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MONDAY, April 8 : After breakfast Zeina and I rode to the gymnasium where I picked up the soccer schedule for this week. I bought stamps and mailed 5 letters. I worked on the computer contest at FCIC. I worked from 1-8 p.m. on my paper on "Happiness." I was outside reviewing my paper with Ali when Dario, Mark's friend who played on our soccer team, walked up to us. He was a terrible evil person. I did not like his attitude on the soccer field at all. I asked Ali out loud, "What is the key to happiness?" Dario walked by and said, "it's having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ." I was shocked. He asked me if I was the one who distributed the church bulletins last week to every Fontana room. I admitted that I did, and then he said that he just got "born again" last week after an evangelist approached him. I was happy. Allen visited me and said that my paper is good. Dr. Troutman is way behind on 15 deadlines and I have not been helping her as much as I should be. I helped Salah with his essay on God. I studied some BSFF for tomorrow's test. I called Brad for his Birthday.
TUESDAY, April 9 : My Lebanese friend, Walid, asked me to be his roommate for the summer. Again, I am honored. At FCIC I updated the data base program that Dr. Troutman wants to send to California. I printed out my English Paper. After my classes, I studied for BSFF test which was postponed, so we could review. Afterwards, I asked Franco about "Knowing God's Will": Was the rushed urgings that I felt to turn on the radio on December 13, 1984, from God or the Devil? We talked for 2 hours about the perfect marriage. God will speak to us when we are not looking for a partner, but rather serving God. We must not interfere with God's perfect plan, thus I must not help Lisa to USF; she must be moved by God if it is His will.
WEDNESDAY, April 10 : Before I left the cafeteria, "Your the Inspiration" played. Is it coincidence that it played the morning after I talked about the perfect marriage? I wrote a good "Label" program at FCIC. I did not attend class; instead I slept. Mark Kurz and his "born again" friend that was on my soccer team talked with me from 3- 4:20 p.m. We tried to show Marc the "light", Jesus. After dinner we played a good soccer game vs. Alpha 4W, Bob Brankly's team. I scored the 1st goal then they scored, then I scored but I was in the circle of the goal- thereby disqualifying the point, then I scored a legal goal. After half time they scored. In the shoot out, I kicked and made the 1st goal. The other team beat us- 4 others from my team did not score. I felt good and pleased with my performance and my humble leadership role that I exhibited. I studied physics and some computer programs.
THURSDAY, April 11 : The washing machine read "Unbalanced signal" and would not run. I then called out words similar to "in the name of Jesus, I command this machine to work." I pushed the machine a few times but nothing happened. As I put my basket on the machine and started to go for more change the machine started. I got a 100 on today's lab quiz. I attended English class, then I went to work where I organized the computer contest disks. After finding Ron Davis's message, I was very happily surprised to find out when I called him that he would like me to talk in front of 1000 students at the State Mu Alpha Theta Convention in Fort Myers on May 3rd to enlighten them on how math competitions affected me. I am honored. He offered to pay my flying expenses just to talk for 10 minutes. I wasted most of the early evening. Franco sent Steve to preach to us at 11 p.m. since Franco was busy counseling Reynel. Dario (new friend from 3rd floor), Mike, Salah, Ali, and I had a good time. Then I told Salah what had happened to me from 9-11 p.m. in the lounge. Imad came to me and showed me where he thought my 1=-1 paradox was wrong, but he was not right. He then argued that the square root of 9 is plus or minus 3 not just positive 3. I tried to explain why he was wrong, but he would not listen, neither did Abot. All the Lebanese girls agreed with Imad because he bragged that he got a 95 1/2 average in college level math classes. He and a French guy claimed that Americans are way below the Lebanese in math. They hurt me because I knew they were wrong, yet they would not listen to me. I silently prayed, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." The trick was realizing that SQR(X^2)= absolute value of X, not both positive and negative of X. They claimed that SQR(9) is 3 OR -3, but SQR((+-3)^2)= SQR(9)= ABS(+-3)=3. Steve preached to us from 11-12 to Salah, Ali, Dario, Mike, and I. Then I explained what happened in the lounge to Salah and he agreed that I am right and he will convince the others tomorrow. I humbly and forgivingly told the story to Salah.
FRIDAY, April 12 : It was raining so I did not go to work or school. I spent 1 1/2 hours with Zeina talking about last night. I asked her and Suna if it was right for Imad and Abot to arrogantly present their view and not even listen to mine. I asked them if they believed Imad's statement that Americans are below the Lebanese in math. They said yes. They allowed me to explain my view, but they still did not believe and claimed that I did not have the intelligence to understand why SQR(9)= +-3. I laughed to myself, but I also hurt because my friends (the Lebanese) are wrong and will not consider my right ideas. I took a nap. At lunch, Salah convinced everyone 1 by 1 that I was right and that I am very smart. I am filled with joy to have a friend like Salah. He never told Imad, but I think he found out because he looks at me in a bad way and does not say "hi." He is probably very embarrassed and wants to avoid me "rubbing it in." I went to sleep at 7 p.m.
SATURDAY, April 13 : I got 15 hours of needed sleep. After brunch I watched the inspirational movie "Running Brave." (An Indian who achieved his goal to run in the Olympics). I called home. I studied Calculus chapter 14 for 3 hours. I read Ch 16 and 17 of physics and the study guide. Ali Jalloul also wants to be my roommate. We and Salah thought about this. Both of them are my best friends and I can not choose 1. I asked them to "fight" amongst themselves and tell me tomorrow. I worked on a Word Problem Data Base.
SUNDAY, April 14 : Shane and I ate breakfast at the Toddle House before we went to church. He really enjoyed Maranatha. Franco spoke powerfully about Dominion- that God wants us to be successful so that we can help others. God wants us to be leaders and for others to look at us and say, "I want what you got." Franco asked 10 people to share what we learned and I told the congregation that God had opened a door for me to talk to 1000 High School math students on May 3rd and 4th as an example of a graduated successful Math student for them. After church, a meeting was held for people who would like to play a musical instrument in church. Shane wants to play the guitar. Ali and Salah could not decide who would be my roommate. I worked on the Data Base program. Steve came over and I helped him on a program while Tony typed in his paper on the computer. Steve then helped me study BSFF. I talked with Ali from 12- 1 a.m. He complemented me by saying that I am a "perfect example of a man." I am flattered. I just hope that I can continue to live up to his expectations, with Jesus' help. I let Tony type in his room all night to finish his paper.Return to Doug's Diary - Table of Contents |