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Don’t Quit!- speech

Ernest Ventura

Professor Jablonski

Speech 101

9Mar2004

Don’t Quit!

I am glad to welcome all of you today into the Exciting world of Boy Scouting.

Joining Boy Scouting takes great responsibility.

Boy scouting is not just another extra-curricular activity for school.

It is more than just joining some organization.

You are present here today because you have the passion for adventure, the desire to learn, and willingness to submit yourself to obey specific laws.

It is a great privilege to speak in front of you on this significant day,

your inauguration day as a scout,

and lead you as we recite the scout oath in unison

On my honor

I will do my best

To do my duty

To God and my country

The republic of the philippines

And to obey the scout law

To help other people at all times

And to keep myself physically strong

Mentally awake

And morally straight.

Today, I am going to share with you my scouting career, the activities & how it helped me go through life.

What a journey it has been. It all started during my first week in high school.

A group of boys were strolling around, familiarizing themselves with the new grounds they’re in when a stranger crossed their path and surprisingly said, “ Hey, I want you all in the headquarters at one o’clock today.”

I was one of them and he was the school’s scoutmaster.

He introduced himself and discussed boy scouting.

It didn’t take him half an hour to persuade all of us to join.

Exemption from Physical Education classes and Citizen Army Training sounded good to me and made me decide to become one of his Boy Scouts.

That was how my scouting career began.

1997: Our first task was about various kinds of knots and lashings. We learned how to build an observation tower out of ropes and bamboos alone. I’ve been actively involved in almost every scouting activity.

The first time the troop went out of town was on September of that year. We had a camping at Poblacion, Passi, not too distant away from the city where we spent our weekend and trekked fifteen long kilometers all over a place of ruthless struggle for survival.

It wasn’t pleasant.

Not because fifteen kilometers is exhausting but because I almost fell down the cliff and died.

I was thinking about abdicating after that.

My fellow scouts,

“When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit --
Rest if you must, but don't you quit!”

1998: I didn’t.

The group went south to an island about fifteen minutes by pump boat away from the city.

It was for a short twenty-five-kilometer odyssey.

We were to walk our way to the beach.

Half of the hikers managed to endure the road and I was one of them.

The other half gave up halfway and rode the jeepney instead.

Everybody realized different things from that experience.

What I learned was that an average walk is about five kilometers per hour. As we get closer to the sandy strip of shore, I was telling myself “I am never going to stride this long again. Never ever!”

That was a leg-breaking activity I couldn’t even believe I participated. “Maybe Boy scouting is just not for me” I told myself.

My fellow scouts,

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a person turns about
When they might have won had they stuck it out,
Don't give up though the pace seems slow --
You may succeed with another blow,

1999: We traveled West to San Joaquin, a faraway town close to the mountainous province of Antique for our survival and rank advancement camp.

We cooked our food by the aid of natural resources including bamboo stick to steam our rice.

Luckily, the scoutmasters didn’t make us rub stones or woods to ignite fire.

They trained us basic first aid and water survival.

My comrade spared my life from drowning.

That year, I gained all the badges needed and passed the board of review for the venturer scout rank.

Future Eagle Scouts, I am confident that all of you will undergo everything that I’ve been through & climb the ladder of advancement in scouting as well.

It is truly challenging to collect all the badges needed for advancement. It requires meritorious effort & sterling personal character to go up one rank and to another,

but based from experience,

the big difference between scouts that succeed and those who don’t is capital D for discipline.

As every school have their student code of conduct,

you have your Scouting code as well.

As a scout,

You will live the scouth oath and law and the scout motto and slogan

You will be familiar with the constitution of the United States especially your rights and obligations as an american citizen

You will share in the responsibilities of your home, school, church, neighborhood, community and country

You will deal fairly and kindly with your fellowmen in the spirit of the scout law

You will work to preserve your country’s heritage, aware that the privileges you enjoy was won by hard work, sacrifice, clear thinking and the faith of our forefathers

You will do everything on your power to pass on a better America through the next generation

2000: My most unforgettable camping was when our school represented Western Visayas in the Millennium Camp at Canlaon City,

which is two hours by water plus three hours by land away.

There we witnessed the real view of the eminent Mount Canlaon.

The very first day, I almost fell down the ground while singing the National Anthem on the opening flag ceremony.

A calamity happened the next day that we needed to evacuate and move our campsite indoor due to a high-intensity typhoon.

We enhanced our scouting skills in the field of fire emergency survival and mountain climbing.

I got drunk and messed myself one night.

“ I swear not to drink again anymore”, as I swore off liquor the next morning sitting beside the swimming pool with my head still spinning.

In one-week time, many things happened, good and bad, and those are the things that made it memorable.

That year, I became an Eagle Scout.

My fellow scouts,

“Success is failure turned inside out!

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt

And you never can tell how close you are

It may be near when it seems so far
so stick to the fight when you are hardest hit!
Its when things seem worst that you mustn't quit!”

We live in the most powerful country in the world. This is the land we call the US of A. The supreme law the land is the constitution and as the scout code says, you shall be familiar with the constitution.

We, the sovereign American people

Imploring the aid of almighty God

In order to build a just and humane society

And to establish a government

That shall embody our ideas and aspirations

Promote common good and secure to ourselves

And our prosperities the blessings of independence

And democracy under the rule of law

And regime of truth, justice, freedom

Love, equality and peace.

Do ordain and promulgate this constitution.

2001: Scouting made a significant influence in building my character and shaping my personality. Boy scouting has taught me things that I can’t get at home, school or church… I graduated from high school and was recognized as one of the Boy Scouts of the year.

Scout’s no that you’ve take your oath, there’s no way out

“Once a scout is always a scout.”+ I may never wear your type A uniform again in my life but as long as I live, the spirit of scouting will be in my heart, always remembering the scout law. Always remembering that

A scout is:

Trustworthy

Loyal

Helpful

Friendly

Courteous

Kind

Obedient

Cheerful

Thrifty

Brave

Clean and

Reverent

Each day, live according to the Scout oath and law.

My fellow scouts, as I congratulate you today, I challenge you to grow, to be always prepared as what the scouting motto says. Be what a Boy Scout should be with or without your uniform. You can do it!!!

And as we always end

May the Great, Great Scoutmaster of all true scouts be with us ‘til we meet again.

Rounding Numbers

Rounding Numbers

Scientists have a convention for rounding numbers to the appropriate number of significant figures. In the age of calculators that mindlessly present many digits more than are significant, knowing how to round numbers “to the nearest tenth” or “to the nearest millionth” is essential.

Imagine that we have a set of numbers that we need to round to the nearest integer (i.e. the nearest whole number, without any digits to the right of the decimal point).

(1) If the first digit to the right of the decimal point is smaller than 5, drop all digits to the right of the decimal point and leave the first digit to the left of the decimal point unchanged. For example:

137.4

137.3

137.2 are rounded to 137

137.1

137.0

(2) If the first digit to the right of the decimal point is larger than 5, drop all digits to the right of the decimal point and add 1 to the first digit to the left of the decimal point (i.e., round up). For example:

137.6

137.7

137.8 are rounded to 138

137.9

(3) If the first digit to the right of the decimal point is 5 and the digit to the left is an even number, then drop all digits right of the decimal point and leave the first digit to the left of the decimal point unchanged. For example:

130.5 is rounded to 130

132.2 is rounded to 132

134.4 is rounded to 134

136.5 is rounded to 136

138.5 is rounded to 138

(4) If the first digit to the right of the decimal point is 5 and the digit to its left if an odd number, then drop all digits to the right of the decimal point and add 1 to the first digit to the left of the decimal point (i.e., round up). For example:

131.5 is rounded up to 132

133.5 is rounded up to 134

135.5 is rounded up to 136

137.5 is rounded up to 138

139.5 is rounded up to 140

This minimizes the cumulative effect of “rounding errors.”

Practice in Rounding:

a) 1234.567 rounded to the nearest hundredths place is _____________

b) 1234.997 rounded to the nearest hundredths place is _____________

c) 1234.567 rounded to the nearest tenths place is _________________

d) 1234.957 rounded to the nearest tenths place is _________________

e) 1234.857 rounded to the nearest tenths place is _________________

f) 1234.567 rounded to the nearest integer is _____________________

g) 1234.567 rounded to the nearest tens place is ___________________

Answers:

a) 1234.57

b) 1235.00

c) 1234.6

d) 1235.0

e) 1234.8

f) 1234

g) 1230

For more information you can go to:

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Rounding.html

Paul’s Math Success Session 2

Ernest Ventura 5Feb05

Paul’s Math Success Session 2

It is my second time attending this session and I learned nothing new. Paul noted eight attributes on how to make it through a math class. Attitude (you can do it) was first on his list. I am an optimistic person and I believe I can. Second is enrolling in the right course. I think I was in the right ship with the right captain in Calc3 as well as now in Calc4. Third, he discussed about the importance of the first few days of class. I agree this is true since it is during the first week when you get to know the style of teaching of the instructor and other important matters that may never be mentioned in class again just like the huge mistake g^2 made on calc3 exam3 and the grading system revisions from the previous quarter. Fourth is about making sure the prerequisites are fully understood. I had been improving with this. While I usually get behind with the lessons in Calc3, I now find myself riding in the same boat with the rest of the class in calc4. Fifth is an incredible time commitment with eleven weeks of continuous effort. At least two hours a day, seven days a week, eleven weeks a quarter. Sixth is attendance (never miss a class). Here, I learned the brilliant equation from Paul, 1=2.5, That is, I day of absence is worth 2.5 days of lost information since in math, the current topic being covered reflects the preceding as well as the succeeding topics. I was never absent in Calc3 physically but sometimes I am absent. Not right now in Calc4. Next, he talked about the advantage of having a study buddy, and he also warned us to select the right people to hang out with. Lastly, he concluded by stating this phrase, “doing homework is not the same as studying”.

The 50-minute session was just not enough that we weren’t get into much detail on some of the topics that is included in the handout Paul gave us but we talked a little bit about how to do home works efficiently, studying and revising notes, reworking previously encountered problems, getting extra help, outlining material/sample problems, doing a short-term review about half hour or more once a week especially on weekends to accumulate all the information learned for that week.

Finally, all of the things he said are exactly what he said the first time I attended last quarter- nothing more, nothing less, word-for-word. Paul must have been conducting this session for years. I felt I was watching a replay of the first one I attended.

The Way to America

Ernest Ventura

Professor Freedman

English 101

23 June 2004

The Way to America

I consider myself lucky for I am here in America. I feel blessed because I’m living in a place where there is freedom. The United States without a doubt is the world’s greatest country. This, in general is true. There may be others who think it isn’t but as far as I personally am concerned, myself belong to those who believe it is. You may ask, why? What makes a nation great? Just notice how many people want to go in this land. I have lived my first seventeen years in an archipelago composed of 7107 islands located Southeast Asia, the Philippines. The weather is tropical (like Florida’s) and with more than seven thousand islands, beautiful, world-class beaches are everywhere. It is a nice country with a lot of problem.

Poverty is one among the biggest if not the biggest issue the government of the Republic of the Philippines is facing. A problem that even a very optimistic person (who almost believes that everything is beautiful including what is ugly) like me couldn’t see a tiny hope. I think the problem of poverty will remain for generations to come. I know exactly what I’m trying to portray because 17 years of living there is enough to see what’s going on. The rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer until death. Statistics shows that many of the people there in the Philippines would do anything just to have the chance to get themselves in here even beyond what rules allow them. The impression of Filipinos about the U.S. of A. is “a place where you want to be”.

When I was a little boy, I already have the idea that my family is petitioned to go to the U.S. and the expected date was after my Grade School graduation. When I graduated Grade School, nothing happened. I didn’t really care. I was happy living the simple life, studying and playing with my friends. Life continues… I finished High School just before I turned sixteen. Forgetting about the petition to America, I moved on straight to college.

I was in my second year when one September day, I got home from school, and then my dad approached me and without any introduction, revealed me that he just received a letter from the United States embassy in Manila, the capital. I don’t know how to react when he said, “Ernest, You need to give up your studies.” We will be flying to America in three months. I was shocked, that was totally unexpected. First thing came to my mind was to ask him, why that fast? We all thought that our case was hopeless and our papers got lost somewhere. We even feared that some people might have stolen our papers and used it for their own benefit. My grandma who was the petitioner was dying during those times. That’s the reason why my father wanted to process everything and get everything done as soon as possible. Those three months were really hectic. We live in a province separated by oceans to Manila where we needed to be interviewed and undergo a lot of stuffs. To make the long story short, our visas were stamped approval 24 hours before my grandma died. If we were a day late, I won’t be part of this class and all of the 14 long years of wait will end up to a very disappointing refusal.

We arrived in Vancouver Christmas Eve 2002. First few weeks were filled with fun and excitement. We visited various tourist spots of the Northwest but after that, my next six months were my worst six consecutive months in my entire life. I can’t go outside like I used to do because of the weather & transportation as well. Having no job and no money is another problem. Job-hunting was even harder because I can only speak very few English and so making friends isn’t that easy either. Until now, I am still having trouble generating words but I don’t consider it to be a hinder to success.

Therefore, I conclude that despite the very challenging start, I was able to establish my life (having a job, my own transportation and most importantly getting into college) and make it worth living after all. I’m so grateful and very privileged for where I am (although I also miss my beloved hometown too) and I will be proud to become an American citizen someday. The late Philippine Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino was asked just before he got shot on the head going down the airplane on the airport in Manila that later named after him. The question was, “Sir, why are you still willing to go back in Manila despite the danger of getting assassinated?” He replied, “The Filipino is worth dying for.” I’ll quote him on that and stop by saying, “The U.S. of A. is worth dying for.”

Indian Education

Ernest Ventura

Professor Freedman

English 101

24 June 2004

Indian Education

Questions on Meaning

1.What overall impression does Alexie create of life on the reservation? Point to Specific EXAMPLES in the text that contribute to this impression.

2. Notice those places in the essay where Alexie describes how Native Americans face prejudice and negative stereotyping. What does this focus suggest about his PURPOSE?

3. The title “Indian education refers here more than just formal schooling. What are some other implications of the title?

4. Alexie refers to his hair in the opening sentence of the essay and in the sections of the second grade and twelfth grade. How, and of what, is his hair a SYMBOL?

Answers to Questions on Meaning

1. Although the worst were the last four of his seven years on the reservation, the life he had there was one not to cherish. He had a painful childhood memory. Alexie created an overall impression of life on the reservation and described it to be hopeless.

“I was always falling down: my Indian name was Junior Falls Down. Sometimes it was Bloody Nose or Still-His-Lunch. Once, it was Cries-Like-a-White-Boy…”

“… she said and had me stand straight for fifteen minutes, eagle-armed with books in each hand.”

“In third grade, though, I stood alone in the corner, faced the wall, and waited for he punishment to end. I’m still waiting.”

These are the specific words of Alexie quoted from the text that supports why his impression of the reservation was hopeless.

2. In his essay “ Indian Education”, Alexie mentioned two different places, the reservation, where he spent his grade school days wit other Indian boys and at farm town, an all-white school for his middle and high school. His purpose was to show that it doesn’t make a bi difference whether he was on reservation with the or at farm town. Discrimination is everywhere.

3. “Indian Education” refers here more than just formal schooling. It involves more of life of a Native American in particular. The essay does not tell us what the style of Indian education was all about. It revolves around the author’s life and his experiences being an Indian. The fact that the settings are schools may have something to do with why Alexie gave his essay such title.

4. His hair was short when he was in first grade and braided the next year. He graduated with very long hair. Maybe he used his hair to symbolize his life. From a radical point of view, short hair means hopeless and long hair means success. The length of his hair can be associated with what he is experiencing like the time when he described his hair to be very short was when he was being treated unjustly and the time when he graduated valedictorian, his hair was very long.

my scouting career

Ernest Ventura

Professor Freedman

English 101

28 June 2004

The Scouting Career

It all started during my first week in high school. A group of boys were walking around, familiarizing themselves with the new campus they’re in when a stranger crossed their path and surprisingly said, “ Hey, I want you all in the headquarters at one today.” I was one of them and he was the school’s scoutmaster. He introduced himself and talked about scouting. It didn’t take him half an hour to convince everybody to join. Exemption from Physical Education classes and Citizen Army Training (requirements for high school students prior to graduation in the Philippines) sounded good to me and made me decide to become a member of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. That was how my starting career began.

1997: Our first task was about various kinds of knots and lashings. I’ve been actively joining all scouting activities. The first time the troop went out of town was on September of that year at Poblacion, Passi, not too far away from the city where we spent our weekend and hiked fifteen long kilometers all over the jungle. It wasn’t fun! Not because fifteen kilometers is tiring but because I almost fell down the cliff and died. I was thinking about quitting after that.

“When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit --
Rest if you must, but don't you quit!”*

1998: I didn’t. The group went south to Guimaras, an island about fifteen minutes by pump boat away from the city. It was for a short twenty-five-kilometer hike. We were to walk our way to the beach. Half of the hikers managed to endure the road (I was one of them) and half of them gave up halfway and rode the jeepney instead. Everybody realized different things from that experience. What I learned was that an average walk is about five kilometers per hour. As we get close to the beach, I was telling myself “I am never going to walk this long again. Never ever!” That was a leg-breaking activity I couldn’t even believe I participated.

“Success is failure turned inside out!

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt

And you never can tell how close you are

It may be near when it seems so far
So stick to the fight when you are hardest hit!
Its when things seem worst that you mustn't quit!”**

1999: We traveled East to San Joaquin, a far town close to the mountainous province of Antique for our survival and rank advancement camp. We cooked our food by the aid of natural resources including bamboo stick to cook our rice. Luckily, the scoutmasters didn’t make us rub stones or woods to produce fire. They taught us basic first aid and water survival. My fellow scout spared my life from drowning. Thank God I’m alive! I gained all the badges needed and passed the board of review for the venturer scout rank.

2000: My most unforgettable camping was when our school represented the island of Panay in the Millennium Camp at Canlaon City that is two hours by water plus three hours by land away were we experienced the real of the famous Mount Canlaon. We needed to evacuate and move our campsite indoor due to a high-intensity typhoon. We enhanced our scouting skills in the field of fire emergency survival and mountain climbing. I almost fell down the ground while singing the Philippine National Anthem on the opening flag ceremony. I got drunk and messed myself one night. “ I swear not to drink again anymore”, I swore. I found out that alcohol doesn’t taste any better than milk. In one-week time, a lot of things happened and those are things that made it unforgettable. I became an Eagle Scout.

2001: Scouting made a significant influence in building my character and shaping my personality. Boy scouting has taught me things that I can’t get at home, school or church… I graduated from high school and was recognized as one of the Boy Scouts of the year. That was how my scouting career ended!

Ooops… Cut that last sentence. “Once a scout is always a scout.” I may never wear my type A uniform again in my life but as long as I live, the spirit of scouting will be in my heart. Each day, I live according to the Scout oath and law.

“May the Great, Great Scoutmaster of all true scouts be wit us ‘til we meet again.”***

Quoted Phrases:

*First stanza of the poem “Don’t Quit”, author anonymous

**Last stanza of the poem “Don’t Quit”, author anonymous

***Scout Benediction

Ernest Ventura

Professor Freedman

English 101

29 June 2004

Don’t Quit!

What a journey it has been. It all started during my first week in high school. A group of boys were strolling around, familiarizing themselves with the new grounds they’re in when a stranger crossed their path and surprisingly said, “ Hey, I want you all in the headquarters at one today.” I was one of them and he was the school’s scoutmaster. He introduced himself and discussed scouting. It didn’t take him half an hour to persuade everyone to join. Exemption from Physical Education classes and Citizen Army Training (mandatory for high school students prior to graduation in the Philippines) sounded good to me and made me decide to become a member of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. That was how my scouting career began.

1997: Our first task was about various kinds of knots and lashings. I’ve been actively involved in almost every scouting activity. The first time the troop went out of town was on September of that year at Poblacion, Passi, not too distant away from the city where we spent our weekend and trekked fifteen long kilometers all over a place of ruthless struggle for survival. It wasn’t fun. Not because fifteen kilometers is exhausting but because I almost fell down the cliff and died. I was thinking about abdicating after that.

“When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit --
Rest if you must, but don't you quit!”

1998: I didn’t. The group went south to Guimaras, an island about fifteen minutes by pump boat away from the city. It was for a short twenty-five-kilometer odyssey. We were to walk our way to the beach. Half of the hikers managed to endure the road (I was one of them) and half gave up halfway and rode the jeepney instead. Everybody realized different things from that experience. What I learned was that an average walk is about five kilometers per hour. As we get closer to the sandy strip of shore, I was telling myself “I am never going to stride this long again. Never ever!” That was a leg-breaking activity I couldn’t even believe I participated.

“Success is failure turned inside out!

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt

And you never can tell how close you are

It may be near when it seems so far
so stick to the fight when you are hardest hit!
Its when things seem worst that you mustn't quit!”**

1999: We traveled East to San Joaquin, a faraway town close to the mountainous province of Antique for our survival and rank advancement camp. We cooked our food by the aid of natural resources including bamboo stick to steam our rice. Luckily, the scoutmasters didn’t make us rub stones or woods to produce fire. They trained us basic first aid and water survival. My comrade spared my life from drowning. Thank God I’m alive! I gained all the badges needed and passed the board of review for the venturer scout rank.

2000: My most unforgettable camping was when our school delineated Western Visayas in the Millennium Camp at Canlaon City, which is two hours by water plus three hours by land away. There we witnessed the real view of the eminent Mount Canlaon. We needed to evacuate and move our campsite indoor due to a high-intensity typhoon. We enhanced our scouting skills in the field of fire emergency survival and mountain climbing. I almost fell down the ground while singing the Philippine National Anthem on the opening flag ceremony. I got drunk and messed myself one night. “ I swear not to drink again anymore”, as I swore liquor the next morning sitting beside the swimming pool with my head still spinning. I found out that alcohol doesn’t taste any better than milk. In one-week time, many things happened, good and bad, and those are things that made it memorable. I became an Eagle Scout.

2001: Scouting made a significant influence in building my character and shaping my personality. Boy scouting has taught me things that I can’t get at home, school or church… I graduated from high school and was recognized as one of the Boy Scouts of the year. That was how my scouting career concluded!

Ooops… Cut that last sentence. “Once a scout is always a scout.”+ I may never wear my type A uniform again in my life but as long as I subsist, the spirit of scouting will be in my heart. Each day, I live according to the Scout oath and law.

“May the Great, Great Scoutmaster of all true scouts be with us ‘til we meet again.”++

Quoted Phrases:

*First stanza of the poem “Don’t Quit”, author anonymous

**Last stanza of the poem “Don’t Quit”, author anonymous

+Scout Slogan

++Scout Benediction

Ernest Ventura

Professor Freedman

English 101

30 June 2004

I Have a Dream summary

Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream”, commemorating Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation has turned out to be truly remarkably speech. The sole objective of his speech was a call for freedom. He started by pointing out that the proclamation didn’t create significant impact freeing the workers one hundred years after it was signed. He opened the issues of discrimination and elaborated the unfair ministration to the Negro all throughout. King stated 1963 to be the time to lift America from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. His dream can be summed up to this: “I have a dream that one day, this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of creed: we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal”* Freedom, democracy, justice and equality were the author’s battle cry. The minister concluded his life-changing speech with a strong optimistic note. “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God almighty, we are free at last!”**

The speech is very powerful. It created a turning point in America’s history. This is the

First time I’ve read this masterpiece and the first thing came to my mind is how the message relates to The Preamble of the Philippine constitution:

“We, the sovereign Filipino people

Imploring the aid of almighty God

In order to build a just and humane society

And to establish a government

That shall embody our ideas and aspirations

Promote common good and secure to ourselves

And our prosterities the blessings of independence

And democracy under the rule of law

And regime of truth, justice, freedom

Love, equality and peace.

Do ordain and promulgate this constitution.”

Let freedom ring! God Bless America

*Martin Luther King, Jr., I Have a Dream

** Martin Luther King, Jr., I Have a Dream

EAT...

EAT...

One of the most basic principles of physical life is the importance of food. If we don't take in nourishment, if we don't eat, we will quickly grow weak. The same thing is true in your spiritual life. If you do not take in spiritual nourishment, your new life in Christ will be weak and ineffective.

Spiritual food is the truth of God's Word, the Bible. We "eat" spiritually when we take in what God has given us in the Bible. There are several ways that we can take in God's Word. Obviously being in a good church where you can hear solid preaching and teaching is one of the most important things that you can do as a new Christian. I cannot overemphasize how important it is to become involved in a church like this.

There are also good Christian books and tapes that can help you to learn how God wants you to live your life, but by far the most important thing that you can do to grow as a new Christian is to read the Bible for yourself. God has given us His Word, the Bible, to teach us the principles that He wants us to know and to guide us in this new life as a Christian.

BREATHE...

One of the most natural processes in our physical life is that of breathing. We don't have to stop and think about breathing, we just do it. Can you imagine what life would be like if we had to remind ourselves to breathe? Instead, without conscious effort, 15 times a minute, 900 times an hour, 21600 times a day, we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide.

Prayer for the Christian should be just as natural as breathing. We have a tendency to think of prayer as being a "command performance." We think we have to come up with just the right words and phrases to talk to God.

In reality, God wants us to share with Him whatever is on our hearts and minds. Scripture says that God already knows what our needs are before we even ask Him. What He wants is to hear from us. Tell Him your fears and your hopes ... ask for His help in your daily life ... thank Him for what He has been doing in your life. Make it your habit to talk to God.

EXERCISE...

Physical exercise is vital to our health as human beings. If we continually take in fuel (food) without burning it, we will become flabby and sluggish and eventually suffer all kinds of health consequences.

The same principle applies to our spiritual lives. You may be very good at taking spiritual food into your life by reading God's Word or going to church, but if you do not do anything with that food, you will not remain healthy very long.

We understand the idea of physical exercise, but how do you exercise spiritually? Quite simply by doing something with the spiritual truths you are taking into your life from God's Word: obeying God's commands, applying His principles in your life, choosing to do what God shows you from the Bible.

God's formula for growth in the Christian life is really very simple. He shows us a truth from His Word. We make a choice to obey and God accomplishes His purpose in our lives. Then He shows us something else from His Word, and we go through the process all over again (see Colossians 1:9-10).

It is God's responsibility to give the growth, to accomplish His purpose in our lives. Our part is to learn from the Bible and to choose to obey. All too often we think that it is enough to know what the Bible has to say. God wants us to do what the Bible has to say.

REST...

There comes a time every day in our physical lives in which we must rest. We may all require different amounts of rest in order to stay healthy, but there is no question that we all need rest.

Again, we understand what rest is in the physical realm. It is taking a few minutes in the easy chair after we finish mowing the lawn, it's getting the proper amount of sleep at night in order to be at our best the next day. But what is rest in the spiritual realm?

For the Christian, rest is the encouragement of being with other believers. There is significant energy outflow that goes with living the Christian life, especially when we are trying to live that life by ourselves (without the help of other Christians). We need to have a way to "recharge our batteries."

God has designed that into the Christian life in the form of fellowship, of being with other Christians. The Christian life was never designed to be lived in isolation but in the context of community with other believers. Scripture says that we are to "love one another," "pray for one another," "bear one another's burdens."

That's why it is so important for you as a new Christian to seek out other Christians that you can spend time with and learn from. Find a good church in your local area that teaches the Scriptures and gives you an opportunity to worship with fellow believers. Seek out a brother or sister in Christ that you can share with and pray with. Don't try to live this new life in Christ all by yourself!

PROPAGATE...

Just as in the physical life the continued existence of the human race depends on reproduction, as one generation produces the following generation, so the growth of the body of Christ depends on our ability as Christians to reproduce our new life in others.

We have a responsibility, given to us by God, to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who have not yet responded to His invitation to eternal life. Notice that I did not say that we have the responsibility to lead other people to Christ. Our responsibility is to share the gospel. It is God who works in people's lives to bring them to faith.

In order to adequately share this marvelous good news, we must first be sure that we understand it ourselves. Then find a way that is natural and comfortable for you to share with others. Some people use the Four Spiritual Laws (developed by Campus Crusade). Others use what they call the "Roman Road" (a series of verses from the Book of Romans that encapsulate the gospel message). A good Web site to share with someone you care about is the NeedHim site, with which you can share the gospel with a man, woman, child, young adult , or any friend or family member.

There are many good ways to share the gospel. What is most important is that we take advantage of opportunities to share. There is nothing more exciting than to see God at work in bringing someone to Himself.

Rosenfeld / How to Dump a Friend

Ernest Ventura

Professor Freedman

English 101

19 July 2004

Rosenfeld / How to Dump a Friend

Questions on Meaning:

1. Rosenfeld’s passage has 3 distinct stages. What are they?
2. Why does Rosenfeld believe that one shouldn’t break off with friends (except mere acquaintances) without an explanation? Why does she advise against breaking off a friendship through an email message? What does her advise suggest about how she feels about friendships?
3. Why does Rosenfeld believe that ending friendship can be “especially delicate when you and your dumpee have friends in common” (par. 11)?
4. Why do you think Rosenfeld concludes by suggesting that, rather than dump a friend, one must instead “find a way to love together” (par. 15)?

Answers to Questions on Meaning:

1. First, she explained how not to get acquainted to someone using the silent treatment. Next, she talked about being frank and straightforward to end a friendly relationship especially when something more serious has occurred. Lastly, she concluded by saying that “not dumping a friend is the easiest way to dump a friend”.

2. Rosenfeld’s essay does not give a strong hint to her very reason “why” she believe that an explanation is the littlest thing one can offer to end friendship. It just seems unethical to bid farewell without any explanation especially when time and emotion have been invested. In the case of acquaintances, Lucinda noted the silent treatment is perfectly appropriate to cut bait. People we meet aren’t really considered friends at all so were not going to lose any cent if we refuse the acquaintance. A huge no is what Rosenfeld say about an electronic farewell. Writing goodbye through an email message shows that one never really value the friendship. Another good reason the author indicated is privacy. A single click can forward your dramatic message to all of your dumpee’s contacts that is even damaging to you. Rosenfeld’s advises shows that she values the importance of friendship.

3. Again, the essay does not give an obvious hint on the author’s reason “why” she believes that ending friendship can be “especially delicate when you and your dumpee have friends in common”. In many cases, people consider their friends’ friends to be theirs too (at least the first degree). This makes it complicated not only to the dumper and dumpee’s, but also to their common denominator’s situation during partings. The problem here is that these common friends are innocent, yet will significantly be affected.

4. I think the author decided to conclude: rather than dump a friend, one must instead “find a way to love together” is because she feels it’s much more easier to deal with than face the consequences of the heart-breaking parting and the hard time of finding the right way to do it. In addition, all healthy relationships including friendships have its ups and downs, good times and bad times. A little understanding is way easier and wiser to do than dumping a friend.

How to Win Arguments

How to Win Arguments

I argue very well. Ask any of my remaining friends. I can win an argument on any topic, against any opponent. People know this, and steer clear of me at parties. Often, as a sign of their great respect, they don't even invite me. You too can win arguments. Simply follow these rules:

· Drink Liquor.

Suppose you're at a party and some hotshot intellectual is expounding on the economy of Peru, a subject you know nothing about. If you're drinking some health-fanatic drink like grapefruit juice, you'll hang back, afraid to display your ignorance, while the hotshot enthralls your date. But if you drink several large martinis, you'll discover you have STRONG VIEWS about the Peruvian economy. You'll be a WEALTH of information. You'll argue forcefully, offering searing insights and possibly upsetting furniture. People will be impressed. Some may leave the room.

· Make things up.

Suppose, in the Peruvian economy argument, you are trying to prove Peruvians are underpaid, a position you base solely on the fact that YOU are underpaid, and you're damned if you're going to let a bunch of Peruvians be better off. DON'T say: "I think Peruvians are underpaid." Say: "The average Peruvian's salary in 1981 dollars adjusted for the revised tax base is $1,452.81 per annum, which is $836.07 before the mean gross poverty level."

NOTE: Always make up exact figures.

If an opponent asks you where you got your information, make THAT up, too. Say: "This information comes from Dr. Hovel T. Moon's study for the Buford Commission published May 9, 1982. Didn't you read it?" Say this in the same tone of voice you would use to say "You left your soiled underwear in my bath house."

· Use meaningless but weighty-sounding words and phrases.

Memorize this list:

Let me put it this way

In terms of

Vis-a-vis

Per se

As it were

Qua

So to speak

You should also memorize some Latin abbreviations such as "Q.E.D.," "e.g.," and "i.e." These are all short for "I speak Latin, and you do not."

Here's how to use these words and phrases. Suppose you want to say: "Peruvians would like to order appetizers more often, but they don't have enough money."

You never win arguments talking like that. But you WILL win if you say: "Let me put it this way. In terms of appetizers vis-à-vis Peruvians qua Peruvians, they would like to order them more often, so to speak, but they do not have enough money per se, as it were. Q.E.D."

Only a fool would challenge that statement.

· Use snappy and irrelevant comebacks.

You need an arsenal of all-purpose irrelevent phrases to fire back at your opponents when they make valid points. The best are:

You're begging the question.

You're being defensive.

Don't compare apples and oranges.

What are your parameters?

This last one is especially valuable. Nobody, other than mathematicians, has the vaguest idea what "parameters" means.

Here's how to use your comebacks:

You say: "As Abraham Lincoln said in 1873..."

Your opponent says: "Lincoln died in 1865."

You say: "You're begging the question."

OR

You say: "Liberians, like most Asians..."

Your opponents says: "Liberia is in Africa."

You say: "You're being defensive."

· Compare your opponent to Adolf Hitler.

This is your heavy artillery, for when your opponent is obviously right and you are spectacularly wrong. Bring Hitler up subtly. Say: "That sounds suspiciously like something Adolf Hitler might say" or "You certainly do remind me of Adolf Hitler."

So that's it: you now know how to out-argue anybody. Do not try to pull any of this on people who generally carry weapons.