The Student Sustainability Center (SSI). I would like to thank them for their short highlight about my volunteering. If you enjoy landscaping or any other work that could help maintaining sustainability in the community consider helping out !

To read the highlight :

http://oregonstate.edu/ssi/feature/20130109-meet-sami-al-abdrabbuh

Have a wonderful & sustainable day !

Sami

First of all, Merry Christmas to all of you !

I enjoyed my time at the joyful celebration of  Christmas Eve at the Whiteside theater. In their event titled ‘Emmanuel’ I liked their music, the happiness of everyone around there, how lively and full of laughter everyone was, And the great causes that it was for: To celebrate an important evening and to raise funds for the Jackson Street Youth Shelter !

What really stayed in my mind that they welcomed everyone. Those followers of Jesus and those who are not… I appreciate such inclusivity*. For me I considered myself among the first group .. I love Jesus and consider myself devoted to his mission. And indeed I appreciate how inclusive welcoming message reflects Jesus’s mission.

 * Side note: my spelling checker is underlining the word inclusivity with a red line, it’s suggesting me to use “ exclusivity ” .. huh !

All of this brought me to a little thoughts I liked to write …

Interfaithing

I’m really privileged to be raised in a multicultural and interfaith environment. I used to study in a mix of public and private Saudi schools in towns full of Muslims from different schools of thought and various faiths. Even in Islam you would find the very wide spectrum of schools of thought that differ in practices and even in faith and conceptual details. That never put me aside from going through conflicts, discussions and arguments that I’m very grateful to !

From my own prospective and experience, being in a mono-faith setting might lead to inability to appreciate what others believe in, and what does their faith mean. This is a humble prospective that could be completely wrong. But for me I didn’t really understand what Christianity mean to its follower without being in discussions and conversations with an Orthodox Christian family friends. They even allowed me to see a wider spectrum of Christianity in respect with Orthodox and Catholic schools. Being in the states helped me appreciate even a wider spectrum among Protestant churches. In brief  I realized as more I meet and more I know as more my appreciation of diversity will be. And my stereotyping of a ‘typical believer’ will be less.

Do you wonder what religions came for ?  I think many religions in the first place came for a simple but important concept : Individualizing freedom of belief. They came to free our spiritual affiliation. Religions, again from my own prospective, help us to individuality be closer to our spiritual wellness.

Spirituality of the collective ?

We might gather in groups, not to follow what the collective say, but to better understand with them what does faith mean for me. Groups should provide us strength of such faith freedom. They should never weaken such freedom. they should empower it by helping us discussing our doubts and guide us to reach spiritual wellness.

Interfaith Conflicts ?!

Sadly, strong conflicts come from not appreciating this thing. I have witnessed and experienced very intimate relationships hurt or even broke because of the lack of appreciation. “you’r wrong and it doesn’t work like that… you aren’t a true believer if such and such…”  Having such arguments again and again lead into one thing:  hindering the freedom of individuals to reach their own spiritual wellness by guidance rather than just showing them the boundaries of exclusion from belief.

If I’m walking through a fuzzy field, I’ll appreciate the guidance that will show me how to walk, how to advance in my journey. What was your experience and story..However, Showing me where not to fall or where not harm myself (boundaries of exclusion from certain belief) is important, yet it’s not everything in the journey !

My beloved girl name : Maryam !

So here I talked about interfaithing and spirtuality… Some thoughts could be relevant, and could be not, about my beloved, Maryam … aka. Mary.

She’s the only women name mentioned in the holy script of Quran. I loved her story that mentioned her toughest journey. In my deepest points of appointments or fear I remember when she said ” O’ would that I had died before this and had become a thing quite forgotten ! (19:24)” She was in a state of grieve and lack of resources of survival. It inspires me how god took care of her and showed her how she could figure out how to survive through her situation. Surely many lessons Jesus and his blessed mother Maryam aka. Mary inspired many of us regardless off our faith fellowship.

Prayer to Mary … 

If I had the chance to talk to her, I’ll consider conveying her my prayers, Thanking her and telling her that she’s never forgotten. And she’s remembered for everything good and pure. Maryam: Strength you gained is giving me and giving many young men and women the patience and strong belief. Despite how people might disappoint us or perceive us mistakenly. We shall always remember to carry the righteous principles and actions. As they will speak for us. Just like how Jesus have spoken for you.

Peace be upon you and your son.

Thoughts to think about .. or thoughts not to think about ?

I’ve been lately in discussions that engaged doubts about wither it is really Dec25th the real date of birth ? Should greetings be exchanged between believers of different religions that believe in Jesus ?  Should (we) celebrate it ? How should (we) celebrate it without harming ’spiritual identity’ of those of different believes?

Despite if these questions really need to be answered or not, I came to the conclusion that it is everyone’s responsibility to go through their own journey about these questions. Just remember; be inclusive … and be yourself.

At the end I would like to share couple of clips from Quran both from (Chapter of Mary) :

• 10 Minutes subtitled clip recites the specific verses (19: 16 to 19:36) on Mary’s story of delivering Jesus with a background video about the story.

• Full subtitled recitation of all verses in chapter of Mary, that includes mention of Zacharias, John aka. Yahya, Mary, Jesus and Abraham.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6z33vZdib4

I wish you a Merry Christmas , enjoyable time with family and beloved ones. One final note, if you like what I’m sharing here, I would appreciate your feedback comments .

Sami

Jennifer reminded me with an Arabian proverb “ Ma Mat Men Khallaf “ ; Who has a successor shall never die.

My own perception of this proverb is having children. Children who will carry on my name and legacy. Well, Jenifer helped me to embrace another perception about this proverb.

I thought I’m not too young to miss a teacher who taught me. I just realized that I am not too old to start watching those who taught me move away from this life. It’s Autumn , they call it fall, even the young green leaves which inspired me are falling in this season, and amazingly it’s a cycle !
Last spring I took a course at the Adventure Leadership Institute in Oregon State University a class in groups dynamics. It was an experience rather than a course. Jenifer, one of the two instructors who made this experience insightful with a very ambitious and full of energy colleagues.

Fast forwarding to an earlier time last month I heard about her death. And for the first time knew her fight with cancer for the last year and half. Shocked, sad, and paralyzed I was. It was a weekday, emotionally incapable to think of anything I can do. Unless I had the thought that i would never knew her if she stopped producing, inspiring and giving as long as she could despite all the hurtles in her way. That made me think of doing something, anything. It was an open house at the crafts center, I wiped my tears and headed to the crafts center to do the job: doing something, anything. Trying this and that, I settled over the pottery section. It was my first time to work with pottery since my 2nd grade in school. That’s 16 years ago. It was a beautifully rounded pot with double layers. Similar to a fountain that has two layers to hold water. I’m not sure how useful is it, but I experienced something new, and so I liked it.

Jennifer mentored and facilitated experiential learning for many people. at her reception today, she was remembered by people from all around the nation. Remembered for her cheerful, insightful impact. And yes, I did self reflect, how would my reception be ? who would be there, what photos will be shared, why would I be remembered ?
As that day becomes closer I wonder, should forgiveness be there for those who have hurt me or for me from those I have ever hurt ? Despite what those people might think of me? shall my good deeds be accepted by god ? Was fairness always my guidebook through every single encounter in my life?
It is overwhelming to see people from different parts of the nation being connected because of one soul. They share their love, worm tears and a cheerful smile.
Jen graded my reflection journals for the group dynamics class. She was candid when I needed that, appreciative when I progress. As she was continuing to give, I said a goodbye before the last class as she was going to volunteer  teaching kids in San Antonio. How determined !

That did not allow me to meet her after submitting my final paper which she read and graded. I had to reflect on my learning experience and synthesize several theories. In my paper conclusion, I preferred not to conclude over the theories themselves, rather I wanted to conclude over something else:

“….

Conclusion,

This experience in group dynamics helped me to look to myself and surrounding with an

enlightened and curious eye. I was observing the crowds of the battle of the bands with many active neurons charged in my brain cells, thinking about the ‘why, how, what if, what would be similar to this?’ types of questions.

My experiential learning journey itself exposed me to moral dilemmas that I never thought of. Strangely, it made me feel how weak am I to have the full awareness of everything. My realization about care and justice in moral development ignited my spirituality.

I do think about the ultimate wisdom of god that I should seek more of (it). Not by having a blind faith. Yet by having faith in two elements;

 First, I do not possess the complete wisdom which I believe exists in Allah.

Second, I shall never stop the experiential learning journey of observing,experimenting, contemplating over every single existing concept, and actively building on what I have learned.

Such journey will make me closer to the complete wisdom, yet never there.

Investors usually reflect on the return over the investment, if I will measure it on the typical methodology of measuring the collective tacit knowledge of theories and experiences bounded within the coursework frame, which will indeed give me, and my scholarship sponsor, a positive return over investment value. However, I should realize that my real return over this investment is the impact of this tacit knowledge I acquired to appreciate and size my slender experience, knowledge and wisdom. It is more in realizing how this life is a huge arena full of untapped experiences, undiscovered scenes and unseen wisdom.

The real return of investment is in the realization of my own sparse wisdom that I starve to fill with my ongoing journey.

Sami Al-AbdRabbuh

Wednesday, June 06, 2012”

Well, I did not fully realize that the investment costs of this course was just the tuition and  learner effort and time. Jennifer invested her last breaths for the learning experience that I have gained.

I should thank you Jen for that investment.

I return to the first proverb and wonder, am I a successor ?

For those who were taught, inspired, mentored or touched by Jenifer: Are you a successor?

In your weakest moments do you still give or stop ?

If you are falling like a brown leave and you really know that you are not going to get back over that lovely tree of life, would you still make a beautiful landscape ? Would you continue giving ?
Will you inspire others around you ? will you serve them with a cheerful smile ?

Are you a succesor ?

I should thank you jen for letting me embrace a better perception about the Arabian proverb: Ma Mat Men Khallaf “ Who has a successor shall never die” !.

Jennifer, You have successors who will simply … carry on !

So long Jen.

Her last comments on the last journal. At this one I got a 10 ! But I still had to write something back !

Yaay ! I did it !

I’m officially a beaver .. A curious beaver indeed.

It has been long time since the first and last time I wrote here. It was my first day in INTO   OSU . And now this is my first week as an officially Engineering grad student … It was 8 months of the toughest , most enjoyable, and most grueling indeed !

For the past 8 months I went through a very exciting journey as a non-degree seeking student. I initially took some interesting English classes .. luckily my international colleagues helped to learn some Korean ! and my instructors gave me nice opportunities to learn more and to have a positive contribution to my colleagues .

The journey comprised group dynamics courses and other interesting Engineering , Statistics and Management grad courses.

These courses didn’t just help me to increase my GPA (which was really not that good one ). Regardless of the best academic performance I have ever achieved in a school, during the last couple terms I was able to know very great people. A network of wonderful instructors and colleagues.. one of which I will miss for good. I’m surely dedicating a post for her.

The journey wasn’t that easy ! going through very critical personal experiences and challenges it was almost going to drain me to my end .. Luckily it didn’t, and here I am .. survived with a smile !

Despite the few odds, I was completely surrounded by caring and encouraging people who really encouraged me to do my best and gave me vision to make what seemed unlikely possible a reality.  This place is very resourceful for me, I started the experience of comparing what I used to have and what I can have now .. but I stopped ! , Now it is a matter of how I can really utilize these resources that this lovely campus could provide to me, and how I can measure my life by the good deeds and care that I could give to those who are around me !

I can say I’m a new person today, part of that is due to Clay Christensen who did not only inspire me through his talk : How Will You Measure Your Life? . Furthermore,  he also inspired me to consider “Disruptive innovation theory” as my theme for research. ( Disruptive innovation is good .. actually very much needed… and could make our lives better and more productive ).

Sometimes, it might be a great thing to “list” what we believe is our achievements in a period of time…. this could go wrong .. sometimes our achievements is just to explore .. and keep looking and talking about what you want to do … so you maybe will figure it out. I don’t believe in total randomness and lack of planning , But being open to new experiences and different routes is really enriching .. and this is what I learned through the last 8 months :

- I was very focused on Engineering Management systems as the field to understand and advance innovation systems. I initially was not much interested to consider anything else in Industrial Engineering ! … here is what happened :

• By being open to the field of Human Factors and Human Systems Engineering showed me a great deal of potential in this area ! Now I’ve been tentatively being considered for research assistantship for an NIH funded research project in this area !
• Because of this flexibility , and indeed because of the great people who helped me to learn and practice Human-Machine-Interface design, I am now privileged to contribute in designing mock ups for healthcare related innovations … I never imagined that I could innovate something for the healthcare … well, I thought that I am an Engineer not a doctor ! .. Despite the fact that my contributions were and are still very minimal baby steps , but working toward saving lives and healthcare bills is very fulfilling.
•  I have learned a very great tool to analyze systems of different levels of complexity. This is opening the doors to contribute as a ” Maestro” of technical innovative teams. which is already starting to happen …working with successful people and serving them to be as efficient and productive as they could be to get the best results … This is my passion !

This is how we try to understand the functions and processes of any kind of system. It’s fun ! …

All the wonderful things that happened in the past 8 months couldn’t happen without the support of many individuals who I could not name and list here. My experience at this lovely town didn’t get exclusified (Yes I’m inventing this word !) by the classroom and GRE  test preparation  ( I don’t want to talk about it, it’s just past … just one thought : standardized tests SHOULD CHANGE … that is if we really want to have an innovative nation). Back to the thought , my life was not exclusively attached to the classroom:

• With no prior experience with the black and white keys I’m starting to improvise and compose what I believe is going to end up as the 21st century best Piano concerto ( You can taste a sample ..  no laughs please … silently giggling is accepted )

• After contributing in a service project helping a cooperative family garden on campus I got invited to be in the advising committee of Interfaith Community Service on campus. It is helping me to better serve a very inclusive community with ideas and effort. The learning experience with this team is very fulfilling.

Conversation couch , a very nice idea by one of our teammates to facilitate fun and enriching interfaith conversations

• Speaking of gardening … uh … I used to be of the type who would not be really interested to work in a gardening .. I wasn’t that much of help to my dad when I was a teenager … Well, during this summer I had the chance to work a little bit in the SSI garden , a small but wonderful one, I helped in watering it and planting some corns,peas and other stuff.. there is some peppers I am eating right now that I planted earlier .. they are very nice..  The corns don’t seem to be promising , as the farmers  say ” on the forth of July , they should be a knee high” .. so I believe we’re pretty much late … ehm I should get back to Engineering ,right ?
• I started biking ! The cheapest and best transportation tool I ever had , 2nd hand but a good one.

$60 second hand bicycle could get you to anywhere here .. almost !

When I was done with whatever challenges and disappointing experiences I was going through I thought looking back can not be right.

Having the chance to self reflect over what really matters for me right now and where I can go from it makes a difference. looking back should be selective to what really matter and to those who really deserve your dedication and who appreciate it. Self reflection over this makes your day fulfilling and your next one full with promising joyful experiences.

So, this is how I’m starting my grad school, full of passion and appreciation to where I am and whom I am with. Wish you too a joyful journey.

Love you all !

Sami

As my first day at OSU begins in INTO, it will be very beneficial to write down some of what I do aspire to do in Americas most innovative city !

It is my passion to help people around me to be more productive and efficient. Combined with the attitude of “why not in a different way” my father helped me to develop since early childhood, the innovation part takes a huge role when tackling any sort of problem.

The most crucial problems of the century vary between managing energy resources, reducing root causes of a declining climate, water resources management and other issues as well. Nevertheless, it is indeed that the proper utilization of the human factor in solving all of these problems will make the difference.

After a short and very enlightening exposure at GE Energy I realized how people will matter in solving problems even when the most advanced and competitive products are used. That made my interest to be closer to how people work and interact. Yet not losing the passion of a “typical” engineer appreciating the technology and having late night dreams of the next possible patent/solution that can be brought to life in the next day.

Leading a small start-up called “CrispyScience” dedicated for science and technology awareness in the society I am blessed of knowing many potential stakeholders who share the passion right here.I do believe that maximizing productivity and innovation is needed to be within the young and small minds as well as in the old huge manufacturing plants.

My passion and dreams might emerge together to make a thesis statement closer to clarity; Innovation, technology and people should interact in better ways to learn better and produce more effectively. Probable patent for an innovation enabling technology might be the outcome of this journey. Or could it be a genuine research to investigate best ways of work group effectiveness ? Perhaps a well tested product,service or a platform that my start-up can use to effectively bridge the huge gap of STEM literacy in the 21st century !

So let the journey begin !