This past Saturday night, to celebrate the ending of one of my GRE tests, Brian and I went out to eat and In n Out burger. We had a great time, as always we enjoy this restaurant a lot.
There was an older deaf couple that was eating nearby us, and when they got up to leave the husband gave me a little message on a small sheet of paper. The message read "God Bless You :)". I guess Brian and I must have looked confused about what we would have done to deserve such a compliment, because he and his wife were both pressing their hands together and bowing towards us, in an effort to explain. They were both Caucasian, so I know that they were not doing some kind of greeting that is normally seen in Asian cultures... finally the man turned over the paper he had given me and wrote: "Pray before eating." They had seen me say a quick blessing over our meal before we started eating.
What a blessing! I really had needed encouragement that night, because I don't know if I did all that well on my test, and boy was I so blessed to have been able to receive that small token of love from the man. He is my brother in Christ! And how amazing that it just took one small act that seems so elementary and rooted into me, praying before I eat, to give someone the opportunity to converse with me about my faith.
I felt extremely happy leaving the restaurant. This is why I love In N Out, and maybe even LA so much; there is such a diversity of people here and BOOM: before you know it, you are pushed together into community with people that you never would have interacted with on your own. And there you are, sharing your lives with one another like you had never expected to.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Classical Conditioning at its Finest
Apparently, the city of Los Angeles, California has a pigeon problem. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure this out! The most disturbing part about the pigeon problem is that there is actually a woman living in the Hollywood Hills who, for some reason or another, goes out every morning to feed the pigeons all over Los Angeles. She has no furniture in her living room, just bag after bag of pigeon feed, and she faithfully feeds the enlarging pigeon community all over Los Angeles. I even think I saw her on my street one morning with crusts of bread (*and of course I got out my angry eyes, why would I want someone to feed the pigeons on my street?!).
To combat the growing pigeon population, the city of Los Angeles has come up with an amazing, but age-old, solution: put distributing sites around the county on rooftops that don't get very much traffic, where pigeons can go to get their food. And when the food is being distributed, some kind of light signal/sound signal will go off to let the pigeons know that the food is being distributed on their rooftops. Sound like Ivan Pavlov, doesn't it?
Can anyone else see a possible issue with this? I can. The woman is still going out to feed the pigeons. I'm talking about every single morning. People have actually tried to catch her and she somehow manages to evade them. And this will be her routine for the rest of her life. She loves these birds! So while the pigeons might learn to go to the distributing sites because they will learn to pair the noise/light signal with their food, they also will still be getting their food from her. This is a huge issue. Instead of getting rid of the pigeon population, we will be exacerbating it!
A possible solution (if anyone else wants to chime in with another solution be my guest...): at the distributing sites, make sure the pigeons eat the feed and deliver a small shock to them at the end so that they learn not to eat the food? This is very difficult, though for severals reasons. 1. several animal rights activists frequent this lovely city I find myself in and 2. the pigeons could just learn not to come to the distributing sites and still they would be fed by the pigeon lady. So really, I don't know if there is a sensible solution. But the next time you are in Los Angeles, and you see a pigeon, just think of me and smile.
To combat the growing pigeon population, the city of Los Angeles has come up with an amazing, but age-old, solution: put distributing sites around the county on rooftops that don't get very much traffic, where pigeons can go to get their food. And when the food is being distributed, some kind of light signal/sound signal will go off to let the pigeons know that the food is being distributed on their rooftops. Sound like Ivan Pavlov, doesn't it?
Can anyone else see a possible issue with this? I can. The woman is still going out to feed the pigeons. I'm talking about every single morning. People have actually tried to catch her and she somehow manages to evade them. And this will be her routine for the rest of her life. She loves these birds! So while the pigeons might learn to go to the distributing sites because they will learn to pair the noise/light signal with their food, they also will still be getting their food from her. This is a huge issue. Instead of getting rid of the pigeon population, we will be exacerbating it!
A possible solution (if anyone else wants to chime in with another solution be my guest...): at the distributing sites, make sure the pigeons eat the feed and deliver a small shock to them at the end so that they learn not to eat the food? This is very difficult, though for severals reasons. 1. several animal rights activists frequent this lovely city I find myself in and 2. the pigeons could just learn not to come to the distributing sites and still they would be fed by the pigeon lady. So really, I don't know if there is a sensible solution. But the next time you are in Los Angeles, and you see a pigeon, just think of me and smile.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Housed: One Veteran!
The scene: Los Angeles Housing Authority, Friday, August 28th. A room with florescent lights and no windows.
Those present: 30 veterans, 5 case managers with LA Housing Authority, myself and my partner Herman.
Required: Clients present submitted an application, and also had 90 days sobriety, a physical and mental health evalutaion, as well as copies of bank statements.
Getting to see one of our clients in a room with 29 other vets receive a voucher for his own apartment: priceless!
Now, for the other 90,000 homeless in LA, let's get cracking!
In all sincerity, it has been a crazy ride with this particular client seeing him through to this point, and it has taken a lot of sweat to actually get all of the required components gathered and all of his appointments met.
As I looked around the room, I realized that most Veterans do not have the luxury of getting case managers to aid them in looking for apartments. They are going to be making their appointments on their own. Although most veterans in the room receiving their housing vouchers appeared to be middle-aged or higher, I did see some younger looking men that could not have been much older than me. I wondered what must be different about their lives now. We're awarding these veterans who served our country with reduced fee housing vouchers for single and one bedroom apartments, and yet they should be able to have a house of their own, not just an apartment in this crazy, jam-packed city. One man asked about his PTSD and how that was going to affect his ability to find an apartment approved with the program in the given 120 day limit. He has a 2 year old daughter. I hope that there will be reform in this program, and in similar programs to come, as we continue on the quest to house every homeless and underserved person living in this city.
For now, I must celebrate along with my wonderful team the small feat that has been accomplished with the collaborative effort of case managers, social workers, and doctors, all who had a small part to play in getting our one client the dream of his life, an apartment he could afford on his SSI that is in West Hollywood, CA.
Those present: 30 veterans, 5 case managers with LA Housing Authority, myself and my partner Herman.
Required: Clients present submitted an application, and also had 90 days sobriety, a physical and mental health evalutaion, as well as copies of bank statements.
Getting to see one of our clients in a room with 29 other vets receive a voucher for his own apartment: priceless!
Now, for the other 90,000 homeless in LA, let's get cracking!
In all sincerity, it has been a crazy ride with this particular client seeing him through to this point, and it has taken a lot of sweat to actually get all of the required components gathered and all of his appointments met.
As I looked around the room, I realized that most Veterans do not have the luxury of getting case managers to aid them in looking for apartments. They are going to be making their appointments on their own. Although most veterans in the room receiving their housing vouchers appeared to be middle-aged or higher, I did see some younger looking men that could not have been much older than me. I wondered what must be different about their lives now. We're awarding these veterans who served our country with reduced fee housing vouchers for single and one bedroom apartments, and yet they should be able to have a house of their own, not just an apartment in this crazy, jam-packed city. One man asked about his PTSD and how that was going to affect his ability to find an apartment approved with the program in the given 120 day limit. He has a 2 year old daughter. I hope that there will be reform in this program, and in similar programs to come, as we continue on the quest to house every homeless and underserved person living in this city.
For now, I must celebrate along with my wonderful team the small feat that has been accomplished with the collaborative effort of case managers, social workers, and doctors, all who had a small part to play in getting our one client the dream of his life, an apartment he could afford on his SSI that is in West Hollywood, CA.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Glorifying God in the Dull
Currently I am studying for two Graduate Record Examination (GRE) tests, which will be taken about a month/month and a half from now. One is in psychology, and the other is the general which I took a few years ago. The majority of my summer (post-relative visit, that is!) has been establishing a regular pattern of study on two weeknights and on Saturdays. Boy has it been difficult for me to get back into the swing of things. I told someone recently that it was like retraining a muscle I haven't used in a while. There are days where doing math problems and reading an abbreviated version of a general psych text book is less than desireable. Yet I continue to press on. Part of me is happy to be studying again, because I know that I will be closer to my goal of getting into clinical psychology programs. But the other half says to me daily, "It's summer. You should be outside. Or in an air-conditioned movie theater. With friends."
One of my professors at Seattle Pacific said that we glorify God when we show up with a grateful and willing heart. This means that in showing up to study, grateful that God has given me the chance for some higher learning, and also willing to humble myself and learn the magnitude of that which I do not know, I am glorifying Him! Although many days when I sit down to study I do not feel like studying and I do have a bad attitude, I am trying to re-focus that energy into feeling like my score will be that much more positive because I am studying so diligently. I think this can be taken into anything and anywhere we go. This week, I am praying for a grateful and willing heart as I show up to work, to studying, to the gym, to hang out with friends, and in my quiet times. I know that God will meet me there and work out the rest for me.
One of my professors at Seattle Pacific said that we glorify God when we show up with a grateful and willing heart. This means that in showing up to study, grateful that God has given me the chance for some higher learning, and also willing to humble myself and learn the magnitude of that which I do not know, I am glorifying Him! Although many days when I sit down to study I do not feel like studying and I do have a bad attitude, I am trying to re-focus that energy into feeling like my score will be that much more positive because I am studying so diligently. I think this can be taken into anything and anywhere we go. This week, I am praying for a grateful and willing heart as I show up to work, to studying, to the gym, to hang out with friends, and in my quiet times. I know that God will meet me there and work out the rest for me.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Day MJ Passed...
On Thursday, June 25th, a momentous thing happened here in Hollywood. I'm not referring to Michael Jackson's death, either, although it has been crazy to be living in the city he was living in while he died...
I'm talking about Project Connect, a nation-wide program of services available for the homeless. Here in Hollywood, we call it the Y!MBY, meaning Yes! in my backyard. Many people today have the opposite, or N!MBY (Not! in my backyard!) mindset and for that reason each year it becomes more and more challenging to provide low cost, permanent affordable housing, and to build shelters and other service centers to help the homeless and other high needs populations. When I was in high school and living in Michigan, there was talk of a new county jail being built in a residential neighborhood. Many residents of that neighborhood combatted the jail being built there. They said they did not want a jail in their backyards.
This illustrates the idea of N!MBYism, the current attitude that yes, the homeless should be helped, but let's send them on a bus away from our community to get them help somewhere else.
Project Connect Day's goal was to assist our clients who are homeless in Hollywood, actually in Hollywood. It took place on Thursday, June 25th, and we saw 518 homeless people that day. Everyone completed an intake and was seen in an orderly fashion. There were representatives from many agencies, a church group was doing foot washing, there were free haircuts, and many persons were placed into shelter. All in all, it was a very successful day. To give you a picture of what the day was like, I've included this link:
http://www.epath.org/yimby/Connectday2009report.html
At this site, you can view a video of the day. Although I'm really not so sure that it complies with HIPAA, since the clients signed a consent form when they came in but I can't remember if it said anything about putting their pictures in the media.
Whatever the case may be, the same day that Michael Jackson died, 518 people in Hollywood were given a meal, some were given a place to stay for the next 3-6 months, and much much more.
I'm talking about Project Connect, a nation-wide program of services available for the homeless. Here in Hollywood, we call it the Y!MBY, meaning Yes! in my backyard. Many people today have the opposite, or N!MBY (Not! in my backyard!) mindset and for that reason each year it becomes more and more challenging to provide low cost, permanent affordable housing, and to build shelters and other service centers to help the homeless and other high needs populations. When I was in high school and living in Michigan, there was talk of a new county jail being built in a residential neighborhood. Many residents of that neighborhood combatted the jail being built there. They said they did not want a jail in their backyards.
This illustrates the idea of N!MBYism, the current attitude that yes, the homeless should be helped, but let's send them on a bus away from our community to get them help somewhere else.
Project Connect Day's goal was to assist our clients who are homeless in Hollywood, actually in Hollywood. It took place on Thursday, June 25th, and we saw 518 homeless people that day. Everyone completed an intake and was seen in an orderly fashion. There were representatives from many agencies, a church group was doing foot washing, there were free haircuts, and many persons were placed into shelter. All in all, it was a very successful day. To give you a picture of what the day was like, I've included this link:
http://www.epath.org/yimby/Connectday2009report.html
At this site, you can view a video of the day. Although I'm really not so sure that it complies with HIPAA, since the clients signed a consent form when they came in but I can't remember if it said anything about putting their pictures in the media.
Whatever the case may be, the same day that Michael Jackson died, 518 people in Hollywood were given a meal, some were given a place to stay for the next 3-6 months, and much much more.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Gym Saga Continues
(Warning: you will need to read my past blog called spirited aerobic to understand who I'm talking about in this blog...)
The week after my gym friend gave me the Bible tract, I approached her after class and told her that I was a Christian. She was happy to hear it, but she couldn't speak at all. When I asked her what her name was, she had to write it for me on a napkin! But, nonetheless, I told her my name and why I was here in Hollywood (a little bit about DOOR, PATH, etc...) and that I was going to Hollywood Presbyterian Church. I asked her if she had a church to go to, and she said she did. But I invited her to Hollywood Pres anyway.
Fast forward to Sunday morning. I had let Brian drive my car home since it was late Saturday when he left, so I was walking to church and he was going to meet me there with the car. As I turned onto Hollywood Blvd, I happened upon my gym friend! I said, "Carole, hello, it's so good to see you! I'm actually just going to church right now. Would you want to come with me?" And she nodded! So then we walked to Hollywood Pres the rest of the way and she came inside with me. I showed her where Brian and I were going to sit, and asked if she wanted to sit with us, but she felt more comfortable sitting in the back. But I looked at the end of the service, and she stayed through the whole thing! So she must have enjoyed worshipping there.
Now whenever I go to gym class I say Hi to her! Yay! I have made a new friend!
The week after my gym friend gave me the Bible tract, I approached her after class and told her that I was a Christian. She was happy to hear it, but she couldn't speak at all. When I asked her what her name was, she had to write it for me on a napkin! But, nonetheless, I told her my name and why I was here in Hollywood (a little bit about DOOR, PATH, etc...) and that I was going to Hollywood Presbyterian Church. I asked her if she had a church to go to, and she said she did. But I invited her to Hollywood Pres anyway.
Fast forward to Sunday morning. I had let Brian drive my car home since it was late Saturday when he left, so I was walking to church and he was going to meet me there with the car. As I turned onto Hollywood Blvd, I happened upon my gym friend! I said, "Carole, hello, it's so good to see you! I'm actually just going to church right now. Would you want to come with me?" And she nodded! So then we walked to Hollywood Pres the rest of the way and she came inside with me. I showed her where Brian and I were going to sit, and asked if she wanted to sit with us, but she felt more comfortable sitting in the back. But I looked at the end of the service, and she stayed through the whole thing! So she must have enjoyed worshipping there.
Now whenever I go to gym class I say Hi to her! Yay! I have made a new friend!
Music of the Night
I live off of Santa Monica Blvd, one of the busiest streets in Hollywood, and maybe also the US. Those of you who have talked to me before know that I struggle sometimes with the noise in trying to get to sleep at night, but for the most part I enjoy the proximity to being close to the "action."
Often there will be some events in our neighborhood that remind me of what a wonderful community I live in, and Sunday night was no exception. I had just gotten back from playing clarinet in the orchestra concert, and I was pretty tuckered out. Maybe it was the 1.5 hour rehearsal before the 2 hour actual concert, but I was exhausted...
I parked my car, only to be greeted with: Mariachi music! That's right, friends, there was a real live Mariachi band playing at the house kitty corner to me. I mean, it doesn't get any better than this! Costumes and all. I think that someone over there was celebrating their birthday, because they were playing this song called, "Las Mananitas" which I remember learning in Spanish I my sophomore year in high school. It's a traditional birthday song that people normally sing as the birthday boy/girl is waking up. Thank you Lord for the wonderful blessing of this neighborhood! When I start questioning why I am in Hollywood, may I look back and read this blog...
Often there will be some events in our neighborhood that remind me of what a wonderful community I live in, and Sunday night was no exception. I had just gotten back from playing clarinet in the orchestra concert, and I was pretty tuckered out. Maybe it was the 1.5 hour rehearsal before the 2 hour actual concert, but I was exhausted...
I parked my car, only to be greeted with: Mariachi music! That's right, friends, there was a real live Mariachi band playing at the house kitty corner to me. I mean, it doesn't get any better than this! Costumes and all. I think that someone over there was celebrating their birthday, because they were playing this song called, "Las Mananitas" which I remember learning in Spanish I my sophomore year in high school. It's a traditional birthday song that people normally sing as the birthday boy/girl is waking up. Thank you Lord for the wonderful blessing of this neighborhood! When I start questioning why I am in Hollywood, may I look back and read this blog...
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