More H4H Guatemala photos

Link from Karen Beck (she took tons of great pics) for the 2008 trip.
Link from Gerson Robboy for the 2007 trip.

Here's a good one showing the end result...

Things That Make Me Say "Huh?" - 2008-03-26

A new meaning of change.

Um, $300,000 for college... but the big tickets are giving it away and MIT is a bit less than that.

Speaking of "21" have you heard its opening this Friday...cool site tho.

The Giving Dilemma

(...finally figured out how to stick a title on these blog posts...)

One of the draws for jumping to Jive was the location downtown. I was/am excited to be in the middle of some action. The (perceived) downside is the number of FDOTL (Folks Down On Their Luck). To me, this a call to action....

But, what action. I've pondered for quite some time about how to spread His love without being too sappy or just handing out greenbacks. For a long time, my mentality has been "what they do with it they will answer for not me". However, I've felt that was simply "buying my way" out of any involvement.

So, time to put the faith to the test. Here's the plan:

1. Engage this *person* - ask for their name and story for prayer.
2. Pray! (this would be the key part)
3. Hand over a little encouragement (this would be the hard part)

Current thought: McDonald's "arch" card. For "repeat customers", I get the card back and throw some more cash on it. Concern(?) is that minimum increment is $5.00. Can buy remotely.

Option is to do the gift certificates. Didn't ask when I was there today (just got 4 arch cards). But, at the very least, they can be ordered online ($1.00 increments in book of 5).

Another option is Subway. Same deal as "arch" card. .50 fee to order online (if too lazy to go to a counter/store). Doesn't look like they do gift certificate.

Other options?

Working on building up some Good Dad Points. I didn't bring the camcorder but I should be able to take a pic w/the phone.
















And I'm skipping the UCLA and Lakers games to be here - plus points. But I'm blogging during the 4th Grade Musical - so minus points (rats).

Wondering what the distinction between "internal" and "external" blogs are (or should be)? Seems like many folks have two views to share - 1 that is relevant to "the company" and 1 that is relevant to "the self". Since the Jive-ing has started, I've noticed the line between these two views is blurring. Should it be so easy to "merge" these views? I expect the Legal Dept to be shaking at the thought of words and images "getting inside" with a chance to offend.

A link to a blog with interesting points/URLs about Waterfall.

Ciao.

Been meaning to post about Guate2008. Once again, a life-altering experience (how many of those can yo have??) and *highly* recommended for ANYONE. I've flickr'd some pix. Just got a ton (1800 is close to 2000, right?) and will update the flickr site with references.

In sum, helping other folks is simply the right thing to do. Going to Guatemala to do it is a stretch (mostly $$wise). Chances are pretty good I'll go again. Maybe Honduras or Costa Rica? But, also, why not Hillsboro, Eastside, New Orleans...?

I hope to post a longer thread on this mental discussion I'm having. For now, though, the Habitat trip is one of the best things I've done. Each time I feel closer to Him and isn't that the point?

Ciao

In the midst of "Day One @ Jive". But, I wanted to followup the "Last Day @ Serena". It was a bit surreal - I needed to inform HR of my departure. I'd thought a bit about the Going Away Lunch. As it turned out, it was quite neat. Its always interesting to find out what folks think about you when "politics" aren't in play.

Email worked until 600 PM. So, I managed to get some email best wishes and such. No one said good riddance...all good. I definitely felt an "he's old news" vibe from the management team. My thoughts are still with the good folks stuck there. I hope it works as well as possible there. Clearly, He has opened this path for me. (I pray I don't screw it up.)

Ciao

Haven't posted in awhile...went to Guatemala (will post on that later) but have been working on "the jump". Leaving Serena today to move to Jive Software. It's all good and I'll try and post through the process.

Currently, I'm sitting here waiting for an exit interview with Serena HR. Not sure if I need to book that or not. We'll see. But, for now, I'll work on some Java code. :-)