Alive & Kicking

So yeah, things have been a little hectic around my neck of the woods. New position at work, new apartment, new students, new co-workers, and a new hair cut.

Haven't had a chance to write much, and I've missed blogging but for some reason I just haven't been motivated to write. Maybe I need to change that. It's easy to be consumed by everything that's going on around me, and to forget the things I love to do in the meantime.

But I'm alive and kicking -and that's really all that matters. Maybe I'll come up with something to write about next week :) Until then, make good decisions!

Figting the Good Fight

I was doing my quiet time this morning and this passage in John really jumped out at me:

"Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, 'I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.' " -John 8:12

I have this silly confession. When I was a kid (and every once in a while) I was afraid of the dark. I would lie awake at night thinking something was going to jump out from under my bed and get me (thank you mom and dad for letting me watch Predator, Terminator, and other scary movies before the age of six). Now I'd thought I had grown out of this, but apparently not. The new living situation has me jumping at unknown noises. This is not the way that Jesus intends me to live life. He wants me to dwell in the light, -not fearing the unknown or the dark. This not only applies to my little (haha) fear of the dark; it begs the question: what is darkness? Now I don't have my greek key work Bible with me now, but I was thinking about me personally: Could darkness be negativity? Maybe sarcasm? And probably, definitley fear.

And the last part of the verse hit me hard: "...because you will have the light that leads to life." The word leading reminded me to headlights on a car. Am letting the Word light my path, am I following the light, or letting fear trip me up and keep me in the dark...away from life abdundant?

We had a guest speaker Tuesday Night who showed a clip for Gladiator (which of course made me want to watch the rest of the movie). He showed the part before Maximus was betrayed, where he is talking to his troops before the battle with the German Tribes and says, "What we do in this life echoes in eternity." I still want to fight the good fight in this life, it's worth it. And in order to do that, I need to dwell in the light and leads to life.

I want to echo loudly. God is good :) He'll help me get there.

31 of My Favorite Things

I decided to take Miss Van Dycke's challenge and list my favorite 31 things, in no particular order:
1. Chocolate
2. Sitting in fron of a fire place, on a rainy day, reading a good book
3. Television on DVDs
4. Quality time
5. Words of affirmation
6. Snickers
7. Starbursts
8. Long distance calls from friends
9. Cards & Letters
10. Jasmine
11. Lipgloss
12. The Bible
13. Russia
14. Organizing things
15. Dachsunds
16. Pizza, Italian Food
17. Greek Food
18. Road Trips
19. Traveling
20. Being challenged
21. Laughing
22. Cello Music
23. Soccer
24. Folktales & Mythology
25. Sunsets
26. Discussing Shakespeare, Chaucer & Milton
27. Chapstick
28. Surprises I don't see coming
29. Shade
30. Guys opening doors
31. Knowing I'm loved by the Creator of the Universe, unconditionally

Pop Culture Heroines

And no, this post is not about drugs :) I was looking through my DVD collection the other day, particularly the TV boxed sets. Titles like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Alias," "Dark Angel," and "Veronica Mars" stared back at me. I think our society has a fascination with Heroines today. With the addition of "Bionic Woman" (and probaby more in this sub-genre to follow), it's evident that it's speaking to people on some level. Why?

Obviously on a level, it's a an influence of feminism (girl power in all it's glory). But I think it's a reflection our society and how it's changed over the last half a century. The United States of America that my grandmother & mother grew up in, is not the one I'm living in currently. As a woman we're no longer expected to get through high school/college, get married and raise a family the rest of our lives (which is a wonderful thing to do by the way, if possible --but it's not necessarily the norm any more). We have so many options today. I think these Heriones embody the idea that a woman can do anything: from being an international spy, vampire slayer, slueth, private eye, bionic woman, mutant -and still have time for a day job, relationship, social life, and shopping. Who wouldn't want to be a super-hero/heroine these days?

But then comes the cost of these new options: sacrificing the relationships & friendships for the job. Someday I would love to write a paper comparing all these shows and how they relate to society's expectations of women, but that's for another day. If you look at the majority of these shows, the girl never really can settle down with just one guy becuase the guy can't handle her "line of work" ( with the exception of Sydney), and she is always justifying her calling/job/ability to everyone. The Heroine impacts those she gets out of trouble positively, but hurts those close to her because she can't meet their expectations.

Not a very positive enviroment. I think what attacts female audiences (I can't speak for the guys) is the idea that you can make a difference in the world and be a part of something bigger than yourself. I think the key is realizing that you can make a difference, even if you're not a female super-spy, or Private Detective. It might be in smaller ways, like actually raising your family, excelling at work -or maybe if you get the chance to go half-way across the world: TO GO. I believe God gives us our own personal adventures, and instead of comparing them with everyone else's, we just need to trust He knows what He's doing and hang on for the ride.

I love the shows I mentioned above, for various reasons. Check them out if you haven't (even the one with the Vampire Slayer) because they're hilarious and thought provoking. I'm excited to see where my personal adventure is going to lead me :)

Chatter

It's been an interesting, exciting, emotionally draining/fulfilling week :) I know, I shouldn't be able to have an oxymoronic week literally, but I do -every week. I think it's what keeps me going. The unknown is tranforming in my eyes from an adversary to a blessing. The drastic changes mixed in with the metro-gnome rhythm of the daily grind, which is later confounded by beautiful surprises and discoveries -are what make my life special and rewarding.

Five years ago, faced with this kind of life -I would have run away as fast as my short legs could carry me, screaming. The control freak has discovered that she has a little bit of a free spirit in her after all. There are times when I am overwhelmed by the chaos, and others where I just let it wash over me, trusting that Jesus can keep my head above its waves.

These ramblings are deep, and honestly I didn't think they would head in this direction. But I'm glad they did. It's been awhile since I've been able to pen my thoughts-I didn't realise there was more poetry than prose hiding, waiting to escape :) Normally I'm to the point and brief, but today I guess I'm a little more melancholy than normal. Good times to reflect and to rejoice -that I can reflect and give those reflections to Him. He is good.

LIfe Impact 08

So I got back last night from Denver after a 16 hour drive. Despite the long drive, the whole conference was a blast. This year was weird in that I wasn't a student any longer, but I soon got over that fast and just enjoyed the wisdom of the speakers and the time I got to spend with old & new friends. What I enjoyed the most was seeing the light bulb go on for students as they realized what discipleship, evangelism, and missions meant for their lives and how they could live those callings out daily. I remember when it clicked for me and I've never been the same since.

I also realized just how lucky I am to have the amazing friends I do -friends that live 1000s of miles away, but when we meet up after years, it's like no time has passed. And I'm just as lucky to have the friends that live just around the corner. Jesus has been very good to me.

Fun Facts About the Week:
. Part of our Group that went skiing almost got snowed in for a couple of days (good thing they left the lodge in the 15 min. window they had before the weather got worse!)
. Driving a Mini-Van isn't as bad as I thought it would be, but if I end up ever being a soccer mom I think I'll going to want an SUV.
. Downtowm Denver is quite fun, lots of good stuff to eat and interesting people to meet. (ha, I made that rhyme)
. I didn't actually freeze like I thought I would. And the free shuttle on the 16th Street Mall was amazing.
. If you ever get a chance to visit downtown Denver you should go to the Tattered Cover Bookstore (hippy/outdoorsy feel with really fun old and new books...reminds me of Powells Bookstore in Portland, except more cozy).

Okay I have to be a grownup and start getting ready for work! Later!