Charlotte is a completely different story. Plus, I like the Panthers. Random fact, Chris Harris was the guy who had the first interception in this year's Super Bowl. So, he's pretty good!

Inside a Volcano

This is what the inside of a volcano in El Salvador looks like.

I miss it a lot right now.

Creativity

Creativity doesn't cost money. Creativity is find a way to communicate a message in a way that people can understand and relate to.

And, leadership matters. How the leaders go, so goes the church.

Learn from everybody. If you don't, you're pathetic.

-ideas from Perry Noble (Anderson, SC)

Killer Ants

I'm currently reading "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver. It's this really long book about a Southern Baptist missionary and his family and their trials living in the Congo in the late 50s and early 60s. At one point in the book, the village where the storytellers are living comes under attack by ants. No, this isn't one of those fantasy books about giant killer ants. The reality of the novel was that there was this intense drought and the ants had nothing to eat. Everyone in village was struggling. The gardens and trees were bare. So, one night, the ants revolted and attacked.

Two nights ago, I left one of my windows cracked as I went to sleep. I did this because I was painting and didn't want to wake up high off of the fumes. So, when I walked into my living room the next morning, I saw that I, too, was under attack from killer ants. Okay, maybe not so killer, but ants nonetheless. These ants had wings! So, I drowned them in 409 and vacuumed up the remains. I've never had this problem before, and I've left that window opened a time or two.

It's my natural mindset to draw the comparison to the book. We, here in Memphis, are experiencing a terrible drought. Where some parts of the country have been flooded, we go weeks without rain. The sky deceives us. It looks like rain, feels like rain and even smells like rain. But, the rain jumps over Midtown and heads out east. Perhaps they need the rain more.

Anyways, it's dry. And, hot. But I like both. It helps me to work on my tan.

Powerful beyond Meaure

Titles of blog entries frighten me. I'm just not sure how to relate a title to my mindless ramblings. For that matter, I'm now pondering why I would exert the effort to create a blog. I think I'll do it to keep my family and friends informed. Perhaps it's worth reminding myself that my words will not change the course of history. I am too concerned, at times, with sounding profound. In reality, I could string a bunch of deeply meaning words together and superficially make myself sound like I'm searching the many layers of my soul. In reality, I only do things like that to make myself look and seem smarter than I am. I still use dictionary.com to look up the words these college kids say to me.

Update: I recently undertook the task of painting my apartment. Well, just the living room. Now, I'm tired of it and not quite done. Does it look really bad to leave it partially incomplete? I'm tired. I stayed up painting the trim until really late. Don't judge me for lack thoroughness right now. I need a nap. Maybe I'll feel more determined tomorrow.