What's Da Buzz?

In this extension of the first entry, let us look at how History checks out in the Bible and do a very interesting exercise. Again, the Bible is minimally an ancient text written so others would understand what was written at that time. Just because today is different than the past doesn’t mean what is described in the past isn’t true. We don’t know as we weren’t there. Standard daily life in the Philippines is often compared to life in the USA 60 years ago minus the cell phones. That is today. Obviously, life is different based on where you live. It is massively different if it is in a different place in the distant past.

How does the Bible stack up to known historical facts? It performs amazingly well. In many cases, the accuracy of the Bible is stunning as it is one of a few texts (and sometimes the only text) in which many kings, princes and locations are mentioned. In many cases such as King Nebuchanezzar, the Bible mentioned them long, long before historical evidence was found in archeological digs. For a while, the Bible mentioning King Nebuchanezzar was considered evidence the Bible wasn’t true – until the evidence was found that the Bible was right. The Bible is so accurate that it has 44 kings recorded in it in correct chronological order and perfect spelling.

One such new proof comes from Jeremiah 38:1 where it mentions Gedaliah son of Pashhur. I can’t begin to even pronounce those names. Now there is concrete archeological evidence supporting it and others mentioned in Jeremiah 37:3.

This could keep going on and on but I’ll let you dig into the topic if you want to. Let us shift to a fun exercise that requires 2 passages in the Bible, a blank piece of paper or two, and a pencil.

Turn to Job 40:15-24 for the first one and Job 41 for the second. Do not decide what it is just sketch it one part at a time. Here is one hint on the Job 40 section. That isn’t a hippo or elephant. The identity is not an animal known today. Job 41 definitely is not a crocodile but some sea creature. Remember, these are texts referring to common knowledge of the times back then.

“ 15 “Look now at the behemoth, which I made along with you; He eats grass like an ox. 16 See now, his strength is in his hips, And his power is in his stomach muscles. 17 He moves his tail like a cedar; The sinews of his thighs are tightly knit. 18 His bones are like beams of bronze, His ribs like bars of iron. 19 He is the first of the ways of God; Only He who made him can bring near His sword. 20 Surely the mountains yield food for him, And all the beasts of the field play there. 21 He lies under the lotus trees, In a covert of reeds and marsh. 22 The lotus trees cover him with their shade; The willows by the brook surround him. 23 Indeed the river may rage, Yet he is not disturbed; He is confident, though the Jordan gushes into his mouth, 24 Though he takes it in his eyes, Or one pierces his nose with a snare.”

I would suggest you look up the reports of the Mokele Mbembe in the Congo as the description is nearly the same. What is it? Sketch them and find out. The picture may include what the entry on leviathan describes.

A Leviathan?

Thanks,

Anah

Note: Thanks to Goryo for helping me on this research.

Why do you set goals? So you know where you are headed in life and have something to strive for. It becomes what you can measure your success or failure by. However, plans are something best considered to be a sketch as opposed to a detailed painting. They next to never work as planned.

My trip to spend time with my family and look to the concerns of someone’s (dear to me) health went very well. They went so well that I had to return earlier than expected due to a whole batch of reasons and issues far beyond my control. Was that the plan? Not at all but her better health was the goal and spending time (cut short) with my pamilya.

This is the weather here in Wisconsin before the trip.

But in the Philippines, we enjoyed the cold springs and the sights of coconut trees in the nice warm tropical weather.

So what was it like when I returned to the USA? I was traveling back on Friday December 20, 2008. After a long layover in Manila, I was just looking forward to being back in my husband’s arms early Friday afternoon. But the rescheduled, rescheduled flight (not a typo) ended up with more delays courtesy of flying into a blizzard.

At Detroit, my flight got canceled and rescheduled for after 9 PM instead of noon. This is after I was already exhausted (no sleep for more than 18 hours). Could it have been earlier? Sure, but the weather was just as bad on my hubby’s side so we couldn’t change the destination. (Chicago O’Hare)

So we waited, fell asleep in the packed airport in Detroit and finally boarded the plane. Then we had to sit on the plane for an hour as they replaced two parts in the cockpit. Departure time yet? Nope, next we had to go for de-icing. The end result was I arrived in Chicago later than the late flight. Even that meager plan didn’t work.

With my hubby driving us home the final 2 hours, my daughter slept and I was catching up on events with him. This past Monday my co-workers welcomed me back and wondered what I did differently with my hair to give them a slightly different look.

I just smiled at them. They didn’t need to know my new hair care secret stemmed from the trip to the Philippines. Lice treatment gel is usually not a standard hair care item.

Goals accomplished – Got to the Philippines. I visited my family. Someone dear to me  is okay for now. I got back home.

Plans accomplished – None.
Set goals, not plans.

But I’m happy to be back in this cold frozen Tundra Wisconsin. Wheeeeee!

Thanks,

Anah

Once upon a time in the land of Phils, there were three respected leaders on the topic of Lamesa. Their names were Tatay Kutsilyo, Kuya Tinidor, and Ate Kutsara. These three were the experts you turned to for all questions regarding proper Lamesa conduct.

Tatay Kutsilyo was by far and away the tallest and the sharpest of the three, but his role was limited to opening up those things the other two couldn’t. Kuya Tinidor worked very well with Ate Kutsara and they were commonly seen doing projects together. Kuya Tinidor approached every project with three or four points in mind. He wasn’t the sharpest, but everyone knew to respect his to-the-point comments as they could poke you where it hurt. Ate Kutsara was well known as the main workhorse of the group. She was well respected for her depth of character and well-roundedness. There was nothing too small that she couldn’t catch.

One day as they were doing their standard duties, a new ship appeared flying Lamesa flags of the Western world and a nation known as USA (uh-sah). The ship came into port and the top three officers hopped off the boat to greet the people of this new land. As was customary in all things Lamesa, Tatay Kutsilyo, Kuya Tinidor, and Ate Kutsara met the three officers of the vessel. Chief Petty Officer F. Ork led the group that included himself, Petty Officer First Class K. N. Ife, and Petty Officer Second Class S.P. Oon.

All six went to the fabled hall where all things Lamesa were discussed. The initial meeting did not go well as cultural differences were very obvious. The Phils side held Ate Kutsara in the highest regard follow closely by Kuya Tinidor. However, the USA side held CPO Ork in the highest regard and PO 1st Class Ife second. There were several struggles as the lowest ranked of the USA side was considered the highest status of the Phils side. The first meeting went poorly as the USA side thought the Phils side was backwards from their point of view. The Phils side couldn’t understand why the USA side was being so arrogant.

The next day came and more meetings came as this was the traditional day when each side shared of their cultural cuisine. The Phils side hosted first with a delicious meal of flaky tuna, rice, and a vegetable stew. CPO Ork was having difficulties getting a good grasp on the food. PO 1st Class Ife felt like he really couldn’t do much at all. PO 2nd Class Oon was truly shining. CPO Ork had to struggle with his preconceived notions and come to terms that in this culture with this being the normal food, PO 2nd Class Oon was the far superior one. PO 1st Class Ife could not accept going from second best to nearly useless and held a grudge against PO 2nd Class Oon and made cutting remarks when back on board their ship.

Then it was the turn of the USA side to share their standard cuisine. A sizzling steak, a hot white potato complete with butter, sour cream, and bacon bits was served along with a cob of corn. The Phils side was the one to struggle with these cultural foods but being accustomed to meeting many different foreigners they quickly adapted as they always did. No reason to let silly food matters disrupt the structure of the Lamesa three. Ate Kutsara took it a bit easy but worked with Kuya Tinidor on the potato. She left the steak to Kuya Tinidor and Tatay Kutsilyo and all three had to figure out that you ate the cob of corn using your hands.

The exchange of cuisine helped both sides understand the other better. Unfortunately, the report CPO Ork was required to make wasn’t allowed to tell the complete story. It had to be written to justify the superiority of the Lamesa methods of the Western World even though CPO Ork knew better.

Life in the land of Phils continued on as it always did with a little bit of extra wisdom on the ways of the outside world.

Na gets nyo? Hehe!

Thank you,

Anah