by Vy on 23 February 2010
Medical assistant Augustine Hernandez, right, checks a newborn Tuesday at an Aurora, Colo., provider that treats many low-income patients.
When I saw this photo and the caption underneath it, I thought, “Man, it’s so cool that a dude like him can help people like that.”
Then I thought, “Ya know, I bet he’s been through some hard times himself.”
That may not be true. Perhaps I’m just stereotyping this guy because he’s Hispanic, bald, and has pierced ears. But most people who grow up in affluent homes in the suburbs don’t decide that they want to go to work for a medical provider who provides for low-income patients. Jobs like that aren’t exactly super cushy.
That’s the beauty of going through hardships in life, I think, though. They make people more compassionate. The world needs more compassionate people.
[ image by Getty Images via the Wall Street Journal ]
by Vy on 16 December 2009
When I was nine years old, my mom went with this old man to translate for him at a diagnostic imaging appointment. For some reason, she had to bring me with her.
He couldn’t see very well. His son had to fill out all the paperwork for him. When it came time for the old man to sign, someone would have to point his finger to the signature line.
I remember asking my mom, “If he can’t see, why does he wear glasses?”
My mom laughed. ”Vy asked why you wear glasses if you can’t see.”
For a moment, I was horrified. It seemed awfully insensitive to say that out loud.
The old guy laughed, too. ”I think they make me look more handsome. Don’t you?”
[ image by Andrew Huff ]
by Vy on 28 November 2009
I have had a total of three jobs, each one being less fancy then the one before.
My first job was working the front desk at the doctor’s office. Held that one down for about four years.
The second job was working the front counter at a LAN center at a mall here in Charlotte. It was pretty chill, but I only stuck around for a month and a half.
Now I’m bussing tables at a Chinese restaurant here in Rock Hill. I’ve gotta say, it’s not that bad. In fact, I kinda like it. My coworkers are pretty fabulous and I don’t have to interact with customers more than I really want to. Sure, the job has its…quirks, but that was to be expected.
This job has been a lesson in patience, humility, and simply enjoying what God’s provided me with. It also feels like I’m properly paying my dues for once. It’s kinda nice.
[ image by laverrue ]
Wrestling with salvation has been a weird thing for me, but it is what it is.
It’s been this constant feeling of peace and unrest.
There’s peace in the fact that I’ve been saved from the world and myself. And once I’m dead and gone, I’m not really dead and gone–I’ve just gone home.
There’s unrest in that the future is often uncertain–never knowing what life’s gonna throw my way. The decisions I’m going to have to face in the future are going to be very real. There’s no doubt about that.
Sorry for the recent string of less-than-light-hearted posts. It’s been a period of real introspection for me. It was partly inspired by the music I’ve been listening to as of late, the people I’ve met, and the events that life has throw my way. It was completely inspired by the Lord Jesus Christ.
[ image by Wouter Brandsma ]
God speaks to you in weird ways. Tonight, it was through a game of Settlers of Catan with my RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) folks.
Settlers is like a cross between Monopoly and Starcraft/Warcraft in that it’s a race to see who can garner the most capital in the shortest amount of time, thus making it a very capitalistic game (duh, Vy).
One of the things about capitalism that’s always made me really sad is that people work to gain more at the expense of others. You’re either trying to run down the competition or cutting corners by having your goods manufactured in sweat shops. I don’t know how many times I’ve read about potential copyright infringement suits between companies (Apple, Palm, etc.) on sites like Gizmodo or Engadget.
In a capitalistic society, most everyone’s looking out for “number one.” But when you’re in the mindset where you’re always wanting to take in more than you give, how much is enough?