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Monday, 03 December 2007

  • Five Important Lessons

    I know that we've probably all heard these stories before, but I wanted to post them because I'm touched every time I read them.  Enjoy~!


    1. First Important Lesson - "Know The Cleaning Lady"

    During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"

    Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

    "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello."

    I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.


    2. Second Important Lesson - "Pickup In The Rain"

    One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.

    A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.

    She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home.

    A special note was attached. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others."

    Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.


    3. Third Important Lesson - "Remember Those Who Serve"

    In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "50¢," replied the waitress.

    The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

    "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "35¢!" she brusquely replied.

    The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.

    When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.


    4. Fourth Important Lesson - "The Obstacles In Our Path"

    In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

    Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand - "Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition."


    5. Fifth Important Lesson - "Giving When It Counts"

    Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save her."

    As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?".

    Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

    ~The End~


Sunday, 18 November 2007

  • why english teachers die young..

    the following are actual similes and metaphors found in real high school essays.
    • her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.
    • the plan was simple, just like my brother-in-law, phil.  but unlike phil, this plan just might work.
    • he fell for her like he was a mob informant, and she was the east river.
    • he was as lame as a duck.  not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.
    • he was deeply in love.  when she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up.
    ..............AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Friday, 25 May 2007


  • I was reading the chapter on prayer in     Steps to Christ last night and came across this quote.

    "If we take counsel with our doubts and fears, or try to solve everything that we cannot see clearly, before we have faith, perplexities will only increase and deepen.  But if we come to God, feeling helpless and dependent, as we really are, and in humble, trusting faith make known our wants to Him whose knowledge is infinite, who sees everything in creation, and who governs everything by His will and word, He can and will attend to our cry, and will let light shine into our hearts.

    Through sincere prayer we are brought into connection with the mind of the Infinite.  We may have no remarkable evidence at the time that the face of our Redeemer is bending over us in compassion and love, but this is even so.  We may not feel His visible touch, but His hand is upon us in love and pitying tenderness."

    This past year has been full of ups and downs, uncertainties and doubts, but I'm slowly learning to to trust God first and pray for his will in my life.

Thursday, 19 April 2007