The Important Things

It's been a while... It's my senior year and I have tried to embrace everything that it has to offer.  I don't want to miss anything!  I've also been busy with college applications.  All the questions and essays have encouraged me to really dive deep into what is truly important to me.  One thing that I have realized is that I am incredibly lucky.  I have a supportive family that has been there for me since my first days.  That isn't the case for everyone.  

I was blessed to become an older brother when my family adopted a ten-year-old boy from Latvia. When we met, he spoke no English and had never experienced the United States. Through him I have been exposed to the Eastern European culture and had the eye-opening experience of what life in an orphanage truly entails. I've also had the privilege to engage in community outreach through mission work. It was inspiring to get to know the kids and heart-breaking to see the poverty they endure. Mission trips and my brother's early childhood have created a passion in me to help those with unsure and challenging futures.

It is devastating to realize that on any given day there are between 143 and 210 million orphans worldwide.  More than 10% of orphans commit suicide before they reach age 18. They often feel hopeless and rejected.  They deserve better.  One way that I would encourage people to engage in this cause is through 'Orphan Hosting'.

This program invites children to live in your home for a short period. They experience the love, culture and values of the host family. The children make connections that often become life long relationships.  Having just one adult in their corner can make all the difference.  I know I may not change the world, but I can change the world of one person.

https://www.p143.org

Anthropology

As the time to apply for college approaches, I have been thinking a great deal about what I would like to study.  I have always loved to travel to and been fascinated by different places throughout the world.  One of my favorite classes throughout high school has been Latin, all five years of it.  I enjoy different languages and cultures.  With all this in mind, I think I would like to study Anthropology... maybe Cultural Anthropology or Linguistic Anthropology.  I'm not really sure.  What I do know is that there are things that I would like to investigate further and find more answers to.

I have many questions as I think about a Civil society vs. a Globalist perspective or even a society based on Nationalism.  Is a civil society truly authentic or are it's values and traditions shaped by economics and environmental determinism. With the creation of social media and an internet that provides instant communication to any part of the world, wouldn't civil societies be greatly influenced by other outside cultures and lifestyles? 

Is a globalist view realistic with vast diversity throughout the different regions of the earth.  Should policies be determined with an international mindset or a local mindset? Who does a global economy benefit most, Western societies or Third World Countries?

Max Gluckman suggested that moral dilemmas were likely to be more complex in a less complex society.  He pointed out that within these societies each individual must simultaneously fill a number of various roles and consequently face the differing expectations of the other members within society.  He characterized simple societies by their multiplex ties.  He observed that within the different spheres of relations, for example: politics, family and religion, a person in a simple society would have ties to the SAME people in many of these different spheres.  On the other hand, a person in a more complex society will have fewer overlapping relationships amongst spheres. (anthropology.ua.edu/theory/the-manchester-school).   Does this continue to be true with such global influence and connection available throughout the world?

I'm not sure what the answers are yet, but I do know that I have lots of questions.

Diabetes is My Superpower

 On May 31, 2021 I fainted.  Thank God I did.  This caused my Mom to call the doctor's office.  They wanted me to come in immediately.  According to my symptoms, they were concerned about my heart and possibly diabetes.  When I was seen by the doctor, my EKG was perfect.  No heart issues.  They checked my blood glucose level and it was 459 (extremely high).  Along with other clear signs, they were pretty sure it was diabetes.  They sent me straight to the ER.

Apparently I had been living with diabetes for about 5 months.  Looking back the signs were pretty clear.  I was extremely thirsty.  I was always tired and groggy.  I had a hard time focusing and accomplishing tasks.  I lost 20 pounds without trying.  My body was fighting to maintain some kind of balance and it was taking it's toll on me.  

After a few days in the ICU and lots of pokes and prods, I was able to get my blood glucose level into a manageable range and the ketones out of my system.  The hospital stay wasn't fun but it was necessary not only to get my body back to a healthy place but also for me to learn everything I needed to do to take care of myself at home.  When I moved from the ICU into a regular room, there was LOTS of diabetic education happening.

This is certainly not something I would ever wish on anyone else, but I know it is manageable and that I will continue to live my life and thrive just like I always have (with a few adjustments of course).  Moments like this give you the opportunity to choose gratitude or bitterness.  I chose gratitude.

I am grateful that this happened the year before I went away to college on my own.  I am grateful that this didn't happen the week before when I was away at a leadership camp with my school.  I am grateful that the mission trip I was scheduled to attend was cancelled due to Covid-19; otherwise this would have happened while I was in Sierra Leone. I am grateful for the first class healthcare that we have in the USA.  I am grateful that this is a disease that I can deal with and still live a full life.  

South Africa

 I have been lucky enough to travel a lot throughout my 17 years.  I have now traveled to 33 different countries.  Some of my favorites have been Greece, Russia, Turkey and France.  Now I have a new #1.  South Africa was awesome.

The scenery is beautiful, the people are friendly and the wildlife was amazing.  The safari game drives were brilliant, inspiring and definitely humbling.  There is nothing like being feet away from a lion as it feeds on a buffalo that it has killed, being towered over by an elephant, or watching a herd of buffalo stampede to a watering hole.  Being so close to the wonders of nature is a reminder of how big and vast our world really is.

I don't know what my favorite memory of this trip will be; flying through Blyde River Canyon in a Cessna, the hot air balloon ride past the Drakensberg mountains, the game drives, the African penguins at Boulders Beach, Robbins Island or all the people I met.  There is so much to learn from other people and places.  

While I was enjoying my holiday, there was still a constant reminder that South Africa is a third world country.  There are amazing gated communities standing next to impoverished shanty towns.  There are homeless people, hungry people and communities in need of basic amenities.  The socioeconomic divide is vast.  While I can't solve the problems of every government worldwide, I can learn, I can expand my frame of reference and I WILL help in whatever ways are available to me.

Cancelled due to Covid

First I'll start with a disclaimer:  I realize that there are people who have lost their lives, people who have lost their loved ones, people who were hospitalized, people who lost their jobs and incomes, and people who still suffer due to Covid-19.  I am lucky and blessed that myself nor anyone in my immediate or extended family has been seriously affected by the virus.

Now I'm going to be a little self-centered and say that I am tired of things being cancelled by Covid.  Of all the different special occasions, school activities, family gatherings and times with friends; one of the things I am most disappointed about is another cancelled mission trip.

I am lucky to attend a school that offers many opportunities to be part of a mission team.  In lower grades, most missions are local or within the state.  In high school you are able to travel outside of the United States to spread love and minister to those who are most in need.  My freshman year I was able to travel to the Dominican Republic.

In the Dominican Republic we mostly spent our time working with children.  We led bible study and worship times with them, played games, did arts & crafts; but mostly we just tried to show them love and kindness.  In addition to our time with the kids, we did a prayer walk around their village and served a meal to all those that lived there.  It was fun to get to know the kids and of course it was eye opening to see the poverty that they endure.

After my sophomore year I was scheduled to travel to Sierra Leone on a mission team... CANCELLED due to Covid-19.  In a few weeks from now I was scheduled once again to travel to Sierra Leone on a mission team... CANCELLED AGAIN due to Covid-19.  To say I am disappointed is an understatement.  I really enjoy my time on mission trips and it is something that has had a huge impact on my life.  

Dominican Republic 2019

Living in a Fishbowl

First of all, title credit goes to my Mom, it's her favorite phrase... "thank God I didn't have to grow up living in a fishbowl", closely followed by "thank God there were no cellphones when we grew up".  Before I get into my thoughts, I want to know what the heck my parents were doing that they are so glad no one caught it on camera.  

Moving on: cell phones and social media have been a part of my life for my entire life.  Other than what my parents tell me, I don't really know the difference.  My life has consistently been on display for the entire world. Someone has always been able to take a picture or a video of me at any given moment.  It's never really bothered me before, but now it does.

I guess what bothers me most is my inability to control what other people do.  I am not always aware when someone else is filming and I certainly don't know when or what other people are posting.  Whether it's my own Mom posting pictures on Facebook or it's my friends on Snapchat, it seems like I am not in control of my own privacy.  I even got into trouble once over a TikTok video that SOMEONE ELSE posted.  It was a collage of different people that had been filmed.  I didn't take the video, I didn't post the video and I don't even have a TikTok account.  To be clear, I was just being stupid dancing around, there was nothing that wasn't okay about "my appearance" in the video, but because there were other elements in the post that my school deemed inappropriate, I was included in those that were held accountable.

This new reality has generated a change in my normal personality.  I have become more introverted.  I don't share my opinions as often as I would have in the past.  Sometimes I have a hard time relaxing and just being myself.  How can you relax when you never know if someone is filming you?  I am not on social media much anymore... I just wish everyone else would put their phones down as well.  That is probably too much to expect. 

Why not me?

 It's that time of year... March Madness has arrived.  Watching these games has got me thinking.  You can never count the underdog out.  This year's bracket has plenty of examples that back me up.  In the first round North Texas beat Purdue, Abilene Christian beat University of Texas, and best of all Oral Roberts University beat Ohio State.

I say best of all because I have an old teammate on the Oral Roberts basketball team.  I was so tempted to pick Oral Roberts in my bracket just because of him.  I didn't do it and of course, now I regret it.  I guess I should have listened to my own gut instinct.  I guess I didn't have enough faith.  

This experience has taught me some lessons that I can carry with me throughout my life.  I won't let others tell me what I am capable of, I'll decide that for myself.   When someone says that I can't, I'll say I can.  I will always remember what Russell Wilson said when he was talking about making it to the Super Bowl... "why not me".  So yeah, 

WHY NOT ME.  

It's almost time for me to apply to colleges.  I have a few schools on my list that may be a reach.  I know I have good test scores and I've taken a strong enough schedule, but I also have a few B's.  The craziness that Covid-19 caused and the chaos that my younger brother's adoption created (3 different international trips etc) both had an impact on my grades.  I'm not making excuses, it was still my fault.  I should have powered through.

Here's the thing, those mistakes may cost me my dream school.  They may not think I can make the grade, but I KNOW I CAN.  Hopefully they don't make the same mistake I did.  Hopefully they won't overlook me.  Maybe they'll have faith and go ahead and select the underdog.

Twas the kid we hosted at Christmas

 A few years ago my parents discovered there was this thing called "Orphan Hosting".  Basically it is exactly what it sounds like; you host an orphan for a few weeks, usually over Christmas or during the summer.  My parents thought it would be a good experience for us kids and that it would be a good way to do a "good deed" for a kid in need.  To be honest, I thought it sounded pretty weird to have a kid you've never met  to come and stay with you for 5 weeks.  My parents told me to think of it as a distant cousin from Eastern Europe coming to stay with us for Christmas.  It still sounded weird to me.

When "N" arrived (I'll just call him N) , he was completely overwhelmed.  I suppose I would have been too if I was only 10 years old and traveled from Latvia to spend Christmas with complete strangers.  Oh and SURPRISE, he didn't speak English.  Thank God for google translate.   Funny enough, he wasn't overwhelmed by the flight, the language barrier, or even the fact that we were strangers.  He was on emotional overload because he had his own room, with a big bed, and a drawer filled with clothes just for him.

Those few weeks weren't awkward like I had assumed they would be. "N" fit right in.  It was fun to watch him enjoy and appreciate the things that I take for granted everyday.  You could see he loved just being part of a family.  The more comfortable he became with us, the more he shared about his story and his past, and the more I realized how lucky I am.

I am blessed enough to belong to a complete and solid family unit.  My parents are still married. Both sets of my grandparents are still married.  I have three siblings, I have aunts and uncles and cousins, all who love and support me.  Our hosting experience helped me realize how fortunate I am to have a loving family.  We've hosted two more times since that first Christmas.  Having "G" and "D" come and stay with us was just as rewarding as the first hosting with "N".

If Orphan Hosting sounds like something your family would be interested in.  I highly recommend it.  But beware, you may end up falling for your host child.  We did.  After a year long international adoption experience, "N" is now my little brother.

For more information on Orphan Hosting, check out this website:   www.p143.org

Goodbye Snow Days

I'm at home today.  There is no school for me. Days off are the best, but what is even better is an unexpected day off.  This, and the fact that we just had a crazy winter storm, has got me thinking,  I don't believe future students will ever know the joy of a real "SNOW DAY".  

Thanks to this pandemic (another topic for another day), we all have access to virtual learning.  Inclement weather days off are now going to be virtual learning days.  We will be sitting inside our homes on our laptops and looking at the snow outside our windows.  What torture.

Dear future generations, here is what you are going to miss.

1- Checking the news over and over again to see if your school district has been closed. (Preferably the night before, why wait to cancel in the morning)

2- Peeking out your window whenever you wake up in the middle of the night and thinking "please let there be snow, please let there be snow".

3- Waking up to your Mom trying to quietly turn off your alarm because SCHOOL WAS CANCELLED!

4- Playing in the snow from the minute you wake up until your hands and feet are so numb that you can't continue.

5- Coming in for a hot chocolate, throwing your socks and gloves into the dryer, thawing out, and then heading right back outside again to repeat the process over and over.

6- Of course there is always that agonizing defeat when the meteorologist got the forecast wrong.  You wake up to nothing.  They got you excited for nothing.  Now you're exhausted from all the anticipation and from waking up 10 times during the night... and YOU STILL HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL.

No, you kids will never know the thrill of a true snow day and for that I am sorry.  Enjoy virtual school in your pajamas and I hope you still have snow at 3pm when you finally get outside.

***After our most recent winter storm in Texas, food banks are running low on donations.  Consider volunteering or contributing to your local community food bank, or maybe this one:  North Texas Food Bank,  ntfb.org

Meet "Me"

So yeah, I'm Michael, let me introduce myself...

I'm a stereotypical teenage boy living a stereotypical life; well sort of.  In most ways I'm pretty ordinary; but in other ways I'm not.

I've moved 7 times in my life.  I've lived in 11 different houses and apartments.  I've resided in 4 different states.  I've attended 10 different schools (if you count preschool).  I've traveled to 31 countries and 28 different states.  I was the youngest of 3 kids for the first 15 years of my life, but now I'm not.  (we'll get into that another day).  

All in all, my chaotic life has given me a lot to talk about.  I'm mostly glad I have such a large frame of reference.  Then again, every once in a while I wish I was one of those kids that has lived in the same house since the day they were born and has gone to school with the same kids since kindergarten... but I don't feel that way very often... if I was that kid, I'd probably have a lot less to say.