Break is so much more fun when you don't have things hanging over you. Grad school. Student teaching. I have a more professional wardrobe now, though. Shopping is fun, but I don't have the shop all day and still feel fresh stamina. I wear out, especially if I can't find anything. I think I get sensory overload with all the different colors and patterns and choices.

Christmas was good. I forgot my camera cord, so if I decide to post pictures, they'll have to wait. My cousins are cute. I get to see them once a year, and it was especially fun to see my 2 year old cousin. Two is probably my favorite age to play with/watch. Most people say the terrible twos, but I think it's such a fun age.

I find that my posts are mundane.

My high school English teacher offered to let me teach any lesson I want to, and I think I've found an O. Henry story that will be really good. It's about different people telling the Jack in the Bean Stalk story in completely different ways. It's good and entertaining. I really like O. Henry's stories. I like American authors. Many people don't think that American authors are very good, especially compared to English authors. Part of that is because America is a young country. If I was going to write a thesis, I would write it about the search for a national literature in America. I wrote a paper on this topic for Jacksonian America, and I think it was my favorite paper. I found that my favorite topic is literary history. For me, the two can't be separated. You can't truly understand literature if you don't understand what culture and time period it was written in was like. If you don't know what Romanticism was, Romantic literature won't make as much sense. Candide won't make much sense if you don't know the optimism of the time that it was written. If you don't know what the Russian Revolution and comunism in Russia was like, then Animal Farm won't be real clear. I love literature. I really like words and using words. Language is an amazing and powerful tool. Too often we are careless. Very careless with it. There is a reason why the Bible warns against the tongue. It is small, but powerful.

Christmas Wrapping

My brother uses zip ties when he wraps his presents. How else can you keep the gift bags closed?

Home

I am home, and I do enjoy watching the Marx brothers. Those two statements are not necessarily connected. I plan on watching more Marx brothers while I'm home, though. I'm going to the local college library today to interview the reference librarian for my grad school application and get some movies and books to read over break. I really like the library. It is big and has lots of resources, and it was recently redone, so it is very nice. And, they give community cards out free. Yay!

Not much else new. Going to work on the grad school application and read Julius Caesar by Shakespeare, as that's what I'll be teaching the sophomores. I haven't read it before, so that would be a good idea.

Christmas is a-comin'. I love Christmas carols.

Done

I am done with regular classes at college. And, I found out that the school I'm student teaching at starts at 7:45 AM! I hope the information is wrong, but it's probably not. Those who know me can simply imagine what that will be like, especially because I also have a 20 minute commute. Ugh. Not a fan. Oh well. Looks like I'll have to become a morning person. Hopefully they do not have another snow day, as I really need to go and observe and get more information before I start next semester.

This semester of classes has been pretty brutal, but it's over. Now I'm sad for the classes I don't get to take next semester. It figures, of course.

Well, I'm going to watch a movie and then go to bed. I've never seen the Marx brothers, so I'm going to watch A Night at the Opera. We'll see.

The final days are upon us.
The finality of finals.
This is my last finals week. My last semester of classes. It's so weird, and I caught senioritis early because it is my last. Student teaching will be different. Hopefully a good kind of different.

I don't normally post song lyrics or poems, but those who are undergoing finals or just plain stress might appreciate this narrative I wrote.

Hello, who are you?
Have we met before?
You look somewhat familiar—
and blurry.
With your fuzzy pink rabbit slippers
and wave of fine, white blonde hair—
so fine it floats, like you’ve rubbed it with a balloon.
What did you say your name was?
You whisper so softly, speak up, you know it annoys me.
I’m awaiting a visitor, you know, and I’m just a bit irritable.
He’s long over-due. Or she. I really can’t remember anymore.
It’s been such a long time.
Such a very long time.
Have you seen him (or her)? His name (or her, yes, I know!)
is Sleep.
What?
Oh, that’s you is it?
Well you’re jolly well over-due.
Where have you been? I’ve missed you terribly.
Sporting with the neighbors, I assume,
Enjoying their big screen TV, I know,
While I’m over here black-eyed and droopy, longing
sighing, dying.
I know I said I wanted to learn to sleep with my eyes open, but you didn’t have to
take me up on it. You could have used some discernment, you know.
Well what are you waiting for? Can’t you see
I’m so
very
very
hm?
Oh yes,
you know
very……

Green

Have you noticed that recently everything is all about "green." It's no longer "save the planet," but "be green." Buy energy saving lightbulbs. Each organic food. Drive a hybrid car. Reduce your carbon foot-print. And it has even spawned epithets such as "eco-terrorist." Recently, I read an article about women who have decided not to have children because it is better for the environment. One lady even aborted her child to protect aforesaid environment. (It's absolutely horrible how deluded their thinking is.) Here is the link. Sorry, I don't know how to do spiffy, nice looking, hidden link things. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=495495&in_page_id=1879 I suggest reading the comments too. They give some perspective.

Later, I looked at my water bottle, and it said that the new design was eco-friendly because it uses 30% less plastic, and that is good for the environment. That irritated me. I feel bombarded. Be green, be green, all because of GLOBAL WARMING. Which, incidentally, I do not really believe in. I think that all of this be green and save the environment stuff is based on several false assumptions and faulty presuppositions. Two of which are overpopulation and global warming. First of all, the earth is not overpopulated. In fact, several countries are having population problems because people are not having enough children to even maintain the current population. Some places are giving people incentives to have children. Second, 30 years ago, it was global cooling, and we were going to have a second ice age. Now, it's global warming, and we are all going to drown because the ice caps are melting. I tend to believe that the earth goes through different phases of hot and cold over the years.

Now, before I am labeled an eco-terrorist, I want to let you know that I believe in being a good steward of the Lord's creation. I do not think that people should litter or pollute our water systems or things of that sort. And, I recycled an ink cartridge and enjoyed it! Though I think it might have been the act of putting it in the nifty sleeve and sending off a package without having to pay postage, but it was an exciting experience nonetheless. I love fresh produce and local meat. Give me open spaces and fresh air any day. I am not a fan of cities and suburbs and not being able to see the stars at night because of the glare of the lights. I think cows are cute and farmers are the salt of the earth. But I am sick of hearing celebrities and everyone else tell me to be green.

Hello

I suppose an update is in order. I will soon be back to finish the semester. Insanity. I just want to be done with it. It's been SO busy. Uff da. I simply cannot wait for a month of no homework or papers or such. After this semester, I'm done with classes! I'm student teaching next semester. I'm nervous, but it will be a different kind of busy, and I'm looking forward to not writing research papers!

I need to go. I have to write my paper.

You Know You're a Hillsdale College Student When...

When you watch a movie and quickly pick up on the American themes heavily inserted into a movie supposedly about France in the time when Da Vinci was alive. (1500s?) (Everafter) And then thinking back to the Merovingian period of Frankia when it was not unheard of for royalty to marry slave girls or women of low birth and then rehearse the changes that happened in the Carolingian period to make it almost impossible for those of high birth to marry those of low birth. I'm sure this is all rather fascinating to you all. ;-) Anyway, Everafter is very American. It's so funny to see American values superimposed on other cultures. We think that just because romantic love is such a big deal to us, it held the same weight in other times and cultures as it does here. Back then, marriages to secure good standing and wealth and property were commonplace, and you married for the economics and politics more than the feeling, especially if you were in the higher classes. I think the lower classes were allowed more freedom.

Soldiers

I helped assemble care packages for soldiers this evening. It was a wonderful experience and feeling. So often we forget, I forget, that there are men and women in Iraq, American men and women, fighting and dying for their country and their fellow citizens. They are at war. What are we? We have battles to fight. Do we fight them? Spiritual battles, social battles, political battles. Or do we try to sit on the fence, happy in our complacency. Content (horribly content) in our little bubbles, worrying about our little trifles. We must not forget the valiant, the suffering, the needy. They are everywhere, not just in Iraq. What about our brothers and sisters in Christ dying and suffering in other countries just because they are Christian and not Muslim or Hindu or...

We can be so ashamed of who we are and what we are. I am a Christian. Is that so hard to say? Maybe, but if you say other things: Abortion is murder. Homosexuality is wrong. There is absolute Truth. Jesus is the only way to eternal life. There is a Hell. Then you are branded radical. It's not socially acceptable. Be a Christian, but be a quiet one. Don't rock the boat. You'll step on toes. People won't like you. Since when was being a Christian about being liked? Yes, you can reach out to people, and you should, through kindness and love. But there are times to speak. There are times to ruffle feathers. There is a time when you no longer bow under the weight of cultural opinion and acceptance and step out in faith.

Why do you think the apostles were martyred?

I feel holidays in the air. They are coming, and I realize this year how much they mean to me. The wonderful excitement of Christmas. It's the bond of Christians celebrating Jesus' birth. Singing carols. Baking. Lots of Christmas carols. Green cookies. Winter coats. Snow. Candles. Peace. Fellowship. Snowflakes. Big ones.

First is Thanksgiving, though. Family. Hunting. Pecan pie (and pumpkin). Thankfulness. Bonding through food and fellowship. Grandparents. Cranberries. Good books.

Little Jerusalem

Just down the road from Kara's house lives a man who carves wooden statues. On his property, he has a place called "Little Jerusalem," which is a park that shows the different stages in the life of Christ. They are amazing statues, and I especially like how the people are darker skinned look more historically accurate. There is also a little chapel, of which I did not get a picture, but it and the "park" is so peaceful and reverent. I had never been to a place like this before, and I am so glad that Jess and I took advantage of this opportunity.

As Promised

OK, the order of these is a little off. Oh well. Playing with reflections.

I like this picture of Krista and George. :-) He is giving a thumbs up, I think.

George took so many pictures of Jess and I, trying to get the city lights in the reflection. This one turned out the best. The city at night was so much fun!

Jess and I at Navy Pier. Krista, George, Jess, Walid, and I went to Shedd Aquarium and took the water taxi, which was so much fun. Us girls walked around downtown and went to Navy Pier before we met the guys and went to the Aquarium. I had never been to Navy Pier before.

Us in "the bean." It's that cool architectural, reflection piece in downtown Chicago that everyone gets pictures of. That is where most of my pictures come from, actually. :-) I'm a tourist. This picture was actually supposed to be first. :-)

Fall break was so much fun! I need to take more pictures. :-) I'm kind of bad about that.

Well...

I am insanely busy right now. Snowed under, trying to keep my head above water, add in your own weather cliche. It will all get done. I'm not quite sure how, but it will. It always does. Sorry that I haven't had time to load my pics.

I don't know why, but in this format, blogspot, I feel so much more prosaic rather than whimsical. So sad. Maybe it's because they don't have cool scripty fonts.

Today was gorgeous. I like the sun. Sunlight enhances happiness, nay, seems to produce happiness. Stimulates the endorphines and blood and they run around inside, leaping and turning cartwheels.

The annual McIntyre Halloween party was a success once again, though it got off to a slow start. The Justice League and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were there, and they were very funny. The Justice League (superheroes: Batman, Superman, Green Arrow, and Flash) even put on a skit, and I was a victim they saved from the "evil villain."

I randomly sing. Audibly. I'm kind of like grandpa Henry in that respect. I just sing when I'm happy, content, about to move on or bored or there's a lull. When Grandpa had Alzheimer's, and he'd start to sing, we knew he'd soon be off, toodling along in his wheelchair.

This is the month of Thanksgiving! And I can't wait!

I'm Back

I'm back from fall break, and had a wonderful time. But now it's WORK! I'm quite behind I'm afraid. I'll post pics hopefully this weekend. Kara's family was so kind to let us stay with them. I finally got to meet some of her relatives, :-) and we baked with real pumkin and squash. Yum. I then went into Chicago, downtown real Chicago to see my friend and her husband. I had such a good time there! The city at night is so much fun and beautiful. Don't be too shocked, but I know how people can like the city. I really like the water taxi, which we took to and from Shedd Aquarium, starting at Navy Pier the next day. It was interesting being around med students and people in the medical profession. Science is not really my thing, but it was cool to listen to them talk about it. Well, I really should go. Crazy week ahead. The semester will pretty much be nuts from here on out.

Autumn

Fall is my favorite season. The leaves are starting to turn. The air, crisp, chill. To wear a corduroy trench coat. The smell. It has a distinct smell. Of dying leaves and beginning dormancy of things. Every season has its own feeling and its own smell. I like overcast, chilly, fall days. Foggy fall days.

I sorted football players at work today. Some of the pictures were hilarious, and I had to laugh by myself. Woe is me. (insert smirking smiley) :-)

Today was not a good day. It is amazing how much sleep really does affect your day, and I didn't sleep well last night. Malaise. Today was an everydayness day. (I just finished Walker Percy's The Moviegoer)

The week after fall break is not even funny. Five major projects due in the spann of 3 days. Insanity. I just hope that I can get a lot done before fall break. The panic is starting. But I plan on having a wonderful fall break. So, I'm going to work really hard. At least try to. And it's Parents Weekend! Can't wait to see them tomorrow. I will probably post pics of fall break. Pictures seem to be crowd pleasers, and it is finding the balance between the two of writing for me and writing for others.

On a funny note, there was a Career Planning job fair thing, and they kicked us out of our classroom. We had a midterm today, and my class is from 4-5:15, and the lady asserted their right to our classroom, so we moved. We took the elevator, all 8 of us, including the professor, and annoyed the other lady in the elevator, I think. She did not find us amusing, anyway.

I talk of nothing. The everydayness and malaise is pretty thick right now. (Moviegoer. If you haven't read it, then you probably don't understand, but that's OK.)

And Such

Expect a mix of posts, that mainly depend on my mood and mullings.

I finished an assignment today that is due in 4 days. I can't remember the last time that has happened. It is a nice feeling, except for the urgency of other projects. I do want a nice Parent's Weekend, thus the urgency. It's kind of nice when you have something to work toward. A goal, you know.

Saint Benedict

"When evil thoughts come into one's heart, to dash them against Christ immediately."
~From Saint Benedict's Rule For Monasteries

I have been reading Saint Benedict's rule and Pope Gregory's Life of Saint Benedict for my class on the early middle ages, and it is really interesting. There is much about it that I disagree with, but there are also some thought-provoking ideas. The quote above is the quote that stuck out to me the most. I had never thought of "dashing" my thoughts against Christ. It is such an interesting use of words. Throwing your bad thoughts upon Christ. Allowing the evil in your heart to shatter on Him and His power. The idea that you can actually throw away your bad thoughts.

Though I disagree with the emphasis on works and working to get into the kingdom of Heaven and the micro-managing of daily life, the emphasis on humility and a Christ-like attitude is very good. It's a reminder that I too should be striving against my flesh. That I too am prideful. Maybe silence isn't a bad thing. I should spend more time in prayer. I should spend more time in reading the Bible and other edifying works. There is spiritual warfare. Satan does work in the world. The early Medieval Christian mindset was so different. I don't agree with a lot of what they believed, but they did have some valid points. We should live for God. We should not be so attached to the world. That doesn't mean pulling ourselves out of the world, but we put too much of an emphasis on it.

Well...

Yeah, I'm not sure if I like blogspot as well as Xanga, though I think it's more private. Xanga was fun. More options. I suppose lamenting a blog venue on a different blog venue is not ezactly "kosher." I don't know what it is about posting, about putting my words out there for people to read. For people who I may not even know, to read. A self-absorption, I suppose. Must go to bed. Not super coherent right now, I'm afraid.

By the way, I'm going to be a student teacher at Reading High school. It's about 20 minutes away. It's bigger than my school back home. It will be an experience. I'm glad to know, but I'm also really nervous. Next semester.

OK, I'm new at this

I'm switching blog venues. We'll see how it goes. I'm still working on this. I have a dinner to go to soon. I'm trying to work my way around this. And, it seems to be a good procrastinating tool. :-) Of course.