Vocation in the Valley

Today was “Dads and Donuts” day at the Medium Girl’s school and it was the kind of day dad’s dream about (okay, so I don’t actually dream about these kinds of days, but it was really great). I met the my 3 girls in the parking lot and the Medium Girl (MG) was genuinely excited to see me (bouncing around excited). Then the baby wanted me, not mommy, to hold her. So I get a big dose of dad love in the parking lot.

Then when the event actually started, I got to have a couple of donuts (plus MG’s leftover, shhh), which I’ve given up to control the sugar levels and got to read a bunch of books with MG. She also made me a paper tie to wear and a great book in which she wrote and illustrated what I like to do and what I like to do with her.

Truly a gift from God!

I’ve dreamed for a long time about running my own software business. I’ve kicked around lots of product ideas, and I’ve even implemented some of them. But I’ve never hit on anything that would generate an income that would support my family.

The success literature I’ve read says that turning your dream into a goal (make a plan to accomplish your dream) is the way to make your dreams happen. So, I’ve made plans. I’ve mapped out 5, 3, and 1 year goals. So then, why haven’t I reached my dreams/goals? Well, besides being a sinner who procrastinates, I’d say that my children are the biggest barrier to reaching my dreams and goals.

Wow! That sounded awful and it is. That is what comes from the heart of what Martin Luther calls the old Adam; a wicked sinner, which I am. Now, if you know me, you know that I would lay down my life for my daughters (as Christ did for us on the Cross), but I know my own heart which isn’t always so noble. I don’t know if God wants me to own a software business, but I do know that God has given me two beautiful daughters to love and to serve.

So what do I do? Serve in the vocation that God has given me by changing diapers, going to “Dads and Doughnuts” day, teaching the Small Catechism, etc. And prepare for the vocation of software business owner when I have time to work on a plan.

I found a page that list some of the more common “Japanese” words that are used with babies. I write “Japanese” because I’m guessing that at least some of these words aren’t proper Japanese.

• nenne - sleep (from nemuru, to sleep)
• dakko - carry
• mamma - food (I always supposed from ummai, delicious)!
• Tatta - stand up (from tatsu, to stand).
• Iiko - good child.
• Chodai - give to me (from kureru, to receive and kudasai, the imperative).
• Jiji - dirty
• Pon-pon - tummy
• Pai-pai - throw away
• Nai-nai - put away
• Bocha for bath (BTY - We said Bocha-bocha)
• Dame - not good (or ikemasen - will not do) for no
• Abunai - dangerous
• Niko-niko - smile
• Itai - ouch
• Tai-tai - an injury (equivalent to an owey).

Then there were the body parts for all the pointing games –

• Me – eye
• Mayuge – eyebrow
• Matsuge - eyelash
• Hana – nose
• Kuchi – mouth
• Kami - hair
• Atama – head
• Kata – shoulder
• Senaka - back
• Te – hand
• Ude - arm
• Yubi - fingers
• Ashi – leg
• Koshi – lower back
• Oshiri - buttocks
• Hiza – lap

Do your parents love you because of what you’ve done or because you are their child? For most, your parents love you because you are their child. If you ever wonder why God loves you and sent His Son to die on the cross for your sins, it’s the same reason.

Ever since I found out I was going to be a father, I’ve thought about what I would like my children to know. Above all I want to pass on to them the knowledge that they have a savior, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to atone for their sins. Everything else just pales (”For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” Mark 8:36). So what next? Reading of course, that’s just a foundation for everything else. I believe that with the ability to read, you can learn everything else. But what subject? Science? Math? History? Computers? Art? No, it has to be economics. I’m starting to think that your economic views are second only to your religious views when it comes to living your life.

When I’m talking about economics I don’t mean anything esoteric, just basic stuff like supply and demand, trade, price, savings, etc. With this knowledge my children will be able better understand this fallen world and make better choices in it.

Since Erin was out of town, Emi and I had a date night. We went to Emi’s favorite restaurant, Azuma. We sat at a table for two and she did very well sitting by herself. I don’t remember where I read about the idea, but a father taking his daughter on a date and showing her how she deserves to be treated is a fantastic idea. At the end of our “date”, I got a big hug and an, “I love you, Daddy.”

I just read a News.com article where the author shares his experience in selecting an elementary school for his child and he also opines about the state of education as he sees it.

He talks about children being interviewed and being asked to solve problems. About children being observed during these evaluations. All in the name of getting into the “right” school… AT AGE 4! Don’t get me wrong, I believe in getting a great education, in achievement, in excellence, but when do kids get to be kids.

I don’t know where the author lives, but I’ll make a guess that it is in Silicon Valley. I might further guess that it’s Cupertino because of the reference to the Japanese-language immersion school. But the Silicon Valley generalization is close enough. In the Valley, everyone has first hand knowledge that a great education is on the general path to success. We have two of the best schools in the country in Berkeley (fine it’s in the East Bay, but close enough) and Stanford. We also attract people from the other fine institutions in the country. And we have one of the higher standards of living in the country (and cost of living). Most people would agree that there is some correlation between the two.

Living in this environment puts a certain lense on education, namely that you can’t be successful without one and that the better the education the more successful you will be. So, if you want your children to be successful than they must have a good education and if you want them to be the most successful they must have the best education. Who doesn’t want their child to be super successful? Thus the competition to get into the best schools and the tightening of admissions requirements as the demand increases for those schools.

My brother experienced this and I think it’s part of the reason that he is no longer teaching. I experience this on a regular basis with co-workers and others talking about the outside language and study classes and comparisons of schools and school districts. Is the world really that different? Have the laws of success changed? Has the meaning of success changed?

Hey, I’m a product of Lowell High School one of the top high schools in California if not the nation. I also went to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute one of the top schools in engineering. I do place a high value on a quality education, but do I believe I would be less successful if I had gone to Lincoln or San Jose State? Heck no. My parents instilled in me the values of a good education and hard work. These are what have made me successful. I hardly remember anything from either high school or college except for the people and I use almost none of what I learned in my career. But by continuing to learn and working hard, I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. Am I successful? By my definition, yes! Can I be more successful? Yes! Is it going to take getting additional education from Stanford? Heck no! It’s going to take hard work, desire, self exploration, and learning that no school, other than the school of life/hard knocks can teach.

Happy - Surpriiiise - Maaaaad - Sad -

We had a great day at the Giants game this past Sunday. Erin, Emi, and I went to celebrate my birthday. We had tickets in the club area which was great. It did bring back fond and not so fond memories of my gForce days. Noah Lowry was awesome and so was Emi she lasted 7 strong innings (Noah lasted 8 innings) and she did some great cheering yelling, “Go Giants!”
On Monday I watched Matt Cain pitch and I was very impressed. He has a live fastball and great composure for a 20 year-old. I also heard an interview with him on KNBR. Very well spoken and intelligent. Certainly didn’t sound like a typical 20 year-old. The Giants could use a couple more pitchers like him.

We’re going to be in Lake Tahoe for vacation. Going to play some golf, read, and likely swim a lot with Emi. I don’t know if the places we’re staying at have internet access, so I might not be posting for a bit if they don’t.