There's something about the golden morning sunlight here, flowing unfettered through the naked tree-branches, dappling the sidewalks and snow, that makes my heart happy.
The sunlight is beautiful, and makes other things grow beautiful. It can be blindingly beautiful, a dangerous beauty. And this makes it all the more appealing.
The exquisite golden sunlight comes around 10 am, that fleeting moment between sunrise and mid-day.
Blue sky reaches the hue that Crayola cannot replicate when this sunlight exists. Colors are richer.
And Heaven whispers, "Do you like it? I did it just for you."
Yes, I do. Thank You!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Changed the major.
According to my degree audit, I am going for a B.A. in Spanish with a minor in Religion.
Sweeeeeeeet.
Sweeeeeeeet.
Monday, January 25, 2010
A letter to Mother Nature.
Dear Mama Nature,
You have tantalized us with a piece of sky yesterday morning, warmer temperatures last week, and even a sprinkling of sunlight for the first time in a week.
AND NOW IT'S SNOWING AGAIN?!
That is all.
-Me
You have tantalized us with a piece of sky yesterday morning, warmer temperatures last week, and even a sprinkling of sunlight for the first time in a week.
AND NOW IT'S SNOWING AGAIN?!
That is all.
-Me
Sunday, January 24, 2010
On majors and money
I'm two weeks into my second semester of college, and I'm thinking about changing my major.
I am currently listed as an English major, and I've been telling people I'm an English and Spanish double-major.
But, to be honest, I don't like the English classes as much as I did when I was in middle school and lower grades of high school. They've grown to be just a pain, rather than a delight. The English class I took last semester was a waste of time because I didn't learn anything new, and it doesn't even count for the major. The class I am taking this semester doesn't count for the major, either, and I'm frustrated that I've wasted two class chances that I could be using for the major.
I know now that I don't want to be an English major anymore. The requirements are full of literature classes that will have depressing material, and there's only one or two writing courses. The classes will require many textbooks, which will add up to be more expensive. To top it off, the English major just doesn't feel like it is the right fit anymore.
I am now planning to be a Spanish major, for certain. I have already taken two of the classes required, and I get to study abroad for an entire semester as part of the major. I enjoy learning the language and customs, and the professors I've had make the classes interesting. Besides, being bilingual is good for one's brain.
Also on my list of considerations is the Religion department. I am currently taking a New Testament class, and it is fascinating. I'm learning new things about the New Testament, and I want to continue learning about the Bible and how it influences my world. I am thinking that a Religion minor would be better than a Religion major (No, I wouldn't go to seminary), just because then I could take whatever classes I wanted in the Religion department, as long as at least one was a 300-level. I'm planning on taking New Testament Greek next year, which would fulfill half of the minor when the class I'm currently in is included.
If I do not double-major, I can take more "random" courses, instead of just Spanish and Religion courses. Languages are my forte, and I'd like to take some French and some German, both of which Simpson offers. I can even take Hebrew on an independent-study type basis with the same professor who will be teaching the Greek. It's really too bad that Simpson doesn't offer a major that is "Take all the language courses you can!" :)
But besides languages, the point of a Liberal Arts education is to take classes from multiple disciplines. I am doing that with the Cornerstone requirements, but I'd like to be able to pursue other courses if I am interested in them.
I did some course mapping, like they always had us do in high school when we were planning for college, and I have found that I can take all the classes in both Spanish and Religion majors, if I wanted to, but I have to get rid of the English major to still graduate on time without taking summer courses. With a Spanish major and a Religion minor, I'd have plenty of space for the Cornerstone requirements AND for other areas of study.
Have I mentioned that I patently refuse to be a "super-senior"? Well, I do. I know that I will be over 25K in debt (unless I get some amazing scholarships) because I have an unsubsidized Federal Stafford loan that I will need to have all four years in order to pay for the tuition. Currently, I managed to get a scholarship and reduce it from $5500 to $5000 for this year, but I still am going to be in debt. I don't want to put that burden on my future, but I guess that's what happens...
Also, I don't want to be a Wesley Service scholar next year. I prefer not to have to report my service learning, and it's 80 hours for only $500. I can take less time and get more money with other scholarships (that's not laziness, that's efficiency). Besides, it makes me feel like I'm doing service for the wrong reasons if I'm getting paid.
So, I'm excited to change my major-minor, and I'm getting a bit discouraged about the money. I know that God will take care of me no matter what, but money is depressing to think about...
But God will provide! To quote a song a friend gave me: "I think I can't, I think I can't, but I think You can, I think You can!"
I am currently listed as an English major, and I've been telling people I'm an English and Spanish double-major.
But, to be honest, I don't like the English classes as much as I did when I was in middle school and lower grades of high school. They've grown to be just a pain, rather than a delight. The English class I took last semester was a waste of time because I didn't learn anything new, and it doesn't even count for the major. The class I am taking this semester doesn't count for the major, either, and I'm frustrated that I've wasted two class chances that I could be using for the major.
I know now that I don't want to be an English major anymore. The requirements are full of literature classes that will have depressing material, and there's only one or two writing courses. The classes will require many textbooks, which will add up to be more expensive. To top it off, the English major just doesn't feel like it is the right fit anymore.
I am now planning to be a Spanish major, for certain. I have already taken two of the classes required, and I get to study abroad for an entire semester as part of the major. I enjoy learning the language and customs, and the professors I've had make the classes interesting. Besides, being bilingual is good for one's brain.
Also on my list of considerations is the Religion department. I am currently taking a New Testament class, and it is fascinating. I'm learning new things about the New Testament, and I want to continue learning about the Bible and how it influences my world. I am thinking that a Religion minor would be better than a Religion major (No, I wouldn't go to seminary), just because then I could take whatever classes I wanted in the Religion department, as long as at least one was a 300-level. I'm planning on taking New Testament Greek next year, which would fulfill half of the minor when the class I'm currently in is included.
If I do not double-major, I can take more "random" courses, instead of just Spanish and Religion courses. Languages are my forte, and I'd like to take some French and some German, both of which Simpson offers. I can even take Hebrew on an independent-study type basis with the same professor who will be teaching the Greek. It's really too bad that Simpson doesn't offer a major that is "Take all the language courses you can!" :)
But besides languages, the point of a Liberal Arts education is to take classes from multiple disciplines. I am doing that with the Cornerstone requirements, but I'd like to be able to pursue other courses if I am interested in them.
I did some course mapping, like they always had us do in high school when we were planning for college, and I have found that I can take all the classes in both Spanish and Religion majors, if I wanted to, but I have to get rid of the English major to still graduate on time without taking summer courses. With a Spanish major and a Religion minor, I'd have plenty of space for the Cornerstone requirements AND for other areas of study.
Have I mentioned that I patently refuse to be a "super-senior"? Well, I do. I know that I will be over 25K in debt (unless I get some amazing scholarships) because I have an unsubsidized Federal Stafford loan that I will need to have all four years in order to pay for the tuition. Currently, I managed to get a scholarship and reduce it from $5500 to $5000 for this year, but I still am going to be in debt. I don't want to put that burden on my future, but I guess that's what happens...
Also, I don't want to be a Wesley Service scholar next year. I prefer not to have to report my service learning, and it's 80 hours for only $500. I can take less time and get more money with other scholarships (that's not laziness, that's efficiency). Besides, it makes me feel like I'm doing service for the wrong reasons if I'm getting paid.
So, I'm excited to change my major-minor, and I'm getting a bit discouraged about the money. I know that God will take care of me no matter what, but money is depressing to think about...
But God will provide! To quote a song a friend gave me: "I think I can't, I think I can't, but I think You can, I think You can!"
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Pants on the Ground guy is awesome.
"General" Larry Platts, who was a participant in the Bloody Sunday march back in the Civil Rights movement, appeared on American Idol and sang this self-penned song:
Pants on the ground
Pants on the ground
Lookin like a fool with you pants on the ground
Gold in your mouth
Hat turned sideways, pants hit the ground
Call yourself a cool cat looking like a fool
Walking down town
With your pants on the ground!
Here's the Youtube video.
Both basketball teams won yesterday over Coe. Kohawk? What is that? I dunno, but we Storm made it roadkill! Both of our teams won by over 10 points. And the pep band played fun music, like usual. I still can't play the school song, and I got stuck sitting next to someone who actually could, so I was a bit embarrassed. But I still had fun.
There is a giant ice column on the side of the dining hall. It's probably 3 feet wide and 2 and a half feet thick. It's amazing. I'll take a picture sometime. Right now the light is failing so it's not a good time. Things are melting here and the column just keeps getting bigger and bigger. There was also fog Friday and today. But it feels almost spring-like after the bitter cold that began the year.
Last night I stayed up late with my girlfriends. After pep band we went to Walmart b/c I needed hearing aid batteries, and then we went to Taco John's. I spilled pop in my friend's car because there was a screw in the cupholder and it punctured my cup. What a waste. :(
Anyway, after that we went down to Family Video and rented some movies- Driving Miss Daisy, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, and Swing Vote. We watched Nick and Norah (I didn't really like it. Too teenagery.) and then we watched Driving Miss Daisy, which I thought was sweet and interesting, even if it does have weird time warps in it. We haven't watched Swing Vote yet, but I've seen part of it before, and I think it will be okay.
After the movies my one girlfriend and I were reaaallllly silly, and there was much goofing around with a foam sword and "laser" gun. One of the others gave me a new piece of clothing (it didn't fit her anymore) and there was goofiness involved with that. Then we had one of those late-night talk sessions that become serious and it was enlightening and a bit saddening too, hearing how their pasts haunt them...
Speaking of saddening, poor Haiti! It had not clicked for me until today when I saw a disturbing image showing how they were dealing with the bodies... So very sad. I am planning to donate money tomorrow at the MLK Day service.
This morning I got up and went to church, and I'm glad I did, because it had a message for me that was a bit like being whacked upside the head with a 2x4. It was a big reminder of my own sin, and I have repented of that sin and asked the person I sinned against for forgiveness.
And to end on a light note: BABY ANIMALS!!!
http://thedesigninspiration.com/articles/70-cutie-baby-animals-bring-your-a-good-mood/
Pants on the ground
Pants on the ground
Lookin like a fool with you pants on the ground
Gold in your mouth
Hat turned sideways, pants hit the ground
Call yourself a cool cat looking like a fool
Walking down town
With your pants on the ground!
Here's the Youtube video.
Both basketball teams won yesterday over Coe. Kohawk? What is that? I dunno, but we Storm made it roadkill! Both of our teams won by over 10 points. And the pep band played fun music, like usual. I still can't play the school song, and I got stuck sitting next to someone who actually could, so I was a bit embarrassed. But I still had fun.
There is a giant ice column on the side of the dining hall. It's probably 3 feet wide and 2 and a half feet thick. It's amazing. I'll take a picture sometime. Right now the light is failing so it's not a good time. Things are melting here and the column just keeps getting bigger and bigger. There was also fog Friday and today. But it feels almost spring-like after the bitter cold that began the year.
Last night I stayed up late with my girlfriends. After pep band we went to Walmart b/c I needed hearing aid batteries, and then we went to Taco John's. I spilled pop in my friend's car because there was a screw in the cupholder and it punctured my cup. What a waste. :(
Anyway, after that we went down to Family Video and rented some movies- Driving Miss Daisy, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, and Swing Vote. We watched Nick and Norah (I didn't really like it. Too teenagery.) and then we watched Driving Miss Daisy, which I thought was sweet and interesting, even if it does have weird time warps in it. We haven't watched Swing Vote yet, but I've seen part of it before, and I think it will be okay.
After the movies my one girlfriend and I were reaaallllly silly, and there was much goofing around with a foam sword and "laser" gun. One of the others gave me a new piece of clothing (it didn't fit her anymore) and there was goofiness involved with that. Then we had one of those late-night talk sessions that become serious and it was enlightening and a bit saddening too, hearing how their pasts haunt them...
Speaking of saddening, poor Haiti! It had not clicked for me until today when I saw a disturbing image showing how they were dealing with the bodies... So very sad. I am planning to donate money tomorrow at the MLK Day service.
This morning I got up and went to church, and I'm glad I did, because it had a message for me that was a bit like being whacked upside the head with a 2x4. It was a big reminder of my own sin, and I have repented of that sin and asked the person I sinned against for forgiveness.
And to end on a light note: BABY ANIMALS!!!
http://thedesigninspiration.com/articles/70-cutie-baby-animals-bring-your-a-good-mood/
Saturday, January 16, 2010
before pep band...
Well it's Saturday of the first week of this semester, and it's going to be a busy semester, based on the homework load. Example: For Monday, I had/have to read for Lit p 392-413 and p 757-772, for New Testament, ch. 3 of the book and Matthew chapters 1, 5,6,and 7, for Spanish, a dictionary with pages 31-39 (and do some writing on that), and I have a calculus worksheet due Tuesday. But I've got all that done except the Spanish and the calculus.
My two favorite classes so far are New Testament and Spanish. New Testament is great because it is a different way of looking at the Bible and it helps put the Bible into context. I also really like the professor; she's an ordained Methodist minister and she really knows her topic. Spanish is great because the professor is a funny guy. He actually made a joke in class yesterday that was a pun and I think I was the first person to get it. Also, I know many of the people in the class because they were in my Spanish class last semester, AND the TA is also helping with the class.
Women's lit is okay. I am learning about the history of feminism, with the waves and all that jazz. There is discussion but we have so many people in the class it's hard to get a word in edge-wise. Definitely not like my AP lit class in high school (just me and one other student!). Believe it or not, there are actually some guys in the class, and they even talk in class! Amazing.
My calculus class terrified me at first, because I thought, "Oh no! I've forgotten all of this!" However I realized that I remembered more than I thought, and the prof has done review, so I am no longer terrified. There's going to be a study group on Monday nights with a math major, so I am going to take advantage of that. I turned in my first assignment yesterday and I think I did okay on it.
My roommate quit her job, so she's around more. She tends to talk on her phone A LOT which is okay except for when she is fighting with her boyfriend. Then, it's just annoying. Karma got her yesterday, because she'd left the light on til midnight (Thursday night), keeping me awake, and then her class got moved to 8 AM Friday...
Well, it is time for me to get ready for pep band. I have to be at the gym in 15 minutes. Maybe we will win! :)
My two favorite classes so far are New Testament and Spanish. New Testament is great because it is a different way of looking at the Bible and it helps put the Bible into context. I also really like the professor; she's an ordained Methodist minister and she really knows her topic. Spanish is great because the professor is a funny guy. He actually made a joke in class yesterday that was a pun and I think I was the first person to get it. Also, I know many of the people in the class because they were in my Spanish class last semester, AND the TA is also helping with the class.
Women's lit is okay. I am learning about the history of feminism, with the waves and all that jazz. There is discussion but we have so many people in the class it's hard to get a word in edge-wise. Definitely not like my AP lit class in high school (just me and one other student!). Believe it or not, there are actually some guys in the class, and they even talk in class! Amazing.
My calculus class terrified me at first, because I thought, "Oh no! I've forgotten all of this!" However I realized that I remembered more than I thought, and the prof has done review, so I am no longer terrified. There's going to be a study group on Monday nights with a math major, so I am going to take advantage of that. I turned in my first assignment yesterday and I think I did okay on it.
My roommate quit her job, so she's around more. She tends to talk on her phone A LOT which is okay except for when she is fighting with her boyfriend. Then, it's just annoying. Karma got her yesterday, because she'd left the light on til midnight (Thursday night), keeping me awake, and then her class got moved to 8 AM Friday...
Well, it is time for me to get ready for pep band. I have to be at the gym in 15 minutes. Maybe we will win! :)
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
back to school
This semester I'm taking Women's Lit, Intro to New Testament, Calculus, and another Spanish class. All of these are MWF except the calculus class also has a lab on Tuesdays.
Nothing particularly interesting has happened. It's just the first Wednesday of the semester. *shrug*
More later when I actually feel like writing something.
Nothing particularly interesting has happened. It's just the first Wednesday of the semester. *shrug*
More later when I actually feel like writing something.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
It doesn't seem real that it's 2010 already.
Well, a lot has happened since the last time I posted. Christmas came and went, a giant snowstorm attacked, I went to a great conference, I went hooding for the first time, and all of a sudden it's 2010!
Christmas was strange this year. The giant snowstorm attacked at this time, dumping about 10 inches on my hometown. As a result, we didn't go to church services or to either grandparents' house. My brother #2 and his wife couldn't get to our house for the traditional fondue, and so we video-called them in. Technology is indeed miraculous.
The presents were different; this year my parents gave each couple a gas card and a gift card to a restaurant and we are expected to go out with a different couple in the family to use these gifts. I like this idea but unfortunately it has not yet been implemented in my case. We will see what happens.
The giant snowstorm can only be described as giant. There is over 2 feet of snow on the ground (some from the previous storm), with drifts up to 4 feet deep, just around the house. I've read in the paper reports of 17 foot deep drifts. Scary. And under all this snow is a layer of ice. Since the storm, the temperatures have been in the single digits. Even down to -17 without windchill! It is positively Arctic here.
All this snow has been great for a little thing called hooding. Take a car hood and go sledding with it. That's hooding. We did this on a hill that is famous in town for being fast. At the bottom there's playground equipment. I whacked my head pretty hard when I flew off my sled, but the headache went away on New Year's Day afternoon when I got sick... Anyway. It was a lot of fun until it started to hurt from falling off the sled or from being bumped up and down. We did this on New Year's Eve, before the clock struck midnight. What a great way to end the year, screaming bloody murder and flying down a hill! :)
The conference I was talking about is called Faithwalkers (By the Great Commission Churches- www.gccweb.org). It exposed to me a lot of things that I need to change, and I think I will continue to process and grow. My heart was, at last, freed from certain things that snared it. It was three days of tears, pain, and great joy. I heard a lot of great music, great teachings, and great love-filled talks. You can hear some of it here and I encourage you to take the time to listen: http://www.gccweb.org/conferences/faithwalkers/west/2009_teachings Truly a life-changing conference, and I pray that I will continue to change as a result of it.
It's 2010 now, and it really doesn't seem all that different. It has been challenging so far, back and forth between the good (people I love) and the bad (being sick). I just remember that God's got a reason for it all and I'm grateful just to be able to enjoy my life with the people I love.
In about 7 months I will be 20 years old. That is scary and exciting at the same time. I won't be a teen anymore. It's a challenge, a challenge that says, "Step up and grow up!" Whether this year is "good" or "bad", it will make me grow up, and for that I am excited and afraid. Yet I am more excited than afraid.
This year I plan to read my Bible through again. I did in 2009, so I know I can do it. :) I also plan to memorize Scripture. I have not done well with that, but I think with a plan and some discipline I will do better. I have the capacity to memorize, but I have not been using it well. I can quote half of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail", but I can't quote much of the Bible beyond John 3:16 and Jeremiah 29:11? Clearly my priorities are in the wrong spot. However, the Lord is good and has revealed this to me via Faithwalkers, and I am determined to change my priorities.
God is so good, friends. So very good. He breaks your heart only to make it anew, full of joy and peace. He gives Life and Truth. He saves! He loves you! He actually LIKES you! Jesus wants to be your best Friend, your Lover, your Savior. Let Him, and your life will NEVER be the same! Oh, there's no way to explain the love, peace, and security He gives despite the storms of life! I love Him so very much.
Christmas was strange this year. The giant snowstorm attacked at this time, dumping about 10 inches on my hometown. As a result, we didn't go to church services or to either grandparents' house. My brother #2 and his wife couldn't get to our house for the traditional fondue, and so we video-called them in. Technology is indeed miraculous.
The presents were different; this year my parents gave each couple a gas card and a gift card to a restaurant and we are expected to go out with a different couple in the family to use these gifts. I like this idea but unfortunately it has not yet been implemented in my case. We will see what happens.
The giant snowstorm can only be described as giant. There is over 2 feet of snow on the ground (some from the previous storm), with drifts up to 4 feet deep, just around the house. I've read in the paper reports of 17 foot deep drifts. Scary. And under all this snow is a layer of ice. Since the storm, the temperatures have been in the single digits. Even down to -17 without windchill! It is positively Arctic here.
All this snow has been great for a little thing called hooding. Take a car hood and go sledding with it. That's hooding. We did this on a hill that is famous in town for being fast. At the bottom there's playground equipment. I whacked my head pretty hard when I flew off my sled, but the headache went away on New Year's Day afternoon when I got sick... Anyway. It was a lot of fun until it started to hurt from falling off the sled or from being bumped up and down. We did this on New Year's Eve, before the clock struck midnight. What a great way to end the year, screaming bloody murder and flying down a hill! :)
The conference I was talking about is called Faithwalkers (By the Great Commission Churches- www.gccweb.org). It exposed to me a lot of things that I need to change, and I think I will continue to process and grow. My heart was, at last, freed from certain things that snared it. It was three days of tears, pain, and great joy. I heard a lot of great music, great teachings, and great love-filled talks. You can hear some of it here and I encourage you to take the time to listen: http://www.gccweb.org/conferences/faithwalkers/west/2009_teachings Truly a life-changing conference, and I pray that I will continue to change as a result of it.
It's 2010 now, and it really doesn't seem all that different. It has been challenging so far, back and forth between the good (people I love) and the bad (being sick). I just remember that God's got a reason for it all and I'm grateful just to be able to enjoy my life with the people I love.
In about 7 months I will be 20 years old. That is scary and exciting at the same time. I won't be a teen anymore. It's a challenge, a challenge that says, "Step up and grow up!" Whether this year is "good" or "bad", it will make me grow up, and for that I am excited and afraid. Yet I am more excited than afraid.
This year I plan to read my Bible through again. I did in 2009, so I know I can do it. :) I also plan to memorize Scripture. I have not done well with that, but I think with a plan and some discipline I will do better. I have the capacity to memorize, but I have not been using it well. I can quote half of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail", but I can't quote much of the Bible beyond John 3:16 and Jeremiah 29:11? Clearly my priorities are in the wrong spot. However, the Lord is good and has revealed this to me via Faithwalkers, and I am determined to change my priorities.
God is so good, friends. So very good. He breaks your heart only to make it anew, full of joy and peace. He gives Life and Truth. He saves! He loves you! He actually LIKES you! Jesus wants to be your best Friend, your Lover, your Savior. Let Him, and your life will NEVER be the same! Oh, there's no way to explain the love, peace, and security He gives despite the storms of life! I love Him so very much.
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