Has taught me a couple things:
I do not like Dave Matthews Band. Sorry. Just don't.
I do like James Taylor! I know, who knew? Apparently, I've liked him for a while, just didn't know he was the guy singing all these songs I like. Ditto for Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, and Tom Petty. Dude.
I have music ADHD and Pandora is a really good fix...I live off the Shuffle feature on iPod. This is 10x better.
I have no idea how music, the internet, or sound waves work.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
My hands smell like onions and I should be studying for a midterm...
But I thought I'd check in here instead :) So much more fun.
I just got back from a WONDERFUL fall break and preached my first sermon last Thursday. I ran a 25:39 -3 miler this afternoon with two great running buddies (one has 4 legs :). There's a really great vegetable dish cooking in the oven, one I'm going to be sharing with my Sunday School class tonight at our potluck (hence the onion thing). And yes, I should be studying for a midterm. I studied yesterday and earlier today and I'll study again when I get back from dinner. So I'm taking a short break to write a blog on possibly one of the most gorgeous days we've had here in a while. No rain, blue skies, whispy white clouds, cool breeze, 66 degrees, leaves changing color...
I think I want to re-decorate my room...
I just got back from a WONDERFUL fall break and preached my first sermon last Thursday. I ran a 25:39 -3 miler this afternoon with two great running buddies (one has 4 legs :). There's a really great vegetable dish cooking in the oven, one I'm going to be sharing with my Sunday School class tonight at our potluck (hence the onion thing). And yes, I should be studying for a midterm. I studied yesterday and earlier today and I'll study again when I get back from dinner. So I'm taking a short break to write a blog on possibly one of the most gorgeous days we've had here in a while. No rain, blue skies, whispy white clouds, cool breeze, 66 degrees, leaves changing color...
I think I want to re-decorate my room...
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Lawsamercy
I'm pretty sure that at one time, that was actually "Lord of mercy" or "Lord have mercy," but it's been mashed together as the South tends to do. Quick updates on my life (Lord have mercy):
So. AGGHHH! Better now, thanks :)
I've decided to run another 1/2 marathon. After decidedly deciding that I was NEVER going to run another mile in my life. I just can't not run. Can a fish really not swim? Can a scorpion really not sting? Can a frog really not hop?
I really like Greek. It's hard and all, but kind of fun :) All of my classes are pretty okay, actually, so far. Except preaching which makes me want to throw up more and more every time I go. Every word in every book I read makes me more and more nervous! Why would anyone want to do this week after week??! I can't even come up with one sermon!
I realized my Kingdom of God description is that, in the KOG, no one will be just another Jew in a ditch (read Thurman, "Jesus and the Disinherited"). My main ethic stems from respect for human dignity, seeing that we are all children of God, and wanting right relationships with each other, with God, and with the earth. That for me is the KOG and what evangelism is about for me. Showing people a God through whom comes deliverance (salvation in Greek means rescue, being saved from whatever binds you) and with whom you can be restored and redeemed. A holistic salvation instead of just "soul salvation," which is dualistic anyway and I'm not a Gnostic, so...
Lawsamercy.
So. AGGHHH! Better now, thanks :)
I've decided to run another 1/2 marathon. After decidedly deciding that I was NEVER going to run another mile in my life. I just can't not run. Can a fish really not swim? Can a scorpion really not sting? Can a frog really not hop?
I really like Greek. It's hard and all, but kind of fun :) All of my classes are pretty okay, actually, so far. Except preaching which makes me want to throw up more and more every time I go. Every word in every book I read makes me more and more nervous! Why would anyone want to do this week after week??! I can't even come up with one sermon!
I realized my Kingdom of God description is that, in the KOG, no one will be just another Jew in a ditch (read Thurman, "Jesus and the Disinherited"). My main ethic stems from respect for human dignity, seeing that we are all children of God, and wanting right relationships with each other, with God, and with the earth. That for me is the KOG and what evangelism is about for me. Showing people a God through whom comes deliverance (salvation in Greek means rescue, being saved from whatever binds you) and with whom you can be restored and redeemed. A holistic salvation instead of just "soul salvation," which is dualistic anyway and I'm not a Gnostic, so...
Lawsamercy.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
"...and went to volleyball camp most summahs!"
Word, I am excited about the return of The Office and 30 Rock. They're great shows, but they also celebrate the end of the school week and all us seminarians get together to eat cookies and chips and salsa and lay on the floor in a cramped apartment. Oh, days...
So classes start on Monday. Blech. I don't realllly mean bleeecchh, but definitely buhhhh. To clarify, I really do want to learn and grow and see what's in store. I just don't want to be graded on it. I feel like I'm old enough to NOT have someone evaluate my abilities and worth on a percentage scale. My performance determines my ability to continue and frankly, I just don't want to perform. I cannot imagine writing a paper or studying for a test or preparing a sermon (oh yeah, did I mention I'm taking Preaching this semester? Shoot me now). I don't want to, I don't care to, but I have to so I guess I will.
So classes start on Monday. Blech. I don't realllly mean bleeecchh, but definitely buhhhh. To clarify, I really do want to learn and grow and see what's in store. I just don't want to be graded on it. I feel like I'm old enough to NOT have someone evaluate my abilities and worth on a percentage scale. My performance determines my ability to continue and frankly, I just don't want to perform. I cannot imagine writing a paper or studying for a test or preparing a sermon (oh yeah, did I mention I'm taking Preaching this semester? Shoot me now). I don't want to, I don't care to, but I have to so I guess I will.
Monday, August 10, 2009
P.S. (and this is totally random)
I bought new soap and new shampoo and conditioner today. Something about that just makes me almost giddy with excitement :)
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
“Look at you, thinking outside the socks!"
Do you ever have those days, weeks, MONTHS where you feel like you're suddenly more clumsy and absent-minded than before?
Today alone I
1. broke the arm of my professor/boss's chair. Like snapped it off.
2. splashed Raspberry Ice Crystal Lite all over my shorts (that's the flavor that stains everything instantly).
3. sprayed a huge patch of the wall with anti-stain stuff while attempting to get to the stain before it set. Just shot right out the nozzle onto the wall, completely missing the shorts.
4. ran into an open cabinet, one I had just opened.
5. hung up on my sister in mid-sentence. Just clicked the off button. I was the one talking.
And the day's not done! Oh the possibilities...!
Today alone I
1. broke the arm of my professor/boss's chair. Like snapped it off.
2. splashed Raspberry Ice Crystal Lite all over my shorts (that's the flavor that stains everything instantly).
3. sprayed a huge patch of the wall with anti-stain stuff while attempting to get to the stain before it set. Just shot right out the nozzle onto the wall, completely missing the shorts.
4. ran into an open cabinet, one I had just opened.
5. hung up on my sister in mid-sentence. Just clicked the off button. I was the one talking.
And the day's not done! Oh the possibilities...!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
I'm all alone, there's no one here besiiiide meeee!
This is the first time ever that I've lived by myself for any sort of extended period of time. Both roommates will be back within the next couple weeks, which will be nice. When you live by yourself, there's just no one to talk to and there are no built in playmates! Plus, there's no one with whom to split the bills. And somehow you don't seem quite as lazy if you're lying around with other people watching 3 hours of TV as it does when you're alone. However, there are some perks to solitary confinement...
I can keep the place as clean (or messy) as I want! For me though, it's mainly just clean.
I can walk around in my underwear. Which, even if you have roommates, is fine if you're running from the dryer to your room with the pants you plan to wear. But it's usually frowned upon when you're just hanging out. Although Alanis Morrisette does advocate walking around naked in your living rooooom.
The temperature is always exactly right.
There's always space in the cabinets and in the fridge, and you don't have to constantly navigate around your roommate's 3-week old casserole that's growing moldy.
I can watch 4 episodes of Gilmore Girls without feeling like a sloth. Oh wait. Both my roommates and my good friends will watch 4 episodes with me...ok, so that's a moot point.
Even though there are some upsides to having a place all your own, I still like having people there. It's nice to say "good night" to someone and grunt "good morning." Plus, it's easier to talk someone into going for a reaaaally late night Frosty if they're already in the house, lying on the couch watching the same show as you. Just sayin'.
I can keep the place as clean (or messy) as I want! For me though, it's mainly just clean.
I can walk around in my underwear. Which, even if you have roommates, is fine if you're running from the dryer to your room with the pants you plan to wear. But it's usually frowned upon when you're just hanging out. Although Alanis Morrisette does advocate walking around naked in your living rooooom.
The temperature is always exactly right.
There's always space in the cabinets and in the fridge, and you don't have to constantly navigate around your roommate's 3-week old casserole that's growing moldy.
I can watch 4 episodes of Gilmore Girls without feeling like a sloth. Oh wait. Both my roommates and my good friends will watch 4 episodes with me...ok, so that's a moot point.
Even though there are some upsides to having a place all your own, I still like having people there. It's nice to say "good night" to someone and grunt "good morning." Plus, it's easier to talk someone into going for a reaaaally late night Frosty if they're already in the house, lying on the couch watching the same show as you. Just sayin'.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
I'd lose my mind if it wasn't decidely stuck inside my head
I seem to be losing things a lot lately. Well, only two things, but that's a lot for me! I lost my Runner ID tag (somewhere in Nashville? in the car? I brought it for the 1/2 marathon, but didn't wear it, and it didn't come home with me). And I lost my phone somewhere in Kampala. Agghh!!
I'm not absent-minded. I don't usually lose things. I mean, there is that one pair of sunglasses that lose themselves repeatedly, but they usually show up a few months later. They're currently missing (have been for about 4 months), but I have faith in the system.
I'm not absent-minded. I don't usually lose things. I mean, there is that one pair of sunglasses that lose themselves repeatedly, but they usually show up a few months later. They're currently missing (have been for about 4 months), but I have faith in the system.
Monday, June 29, 2009
"I'm not a bloody swimming pool, Harvey!"
When forced to, an individual can watch an alarming number of movies and television show episodes. I think I watched two movies and at least one television show per plane ride, which at 4 planes rides total equals 8 movies and four shows. Wow. I really do understand the warning that television will rot your brain. Or vacuum it; I don't remember the exact words at the moment.
Random moments from the trip:
Our first team bonding experience was in the Amsterdam airport on the way to Uganda. We had filled our Nalgene water bottles in the bathroom sink to take them on the plane. Who knew when we would get water again, right? then we get in line and see it: another set of security scanners. Which means we can't take water through. There were no plants, no sinks, no trash cans...so...we chugged 32 ounces of metallic bathroom sink water in about two minutes. I've never felt ill from drinking water until then. I almost threw up. Instead, we all had to pee like racehorses about twenty minutes into the flight.
We were in Kaberamaido at the end of a very long 11 days in the bush and just wanted to watch Sister Act. We settled in around 8, got comfortable, turned the movie on. We watched the first two lines of the first song and then...blackness. Lino said maybe the pumpkins (his term for children) were playing with it, so he and Haryet went out and turned it back on. And it goes back off. Come to find out, the lady who runs the place turned off the electricity because it was running out. We turned the lights on and it lasted until at least 11pm. I think part of us may have died a little that day.
Random moments from the trip:
Our first team bonding experience was in the Amsterdam airport on the way to Uganda. We had filled our Nalgene water bottles in the bathroom sink to take them on the plane. Who knew when we would get water again, right? then we get in line and see it: another set of security scanners. Which means we can't take water through. There were no plants, no sinks, no trash cans...so...we chugged 32 ounces of metallic bathroom sink water in about two minutes. I've never felt ill from drinking water until then. I almost threw up. Instead, we all had to pee like racehorses about twenty minutes into the flight.
We were in Kaberamaido at the end of a very long 11 days in the bush and just wanted to watch Sister Act. We settled in around 8, got comfortable, turned the movie on. We watched the first two lines of the first song and then...blackness. Lino said maybe the pumpkins (his term for children) were playing with it, so he and Haryet went out and turned it back on. And it goes back off. Come to find out, the lady who runs the place turned off the electricity because it was running out. We turned the lights on and it lasted until at least 11pm. I think part of us may have died a little that day.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Ten Things I Know About You
(or in this case, me :)
1. I secretly like Miracle Whip. It's disgusting and gross and I don't think I've had any in 8 years, but yes. I like it.
2. I'm a neat and clean freak. I like things put away and counters wiped down at the end of the day.
3. There are four episodes of Gilmore Girls per DVD and I definitely watch all four of them in one sitting. It's just not enough if you don't!
4. I always have my teddy bear (Lola) with me with I read or watch TV or a movie.
5. The first thing I do when I get home is change clothes, usually into something oversized and soft.
6. Vanilla ice cream is my favorite flavor, but Fudge Royal is a-mazing and quite underrated.
7. My current guilty pleasure TV shows are Millionaire Matchmaker, Real Housewives of Orange County (I've only seen a couple episodes but the level of shallow is astounding), and The Girls Next Door (I know! It's awful, and I actually don't really watch it because I don't agree with it on principle...but from the episodes I've seen, those gals are hysterical!). Ha.
8. I like things burnt, like grilled vegetables or those random burnt pretzels in the bag or an overly-toasted bagels or something. Mmmm :)
9. Winter is nice for a change of pace (as long as it doesn't last long), and Spring is beautiful and joyful, but Fall is my favorite season - the holidays, the weather, the way the air smells. But I think it's because I am Summer.
10. Brownies. Enough said.
1. I secretly like Miracle Whip. It's disgusting and gross and I don't think I've had any in 8 years, but yes. I like it.
2. I'm a neat and clean freak. I like things put away and counters wiped down at the end of the day.
3. There are four episodes of Gilmore Girls per DVD and I definitely watch all four of them in one sitting. It's just not enough if you don't!
4. I always have my teddy bear (Lola) with me with I read or watch TV or a movie.
5. The first thing I do when I get home is change clothes, usually into something oversized and soft.
6. Vanilla ice cream is my favorite flavor, but Fudge Royal is a-mazing and quite underrated.
7. My current guilty pleasure TV shows are Millionaire Matchmaker, Real Housewives of Orange County (I've only seen a couple episodes but the level of shallow is astounding), and The Girls Next Door (I know! It's awful, and I actually don't really watch it because I don't agree with it on principle...but from the episodes I've seen, those gals are hysterical!). Ha.
8. I like things burnt, like grilled vegetables or those random burnt pretzels in the bag or an overly-toasted bagels or something. Mmmm :)
9. Winter is nice for a change of pace (as long as it doesn't last long), and Spring is beautiful and joyful, but Fall is my favorite season - the holidays, the weather, the way the air smells. But I think it's because I am Summer.
10. Brownies. Enough said.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Where in the world...
am I?!
I fell asleep on the couch last night while watching Gilmore Girls, only to wake up about an hour later with NO CLUE where I was! I literally walked around the apartment trying to figure it out. I wound up in my room, and stared at the unpacking mess on the floor for a few minutes before I figured it out.
I woke up about 230 this morning and again couldn't figure out where I was! I put my feet down and thought, what is that? I haven't stood on carpet in a month! I got up to use the bathroom, and it wasn't until I was headed back to my bed that I remembered where I was. Oh word.
It is really strange being back here! Things smell differently and having A/C is weird. I don't have a phone and haven't talked to anyone stateside yet, so it's like I'm in some strange limbo between Africa and Atlanta. I'm going to get a phone today so hopefully it will help my brain connect to the real world! (keep praying that my phone shows up somewhere!)
Oh, and I forgot to mention in my post yesterday - when I was at the airport, I got my bags off and the drug dog started sniffing them! The guy was really nice, and I just opened up everything and of course there was nothing. Oh law. And then we went through the second security point and the guy there looked back and forth between my customs card and me like 3 or 4 times. I was thinking, oh my goodness, really? I have it stamped from the first guy! And then the second guy smiles, winks, and says, Just kidding. Have a nice day :)
I fell asleep on the couch last night while watching Gilmore Girls, only to wake up about an hour later with NO CLUE where I was! I literally walked around the apartment trying to figure it out. I wound up in my room, and stared at the unpacking mess on the floor for a few minutes before I figured it out.
I woke up about 230 this morning and again couldn't figure out where I was! I put my feet down and thought, what is that? I haven't stood on carpet in a month! I got up to use the bathroom, and it wasn't until I was headed back to my bed that I remembered where I was. Oh word.
It is really strange being back here! Things smell differently and having A/C is weird. I don't have a phone and haven't talked to anyone stateside yet, so it's like I'm in some strange limbo between Africa and Atlanta. I'm going to get a phone today so hopefully it will help my brain connect to the real world! (keep praying that my phone shows up somewhere!)
Oh, and I forgot to mention in my post yesterday - when I was at the airport, I got my bags off and the drug dog started sniffing them! The guy was really nice, and I just opened up everything and of course there was nothing. Oh law. And then we went through the second security point and the guy there looked back and forth between my customs card and me like 3 or 4 times. I was thinking, oh my goodness, really? I have it stamped from the first guy! And then the second guy smiles, winks, and says, Just kidding. Have a nice day :)
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Some Days Just Aren't Your Days
And today is NOT my day.
Leaving for the airport, I reached for my phone so I could put it in my carry-on bag. I couldn't find my phone. It wasn't in the pocket in which I last remember putting it, and it wasn't anywhere in any of my bags. We called back to the house, but they couldn't find it. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and I unpacked everything - clothes, shoes, toilettries, souveiners (I have no idea how to spell that word) - into the dirty grass on the roadside. Nothing. My only comforting thought was that perhaps it had fallen into my big pack and I just overlooked it. I hadn't. I used Carson's phone to call Megan to have her pick me up from the airport and to call Mama to tell her I was home. I was in the custom's line and the lady yelled at me, so it was basically "Hi, I'm home. Call you later if I have a phone." Which I don't. Mama emailed and said to wait until Saturday to get a new one, in case the old one is found. I've been praying. I might not make it till Saturday.
Getting into Atlanta took forever. My customs agent took forever, while the other guys took about two minutes. Then we waited in baggage claim forever for our luggage. My flight got in at 145pm. I got home at 5pm.
And then. I get home and our internet doesn't work. I'm currently jacking someone elses. And then. I turned on the TV and nothing. It says something about the channels becoming available soon, but they aren't coming available. So I'm paying for cable and internet that I'm not getting, and I can't call about because I don't have a phone! And I'm alone in a quiet apartment with no access to the world.
All that, and then I get online to check emails and bank accounts and such and I learn that I overdrafted for the first time in my life. I left with money in the bank and came back with an overdraft. Yep.
And the reason why any of this is so bad is that I'm all alone here! My roomies are in different states doing summer things. I'm fine being alone in the apartment (it's kind of nice), but I can't call anyone to talk or coordinate hanging out. I can't communicate with anyone unless I'm online and they're online. Otherwise, it's just me. Alone :(
This day sucks. At least I don't have mango worm, I guess.
Leaving for the airport, I reached for my phone so I could put it in my carry-on bag. I couldn't find my phone. It wasn't in the pocket in which I last remember putting it, and it wasn't anywhere in any of my bags. We called back to the house, but they couldn't find it. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and I unpacked everything - clothes, shoes, toilettries, souveiners (I have no idea how to spell that word) - into the dirty grass on the roadside. Nothing. My only comforting thought was that perhaps it had fallen into my big pack and I just overlooked it. I hadn't. I used Carson's phone to call Megan to have her pick me up from the airport and to call Mama to tell her I was home. I was in the custom's line and the lady yelled at me, so it was basically "Hi, I'm home. Call you later if I have a phone." Which I don't. Mama emailed and said to wait until Saturday to get a new one, in case the old one is found. I've been praying. I might not make it till Saturday.
Getting into Atlanta took forever. My customs agent took forever, while the other guys took about two minutes. Then we waited in baggage claim forever for our luggage. My flight got in at 145pm. I got home at 5pm.
And then. I get home and our internet doesn't work. I'm currently jacking someone elses. And then. I turned on the TV and nothing. It says something about the channels becoming available soon, but they aren't coming available. So I'm paying for cable and internet that I'm not getting, and I can't call about because I don't have a phone! And I'm alone in a quiet apartment with no access to the world.
All that, and then I get online to check emails and bank accounts and such and I learn that I overdrafted for the first time in my life. I left with money in the bank and came back with an overdraft. Yep.
And the reason why any of this is so bad is that I'm all alone here! My roomies are in different states doing summer things. I'm fine being alone in the apartment (it's kind of nice), but I can't call anyone to talk or coordinate hanging out. I can't communicate with anyone unless I'm online and they're online. Otherwise, it's just me. Alone :(
This day sucks. At least I don't have mango worm, I guess.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Hi Ho! Hi Ho! To Africa we go!
Ok, so I wanted to write "Hi Ho, Hi Ho, we're going to Uganda, b****!" but thought that would be inappropriate considering the nature and purpose of the trip.
But we are going to Africa! Tomorrow I (and all other Student.Go folk) head to Birmingham, AL for some organized forced bonding - think trust falls and human knots - and then my team and I fly out on Saturday! We go through Atlanta and Amsterdam before ending in Entebbe, Uganda. Sweet.
I was thinking about what I wrote in my journal last night (I've been journaling about this trip since I found out I was going...I don't want to miss or not remember something! Also, since I want to work in the mission field, I figure the more documentation of the life process, the better!), and thought I'd share. I wrote about what I was afraid of (sorry, bad grammer). I started with things like, forgetting something really really important and being miserable the whole trip because of it. Or packing all the wrong things (clothes and accessories).
And then I got honest. The thought of peeing (or worse!) over a hole freaks me out. Not because it's a hole, but because (I said I was going to be honest) my leg muscles are really tight and sore all the time from running and so squatting is NOT a comfortable position for me!! Plus, what if (rather, when) I get sick to my stomach...yuck.
I'm anxious about the return transition - coming back to the US after a trip abroad usually sucks! Plus, I love being in close proximity with other people for most of the day. Even on shorter trips with friends, the first night I have to sleep by myself is miserable! And I know that I'm going to have to process a lot of stuff, and especially on a trip like this where I'll be seeing real poverty and disease...I won't want to live in comfy U.S. anymore. I already don't most times. And I know it's going to make me frustrated with people who don't see, or don't want to see, the rest of the world they live in.
I'm afraid I'll get there and insult or offend someone horribly. I'm afraid I'll be asked to speak and I won't have a thing to say. I'm afraid I'll be asked to give my testimony (or , oh law, PREACH) and I'm going to forget everything that's ever happened to me or everything that God has ever done in my life. I don't even know what my testimony is anymore - maybe I should write it out...
Anyhow, there are a lot of unknowns and uncertainties, but I am overwhelmingly ready to get this thing started!! I'm excited to meet more of God's people and see more of God's creation. I'm looking forward to having paradigms shifted and shattered, and I'm anticipating long days and short nights. I'm praying for strength and energy and health. I want to love and be used and be loved and be filled. I want to see big blue skies and green green grass.
I kind of just want to run and hug the world.
But we are going to Africa! Tomorrow I (and all other Student.Go folk) head to Birmingham, AL for some organized forced bonding - think trust falls and human knots - and then my team and I fly out on Saturday! We go through Atlanta and Amsterdam before ending in Entebbe, Uganda. Sweet.
I was thinking about what I wrote in my journal last night (I've been journaling about this trip since I found out I was going...I don't want to miss or not remember something! Also, since I want to work in the mission field, I figure the more documentation of the life process, the better!), and thought I'd share. I wrote about what I was afraid of (sorry, bad grammer). I started with things like, forgetting something really really important and being miserable the whole trip because of it. Or packing all the wrong things (clothes and accessories).
And then I got honest. The thought of peeing (or worse!) over a hole freaks me out. Not because it's a hole, but because (I said I was going to be honest) my leg muscles are really tight and sore all the time from running and so squatting is NOT a comfortable position for me!! Plus, what if (rather, when) I get sick to my stomach...yuck.
I'm anxious about the return transition - coming back to the US after a trip abroad usually sucks! Plus, I love being in close proximity with other people for most of the day. Even on shorter trips with friends, the first night I have to sleep by myself is miserable! And I know that I'm going to have to process a lot of stuff, and especially on a trip like this where I'll be seeing real poverty and disease...I won't want to live in comfy U.S. anymore. I already don't most times. And I know it's going to make me frustrated with people who don't see, or don't want to see, the rest of the world they live in.
I'm afraid I'll get there and insult or offend someone horribly. I'm afraid I'll be asked to speak and I won't have a thing to say. I'm afraid I'll be asked to give my testimony (or , oh law, PREACH) and I'm going to forget everything that's ever happened to me or everything that God has ever done in my life. I don't even know what my testimony is anymore - maybe I should write it out...
Anyhow, there are a lot of unknowns and uncertainties, but I am overwhelmingly ready to get this thing started!! I'm excited to meet more of God's people and see more of God's creation. I'm looking forward to having paradigms shifted and shattered, and I'm anticipating long days and short nights. I'm praying for strength and energy and health. I want to love and be used and be loved and be filled. I want to see big blue skies and green green grass.
I kind of just want to run and hug the world.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Doxycyclones, oh my!
sounds like tornadoes to me! it's actually (well, minus the misspelling) the name of the anti-malarial medication i have to take since i'm going to uganda. here's to psychotic dreams!!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
A Shot in the Arm
Well, like 4. I have just gotten my shots for Uganda, and (yay!) they're good for multiple years so I won't have to redo any for study abroad next year. I got HepA and Yellow Fever in my left arm and Typhoid and Tetanus in my right...three of those were straight into the muscle and my right arm is a tad bit sore. Like, sore. But I'll rub some dirt in it and it will all be good :)
Next task? Packing!!
Next task? Packing!!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Dr. Younger's Words:
God has extravagant possibilities for you and me. Every once in a while we feel the Spirit pulling us to do something new, something rare, something good. There’s a relentless spontaneity about it. Every once in a while we should act on impulse with just the faintest impression that we heard God say, “Go.”No day is without the possibility of a unique opportunity. If we keep asking, “What peculiar thing might God want from me?” we’ll find ways to adore God.
Try telling God that you want to live an out of the ordinary day. Pray more than an ordinary prayer. Pray that God will empty you of everything that isn’t love. Speak an extravagant word of grace to someone. Look for words so lavish that their face and yours will turn red. Embarrass one of your professors. Love Greek and Hebrew excessively. Read Augustine hopefully. Read your preaching textbook passionately. Read a book that’s only recommended. Read the Bible.
Do something for your church that you’ve never done. Pick something that frightens you. Stir things up. Be the one who mentions Jesus during deacons’ meetings. Speak to someone to whom you’ve gotten used to not speaking. Sell something and give the money to feed hungry children. Give more than a reasonable amount. Be open to all kinds of extravagant possibilities. God may invite you to go beyond what’s reasonable. God will lead us to become better thinkers, better ministers, better Christians, to love this school, love the church, love Christ.
How long has it been since you did something impractical because you believe in God? When was the last time you did anything foolish for love? Mary thought about her gift for the rest of her life. She could have used that money in a thousand different ways, but God gave Mary a love that was worth everything. God offers us the same love.
Try telling God that you want to live an out of the ordinary day. Pray more than an ordinary prayer. Pray that God will empty you of everything that isn’t love. Speak an extravagant word of grace to someone. Look for words so lavish that their face and yours will turn red. Embarrass one of your professors. Love Greek and Hebrew excessively. Read Augustine hopefully. Read your preaching textbook passionately. Read a book that’s only recommended. Read the Bible.
Do something for your church that you’ve never done. Pick something that frightens you. Stir things up. Be the one who mentions Jesus during deacons’ meetings. Speak to someone to whom you’ve gotten used to not speaking. Sell something and give the money to feed hungry children. Give more than a reasonable amount. Be open to all kinds of extravagant possibilities. God may invite you to go beyond what’s reasonable. God will lead us to become better thinkers, better ministers, better Christians, to love this school, love the church, love Christ.
How long has it been since you did something impractical because you believe in God? When was the last time you did anything foolish for love? Mary thought about her gift for the rest of her life. She could have used that money in a thousand different ways, but God gave Mary a love that was worth everything. God offers us the same love.
I AM that person!
I have this thing. See, it really annoys me when people drive with their windshield wipers on full throttle...and it's only sprinkling. Or, they're sitting at a traffic light and their wipers are swoosh swoosh swoosh swoosh...and there's no need. I mean really, folks? Turn them down at traffic lights. Put them on the lowest setting necessary.
I don't know why it bothers me. Silly pet peeve, I guess. Probably a little South Florida snobbery in there, too. I mean, it is just rain. We So-Flas deal with it all the time. Get used to it. I understand some people might not be comfortable driving in the rain (I'd be the same in snow, most likely). I understand that sometimes you just haven't gotten around to RainX-ing your windshield and you have to put the wipers on high so the rain gets cleared. I know it's a stupid tick, so I try not to be annoyed...
And then yesterday. Preface: it has been pouring here for three STRAIGHT days. I love rain, but Florida style where it rains a bit in the afternoon, totally predictable. Not this day upon day upon day stuff! Driving in it sucks, and I've been driving a lot these last couple days, so I've been getting my money out of my wiper blades. I was reflecting on this pet peeve I have when I realized something.
I AM that person!
I was sitting a light - jamming out to my iPod, contemplating the day and the stuff I have to do and all that's going on in my life - and realized I hadn't turned down my windshield wipers. They were going dang-crazy fast. I was totally THAT person! I quickly turned them down and hoped no one noticed - noticed they were psychotically swishing or noticed my blatant hypocrisy.
Which reminded me of another driving-related silliness. I used to get inexplicably pissed at people who weren't tall enough to be seen over the back of their headrests. Like it was their fault or something. See, I live in South Florida and that usually means some old person who is in the left lane and needs to move the stink over to the right lane...and then I realized. You can't see my head over the headrest either.
I don't know why it bothers me. Silly pet peeve, I guess. Probably a little South Florida snobbery in there, too. I mean, it is just rain. We So-Flas deal with it all the time. Get used to it. I understand some people might not be comfortable driving in the rain (I'd be the same in snow, most likely). I understand that sometimes you just haven't gotten around to RainX-ing your windshield and you have to put the wipers on high so the rain gets cleared. I know it's a stupid tick, so I try not to be annoyed...
And then yesterday. Preface: it has been pouring here for three STRAIGHT days. I love rain, but Florida style where it rains a bit in the afternoon, totally predictable. Not this day upon day upon day stuff! Driving in it sucks, and I've been driving a lot these last couple days, so I've been getting my money out of my wiper blades. I was reflecting on this pet peeve I have when I realized something.
I AM that person!
I was sitting a light - jamming out to my iPod, contemplating the day and the stuff I have to do and all that's going on in my life - and realized I hadn't turned down my windshield wipers. They were going dang-crazy fast. I was totally THAT person! I quickly turned them down and hoped no one noticed - noticed they were psychotically swishing or noticed my blatant hypocrisy.
Which reminded me of another driving-related silliness. I used to get inexplicably pissed at people who weren't tall enough to be seen over the back of their headrests. Like it was their fault or something. See, I live in South Florida and that usually means some old person who is in the left lane and needs to move the stink over to the right lane...and then I realized. You can't see my head over the headrest either.
Monday, March 16, 2009
How is it possible to be this unmotivated?
I mean, for real. I am going to get my work done. On time. It will be good. I will probably do well. But I don't care. And I have no idea why. Is this the second semester blahs? The newness and excitement of the first semester has worn off and now it's just work? Even though I'm enjoying what I'm learning, I'm not as gung-ho about getting it done. I'm still working hard and diligently and all that, but that crazy motivating energy I had last semester is no more. True, there are a lot more external things going on this semester. I have less free time, less play time. I'm volunteering, working, running (training with partners for a 1/2), etc, etc. which cuts into my frisbee/football time. And I've had other extracurricular stuff that's seriously distracted me from caring about class and classwork. Part of me says, oh well! I'll muddle through this semester. But the other part of me wants to enjoy every moment fully, feel everything fully - like I did last semester. I don't want to miss out on anything because I was distracted or unmotivated. I don't like to live in a fog! (oh my word, I keep hitting the Windows Help key...mraa!) So anyhow, we'll see how things progress. For now, I'm going to print off a paper that I've edited only once, and then plan my schedules for summer, fall, and spring (even though I don't know what exactly I need to be taking...). And then probably work on some projects and papers I have due in the coming-too-soon future...but my heart won't be in it. I won't be motivated. Oh well :)
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Little things don't mean small stuff
Little things like
Snow on the perfect day for snow
shells on the beach
Someone fishing 
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
"Sometimes, Austin and (muffled, hands over mouth) call me...stupid"
"Well, sometimes people are mean." "Yea, when we're in the gym and we're playing with the balls we play with basketballs and soccer balls (mumbles and mimics ball sizes) and and and and sometimes we use soccer balls for basketballs." "Yea. Well, God still loves them even if they're mean, and God forgives them. I know you forgive them, too." "I just tell on them to the teacher."
Not lying, that was the paraphrased version of today's children's sermon conversation between Chris, who was giving the sermon (using Where the Wild Things Are!), and Logan, a 5-or-so year old who obviously had this burden on his chest!
I went to hear a fellow student preach today before going to watch Belmont and Mercer play bball in Macon. His church is a small room full of big love and lovely people, and he spoke on recognizing God in the moments of your life, that God is always speaking and we just need to be quiet enough to hear. That faith doesn't come from miracles but that miracles come from faith. The transfiguration of Jesus in Mark's gospel is interjected after 8 chapters of Jesus' miracles and healings. BAM! He's transfigured and God tells them all (oh, Peter) to shut up for a second and recognize. Jesus just asked Peter who he says He is and who other people think He is, and now God is saying, hey, this is who I know He is.
So I'm trying to recognize God in the moments, looking and listening for God in the moments. Despite my theological and life uncertainties...Anyhow, a jumble of thoughts to go with a jumble of a day. Now it's on to schoolwork and scholarship apps. Peace out cub scout.
Not lying, that was the paraphrased version of today's children's sermon conversation between Chris, who was giving the sermon (using Where the Wild Things Are!), and Logan, a 5-or-so year old who obviously had this burden on his chest!
I went to hear a fellow student preach today before going to watch Belmont and Mercer play bball in Macon. His church is a small room full of big love and lovely people, and he spoke on recognizing God in the moments of your life, that God is always speaking and we just need to be quiet enough to hear. That faith doesn't come from miracles but that miracles come from faith. The transfiguration of Jesus in Mark's gospel is interjected after 8 chapters of Jesus' miracles and healings. BAM! He's transfigured and God tells them all (oh, Peter) to shut up for a second and recognize. Jesus just asked Peter who he says He is and who other people think He is, and now God is saying, hey, this is who I know He is.
So I'm trying to recognize God in the moments, looking and listening for God in the moments. Despite my theological and life uncertainties...Anyhow, a jumble of thoughts to go with a jumble of a day. Now it's on to schoolwork and scholarship apps. Peace out cub scout.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
"You should know this crap by now!"
"...except she didn't say crap..."
I had one of the funnest (yes, Dr. Trew) conversations last night at the Self Lectures dinner thing. I sat with two pastors who had gone through seminary and PhD work together. I sat with them because us McAfee kids weren't assigned tables and they were sitting by themselves and I thought, hey, I can handle two guys. No, really - I said, "I've got the boys."
Anyhow, they happened to be the most wonderful people. One was a Seminole! We talked a little football, a little "I lived in Cawthon"/"I lived in Bryan." I didn't tell him, though, that the year he graduated - 1982 - was two years before I was born ;)
They asked me about me and I asked them about them. They were so open and genuine, and even said they'd back me financially and otherwise if I ever wanted a real nametag. We talked about what classes I was taking, which is where that quote comes in. They said Greek I and Hebrew I for them was called Baby Hebrew and Baby Greek...not because it was for beginners, but because you stayed up with it all night and it made you cry like a baby! Well, the one of 'ems Greek professor was Dutch and really difficult and he said that he asked a question one day and that was the response he got: "You should know this s*** by now!" But he phrased it politely, as quoted above :)
I found them after the last lecture of the night to say "hey, nice to meet you" and all that, but I really just wanted to get to talk to them again! They were obviously amazingly good friends, and for an hour or so that evening they'd let me join in the fun. They both told me to look them up if I needed them and that I represented McAfee well. But the best part was just getting to meet two really cool people. So, Glen Money and Jim Ramsey...this one's for you.
I had one of the funnest (yes, Dr. Trew) conversations last night at the Self Lectures dinner thing. I sat with two pastors who had gone through seminary and PhD work together. I sat with them because us McAfee kids weren't assigned tables and they were sitting by themselves and I thought, hey, I can handle two guys. No, really - I said, "I've got the boys."
Anyhow, they happened to be the most wonderful people. One was a Seminole! We talked a little football, a little "I lived in Cawthon"/"I lived in Bryan." I didn't tell him, though, that the year he graduated - 1982 - was two years before I was born ;)
They asked me about me and I asked them about them. They were so open and genuine, and even said they'd back me financially and otherwise if I ever wanted a real nametag. We talked about what classes I was taking, which is where that quote comes in. They said Greek I and Hebrew I for them was called Baby Hebrew and Baby Greek...not because it was for beginners, but because you stayed up with it all night and it made you cry like a baby! Well, the one of 'ems Greek professor was Dutch and really difficult and he said that he asked a question one day and that was the response he got: "You should know this s*** by now!" But he phrased it politely, as quoted above :)
I found them after the last lecture of the night to say "hey, nice to meet you" and all that, but I really just wanted to get to talk to them again! They were obviously amazingly good friends, and for an hour or so that evening they'd let me join in the fun. They both told me to look them up if I needed them and that I represented McAfee well. But the best part was just getting to meet two really cool people. So, Glen Money and Jim Ramsey...this one's for you.
Monday, January 19, 2009
I'm not a succinct writer.
Nope, that's it. Just wanted you to know that I realize that I am a rambler. I used to hate stream of consciousness writing (think: Mrs. Dalloway and The Hours), but I totally write that way. But this is an online JOURNAL, so cut me some slack. At least I edit this thing. You should see my real journal. Though this has kind of taken it's place...hmm...
Anderson Cooper, you're my hero
Ok, so that's a play on Ferris Beuller, but whatev. Keep reading - these are quotes from AC's book:
“…I sometimes believe it’s the motion that keeps me alive as well. I hit the ground running: truck gassed up, camera rolling…All you want to do is get it, feel it, be in it…The more I saw, however, the more I needed to see. I tried to settle down back home in Los Angeles, but I missed feeling that rush. I went to see a doctor about it. He told me I should slow down for a while, take a break. I just nodded and left, booked a flight out that day. It didn’t seem possible to stop…I wasn’t one of those adrenaline junkies I’d run into in some Third World cul-de-sac. I wasn’t looking to get shot at, wasn’t looking to take chances. I just didn’t let the risks get in the way. There was no place I wouldn’t go. Coming home meant coming down. It was easier to stay up. I’d return home to piles of bills and an empty refrigerator. Buying groceries, I’d get lost – too many aisles, too many choices…I wanted emotion, but couldn’t find it here, so I settled for motion…The more I was away, the worse it got. I’d come back and couldn’t speak the language. Out there the pain was palpable; you breathed it in the air. Back here, no one talked about life an death. No one seemed to understand.” (6-8)
“There was a time many years ago, when I first became a reporter, when I thought I could fake it. go through the motions, not give away pieces of myself in return. I focused on the mechanics: story-telling and structure. I had conversations, conducted interviews, and I wasn’t even there. I’d nod, look in other’s eyes, but my vision lost focus, my mind turned to details. People became characters, plot lines in a story I was constructing in my head…when I had what I needed, I’d pull out. I thought I could get away unscathed, unchanged. The truth was I hadn’t gotten out at all. It’s impossible to block out what you see, what your hear. Even if you stop listening, the pain gets inside, seeps through the cracks you can’t close up. You can’t fake your way through it. I know that now. You have to absorb it all. You owe them that. You owe it to yourself as well. ‘Sometimes you have to look very narrowly down the path,’ an aid worker in Somalia once said to me. ‘ You can’t look at what’s lying on either side of the road.’ I didn’t understand what he meant, but I certainly get it now. crystal clear. If you are going to escape, then there’s only so much you can stand. It’s best not to stop in one place too long. A week or two, maximum.” (32-33)
“Many times that year, I wished I had a mark, a scar, a missing limb…at least they would have seen, would have known. I wouldn’t have been expected to smile and mingle, meet and greet. Everyone could have seen that, like a broken locket, I had only half a heart.” (45-46)
Maradi, Niger – Dr. Tectonidis about babies dying from malnutrition and his advice to his nurses when they die: “I tell the nurses, ‘If you get attached and you want to cry, fine – but go somewhere else. Go hide.’ If you cry in front of the mothers, what good is that? It’s not a sign of sympathy. It makes other mothers worried. They start wondering, ‘what’s going to happen to my kid?’ You can’t do that; it’s not fair. They look up to you like you’re a God. You’re the one chance they have. Only fifty people died here last month. We saved about fifteen hundred. They don’t expect sympathy, they expect you to try your best. They don’t expect you to cry for them. That’s not your job.” (105)
“I don’t know,” I say, teasing, “They have a sign and everything – it says FORT APACHE – hanging right over the entrance to the precinct down there.” “We’ll see about that,” one of the police officers says, and a couple of guys get up and leave.”… “About an hour later, as I’m getting ready to leave, a squad car pulls into the parking lot. Two young officers get out, one clutching the hand-drawn Fort Apache sign that up until a few minutes ago had hung over the entrance to the First District’s headquarters. “How’d you get that,” I ask, laughing. “We snuck right in there, crawled under the Duty Officer’s desk, and cut it free,” one of the guys says, laughing, “Who’s the real Fort Apache now, motherf***er?” (174)
“…I sometimes believe it’s the motion that keeps me alive as well. I hit the ground running: truck gassed up, camera rolling…All you want to do is get it, feel it, be in it…The more I saw, however, the more I needed to see. I tried to settle down back home in Los Angeles, but I missed feeling that rush. I went to see a doctor about it. He told me I should slow down for a while, take a break. I just nodded and left, booked a flight out that day. It didn’t seem possible to stop…I wasn’t one of those adrenaline junkies I’d run into in some Third World cul-de-sac. I wasn’t looking to get shot at, wasn’t looking to take chances. I just didn’t let the risks get in the way. There was no place I wouldn’t go. Coming home meant coming down. It was easier to stay up. I’d return home to piles of bills and an empty refrigerator. Buying groceries, I’d get lost – too many aisles, too many choices…I wanted emotion, but couldn’t find it here, so I settled for motion…The more I was away, the worse it got. I’d come back and couldn’t speak the language. Out there the pain was palpable; you breathed it in the air. Back here, no one talked about life an death. No one seemed to understand.” (6-8)
“There was a time many years ago, when I first became a reporter, when I thought I could fake it. go through the motions, not give away pieces of myself in return. I focused on the mechanics: story-telling and structure. I had conversations, conducted interviews, and I wasn’t even there. I’d nod, look in other’s eyes, but my vision lost focus, my mind turned to details. People became characters, plot lines in a story I was constructing in my head…when I had what I needed, I’d pull out. I thought I could get away unscathed, unchanged. The truth was I hadn’t gotten out at all. It’s impossible to block out what you see, what your hear. Even if you stop listening, the pain gets inside, seeps through the cracks you can’t close up. You can’t fake your way through it. I know that now. You have to absorb it all. You owe them that. You owe it to yourself as well. ‘Sometimes you have to look very narrowly down the path,’ an aid worker in Somalia once said to me. ‘ You can’t look at what’s lying on either side of the road.’ I didn’t understand what he meant, but I certainly get it now. crystal clear. If you are going to escape, then there’s only so much you can stand. It’s best not to stop in one place too long. A week or two, maximum.” (32-33)
“Many times that year, I wished I had a mark, a scar, a missing limb…at least they would have seen, would have known. I wouldn’t have been expected to smile and mingle, meet and greet. Everyone could have seen that, like a broken locket, I had only half a heart.” (45-46)
Maradi, Niger – Dr. Tectonidis about babies dying from malnutrition and his advice to his nurses when they die: “I tell the nurses, ‘If you get attached and you want to cry, fine – but go somewhere else. Go hide.’ If you cry in front of the mothers, what good is that? It’s not a sign of sympathy. It makes other mothers worried. They start wondering, ‘what’s going to happen to my kid?’ You can’t do that; it’s not fair. They look up to you like you’re a God. You’re the one chance they have. Only fifty people died here last month. We saved about fifteen hundred. They don’t expect sympathy, they expect you to try your best. They don’t expect you to cry for them. That’s not your job.” (105)
“I don’t know,” I say, teasing, “They have a sign and everything – it says FORT APACHE – hanging right over the entrance to the precinct down there.” “We’ll see about that,” one of the police officers says, and a couple of guys get up and leave.”… “About an hour later, as I’m getting ready to leave, a squad car pulls into the parking lot. Two young officers get out, one clutching the hand-drawn Fort Apache sign that up until a few minutes ago had hung over the entrance to the First District’s headquarters. “How’d you get that,” I ask, laughing. “We snuck right in there, crawled under the Duty Officer’s desk, and cut it free,” one of the guys says, laughing, “Who’s the real Fort Apache now, motherf***er?” (174)
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Hockey stick, rattlesnake, monkey monkey underpants
I'm sitting here, watching the final episodes of Gilmore Girls from the final season, and here are my final thoughts:
Barack Obama (does Barack have a "c?" or is it Barak? I think it's Barak. but it could be Barack)...Rory is on his campaign trail as a reporter for an online magazine. She decided not to marry Logan. She needs transition time! (I just googled it and it's Barack).
What happens when Gilmore Girls doesn't make me happy at the end? I'm kind of sad. Rory's graduated and is going on the campaign trail for who knows how long, leaving Lorelai, setting out on her own...I'm nervous for Rory and for Lorelai. Sad for them, wistful, nostalgic, happy, excited. I feel like I just graduated - I cried the whole night and the whole trip home.
You can tell Sookie's really pregnant because of her nose. Strange, I know, but you can.
I want their clothes from the last few seasons. I also want to be able to eat all the crap food that they eat and still look like they do. What if the world was backwards for a little while and all the bad food was good for you and we all lost weight and got in excellent shape by eating poptarts and Chinese takeout? I want my hair to do what theirs does. I should get a grown-up pair of jeans.
"I feel like I need more time." I hate that feeling. That slightly panicky, overwhelming feeling of needing more time. And I hate good-byes. I hate saying them, I hate doing them, but I need them. I need closure. I need the hugs and the tears. And I need to do it quick (it's always been my band-aid policy). But deep inside, I could stay hugging onto those I love forever and not leave. I love hugs. Good, two-armed, bear hugs. Knock your teeth out hugs.
Barack Obama (does Barack have a "c?" or is it Barak? I think it's Barak. but it could be Barack)...Rory is on his campaign trail as a reporter for an online magazine. She decided not to marry Logan. She needs transition time! (I just googled it and it's Barack).
What happens when Gilmore Girls doesn't make me happy at the end? I'm kind of sad. Rory's graduated and is going on the campaign trail for who knows how long, leaving Lorelai, setting out on her own...I'm nervous for Rory and for Lorelai. Sad for them, wistful, nostalgic, happy, excited. I feel like I just graduated - I cried the whole night and the whole trip home.
You can tell Sookie's really pregnant because of her nose. Strange, I know, but you can.
I want their clothes from the last few seasons. I also want to be able to eat all the crap food that they eat and still look like they do. What if the world was backwards for a little while and all the bad food was good for you and we all lost weight and got in excellent shape by eating poptarts and Chinese takeout? I want my hair to do what theirs does. I should get a grown-up pair of jeans.
"I feel like I need more time." I hate that feeling. That slightly panicky, overwhelming feeling of needing more time. And I hate good-byes. I hate saying them, I hate doing them, but I need them. I need closure. I need the hugs and the tears. And I need to do it quick (it's always been my band-aid policy). But deep inside, I could stay hugging onto those I love forever and not leave. I love hugs. Good, two-armed, bear hugs. Knock your teeth out hugs.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Slater-isms from my one day of J-term
"an arrogant son of an ill-tempered woman"
"whenever everyone has the same wrong personal preference, we think it's the truth"
"assume it was snowing in west hell"
"let that grow in your front yard and back yard a bit..."
"the first commandmant is not the worst commandment, okeedokee?" (about "be fruitful and multiply")
"difference is just a difference, not an inferiority"
"that's pretty good...that's almost right"
"i'm not touching oprah - she's an icon...there's only so many people you can attack in three weeks"
"whenever everyone has the same wrong personal preference, we think it's the truth"
"assume it was snowing in west hell"
"let that grow in your front yard and back yard a bit..."
"the first commandmant is not the worst commandment, okeedokee?" (about "be fruitful and multiply")
"difference is just a difference, not an inferiority"
"that's pretty good...that's almost right"
"i'm not touching oprah - she's an icon...there's only so many people you can attack in three weeks"
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