I can resist no longer! I must blog about this delightful thing called fall.
So I was walking down the steps in my GBS approved open heeled shoes, when I tripped and can you believe it, FELL.
Thoughts on this delightful time: OUCH!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
The Art of Convincing People
Yesterday I had the opportunity to watch an funny interchange which turned out to be a valuable learning experience as well. Some friends, namely Sam, Melissa, and Duane invited me to go out for Chinese with them. After we jumped in the car, the usual group decision making process began. "So are we still thinking Chinese?" asked Duane. "Yeah, that will work," says Sam. Mel and I don't much care because we've already eaten. "The only thing I would be interested in is a drink or dessert," says I. "Where would you like to go, Sam?" Duane asks politely. "Well, there's a place in Clifton and that other place over in _____. There pretty authentic" Sam says. "That could work," says Duane. "How about P. F. Chang's?" I pipe up with,"I've never been there before." "Alright, I'm thinking Chang's, plus Leanna's never been there before." We all settle in for the ride, relieved that the decision has been made. My mind has begun to wander, when Duane leans over with a satisfied smile and says, "I decided on P. F. Chang's in chapel."
Moral of the story: Just let people think they have a part in decision making and all will go your way:)
Moral of the story: Just let people think they have a part in decision making and all will go your way:)
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Stuff I've Read Recently
1. Ninety Minutes in Heaven - This book helped me start looking forward to heaven. As a young person, I could never quite grasp that excitement that older people have when they talk about going "home." It's going to be so wonderful, and this book helped me have a much better picture of the joy and fulfillment that is so tremendously unlike anything we can experience here on earth.
2. Dear Enemy, - A compilation of the correspondences of a young woman, this book records the growth of a pampered debutante who becomes a young woman whose passions are focused on helping orphans she is responsible for. Her fiery Scotch/Irish personality make her better fitted for the job of bringing new life to an orphanage and dealing with problematic individuals who stand in the way of her newfangled ideas than she herself wants to admit. Her most consistent opponent is a doctor whose very scientific ideas about how to deal with the children conflict with Sallie's directly. Hence he is addressed as Dear Enemy, in her letters to him. This amusing book culminates in the laying down of arms between the two young people as they realize their mutual respect and love for each other.
3. Call of the Wild - I get a little emotional when I read about how Buck was mistreated in this book because (firstly) I'm a girl and (secondly) because I really like dogs. Even though London is rather bleak in his books, he is a phenomenal writer who had an uncanny ability to see into the nature of a magnificent creature such as Buck. The whole fight for survival and all that makes for a really interesting read.
Well, I'm taking advantage of the slow start into classes and am preparing to tackle a trilogy by Ted Dekker which should be very exciting!
2. Dear Enemy, - A compilation of the correspondences of a young woman, this book records the growth of a pampered debutante who becomes a young woman whose passions are focused on helping orphans she is responsible for. Her fiery Scotch/Irish personality make her better fitted for the job of bringing new life to an orphanage and dealing with problematic individuals who stand in the way of her newfangled ideas than she herself wants to admit. Her most consistent opponent is a doctor whose very scientific ideas about how to deal with the children conflict with Sallie's directly. Hence he is addressed as Dear Enemy, in her letters to him. This amusing book culminates in the laying down of arms between the two young people as they realize their mutual respect and love for each other.
3. Call of the Wild - I get a little emotional when I read about how Buck was mistreated in this book because (firstly) I'm a girl and (secondly) because I really like dogs. Even though London is rather bleak in his books, he is a phenomenal writer who had an uncanny ability to see into the nature of a magnificent creature such as Buck. The whole fight for survival and all that makes for a really interesting read.
Well, I'm taking advantage of the slow start into classes and am preparing to tackle a trilogy by Ted Dekker which should be very exciting!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The Familiar Halls
My return to God's Bible School and College has been a fairly smooth transition. This has definitely been a blessing from God. I was rather amazed at myself when I realized how happy coming back here made me. As I contemplated this, I began to recognize how this is a place where I've seen really good things happen. I've seen the affects not only in my own life, but in the lives of many of my friends. Sometimes I wonder if I had more spiritualized eyes, if I could see God's presence hovering over this school. Yes, I know this isn't some utopian setting, but miracles happen here.
On the more everyday level, life seems very much the same here while yet having the potential to be profoundly different. I already miss some of my graduated friends, but the change will be that I get to make new ones among this year's freshman. My sister and best friend Cheryl left me for 3rd floor where she is now the R.A. so I'm rather at loose ends about who to bug or borrow clothes from. The cool thing is that now we are once again co-workers, and she has a big, new room with an air conditioner where we can crash.
I think my classes this semester will be very enriching as I navigate my first Dr. Brown class and also take a course in Shakespeare who I love reading. Hermeneutics will teach me how to better study the Bible, and I'm not sure what I'm going to learn in Hymnology but I'm sure it will be good.
Well, picture me holding a glass of some non-alcoholic beverage and giving a toast. "Here's to a great fall semester at God's Bible School and College!"
On the more everyday level, life seems very much the same here while yet having the potential to be profoundly different. I already miss some of my graduated friends, but the change will be that I get to make new ones among this year's freshman. My sister and best friend Cheryl left me for 3rd floor where she is now the R.A. so I'm rather at loose ends about who to bug or borrow clothes from. The cool thing is that now we are once again co-workers, and she has a big, new room with an air conditioner where we can crash.
I think my classes this semester will be very enriching as I navigate my first Dr. Brown class and also take a course in Shakespeare who I love reading. Hermeneutics will teach me how to better study the Bible, and I'm not sure what I'm going to learn in Hymnology but I'm sure it will be good.
Well, picture me holding a glass of some non-alcoholic beverage and giving a toast. "Here's to a great fall semester at God's Bible School and College!"
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Trucking with My Pops
I've been a trucker's daughter for my whole life and know pitifully little about this aspect of our transportation system. My dad got a new job a few years ago where they allow him to take one passenger at a time if permission is asked. With my reduced work hours this summer, I decided this was the time to take advantage of this opportunity. All in all it was a really cool experience and I just wanted to hit the high points of interest.
First, I was fascinated by trucker lingo. Try translating this:
"A bear just pulled over a hammer-down four wheeler at the 205." (What I got from it was that a police officer had pulled over a fast-moving four wheeled vehicle at mile marker 205. It sounds so much cooler the way they say it, though.)
I got to see the St. Louis Arch during the day and also night which was pretty cool. I preferred definitely the nightime view to the daytime one.
Also, I slept so much I think I was getting tired from sleeping. I was able to finish reading 3 books and spent alot of quality time with my cool dad.
It was great spending time with my dad who I don't see a whole lot since he's gone all week long. We had plenty of time to talk and I felt like I definitely got a better view of what his world is like. I'm glad I can relate better to him now.
First, I was fascinated by trucker lingo. Try translating this:
"A bear just pulled over a hammer-down four wheeler at the 205." (What I got from it was that a police officer had pulled over a fast-moving four wheeled vehicle at mile marker 205. It sounds so much cooler the way they say it, though.)
I got to see the St. Louis Arch during the day and also night which was pretty cool. I preferred definitely the nightime view to the daytime one.
Also, I slept so much I think I was getting tired from sleeping. I was able to finish reading 3 books and spent alot of quality time with my cool dad.
It was great spending time with my dad who I don't see a whole lot since he's gone all week long. We had plenty of time to talk and I felt like I definitely got a better view of what his world is like. I'm glad I can relate better to him now.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
The President's Motorcade
When I went to D.C. last Saturday, I was really excited about what I might see. High on my list of things I wanted to see was the Presidential motorcade. I know you can't exactly order up "one Presidential motorcade with lots of Secret Service men and guns, please" so I didn't have my hopes very high. As my friends and I were exiting the Washington Monument information building, I started getting really excited when I noticed police officers jumping out of their cars and blocking off the road. What would they block the road off for other than a motorcade?! I excitedly ran to the edge of the road and whipped out my handy-dandy cell phone to record this cool event. First came two policemen on motorcycles who motioned the people to get back. Next came several several dark SUV's one with windows rolled down and SS guys hanging out the window with guns ready. It was so awesome! There were several police cars with sirens going as they all flashed past. I have no proof that it was the President's motorcade I saw, but it was definitely someone important or else those policemen and SS guys were just out joyriding. It totally made my day!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Speeding Tickets
I have gotten two speeding tickets in my life for reasons that are obvious to most people who ride with me for a significant distance. This summer I think I've started to analyze why I have this compulsion to speed. I came up with at least two reasons.
The first reason I came up with was that there is little that lifts my spirits as quickly as a drive through the country on a warm summer evening. For the conditions to be right the windows must be down and some good music playing on the radio. Country roads around my house are usually fairly empty and since I drive them often I know them like the back of my hand. I know where the 90 degree turns are and the little humps that make you feel like you left your stomach behind. I hit the turns just as fast as you can safely take them without even thinking. On the straightaways, I quickly give into the temptation to hit 60 mph to have that satisfying feeling of the wind rushing in and blocking all other noises out.
The second reason I came up with is that driving and thus speeding as well is in my blood. My dad has been a truck driver for over 30 years and is very good at his profession. He also has a heavy foot although he tries not to admit to us. I don't know how many tickets he's gotten over the years but I know its quite a few. I have inherited from him the love for driving and traveling. So my claim is that speeding is also genetic.
I'm really trying to work on this problem now that I've somewhat diagnosed my problem. I try to be more deliberate about my driving and not just kick myself onto autopilot which for me tends to set the speeds too high:)
The first reason I came up with was that there is little that lifts my spirits as quickly as a drive through the country on a warm summer evening. For the conditions to be right the windows must be down and some good music playing on the radio. Country roads around my house are usually fairly empty and since I drive them often I know them like the back of my hand. I know where the 90 degree turns are and the little humps that make you feel like you left your stomach behind. I hit the turns just as fast as you can safely take them without even thinking. On the straightaways, I quickly give into the temptation to hit 60 mph to have that satisfying feeling of the wind rushing in and blocking all other noises out.
The second reason I came up with is that driving and thus speeding as well is in my blood. My dad has been a truck driver for over 30 years and is very good at his profession. He also has a heavy foot although he tries not to admit to us. I don't know how many tickets he's gotten over the years but I know its quite a few. I have inherited from him the love for driving and traveling. So my claim is that speeding is also genetic.
I'm really trying to work on this problem now that I've somewhat diagnosed my problem. I try to be more deliberate about my driving and not just kick myself onto autopilot which for me tends to set the speeds too high:)
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