Once Upon a Time . . . (9)

In retrospect, I wouldn’t say it was my best idea. But as they say, It's the thought that counts. When I lived in the mission field, visiting SDA dignitaries would frequent our home, as my dad was the field president. Usually they would stay for a meal, much to my five-year-old delight. One particular morning, a visitor showed to chat with my parents. As it was just before breakfast-time, I decided I would help out by making breakfast for this visitor. Slipping into the kitchen, I proceeded to pour bowls of corn flakes - my favorite food - in preparation for the meal. It turned out that the person didn't stay, and after bidding the visitor goodbye, my family discovered my doings. Sitting on the table were bowls full of nice soggy corn flakes. I had also added the milk. It made a good laugh, and, although I don't remember the event personally, it made a good story as well. And that’s how I attempted to make this world a better place.

Note to Teacher: This is a true story.

Freedom (8)

Freedom is the breath of life. -The Flying Dutchman

In commemoration of February 1st being "National Freedom Day" here are my musings on freedom. Having read accounts of the Holocaust, the era of slavery, and the Dark Ages, I have glimpsed some of the horror that results from freedom being destroyed. Freedom is what keeps both beast and man alive. Most creatures, when deprived of liberty will eventually die. On a spiritual level, freedom is what sustains life as well. Sin, when allowed to continue its fatal course, puts man in bondage and results in death. Only by true freedom in Jesus is eternal life possible.

For Lack of a Better Title (7)

Some annoying individual on Facebook who has started a tagging craze, getting people to post 25 random things about themselves and then tag 25 more people to do the same. And now I'm assigned to do likewise (except for tagging 25 people). Well, it's not that bad - who wouldn't jump at the opportunity to talk about himself?! So here's some real randomness:

1. I like carob
2. I listen to classical music
3. Documentaries fascinate me
4. Onions make me cry
5. I soloed in an airplane 3 weeks ago
6. I drive people crazy by always talking about planes
7. I've been snow-camping
8. Antarctica has an icy grip on my imagination
9. If I don't get 8 hours of sleep consistently I get sick
10. I need to pack up my Lego collection
11. I love reading and writing satire
12. I've started and stopped piano lessons probably ten times
13. I am one of the Founding Fathers of the WMC (Weimar Men's Chorus)
14. My wisdom teeth are still somewhere in my mouth
15. I need a haircut
16. I have two citizenships and I've never lived in either of my home countries
17. My friends and I plan to climb Mt. Whitney this summer
18. I've lived at Weimar for 10 years.
19. I've never eaten chocolate (hence carob is my favorite)
20. Fried eggs smell horrible
21. I own no pets
22. I can whistle and hum two-part harmony
23. School bores me, but sitting around at home bores me even worse
24. I'm getting hungry right now
25. I hope to write a book one day (a real book, not randomness like this)

There we go. That was weird. Now you know some trivia about the Flying Dutchman.

Driving: Way Over the Hill (6)

If you were to describe the U.S. in one word, I'm sure many words would pop into your head. How about "cars"? A huge percentage of Americans own and drive cars. In this country it doesn't take a lot to get behind the wheel. It's even easier to stay there, as long as you don't get too many speeding tickets. Retesting requirements aren't common and elderly folks who got their licenses back in the Roaring Thirties can be seen zipping around. Now the question arises, Should elderly drivers be required to reapply for their licenses?

My sister and I were catching a ride to a concert with an elderly couple, and neither of us will forget the experience. Jerky driving, flying along the freeway, arguments over which way to turn, last-minute swerves to take an exit - I was relieved to find out that this couple recently decided to carpool to visit relatives in San Jose. I do believe there should be a system that effectively screens out incompetent drivers.

Consider aviation, where any ordinary Private Pilot has to take a flight review every two years, regardless of age. This weeds out dangerous pilots. A study seemed to suggest that as the result of a mandatory vision test for drivers over 80 in Florida, accidents in the older driver population have decreased significantly. However there could be several reasons for these results. You can check the article out here. From personal experience, I know there are some elderly drivers who should be banned from the road. So enough with excuses about "age discrimination." It's better for ego to be injured than for bodies to be in the hospital.

A Few Thank-You's (5)

Time for thank you cards. Oh joy. I’ve reached the age when I must do things for myself; no more putting my signature on the cards my mom wrote on my behalf. Since January happens to be national Thank You month, Ms Chi has asked the seniors to list seven people they should write thank you cards to. I have about twenty names I could pull up because of their contribution to my mission account (Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me!). But I’ll some people who have been helpful in ways other than money:

• Mrs. Santana, who is very patient with her only student even though I’m sometimes bored and drowsy
• My mom, for putting up with me for 17 years.
• Maria, for giving me free transportation to flying lessons
• Mrs. Morgan, for getting me going on writing and, strangely enough, making videos
• Mr. Greenfield, for fixing the crazy Academy schedule
• Mr. Im, for giving us a test with half of the answers on it already
• Dr. Wilson, for his constant generosity to my family (ask me about it sometime)

Time to transplant the Bush . . . (4)

On the steps of the Capitol, the two leaders shook hands before the former President walked onto the whining helicopter and America was left with its new President. During his eight-year administration, Bush led the country through terrorist attacks, two wars, and devastating natural disasters. He ended his stay in the Oval Office with very low approval ratings and many are glad to see him go. What is the legacy that he left? I believe he always tried to take the actions he knew were best for the country. His military campaign in Iraq did help at least some people (if you're not convinced, read the book A Table in the Presence).

Now it's over and Obama takes center-stage. It was truly a historic moment as Obama took the oath of office, becoming the first African-American President of the U.S. He now has the difficult task of leading a country that's at war and is going downhill economically. What will he succeed in accomplishing? Hopefully he'll be able to leave Iraq in good hands when the U.S. military finishes its 60-month pullout. Some legislation I would like him pass is a law that would prevent the FAA from imposing a user fee on general aviation. Even if free air traffic control services is socialistic, everyone in the pilot community (including myself) would be quite upset if we had to pay to use our wings.

Finally I would like to see Obama make good on his promises. He has succeded in bringing minority groups to the forefront and he has many amibitious plans. It will be interesting to see how Obama will play into current events, as he now has the ability to make them. I wish him well, and I hope for his sake that he will do what is right.

You Could Say That Again (3)

Ever notice how you tend to hear the same words over and over again when something big is going on? Here are some words that popped up a lot during 2008, either in national news or in local happenings:

Big Three, the: The three largest car industries in the U.S. Characterized by executives who choose to top off their corporate jets rather than put cash in their employees' pockets. This term appeared in the media a lot when Congress was deciding who should get the bailout monies.

Credit crunch: A crisis in which the ability is to borrow vast amounts of non-existent wealth is hindered. Brought on by people who think that owning plastic exempts them from paying for their goods. This cliche was a favorite term for reporters to describe the economic crisis that has come to define 2008.

Lawmakers: A bunch of guys who earn their keep by rescuing unfortunate industries, getting into heated arguments over who gets to dish out the bailout pie, and taking the longest possible time to get a task done. These people seemed to have been at the center of attention as of late, and you don't hear about the economic crisis without hearing what Congress is trying to do about it.

Merger: The joining of two companies. Often used to describe the absorption of a less powerful business by a more powerful one. Examples: Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines merging, to come under the new name of . . . Delta. Also, Weimar and Amazing Facts (although officially they are "married", not merged). Weimartians heard a lot about this last spring when negotiations between the two ministries were underway.