Check back often for the latest from our expanding group of IPF Columnists.
Thursday,
September 30,
2004 - Benj
The Big Debate
Game On.
Bush vs. Kerry. Dumb-as-a-Rock versus The Waffler, according to the
extremists. The first of four live debates coming your way tonite at 9pm EST.
Bush has the upper hand, but Kerry’s known to fight like a wolverine when he’s
cornered. So look out. These debates should be good. Bush, according to some
pundits, has never lost a debate. But the same is said about Monsieur
Kerry. So who’s gonna win? My money’s on Bush carrying the debates and then
riding to an election victory with a three point margin.
Cheney vs
Edwards.
Just one debate coming up between these two. Look for Edwards to
do well, but for Cheney to smoke his lightweight trial-jury
self.
So that leaves 2008. Hillary versus someone. Giuliani? Florida
governor Jeb Bush, the president’s little brother? Ahnold? Arnold gave a
marvelous speech at the republican convention. Take that, economic girly men.
But no one,
no one in either convention, eclipsed the sheer power and dramatics of Democratic Senator Zell
Miller skewering Kerry for the shifty, poll-driven politician that he is. All
the while exalting the president, who sits atop the opposing party. It
was quite simply one of the most powerful speeches ever delivered by a national
politician in recent memory. One for the history books.
THIS ELECTION MATTERS
.
We’ve got just a few more weeks until Decision Day. So if you are of age, and
if you haven’t read through the issues and picked a candidate, then get on up
and do it. This election and 2008 may very well end up going down as two of the
most important elections in our lifetime. This is World War 3 that we’re living
through folks, make no mistake, and each vote counts.
Posted on
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
by
Greg S
“Break up the fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes to
rain righteousness on you…” (Hosea 10:12)
It’s been
too long!
I miss you guys. I have been disconnected from the Internet for about 6 weeks
(except for checking my email a few times). I am in beautiful Carbondale,
Illinois, and into the second month of my missionary training with Chi Alpha
Campus Ministries.
I
must tell you that God has
brought me
to an awesome place. It is a ministry that relies on prayer, feeds off the Word
of God (I am talking about some serious devouring and feasting), believes in
power of God like a little child, and sees the fruit of the Holy Spirit. I have
seen a girl get healed of a lump in her breast (by simply and quietly asking God
to heal her). I have a friend
here who got saved in March and has already led about 40 people to the Lord. And
I saw a girl who cursed like a sailor, came to church with hangovers, and
listened to satanic music (literally) receive the resurrection life of Jesus
Christ and be completely changed in less than 2 weeks.
As much as this
has been a season of
encouragement,
it has been a season of challenging. On the one hand I am seeing how great God
is; on the other hand, I am seeing the true condition of my heart. I have been
exposed to the same gospel, the same words, and the same truth. Essentially…God
has planted the same seeds in me as He did in them. Why do we bear different
fruit? Why don’t we see this fruit on the East Coast? Why don’t we see this in
all churches and in all Christians? Why not in me?
A hard heart
is a horrible place for a seed to grow…a seed needs moisture to grow.
Here is the
problem. Many of us go to great churches that have great teaching and great
Love for God. We don’t have many outward, obvious or visible sins. But many of
us are frustrated, not at peace, and aware of the fact that we need to grow.
Here is an illustration…the
same sun that melts butter, also hardens clay.
When you are exposed to large amounts of the Word (which is far more powerful
that the sun because God spoke and the sun existed), and don’t act on it,
you get hard (read James 1:23-24). People raised in church often have this
problem because they know so much and do so little (this point is
also illustrated by the amount of Pastor’s Kid’s and Missionary’s Kids slide far
away from God…lots of truth and little doing). The very truth that saves
you…can harden you when you don’t act on it…
God has been using this article called “Breaking
the Fallow Ground” by Charles Finney and rewritten by Keith and Melody Green
(which means that it gets right to the heart of the matter…praise God for the
Greens!) to break me. This article takes you through 26 areas of sin that make
you hard. Here are a few excerpts:
a) Lack
of Love for God:
Think of how grieved and alarmed you’d be, if you suddenly realized a great lack
of affection for you in your wife, husband or children – if you saw someone else
had captured their hearts, thoughts, and time. Perhaps in such a case you’d
almost die with a just and holy jealousy. Now, God calls himself a jealous God.
Have you not given your heart to other loves and infinitely offended him?
b)
Unbelief:
Recall the instances in which you have virtually charged the God of Truth with
lying, by your unbelief of His express promises and declarations. If you have
not believed or expected to receive the blessings which God has clearly promised,
you have called him a liar.
c)
Vanity: How many times
have you spent more time decorating your body to go to church, than you have
preparing your heart and mind for worship of God (this one really sounds like
Keith Green!)? You have cared more about how you appeared outwardly to men than
how your soul appeared in the sight of God.
When we don’t
act on the entirety of God’s Word with childlike faith…we get hard. I have seen
it in my own life. Have you?
Lord, help us
today. Let us be
doers of your word.
Let us not take in all the riches of heaven only to forget about them moments
later. Let us not get comfortable. Let us not be deceived into thinking we
have arrived or that we are without sin. We are sinners Lord! Let us press into
you, so that you may break up our hard hearts, so that you may be more alive and
more glorified in us.
“Rid yourself of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a
new spirit.” Ezekiel 18:31
Georgetown is
five minutes from my place of work. I didn’t realize that. Yesterday,
Lakshmi and I made a pleasant, quick trip to Georgetown.
We went by bus.
It was one of those fly by your seat kinda decisions. We went for a few
errands. But since we only had an hour we had to rush rush rush. It was
like in a movie…a rainy Monday afternoon. Stop at the eyeglass store.
Window shop for some posters.
Our bus speeds by as we try to wave it down.
The driver didn’t see us jumping and waving frantically. It stops 100 yards
away. Can we make it? No we can’t make it. But wait! An old man with a
cane is getting off… We ran as fast as our business attired feet could
carry us. We made it. All in an hour. Back to our seats…back to work.
On another note…
Why doesn’t he
answer my prayers? What is it you want to do with me Lord?
For those of you
who go to my church, you know this has been on my heart. On Sunday my own
father spoke on prayer and faith. What resounds in my mind: Without faith
it is impossible to please God. Without faith! What is faith? Hebrews
11:1 “Now faith
is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:6“It's
impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants
to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to
respond to those who seek him.” How do we have faith? We have faith
from hearing. Romans 10:17“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is
heard through the word of Christ.”Hearing and
believing.
Hearing and believing the wonderful and marvelous work of God in His word,
in people’s lives and in your own life…if you believe that is.
Mark 11:24-25Therefore I say unto
you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them,
and ye shall have them.
I was praying the other day, and God revealed a single verse to me:
Psalms
51:17
I learned God--worship
when my pride was shattered.
Heart-shattered lives ready for love
don't for a moment escape God's notice.
I thought it was
amazing. It is a promise that once we are ready to humble ourselves, God’s word
says that He notices. Once we are ready, His grace is sufficient to take us to
the end. But until then…
Take care people!
I
Thessalonians 5:24 The one who calls
you is faithful and He will do it.
Interesting
Word of the Day:
wiseacre[WY-zay-kuhr] noun: One who pretends to knowledge or cleverness; a would-be
wise person; a smart aleck.
All across the United States, journalists and other
wiseacres would soon have a field day with the popular mayor's personal
problems and public trials.
A wiseacre on the Oakland to Los Angeles shuttle this week said
the next technological leap would be implanting cell phones into people's
heads. He was kidding -- we think.
Wiseacre comes from Middle Dutch wijssegger, "a soothsayer," from Old High
German wissago, alteration of wizago, "a prophet."
Monday, September
27,
2004 - Chung Lao
The
BIG
Debate & Couple of Things....
A.
Did you know that there are 100 million registered voters in the U.S. that
didn't vote in the last election? It's embarrassing really. In any
case, Bush-Kerry kick off Round 1 of their debates this Thursday.
I
realize there are some people
(about 100 million)
who could care less, but if you have time, watch at least one of these debates.
After that, read up on the issues and decide for yourself. This may be the
most important election of our lifetime.
B. 'Ask Lakshmi Aunty Updated': Lakshmi has posted her latest
piece.
C. Remembrance - Pastor Don Spiers: 3 pictures have been added
to Pastor Don's Reflection in Pictures.
Click here to view.
Saturday,
September 25,
2004 - Jonathan
The Hurricane
Experience...
Hello everyone from beautiful Pensacola, Florida
(well that was before Ivan passed through). I am having a blast.
The campus is extremely beautiful
and the facilities are first class. The last week
has kind of been a trying one. As I am sure most of you know the
city of Pensacola was nearly destroyed, but God kept His hand of
protection over our campus.
We did suffer some fallen trees, downed power lines, and broken windows, but all
of the buildings on campus are standing. The worst part was
being stuck in a hallway with 60 other guys for over 34 hours.
We had no electricity or water for three full days, I ended up
going to Atlanta for the weekend.
Please pray for the townspeople
, many are going to have to start all over and
rebuild. As many of you might know Priscilla Harris is a student
here at PCC, she is studying in the Nursing program.
Look for me to have a
little NFL section in my next update, I will be commenting on the season up to that
point. But for know I have to say that until someone proves me
wrong the Patriots are the team to beat.
Well I have to go, so you all have a good
weekend. And God Bless.
Hello
to everyone again! It is that time for some us to begin school once
again…Exciting! Actually I am not that excited, but thankfully I will be
graduating this fall. Congratulations to all of you who already finished!
I
wanted to talk to you all about the decisions we make and
why we need to be careful to rely on God’s precepts. I know
this is something we encounter from the moment we wake up,
to the moment we go to bed at night. Some decisions are not
as important as others for example choosing to eat breakfast
in the morning to selecting what shoes we will wear.
However,
there are other decisions that are more important such as choosing friends
wisely, and those whom you will allow to come near into your life. If we choose
to do it our ways instead yielding to the word of God I can assure you much
headache and heartache.
Psalm 19:7, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony
of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”
Even when
we don’t know what to do and doubt our judgment we can search the Lord’s counsel
and make the right choice. The word of the Lord is living so each time we
approach it for answers we find real answers from God who transform our thoughts
into his thoughts!
Psalm 33:4,
“For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.”
How many
people search the truth today, people do not want to be deceived nor trust
something that is a lie, however we have the unfailing truth of God in our
lives. The truth that God has given us is in the Bible, his word so that we may
not be misguided. Even in those times when feel like we have no idea how things
will work out, if we trust and consider the Lord’s word in our decision we
will have the truth and not a lie.
Psalm 19:11, “Morever by them is thy servant warned: and in
keeping of them there is great reward.”
The
key here is to keep them and not throw them out of our minds,
not forget about God’s instruction. I know this is not easy, at
least for me because I desire to compromise with myself and
overlook God’s truth. But them I am reminded that there is no
other way, that the best way in doing it is according to God, at
least if I want to avoid gray hair before I am 30 ;) It’s funny
but true, and I pray that this may be a reminder to us that we
should rely on the words of wisdom from the Lord rather than our
own carnal wisdom.
Lots
of blessing to you all and please keep me in your prayers!
Because a few people asked, I want to briefly address some of the more practical
concerns I had about going to India, which included mainly concerns about the
heat and the food.
As
far as the heat went,
I was perfectly okay because the monsoon season was going on and it was pretty
cool. I know, I should be used to it by living in Houston, but the truth of the
matter is that most of the time I'm in the air conditioner, so I really
don't experience the heat as much. But the monsoon season presented some very,
umm, interesting situations. For one, we all had to run inside the church on the
wedding day because it was raining so hard, and running in a sari is no easy
feat, let me tell you. I have no clue how the actresses do that in the Hindi
movies I've seen.
Secondly, in another situation,
I was able to completely experience the monsoon season, in more ways than I
truly wished for. As I was walking, minding my business, I stepped, unknowingly,
on a monsoon inundated marble outside floor, and lo and behold, the earth starts
coming up to me. Slowly and gracefully, I fell in the front porch, flat on my
bottom, in front of the whole family. So, I just as gracefully, stood up, and
said, "Oops, my skirt is wet," and walked inside and changed. I can assure you,
I shall not forget that experience.
As
far as the food went,
I did not get sick at all from the food. The only times I really felt a bit
nauseated was when we were on the road and the car was just jostling me alll over the place, whew... talk about a free roller coaster ride.
Except that I hateee roller coasters. As a matter of fact, one time I rode this
ride called Pharaoh's Fury, and it is like a canoe that swings back and forth.
If I could only convey the trauma I had from that ride... for a few weeks
afterwards, every time I hit a bump on the road, I felt my stomach knot up. But
anyway, that was the only very minor trouble I had, since we didn't do a whole
bunch of visiting.
As
far as culture is concerned, here is a link pulled up by the one and only J.T.,
that gives a nice overview of the Indian culture.
Growing up-
Is it just me, or do
most of you who are finally "growing up" still feel like a kid? I saw Anne's
update yesterday (Great piece, as always!) and could completely identify with
that. I mean, how is it possible, that on August 29, at 11:59, I began my
process of metamorphosing, which transformed me into a person who could at the
stroke of midnight, August 30th, be able and responsible to sit by myself in
conven...?... but no, I shan't go there.
Whatever the case, the fact remains, time moves on, and we must move along with
it. I wonder what the future holds.
Until Next Time.
Monday, September
20,
2004 - Chung Lao
Bonus Interview,
Anne's Journal
& 7 TURNOVERS...
A.
Sup all.
Vinod V has conducted a special express (quick) interview for
The Tonight Show
with one
Blessy Daniel (NY).
Be sure to check it out.
B. 'Anne's Journal Updated': Anne has posted her latest piece
entitled, 'Childhood'.
C. Inspirations set to RETURN this week: After a few weeks of
hiatus, Inspirations will be returning to the update schedule this Wednesday.
D. Giants 20 Redskins 14: 7 Turnovers. When you commit 7
turnovers, you don't deserve to win the game, doesn't matter who you are.
The Washington Redskins gift wrapped this game for the New York Giants.
This will be a game the Skins look back on and kick themselves that they lost.
Couple of things:
Patrick Ramsey:
made some of the dumbest decisions I have ever seen a QB make. He threw 2 INTS that were just
heaved up into the air when there was no reason to. All he had to do
was throw the ball away. You can't win in the NFL with just your arm.
Think I'm wrong?
Just ask Ryan Leaf.
Clinton Portis:
Listen, Portis had decent yardage, caught a TD pass, and had some key blocks,
but his 2 fumbles cost us the game. You can't give the opposition free
plays.
Rod Gardner:
This guy is beginning to remind me of Michael Westbrook (one of the biggest
busts in Redskins history). He shows flashes of greatness, but more often
then not, he drops passes, including one sure TD pass that would have made the
score, 21-20.
For all the gloating
Giants fans out there, just remember this. After you guys recovered 7
turnovers. WAIT. HOLD UP. I don't think you heard me,
7 TURNOVERS
, the Skins STILL had a shot to win the game up
until the last 10 seconds. Yes, you got the win, and that's all
that matters, but looking down the road, it's still early enough in the
season for changes to be made and Joe Gibbs will not allow this garbage football
play to continue.
Posted on Friday, September 17, 2004
by
Lakshmi M
'Hallelujah'
I am sure everyone
enjoyed the
long labor day weekend
(way back when)
and longer week after that working. The past few weeks have been a really
blessed for me, God has been in close touch with me, assuring me that he is
taking care of me and my family. I know it sounds silly, but I really felt that
I was having this conversation with God. I felt a peace that I cannot explain.
Marching ahead with my testimony…
“I
would store all this in two big suitcases. Now the third year was the real
test…to be continued…” I started going to a church and everything was good, but in
my mind I was doing this only to please my future husband and not because I was
convicted or anything. I would go to church as a ritual. I would lie at home
telling my parents that I had to work overtime or some class to go to. Now in
retrospect, I think my folks knew all along that there was something fishy. I
would read the bible like a novel, reading only the stories, not really
realizing that I was reading God’s words. What a
folly to merely brush aside the very words of life. Anyway, so I
was going to this church and nothing was happening. Meanwhile I switched jobs
and had to do night shifts, which meant my husband and I did not get that much
to meet. The problems started.
We started
having tiffs and sometimes they would blow out of proportion. So
everytime I had a fight with him I would come home and read Psalms, not
realizing that God was already working mightily in my life. When God chooses
you, he creates situations and circumstances in such a way that the only resort
left is to seek him. So I would read the Psalms and cry like a baby, and then
forget all about it. And then we had the biggest fight and it seemed like it
would be Splitsville for us…
To be continued…
Talking
further about children, my husband and I attended our first Back to
School night meeting at my son’s school. His teacher was all praises for him,
but before we met her I was really nervous as to what I was going to hear, and I
was praying. Hearing the good things made me proud and I thanked God for
working in his life. Then I remembered that my son is only six and already I
feel this way about him, imagine the parents of grown up boys and girls…where
the matters at hand are not about going to 1st
grade and meeting the teacher…but much more bigger things. I pray that God
gives them the grace to handle it all. I mean both parents and children.
Cheers! To all drinking the elixir of life,
eating manna so that we can all go forth and belch out the word of God to all.
Gyaan
(knowledge) for the Day:
Aryan - A member of the people who spoke the parent
language of the Indo-European languages.
In Nazism, a Caucasian Gentile, especially Nordic
type.Of or relating to Indo-Iranian languages.
A.
Eber Rosario has been interviewed for
The Tonight Show.
Be sure to check it out.
B. Rocky & Seema's Wedding: 62 pictures have been posted
from the wedding this past Saturday. On behalf of everyone here, we want
to send our
congratulations out to the newlyweds.
Tuesday,
September 14, 2004
-
Susan
Physical
Wellbeing
Good Morning
People.
I feel
wonderfully stretched out this morning. Last evening I went to an Intro to
Ballet class in Dupont Circle.
Please don’t be mistaken.
I don’t want to be a ballerina at the old age of 22, I just want to be able
to keep my body fit and live to the ripe old age of 112:) The class is
great for toning and keeping the body flexible.
Anyway, in order to make it to that nice old age,
I have to take care of my body. How often do you spend some time on yourself?
In our busy lives, we pack so much in that we have no time left for the basics
in life: to
prepare a proper
meal, take a little gentle exercise or simply to
relax and allow the stresses of the day to drain away. We start to feel tired,
we become pallid, our waistlines fill out and we suffer from nagging symptoms
such as headaches and digestive problems. Take some time out to pamper yourself
and improve your overall health will boost your general wellbeing and make you
feel more energized. You will have a better outlook on life and more self confidence to face the
world. You don’t have to spend a lot of time in order to make a visible
difference. A little effort goes a long way to reducing stress and invigorating
your emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
So do you ever just get overwhelmed? To the
point where your mind becomes boggled down and you just don’t know where to
start… …with anything? It’s time to detox. Take a hike! [I mean that
literally and colloquially…just kidding. But yes, please do just take a
walk. Read a book. Read your bible! Soak in information. Be calm. Sit
straight. Drink your water. Eat your fruit. Take an exercise class if you
can’t push yourself to exercise at home. [Hey guys, there were three guys in my
ballet class. Men in tights. I’m not sure how I feel about that yet. I’ll let you know
later.]
It’s all about
making choices and following them.
Well, here’s
to life. Ciao.
Interesting Word of the Day:
longueur
[long-GUR]
noun: A dull and tedious passage in a book, play, musical
composition, or the like.
One of the commentators compared my speech to one of
Gladstone's which had lasted five hours. "It was not so long, but some of
the speech's . . .
longueurs made Gladstone seem the soul of brevity," he wrote. --Lord Lamont
of Lerwick, "Been there, done that," Times
(London).
If this book of 400 pages had been devoted to her alone, it would
have been filled with
longueurs, but as the biography of a family it has the merit of originality.--Peter Ackroyd,
review of Gwen Raverat: Friends, Family and Affections, by Frances
Spalding, Times (London)
This book ... has its defects. Sometimes it loses focus (as in a
longueur on Chechens living in Jordan). --Colin Thubron, "Birth of a
Hundred Nations," New York Times
Longueur is from French (where it means "length"),
ultimately deriving from Latin longus, "long," which is also the sourceof English long.
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him
up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:15 KJV)
Monday, September
13,
2004 - Chung Lao
Redskins Win Big in Their
Season Opener...
A. Redskins 16 Bucs 10:
Organization. That is the hallmark of a Joe Gibbs coached team. The
team had only 3 penalties in it's FIRST regular season game.
That is incredible considering the team averaged over 10 per game under Steve
"We're Losers" Spurrier.
Clinton Portis. First Handoff. 64 yards to the house. Is
there a new era in Washington? That would be a YES. He finished the
day with 149 yds, and 1 TD.
What really struck me
about this game was the fact that the Redskins didn't fold under pressure.
The Skins fumbled the ball and had it returned for a TD, but they kept fighting.
That is a testament to Joe Gibbs. I can't even tell you the number of
times the Skins have folded down the stretch because of poor coaching the past
few years.
Welcome Back Joe.
B. Site News:
In other site news, a new interview as well as Rocky & Seema's wedding pics
will be posted THIS Wednesday. Don't miss out.
Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004
by
Lakshmi M
'Ahn-nyong-ha-se-yo'
Ahn-nyong-ha-se-yo
(“How are you?” in Korean),
I hope that some of
your queries have been answered and some still to be answered. I am getting to
them, please be patient. The technical snag has been solved.
Proceeding further on my testimony…
So we were an item…to
be continued. Now there was no way I could tell my folks about my new found
love, as I would have been thrown out of the house, so I just kept it a secret
and decided that when things come to, I will deal with them. Meanwhile we were
merrily meeting each other, he would pick me up for work and drop me home in the
evening.
The first year
was very rosy,
we were at our best behavior, then sometime during the second year, my husband
became born again. He then told me about Christ and said that it would be
nice if I could attend some church once in a while. Even at that time, I
was thinking that when we get married we would do a Hindu ceremony, because I
would not have any connection with that once I got married, which was still a
long way off. I knew that I would not get any kind of support from my
family, so I started making my own trousseau, clothes, linen, jewelry, household
things, etc, all little by little. I would store all these things in two
big suitcases. Now the third year was the real test…to be continued.
Last Wednesday, my son turned 6, and all of a sudden he seemed big. He will
start going to 1st Grade, big step in
life. My son and I are pals, we share the same frequency, we understand each
other and both of us love art. In fact, we can read each other’s mind. God has
been very good to me and has given me two wonderful children.
On that thankful note, I will stop here this
time. More good stuff next week. Ciao.
Gyaan
(knowledge) for the Day:
Guru - A teacher and a guide in spiritual and
philosophical matters.
A mentor. A recognized leader in a field.
"Fitness Guru"
Hindi/Punjab -- guru (teacher), from Sanskrit
guruh -- weighty, heavy, grave
A.
Our condolences go out to Sis. Sylvia Washington (DC) and family, on the passing of
her daughter Jackie. In addition, we would like to send condolences to the
family of Bro. Pedro Millan (DC), who was killed in a car accident on his way to
church this past Sunday. His mother, Tarcilla Millan, who was also in
the car, is still in critical condition.
B. Remembering 9/11:
Our new columnist Anne
has written a piece specifically in remembrance of September 11th.
Click Here to read.
Looking back on 9/11
and its aftermath, I still believe that taking the fight to the terrorists in
their back yard, is better than sitting here waiting for them to hit us in ours,
as John Kerry would have it. "Spitballs??" - Zell Miller.
C. London Convention 2004:
For those interested, 14 pics have been posted. Shout out to RDR & SRA.
;)
Tuesday, September 7, 2004 -Binu
Beef
-- Its what's for Dinner.... lunch and breakfast
Yesterday, In
the tradition of
labor
day,
I was enjoying a nice juicy
burger--Melted American
cheese dripping over a medium-well cooked USDA prime patty with a stripe of pink.
I'm
only 24 so I have a good 15 years before this stuff kills me, but inevitably it
will. Americans more than any other nationality consume a tremendous
amount of red meat. We have it in our soup, in our sandwiches, for breakfast. we
even have it by itself - raw.
Think about
all the red meat we eat. Hotdogs, Hamburgers, Steaks, Sausages. Mmmm --All very
good but all very deadly. But
the penchant for Red meat is strong in America and growing ever stronger. After
eating Big Macs for 8 years, even the all-powerful former President
Clinton fell
victim to Red Meats deadly effects.
Bill Clinton
looks fairly fit--especially compared to middle age males in the Indian
community; But Red Meat is slick. It attacks you from the
inside -- So you may
look like the governator on the outside, but your insides are as clogged
as the belt parkway west-bound in rush hour, during the Republican
national convention, and two lanes are closed for construction and there's an
accident on the right shoulder involving an overturned jack-knife tractor
trailer.
I'm not saying
we should all stop eating Red meat, but for your health and mine, lets just
limit it to special occasions like labor day, 4rth of July, birthdays, anniversaries
and dinner.
Moving on to a
completely different topic --The other day myself and a few companions decided
to Try the famous 'Peter Lugers Steakhouse' in Brooklyn.
Peter Lugers is
arguably one of the best steakhouses in the nation. It has been rated the best
steakhouse in New York for the last
20
years. We tried to call in and make
reservations for 8 oclock but they laughed at us. Apparently you have to make
reservations 3 months in advance. 3 months?? Who is going to make an
'appointment' to eat a piece of cow and plan for it 3 months ahead of
time?
Fortunately
Peter Lugers has another location on the island which is not as busy. Any
steak connoisseurs that want to try Lugers, here's what you should know. They
only serve porterhouse. The steak is pre-cut and arrives on a 400 degree plate
sizzling in Lugers Special Sauce. The steak melts like butter in your mouth. There's
very little chewing involved. And oh yeah -- they only accept cash -- so
those MasterCard card commercials ( "For everything else there's MasterCard")
-- Well not for this.
Also don't
even think about asking for the
A1 steak sauce. That's considered an
insult. But like I said before, you shouldn't be eating steak all the time.
Remember --"Quadruple bypass..."
Stick
to leaner meats like Turkey skinless chicken, Tofu, and steak.
That's
all for now. See Yall next time.
Monday, September
6,
2004 - Chung Lao
Labor Day
& Odds and Ends.....
A.
Sup all. Get out there and enjoy one last summer BBQ.
B. Remembering 9/11: We will have a new article in remembrance
of 9/11, this Wednesday. 3 YEARS, and the war on terror has only begun.
C. Best Line of the Week:
Dick Cheney - Excerpt from this speech to the Republican National Convention,
last week.
"People tell me that Senator Edwards got picked for his good looks, his sex
appeal, and his great hair. I say to them: How do you think I got the job?"
D. NFL Kickoff 2004:
The Washington Redskins kick off their new season this coming Sunday. With
the biggest payroll in the NFL, and a salary window of about 3 years, the time
for winning is
NOW.
Of course the upside is that we
have enough talent to compete with anybody in the league. Joe Gibbs is
back, enough said there. It should be an interesting season.
Week 1 Pick: Washington
34 Tampa Bay 17
More Wednesday.
Friday,
September 3, 2004
-
Brenda
A Non
Desi's Experience in India- Part 2
India
Letter to Liza- Week 1
Dear Liza,
I
have been here in India for about a week now, and I miss you dearly. I do not,
however, regret having taken this trip because it has been a great experience so
far. I know you want all the details on the first time Gloria
and George met so here they come supplemented with the pictures as well.
Their first time meeting each other took place on the same day we got there.
Here we were after traveling by airplane for at least 100 hours, then driving to
the house for 3 more, looking completely disarrayed, about to meet the man
Gloria will marry. Not that it really mattered how the rest of us looked since
George would probably only have eyes for Gloria that day. We all hurried and
took a shower and changed and while Praisy, Gloria, and I were still in the
room, the man of the day arrived. Gloria walked calmly out of the room and said
in a very eloquent manner, "Hi." He responded in kind while Praisy and I almost
went crazy in the room trying to hurry and finish doing the last things we
needed to do in order dash out and come to Gloria's aid and moral support in
case she needed us.
When we walked out she looked as calm and composed as could be, but not too
talkative. I attributed that to the whole family sitting around and staring at
them, so I got Praisy, Jacob, and Benjamin to come with me as we asked Raju
Uncle permission to go on a nature walk with George and Gloria. After a sly
smile, seeing our intent, he gave us the permission and off we went. The "nature
walk" extended to about 5 or 6 feet out of the house, where the rest of us
kids took a hike to give them privacy. Just when she appeared to relax and
become her same smiley self, they had to go inside for some formalities.
The
wedding will take place this week on Thursday, and Gloria seems extremely
anxious for that day to come. I don't even have to ask her what she is thinking
because she has this dreamy look in her eyes, except when the wedding planning
is going on that is. Wedding planning takes a lot of time and concentration, so
that is to be expected.
As
far as to how I am faring, I have been just fine. The first two days I had a
little bit of a problem adjusting myself to the smell of burning wood I presume.
I have gotten over that now and am doing great. While I am fascinated by
observing cultures, I have not had too much time to do that since most of my
mind has been engaged in thinking about the wedding and such. I have had an
instance in which I kind of ran into a culture difference without
intending to do so. The first day we got there we saw one of the pastors, and he
said "stotram." I see a brother who greets me, my hand automatically goes out to
give him a handshake. Of course, I had forgotten that in India one does not
shake hands with the brothers, rather one places one's hands in a prayer like
position under one's chin, and shakes one's head. That came back to me very very
quickly when I extended my hand and he gave me the tip of 4 of his fingers.
Needless to say, I was quite embarrassed. I did learn my lesson though, and
won't be repeating that mistake again.
While my whole mind has not been engaged in the task, I've been trying to pick
up some of the language. I did have another embarrassing occasion when an older
brother and his wife were talking to me in church through Praisy and Gloria's
help and telling me about his job. I wanted to say, nalada (that's good), but
instead ended up telling him that he had a nice head (nalathala). I'm determined
yet, I shall pick some of it up!
Well, I better head off now. We're going to Ernakalum. I'll write again later.
Letter to Liza -Week 2
Dear Liza,
I
can't believe I have been here for 2 weeks already. The wedding took place last
Thursday. Gloria looked sooo beautiful. She had this aura around her that cannot
be captured by pictures. The wedding day was extremely rainy. It was most
definitely a monsoon wedding. It was a bit interesting since all us, well, the
ladies, had to run to the cars with our saris on so as not to get wet. You'll
see all the pictures so you can see for yourself how everything was.
This past week the lights went out, the day before the wedding to be exact. We
were all worried about it because, well, it makes life a little harder and we
didn't want that complication on the wedding day. Since I became the unofficial
hair dresser for the other cousins, I definitely was hoping the electricity
would return so that I could use the curling iron on their hair. Don't worry, I
was very careful so I wouldn't burn myself again. So the night before all the
cousins got together to practice a song we were going to sing in the reception,
of course we were practicing by candlelight, and Gloria prayed to get us
started. Her last sentence was "And Lord, please let the electricity come back."
Liza, as soon as she said "Amen," the lights came back! We were soo excited
about that, it was so amazing.
Anyway, after the wedding we all came back home except for the bride and groom
and parents who had to do some paperwork, and changed as soon as we could into
some comfortable clothes, and went fishing! Of course, we went fishing in the
creek in front of the house, but that was still lots of fun. I also took the
opportunity to hold the fish, and draw water from the well. I know, mom would
probably go crazy if she saw me holding the fish, but I'm determined to do
everything I can do here that I would not be able to do as easily in the United
States. I believe I shall not be able to do one of the things I wanted to do,
ride an Elephant, but that is okay, I'm having a great great time.
II
am going to have to run, sorry this is so short! I'll write more later.
Letter to Liza -Week 3
Dear Liza,
We shall be leaving in a few days. In a way I feel like I've been living here
for a long time because I've gotten used to the way life works around here, but
at the same time I feel like the trip just flew by. I cannot possibly tell you
everything that happened in a letter as it will be so long, but the pictures
will help me remember and elaborate more.
After 3 weeks of being here, I feel I have a greater insight into the Indian
culture. I don't even pretend to have a full grasp by any means, but if I go
back and watch some of the Indian movies I saw in the past I'll probably have a
much greater understanding.
I have picked up some of the language, and have at times been able to follow a
conversation spoken in Malayalam. At the very least my ear can now pick up
words that I do know, and the language does not seem like just a continuum of
sounds. Because of this, I also know when I was being referred to another person
in Malayalam, because I would hear the words "vela kari" (white people/person).
I then had to interject and say, "vela kari illa, Colombian kari." I think
that I was saying I'm not a white person, I'm Colombian. There seems to be a
general consensus that if a person is from the U.S. and somewhat light they are
immediately white people.
Something that I have observed as far as the culture is concerned, is their
hospitality. They are extremely hospitable, and due to this wonderful quality I
never felt out of place.
Another thing that really fascinated me was the religious aspect of the culture.
There is a lot of blending of Catholicism with Hinduism which can be seen in
portraits of Jesus or the Virgin Mary next to a Hindu god or goddess. I
took a few pictures of that so you can see what I mean.
I thought this trip would be a once in a lifetime thing. Now I'm not so sure. I
wouldn't mind returning to visit, and I probably shall and will bring you along
with me! Three weeks away from you was pretty weird as I'm used to having you
around all the time, so I'm looking forward to going home! See you in a little,
Lizzy.
Before I begin recounting the wonderful times I had during my trip and stay in
India, I would like to thank God for giving me this opportunity to go to my dear
sister's wedding, and also for the opportunity of going to a country that is so
far and so distinct from any that I've ever been as far as culture and language
are concerned.
Special thanks to my parents and my surrogate parents in India, Raju Uncle and
Joyce Aunty who treated me as their own to the point of scolding me in
Malayalam. Thankfully I didn't understand most of it and was able to say with a
clear conscience, "mansilai illa" (I don't understand) ;). Babu Uncle, Leelama
Aunty, Persad Uncle and Kunjomol Aunty, Sam Uncle and Rossama Aunty, Gloria,
Praisy, Jacob, Benji, Tracy and the rest of the family also went out of their
way to make sure I was fine and not overly homesick, thanks so much! I truly
felt like a part of the family, and that will become even more clear in our
family pictures which you will see below. They officially adopted me into the
family and we all signed imaginary initials. You can now call
me Marykutty ;)
The Journey
Begins
It's five o'clock in the morning, and it's time for me to get up and get ready
to go to Joyce Aunty and Raju Uncle's house. I have had only one hour of sleep
because after I finished packing I cleaned up my room completely, going as far
as cleaning the fan to remove the dust. I hate coming back from a trip to a
messy room. Thankfully everything is set. My final exam which is due during the
time I'll be gone has been turned in, other papers have been signed and I have
left clear instruction to Liza as to what needs to be done with what. I'm all
set.
I
get ready, say my goodbyes, even have the luxury of a dramatic good bye as Liza
and I squeeze back the tears from our eyes as we hug -everything is going just
as planned ;). We get to Raju Uncle's house and then go to the airport, have a
checkout personnel who is determined to harass us, and finally get to the
airplane to begin the first portion of our trip, which will lead us to New York.
New York-
Our stay in New York is a rather lengthy one. We stay in Persad Uncle's house
for a few hours during which we eat and visit with the rest of the family. Many
people come to see Raju Uncle, Joyce Aunty and family, and I meet Vinod for the
2nd time, and see his lovely wife Grace, whom I've already met several times
before, and their precious son Christian. I also succeed in having my first
accident of the trip -I burn my hand with a flat hair iron. The burn looks so
bad and hurts so excruciatingly that I fear I shall have a burn scar forever,
and then realize that that may not be so bad. After all, if I ever grow up and
get married and have children and my children ask me what happened to my hand, I
can tell them I got burned on my way to India. What an experience, if you ask
me.
After a few hours we leave New York, stop at London. After about an hour we go
to Kuwait.
Kuwait- We,
the kids, are very fascinated by the Kuwaiti culture. I feel like we have popped
into a picture of the Arab culture that we can see in an encyclopedia. Such a
mixture of the old and the new -A man with a turban on his head sits next to a
very fashionably dressed and not so modestly dressed young woman, women wearing
abayas walk around in high spiky heels -how very interesting. We want to take
pictures of them but can't exactly walk up to them and do so, so Jacob, Benji,
Tracy and I devise ways to, include them in the pictures so to speak. We pose
for each other and get the desired result. Of course, as we were the main ones
in the pictures, as we flipped through the pictures we would try to figure out
where our people of interest were since it was a bit obscured. Reminded me of
the books Find Waldo , with the title instead being Find the Kuwaitis. We
finally leave Kuwait, and head to our final destination:
India...
I'm
not sure what to expect. We've finally arrived at the place that is our ultimate
destination. I'm nervous, excited, scared I'll do something wrong and get
deported ;) , I'm exhilirated! I'm finally here! What an experience -I'll
continue once I stay there for a little. For now I must put down my journal and
get my luggage.
Stay Tuned for the conclusion of
The India Trip, which will be posted tomorrow.
Wednesday,
September 1, 2004
-
Brenda
They
Lived Happily Ever After.....A Wedding In India
After what seemed a long time, the
wait was up.
July 21st had come, and we were leaving to India. While we were all excited
about going to India...hmm, I think I need to rephrase that. While most of us
were excited about going to India (I'd hate to mention the names of those who
did NOT want to go, cough, Tracy, Jacob, Benji and Blesson), the
focal point of our
trip was
not to go sight seeing. It wasn't even to go visit all the relatives as pleasant
as traveling around to do so was. It was to witness the beautiful ceremony that
would consist of having Gloria and George proclaim their
love
and devotion to each other for the rest of their lives.
I'm
sure many of you, especially those who know Gloria personally would like to know
about the man who
won her heart ;),
and to those who have any doubts, allow me to put them to rest. Actually, allow
her to put them to rest. All you have to do is take one look at that smile she
has when she is around him to be certain of her happiness with him. George is
one of the most pleasant gentlemen I have met, with a smile almost as big as his
lovely wife's. I am also particularly fond of him because he went out of his way
to make me feel included.
As
far as the engagement and wedding are concerned, I shall allow the pictures to
tell their story.
Stay right here with us as tomorrow you shall have the rest of the pictures as
well as a view of India through the eyes of a 20 year old Colombian English
major who
loves diverse cultures ;)
Until Next Time.
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