Week's End

Missed Friday's deadline for Seven Quick Takes.  So instead, you get a Saturday edition of the same thing.

Interview Results.  I've been waiting patiently by the phone waiting to see if I'd get a callback from the interview I had last Wednesday, but alas, it seems that nothing immediate will yield from this adventure.  Although slightly frustrated with the whole ordeal, I can't say that I'm surprised.  Considering the size and influence of the potential employer, I knew there would be an impressive set of candidates.  With my lack of experience, I knew my back against the wall, and underdogs rarely end up winning.

Teaching Sabbath.  This past Thursday, I awarded the eight surviving students with muffins and orange juice - a power breakfast - before the final exam.  So with classes taking a two week break before Fall semester, there are a number of personal projects I want to get done.  If I don't get them done now, I won't get a more perfect opportunity to compete them until... *gulp*... December.  Better get going!

Vehicle Problems.  Just when Andrea and I thought we had outrun the automotive curse, our truck took a horrible turn for the awful last Monday.  I can't determine if it's a problem with the axle or transmission, but either way I greatly fear that the cost will be high.  And even though the idea of having only one vehicle doesn't terrify me, Binghamton is not very conducive to winter biking.  Tough decisions ahead.

Mission Group Resumes.  Wednesday was the reunion of our Mission Group.  There is great power and comfort in intentionally studying the Bible among friends.  God has designed us to pray and play together, and when it's done a small piece of Heaven fills the room.  If you aren't linked in some for of Bible study, find one and witness the wonders that God will perform in your lives.

Sibling's Visit.  Before Adam and Becca leave for college, Andrea and I wanted to spend a fun-filled day with them exclusively.  A (failed) attempt to geocache led us to Finch Hollow Nature Center.  The girls brought their cameras and took tons of pictures, which you can view a small sampling of.

Me wearing bearskin.

Becca posing with her natural kin.

Wild man in his natural habitat.

The pond behind the nature center.

Friend's Homecoming.  Both Kellie and Jerry have returned to Binghamton!  Kellie spent two months in Rhode Island and Jerry has been serving with the New York City Urban Project (NYCUP) for a month.  Both of them are integral parts to the Good Shepherd community and having them back will be a blessing to this area.  Make sure to take some time to talk to them about their adventures!

The Boy who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope

This book was recommended by my friend Marissa, and after reading a few reviews, I spent the last of my Christmas gift card from Christmas to buy it.  I present to you The Boy who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba.

Without giving too much away...

The first third comprises mostly of William's early life.  The son of a trader and farmer, the family learned to use its resources wisely.  Even compared to the cultures of other third-world countries, the life of those who live in Malawi is full of struggle.  Uncooperative government, famines and witchcraft are only three of the difficult trials that await the 15 million people living Malawi today.  Through episodes and experiences of his own life, William highlights how he and his family choose to deal with all three of these.

In the middle of the book, the plot begins to pick up as William deals concurrently with the two largest conflicts in adolescent years - famine and education.  After a single season of bad weather, the harvest is ruined and the entire country of Malawi literally struggles to survive.  Meanwhile, because of his family's low income, William is forced to leave school because of insufficient funds.  This frustrates him because he knows education is the only way for him to move up in a severely uneducated country.  However, William finds a reprieve at his public library and through a series of books becomes fixated on the idea of creating electricity for his home.  Not without great difficulty and personal losses, William succeeds in creating his dream: a functioning wind turbine (also known as a wind mill).

The last chapters explain how his invention, called "electric wind," brings him from his small village to giving a presentation on it in America.  In a fortunate turn of events and the persistence of a handful of people to get William recognized for the brilliant scientist an inventor he had become, a path to education was finally made accessible for him.

I can safely say that I wasn't disappointed and you won't be either.  This fantastic, real-life account of William Kamkwamba provides vivid narration, amazing insights to the culture of Malawi, persistence against real struggle and adversity, and strokes of keen ingenuity combined with sheer determination.  If you enjoy culture studies, autobiographies or applied science, I give this book a heavy recommendation.

Bacon Rating: 4.5 out of 5

7 Quick Takes: 2011 #8

-ONE-

As my one and only summer session closes next Thursday, I'm realizing that this has been my favorite group of students I've had thus far.  There have been a few rough spots, but all and all, many of them are starting to realize that they CAN do math, even when it has escaped them in the past.  My only regret is that I won't be able to follow them into their next course.  I pray the professor cares as much about them as I do.

-TWO-

In the midst of preparing for an interview, I found out that when my backs against the wall, I'm still able to get things done.  However, unlike in college where I had few obligations, I found myself very tired and worn down after three intense days of preparation and little sleep.  In addition, I let a few important e-mails and spiritual disciplines seep through the cracks.  In reflection of that, I feel tremendously guilty, especially in response to how the interview went.  God won't give us more than we can handle.  Stay true to God and He will certainly carry you through thick and thin.

-THREE-

The mini-vacation in Rhode Island was great.  Between the great company, hospitality, and fellowship, the smell and sounds of the ocean were soothing to me in a time of great stress.  And even the long ride to and from Rhode Island wasn't too bad.  I'll hold off on the details now and post up pictures and a more thorough adventure later, but I will say this: having Tom in the car with us was a great opportunity to catch up with a great guy who has spent the last year on the other side of the world.  

-FOUR-

In addition to the workaholic problems, there have been small holes in my heart that need to get filled.  Our Bible study hasn't meet in over a month, but we're scheduled to meet again in full next Wednesday.  I'm looking very forward to meeting regularly with everyone again.  I've missed it tons.  And I also haven't biked in almost two weeks.  So I'll definitely be looking forward to next week bringing some schedule and normality back into my life.

-FIVE-

I know I'm slow on the uptake, but I just discovered this tidbit from Linkin Park.  I like it a lot.  Even though its not the same sound as their old stuff, I'm delighted they managed to throw together a single that doesn't involve swears again.  The video is pretty cool, too.

-SIX-

Another soon to be post will be the book I finished when I was at Rhode Island.  High marks for The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.  If you like children, social justice, African culture, and/or wind turbines you'll like this book.  I couldn't put it down.

-SEVEN-

Despite this week's earlier breakdown, this has been one of the best summers in a while.  Good weather, lots of trips, and awesome friends.  But I'm not giving up on it yet!  We still have a solid month left.  Enjoy!

For more quick takes, see Jen.

7 Quick Takes: 2011 #7

-ONE-

I like the heat and I'm not complaining about it.  If it was 90 and sunny everyday of the week all year, I'd be a happy man.  Although, I do worry for the land.  It's been entirely too dry.

-TWO-

Broke the 200 mile mark on my bike yesterday.  I'm amazed how quickly your second 100 miles compared to the first.  Aiming to hit 300 before the end of summer.

-THREE-

Our bank (though technically a credit union), refuses to let us deposit a check made out to "Andrea Kovac Photography" even if Andrea Kovac is present.  I politely informed the manager that the county clerk allows you to do business under your own name if your legal name is in the business name.  She bascally told me that she didn't care and we have to set up a special type of business account.  In combination with this illegal activity and other inconsistencies I've experienced with Visions Federal Credit Union, I'm ready to take my business elsewhere. Any recommendations?

-FOUR-

Since I last wrote about my summer class at BCC, I've had a many students stop showing for a variety of reasons.  My class that started with 12 students is down to 7... maybe 8.  It's hard to tell because I've yet had a day where everyone registered has shown up.  Either way, it's frustrating to see students leave when I know that they NEED this class in order to graduate and I really can't make it much easier for them without sacrificing the integrity of the course.

-FIVE-

Summer has been great for adventure this year.  After returning from Cayuga Lake last weekend, Andrea and I will be laying low in Binghamton this weekend.  But at the end of the month, we're off to RI with Tom to see Kellie and Albert.  Looking forward to another awesome weekend with awesome friends.  We have one more trip planned to see Kenny in Rochester sometime in August.

-SIX-

With the unfortunate news that Soli Deo Gloria will not be meeting this year, I've been vigorously looking for any job that I'm qualified to do that is also full-time.  Of recently, I've been poking around at UHS, CareerBuilder, some specific jobs off company websites, and today I went to some temp agencies in hope they can find me a temp-to-hire position.  If you have any suggestions or hear of any job leads in the Southern Tier, please, please, please let me know.

-SEVEN-

Here's my new favorite song.  Note: It's not my All-Time Favorite Song.  This song is just more of the flavor-of-the-month type.

Owl City - Alligator Sky (without rap)

For more 7QT see Jen or Anne

Five Benefits of Biking

After talking to a few people who already developed a love of biking last summer, I decided I wanted to get a bike and see what all the fuss was about.  For Christmas, my wife bought me a bike, and from what people tell me, a pretty darn good one.  This is my first real bike before so I can't make comparisons, but that doesn't mean I'm grateful.  Here are a few reasons why I love my bike.

ONE - Efficient Transportation

Everyone complains that the summer is too short, and I agree.  I assume most people say that because they don't get enough time outdoors.  So instead of driving to work, I've managed to figure out a way to ride to and from work on a daily basis.  When people ask where I bike from, they are astonished that such a creature would ride a bike to work and immediately ask how far I ride.  To be honest, it's only 5.5 miles and that is not far on a bike.  Being a relatively healthy human being who started started biking for the first time this Summer, it takes me no more than 28 minutes, one-way.  On average, the 25 minutes to bike to work is only adding about 10-15 minutes of travel time.  That's a sweet deal.

TWO - Improved Health

I'm not going to lie.  The first few weeks you're sore.  Very sore.  But to be fair, I'm using an entire system of muscles that I haven't used since I was 10.  I'm just starting to get over the soreness now, but I've clearly seen some health benefits already.  I have more energy throughout the day (even though I expend more), my average speed per trip is increasing, and when I finish I'm noticing that I'm not as winded.  It's challenges you mentally going up hills and it's an adrenaline rush to go down them.  I have no doubt my heart and lungs are cleaning themselves out since I stopped swimming and running competitively almost 8 years ago.  And in a country where most people don't exercise, I'm getting a solid 1-hour dose of it.

THREE - Economic Benefits

Currently, I've rode 163 miles.  Subtract the mileage from the fun trip I had with two friends a couple of weeks ago, and I'm at 155 necessary miles.  What do I mean by necessary miles?  That's the distance that I would have had to drive if I didn't have a bike.  Here's some math:  If' we're halfway through the summer, let's say I'll be around 300 miles.  If you have a car that gets about 25 miles a gallon (average between city and highway) means I haven't used 12 gallons of gasoline.  At $3.75/gallon (and ever rising), that's a total of $45.  This may not seem impressive but also consider the following: I got to reduce my car insurance payments because of my decrease use of the car, which saves me about $80 over the course of the summer.  I'm putting 155 less miles on my vehicle, which means I won't have to drop as much as I normally would into the four-wheeled machine.  And the activity itself is keeping me in shape and out of the doctor's office (if I had health insurance).  So what I'm trying to say is that if I keep riding my bike for necessary travel, it should pay for itself just in gasoline and car insurance savings in less than 6-7 years.  Hard to argue with that.

FOUR - Spiritual Growth

Because I like making sure I have extra time when I bike or drive, I've been in the habit of getting up in the morning an hour earlier.  But after realizing that it only tacks on an extra 10 minutes to my morning routine, I've been able to pray at work with all that extra downtime that I've accumulated.  In fact, by the end of the Summer, I might be riding so fast that I'll be able to read and pray for a whole 30 minutes and do all of my teaching prep work before class starts at 8:30am.

FIVE - Sense of Accomplishment

When I get home, I can't help but feel some sense of accomplishment.  Apart from developing a healthy tan, I can't help but feel some sense of accomplishment when I get home.  I've completed a day's work (though I will always have lessons plans to write), I've spent some quiet time with God and knocked down 10-11 miles of good exercise.  That leaves leaves the rest of the day, ripe for the adventures that lay before me.  And hey, if I'm feeling ambitious enough, I can go out and ride more with friends for the sole purpose of fun.