Aside from my grandparents, I've never particularly enjoyed old people.
You know how most people, when walking by an old couple or seeing that one elderly lady walking down the street will say, "aww they're so cute!"... that's not exactly my reaction.
To be honest, the elderly kinda freak me out. They are basically a demonstration of what we are to become x# of years down the road (and when I say "old" people, I'm referring to those of 60+ years.. although I am aware most people would not classify that as old). They are sometimes senile, smelly, slow, alone, lost and basically nearing the end of the journey, so seeing them as they are right then, I feel that it makes sense to be kinda offset about them.
However, this morning, my original paradigm received a little bit of a challenge and a push.
It started last night around 11:30pm when Meghan and I were checking to see who would be speaking in chapel this morning. The previous speaker had been ok, but her message was definitely intended for an audience of hormonal high school students and I just didn't think I could take another day of that. Luckily, this speaker was not going to be there, but in her place was a man named Dick Foth, age 68, Minister-at-Large; Washington, D.C. and he was going to speak on politics.
ehh...
I resolved that I would make sure to bring my most recent crochet project (ha, speaking of old people...) and go anyways. I was really just expecting a guy with a cane, perhaps, to hobble up to the podium and rattle off terms and names and ideas that were way over my head and before my time.
To my surprise, the person that stepped up to the podium looked exactly like the man in the photo online, but once he began speaking, he sounded completely different than what I was expecting.
This man spoke with passion, wisdom, love, experience, yearning and joy. Very different from the old people I so often envision as decrepit.
He shared stories of his life and continually related it all back to how we are to be like children before God. During his message, it hit me: old folks have lived a lot more life than I have and they are going to have way more wisdom than I could ever expect. Why hadn't I ever thought of this before?
Probably due to my lack of wisdom.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Title 22
Today was an overall great day.
While I did have to spend the majority of my day sitting at work doing Title 22 training, a special kind of first aid course that all first responders (firefighters, police, lifeguards) are required to take, I did get to learn something new- how to deliver a baby.
Wow.
My first thought was, "let's hope I never have to actually use that skill"
My second thought was, "sweet, I now know how to do something that most people don't"
And my third thought was, "so much for my future children!"
*please note: previous statement still under review
The evening was the best part.
I was able to get together with some of my very best friends for a night of easy going and relaxing fellowship over frozen yogurt and a great chick flick (She's The Man. Watch it. Life changing).
I know that I've been really needing to work harder on defining my goals, not only for this semester, but for my future, but there has never been a more tangible motivator than the joy that comes from spending time with my friends, especially the really good ones (you know who you are, I bet you're even reading this!).
This semester, I am looking forward to making so many more crazy memories with the girls that started it all, from our first year together as new students now to the second half of our third. We've grown so much, yet we have remained together, somewhat, and although two are off in other countries, I know we will reunite the first moment we are able!
Here's to Carsten, Chelsea, (K)Aryn, Casey, (K)Irene & Katie..
Here's to this semester.
While I did have to spend the majority of my day sitting at work doing Title 22 training, a special kind of first aid course that all first responders (firefighters, police, lifeguards) are required to take, I did get to learn something new- how to deliver a baby.
Wow.
My first thought was, "let's hope I never have to actually use that skill"
My second thought was, "sweet, I now know how to do something that most people don't"
And my third thought was, "so much for my future children!"
*please note: previous statement still under review
The evening was the best part.
I was able to get together with some of my very best friends for a night of easy going and relaxing fellowship over frozen yogurt and a great chick flick (She's The Man. Watch it. Life changing).
I know that I've been really needing to work harder on defining my goals, not only for this semester, but for my future, but there has never been a more tangible motivator than the joy that comes from spending time with my friends, especially the really good ones (you know who you are, I bet you're even reading this!).
This semester, I am looking forward to making so many more crazy memories with the girls that started it all, from our first year together as new students now to the second half of our third. We've grown so much, yet we have remained together, somewhat, and although two are off in other countries, I know we will reunite the first moment we are able!
Here's to Carsten, Chelsea, (K)Aryn, Casey, (K)Irene & Katie..
Here's to this semester.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Adventures in Baking Pt. 1- The Great Cupcake Catastrophe
It's the beginning of a new semester which means the start of trying new things and looking forward to doing better than before!
I figure that being a college student provides me with the perfect opportunity to start exploring new hobbies since I'm basically in the prime time space for learning right now. Anyhow, after spending a six-week long winter break in households of amazing cooks, I was convicted to finally buckle down, pick up a spatula and begin creating!
I'm starting small. Baking. It looks fun, relatively easy and delicious!
Cupcakes are the first task on the menu, there are tons of recipes online and they are easy to share with others. I already have a motto: "I bake to share!"
So armed with a small starters artillery of baking supplies, I boldly went where I had not gone before... the kitchen! My lovely friends over at the Cove allowed me to use their oven while watching The Office and then Superman Returns and I'm sure keeping them up past their bedtime. My first batch took forever and frosting the darn things was ridiculously difficult! I left those behind as a thank you to the Cove and decided to wait until the next day to frost the remaining cupcakes.
It took me forever to figure out how to make the frosting soft enough to spread on a moist cupcake so the first half of them look like they were ground into the dirt but I eventually got the hang of it and ended up with some really sweet (ha, pun) cupcakes!
Unfortunately, these beautiful cupcakes met an untimely doom...
The night I finished frosting them, I was carrying them over to share with Erik and his roommate when I missed a few steps at the end of the stairs and went tumbling down to the ground, cupcakes and all. Campus Safety was called and an EMT came to help me out. I ended up with a sprained ankle that was salvaged with an ace bandage and an ice pack, however the cupcakes were not so lucky.
It was a bittersweet moment, piling them back onto the plate and then later dumping them in the trash. Hopefully my next delectable dessert will be more lucky!
I figure that being a college student provides me with the perfect opportunity to start exploring new hobbies since I'm basically in the prime time space for learning right now. Anyhow, after spending a six-week long winter break in households of amazing cooks, I was convicted to finally buckle down, pick up a spatula and begin creating!
I'm starting small. Baking. It looks fun, relatively easy and delicious!
Cupcakes are the first task on the menu, there are tons of recipes online and they are easy to share with others. I already have a motto: "I bake to share!"
So armed with a small starters artillery of baking supplies, I boldly went where I had not gone before... the kitchen! My lovely friends over at the Cove allowed me to use their oven while watching The Office and then Superman Returns and I'm sure keeping them up past their bedtime. My first batch took forever and frosting the darn things was ridiculously difficult! I left those behind as a thank you to the Cove and decided to wait until the next day to frost the remaining cupcakes.
It took me forever to figure out how to make the frosting soft enough to spread on a moist cupcake so the first half of them look like they were ground into the dirt but I eventually got the hang of it and ended up with some really sweet (ha, pun) cupcakes!
Unfortunately, these beautiful cupcakes met an untimely doom...
The night I finished frosting them, I was carrying them over to share with Erik and his roommate when I missed a few steps at the end of the stairs and went tumbling down to the ground, cupcakes and all. Campus Safety was called and an EMT came to help me out. I ended up with a sprained ankle that was salvaged with an ace bandage and an ice pack, however the cupcakes were not so lucky.
It was a bittersweet moment, piling them back onto the plate and then later dumping them in the trash. Hopefully my next delectable dessert will be more lucky!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Got it from my mom??
My mom has an amazing green thumb.
She can take a snip of a plant, stick in a pot, pour some water on it, wave her magical wand over it and the thing grows like nobody's business.
The question is, did I inherit her sweet skills?
Time shall tell.
I've had a few plants of my own, but they've mostly died because I've forgotten about them. Personally, I don't think that really counts towards my career in plant tending, so we are just going to start keeping score now.
I went to Home Depot today to buy a new pot for an ever growing amaryllis flower plant that Erik gave me last year. I've managed to keep that thing alive purely through strategic placement (near sprinklers & in the bright sunshine), however, it has only bloomed once and now just has giant leaves.
While I was at Home Depot, I began to wonder around the garden section and decided that my leaves needed some company. I looked for the cheapest plant with the least amount of maintenance required. I walked out of the store with two brightly painted pots and a small container of peppermint herb!
It will definitely be a test (ok, so a small one) to see whether or not my mother's green thumb genes have been transmuted to me, especially since my roommate plans to use the peppermint in her tea...
no pressure.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Searching...
I have been having some serious trouble with blogging lately.
For some reason, my brain doesn't want to function the same as it used to, it resists the out pour of clever lyricism and processed thoughts...
it's extremely frustrating!
I thought that blogging would be the cure to what seems to be an infinite bout of writer's block but it's been just the opposite; a form of encouragement to my mind to remain dormant.
In an attempt to get things going again, or maybe just to satisfy myself in seeing a little (1) next to number of blogs posted in 2010, I felt like posting this little quip that I collected from a magazine a while back.
This was in an article in Relevant Magazine and it really struck me strongly. I wrote it down and have been searching for an outlet in which to share it.
"if irony depreciates our sense of the importance of life — of the immortality of people and the awesome wonder of things — it cannot be helpful... As stupid as people can be, and as silly as this world sometimes seems, we cannot forsake the truth of the matter: that creation is God’s workmanship, that people are holy beings who will eternally exist — for better or worse. If our generation will realize this — that not everything can be made light of and that irony has its limits — perhaps there is hope for us yet.
- Brett McCracken, RELEVANT magazine
For some reason, my brain doesn't want to function the same as it used to, it resists the out pour of clever lyricism and processed thoughts...
it's extremely frustrating!
I thought that blogging would be the cure to what seems to be an infinite bout of writer's block but it's been just the opposite; a form of encouragement to my mind to remain dormant.
In an attempt to get things going again, or maybe just to satisfy myself in seeing a little (1) next to number of blogs posted in 2010, I felt like posting this little quip that I collected from a magazine a while back.
This was in an article in Relevant Magazine and it really struck me strongly. I wrote it down and have been searching for an outlet in which to share it.
"if irony depreciates our sense of the importance of life — of the immortality of people and the awesome wonder of things — it cannot be helpful... As stupid as people can be, and as silly as this world sometimes seems, we cannot forsake the truth of the matter: that creation is God’s workmanship, that people are holy beings who will eternally exist — for better or worse. If our generation will realize this — that not everything can be made light of and that irony has its limits — perhaps there is hope for us yet.
- Brett McCracken, RELEVANT magazine
Monday, December 14, 2009
#2: Tips From A College Student- When expecting a camp out in the library, go prepared!
When I came to the realization that I would most likely be spending just about every waking moment of the next 2 days in the library, I decided I needed to come up with a plan.
This was of course after i finished mentally gagging at the thought of the library.
In an attempt to help a fellow college student or maybe to have this to give to my future children, I have prepared a photo essay of sorts to show my preparation process. May I note, however, not each step has been documented, for it is a long mental and physical process. But I give what I have. Enjoy!
1. Begin with some really good coffee... You will need it!
2. Insert said great coffee into coffee maker (if you know how to make coffee, skip to step 5)
3. Add the appropriate amount of water
4. Begin to brew!!
5. Gather the necessary resources and tools
6. Insert said materials into carrying device. Backpacks usually work best.
7. IMPORTANT! Don't forget snacks! Other useful items: Water, Ibuprofen (or Advil), Kleenex, a crochet project for short mind breaks, etc.
8. Woops! Don't forget about your coffee! You should have a delicious brew waiting for you by now!
9. Fix up your coffee to taste.. I love CoffeMate French Vanilla cream... and you're ready to head out the door!
Happy Studying and Good Luck!
This was of course after i finished mentally gagging at the thought of the library.
In an attempt to help a fellow college student or maybe to have this to give to my future children, I have prepared a photo essay of sorts to show my preparation process. May I note, however, not each step has been documented, for it is a long mental and physical process. But I give what I have. Enjoy!
1. Begin with some really good coffee... You will need it!
2. Insert said great coffee into coffee maker (if you know how to make coffee, skip to step 5)
3. Add the appropriate amount of water
4. Begin to brew!!
5. Gather the necessary resources and tools
6. Insert said materials into carrying device. Backpacks usually work best.
7. IMPORTANT! Don't forget snacks! Other useful items: Water, Ibuprofen (or Advil), Kleenex, a crochet project for short mind breaks, etc.
8. Woops! Don't forget about your coffee! You should have a delicious brew waiting for you by now!
9. Fix up your coffee to taste.. I love CoffeMate French Vanilla cream... and you're ready to head out the door!
Happy Studying and Good Luck!
#1: Tips From A College Student- Finish your homework when it is due
You know how they say that sometimes, you just have to learn it the hard way?
Well, that's not always true.
Take it from me and don't find this one out for yourself...
Get your homework done.
I know, sounds like a no-brainer, but it gets so easy to just keep telling yourself that it won't be a huge deal if you miss this one assignment, and then the next week another assignment, and pretty soon, you are having to make up 10 papers in the span of 1 week and spending 11 hours in the library frantically searching for commentaries.
A lesson from a college student stuck in the dungeon of the library, with 5 more papers to go...
Well, that's not always true.
Take it from me and don't find this one out for yourself...
Get your homework done.
I know, sounds like a no-brainer, but it gets so easy to just keep telling yourself that it won't be a huge deal if you miss this one assignment, and then the next week another assignment, and pretty soon, you are having to make up 10 papers in the span of 1 week and spending 11 hours in the library frantically searching for commentaries.
A lesson from a college student stuck in the dungeon of the library, with 5 more papers to go...
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