I < 3 MIT

The essence of MIT spirit: http://alum.mit.edu/holiday2010/

Peek Back at High School

NT and I went back to our high school with some trepidation.  I think it's been five years since I've seen my teachers.  I wasn't expecting any of them to recognize me, but I was pleasantly surprised when my physics teacher looked shocked, remembered my name, and gave me a big hug!  She was definitely one of my favorite teachers, too bad I couldn't say I became an astronaut and joined NASA.  Most of the other teachers all looked confused when they saw us and thought we were looking for someone else.  One asked if we were asking about an SAT prep class - oops!

I guess it was go-back-to-high-school-and-see-your-teacher-day because we kept on running into other students doing the same thing.  Although they were usually one year removed from high school and looked at us with some disbelief when we said we were 05's.  Haha - never felt so old.

We also managed to catch my 11th grade English teacher who was known as an eccentric and someone I found pretty intimidating back in the day.  Although he didn't recognize us - from the hundreds of faces he's seen in his 50+ years of teaching - he still talked to us with such warmth and happiness, and asked if I sat in "that chair" - which I couldn't remember at all.  In fact, we both got embraces from him as well (I feel so honored!).  He also recalled memories that I've completely forgotten, like how in the Glass Menagerie, Laura would sometimes run around in Forest Park, so he showed us pictures of St. Louis and the Arch.  Although I don't remember any of that, hopefully he will recall who we were as he sits eating his dinner and stares off into the distance - at least that's what he says usually happens.

But what amazed me the most was how timeless all the teachers seemed.  It's as if as soon as I stepped out of high school, they stopped changing.  Maybe they just looked young to begin with, and they were actually a lot older than they really looked when I was there.  For example, the eccentric English teacher said he might retire because he's been teaching at that school for 40 years and some of his students were approaching 50 - yet HE looked like he was 50.  And the physics teacher commented that her students looked 40 - but she definitely looked like she was 30.  Maybe being around young people really do keep you young.

We also ran into my 10th grade English teacher as he was walking to his car - which was kind of amazing.  It was not surprising he taught drama for a time.  He also told us some interesting trivia about St. Louis like how T.S. Elliot was born there, and his great-grandfather was one of the founders of WashU - or something like that.  It was also nice to see another physics teacher who both NT and I agreed was kind of pleasantly geeky.  We both told told him to send "hello's" to his wife who also taught us.  It was a pity I couldn't make it to my tennis coach, but hopefully she'll get my message via another prof.  When we were trying to search for her in the gym, there was a basketball game going on, and the ticket people told us we needed to pay if we wanted to stay for the game - we gently declined the offer.  We also heard the very-likely-hyperthyroid English teacher was running around as usual, but unfortunately, he didn't run into us.

Overall, it became a very amusing trip with many warm smiles and fond memories - I guess I'm good at forgetting the bad ones.  NT and I agreed that the teachers probably got a kick out of having some of their old students visit them - and I hope it really did make their holiday season just a little bit brighter.

Money Stats

Some interesting money stats that were quoted in my church's sermon this past week: (from the book, Passing the Plateby Christian Smith.)

• At least 1 out of 5 American Christians (20% of all U.S. Christians) give literally nothing to their church.
• The median American Christian gives only 0.62% of their income to charity.
• In 2005, Americans spent $27.9 billion on candy.
• In 2004, Americans spent $92.9 billion on soda & bottled water, & in 2005 spent $59.4 billion on jewelry & watches.
• Americans spend over $200 billion on entertainment products (TV’s, iPods, video games, etc.) each year.
• Americans spend over $300 billion on pets, toys, and playground equipment for their children each year.
• In 2004, Americans spent $30.5 billion on consumer (not business or government) domestic air travel & $48.3 billion on travel & tourism abroad.
• In 2005, American consumers spent $24.1 billion on DVD’s (not counting VHS rentals and purchases).
• In 2004, Americans spent $29.7 billion in sporting goods stores.
• In 2003, Americans spent $45 billion in state lotteries.
• Americans spend more than $100 billion per year on fast food.
• Between 1978 and 2005, the average square footage of new, single family houses in the United States rose from 1,750 to 2,414 square feet – a 40% increase.
• The average American spends $372 per year on alcohol.
• The average Christian gives $200 per year to charity.
• If committed Christians in the U.S. gave 10% of their after-tax income, an extra $46 billion per year of resources with which to fund needs and priorities would be available. 
• 97% of Christian respondents said they either never, or hardly ever discussed finances with members of their church.

Me Last Year (MNZ)

Haha, I got a good laugh out of this one.  So true! So true!: Me Last Year (MNZ)

Cafe Eau

Speaking of ridiculous society events, today we had brunch at Cafe Eau of the Chase.  The buffet menu will explain it's ridiculousness: egg benedict, omelette to order, cauliflower, potatos, smoked chicken pasta, carved beef, wallnut salade, apple/cranberry/fruit salade, pasta salad, fruit platter, lox/fish bagel, capers/toppings, cold cuts (4+ types), grilled veggies (zucchini, tomatoes, asparagus...), protebello mushroom, shrimp, oyster, crab, croissant, pastries, strawberry smoothie, cheeses + crackers, sweet potato cheesecake, desserts: bailly dome, peanutbutter/chocolate mousse, rice pudding, apple tart, lemon bar, lemon tart, pumpkin pie, caramel tart, pecan pie, gooey butter cake, fig chocolate mousse, cheesecake, red velvet cake, chocolate mouse cup, eclaire, fruit tart, drawer of cookies...and I'm sure I forgot more things.  So stuff...5 hrs later..

Through a Child's Eyes...

Children are so innocent!  Here are some letters they wrote to God... hehehe, so funny/cute! (KP):

Dear God,
I went to this wedding and they kissed right in church, is that okay?
Neil

Dear God,
Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones why don't you just keep the old ones?
Jane

Dear God,
I think the stapler is one of your best inventions.
Ruth M.

Dear God,
In bible times did they really talk that fancy?
Jennifer

Dear God,
I think about you sometimes even when I'm not praying.
Elliot

Dear God,
I am an American, what are you?
Robert

Dear God -if-we-come-back-as-something-please-don't-let-me-be-Jennifer-Horton - I-hate-her.
Denise

Dear God,
I bet it is very hard for you to love all of everybody in the whole world There are only 4 people in our family and I can't do it.
Nan

Dear God,
Please put another holiday between Christmas and Easter.  There is nothing good there now.
Ginny

Dear God,
If you watch in church on Sunday I will show you my new shoes
Mickey D.

Dear God,
Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each so much if they had their own rooms.  It works with my brother.
Larry

Dear God,
If you give me genie lamp like Alladin I will give you anything you want except my money or my chess set.
Raphael

We read Thos. Eddison made light. But in Sun. School they said you did it. So I bet he Stole your Idea. Sincerely, Donna

Dear God,
If you let the dinasor not extinct, we would not have a country. You did the right thing.
Jonathan

Dear God,
Please send Dennis Clark to a different camp this year.
Peter

Dear God,
Thank you for the baby brother but what I prayed for was a puppy
Joyce

:D