Learn: "Don't Be Sorry. Be Right."

What did I learn today?

For some of us, learning a lesson may be a magical experience. Like those commercials you see of a child opening up a book and a light shines out with stars and happiness floating through the air. For others, learning a lesson is painful. It may cost us some money, dignity, or pride. Since I’ve been blogging about learning, I figured I should elaborate on what’s my take on learning. For me, I’m quite the stubborn type and it usually hurts for me to learn a “life” lesson. Whenever I did something that was not so smart or dropped the ball on a responsibility I had, I would apologize over and over again to Papa Lima. My own guilt would get the best of me (usually, my parents would let my guilt be my punishment, which I think is the worst). I figured by saying sorry over and over again would fix the problem. At the time, I didn’t realize that Papa Lima was asking questions about the situation to help me process what happened and learn from my mistake. He would just get so fed up with me saying “Sorry”, that he would say, “Don’t be sorry. Be Right”. That confused the heck out of me. Years later, I finally understand what he meant.

“Don’t be sorry. Be Right” meant: quite dwelling, learn from your mistake and move on.

Ooooooooooh.

Today, Papa Lima’s words keeps repeating over and over again. This semester has been front heavy for me. From my assistantship (internship), school work, and thesis, I have been quite busy. Today, I realized all the mistakes I was making or had made (a realization I had a couple days ago contributed to this as well). Then out of nowhere, Papa Lima’s words came into my mind. It was like a light bulb that went off. That’s what he meant this whole time.
At the beginning of the semester, I picked humility as a word that sums up what learning is in my Facilitating Student Learning Class. Last year, my first grad school year, I realized that I pretty much didn’t know anything at all. I had to humble myself to God’s great power and knowledge for me to achieve my goals. Humility was the only way to survive last year. Humility is the only way to get me through this year. Humility will be the only way to continue on in the future.

Bottom line: With humbleness, don’t be sorry. Be right.

Gracias Papi.

That’s what I learned today.

Learn: *Ten Awesome Gold Stars For Panera's Coffee*

What did I learn today?

Panera bread is the best place to get a drip coffee from. As an avid coffee drinker, I have tried several different places that serve coffee and never really had quite an experience like I did at Panera.

*Ten awesome gold stars for Panera's coffee*

Tip: Mix the dark roast (organically grown from Costa Rica) with a hint of Hazelnut. Yum

That’s what I learn today.

Learn: Don't Take It Personal

What did I learn today?

Don’t take it personal when someone, who is respected and knowledgeable in the field, tells you about a weakness you have. This person did a very good job about being honest, but provided encouragement about my weakness. Yet, I have to admit that it stung a little bit. At the moment, I reacted grateful for them telling me. Then after thinking about it, I was easily discouraged. I just wanted to quit and go home to Texas.

I am blessed on having a boss who is truly concern for my well being. When I plopped down on her couch with my discouraged face, she stopped what she was doing and listened to me. She not only helped me process the situation and my weakness, but advocated the growth that could result from this situation. She gently reminded me that this person really does know what they are talking about and does really care about my reputation in higher education. Granted, there are supervisors/advisors/mentors out there that are not encouraging at all, and don’t have people skills. I have been in those situations and have not reacted the way I should have. This situation was different though. I am grateful that it was a learning opportunity. It’s important to distinguish those different situations and when to say “enough is enough” or “thank you for that”.

In the end, I really did appreciate today. This morning I was able to dream big and set some future goals, and in the afternoon I was reminded on the baby steps that I needed to take to get there. Five years from now, I’ll look back and realize how right this person was and see how much I have grown.

Bottom line: Don’t take it personal when a superior is giving you constructive feedback about a weakness you have. In the end, it’s actually encouragement that they are providing.

That's what I learned today.

Learn: Being Bilingual is Beneficial

What did I learn today?

Today during a break during class, I was able to catch Laura Chinchilla’s (Costa Rica’s president) interview on the CNN show, Rick’s List. For those of you, who know me well; know that I love Costa Rica. I was privileged to study abroad there, and had many amazing life changing experiences there. It was also in Costa Rica where my passion for Latin America (which includes it's history, politics, people, culture and etc.) bloomed. I just loved the fact that Chinchilla was able to speak English so well, but she also did an amazing job communicating affectively the responses about what makes Costa Rica so special.

This just adds to the fact why being bilingual in this day of age is beneficial. You are able to communicate to a broad audience, but you also gain respect in international affairs. Good for her for speaking boldly about Costa Rica and it's relationship with the United States. Because she used professional language, I was able to understand her main points. Even though Sanchez had to clear up a question for her, he still valued and respect her responses.This encouraged me. Even though I can communicate fluently in Spanish, I still lack the professional language. I know that I am not capable enough to present a presentation in Spanish, but there is always room for improvement. In the near future (meaning after May when I graduate), I aspire to improve my Spanish to a point where I can speak affectively in a professional setting.

Bottom line: Being bilingual, in a professional matter, is impressive, beneficial and respectful.

That’s what I learned today.

(You can watch Chinchilla's interview here)

Learn: Don't Be Too Preoccupied For Responsibilities

What did I learn today?

When my brain is preoccupied with things, I become forgetful. This results in consequences. Thus, I may remember that there is a time to ponder on life’s responsibilities, school, work, relationships and etc.

Example A) My phone went through the wash. Why? Because I was in a rush to put my clothes in the wash and get back to my thesis as soon as possible.

Example B) I overcooked my broccoli. Why? Because I was sitting at the kitchen table wondering how I was going to pay rent and buy groceries all in the same week.

Example C) I missed a work meeting on Friday. Why? Because I wanted to get home as soon as I can to call a friend who was having a life crisis.

…and I can go on. Yes, I can be careless sometimes. But when I came into the office this morning and realized that I missed the important meeting on Friday, I knew that there is a limit. Enough is enough. I need to calm the heck down and think about one thing at a time. It will get done. It will get paid. It will get resolved.

That’s what I learned today.

Learn: A New Joke

What did I learn today?

I learned a new joke.

Q: What do you call a man with no arms and legs in a swimming pool?

A: Bob.

Bahahahahahaha…love it.

That’s what I learned today.

Follow-up from my tragic phone story: I ended buying a cheap phone today. There was no hope. Also, I am horrible with electronics.

Learn: Check Your Pockets

What did I learn today?

I’m just going to tell it straight and simple. I learned that you should, actually must, check your pants pockets before throwing them in the wash. Why? Because you may have some money, recite, a note, a phone number, coupon or….your cell phone. That’s right, folks. I put my cell phone through the wash. Luckily (I think), I got it out before the cycle finished. Yet when I pulled it out, the screen was flashing “Emergency Download” and flickering off and on. Comforting. I may have had a mental breakdown. Now my poor cell phone is in a bowl of rice, in hopes that the rice will help to dry it out.

We even prayed over the thing. My apartment mate even told me, “God is bigger than electronics”. She cracks me up.

It wasn’t the fact that I was expecting a text message and a phone call, but I do not have the money to buy a new phone. It’s funny how much we, North Americans, rely on our phone. This whole concept made me ponder on that concept for a bit. Anyways, please, Mr. Bowl-of-Rice, make my phone better so my daddy doesn’t lecture me on my carelessness with my electronics.

Bottom line: check your pockets before putting them in wash.

That’s what I learned today.

Genuises With Humility

I'm currently sitting in the library working on my thesis. I never thought that cutting out paragraphs would be so painful. Ironically, I stumbled on this quote. Pretty much set me straight and reminded me that I can do this:

"What the world needs is more geniuses with humility, there are so few of us left." - Oscar Levant

Seek joy.

Learn: Be Human & Seek Joy

What did I learn today?

That even the strongest and smartest people I know, have emotional breakdown moments. Just because I admire and respect a person greatly, doesn't mean that they are not human. No matter their title or experience, they cry or get angry. Great people have emotions too, and they have their weak points too.

In the end, we are all the same: humans with hearts that could easily be broken.

Yet, it's what they do afterwards that makes them strong and great.They pick up the pieces, evaluate, learn, and move on towards the end goal. After the fire hits, they are stronger, smarter and wiser.

One of them told me earlier tonight...."Seek joy."

That's what I learned today.

Learn: No Time for the Blame Game

What did I learn today?

Today I went into the office knowing that I had a full work day of meetings straight to 5pm. I only had an hour before chapel to prepare material for my students and brace myself what kind of news these meeting will bring. Let’s just say that I’m grateful to be working in position where my supervisor knows that this is all a learning experience.

Leadership is an ongoing growing experience. I don’t think there is a time in life where an individual would stop growing and striving to become a better person. Today I learned another aspect of leadership. Whenever planning a major event, each person has their part. From the supervisor to the next set of leader(s) to the next set of people, when one person drops the ball on one thing another has to make up for it. What I had to learn specifically today is that even though the people I am leading did not do their job effectively that does not entirely reflect who I am a leader and person. Granted, it does reflect the communication line or maybe even the relationship with the people I am leading. I had to re examine what I had done wrong. When I apologized in a meeting today, the others were shocked. They stated that I have no need to apologize. They were willing to take the fault. I reassured them that they could not take the entire fault. I’m in a leadership position over them and I have responsibility for their actions. But today I decided that we shouldn’t play the blame game with each other and ourselves. Time to evaluate and move on. What’s the backup plan?

From a leader to the followers, everyone has their part. There’s no reason to play the blame game. Also, don’t beat yourself up because you didn’t communicate clearly or you forgot to do that certain thing. Learn from your mistake and move on.

That’s what I learned today.

Learn: Research vs. Research Writing

What did I learn today?

Today in my Advanced Research class (AKA: Thesis class), I learned that I actually like the concept of research. I like to do the reading and find out about the material that is being searched. Yet, when it comes to the writing process of what I’m researching is where my weakness overcomes this desire to research. For class, I’m in a “research consulting group” that is seeking out more of an accurate measurement scale for Spirituality of students. The research team that presented this job to us is hoping to measure the Spirituality both freshmen and seniors for growth. While I was meeting with my group, we were discussing how our thesis was going. Then someone mentioned how much they disliked research. Then another team member voiced that she loves research and numbers. It dawned on me then. I like to research. I like to read as much material as I can on the topic, except when it comes to statistics or number (it’s a little bit more difficult for me).

When I was in undergrad and how I had to write a billion exegesis for all my Bible classes. I would spend hours about hours just chilling in the library just looking up the context and Hebrew/Greek just for one verse. Then when it came to the writing part, I was always scrambling. The similar concept is happening with my thesis. I love my topic and I could probably give a lecture on ethnic identity development, but I’m struggling on how to write, effectively and appropriately, what I researched. In that moment that I realized that I actually like to research but I’m horrible in writing, I signed up for the writing center that Taylor has to offer. The writing center is a place where students can go for tutoring on writing and grammar, but also to review papers. It saved me so many times last year, and now I’m humbling going to go over my proposal. If I’m passionate about my topic and hope to present it at conferences, I must put the same amount of effort into my writing. That will reflect more than if I had ten more sources than the normal.

This may sound nerdy, but research is fun and intriguing....writing it...well, still working on that.

That’s what I learned today.

Learn: Surface Approach vs. Deep Approach

I’m sick today and I’m forced to rest. It’s really frustrating that I have been sick for a week. This is a lesson that I need to learn, but today I’m fighting that particular one. Instead, I’m going to elaborate on a lesson that I have been munching on for over a week.

What did I learn today?

In my Facilitating Student Learning class, we have been covering both surface and deep approaches to learning. The common misconception that happens among students today is the surface level. Due to time, stress, circumstances or lack of commitment many students just gloss over the learning material just to help them to pass the test or write the paper. Thus, leads to the student developing a view of learning of more than a task rather than an opportunity. The problem is not only the student’s responsibility but also the teacher. The surface level approach teacher will just present the facts and throw the material out there for the student to take it or leave it.

The deep approach to learning goes beyond just memorizing the facts, but try to find the underlying reason for what that knowledge is important. Many would say that deep learning is more of a holistic approach. The learner takes it beyond and find ways to make it applicable to life. As John Biggs, author of Teaching for Quality Learning at University, explains it:
“When students feel this need-to-know, they automatically try to focus on underlying meaning, on main ideas, themes, principles, or successful applications. This requires a sound foundation of relevant prior knowledge, so students needing to know will naturally try to learn the details, as well as making sure they understand the big picture. In fact, the big picture is not understandable without the details. When using the deep approach in handling a task, students have positive feelings: interest, a sense of importance, challenge, exhilaration. Learning is a pleasure. Students come with questions they want answered, and when the answers are unexpected, that is even better (p. 24).”

The big picture requires for us to learn the foundation and details. Keeping the big picture in mind, learning the “general education” material is more interesting and there’s purpose behind it all.

This concept really hit home for me at church this morning. Even though I should have stayed in bed to rest and sleep off this cold, I decided to attend the early service. Some would think that I was putting my health in risk, but I would have put more than my health at risk if I didn’t go. This morning’s preaching was about worship. Since I have been a Christian for quite a while, I have heard numerous sermons about the meaning of worship. Yes, God deserves an open heart when we come to sing. Yes, we must leave everything at the altar. Yes, I don’t have to raise my hands to worship. Yes, it’s ok to not know the words. Yes, I know that worship is more than PowerPoint’s and the latest Hillsong song. Yes, I know that what I’m learning at Taylor is worship. Yes, I can worship God anywhere and anytime.

So if you can guess it, I was about to check out with my surface learning approach. I was going to write down the verses that my pastor refers to and promise to be more intentional about worship.

But then it hit me. I was not doing what I’m committed to do. I’m devoted to be a life longer learner. I vowed to look at the world of learning through different lenses. This requires for me to relook at the “life lessons” that I already know and relearn them in a deeper sense. “When we learn we change. We become physically different than we were before the learning experience. The duration and scope of the difference, and how it affect our future choices and behavior, depend on a number of factors (John Tagg, The Learning Paradigm of College, p. 63).” This also means that I must take the deep approach to learning: learn the details for the big picture.

When I switched over my mindset to deep approach learning, my pastor said something that hit the mark: “Worship is a life posture that brings glory to God.”

So what is the deep learning approach of what my pastor is preaching? For me, it’s memorizing the verses. Live out what they say. That whatever I eat or drink must be glorifying God. That I must work (in my job or finishing my masters) for God and not humans. When I’m budgeting my money, am I glorifying God? When I’m cleaning my apartment, am I worshipping God?When I have conversations on the phone with old college friends, am I worshipping God? The movies I watch, am I glorifying God? The list goes on.

Taking the deep level approach is not just for Scripture, but that was just an example of that.

So I would like to leave you, readers, off with a challenge with this video. Take it in with a deep approach to learning. Trust me, it’s for the big picture.

That's what I learned today.

Learn: What are You Dependent On?

What did I learn today?

Something that I have been pondering about lately has come up in my radar in the last 24 hours. As I have been challenged to be open minded about learning in a different forms, I have been more reflective in my choices and actions. One thing that I have been looking (not literally) is my dependencies.

What am I dependent on? Meaning, what do I rely on to receive satisfaction, pleasure, contentment, acceptance or peace? Follow up question: Are the things/people/ whatever-it-is healthy to my life? Better yet, are they glorifying God?

Those are some hard questions to answer, but ones that I cannot ignore. In the past 24 hours (while working on my thesis, other life’s responsibilities and daily chores), I have been making a mental note on what I am dependent on.

This is what I learned that I am dependent on:

• Caffeine—every morning I must have coffee. If not, by noon a massive headache comes around, which leads to me curling up on my couch and wishing I could chop my head off.

• Food—of course, God made me this way. But what kind of food? Yes, that’s a hard question.

• Music—somehow I can’t stand it when there is no noise in the background. I must have music playing or the TV on. The problem with all the constant noise going on, I can’t give myself time to think.

• Water—*Ten awesome gold stars for me*

• Cell phone—Do I really need to be checking every 5 minutes if someone texted or call me? Yes, when I’m sending students out on a community service project. No, if it’s a response to a joke I texted my bff back in Texas.

• Email—Same question as above. Similar answers above.

• Sweets—This includes: cake, hard candy, chocolate, cookies, and etc. Horrible to my teeth and health. It’s tragic for my growing waste line and double chin, and also explains why my jeans are cutting my circulation off.

• Shower—I have great hygiene habits.

• Social media—it’s to a point of a distraction and a great way of getting my daily fill of gossip.
The problem that I find about looking at this list is that I don’t see prayer, Scripture, worship, or meditation. I’ll confess that the last time I did any of those things were a week ago (insert lighting strike here).

It’s kind of eye opening to see what things you are dependent on. Then to evaluate them is a different level. For me, I learned that I must be cautious and intentional on what I should be dependent on. It’s changes your life outcome.

That’s what I learned today.

Learn: When To Be Unhappy

What did I learn today?

Today I asked one of my classmate/colleagues about her opinion on unhappiness. She said one thing that really made sense to me. She stated “You can be happy about the place you are at, but unhappy about the things that are going on here”. It was like a light bulb that went off in my head. Wherever God has placed you or will bring you, like a new school or job, you made be very happy with your decision. The education you are receiving is great or the work experience is helping with your career may be beneficial. Yet some things that happen with the place may make you unhappy. For example it could be the attitudes of colleagues, the close mindness of faculty or staff, the tedious work you do, the weather of the new location you move to. Whatever it may be, it’s completely normal for a human being to find some things that can make him or her unhappy. It’s when the unexpected that makes you unhappy is the disturbing part. So what do you when you realize that the mindset of everyone you work with is against your belief? Or some of the money you are raising is going towards something you don’t agree with?

Bottom line: Before you are able to say that you are unhappy with the place, school, job or whatever it is, you must be able to distinguish what it is that makes you unhappy. Look at the whole situation. Then evaluate it if it’s worth leaving or changing something or just sticking it out. Take a double look at the situation before you put a negative stamp on it and find the positives. If it something that contrasts foundational truth and you cannot live or be productive with that, then it’s ok to say that you are unhappy. Stand up for what you believe it. Voice out loud that you are unhappy, but you must have searched and reasoned for it. You won’t regret it in the end.

That's what I learned today.

Learn: Teaching Goal vs. Learning Objective

What did I learn today?
I learned the difference between a teaching goal and a learning objective. A second part of that is learning how beneficial it is to know the difference between the two, but also to have them set in stone before teaching a class or planning a program for students. Today in my Facilitating Student Learning class, we went over the importance of planning out the learning scheme of what a class or program would look like while using Romans 3:23-25 as the content. Let’s just say, a good number of us in the class struggled back and forth what the difference was between a teaching goal and a learning objective. There were a few of us that have educational undergrad majors that that helped out a bit. Yet the rest of us struggled with the concept. You would think it would be easy to distinguish between the two, but when you actually sit down and think about it, it’s quite a challenge.

In simpler terms (or what my brain thinks): a teaching goal is what the professor wants to accomplish that they must do. A learning objective is geared towards the students and what the professor would like for them to learn.

For example, a teaching goal might be that the professor would like to create an open and honest space for his or her students to feel comfortable to have great discussions. A learning objective is for students to learn how to have open and honest discussions while being willing to mindful to others yet challenging them at the same time.

The benefits of having these two are that you have something to work from. You have an end goal in your mind. I like to think of it like it as a motivation for you as you prepare to teach or program. It’s also like a purpose statement that you are working from. You have to remain loyal to it in order to be effective. Granted, there may be times where you have to be flexible and adapt to different situations. They also help you keep you focus on what is being presented to your students. For me, I like having them written down on paper because whenever I get frustrated or feel like something is a little off, I can refer back and see what the foundation I was building off on was.

To be honest, I felt pretty official that I was able to grasp that concept and come up with several different examples in my head. I’m well on my way on being an educator. Yes, I do acknowledge that I may sound nerdy, but I’m proud of it.

That's what I learned today.

Ten Awesome Gold Stars For Today's Letters

Dear Readers (or little space of "air"),

A little known fact about me is that I LOVE TREES. They are one of my favorite objects of all time. I love paintings, pictures, artifacts or anything with a picture of a tree on it. Fall is my favorite season because it's when all the trees show off their style with all the beautiful colors their leaves have. Ever since I was little, my mom always used a tree as a metaphor to use on the lessons of life. Still till this day, she continues to remind me of the importance of where my roots are grounded. I just think trees are great. (Picture taken by my roommate, Mel)

Well, today in one of my favorite blogs, Today's Letters, Em wrote a letter to her husband about how he reminds her of her favorite tree, the willow. I got uber excited that I almost fell out of my desk chair.

*Ten awesome gold stars for Today's Letters*

(Also, Today's Letters is a great example of how fun and creative showing love to your spouse can be. It's very encouraging that you can show love in many different forms. You can check out Today's Letters here.)

Just wanted to share a little bit of the joy I had today.

Stay tuned for what I learned today....

Learn: Critical Feedback is Not Scary

Learning, in a classroom setting, is like a ship. You can say that the instructor is like the captain and is steering the ship in the right direction at the same time is making sure his or her crew is doing their job. Everyone in the crew has a certain job to do and if they do not perform their duty then the ship cannot sail the ship right. In a classroom setting, everyone has a part in the learning, those who contribute to the learning vocally and those who also take it in.

So what did I learn today?

I learned that critical feedback on a thesis proposal is super important in the learning process. In one of our classes, we are doing peer reviews for our thesis proposals. Today was our first to ever do this in our class and it went great. I learned that the way feedback is communicated can really affect the way how it can be taken. When I first heard that we will be doing peer review for our thesis, I literally flipped out. I was actually terrified. I just had horrible thoughts of negative comments and me crying my eyes out. After today and seeing my classmates being so positive yet committed to each other’s growth really helped. Now I’m actually encouraged with the peer review exercise. I’m actually looking forward to it. Yes, I’m still a bit nervous but I know that in the end it’s for the best. They are still my friends and won’t judge me if my idea is not as elaborated as it should be.

Critical feedback is beneficial when there is a commitment to growth.

That’s what I learned today.

Learn: Make Sleep a Top Priority

Happy Labor Day!

Before I write my next learning adventure, it will be beneficial for me to establish what my definition for learning is. According to Mr. Webster, in his New World Dictionary, his definition of learning is “the acquiring of knowledge or skill”. That makes sense. But here is Lima’s definition based on 13+ years of attending school: Learning is the ability to gain information, facts or data in different forms from intellect to practical skills.
Hopefully that made sense.

Today I learned that sleep is amazing, but when you are sick it feels like you can never get enough of it. Maybe it’s the lack of sleep and the over abundant amount of stress I experience this past week made my body go into shock sick mode. Today I slept more than I did in one night last week. I always knew that I need to get the 8 hours of sleep. Yet with grad school, planning a community service all day event and trying to maintain a social life, sleep gets the back burner. Today my body learned that sleep is necessary. Having body aches and sinus headaches are not worth the lack of sleep. This means that I must be willing to give up something. This also means that I must continue to look over my list of priorities. I learned that I was sacrificing my health for other things that are not as high on my priority list. I lost my focus and accountability.

So what do I do with what I learned? Take action. I’m setting a bed time at 11pm and, if necessary, no later than midnight. This means that I must do my homework ahead of time and use my time wisely on other important chores, which leads to how much I want to keep my social life. Sacrifices are what I’m going to have to make in order to keep my priorities straight. I have one year of grad school left. I can do this.

That’s what I learned today.

Learn: Smack Talk Gets You Nowhere

Tonight I learned how much value smack talk has; it has none what so ever. Some friends and I went bowling tonight, and I successfully embarrassed myself in front of all them. Prior to us arriving at the bowling alley, I talked up a storm of how great I am in bowling. I even showed my good form and talked about how I’m practicing to twist the ball. To make the long story short, the first game I didn’t even break a hundred and I don’t even want to mention the second game’s score. I felt horrible. There I was throwing a gutter ball when I had talked about how I can throw a strike easily.

Moral of the story: Lima, keep your big mouth shut. If you do have the skills, then show it. If not, people are going to think you are a poser. Action speaks louder than words.

That’s what I learned today.

Learn: You Are What You Eat

Hello Readers (or web world),

I’m here to inform you that for the next couple of months you will see more posts from me. In my previous post, I stated that I would be blogging more due to my new outlook on what life has to offer me this last year of grad school. Due to the awesomeness of my classes and the abundance amount of work I have to do for them, I have decided to mesh together my blogging habit and a homework assignment together (How freaking smart am I?). This assignment is from my Facilitating Student Learning class. I am required to keep a daily (somewhat) journal of what I’ve learned. This is a great activity because it will help me unwind after a crazy/busy day and go into meditation mode.

To be honest, I cringed a little bit when I realized that we had to keep a journal throughout the whole semester. My first reaction was “Isn’t this a little bit like high school?” but I stopped myself before I continue to criticize. Since I have been working on being more positive, I decided to look at this assignment in a different light. I have decided to make this a daily goal for myself. I want to continue to grow and learn as much as I can about God, higher education, life, Scripture, humanity, real life issues and much more. So much knowledge is out there and was created for a purpose. From practical skills, like learning how to juggle, to strategic skills, like learning how to play Sudoku (I’m horrible at that game). I will take advantage of this opportunity to not only explore what the God has created but share it with the cyber world. Hopefully, I will have one reader who takes this on as a challenge for themselves.

So here I go and start with Day 1…

Today I learned that “a tiger’s night vision is six times better than a human’s”. I learned this bit of trivia from a Snapple bottle cap. It’s Snapple’s “Real Fact” number 679. Good to know. Now whenever I am in the middle of jungle at night, a tiger can see me more than I can see him or her. Comforting.

Even though this bit of information is nice to know, I actually did learn something that I hope to continue to live out every day. Today I learned how it felt of the famous saying “you are what you eat”. While on my run on the treadmill today, I was feeling a little bit on the heavy side. Granted, I know that I’m not the skinniest person in the world, but today I felt my stomach was a 10 ton avail. While trotting along, I tried to remember what I have been recently eating. Then it dawned on me: hotdogs and hamburgers. This past whole week, I had a cookout to attend every night. For a grad student, it’s great. Free food! For the heart and fat intake, it’s horrible. I usually do not eat red meat and this week I went all out. I consumed more red meat this week that I have in a month. It’s not only red meat I have been eating but also sweets and baked goods. Due to my sweet tooth (my dentist hates me); I have a tendency anything sweet and in large quantities. In the end of my gluttony, I feel even more tired from the affects of sugar.

Earlier tonight I made myself the healthiest dinner I had all week. I steamed some green beans, yellow squash, and zucchini. Then I threw them in a pan with some chicken and added some seasoning. Boom. Real food again! I felt content and my stomach was thanking me of the vegetables that I consumed again.

To make a long story short, I felt all the food I ate this week during my run today and I did not like it. I realized that I have been more tired and not as energetic as usual. In other words, I felt yucky. Eating is a necessary part of our everyday lives. As a Christian, I strongly believe that in everything we do we are to give God the glory. How am I glorifying God through eating foods that grieves the body God has given me? We are given our bodies as a privilege; we must be good stewards of them.

So now when I’m about to eat that marshmallow or grab some M&M’s from the dispenser at the office, I need to remind myself…”You are what you eat. Is this glorifying?”.


That’s what I learned today.