How much I love Amy Carmichael's poetry ( almost as much as I love her biography if you havent read it, I highly recommend you do...)
And while I am somehow, totally without orginal thought today, I do think this poem is beautiful...a friend recently asked on their blog what true genuine community is...and this poem sums it up rather well...lately I've been thinking on human relationships-how it is by the very Grace of God that I have the beautiful friends that I do...I am also realizing more and more the IMPORTANCE of doing things together...praying together, praising together, fellowshiping together...and as cheesy as I always thought it was: "Doing Life together."
Yea, we adore, O Father, we adore Thee;
Hast Thou not guided, O Thou gentle Guide?
Make pure our praises as we wait before Thee,
Whose love embraces us on every side.
Gifts hast Thou given of sister and of brother;
O royal Giver, blessed be Thy choice.
Thee, Thee, O Master, see we in each other,
Hear in each tone Thy well-beloved voice.
Therefore we come with worship and with wonder;
Surely the Lord is in this quiet place.
Bind us with cords that life nor death can sunder;
Draw us together as we seek Thy face.
Write Thou the lines o our unfinished story;
Make us, Thy ministers, a flaming fire;
Let fless be nough -to Thee alone be glory;
Grant unto us to meet Thy heart's desire.
November 07, 2006
November 06, 2006
with extra strength protection for the working girl...
So, by midmorning I was in a serious funk. And while I could definitely identify things that were bothering me, or burdening me or whatever the case was...I just felt hopeless and weak...and I wasnt getting any work done...so finally I just STOPPED EVERYTHING and decided to pray...And it HELPED HEAPS.
Sometimes, just praying WHILE you're doing things just isnt enough, I had to actually stop everything...
Anyway, my point is that I find that a perfect example of God. I mean, my situation didnt change, I was still me...I was still here....but it was as if all of a sudden it was "ok". Or at least I could handle life better
So, my day has definitely turned around and even though its still all rainy outside, I've decided to make the most of the soggy weather and go to Java Jacks for a Chai Latte while I plan my Bible Study for tonight. :-)
Yesss...
Sounds good!
And God is the only answer...and this is a commerical advertising His Grace and Mercy for helping in all kinds of Funks.
Sometimes, just praying WHILE you're doing things just isnt enough, I had to actually stop everything...
Anyway, my point is that I find that a perfect example of God. I mean, my situation didnt change, I was still me...I was still here....but it was as if all of a sudden it was "ok". Or at least I could handle life better
So, my day has definitely turned around and even though its still all rainy outside, I've decided to make the most of the soggy weather and go to Java Jacks for a Chai Latte while I plan my Bible Study for tonight. :-)
Yesss...
Sounds good!
And God is the only answer...and this is a commerical advertising His Grace and Mercy for helping in all kinds of Funks.
Holy Monday morning, Batman!
If there was every a day where it would have been REALLY REALLY great to just...keep on sleeping, today would be it.
Its all rainy and dark outside, and in general I'm in a "sleep all day" frame of mind.
I wonder if its just me who generally feels like I dont know what I'm doing most of the time? I will say something, do something and then immediately afterwards I am praying that I havent TOTALLY messed things up! I wish my confidence would go farther than just saying what's on my mind...but continue on to the point of being OK with whatever the results of that will be...
Unfortunately, this is not the case...
Yet, this is what I find, the more I care about it, the more I have to pray for the grace of God to cover it...because the likelihood of me messing things up are high...luckily, I can rest in the fact that I've been this crazy thus far in my life, and God has somehow kept things relatively intact...He will continue to Help.
Thanks to all my lovely friends who extend grace to me every single day...I dont deserve it.
Its all rainy and dark outside, and in general I'm in a "sleep all day" frame of mind.
I wonder if its just me who generally feels like I dont know what I'm doing most of the time? I will say something, do something and then immediately afterwards I am praying that I havent TOTALLY messed things up! I wish my confidence would go farther than just saying what's on my mind...but continue on to the point of being OK with whatever the results of that will be...
Unfortunately, this is not the case...
Yet, this is what I find, the more I care about it, the more I have to pray for the grace of God to cover it...because the likelihood of me messing things up are high...luckily, I can rest in the fact that I've been this crazy thus far in my life, and God has somehow kept things relatively intact...He will continue to Help.
Thanks to all my lovely friends who extend grace to me every single day...I dont deserve it.
November 04, 2006
Foundation
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.~ Matt 7:25
The word foundation came to me during my quiet time tonight...I was thinking how EASILY I get shaken up... I can seem so very...ummm...."together" ...or at least to those who dont read my blog and know the shocking truth that I'm a crazy loon...but that's besides the point.
Not only do I put on a show of "togetherness" to others, I do a pretty good job of convincing myself that its true. But, then it'll happen...
Wind...
Rain...
Floods...
They rock the boat, they shake the house and ultimately they bring me to the point of taking a hard look at my foundation.
I think, ultimately, my Foundation is pretty strong as a WHOLE...but I find that it's the individual parts of my life that they start to slip a little bit.
I feel that I almost need to make sure I have a foundation for every individual aspect of my life...
For its not enough to just put the big "Christian Umbrella" over my life and hope that it keeps out the rain, wind and floods...nooooo...its all in the FOUNDATION.
So, I find myself here at the very beginning of something and I've got to think, it doesnt MATTER about tomorrow and what might be built here, because if I dont get this sorted out...if the foundation is not build on the Right Ground...well, then...I'm going to find myself easily shaken time and time again.
And that is no way to live.
I do NOT choose a life like that...a life easily swayed by circumstance, emotions, other peoples actions...the list goes on and on...
I wrote, "...that my life would be an offering of praise...an offering of faith..."
That can never be, if I am constantly being swayed this way and thant...no, not unless I truly decide to build everything upon Rock..
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.~Ps 40:2
The word foundation came to me during my quiet time tonight...I was thinking how EASILY I get shaken up... I can seem so very...ummm...."together" ...or at least to those who dont read my blog and know the shocking truth that I'm a crazy loon...but that's besides the point.
Not only do I put on a show of "togetherness" to others, I do a pretty good job of convincing myself that its true. But, then it'll happen...
Wind...
Rain...
Floods...
They rock the boat, they shake the house and ultimately they bring me to the point of taking a hard look at my foundation.
I think, ultimately, my Foundation is pretty strong as a WHOLE...but I find that it's the individual parts of my life that they start to slip a little bit.
I feel that I almost need to make sure I have a foundation for every individual aspect of my life...
For its not enough to just put the big "Christian Umbrella" over my life and hope that it keeps out the rain, wind and floods...nooooo...its all in the FOUNDATION.
So, I find myself here at the very beginning of something and I've got to think, it doesnt MATTER about tomorrow and what might be built here, because if I dont get this sorted out...if the foundation is not build on the Right Ground...well, then...I'm going to find myself easily shaken time and time again.
And that is no way to live.
I do NOT choose a life like that...a life easily swayed by circumstance, emotions, other peoples actions...the list goes on and on...
I wrote, "...that my life would be an offering of praise...an offering of faith..."
That can never be, if I am constantly being swayed this way and thant...no, not unless I truly decide to build everything upon Rock..
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.~Ps 40:2
Prince Caspian Quotes Part 2.
"He led them to the right of the dancing trees-whether they were still dancing nobody knew, for Lucy had her eyes on the Lion and there rest had their eyes on Lucy..."
~
( Susan to Lucy) "But I've been far worse than you know. I really believed it was him-he, I mean-yesterday. When he warned us not to go down to the fir wood. And I really believed it was him tonight, when you woke us up. I mean, deep down inside. Or I could have, if I'd let myself. But I just wanted to get out of the woods and-and-oh. I dont know. And what ever am I to say to him?"
"Perhaps you won't need to say much," suggested Lucy.
~
"We dont know when ( Aslan) will act. In his time, no douct, not ours. In the meantime he would like us to do what we can on our own. "
~
"You shall be one of the Marshals, ( Bear). But you must remember not to suck your paws."
"Of course not, " said the Bear in a very shocked voice.
"Hey, you're doing it this minute!" bellowed Trumpkin.
The Bear whipped his aw out of his mouth and pretended he hadnt heard.
~
"...a little old woman who looked as if she had Dwarf blood in her. She was at death's door, but when she opened her eyes and saw the bright, hairy head of the lion staring into her face, she did not scream or faint. She said,
"Oh Aslan! I knew it was true. I've been waiting for this all my life. Have you come to take me away?"
~
"Sir,: said the Mouse, "I can eat and sleep and dire for my King without ( a tail). But a tail is the honor and glory of a Mouse."
"I have sometimes wondered, friend," said Aslan, "whether you do not think too much about your honor."
~
"The best thing of all about this feast was that there was no breaking up or going away, but as the talk grew quieter and slower, one after another would begin to nod and finally drop off to sleep with feet toward the fire and good friends on either side, till at last there was silence all around...But all night Aslan and the Moon gazed upon each other with joyful and unblinking eyes."
~
"Yet nobody's eyes were on the ( jewels, gold, and silk) on the animals or the children. The living and strokable gold of Aslan's mane out shone them all."
~
~
( Susan to Lucy) "But I've been far worse than you know. I really believed it was him-he, I mean-yesterday. When he warned us not to go down to the fir wood. And I really believed it was him tonight, when you woke us up. I mean, deep down inside. Or I could have, if I'd let myself. But I just wanted to get out of the woods and-and-oh. I dont know. And what ever am I to say to him?"
"Perhaps you won't need to say much," suggested Lucy.
~
"We dont know when ( Aslan) will act. In his time, no douct, not ours. In the meantime he would like us to do what we can on our own. "
~
"You shall be one of the Marshals, ( Bear). But you must remember not to suck your paws."
"Of course not, " said the Bear in a very shocked voice.
"Hey, you're doing it this minute!" bellowed Trumpkin.
The Bear whipped his aw out of his mouth and pretended he hadnt heard.
~
"...a little old woman who looked as if she had Dwarf blood in her. She was at death's door, but when she opened her eyes and saw the bright, hairy head of the lion staring into her face, she did not scream or faint. She said,
"Oh Aslan! I knew it was true. I've been waiting for this all my life. Have you come to take me away?"
~
"Sir,: said the Mouse, "I can eat and sleep and dire for my King without ( a tail). But a tail is the honor and glory of a Mouse."
"I have sometimes wondered, friend," said Aslan, "whether you do not think too much about your honor."
~
"The best thing of all about this feast was that there was no breaking up or going away, but as the talk grew quieter and slower, one after another would begin to nod and finally drop off to sleep with feet toward the fire and good friends on either side, till at last there was silence all around...But all night Aslan and the Moon gazed upon each other with joyful and unblinking eyes."
~
"Yet nobody's eyes were on the ( jewels, gold, and silk) on the animals or the children. The living and strokable gold of Aslan's mane out shone them all."
~
November 03, 2006
Prince Caspian Quotes Part 1.
So, as I continue to read through the Chronicles of Narnia...here they are, wonderful quotes from Prince Caspian
"Oh, I'm a dangerous criminal, I am," said the Dwarf cheerfully, "But that's a long story. Meantime, I was wondering if perhaps you were going to ask me to breakfast? You've no idea what an appetite it gives one, being executed."
~
"You may ask why I'm ( telling you about Old Narnia) at all. But, I have two reasons. Firstly, because my old heart has carried these secret memories so long that it aches with them and would burst if I did not whisper them to you..."
~
( Upon hearing that the enemy armies are coming) "Hurrah!" said a very shrill and small voice from somewhere at the Doctor's feet. "Let them come! All I ask is that the King will put me and my people in the front."
~
Caspian saw strange characters and snaky patterns, and pictures ( on the walls) in which the form of a Lion was repeated again and again. It all seemed to belong to an even older Narnia than the Narnia of which his nurse had told him.
~
"Wouldnt it be dreadful if some day in our own world, at home, men started going wild inside, like the animals here, and still looked like men, so that you'd never know which were which?"
~
'Aslan' said Lucy, "you're bigger."
"That's because you are older, little one," he answered.
"Not because you are?"
" I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger."
~
"Oh Aslan," said Lucy. "You dont mean it was ( my fault)? How could I-I couldn't have left the others and come up to you alone, how could I? Don't look at me like that...oh well, I suppose I could. Yes, and it wouldnt have been alone, I know, not if I was with you...."
~
"Now, child" said Aslan. "I will wait here. Go and wake the others and tell them to follow. If they will not, then you at least must follow me alone."
~
"And so at last they got on the move. Lucy went first, biting her lip and trying not to say all the things she thought of saying to Susan. But she forgot them when she fixed her eyes on Aslan."
~
"Oh, I'm a dangerous criminal, I am," said the Dwarf cheerfully, "But that's a long story. Meantime, I was wondering if perhaps you were going to ask me to breakfast? You've no idea what an appetite it gives one, being executed."
~
"You may ask why I'm ( telling you about Old Narnia) at all. But, I have two reasons. Firstly, because my old heart has carried these secret memories so long that it aches with them and would burst if I did not whisper them to you..."
~
( Upon hearing that the enemy armies are coming) "Hurrah!" said a very shrill and small voice from somewhere at the Doctor's feet. "Let them come! All I ask is that the King will put me and my people in the front."
~
Caspian saw strange characters and snaky patterns, and pictures ( on the walls) in which the form of a Lion was repeated again and again. It all seemed to belong to an even older Narnia than the Narnia of which his nurse had told him.
~
"Wouldnt it be dreadful if some day in our own world, at home, men started going wild inside, like the animals here, and still looked like men, so that you'd never know which were which?"
~
'Aslan' said Lucy, "you're bigger."
"That's because you are older, little one," he answered.
"Not because you are?"
" I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger."
~
"Oh Aslan," said Lucy. "You dont mean it was ( my fault)? How could I-I couldn't have left the others and come up to you alone, how could I? Don't look at me like that...oh well, I suppose I could. Yes, and it wouldnt have been alone, I know, not if I was with you...."
~
"Now, child" said Aslan. "I will wait here. Go and wake the others and tell them to follow. If they will not, then you at least must follow me alone."
~
"And so at last they got on the move. Lucy went first, biting her lip and trying not to say all the things she thought of saying to Susan. But she forgot them when she fixed her eyes on Aslan."
~
OH PLEASE!!
So, I just watched An Affair to Remember, the old Cary Grant movie...its pretty famous, after all its mentioned in Sleepless in Seattle...so it HAD to be GOOD, right?!
Turned out to be dreadfully boring. And by the way, I think calling someone "Darling" only moments after you meet them is...trite. And two scenes with the children singing?! Really? Did we need that??
I'm disappointed.
Turned out to be dreadfully boring. And by the way, I think calling someone "Darling" only moments after you meet them is...trite. And two scenes with the children singing?! Really? Did we need that??
I'm disappointed.
This was really fun...
Things I've done (in bold):
01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins ( woo!)
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris ( and, yes, the airport was very badly orginized..hehe)
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game ( What does this mean? I've been to major league baseball games...and an All Blacks Rugby match..does this count?)
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa ( so we decided NOT to walk to the top..but that's because I'd already done that whole climb to the top of the St. Peters..and that was good enough for me)
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day ( ask me to do it for you sometime...its pretty funny)
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk.
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe.
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication ( hahaha! blogger is a large, right? what about the Daily Sentinel? nooo? reeeeally?)
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane ( ok, ok, so I was the co-pilot...but I flew solo for a few SECONDS...it was scary nonetheless)
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet 121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey (rock on! I'm an english major)
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life ( I had almost forgotten about this...but being a lifeguard was actually cool..)
So...I'm totally inspired to do more on this list!
01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins ( woo!)
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris ( and, yes, the airport was very badly orginized..hehe)
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game ( What does this mean? I've been to major league baseball games...and an All Blacks Rugby match..does this count?)
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa ( so we decided NOT to walk to the top..but that's because I'd already done that whole climb to the top of the St. Peters..and that was good enough for me)
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day ( ask me to do it for you sometime...its pretty funny)
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk.
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe.
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication ( hahaha! blogger is a large, right? what about the Daily Sentinel? nooo? reeeeally?)
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane ( ok, ok, so I was the co-pilot...but I flew solo for a few SECONDS...it was scary nonetheless)
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet 121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey (rock on! I'm an english major)
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life ( I had almost forgotten about this...but being a lifeguard was actually cool..)
So...I'm totally inspired to do more on this list!
TGI....F?
I hate these friday's where i have football games to go to. BOOO! It steals all the goodness out of the fact that its a friday. But, I shouldnt complain.
I just ordered sushi for lunch...when I asked the lady on the phone how long its going to be she said "five minute."
Ummm...
Yeah, nothing has EVER taken five minute(sic) at Sushi Ya...and since she didnt know to put the "s" at the end of minutes I'm going to assume it'll be longer than that.
I've been craving Sushi for WEEKS. This is going to make my day better.
I've got a sore throat. But, I am refusing to get sick..afterall, I DID get a flu shot yesterday. That has to be worth something in sick currency, right?
Its been a weird week, dont you think? I feel like there's stuff going on under the surface of "life"...and I just cant get my hands around it. Maybe I'm over thinking...but the comments I've gotten about several blog posts have made me think I'm not the only one.
I just ordered sushi for lunch...when I asked the lady on the phone how long its going to be she said "five minute."
Ummm...
Yeah, nothing has EVER taken five minute(sic) at Sushi Ya...and since she didnt know to put the "s" at the end of minutes I'm going to assume it'll be longer than that.
I've been craving Sushi for WEEKS. This is going to make my day better.
I've got a sore throat. But, I am refusing to get sick..afterall, I DID get a flu shot yesterday. That has to be worth something in sick currency, right?
Its been a weird week, dont you think? I feel like there's stuff going on under the surface of "life"...and I just cant get my hands around it. Maybe I'm over thinking...but the comments I've gotten about several blog posts have made me think I'm not the only one.
November 02, 2006
A sordid tale: how I found the song...
Ah....the internet, such an untamed beast! ( and while I'm joking around at the moment...it really is evil sometimes...and that's scary.)
But, anyway, do you remember not a post down, that I was complaining that I had a song, nah, a LINE from a song in my head and I didnt know what it was?!
Well, I spend a goodly amount of time sorting through my itunes yesterday..with no luck. But, then tonight, I thought long and hard about where I could of heard if, if not in my own music collection...and then I remembered: I listen to Pandora Internet Radio at work....I have been listening to my "Reminds me of Jeremy Camp" station for....ages....and it goes through about 30 songs...over and over....every now and again adding random new songs ( Beau Brice?! the guy from american idol?! reeeeeallly?! hahaha!)
SO, with that in mind...I started doing MEGA google searches ( do you remember what life was LIKE without google searching ability?! Honestly, I cant remember...and it must have been a life of lots of sleepless nights)
But...and finally I found it:
Today ( As for Me and My House)
Today, I choose to follow you.
Today, I choose to give my "yes" to you.
Today, I choose to hear your voice and live.
Today, I choose to follow you.
As for me and my house, we will serve you.
As for me and my house, we will spend our lives on you
Today.
Wonderful, Counselor, Everlasting Father
Eternal King, Lord of Host willingly we follow.
Today, I choose to follow you...
~ Brian Doerkson
WHEW! And that answers the song came into my head yesterday....really it was the theme of my week in a lot of respects. The idea that every SINGLE day my desire is to choose Him...the alternative is dark. the alternative is depressing... and to be honest, the alternative is death.
So, its a simple song, but it IS my anthem tonight. And while "my family" pretty much consists of me...and...me....the decision is still really really important.
So choose.
But, anyway, do you remember not a post down, that I was complaining that I had a song, nah, a LINE from a song in my head and I didnt know what it was?!
Well, I spend a goodly amount of time sorting through my itunes yesterday..with no luck. But, then tonight, I thought long and hard about where I could of heard if, if not in my own music collection...and then I remembered: I listen to Pandora Internet Radio at work....I have been listening to my "Reminds me of Jeremy Camp" station for....ages....and it goes through about 30 songs...over and over....every now and again adding random new songs ( Beau Brice?! the guy from american idol?! reeeeeallly?! hahaha!)
SO, with that in mind...I started doing MEGA google searches ( do you remember what life was LIKE without google searching ability?! Honestly, I cant remember...and it must have been a life of lots of sleepless nights)
But...and finally I found it:
Today ( As for Me and My House)
Today, I choose to follow you.
Today, I choose to give my "yes" to you.
Today, I choose to hear your voice and live.
Today, I choose to follow you.
As for me and my house, we will serve you.
As for me and my house, we will spend our lives on you
Today.
Wonderful, Counselor, Everlasting Father
Eternal King, Lord of Host willingly we follow.
Today, I choose to follow you...
~ Brian Doerkson
WHEW! And that answers the song came into my head yesterday....really it was the theme of my week in a lot of respects. The idea that every SINGLE day my desire is to choose Him...the alternative is dark. the alternative is depressing... and to be honest, the alternative is death.
So, its a simple song, but it IS my anthem tonight. And while "my family" pretty much consists of me...and...me....the decision is still really really important.
So choose.
annoying..
So, there is this song that has lyrics that pretty much quote the verse "as for me and my house.."
And I could hear the lines being sung in my head for MOST of last night..and I spent a heck of a long time on itunes trying to track it down. And umm...yeah...havent found it yet.
In other news, its down right COOL outside! I mean, for serious, I could barely get out of bed this morning..which was bad, since I had told myself that i was going to get up earlier so I could hit my doctor's office before I went to work to get my flu shot...but...ummm....yeah, turns out the extra 30 minutes of sleep overpowered my judgment and i literally had this thought:
But, you didnt get the flu last year ( because I got the flu shot, stupid!) so what makes me think I'm going to get it this year, lots of people dont get the flu?! You are over reacting!
I think the upshot of this is that I will go by my doctors office once I get off work...which means I'll have to wait a heck of a long time, because according to Aaron ( who works there) Thursdays are their busiest day...but its my own stupid fault and no matter WHAT my sleepy brain tells me in the morning I think it'll be worth it.
And I could hear the lines being sung in my head for MOST of last night..and I spent a heck of a long time on itunes trying to track it down. And umm...yeah...havent found it yet.
In other news, its down right COOL outside! I mean, for serious, I could barely get out of bed this morning..which was bad, since I had told myself that i was going to get up earlier so I could hit my doctor's office before I went to work to get my flu shot...but...ummm....yeah, turns out the extra 30 minutes of sleep overpowered my judgment and i literally had this thought:
But, you didnt get the flu last year ( because I got the flu shot, stupid!) so what makes me think I'm going to get it this year, lots of people dont get the flu?! You are over reacting!
I think the upshot of this is that I will go by my doctors office once I get off work...which means I'll have to wait a heck of a long time, because according to Aaron ( who works there) Thursdays are their busiest day...but its my own stupid fault and no matter WHAT my sleepy brain tells me in the morning I think it'll be worth it.
November 01, 2006
what a difference ( almost) a year makes...
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5
I ran across a little essay that I wrote back in February of this year...at the time I was struggling with a person that had been thrown into my mostly "together" little life....I was horribly frustrated with myself, I felt SURE that I was heading down a familiar road. A road where I was silly and didnt follow the Lord's will for my life....where I liked someone I shouldnt like and then it would end up bothing me to the point of obsession...or annoyance however you want to look at it. I did NOT WANT THAT TO HAPPEN AGAIN. All I wanted was peace of mind...
And amazingly enough, I was given it...
The person was Brett...(wow. February? Really? Its been going on that long?)
And it turned out that those prayers that I fervently prayed back in February were answered in a way that was quite shocking...and unexpectedly good. haha. Not only did I get peace...but Brett didnt go away...
Of course it took a loooong time. But, I obviously NEEDED a long time. And I can't really speak for Brett, because, he probably hadn't even thought of me all at that point...but, God is good...and His lessons are continuous and scary...and really, tonight, I was reminded what I have learned...and then I was reminded of all that I still dont understand, that I still dont get...that I still need help with...because, I'm not JUST talking about relationships here-its just the example that brought it up...
It reminded me
... how little we know, how much we are at the mercy of my King... All we can really do, is get down on our knees every night and ask for Help....
My only desire is to Serve the King of Kings all the days of my life
He is merciful to Help..
" The Lord of hosts...is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance." ~Is. 28:29
I ran across a little essay that I wrote back in February of this year...at the time I was struggling with a person that had been thrown into my mostly "together" little life....I was horribly frustrated with myself, I felt SURE that I was heading down a familiar road. A road where I was silly and didnt follow the Lord's will for my life....where I liked someone I shouldnt like and then it would end up bothing me to the point of obsession...or annoyance however you want to look at it. I did NOT WANT THAT TO HAPPEN AGAIN. All I wanted was peace of mind...
And amazingly enough, I was given it...
The person was Brett...(wow. February? Really? Its been going on that long?)
And it turned out that those prayers that I fervently prayed back in February were answered in a way that was quite shocking...and unexpectedly good. haha. Not only did I get peace...but Brett didnt go away...
Of course it took a loooong time. But, I obviously NEEDED a long time. And I can't really speak for Brett, because, he probably hadn't even thought of me all at that point...but, God is good...and His lessons are continuous and scary...and really, tonight, I was reminded what I have learned...and then I was reminded of all that I still dont understand, that I still dont get...that I still need help with...because, I'm not JUST talking about relationships here-its just the example that brought it up...
It reminded me
... how little we know, how much we are at the mercy of my King... All we can really do, is get down on our knees every night and ask for Help....
My only desire is to Serve the King of Kings all the days of my life
He is merciful to Help..
" The Lord of hosts...is wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance." ~Is. 28:29
Look what day it is!!!!
YAY! Its finally here: The very best month in the WHOLE YEAR! November. SoooOOOoooOOo exciting.
Now for all of those who are mathmatically challenged ( like myself) can EASILY count down the days until my birthday without doing any hardcore math equations in their head. Whew! So glad it finally come to this!
The weather is much cooler today, which is nice...though its not like I get to spend much time out in the elements. Although, my office is ALWAYS cold. So, there's that.
I really thought I had more to talk about then the weather! I dont know what happened. meh. Alright, so a quick current events update (aka. things I have been remiss in mentioning on my blog:
~ The Prestige is really a fantastic movie, the best I've seen in a looong time. I toally recommend seeing it if you have the chance. Christopher Nolan is really something...I love his movies.
~I, for one, cannot WAIT until the elections are over in this democratic nation we so happily live in ( or some of us). I absolutely despise politics. I hate CNN and I hate FOX News...I hate all those political ads that come on the radio (Luckily I dont watch TV or I'd probably be even more annoyed)...and I hate that many Christians mistake "Christian" with Conservative and just ASSUME that you are going to go out in vote republican in the coming election...and come up to you at church or in the store or...worse then THAT...they EMAIL YOU...talking about how you should vote for so-in-so because they will change the world...
HA!
So, I'm going to pull a "Papa" and not vote at all...and for all my little conservative friends, you should be happy I'm not...because I'd more than likely NOT vote Republican.
So there. And me saying all this...hopefully it will not solicite further conversation, because, in fact, I do not mind if you do not agree with me...I am GLAD that there are people who have not lost faith in the whole political system of this country...you can keep it running while I live for social causes ;-)
~I've officially ruined the Vanilla Latte for myself...I've had one too many and must now return to the tried and true "plain" Latte. I know, its tough...and believe me its even tougher on the good people at Java Jacks, because I dont think they even LISTEN to my order anymore, they are so use to making me a 12 oz. Vanilla Latte..well, THINGS CHANGE...get USE TO IT!
~Many of my darling friend in NZ are slowly but surely finishing up their exams...which is strange for me, because it has officially been TWO YEARS since i sat exams. TWO!!!
Isnt that shocking?! I dont think I even have the ability to take a test of any sort anymore...and its also strange because I've forgotten what its like to have definite seasons..as in, one second you're studying HARDOUT and the next...you are FREEEEE as a bird. Life is now a constant stream of little somethings...how things do change!
~I am starting to get super excited about Thida's impending visit! Esther and Briana are planning ( or at least I think they are!) on coming with me to the airport so that the "constant party" can begin IMMEDIATELY upon her arrival. Since her plane is not arriving until 8pm...I am thinking about hitting up Central Market beforehand...although, I have never driven there myself and therefore do not know how to get there...anyone have simple Abigail-proof instructions?! Otherwise it'll be mapquest...and we ALLLL know what a bad idea that can be!
Now for all of those who are mathmatically challenged ( like myself) can EASILY count down the days until my birthday without doing any hardcore math equations in their head. Whew! So glad it finally come to this!
The weather is much cooler today, which is nice...though its not like I get to spend much time out in the elements. Although, my office is ALWAYS cold. So, there's that.
I really thought I had more to talk about then the weather! I dont know what happened. meh. Alright, so a quick current events update (aka. things I have been remiss in mentioning on my blog:
~ The Prestige is really a fantastic movie, the best I've seen in a looong time. I toally recommend seeing it if you have the chance. Christopher Nolan is really something...I love his movies.
~I, for one, cannot WAIT until the elections are over in this democratic nation we so happily live in ( or some of us). I absolutely despise politics. I hate CNN and I hate FOX News...I hate all those political ads that come on the radio (Luckily I dont watch TV or I'd probably be even more annoyed)...and I hate that many Christians mistake "Christian" with Conservative and just ASSUME that you are going to go out in vote republican in the coming election...and come up to you at church or in the store or...worse then THAT...they EMAIL YOU...talking about how you should vote for so-in-so because they will change the world...
HA!
So, I'm going to pull a "Papa" and not vote at all...and for all my little conservative friends, you should be happy I'm not...because I'd more than likely NOT vote Republican.
So there. And me saying all this...hopefully it will not solicite further conversation, because, in fact, I do not mind if you do not agree with me...I am GLAD that there are people who have not lost faith in the whole political system of this country...you can keep it running while I live for social causes ;-)
~I've officially ruined the Vanilla Latte for myself...I've had one too many and must now return to the tried and true "plain" Latte. I know, its tough...and believe me its even tougher on the good people at Java Jacks, because I dont think they even LISTEN to my order anymore, they are so use to making me a 12 oz. Vanilla Latte..well, THINGS CHANGE...get USE TO IT!
~Many of my darling friend in NZ are slowly but surely finishing up their exams...which is strange for me, because it has officially been TWO YEARS since i sat exams. TWO!!!
Isnt that shocking?! I dont think I even have the ability to take a test of any sort anymore...and its also strange because I've forgotten what its like to have definite seasons..as in, one second you're studying HARDOUT and the next...you are FREEEEE as a bird. Life is now a constant stream of little somethings...how things do change!
~I am starting to get super excited about Thida's impending visit! Esther and Briana are planning ( or at least I think they are!) on coming with me to the airport so that the "constant party" can begin IMMEDIATELY upon her arrival. Since her plane is not arriving until 8pm...I am thinking about hitting up Central Market beforehand...although, I have never driven there myself and therefore do not know how to get there...anyone have simple Abigail-proof instructions?! Otherwise it'll be mapquest...and we ALLLL know what a bad idea that can be!
October 31, 2006
Ah yes,
Good question Bing! And the answer is, today is the day that Martin Luthur nailed his 95 thesis to the door of the Catholic church ( or "a" catholic cathedral...but it really was more "the") anyway, this act pretty much began the Reformation...you can read more at your neighborhood wikipedia site because they always give a nice short snapshot of things...and sure it also just so happens to be Halloween...but i like Reformation day better...
Nevertheless...
Tonight I saw some ADORABLE trick-or-treaters...and I have to say, I started to want a pretty pretty princess outfit myself by the end of the evening.
Other than that, I am now off to lie in my bed and read Prince Caspian, does it GET any better?
Nevertheless...
Tonight I saw some ADORABLE trick-or-treaters...and I have to say, I started to want a pretty pretty princess outfit myself by the end of the evening.
Other than that, I am now off to lie in my bed and read Prince Caspian, does it GET any better?
October 30, 2006
dread...
So, I was going to go grocery shopping last night..because everyone knows if you HAVE TO go to Wal Mart its best to do it on Sunday nights...the later the better.
But, even though I had time on my side I just COULDNT do it. Besides I was hungry. And I had told Lydia that we could talk on the phone..
And all this added up to me putting it off until today. So there you have it.
I have to go to Wal Mart this afternoon...
Blasted all...
But, it cannot be helped, I have been planning to write a letter to Ryan and I need the "visual aid included" part printed off of my camera....annnd ( and this is the really exciting part), I need to get ingredients for my Im-an-Indian-Giver-Dinner that I'm making for my Bible Study girls tonight! :-)
yaaaaaaayyyy! I'm excited, I dont think any of them have ever had indian food before and since last week is on record as being "The worst week ever" for two of the girls I decided we needed a little COMFORT TIME....yessssss.
So, all in all, its important that I go to Wal Mart-yet, i think I'm going to go home and put on sweatpants and running shoes before I go...because I dont feel like slipping around on my heels on the shiny walmart floor.
Ok, so that was a whole post about me going to Wal Mart. Hope you enjoyed.
But, even though I had time on my side I just COULDNT do it. Besides I was hungry. And I had told Lydia that we could talk on the phone..
And all this added up to me putting it off until today. So there you have it.
I have to go to Wal Mart this afternoon...
Blasted all...
But, it cannot be helped, I have been planning to write a letter to Ryan and I need the "visual aid included" part printed off of my camera....annnd ( and this is the really exciting part), I need to get ingredients for my Im-an-Indian-Giver-Dinner that I'm making for my Bible Study girls tonight! :-)
yaaaaaaayyyy! I'm excited, I dont think any of them have ever had indian food before and since last week is on record as being "The worst week ever" for two of the girls I decided we needed a little COMFORT TIME....yessssss.
So, all in all, its important that I go to Wal Mart-yet, i think I'm going to go home and put on sweatpants and running shoes before I go...because I dont feel like slipping around on my heels on the shiny walmart floor.
Ok, so that was a whole post about me going to Wal Mart. Hope you enjoyed.
October 29, 2006
Nerdom...
Sooooo.....I read The Horse and His Boy this weekend.....I totally believe that books are "seasonal" and The Chronicles of Narnia are definitely in the "cool/cold" weather category...who knows why exactly...its just the way it is. Anyway, this weekend, because I love you...I underlined the quotes that really spoke to me...and I will share them with you now, however, if I'd had my way I would have underlined the WHOLE BOOK...so I suggest you go read it right now. It'll only take you a day...and it'll be a good day.
~
"Oh sweet air of Narnia! An hour's life there is better than a thousand years in Calormen." ( Yeah, C.S Lewis stole straight from the Bible on that one!)
~
"One of the worst results of being a slave and being forced to do things is that when there is no one to force you any more you find you have almost lost the power of forcing yourself. "
~
"(Shasta) thought, "The poor chaps doing all he can already," and held his tonge. And certainly both the Horses were doing, if not all they could, all they thought they could; which is not quite the same thing."
~
"It was the same snarling roar he had heard that moonlit night when they first met Aravis and Hwin. Bree knew it too. His eyes gleamed red and his ears lay flat back on his skull. And Bree now discovered that he had not really been going as fast-not quite as fast-as he could. Shasta felt the change at once. Now they were really going all out. "
~
"So ( Shasta) went on at a walking pace and the unseen companion walked and breathed beside him. At last he could bear it no longer.
"Who are you?" he said, scarcely above a whisper.
"One who has waited long for you to speak." Said the Thing. Its voice was not loud, but very large and deep. "
~
"Once more he felt the warm breath of the Thing on his hand and face...."Tell me your sorrows."
~
"I was the lion." And as Shasta gaped with open mouth and said nothing, the voice continued. " I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who gave the Horses new strength of fear for the last mile so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it would come to shore and where a man sat, wakeful at midnight to receive you."
~
"Who are you? asked Shasta.
"Myself." said the Voice, very deep and low so that the earth shook, and again, "Myself," loud and clear and gay: and then the third time "Myself," whispered so softly you could hardly hear it, and yet it seemed to come from all around you as if the leaves rustled with it."
~
"Shasta was no longer afraid...But a new and different sort of trembling came over him. Yet he felt glad too."
~
"It was from the Lion that the light came. No one ever saw anything more terrible or beautiful."
~
"And of course ( Shasta) knew none of the true stories about Aslan, the great Lion, the son fo the Emperor-over-the-Sea, the King above all High Kings in Narnia. But after one glance at the Lion's face he sliped out of the saddle and feel at its feet. He couldn't say anything but then he didnt want to say anything, and he knew he needn't say anything. "
~
" The Rabbit agreed that this was very remarkable news and that somebody ought to tell someone about it with a view to doing something. And so it went on. Every few minutes they were joined by new creatures...For the truth was that in that golden age when the Witch and the Winter had gone and Peter the High King ruled at Cair Paravel, the smaller woodland people of Narnia were so safe and happy that they were getting a little careless."
~
" At last they were going in single file along the edge of the precipice and Shasta shuddered to think that he had done the same last night without knowing it. "But of course," he thought, "I was quite safe. That is why the Lion kept on my left. He was between me and the edge all the time."
~
"Strange to say, they felt no inclination to talk to one another about ( Aslan) after he had gone. They all moved slowly away to different parts of the quiet grass and there paced to and fro, each alone, thinking."
~
"The Aravis told ( the story). And Cor, who had very much wanted the story to be known, though he felt he couldnt tell it himself, didnt enjoy it so much as he had expected, and indeed felt rather foolish. But his father enjoyed it very much indeed and in the course of the next few weeks told it to so many people that Cor wished it had never happened."
~
"Aslan was gone. But there was a brightness in the air and on the grass, and a joy in their hearts, which assured them that he had been no dream."
~
"Aravis also had many quarrels ( and, I'm afraid, even fights) with Cor, but they always made it up again; so that many years later, when they were grown up, they were so use to quarreling and making up again that they got married so as to go on doing it more conveniently."
~
"Oh sweet air of Narnia! An hour's life there is better than a thousand years in Calormen." ( Yeah, C.S Lewis stole straight from the Bible on that one!)
~
"One of the worst results of being a slave and being forced to do things is that when there is no one to force you any more you find you have almost lost the power of forcing yourself. "
~
"(Shasta) thought, "The poor chaps doing all he can already," and held his tonge. And certainly both the Horses were doing, if not all they could, all they thought they could; which is not quite the same thing."
~
"It was the same snarling roar he had heard that moonlit night when they first met Aravis and Hwin. Bree knew it too. His eyes gleamed red and his ears lay flat back on his skull. And Bree now discovered that he had not really been going as fast-not quite as fast-as he could. Shasta felt the change at once. Now they were really going all out. "
~
"So ( Shasta) went on at a walking pace and the unseen companion walked and breathed beside him. At last he could bear it no longer.
"Who are you?" he said, scarcely above a whisper.
"One who has waited long for you to speak." Said the Thing. Its voice was not loud, but very large and deep. "
~
"Once more he felt the warm breath of the Thing on his hand and face...."Tell me your sorrows."
~
"I was the lion." And as Shasta gaped with open mouth and said nothing, the voice continued. " I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who gave the Horses new strength of fear for the last mile so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it would come to shore and where a man sat, wakeful at midnight to receive you."
~
"Who are you? asked Shasta.
"Myself." said the Voice, very deep and low so that the earth shook, and again, "Myself," loud and clear and gay: and then the third time "Myself," whispered so softly you could hardly hear it, and yet it seemed to come from all around you as if the leaves rustled with it."
~
"Shasta was no longer afraid...But a new and different sort of trembling came over him. Yet he felt glad too."
~
"It was from the Lion that the light came. No one ever saw anything more terrible or beautiful."
~
"And of course ( Shasta) knew none of the true stories about Aslan, the great Lion, the son fo the Emperor-over-the-Sea, the King above all High Kings in Narnia. But after one glance at the Lion's face he sliped out of the saddle and feel at its feet. He couldn't say anything but then he didnt want to say anything, and he knew he needn't say anything. "
~
" The Rabbit agreed that this was very remarkable news and that somebody ought to tell someone about it with a view to doing something. And so it went on. Every few minutes they were joined by new creatures...For the truth was that in that golden age when the Witch and the Winter had gone and Peter the High King ruled at Cair Paravel, the smaller woodland people of Narnia were so safe and happy that they were getting a little careless."
~
" At last they were going in single file along the edge of the precipice and Shasta shuddered to think that he had done the same last night without knowing it. "But of course," he thought, "I was quite safe. That is why the Lion kept on my left. He was between me and the edge all the time."
~
"Strange to say, they felt no inclination to talk to one another about ( Aslan) after he had gone. They all moved slowly away to different parts of the quiet grass and there paced to and fro, each alone, thinking."
~
"The Aravis told ( the story). And Cor, who had very much wanted the story to be known, though he felt he couldnt tell it himself, didnt enjoy it so much as he had expected, and indeed felt rather foolish. But his father enjoyed it very much indeed and in the course of the next few weeks told it to so many people that Cor wished it had never happened."
~
"Aslan was gone. But there was a brightness in the air and on the grass, and a joy in their hearts, which assured them that he had been no dream."
~
"Aravis also had many quarrels ( and, I'm afraid, even fights) with Cor, but they always made it up again; so that many years later, when they were grown up, they were so use to quarreling and making up again that they got married so as to go on doing it more conveniently."
October 28, 2006
My story...
remember how I told you I was going to the Scribblers party this afternoon...and that i had to write a story that started with "It was a dark and stormy night..." ? Well, here is my story....
It was a dark and stormy knight that first drew her attention to the back of the tavern. He wasnt like the other knights, so shiny and polished in their deeds.
He had been mulling over his ale for hours. Normally Sarah would have complained about this to the other tavern girls since he was taking up valuable seating space and hadnt ordered a drink in hours. Yet, there was something about the way that he stared into his stein that made her keep her distance, an intensity of the eyes that kept her from mentioning him to anyone. It did not, however, keep her from periodically pushing by his end of the long wooden talbe. It gave her the opportunity to quickly glance down at the piece of parchment that was spread out in front of him. Sarah wondered if it was the circular annoucing the jousting tournament that was to be held the next morning. If it was, she felt sure she would be rooting for him. Yes, she would, maybe even throw down a handkerchief that had been strategically placed in her blouse moments before. Oh yes, Sarah could tell that this fascination with the brooding knight was only just the beginning. As the evening progressed, her glances in the direction of the sinister character grew more and more frequent, her imagination had already begun to formulate their first meeting...possibly after his big jousting win, he would see her through the crowd, grab her arm, and thank her for her inspirational handkerchief that had sealed his victory. Oh yes, it would be glorious....
Sarah's dream was cut short as a shrill, high pitched sound pierced through the din of the tavern. Everyone's eyes turned towards the brooding knight and to Sarah's horror his once dark and stormy face had been alumniated by a blue glow as he held a cell phone to his helmeted ear. Oh! How Sarah hated when civilians brought modern conveniences into the Renaissance fair!
But, her annoyance quckily turned to indifference as she went back to serving her more dedicated clientele, as luck would have it, a surf with an authentic sackcloth waistcoat waved her over to buy another ale. Sarah sighed with satisfaction, it might turn out to be a successful evening afterall!
It was a dark and stormy knight that first drew her attention to the back of the tavern. He wasnt like the other knights, so shiny and polished in their deeds.
He had been mulling over his ale for hours. Normally Sarah would have complained about this to the other tavern girls since he was taking up valuable seating space and hadnt ordered a drink in hours. Yet, there was something about the way that he stared into his stein that made her keep her distance, an intensity of the eyes that kept her from mentioning him to anyone. It did not, however, keep her from periodically pushing by his end of the long wooden talbe. It gave her the opportunity to quickly glance down at the piece of parchment that was spread out in front of him. Sarah wondered if it was the circular annoucing the jousting tournament that was to be held the next morning. If it was, she felt sure she would be rooting for him. Yes, she would, maybe even throw down a handkerchief that had been strategically placed in her blouse moments before. Oh yes, Sarah could tell that this fascination with the brooding knight was only just the beginning. As the evening progressed, her glances in the direction of the sinister character grew more and more frequent, her imagination had already begun to formulate their first meeting...possibly after his big jousting win, he would see her through the crowd, grab her arm, and thank her for her inspirational handkerchief that had sealed his victory. Oh yes, it would be glorious....
Sarah's dream was cut short as a shrill, high pitched sound pierced through the din of the tavern. Everyone's eyes turned towards the brooding knight and to Sarah's horror his once dark and stormy face had been alumniated by a blue glow as he held a cell phone to his helmeted ear. Oh! How Sarah hated when civilians brought modern conveniences into the Renaissance fair!
But, her annoyance quckily turned to indifference as she went back to serving her more dedicated clientele, as luck would have it, a surf with an authentic sackcloth waistcoat waved her over to buy another ale. Sarah sighed with satisfaction, it might turn out to be a successful evening afterall!
October 27, 2006
just go with it...
So, when the day started with a message on my work answering machine telling me that I had made a factual mistake in my newspaper article and "if you are going to write something in the paper you should take the time to get the facts right."
Followed by the person hanging up...
I pretty much had to make the CONSCIOUS decision to not have a bad day. I mean, right there....it was very very easy to be in a BAD mood all day.
But, it wasnt really bad...a lot of really nice unexpected blessings happened.
1. My old boss put a "christmas bonus" in my IRA bank account....for no reason but to be nice.
2. My new job gave me a raise to make my yearly income an "even number" back in August and it was finally put into affect today.
3. My landlord came by to apologize for telling me that I needed to "turn out lights" because turns out my electric bill wasnt all that hight afterall ( seeeeee? telling the world that he use to be the most handsome boy in high school musta worked for me! hahaha!)
4. Anna and I ate pizza and watched very indulgent TV...and laughed and talked...it was fun...as always.
5. The moon is a beautiful crescent at the moment...and its crisp and cool evening.
6. Tomorrow is Saturday and I'm going to a swimteam reunion....which should be interesting. ;-)
Followed by the person hanging up...
I pretty much had to make the CONSCIOUS decision to not have a bad day. I mean, right there....it was very very easy to be in a BAD mood all day.
But, it wasnt really bad...a lot of really nice unexpected blessings happened.
1. My old boss put a "christmas bonus" in my IRA bank account....for no reason but to be nice.
2. My new job gave me a raise to make my yearly income an "even number" back in August and it was finally put into affect today.
3. My landlord came by to apologize for telling me that I needed to "turn out lights" because turns out my electric bill wasnt all that hight afterall ( seeeeee? telling the world that he use to be the most handsome boy in high school musta worked for me! hahaha!)
4. Anna and I ate pizza and watched very indulgent TV...and laughed and talked...it was fun...as always.
5. The moon is a beautiful crescent at the moment...and its crisp and cool evening.
6. Tomorrow is Saturday and I'm going to a swimteam reunion....which should be interesting. ;-)
October 26, 2006
balance
So, the cool thing that happened today was that I realized that they put my Newspaper article for this week on the internet which is nice...
But the uncool thing that happened today was that I realized I put "2005-2006 Board Members" instead of "2006-2007 Board Members" in my Alumni Newsletter...hours and hours of me with a black marker...I hate myself sometimes ;-)
Stupid, stupid...
Although, the cute little old ladies that call to talk about their high school memories in the 1940s makes my job totally worth it.
Go read it!
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