From the Very Interesting Mind of Hunter S. Thompson, II

“We are all wired into a survival trip now. No more of the speed that fueled that 60's. That was the fatal flaw in Tim Leary's trip. He crashed around America selling "consciousness expansion" without ever giving a thought to the grim meat-hook realities that were lying in wait for all the people who took him seriously... All those pathetically eager acid freaks who thought they could buy Peace and Understanding for three bucks a hit. But their loss and failure is ours too. What Leary took down with him was the central illusion of a whole life-style that he helped create... a generation of permanent cripples, failed seekers, who never understood the essential old-mystic fallacy of the Acid Culture: the desperate assumption that somebody... or at least some force - is tending the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Nearing the End

I can't believe that graduation is so close by. It's really scary. One of my friends asked me if I was graduating in December, adding that she would be sad and scared if I did. I told her that I would be sad and scared if I graduated in December. Graduating in May allows me to procrastinate thinking of the real world out there.

There's a buzz among the graduates. As the class Vice President, I help plan out Graduation weekend, and I even gave the idea for the Class gift, so that's nice. Still, it feels very surreal planning out the biggest weekend so far in my life. All my classmates are also in some sort of denial, we can't believe it's almost over.

The IRR majors are gearing up for their Nicaragua trip, and I cannot lie, I still wish with all my heart that IRR would have worked out my freshman year. I really would want to be on that plane in January.

"God has never let me down": the Linda Becker story.

Dr. Becker's office is the far Northeast corner of the administration building, known in the common tongue as the (Everett) Dick building, inside the Student Services office. She is definitely a fan of Great Britain: her cabinets and walls are a collection of trinkets and magnets and post cards and even a diploma or two from over across the pond. I knock at the door and she is typing fiercely on her laptop and invites me in without missing a beat.

"How are you, Pablo?" she asks, as she finishes her spurts of typing.

"I'm good, thanks. Nice not to have as much going on as last year, but good so far. How are you, Dr. Becker?"

She sighs. "I'm a little behind, but all right."

"I can come back another time if it's better--"

"--No no, right now is perfect." This reassures me. "What can I do for you?"

"Well, for the Calling Program here at Union, they asked me to collect stories of how people met their calling."

She laughs, "Okay, now we're in the same pew. So do you want my story?"

"Yeah, but I had a couple questions first."

She looks a bit apprehensive. "Okay."

I go straight to the nitty gritty. "Why, uh, just why do you do this job, why stay here at Union?" She raises her eyebrows. "I mean, you're always busy, and the fact that many times discipline seems to come from you makes some students be vocal about how much they don't like you." Bold, I know, but why beat around the bush?

Dr. Becker is a daunting woman. She is the Dean of Students and that means that many times she is the voice--if not the giver--of discipline. Around campus, a visit to her office is comparable to being sent to the Principal's office in second grade, complete with all the "oooooooooooh!"s from your friends.

Yet, I know a different Dr. Becker. I had the privilege to work closely with her last year while I was with ASB, and I saw a person committed to students.

This is why I decided to make Dr. Becker my first stop in trying to define this, uh, "calling" that the campus is so eager to promote. Just for the record, to show how busy Dr. Becker is, I stopped by her office and met with her secretary to make an appointment--the nearest opening was a week away, and for only 30 minutes. The last time I did a personality profile, the interview took over an hour. I guess I'm supposed to be challenged by this assignment, so collecting Dr. Becker's story and gleaning something from it in only 30 minutes will definitely put me through my paces.

Dr. Becker doesn't seem fazed. "Well, you see Pablo, I do this job because of the students. While some students may not like the decisions I make with the rest of the administration team, being there for all students is what I work for. Students are great to work with."

"I guess to clarify better, Dr. Becker, what is your title?"

"Dean of Students."

"Did you always see yourself in this position, maybe not behind this desk, but doing this job?"

Dr. Becker laughs. "Never," she confesses, "never ever was this in my radar."

I don't think I hide my surprise very well, because she dives straight into her story.

"I went to Pacific Union College, and initially I was a nursing major. I was a nurse's aid for three summers, so I really thought that nursing was the best choice for me.
Around my sophomore year, I realized that while I loved helping others, I enjoyed helping those who were alive and well more than those who were sick. I changed my major to Education, with an emphasis in Home Economics and an English minor."

"What made you see the difference in alive and well as opposed to sick people?"

"I was very involved in student life while at PUC. I was the class Vice President my freshman, sophomore, and senior years there, and the Social Vice President at the Student Association there--so I spent a lot of time involved."

I hold on to my Composition book, writing furiously. My scribbling begins to look more like a straight line as I try to keep up with her story. "So, what next?"

"Well, Andrews offered to pay my tuition towards a Masters if taught Home Economics. I thought I would teach Home Economics all my life," she says with a smile, looking to a point just past my right shoulder. "Then, I married a seminarian, which meant that after he graduated we moved out to Loma Linda. There I taught Home Economics at Monterey Bay Academy. I got that job in a very unique way. Years before, when I was still in high school, I picked strawberries during the summer. Out of 15 students that started that job, I was the only one who finished. It turned out that the man who was in charge of that job worked at MBA, so he remembered me and hired me!
After that, I worked at Loma Linda Academy, and we even moved out to Newfoundland were I taught 5th grade and then I also taught at a Junior College for 5 years."

"What did you teach at the Junior College?"

"Nutrition."

Then her face changes a bit. Nothing too perceptible, but I know something big iss coming. "It was then that we moved to Hawai'i, and I became the principal of an Elementary and served as a Youth Pastor."

I write in awe of the amount of experience and mileage she had under her belt up to that point. Then it gets more interesting.

"I went back to the healthcare field. I got a job as the Director of Quality Improvement at the Casa Medical Center."

"Oh wow," I say. Not the best professional reaction. She smiles.

"This job had me working with patient complains, and, as the director, I also wrote a manuals for improved hospital quality systems, which they asked me to teach to hospitals."

"So it incorporated everything you had experience with."

"Yes, I especially loved teaching."

I smile as I write on. I try to ask a question but I'm stopped short.

"It was then that I became a single mother," she says. I don't know how to react. Thankfully, she goes right on. "So me and my kids picked up and moved out of Hawai'i, and ended up here at Union."

Ah, I think, this is where it all comes back. She continues, composed. "I was the director of the Career Center here for 3 years. During that time, Pastor Rich--"

"--this Pastor Rich?"

"Yes," she laughs, "this Pastor Rich. He asked me to to a presentation here about quality improvement. This was where I created many connections here at Union.
At that time, Andrews offered me a six month plan with pay to finish my doctorate."

"So you went back to Andrews?"

"Yes. So I was a full-time student, had a part-time job, and all at the same time I was a single mom."

I must have a dumbstruck face on. Becker continues. "I stayed at Andrews after I finished my doctorate as the Director of Human Resources. Here, I got to engage with people again, but I really missed having students."

"Right, that was your major."

"Yes, I missed that interaction."

"So what happened?"

"Well, there was no Student Services here at Union. The then president--you might remember him--Dr. David Smith called me to see if I could set up a student services here. So I came back."

I am surprised. I had heard before that her story is "crazy," but I was physically tired from all the traveling and jobs she had just described. The next question I have makes me a bit nervous, but across the desk Dr. Becker looks as calm and confident as she had when I came in 15 minutes earlier. Speaking of which, I need to make these last 15 minutes count.

"Well, I guess what I wanted to know next was what were the catalysts for action? Uh, to put it more simply, what were the turning points that guided you in your decisions?"

Dr. Becker looks solemn. "My dad was the Associate Dean of Students at PUC when I was there. We had a good relationship, and we talked often. However, my dad passed away my sophomore year, but two weeks before he died we had had a conversation about the possibility of me changing my major. He listened and gave me advice. From that conversation, I decided that I wanted to make a difference in people's life."

"This was your calling," I say.

"Yes," she says. "God has different callings for different times, though," she explained. "At that moment, I decided to believe in the God my father had believed in, that was always helping others and drove my dad to help others."

"So, what is this thing, calling?" I ask.

"A calling is more of an action--a commitment to do God's call for you: God's call for this day, for this week, this month, this year--God has a calling for every moment, and they may all be different."

"Different both for the immediate and long term," I say, starting to understand her position.

"God doesn't always ask us to easy things, but I believe that His biddings are enablings." I underline that line. "He may ask us to go outside our comfort zone, but always provides ways to come through."

"As with Moses, and God sending Aaron to help."

"Exactly."

"Are you out of your comfort zone?"

She smiles. "Yes, Pablo. I am very much a people pleaser, and some aspects of this job make it hard for me to please everyone. It's not always easy to discipline. However, Ellen White has a quote that says 'Those who present their petitions to God in Christ’s name will never be turned away,' and I firmly believe that."

"Believe that He provides the means to understand his plans."

"Yes. When I graduated from Andrews the first time, and I had 4 job offers I was praying about, my grandfather sent me a letter. In it, my grandfather told me that God has a place for us, and that God has a future for us."

"But the road hasn't always been all too easy," I try to make it sound as much as I can to a question.

"No. I have argued with God about some jobs, especially about the job I am now. But I have learned to  depend on God every day."

I underline that last, too. "Dr. Becker, what advice would you give one who is lost, maybe confused as to what their next step should be or how to make a decision?"

"God says that He is the vine. You have to allow God to reach His full potential in you. The move to Lincoln from Hawai'i took a lot of prayer and listing pros and cons." Dr. Becker looks like she's going to deliver an upper cut. "Through all my experiences good and bad, I have found that God has never let me down."

Double underline. "How does that translate in a practical way?"

Dr. Becker pauses for a minute. "Higher than the highest human thought, is God's. So, have higher goals. Your education gives you tools to live your life with, and enjoy the fun small things, you never know if that is the path to a new future."

"Wow," is all I can muster. I look up at the clock and notice I've taken two minutes past 30 minutes. "Thank you so much for this, Dr. Becker. This was truly a blessing."

"Thank you, Pablo," she says with a smile. We wish each other a good day, and I leave to the pattering sound of her keyboard.

Self-help (or, This series will get a better title once I start interviews, I)

I think my teachers are addicted to self-help.

In high school, we read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens in American Literature (I'll explain later why that's pretty spot-on), and now that I'm in college there are professors and professionals who swear by the self-help books and personality tests.

I've never been much a fan myself. Maybe it's all the career test results that came back not with "two guaranteed fits for my future," but with eight--from artist to writer to engineer to doctor. After about the third one we took my Junior year in high school, I never trusted them again.

Stephen Fry, a British actor and intellectual, attributes the American obsession over self-help and the absence of it in Europe for the difference in humor, where American comedians always end up the heroes and British comedians are funny exactly because they're the anti-hero. My Guatemalan culture is very much like that: we make fun of ourselves a lot and it never destroys our self-esteem.

This also could be why I don't trust tests and quizzes and computer-designed sorcery too plan my future out for me--I've always had an idea of what I wanted to do. My "calling," if you will, was ingrained from the start.

One of the professionals mentoring me this semester, also obsessed with Gallup's StrengthsFinder, gave me an idea. My college is implementing a new program this year, designed to help students find their "calling" in a journey of sorts with different focal points during the different years at Union. One of the main driving forces of the program is the stories of people who have found their calling. All I have to do is collect these stories.

I'm really looking forward to speaking with staff members about this. I will write the interviews on here and see where this will take me: I have the sneaking suspicion that everyone is going to have a different definition for "calling."

In short, this collection of stories are going to be here to get advice from wiser people, help me define what "calling" is, and maybe (hopefully) help someone else along the way.

Who knows, it might turn into a self-help book.

Utterly Speechless

I saw this show a while back, and ever since I've been meaning to put this segment here. Just grabs me and teaches me a huge lesson. From An Idiot Abroad on Sky1 channel in the UK.

This is Muhammad's last message. I think the Prophet's on to something here.

"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I don't know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you carefully and TAKE THIS WORDS TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE TODAY.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that HE will indeed reckon your deeds. ALLAH has forbidden you to take usury (Interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived...

Beware of Satan, for your safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have right over you. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and comitted helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to commit adultery.

O People, listen to me in earnest, whorship ALLAH, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadhan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to. You know that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. YOU ARE ALL EQUAL. NOBODY HAS SUPERIORITY OVER OTHER EXCEPT BY PIETY AND GOOD ACTION.

Remember, one day you will appear before ALLAH and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, NO PROPHET OR APOSTLE WILL COME AFTER ME AND NO NEW FAITH WILL BE BORN. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand my words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the QUR'AN and my example, the SUNNAH and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me direcly. BE MY WITNESS O ALLAH THAT I HAVE CONVEYED YOUR MESSAGE TO YOUR PEOPLE."

En un 15 de Septiembre . . . (o, Feliz Cumple, Guate)

Palacio Nacional de Guatemala, quince de septiembre de mil ochocientos veintiuno.

Siendo públicos e indudables los deseos de independencia del gobierno español que por escrito y de palabra ha manifestado el pueblo de esta capital recibidos por último correo diversos oficios de los ayuntamientos constitucionales de Ciudad Real, Comitán y Tuxtla en que comunican haber proclamado y jurado dicha independencia, y excitan a que se haga lo mismo en está ciudad siendo positivo que han circulado iguales oficios a otros ayuntamientos determinado de acuerdo con las Excma. diputación provincial que para tratar de asunto tan grave se reuniesen en uno de los salones de este palacio la misma diputación la Excma. audiencia territorial, el venerable Sr. deán y cabildo eclesiástico, el Excma. ayuntamiento, el M. I. claustro el consulado y M. I. colegio de abogados, los prelados regulares, jefes y funcionarios públicos congregados todos en el mismo salón: leídos los oficios expresados discutido y medito detenidamente el asunto y oído el clamor de Viva la Independencia que repetía de continuo el pueblo que se veía reunido en la calles, plaza, patio, corredores y antesala de este palacio, se acordó por esta diputación e individuos de Excmo. ayuntamiento:

1. Que siendo la independencia del gobierno español la voluntad general del pueblo de Guatemala, y sin perjuicio de lo que determine sobre ella el congreso que debe formarse, el Sr. Jefe político la mande publicar para prevenir las consecuencias querían temibles en el caso de que la proclamase de hecho el mismo pueblo.

2. Que desde luego e circulen oficios a las provincias por correos extraordinarios para sin demora alguna se sirvan proceder a elegir diputados representantes suyos, y éstos concurran a esta capital a formar el congreso que debe decidir el punto de independencia general y absoluta y fijar, en caso de acordarla, la forma de gobierno y ley fundamental que deba regir.

3. Que para facilitar el nombramientos de diputados, se sirvan hacerlo las mismas juntas electorales de provincia que hicieran o debieron hacer las elecciones de los últimos diputados a cortes.

4. Que el número de estos diputados sea en proporción de uno por cada quince mil individuos, sin excluir de la ciudadanía a los originarios de África.

5.Que las mismas juntas electorales de provincia, teniendo presente los últimos censos, se sirvan determinar según esta base el número de diputados o representantes que deban elegir.

6.Que en atención a la gravedad y urgencia del asunto se sirvan hacer las elecciones de modo que día primero de marzo del año próximo de 1882, estén reunidos en esta capital todos los diputados.

7.Que entretanto, no haciéndose novedad en las autoridades establecidas, sigan éstas ejerciendo sus atribuciones respectivas con arreglo a la constitución, decretos, y leyes hasta que el congreso indicado determine lo quesea más justo y benéfico,

8.Que el Sr. jefe político brigadier D. Gavino Gaínza continúe con el gobierno superior político y militar, y para que éste tenga el carácter que parece propio de las circunstancias, forme una junta provisional consultiva, compuesta de los señores individuos actuales de esta diputación provincial, de los señores Miguel Larreynaga, ministrote esta audiencia, D. José del Valle, auditor de Guerra, marques de Aycinena, Dr. D. José Valdés, tesorero de esta santa iglesia, Dr. D. Ángel María Candina, y Lic. D. Antonio Robles, alcalde 3° constitucional, el primero por la provincia de León, el segundo por la de Comayagua, el tercero por Quezaltenango, el cuarto por Sololá y Chimaltenango, el quinto por Sonsonete, y el sexto por Ciudad Real de Chiapa.

9. Que esta junta provisional consulte al señor jefe político en todos los asuntos económicos y gubernativos dignos de su atención.

10. Que la religión católica, que hemos profesado en los siglos anteriores y profesaremos en los sucesivos, se conserve pura e inalterable, manteniendo vivo el espíritu de religiosidad que ha distinguido siempre a Guatemala., respetando a los ministros eclesiásticos, seculares y regulares, y protegiéndoles en sus personas y propiedades.

11. Que se pase oficio a los dignos prelados de las comunidades religiosas, para que cooperando a la paz y sosiego, que es la primera necesidad de los pueblos, cuando pasan de un gobierno a otro, dispongan que sus individuos exhorten a la fraternidad y concordia, a los que estando unidos en el sentimiento general de la independencia, deben estarlo también en todos los demás, sofocando pasiones individuales que dividen los ánimos y producen funestas consecuencias.

12. Que el Excmo. ayuntamiento a quien corresponde la conversación del orden y tranquilidad, tome las medidas más activas para mantenerla imperturbable en toda esta capital y pueblos inmediatos.

13. Que el señor jefe político publique un manifiesto haciendo notorios a la faz de todos los sentimientos generales del pueblo, la opinión de las autoridades y corporaciones, las medidas de este gobierno, las causas y circunstancias que lo decidieron a prestar en manos del señor alcalde 1°, a pedimento del pueblo, el juramento de independencia y fidelidad al gobierno americano que se establezca.

14. Que igual juramento presten la junta provisional, el Excmo. ayuntamiento, el Illmo. señor arzobispo, los tribunales, jefes políticos y militares, los prelados regulares, sus comunidades religiosas, jefes y empleados en las rentas, autoridades, corporaciones y tropas de las respectivas guarniciones.

15. Que el señor jefe político, de acuerdo con el Excmo. ayuntamiento disponga la solemnidad y señale el día en que el pueblo deba hacer la proclamación y juramento expresado de independencia.

16. Que el Excmo. ayuntamiento acuerde la acuñación de una medalla que perpetúe en los siglos la memoria del día Quince de Setiembre de mil ochocientos veintiuno, en que proclamó su feliz independencia.

17. Que imprimiéndose esta acta y el manifiesto expresado, se circule a las Excmas. diputaciones provinciales, ayuntamientos constitucionales y demás autoridades eclesiásticas, regulares, seculares y militares, para que siendo acordes en los mismos sentimientos que ha manifestado este pueblo, se sirvan obrar con arreglo a todo lo expuesto.

18. Que se cante el día que designe el señor jefe político una misa solemne de gracias con asistencia de la junta provincial, detonas las autoridades, corporaciones y jefes, haciéndose salvas de artillería y tres días iluminación.

Palacio Nacional de Guatemala. Septiembre de 1821.

Gavino Gainza
Mariano de Beltranena
José Mariano Calderón
José Matías Delgado
Manuel Antonio Molina
Mariano de Larrave
Antonio de Rivera
José Antonio de Larrave
Isidoro del Valle y Castraciones
Mariano de Aycinena
Pedro de Arroyave
Lorenzo de Romaña, secretario
Domingo Diéguez, secretario.