Hello again,
I have some time on my hands and thought I would make a quick post. I was browsing facebook (wonderful procrastinator that I am), and just catching up on what's going on with some people I went to high school with (creepy stalker that I am). I miss high school. Not that I don't love college. But there were some pretty cool people in my class, and in the class below me, that I didn't get to know very well. Messiah is all about community, but for all their talk, three thousand people with different interests is not very conducive to unity.
I love the movie Notting Hill for two reasons. One, Hugh Grant. Two, the scenes with his friends. They are amazing people. I can't even describe it. They have been together forever and they know each other inside and out. They are family. I have that relationship with maybe three people my age, and they all live at least 250 miles away from me. Granted, I will be reunited with two of them very soon, and I CAN'T WAIT.
But I am afraid that one day I will walk down the sidewalk to Lottie (our cafeteria) and see a bunch of acquaintances, a couple classmates, a couple girls from my floor last year, a couple people I go to church with, but no friends. No people I can have a conversation with without saying anything.
Now I know what you're thinking. If I can't deal with the anonymity of three thousand people, how the heck am I going to live in the city (any city) and be happy? I'm still figuring it out, but I am determined to make connections.
I also think that next semester in Philadelphia will be really good for me. There are only about fifty people going (so I've heard), and the administrators of the program make sure we do a lot together. I am really excited about getting to know the people and the city. Philadelphia is a beautiful, bizarre place, and I have some insight into the football culture (thanks to my uncles, and sometimes my mom), so I can appreciate it (mostly laugh at it).
Ok, so I really didn't have extra time. I have a pile of homework to do, and work in half an hour, but you are my number one priority right now. Doesn't that give you a warm, fuzzy feeling, Internet?
I'm not sure when I'll post next; I guess it will be whenever I have something to talk about. Until then!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
It's a Good Day
Hello again!
I have to admit that I did have time to post yesterday, but I didn't. I ended up only getting four hours of sleep Sunday night, due to a multitude of circumstances, and I didn't really feel like doing anything coherent on Monday. I'm still catching up, but it has been an altogether good day.
Is it strange that I can relate everything to history? In my Religion and Science in Early America class (which is actually history), we talked about Thomas Jefferson, a fascinating leader who paradoxically was an abolitionist who owned slaves. (Did I impress you when I said "paradoxically"?) Then in Encountering the Bible, standard Messiah class, we talked about the historicity of the book of Jonah, and if the historical accuracy of the story affected the truth and the meaning of it. I am inclined to say no, but I still think that Jonah happened. I felt a lot more secure in that class today than I usually do, presumably because we were talking in historical terms, and that's the whole focus of college for me. It felt good to be able to hold my own in a discussion. I tend to be the conservative voice in that class, and it's not always well received, but today it was clear I knew what I was talking about. Yay!
Okay, enough bragging. Not that I think I am expert in any way. But of course you understand.
On perhaps another feel good note, I am listening to the Les Miserables cast recording. Currently "At the End of the Day." Poor Fantine. And yes, Internet, I am disgracing myself by singing along enthusiastically.
And I haven't typed anything for the past five minutes because I've been singing along. I'll save you the effort and say it myself. Dork.
I have to admit that I did have time to post yesterday, but I didn't. I ended up only getting four hours of sleep Sunday night, due to a multitude of circumstances, and I didn't really feel like doing anything coherent on Monday. I'm still catching up, but it has been an altogether good day.
Is it strange that I can relate everything to history? In my Religion and Science in Early America class (which is actually history), we talked about Thomas Jefferson, a fascinating leader who paradoxically was an abolitionist who owned slaves. (Did I impress you when I said "paradoxically"?) Then in Encountering the Bible, standard Messiah class, we talked about the historicity of the book of Jonah, and if the historical accuracy of the story affected the truth and the meaning of it. I am inclined to say no, but I still think that Jonah happened. I felt a lot more secure in that class today than I usually do, presumably because we were talking in historical terms, and that's the whole focus of college for me. It felt good to be able to hold my own in a discussion. I tend to be the conservative voice in that class, and it's not always well received, but today it was clear I knew what I was talking about. Yay!
Okay, enough bragging. Not that I think I am expert in any way. But of course you understand.
On perhaps another feel good note, I am listening to the Les Miserables cast recording. Currently "At the End of the Day." Poor Fantine. And yes, Internet, I am disgracing myself by singing along enthusiastically.
And I haven't typed anything for the past five minutes because I've been singing along. I'll save you the effort and say it myself. Dork.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Summer Plans
I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to balance a job (which I don't have yet), a mission trip to El Salvador, a visit to Florida with my friend Jackie (hi!), and any family stuff that my parents have yet to plan. It's been such a busy year for us. My first year of college, my mom has had an absolutely horrible year teaching kindergarten, which is not a nice thing to say about four year olds, but it's true. Also, my dad has spent January through May (he's still there) in Bahrain for the Air Force. The earliest he can get back is the week after I'm done, and we can't really do any vacation planning until we know when he'll be back. Sigh I have such a hard life. Please note the sarcastic tone.
I also am dreading a particular class tomorrow. There is a guest professor in my Women and Gender in History, and I've met her a couple times, and we do not exactly mesh. She'll be there on Wednesday too! It's just that I disagree with her on a principle (feminism) that she has based her whole career on, so we certainly weren't meant to be. I still have reading to do for that class too...
Ah well! Tomorrow promises to be fairly busy, so I'll check back in on Tuesday and let you know how the class went.
Until then!
I also am dreading a particular class tomorrow. There is a guest professor in my Women and Gender in History, and I've met her a couple times, and we do not exactly mesh. She'll be there on Wednesday too! It's just that I disagree with her on a principle (feminism) that she has based her whole career on, so we certainly weren't meant to be. I still have reading to do for that class too...
Ah well! Tomorrow promises to be fairly busy, so I'll check back in on Tuesday and let you know how the class went.
Until then!
Church time!
I went to church with my grandparents this morning, and the sermon was very good. It was based on 1 Corinthians 8, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite chapters. I recently wrote a paper on it, and it's very closely related to 1 Corinthians 10:13, which is one of my favorites as well. If I could scan in the notes I took, I would, but unfortunately, I'm not that high tech. I suppose I could type it though.
How can people who are so diverse and at this time so divided ever live, work, serve, and worship together in any type of real Christian unity or harmony? In this chapter Paul lays the foundation for addressing this question, the question he will deal with all the way through chapter 10.
This foundation has two essential "layers" that must be laid or steps that must be taken in our personal lives.
STEP ONE
We must confront our pride with exclusive love for God. (vs. 1-7)
1. The problem was/is... Knowledge without love fosters pride.
2. The answer was/is...remember by whom and for whom you were created.
STEP TWO
We must confront our pride with practical love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. (vs. 8-13)
And then I missed the rest because I was sleepy. Very devout, aren't I?
This chapter addresses one of the biggest issues in my life right now. I grew up in a Baptist church, private Christian school most of the time, and now I am at an Anabaptist college, where most, if not all, of the foundational beliefs I was raised on are at least considered doubtful, if not altogether rejected. How do I reconcile my upbringing with the new concerns that my education is creating within me?
I'm supposed to be folding laundry, so I can head back to campus after a weekend at my grandparents, but I wanted to get all this down before I forget or ignore it. I don't want to sound arrogant or anything, but there are some big issues that I have to think about. Things like the infallibility of the Bible, homosexuality, the role of women in church, pacifism. Does that sound like fun to you, Internet?
Plus, I give props to any college student who is involved in a church. I've never had to evaluate a church for myself before. I trusted my parents to choose for our family. Now I am on my own, and I am wary of being either too lax or too picky. Now I only have two Sundays in the semester left, and the results of my churchgoing adventures of nine months are that I know two churches that I will not be attending.
Let me just say as a sidenote that folding the fitted sheet for a bed is very complicated.
Maybe this is enough for now. I don't want to overwhelm you, Internet. Plus, I hear my grandma getting the cookie sheets out. :) Maybe I will post tonight, after I get back to campus.
Until then!
How can people who are so diverse and at this time so divided ever live, work, serve, and worship together in any type of real Christian unity or harmony? In this chapter Paul lays the foundation for addressing this question, the question he will deal with all the way through chapter 10.
This foundation has two essential "layers" that must be laid or steps that must be taken in our personal lives.
STEP ONE
We must confront our pride with exclusive love for God. (vs. 1-7)
1. The problem was/is... Knowledge without love fosters pride.
2. The answer was/is...remember by whom and for whom you were created.
STEP TWO
We must confront our pride with practical love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. (vs. 8-13)
And then I missed the rest because I was sleepy. Very devout, aren't I?
This chapter addresses one of the biggest issues in my life right now. I grew up in a Baptist church, private Christian school most of the time, and now I am at an Anabaptist college, where most, if not all, of the foundational beliefs I was raised on are at least considered doubtful, if not altogether rejected. How do I reconcile my upbringing with the new concerns that my education is creating within me?
I'm supposed to be folding laundry, so I can head back to campus after a weekend at my grandparents, but I wanted to get all this down before I forget or ignore it. I don't want to sound arrogant or anything, but there are some big issues that I have to think about. Things like the infallibility of the Bible, homosexuality, the role of women in church, pacifism. Does that sound like fun to you, Internet?
Plus, I give props to any college student who is involved in a church. I've never had to evaluate a church for myself before. I trusted my parents to choose for our family. Now I am on my own, and I am wary of being either too lax or too picky. Now I only have two Sundays in the semester left, and the results of my churchgoing adventures of nine months are that I know two churches that I will not be attending.
Let me just say as a sidenote that folding the fitted sheet for a bed is very complicated.
Maybe this is enough for now. I don't want to overwhelm you, Internet. Plus, I hear my grandma getting the cookie sheets out. :) Maybe I will post tonight, after I get back to campus.
Until then!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Beginning
Hello Internet!
So, I just need a place to put my thoughts. My first year of college is drawing to a close, and I'm trying to figure out who I am supposed to be. Just lots of...stuff in my life right now. Be prepared, Internet, this will not always be a happy blog. Although not to say it won't ever be happy either. I'm a pretty happy person.
Now, maybe a little basic information about me? Although I could put that in my profile.
18 (19 in July), female, family in Virginia, student at Messiah College, PA
History/English major (be prepared for some major dork moments here)
I want to write a longer post with more serious content later, but I'm watching Must Love Dogs, and it's hard to be thoughtful while I'm watching a chick flick (an unhealthy weakness I have).
Until then!
So, I just need a place to put my thoughts. My first year of college is drawing to a close, and I'm trying to figure out who I am supposed to be. Just lots of...stuff in my life right now. Be prepared, Internet, this will not always be a happy blog. Although not to say it won't ever be happy either. I'm a pretty happy person.
Now, maybe a little basic information about me? Although I could put that in my profile.
18 (19 in July), female, family in Virginia, student at Messiah College, PA
History/English major (be prepared for some major dork moments here)
I want to write a longer post with more serious content later, but I'm watching Must Love Dogs, and it's hard to be thoughtful while I'm watching a chick flick (an unhealthy weakness I have).
Until then!
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