A Case Study...

He disturbs the quiet as he bounds through the door, burdened by his third grader's book bag. "Hi, Mom! Mmm...those brownies smell great!" The perfect vision of June Cleaver, she turns and says, "Hello, Johnny dear. How was school today?" He flashes a big, toothy smile and says, "It was swell! We talked about occupations and, say, will Pop be home for dinner tonight? I can't wait to tell you both what I have decided I'm going to be when I grow up."

--

That night at dinner, as they pass the meatloaf and garlic bread, Dad says, "Hey sport! Your mother was telling me that you have determined your future. Let's hear it. You going to be a doctor like your old man?" Sheepishly, but with excitement bubbling just below the surface, Little Johnny responds, "Um, actually, I was thinking of something a little more...exciting." "Surgeon? Pilot? Televangelist? What do you want to be when you grow up," his parents ask. Johnny drops his fork, takes a gulp of whole milk, wipes his mouth on the cloth napkin in his lap.

"I want to be a crocodile wrestler."

"This is what I want to be when I grow up," says Johnny proudly. "I want to pull them out of the water by their tails, antagonize them with water and shouting, and provoke them to anger by prodding them with a stick. An' then, when I got 'em good and mad, I'll stick my arm, my foot, even my head into his mouth. An' the best part is I can start when I'm sixteen!"

"A crocodile wrestler? I'm so proud," beams dad.

--

This may or may not be a factual account of how one chooses the career path of crocodile wrestler. I saw this. I watched them royally tick off an animal with sharp teeth and get paid for it. I don't remember crocodile wrestler coming up when I did a review game on Occupations with grade one here at BCC, but it's clearly an option, I suppose.

Who am I to judge someones hopes, dreams, and other matter of future aspiration?

you can't take it with you...

Every morning, Bangkok Christian College begins with a thought for the day. Thursdays are in English, so I was excited to be able to understand the message, and I thought I would share it.

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, but loose his soul?

Michael Jackson was very successful during his life, and he achieved many great things. But he died, and he died very young. And when he died, he did not get to take Neverland Ranch, Bubbles, or Thriller with him. Those things stayed behind on earth. What did he take with him? His soul. Maybe his soul was happy with the joy he had brought to many people all over the world, or with the great contributions of charity that he made, but only his soul went with him when he left this world.

All of my MJ memories came flooding forth and I said a small prayer for his peace and for his family (Brooke Upton taught me that it is ok to pray for celebrities). Soon there after, the morning announcements continued in Thai. Just as I resigned myself to ignoring the words I could not understand, I heard the words "Meekal Jakon". They were repeating the same message, and I was excited to think that I was "understanding" Thai, even if it was cheating.

Besides MJ, I got a lot out of this message. Bangkok is a shopper's paradise. Everything is so cheap and there are so many wonderful things to see. But the experiences that will enrich my life and bless my soul and relationship with God are far more precious than all of Siam's souveniers combined.

That said, school is closed today in preparation for the 157th birthday of BCC, and we're going shopping.

peace and love,
ash