Monday, January 18, 2010
The Library
Okay, I am back in college, right? So I go tot he library on campus and have to find someone to ask how to find a book reserved for our class to photo copy articles out of. So I need to find someone to ask how to use the copiers. But I am not the only one trying to figure out where things are and how to use them. People are wondering around everywhere. And waiting in line for the copier for which I was using for quite a while! This topic of Sociology has me hooked. There was an Iranian woman (now I tell you her race because I find the diversity of OC exciting) trying to figure out the copiers also, saying she just needed one copy because the book cost $100 to buy. Welcome to college. So I had put in my dollar for the copies and offered to have her make a copy on my buck. She was working at getting a dime out other wallet, I said that's okay, don't worry about it. Well, she got her copy, which ended up being two because the book was put on wrong, so two dimes. She then tried to give me two dimes again and I again said not to worry about it. She looked at my face for what seemed like forever, you know the feeling, deer int he headlights stare, like i had said here is $100 to spend. She was shocked. Then she walked away and said thank you, I think. Now when she was staring at me, I was prompted to say "God told me to let you photocopy something." But...unfortunately I didn't, hopefully next time. I hate when my mind tells me to say something, but I talk myself out of it in about 5 seconds. God, hel;p me to say what comes to my heart, as the Good Samaritan acted without thinking of the ramifications because most of the time, I don't have anything to worry about. Just being a blessing to others.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
2010 goals
A goal i have for 2010 is to allow more of my mind to exit my mouth. Hence, my blog as one step. I am not sure if anyone will be interested in reading it but it will be for my therapy as well, to journal as I am on this journey of who is Darlene Bischof. And my journey thru Toastmasters and being VP of Education there, a student in college, helping at ESL and OCRM, meeting in a LTG, being a daugher, sister, mom, wife, dog lover, lover of outside (I am outside sitting in the sun as I write this, with my dog voluntarily laying on the grass next to me, sniffing the air ), Ecuador trip planner, Kingdom Causes workshop organizer, pastors wife (whatever that is), and most of all, a servant of Jesus Christ to my community.
i want to be bold enough to struggle thru questions with others, vs. just in my head and realize that i don't need to have all the answers, and thats okay and to not appear that I do. I want to "be quicker" on my feet as I speak as well.I want to process more verbally but I need to find someone who would like me to do that as well. Michael can be that sometimes, but not all the time. Last night, I was debriefing my day to him, and he said jokingly, "I am not used you thinking so much!" I take that as a compliment.i am not typically a thinker but an action oriented person with my body, vs. my mind.
i want to be bold enough to struggle thru questions with others, vs. just in my head and realize that i don't need to have all the answers, and thats okay and to not appear that I do. I want to "be quicker" on my feet as I speak as well.I want to process more verbally but I need to find someone who would like me to do that as well. Michael can be that sometimes, but not all the time. Last night, I was debriefing my day to him, and he said jokingly, "I am not used you thinking so much!" I take that as a compliment.i am not typically a thinker but an action oriented person with my body, vs. my mind.
Yesterday I went to the OC Rescue Mission to help in the Child Development Center. I have been wanting to do this for 6 months or so, and then Disneyland decided to allow a day of service for a free ticket. So, I used this opportunity to get my butt in gear to do that. You can keep your ticket or let them donate it to a child in need. I am doing the latter. Not much to do to help a child.
During story time, the kids wanted to touch the book with animal pictures on it, but it wasn't a touch and feel book. The student (of the Mission) was reading and wearing a skirt sitting in a rocking chair with the kids at her feet. One little boy saw her veins and wanted to touch them, so he did and enjoyed feeling her legs. :) I guess that was the touch and feel segment of the reading. :0
Then as she continued, she said about cougars that they are able to scream like a woman. One little 3 year old, who was off the chart extroverted and adorable, said to his little friend, "I want to hear you scream like a woman." It was so cute.
I realized how little i know of certain things they struggle with. One student working at the center, was asking around if anyone knew if the state can take money out of your paycheck for collections. And two students were wearing the same shirt. I pointed it out, and they said at their store, they get some clothing in bulk so they get the same stuff. i felt bad. I didn't realize how much i was not thinking from their perspective. I also realized that a lot of questions i might ask to get to know them, might hit a cord of pain that might not for the average person. For example, most of the students working there had kids. So, that is an easy starting conversation, right? Well, for one woman, her kids lived with their dad, off site, and she will not see them for 3 months because she wants to get her life together first,and it would be hard to see them and leave. But she talks to them every day. See what I mean, i am sure it is hard for her.
It is so easy to get in our own bubble. Whether in our minds, environments, or communties. Lord, help me to see things as they see things, and as you see things. My mind is self centered.
During story time, the kids wanted to touch the book with animal pictures on it, but it wasn't a touch and feel book. The student (of the Mission) was reading and wearing a skirt sitting in a rocking chair with the kids at her feet. One little boy saw her veins and wanted to touch them, so he did and enjoyed feeling her legs. :) I guess that was the touch and feel segment of the reading. :0
Then as she continued, she said about cougars that they are able to scream like a woman. One little 3 year old, who was off the chart extroverted and adorable, said to his little friend, "I want to hear you scream like a woman." It was so cute.
I realized how little i know of certain things they struggle with. One student working at the center, was asking around if anyone knew if the state can take money out of your paycheck for collections. And two students were wearing the same shirt. I pointed it out, and they said at their store, they get some clothing in bulk so they get the same stuff. i felt bad. I didn't realize how much i was not thinking from their perspective. I also realized that a lot of questions i might ask to get to know them, might hit a cord of pain that might not for the average person. For example, most of the students working there had kids. So, that is an easy starting conversation, right? Well, for one woman, her kids lived with their dad, off site, and she will not see them for 3 months because she wants to get her life together first,and it would be hard to see them and leave. But she talks to them every day. See what I mean, i am sure it is hard for her.
It is so easy to get in our own bubble. Whether in our minds, environments, or communties. Lord, help me to see things as they see things, and as you see things. My mind is self centered.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
1st day of college
On my way to my first class Tuesday night, I was desiring to add the class, didn't want to take the online version and I was not sure if i would get in because it was very full. At first I thought I was in the wrong class. Great way to start out feeling confident. So I sat in the back, not like me at all. Next week I will sit closer to the smart seeming student up front. I was in the right class and it was confirmed because I asked someone who could be my daughter.
To start out, the professor asked who did not have a cell phone. No one raised there hand. Then he asked, who does not have their cell phone with them, no one raised there hand again. Then he proceeded to tell us only use our phones outside, wow, i think cell phones are our security blankets, can't leave home without them. Are we addicted to texting?
Considering this is a GE class, there were only 2 adults, and by this i mean, people old, like me. The rest were all under 21 i think. One passed my desk and pushed my notebook over so he could get through without saying excuse me. Oh, these kids, what are we going to do with them?
With this class being in OC, i expected to be one of the only caucasians and I was right. Some had only been in America for one year. I find this exciting actually. People different then little old white me, i felt like the minority. That's okay, more for me to learn from them. The first 3 names on the role sheet couldn't be pronounced by the professor. And there were girls named Andy and Brady. Diversity at its best.
Took notes the old fashioned way, next week i am bringing my computer and ironically, only one student brought their computer. I bet they all have them at home for facebook though.
To start out, the professor asked who did not have a cell phone. No one raised there hand. Then he asked, who does not have their cell phone with them, no one raised there hand again. Then he proceeded to tell us only use our phones outside, wow, i think cell phones are our security blankets, can't leave home without them. Are we addicted to texting?
Considering this is a GE class, there were only 2 adults, and by this i mean, people old, like me. The rest were all under 21 i think. One passed my desk and pushed my notebook over so he could get through without saying excuse me. Oh, these kids, what are we going to do with them?
With this class being in OC, i expected to be one of the only caucasians and I was right. Some had only been in America for one year. I find this exciting actually. People different then little old white me, i felt like the minority. That's okay, more for me to learn from them. The first 3 names on the role sheet couldn't be pronounced by the professor. And there were girls named Andy and Brady. Diversity at its best.
Took notes the old fashioned way, next week i am bringing my computer and ironically, only one student brought their computer. I bet they all have them at home for facebook though.
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