Skip-A-Class

Last night was Skip-A-Meal. For those of you who aren't familiar with this bi-yearly TU tradition, once a semester students sign up to skip their meal and give the money designated for that meal from their meal plan to a particular charity. This semester, the money went to benefit Katrina relief.

But seriously, how much money can they get at maybe $7 a student? Sure it adds up, but just think of the possibilities if we moved this idea to a larger scale.

Solution: Skip-A-Class. I've heard the figure passed around that a 50-minute class session costs $60. What if once a semester, everyone skipped one of their classes and designated that money for a charity? I'm sure participation would be widespread (most people tend to be more willing to sacrifice class than food), and at $60 per person, we'd REALLY make a difference!

Here's to changing the world. I'm totally serious. Well... maybe not totally. :)

You give and take away...

“Grasp not at much for fear thou losest all.” – George Herbert

Last semester, I studied John Eldredge’s Journey of Desire. He includes a chapter on “Letting Go” that I found particularly hard to swallow. See, last semester, God stripped me of everything. I was utterly alone in a foreign country. As the days stretched out before me, I felt the tugging of desire in my heart. This is not the way things should be, my heart said. But I held onto my bitter feelings. I held onto my inadequacies. I held onto the future I’d painted for myself in my head. I came to the chapter with white knuckles from all my grasping and arranging. Somehow, I couldn’t let go.

God’s Creation has an odd way of softening my heart. Daily, I’d perch upon the rocks overlooking the Irish Sea and yell at God for letting my heart break, for taking away what I thought he wanted me to have. As His Truth penetrated my defenses, I slowly began to relinquish control. By the semester’s end, I truly had let go of it all… except for one thing.

I let that one thing go last night. It’s strange how letting go is in one breath liberating while in another devastating. I’m grieving as I hope in faith for restoration. Eldredge says,

“Grief is good. It is cleansing. It undoes my world—and that is the best part of it. I need to be undone; simply undone … We need to mourn; it is the only way our hearts can remain both free and alive in this world.” (188)

My accountability partner is an amazing woman who works here on campus. She invited me over a few weeks ago for cookies and conversation. As I was leaving she gave me a poster of a girl on a swing, but instead of the swing being tethered to a sturdy branch, it is supported by a divine Hand. The words “Will you trust me?” run along the bottom. The poster now hangs beside my desk as a constant reminder to let go and trust God.

"I walk the streets of Japan til' I get lost"

Last night was Wok Night in the DC. I hate the lines, but I always love the chance to try some “authentic” Asian cuisine from authentic Asians. I somehow trust them more than the regular DC cooks when it comes to international culinary accuracy. Anyway, last night was a little different than the typical Wok Night because all the food came from Japan. I was a little scared at first since the extent of my Japanese-food experience is the Hawaiian hybrid spam musubi and a night at the local Japanese Steak House for my brother’s birthday. I usually play it safe when it comes to eating, but last night I tried something new and I really liked it. If my brother ever moves to Japan, I’m definitely going to visit him for the company and for the food.

Strawbellies!

My hair smells like strawberries and creme. It's making me hungry.

O tidings of comfort and joy (comfort and joy)

Sometimes I feel like two people at once. No, that’s probably not right. I’m one person with very conflicting emotions. My heart is reeling in confusion and pain. I don’t know what to do with it. I don’t know how to face it. And yet, there is hope. Again, I’m humbled and thankful for my friends.

Yesterday, Margaret and I went to Indy after church. We ate at Panera and studied for an hour or so before heading to the airport to pick up Alison. Alison’s flight was delayed in Pittsburg, so Margaret and I went to Starbucks and studied and drank coffee (actually, I had an amazing strawberries and crème frap. I was a little coffeed out after MAC and Panera). We made a new “friend” just before leaving to meet Alison in baggage claim. Even though I was tired and occasionally frustrated (especially when I missed an exit on my way to the airport), I had a relaxing and enjoyable afternoon with my roommate. It definitely would not have been the same without her.

On the way home, traffic stopped dead on I-69 for about twenty minutes. I’m still not sure why. When we finally got moving, there was nothing to indicate a crash but a bent guardrail. It was ok, though, because while we were stopped, Alison showed me pictures from her friend’s wedding. It was so good to have Alison back. She always leaves this distinct void when she isn’t around. The longer-than-usual ride back from Indy was quite pleasant with her there.

We made it back to the DC in time for dinner, which was surprisingly delicious. After we got back to the apartment, Margaret found out her sister is pregnant, so we went out to celebrate at Payne’s, but first we stopped by the Brick House. Jenny called with more good news and there was much rejoicing and happiness.

I’m doing a Beth Moore study of the Fruit of the Spirit, and yesterday I was learning about phileo (friend) love. One of the verses really struck me as I remembered all of my friends.

“Suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.'” (Luke 15:8-9)

The word for “friends” in this passage is actually best translated “girlfriends.” It gives a Biblical model for how friends react to each others’ good news. We rejoice! I’m so thankful for my friends, that even in the midst of all this pain and confusion, I can be joyful with them.

Thriller, thriller night

"This was our last Airband," I said to Jenny as we left the chapel last night. Of course, it was also, in a way, my first Airband. See, my freshman we were in it, my sophomore year I took photos and last year I didn't go because I had to edit the Echo. I'd never camped out all day outside the chapel vying for a good place in line. I'd never stampeded into the building as the doors opened. I'd never actually enjoyed the show as an innocent bystander. And so, I must say I enjoyed my first real Airband experience.

Sitting in the audience was way fun, especially because Jenny was there all the way from Indy. Yeah, and she has to teach today. She's CRAZY... and I love it. I'm also glad that I got to be with many of my other good friends, but we all missed Alison and Heather and Melissa. :(

Gerig won, and they deserved it, but the judges obviously had a Disney bias. Disney acts took all the top honors. English really should have placed, in my humble but accurate opinion, because their act blew my mind. The other act I thought was pretty amazing was Sammy II and Fourth Berg. I'm always down for a little break dancing.

So now I really want to dance. Fortunately, my dance class that is usually on Wednesday was moved to Saturday this week, so I will get to dance tomorrow.

Today could potentially be good because I don't have any plans. I'm sick of making plans. We turn in the video project from HELL today. How could a 30-second commercial cause so much heartache? Well, it's out of our hands, or at least it will be in two hours. GOOD RIDDANCE.

"It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right. I hope you had the time of your life." --Green Day

Pay for your prints

I think the heat-wave ends today. So sad. I’m liking the Indian Summer, mostly because all of my warm clothes are still at home and I’m not planning to return home until Thanksgiving. So when it starts getting cold again, don’t mind me and my ONE warm outfit. I do like my 3SE sweatpants, but not that much.

Also, there are lots of bees here. What’s up with that? I don’t remember any bees the last three years I’ve been at Taylor. Now they’re EVERYWHERE. I think there was an MST3K episode about that.

Some of my friends and I are observing the month of Ramadan through prayer (and maybe an eventual fast). I don’t know much about this season or about Muslims in general, so I’m looking forward to the opportunity to learn more.

This week is pretty amazing. MWF both my 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. classes have been cancelled, so I get six extra hours in my week. To compensate for this streak of good luck, my digital video project is due on Friday instead of Monday. So I now live in an editing suite. Drat.

“You see a woman wants her cowboy like he wants his rodeo.” –Garth Brooks