Choose the one you want ... or

In one of my classes, we were asked to write a paper of case study analysis. Dr.C read the four cases aloud briefly in the classroom:

1. A 12 yrs old child with deaf impairment from Japan living her with family in Oahu, with difficulty at home, neighbour and school.
2. A 10 yrs old Hawaiian Samoan kid with severe mental disorder living at the Big Island, with difficulty at school.
3. A young adult from Micronesian family, with the prolonged depression and extreme mood swings studying at the UH Manoa, and this young adult also fell in love with the neighbour with the same gender.
4. A middle age veteran soldier returning from the third tour of Iraq, with physical injury and traumatic brain injury.

After Dr.C reading all the cases, she asked us to choose one we wanted. Four cases, eight paper copies were distributed from Dr.C to the classroom, and we were told to choose it democratically.

I rated those cases in my head when Dr.C was reading:
- The Japanese culture is close to Chinese culture which is what I am familiar with;
Rate: 3, great chance,
- The Hawaiian Samoan child is really where I am curious about since I am living at the center of the pacific islands;
Rate: 5, probably will pick up this one.
- The young adult mental development and woman study are part of the area I am curious about;
Rate: 4, not a bad choice
- The veteran soldier with Africa-American heritage seems like the most foreign and challenging one.
Rate: 2, this is way too foreign.

By just listening to the cases, I was already overwhelmed by the tough situations and hoped it's not real case. Subconsciously, I decided for the Hawaiian Samoan case since somehow I could learn and seek the local community nearby.

Meanwhile, the class entered into a discussion about the possibility of the forth case. Some of my classmates commented that "no way for an African-American veteran back from Iraq without a job" and "it did not make sense."

By the time I almost picked up the Hawaiian Samoan case, one of my classmates, A, said that she didn't have any preference and would love to let those who felt strong about the case they wanted to choose first.
"Me neither, would love to be the last to choose." I answered, and put down the case I almost picked up.
Dr.C commented that we were socialist.
Big laugh.

Thanks for A's reminding to be humble, courteous, and to be the last.
Yet, it's always lucky to have a chance to choose,
but is that really important to choose,
or it is just happier to see other people chose the right one he/she really wanted?
Somehow, it's just so easy to be running in front of everyone, without the second thought of other people's choices.

At least, there is a great peace, when I got the case I rated the least.

Noah's Ark Replica by Huibers

Good cubit !

----

The Dutch creationist Johan Huibers of Schagen, the Netherlands has built a massive replica of Noah’s Ark.

Johan’s ark is 150 cubits long, 30 cubits high, and 20 cubits wide, which approximates two-thirds of a football field in length and three stories tall in height. As big as it is, it is only 1/5 the size of the original Ark, which was 300 cubits long, 30 cubits high, and 50 cubits wide.

Website:
http://www.arkvannoach.com/nieuw/ 

 A Bible Study:How big is Noah's Ark
http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/sizeark.html


Answers in Genesis: Johan Huibers and His Ark
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n2/netherland-ark

AOL News: Working Replica of Noah’s Ark Opens (with Pictures)
http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/working-replica-of-noahs-ark-opens/20070428184909990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001

BBC News: Dutchman builds modern Noah’s Ark
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4853890.stm

CBN:

• Replica of Noah’s Ark Opens to Public 

  http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/147622.aspx

• Dutch Town Sports Noah’s Ark Replica (with Video)

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/148994.aspx

CNN: New Noah’s Ark ready to sail
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/04/28/dutch.ark.ap/index.html

Sydney Morning Herald: Dutchman’s biblical mission
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/dutchmans-biblical-mission/2006/03/30/1143441257033.html?page=fullpage

Thank God or Thank People?

From "Thanks be to God"... en...

1. Who need this appreciation the most if we have to pick up only one?
People of course. They are not perfect and they need some encouragement to do the good deeds.

2. How to give thanks to God?
Love people's souls, accordingly.
Saying it? like "God loves you more than you can imagine"? Yes, absolutely!
Doing good deeds? like "lunch and prayers for homeless"? yes, creative!
But I'm sure, it's all done not for God, but "with and through God".

3. according to the "praise God" action from my observation, two kinds of reaction:
80% God's believers will think this is fantastically right and perfect. We give all thanks to God.
100% "God makes no sense" people will directly give the judgment that "you guys are crazy, not thankful, and devoid of all gratitude."
Bridge this impression, dudes.
Thank People and God. ( un-christian)
--------------------

Result:
Be supernatural, not superficial. Praise God with good deeds and good words, according to the souls and needs.
Specially when group emailing or broadcasting or in any public settings, the best is to consider what God cares the most.

Just a thought before going to a class and it is good day with lots to be done.
=)

Shorts and Mormon

Went to Morman school at north shore for an art show with my friend. He didn't tell me anything about the dress, so I chose the white shirt, with delicated lace, shorts cuts in the suit style. I thought it would be very formal in Hawaii: at least, not super short, not sleeveless, not over-stylish, not shabby.
...untill being stared after landing the school, I found there were something strange going on: I should never dress the shorts above the knee in Morman School, nor the sleeveless.

Oh gee, my fault! Forgot to look at the rules in Mormon. =I

At least, learned something:
----Google the rules/customs/cultures before attending to any religious events!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_religions_and_spiritual_traditions