Central Florida Future – http://bit.ly/8KleHL

By Cassie Turner

Print this article

Share this article

Published: Friday, November 20, 2009

Updated: Friday, November 20, 2009

Caitlin Bush

"Most Americans do not know slavery not only exists in the world today, it flourishes," said Ron Soodalter, co-author of The Slave Next Door, in his presentation in the Pegasus Ballroom Monday morning.

"Somewhere around 27 million people are in bondage in the world today. Now, that’s over twice the number as were trafficked in chains in the entire 350 years of the African slave trade."

Soodalter, an active abolitionist and historian, kicked off International Education Week at UCF as the keynote speaker for the Second Annual International Breakfast. The Slave Next Door presentation concluded the three-part series on "Slavery’s Resurgence" facilitated by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Global Perspectives and the International Services Center.

The series began with Somaly Mam, a Cambodian human rights activist, former slave and author of The Road of Lost Innocence: The True Story of a Cambodian Heroine, when she shared her experiences in September.

In October, Micheline Slattery, a human-rights activist and former restavek, or domestic child slave, in both Haiti and the United States, addressed about 300 attendees.

Modern-day slavery includes around 800,000 men, women and children trafficked each year around the world. According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Web site, about 17,500 of them end up in the United States, with a high percentage received in Florida.

Soodalter suggests a simple Google search on human trafficking for astounding results.

In spite of major federal legislation and anti-trafficking laws passed in 43 states, 103 human-trafficking convictions have resulted, Soodalter said.

Trafficking remains hidden, is largely unreported and difficult to identify. According to the 2009 Trafficking in Persons, or TIP, report, published by the U.S. Department of State, forced labor/involuntary servitude represents the majority of human-trafficking cases in the world. The co-author of Soodalter’s book,  Kevin Bales, wrote the original 156-page TIP report, titled “Trafficking Persons in the United States — A Report to the National Institute of Justice.”

“The whole thing is disserving and extending,” said retired UCF foreign language professor David Gurney. “It contributes to the antagonism from people in underdeveloped countries to Western civilizations or Western countries.”

In the 1850s, purchasing a slave ran roughly $1,200, the equivalent of around $40,000 in today’s money. The reality is purchasing a slave today costs as little as $100, which makes them affordable and disposable, Soodalter said.

A trafficking victim lives in fear of violence or the threat of violence daily, he said.

Shawn Cox, victim witness coordinator and licensed clinical social worker with the United States Attorney’s Office, advocates that trafficking is a crime of absolute power over someone. According to the report Cox co-authored, “Victims of Human Trafficking and Trauma,” the psychological consequences of a victim are similar to the consequences of severe or chronic child abuse or experiencing acts of terrorism.

"In case you thought slavery doesn’t touch you, guess again," Soodalter said. "Chances are, the clothes you wear, the food you eat, has been touched by slavery."

The good news is there have been some inroads made recently in the area of agricultural servitude, Soodalter said. When Taco Bell refused to stop buying produce picked by enslaved workers in an effort known as the "Ban the Bell" campaign, it set a precedent that several other companies, including McDonalds, A&W, Long John Silver’s, Pizza Hut, Whole Foods, Chipotle and Burger King, have followed, Soodalter said.

"The message is clear," Soodalter said. "Slavery and worker abuse will not be tolerated. Not here, not now, not ever."

Mark Freeman, public affairs coordinator for the Global Perspectives Office, said they are hoping to continue the series next spring since response has been incredible. Because of the series last spring, students on campus were so spurred into action they formed the unofficial student group “Students Against Slavery @ UCF,” Freeman said. “Students Against Slavery @ UCF” has a Facebook page, and Harry Coverston serves as the faculty advisor for the group.

"Spreading the word is the most important thing," said Frank Hegedus, a senior political science and international relations major. "There is only right now."

http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/abolitionist-historian-wraps-up-global-perspectives-series-1.2093273

Uma Dragonete Volúvel

Em meados da primeira era, quando o tempo não existia e os Xelor ainda não haviam sonhado com seu poderoso Relógio, dragões poderosos eram a platéia privilegiada do despertar do Mundo. Poderosos, sim. Iguais, nem sempre… Mesmo entre os mais distintos, os Dragões divinos que semearam mundos, havia os favoritos do Deus Osamodas.
Entre eles, havia uma dragonete chamada Crocabulia, que sonhou com o dia de sua ascensão na hierarquia dos dragões preferidos por Osamoda. Mas todos os seus esforços mostraram-se inúteis; Crocabulia não conseguiu ganhar o afeto do Deus – e Osamodas tinha lá suas razões. Incapaz de aceitar os avanços de outro Dragão, Crocabulia não era digna de atingir tal status.
Quando ela se deixou encantar pela grandiosidade de Gragoularasar e teve seu filho, Crocoburio, Osamodas decidiu fechar os olhos e dar a ela uma nova chance. Mas Crocabulia se entregou mais uma vez, desta vez a Croulaklakoss, um enorme dragão branco e rival de Gracoularasalar.
Novamente, ela teve que suportar o olhar desaprovador de Osamodas e pedir perdão. Apesar de sua irritação com comportamento tão baixo da teimosa dragonete, o Deus ofereceu um trato.
« Uma nova raça nasceu » sussurrou o Deus à Dragonete « mas eles ainda são frágeis e vulneráveis. Eles precisam de um protetor, uma segurança para seu Santuário. Seja responsável pela proteção deles, prove seu valor completando esta missão, e você poderá se tornar membro da elite draconiana, se igualando aos meus Dragões divinos. »
Estas palavras cruzaram gerações, passando de sábio para sábio, aventureiro para aventureiro. No entanto, ninguém sabe como foram realmente proferidas. Além disso, quem poderia ser capaz de compreender a língua dos Dragões?
Sem hesitação, Crocobulia aceitou a proposta do Deus.
Cético, Osamodas tomou medidas para assegurar que a Draconete completaria adequadamente a missão. Ele pegou as suas duas crias – Grozilla e Grasmera – e as colocou em um sono profundo, para então trancá-los em uma sala escondida debaixo do Santuário que a Draconete tinha que proteger. Os dois Dragões só poderiam despertar muito depois, quando a missão da Dragonete estivesse completa e os filhotes ganhassem maturidade.

A Presunnção humana

O crime permaneceu impune por meses, até o dia que Osamodas percebeu o que aconteceu. O deus explodiu em fúria e jurou punir os homens.
Osamodas apareceu no meio do Santuário dos Dragonetes, exatamente onde ele havia deixado Grozilla e Grasmera, que ainda estavam crescendo, mesmo presos em sono profundo. Ele fez com que acordassem e os liberou de sua prisão. Informados sobre o que aconteceu, os dois Dragões foram até os andares superiores do Santuário e encontraram os Dragonetes mantidos cativos. Estimulados pelos seus primos, eles arrebentaram o teto do Santuário, destruindo o chão do Kanojedo construído acima.
Os Dragões viram a luz do sol pela primeira vez quando emergiram. Mas este não era momento para revelações! O ovo deveria ser encontrado imediatamente e os humanos aprender uma lição! Nunca ocorreu um massacre tão grande. A Vila Primordial foi arruinada e os sobreviventes fugiram para o norte de Amakna.
Com a batalha encerrada e o último humano destruído, Crocabulia emergiu da caverna pela primeira vez em eras. A Dragonete se juntou às suas crias no meio da vila devastada, pegou os ovos escarlates em suas garras e imediatamente retornou ao Santuário. Desde então, a Crocabulia protegeu seus ovos com paixão, enrolada nas entranhas da caverna.
Alguns sobreviventes da Vila Primordial foram em direção norte, para as Montanhas Crackler, onde construíram uma nova vila. Alguns dos Dragonetes desenvolveram gosto pela luz do dia e se instalaram na península que agora carrega seu nome. Outros decidiram permanecer seguros dentro do Santuário. Quanto a Grozilla e Grasmera, eles se refugiaram no interior desconhecido do Santuário, onde ninguém se atreve a ir…

Há alguns dias surgiram rumores que Grozilla e Grasmera haviam reaparecido na Península dos Dragonetes. E hoje surgiram espalhados por toda a Península, Conchas Explosivas, esses ovos enormes, só podem pertencer à esses 2 dragões. Ambos os dragões sumiram há muito tempo, viajando por sombras intermináveis nas profundezas do Santuário dos Dragões.

Por enquanto, estas criaturas poderosas permanecem não rastreáveis, o que é uma pena, já que quem matar eles, com certeza irá receber uma recompensa grandiosa.

Já que não dá pra matar os dragões por enquanto, que tal matar as conchas explosivas? Quem matá-las irá receber um pedaço da casca, e poderá trocar por algum presente depois de algum tempo.

Então boa sorte a todos na procura das Conchas Explosivas, e também na procura dos dois dragões, tenho certeza de que quem matar irá receber belos presentes, eu acho que não poderei ir, mas a Aladyah irá com certeza.

Tudo começou numa segunda-feira, não lembro certo o dia, apenas sei que era uma segunda. Eu estava indo encontrar um amigo que tinha me chamado para atacar um coletor dentro do esgoto de Brakmar, perto da Pousada de Misère. Mas o que estava prestes a acontecer naquele dia, iria mudar minha vida para sempre.

Eu caminhava tranquilamente pelo esgoto, com cuidado para os ratos não me atacarem, quando derepente escuto um grito, era uma voz feminina, que pedia ajuda desesperadamente, corri rapidamente para ajudá-la, e quando chego perto, vejo uma jovem Eniripsa sendo atacada por 1 rato. Durante a batalha ela ficou seriamente ferida e acabou desmaiando, resolvi levar ela para a pousada.

Chegando na pousada, Melina Misère, a proprietária, cuidou dos ferimentos dela, e ainda me falou que essa Eniripsa frequentava a pousada toda a sexta-feira durante muito tempo, sempre sozinha, sempre triste e calada, nunca havia dito se quer uma palavra, e sempre ia embora com lágrimas em seus olhos. Melina também contou que tinha notado a ausência dela durante as ultimas semanas.

Aladyah, Melina Misére e eu, no dia que nos conhecemos

Pouco tempo depois ela acordou, estava muito assustada, vendo todos os ferimentos em seu corpo, mas eles logo desapareceram, assim que ela usu seus poderes regenerativos. Dei um copo d’água para ela beber e se acalmar um pouco mais. Me apresentei à ela e perguntei o seu nome, ela respondeu: “Aladyah”. Agora que ela estava mais calma, convidei-a para jogar cartas e durante o jogo, ela foi contando sua história…

“Tudo começou há 2 anos atrás, quando meus pais foram convocados pelo Oto Mustam para invadir a cidade de Bonta. Eles tinham falado para eu ficar esperando eles na Pousada de Misère, na sexta-feira, que era o dia que eles voltariam, mas eles nunca voltaram, e há mais ou menos um mês, o Oto me chamou para contar da morte deles. Fiquei sem saber o que fazer, desesperada e sozinha, sai correndo por Brakmar e acabei me perdendo no esgoto, sorte que você me encontrou.”

Ouvindo sua história, fiquei com pena da pobre Eniripsa e resolvi ajudá-la, com a seguinte proposta: “Se você vier comigo, eu posso te treinar, te ensinar tudo que eu sei, e ainda te proteger dos perigos que andam por aí neste mundo. E quando você estiver preparada, nós iremos até Bonta, vingar a morte de seus pais, o que você acha?”

Os olhos dela brilharam enquando eu fazia a proposta, que ela aceitou imediatamente. E desde este dia eu venho treinando ela como minha aprendiz, por todos os lugares do Mundo dos Doze.

Com o passar do tempo, ela acabou se tornando mais do que apenas uma aprendiz, nos tornamos amigos inseparáveis. E a cada dia que passa, eu sinto que a hora da vingança está cada vez mais próxima…

Hoje pensei que não iria acontecer nada de especial, de tarde fui dar uma volta na Península dos Dragonetes, já que ouvi falar que há 2 dragonetes diferentes andando por ai, mas não vi eles, acho que estão dentro do Santuário, mas não achei ninguém para levar a Aladyah lá.

E quando o dia já estava quase acabando, encontro a Jubah, nós ficamos conversando, e depois trocamos alguns presentes *-* Ela me deu alguns certificados de montaria pra trocar por pergaminhos de características, e também um pergaminho que ensina o feitiço “Torta de Alho-Poró”, eu dei pra ela alguns fermentos de padeiro e trigos pra ajudar ela a upar a profissão de padeira, e também uma capa que a Aladyah usava, pra ela usar futuramente.

Depois da troca de presentes, ela me convidou para ver algumas das montarias dela cruzarem, eu não pensei 2 vezes, e fui lá ver, já que fazia muito tempo que não via montarias cruzarem. Com certeza é uma cena muito engraçada, e quem não viu, recomendo que veja. Foram 3 casais de montarias cruzando, e dentro de alguns dias, irão nascer os filhotes.

Mas ai veio a melhor parte do dia, a Jubah me fez uma surpresa, e me mostrou a primeira montaria que eu tive, era um Gengibre macho, seu nome é Tuy, e eu dei ele pra ela depois que desisti de criar montarias. Foi um reencontro inesperado, e fiquei muito feliz de ver ele novamente, não só o Tuy, mas as outras montarias que eu dei pra ela.

Tuy, que saudade que senti de você

Quando eu olhei para os olhos dele, senti que ele ainda se lembra de mim, e eu jamais irei esquece-lo, afinal, ele sempre será a minha primeira montaria.

E eu que achava que não ia acontecer nada hoje. Realmente as coisas acontecem quando você menos espera.

E amanhã irei contar a todos a história de como eu conheci a Aladyah, não percam.

Durante este final de semana o Mundo dos Doze, receberá uma célebre visita, então não perca a chance de conhecer uma divindade, eu com certeza não perderei. Mas tenha cuidado, ele não é famoso por ter muita paciência, e seu humor instável pode causar problemas inesperados. Mas afinal, como ele se tornou o protetor do mês de novamaire? Isso eu irei contar agora…

Na criação do Mundo dos Doze, o Deus Xelor dividiu o mundo em doze meses, com quatro estações. O verão foi criado para exercitar as divindades mais ardentes, Iop, Ecaflip e Cra. O outono para louvar a serenidade de Feca e Xelor, inverno para Sram, Enutrof e Osamodas e, finalmente, a primavera para celebrar a alegria de Eniripsa e Sadida.

Os deuses também escolheram um protetor para cada mês do ano. O de Novamaire, é o macabro guardião Brumaire, que já lutou e perdeu ao lado do demônio Djaul, e até hoje o procura por vingança, culpando-o pela derrota.

Foi desse jeito que Brumaire se tornou protetor de novamaire.

Brumaire

E se você gosta de histórias, em breve irei divulgar aqui, como eu conheci a Aladyah, e também irei tentar traduzir os livros, esse será um processo um pouco demorado, afinal sou só um, mas no final valerá a pena.

Era isso por hoje, até mais.

-Nigga, I’ve heard ya leavin’

-Yeah

-Nigga, be well and don’t be a menace to the South-central while drinking your juice in the hood

Αυτή είναι η συμβουλή όταν ένας νεαρός μαύρος φεύγει από το γκέττο, στο “Don’t be a menace to the south central while drinking your juice in the hood” τουλάχιστον. Η οποία είναι μία κάφρικη αμερικάνικη ταινία scαry-movie-κού χιούμορ που σατιρίζει τις ταινίες που ασχολούνται με τα γκέττο όπως οι “Boyz N the Hood”, “South Central”, “Menace II Society”, “Higher Learning” και “Juice”, και προφανώς ο τίτλος της ταινίας αποτελεί ένα σουρεάλ κολάζ των παραπάνω τίτλων.

Πρωταγωνιστές είναι ο Shawn Wayans και ο αδερφός του Marlon Wayans, γνωστοί στους περισσότερους από το Scary Movie 1, όπου έπαιζαν τον gay και τον μπαφικλή αντίστοιχα. Οι ερμηνείες δεν λένε και πολλά αλλά οι ατάκες προκαλούν γέλιο. Το σενάριο όπως συμβαίνει σε όλες τις ταινίες αυτού του είδους είναι ανύπαρκτο, το ίδιο και η σκηνοθεσία, για φωτογραφία δε ας μην μιλήσω καλύτερα. Αλλά όλα αυτά δεν έχουν καμία σημασία, καθώς τέτοιες παραγωγές δεν θέλουν να δείξουν την art πλευρά τους ούτε να θέσουν υποψηφιότητα για τα oscar, θέλουν να σε κάνουν να γελάς μέσα από το πιο άκυρο χιούμορ  που υπήρξε ποτέ, το οποίο παραμένει επίκαιρο ακόμα και 13 χρόνια μετά το έτος παραγωγής της ταινίας.

Μεγάλο κεφάλαιο σε αυτή την ταινία αποτελεί το soundtrack το οποίο περιέχει μόνο αράπικες rap-εριές (yar in da hood, rememba?) σε style “wu tang clan” και “snoop dogg”, μουσική άκρως ενοχλητική (τις ώρες που δεν βλέπω την ταινία) που όμως σε τέτοια ταινία δεν θα μπορούσε να είναι διαφορετική.

Yesterday I was really horny and today I am, too. Maybe it’s the fact that my boyfriend hasn’t given me a quenching orgasm in a long time. He doesn’t go down on me and doesn’t even finger me. When we have sex we have to use a ton of lube because I am never turned on. Then he fucks me missionary or doggy for about 5 minutes and cums into his hand.

And he was offended when I bought a dildo.

I’ve got this friend whom I’ve never actually met – let’s call him Shawn. Shawn is classically tall, dark and handsome with a brilliant smile and piercing eyes. He could actually be a male model if he were more muscly. Anyway, Shawn and I met years ago online through a common interest. Neither of us were looking to date at the time since we both had someone else on the go, but I did notice he had a sexy profile picture and he lived in the same area as me.

We gradually got acquainted to the point where we added each other on Facebook. We even had a few friends in common! We flirted here and there (as much as one can subtly flirt online) and he confided things in me [over many months, mind you]. He was, at the time, a virgin – not religious but a romantic at heart. He was waiting for someone special.

Then somehow he slipped naturally into conversation a few times that he thought I was beautiful. It seemed he was almost intimidated by me though, and even when I had a steady boyfriend, he was too nervous to meet me for a drink. A few months later, he mentioned he wanted to ask me out all along but was too shy and missed his chance. I told him he should have.

So we carried on being online friends – commenting on each others’ photos, playing online games with each other, etc.  We’ve got a normal friendship with a bit of innocent flirting.

He’s probably not a virgin anymore but I can’t stop thinking about taking Shawn’s virginity. In my head it’s a passionate, romantic night filled with lovemaking with him. I can’t remember the last time I made out with a guy passionately for so long that we both got so turned on we could barely stand it.

He would truly appreciate me and do all the things to me that he’s always wanted to do to a woman; he’d be open for anything. God, I can’t stand it…

I just got caught by my boyfriend while revelling in that last thought. He didn’t read the screen, thankfully, but I think he could read my face.

…

…or at least this project. I’ve been stressing out about a logo design. It just wasn’t QUITE there yet. Just now, I went to open up the Illustrator file, and when I selected the file on my desktop, I got that mashed-up Illustrator preview—all the layers at once.

Usually annoying,and a mess, this time, the quirk actually gave me an insight into what a hybrid, amalgam, MASH-UP of my various ideas for the logo would look like, and VOILA!—a better solution!

We’ll see if it turns out to “The One”. More to come…

Hey guys!  We havent posted anything lately, so hows life? Are yhu guys readyy for xmas? I am!

First, my blogmate Shawn is awesome (:   and second, I get my braces off on the 17th  {super-happyy.}

My favourite song (which changes almost every hour! ha, jk) is TiK ToK by Ke$ha.

&& NewMoon comes out in 13 days!!!! The books were good, but the movies sort of messed everyone up. Im excited to see it though!!

RespondRespondRespond!,

Xo, Parker

I like the way this little logo for my sister turned out…

Das vollstänige Interview findet Ihr hier.

Ontem eu estava conversando com a Aladyah na pousada de Astrub, sobre o andamento do novo set, quando acontece uma surpresa, uma grande amigo meu que há tempos eu não encontrava, apareceu para bater um papo comigo. O nome dele é Elithroyal. Ele não sabia que eu tinha sido roubado ainda. Então resolveu me ajudar, me deu uma quantia em kamas, para ajudar na compra de uma nova montaria pra Aladyah, e ainda deu uma montaria marfim de presente para mim, e também deu um intestino de escarafolhas para fazer a espada mais futuramente.

Por tudo isso, muito obrigado Elithroyal. Faltou só um print pra dexar registrado esse momento, mas não faltarão oportunidades.

Por Agora é só, até mais!

“The past few years of watching First To Fall I have seen them progress. I have first hand witnessed these gentlemen strive and survive in this scene. They’ve shown just what type of dedication it takes to create and maintain such an amazing band. The band consists of  James Smith, guitar and vocals and Mike Smith on drums along with guitarist and vocalist Shawn Selig and James Ramey on Bass.”

Tyler: Thanks for taking the time to sit down and talk about the band hombre!

Mike: No problem at all man thanks for doing this thang

T: Anytime [laughs] now you guys have been together for a long time, what inspired you to make music in the first place?

M: [laughs] difficult question, we were young for me I always new I wanted to play music in a band. My oldest brother played in bands when he was growing up, so I got interested very young. For James he was 12 when we first started playing in a band.

T: Straight into the world and onto the kit

M: [laughs] I like that. pretty much exactly it

T: [laughs] sweet, so you guys just added James Ramey on bass how has James influenced the band or made it stronger?

M: Oh wow, where do I begin with Rames, we all got to see him a lot at local shows with previous bands, and it was obvious he could rip the bass. So when we were looking for a new bass player, he’s the first person that came to mind, and since he wasn’t currently in a band it happened fast. quick question quick answer. We sound much tighter and full with him, and his bass riffs are incredible

T: And that’s all you can really hope for in a musician. The band just hit the studio, to start recording the new album. Can you tell us about the release and how it differs from previous releases or maybe how it shows you’re sticking to your roots?

M: We recently recorded with Mark Scott @ Smashbox Studios, He does such a good Job, great guy, and the atmosphere is amazing. We currently have 5 songs recorded for the album, were going to add a brand new track on the MySpace in the next week or so, (hasn’t been played live yet) we may release an EP before the full length we’ll see what happens. We are looking to have 10-11 tracks on the album. The title of the album may be “Home” have 100% decided. But that ones in the air, our sound has definitely changed since our older stuff. We definitely cleaned the sound up a bit. Nice singing, still has a heavy influence though for sure.

T: How was it working with Mark, you said the atmosphere was great. Did it bring out any new thoughts or inspirations?

M: Oh absolutely, mark had so much great input, had lots of good ideas. Very easy to record with him.

T: That’s sweet dude, James has an amazing singing voice. How did the writing process take place; was most of it written all together or did it all come together individually?

M: [Pauses, thinking] Shawn writes a lot in his spare time and when he likes something we all usually like it. He brings it to the jams and we start creating. Even if he brings in just one riff that we all like, we’ll play that one riff over and keep adding stuff to build it more. And then eventually more riffs keep building. I think were all happy with the writing process. When I hear the riffs I play beats in my head, and then when I get behind the kit I just have fun with it keep playing different things until imp satisfied [laughs]. then the bass is written it just comes to Ramey when we write it almost immediately fits. the vocals are last for us we take a lot of time writing the lyrics and singing them different ways. we concentrate a lot on nice harmonies. so James and Shawn usually play the song acoustically and keep singing it until we all like it. [laughs]

T: That’s awesome man, you guys have been together for quite sometime so it must be a natural process, what’s the biggest challenge the band has had to so face so far, if any, and how did you overcome it if so?

M: There was a time in the band when we just stopped jamming. We were young, still are. So I think we just needed to stop and think things threw. So for about half a year to a year we were on pause, until one day we’re like what in the fuck are we doing lets do what we love to do. so we decided to pursue the band. After it all I think it was best for all of us. Since then we just started jamming and writing much, much more.

T: What’s the ultimate goal or direction of the band?

M:  [laughs] This comes up a lot, we all feel the same way, and the dedication is definitely there. Right now we want to work on the album, and tour very soon, continue writing songs, playing shows anywhere and everywhere we can, just keep heading forward. And we hope to be doing this for a long time. We love it.

T: Couldn’t have asked for a better response [laughs]. That’s it for me manswers any shout outs or last words?

M: Just wanna shout out too Mike Steenbakkers at Defacto Custom Drums (www.defactodrums.com) And Mark Scott at SmashBox Studios (www.myspace.com/smashboxrecording) My bro Ryan, my parents for letting us jam in the basement! Obviously people who listen to us or like us in anyway [laughs], last but not least the band mates James Shawn Ramey, almost forgot thanks so much for this interview. First interview weird [laughs]

T: Well it definitely won’t be the last my man, f2f is going places! Thanks for sitting down with us!

I hired Finn to spruce up my guitar. The original plan was flames, but he went for something a little more abstract in the end. Maybe he found out that when I originally bought this I was really into Living Colour…

Getting the balloons:

Decoration:

Greek God and Goddess:

Ski Bum and Greek God:

Penelope the pea pod:

Tooth Fairy (Amy), The Mime Who Can’t Shut Up (Megan) and Anonymous (Kristen):

Goddess and Bum:

Corpse Bride (Jen), Butterfly (Wendy), Wench (Lauren) and Mime (Megan)

The Wench:

Get this off of me:

Ok I stole this idea from another blog, but I thought it would be fun to do with my community. Below is my Book list. Leave a comment back with your list. I’m always open for new reading material. So lets have some fun.

Favorites Book List:

Red Moon Rising – Pete Greig & Dave Roberts

Before We Kill and Eat You – H.B. Garlock

Four Souls – Mike Peterson, Matt Kronberg, Jedd Medefind, Trey Sklar

Crazy Love – Francis Chan

Velvet Elvis – Rob Bell

Sex God – Rob Bell

God Wants to Save Christians – Rob Bell

Irresistible Revolution – Shane Claiborne

Blue Like Jazz – Donald Miller

Through Painted Deserts – Donald Miller

To Own a Dragon – Donald miller

Epic – John Eldridge

Wild at heart – John Eldridge

Way of the Wild heart – John Eldridge

Heavenly Man – Brother Yun

Under the Overpass – Mike Yankoski

Harry Potter Series – JK Rowland

Ragamuffin Gospel – Brennan Manning

Ruthless Trust – Brennan Manning

The Practice of the Presence of God – Brother Lawrence

Celebration of Disclpine – Richard Foster

Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis

Chronicles of Narnia – C.S. lewis

Joshua – Joseph Girzone

The Shephard – Joseph Girzone

The DaVinci Code – Dan Brown

Angles & Demons – Dan Brown

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy – J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkien

Who I Am In Christ – Neal T. Anderson

The Shack – William P.Young

The Return of the Prodigal Son – Henri Nouwen

Currently Reading:

The Fourfold Gospel – A.B. Simpson

The Jesus I never Knew – Phillip Yancy

So you want to be like Christ – Charles Swindoll

On the Shelf to Read Next:

ReJesus – Michael Frost & Alan Hirsch

Bruchko – Bruce Olson

Bringing up Boys – James Dobson

God on Mute – Pete Greig

Victory over the Darkness – Neil T. Anderson

Christianity’s Dangerous Idea – Alister Mcgrath

Jesus for President – Shane Claiborn

Abba’s Child – Brennan Manning

It will get me energized to post all my fun Halloween pictures from the super fun party I had tonight

This thought came to my mind as I was part of a ministry opportunity recently.  A couple I was having supper with asked a lady and her son to come over.  The son is only a few years younger than me but is very incapacitated.  He was in a car accident when he was 18, and he’s never been the same since.  He is confined to a wheelchair and has only about 50% brain capacity.  I guess that’s a demonstration of the mercy of God, because it keeps him from fully realizing what he’s going through.  It is interesting that his cupholder says “this is not the life I ordered”, but I think his mom got him this (though she’s very content with what the Lord has given to them). 

At supper Shawn sometimes had a hard time swallowing, resulting in some unexpected mealtime noises.  Thankfully, God helped me not to be improperly distracted or disturbed by them.  I know there are some handicap people who have even greater difficulty as they eat, and I am grateful that my experience was extremely mild. My heart also went out to the young man.  But as I was thinking about some of the mildly unpleasant things we were experiencing, I began thinking about Jesus’ washing of the apostles’ feet in John 13.  I reflected on Jesus’ service to the apostles.  No doubt their feet smelled.  No, I didn’t get that from the Greek.  All guys’ feet smell!  But Jesus didn’t allow the unpleasantness of their feet to keep Him from doing a humble act of service to them.  I also need to be willing to experience unpleasantness at times in my service to Him. 

After being with Shawn for the evening, I was also thankful that the Lord has not taken away the abilities He’s given me and that I can use them in service to Him.  I did enjoy getting to know Shawn, too.  He has a good sense of humor.  He knows the Lord has died on the cross for his sins, and he really enjoys singing hymns and spiritual songs.  It was such a blessing to hear of his testimony, in spite of his limited mental capacities. 

On a deputation note…  There are three churches that are very close to voting about support for me, and there are at least 7 others here in PA that are seriously considering me.  Please pray!

We race against time for last minute shopping at TOBU this morning before our evening flight home. The husband managed to get not just 1 but 2 sets of Yukata for his sweetheart. They cost a BOMB, I reckon!

Of course, shopping at Narita Airport was crazy too. In order to get rid of small change (yen), we buy for the sake of buying.

Apart from suffering a small blister on my toe due to prolong walking, all in all, we had a safe and good trip.

A gift for Rachelle from 小姨.

小姨 buy!