yay for blogging

It has been well over a month since I have last written on this blog and I figure it is high time for an update. This past month has been filled with many adventures and accomplishments of sorts, many of which are already known by you steadfast followers of my blog. But I suppose a little repetition never hurt anyone...

January/February involved:
-acceptance to Idaho State University, which means I am currently enduring my final tundra-like winter... this, of course, is just wonderful news
-turning 21 and celebrating with some of my closest friends of all time
-finishing the component of the Aesthetics course which I have been taking... now I am back to a more appropriate amount of homework for a Junior...
-planning and executing a bachelorette party for one of my closest friends... this was a success (according to her)
-receiving and almost completely consuming an entire 4 lb. jar of Jelly Bellies
-coming to several conclusions as to how I feel about current situations and learning how to engage properly in those situations
-speaking of engaging... engaging cultures is quite possibly one of my favorite (theology) classes I have taken during my career here at Dordt College-- that and major world religions
-on the other hand... Gen 300 has shown itself to be quite frustrating at times, despite the relevance of the topics
-I have come to the life altering realization that hot apple cider really isn't all that bad

Those are the highlights of the last month and a half, and here's a preview of my month (or so) to come:
-Piper's wedding (this Friday, in fact, is when I have to leave for that)
-spring break... which means I will be going to Mecca (otherwise known as Grand Rapids) to meet some more of Paul's fam and visit some of my friends at Calvin
-WiSE day... yeah...
-in general, getting things finished up to complete my transfer to Idaho State

Hope you all found this incredibly fascinating and inciteful. Love to all and keep up the good work! Peace out!

A lesson in humility to myself...

What should I do if I have nothing to say, but would like to say something anyway? Or if I do have something to say, but don't feel anybody cares about it as much as I do? or finds me silly for saying such things? or criticizes how I write or what I think? maybe outright or perhaps just in their heart and mind...

For the last few months I have found it difficult to be willing to say anything on my blog because of these thoughts. I don't like being criticized and I don't like thinking people may find those things silly. For some reason, I feel that some people won't be able to overcome their point-of-view or background in order to listen to what I truly have to say (not that it is always important). I suppose that being surrounded by elitists (or who I perceive to be elitist) at times has made a bit gunshy and uncertain about anything I think or feel.

One of the worst feelings in the world, in my opinion, is feeling as though you are being looked down upon or that you aren't good enough to be in the presence of some people. Its almost as though, if you do not reach a certain level of perfection in those areas you aren't even worth the time-of-day so to speak. How horrible that people treat one another in such an uncaring way. Like their thoughts and views on major (or minor) issues are invalid because they don't line up with yours. Like their grammatical errors make them less worth listening to. Like their not even a human being.

The saddest thing about this, is that I see myself doing the same to other people. Act as though I am better than they are and they have nothing to offer the world, much less me. I let the smallest things form my view of a person, and based on those stupid notions, I cast my judgment on them rendering them worthy or not. How abominable.

Lately I have taken to reminding myself of the verse out of Phillipians:
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."

I wish I could apologize to all the people whom I have judged like this, but perhaps it would be better to simply apply this passage in hopes of reconciling those thoughts and seeing the person for who they truly are and who God made them to be, regardless of what I think about it.

Well this has turned out completely differently than I first intended, but that's alright. Hopefully I will be blogging a bit more in the future, but we shall see about that. Until that next time... wear your snow shoes and feed your dog team...

Blogging

It has been a terribly long time since I had blogged last. It has been an even longer time since I had blogged on a regular basis. Sorry folks, but for some reason there is nothing really to complain or talk about. And if there were, its probably better to complain or talk about it with people.... Not that you faithful readers out there aren't people, but I think you get the picture. But regardless...

The truth is I have tried to blog in the past, but I never end up publishing those blogs. Believe me, if you saw how many drafts I have saved, you might just wonder why I try to blog at all. There are a multitude of reasons I could give as to why those are there, but it has a lot to do with me deciding its nothing worth reading about or having other people worry about.

Anyway... I am doing well. Life still has its road blocks and speed bumps, but I manage to find my way around. There are plenty of people to help me through those things, and I am very grateful for them all. Things with schooling are rather up in the air at this time. As of now, I am going to finish out my junior year at Dordt, but only the Lord knows what will be decided in this upcoming semester.

This upcoming semester in itself should be very exciting and present new challenges and adventures for me to enjoy or conquer. I will be in 4 biology classes and 2 bio labs, planning a few fun events, being part of a wedding, and finding time to spend with people just to relax. Some people are coming back and some people are leaving or moving away. And most importantly, there will be no breaks until a third of the way through March. There are a few things that are certain at this point, as for the rest, I leave it up to God and his guiding power.

Thank you all for caring enough about me to check in and see how things are going. I hope you have an eventful New Year! Until next time, practice fire safety while playing with fireworks...

Time for Round Three:

In an instance we have all been grasped from the inviting warmth of an Indian summer and cruelly clutched by the icy vise of winter's wrath. Not but a few days ago were we outside lolling in the sun's delightful rays without a care as to when winter would arrive. Now we retreat from the outdoors as quickly and cautiously as possible, as to avoid further exposure from the elements.

This is now a time for changes to be made, transitions in one's lifestyle in order for survival and minimal angst. To begin simply, a change in attire is required for those who would prefer not freeze whilst making a trek from point A to point B. I myself tend to wear leggings under my jeans, and tucked into my knee-high tube socks, with a camisole tucked also into my leggings, underneath a long sleeved shirt. This is only my basic and most essential layer. Then of course you add the boots for footwear (chique and functional), a scarf, mittens and hat for thermal preservation and to top it off, a long wool coat. Yes, this is the only way I have been able to survive the past few winters I have spent here.

Next thing to change is the way one plans their day. For those who have not lived further than a stones throw away from the Campus Center or Classroom Building, will soon learn how to meticulously plan out their day so that time spent in the cold is cut down to a minimum. Lists usually help if you're not good at mentally planning things out.

Finally, as the ice begins to form on the ground people begin to change their approach to walking outside. Steps become lighter while synchronously their speed becomes quicker. The lightness of step is key as to avoid a potentially very embarrassing blunder on the ice. Despite my own attempts to maintain the "lightness of step", I have fallen a grand total of six times during my career here at Dordt. These usually occurred while descending hills, but I hope to make an improvement on my record this year.

Well, I believe it is time to cease these ramblings and to get over the fact that this deluge of snow, wind and ice will not desist until late April. Adieu fair weather pleasures...