For the first nine weeks of the school year, I've been telling one of my students how important it is for him to know his multiplication tables. I told him that he couldn't do division without knowing his multiplication tables and that he couldn't do a lot of math without that knowledge. Finally, several weeks ago I asked him what would happen when a girl came up to him and asked him a question about the multiplication table. Wouldn't he feel dumb if that happened and he didn't know the answer?
My student walks into my room today and first thing he says to me is
Student: "OMG... Mr. Sam... she asked me!"
Me: what? Who asked you what? Did someone ask you out?
Student: "noooo... a girl asked me what 6x7 was.."
Me: LOL.. "what'd you tell her?
Student: "That I didn't know"
Me: I told you man! You should've listened to me!
I love it when random things I say come true :) Thank you Lord. Hopefully he'll be more motivated to learn his multiplication table now :)
Have a good day!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Long Overdue
haha.. and a month and a half after I update that "it's coming", It's finally here! haha Didn't think you'd have to wait that long did you guys! (I didn't either)
I really do apologize for those who have been waiting for an update. I've come to realize that there was so much that I've been meaning to write that every time that I've sat down to update, I get overwhelmed by the enormity of it all. This is what happens when you keep procrastinating...
Anyhow, I am sitting at Barnes and Nobles currently and working on lesson plans, and I decided that I needed a break, so here I am.
Two and a half months have passed since the craziness of summer Institute, which is where I'll start this update :P
Summer Institute in the Mississippi Delta was quite frankly an experience of a lifetime. Arriving in Cleveland, Mississippi in the middle of June, I came in knowing not what to expect, not knowing what Teach For America was really about, and by every means possible, completely unprepared to teach. After a week of orientation (meaning 15 hour days of instruction on the principles of effective teaching, seminars, and activities), we were introduced to our first class of students as teachers. The next four weeks of teaching 4th graders was the most intense experience of my life. Making adjustments each day to ensure that we were learning from mistakes and improving our effectiveness as educators. Those 5 weeks formed the basis of my formal instruction on being a teacher.
Several people have asked me whether it's effective to put a teacher into a classroom after only 5 weeks of training as opposed to those that go the formal route. To now answer that question, I believe that yes it is to an extent. Simply put, of course more training would be beneficial for anybody. However, given those 5 weeks, I believe that now being in my own classroom I am using every skill that I learned at institute in my everyday teaching.
Following the end of institute, I moved back to South Louisiana (the Greater Baton Rouge area) for another week of planning for the school year. This year found an extremely slow hiring process for the South Louisiana region (I just heard that the last of our corps members were hired last week!) I was blessed to have been hired on the wednesday I got back to the region.
So starting on August 9, 2010, I was officially a teacher of the Pointe Coupee Parish School Board teaching at Livonia High School as the self-contained Special Education teacher. August 12, 2010 was the first day of school and now two months later, I can only say that each day is a continuous learning process.
My experience in the classroom has so far been extremely challenging but enjoyable. Though I face various challenges with my students, I am blessed to have a solid administration and an extremely helpful Special Education department in the school and at the school board. I also have two para-educators in my room who have been so far amazing. One of them in particular has simply inspired me by the way she loves these students as if they were her own. She comes to work each day and just seriously loves on them, and I'm really challenged to be more reflective of the gospel to them as well.
The students in my classroom face various challenges of their own. Some are challenged physically, some mentally, some behaviorally. However, the one common thread that they share are that they are each students. The upsetting thing about that is that for the last several years, most of them may as well not have been students. They came to school to pass the time and because they had to. In terms of academics, they simply learned basic life skills, not because of a lack of capability but rather because of a lack of expectation. I found that at the beginning of this school year, all my plans to teach them 8th grade level standards (as the youngest was in 8th grade), were not going to happen. Upon giving some diagnostic assessments, I discovered that my students (8th-12th graders)on average ranged from Pre-K to 3rd grade levels in reading and in math. They had no desire to learn, nor did they understand why they needed to learn.
I spent an entire month investing them into learning and how to learn. It was a difficult battle and still is, but I'm proud to say that they are now students who are learning spelling words, how to read, and basic math skills. To share some of the accomplishments that they've made so far: One student who did not know his alphabet nor his numbers at the start of the year is now fluent in recognizing alphabets and nearly fluent in the letter sounds; a senior who was adamant about graduating this year has decided to stay in school another year to learn more; two of my students who did not know how to read words are now reading Kindergarten and 1st grade level books. These students each have a goal to make 2-3 years of growth within this year and are well on their way to getting there.
haha, well this was a rather long update. Thanks to everyone that takes the time to read and please please feel free to ask any more questions about what I'm doing or about TFA in general.
NEXT UPDATE: Life in South Louisiana
I really really am going to try to be better at updating more often.. please keep me accountable!!
Prayer Requests:
- That I would be reflecting the Gospel in my classroom and in my life here
- Several of my students live very tough lives. Pray that they would be encouraged and find some peace.
I really do apologize for those who have been waiting for an update. I've come to realize that there was so much that I've been meaning to write that every time that I've sat down to update, I get overwhelmed by the enormity of it all. This is what happens when you keep procrastinating...
Anyhow, I am sitting at Barnes and Nobles currently and working on lesson plans, and I decided that I needed a break, so here I am.
Two and a half months have passed since the craziness of summer Institute, which is where I'll start this update :P
Summer Institute in the Mississippi Delta was quite frankly an experience of a lifetime. Arriving in Cleveland, Mississippi in the middle of June, I came in knowing not what to expect, not knowing what Teach For America was really about, and by every means possible, completely unprepared to teach. After a week of orientation (meaning 15 hour days of instruction on the principles of effective teaching, seminars, and activities), we were introduced to our first class of students as teachers. The next four weeks of teaching 4th graders was the most intense experience of my life. Making adjustments each day to ensure that we were learning from mistakes and improving our effectiveness as educators. Those 5 weeks formed the basis of my formal instruction on being a teacher.
Several people have asked me whether it's effective to put a teacher into a classroom after only 5 weeks of training as opposed to those that go the formal route. To now answer that question, I believe that yes it is to an extent. Simply put, of course more training would be beneficial for anybody. However, given those 5 weeks, I believe that now being in my own classroom I am using every skill that I learned at institute in my everyday teaching.
Following the end of institute, I moved back to South Louisiana (the Greater Baton Rouge area) for another week of planning for the school year. This year found an extremely slow hiring process for the South Louisiana region (I just heard that the last of our corps members were hired last week!) I was blessed to have been hired on the wednesday I got back to the region.
So starting on August 9, 2010, I was officially a teacher of the Pointe Coupee Parish School Board teaching at Livonia High School as the self-contained Special Education teacher. August 12, 2010 was the first day of school and now two months later, I can only say that each day is a continuous learning process.
My experience in the classroom has so far been extremely challenging but enjoyable. Though I face various challenges with my students, I am blessed to have a solid administration and an extremely helpful Special Education department in the school and at the school board. I also have two para-educators in my room who have been so far amazing. One of them in particular has simply inspired me by the way she loves these students as if they were her own. She comes to work each day and just seriously loves on them, and I'm really challenged to be more reflective of the gospel to them as well.
The students in my classroom face various challenges of their own. Some are challenged physically, some mentally, some behaviorally. However, the one common thread that they share are that they are each students. The upsetting thing about that is that for the last several years, most of them may as well not have been students. They came to school to pass the time and because they had to. In terms of academics, they simply learned basic life skills, not because of a lack of capability but rather because of a lack of expectation. I found that at the beginning of this school year, all my plans to teach them 8th grade level standards (as the youngest was in 8th grade), were not going to happen. Upon giving some diagnostic assessments, I discovered that my students (8th-12th graders)on average ranged from Pre-K to 3rd grade levels in reading and in math. They had no desire to learn, nor did they understand why they needed to learn.
I spent an entire month investing them into learning and how to learn. It was a difficult battle and still is, but I'm proud to say that they are now students who are learning spelling words, how to read, and basic math skills. To share some of the accomplishments that they've made so far: One student who did not know his alphabet nor his numbers at the start of the year is now fluent in recognizing alphabets and nearly fluent in the letter sounds; a senior who was adamant about graduating this year has decided to stay in school another year to learn more; two of my students who did not know how to read words are now reading Kindergarten and 1st grade level books. These students each have a goal to make 2-3 years of growth within this year and are well on their way to getting there.
haha, well this was a rather long update. Thanks to everyone that takes the time to read and please please feel free to ask any more questions about what I'm doing or about TFA in general.
NEXT UPDATE: Life in South Louisiana
I really really am going to try to be better at updating more often.. please keep me accountable!!
Prayer Requests:
- That I would be reflecting the Gospel in my classroom and in my life here
- Several of my students live very tough lives. Pray that they would be encouraged and find some peace.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Some Things are Worth the Wait!
This was probably not one of those things, but better late than never!! but...
Second, I FOUND MY CAMERA!
Two very great reasons for me to be thankful to God :)
As a result of both of these reasons, I now have the time, as well as MANY pictures to update with. I may split this over several blog posts in the next couple of days :)
However, in order to be a bit more sequenced according to time, I will start off with the update that should have started it all off!
*drumroll please*
The ROAD TRIP to LA! This will be very picture heavy, so enjoy!
So to give a bit of background... on May 30th, two of my roommates from college (Alex Kim and Tim Chung) and I, left on an epic road trip that would take us 2,432 miles over the course of 6 days through mountains, valleys, deserts, cities, and bayous. We visited 8 states, 3 National Parks, and 1 dinosaur museum. We played in Vegas, hiked in Arches, Canyonlands, and Mese Verde National Park, and played countless games of Settlers and Sequence. But now, ladies and gentlemen, a picture history of "LA to LA"
Day 1: Cerritos to Vegas (Angie, Eric, Eunice, Steven met us in Vegas)
We stayed at the Luxor in two rooms with the greatest view of the vents on top of the casino. LOL, ate at the M Hotel's Studio B buffet. (Pretty bomb in my opinion) and then spent the rest of the night playing Blackjack and Holdem at the Excalibur till 5:30 am. loll, Tim and Alex definitely went up a pretty good amount. And Eric and I broke even. Sorry, didn't take a lot of pictures here, though i should have.. lol
Alex, Angie, and I on the way to Vegas
Alex sleeping in the back (This was a common sight)
Welcome to Nevada Sign!
The Crew in Vegas (Angie, Eunice, Steven, Eric, Tim, Alex, Sam)
Day 2: Vegas to Green River, UT
We spent most of the day in Vegas, playing a bit more, looking around and just hanging out. Around 4:30 or 5ish we said our goodbyes and Alex, Tim, and I took off on our 6 hour drive to Green River, UT where we were spending the night.
Driving through canyons in the North Western part of Arizona
Representing the L . A . L at the Utah border :)
Preparing the most epic game of Settlers, won by yours truly
Playing Tetris in the morning
Motel 6 in Green River, UT
Day 3: Green River, UT to Arches National Park to Canyonlands National Park to Cortez, CO
Leaving our Motel 6 at 11 am, we drove out to Arches National Park. This place is definitely a sight to behold. The red rock that covers this place is like nothing you've ever seen before! We took several hours touring the different areas of the park and saw some of the more famous arches. After eating lunch in the town of Moab, we drove out to Canyonlands National Park or as Tim likes to say (Great Canyon National Park). I think either name works to be honest. Here, we had one of our bigger adventures. The district of the park that we went to was called the Needles. This area was fairly small in terms of road access so near the end of the road. We parked and walked off trail into the canyon. We went a pretty good ways into the canyons (at least half a mile) over and under rocks. Because it was getting late, with the sun going down, we were able to take some amazing pictures here.
At the Visitor Center
Tim and Alex modeling after the birds (these are elegible bachelors ladies!!)
There was definitely no hole in the rock....
This is called Newspaper Rock
On the way to Canyonlands National Park
Some of the most beautiful country I've ever seen
It's getting late, so I'll finish off the trip in the next post! Enjoy!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Happy Fourth of July!
*EDIT*
So I figured I should share
a little bit about my weekend as well :)
This weekend, a group of us went back to Baton Rouge to look at housing and get a well needed weekend away from Institute. We left Friday night after school and aft
er a whopping 6 hours of driving, got into Point Coupee (Right outside of Baton Rouge) where we stayed at Meg's, a 2009 CM, house. I had heard but I never saw till this trip just how beautiful Point Coupee was. *side note* I might get placed here!
This was the house we stayed at
The view from the back of the house
The False River
Saturday was spent going around the city looking at different apartments and houses. I think I've settled on living in an apartment. Now I need to find a roommate :P
Saturday Night is where the excitement starts. I'll say one word and leave it to the pictures: Crawfish
3 Pounds of Crawfish per person = Full Sam
We lucked out because it was the last day of Crawfish season and got the last batch of this season's catch.
On Sunday Morning, we left around 10 am and took a free ferry ride across the Mississippi and headed back to Cleveland.
The Ferry
The Crew: Peter, Lori, Katy, Caitlin
A brief recap of what otherwise was an amazingly restful weekend :)
*end edit*
Hope everyone had a great Fourth of July!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Only 1 Minute Mr. Kim!
The setting: Lunchtime
The players: Mr. Kim and the 4th graders of Room 12 at Carver Elementary
Mr. Kim: Okay everyone! We don't have that much time left in the day! Can we finish our lunches in 15 minutes??!
Student #1: 3 minutes!
Student #2: No! Only 1 Minute Mr. Kim!!
Mr. Kim: Why only 1 minute???
Student #2: Cus we got to learn!
There are moments in my day, where my students simply remind me of why I Teach for America. I can't remember a single moment in 4th grade where I was rushing to eat my lunch so I could get BACK to class.. It was just simply unheard of for me. And yet, here I am, sitting in the middle of Mississippi, experiencing what I never expected a student to say.
I love my class of 4th graders. They are extremely capable. They have big dreams and even bigger imaginations. They possess a love for learning that inspires me. Yet, they are behind. They are grade levels behind in their fundamentals of reading and their foundations in math. Addition and subtraction is a battle, while phonemes and comprehension are a constant struggle. This is my class.
The last two weeks have opened my eyes to a whole new world. Waking up at 5 am, on a bus by 6, and school till 1. Sessions in between classes and after classes. Lesson Planning, Tracking, as well as Management and Investment Plans till 11:30, and the cycle begins again.
It has honestly been one of the hardest and challenging experiences of my life, but I am reminded daily with moments like these of the rewards that are so great.
A friend of mine here at institute recently commented on how similar our experience is to the gospel. As the teacher of a class, we have such a heart for the success of the students. Some students may have a heart for learning, but get distracted and unfocused easily. Others are in outright rebellion and refuse to learn. Yet through it all, the teacher must expect the best of each student and love each student the same. Pushing and motivating the student towards success. Its simply amazing to be reminded that our God is the greatest Teacher of all, loving us even in our sinfulness and pouring grace into our lives.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
1) For humility as I serve these students
2) For good stewardship of my time, that I would not waste my time
3) For these students, that they would come to realize the importance of a good education and possibly see the gospel through me.
Praise God for the gospel :)
ON A LIGHTER NOTE:
- I dunno where my camera is (thus the lack of pictures in my posts) So if you could pray that it is in Baton Rouge with the rest of my luggage.
- This video is just awesome! I've never seen Lady Gaga like this, but just shows how talented she is. haha
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Perfect Timing
My laptop broke... right when lesson plans were due.
I think I'm going to join the Mac crew
Till then, my last post from a PC
I think I'm going to join the Mac crew
Till then, my last post from a PC
Sunday, June 20, 2010
DDAY has arrived
My very first class of students arrive tomorrow for four weeks of intense summer instruction. I've been thinking of what kind of teacher I would be. Will I be funny? Will I be mean? Will my students like me? More importantly, I've thought a great deals about what kind of kids will be in my classroom. Will I have any Calvin's? I've given myself over to the fact that I will not know until I get there. It's a bit crazy, but I'm excited. I feel as prepared as I'll ever be. Hopefully they don't taste any fear.
"Today is the first day of the rest of your life"
This is a quote that frequents the walls of Carver Elementary School and has caused me much thinking over this past week. Tomorrow is most definitely one of those days that will dictate the next two years, and possibly more, of my life. I am thrilled, scared, nervous, excited, happy, and insecure all at the same time. I can only pray that God would bring me through it. That he would grant me the humility to serve these children as best as I can.
Tomorrow is Dday. I begin my career as an educator as a 4th grade teacher at Carver Elementary. Tomorrow, is the first day of the rest of my life.
Prayer Request - Please pray that I would serve these children with humility and love. That I would be a good influence and a gospel witness.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
It's Aliveee!!!
So I'm back!!!
I will get to my road trip to South Louisiana (SLA) in my next entry but first a little background of what I'm doing here for those of you who are just joining the conversation!
It's definitely been a while since I've last posted. I would like to apologize and recommit myself to the discipline of frequent blogging and journaling :)
I will set the following goals (in traditional TFA spirit) for my blog :)
1) I will update at least twice a week
2) I will write about one particular event/thought
3) I will write concisely
4) I will include one picture in each entry
I am part of a program called Teach For America and have been assigned to teach Secondary Special Education in South Louisiana. I'll be in the city of Baton Rouge or in one of the surrounding parishes for the next two years.
The reason I initially joined Teach For America was because I saw it as a great opportunity for personal and professional development. I figured it would be a great transition following four years of college, to give back to the community, and kind of postpone having to make more life decisions for two years.
Since then, this thought process has definitely progressed as I better understood the issues that are facing children of low-income communities all over the nation and heard the voices of those who are being affected by it. So as I embark on this journey of learning and growing! I hope to keep you all well informed of how my thoughts progress and how my life changes to reflect it :)
To end! I have 2 videos instead of a picture that will more eloquently describe the program I'm in and paint a better picture of the issues that I think I'll be posting about in the future.
NEXT: The Trip to SLA!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
TFA
I'm getting really excited about Teach For America!!!! I really hope I get accepted to the program. Prayers for Feb. 9th interview will be much appreciated! The interview day will consist of a 5 minute sample teaching session (if anyone would like to offer some pointers that'd be awesome), group activities, and a personal interview.
As of late, my days have been consumed with researching the different placement regions and the program while preparing documents that I'll need. Reading about the different regions around the country, its' hard to imagine that so many districts are in need of help to overcome the achievement gap. So I've decided that placement will no longer be a factor in my decision to accept an invitation to the corps. I will accept a position regardless of where I'm placed and what I'm asked to teach. Hopefully, God will use my limited qualifications for His glory wherever I'm sent.
To close, here are some facts that I've been reading about on the achievement gap in the United States:
- Forty-two percent of white fourth graders scored at the proficient level or above on the mathematics exam compared with just 10 percent of black students and 15 percent of Hispanic students (U.S. Department of Education, 2003).
-According to the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (2001), while 30 of every 100 white kindergartners go on to graduate from college, only 16 of every 100 black kindergartners later earn bachelor's degrees.
-In 2000, young adults living in families with incomes in the lowest 20 percent of all family
incomes were six times more likely than their peers from families in the top 20 percent of income distribution to drop out of high school (U.S. Department of Education, 2000c).
As of late, my days have been consumed with researching the different placement regions and the program while preparing documents that I'll need. Reading about the different regions around the country, its' hard to imagine that so many districts are in need of help to overcome the achievement gap. So I've decided that placement will no longer be a factor in my decision to accept an invitation to the corps. I will accept a position regardless of where I'm placed and what I'm asked to teach. Hopefully, God will use my limited qualifications for His glory wherever I'm sent.
To close, here are some facts that I've been reading about on the achievement gap in the United States:
- Forty-two percent of white fourth graders scored at the proficient level or above on the mathematics exam compared with just 10 percent of black students and 15 percent of Hispanic students (U.S. Department of Education, 2003).
-According to the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (2001), while 30 of every 100 white kindergartners go on to graduate from college, only 16 of every 100 black kindergartners later earn bachelor's degrees.
-In 2000, young adults living in families with incomes in the lowest 20 percent of all family
incomes were six times more likely than their peers from families in the top 20 percent of income distribution to drop out of high school (U.S. Department of Education, 2000c).
-According to data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, the average cognitive score of pre-kindergarten children in the highest socioeconomic bracket was significantly higher than the average score of students in the lowest socioeconomic bracket. The composition of these socioeconomic brackets was closely tied to race; 34 percent of black children and 29 percent of Hispanic children were in the lowest socioeconomic bracket, compared with just nine percent of white students (Lee and Burkam, 2002).
- In 2003, while 39 percent of white students scored at the proficient level or higher on the 4th grade reading exam portion NAEP, only 12 percent of black students and 14 percent of Hispanic students did so.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Snowboarding and the Christian
As any avid snowboarder knows, the day after a big storm is by far the best day for riding. This past Saturday was no different. Conditions were, if I may, epic. Bluebird day, fresh powder, limited crowds (thanks to road blockages), and good company. Waking up at 4am to beat traffic and the long drive was well worth it, as many who came up later did not even manage to get up the mountain.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-snow24-2010jan24,0,3324940.story
Needless to say, I am feeling very blessed to have been able to experience such a perfect day without many of the hassles that might have come along with it.
Reflecting in my journal about that day, I've come to realize that snowboarding is a definite passion of mine. It is a sport that can make me excited in a heartbeat, that gives me a sense of freedom, offers significant challenges, and is most importantly fun! Over the past 5 years of riding, I've come to appreciate the skill, opportunity, and challenge that it poses.
I also drew an analogy that, though probably corny, really spoke out to me.
Snowboarding poses many different challenges. When you first begin the sport, you struggle with getting off the lift, getting up from the ground without falling, balancing on the heal side, learning to leaf, and other basic skills. Soon, you master these skills and you're posed with the challenge of learning to carve. Upon mastering this, you feel like an entirely new world is opened up to you. You can then choose to try to master even greater skills such as carving moguls, carving in powder, jumps, rails, boxes, and the list goes on and on. At each stage, you are humbled repetitively by the sport and by the challenges that it poses. Yet, that is simply the beauty of snowboarding, that there are always new skills to learn and even greater challenges at all stages. Similarly, the beauty of the Christian life is that there are always new challenges. Though often, they seem unnecessary and we ask God why these challenges are there, they are the things that keep us grounded. Each new challenge prepares us for an even bigger challenge later in life and ultimately leads us to godliness and sanctification.
A second observation is in the actual action of snowboarding. For myself, the most exhilarating part of snowboarding is when I am zigzagging down a powder-filled run. In my opinion, there is no feeling like that of the chilly wind blowing in your face as you cut through soft powder with nature passing you by at 20 miles per hour. I have never heard of a snowboarder who got onto their board, strapped on their bindings and simply stood there saying how great it is to be snowboarding. Likewise, I think that I have too often done exactly that as a Christian. I've geared myself up, looking all snazzy with the latest gear, and have simply stood there. Just as a snowboarder must move in order to be snowboarding, a Christian must move in order to be a Christian.
I have two more observations. Powder is something that I absolutely love. It just makes snowboarding all the more enjoyable. However, more often than not, I experience less than ideal conditions for snowboarding. Ice, slush, and machine made snow are all conditions that snowboarders do not enjoy. However as a sign at snow summit so reminded me, "man made snow is still real snow, it's just man made." In my life, I feel that too often, I simply want the ideal conditions: Powder and nothing else. Yet, most of my snowboarding, especially living in southern California, is done in these less than ideal conditions. But I still love the sport regardless. The Christian life is not always ideal. It is more often less than ideal. In snowboarding, you board regardless of the conditions that day: you adjust. Yet why in the christian life is it so easy to change how we live our lives based on our conditions.
Lastly, snowboarding is a privilege. However you look at it, there are so many people that do not have the pleasure of enjoying this sport. Whether they are enjoying other winter sports, or they have just not had the opportunity to board, it is still a relatively small amount of people that have experienced it. Because snowboarding is my passion, I get very excited when someone is going for their first time. I am committed to teaching them and making sure that they know why I am so passionate about boarding. On our way down, we passed hundreds of cars that were stuck behind closed highways and could not make it up to the slopes. Though we had a good laugh at their plight, it reminded me that not everyone has the privilege of hearing the gospel. Not all have experienced the joy, freedom, and exhilaration of knowing Jesus Christ. This is my first passion, or so I claim. So I need to challenge myself to live out this passion, to share with those that don't know the gospel, and to live in a way that imitates Christ and makes being a Christian attractive.
That was a bit long. But I leave with a picture that I took of the snow on saturday. I'm sad that I forgot to take any on the mountain, but oh well, that's what memories are for.
Sam Kim
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-snow24-2010jan24,0,3324940.story
Needless to say, I am feeling very blessed to have been able to experience such a perfect day without many of the hassles that might have come along with it.
Reflecting in my journal about that day, I've come to realize that snowboarding is a definite passion of mine. It is a sport that can make me excited in a heartbeat, that gives me a sense of freedom, offers significant challenges, and is most importantly fun! Over the past 5 years of riding, I've come to appreciate the skill, opportunity, and challenge that it poses.
I also drew an analogy that, though probably corny, really spoke out to me.
Snowboarding poses many different challenges. When you first begin the sport, you struggle with getting off the lift, getting up from the ground without falling, balancing on the heal side, learning to leaf, and other basic skills. Soon, you master these skills and you're posed with the challenge of learning to carve. Upon mastering this, you feel like an entirely new world is opened up to you. You can then choose to try to master even greater skills such as carving moguls, carving in powder, jumps, rails, boxes, and the list goes on and on. At each stage, you are humbled repetitively by the sport and by the challenges that it poses. Yet, that is simply the beauty of snowboarding, that there are always new skills to learn and even greater challenges at all stages. Similarly, the beauty of the Christian life is that there are always new challenges. Though often, they seem unnecessary and we ask God why these challenges are there, they are the things that keep us grounded. Each new challenge prepares us for an even bigger challenge later in life and ultimately leads us to godliness and sanctification.
A second observation is in the actual action of snowboarding. For myself, the most exhilarating part of snowboarding is when I am zigzagging down a powder-filled run. In my opinion, there is no feeling like that of the chilly wind blowing in your face as you cut through soft powder with nature passing you by at 20 miles per hour. I have never heard of a snowboarder who got onto their board, strapped on their bindings and simply stood there saying how great it is to be snowboarding. Likewise, I think that I have too often done exactly that as a Christian. I've geared myself up, looking all snazzy with the latest gear, and have simply stood there. Just as a snowboarder must move in order to be snowboarding, a Christian must move in order to be a Christian.
I have two more observations. Powder is something that I absolutely love. It just makes snowboarding all the more enjoyable. However, more often than not, I experience less than ideal conditions for snowboarding. Ice, slush, and machine made snow are all conditions that snowboarders do not enjoy. However as a sign at snow summit so reminded me, "man made snow is still real snow, it's just man made." In my life, I feel that too often, I simply want the ideal conditions: Powder and nothing else. Yet, most of my snowboarding, especially living in southern California, is done in these less than ideal conditions. But I still love the sport regardless. The Christian life is not always ideal. It is more often less than ideal. In snowboarding, you board regardless of the conditions that day: you adjust. Yet why in the christian life is it so easy to change how we live our lives based on our conditions.
Lastly, snowboarding is a privilege. However you look at it, there are so many people that do not have the pleasure of enjoying this sport. Whether they are enjoying other winter sports, or they have just not had the opportunity to board, it is still a relatively small amount of people that have experienced it. Because snowboarding is my passion, I get very excited when someone is going for their first time. I am committed to teaching them and making sure that they know why I am so passionate about boarding. On our way down, we passed hundreds of cars that were stuck behind closed highways and could not make it up to the slopes. Though we had a good laugh at their plight, it reminded me that not everyone has the privilege of hearing the gospel. Not all have experienced the joy, freedom, and exhilaration of knowing Jesus Christ. This is my first passion, or so I claim. So I need to challenge myself to live out this passion, to share with those that don't know the gospel, and to live in a way that imitates Christ and makes being a Christian attractive.
That was a bit long. But I leave with a picture that I took of the snow on saturday. I'm sad that I forgot to take any on the mountain, but oh well, that's what memories are for.
Sam Kim
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