My head is still swimming over the reality of our new life. The sights and smells and responsibilities are all different.

I have always had an activist nature. Ever since I wrote to George Bush, Sr., when I was eleven and asked him to uphold the constitution, I have had a sneaking suspicion that if I just shouted loud enough the world would listen. Do not ask me where this optimism came from; the subsequent tragedies and continued atrocities speak against this deep-seated knowledge.

Last night we watched a documentary on Islam. I was expecting the experts interviewed to give historical facts but to belittle religion in general. You know…something like, “Muhammad’s visions came as a result of his philosophical nature and his desire to infuse this life with meaning.

Lately, I have been in an intellectual drought. Without the motivation of college deadlines, my pursuit of knowledge has dwindled to a monthly reading of National Geographic. My lack of growth has been bothering me. Am I going to become dumb and uninformed? Just this morning my worries took a new twist as I read the chapter entitled, “Talents,” in E.G. White’s book Christ’s Object Lessons. Here she proclaims the mental faculties as a gift from God that needs to be continuously improved upon. My new question is “Am I dishonoring God by not educating myself?” In light of this, I have developed this tentative action plan. The one nagging worry left is whether I will pursue knowledge for God or my own ego. I want to be enlightened for Him not me. How can I mitigate against this potential?