Semanas 3 y 3.5 en San Juan – Feb 2010

This past week was filled with lots of hard work, a measure of stress, a measure of relief, and moments of fun! In all, I think that it was quite balanced!  We had a huge set of meetings at UMET that was similar to a mini-conference but we were so excited! So the excitement, enthusiasm,  and the anticipation made the hard work well worth the time! Yes, I was exhausted by Friday, but we enjoyed our time together.  Some of the members of our faculty from UMBC came down for the meeting and they were pleased with things from their perspectives.  This was their first time in Puerto Rico so I enjoyed showing them our “partner campus.” It’s wonderful to be able to work for both UMBC and UMET in such interesting capacities!

The photos here show a variety of scenes.  Some are on UMET’s campus with students and/or colleagues.  Some are of food (these are for my friend “Ms. J” who jokes about the food in my pictures!  I have some photos of food at home; I was eating very healthy foods for a while (as promised Mom!), but then, Mr. DLT came to visit and the beans, rice, chicken, tostones, amarillos, etc. took over! Hmmm, I need to hurry up and get back to my fruit and salads! Some of the photos show us having a wonderful time at my colleague’s home — she made us a fabulous lunch on Monday. For the record, the drinks did NOT have any alcohol! People had to return to work on Monday afternoon, so there was good food, lots of laughter, great conversation, good drinks, but all alcohol-free!

Between meetings, I’m sitting with colleagues Dr. Beatriz Zayas and Dr. Jorge Negron as we go over some fine details of our work.

This was a harried day, two days before the big meeting, making sure that everything was in place.

UMBC’s Dean of the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences has a conversation with attentive students from UMET who are interested in graduate studies at UMBC.  Most of these students were interested in disciplines in his college:  Biological Sciences and Chemistry & Biochemistry.

UMBC’s faculty and UMET’s faculty talk outside of the Faculty Development Center at UMET.

Over the years, several students from Puerto Rico have come to Maryland to attend UMBC’s Graduate Horizons program.   These students, some former participants in the Fall Horizons program, came over to UMET to visit me after their classes at Interamerican University and University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras.  We talked about grad school, statements of purpose, and the GRE.

Last Thursday, the Chancellor of UMET invited the UMBC group to dinner at the Ajili Mojili Restaurant in San Juan. This dish is Camarones con monfongo (shrimp w/ mashed plantains) and arroz con habichuelas (beans and rice.)  Feel free to look at the menu on the website: http://www.hdmdesigns.com/ajili/menu.htm

This is some of the food from Molly’s house and the subsequent left-overs that we had for dinner later in the evening. For dessert, we had strawberries and coconut macaroons!

For a while, I developed very healthy eating habits! And yes, the drinks are non-alcoholic wines and sparkling drinks, bottled in Spain … quite tasty!

Mr. DLT likes coffee, so I knew exactly what to get … Yaucono coffee! One of our UMBC students from Mayaguez bought me some Yaucono coffee from Puerto Rico as a gift a few years ago, it is so smooth! So when I went shopping, I didn’t think twice.  http://www.yaucono.com/products.htm

The following photos show our good time at Molly’s house.  Again, for the record, there is no alcohol in any of these (absolutely delicious!) drinks.  We had fun. This was an example of balance. We went to work and had meetings in the morning, and then had a great lunch full of fun in the afternoon. Molly lives close to campus so it was a short drive.

Dr. Jorge Negron and Dr. Carlos Padin. These drinks were made WITHOUT alcohol!

Molly and Renetta having a great lunch; these piña coladas were made WITHOUT alcohol.

The photos below show a relaxing Tuesday evening at the Condado Conrad Hilton. We went there to try out their passion fruit smoothies which were very good! Passion fruit, orange juice, and ice. That’s it.  I might go back to get another one later on this week!

The following pictures were taken today at the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez.  I had friends and colleagues in the Departments of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Engineering.  We all had lunch at the Mayaguez hotel after I spent a little bit of time on campus.  The games of Central America and the Caribbean will be held in Mayaguez this year, so nearly everyone has “Mayaguez 2010″ on their cars, and at the hotel, there were many people with the logos on their shirts.  These are like olympic games for the Caribbean.  Here is the website: http://www.mayaguez2010.com/

XXI Juegos Centroamericanos y del Caribe

Below you will see Dr. Antonio Estevez (Chemical Engineering Professor, Associate Dean, and Director of the Puerto Rico AGEP at Mayaguez) and Drs. Hector Carlo and Cristina Pomales (Professors of Industrial Engineering.) All three have been to Baltimore for our programs in the past.  Dr. Estevez has participated as a faculty guest speaker for our Horizons program, and Drs. Carlo and Pomales were guest speakers at one of the PROMISE Summer Success Institutes.  PROMISE students might remember them because they talked about their lives as grad students, their marriage, their time management, and their career choice to become professors.  I remember that our students in Maryland were lined up to talk with them after their Saturday morning seminar.  I met Hector and Cristina when they were grad students at the University of Michigan during the SREB Conference/Institute for Teaching and Mentoring in Atlanta.  I learned of their plans to become professors and told them that I’d want them to talk with our PROMISE students once they finished their Ph.D.s. They did a great job when they came, and people have asked if we might have them come back again. We will work to make that happen!  It was great to hear about their activities as faculty members … today they were busy meeting with research groups, conducting conference calls with international collaborators, teaching class, etc. They are great models of excellence! I’ve posted their websites beneath their photos, feel free to click and read.  Hector and Cristina were AGEP students as grad students in Michigan, so to our PROMISE AGEP students in Maryland, look … here are examples to show that it CAN be done!

http://atomo.uprm.edu/faculty/estevez.html

http://myprofile.cos.com/estevez

http://academic.uprm.edu/~cpomales/

http://ininweb.uprm.edu/hcarlo/

http://ininweb.uprm.edu/profileviewer.asp?id=hcarlo

http://ininweb.uprm.edu/profileviewer.asp?id=cpomales

This is one of my beach pictures of the week. I had to climb these rocks because the tide was high and I wanted to get to the other side.  It looks more dangerous in the picture than it really was. It was only a “little bit” dangerous.

The tide is very high in the morning, but if I go to the beach in the afternoon, I can walk along land that was fully covered by water earlier.  Shells often wash up on the beach and sometimes I collect some.  On this day, I started to pick up one, and it started to move!! Yes, the crab-like legs (several of them!) came out and the little “shell” scurried across the sand.  Needless to say, that one didn’t make it into my collection!

This represents a morning on the beach where I had to “run through” a few waves in order to get to the other side. I was on a mission to cross and go down to another part of the land.  Since the waves were crashing, I was afraid that my camera wouldn’t work since it had gotten wet.   I was delighted to find out that it indeed worked, that the pictures were still clear, and that I would have an working camera to provide more pictures next time.  Have a good week everyone!

Week 2, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jan 2010

Hello everyone,

This was a busy week, and I have lots of photos! So, I’m going to keep the dialog to a minimum, and just describe the pictures.

Here are some photos of my neighborhood.

Avenida Ashford, Part of my neighborhood

I went to the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras on Friday, here are some photos of their beautiful campus:

At the tower - Administration Building, University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras

Sciences and Technology Building on UPR's campus

Women in STEM meeting at UMET

On Wednesday, we had a “Women In STEM” (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), meeting with faculty from Universidad Metropolitana (UMET) and the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras.  I organized the meeting with guest speaker Dr. Paula Rayman of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. http://www.uml.edu/college/arts_sciences/resd/Faculty/Paula_Rayman.html

Paula’s project  deals with inter-generational women in STEM fields. Prior to coming to meet with the faculty, she visited the University of the Virgin Islands. Her project is called “Project Working WISE: Intergenerational Voices on Women in Science and Engineering,” http://www.uml.edu/WorkingWISE/default.html

The UMET Office of External Affairs sponsored the “merienda” or refreshments.  The food was so good, and they had my favorite dessert … carrot cake!

On Friday, I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Dr. Ingrid Montes, Professor of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras campus.  These are her graduate students; they are studying organic chemistry. I met Dr. Montes upon an introduction from my sister-in-law who worked with Dr. Montes through national initiatives of the American Chemical Society.

With Dr. Ingrid Montes' organic chemistry grad students at the UPR Rio Piedras

Students at the UPR

These students were hanging out in the corridor of one of the buildings at the UPR. The campus is really beautiful!

With Dr. Ingrid Montes and family

On Friday night, Dr. Ingrid Montes, http://chemistry.uprrp.edu/people/faculty/ingrid-montes, and her husband, Dr. Jose A. Prieto (Tony) http://chemistry.uprrp.edu/people/faculty/jose-a-prieto, and beautiful daughter Mariana Lopez Cepero-Montes.  This is my sister-in-law’s “PR Family” and they lovingly hosted me! We went to Metropol in Isla Verde.   I had the smoked chicken with a mix of black beans and rice.  Mariana and Ingrid had halibut and it filled the whole plate! Ingrid let me taste hers, and I’m going to get that next time! Halibut with fresh lime juice. Delicious! Here is the restaurant’s website, http://www.metropolpr.com/, click on “dishes” on the toolbar and you’ll see nice color photos of the food.  Mariana took me to her church on Sunday, Calvary Chapel of Puerto Rico. http://www.calvarychapelpuertorico.com/

The tide was high on Jan. 25

It was back to the beach on Monday morning. The tide was high and the waves came surprisingly close!

Semi-Natural Hair Day 1

For those who saw my post on Facebook, you know that on Saturday, I washed my hair and then just went to the beach. That’s right, I left the house with wet hair — no blowdryer, no curling iron.  When I returned home a few hours later, it looked like the photo above.  My husband asked me to take a picture, so here is one of those awkward pictures in the mirror.  Some friends on FB are giving me good tips in case I want to keep it this way, but that is not to be. Tonight, I’m bringing out the heat … blowing it straight and curling it, with the curling iron.  So my “semi-natural” hair will be gone by tomorrow morning, but thank you to everyone who told me that they liked it! I’ll bring it back again one day.

Sunshine, Floods, Flip-flops, & Beaches

Here are some photos from the first week.  Amidst needing to drive through floods to get home, and having 5 blackouts, it has been a productive week here in San Juan.  The photo with the flip-flops represents the time that I went out to walk to the store, after one of the big storms, and I was slipping and sliding all over the place.  It turned out that the flip-flops that I had on (right), had been so well worn that they didn’t have any grip left, the surface area of the sole was totally flat.  My other flip-flops (center) were at home and I was too far away to go back. So, I stopped into a store and bought another pair (left) and put them on as soon as I paid the cashier.  When I sent back outside, I was surprised at how dry my feet were … even though it was starting to drizzle. Not only that, but they were so comfortable.  I felt as if I had stumbled upon some magic flip-flops!

This photo shows the beach … the calm after the storm.  I’ve resolved to go for a walk each day.  So on this day, even though it had rained, and I wanted to stay indoors, I went out … and have proof!

This photo was taken on a Wednesday night, near the end of my informal seminar on graduate school.  This was taken in Universidad Metropolitana’s School of Environmental Affairs.  The phote below shows one of the walls of the hallway.

The next photos show the beach, La Ventana al Mar.  One shows the calm version, on an early morning.  The other shows the same beach, near the same spot,  outside of its morning serene state … but rather full of people.  I don’t know why I thought that I would have it all to myself when I went this morning … ok, it was nearly afternoon.  Note to self … tomorrow, get up earlier!

Estoy aqui … en San Juan … en Enero

As you now know, I am working in Puerto Rico again.  Today was a long day! Lots of planning with my collaborators for a big meeting that we have with a funding agency later in the month.  But I was so proud of myself because I actually went out to the beach this morning … before work! Yes, really! This is a picture of my elongated shadow on the sands of the beach. I had a cargo bag over my hip with a hoodie hanging over the side.  I was wearing capris, so this shadow really makes me look tall!   I’m so glad that I went.  I told one of my hosts that I couldn’t let the morning moments on the beach pass me by.  If I wanted to stay in bed, I could have stayed home, in the snow and the cold! Solution …. go to bed early … get up early … go to the beach.  Today I was told, “You have permission to live a life.” I like that … and I’m going back to the beach tomorrow.

Don’t try, just do it!

These words, “Don’t try, just do it,” were spoken by my pastor (Bishop Clifford M. Johnson, Jr., http://www.mountpleasant.org/pastor/index.htm) during his morning sermon yesterday.  It was the first Sunday of the new year and while this was not the title of the message, it was part of overall theme.  He has talked about this before, I particularly remember hearing him telling us that we need to stop trying, and instead TRAIN.  I like this!

As a Star Wars fan, I’ve often used the Yoda version of this comment with my students: “Do or do not … there is no try.” Sometimes I forget to utilize the message when it comes to my own pursuits.

It sounds so simple doesn’t it? But there are times when we’re run down and tired and frustrated, we forget that some of these things that have been on our lists for so long really are doable.  Yes, we should have plans, realistic plans.  We need realistic plans that have a little bit of space in the timeline for adapting to unexpected changes and snafus, but not too much space, otherwise we’d run the risk of derailment.  If I say that I’m going to do a certain thing everyday (like exercise!), now I won’t beat myself up if it’s not done on that day, but I will make sure that there is a good deadline in place (with a 2-3 day window perhaps?)

So today, as I embark on the projects for a new year, I’ve decided that I am not going to try to be healthy, or try to be balanced, or try to read more books, or try to learn something new, or try to be committed … I’m just going to do it!   How about you?

Taking something off of my plate

Today I’m contemplating taking something off of my plate.  Other than food (desserts, extra carbs, snacks) – which don’t need to be on the plate in the first place, I’m thinking about activities, initiatives, and projects.  The question is what … what do I remove? I’m having one of those days where I want to save the children, save the students, study languages, write a book, direct new programs, all while going back to my old days of being the “go-to girl in Step Class” (Thanks to my friend Nina C. from Northwestern … it was a ritual in grad school!), cooking and baking up a storm (I’m glad that my carrot cake cupcakes went over well at Thanksgiving!), etc.  Oh, and how can I forget things like being a good wife, sister, daughter, friend? These should have been first.  I realized a while ago that I can’t do everything in church like I used to or want to.  There’s a season for everything. So while I no longer sing on the choir (like I did in NJ), or work with the Youth Ministry (like I did in Chicago-land), or teach in the Children’s Ministry (like I did in Wisconsin), and am only in town part-time to serve with the Deaf Ministry or Deaconcare (ala Baltimore), I am resolved that I have a decent balance at church, but not in the other areas of my life.

As I write, I remember the words of my pastor from Matthew about seeking God first.  I should take a deep breath and do that.  I’ve heard it so many times in the KJV version (Matt 6:33).

³³But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

But as I’m writing this, I ‘m going to look it up in The Message version.

Here it is:

Matthew 6:33 (The Message)

^30-33“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Hmmm.  Ok.  So … I’m going to think about things to cut out, something to take off of my plate, realizing that it will be ok in the long run. But what should that thing or those things be? I’m open to suggestions.

Tips for Applying to Graduate School

A few years ago, I took a 9 month course called “Master Life.” In that class, administered through my church, we were taught to frame our view of our life through the lens of (life of) Christ. One of the main concepts was understanding that you have a purpose and that you should use it. There is a concept called “Spiritual Gifts” which sounds very religious, but it’s really similar to knowing your purpose and acting on it. Sometimes, I read the Living Bible translation because it makes things very plain. The following verses have a direct application for me and explain why I do what I do.

Romans 12:6a, 7, 8b – “God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. [...]*, If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. [...] If God has given you money, be generous in helping others with it.  If God has given you administrative ability and put you in charge of the work of others, take the responsibility seriously. [...]“

(* The [...] represent other parts of the verses that are equally important but that don’t apply to my points here. They include things like giving strong sermons, comforting the sorrowing with cheer and more. They were not omitted because they aren’t important. The other points are just more applicable here.)

So, as I seek to serve you and as I take my responsibility seriously, I want to provide some tips to those of you who are in the midst of applying to grad school.  I initially sent this to some friends on the faculty and staff of one of our university partners, but I woke up this morning with the urge to share it with a wider audience, in hopes that it will help more people reach their dreams of going to graduate school, and being able to positively affecting the world with their advanced knowledge. Our Meyerhoff  Scholars program has the motto “To whom much is given, much is expected.” So to those of you who go on to graduate school, use your knowledge for good, serve others well.  Here are some tips for applying, I hope that you find them to be helpful.

1. Application
———————-
Look for online applications for the schools to which you are applying.  Please note the deadlines.  Many schools have deadlines in January, but some departments have November and December deadlines for Fall admission.  I will use UMBC as my example.
http://www.umbc.edu/gradschool/admissions/app_deadlines.html

Department websites:

Be sure to read through the information on the department’s websites because they may have extra instructions that you’ll need to be aware of.

For example, note that the Department of Biological Sciences at UMBC asks students to fill out a “Pre-Application.”
http://www.umbc.edu/biosci/grad/admissions.php
Note that the Applied Developmental Program in the Department of Psychology has EXTRA questions, a supplemental application.  This needs to be completed.

http://www.umbc.edu/psyc/grad/ADP%20Supplemental%20Application.rtf.pdf

2. The GRE is required.
———————————–
We strongly encourage all students to study for the GRE.
The website with the information is http://www.gre.org
Please note that there are practice tests online.  If you have come to any of my talks at conferences (e.g.,  SHPE, NSBE, HBCU-UP, GEM Grad Labs) on the GRE, please remember what you’ve learned. Use that GRE website. Download and use PowerPrep!

In addition, Dr. Gail Slaughter from Baylor University has often presented excellent advice at conferences. The paper version of that
presentation can be found here:
http://www.bcm.edu/gs/BeyondTheBeakers/Chapter%202.pdf

3. Statements of purpose.
————————————–
Please be sure that you read through the departments’ websites
and write your statements of purpose based on research that is being
conducted in the department. Some of the comments from faculty have been that the statements of purpose didn’t connect to research that was being done in the department.

When I give talks on this topic, I recommend the following outline:

Paragraph 1: Interest in the field (background – your early interest)

Paragraph 2: Past research experience
* Include academic awards
* Include research experiences, presentations, and results

Paragraph 3: Interest in the school (e.g, UMBC.) Discuss the research that UMBC is conducting and your connection, experience, or interest in that topic.

Pay attention to work that is being done by a particular center on campus
(e.g. CUERE – Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education.
http://www.umbc.edu/cuere/), the department or particular professors.

Paragraph 4:  Planned contribution to the field (short/long term goals)

–> Please note that UMBC’s  Statement of Purpose is limited to 300-500 words. This is approximately a page and a half.

–> If professors volunteer to read  your Statement of Purpose, give it to them at least a month  IN ADVANCE.  For January deadlines, give the statements to your professors no later than December 1, 2009.  Get their permission early (e.g., before mid November) so that they can make time in their busy schedules to read your statement and provide you with feedback.

4. Application Fee
—————————–
Some schools have waivers for the application fee. Check with the graduate school and the department to see if you qualify for a fee waiver.

The application for UMBC is here:
http://www.umbc.edu/gradschool/admissions/apply.html

5. Funding for Graduate School
———————————————–
There are several opportunities for funding in graduate school. We have a list of fellowships on our website:

http://www.umbc.edu/promise/funding_g.html
The departments also have Research Assistantships (RAs) and Teaching Assistantships (TAs), which are jobs that require you to either conduct research for a professor or have a measure of teaching responsibilities.  These assistantships will pay your tuition, and will provide you with a stipend for living expenses.  Some schools also include health insurance in their funding packages for these positions.  Talk with the departments about their opportunities.  Graduate Assistantships (GAs) are other positions on campus that have similar benefits. Instead of working with a professor, or teaching a class, you may be doing some administrative work for an office like the library or residence life.

OFFICIAL DEADLINES
Some departments have rolling admissions; they accept students as the applications come in.  In almost every case, departments have early deadlines for best consideration for funding. So if you apply early, you will be in the pool of students who will be considered for fellowships, RAs, TAs, and GAs.  Most of the funding decisions are made by mid-February, so apply by the early deadlines for your best opportunity.

UMBC is pleased to be the #1 Up and Coming University in the U.S. (Ranked
by U.S. News and World Report.) http://www.umbc.edu/bestcolleges/.

As you apply to grad school, please consider UMBC. We have great programs and a great support network!  For more about PROMISE and support for graduate students, visit: http://www.umbc.edu/promise/

There are many other tips online and in books. Use the advice that works best for you.  I hope that something that I mentioned will be helpful.  I am passionate about helping people to achieve their dreams.  I’m part of a graduate school, so I do whatever I can to help students with their graduate education goals. I wish you well!

Best wishes as you follow your paths to greatness!

A Friend’s Journey – Nicole Fisher Alston’s Story

On October 21, 2009, I put the following on my Twitter site:

“One of my BFFs from Plainfield, Nicole (Fisher) Alston & her @opentohope http://bit.ly/bDAey” story of death, loss, & purpose.”

Nicole Fisher Alston,  is one of my best friends from elementary school. We were from different schools.   Both from Plainfield, New Jersey, she went to Barlow Elementary and I went to Evergreen. We met at an all-city band rehearsal, where she was playing the clarinet and I was playing the oboe.  That was third grade.

Over the years we became great friends.  We went to the same Middle School (Maxson) and High School (Plainfield High), different colleges (Rutgers – Douglass College & Howard)  but talked all of the time, and yes, we had a good time when she came to visit during Howard’s homecoming!

There were joys (we were in each other’s weddings) and more recently pains.

But no one is prepared to see a friend experience the loss of a child, at any stage.  She helped me through my early miscarriage, but I was ready for the birth of her daughter Skye.

Nicole tells her own story best. It is chronicled here: http://bit.ly/bDAey on the OpentoHope website.

She has been through a lot, and I asked her if I could post her story. She said yes, and the rest of her reply was simple, “It’s not about me.”

I’m so proud to know her. She is now an international speaker on grief and grief awareness.  Her story has been told in Essence Magazine, she has been in the newspaper, is on boards, and has been on TV.  In many circles, she is very well known.

After speaking in different states and different countries, she told me that she was going to be in Baltimore. She wasn’t just attending a conference, she was one of the keynote speakers. I came to meet her at the hotel, and while I didn’t go to the talk (the topic was too poignant for me to sit through without tears), I waited for her outside of the room. As I waited, and as she emerged, there were lines of women, waiting to talk with her. All had lost a child. They waited, and she spoke to each one of them … hugging them, holding their hands, listening to their stories, and affirming their womanhood.  It was a sight to see! She was transferring whatever strength that she had (it was obviously God-given), to these other women … many who had flown miles just to meet and talk with Nicole.

As I post this, I know that Nicole and her husband Paul still struggle as they miss Skye.  Sometimes through tears as we talk I can only call out to God and ask Him to help her because there’s not much else that I can do.  The article also includes parts of Paul’s story.  We so often hear the Mom’s side, but the father has immense pain as well.

So as you read her story, she would want you to know that God still gives strength and purpose through pain. Also, be kind to others. You never know what they have been through or how they might be fighting through sadness and pain just to get through another days.  Sometimes a nod or a smile, though small, really can positively affect a person’s whole perspective on a day.

To Nicole, I admire you, I love you my sister. May your story touch the hearts, minds, and lives of others as you continue to live as God is leading you.

Nicole has more information at: http://www.theskyefoundation.org/welcome

She continues her rigorous speaking schedule while running The Skye Foundation and continuing her graduate research on loss and grief with her advisor,  Dr. M. Katherine Shear (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/health/29grief.html),  at Columbia University.

Viviendo la vida Boricua

Yes, I’m living a Puerto Rican life! But it’s not the typical life that you may be thinking of. Sure, I live around the corner from the beach, which is fabulous! But I mean that I’m living the regular, every day life … going to work, and driving in the dreaded traffic!!  There was a joke from my colleague that I now drive “like a true Puertorrican!” I am working with the Universidad Metropolitana on some projects, and my office here in San Juan is starting to look like my office in Maryland! ¡Ay Bendito!

So here are some of the things that I’ve been doing, besides working.

Wednesday, my friend Ivelisse Rubio (Math Professor at University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras), took me to the local hot spot, Dragon Fly. Dragon Fly’s food is “Latin-Asian” fusion.  It was very good!

Here are some photos:  Peking Duck Nachos, Boricua Rolls, and more!

(The menu is here: http://www.restaurantsinpr.com/menupage.php?restnum=91)

Duck Nachos and Lo Mein (w/ Fried Chicken!) from Dragon Fly

This is a sushi dish with crab, forbidden rice, and jimaca.

Ivelisse Rubio

At DragonFly Restaurant

Our waitress left us for a minute because “Mr. Big” from TV was a guest at the restaurant next door and she just wanted to see him.  She had waited on Ewan McGregor and George Clooney in the past, so apparently this was the area where “Las Estrellas” (The Stars) come to eat!

Saturday,  one of my colleagues at UMET taught me how to cook some  Puerto Rican foods! So first, we went to the supermercado and bought some recao, cilantrillo, ajos, cebollos, pollo y plantillas para pastelillos (cilantro, garlic, onions, chicken and the pastry for the shells.)

Yes, I put the queso (cheese) in the plantillas (pastry) myself!

Groceries from the Supermercado Pueblo

Molly teaches me how to make tostones

La Señora Molly Hardigree Cancel

Pastelillos con guayava y Arepas de Coco

Ingredients for Sofrito -- seasoning for foods in PR (for Guisados)

Yes, I learned how to make Tostones!

Happy in the Kitchen

Excited that I learned how to make Puerto Rican Foods!

Quesitos. I didn't make these, they came from the Panaderia (Bakery).

We bought Pan de Agua (bread) from here earlier in the week.

And I did manage to get to the beach afterall!

Thoughts from a “Vulcan-Betazoid”

 This morning I posted on my Facebook and Twitter pages that I had been called a “Vulcan-Betazoid” as part of an “intense discussion” earlier this week.  I ended the post by saying “I think I’m flattered!” Several comments of interest came in. One person said that if I were a Vulcan, I wouldn’t be flattered! (So true!) Another friend just came out and said that flattery was illogical. But perhaps my favorite was a statement saying that if I were a Betazoid, I wouldn’t have to think about whether I was flattered or not.

I find the whole discussion interesting, especially since the term “Vulcan-Betazoid” is intriguingly oxymoronic. Trained as an engineer and scientist, but a lover of music and literature, I’ve always said that I am right-brained, but “left-brain-trained.” In other words, I may not take books on ill-posed problems and algorithms on a beach vacation for “pleasure-reading” (you’ll have to ask the Mr./Dr. T. about this one!), but I’m not afraid to be in a conversation about semiconductors or signal processing. Afterall, my favorite math class was differential equations. (Do I remember it now? No. But that’s not the point of this post, right?)

I find that as I get older, my keen awareness for logic seems to be growing. I filter out explanations that don’t make sense and I challenge excuses for mistakes that were clearly avoidable. So, perhaps there is a little bit of the Vulcan mentality there. (I wonder if my students detect this?) But then I am driven by the ancient passage “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you” and I generally try to put myself in other’s shoes to feel how they are experiencing a situation before I make a judgement that will have a severely negative on affect them (e.g., cutting off funding, firing, giving a negative evaluation, or giving the dreaded “C”, “D”, or even “F”.) Even when I was a professor, I gave students every opportunity to try. But I did give F’s when there was clearly no effort. Even then, I tried to see if there was something else going on in the student’s life that would cause them to earn such a poor grade.

I’ve had varied experiences. I’ve been in engineering meetings and thought, “Wow, we should really take some more time to look at the problem from the human side.” But then I’ve been in meetings where there were few to no science and engineering people and thought “Let’s just get to the solution; it’s so clearly obvious!” Above all, I try to respect my colleagues and students. I try to see things from their side so that I can understand their thoughts and subsequent actions. But I also like to cut through extraneous rhetoric so that we can arrive at a mutually agreeable, workable solution.

So Vulcan? Maybe a litte bit. Betazoid? Perhaps a little bit more. And, yes, as illogical, and oxymoronic as it is, I accept the description, and I am flattered. Do you feel me?

California Dreaming – Overcoming the Imposter Syndrome

This post is a mirror from http://renettatull.blogspot.com/, posted Tuesday, Aug. 4. It is also mirrored on my Facebook notes.  Additional comments are posted there.

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I am currently in California, attending meetings in Palo Alto. My first day caused me to reflect upon all of the things that I always tell my students: “Don’t be shy,” “Participate in the conversation,” and “You belong.” It’s interesting that even as an adult, I suddenly had a touch of the “Imposter Syndrome” http://www.impostersyndrome.com/! I was in a meeting outside of my discipline, and other than two colleagues, I was with people whom I didn’t know, in a very unfamiliar place, among unfamiliar conversation. So I took a deep breath and since I have been in this position before, having gone to many conferences, I introduced myself and within minutes felt like myself again. I’m thankful for all of the practice throughout the year and for remembering that I’m not supposed to have fear anyway (2Tim 1:7)! The next day, my colleagues repeated told *their* colleagues, “She’s our Assistant Dean, she has the money.” It was then that I smiled again and remembered that I had a worthy place in the room!

So this message/post is to my students. Sometimes, even when I get up to the mic to speak before a crowd, I still get those little butterflies and hope that my voice won’t shake. But even in front of a crowd of thousands, I remember my dreams where I am standing tall and confident, and I’m always grateful that my prayers are answered when my voice comes out and sounds clear as a bell. I may drill certain ways of doing things when I’m teaching you soft skills that must accompany your scholarship – “Stand tall, ” “Project your voice,” “Give more eye contact,” and more. And perhaps when your turn comes, you may not be one of the few, or the only woman, or person of color in the room. Hopefully, it won’t matter. But whether it does or not, always remember your training, your worth, and that you are there for a reason, even if God is the only one who knows the purpose.

 

For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (I Timothy 1:7)

Posting & Blogging

I’ve decided to let this blog become my new “personal” website. I’ve updated some of the items on the About,  Life/Work Balance, and Professional pages in the tabs above.  I’ve noticed that only 10 posts show at a time, and I’m not sure how to fix it, even though I’ve changed it in the settings. If you’d like to read posts from the past, please feel free to go to the 2nd column and visit the archived posts (denoted Listing of Posts)  by month; all of them can be found there.  This is not a complete website, but it’s better than the one page academic site that I had in the past which listed my education and some of the courses that I’d taught.  I don’t know if I’ll add other widgets, but this page should regularly import updated content from some of my other blogs and my Twitter site. 

This morning, I wrote a (short) new post called California Dreaming about the imposter syndrome on my other blog,  http://renettatull.blogspot.com/.  I think that it will import to this site later in the day.

Thank you for visiting!

Consolidating & “Simplifying”

Am I really simplifying my life by consolidating my blogs? I think so. I have decided to “simplify” my online life a bit since I have so many blogs along with Facebook and Twitter accounts.  I’m looking forward to the new consolidated blog format.

Making Friendship Intentional

This morning I went to http://www.gospel.com to see what topics they had for the day, including the daily Bible verse, and I ran across this article on friendship. The article talks about 4 guys who are friends in college and rather than disperse after graduation, they make a pact or a covenant to remain the best of friends and to keep each other encouraged. In other words, they made a pact to always have one another’s back.
http://www.intervarsity.org/news/intervarsity-alumnifriendship-covenant
I like that.

I move a lot and I travel a lot. So I don’t have a chance to do a lot of “girlfriend” things that I used to do back in the day. I miss it sometimes … the opportunity to stop at a girlfriend’s house and just plop down on the couch, kick off the shoes, and just talk. But I appreciate the strong friendships that I have and am grateful for their support.

I have one friend in New Jersey who has been “my girl” since 3rd grade! So we’ve gone through parent controls, wanting to rebel, trying to keep good grades up, going places where we shouldn’t have been, boyfriends and the friends who are boys (there is a difference), and so many other things. Now, as adults, we’ve had to go through sicknesses and deaths of loved ones, sadnesses that come along with life’s challenges, and trying to keep each other encouraged when things just don’t go right! We also celebrate when things go well, when accomplishment are made, and when goals are met! I deeply cherish the fact that she can “hear” the unwritten inner thoughts in my texts, and “see” the unwritten expressions when I call and can tell exactly what I’m thinking. It’s so funny when we’re talking in code in public (since there are some things that you just can’t talk about aloud when other people are around) and we always know exactly what is going on.

I have another friend who always gives me “the look” and the “the smile” especially if something isn’t going my way. Her eyebrows will raise and she’ll say “Ooo KAaay” … and I know that means “get a grip” or “get yourself together” or “Yeah, right.” I laugh just thinking about it. It’s always good to have people who will love you and keep you in check.

This makes me think of the verse in the Bible that stresses having “good counsel.” http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=23. Psalm 1 in the King James Version talks about not walking in the counsel of the ungodly. I think that the Amplified Bible’s version says it the way that I feel it:
Psalm 1:1
BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.

For me, this means that my friends are going to have my back and they’re not going to encourage me to do something that is ungodly. It’s a blessing to have friends to remind you to take the high road and to have integrity at all times and in all situations. And even though these may be core values and I think that I would never do something that would be “that bad” anyway, it’s good to have friends who pray for you, love you, and determine to be the human warning signs that help you not to slip. It’s also a blessing to have friends who go through life with you. Life can be challenging. Unexpected “darts” can come your way. But thank God for friends who will laugh and cry with you, walk or sit with you, and hold your hand or hug you, through the ups and downs.

The best feeling of all is experiencing the happiness of a friend. When she’s in love, her engagement, graduation, her wedding, the birth of a child, promotions, celebrations of goals, anniversaries, and more. There’s something so special about seeing your friend smile and be genuinely happy. To all of my friends, I love you! To my sisters-in-law who have become sisters and friends, I love you! To all who are reading, may you have friends in your lives who love you too!

Dedicated to all “sista-friends,” girlfriends, and acquaintances who will soon become friends.

The POWER of ONE

Those of you who have been reading my blogs know that music really moves me to reflect, contemplate, and even to act. The latest song that I wake up to is Israel Houghton’s POWER OF ONE.

Here are the words, they speak for themselves.

What if it all depended on me. To change the world? What if my only responsibility was to change the world. To change the world?

Let me be the ONE. To start a revolution. Let me sing my song to the people of the world. It all begins with. ONE

The Power of ONE. JOINING THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE BELIEVING IN ONE. THE POWER OF ONE. DON’T HANG AROUND. STAND UP OR SIT DOWN. IT ALL BEGINS WITH ONE.

What kind of love can conquer disease. And change the world. And change the world? What I can do to make poverty history.

And change the world. And change the world. And change the world?

Let me be the ONE. To start a revolution. Let me sing my song to the people of the world. To the children of the world. It all begins with …

Please don’t turn away. Let your voices rise. Put love on display. And make a difference now. I believe you and me. Can make a difference now. Oh oh oh.

It all begins with ONE.

What are your thoughts?

On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Power-One-Israel-Houghton/dp/B001R0KHHI
(Lyrics courtesy of http://www.clyric.com/lyrics/305711/Israel+Houghton–The+Power+Of+One)

A mi hogar

Today I go home! Adios to the warm tropics. Hola to the cold. It was a good trip and as much as I liked it, I’m ready to go home. I have more pictures to post of my apartment, car, backyard, etc. I’ll get to that over the next few days.

Thanks for reading! I’ll pick this blog up again the next time I go to Puerto Rico (scheduled for Sept. 2009.)

Mi Última Noche (my last night)

Today was my last day at UMET for this trip! I had a wonderful time. My hosts and I presented our results to the Chancellor and then we went out to dinner. The dinner was held at the Alcázar resturant. The pictures show this huge, wonderful dessert that the wife of the Chancellor ordered … she shared it with me and it was SO good! It’s called Dalí; it’s large pastry that is filled with guava custard, served with nuts and icecream and guava paste. The guava custard is similar to a sweet potato cheesecake. The guava paste is similar to caramel. I had ordered “torte chocolate (pronounced TOR-tay cho-co-LA-tay) but I was so full from eating her dessert that I had to take mine to go! I have photos of me in my daily office at UMET, the dessert, and the restaurant.

I’m packing now. It’s time to prepare to get back to the cold weather, but the additional warmth that comes from being with friends and family!

San Sebastián y Lares

Today we had a wonderful adventure. The day started out in an interesting way … I was driving to the campus and I made a wrong turn. Yes, I was lost! Once I knew that I was going the wrong way, I tried to correct it. But alas, there was apparently yet another turn that I should have taken. So, I tried not to panic, and after driving along and trying to find a good place to stop, I ended up at a gas station. But I was really lost. If you’ve been to Puerto Rico, I was supposed to be going to Cupey. But I made a wrong turn toward Carolina, and ended up in Barbosa. It’s not close to the campus! I called my host and tried to explain where I was …. she wasn’t able to tell from my description, so she told me to get out of the car (actually it’s a van, nicknamed “the bus” … you’ll see a picture of it further down, it has pictures of trees and fruit on it because it is the property of the School of Environmental Affairs) and tell the person inside “Puedas ayudarme?” which means “Can you help me?” and then she said to give them my cell phone and she would talk with the person inside in Spanish. Well … the adventure was really beginning, because you had to be buzzed into the door … buzzed in to the store section of the gas station! Hmmmm … then I had to talk to the person from behind the glass windows and put my cell phone through the security drawer. Okaaayyy. Sigh. The good news is that my host was able to find out where I was and guide me back to campus safely. Now that was between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. (Think “24″!)
Between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., the three of us, two of my hosts and I, were on our way to San Sebastián, a town on the western side of the island, to see Jessica’s mom. Jessica was one of my students in Maryland who was from Puerto Rico and passed away a few years ago. I’ve maintained contact with her over the years and try to visit when I can. Her family fixed us a wonderful lunch of rice, white beans, chicken and potatoes, and vegetables. It was delicious!!! The new thing for me was that even though 90% of the conversation was in Spanish, I understood a good portion of it. That doesn’t mean that I could always join the conversation; I interjected a few words here and there. It was wonderful to see her again and to spend some time with her. She is a very loving person! I am grateful to my hosts for taking me for this visit.
Following the trip to San Sebastián, we went to the town of Lares to visit a famous icecream parlor. In Spanish, an icecream parlor is a Heladería. They are famous for having delicious icecream, but very interesting flavors. Some of the flavors are zanahoria (carrot), aguacate (avacado), ajo (garlic), and more! I had maíz (corn) and it was delicious!! Really! It tasted like a sweet corn pudding. You can get it topped with cinnamon! Ummm. I’m thinking about it now! I went into the Heladería with one host while the other stayed in “the bus” and placed his order via cell phone. It was fun because it was like three kids had gotten permission to get icecream! There are photos of the various flavors of the icecream in the sidebar.

Yes, my Maíz (corn) icecream is very yellow!

Following the icecream stop, we went to Barceloneta which is in the middle of the island. UMET is working on a project in that area and my campus will be a partner. It was a nice site visit!

Tomorrow, I have a presentation and then it will be time to prepare to head home!

About Heladería de Lares: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lares_Ice_Cream_Parlor
About Lares: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lares,_Puerto_Rico
About San Sebastián: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Sebastián,_Puerto_Rico

Conferencia: estudiantes, profesores y comiunidad

Conferencia: estudiantes, profesores y comiunidad … Conference: students, professors, and community. I am priviledged to be in Puerto Rico during a time of discussion about globalization and culture. The conference is presented by “La Escuela de Ciencias Sociales, Humunidades y Comunicaciones de la Universidad Metropolitana” (The School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Communications.)

Today I went to a very interesting talk on media in the Arab World. UMET’s Dept. of Communications is celebrating new concentrations. The seminar series talks about the role of communications in social change and polital action. In Spanish, it is “El rol de las communicaciones en el cambio social y la acción política.” The talk was titled “El mundo arabe: Cultura, sociedad e instituciones” … The Arab World: Culture, Society, and Institions.

One of the main themes is that we don’t take enough time to get to know one another … we make assumptions about people from other cultures without getting to know them, we make generalizations about people without understanding their unique/diverse qualities, and we are often influenced by single forms of media without taking time to diversify our sources. This is a conversation that should continue.

This afternoon I spent some more time with students in the lab, talked with my collaborator, had a planning meeting, and discussed cultures with my colleague. Once again, another great day.

Muchos lugares

Host and colleague in Palmas del Mar

One of the kioskos (kiosks) in Luquillo (near Fajardo)

On the patio at the home of my host.

At the clock in Caguas, across from “Dulce Nombre de Jesús”

Host and colleague at the coffee stand in Caguas.

Muchos lugares … many places. This afternoon, my host took my colleague and I to many places to show various parts of the island. One of the places included his birthplace, Caguas (http://www.topuertorico.org/city/caguas.shtml, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caguas,_Puerto_Rico … there is a picture of a cathedral in the middle of this website … “Dulce Nombre de Jesús” (Sweet Name of Jesus) that is across from the plaza that is shown in my pictures.) You will see me near one of the clocks in the plaza, and my colleagues at a coffee stand. We also went to places on the eastern side of the island: Palmas del Mar in Humacao, Luquillo, and then a wonderful outdoor dinner at his home in San Juan. The photos are taken in these places. When we were on the east side of the island, we could see the island of Vieques which is known for its bioluminescent bay (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vieques,_Puerto_Rico). You will see various pictures of my host and my colleague, and some of me with other guests of my host and his wife. They are wonderfully hospitable and really made me feel special. It was a great day!

Mi cancion para esta dia

Mi cancion para esta dia … my song for this day. It is Sunday again, and I had planned to go to see the mother of one of my students who passed away a few years ago; she lives on the other side of the island, and it doesn’t look like I am going to make it today. So I woke up thinking about how much God loves us. I have a song on my ipod called “Tomame en tus brazos” which means “Take me in your arms.” It’s a song to God; the words are (my loose English translations are included):

Tomame en tus brazos
Tomame las manos
Camina aquí a mi lado
No me dejes porfavor

(Take me in your arms
Take me in your hands
Walk here by my side
Please don’t leave me)

Toma mi destino
Toma mi camino
En ti estoy confiado
Siempre mirame Señor

(Take my destiny
Take my walk
In you I am trusting
Always, you watch me Lord)

Es que yo sin ti, yo no se lo que es vivir
Es que yo sin ti nisiquiera se existir

(It is that I without you, I don’t know what it is to live
It is that I without you, don’t want to exist)

Te necesito, te necesito
Como el cielo necesita el sol para brillar
Y la tierra necesita Luna y mar

(I need you, I need you
Like the sky needs the sun to be bright
And the earth needs moon and sea)

Te necesito, te necesito
Cada día mas y mas, quiero estar donde tu estas
No te dejare jamás, te necesito

(I need you, I need you
Every day more and more, I want to be where you are
I will never leave you, I need you.)

(Sung by Marcos Witt and Luis Pedraza)

Piñones y Fajardo

http://gopuertorico.about.com/od/therusticexperience/p/Pinones.htm

Today was a day full of rich culture. My host of the day was a teacher that I met at a conference in Utah last Fall. We happened to be sitting at the same table for lunch and as we were talking about Puerto Rico, she volunteered to host me when I came to town. It turns out that she is an alum of the department that I am working with at UMET. This afternoon, she took me to a “rustic” place in Puerto Rico called Piñones. Piñones is a place where many of the descendants of African slaves reside. More information can be found here: http://www.drclas.harvard.edu/revista/articles/view/1076.

We ordered and at Bacalaoitos which is a form of fried fish. I also ordered an alcapurria which is a fried food that is made of a plantain mixture stuffed with a kind of meat … mine had fish. It looks like a big corndog … the plantain mixture itself looks like cornbread batter. The ladies who are cooking take a spoonful of the plantain mixture and put it onto a large leaf. Then they stuff it with the meat of choice, it is covered with more mixture and shaped by the leaf to make a rounded long roll. They are removed from the leaf to be fried and served hot. I was so full from my bacalaoito that I had to take my alcapurria with me. The lunch was good and spicy, but it is greasy, so I decided to take it easy with the alcapurria in my bag for dinner. (When I got home and took it out of my bag, I ate a little piece of it and then made a salad!)After lunch, we went across the street to the beach for a little while … this was good because I hadn’t had a chance to go to the beach at all since I’ve been here.

Then we traveled to the east side of the island to one of the best-known beautiful places, Fajardo. Fajardo has one of the best hotels, El Conquistidor. It is huge and is known for it’s beautiful views. My host and I settled by one of the poolside areas to talk about language and culture. I actually ordered my bottle of water in Spanish and it sounded decent!

I learned so much today. I definitely have a deeper appreciation for the culture and diversity of Puerto Rico.

Trabajando

Trabajando – working. Today, I was working with students for most of the morning and I had meetings in the afternoon. I gave a talk yesterday and today I had a “Coffee Hour” which was similar to “drop-in office hours.”

So I worked with students on their statements of purpose, their goals and objectives, and other issues related to graduate school. We talked about toxicology, psychology, oceanography, microbiology, and environmental chemistry! After the office hours, I had lunch with some students from Puerto Rico’s Inter-American University who took some time off to come to see me. One of them had come to visit UMBC during his sophomore year and now that he’s in his senior year, he wanted to talk about the options more seriously. He was very kind … he had come to campus yesterday, but I was double-booked so I missed him and he came back today. He is in the photo. I had other meetings this afternoon regarding my presentation to the Chancellor which is coming up next week. I ‘ve accomplished quite a bit, but I still have lots to do. Today, we also had big programs at both UMBC and College Park so I was excited about those events. All in all it was a full day!

¿Ayudo?

¿Ayudo? This literally means “I help?” I was struggling with my keys outside of the gate today and a gentleman asked “¿Ayudo?” I realized that he was asking me if I needed help, so I said “No, gracias.” I’m learning some of the shortened ways of saying things here … little by little. In the same way that we may not say, “Can I assist you?” or “Do you need help?” , we might just say “Need help?”

Today, I gave a seminar titled “Taller para Escuela Graduada” which means “Workshop for Graduate School.” It was in the ChEMTox lab: http://chemtoxumet.blogspot.com/, and yes, the talk was in English!

The photos are from that seminar.

Estoy Cansada

Today I am home early, recovering from a bit of laryngitis so my communication for most of the day was via text messaging. It cleared up a bit yesterday, but I had meetings today and nearly lost my voice again. I enjoyed my lunch meeting today. Here are pictures of me with my hosts. We ate on campus, at one of the outdoor tables. I’m eating rice and beans with plantains (arroz y habichueles con amarillos.) We had tropical rains this afternoon; I’m glad that I was able to come home before the downpour.

Viejo San Juan, Inauguration

Yesterday, I started my day by doing laundry so that I could have some clean clothes for the week. I was invited to a reception for a visiting Fulbright Scholar from the American University in Cairo, Egypt.

The photos show my morning laundry/ironing, my host and his wife, the group with the guest, and some views as I looked up to the sky from the interior patio of the home in Old San Juan.

Since it is Inauguration Day, I went to work, but came home early and was able to watch the event on TV. You’ll see that I was watching both CNN and CNN.com! Note that the online feed on CNN is a bit behind the TV coverage.

Extra fotos de sabado

(Extra photos from Saturday.) I forgot to add these photos. These murals on are the walls of a building in Rio Piedras.

La Fiesta de la Calle San Sebastián

This afternoon I went to La Fiesta de la Calle San Sebastián. It was a festival on the Calle de San Sebastián (San Sebastián street) in Viejo San Juan (Old San Juan.) This is a festival that is held for a few days each year in January. There is music, dancing, and parades in the streets (not floats, but people with HUGE masks). There seems to be a daytime scene which focuses on music, artists, having fun with friends and family. The night scene as I hear is very much a party atmosphere. I went for about an hour, but there were so many people, and I had already used a lot of energy figuring out how to get there, that I decided to save some energy so that I could get back.

I took a train to the last stop on the line, and was told that there were buses to take people to the Fiesta because they didn’t want cars there. This part was no problem. I knew how to get on the train, and I figured that I would see the bus when I arrived. This was easy. But once I was in Old San Juan, it turned out that you had to walk a while (to get to the destination, and it wasn’t such a straight path.) So I finally got there. I connected with an artist who is the daughter of one of my colleagues at UMET. She has wonderful talent and I have some of her paintings because the university provides them as gifts to guest speakers … so I am fortunate to have two of her paintings. I am standing with her in the picture. You will also see that there were TONS of people there. When I was trying to leave, I was just trying to get to the bus that would take me back to the train station. The station’s name is Sagrado Corazon. So it seems like I kept asking the same questions over and over and over again. “¿Donde está la guagua hacia Sagrado Corazón?” …”¿Es esto la guagua hacia Sagrado Corazón?” (Where is the bus toward Sagrado Corazon? Is this the bus toward Sagrado Corazon?) In Puerto Rico, the bus is called a “guagua” (pronounced “gwa-gwa”) … I started out asking about the “autobús” since that was in the dictionary, but then I remembered that it’s different in PR.

Here are some pictures of all of the people, the band (La Banda 248 Guardia Nacional de Puerto Rico — the band of the National Guard of Puerto Rico), artwork, and my train stop (Sagrado Corazon), which I was SO glad to finally see again.

Forever Chasing After You

Every now and then, something really strikes me … about the world, about trying to see the world as God would want me to see it. I was talking to a friend yesterday about a favorite song, Tye Tribbett’s “Chasing After You.” The lyrics are:

(Lyrics are written by Tribbett, Stevens)

Verse I
Each and everyday I will seek your face
My soul is crying out for more, I want more of you
I won’t be satisfied nor content of where I am
So I will apprehend till I’m captured by what I’m after

Chorus
And I will go from faith to faith
From glory to glory (2x)

And I’ll forever be chasing after you
I’ll be chasing after you (2x)

Verse II
I will press towards the mark
for the prize and I won’t faint
there’s one thing I desire
and that’s what I’m going for
I can’t continue life day by day
growing dry
I need to be with you (Jesus)
I’ll seek where you are

Chorus
And I will go from faith to faith
From glory to glory (4x)

And I’ll forever be chasing after you
I’ll be chasing after you (7x)

And I will go from faith to faith
From glory to glory (3x)

(I’ll never get settled. I’ll always want more Jesus! I’ll always be chasing after you!)

And I’ll forever be chasing after you
I’ll be chasing after you.

[Online LYRICS from http://www.actionext.com/names_t/tye_tribbett_g_a_lyrics/chasing_after_you.html]



We were particularly talking about the need to “follow hard after God” because life can be hard, life can bring us challenges, and we don’t want to put God in a box and just limit Him to being just one thing for us when He has so much more. We used the analogy of being in a room with God, a small room … and the room is nice, but it’s safe … and yes, God is there. But what if God wants you to go outside, and experience so much more of Him, outside in the full world where he has created everything in the universe, outside where you have the chance to experience his love and power on a much deeper level? In these times, we can’t afford to just take a small piece of what God wants for us when He is opening up His arms to give us so much more … we just have to go there and accept it.

The part of the song that says “I can’t continue life, growing dry” really resonates with me. This says to me that sometimes, we just go through life on a daily basis in a “willy-nilly” way … in other words, we just let things happen to us. But we have a chance to be so much more proactive. “Be intentional” as my pastor says. “Don’t miss kairotic moments,” he says. Those moments in time that are special when God accomplishes something major, but moments when you have to respond.

There’s a mother/son team in our church that does the most moving dance to this song. It really touches your heart because his movements really give you the feeling of running after God himself … just to be close and be with Him and in His will.

I’m writing this note, far away from my church this morning. I’m on assignment in Puerto Rico and since I am not in church … and it’s Sunday, I decided to review some of my notes from services at my church. I was reading through the notes from our New Year’s Eve service, Dec. 31, 2008. This service was titled “God’s Time Made Personal” and it talked about quantitative moments in time that pass (Chronos time) and those special times where something is qualitative (Kairos time). But the thing that really hit me was the last scripture reference of the sermon, it was Phillipians 3: 12-14.

Philippians 3:12-14 (King James Version)
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

This was significant to me, because as I was talking to my friend last night (she’s in NJ, I’m in Puerto Rico and it was a 2 hour phone call!), I was playing the song from the website. The words in the song talk about how “I will apprehend” and how I will “press toward the mark.” And then it was right there again this morning in my scripture review! Verses 12-14 of the 3rd Chapter of Phillipians! When I was a little girl, my Dad told me that if you start hearing the same spiritual and scriptural theme over and over again from different sources, pay attention, because God is talking to you. I always remembered that. So my eyes and ears are perked up now … because, I didn’t mention that the mother/son team danced the dance last Sunday evening, which was a few hours before I got on the plane to come to Puerto Rico. Hmmmm!

So, now I need to look at this Phillipians passage more closely. And while I’m looking, I’m playing the song in the background, even as I write! What does it say in other versions?

Let’s investigate the New King James:
Philippians 3:12-14 (New King James Version)
Pressing Toward the Goal 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Hmmm. What about The Amplified?

Philippians 3:12-14 (Amplified Bible)

12 Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own.

13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

How about The Message?

Philippians 3:12-14 (The Message)
Focused on the Goal 12-14
I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

So that’s it! I press, I move forward, I seek Christ … and the beautiful thing is that He will reach back out to me!! This is so significant for me, especially now. Because while I love working in Puerto Rico right now, I (even as an adult) am missing home. So God is here … I chase after Him, and He’ll reach out to me. That’s such a comfort. But I can’t stop. I have to keep on going. I have to move forward to seek the things that God wants me to seek, to seek HIM personally … with a fervent passion. So as I am realizing that God is speaking, and wiping tears, I say “Thank you Lord, for reaching back to me.”

Comiendo en Río Piedras (Eating in Plaza del Mercado de Río Piedras)

Esta tardes, estuve en Río Piedras con una de mis estudiantes de Maryland quien estaba nació en Puerto Rico. Fuimos a almuerzo en la cafeteria en la Plaza del Mercado. La comida fue delicioso. Comí pollo, arroz, aguacate, y un refresco (una bebida) llamó “Coco Rico.” ¡Estoy lleno!

About Río Piedras: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Río_Piedras

I read and write better than I speak at this point. I can hold a conversation with someone who is fairly patient. Above, I wrote the following:

“This afternoon, I was in Río Piedras was a one of my students from Maryland who was born in Puerto Rico. We went to lunch in the cafeteria in the Plaza del Mercado. The food was delicious. I ate chicken, rice, avacado, and a soda (a drink) called ‘Coco Rico.’ I am full! ”

Coco Rico is a coconut flavored soda. Think of it as 7-up, but coconut replaces the lemon-lime flavor. It was a good experience!

Está lloviendo mucho

Está lloviendo mucho … it is raining alot! It was raining last night, and again this morning at 5:30 (it woke me up), and throughout the day, and when I was on my way home from work. Rain, rain, rain! ¡Lluvia, lluvia, lluvia! My hosts gave me my essentials for my office when I arrived: a notebook, an agenda, a folder, and an umbrella! Sure enough, it’s in my purse every day.

(Photo courtesy of www.okeusa.com.)

Lo pongo aqui

Lo pongo aqui … “I put it here.” That’s what I said to the man that I helped at the train station this morning. He was trying to refill his farecard for the train (shown in photo) and he was putting it in the wrong space. I had just used the machine a few minutes prior and knew where to put the card. I showed him the right slot (I tried to tell him, “I put it here” as I showed him the slot.) I helped him to get his card re-filled! YYYAAAYY! I did something helpful. Actually, I said it wrong because I murmured “pongo aqui” and pointed him to the right spot. I knew that there was a “lo” or “le” in there somewhere, but I couldn’t remember where. It was a good experience because last night one of my sista-friends called me from the states and we talked about communication. We discussed that sometimes it can be hard to let your personality show when you can’t communicate. So, today was a breakthrough. I wanted to help, and was able to, just a little bit.

Mi almuerzo (my lunch)

Today I ate lunch with a colleague in the cafeteria on campus. Yesterday, my hosts gave me a very nice square lunch bag (it’s like a small bookbag/knapsack for food), so I decided that I would use it today. I went to the grocery store yesterday (I go to the “Pueblo Supermercado” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pueblo_Supermarkets) and picked up some essentials to make sandwiches and other small meals. I usually eat sandwiches with chips for lunches that I pack, but I could barely find any chips in the stores, instead I found lots and lots (and lots!) of crackers … they’re called “galletas de soda” which is kind of like saying a soda cracker cookie. They’re basically like Keebler’s Club crackers … sweeter than Saltines, but not as sweet as a Ritz. Rovira Export Sodas is a popular brand (see photo.)

My colleague offered to bring lunch back to the office, but I said that I made a promise to myself that I would not eat lunch in the office this month! So we went to the cafe and she got a ham & cheese sandwich (jamon y queso) and I happily pulled out my little homemade sandwich with lettuce (lechuga), cheese (queso), and tomato (tomate). As I pulled out the crackers to eat with my sandwich, I was telling her the story about all of the crackers in the grocery store … all the while, I am so proud that I am eating crackers and not chips with my sandwich! She then nicely informs me that people in Puerto Rico generally eat a sandwich alone and not with crackers or chips. “Crackers are eaten with coffee or soup, and chips are for parties,” she says. She lets me know that sandwiches don’t need the crackers because they already have the bread. I then slowwwwwly put the remaining crackers back inside of my lunchbag … and she laughed, letting me know that she wasn’t trying to change my eating habits. But I carefully noted that she was very svelte, so there must be something to the no crackers/chips with sandwiches thing. I’ll know for next time!

El tren

I just finished with my meetings for the morning and a quick lunch. I usually eat lunch in my office, but was determined to do something different … so I went outside to eat and walk around a bit … afterall, it’s Puerto Rico, and it’s warm and sunny … in January!

This week I will take the local train. The system is called “Tren Urbano.” I’ve seen the stations that I will use but I haven’t been inside yet. I’ll probably do it today or tomorrow. Here is more information about the train

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tren_Urbano. Here is a page in Spanish with all of the routes: http://www.dtop.gov.pr/ama/rutas.htm.

Mi primera noche

I arrived in Puerto Rico this afternoon and was treated to wonderful, warm hospitality by my hosts from Universidad Metropolitana. The weather was hot (for me) but warm by Puerto Rican standards … 80+ degrees and humid!

I went to the store (supermercado) this evening to buy some food and was only able to utter one word of Spanish …. “Permiso” to say “excuse me” to the lady that I had to reach over to get a box of granola bars. Hmmm, I have some practicing to do!
I live near a small area of tropical trees and the coqui frogs are loud! They “sing.” I had forgotten about that. I’ve heard them before, but it has usually been when I was outdoors. I will have to adjust to the sound so that I can sleep.
(More about the coqui: http://www.elboricua.com/coqui.html)

It also rained several times today. The rains and storms are short, but the rain comes down. I am 1 hour ahead of the mainland U.S. There is no daylight savings time here, so Puerto Rico didn’t “fall back.” Even though my husband warned me, I think that I STILL missed the 2nd day of “24!” Oh wait … another version is coming on! I may be ok afterall!

It is great to be here, but I also miss home! I have meetings tomorrow and a presentation to give so I will say goodnight (“Buenas Noches” … or as they say in PR “Buena Noche!”)

Giving Love Away

At last night’s vigil and memorial service for UMBC student Jamie Heard, there was a great poem read at the end of the night which spoke of people dying, but love living on, so give love away. A simple concept, but one that really would change the world.

I started a post on music a few months ago, and I just finished it this morning. It posted with the original November date, but the feelings expressed resonate with me today.
http://renettatull.blogspot.com/2007/11/praise-worship-music-academic-church.html
Perhaps it’s just a thought that can give all of us pause … and then action … Give Love Away.

Love & Understanding Men: Love is a Verb, Choose to Love

I was recently honored to be chosen as the guest speaker for the Valentine’s Day Lunch for the Graduate Student Chapter of the Women in Science and Engineering (G-WISE), UMBC’s campus.

By request, I am posting the points from the talk.

WISE Valentine’s Day Lunch

Feb. 14, 2008

Love is a Verb: Choose to Love

1. Don’t assume that men understand what you mean or how you feel. Clarify, don’t play games.

2. Have boundaries. Once you’re in a relationship, use the “frame” with other men.

3. Avoid false images and unfair comparisons.

4. Be true to yourself, take care of yourself, love yourself.

5. Be supportive. Share dreams and work toward them.

6. Understand his method of communicating, explain yours, adjust expectations accordingly. (e.g. Be aware of deadlines, for exams or big projects.)

7. Understand vulnerabilities; handle them with care. Don’t be unnecessarily dramatic.

8. Remember general manners and niceties that you use with friends … simple things like “please” and “thank you.”

9. Abandon traditional roles when necessary (e.g. earning $$, taking out the trash) and embrace them when necessary (e.g. making dinner/baking cookies, cleaning the home.)

10. Be “equally yoked.” Share a belief system, e.g. what is important vs what is trivial, ideas/thoughts about life and death. KEY: Find a mutually strong support system.

MOTTO THAT I REFERENCE: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
I Cor. 3:4-8a, NIV

Praise & Worship Music — Academic Church, Part II

I started this post months ago … in November 2007 in fact; I’m not sure why I didn’t finish it. But yesterday I went to the vigil and campus memorial service for one of our undergrads Jamie Heard. Jamie’s life touched people whether you knew him or not. The song that I blasted in my car stereo on the way home was a duet by Martha Munizzi and Israel Houghton called “Wrap Me in Your Arms” on the “Change the World” CD … Track 10. The lyrics are written here, they permeate my mind:

There is a God, who loves me
Who wraps me in His arms.
That is the place, where I’m changed.
That’s where I belong.

Take me to that place Lord
To that secret place where
I can be with You
You can make me like You
Wrap me in your arms
Wrap me in your arms
Wrap me in your arms

I’m safe
I’m safe
I’m safe in Your arms.

I’ve been listening to this CD all week, but last night I really wanted and needed to hear this song. When I say that I blasted it, I mean that I was totally oblivious to anything else at the time and I really, really felt that feeling … yes, that God really was speaking through the music, and in this case, that I was safe.

I wrote the post below a while ago. I hope that it moves you to contribute … to add music, lyrics, links, etc. I pray that there will be something posted here that will help someone, maybe even something as simple yet as profound as knowing … or hearing that Jesus loves you, therefore you can go on.

——————–
I’ve always loved music! My father was the one of the organists for our church growing up, I played piano for the Jr. Choir, one of my brothers also played for the choir and now plays for his own church as an adult. We also grew up with rap, hip hop, R&B. I remember when I used to sing all kinds of songs … the funny thing was when I eventually figured out what some of the lyrics were saying I suddenly realized that I didn’t feel good repeating those words. When I went to college I was introduced to House Music by some of my friends from Chicago and I thought “Ok, now I can party with no guilt because there are no words!” But then I remember going to a club in Chicago with some friends and I saw what people were doing to “just the music.” Now I liked to dance, in fact, my nickname used to be “undercover” because I would study but when we had a party or went out I would dance all night (and morning) … and yes, one time we did close a club in DC (and still went to the football game that morning … Howard Homecomings … goodness!) Over time I began to feel more and more uncomfortable. In the clubs there seemed to be too much … there was more than just dance. There was too much “rubbing,” “pumping,” etc. You know what I mean. At one club, after seeing people literally all over one another (and more), I just said (or God said) “Ok, that’s enough.” And that was the last time that I went to a club. I also began to really listen to music … not just the words, but the beats in the music. I began to question the intent of the writer, the composer, the person who was putting the beats together. Growing up with a little bit of knowledge of the music industry (my Dad had some albums) and talking with friends who are in the Hip Hop promotion business, or who compose beats, write songs, etc., I found out that some people are very intentional with their music. The music may specifically be created for people to party, to feel good about themselves, to express anger, etc. Some people don’t care what people use their music for as long as it’s “out there.” But some people create their music specifically to glorify God, or to bring joy, or to provide peace. I wanted to hear more of that. Now that I’m in my 30’s, I realize that I’ve seen enough to make me upset or angry, I’ve experienced enough pain, and I determined that I didn’t want ‘music’ to take me anywhere that I didn’t want to go unless it was going to be closer to God. I’ve seen people die, I’ve experienced murder and suicide (it’s no fun having to work with police to ID bodies, contact families, etc.), I’ve seen the effect of drug-ravaged lives, I’ve seen sadness, pain, anger, had people stay with me after domestic violence, etc. Am I saying that music is the cause of all of this? Not necessarily, but I do believe that the things that you hear and the intent of the words (and music) lodge in the psyche and can affect one’s actions and thought patterns.

Here are some interesting articles:
From Psychology Today: http://psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20000901-000029.html

Here is another article about degrading sexual content in music and behavior from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/118/2/e430

Now you may not agree with this, but for those of us with children, Godchildren, nieces/nephews, cousins who see them growing up SO fast, see the influences in schools, and wonder where or even how they learn certain words/phrases or are concerned about the images that they see even before they are 6 years old.

And what about music that one listens to while pregnant? There are all kinds of studies being done. Several are in the early stages and have been done with rats (as most biomedical studies are), but there are results that say that the parts of the brains (e.g the hippocampus) of the offspring are more developed when music was introduced prenatally.
Here is some background. You can agree or disagree, but it’s food for thought:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/109741322/ABSTRACT
http://www.musica.uci.edu/mrn/V6I1W99.html#womb

Now what kind of music?

So what is my point?
a. Just to add some thought to making musical choices.
and
b. To add something to the landscape … perhaps introduce you to some music that you haven’t heard, and might like.

I am really fixed now on music that will be positive. But more than that, if music is going to stay in my head, if I’m going to be humming

Israel & New Breed

“Say So”

1) Partial version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szPT-QPTg-g
2) Israel & New Breed at the Hillsong Conference in Sydney, Australia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McmUHclV9do

“Alpha & Omega”
Israel & New Breed (in South Africa)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5WWdA1KgYM
This is a glimpse into some pure worship.

“Friend of God”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty0SO7IvtXM

“We Have Overcome” (at Lakewood in Texas)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nui6mK38ppc
Truly multicultural. People of all races and all ages!
Israel singing it by himself, playing the guitar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dKq8JsNc9M

“I Know Who I am”
(Acoustic Version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8AzQzGnAYA

Chris Tomlin
“How Great is Our God”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpfKli_4LQ0

This version was put to images:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud0kaWLHEd4

————
As you can tell I’m a fan of Israel Houghton and New Breed Music. There’s something about the music that they create … in their last CD, Deeper Level, they fasted and prayed for weeks before recording. God obviously honored that. I saw them in person recently along with Tye Tribbett and GA and was thrilled to see some of our UMBC students there as well … in Virginia!
I started this post so that it could provide a place on the web for people to share music that inspires. So if you have a song that inspires you, that lifts you up when you are down, that speaks to you in a way that lets you know that God is really talking to you. Please share it here.

Academic Church

At one of our recent student conferences, a student came to the microphone and publicly described one of our graduate student support and development programs as “ACADEMIC CHURCH.” He said that sometimes you fall away, and you know what you’re supposed to do, then you come back and you know that you’re in the right place. I found this description and his heartfelt words both exciting and humbling.

Throughout the rest of that conference segment that allowed students to reflect, there were other sentiments of “academic church” along with a series of “Amens” in the background as people were talking. Again, I found it interesting, but extremely humbling. Actually more than humbling … I was speechless and nervous … I remember later praying to ask what that meant … and if there was anything that I was supposed to be doing. As you know, in the Christian faith, we always desire to be in God’s will, so we always want to be doing the right thing. (This reminds me of Philipians 2:13 which says: “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (NIV) … in the King James it says “both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”)

So for a while I didn’t know what to do, so I did nothing. I just kept thinking, “WOW, what an awesome thing for so many to feel that strongly about a program that is supposed to be academic.” But then I was up early this morning (and wondering why, because I NEED my sleep!) and felt prompted to write. So here is what has been put on my heart: if people see “academic church” or are even looking for it, let’s provide something for them to hold onto.

So here’s what we’re going to do. This space on the internet will be used for people to put encouraging Bible verses — especially those verses or passages that can be applied to those negative feelings that one has in school. Not just *any* literary inspiring words or general motivational quotes, but actual scriptural verses and passages (with the reference and the version that you are using). Add those verses that kept you going when times were tough. Add those verses that provide joy, peace, patience and faith. You can add just a verse, or add both the verse and the personal story that goes with the reason that you chose it (some call this a “testimony.”)

I’ll start: when I was doing my dissertation and preparing my defense, I was SO nervous. Here’s one of the passages that I held onto … even when I wasn’t sure that things were going right:

———— JOSHUA CHAPTER 1, verses 5-9, King James Version: ——

5There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

6Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

7Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.

8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

—————–

So my “testimony” is that God was and IS faithful to his Word. This one example of my nervousness about the dissertation and defense, both successfully completed years ago, shows that these two milestones of the Ph.D. process have long ceased to be symbols of fear and doubt, but now stand strong as testimonies of faith.

OK … now it’s your turn!

The Secret

Well, it has been a few months, and I’ve been contemplating another post for a while. I’ve wondered what to say and figured that I’ll talk briefly about The Secret. Yes, we’ve heard Oprah talk about the book, she did a show on it, it’s even been in the news. But one day, while I was reading my copy of the Living Translation of the Bible, I discovered something that just jumped out. It said: And this is the secret: that the Gentiles will have their full share with the Jews in all the riches inherited by God’s sons; both are invited to belong to his church, and all of God’s promises of mighty blessings through Christ apply to them both when they accept the Good News about Christ and what he has done for them. (Ephesians, Chapter 3, Verse 6.) The words “And this is the secret” really made an impression because I’d been hearing so much about what the secret was supposed to be. This says that the secret is that everyone (Gentiles is the name used for people who were not of the Jewish race), yes, everyone … no matter what race … who believes in Jesus Christ and that his death was for all of our wrongs — those that we do deliberately and mistakenly and even unknowingly has the opportunity to have all of God’s promises. This is good news because accepting Christ and being a Christian is for everyone.
Here’s more from Romans, Chapter 10, verses 9-13: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

So I started thinking about a few things and realized that so many of the things that we get so excited about when we hear it on TV or in the latest book, were really in the Bible all along; for those of us who are Christians, we have to remember to read the Bible … and not just on Sunday in the church service. So often people say that they don’t read the Bible because it’s too hard to understand, or because it doesn’t make sense. It may be true that some of the translations are harder to read than others, but I invite you to pick a translation that you can understand … and yes, read it. Here’s a great online source for any translation that you want: http://www.biblegateway.com; you can get the New International Version (NIV), King James (the old English version), versions in Spanish, etc. I like The Message version … talk about something that is easy to understand!! I use the Living Translation because the verses are often combined like paragraphs in a book instead of verses in a poem, and that works for me. But I still use the King James version (especially for the Psalms since those are poems and songs anyway) and read things again there. My Spanish Bible is the Nueva Version Internacional which I like better than the Reina-Velera … but that’s just me.

Here’s Ephesians Chapter 3, verses 4-6 (In shorthand, we write: Eph. 3:4-6) in The Message Translation:
As you read over what I have written to you, you’ll be able to see for yourselves into the mystery of Christ. None of our ancestors understood this. Only in our time has it been made clear by God’s Spirit through his holy apostles and prophets of this new order. The mystery is that people who have never heard of God and those who have heard of him all their lives (what I’ve been calling outsiders and insiders) stand on the same ground before God. They get the same offer, same help, same promises in Christ Jesus. The Message is accessible and welcoming to everyone, across the board.

And here it is in Spanish: es decir, que los gentiles son, junto con Israel, beneficiarios de la misma herencia, miembros de un mismo cuerpo y participantes igualmente de la promesa en Cristo Jesús mediante el *evangelio.

In any case, go ahead … pick up that Bible … and read it. There used to be a joke about the dusty family Bible, but in our generation, we have the quick clicks of links … so go ahead, click on the Bible gateway link … and read. If you haven’t read the Bible in a long time and are thinking “where do I start?” I recommend starting at The Gospel of John. If you’re online on Bible Gateway, you’ll see a blank space where you can type any passage and then search. Type John 1 in the space, click search, and read. It will start you off with the NIV version, if that doesn’t work for you, go back and try other versions until you find one that is clear to you. I was taught to first pray and ask God to help me to understand what I would be reading … this has always worked when I’ve asked sincerely; I may not even understand it immediately, but the understanding does come — even through talking about what I’ve read with others.

So go ahead, re-discover your own Bible, go to Bible Gateway and open it online … May God Bless you as you find so many secrets that were right there all along.