Now that the elections are over

It's still quite early in the morning, and the sun somehow shines a little brighter today than yesterday. The world gained a new leader yesterday--and Americans welcome their newly elected president with tears.

Tears of joy, and disappointment. For some, this president's victory means our economy is going to make a come-back. For others, it means our country is going to demoralize itself even more. But for all, it's no doubt that this victory is a history-making celebration.

It's not a question where I stand. Having voted for the republicans, disappointed, yes, hopeless, certainly not. Although it seemed the majority of the voters went democratic, few truly understand the important issues that this new president stands for.

Having a Facebook account (yes. Everybody has one, but not everyone wants to admit,) I spent about 1/2 hour last night just watching people's status updates. Most of my friends wrote a one-line story to express how they feel about this election (I was so relieved that it was over.) There was excitements, as well as disappointments. While I had absolutely no problem seeing some rejoicing over Obama's win, I had a HUGE delimma over those who celebrated this win knowing nothing else except that Obama is a cooler dude.

If you ask me, yes, Obama is a cooler dude than McCain. He's not only younger, but he has a personna about him that attracts people. McCain is old, has a hard time moving his injured arms, and his speeches sounded less passionate. On top of everything else, if you are a college student, most likely you have been brain-washed into this whole Obama craze. I know, because I was there once.

That said, I absolutely cannot stand it when young kids (high school, or college-aged) celebrate Obama's win without actually knowing what he stands for. Yet they scream the loudest, wanting the whole world to know they have contributed to this history-making event. Kids, do you know anything about his economic polocies? Do you actually know what it means to tax the rich more and redistribute their wealth to the poor? For those young kids who screamed, "I love Jesus," on the weekends at youth group, do you know where he stands when it comes to the question, "when does life begin?"

I may sound like an old religious fart, but at least I know where I stand. It's absolutely heart-breaking for me to see young kids want to fit in and look cool because all their fellow friends are one way. Young people can certainly make a difference in this world. I don't doubt it anymore after last night.

On the other hand, I have no problem at all if you know exactly where Obama stand and casted your vote, believing everything he stands for. That's the striking evidence that this country truly believes in democracy--everyone is allowed to have a voice, and (most of the time) we still get along, and be (somewhat) civil.

Now that the elections are over, we need to move forward. No more complaints, worries, and bitterness. America is great because we believe in democracy. Let us respect that and rest in peace. For us Chrstians, we know ultimately who is in control, and whose kingdom is to last.

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves"-Abraham Lincoln.

It's a hard job, but it's our job

It's not a question that we as parents need to do our best to teach our growing children how to embrace the little traditional values that our culture has left. I was sitting on the couch one morning, half awake, half watching the morning news. On that day there was a special segment on The Average American Youth. I was not paying much attention to it until I heard the phrase, "...and we asked who the first president of the United States was, and not very many people were able to answer that...." All of a sudden that got my attention. I saw what seemed like a "poll on the streets of LA," as a reporter were pulling random people between the ages of 18-22 on some busy streets of Los Angeles. Each of them were asked a question about the United States history, and it went something like this (I am trying my best to recall each conversation:)

sample 1-
Reporter: Do you know who the first president was?
Answer: Uh...Abraham Lincoln?
R: Abraham Lincoln? How sure are you?
A: Not sure, but I think that's who it was.

Sample 2-
R: Can you name the first 4 presidents of the United States of America?
A: Uh..Abraham Lincoln...., uh..Roosevelt...um..I don't know anymore. It's too long ago.

Sample 3-
R: Do you know who the first president was?
A: No (and he didn't look ashamed, either.)
R: Do you care?
A: Nope.

Sample 4-
R: Do you know who our first president was and what did he do?
A: I think it was Abraham Lincoln and he freed the slaves.

..and yet, with the same people,
Sample 1-
R: Do you know whom Reese Whitherspoon is currently dating?
A: (without any hesitation,) Jake Gyllenhaal.

Sample 2-
R: Who is Madonna married to?
A: Guy Ritchie.

Sample 3-
R:What are the names of Brittany Spears' two sons?
A:(with a bit hesitation, I was surprised.) Sean Preston, and...um..Jayden James..?

Sample 4-
R:Heidi. Spencer. Lauren. What show is that from?
A: The Hills!

Ok. I think you got the point. I was not surprised; this survey had been conducted numerous times before that day, on many streets across the nation. What I am surprised is that we, as a nation, don't want to do anything about it. The American youth (and most of them were college students) did not know who the founding fathers of this great nation were, and yet, they can recall the first and middle names of some kids they don't even know. Yet, the media continues to influence the younger generations, with its oh-so-in-your-face approach. It's almost impossible to escape or even to cover your ears and eyes.

Well, the reason I brought this whole thing up is that I can't help but think, when Caleb and Abigail become college students, how much worse our culture would become. It's scary to know that a large number of young kids in America, who are supposed to bring bright futures for this country and the rest of the world, do not know who George Washington is. I remember one day, in one of my 2nd grade classes, we were talking about some movies, and the characters in the movie when, all of a sudden, a boy shouted, "yeah, I think she's totally hot." Who was he referring to I cannot recall. But I remember standing there, froze for a few seconds, dumbfounded. This boy was 7 years old. His use of words was the reason I later wrote a note to his mother. My point is, in a culture like ours, we cannot and should not overlook the importance of parenting. When the schools and society are not going to education our children, it is absolutely our job to do so.

Now, I am not saying we should not expose our children to the world with television and movies. I don't agree with sheltering children from the world, but I do believe it is our job to teach them how to distinguish what is important and what is not. When a child can memorize all the American presidents in a chronological order, his parents have drilled him to do so, which, in my opinion, is not necessary. On the other hand, when a child knows about Brittany Spears and all her scandalous affairs but fails to locate the USA on a world map, his parents have not done their job fully.

It is very sad, for me to see how little our children actually know about this world they live in nowadays. I don't expect Caleb to know all the capital cities of each country, nor do I want Abigail to memorize the genealogy of every leader of this generation. But I certainly hope and pray that they will grow up to be sensitive adults. Sensitive to know that although they are blessed to live in this great nation, there are Berbers who still live in stone houses, nomads who still live in tents, villagers who still walk 3 hours to work and 3 hours back everyday, and children who had to earn a living for their family starting at the age of 7. That, I believe, is entirely up to me. God has called me to be a mother. It is my responsibility do mold them into wonderful, wholesome, and knowledgeable adults.

It's a hard job, but it's our job.

Nursing, anyone?

Over the past few years, there has been some kind of debate on whether or not a mother should be nursing her child in the public. As a mother myself, I can understand both sides of the opinions. One should be able to nurse her child freely, for it is one of the most natural acts in the human race, as well as in the animal world. On the other hand, I do not agree with those mothers who turn nursing into a political statement; nursing without any form of covering is not exactly appropriate, either. That said, I believe when one is in the right place to nurse, and when her child is in need to be nursed, it is perfectly ok, as long as some kind of covering is provided.

I never thought I would be one of those moms who became so defensive over this issue. I never thought I would face a situation where I was looked upon as some liberals who like to flash in the public just to make a statement. I am always the kind of person who is aware of those around me; I would never put anyone in a situation in which he/she would feel unease because of me. That is also why I was so upset (and still am, a little) when a young father approached me this past Sunday.

Yes, we were at church. I was even in the new parents room, where parents with new babies are invited to use; in case one needs to nurse, or take care of the babies' needs in that sense. Inside the NPR is another dark room, where mothers (only) can enter with their babies and nurse. I've been in the NPR since Caleb was a baby. I've seen numerous mothers who would nurse while listening/watching the sermon over the plasma tv on the wall. Yes, it is a blessing, also a luxury. There are some mothers who would also use the dark room (me included,) when there are too many people in the NPR.

I was the first to arrive in the NPR this past Sunday. The room was empty, I picked my seat and sat, and began nursing Abigail with a cover. A young father who is in his 30's came in after me with his son. He took a look at me and approached me, his tone disgusted, "you know, there is room for that. THAT." He pointed at me and Abigail, then pointed to the dark room. Immediately my tempers flared, but I tried to keep my composure. "Yes, I know." I told him. I wasn't about to fight him, but I wasn't about to do what he said, either. Seeing me unmoved, he raised his voice, once again pointed to the dark room, his tone not any better this time. "the room is for THAT." Once again, I tried to be polite. I told him I understood him. Then the third time, he actually opened the dark room, turned on the light for me, and told me the purpose for that room again. At this point, I started to lose my patience (which does not happen, usually,) and I sat there, unmoved, while my thoughts raced inside my head, "oh no, I've offended this person. Should I go into the dark room? What should I do??"

And I've made a decision to go inside the dark room to finish nursing Abigail. While I was in the dark room, I was so upset, I was even shaking lightly. I've never seen anyone approaching one because she was nursing her baby, let alone at church, in the NPR!! However, while my mind was working on how to make that young father feel stupid for his act of unkindness, God whispered in my ears, oh so clear, "the vengeance is mine." Also, I immediately thought what Jesus would do if He were in that same situation. I know Jesus would go inside the dark room, not saying a word. I pressed down my anger and did exactly that. Whatever will (or will not) happen to this young father is out of my control. It was not my job to show him the door (although I could have done that, since most parents in the NPR are women,) nor my job to make him regret what he did (although every cell in my body screamed for that.)

Jesus called us to love. Even in situations like this, when one (me, that is) feels belittled. Judging from the size of our church, I may never see that young father again. He may or may not feel bad for what he did, but that is not my concern anymore. I did what I was asked to do, although it felt like I had to pull off my own fingernails, one by one, I bit my tongue and did it. The truth is, I don't know who that young father is. He may be having a bad day that day, or he may be stressed because he was a single parent. Whatever the case is, the human part of me wishes I will never run into him again. Or I do, and I want to see him look down at his own feet when he passes me because he felt stupid.

Nursing, anyone?