So I don’t get Alzheimer’s …

Did you ever see that episode of Friends where Rachel is determined to finish a crossword puzzle on her own?  She tells Chandler, “You know what we should all do?  Go see a musical.  And you know which one we should see?  The 1996 Tony Award winner.  Do you happen to know the name of that one?”  Of course, this was before Google made crossword puzzles completely conquerable for anyone with internet access, and while I refuse to cheat via search engine, I am not beyond soliciting a little assistance, a la Rachel’s tactic.

Friday night was a slow one at B&B, so I ran over to Potbelly to pick up a Reader.  After skimming the upcoming concerts (of course), I opted for the crossword puzzle.  I’ve never been really big on crosswords; they always seem daunting and obscure.  It’s a little discouraging when you know maybe two or three words out fifty, so I was fully prepared to give up after a couple minutes.  However, when I read the clue for 39-across (the worst song of all time, according to Blender), I was hooked.  For some reason my mind latches on to useless trivia like this.  Hebrew verb paradigms, however, just don’t seem to stick.    Anyway, I was more than thrilled to write in “WEBUILTTHISCITY” with a pen, no less.  There for awhile I thought I could maybe finish it completely on my own.  But alas, I am stuck.  And while I won’t Google, I will solicit input from those promising not to Google as well.    How ’bout it, friends?  Wanna help me finish my crossword?

Mark your calendars!

For years I have been waiting for a certain television show to come out on DVD.  It seems like every show imaginable (case in point: Alf) has its own DVD set, but for some reason or another, Designing Women has yet to come on the scene.  The delay supposedly has something to do with music rights, as the show made liberal use of all kinds of tunes, especially Motown hits.  Well, much to my delight, I received an email this morning informing me that in just a couple months I will be able to bring Julia, Suzanne, Mary Jo and Charlene home to live with me forever!  Season 1 releases on May 26th, and I could not be more excited.  The writing is incredibly clever, right up there with Gilmore Girls.    And unlike any other show I’ve seen, Designing Women addresses tough and timely issues like AIDS and domestic abuse with sensitivity and intelligence.

So, to celebrate the show’s upcoming release, I leave you with a few of my favorite clips.  Enjoy!

The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia:

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough:

Battle of the Sexes:

Marry Me, Bill:

High School Reunion:

I resolve …

1. To make significant strides toward long term health and fitness.  I won’t elaborate here because I intend to address this one blog-wise in the next few weeks.
2. To take a sabbatical from television.  Over the past few years I’ve watched less and less TV, although this year being back on a student schedule has allowed for much more mindless consumption, especially in the afternoon hours (think Full House re-runs and Family Feud … yeah, I’m not proud).  I don’t want to be ridiculous about this one, however; I plan to follow the spirit of the resolution rather than the letter, especially when it comes to social occasions.  In fact, I am already exempting Thursday nights because LOST is a million times more fun with fellow addicts … ooh, and The Office.
3. To read more fiction.  This flows naturally out of the aforementioned resolution, as I would like to spend more of my free time (haha … fellow Exegesis students laugh with me now) reading for fun.  I would especially love to go back and re-read the books I “skimmed” in high school and college.  I started “To Kill a Mockingbird” over the break in solidarity with my brother who’s about to read it for school this spring.  I had forgotton how incredible it is, and it’s only reinforced my desire to read more.  My junior year of college I went on a “Greek Retreat Weekend” with my Greek Readings professor and about ten other students.  One night at dinner Dr. Roark asked us the first book we remembered reading and loving.  After several people offered their responses, he said something to the effect of, “You don’t get enough real life without reading fiction.”  More than anything Greek related about that weekend, I remember his oxymoronic statement and have since been amused to discover its truth.
4. To give my best effort toward course work.  My first semester back in school after four years off was a good one, but I definitely know I can do better.  Work was especially hard to balance (and I’m sure will continue to be so), but I think with a semester under my belt I am much better prepared to give my best effort this semester.  This will include:  not missing any classes unless decidedly planned in advance, i.e. because of travel, etc.  (However, I will not skip in order to finish homework for other classes or because I forgot to turn my phone – and thus my alarm – off vibrate, as were the few occasions for skipping this semester), actually being early for every class (five minutes is my goal), getting to know and have a good relationship with each of my professors, and finally (and perhaps most importantly) getting research done AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
5. To put myself on a path for significant spiritual growth.  I’m actually collapsing several resolutions into one here.  In so many ways the past semester has been the best of times and the worst of times, and honestly my time with the Lord has often been of the worst category.  It’s not just my “quiet time” that I’m concerned for; I have not sought to walk in the Spirit.  I’ve drunk shallowly and thus lived shallowly, but I am beginning again to crave that intimacy and depth.  Ever since my freshman year  when Richard Foster’s “Celebration of Discipline” was assigned reading in my Intro to Minisitry class, I’ve been unable to escape the book’s opening paragraph: “Superficiality is the curse of our age.  The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem.  The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.”  I don’t want to fall into a legalistic agenda rewarded by check marks and gold stars; I want to BE different.  BE transformed.  So tangibly, over the following year I would like to:

• Read the bible through chronologically.  It is ridiculous that I am a graduate student in Biblical studies and have yet to read my object of study in its entirety.  For some reason I get sidetracked after making it all the way to Judges; I get through the hard part and then give up and go back to familiar NT passages.  I have started several reading “plans” beginning in middle school and up to this past spring, but have yet to complete any of them.  So hopefully by trying something new (the chronological approach) and by making my goal public, this will be the year.
• Study, but more importantly actually practice the spiritual disciplines.  I want to experiment with those I have been more hesitant to practice and go deeper in those I have more confidence in.  I want to glean wisdom from those who have practiced them both now and well into the past.  I want to become the deep person Foster argues is so desperately needed.
• Attend Wheaton’s theology conference this spring over Spiritual Formation.
• Go on a personal retreat.  After reading this blog a few months ago, I was reminded of this blog I read awhile back, and the combination of the two stirred up a similar desire within myself.  I don’t know what it will look like or when it will happen, but I’ve also felt the call to “Get thee to a nunnery.”

Alright, so those are my five … well, more like ten crammed into five.  I am a lover of lists, especially lists in blog form, so this was a fun one.  What about you, friends … what are your resolutions this year?

Fringe & Teal

I hate clothes shopping.  It’s not that I don’t like clothes; quite the contrary.  I actually have a deep appreciation for clothing.  I am pretty particular in fact.  Therein lies my problem.  It’s rare for me to find clothes I really love.  Couple that with the ridiculous cost of most clothing I actually like, and I am doubly frustrated.  There’s an episode of Gilmore Girls (how many times have I written that?) in which Lorelai experiences my same frustration while clothes shopping with Rory.  She laments that there are no clothes for her anymore; “The Lorelai look is out!”  Yeah, well if the past few years have taught me anything clothes-wise, it’s that the Sarah look is out too.  Everything looks so young … and cheap.  Just this week a woman and her daughter came into work, and the mom said something about going shopping with her daughter to make sure she doesn’t end up looking like a hooker.  Yep, that’s how I would characterize much of what’s offered up these days … hooker-esque.

However, over the past couple of weeks I have seen what appears to be a glimmer of hope.  While doing a little back-to-school-clothes-shopping myself, I noticed (much to my delight) a prevalence of teal among the fall fashions.  Even more to my delight did I notice a peppering of fringe!

I’m not exactly sure where my teal obsession stems from.  Over the past year or so, I’ve been really drawn to that color.  I do, however, remember a scene from “The Wedding Planner” in which Jennifer Lopez (as the wedding planner) predicts the failure of a particular marriage down to the month based solely on the fact that the bride chose teal as the color for her bridesmaid dresses.  Well, her teal dissing didn’t stop me from my recent pretty teal nail polish purchase at Urban Outfitters.

The origin of my fringe fanaticism is much more clear.  Remember how the opening credits to The Cosby Show would change theme from season to season?  They had the same music, but always a different style.  Well, on one particular season, all of the Huxtables were decked out in their swankiest attire as they each took a turn dancing with Cliff.  I still remember Sondra in a simple black fringe dress with a little pink jacket.   You probably wouldn’t even notice it until Cliff spins her around and the fringe fulfills its destiny.  I LOVED that dress growing up!  I even talked about duplicating it for a high school dance, although I don’t think I got asked to that particular one.  : )  Fringe even makes its way into my beloved Gilmore Girls.  Rory is convincing Lorelai to attend her community college graduation, and Lorelai mentions looking forward to wearing her graduation cap, “for the tassel, ’cause you know my thing for fringe.”  Most recently I’ve talked about how I wanted to incorporate fringe into my bridesmaid dresses someday.  This prompted quite the eye roll from Sydnie Davidson … you just wait, sister friend!

Mmm … teal bridesmaid dresses with FRINGE!  Wonder what the expiration date is on that one?

Small Town Girl Meets the Big City

I’m not really a small town girl. I grew up in what I would consider a moderate sized city and for the past four years, I lived in the OKC metro area. I’m used to driving in traffic and am not particularly intimidated by big cities. All this to say, however, that today my new “big city” sure made me feel like a small town girl.

It’s not like it’s the first time I visited. Perhaps that’s the problem … today I wasn’t a visitor. I was there on business. I wasn’t my usual touristy self, aimlessly walking downtown taking in the sites. Today I had a purpose, a job interview in fact. A job interview that required I leave my safe suburban bubble and venture out into new Chicago territory. I was almost as excited for that as the actual job prospect itself.

I’ve only driven into the city a couple times; I usually try to opt for public transportation considering the better cost and convenience. But I was informed that I could find free (or at least metered) parking near the site of my interview. So rather than running the risk that I might miss my train, misread the train schedule, or get lost on the El, I opted for driving in.

This being an interview and all, I wanted to make sure I was on time. Although MapQuest told me that I could make it in 47 minutes, I gave myself a good two hour cushion not knowing what traffic/construction would be like. About fifteen minutes into my commute, I remembered that I forgot to print off my transcript (which I was supposed to bring to the interview), so for the next twenty minutes or so I juggled coffee, egg soufflé, and cell phone as I maneuvered various interstates. I called three different offices at OBU trying to get a pin number that would allow me to access my transcript online so I could at least print it off when I got there. I even tried to get my roommate to go back to our apartment and rustle through my important papers to find the pin that I had written down somewhere. Nothing really worked out, although I did get to have a nice little chat with one of my former professors.

So I already felt a little frazzled going into an interview not completely prepared. However, MapQuest steered me right, and I easily found the place. Next was parking.

See, I have a relatively new realized fear. We’ll call it “One Way Phobia.” When driving in areas with a proliferation of one way streets, I am constantly worried that I will inadvertently go the wrong way. This causes me to drive particularly slow, sometimes starting and then breaking again quickly because I’m unsure if I’ve judged the street correctly. Couple this delightful driving tendency with my Texas license plates, and I’m sure the true Chicagoans love me.

Well, once I firmly established that I was not in fact turning the wrong way down the street with free parking, I was excited to see a nice open spot. Oops, a fire hydrant. I figured there was enough room up in front however, and it wasn’t until after I had finished parking and got out of my car that I realized I was still over the line. Back in the car, and further up the street I went. I was barely able to avoid the sprinkler that accounted for the other open space on the street, but I did and enjoyed my short walk to the office building. I felt like I was on the Cosby show … all the cute houses side by side with their little 4×6 foot yards. I half expected to run into Cliff helping Rudy ride her bike down the street.

Time to find my interview spot. I was armed with an address and suite number, walking down the right street, and with a good thirty minutes to spare. I passed a young business man outside on a smoke break, and I wondered to myself if he could tell I didn’t belong there. Well, I soon got my answer once I realized I had passed the office I was aiming for as the numbers began to get smaller and not larger. I sheepishly turned around, not fifteen feet after passing him, smiled what I’ll call my small town girl smile, and passed him again, this time paying much closer attention to the numbers.

I eventually found the right one, but was surprised to find that the building was locked. Surely this couldn’t be right … was there another entrance I didn’t notice? I tried the door again, thinking perhaps it was just a little harder to open, but no, it really was locked. This was perhaps my biggest small town moment of the day until I realized that this was one of those buildings where you have to be buzzed up. Now, not only did I feel like I was on the Cosby show, but I just knew if I scanned the resident/office list to the side of the door I would find “Seinfeld, J.” somewhere near the top. Granted, both Cliff and Jerry lived in New York (and were not real … just in case you thought I was really crazy), but those big city lessons I learned via their shows still applied. I was just getting ready to “buzz” Suite 202 when Smoke Break Guy walks up (it happened to be his building too) and says, “Here, I’ll help.” I guess he had witnessed my two failed attempts at opening the door. I was grateful, a little embarrassed, and a little disappointed. I was on my way to figuring it out … five seconds later and I would have been buzzed in, completely on my own. I thanked Smoke Break Guy and walked in, having successfully reached my destination.

The interview went well; barring failed background and reference checks, I should have a second (and better paying) job this fall. My lack of transcript was no big deal, and about an hour later (including my getting there super early), I was out the door. I took a little time to walk around the neighborhood. I visited a thrift store and almost bought a t-shirt with the Hebrew word for righteousness on the front. I didn’t have any cash, however, and wasn’t going to spend nine extra dollars to be able to use my debit card. Walking back to my car, a guy offered to wash my feet, which really completed the whole big city experience for me, I would say.

I drove around a little before heading back to the ‘burbs. I navigated my way to Wrigley Field which was nearby. I’m not a huge baseball fan, but even I have heard of and seen pictures of Wrigley Field. My first thought upon seeing it was, “Wow, where is all the parking?” I guess I just remembered walking through the massive parking lots outside the Arlington Ballpark the few times I went as a child. Poor baseball fan that I am, however, I would love to catch a game there sometime.

Anyway, I made it back a little older and wiser, I suppose. Perhaps a bit more humble. I hope this is just the first of Small Town Sarah’s adventures in the big city!

Entertainer Third, Boss Second, Friend First

While I am completely excited about the upcoming year and all the plans and preparation involved, I must admit that today I am a little sad about the close of this year. I’m already missing the girls’ voices filling West Hall. I’ve had to say some sad goodbyes to residents and RAs that I might not ever see again. And all the doors are naked! It’s kind of depressing walking down the bare hallways without the amazing decorations the RAs worked so hard on. I told Kali that I was keeping my door tag up.

Before the RAs moved in this year, I made them all “Office” themed door tags. Each girl had a different Office character “welcoming” them to West Hall, complete with a hilarious quote. Probably my favorite was Ashley’s. Dwight welcomed her to West saying, “When my mother was pregnant with me, they did an ultrasound and found she was having twins, and when they did another ultrasound a few weeks later, they discovered that I had resorbed the other fetus. Do I regret this? No. I believe his tissue has made me stronger. I now have the strength of a grown man and a little baby.”

Well, since I was the boss, I decided to make my own door tag and let Michael welcome me. I actually made two, since my office has two doors … one of my very favorite things about my job. Anyway, on the outside of my office, where residents pass by, I had “Would I rather be feared or loved? Um, easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.” And on my inside door that opens up to the RA desk, I had “I guess the atmosphere that I’ve created here is that I’m a friend first and a boss second. Probably an entertainer third.”

Last night was my last “staff development” consisting of a surprise dinner at Ted’s and dessert at an unspecified location. In between the two, my RAs took it upon themselves to surprise me. After being told to wait in my office until someone came to get me, I was brought into the lobby where all my girls were standing in a line with their hands behind their backs. They sat me down in a chair and one by one pulled a letter of my name out from behind them, each reciting a line from a poem they wrote for me together as a staff.

Now, as I said before, I am really excited about next year. So excited that it’s been difficult for me to feel sad about leaving. Oh my word, though, I lost it with this poem. It’s probably very “inside joke-ish,” so I’ll just say that I almost killed several of these girls in a freak ditch accident last year …

Staff share time is the West Hall way
Avoiding ditches is not her forte
Rolls of pictures she loves to take
And her pretzel dessert is the best she makes
Hairstyles mark the seasons’ change

Kanye to Derek Webb is her musical range
Abilene is where her roots lie
Yes, without Bahama Mamas she might die
Event of the year is Strangers in the Night

Ran the full marathon with all her might
Entertainer third, Boss second, Friend first
Ending of Beaches made tears burst!
Dear Sarah, “Hanks” for the memories!

They also gave me gift certificates to Randy’s and Bahama Ice along with Twizzlers, Sour Patch Kids and Junior Mints … these girls know me so well! More than any of that, though, I will treasure my framed copy of the poem. They seriously all got together and had a poetry jam session!

On a few occasions I’ve been asked my favorite thing about being a hall director, and I have always answered the same thing … having an RA staff. These girls are absolutely incredible. They are all so beautiful and talented and work so hard to make West Hall a great place to live. They make me look good! More than any other part of my job, I will miss Anna, Melody, Adrienne, Jen, Lindsay, Elizabeth, Ashley, Kali, Cherish, Quita, Amanda, and Stephanie.

Webb’s Anatomy

I stole my title from Sandra McCracken’s blog.  I don’t think she’ll mind … or know.  J 

 

I wanted to let everyone know about a song you can download for free, a version of which was featured on Grey’s Anatomy last night.  A few months ago, Grey’s opened with the song “Name” from Derek Webb’s latest album, and last night it closed with Caedmon’s Call’s “Ten Thousand Angels,” a song written by Derek’s wife Sandra McCracken.  On their newest album Overdressed (reminiscent of their older, perhaps better, years) Caedmon’s welcomes back Derek to the fold, and his vocals endearingly highlight McCracken’s lyrics in “Angels,”  a song only available on the pre-order limited edition album.  However, Sandra has offered her own version of the song (with Derek backing her on vocals) for free on her website. 

 

“So lift up your heart now, to this unfolding.  All that has been broken will be restored.  Here runs deep waters for all who are thirsty.  Love has come, love has come for you.”

Someday when I’m a professor …

I recently discovered a rather obscure television channel airing Designing Women reruns each day at 6:00 and 6:30.  While I haven’t had much time to watch TV lately, over the past week or so I’ve caught a few episodes, much to my delight.  I have such great memories of watching the show with my mom and quoting its best lines with my friend Tracy.  (“And that, Marjorie, just so you will know, and your children will someday know, is the night, the lights, went out, in GEORGIA!”)  For some reason, DW has not been released in entire season DVD sets.  Alf, they think we need on DVD, but not Designing Women.  So, episodes in syndication are a special treat for me, because I can’t watch them any time I want.

Tonight aired one of my very favorite episodes called “How Great Thou Art.”  One of the things I love best about the show is its propensity for addressing social issues such as world hunger, AIDS, and in this particular episode, women in ministry.  One of the characters, Charlene, comes to find out through her attendence of a multi-denominational church conference that her Southern Baptist minister had some pretty strong views about the role of women within the church.  She invites him over for dinner with her coworkers as well as Bernice, an elderly friend with a self proclaimed “arterial flow problem.”  The after dinner conversation begins as a battle of the proof-texts between Reverand Nunn and Bernice, who learned much of her theology from her minister father.  However, Bernice soon brings up issues of historical context and problems within the KJV translation concerning women.  The last time I saw this episode I thought to myself, “Someday, when I am a professor, I will use this clip to spark conversation amongst my students.” 

Now while I by no means have all my beliefs worked out concerning the role of women within the church, I do think some things like Sheri Klouda’s departure from Southwestern Seminary are just ridiculous, and heartbreaking for that matter.  In seeking grad school/seminary advice from my college professors, a resounding encouragement I get is to seek out schools that support women in their educational pursuits as well as future career goals.  My desire is to let Scripture — throroughly studied and hermeneutically applied — speak and not tradition, modern day culture, or my own personal preference.  Quite a task there.

So obviously, blogging has been on the back burner for awhile.  Preparing for Saturdate took a lot of my time and energy, but now that it’s over I want to return to my love of blogs!  Too bad RA training begins tomorrow, and along with it the craziest month of the year for me.  I’ll just have to make the time … I have thoughts … and I want to share.  I started a blog the other night, but it started to get crazy long, so I’ve decided to break it up and make a series.  So get ready there, my friends.  Soon comes Sarah’s series entitled, “The Kingdom of God.”

03.22.07

I just submitted my first letter to the editor.  I’m usually somewhat uninformed, and I wouldn’t exactly call myself an involved citizen, but occasionally I do get a little impassioned about certain things and tonight happened to be one of those occasions.

In my low tech world, I still use my VCR to record shows if I’m going to be gone.  Having recently lost my VCR remote, tonight I had to manually record LOST.  I caught the beginning of the ten o’clock news immediately following, and I happened to watch the lead story about a three year old who drowned in the bathtub.  Eyewitness News 5 was “on the scene” to report the story … lots of close ups on the somewhat trashed out front porch and such.  I was a little put off by this, but didn’t think much of it until I heard the reporter say, “We were there as police delivered the devastating news to his dad minutes later …”  Then they actually SHOW the police telling the father that his son has just died in a horrific accident.  The father is screaming out in disbelief, and I am sitting in my living room in disbelief that they would choose to air such a personal, and what should have been private, moment.  I called the news station first, wondering if anyone else had called to complain.  However, the girl I spoke to didn’t know anything because her shift had just started.  I then called my dad, a newspaper reporter, to make sure I wasn’t overreacting.  He too felt the coverage to be invasive and in poor taste.  So then I wrote my letter.  We’ll see if it makes it in.

In other news, my momentous days were pretty great … lots of blogworthiness, but maybe not just yet.  No internet for a few days … perhaps I’ll get a lot accomplished without it.

20 Questions for 2006

A friend passed this on to me as a great way to reflect on the past year, so I thought I’d share.

What was the best CD you got? (purchased or burned)

Hmm … probably the most difficult question on here!  I have really grown to love The Flaming Lips this year, so perhaps At War with the Mystics.  Although not my favorite upon first listen, I have grown to really appreciate Jill Phillips’ Nobody’s Got It All Together as well. 

 

What was the best book you read?

For Christmas I got my dad a book called 501 Must Read Books and after flipping through it, I am completely and utterly ashamed of my lack of reading.  I want to be a reader!  I started Anna Karenina this summer, but had to turn it back into the library before I finished it.  The best book that I read from start to finish within the past year would have to be Don Miller’s Blue Like Jazz.

 

What was the best movie you saw at the theater?

I’m cheap when it comes to movies, so I hardly ever go.  I check out movies from the library or from Randy’s on Thursdays.  I’m trying to even remember movies I saw in the theater … none worth mentioning.

 

Favorite quote you heard in 2006:

I might have heard this in late 2005, but “There are two great lies that I’ve heard:  ‘The day you eat of the fruit of that tree, you will not surely die.’ And that Jesus Christ was a white middle-class Republican, and if you wanna be saved you have to learn to be like Him.”  Derek Webb, from “A King & A Kingdom”

 

Friends you made this year?

Ben, Michelle, a few more church friends, new RAs, new boss, new residents

 

Friends you lost this year?

Hmm … I can really only think of two: Katrina and Robin.  Why does everyone have to graduate and get married?  These were two of my RA girlies I’d had from the beginning, and I shed a tear or two when they left.

 

Something you learned about yourself:

Haha.  Read this.

 

Favorite summer memory:

Taking Jayme to The Fray … her first concert ever.

 

Favorite Spring memory:

Watching Jayme catch Tony Parker’s shoe at the Spurs game we were at over spring break.

 

Favorite holiday memory:

Hmm … throwing up Christmas day?  No, it would have to be the vast amount of quality time spent with my family.

 

TV show you watched the most:

It would have to be a toss up between Gilmore Girls and LOST.  I never miss an episode of GG, and I usually put on old seasons while I’m cleaning my apartment or doing laundry.  However, over the course of 2006, I watched the first two full seasons of LOST as well as the six episode opener of season 3.

 

Something you learned about God:

To quote Jill Phillips, “But You’re always right on time.”  Seriously, I have never been surer of His perfect timing than over the course of the past year. 

 

Coolest clothing item you purchased:

Well, I did buy a pair of Ralph Lauren jeans for $5 at a thrift store in Abilene over the summer.  Although I just bought this last week, (technically not 2006) I did see it this past fall and really, really wanted it: 

Best toy, electronic device, etc you got this year:

Um, no question there.  My iPod, hands down.  (Actually, I think I got it at the end of last year, but it still reigns as best toy.)

 

What news event stuck out to you most this year?

Like reading, I have a similar guilt about not keeping up with current events.  However, I would have to say that the event that most impacted me the most this year was the murder of Jamie Bolin.  It felt like something from a movie.  I actually read a little of her murderer’s blog which made it even more bizarre.

 

What song would be your theme song for 2006?

Jill Phillips – “Daily Bread”  She sang it for me at her concert!

 

What books of the Bible (if any) did you read this year?

I read through the New Testament through the lens of prayer this year, noting every verse in which it’s mentioned, doing my best to gain a fresh perspective untainted by what I or anyone else had previously conceived.

 

Anything you wished you did this year?

Saved more money, managed time better … little things that make a huge difference. 

 

Biggest change in your life this year:

Well, that would probably be dating someone.  A close second would be Body for Life.  Yay for becoming healthy!  Oh, and I learned how to knit.

 

What are the big plans for 2007?

More Body for Life, running a HALF MARATHON come April, a possible NYC trip with Jayme this summer, hopefully lots of concerts and … grad school/seminary in the fall?  I also want to continue studying prayer … going back over my notes from the past year, reading some books and most importantly, praying. 

06.21.06

Not a whole lot to write about … I basically am posting just so I can say I’m currently listening to the new Guster album. 

Highlights for today:

1) Indian Taco Wednesday at Tim’s Drive In with all the HDs.  Hmm … time to get back with Body for Life.

2) ABC is thankfully airing Lost season 2 in order thus far this summer.  Two more episodes tonight.

3) Big Brother All Stars … is Jason coming back?  We’ll see.

Awhile back I started a series of posts chronicling my thoughts on singleness/relationships/marriage.  If you have no idea what I’m talking about (and nothing better to do with your time), you can read my previous posts here, here, here, here, and here.  I feel a conclusion to my ramblings coming soon. 

05.22.06

As promised, here are the bests and worsts of May-cation.

• BEST: Getting to watch two Survivor episodes with my mom, including the finale.
• WORST: Missing watching Survivor with Todd & Jeanna, the fact that they had a “cliffhanger” on Thursday, and that Aras and not Terry won.
• BEST: Actually getting some exercise while on vacation … running at Nelson Park.
• WORST: Sucking at running because I’m not used to doing it in the heat.
• BEST: Weekday lunch with my mom.
• BEST: Getting a Franklin Middle School t-shirt for my brother (the same shirt that I wore when I was in middle school) at St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store for $1.00.
• BEST: Buying a $.50 pair of running shorts, a $5.00 pair of Polo jeans in excellent condition, and a $1.50 “Don’t Mess with Texas” t-shirt from Goodwill.  I plan to wear my shirt all over Oklahoma.
• BEST: Having a Body for Life free day in Abilene … yeah for Blizzards, China Star and Rick & Carolyn’s Burgers and Fries.
• WORST: Giving myself extended free days and the resulting weight gain-age.  Hey, it was vacation.
• BEST: A surprise visit from my favorite aunt and namesake.
• BEST: Getting to visit my grandparents and uncle.  With his ALS, it’s gotten almost impossible to communicate with my grandfather, but we all had some quality time together watching the Spurs play.
• WORST: The Mavs winning an incredibly close Game 3.
• BEST: Mother’s Day … although my present didn’t get there in time, we had a great time watching The Best of Designing Women on Monday.
• BEST/WORST: Quality time with my dad watching Game 4 … but then again, the Spurs lost.
• BEST: Much needed unlimited talk sessions with Stacey in Houston.
• BEST: Getting a guy’s perspective on some confusing situations.  That’s what friends’ husbands are good for.
• WORST: The price of gas in Houston.
• BEST: My future flower girl (no, I’m not engaged) Molly!  Oh my word, I love that girl.  She has made me actually believe I will love my own children someday.  I visited her when she was a few weeks old, then a few months old, at 12 months and again at 13, but this time, this little sixteen month old girl and I bonded.  She even said my name once … Rah-rah … I’m not yet as popular as Mo-mo (Elmo).  I have never met a better behaved child with as much personality as her.  I love Molly!

  

• BEST: Visiting The Woodlands, walking around the plaza area, and playing with Molly in the fountain.
• BEST: The Spurs winning Game 5!  Yeah, that’s what I did while Stacey and Randy watched Lost.
• BEST: Making a day trip to Galveston with my family of friends.  Fun beach times. 
• BEST: The Spurs winning Game 6!  Um, it’s really bizarre that I care at all … I am definitely not a basketball person.  I played in 7th grade and was on the C-team.  I can’t help it though; Jayme’s got me hooked!  I feel like the players and I are friends … they all have such great personality.  I actually listened to Game 6 on the radio driving back from Houston.  What is wrong with me?

I can’t complain … way more bests than worsts … a great May-cation.

05.05.06

Taking a break from move outs …

Actually, my job this week isn’t near as hard as that of my RAs’ … that is until this weekend when I do damage assessment.  Not so much looking forward to the inevitable resulting angry phonecalls. 

Let’s see, I have been neglecting Xanga these days.  Last Sunday was the Memorial Marathon relay.  I made it four miles before I had to walk, which is pretty dang good considering my lack of training.  One of my RAs ran on my relay team which was fun.  I think it inspired her to train for the whole thing next year.  If anyone can do it, she certainly can – Little Miss Discipline.  My leg consisted of running from Wilshire and Britton all the way to Lake Hefner and around a portion of the lake.  God bless Stacey for keeping my mind occupied with all her “landmark” chat.  Oh, and the random signs around the lake, one of which being, “What’s your favorite Seinfeld episode?”  Stacey’s was the one with the close talker and mine was the one in which George poses as a marine biologist.  That took up at least 5 minutes.  Anyway, I was really pleased with the run and the whole day in general.  I actually feel inspired to start running regularly again.  The next step is a Half Marathon that Stacey and I hope to run in California … the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half … live music at every mile! 

So I signed up a while back for Cain’s Ballroom to send me emails announcing what bands are playing there.  Awhile back I learned that Eisley was playing May 3rd, but I didn’t think a whole lot about it.  I knew one of their songs from 91 FM and  knew my friend Sydnie loved them, but that was about it.  On Wednesday morning, I heard “Marvelous Things” on the radio and remembered how much I liked the song, so I called Sydnie to see if she wanted to go.  She was going to think about it and get back to me, which just allowed me to look forward to it more, so when she told me she didn’t think she could go, I was a little disappointed.  Randomly enough, one of my RAs was up for it, so we had a little impromptu road trip … fun get-to-know-you-more time with Anna. 

The first opening band was okay, the second band was not so okay, and Eisley was excellent!  I recognized more songs than I thought I would.  To me they sound a little like Sixpence None the Richer, but maybe with a little more edge.  The band consists of four siblings and a friend; all play instruments and two of the sisters sing … beautiful pure harmony.  Poor Anna, she stood right beside these two guys blatantly smoking pot, basically blowing it all over her.  I mean, I know it’s Cain’s, but at an Eisley concert?  Oh, and my new favorite song is “Trolley Wood” … the last song of the night.  It sounded incredibly familiar, and then I realized that Sydnie sang it with a friend at a coffee shop in Bricktown awhile back. 

So I am in the process of making another Lost convert.  I went over to Todd and Jeanna’s to watch Survivor last night, and Todd surprised me with the latest issue of “Men’s Health.”  Who is on the cover smirking that ever so seductive smirk?  Sawyer!  (aka Josh Holloway)  I am in no way one of those girls that obsesses over famous actors or musicians.  Okay, I was a little obsessed with John Travolta in late middle school/early high school, and okay, I did write a letter to Jordan and Joey from New Kids on the Block, but other than that, I am totally obsession free!  I don’t know what it is about Sawyer, though.  I say Sawyer and not Josh, because I’m conviced it’s the character and not the actor I have a thing for.  Anyway, after perusing the magazine, I convinced Todd to start working through season one … thank you Randy’s M&Ms free non-new release movie Thursdays!  Ugh, I recently found out that season two doesn’t come out on DVD until October 3rd, which means I will have to record the beginning of season three to watch after I have watched the second season.  So complicated.

Well, five o’clock has rolled around.  Time to go get Ted’s for closedown dinner!

04.25.06

Hmm … lots of things to post about:

1) I officially started “Body for Life.”  I hadn’t seen my friend Kristalyn since before Christmas, and when I saw her at a birthday party in March, I was amazed by how great she looked.  She started BFL in January, and less than two months later had made a total transformation.  Since then after reading several of her MySpace blogs and seeing her before and after pictures, I felt two things.  First of all, I felt like a complete slug.  At this point last year, I was in the best shape I had been in since high school.  I had consistantly lost weight since second semester of my senior year in college, and I was running three or four times a week.  However, since about this time last year I have not worked out near as consistantly, and since about Thanksgiving I have been gaining weight pretty consistantly.  The Suites food court is not my friend.  Second of all, I felt totally inspired.  The good thing about BFL is that its focus is on health, not necessarily weight loss.  Kristalyn has made several positive changes in her life and not just physically.  I have nutured the bad habits long enough.  It’s time to build some good habits while I’m young enough to enjoy their fruits.  Anyway, Sunday was day one of an 83 day challenge … 12 weeks … doable, right?  I think so.  The good thing is that I am allowed one free day a week where I can eat whatever I want.  I won’t bore you with all of the details, although I’m sure I’ll be posting more about it as the weeks go on.

2) I have found a new favorite band.  They are G. Love and Special Sauce, and they are coming to Tulsa May 28th!  I knew of them a little from the soundtrack to Jack Johnson’s film “Thicker than Water,” but after listening to their greatest hits, I am totally hooked.  Jack was on Austin City Limits Thursday, and G. Love came out to accompany him on harmonica at one point.  I believe the harmonica is one of my fave instruments … along with the mandolin and cello.  My grandmother plays the harmonica, and she’s pretty amazing.  She can play anything by ear.  She’s going to play “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” at my wedding someday.  Anyway, their music has a lot of harmonica … a definite plus.  Oh, and on that same Austin City Limits, Rilo Kiley performed as well.  I was looking at the main guy and knew I had seen him somewhere before, and after wikipedia-ing the band, I found out he used to be on Salute Your Shorts!  Crack me up.  Not only that, but Jenny Lewis (who oddly enough also sings in The Postal Service) had a childhood run in acting.  She was Hannah in Troop Beverly Hills!  Oh my word, I loved that movie as a child.  I had it recorded off of TV and would watch it at least once every week.  “We’re the troop from Beverly Hills … Shopping is our greatest skill!”

3) It’s a  … CHI!

That’s right, I am the new proud owner of a brand new limited edition blue CHI hair straightener.  And it even came with some free product.  Some of you probably think I am a freak for writing or caring so much about something as silly as a straightener.  All I can say is, if you’ve ever used a CHI, you understand.  I mean really … the first day I was without it, about fifteen people with confused looks asked me “Did you do something different with your hair?”  And not in a good way.  The poufiness was out of control.  So tomorrow, all will be well again.  I appreciate all of your condolences for CHI #1.  Now let’s welcome CHI #2 to the world!

03.21.06

Butterflies … stomach flips … weak knees … intoxication … passion. 

There’s an Ally McBeal episode in which a woman seeks to annul her marriage for lack of passion.  She and her husband were a perfect fit; they had much in common and got along well as companions.  However, the man claimed he wasn’t a very sexual person and didn’t desire that aspect of marriage.  They both knew this going into the marriage and agreed that the companionship was enough.  Years later, he had an affair, and rather than seek a divorce, the woman wanted her marriage annulled, claiming that it had all been a fraud.

Now I’ve seen enough Ally McBeal episodes to know not to base any life changing decisions on its content.  However, I think this episode raises a good question.  How important are butterflies? 

Okay, so bear with me, but there’s another Ally McBeal episode in which Ally does some legal work for a very nice, but significantly overweight man.  The man is engaged to a woman he loves, but who also is overweight.  During the course of the legal assistance, the man develops feelings for Ally who is very attractive by the world’s standards (not to mention incredibly skinny … I mean, it’s Calista Flockhart).  He is prepared to leave his fiancé if only Ally could return the feelings he has for her.  He confides in Ally that he loves his fiancé, but isn’t physically attracted to her.  While Ally rebuffs his advances, she also encourages him to hold out for someone who will make his stomach flip.  Later, the fiancé pays Ally a visit after having her engagement called off.  The fiancé explains to Ally that men like her ex-fiancé don’t get the girls of their dreams … they don’t get butterflies.  He had been lucky to have a woman such as herself who loved him for who he was.  I think at the end of the episode, the two were back together, but that’s not really my point.  These two people loved each other, but they never got to have the “yucky love stuff” feelings.  Sad.

I’ve heard that it takes a year to really know someone.  I’ve heard that feelings of infatuation go away after about two years.  I know that passionate butterfly feelings will fade away, but to never have them to begin with to me is just heartbreaking. 

I read “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” about a million years ago, and I vaguely remember Josh Harris talking about how after he got serious about God’s Lordship over his life, (including his dating life) he had a fear that God might want him to marry someone he wasn’t attracted to.  I think well-meaning churchgoing matchmakers contribute to this fear.  If a girl expresses an obvious commitment to the Lord and his will and work in her life, she obviously would be perfect for that dopey, but equally committed “good Christian guy.”  Do you have to play the martyr to have a relationship that honors the Lord?

Obviously not.  I can think of plenty of Christian couples who have godly marriages while at the same time maintain strong feelings of attraction for one another.  They choose to love and have feelings of love.  They’ve got the best of both worlds … the butterflies and the commitment.  However, I think in some cases “C” comes before “B.” 

So say you choose a relationship based on compatibility, on a desire for companionship.  Is all butterfly hope lost?  People used to have arranged marriages.  Did they really love each other?  Although I’ve never seen Fiddler on the Roof, I have heard the song, “Do You Love Me” several times (including when Kirk sang it in the elementary school musical on Gilmore Girls).  It’s sung by a couple in an arranged marriage, and the dialogue goes something like this:

Tevye:  Do you love me?
Golde:  I’m your wife!
Tevye:  I know. But do you love me?
Golde:  Do I love him?
For twenty-five years, I’ve lived with him,

Fought with him, starved with him.
For twenty-five years, my bed is his.
If that’s not love, what is?
Tevye:  Then you love me?
Golde:  I suppose I do.
Tevye:  And I suppose I love you, too.
Together:  It doesn’t change a thing, but even so,
After twenty-five years, it’s nice to know. 

It’s nice to think that there’s something better than butterflies, namely love that grows over time.  Awhile back I wrote about the “E-Harmony Age” conversation I had several months ago.  In that same conversation, one of the girls mentioned how her mentor encouraged her not to seek after the person she would be most infatuated with, but rather to seek after the person with whom she could best glorify the Lord.  I thought this rather wise.  Marriage should be a partnership that enhances our abilities to serve God.  It’s not there just so we won’t get lonely.  It wasn’t created simply as a means of meeting our needs.  Granted, God is a giver of good gifts such as companionship and intimacy, and I think he often gives even the blessing of butterflies.  However, let us seek the Giver, not the gift.

This was mainly meant to raise questions rather than offer answers … Xanga’s good for that.  More thoughts to come …

 

Obligatory Derek Webb:

 

Beloved these are perilous daysWhen your culture is so set in its waysThat you will listen to salesmen and thieves Preaching other than the truth you’ve receivedBecause they are telling liesFor they cannot circumcise your hearts Beloved listen to MeDon’t believe all that you seeAnd don’t you ever let anyone tell you

That there’s anything that you need

But Me