Currently Reading

I started an amazing book this morning. Talking Animals. Magic. Giants. Nomads. Wars. Murder. Adventure. Emerging Culture. Emerging Language. And all of that is just the introduction. The stage. The first 15 chapters of the Greatest Story Ever Told.

Many of you heard me share about my struggles with literacy in culture and how it's affected my approach to the Bible in my walk. As modern-day (postmodern?) believers we put so much pressure into the term "quiet time". Even the term "quiet", designed to emphasize a quieting of the soul to hear from the Lord, can place a tremendous burden on the time we set aside to spend with the Lord. Devotionals? Prayer Time? All these terms place an emphasis on a discipline. Worship, prayer, the Word and the disciplines are all critical in the life of the believer. It's how we plug in, but the routine can become routine.

I was too overwhelmed to study, too tired to seek truth or to examine the depths of my soul. This morning I picked up a book. A great story that I want to share with my friends. I had forgotten that.

Tags:

• books
• devotional

Not a Proud Day

Most of you know my degree is in Civil Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. I loved my collegues and fellow engineering students. I was proud of my work and am glad for the training and preperation that it has given me for my work in Thailand with the Akha - but I must admit that to be a civil engineer is not to be in the most prestigious of company.

Don't misunderstand me, I am not at all ashamed of being an Engineer. My Grandpa Du and my dad both worked as civil engineers and I was proud to follow their work. But any group that lifts Thomas Crapper (I'm not joking here) to the height of immortality has it's issues.

But, perhaps, a new low is upon us. A new posterboy has arisen. Joey Chestnut, a civil engineering student at San Jose State yesterday ate 50 hotdogs in the qualifying round of Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest setting an American record. And that's not all, "sportsfans", apparently this guy is a competitive pork rib, waffle, jalepeno pepper and hot wing eater as well. Hey, at least he has his health.

Tags:

• humor

A Thorn in the Flesh

Maybe it's the spicy Akha food. Maybe it's the changing of diets between Akha food, Thai food and American food. Lori thinks that it is stress - and according to FamilyDoctor.org she might be on to something. Whatever the cause, I have been struggling with a serious pain in the mouth - Canker Sores.

Not just any Canker Sores. HUGE canker sores. Although not quite as large as the picture might imply, these suckers are really big. I have to load up on the Oragel before I eat any meals and the darn things keep me up all night. I probably get one every six weeks or so, and I've got a king sized one right now (although before you feel too sorry for me you should know, I still eat very spicy food).

In the end, it doesn't matter all that much. I love what I am doing and would not trade it for the world but I wanted to share one of the daily bothers of my life.

Tags:

• health
• personal

I Have Seen the Future... I think.

Every once in a while, I like to share about digital, software or hardware developments that catch my interest. Today, while browsing my NewsFox headlines I stumbled across a very interesting invention on Engadget that I would have bought if I was still working on computers full-time (especially doing CAD design / drafting work) and would consider buying now - but it doesn't exist yet.

While we enjoy the benefits of Skype and Gaim and Blogs for cheaply communicating around the world, we also recognize the problems of poor eyesight and carpal tunnel syndrome (as an important aside, my grandma needs carpal tunnel surgery - please pray for no complications and quick healing). While people have attempted to develop screen glare reducers, voice recognition programs, touch screens and even thought reading devices to change the way we interact with our computers, Ari Zagnoev from Perth, Australia might have designed a much better option to stop that painful popping in my wrist.

The Combimouse is an intuitive design which combines the mouse with the right-hand keys of the keyboard. This minimizes movement from keyboard to mouse, but perhaps the most intriguing thing about this design is that the mouse-half of the Combimouse can be combined with your laptop keyboard. The idea of not having to use my uncomfortable laptop keyboard while not having to lug around a full size ergonomic keyboard AND mouse is very appealing.

Unfortunately, this mouse/keyboard cannot be purchased yet. It is still in the start-up (development?) stage. But the idea is very intriguing and with the advent of wireless availability and Bluetooth devices, this Combimouse could very quickly become the next evolution in computer interface controls.

Tags:

• hardware

Solace in a Bottle

I had a much better title for this post but Lori used her marital veto on it, once again saving the world from my little mind. So despite the onset of your imminent overwhelming curiosity, the bell in Charn will never be rung and the original title will forever sleep.

I briefly referred to a stomach bug that was going around our village in The Akha Clinic (see the paragraph on dirt floor appreciation) and it seems I am not immune to this little bug. So, I'm down in Chiang Rai fighting off a little fever with some air conditioning and fighting off this stomach bug with my friend the bottle of Pepto Bismol.

The silver lining (pink lining?) in this situation is it gives me the opportunity to work on the WishList page so many of you have been asking for. Near the top of the list... Pepto Bismol, along with a list of other medical supplies for the village, suggested gift items for anyone visiting an Akha village and personal items that are difficult or impossible to get in Thailand that we would love from home.

Keep checking our front page under On This Site (in the left sidebar) for the new link or just click here to see if it is up and running.

Tags:

• health
• web.design