So I have this huge Historical Books of the Old Testament exam tomorrow..
Conveniently, I have the urge to blog instead.
Cliffnotes version of this semester: I pledged.
Seriously. I was a bumbling mess most of the time, but the experience was wonderful. Frankly, I went through a lot of the emotional ride with the girls last year (not to berate either one of our experiences), making this my chance to appreciate everything just for what it was. This whole thing has been such a blessing- I am now a member of a club filled with such wonderful girls I know I can count on!
The Sunday before pledging was over, I got a phone call from my dad. After what I'm sure has been a whirlwind of doctor's appointments for him, we've found that he has a cancerous mass in his colon. He starts some chemo and radiation Monday so they can shrink it and remove it later on, so please just be in prayer for my family, and especially my daddy! God is so good, and I am pleased to report that my family is very optimistic and happy to hear it's nothing worse!
That being said, I cannot imagine how I would've taken news like this even just last year. "Cancer" is a terrifying word- and I am so thankful for the journey I have been on these past 7 years, allowing me to feel such peace in the midst of the unexpected. It's hard to express just how much joy I feel in the ability to not be shaken by little things.
Short and sweet, as usual.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Awake, my soul
I typed this about three times. None of them really worked. It was something to the tune of how unexpected the past year has been, and how it's all turned out perfectly despite the fact that I am often a bumbling, worried mess over the situation at hand. It's goofy we allow our worlds to feel flipped upside down so easily, eh? Lah dee dah, fast forward to now, stern retrospective post as we approach the new semester. Aaaand scene.
The Blarney Stone has yet to deliver on that gift of eloquence.
I recently bought the Mumford and Sons album 'Sigh No More', and it has really struck me. Beautiful. Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHWsKTSdS74&feature=related
How fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes
I struggle to find any truth in your lies
And now my heart stumbles on things I don't know
This weakness I feel I must finally show
Lend me your hand and we'll conquer them all
But lend me your heart and I'll just let you fall
Lend me your eyes I can change what you see
But your soul you must keep, totally free
Har har, har har, har har, har har
In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die
Where you invest your love, you invest your life
In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die
Where you invest your love, you invest your life
Awake my soul, awake my soul
Awake my soul
You were made to meet your maker
Awake my soul, awake my soul
Awake my soul
You were made to meet your maker
You were made to meet your maker
The Blarney Stone has yet to deliver on that gift of eloquence.
I recently bought the Mumford and Sons album 'Sigh No More', and it has really struck me. Beautiful. Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHWsKTSdS74&feature=related
How fickle my heart and how woozy my eyes
I struggle to find any truth in your lies
And now my heart stumbles on things I don't know
This weakness I feel I must finally show
Lend me your hand and we'll conquer them all
But lend me your heart and I'll just let you fall
Lend me your eyes I can change what you see
But your soul you must keep, totally free
Har har, har har, har har, har har
In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die
Where you invest your love, you invest your life
In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die
Where you invest your love, you invest your life
Awake my soul, awake my soul
Awake my soul
You were made to meet your maker
Awake my soul, awake my soul
Awake my soul
You were made to meet your maker
You were made to meet your maker
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
oh, hello there
I may or may not have forgotten this blog even existed.
First order of business- catchup time.
April Fools
I don't recall this day flawlessly, but it was along the lines of studying all morning while remaining in pajamas, and suddenly conspiring (out of boredom, no doubt) with Cailee and Kelly to pull some April Fools pranks. Aw yeah.
Well. In a not so stealth fashion, we giggled and scampered between houses 9 and 10 to complete our mission. First, Kool-aid in the shower head of the boys floor in house 10. Unfortunately, the basement bathroom in house 9 had a less ghetto showerhead that made this prank impossible to replicate. Instead, we saran-wrapped the toilet, as well as the tops of most of their toiletries. Rumor has it that the Kool-aid caused some speculation as to whether someone had been bleeding in the bathroom.. and that the saran-wrapped toilet may have received a retribution present. I have no further comment.
In between the pranks, the girls and I were spotted by some of the boys (also transitioning from one house to the other) and we, as per our paranoid fear of being caught, acted suspiciously by turning around and running through the backyard. I think we may have scared the Lytle family, who caught a glimpse of our crazy run across their living room window.
Oh, did we laugh that day. Every day I am home, I rehash various moments from the semester, and am thankful for the joy and pure goofy fun we experienced.. pajamas and all.
I really miss you, Oxford family.
First order of business- catchup time.
April Fools
I don't recall this day flawlessly, but it was along the lines of studying all morning while remaining in pajamas, and suddenly conspiring (out of boredom, no doubt) with Cailee and Kelly to pull some April Fools pranks. Aw yeah.
Well. In a not so stealth fashion, we giggled and scampered between houses 9 and 10 to complete our mission. First, Kool-aid in the shower head of the boys floor in house 10. Unfortunately, the basement bathroom in house 9 had a less ghetto showerhead that made this prank impossible to replicate. Instead, we saran-wrapped the toilet, as well as the tops of most of their toiletries. Rumor has it that the Kool-aid caused some speculation as to whether someone had been bleeding in the bathroom.. and that the saran-wrapped toilet may have received a retribution present. I have no further comment.
In between the pranks, the girls and I were spotted by some of the boys (also transitioning from one house to the other) and we, as per our paranoid fear of being caught, acted suspiciously by turning around and running through the backyard. I think we may have scared the Lytle family, who caught a glimpse of our crazy run across their living room window.
Oh, did we laugh that day. Every day I am home, I rehash various moments from the semester, and am thankful for the joy and pure goofy fun we experienced.. pajamas and all.
I really miss you, Oxford family.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Retrospective blogging
Better late than never, right? Looking back on everything that happened this semester feels strange from my new 'American' perspective.
Life isn't the same here. My heart is torn between two separate countries. Texas holds my roots; the people who have shaped me and mean the world to me live in the States. My foundations are here. They are wonderful.
5000 miles away lies another huge part of me. This semester I spent in Oxford literally changed my life. Finally, I feel like I know myself completely. And I am confident in this identity that I find only in God, which is unwavering. It's been a challenging semester, in every sense of the word. With this, I find a huge milestone of my life marked by my time spent in Oxford.
I still want to spend time traveling. My mind has been opened to a global perspective- I see that people have so much in common, despite the boundaries of culture and language. The world is seriously beautiful. Traveling has always been a passion of mine, and it has only grown with this semester. Outside of trips to other countries, I am currently considering returning to the UK to complete a master's degree. It's a long way off, but it's something I can see myself doing.
The last thing I want you to do is leave this page thinking I no longer want to be in the States. I assure you, my heart is torn between two countries where God has blessed me immensely with unforgettable experiences. I don't know why I was granted this opportunity to experience life in two very different places, but I hope I walked away with as much growth as possible.
La la la la la life is wonderful.
Life isn't the same here. My heart is torn between two separate countries. Texas holds my roots; the people who have shaped me and mean the world to me live in the States. My foundations are here. They are wonderful.
5000 miles away lies another huge part of me. This semester I spent in Oxford literally changed my life. Finally, I feel like I know myself completely. And I am confident in this identity that I find only in God, which is unwavering. It's been a challenging semester, in every sense of the word. With this, I find a huge milestone of my life marked by my time spent in Oxford.
I still want to spend time traveling. My mind has been opened to a global perspective- I see that people have so much in common, despite the boundaries of culture and language. The world is seriously beautiful. Traveling has always been a passion of mine, and it has only grown with this semester. Outside of trips to other countries, I am currently considering returning to the UK to complete a master's degree. It's a long way off, but it's something I can see myself doing.
The last thing I want you to do is leave this page thinking I no longer want to be in the States. I assure you, my heart is torn between two countries where God has blessed me immensely with unforgettable experiences. I don't know why I was granted this opportunity to experience life in two very different places, but I hope I walked away with as much growth as possible.
La la la la la life is wonderful.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Easter, Oxford style
Attended the Easter Sunday service at St. Aldate's with a few people from the houses, and it was fabulous. I just love the worship and talks that go on, and truly feel that this is my church home here in Oxford. I find myself being challenged to question and grow, and it's a good situation to be in. This semester has been work, but I know that it has been all for the better to strengthen my faith.
In the classroom of house 10, we worshipped together as a study abroad program. Dr Lytle offered some great thoughts on how Christianity has prevailed despite struggle, the religion where a man has called himself Divine. With this evidence, I find it even more convicting to see Christianity as truth-it has withstood persecution, questions, and the test of time. Mike (Jacque's husband) read the Easter story in such a compelling way that many of us became emotional. The way our time was conducted was such a fresh perspective on the story that many of us have heard countless times, bringing a new facet of meaning to the story of Jesus' sacrifice.
Then it was potluck time! My contribution was sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top, and it was a delicious meal! Pretty impressed with everyone's cooking skills! Following the meal, we had a mini Easter egg hunt, each egg labeled with a persons name on it. Inside some of them were little sentences describing elements of the Easter story that we took a little time to reflect over.
Despite being away for a very family-oriented holiday, each of us enjoyed being the Oxford family that we are as a sufficient replacement for the time being. I think this day alone brought us closer together because of our time spent together spiritually, focusing on that common thread of faith and thanksgiving we have for salvation. What an immaculate day.
In the classroom of house 10, we worshipped together as a study abroad program. Dr Lytle offered some great thoughts on how Christianity has prevailed despite struggle, the religion where a man has called himself Divine. With this evidence, I find it even more convicting to see Christianity as truth-it has withstood persecution, questions, and the test of time. Mike (Jacque's husband) read the Easter story in such a compelling way that many of us became emotional. The way our time was conducted was such a fresh perspective on the story that many of us have heard countless times, bringing a new facet of meaning to the story of Jesus' sacrifice.
Then it was potluck time! My contribution was sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top, and it was a delicious meal! Pretty impressed with everyone's cooking skills! Following the meal, we had a mini Easter egg hunt, each egg labeled with a persons name on it. Inside some of them were little sentences describing elements of the Easter story that we took a little time to reflect over.
Despite being away for a very family-oriented holiday, each of us enjoyed being the Oxford family that we are as a sufficient replacement for the time being. I think this day alone brought us closer together because of our time spent together spiritually, focusing on that common thread of faith and thanksgiving we have for salvation. What an immaculate day.
backyard barbeque
So Wyatt and Grant came up with this awesome idea to have a backyard cookout, since the weather has started to warm up and the sun has been making guest appearances.
The date was set- Sunday at 2 pm.
Since I got back from Amsterdam around midnight the night before, I rushed to the store in Summertown after my morning run. Frozen shrimp, mixed veg, onion, and lemon in a foil pack is a real good idea on the grill. While the afternoon wasn't completely sunny, it was beautiful and so relaxing! We stayed out in the backyard until 6:30 pm playing volleyball, throwing the football and frisbee, sitting on the lawn, and enjoying a barbeque potluck! It was so nice to actually enjoy the fresh air on a Sunday afternoon without freezing, and of course I always love the opportunities for group time.
The dynamic between us has really strengthened, and I absolutely love being in the company of all these great people I live with! God brought us together for such a perfect time, and I know that I will be sad when we no longer have the chance to be together exactly like this again. Reunions are a must.
The date was set- Sunday at 2 pm.
Since I got back from Amsterdam around midnight the night before, I rushed to the store in Summertown after my morning run. Frozen shrimp, mixed veg, onion, and lemon in a foil pack is a real good idea on the grill. While the afternoon wasn't completely sunny, it was beautiful and so relaxing! We stayed out in the backyard until 6:30 pm playing volleyball, throwing the football and frisbee, sitting on the lawn, and enjoying a barbeque potluck! It was so nice to actually enjoy the fresh air on a Sunday afternoon without freezing, and of course I always love the opportunities for group time.
The dynamic between us has really strengthened, and I absolutely love being in the company of all these great people I live with! God brought us together for such a perfect time, and I know that I will be sad when we no longer have the chance to be together exactly like this again. Reunions are a must.
Katie's Birthday
Pretend I wrote this the day before our France excursion. Continue
On the list of notable notes, yesterday (Wednesday) we visit the oxford university press in our Oxford Through the Ages class. You know, the largest university press ever that cranks out the renowned Oxford English Dictionary? We learned about how the book came about, and it's ridiculous. This man (his name currently escapes me) appealed to people in general, asking them to cite print references to words, in order to date them back to their roots. Slips of paper came flowing in, and it was the job of his eleven children to alphabetize all these scraps of information, binding them ad putting them into boxes for later use. The project nearly turned the press bankrupt, and a good number of 'new' words flow in daily. Seeing the print process and all the intricacies that formed books that are essentially works of art was mind-boggling.
After the tour, I picked up ingredients at the store to make molten devils food cupcakes with raspberry cream cheese icing for Katie's birthday! Finished just in time for dinner with the hall (minus a sickly Becca) at pizza express for Katie.
The rest of the night was pretty chill hanging downstairs.. And by the time I was all packed and ready for our 5 am departure time for France, I only got an hour of sleep. Today should be interesting.
On the list of notable notes, yesterday (Wednesday) we visit the oxford university press in our Oxford Through the Ages class. You know, the largest university press ever that cranks out the renowned Oxford English Dictionary? We learned about how the book came about, and it's ridiculous. This man (his name currently escapes me) appealed to people in general, asking them to cite print references to words, in order to date them back to their roots. Slips of paper came flowing in, and it was the job of his eleven children to alphabetize all these scraps of information, binding them ad putting them into boxes for later use. The project nearly turned the press bankrupt, and a good number of 'new' words flow in daily. Seeing the print process and all the intricacies that formed books that are essentially works of art was mind-boggling.
After the tour, I picked up ingredients at the store to make molten devils food cupcakes with raspberry cream cheese icing for Katie's birthday! Finished just in time for dinner with the hall (minus a sickly Becca) at pizza express for Katie.
The rest of the night was pretty chill hanging downstairs.. And by the time I was all packed and ready for our 5 am departure time for France, I only got an hour of sleep. Today should be interesting.
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