Friday, October 9, 2009
Nobel Peace Prize for President Obama
The whole morning what I have been reading about this news have been very raucous reactions. I was pretty much discombobulated by the reactions; instead of congratulating Mr. President, the reactions have been taking a short cut into a personal and political such as "He does not deserve it", "Obama should decline the prize", "Nobel Prize is already a damaged goods", Oh please! I did not vote for this US President, I am not in a position as a proponent or opponent of his agenda; I am not a Republican or Democrat, I am just an outside observer permanent resident of the United States. Can we all just be happy that there is one individual has been granted this prestigious award for his efforts? Regardless that it has been so premature to judge the fruit of his efforts, and it only counted as a rhetorical facade. My takes on this event are: 1. President Obama did not ask for this award, and it was the decision of Nobel Committee. 2. Even if President Obama was being nominated two weeks after he was elected, I believe Nobel Committee have the right mind to decide the reason why they granted the award to President Obama. 3. I prefer to view this event and award as an accountability and leverage for Obama to keep his promise that he will pursue peace and diplomatic engagement rather than wars and unilateralism. You can call me liberal but I believe no country can afford any war or any unilateral aggression. 4. I also think it is a noble thing to do to rejoice over any good news even though that good news might not apply to me personally, because these days are hard to find or to hear any good news. I want to congratulate Mr. President for this award! and I want to rejoice for all those who got job offer or job interview, because I myself still struggle to find a job, or to find any good news! My point is, with all these hardships in our midst, I think we should all focus on giving our efforts to a good cause in improving and building a better future rather than tearing apart and finding faults of this presidency from every corner. I think it is fair to say "give this president a chance".
Friday, September 11, 2009
Community Partnership? A Proposal.
These few weeks I have been riling my brain and trying to come out with some form of an answer on "how should we face this challenging moment?." This season has been a transition for me as a newly married, but it happens to be that I counted my self as one of the millions unemployed. Although I am not under a severe pressure in finding job (thanks to my husband), but the feeling of being unemployed has affected me in a term such as inactivity, out of focus, irregularity, and lack of motivation. This season has taught me one good lesson of what it means the importance of "work" which contributes the sense of stability, dignity, security, focus, motivation, and purpose. Most of all, I know what it means of not having one, and the frustration to find one in the midst of bleak employment prospect. With the numbers of unemployment expected to be rising to double digit, and more business will face closure and bankruptcy; these facts are a harsh reminder it could happen to anyone. This morning I read an article from Newsweek magazine with the title "Is double digit unemployment is here to stay?" (http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1921439,00.html?iid=tsmodule) after reading this article I asked to myself "There must be something that we can do?" "What happens with the term "entrepreneurs" which have been used loosely in the 90s?" "Is it because we have been beaten, and cheated, and we went broke that's why this spirit that driven the economy of the 90s has lost its meaning?" I believe this will be the era that we need real and courageous entrepreneurs, without it we will bend toward what Larry Summers described as "Hyteresis" which means too late, when the economy or an industry reach the breaking point there is no way to restore it. I have no intention writing this note as a mean to coup with my frustration, discouragement, or any prediction that US economy will go bankrupt; I still believe this is not the end of everything, but it is a beginning of something. Outside of politics, we should realize that there is something needs to be done and it should come from all of us, as a community. We, the community, should play "a role" in determining the survival and the rebirth of this decade. Community Partnership, I believe is not a new word and is not a new idea, but it is an idea that needs to be reinvigorated and re-ignite. It is not a social club, but it is a group of community members with a purpose to jump start this weakened economy which will be related to your skills, talents, experiences, and professions. When there have been hundreds of car mechanics laid off in a town whose main economy drives was GM, and Chrysler; we should asked to ourselves what these hundreds of mechanic in our community should do? should they just wait until other car company open and rehire them? or should they start something out of nothing with their own ingenuity? (such as be an on-call/mobile car repairer?) When there are so many restaurants closed their doors and shed hundreds of waiters' jobs; what should we do? how about if we as community come up with fresh idea such as community restaurants that will reinvigorate this city and attract local tourism. Yes indeed we are lacking of money, but yet we still have the essential capital we ever need such as our ingenuity, resilience, and most of all community. As I research in this unemployment season, I ask for help, please give any input, idea, opinion, and beyond that we need "the right connections" to work together for the cause of this decade.
Friday, July 24, 2009
What I learned about "Race Relations in America".
These couple weeks to me have been weeks of learning and observing. I am an Immigrant, an Indonesian and I am hoping to articulate my opinion, on the case of Race Relations, as an outside-observer, who came to United States because of its belief in moral values "that all men are created equal", "men should not be judge by the color of their skin", "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere". I came because of the allurement of those honorable values that have been promoted regarding this country.
From the death of an Icon Michael Jackson, the arrest of Professor Gates, and to the backlash of President Obama's comment regarding Gates' arrest. I think the question of "Race relationship in America" has been brought to light since Attorney General Eric Holder made a statement "when it comes to Race Relations, US remains a "Nation of cowards"". This remains a sensitive issue for all Americans, and have been lingering underneath this great society. We all have been challenged to face it.
Through decades, I think "racism" has changed its form, it is no longer in a form of physical aggression, segregation, derogatory name calling; rather it became a subtle attitude that makes it harder to pin-point as "racist". It is a subtle attitude of "less desirable" because the color of one's skin. An attitude shows when a swimming club refused 65 minority kids to use the pools because of their complexion in Pennsylvania, an attitude when a taxi driver refused to give service to an old black man, an attitude when a waitress refused to serve a customer because of his/her skin, an attitude of the neighborhood that insisted their district should only be white. This subtle attitude should no longer be directed between Black and White, but should also be directed to Asian, Hispanics, Native Indian, Arabs, etc. As an Asian, I myself, must admit that we too, are guilty of these subtle attitudes toward other race.
The arrest of Professor Gates was unfortunate incident, but yet was not an accident. The past historical facts, the number of incarceration, and the practice of racial profiling have given the "evidence of presumption"-(I assume, I experience, I see the facts, that's what I think)-to believe that discrimination does indeed happen. I think this incident is not a matter of racism, or racial profiling, instead it is a matter of racial sensitivity. It is a sensitive issue which requires honesty to admit, and humility to learn to understand each other.
America as a Nation should have been proud with the progress they have reached. America have progressed this far by electing the first African-American Barack Obama as a president. Thus, in regard of Race Relations, we should not stop to work together for the better community.
From the death of an Icon Michael Jackson, the arrest of Professor Gates, and to the backlash of President Obama's comment regarding Gates' arrest. I think the question of "Race relationship in America" has been brought to light since Attorney General Eric Holder made a statement "when it comes to Race Relations, US remains a "Nation of cowards"". This remains a sensitive issue for all Americans, and have been lingering underneath this great society. We all have been challenged to face it.
Through decades, I think "racism" has changed its form, it is no longer in a form of physical aggression, segregation, derogatory name calling; rather it became a subtle attitude that makes it harder to pin-point as "racist". It is a subtle attitude of "less desirable" because the color of one's skin. An attitude shows when a swimming club refused 65 minority kids to use the pools because of their complexion in Pennsylvania, an attitude when a taxi driver refused to give service to an old black man, an attitude when a waitress refused to serve a customer because of his/her skin, an attitude of the neighborhood that insisted their district should only be white. This subtle attitude should no longer be directed between Black and White, but should also be directed to Asian, Hispanics, Native Indian, Arabs, etc. As an Asian, I myself, must admit that we too, are guilty of these subtle attitudes toward other race.
The arrest of Professor Gates was unfortunate incident, but yet was not an accident. The past historical facts, the number of incarceration, and the practice of racial profiling have given the "evidence of presumption"-(I assume, I experience, I see the facts, that's what I think)-to believe that discrimination does indeed happen. I think this incident is not a matter of racism, or racial profiling, instead it is a matter of racial sensitivity. It is a sensitive issue which requires honesty to admit, and humility to learn to understand each other.
America as a Nation should have been proud with the progress they have reached. America have progressed this far by electing the first African-American Barack Obama as a president. Thus, in regard of Race Relations, we should not stop to work together for the better community.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
What is Life?
The question "what is life?" written by my niece (she lives in Indonesia) on her facebook status. What did struck my attention most was the following statement of that question "what is life? when life is killed inside you (paraphrase)". I was worried and concerned with her statement because to my knowledge it could be interpreted as cynical, hopeless, depressed, it is simply deep sadness. I do not know what those questions imply for my niece. When I asked her she simply answered what most teenagers do that she is doing fine.
I am afraid that this will not be a simple question or statement that should be ignored.
From what I heard from the news and what I see around me, I got this feeling that people are worried, even are afraid of what might happen next? what might happen to their life & their future? Their fears are legitimate.
Millions of people losing their jobs, losing their homes and can not afford to get basic health care. Teens foresee no future in pursuing further education, even newly graduates are scrapping their heads realizing that they can not cash in their degree.
"What is life?" that will be a hard question when we are on our knees and crying for help.
"what is life?" that can be a cynical question comes from a child who watches his/her parent struggling just to put food on their table and a sudden "pink slip" is on its way.
"what is life?" that can be a bitter question for those who already tried so many times to own "the dream" but yet the world keeps pushing back and pushing down.
"What is life?' can be a philosophical question that so many thinker tried to answer.
I am not a philosopher who is trying to answer this big mystery; but I am my nieces, my nephews, my sisters and brothers keeper. When a person is asking a question or making a statement, or simply giving the expression of hopelessness, I do care and I do pray.
We have a choice to make. We could simply ignore others while we are desperate for our own survival, or we could throw bricks and blame others for what went wrong, or we could lecture others with our religion.
I realized that I do not have anything that could help a person who got lay off, who got sick or who lost his/her home, I do not have power to make a policy and I do not have guts to preach "give tithes and you will be blessed!". What I have is a listening ear and a heart which can be moved with compassion to pray, and I deeply hope it will work and make a different.
To those who read this note I simply encourage you to pick up the burden to care more and to pray more for those who are hurt and hopeless; pray for those who are in needs and who are in destitute.
We are our brothers and sisters keeper.
I am afraid that this will not be a simple question or statement that should be ignored.
From what I heard from the news and what I see around me, I got this feeling that people are worried, even are afraid of what might happen next? what might happen to their life & their future? Their fears are legitimate.
Millions of people losing their jobs, losing their homes and can not afford to get basic health care. Teens foresee no future in pursuing further education, even newly graduates are scrapping their heads realizing that they can not cash in their degree.
"What is life?" that will be a hard question when we are on our knees and crying for help.
"what is life?" that can be a cynical question comes from a child who watches his/her parent struggling just to put food on their table and a sudden "pink slip" is on its way.
"what is life?" that can be a bitter question for those who already tried so many times to own "the dream" but yet the world keeps pushing back and pushing down.
"What is life?' can be a philosophical question that so many thinker tried to answer.
I am not a philosopher who is trying to answer this big mystery; but I am my nieces, my nephews, my sisters and brothers keeper. When a person is asking a question or making a statement, or simply giving the expression of hopelessness, I do care and I do pray.
We have a choice to make. We could simply ignore others while we are desperate for our own survival, or we could throw bricks and blame others for what went wrong, or we could lecture others with our religion.
I realized that I do not have anything that could help a person who got lay off, who got sick or who lost his/her home, I do not have power to make a policy and I do not have guts to preach "give tithes and you will be blessed!". What I have is a listening ear and a heart which can be moved with compassion to pray, and I deeply hope it will work and make a different.
To those who read this note I simply encourage you to pick up the burden to care more and to pray more for those who are hurt and hopeless; pray for those who are in needs and who are in destitute.
We are our brothers and sisters keeper.
It's a New Season
Psalms 126:1-5
1 When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
we were like men who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.
Last Friday was my final interview, after so many hours in waiting and taking so many exams. Finally, I got the answer, "Esther, you are IN!"; It was an exhilarating time knowing that I will be able to go to school and get training for FREE! literary "Free", Oregon state will be funding my education (tuition, books, misc fees, etc).
Driving home, I realized how beautiful it is to receive something remarkable for FREE. It was like a dream, since I hardly received "things" for free. Those who knows me, they know how hard I've been struggling to pay for my education. It reminded me when I was at PBC I had to work so hard, sometimes I had to work 12 hours at custodial just to save for tuition/down payment. It reminded my good ol' time working until 5 am with my good friend King Man. It reminded me how hard I worked when my friends were in vacation. It reminded me lots of grace just to sit in the class without being registered!
I cried with tears of joy and suddenly this one exhilarating minute has wiped all my past troubles and struggles. I realized that God is opening new door for me to enter into a new season in my life. A season of blessing!
Although problems of life may persist but I believe in the inner strength that I had found and built through the hard years of the past. I believe that the faithfulness of God never change and there is no shadow of turning in HIM!
I hope this note will be a living testimony and an inspirational story. If you are in the season of hardship, let me encourage you to believe that "God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all what we ask or we think."
1 When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
we were like men who dreamed.
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like streams in the Negev.
5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.
6 He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.
Last Friday was my final interview, after so many hours in waiting and taking so many exams. Finally, I got the answer, "Esther, you are IN!"; It was an exhilarating time knowing that I will be able to go to school and get training for FREE! literary "Free", Oregon state will be funding my education (tuition, books, misc fees, etc).
Driving home, I realized how beautiful it is to receive something remarkable for FREE. It was like a dream, since I hardly received "things" for free. Those who knows me, they know how hard I've been struggling to pay for my education. It reminded me when I was at PBC I had to work so hard, sometimes I had to work 12 hours at custodial just to save for tuition/down payment. It reminded my good ol' time working until 5 am with my good friend King Man. It reminded me how hard I worked when my friends were in vacation. It reminded me lots of grace just to sit in the class without being registered!
I cried with tears of joy and suddenly this one exhilarating minute has wiped all my past troubles and struggles. I realized that God is opening new door for me to enter into a new season in my life. A season of blessing!
Although problems of life may persist but I believe in the inner strength that I had found and built through the hard years of the past. I believe that the faithfulness of God never change and there is no shadow of turning in HIM!
I hope this note will be a living testimony and an inspirational story. If you are in the season of hardship, let me encourage you to believe that "God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all what we ask or we think."
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Unapologetical fellowship.
Why I was excited about this election? The fact is that I can't even vote!
What made me so thrill about Obama? The fact is I am a Christian! I spoke comfortably and bluntly of my support for Obama while some of my friends were reluctant to support Obama and some were rallying against him.
Honestly, somehow I found it is oxymoron to think that we always have to "agree" in everything to be inside the circle of Christian friendship. The irony is that sometimes we, Christians, tend to gravitate ourselves to the "same" group of people; people who believe the same thing we believe in and who behave the same standards we have. I think the most disturbing reality is, within Christian family with the ideological majority tend to marginalize fellow Christians because of their ideological minority. We excommunicate and isolate those who reach to other side of the isle.
I am writing this blog not to put down my fellow Christians, but I am calling for all of us to grow mature in Chirst.
We are called to a Christ-like living not to a religious living
We are called to build His kingdom not to build a majority group
We are called to serve not to threaten and to control
We are called to speak hope not fear
We are called to build trust not distrust
Let us grow mature in our love; embrace those who have the opposite opinion.
Love should means love, love is not love if there is prerequisite to follow, love is not love when there is presumption in our attitude.
We can not say "I still love you even though we have different opinion" but then there is presumptuous attitude that divides us which resonates in statement such as "Oh s/he is liberal" "OMG, this person is backsliding!"
I think life is too colorful to be divided into black and white.
I think, Christ is no more or no less God, regardless you voted for McCain/Obama.
His Lordship is not determine by either pro-choice/pro-life.
He is Lord not because of us, or any of political agenda, He is Lord because He is!
This is what I have learned through this election season beside being immersed into Obamania.
To those who feels comfortable where they are as Christian conservative, be happy!
And to those who seek to further their journey in their conviction, enjoy the ride!
God is not threatened by your progressive and independent mind.
"whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philipians 4:8
What made me so thrill about Obama? The fact is I am a Christian! I spoke comfortably and bluntly of my support for Obama while some of my friends were reluctant to support Obama and some were rallying against him.
Honestly, somehow I found it is oxymoron to think that we always have to "agree" in everything to be inside the circle of Christian friendship. The irony is that sometimes we, Christians, tend to gravitate ourselves to the "same" group of people; people who believe the same thing we believe in and who behave the same standards we have. I think the most disturbing reality is, within Christian family with the ideological majority tend to marginalize fellow Christians because of their ideological minority. We excommunicate and isolate those who reach to other side of the isle.
I am writing this blog not to put down my fellow Christians, but I am calling for all of us to grow mature in Chirst.
We are called to a Christ-like living not to a religious living
We are called to build His kingdom not to build a majority group
We are called to serve not to threaten and to control
We are called to speak hope not fear
We are called to build trust not distrust
Let us grow mature in our love; embrace those who have the opposite opinion.
Love should means love, love is not love if there is prerequisite to follow, love is not love when there is presumption in our attitude.
We can not say "I still love you even though we have different opinion" but then there is presumptuous attitude that divides us which resonates in statement such as "Oh s/he is liberal" "OMG, this person is backsliding!"
I think life is too colorful to be divided into black and white.
I think, Christ is no more or no less God, regardless you voted for McCain/Obama.
His Lordship is not determine by either pro-choice/pro-life.
He is Lord not because of us, or any of political agenda, He is Lord because He is!
This is what I have learned through this election season beside being immersed into Obamania.
To those who feels comfortable where they are as Christian conservative, be happy!
And to those who seek to further their journey in their conviction, enjoy the ride!
God is not threatened by your progressive and independent mind.
"whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philipians 4:8
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
What the heck am I doing? Why am I blogging?
What on earth am I doing? blogging? this is the least thing I will choose to do....
I am not into this kind of cyber-publicity, writing and letting people know what daily activities that i might or will have in a day, writing every thought and ideas that might pass and twist my brain.
Well, I might have a narrow definition regarding this "blogging" thing, but what the heck I'll try!
I always thought I need some kind of justification or "good principle" in doing certain thing, and most of the times "fun" is not within that "good principle" box. We tend to put 'fun" in a "carnal" and "selfish", but hey isn't it that our fallen carnal man that always in need of justification. Regardless, what the Bible says that "we are justified by faith in Christ Jesus" but yet we are still looking for justification based on our "peer-pressure", 'what people say about this or that" "what is the norm in our institution", "if i do this or don't do that what our church leaders might say".
People might think I am not a spiritual person, but honestly I don't care what people might think about my spirituality; what I care will be my authenticity as a spiritual person and a person of faith. I refuse to bend into the pressure in defining spirituality based on what I do and don't do;
I refuse to do and "behave Christian" just for the sake of spiritual facade.
I will do good and noble deeds because of who I am regardless people will acknowledge whether
I am a Christian or not, whether people will think or not to think that I am a spiritual person.
I think Jesus saves me without any obligation to prove anything to anyone.
"if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!"
"Free at last, we are free at last, thank God almighty we are free at last!"
In conclusion, after going through some meditations, I decided blogging is FUN and liberating!
it is the underground and "grass root voices" that will revolutionize the way we do business in democracy which in the past belongs to the few of the haves and the powerful. In the past the podium belongs to one person "clergyman" but this is the decade that every person sitting on the pew have voice to speak. Yeah! long live the internet bloggers....
jazzmissy
I am not into this kind of cyber-publicity, writing and letting people know what daily activities that i might or will have in a day, writing every thought and ideas that might pass and twist my brain.
Well, I might have a narrow definition regarding this "blogging" thing, but what the heck I'll try!
I always thought I need some kind of justification or "good principle" in doing certain thing, and most of the times "fun" is not within that "good principle" box. We tend to put 'fun" in a "carnal" and "selfish", but hey isn't it that our fallen carnal man that always in need of justification. Regardless, what the Bible says that "we are justified by faith in Christ Jesus" but yet we are still looking for justification based on our "peer-pressure", 'what people say about this or that" "what is the norm in our institution", "if i do this or don't do that what our church leaders might say".
People might think I am not a spiritual person, but honestly I don't care what people might think about my spirituality; what I care will be my authenticity as a spiritual person and a person of faith. I refuse to bend into the pressure in defining spirituality based on what I do and don't do;
I refuse to do and "behave Christian" just for the sake of spiritual facade.
I will do good and noble deeds because of who I am regardless people will acknowledge whether
I am a Christian or not, whether people will think or not to think that I am a spiritual person.
I think Jesus saves me without any obligation to prove anything to anyone.
"if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed!"
"Free at last, we are free at last, thank God almighty we are free at last!"
In conclusion, after going through some meditations, I decided blogging is FUN and liberating!
it is the underground and "grass root voices" that will revolutionize the way we do business in democracy which in the past belongs to the few of the haves and the powerful. In the past the podium belongs to one person "clergyman" but this is the decade that every person sitting on the pew have voice to speak. Yeah! long live the internet bloggers....
jazzmissy
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