Dangerous Things

Hello!

So I put my life in danger tonight for the sake of my friends.










Meaning I went ice skating so I could hang out with my friends. Exact same thing, really. But honestly, my knee is sore from my one fall. This guy attacked me. But don't worry, I made sure he fell too :/

I had a good bit of fun today. After class, I got a sandwich and read Fellowship of the Ring for a little bit. Frodo had just woken up in Rivendell, and he has now just met Bilbo again. I wanted to keep reading, but I needed sleep. Also, I skipped dinner for more sleep.

We (friends, etc.) then proceeded to the Franklin Institute, where we saw Narnia: The Exhibition. Truly, it was fun, but no revelations to be had. I would have been happier if the C.S. Lewis part was extended much more. But no worries, I will see the real thing in a little more than a year!

Ice skating came directly after Narnia, where I was dragged around the rink with friends on either side. I'm sure they thought I was pathetic in my terror, but they hid it well. Thanks guys!

Another dangerous thing I've been thinking about is committing my heart without trusting God for the results. I've got to keep telling myself that no matter what I would choose for myself and my future, God has something so much better for me. It's a cycle I recognize well now. I get excited about the possiblities and let myself dream, and then one thing doesn't go the way I want it to, and I'm thrown into despair and disappointment. I don't mean that I shouldn't dream, because I think that that capability is one of the best that humans have. It's just that sometimes we dream for things that might not be best for us, even if, at the time, it seems like that and that alone would make us happy beyond belief.

Umm, that's all for now I guess. I'll have a lot of time on my hands next week as classes are wrapping up. Let's see how well I can finish out this semester :)

THINGS HAPPENED TODAY

ONE: I found a book that is not as good as the movie!!! I know of other such rare circumstances, but this is my first primary experience. The story under examination is The Devil Wears Prada. The movie is absolutely wonderful. I bought the book on Saturday, and I finished it on the plane back to the city yesterday. The best I can say about it is a shrug of the shoulders and "meh." Maybe the story, with its NYC and Paris setting and beautiful clothing, just lends itself to a film format.

TWO: I did not write the paper that was due in my Medieval Literature class. I got into that panicky, early morning, paper writing mood and emailed the TA, asking for an extension. She reminded me that the professor allows two grace days, neither of which I had used. YESSSSSS!! So, I've now outlined the paper, which I will write tomorrow. I really need/want to do well on this paper for two reasons. 1) I got a C+ on the first paper. That's all. 2) I've decided that I loathe much of what this class is about, particularly eight page poems rhapsodizing on the merits of an estate in the English countryside. If I do well on this paper on Henry IV (which I actually quite like), it is basically sticking it to the man (medieval poetry specifically) English-major style. That's a good thing.

THREE: (this doesn't really merit a number because it's not exactly an event, but whatever) For those of you who have not yet discovered how much of a dork I am, this will tell you down to the decimal. I am currently listening to Jingle Spells, a wizard rock Christmas compilation. Wizard rock (spelled wrock in the Harry Potter fandom)? Yes. Bands with names like Draco and the Malfoys or The Mudbloods. With Harry Potter themed songs. It's absolutely amazing. Jingle Spells was a compilation organized last year by the news website The Leaky Cauldron as a charity fundraiser. So on top of the amazing-ness of Harry Potter themed songs, they are also Christmas songs! Which makes for double joy in listening. Jingle Spells 2 is now on sale, but being poor, I'm hoping an iTunes gift card will be in my stocking or a sibling was wonderful enough to actually purchase the CD for me. We'll see what happens, but right now, I'm listening to The Whomping Willows rap about a Christmas party at Hogwarts.

Happenings

Guess where I'm sitting?!

On my newly hardwood living room floor! Yeah, my family tore out the carpet. The point is, I'm home!! This semester has been really weird, because I'm pretty sure it's the happiest one yet, but I've also missed my family the most. I had to struggle to not break down in tears while I was waiting for my plane to land. I hadn't seen my dad or Rachel or Phillip in three months! It was such a great feeling to walk towards them in the airport.

So now, we're piled in the living room with some friends, watching A Muppet Christmas Carol with the fabulous Michael Caine. So wonderful! I thought I would post; it's been a while since I articulated my thoughts here. 

Lots has been going on, but not all of it belongs here. My semester in Philadelphia has three weeks left, and I'm sad about that, but I think I would be more sad if I stayed when everyone else had left. I'm headed back to Grantham in January, and I am glad. I was thinking, this semester has been like a glimpse of what my life as a real adult will be, and now I'm headed back to college. I know I will love living in the city once I've graduated, but for now, the positively rural Messiah College is good enough for me. 

Concerning next semester, I will quite possibly die. THREE English courses, ONE History course with a reading-crazy prof, and poor pathetic Intro to Wellness. Plus two jobs, one at the Writing Center (hopefully, if they'll have me) and my old one mopping floors in Kline. Yes, Internet, I am going to die. Or I'll just have to stop procrastinating. And have no social life.

Speaking of my social life (sort of), Sunday night I watched The Return of the King with my friend Dave. It was so great to talk about how Shelob was out of place and the Silmarillion and how they screwed with Faramir's character and have someone understand what I mean! It's nice to find a fellow Ringer (am I allowed to use that word? I'm not sure I'm hardcore enough).

While I'm home for break (a mere four days), I need to get some serious reading done. I have a book review due Thursday, a presentation on another paper the same day, and a book review next Wednesday. Also my resume must get done, at all costs. I've got to get that submitted for a summer internship in Philly!

I am going to venture out tomorrow, on Black Friday, in search of a dress for the MCPC banquet thing next Saturday. Don't talk to me about spending extra money. Just don't even go there. Please do pray for me though, wandering amongst the crazy crowds on the day after Thanksgiving.

Four days!!

Until I am home! I've tried not to count. It just makes me more anxious. But no more. I can't wait!

Hello and Good Night

Hi! It's late. But I remembered that I meant to post today, and I knew I would feel guilty if I didn't. I also had things of substance to discuss, such as the absolute self-absorption of many of the characters in Mansfield Park. I picked it up today after an absence of about two months, closer to three I think. But as I said, it's late. Meaning I can't discuss literature coherently. At least if there is only a computer to participate in the conversation. The lateness of the hour is also the reason for all the fragments. Apologies.

Words, words, words...

I'm so sick of words!

Name that musical, anyone?

I'm sensing I should write a blog post, but I'm not really sure what I should talk about. I am so completely over the stress of last week. I think I will remember last week for the rest of my life, not only for the historical election*, but also for the mountain of work I had to get through and the couple huge decisions I had to make. It's over now and I made it. Yay me!

Ummm, so I watched season one of The Office Friday and yesterday. I'm craving more, which has led to my purchase of three season two episodes on iTunes. Not quite sure how the quality part is going to work out, but I'm pretty sure the deprivation of sleep resulting from the long download time will not serve me well tomorrow.

Also, tomorrow (today) morning I will attempt something which has only been successfully achieved once before (Friday morning, actually). I want to wake up early to write a paper, rather than write it tonight. Shocking procrastination, I know. What you don't know is, this paper was actually due Thursday, but I got an extension from my gracious professor based on the sleep deprivation and stress of last week which I have already mentioned.

May I just say, as gracious as my professor is, the questions I have to choose from for the paper most emphatically ARE NOT GOOD [insert your choice descriptive word please; mine would have been suck, but I shouldn't use that word so much]. So I am not looking forward to stretching this essay into 3-5 pages.

After that, I have a relatively easy week academically, although there is a lot I have to do otherwise. Like schedule classes for next semester, get a job for next semester, write my resume, apply for summer internships, etc.

Upon posting this blog, the Office download read: 20 minutes remaining - I must remain awake!

*The results of which I am perfectly fine with, even happy about, by the way

It sucks to be an adult

You have to make all these decisions. No parents tell you what to do anymore. And no, I'm not talking about the election. Although that's a decision I haven't made yet either. That's all.