... To New Ventures!

For the past two months my world has been completely altered. For starters, I am the new Mississippi Migrant Education Services Center Recruiter/Advocate for the Mississippi Delta! Basically my job is to find migrant individuals and families throughout fourteen counties in the northern Mississippi Delta and use national Migrant Education Program standards to recruit them into Mississippi Migrant Education Services Center based out of Mississippi State University. (WOW! I get to work for a prestigious university!) Secondly I have a car, La Rosa/The Rose! Not many cars have a name but mine does! She has been my faithful companion in my travels. (More on her later.)

When I think back to the ongoings of two months, a year and four years ago, I do not recognize myself. I have been told that the Delta ages you. Perhaps that is true in my case as well. I feel I have aged ten years! To think, all of that good/not so good stuff started with one globalization conference four years ago.

Going Mobile, Part 2

As of yesterday afternoon, I was officially declared a licensed Mississippi driver! (This license adds to the so many others you have granted me! :) ) Here in Mississippi, you have to pass three tests in order to get a driver's license: vision, written/computerized and driving. As suspected, I put too much emphasis on the written/computerized test.

I read the "Mississippi Driver's Manual" booklet from cover to cover and dissected every word. (I might apply for a motorcycle license at a later time for scooter use.) The actual written/computerized test is only 30 multiple choice questions. One cannot miss more than six question in order to proceed to the driving test. If one is not sure of a question/answer, one can skip the question and return to it once one goes through the entire test. One also have the option of having the questions read to them through a phone connected to the test station. One has four hours to complete the test. I might have taken 15 minutes to complete the test, if that. The driving test was fairly easy-peasy.

My test consisted of driving around a residential area intersected by highways 8 and 61. Thankfully my tester didn't make any comments about my driving until the end of the test - which all she said was that my left turns are slightly wide.

A much due celebration took place at Airport Grocery with two rounds of pool. I, of course, let Giuseppe royally beat me! Many thanks go to Mrs. Odom. Without her, I would not have had the opportunity to have a license. Giuseppe, there are no words to express my feelings towards you. You are my night turned into a sunny dawn.

Obtaining my driver's license is part of a seemingly long process. On Friday, that process will take me to a great opportunity. I really don't want to jinx myself by parlaying all the details ... but things are turning around ... poquito a poquito, paso a paso ... (little by little, step by step).

Double Decker Spring Run

Double Decker Spring Run
Oxford, MS
Saturday April 25, 2009

10K Run-7:30am
5K Walk- 7:45am
Kids Fun Run- 9am

Early Registration online until April 16th- $20 Online Reg (after 4/16)- $25 Mail In/Office- $25 Race Day- $30 Kids Fun Run- $10 Register online at www.racesonline.com or call 662.234.4651 for brochure and more info.

Rubber Band Therapy

This lenten season has reached its midpoint - actually its slightly over the its midpoint. A new awareness has taken hold in ways that surprise me. What to do with this information is to be played out in the coming months. Inaction is not an option. Contrary to what I posted in an earlier posting, I set cutting swearing/negative thoughts out of my life.

With the aide of rubberbands as reinforcement, I'm keeping that goal in check. I have two rubberbands placed on my left wrist, one is slightly smaller than the other. The smaller band is for snapping back when a cuss/swear word just happens to pop out of my mouth. The larger band is for snapping back when negative thoughts pop up and filter out out of my mouth. Of course I'm not the only one snapping back these rubberbands. For those brave enough to snap these bands, thank you! I didn't realize just how horrible I was at cussing/swearing and how nasty it made me.

What has been interesting is trying to define just what constitutes a cuss/swear word. We know the obvious "bad" words but do words such as "dang", "shoot", "shiznet" (Chi-town word!) and other variations count as "bad" words? Intention would have to play a role in that classification. For the moment, I have included the use of these words as part of my penance.

The Seven Ups

1. Wake UP ... and have a good day
2. Dress UP ... and wear a smile
3. Shut UP ... and learn to listen
4. Stand UP ... for what you believe
5. Look UP ... and see all the wonderful things life has to offer
6. Reach UP ... for something higher
7. Cheer UP ... because you are not alone

The Oscar Goes To ...

... Inspiration Corporation!

Airing during the 81st Annual Academy Awards (aka Oscar's), the following vid is a snipet of the Inspiration Cafe's mission starring its founder, Lisa Nigro. Lisa's story of founding Inspiration Cafe was selected from 2,300 entrants as part of a True North brand contest hosted by Frito-Lay. The reward: a 60-second commercial directed by Helen Hunt and a 25,000 grant to Inspiration Corporation. Congratulations!

To the director: thank you for showcasing all that can be great in humanity through my city.

We're off!

Finding new comfort in old routines (i.e. writing hand written letters to friends and family -- oops, how much for stamps? :), baking ... etc.), my Lenten season is off to a good start. I received my ashen cross with a sense of renewal and awareness. This year isn't marked by so much stuff that I'm giving up but geared towards the rebirth component of the season. (By the way, if I were to give up anything, it would be swearing. Yes, I'm a pottie-mouth!) Lent is about conversion, turning our lives more completely over His way of life. The goal is not just to abstain from sin for the duration of Lent but to root sin out of our lives forever.

Any progress (or deviation) will be posted.

New Look

For as many times as I have changed the look of this blog, I still dabble on. As you can see, I have added a new section, "Noteworthy Blogs". With the exception of the Carr family and Sarah's blogs, these blogs represent organizations, ideas -- most are recommended by you. (I live vicariously through Sarah's blog! The Carr family is a godsend.) Apparently, there is a growing group of doctoral students who document their studies through a blog. These lists, much like this blog (and my myself), are an ongoing project.

Missing CARE team event listings? Unfortunately CARE team event listings are no longer available - something I hope changes in the foreseeable future. However you can always go to http://www.careteam.mgrf.org/index.asp and peruse any changes in volunteer opportunities.

Enjoy!

Super Bowl and Veggie Love?

PETA's new ad features lingerie-clad women who are powerless to resist the temptation of veggie love was nixed from this year's Super Bowl ad extraganza. One can only wonder why!


'Veggie Love': PETA's Banned Super Bowl Ad

... To New Beginnings!

I know it's been a while since I have last posted on this blog. There's really no excuse but so much can happen in a wink of an eye and there's little time to reflect. (For example, "We did it!" in Bolivar County, Mississippi!!!) I find myself opting for a more active state of mind though ... or at least becoming more receptive to it.

It's amazing what a personal tragedy and finally making it through a reconciliation can do for someone. Father, I am most thankful for you.

Peace be with all of you!

A Note of Inspiration

You can help Inspiration Corporation provide homes to 45 households this year!

Inspiration Corporation has committed to place 45 homeless individuals and families who have experienced long-term homelessness in supportive housing before the end of the year, a tremendous goal that we can only meet with the help of partners like you.

The basic cost of moving an individual into housing is about $600, including a $35 application fee, a $250 deposit and $300 for a serviceable bed and dresser. The cost of housing families is higher, and depends on the number of people in the household.

Won't you please consider a gift today to help us meet our goal?
For $1,000, we can move a family of four off the street.
$600 allows us to put an individual into her own home.
$300 covers basic furniture for an individual's new home.
$150 allows us to purchase a twin bed.
$35 covers an apartment application fee.The need for homeless services is more urgent than ever before, and is rapidly rising. Please help make it possible for another person to give thanks for a new home during this season of plenty.

With my sincere thanks,

John W. Pfeiffer
Executive Directors & CEO

To make your gift today, please click here!

You can learn more by calling 773/878-0981, ext. 204.

Inspiration Corporation provides people affected by homelessness and poverty with employment, housing and supportive services to allow them to reach their fullest potential for self-sufficiency.

Join me at Mt. Kilimanjaro!

Via a raffle ticket, you not only have the opportunity to trek Mt. Kilimanjaro for 10£ (roughly $6) but also to give and visit a great organization, Amani (Peace) Children's Home.

Due to one of the world's poorest economies, weakening family ties, and HIV/AIDS, the problem of street-children in Tanzania is growing daily. Amani tries to help these affected children by offering them a safe home, attempting to reunite them with their families, and offering them a variety of educational opportunities.

Please click on http://www.justgiving.com/brucethew to learn more about this trip and to reserve your raffle tickets. (You have until September 30, 2008 to purchase your raffle tickets.) To learn more about Amani Children's Home, please click on http://www.amanikids.org/.

Thanks and I hope to see you at Mt. Kili!

... Going Mobile!

After years of cycling, walking and running, I've finally decided to at least get a driver's license. Ho-hum! Of course, this would facilitate (or legitimize) driving a four-wheeled transportation device. :0 This decision is not an easy one by any means. However rural living necessitates the repeated use of vehicles. I was so spoiled by the CTA and Pace that I never gave easily accessible public transportation a second thought in moving to the rural south. Anywho, I'll keep you updated on my progress!

Salut!

Global Health Conference

Unite For Sight 6th Annual Global Health Conference

"Achieving Global Goals Through Innovation"

Saturday, April 18 - Sunday, April 19, 2009

Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

200 Speakers, Including Keynote Addresses by Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, Dr. Sonia Sachs, Dr. Susan Blumenthal, and Dr. Harold Varmus

NOW OPEN: Register Online For 6th Annual Global Health Conference

Interested in submitting an abstract for presentation? Submit your abstract online by September 15

Unite For Sight's innovative, high-impact conference is an idea incubator:

-Convenes 2,500 participants interested in international health and development, public health, eye care, medicine, social entrepreneurship, nonprofits, philanthropy, microfinance, human righs, anthropology, health policy, advocacy, public service, environmental health, and education.

-Provides tools to identify global problems, engage in social entrepreneurship, and create change and real solutions.

-Connects individuals, organizations, universities, the public, and communities, to collaborate on sustainable solutions.

-Inspires leadership, talent, and ideas.

-Encourages learning and innovation by providing a forum to share information and best practices across all disciplines of global health and international development.

-Harnesses enthusiasm, idealism, and innovation with practicality.