I finally finished No Greater Love by Mother Teresa back at the end of May. It took me quite awhile - I had to renew the book at the library more times than I care to admit. This was in no way due to the book being difficult to read or uninteresting. I just found Mother Teresa's words so thought-provoking that I could only read short chunks at a time before needing to set the book aside and reflect for awhile.
It goes without saying that Mother Teresa was an amazing woman. I think anyone who has ever heard of her would take that as a given. After reading this book though, I feel confident in stating that she was also a woman who epitomized non-consumeristic and counter-cultural living, as well as the giving-not-taking lifestyle that I so much want to emulate.
Below are just a few quotes from the book that stuck with me. Taken as a whole, I think these words very much represent the kinds of thoughts and ideas that seem to be constantly swirling around in my head in this season of my life.
"Words that do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness." (pg. 16) (Gack! Knife. To. The. Heart.)
"I believe that if God finds a person more useless than me, He will do even greater things through her because this work is His." (pg. 66)
"Jesus will use you to accomplish great things on the condition that you believe much more in His love than in your weakness." (pg. 87) (Wow. I could sit and thank about this sentence for forever. It is so true, so powerful, and gives me so much joy - yet it is also so challenging.)
"You in the West have the spiritually poorest of the poor much more than you have the physically poor. Often among the rich are very spiritually poor people. I find it is easy to give a plate of rice to a hungry person, to furnish a bed to a person who has no bed, but to console or to remove the bitterness, anger, and loneliness that comes from being spiritually deprived, that takes a long time." (pg. 94-95)
"One day there springs up the desire for money and for all that money can provide - the superfluous, luxury in eating, luxury in dressing, trifles. Needs increase because one thing calls for another. The result is uncontrollable dissatisfaction. Let us remain as empty as possible so that God can fill us up." (pg. 95)
"Poverty is freedom. It is a freedom so that what I possess doesn't own me, so that what I possess doesn't hold me down, so that my possessions don't keep me from sharing or giving of myself." (pg. 96-97)
"If you want a happy family, if you want a holy family, give your hearts to love." (pg. 132)
"The work that we do is only a means to put our love for Christ into living action." (pg. 147)
"We will allow only God to make plans for the future, for yesterday has gone, tomorrow has not yet come, and we have only today to make Him known, loved and served." (pg. 148)
What more could I possible say? Amen!
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Friday, June 11, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The Ringleader
Someone has recently become a little obsessed with taking pictures of her favorite friends.
She gathers them together very carefully...
...then tries desperately to climb into the chair in front of the computer without dropping one. "Pictures? Pictures?" she pleads.
Some of them are cuter than others. I'll leave you to your own opinions.
Frankly, I find the monkey to be a bit of a strange choice. But who can say no to that face?
I don't think I've given much of an update on Miss Eden recently. We haven't been to the doctor in several months so I've no idea what her height and weight are at the moment. But lately she has seemed, almost all of a sudden, much more of a little girl than a baby or even a toddler. She can be amazing and confounding and utterly delightful and completely provoking. She surprises me everyday with what she can do and what she knows and just with the incredible little person she is becoming.
She can run. Fast. She can also do pull-ups.
She can recognize and name most of the letters of the alphabet, although not in order for the most part, and pretty much never on command.
She has recited her numbers from 1 to 10 several times, once going to 11 and then tagging a 19 on the end for good measure.
I've stopped counting her words. She knows a lot.
She still calls flowers "waffles." Blueberries are still "happies." Daddy and doggy are virtually indistinguishable - but if you ask her which one she is referring to, she'll add a little "ruff, ruff!" to be helpful, if it's appropriate.
We've noticed she seems to be picking up just a little grammar too (although a bit inaccurately). More than one sheep are "sheeps," and when our two cats are sleeping curled up in the same bed, they become "Shebas."
She has a massive sweet tooth. She is highly suspicious of anyone eating anything in the vicinity of a recent cookie spotting. If you give her a chocolate chip cookie, she will carefully locate the visible chips and try to gnaw them out first before consuming the rest.
She still loves trucks, and buses, and trains. All motorcycles are "bicycles."
She has an absolutely amazing memory. She knows when we're driving to church just based on what she can see out of our back window. As soon as we pull into the parking lot for the mall she starts demanding to see the "horses" (the carousel). She remembers people and asks for them by name days after she has seen them. She seemingly memorizes new books from the library overnight and knows what animal or object is going to appear on the next page often well before I do.
She loves, loves, loves books. She will now go through all the books on her bookshelf at least once if not multiples times a day. She wants to be read to, she wants to look at the pictures, and sometimes, she wants to read aloud to herself. This is absolutely adorable because it is usually a bunch of meaningless jabber with key words thrown in. Thus, Everywhere Babies becomes "jabber jabber jabber babies!" on every page and We're Going on a Bear Hunt is read with a repetition of "uh oh!"
She is obsessed with Sesame Street. Particularly Elmo. She also loves watching the Bare Necessities clip from The Jungle Book on YouTube. "Bear?! Bear?!" she'll cry if she sees you open your computer.
She's not at all perfect, of course. Lately we are dealing with unwanted food being thrown on the floor and running away when it's time to go to bed (or when she wants to do anything other than what you are taking her to do). She gets frustrated easily and has the most high-pitched, ear-splitting shriek of anger that you can possibly imagine. And she can be so S-T-U-B-B-O-R-N.
She continues to be, as she was named, a "delight." I am so thankful to know her and to be able to watch her learn and grow and develop.
She gathers them together very carefully...
...then tries desperately to climb into the chair in front of the computer without dropping one. "Pictures? Pictures?" she pleads.
Some of them are cuter than others. I'll leave you to your own opinions.
Frankly, I find the monkey to be a bit of a strange choice. But who can say no to that face?I don't think I've given much of an update on Miss Eden recently. We haven't been to the doctor in several months so I've no idea what her height and weight are at the moment. But lately she has seemed, almost all of a sudden, much more of a little girl than a baby or even a toddler. She can be amazing and confounding and utterly delightful and completely provoking. She surprises me everyday with what she can do and what she knows and just with the incredible little person she is becoming.
She can run. Fast. She can also do pull-ups.
She can recognize and name most of the letters of the alphabet, although not in order for the most part, and pretty much never on command.
She has recited her numbers from 1 to 10 several times, once going to 11 and then tagging a 19 on the end for good measure.
I've stopped counting her words. She knows a lot.
She still calls flowers "waffles." Blueberries are still "happies." Daddy and doggy are virtually indistinguishable - but if you ask her which one she is referring to, she'll add a little "ruff, ruff!" to be helpful, if it's appropriate.
We've noticed she seems to be picking up just a little grammar too (although a bit inaccurately). More than one sheep are "sheeps," and when our two cats are sleeping curled up in the same bed, they become "Shebas."
She has a massive sweet tooth. She is highly suspicious of anyone eating anything in the vicinity of a recent cookie spotting. If you give her a chocolate chip cookie, she will carefully locate the visible chips and try to gnaw them out first before consuming the rest.
She still loves trucks, and buses, and trains. All motorcycles are "bicycles."
She has an absolutely amazing memory. She knows when we're driving to church just based on what she can see out of our back window. As soon as we pull into the parking lot for the mall she starts demanding to see the "horses" (the carousel). She remembers people and asks for them by name days after she has seen them. She seemingly memorizes new books from the library overnight and knows what animal or object is going to appear on the next page often well before I do.
She loves, loves, loves books. She will now go through all the books on her bookshelf at least once if not multiples times a day. She wants to be read to, she wants to look at the pictures, and sometimes, she wants to read aloud to herself. This is absolutely adorable because it is usually a bunch of meaningless jabber with key words thrown in. Thus, Everywhere Babies becomes "jabber jabber jabber babies!" on every page and We're Going on a Bear Hunt is read with a repetition of "uh oh!"
She is obsessed with Sesame Street. Particularly Elmo. She also loves watching the Bare Necessities clip from The Jungle Book on YouTube. "Bear?! Bear?!" she'll cry if she sees you open your computer.
She's not at all perfect, of course. Lately we are dealing with unwanted food being thrown on the floor and running away when it's time to go to bed (or when she wants to do anything other than what you are taking her to do). She gets frustrated easily and has the most high-pitched, ear-splitting shriek of anger that you can possibly imagine. And she can be so S-T-U-B-B-O-R-N.
She continues to be, as she was named, a "delight." I am so thankful to know her and to be able to watch her learn and grow and develop.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
A Progress Report
First things first. I am sleepy, sugar-fueled, and frankly, a tad grumpy. I probably have no business writing a blog post at this time. But it's that or wash the dishes, so here I am!
I would secretly (well, not so secretly anymore, hmm) love to think that I have some sort of audience out there nervously chewing off their fingernails as they wait for the next installment of updates on our lives and/or Part Two of Stephanie's Meandering Thoughts on How To Be A Better Person. But, fortunately, there is still some rationality tucked up somewhere in some little-used corner of my brain, and that rationality is calmly confident that neither audience nor nervous chewing exists. All the same, I feel I owe someone an explanation about the lack-of-posting that has happened lately. Again. So, here is your explanation: 1. I am lazy. 2. Our lives really aren't that exciting. That's all! Also, it is absolutely going to happen again! Probably right after this post! So if any one of my imaginary audience-members should ever find themselves wondering, hey, what's up with Stephanie, she hasn't posted in forever... just remember: Lazy! Not Exciting Anyway! And, for my part, I promise (for as long as I remember) to never waste your time writing out another excuse again. Agreed? Excellent! Moving on...
Believe it or not, it is February 17th, and I have not forgotten my resolutions! Not that I have made a lot of progress on them, but I still remember what they are! Let's be honest, that's an incredible feat for me. In the interest of accountability, here is a progress (or not) report:
Resolution 1: Make all doctor appointments
I made an appointment with my primary care physician and with Eden's cardiologist. I also found out that Eden's next well-baby appointment isn't until she's two, so we're good for awhile there. And Pete and I decided to hold off on the ophthalmologist visit for a bit longer too. I actually had my appointment with my primary care physician this morning, and it is the main reason I'm feeling grumpy. It did not go well - it was basically an exercise in why I hate doctor's appointments anyway with a little our-health-care-system-leaves-much-to-be-desired thrown in for good effect. Nothing was resolved, and I will NOT be going back. To any doctor. Ever again. Okay, I jest. I will still make my appointments with my OB/GYN, an eye doctor, and the dentist. But that's it! Can we call that progress, please?
Resolution 2: Develop a habit of reading the Bible every day
Well, I'm definitely not at every day yet. But I'm better than before! Slow progress is being made, and I'm hopeful that it will continue.
Resolution 3: Eat better and exercise more
[crickets chirping]
Resolution 4: Learn to live counter-culturally and not be (as much of) a consumer
Again, slow progress is being made. I'm still thinking about it A LOT. I would like to move a little more into an acting phase, but I also don't want to just do something so that I can say I did it. I want it to mean something - to flow out of what I actually believe to be true and valuable. I have selected a book by Mother Teresa to begin reading (as soon as I finish the parenting book I'm working on). It was recommended by several friends so I'm excited to read it. I also question my purchases more now too - not just, is this economical? But, do I really need this? And what do I need it for? Am I trying to buy happiness or fill an actual need? Honestly, sometimes I recognize that I'm trying to buy happiness, and I do it anyway. Because frankly, in that moment I just don't have the strength of character to want to be different. I read an interesting quote today - the author (Frederica Mathewes-Green) said, "Everyone wants to be transformed, but nobody wants to change." I can strongly identify with that statement.
Peter and I also did some talking awhile back and decided to give up our tenth anniversary trip to Hawaii. Instead, we're giving the money to organizations working in Haiti to serve the people who are suffering so profoundly following the earthquake. I'd love to tell you that it was an easy decision, but it wasn't. I still feel sad about it sometimes and want to throw a pity-party. (I've discovered lately that I am EXCEPTIONALLY good at pity parties. Seriously, I can put on a gold-medal performance, people.) But when I think about what those women and children in Haiti have to accept - have to endure - I am ashamed. I think again, too, about those people in The Hunger Games, whose hearts have been hardened to suffering and who think no further than their own entertainment while children are dying in front of them. I don't want to be one of those people. Peter said it made him a little sad too, but also reminded him about the Baileys in It's A Wonderful Life - how George Bailey always has these plans to get out of Bedford Falls and see the world, and how he always chooses to set those plans aside to do what is right and show compassion toward others. I don't remember everything Pete said, but I do know that at the end he said something along the lines of, "it's a better way to live".
And really, that's what I'm hoping to find: a better way to live. I wish that I could find that better way through some sort of painless transformation, but I have a feeling that it's going to look a lot more like slow, pokey, old change. The occasionally painful kind. The hard-to-welcome kind.
Today is Ash Wednesday. It's the first day of Lent. I honestly don't know much about Lent - it was not part of the Christian traditions that I grew up with. But from what I can tell, if there is ever a time in the year to do some honest, determined self-reflection, this is the time. This is also the time to think deeply about the ways my God is calling me to serve the world around me. And this is the time to remember that we have each been given a "cup," and that we are called to share in the sufferings of Christ, just as He bore the suffering of the world.
I don't have a good way to end this post except to add two thought-provoking verses that I stumbled across when trying to find the prayer Jesus prayed about His "cup" in the Garden of Gethsemane. Good meditations for Lent, I think!
"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." --Matthew 10:42
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean." --Matthew 23:25-26
I would secretly (well, not so secretly anymore, hmm) love to think that I have some sort of audience out there nervously chewing off their fingernails as they wait for the next installment of updates on our lives and/or Part Two of Stephanie's Meandering Thoughts on How To Be A Better Person. But, fortunately, there is still some rationality tucked up somewhere in some little-used corner of my brain, and that rationality is calmly confident that neither audience nor nervous chewing exists. All the same, I feel I owe someone an explanation about the lack-of-posting that has happened lately. Again. So, here is your explanation: 1. I am lazy. 2. Our lives really aren't that exciting. That's all! Also, it is absolutely going to happen again! Probably right after this post! So if any one of my imaginary audience-members should ever find themselves wondering, hey, what's up with Stephanie, she hasn't posted in forever... just remember: Lazy! Not Exciting Anyway! And, for my part, I promise (for as long as I remember) to never waste your time writing out another excuse again. Agreed? Excellent! Moving on...
Believe it or not, it is February 17th, and I have not forgotten my resolutions! Not that I have made a lot of progress on them, but I still remember what they are! Let's be honest, that's an incredible feat for me. In the interest of accountability, here is a progress (or not) report:
Resolution 1: Make all doctor appointments
I made an appointment with my primary care physician and with Eden's cardiologist. I also found out that Eden's next well-baby appointment isn't until she's two, so we're good for awhile there. And Pete and I decided to hold off on the ophthalmologist visit for a bit longer too. I actually had my appointment with my primary care physician this morning, and it is the main reason I'm feeling grumpy. It did not go well - it was basically an exercise in why I hate doctor's appointments anyway with a little our-health-care-system-leaves-much-to-be-desired thrown in for good effect. Nothing was resolved, and I will NOT be going back. To any doctor. Ever again. Okay, I jest. I will still make my appointments with my OB/GYN, an eye doctor, and the dentist. But that's it! Can we call that progress, please?
Resolution 2: Develop a habit of reading the Bible every day
Well, I'm definitely not at every day yet. But I'm better than before! Slow progress is being made, and I'm hopeful that it will continue.
Resolution 3: Eat better and exercise more
[crickets chirping]
Resolution 4: Learn to live counter-culturally and not be (as much of) a consumer
Again, slow progress is being made. I'm still thinking about it A LOT. I would like to move a little more into an acting phase, but I also don't want to just do something so that I can say I did it. I want it to mean something - to flow out of what I actually believe to be true and valuable. I have selected a book by Mother Teresa to begin reading (as soon as I finish the parenting book I'm working on). It was recommended by several friends so I'm excited to read it. I also question my purchases more now too - not just, is this economical? But, do I really need this? And what do I need it for? Am I trying to buy happiness or fill an actual need? Honestly, sometimes I recognize that I'm trying to buy happiness, and I do it anyway. Because frankly, in that moment I just don't have the strength of character to want to be different. I read an interesting quote today - the author (Frederica Mathewes-Green) said, "Everyone wants to be transformed, but nobody wants to change." I can strongly identify with that statement.
Peter and I also did some talking awhile back and decided to give up our tenth anniversary trip to Hawaii. Instead, we're giving the money to organizations working in Haiti to serve the people who are suffering so profoundly following the earthquake. I'd love to tell you that it was an easy decision, but it wasn't. I still feel sad about it sometimes and want to throw a pity-party. (I've discovered lately that I am EXCEPTIONALLY good at pity parties. Seriously, I can put on a gold-medal performance, people.) But when I think about what those women and children in Haiti have to accept - have to endure - I am ashamed. I think again, too, about those people in The Hunger Games, whose hearts have been hardened to suffering and who think no further than their own entertainment while children are dying in front of them. I don't want to be one of those people. Peter said it made him a little sad too, but also reminded him about the Baileys in It's A Wonderful Life - how George Bailey always has these plans to get out of Bedford Falls and see the world, and how he always chooses to set those plans aside to do what is right and show compassion toward others. I don't remember everything Pete said, but I do know that at the end he said something along the lines of, "it's a better way to live".
And really, that's what I'm hoping to find: a better way to live. I wish that I could find that better way through some sort of painless transformation, but I have a feeling that it's going to look a lot more like slow, pokey, old change. The occasionally painful kind. The hard-to-welcome kind.
Today is Ash Wednesday. It's the first day of Lent. I honestly don't know much about Lent - it was not part of the Christian traditions that I grew up with. But from what I can tell, if there is ever a time in the year to do some honest, determined self-reflection, this is the time. This is also the time to think deeply about the ways my God is calling me to serve the world around me. And this is the time to remember that we have each been given a "cup," and that we are called to share in the sufferings of Christ, just as He bore the suffering of the world.
I don't have a good way to end this post except to add two thought-provoking verses that I stumbled across when trying to find the prayer Jesus prayed about His "cup" in the Garden of Gethsemane. Good meditations for Lent, I think!
"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." --Matthew 10:42
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean." --Matthew 23:25-26
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Resolved! I Think.
I wasn't going to make any resolutions this year. I've always been the kind of person to get carried away with them - and then NEVER keep them - which would just leave me feeling disappointed and discouraged.
This is what I mean by "carried away": for a long time I would try to make one resolution for each of the Five Dimensions of Wellness (if you were a Health Science major like I was, you know exactly what I'm talking about here). For example: Physical (usually something about exercising more or drinking more water, etc.), Mental/Intellectual (reading a certain number of books perhaps), Emotional (this was always a toughie - it's hard to remember what I might have resolved in the past for this one - keeping a gratitude journal, maybe?), Social (date nights with Peter, keeping up with friends), and Spiritual (often something to do with reading my Bible or memorizing Scripture or something). I'm not sure I ever once kept one single resolution from those lists. I meant so well! But I failed spectacularly every time.
So this year I wasn't going to make any resolutions. It seemed silly when the only result was always negative. HOWEVER, there have definitely been some things I've needed to do for quite a while, which I'd been putting off according to my typical procrastinator ways. And by the end of 2009 I found myself thinking, well, I'll just make them into resolutions and that will motivate me to take care of them when I have a fresh start in the new year.
LIES.
And yet, here I am.
It started off with just one thing - basically a task I hate and yet have been needing to take care of for some time now.
RESOLUTION 1: Make ALL doctor appointments.
For some reason that I can't explain, I HATE making appointments. HATE it. Even for things that I want to do or am looking forward to, like getting a haircut! I will put it off forever just because I don't want to call and make the appointment. Part of the problem is contained in that last sentence of course: call. I have an intense dislike for telephones. I either want to talk to you in person or e-mail you. I don't ever want to call you. Why? I'm not really sure. I have some guesses, but I don't want to get into them here because the last thing this blog needs is more random tangents. So, anyway, hatred of telephones plus dislike of visiting doctors and especially dentists equals no appointments. This needs to be rectified badly. Thus, I am resolved to make an appointment with: my primary care physician, my OB/GYN, an eye doctor, and a dentist. I also need to make an appointment for Eden with an ophthalmologist and a pediatric cardiologist (we're still waiting on the referral paperwork) as well as figure out when she needs her next well-baby appointment. Gah! That's SEVEN appointments!! I need to move on now because I can't think about this anymore.
Shortly after deciding on that first one, a couple of other things that had been on my mind for awhile got turned into resolutions.
RESOLUTION 2: Develop a habit of reading the Bible every day.
I used to do this. Then, I don't know, I got busy and tired and let's face it, ferociously mad at God a few times, and poof, there went that habit. It doesn't help that the Bible has always been a tough book for me. I love books! I love to read! But the vast majority of the time I have NO IDEA what the Biblical authors are talking about and that makes me either frustrated or bored or both. Peter reads the Bible ALL THE TIME. And not just because he's resolved to do it, although that may be true at times as well. But because he really enjoys it - and he understands it, at least a lot more than I do. He is basically a walking concordance/commentary. I'm always asking him, where's that verse about such-and-such, and he can usually correctly name the book and chapter if not the specific verse. Which is AWESOME. But I really need to stop being lazy and read for myself. I KNOW it's good for me, and I WANT to do it, but developing the habit is going to take some time. I'm not putting any additional requirements on this one: I'm not going to try to read a certain number of pages or chapters or for a certain number of minutes. But I'm going to try to read something every day, even if it's just a single verse. So far I've missed two days - mostly just because I got busy and forgot. But that's okay, because my resolution is to develop a habit - not to be perfect from the beginning.
RESOLUTION 3: Eat better and exercise more.
Snoooooooooze. I know, I know, I just typed the most incredibly generic and cliche resolution of all time. The truth is, Peter and I have been talking about how we both need to do this - and again, the new year just seemed like an opportune staring point. I realize that such a vague resolution is likely to be absolutely useless - but I'm actually keeping it deliberately vague, because I want to just try to make some small changes - any changes - and be happy with that. Again, this is more about getting started in a direction than actually accomplishing some kind of grand, fantastical goal. Because that latter thing, WON'T HAPPEN. But I know that I can do something. So right now, I'm just trying to approach it on a decision by decision basis. I'm going to Target, should I walk or drive the car? Walking is healthier, so choose to walk. I want a snack, should I choose an apple or cookie? Again, identify the healthier choice and try to make it more often than not. BUT, since I don't have to hit some specific goal, there's not as much pressure. And every time I make a healthy choice, I feel good, because I'm fully realizing my resolution with each one. I hope that makes sense. I don't think this approach will accomplish much, but if it becomes something I hate, then I also know I won't accomplish anything. So, we'll see what happens.
I was pretty much done with those three. They represent things that are both important and that have been really nagging at me for awhile. And three is a good number - enough to be significant altogether, but hopefully not enough to become overwhelming.
Then something kind of weird happened.
RESOLUTION 4: Learn to live counter-culturally and not be (as much of) a consumer.
What??
Okay, I am not that person. I am not a hippie-granola-culture-snob. (Apologies if you consider yourself one of those.) I like Starbucks. I like Target. I like television and movies and fast food and shopping malls (occasionally) and all the other normal staples of middle-class America. I would totally shop at Gap more often if the price differences between the men's clothes and women's clothes didn't send me into a fuming rage every time I was there. I am the last person on earth to ever want to utter the words counter-cultural, because I don't know... ewww. Then, all of a sudden, things began... shifting... in my mind.
It all started with my sister-in-law. (Hi Laura!)
She was telling me about this idea she had for Lent. I won't go into all of it, because I think she'll be covering it on her own blog (http://domesticgoddessphd.blogspot.com/) when Lent arrives - but in talking about her idea, we started talking about the habit of spending money. I am honestly not a big shopper. But at the same time, it's always nice to go and spend a little money. In fact, whenever I'm feeling down, one of my favorite pick-me-ups is to go and buy something. A smoothie, a brownie, a book, or a cd - something. I don't spend money that I don't have, and I don't spend outside of the parameters of our budget, but still, if I want to feel better, I spend money. And if I want to celebrate something? Same thing. Spend some money. The problem is not the individual purchases but the larger theme: buying something and being happy are definitely linked in my head. How did this happen? Who knows? I've got a couple of theories but again don't want to take the time at this point to get into it. The point is, this conversation got me thinking.
The next thing that happened was that Peter and I went to see Avatar.
First of all, I would like to say that I liked Avatar. I thought it was absolutely beautiful visually. And I enjoyed the story just fine too, despite the stereotypes and predictability and one-dimensional characters. Whatever. It's a big blockbuster movie. Remember that non-cultural-snob thing I said earlier? This is an example. I'm not looking to be enlightened, just entertained, and I thought Avatar was very entertaining.
But... it got me thinking again. It made me think about how the big bad military/company guys are portrayed as representing a culture of consumers - a society that has not learned to live within its means - a society that is more or less in the habit of consuming for consuming's sake. They no longer consume (sorry for the constant repetition of that word) to fill a real need, but almost because it has become an addiction. And in order to feed this addiction they have become hardened to the rights and needs of others - and even to the beauty in the world around them. (And yes, in the movie it was all pretty thick and heavy-handed, but again! Who cares!) What this actually made me think of was the verse from Philippians that says "...their god is their stomach..." (And since the book concordance is in the same room where Eden is sleeping right now, I had to wait until Pete, the human concordance, got home to find out the reference for that verse.)
Buying things because it makes me happy... because it's become a habit... consuming for consuming's sake... their god is their stomach. Do you see where I'm going here? All these thoughts were starting to pull together into a big knot in my mind. But I wasn't at the end of it yet.
Because then I read The Hunger Games.
Which I loved. Probably my favorite book since the Harry Potter series, in fact. I'm going to try very hard not to get too much into the details of this book because, 1) it's sci-fi, so there are a lot of details, and this post is already at legendary proportions as it is, and 2) you might want to read it (you should! you should!), and I don't want to spoil anything for you. But I'm still going to have to give a general summary so that you can follow my train of thought. I should also warn you that this is a very dark book with some pretty gut-wrenching themes and plot lines. But, that's part of the point as I think you will see.
The book takes place in the future, where somewhere in North America a new nation has risen up following a series of apocalyptic wars/natural disasters/etc. that have wiped out the world as we know it. This new nation is composed of a central Capitol surrounded by twelve Districts. The Capitol is your basic cruel totalitarian government, keeping the citizens of the Districts in poverty. Once, many years ago, the Districts had tried to fight back, but their rebellion was harshly overthrown. Now, as a punishment for this rebellion and as a reminder of the power of the Capitol over them, an annual lottery is held in which one girl and one boy (ages 12-18) are selected from each District to fight in the Hunger Games - which is essentially a fight to the death on national television.
Okay, I know right there I've lost many if not most of you. And that's okay - when I first heard about the plot, I thought it sounded completely ridiculous myself. In fact, the only real reason I finally read the book was because so many people were talking about it, and as a librarian, I feel like I really need to be on top of the book business. But somehow, crazy-sounding plot aside, the author really gets you with this book. And frankly, I found it downright eerie at times. The tributes (which is what the "contestants" in the Hunger Games are called) are brought to the Capitol from their Districts and given stylists and mentors and other staff to help them create what basically amounts to a marketing plan and carefully constructed public image. Why? Because, as the Games are aired live on television, they are not only trying to stay alive but also win over the audience. If they win over the audience, they are more likely to attract sponsors who can pay to send them supplies, etc., which will increase their odds of survival. It is all very much American Idol meets Survivor meets the Roman Empire. And it is horrifying and repulsive and alarmingly familiar. Seriously. If you've ever watched much reality television or those entertainment/paparazzi shows where the hosts shred the lives and families of complete strangers for the entertainment of their viewers, you will find this book much less far-fetched than you could ever imagine. And if you are like me, that will turn your stomach.
So. The point of all this is that I think I would really like to take some time this year to reflect on what I value and how those values may or may not always be supported by the culture around me. I don't know, maybe this all sounds really ridiculous. I mean, I did get some of this idea about not being a consumer and living counter-culturally from a blockbuster movie that is making already ridiculously rich people a billion dollars, and a bestselling novel, which is, obviously, culturally-approved. But it just seems extra important to me all of a sudden. Part of it I'm sure is because I'm a mom now. How do I teach Eden to see clearly the values and motives behind all the messages she will hear in this lifetime? How do I teach her to set a straight course through those messages based on her own understanding of what is true and right if I don't at least first model this in my own life?
I'm not planning any drastic changes honestly. I'm going to keep drinking my Starbucks and shopping at Target. For now, at least. :) But I want to think about what it means to be a consumer and what it means for your god to be an appetite. And I want to think about what it would mean to live the opposite of a consumeristic life - which, I guess, would mean a life that's lived not about taking in, but about giving out. And finally, I want to think about the ways in which I've been swept along by the not-so-good parts of the culture around me - how have I become blind and hard-hearted toward those that are hurting and oppressed? What horrors have I overlooked in my passive acceptance of the sometimes-slightly-too-shiny world I live in everyday?
At this point, I don't really know how to go about this resolution other than to, you know, think. So if you have any suggestions, I would love, love, love to hear them!! Really, I would love anyone's thoughts or (gentle) feedback about this stuff. The only other idea I've had so far is to try to find some books by people who I see as living genuine, non-consumeristic, counter-cultural lives. For example, I've ordered some books by Mother Teresa from the library. But again, thoughts/ideas/suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. And, I hope this goes without saying, but I'm really just reflecting on my own life here. No matter what I decide in my own life, I don't ever want to be the kind of person who looks down on others because of their Starbucks consumption, or whatever. That would be the opposite of what I'm trying to do.
I think this may be my longest post ever. Thanks for sticking with me this far (mom). I'll try to post any updates on how things are going or any new thoughts I've had.
Until then, here's to a new year and to new resolutions!
This is what I mean by "carried away": for a long time I would try to make one resolution for each of the Five Dimensions of Wellness (if you were a Health Science major like I was, you know exactly what I'm talking about here). For example: Physical (usually something about exercising more or drinking more water, etc.), Mental/Intellectual (reading a certain number of books perhaps), Emotional (this was always a toughie - it's hard to remember what I might have resolved in the past for this one - keeping a gratitude journal, maybe?), Social (date nights with Peter, keeping up with friends), and Spiritual (often something to do with reading my Bible or memorizing Scripture or something). I'm not sure I ever once kept one single resolution from those lists. I meant so well! But I failed spectacularly every time.
So this year I wasn't going to make any resolutions. It seemed silly when the only result was always negative. HOWEVER, there have definitely been some things I've needed to do for quite a while, which I'd been putting off according to my typical procrastinator ways. And by the end of 2009 I found myself thinking, well, I'll just make them into resolutions and that will motivate me to take care of them when I have a fresh start in the new year.
LIES.
And yet, here I am.
It started off with just one thing - basically a task I hate and yet have been needing to take care of for some time now.
RESOLUTION 1: Make ALL doctor appointments.
For some reason that I can't explain, I HATE making appointments. HATE it. Even for things that I want to do or am looking forward to, like getting a haircut! I will put it off forever just because I don't want to call and make the appointment. Part of the problem is contained in that last sentence of course: call. I have an intense dislike for telephones. I either want to talk to you in person or e-mail you. I don't ever want to call you. Why? I'm not really sure. I have some guesses, but I don't want to get into them here because the last thing this blog needs is more random tangents. So, anyway, hatred of telephones plus dislike of visiting doctors and especially dentists equals no appointments. This needs to be rectified badly. Thus, I am resolved to make an appointment with: my primary care physician, my OB/GYN, an eye doctor, and a dentist. I also need to make an appointment for Eden with an ophthalmologist and a pediatric cardiologist (we're still waiting on the referral paperwork) as well as figure out when she needs her next well-baby appointment. Gah! That's SEVEN appointments!! I need to move on now because I can't think about this anymore.
Shortly after deciding on that first one, a couple of other things that had been on my mind for awhile got turned into resolutions.
RESOLUTION 2: Develop a habit of reading the Bible every day.
I used to do this. Then, I don't know, I got busy and tired and let's face it, ferociously mad at God a few times, and poof, there went that habit. It doesn't help that the Bible has always been a tough book for me. I love books! I love to read! But the vast majority of the time I have NO IDEA what the Biblical authors are talking about and that makes me either frustrated or bored or both. Peter reads the Bible ALL THE TIME. And not just because he's resolved to do it, although that may be true at times as well. But because he really enjoys it - and he understands it, at least a lot more than I do. He is basically a walking concordance/commentary. I'm always asking him, where's that verse about such-and-such, and he can usually correctly name the book and chapter if not the specific verse. Which is AWESOME. But I really need to stop being lazy and read for myself. I KNOW it's good for me, and I WANT to do it, but developing the habit is going to take some time. I'm not putting any additional requirements on this one: I'm not going to try to read a certain number of pages or chapters or for a certain number of minutes. But I'm going to try to read something every day, even if it's just a single verse. So far I've missed two days - mostly just because I got busy and forgot. But that's okay, because my resolution is to develop a habit - not to be perfect from the beginning.
RESOLUTION 3: Eat better and exercise more.
Snoooooooooze. I know, I know, I just typed the most incredibly generic and cliche resolution of all time. The truth is, Peter and I have been talking about how we both need to do this - and again, the new year just seemed like an opportune staring point. I realize that such a vague resolution is likely to be absolutely useless - but I'm actually keeping it deliberately vague, because I want to just try to make some small changes - any changes - and be happy with that. Again, this is more about getting started in a direction than actually accomplishing some kind of grand, fantastical goal. Because that latter thing, WON'T HAPPEN. But I know that I can do something. So right now, I'm just trying to approach it on a decision by decision basis. I'm going to Target, should I walk or drive the car? Walking is healthier, so choose to walk. I want a snack, should I choose an apple or cookie? Again, identify the healthier choice and try to make it more often than not. BUT, since I don't have to hit some specific goal, there's not as much pressure. And every time I make a healthy choice, I feel good, because I'm fully realizing my resolution with each one. I hope that makes sense. I don't think this approach will accomplish much, but if it becomes something I hate, then I also know I won't accomplish anything. So, we'll see what happens.
I was pretty much done with those three. They represent things that are both important and that have been really nagging at me for awhile. And three is a good number - enough to be significant altogether, but hopefully not enough to become overwhelming.
Then something kind of weird happened.
RESOLUTION 4: Learn to live counter-culturally and not be (as much of) a consumer.
What??
Okay, I am not that person. I am not a hippie-granola-culture-snob. (Apologies if you consider yourself one of those.) I like Starbucks. I like Target. I like television and movies and fast food and shopping malls (occasionally) and all the other normal staples of middle-class America. I would totally shop at Gap more often if the price differences between the men's clothes and women's clothes didn't send me into a fuming rage every time I was there. I am the last person on earth to ever want to utter the words counter-cultural, because I don't know... ewww. Then, all of a sudden, things began... shifting... in my mind.
It all started with my sister-in-law. (Hi Laura!)
She was telling me about this idea she had for Lent. I won't go into all of it, because I think she'll be covering it on her own blog (http://domesticgoddessphd.blogspot.com/) when Lent arrives - but in talking about her idea, we started talking about the habit of spending money. I am honestly not a big shopper. But at the same time, it's always nice to go and spend a little money. In fact, whenever I'm feeling down, one of my favorite pick-me-ups is to go and buy something. A smoothie, a brownie, a book, or a cd - something. I don't spend money that I don't have, and I don't spend outside of the parameters of our budget, but still, if I want to feel better, I spend money. And if I want to celebrate something? Same thing. Spend some money. The problem is not the individual purchases but the larger theme: buying something and being happy are definitely linked in my head. How did this happen? Who knows? I've got a couple of theories but again don't want to take the time at this point to get into it. The point is, this conversation got me thinking.
The next thing that happened was that Peter and I went to see Avatar.
First of all, I would like to say that I liked Avatar. I thought it was absolutely beautiful visually. And I enjoyed the story just fine too, despite the stereotypes and predictability and one-dimensional characters. Whatever. It's a big blockbuster movie. Remember that non-cultural-snob thing I said earlier? This is an example. I'm not looking to be enlightened, just entertained, and I thought Avatar was very entertaining.
But... it got me thinking again. It made me think about how the big bad military/company guys are portrayed as representing a culture of consumers - a society that has not learned to live within its means - a society that is more or less in the habit of consuming for consuming's sake. They no longer consume (sorry for the constant repetition of that word) to fill a real need, but almost because it has become an addiction. And in order to feed this addiction they have become hardened to the rights and needs of others - and even to the beauty in the world around them. (And yes, in the movie it was all pretty thick and heavy-handed, but again! Who cares!) What this actually made me think of was the verse from Philippians that says "...their god is their stomach..." (And since the book concordance is in the same room where Eden is sleeping right now, I had to wait until Pete, the human concordance, got home to find out the reference for that verse.)
Buying things because it makes me happy... because it's become a habit... consuming for consuming's sake... their god is their stomach. Do you see where I'm going here? All these thoughts were starting to pull together into a big knot in my mind. But I wasn't at the end of it yet.
Because then I read The Hunger Games.
Which I loved. Probably my favorite book since the Harry Potter series, in fact. I'm going to try very hard not to get too much into the details of this book because, 1) it's sci-fi, so there are a lot of details, and this post is already at legendary proportions as it is, and 2) you might want to read it (you should! you should!), and I don't want to spoil anything for you. But I'm still going to have to give a general summary so that you can follow my train of thought. I should also warn you that this is a very dark book with some pretty gut-wrenching themes and plot lines. But, that's part of the point as I think you will see.
The book takes place in the future, where somewhere in North America a new nation has risen up following a series of apocalyptic wars/natural disasters/etc. that have wiped out the world as we know it. This new nation is composed of a central Capitol surrounded by twelve Districts. The Capitol is your basic cruel totalitarian government, keeping the citizens of the Districts in poverty. Once, many years ago, the Districts had tried to fight back, but their rebellion was harshly overthrown. Now, as a punishment for this rebellion and as a reminder of the power of the Capitol over them, an annual lottery is held in which one girl and one boy (ages 12-18) are selected from each District to fight in the Hunger Games - which is essentially a fight to the death on national television.
Okay, I know right there I've lost many if not most of you. And that's okay - when I first heard about the plot, I thought it sounded completely ridiculous myself. In fact, the only real reason I finally read the book was because so many people were talking about it, and as a librarian, I feel like I really need to be on top of the book business. But somehow, crazy-sounding plot aside, the author really gets you with this book. And frankly, I found it downright eerie at times. The tributes (which is what the "contestants" in the Hunger Games are called) are brought to the Capitol from their Districts and given stylists and mentors and other staff to help them create what basically amounts to a marketing plan and carefully constructed public image. Why? Because, as the Games are aired live on television, they are not only trying to stay alive but also win over the audience. If they win over the audience, they are more likely to attract sponsors who can pay to send them supplies, etc., which will increase their odds of survival. It is all very much American Idol meets Survivor meets the Roman Empire. And it is horrifying and repulsive and alarmingly familiar. Seriously. If you've ever watched much reality television or those entertainment/paparazzi shows where the hosts shred the lives and families of complete strangers for the entertainment of their viewers, you will find this book much less far-fetched than you could ever imagine. And if you are like me, that will turn your stomach.
So. The point of all this is that I think I would really like to take some time this year to reflect on what I value and how those values may or may not always be supported by the culture around me. I don't know, maybe this all sounds really ridiculous. I mean, I did get some of this idea about not being a consumer and living counter-culturally from a blockbuster movie that is making already ridiculously rich people a billion dollars, and a bestselling novel, which is, obviously, culturally-approved. But it just seems extra important to me all of a sudden. Part of it I'm sure is because I'm a mom now. How do I teach Eden to see clearly the values and motives behind all the messages she will hear in this lifetime? How do I teach her to set a straight course through those messages based on her own understanding of what is true and right if I don't at least first model this in my own life?
I'm not planning any drastic changes honestly. I'm going to keep drinking my Starbucks and shopping at Target. For now, at least. :) But I want to think about what it means to be a consumer and what it means for your god to be an appetite. And I want to think about what it would mean to live the opposite of a consumeristic life - which, I guess, would mean a life that's lived not about taking in, but about giving out. And finally, I want to think about the ways in which I've been swept along by the not-so-good parts of the culture around me - how have I become blind and hard-hearted toward those that are hurting and oppressed? What horrors have I overlooked in my passive acceptance of the sometimes-slightly-too-shiny world I live in everyday?
At this point, I don't really know how to go about this resolution other than to, you know, think. So if you have any suggestions, I would love, love, love to hear them!! Really, I would love anyone's thoughts or (gentle) feedback about this stuff. The only other idea I've had so far is to try to find some books by people who I see as living genuine, non-consumeristic, counter-cultural lives. For example, I've ordered some books by Mother Teresa from the library. But again, thoughts/ideas/suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated. And, I hope this goes without saying, but I'm really just reflecting on my own life here. No matter what I decide in my own life, I don't ever want to be the kind of person who looks down on others because of their Starbucks consumption, or whatever. That would be the opposite of what I'm trying to do.
I think this may be my longest post ever. Thanks for sticking with me this far (mom). I'll try to post any updates on how things are going or any new thoughts I've had.
Until then, here's to a new year and to new resolutions!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Radiant World
Awhile ago I checked out a book of poetry by Victor Hugo from the library. I have only had time to read a few of the poems here and there, but one in particular really stood out to me and has been rattling around in my brain for some time.
Unfortunately, while Victor Hugo lived in the 19th century, many of his works of poetry have only been translated and published in English in recent years. So while the original poems might be part of the public domain (although I'm not sure if France has the same copyright rules in that regard), these recently published translations are definitely not. Thus, I can't legally copy the poem out for you here in this blog like I'd like to.
However, Google Books provides a nice (and I presume, legal) preview of the book which includes the poem, "Tonight in clouds the sun has gone to bed...." The text is bilingual, meaning that the original French is on the left page with the corresponding English translation on the right. So, if you follow the link, you actually have to find the beginning of the poem at the bottom of page 49, then skip page 50 (which is the rest of the original French), and read the end on the top of page 51.
Annnnd, if anyone can (or even wants to) actually follow all those complicated and ridiculous steps, I will be extremely impressed. But, moving on.
I find this poem very comforting, perhaps bizarrely so. I suppose in some ways it can be a bit melancholy to be reminded of the transience of our lives. But I spend so much of my day worrying and fretting over really pointless, insignificant things. I agonize over decisions that seem momentous. Deep down, even I know that most of them won't matter in a year or two. Very, very few have a lifelong impact. And really, what even is that? My lifetime. Of such great importance to me. But just a blip in the span of time. I want to make the most of my life. And I try very, very hard to that end. Mostly though..., I fail. What a relief it is to know that my worries, and successes, and failures do not hold this world up.
This whole radiant world. I am so thankful for it.
Unfortunately, while Victor Hugo lived in the 19th century, many of his works of poetry have only been translated and published in English in recent years. So while the original poems might be part of the public domain (although I'm not sure if France has the same copyright rules in that regard), these recently published translations are definitely not. Thus, I can't legally copy the poem out for you here in this blog like I'd like to.
However, Google Books provides a nice (and I presume, legal) preview of the book which includes the poem, "Tonight in clouds the sun has gone to bed...." The text is bilingual, meaning that the original French is on the left page with the corresponding English translation on the right. So, if you follow the link, you actually have to find the beginning of the poem at the bottom of page 49, then skip page 50 (which is the rest of the original French), and read the end on the top of page 51.
Annnnd, if anyone can (or even wants to) actually follow all those complicated and ridiculous steps, I will be extremely impressed. But, moving on.
I find this poem very comforting, perhaps bizarrely so. I suppose in some ways it can be a bit melancholy to be reminded of the transience of our lives. But I spend so much of my day worrying and fretting over really pointless, insignificant things. I agonize over decisions that seem momentous. Deep down, even I know that most of them won't matter in a year or two. Very, very few have a lifelong impact. And really, what even is that? My lifetime. Of such great importance to me. But just a blip in the span of time. I want to make the most of my life. And I try very, very hard to that end. Mostly though..., I fail. What a relief it is to know that my worries, and successes, and failures do not hold this world up.
This whole radiant world. I am so thankful for it.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
A Few Firsts
I'm writing this as Eden naps and have no idea how much time I have - it could be minutes, it could be an hour (doubtful). So I'm just going to chuck out news/thoughts as they occur to me which likely means this will be a very disorganized post. But whatever, here goes:
Eden News (which, be honest, is probably all you're really here for anyway - and I don't blame you - it is, after all, why I started this blog in the first place):
And she's awake!!
Eden News (which, be honest, is probably all you're really here for anyway - and I don't blame you - it is, after all, why I started this blog in the first place):
- Since my last post, Eden has successfully rolled over multiple times - always from stomach to back and always over her right side. The first time we thought it was a fluke and maybe she just kind of fell over since we had her propped up a tad, but then we removed the prop and she promptly rolled over again - twice in a row. She has done it several times again since then - even once on request in front of a friend. (I would like to think that this means we are going to have a very obedient child, but I doubt this is so based on the following observation.) It should be noted that this rolling over always occurs when she has grown tired of mandated "tummy time" and has decided that if we aren't going to move her she is just going to take matters into her own hands.
- Speaking of her hands, a few nights ago she also sucked her thumb for the first time. She likes to suck on Peter's arm when he's holding her and she occasionally will kind of gnaw at her fist, but this was the first time she was clearly focused completely on just her thumb. It was very cute.
- She has become a very smiley baby - and she does the great baby thing of smiling with her whole face - wide open mouth, squinted eyes, etc. She smiles the most right after a good long nap, occasionally while pooping, and definitely while being cleaned up on the changing table. (She especially gets a kick out of being fanned dry.) For this reason, we are often reluctant to take her off of the changing table. She also really likes her crib mobile. She smiles the least anytime I get out the video camera. :)
- She took her first bottle this week - just an ounce (for "practice") on Monday night and then a full bottle (about 4 ounces) on Tuesday night while I went to women's Bible study. Peter said it took her about 20 minutes of fussing to drink the first half ounce or so and then suddenly she seemed to get the trick and downed the rest in just a few minutes. (I'm looking forward to the freedom that a bottle will provide, but I was also secretly pleased that she didn't immediately prefer the bottle over nursing. My baby needs me!)
- She attended her first high school football game last Friday and was very well behaved. Probably because she was being held by other people almost the whole night. She was able to wear her footie pajamas (it's normally too hot for those here) and looked extremely adorable.
- She's starting to make little baby talk noises: oohs and aaahs and squeals. I still haven't heard a clear laugh or giggle (except once or twice during sleep), but I'm really looking forward to it.
- She's getting chubby thighs. I think I'm finally able to let go of my fear that she's not getting enough to eat because of this clear evidence to the contrary. I continue to read that she should be eating 20-40 minutes each meal time, and she continues to eat for only about 10 minutes - with some coaxing (she's usually really done after about 7 or 8 minutes). She also continues to have green foamy poop. (Are you officially a parent when you consider the status of your daughter's poop important enough to announce to the world?) But as this does not seem to concern her (or Peter or our pediatrician) in the slightest, I guess I will have to officially resign my fear. But it's really the chubby thighs that did it.
- Ummmm. Can't really think of much to say here.
- Peter's job is going well.
- I need to find time to finish my classwork or it's never going to happen.
- I'm not allowing myself to read another baby book until Eden turns 3 months old (she'll turn 8 weeks tomorrow by the way!). I'm reading Little Women in little bits as I can for fun.
- Our friends threw a "Midwest Fest" to celebrate our birthdays - we grilled steaks, ate casseroles and peach cobbler, and watched football. It was lots of fun.
- The fact that it is now officially fall has really made me miss home. No changing leaves or cool temps here.
- Eden and I get to go with Peter to a school conference in the mountains in a few weeks - I'm really excited!
And she's awake!!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The Waiting Game
Blessings on the four people who voted that baby would arrive on or before her due date, but unfortunately that possibility has come and gone. We had a doctor's appointment on Monday (at which my OB politely asked me NOT to go into labor as she had three other patients in labor at that very moment), and we have another one scheduled for this Friday. I think if nothing has happened by that day my OB will talk about scheduling an induction. I don't really want an induction so I'm hoping things progress naturally before then, but I'm not completely against the idea either, especially since Peter's paternity leave starts tomorrow and it would be nice if he got to spend as much time home with the baby as possible. I'm still holding out hope for a July baby actually - but that means things need to start happening very soon! At the same time I'm trying to have a good attitude and not hold too tightly to my preferences. I know we'll have our baby very soon one way or the other.
We had a nice little earthquake here yesterday morning. The interesting thing about earthquakes (as opposed to other natural disasters like floods, I suppose) is that when they don't do any damage, they're actually kind of fun. Yesterday's quake, my sixth since moving to Southern California, was the strongest one I've felt so far and one of the longest. I actually scooted back from the table I was sitting at and told myself that if the shaking got any stronger I would go under the table just to be safe. But it didn't get any stronger, and it was really all over very quickly. The windows made a rather alarming popping sound at one point and a couple of small things fell over, but that was it. I tried to tell baby that God Himself was trying to shake her out, but apparently she remains unconvinced.
Well, that's all the news for now! I'm going to go clean my house (again) just in case I get my wish and baby comes today or tomorrow. One plus to this waiting game is that I just finished reading a book for fun - something I haven't been able to do in a long time. It's called Before Green Gables and is supposed to be the prequel to the Anne of Green Gables series. I recommend it, although I would also remind potential readers that Anne led a pretty miserable life before arriving at the Cuthberts on PEI. The author tries to keep the story in the same positive, upbeat tone as the rest of the series, but that's a bit of a challenge in light of Anne's history. However, although it's not 100% cheerful, I would still consider it an enjoyable read.
We had a nice little earthquake here yesterday morning. The interesting thing about earthquakes (as opposed to other natural disasters like floods, I suppose) is that when they don't do any damage, they're actually kind of fun. Yesterday's quake, my sixth since moving to Southern California, was the strongest one I've felt so far and one of the longest. I actually scooted back from the table I was sitting at and told myself that if the shaking got any stronger I would go under the table just to be safe. But it didn't get any stronger, and it was really all over very quickly. The windows made a rather alarming popping sound at one point and a couple of small things fell over, but that was it. I tried to tell baby that God Himself was trying to shake her out, but apparently she remains unconvinced.
Well, that's all the news for now! I'm going to go clean my house (again) just in case I get my wish and baby comes today or tomorrow. One plus to this waiting game is that I just finished reading a book for fun - something I haven't been able to do in a long time. It's called Before Green Gables and is supposed to be the prequel to the Anne of Green Gables series. I recommend it, although I would also remind potential readers that Anne led a pretty miserable life before arriving at the Cuthberts on PEI. The author tries to keep the story in the same positive, upbeat tone as the rest of the series, but that's a bit of a challenge in light of Anne's history. However, although it's not 100% cheerful, I would still consider it an enjoyable read.
Friday, July 18, 2008
The Exodus
As part of getting the apartment ready for baby, Peter and I recently unpacked the last few boxes from our move a little over a year ago. In the Hough House the last few boxes are always the toughest because they're always full of all the little random odds and ends that don't really have a home but you couldn't bring yourself to get rid of when you were packing up - so they all got dumped together in one big mess of a box. Well, my nesting instinct having kicked in to some extent, I recently decided that the time had come - the boxes had to go, along with any contents that we couldn't find a logical place or use for. I hate tedious decision-making though, so working through those boxes took me over a week - but now we're done! And that's a pretty good feeling.
At least two of the boxes were half-filled with all the notes and journals and handouts that I've collected over the years from apparently every Bible study, sermon, missions conference, etc., that I've ever been a part of. Now this stuff is especially difficult for me. I know that I will never read or even look at the vast majority of it again and we really don't have the space for it - but somehow throwing it away feels terrible, like I'm throwing away all my merit badges that prove (mostly to myself) that I am, in fact, a Christian. In the end however, good sense and the nesting instinct won out and most of it went in the trash, but I did keep a very few things.
One of the items I kept was from a Bible study on Exodus that Peter and I led back in college - I think just after we'd gotten married. It was one of my all-time favorite Bible studies - and to this day Exodus is one of my favorite books of the Bible. The item I kept is really just one small piece of paper titled, "What I Learned From Exodus." Here's the rest in case you're interested:
1. It is not about our capabilities, but about God's will and sovereignty and power. (What God chooses to do - He does.)
2. Deliverance rarely comes in the form or manner we expect. (Examples: Moses, manna, Jesus)
3. God has had this whole thing planned out since the beginning. (Moses' preparation; References to Christ in the Passover/Tabernacle)
4. It is very important to God that we know Him (who He is).
That's all! But after 8 years, it did my heart good to read those again.
At least two of the boxes were half-filled with all the notes and journals and handouts that I've collected over the years from apparently every Bible study, sermon, missions conference, etc., that I've ever been a part of. Now this stuff is especially difficult for me. I know that I will never read or even look at the vast majority of it again and we really don't have the space for it - but somehow throwing it away feels terrible, like I'm throwing away all my merit badges that prove (mostly to myself) that I am, in fact, a Christian. In the end however, good sense and the nesting instinct won out and most of it went in the trash, but I did keep a very few things.
One of the items I kept was from a Bible study on Exodus that Peter and I led back in college - I think just after we'd gotten married. It was one of my all-time favorite Bible studies - and to this day Exodus is one of my favorite books of the Bible. The item I kept is really just one small piece of paper titled, "What I Learned From Exodus." Here's the rest in case you're interested:
1. It is not about our capabilities, but about God's will and sovereignty and power. (What God chooses to do - He does.)
2. Deliverance rarely comes in the form or manner we expect. (Examples: Moses, manna, Jesus)
3. God has had this whole thing planned out since the beginning. (Moses' preparation; References to Christ in the Passover/Tabernacle)
4. It is very important to God that we know Him (who He is).
That's all! But after 8 years, it did my heart good to read those again.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
School, Books, Names, and The Pregosaurus
Let's see, some updates:
1. I'm done with school!!!! Okay, just the spring semester, but it was a killer, people. AND I have only one more class to take before I'm finished with the program, have my degree, and never, ever have to be in school again (fingers crossed). I'm currently signed up to take a Web Design class starting in June. The last day of class is actually my due date, so it should be interesting. I've already been pre-approved by the instructor for an Incomplete if I need it, but I'm really hoping that by some miracle I get everything done before I deliver so that once the baby comes I won't have to think about work OR school. It's probably wishful thinking, but a girl can hope.
2. Peter is almost finished with his school year. This upcoming week is his last week - which I think means it's mostly finals. A good wife would know for sure, but the details seem to have slipped my mind at the moment. He has a year-long contract so there's no big break coming up for him officially, but he will soon have A LOT more flexibility and free time in his work day which will be nice, and he'll be able to spend more time on the things he enjoys doing but always has to put off for other more urgent tasks. So we're looking forward to that.
3. I'm apparently at the irrationally-angry stage of pregnancy. Although perhaps this isn't actually a new stage and my friends and family have just been graciously putting up with a lot of abuse. I hope that's not the case. Anyway, the last week or two I've found myself becoming basically enraged by situations/circumstances/people that I might normally find frustrating but wouldn't consider homicide over. Yesterday at the library a patron I'd just finished helping grabbed a hold of my arm with both hands because she had just thought of another question to ask me and she wanted to quickly get my attention before I walked away. For me, it was kind of like a scene in a movie where you're looking out through a character's eyes, all the other noises in the room go silent, and you just hear the character's heartbeat and everything looks red - or something like that anyway. Fortunately, in the few seconds it took for me to get a grip and remind myself that I could NOT kill this woman (at least in the library with all the witnesses), she let go of my arm, and I was able to carry on like nothing had happened. As Andy from The Office once said, "That was an overreaction." I've been having a lot of overreactions lately, although I think I've successfully kept most of them hidden. As Baby Center informs me, I am now a "pregosaurus" - which is apparently the equivalent of bridezilla. I apologize in advance.
4. I finished The Host. If you don't know what I'm talking about see the below post on why it pays to be a librarian. Overall, I liked the book. The author is a good storyteller which is definitely what makes her Twilight series so popular. The Host took a little while to get going for me, and I lost my patience with the main character a few times (this could just have been pregosaurus warning signs), but I was definitely sucked in after awhile. I also cried at the end, which is often the sign of a good book just like it can be the sign of a good movie. It is a bit on the long side - or longer than it needs to be - but it seems to me that good storytellers often have trouble with being concise and self-editing in their writing - like J.K. Rowling, for example. But because they're good storytellers, we don't care. If anyone out there would like a more detailed review than this, just let me know and I'll send you an e-mail with all my thoughts, cautions, recommendations, etc. (without giving away the ending, of course). In more Stephenie Meyer news, the next book in the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn, is coming out in August. I just signed up on the library's wait list yesterday - I'm number 29. And I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm pretty excited. (By the way, Twilight the movie is coming out in December. This must be quite the year for the author.)
5. Thanks to everyone who voted on potential name spellings for the baby! (We had an ultrasound yesterday by the way, and she's looking great and apparently around 3 pounds now.) I'm debating the wisdom of setting up a poll so that everyone can actually vote for which of the 3 names they like the best, but I haven't decided if that's a good idea or not. We'll see...
Okay, well I hope that gives you a good summary of life in the Hough House at the moment! We hope you all are doing well!
1. I'm done with school!!!! Okay, just the spring semester, but it was a killer, people. AND I have only one more class to take before I'm finished with the program, have my degree, and never, ever have to be in school again (fingers crossed). I'm currently signed up to take a Web Design class starting in June. The last day of class is actually my due date, so it should be interesting. I've already been pre-approved by the instructor for an Incomplete if I need it, but I'm really hoping that by some miracle I get everything done before I deliver so that once the baby comes I won't have to think about work OR school. It's probably wishful thinking, but a girl can hope.
2. Peter is almost finished with his school year. This upcoming week is his last week - which I think means it's mostly finals. A good wife would know for sure, but the details seem to have slipped my mind at the moment. He has a year-long contract so there's no big break coming up for him officially, but he will soon have A LOT more flexibility and free time in his work day which will be nice, and he'll be able to spend more time on the things he enjoys doing but always has to put off for other more urgent tasks. So we're looking forward to that.
3. I'm apparently at the irrationally-angry stage of pregnancy. Although perhaps this isn't actually a new stage and my friends and family have just been graciously putting up with a lot of abuse. I hope that's not the case. Anyway, the last week or two I've found myself becoming basically enraged by situations/circumstances/people that I might normally find frustrating but wouldn't consider homicide over. Yesterday at the library a patron I'd just finished helping grabbed a hold of my arm with both hands because she had just thought of another question to ask me and she wanted to quickly get my attention before I walked away. For me, it was kind of like a scene in a movie where you're looking out through a character's eyes, all the other noises in the room go silent, and you just hear the character's heartbeat and everything looks red - or something like that anyway. Fortunately, in the few seconds it took for me to get a grip and remind myself that I could NOT kill this woman (at least in the library with all the witnesses), she let go of my arm, and I was able to carry on like nothing had happened. As Andy from The Office once said, "That was an overreaction." I've been having a lot of overreactions lately, although I think I've successfully kept most of them hidden. As Baby Center informs me, I am now a "pregosaurus" - which is apparently the equivalent of bridezilla. I apologize in advance.
4. I finished The Host. If you don't know what I'm talking about see the below post on why it pays to be a librarian. Overall, I liked the book. The author is a good storyteller which is definitely what makes her Twilight series so popular. The Host took a little while to get going for me, and I lost my patience with the main character a few times (this could just have been pregosaurus warning signs), but I was definitely sucked in after awhile. I also cried at the end, which is often the sign of a good book just like it can be the sign of a good movie. It is a bit on the long side - or longer than it needs to be - but it seems to me that good storytellers often have trouble with being concise and self-editing in their writing - like J.K. Rowling, for example. But because they're good storytellers, we don't care. If anyone out there would like a more detailed review than this, just let me know and I'll send you an e-mail with all my thoughts, cautions, recommendations, etc. (without giving away the ending, of course). In more Stephenie Meyer news, the next book in the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn, is coming out in August. I just signed up on the library's wait list yesterday - I'm number 29. And I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm pretty excited. (By the way, Twilight the movie is coming out in December. This must be quite the year for the author.)
5. Thanks to everyone who voted on potential name spellings for the baby! (We had an ultrasound yesterday by the way, and she's looking great and apparently around 3 pounds now.) I'm debating the wisdom of setting up a poll so that everyone can actually vote for which of the 3 names they like the best, but I haven't decided if that's a good idea or not. We'll see...
Okay, well I hope that gives you a good summary of life in the Hough House at the moment! We hope you all are doing well!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
It Pays To Be A Librarian
So I know that librarianship is not a career option at the top of most people's lists - it definitely hangs out under the radar. Often when I tell people that I'm a public librarian the response I get is one of pleasant surprise. Sort of, "Oh yeah, I forgot that people did that," or maybe even, "Oh yeah. Libraries. I went to one of those once." (The second response is usually, "It sure must be nice to read all day!" To which I reply (silently, of course): Ha! I wish.)
But let me tell you, despite the hazards of daily working with the possibly entirely insane general public, there are definitely some perks to this job. One of those perks is sitting on the table next to me: an advance reading copy of The Host by Stephenie Meyer. Now, if you've never heard of the The Host or Stephenie Meyer, then I assume you are either a) not a girl between the ages of 12-18, or b) not in the young adult book (or library) business. In other words, 99.9% of the people reading this blog. However, believe me, there is a sizable group of individuals out there (again, mostly adolescent girls) who would quite happily push me in front of a moving vehicle for a chance to get their hands on this book before its May 2008 release. I know because the last time Stephenie Meyer released a new book (Eclipse, for those who are curious), I attended a book signing event at Pasadena's fabulous Vroman's Bookstore. I had heard a little about this book and about how popular the Twilight series was (of which Eclipse is the third book) and I thought I would be a good public librarian and go hear the author speak.
I was unprepared. It was an early Saturday morning but I might as well have been at a concert for some popular boy-band. First of all, the courtyard was packed (yes - courtyard - there being about 10 times too many people to fit indoors). Secondly, every girl there was either in costume as one of the characters or sporting a homemade t-shirt proclaiming her love for the characters, the books, Stephenie Meyer, or some other related theme. Some of them had driven (or forced their parents to drive) for hours to be there. Many had arrived and set up camp 4 or more hours before the event was to begin. When the author appeared on stage the screaming was so intense that she couldn't be heard at all for several minutes. It was intense - and also a little surreal for the only person there who was not either a parent or 14 years old.
To be honest, I didn't even think they would be giving out advance reading copies of The Host. (By the way, advance reading copies are usually uncorrected proofs of a soon-to-be-released book sent to reviewers, bookstores, and libraries to generate publicity and sales.) Publishers usually only seem to send these copies for new authors or books that they don't have confidence will sell well or be "discovered" on their own. (In other words, no advance reading copies of Harry Potter.) But I guess since this book is not only not a part of the Twilight series, but also (gasp!) science fiction, the publishers decided a little extra marketing and promotion might not hurt. Frankly, I don't care. I'm just excited to exercise one of my librarian perks and read a book a month before it becomes available to everyone else (regardless of whether or not the story is any good - I actually expect it to be mediocre). So there you go, people - it pays to be a librarian!
Now if only I could find the time to read.
But let me tell you, despite the hazards of daily working with the possibly entirely insane general public, there are definitely some perks to this job. One of those perks is sitting on the table next to me: an advance reading copy of The Host by Stephenie Meyer. Now, if you've never heard of the The Host or Stephenie Meyer, then I assume you are either a) not a girl between the ages of 12-18, or b) not in the young adult book (or library) business. In other words, 99.9% of the people reading this blog. However, believe me, there is a sizable group of individuals out there (again, mostly adolescent girls) who would quite happily push me in front of a moving vehicle for a chance to get their hands on this book before its May 2008 release. I know because the last time Stephenie Meyer released a new book (Eclipse, for those who are curious), I attended a book signing event at Pasadena's fabulous Vroman's Bookstore. I had heard a little about this book and about how popular the Twilight series was (of which Eclipse is the third book) and I thought I would be a good public librarian and go hear the author speak.
I was unprepared. It was an early Saturday morning but I might as well have been at a concert for some popular boy-band. First of all, the courtyard was packed (yes - courtyard - there being about 10 times too many people to fit indoors). Secondly, every girl there was either in costume as one of the characters or sporting a homemade t-shirt proclaiming her love for the characters, the books, Stephenie Meyer, or some other related theme. Some of them had driven (or forced their parents to drive) for hours to be there. Many had arrived and set up camp 4 or more hours before the event was to begin. When the author appeared on stage the screaming was so intense that she couldn't be heard at all for several minutes. It was intense - and also a little surreal for the only person there who was not either a parent or 14 years old.
To be honest, I didn't even think they would be giving out advance reading copies of The Host. (By the way, advance reading copies are usually uncorrected proofs of a soon-to-be-released book sent to reviewers, bookstores, and libraries to generate publicity and sales.) Publishers usually only seem to send these copies for new authors or books that they don't have confidence will sell well or be "discovered" on their own. (In other words, no advance reading copies of Harry Potter.) But I guess since this book is not only not a part of the Twilight series, but also (gasp!) science fiction, the publishers decided a little extra marketing and promotion might not hurt. Frankly, I don't care. I'm just excited to exercise one of my librarian perks and read a book a month before it becomes available to everyone else (regardless of whether or not the story is any good - I actually expect it to be mediocre). So there you go, people - it pays to be a librarian!
Now if only I could find the time to read.
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