Who: Me What: Wondering today if God really loves me. Why: "Christian" by name leaves me feeling lost and alone. Remembering: I am adopted--that makes me wanted, looked for, chosen, and my adoption fees were paid.
Google is a funny tool God loves to use to send answers to human questions.
Today, I Googled "knowing the Fathers will" knowing I'd left out the apostrophe. Immediately Google asked me if I meant "Father's". Just as I prepared to click on the one I meant, I saw "An introduction to your heavenly Father" and chose it.
"Father's Love Letter" was there. (Had I originally typed "Father's" I would not have seen this site--I checked.)
Somehow, I think growing up in a religious family is one of the most detrimental things that coul have happenedd to me. (Religious families are parented by a parent or parents who go through the motions of knowing God, while acting more like the other guy.)
As a result kids are warped by the lack of connection or the severance of a connection with God, and it is a major struggle to find Him and connect or reconnect.
When I once Googled "What must I do to be saved?" Google said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved."
I believed but still felt so disconnected.
The Father's Love Letter today reminded me that I am child who was stolen by the enemy and given a phony birth certificate. Thank God for the letter that reminded me that Someone loved me so much He came looking for me, sent His only biological Kid with the money to pay for my adoption.
I was adopted by a King!
I was wanted, looked for, chosen, and all adoption fees were paid. And, my birth certificate was changed the moment I believed it!
I'm the King's kid--heir to all of His best stuff--His promises, His blessings--everything, forever. The enemy cannot get me back unless I DECIDE to go back to him.
Who: Me What: Looking at my first semester Why: Panic sets in because the term is almost over, and I still have work to do.
The panic is finally setting in. We are counting days, and I still have work to do. YIKES!
I hate this point in the term. Absolutely hate it!
All term I've struggled to do papers, projects and exams and have chanted to myself, "I think I can, I think I can" over and over, just like that little engine from kindergarten.
I was doing great! I really was.
Right now, however, I'm feeling more like the little red caboose chug-chugging behind the train. The smokestack on my back as I come around the track is out of steam. I don't even have enough steam left for the "choo!" at the end.
Guess I'd better switch back to the little engine and start my first song over or make the second verse the same as the first. (Help me somebody!!!)
"I think I can, I THINK I CAN!"
One thing is for sure, I have to be able to say "I thought I could" when the last class of the last week is over. I have to make it successfully into the station.
Who:Michaele and Tareq Salahi What: Official gatecrashers When:Obama's first State dinner How: Secret service/security failure Mother's Conclusion: "I think they need a spanking," according to Christina Lamb, Times Online reporter.
How do you get your picture taken stroking the chest of the vice-president of the United States at a by-invitation-only affair at the White House? Walk in looking like you belong.
According to an early report by Times Online reporter Gates Withell, a former cheerleader and her wine-lover husband pulled off the stunt despite the fact that we are post 9-11, with a president who has repeatedly had death threats.
The desperate housewife donned her sari, her husband donned his dinner jacket and waltzed right past every security checkpoint.
People have commented "There was a breakdown between the social office and the secret service." Are you kidding?
Initially the Secret Service said president was never in danger. I guess they do not consider a handshake is close enough for "danger."
Others said said it was a comedy of errors. Hmmmmm.
I find it incredible that two people, who were not listed on the official guest list, not only gained entrance to the event in the White House, they made contact with most of the highest people in our government.
Had they chosen to do harm, this country could have been without its president, vice-president, white house chief of staff and whoever else the Sahali's came in contact with--not to mention the possibilities of harm to India's prime minister and his wife.
What this incident did more than anything, as far as I am concerned, is show the world how easy it would be to get inside the security circle that should be around our president, our White House. I am especially concerned since it has been reported that the Sahali's are offering their "how we did it" story to the highest bidder.
After all, the hijackings of September 11 did not begin on September 11.
Then, there are the people don't want this couple punished.
Strange.
If someone entered my gated community, got past the guards at the door, and my private body guards, crashed an RSVP-only party at my house, then brazenly played "show-and-tell" to the world about how they breached my security, I would want them punished along with the people who allowed them access to my home and my family.
Who: University of Oregon Ducks What: Defeated University of Arizona Wildcats When: November 21, 2009
There are times when you just have to love a Duck--even if you are a Beaver fan!
If you are an Oregonian and love football, you have to love it when your state has an unexpected victory.
I started watching the game just as Morgan Flint's field goal attempt hit the crossbar and bounced through the uprights. It was a 43-yard kick that almost missed.
Oregon was in trouble.
Come on, Ducks! Let's GOOOOOOOOOO!
I guess Arizona had planned to run down the clock until the pass into the end zone was picked off. Oregon had a chance.
Oregon had the ball on their 20 with just over three minutes remaining.
As the clock ticked down, the Arizona fans began to cascade out of the stands like a crimson waterfall. They hovered like vultures around the rim of the field--watching--waiting.
The Wildcats had the Ducks in their fangs, and they could taste the victory.
However, (I love that word) in three minutes and five seconds, the Ducks completed 15 plays and scored with six seconds remaining.
In the remaining six seconds the score was tied.
It was fantastic to watch the opponent slowly file back into the stands like a videographed waterfall being played in reverse.
Musoli led those Ducks through the first over time, into the second and to victory. I was screaming all the way! Wooooo hoooo!
It kind of reminded me of life.
When circumstances seem stacked against you, and your "enemies" (real or imagined) are enjoying the state of your affairs and waiting to gloat over your defeat....watch out!
There is always the hope, the possibility that you can muster enough energy from your "team" to pull victory out of the mouth of defeat.
You are the quarterback.
Dig down deep and cock your arm and throw. Throw short, throw long. If you have to, run.
Who: Gregory J. Hamann What: New LBCC President When: Selected November 18, 2009 Why: Current president retiring Effective: February 1, 2010
According to a LBCC news release on Thursday, November 19, 2009, Gregory J. Hamann accepted the offer to become LBCCs new president.
Hamann will assume his new position on February 1, 2010, following the retirement of President Rita Cavin on January 31.
In his news release Hamann said,“It is with a sense of excitement and gratitude that I have been offered and have accepted the position of president at Linn-Benton Community College. This new position represents a wonderful opportunity for me to continue to contribute and to grow as LBCC and I take on the new opportunities and challenges that we now share.”
In addition to serving as president of Clatsop Community College in Astoria for the past six years, it is reported that Hamann, a Minnesota native, has also been a middle school teacher, a college counselor, and an administrative dean.
Additionally, the news release reports he has "worked in student services and administration for 12 years at Whitworth College."
The presidential search was facilitated, in part, by the visit of LBCC Board of Education Chair and Board members, along with representatives of management, faculty and classified employee groups. This group reportedly visited Clatsop Community College on November 12.
The news release says the Board "is pleased that Dr. Hamann has accepted the position and believes he will do an excellent job in leading LBCC to support our students and the workforce training needs of our community.”
"Hamann has a doctorate in educational leadership from Gonzaga University and a master’s in counseling psychology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He earned his bachelor's degree in psychology and social studies at the University of Minnesota," according to the news release.
Hamann also is reported to be "an avid runner and has been known to surf with students and staff at Clatsop."
Who: U.S. District Judge Stanwood R. Duval
What: Handed down decision in Katrina investigation
When: November 18, 2009
Why: Years of "gross negligence" by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
In a decision handed down by U.S. District Judge Stanwood R. Duval on Wednesday, blame for some of the flood damage caused by levee breaches after Hurricane Katrina was shifted from Mother Nature to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
According to breaking news report on MSNBC's Rachel Maddow show, it was a "landmark decision" in favor of the people of the lower ninth ward and St. Bernard Parrish.
Richard Fausset reported in the Los Angeles Times today that Judge Duval's decision stated that the corps failed to maintain the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Canal, which made the resultant flooding in some areas a man-made disaster.
In July 2008, I spoke with survivors of the flooding in the ninth ward, who were still convinced that if the channel had been properly maintained, storm surges would not have been able to breach the levees, and the massive flooding would not have occurred.
They were not blaming the government for other failures; their focus was on the levees.
One was a Charity Hospital employee who was called to work and forced to stay in the hospital or lose her job. "Never again! she said. "If a hurricane is coming this way, I will lose my job. I will not go through that ever again!"
They believe the levees created a death trap in the ninth ward and St. Bernard Parish.
Following Hurricane Katrina, Congress passed laws that provided funding for the operation and maintenance of the wetlands and other projects that would protect the area from future storm surges.
The Corps of Engineers began a study to de-authorize the canal in 2006.
The project was begun in January 2009 and final closure took place in July 2009.
Fausset reported that during the trial "attorneys for the government argued that the Army Corps of Engineers was not liable for the post-hurricane flooding because it was immune from civil lawsuits questioning federal flood policy decisions."
Fortunately for the citizens, Judge Duval concluded that immunity was negated by what he considered to be "gross negligence."
In his report, Fausset sees this decision as a possible problem for the Obama administration.
Billions of dollars have already been promised to help rebuild Louisiana, and President Obama has promised "more attention and care" during his administration than was evident during the Bush administration.
The nation will be watching to see what this administration will do with the thousands of claims that remain.
Will it agree to a universal settlement or decide against it as did the previous administration?
Who:Rita Cavin, LBCC president
What: Retiring from office
When: Effective Jan. 31
What people should remember: "Nothing--no one remembers past presidents."
Rita Cavin expects to join the ranks of forgotten former presidents when she retires on Jan. 31 because "no one remembers past presidents."
At least, that's what she says.
A president who worked so hard to establish connections between LBCC and the community, who led multi-million-dollar fund-raising campaigns that stimulated campus development, built and furnished new buildings, and renovated existing buildings or who touched lives in personal, unseen ways will be hard to forget.
Many people on campus say they never knew her, rarely saw her or met her once or twice. She was a rather unseen president.
However, Lori Fluge-Brunker said, "Every president has his or her own management style." Some govern by walking around and talking with people on campus, but that was not her way. (Cavin) seemed to be more involved in community relations and legislation--getting projects completed."
And, there were at least four major projects Cavin hoped to accomplish when she became president.
She said she "wanted to make governance more participatory, for everyone to know how the budget was put together, for women to have more responsibility and to improve the facilities."
Today, Cavin says "there is more participation in governing the college, people are more aware of how the budget is put together, there are more women in positions of responsibility, the library/learning center remodel is completed and other facility improvements arein progress.
She accomplished her goals, and those are contributions that could make a president worth remembering.
One of Cavin's greatest concerns, however, was about the students--that they would be exposed to a broader world than the Willamette Valley.
"The international experience is the biggest gap for students," she said.
She was concerned that LBCC students were missing the diversity she'd observed students enjoying on other campuses because many local students come from families who "have been in this area for 150 years, and (some) students have never left this county--never been to Salem," and therefore, their view of the world is limited.
She believes a broader world is vital to education, which is why she says she worked so hard on the international project.
As a result of her efforts, the first faculty member (Rob Lewis) will go to China in the spring as part of the exchange program, and the first Chinese students will arrive to take classes on campus this summer. Cavin will not be on campus when the exchange programs begin, but people should remember they began with her.
While she has had many successes, Cavin spoke with a tone of regret about enlarging Takena Hall.
"I feel bad," she said. "Takena was the next scheduled project when I came. I bumped it to get the health sciences building done, but when everything is finished, nursing will go to Lebanon, culinary arts and the transportation hub will go in the enlarged Takena Hall, and there will be more space for students."
Enlarging Takena Hall will again be the next project on the schedule.
The exchange program, the building of the health education building on Lebanon campus at the medical center and the doubling of the size of Takena Hall are all projects Cavin wishes she were still going to be on campus to see completed.
Instead, they are projects she leaves for her successor.
Cavin, however, was not only involved with establishing community connections, fund raising and legislation.
Memories of Cavin will linger in the minds of Roxie Putman, Carla Raymond and Renee Windsor-White because of personal touches.
Early in her presidency, Cavin learned of the death of Putman's husband.
"What stands out in my mind," Putman says, "is I was invited to her office for a private lunch. She just wanted to see how I was doing and to make sure my needs were being met in full. It was a kind and loving thing to do as a human being--not just as the president. It spoke volumes about her character, and it touched me very much."
To Carla Raymond Cavin was "another loving grandma" who sent flowers and shared Raymond's grief over the loss of her grandson three years ago.
Cavin's assistant, Renee Windsor-White, will remember her as "the best boss ever!" An engraved paver bearing that sentiment will remain as her tribute.
That is the legacy of this president.
Right now, Cavin says "it is time for traveling and enjoying a healthy lifestyle."
On Jan. 31 she will retire, completing the chapter she began in September 2003 and closing the book on the educational career she began over four decades ago.
Interestingly, the woman who says she "only wanted to be a teacher and never thought far enough ahead (about her career) to see herself as a college president" became the first woman president of LBCC.
And, of all the things she accomplished at LBCC, the one thing that makes her particularly happy is "knowing that people finally stopped asking, "'What is it like to be a woman president?'"
She can leave as "just Rita Cavin, the sixth president of LBCC."
Who: City Council members and the public What:Albany City Council Work Session When: November 16 at 4:00 p.m. Where: City Council Chambers at City Hall, 333 Broadalbin SW, Albany, Ore. Why: Work sessions provide opportunities for members and the public to learn more about various topics and discuss them without having to make any final decisions. Key Topic: What will happen to the International Paper Mill and its property now that it is closing.
The primary topic of discussion at the Albany City Council's November 16 work session was the future of the International Paper mill and its property after the plant closes.
City Manager Wes Hare presented possible responses to that question in his report on Business Oregon.
"In working with the governor," Hare said, "IP should be contacted to put the site into productivity as soon as possible" and preferably something that would "create jobs and possibly a paper mill that wouldn't compete with IP."
It is hoped that the owners will divest of all property, including the valuable ponds with the island. The council is also hoping that the old Millersburg school will be returned to the town along with land that was used for the treatment process.
Hare said he believed that possible contamination "should not be an issue, with the resources that are available for cleanup."
Letter of thanks to the veterans group for their "super job" on the Veteran's Day parade
City council work sessions are held most Mondays to give the council members and the public opportunities to present and debate pertinent issues without needing to make decisions about them.
****************** Pictured: Mayor Konopa and council members Collins, Olsen, Reid, and Coburn, stenographer and citizen
Who: The writer What: Contemplating the death of an adult child When: November 7, 2009
Cell phone buzz forced me from my Saturday morning reverie with a message asking me, "Do you know...?"
No, I didn't know and as I read farther, I did not want to know.
Unfortunately, you cannot "unknow" anything. Once it is in your brain, you are pretty much stuck with it unless, of course, you get amnesia, or Alzheimer's disease.
I was stuck with the knowledge that another classmate's child had died less than six months following the first.
Both were young men in their 30s when a child is supposed to be in the prime of life.
I looked through the pictures displayed of this child's life and wondered how you say goodbye.
After friends and family finished sharing their remembrances, and pictures flashed methodically on the screen, I realized one thing: You cannot say it.
A child is in your heart forever.
Your hopes and dreams may be shattered by untimely death, but there is no goodbye--not to your child.
The eyes have only closed in sleep.
If you believe that, you softly say, "Good night, sweet child, I'll see you in the morning."
What: Article review About: California, Marijuana and its economy Why: Assignment
Californians are seeking to stimulate their failing economy by switching drug control tactics--if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
Instead of spending millions of dollars locating, prosecuting and jailing marijuana growers, peddlers, and users, they are considering just taxing the whole process to increase revenues or, as Adam LaMascus says in the Commuter, "handle it like we handle alcohol and regular tobacco: regulate it, tax it and only track people down when they are being reckless and endangering others."
Those words signal frustration, desperation, and/or resignation--we have a problem, we have a problem we cannot solve or we have a problem we are tired of trying to solve.
I chose this item primarily because of its title and the picture that accompanied it. Since we began studying article writing, I started analyzing the way other reporters create the "hook" that draws a reader to a story, and this worked for me.
I was particularly intrigued by Adam LaMascus' statement, "I say go for it, and I don't even smoke." I would like to have had the further clarification of that statement closer to it than a full two paragraphs later. Had I written it, I would have followed my "go for it" statement with the part about living in a college town and being a first-hand witness....
That statement took my focus off the story and made me start skimming to see whether or not it was qualified later.
In the space allowed, LaMascus did a good job of presenting the basics of the pros and cons on the subject and makes you either want to run to California or get farther away from it.
Why: To observe the news reporting process and ask questions
Producing a city newspaper is supposed to be a busy, noisy process in a building filled with activity--like "Lou Grant" or a newspaper version of "Murphy Brown" and run by Mrs. Pynchon.
At least that is what I thought until we visited the Albany Democrat Herald on November 4.
It was so quiet that I was whispering in the lobby, and Martha Wells seemed, well, "reachable".
While intellectually I knew it probably wasn't quite like that, I did expect more activity at the DH than I observed and learned later that we had arrived during the "rest" between producing papers.
DH publisher, Martha Wells gave us a lot of information anecdotally and in her answers to our questions.
I was very happy to learn that the DH gives young writers the opportunity to learn the craft of news writing through Young Voices. Every high school student with an interest in journalism should know about it.
Wells underscored our previous learning when she emphasized "get the nut graf higher in the story," reminding us of the inverted pyramid, and the importance of getting right to the point of the news story.
"Don't leave obvious questions in readers' minds," which can happen when important information, located too low in the story, gets chopped.
Associate Editor, Steve Lundeberg, dispelled any notion that may have existed that Rob's "three sources rule" really applied beyond the classroom.
"You need to engender some trust," he said. "You need the other side of the story."
Other than erasing my preconceived notions about newspaper publishing and those involved in the process, I learned two things that were important for my journalism aspirations:
·Telecommuting opportunities do exist for good reporters.
My life requires the telecommuting flexibility and job shadowing provides the opportunity to find your niche in a career field that has several scopes of practice.
The trip to the DH was a very enlightening experience.
I am a nontrad student returning to change careers. Currently, I am a work-from-home medical transcriptionist who chose that career and work location in order to "have time" to parent four special needs children I am raising, as well as to provide activity for a brain that craves stimulation. The reality of being glued to a computer for long hours, however, dimmed the work-from-home glow and created an unhealthy level of inactivity. Therefore, I plan to combine my love for writing, photography and travel to become a travel journalist/photojournalist in the near future.
