10am to 3pm

The average age of a homeless person in the United States is 9 years old!

The college of education had its first Day of Service last Friday. The day started with an information session and a simulation activity to expose the attendees to the issue of homelessness in the area. After a free lunch, the attendees separated and went to 3 different non-profit organizations and performed some community service. My group went to the Neighborhood Center and painted a stairwell.

I expected many students/staff/faculty members would turn up for this event, but only about 15 people came…that was rather disappointing for a college of over 600 students.

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4-5:30pm

People in Mainland China do not call each other by only the first name, they will say both the last (surname) and first names. Using only the first name is too personal and culturally unacceptable. Only close family members can do that. Friends? Nope.

That’s what my chinese/mandarin exchange class teacher told me. I never knew this cultural taboo, since in Malaysia, people go by first name basis all the time.

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7-9:30pm

The bible study group met again after a long summer break. This time we are doing Beth Moore’s The Patriachs. The introduction session talked about how names are very important to people and how many people are trying to make their names known and acknowledged. This is so true in the academia world. Professors want/need to publish many articles/books to maintain their status as top people in their field. Assistant professors want/need to publish many articles and books in order to be tenured. Doctoral students want/need to be first author in several articles, and co-authors in as many articles/books as possible to boost their CV in order to get a good job. Some people are shrewd and cunning in getting their name in an article. Some people’s work are stolen from under their noses, and someone else gets the glory. So much strife just to see one’s name in print.