as if the countdown wasn't enough, we have a great commencement speaker to look forward to!
'U' taps Bill Clinton for April commencement speech
and to think I was thinking about skipping out on all that...
[credit to jopan for the post idea]
Friday, December 15, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
countdown!
Not to distract from impending exams, but for those of you UM seniors who will be graduating in April, here's a link to the countdown (they even have seconds!!):
http://alumni.umich.edu/relocation/ReloSenior.php
have fun with yet *another* procrastination tool...
http://alumni.umich.edu/relocation/ReloSenior.php
have fun with yet *another* procrastination tool...
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
snowfall
ad·vent /ˈædvɛnt/
–noun
1. a coming into place, view, or being; arrival: the advent of the holiday season.
2. arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)
I love the snow. I loved the advent of snow today. As Carole reminded me today, so does my Dad. I always remember when I was younger he would quote the verse in Isaiah (1:18) in which God says "Come now, let us reason together...Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
I didn't appreciate the verse then as much as I do now...I remember several times mentally rolling my eyes when the first snowfall would come, knowing that the verse would be quoted again as soon as he saw it falling. But, as I get older (ha ha, at the ripe old age of 21), I am glad that he repeated the verse. When I saw the snow falling this morning, the first thing that came to mind was that verse, and how amazing it is that God forgives the deepest, darkest stains. It's pretty neat to be able to see fresh snow as an example of how spotless we've been made because He washed us.
Thanks Dad & Mom (I know you read my blog :), for "training up your children in the way they should go"...we have not departed from it.
In other news, I've been called up for jury duty to begin on December 26th. I'm trying to get out of it since I'm planning on leaving the next day to go to Urbana 2006 in St. Louis, MO (you should go too!). I don't see why I should have a problem getting out of it since a) I'm a student, b) I have plans during that time and c) I don't own a car that I'd be able to drive to Detroit every day (yay not having to pay insurance...yet) Prayers are always good though. It's kind of a stinker. I'd actually really like to sit in on a jury (I think), but this just pretty much isn't the right timing. I've gotten all sorts of suggestions about how to "get myself out" on the day they interview me. My faves?
a) act super-conservative
b) act super-liberal
c) dye your hair bright pink and spike it (thanks Carole); optional nose ring
d) tell 'em you believe anyone charged should be convicted
e) tell 'em you believe anyone charged should be let off the hook
f) don't tell them you're a University of Michigan student
–noun
1. a coming into place, view, or being; arrival: the advent of the holiday season.
2. arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)
I love the snow. I loved the advent of snow today. As Carole reminded me today, so does my Dad. I always remember when I was younger he would quote the verse in Isaiah (1:18) in which God says "Come now, let us reason together...Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
I didn't appreciate the verse then as much as I do now...I remember several times mentally rolling my eyes when the first snowfall would come, knowing that the verse would be quoted again as soon as he saw it falling. But, as I get older (ha ha, at the ripe old age of 21), I am glad that he repeated the verse. When I saw the snow falling this morning, the first thing that came to mind was that verse, and how amazing it is that God forgives the deepest, darkest stains. It's pretty neat to be able to see fresh snow as an example of how spotless we've been made because He washed us.
Thanks Dad & Mom (I know you read my blog :), for "training up your children in the way they should go"...we have not departed from it.
In other news, I've been called up for jury duty to begin on December 26th. I'm trying to get out of it since I'm planning on leaving the next day to go to Urbana 2006 in St. Louis, MO (you should go too!). I don't see why I should have a problem getting out of it since a) I'm a student, b) I have plans during that time and c) I don't own a car that I'd be able to drive to Detroit every day (yay not having to pay insurance...yet) Prayers are always good though. It's kind of a stinker. I'd actually really like to sit in on a jury (I think), but this just pretty much isn't the right timing. I've gotten all sorts of suggestions about how to "get myself out" on the day they interview me. My faves?
a) act super-conservative
b) act super-liberal
c) dye your hair bright pink and spike it (thanks Carole); optional nose ring
d) tell 'em you believe anyone charged should be convicted
e) tell 'em you believe anyone charged should be let off the hook
f) don't tell them you're a University of Michigan student
Thursday, November 30, 2006
to cell, or not to cell?
In thinking about how to practically apply some not-so-thouroughly-explored thoughts about American society and its emphasis on instant gratification/individualism, as well as reading a superb article by one of my favorites, Lauren Winner, I'm thinking about the possibility of giving up cell phone/ipod/facebook usage for a week (maybe longer?). Completely. I admit I'm overanalyzing here, but...
What I think I might learn:
- to commit myself to being on time (I can't call last minute to say I'll be late)
- to enjoy anticipation/patience
- not to rely on music-listening as an "out" on days when I'm stressed
- (more) authentic ways of connecting with people - not checking up on them through a screen, but face-to-face
- to appreciate silence (I kind of already do, but this is really, really hard to come by in a campus environment)
- to only spend "necessary" time on the computer (I wish I could give up parts of email too)
- to talk to God more
- hopefully much more.
What might be difficult:
- breaking habits
- communicating with people that they can't reach me by cell (will this sound selfish to them?)
- beating procrastination
- not allowing other "screen times" to spill over into what would otherwise be spent as time without cell/ipod/facebook
What I think I might learn:
- to commit myself to being on time (I can't call last minute to say I'll be late)
- to enjoy anticipation/patience
- not to rely on music-listening as an "out" on days when I'm stressed
- (more) authentic ways of connecting with people - not checking up on them through a screen, but face-to-face
- to appreciate silence (I kind of already do, but this is really, really hard to come by in a campus environment)
- to only spend "necessary" time on the computer (I wish I could give up parts of email too)
- to talk to God more
- hopefully much more.
What might be difficult:
- breaking habits
- communicating with people that they can't reach me by cell (will this sound selfish to them?)
- beating procrastination
- not allowing other "screen times" to spill over into what would otherwise be spent as time without cell/ipod/facebook
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
choice? not for you...
So one off-campus activity that I get to enjoy every other Wednesday is serving dinner at the Delonis Center Community Kitchen - pretty good times (if you ever want to join in, let me know). Last week, while washing chicken breasts in the industrial-sized sink (100 chicken breasts! How many times will I ever be able to do that again?!), I overheard the conversation of a dad/daughter team that happened to be there that night too, standing behind me cutting up squash. I haven't been able to shake it.
Dad: "Huh, that's interesting. You'd think they'd be more thankful about it."
Daughter: "What?"
Dad: "Well, the guy who was there in line for dinner, someone handed him a piece of cake, but he said "No, I don't want that one - I want that one", and kept pointing until he got what he wanted. I mean, you'd think, hey, they're getting a free meal, shouldn't they be more, ya know, humble about it?"
Daughter: "Hmm...yeah."
Confession: when I first started volunteering at the Community Kitchen last year, I felt the exact same way as the Dad above. I was kind of taken aback my first night there when the people standing in line were even offered a choice about which dessert they got (doughnut holes or cherry pie?). My thinking, I regret to say, was much along the same lines: beggars can't be choosers, right?
I'm sorry if this sounds really, really base to anyone reading. I'm talking about a piece of dessert. But really, it's more than that. It's about the attitude that basically is saying "You don't have money. You don't deserve a choice." I'm bothered by the way that this attitude contributes to dehumanization. Money means choice (in a lot of ways, this is true). But to prevent someone from choosing the kind of food that they eat simply because they are not in the same socioeconomic boat that I am runs on the dehumanizing scale. Part of serving at the Community Kitchen is just that: serving! Everyone deserves a decent meal. It may take more time to get everyone served, but giving people a simple choice such as which dessert they choose, or whether they want the chicken or the beef entree, or "no cheese on top of the potatoes, thank you", in a way reaffirms the humanity that our culture strips away from them daily, and [hopefully] humbles those who serve them.
And as far as the expectation that people receiving a free meal should be humble about it? It's like saying "Hey, we're gonna give you a free meal, but first you must verbalize your position in our society - let us know that you're thankful for this meal that we are serving you. That's right...we're serving it to you." No. When you serve, you serve, no matter what the outlook of the people you are serving (the best example being Jesus on the cross - here is the whole world hating him, and yet he dies for them anyway, friends betraying him and all...in fact, it was more than service, it was sacrifice).
Thoughts? Criticisms? All are welcome.
Dad: "Huh, that's interesting. You'd think they'd be more thankful about it."
Daughter: "What?"
Dad: "Well, the guy who was there in line for dinner, someone handed him a piece of cake, but he said "No, I don't want that one - I want that one", and kept pointing until he got what he wanted. I mean, you'd think, hey, they're getting a free meal, shouldn't they be more, ya know, humble about it?"
Daughter: "Hmm...yeah."
Confession: when I first started volunteering at the Community Kitchen last year, I felt the exact same way as the Dad above. I was kind of taken aback my first night there when the people standing in line were even offered a choice about which dessert they got (doughnut holes or cherry pie?). My thinking, I regret to say, was much along the same lines: beggars can't be choosers, right?
I'm sorry if this sounds really, really base to anyone reading. I'm talking about a piece of dessert. But really, it's more than that. It's about the attitude that basically is saying "You don't have money. You don't deserve a choice." I'm bothered by the way that this attitude contributes to dehumanization. Money means choice (in a lot of ways, this is true). But to prevent someone from choosing the kind of food that they eat simply because they are not in the same socioeconomic boat that I am runs on the dehumanizing scale. Part of serving at the Community Kitchen is just that: serving! Everyone deserves a decent meal. It may take more time to get everyone served, but giving people a simple choice such as which dessert they choose, or whether they want the chicken or the beef entree, or "no cheese on top of the potatoes, thank you", in a way reaffirms the humanity that our culture strips away from them daily, and [hopefully] humbles those who serve them.
And as far as the expectation that people receiving a free meal should be humble about it? It's like saying "Hey, we're gonna give you a free meal, but first you must verbalize your position in our society - let us know that you're thankful for this meal that we are serving you. That's right...we're serving it to you." No. When you serve, you serve, no matter what the outlook of the people you are serving (the best example being Jesus on the cross - here is the whole world hating him, and yet he dies for them anyway, friends betraying him and all...in fact, it was more than service, it was sacrifice).
Thoughts? Criticisms? All are welcome.
Monday, October 30, 2006
senioritis, round 2
so maybe blogspot took off the last post I put on here that had cute Halloween comics? was that copyright infringement? hmmm...maybe. anyhoo...
So, remember that convenient little disease that swept your high school senior class year after year, and that you, too, caught when you were a senior? News flash: it happens in college too. Senioritis. You got it baby.
I'm not entirely sure that I got over the last bout of it...but it's back!
A small group bible-study member said something that piqued my interest tonight. Kate, who I really hope has a blog somewhere because it would be interesting (skip next paragraph to avoid a tangent...ha ha, that makes it sound like "choose-your-own-adventure" blog...woops, a tangent)
(tangent: I don't like asking people if they have blogs...it's much, much more fun to find them as you're browsing...and also, half of the people I do wish have blogs don't...does anyone else ever run into interesting people and sometimes think "wow, I wish you had a blog because you're: hilarious/intelligent/such an internal thinker/practical/fill in the blank"?)
when we were going through Acts 15 and talking about idols, commented that sometimes people claim wanting to avoid making family or schoolwork (i.e. being a student) an idol in their lives, but what they really end up doing is just making excuses to not spend time with a family they don't get along with that well, or not do as well on their schoolwork as possible (though God has gifted them with brains to be great students). Where, she asked, do we draw the line between making something an idol and making excuses not to do something that God has actually called us to do well? That can be gray sometimes. I think, no, rather, I know that this year I have not been the best student that I could be (it hasn't had a lot of effect on my grades yet, don't worry mom & dad if you still read my blog), and part of it is that there are just a lot of things that I'm seeing as being more important than having a gramatically correct Spanish paper, for example. But have I turned that into an excuse to say it's ok if I don't do my homework and instead spend time with a friend? I hope not. I know that God wants me to spend time with Him and with people, but I also don't think that he gave me intellect that is not to be used. Sure, the way that I'm using it right now is pretty structured, within the classroom setting anyway,
(tangent: my Myers-Briggs personality type, I just found out recently, struggles with structured education...I would much, much rather study things as I want to study them, and delve deeper into the topics that I find interesting, rather than studying the books/materials that my professors choose for me. I'm working with a system that works against my mindset)
but it's also used a lot outside the classroom. Is it fair to say that my studies as a student are not nearly as important as the relationships I develop with those around me? Yes. But is it ever ok to say "sorry, schoolwork trumps relationships tonight" because I have an exam coming up? I don't feel comfortable saying that. And where do the two meet?
Ok...not a lot thought out there. Sorry. Homework (or sleep?) calls...
So, remember that convenient little disease that swept your high school senior class year after year, and that you, too, caught when you were a senior? News flash: it happens in college too. Senioritis. You got it baby.
I'm not entirely sure that I got over the last bout of it...but it's back!
A small group bible-study member said something that piqued my interest tonight. Kate, who I really hope has a blog somewhere because it would be interesting (skip next paragraph to avoid a tangent...ha ha, that makes it sound like "choose-your-own-adventure" blog...woops, a tangent)
(tangent: I don't like asking people if they have blogs...it's much, much more fun to find them as you're browsing...and also, half of the people I do wish have blogs don't...does anyone else ever run into interesting people and sometimes think "wow, I wish you had a blog because you're: hilarious/intelligent/such an internal thinker/practical/fill in the blank"?)
when we were going through Acts 15 and talking about idols, commented that sometimes people claim wanting to avoid making family or schoolwork (i.e. being a student) an idol in their lives, but what they really end up doing is just making excuses to not spend time with a family they don't get along with that well, or not do as well on their schoolwork as possible (though God has gifted them with brains to be great students). Where, she asked, do we draw the line between making something an idol and making excuses not to do something that God has actually called us to do well? That can be gray sometimes. I think, no, rather, I know that this year I have not been the best student that I could be (it hasn't had a lot of effect on my grades yet, don't worry mom & dad if you still read my blog), and part of it is that there are just a lot of things that I'm seeing as being more important than having a gramatically correct Spanish paper, for example. But have I turned that into an excuse to say it's ok if I don't do my homework and instead spend time with a friend? I hope not. I know that God wants me to spend time with Him and with people, but I also don't think that he gave me intellect that is not to be used. Sure, the way that I'm using it right now is pretty structured, within the classroom setting anyway,
(tangent: my Myers-Briggs personality type, I just found out recently, struggles with structured education...I would much, much rather study things as I want to study them, and delve deeper into the topics that I find interesting, rather than studying the books/materials that my professors choose for me. I'm working with a system that works against my mindset)
but it's also used a lot outside the classroom. Is it fair to say that my studies as a student are not nearly as important as the relationships I develop with those around me? Yes. But is it ever ok to say "sorry, schoolwork trumps relationships tonight" because I have an exam coming up? I don't feel comfortable saying that. And where do the two meet?
Ok...not a lot thought out there. Sorry. Homework (or sleep?) calls...
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