09.30.09
my pick
You may remember my knack for predicting Survivor winners. I’m pretty proud of that.
So every season after I have watched the interviews and first two episodes, I make a pick. The time has come to make my pick official.
Meet Jaison.
He is well-spoken.
He doesn’t play emotionally.
He is very smart, but doesn’t come across as a know-it-all.
He reminds me of Yul.
He has a middle-ground strategy.
He seems like he will be able to make the tough decisions in order to win, but still come across as a good guy.
He is an excellent swimmer.
He is letting Russell call the shots for now (which is essentially letting Russell dig his own grave).
Here’s hoping he makes me proud!
09.29.09
ashes to ashes, dust to dust, bowl to bowl
Rico the fish, age 2 months, passed away Monday in Ms. Moore’s Resource classroom. Services were held Monday at 12:00pm in the faculty restroom. Rico was adopted from the College Station Wal-Mart in mid-August 2009 and lived out the rest of his days in a classroom in Grimes County, TX. He enjoyed listening to the morning announcements, rolling his r’s, and watching Hannah Montana. He was a caring friend and a great listener. He is survived by Moore, her two Instructional Assistants, three 4th grade students, eight 5th grade students, two custodians, and countless other loved ones. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Animal Savers Club would be greatly appreciated.
09.26.09
a story
He was frustrated with me and so antsy he was about to jump out of his skin.
I was frustrated with him and using every ounce of self-control not to lose my temper.
Tensions were high. Everybody felt it. Things were about to go south any second.
“Ms. Moore, there’s a cricket under the cabinets,” she whispered.
My initial reaction was to get even more frustrated. I find crickets in my room every day, and can’t seem to get rid of them. But then I got an idea. He needed to get out of his seat. I needed him to take his mind off of the assignment that was making him so frustrated.
“Oh no!” I screamed. “Can anyone come kill this cricket????”
He immediately ran over, as the frustration on his face gave way to joy. “Don’t kill it! Crickets be good luck!”
He spent the next five minutes chasing the cricket around the corner trying to catch him in his eager little hands.
We walked outside to let the cricket go free. But when he opened his hand, the cricket just sat there.
“It doesn’t want to leave. It must like you.”
He smiled.
He shook it off, and we walked back inside.
The tension was gone.
He happily finished his work, and I happily taught the rest of the lesson.
When I was at the end of my rope, Jesus met me there with a cricket.
Thank you, Lord, for crickets!
09.23.09
sto lat!
Today is my Pole-cat’s 1st birthday!* Watch the super-goofy video. “Sto Lat” is the Polish equivalent of “Happy Birthday”. It actually means “100 Years”, and is also appropriate for anniversaries and other occasions.
For his birthday, Wojtek decided to turn into a ladybug.
Just kidding, of course. But I did buy him this ridiculous thing for a birthday present. He likes it because it is crinkly. I like it because it reminds me of Bozena (woman I lived with in Polska), who loooooves biedronki (ladybugs), and also because I can keep all of his toys inside of it instead of scattered around my room.
And here he is cuddling with a hairdryer. My cat is so strange. He’s been known to love water, but last week he actually got into the shower while it was running! He’s crazy.
Sto lat!
*When you post about your cat’s birthday, does that officially make you a creepy cat lady? If so, please ignore that this post ever happened.
09.21.09
metaphorically speaking…
While my last church-planting book for seminary was decidedly fascinating, my current church-planting book reads like a car manual. It basically gives step-by-step painstakingly verbose instructions on how to plant a church in 13 chapters and 8 appendices. Aside from the bore of it all, the author has a knack for cheesy metaphors and uses them to the point of overkill.
But the most unbearable is the overarching metaphor on which the book is founded.
The entire book compares church-planting to giving birth.
Here’s a sampling of chapter titles: We’re Going to Have a Baby!: The Conception Stage; Childbirth Classes: The Development Stage; It’s a Baby!: The Birth Stage; Feed Them and They Grow!: The Growth Stage; I’m No Longer a Kid!: The Maturity Stage; Let’s Have a Baby: The Reproduction Stage.
The ridiculousness of this metaphor is rivaled only by this author’s affinity for exclamation points.
So when I am in public and am reading this book, I feel like I have to hide the title page of each chapter so that people don’t walk by and assume that “I’m Going to Have a Baby!”
Who ever said that babies don’t come with instruction manuals? Have I got a book for them!
And while they’re at it, maybe they won’t mind writing a 7-page summary and critique for me? Pretty please?
09.20.09
Sweet Eugene’s Soundtrack
Yesterday I spent something like 13 hours at Sweet Eugene’s, my coffee shop of choice. Typically, they play pretty good music, but yesterday must have been Corny Music Appreciation Day.
Here were the highlights:
“Wannabe” by the Spice Girls
“My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic
“I Want It That Way” by N*Sync
“The Climb” by Hannah Montana
“Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle
“I Saw the Sign” by Ace of Base
“Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith
“All-Star” by Smashmouth
“Free Fallin’” from Jerry Maguire
“Livin’ la Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin
Seriously…it was ridiculous. Sweet Eugene’s, they are so tongue-in-cheeky. In my mind, they can do no wrong!
09.19.09
more movies from the Academy
I am making more and more progress on my goal of watching all of the movies that have won the Academy Award for best picture. Since my last post, I have seen five more, which makes it 37 out of 81…almost half way there!
Dances with Wolves (1990)
This was such a beautiful story about walking a mile in someone else’s shoes. It was truly wonderful. Great acting all around. Stands With a Fist was a fascinating character. I really enjoyed her broken English and her accent. I also liked the nonverbal communication. Kevin Costner goes through such a transformation that was really touching and intriguing. Similar to my thoughts on The Godfather, the transformation that the character undergoes was seamless. At the end, you can’t believe he was who he was at the beginning.
SPOILER: I was devastated when they killed the wolf. Even more devastated than when the people died. I realize how awful that is, but come on, it was sad! The soldiers were super mean.
Braveheart (1995)
It was a good movie, epic story, but I just couldn’t handle the gore. Half the time I had my hands over my eyes, and I was peeking through my fingers. Bleehhhh I can’t handle that much bloodshed. The best part of this movie was the people with whom I watched it – I was one of two girls among a crowd of 8 or 9. Boys like to see things get “owned”. At one point in the movie, someone got impaled with a spear, and one of my friends declared, “That is my favorite part!”
But seriously, the parts of the movie that I could watch were really good. Even though actual Scots think his accent was horrible, I think Mel Gibson is a good actor in general. Maybe that is because of my fascination with Conspiracy Theory. Too bad he also turned out to be a crazy in real life.
Annie Hall (1977)
As I was watching this, I kept thinking, “This is the same plot as 500 Days of Summer!” Afterward I looked up this theory online and apparently, 500 Days of Summer is being called the Annie Hall of the 21st century. I was proud of myself for discerning that, even though I haven’t actually seen 500 Days of Summer (just heard a lot about it).
Woody Allen is truly funny. I like that rather than showing what is really happening, he shows you what he is thinking. For example, he will step out of the situation, address the camera, and tell you what was rolling through his mind. Or when recounting something that happened in the past, he and Annie were there watching it happen and discussing it.
I don’t like watching people do drugs. Also, it was pretty sexual, which I also don’t enjoy. The thing that really got me was how they portrayed these things in such a positive light. I didn’t really enjoy the movie, and I think it was because stuff like that ruined it for me.
The Broadway Melody (1929)
First movie musical ever. This film automatically earns points in my book! The technology of filming, quality of acting, and precision of dancing was way low for today’s standards, but when you think that this was made in 1929, it is amazing what they were able to do!
The plot was unique, and NOT predictable in my opinion! I found myself genuinely wondering, “How is this going to resolve?” which is something I rarely do in movies these days. I liked how the two main characters (a Broadway sister-act) were seriously devoted to one another’s best interests. They modeled selflessness, submission, accountability, and unconditional love. It was really sweet! It made me think about how much I love being/having a sister!
Also, as an avid Singi’n in the Rain fan, this movie was eye-opening. A lot of the songs from Singin’ in the Rain are covers from this movie! “You Were Meant for Me”, “Broadway Melody”, and part of “Beautiful Girl Montage”. I had no idea that these weren’t original to Singin’. Very pleasant surprise.
You Can’t Take It with You (1938)
This movie is precious! It is funny and quirky and deep. It has a meaningful message and great acting. Jimmy Stewart is so handsome, and such a good actor, and so classy. Why can’t more movies be like this?? I wish people still dressed and acted like they live in the 1930s. It made me think about God’s provision. The Sycamore family does not hold traditional jobs; instead they pursue their passions. Someone asks who takes care of the family, and Grandpa replies something to the effect of, “The same one who takes care of the lilies of the field, except there is a little toiling and spinning.”
I also enjoyed how he prayed before meals. Here’s one example: “Well, Sir, here we are again. We’ve been getting along pretty good for quite a while now – we’re certainly much obliged. Remember all we ask is just to go along the way we are, keep our health; as far as anything else is concerned, we leave that up to you. Thank you.” Of course, I believe that even our health and the way we “go along” are also left up to Him. But the honest, easy way he communicates about and to God is very refreshing. I will definitely see this movie again!
So far pursuing this goal has been so much fun! Next movies on the list:
Mrs. Miniver
On the Waterfront
The Apartment
09.18.09
the best part of my week
Thursday is my favorite day of the week.
I think we have already established this fact.
Thursday is a day full of anticipation.
What, you might ask, do I anticipate the most?
Well, you see, my life is very simple.
All day long my thoughts are consumed with longing for just one thing.
One thing.
And no, it is not Jesus. I should probably repent.
One thing.
All day long.
I think about it,
and my heart fills with glee,
and I do a little happy dance on the inside.
Sometimes even on the outside.
You see, the next day is Friday.
And on Friday,
I get to wear jeans.
Durable, comfortable, wonderful jeans.
I can’t explain the joy of jeans.
It doesn’t even make sense to me.
But all week long I crave them,
and Friday that craving is satisfied.
When I was a little girl, I hated wearing jeans.
Hated.
My mother finally bribed me into wearing them with a pair of cat earrings from the GAP.
This is not a joke.
Now I look back on those days and scold myself.
I totally take back all of those times that I said that I hated wearing jeans.
Now I see what a fool I was,
and I thank God for my mother and those silly cat earrings
that were the glorious beginning of my affinity for jeans.
I relish every Friday,
the day I get to wear jeans.
It is the best part of my week.
09.17.09
they’re baaaack…
Autumn does not officially begin until next Tuesday, but with this overcast weather it doesn’t matter. Autumn has begun in my heart. And you know what that means!
Pumpkins!!!!
Starbucks has begun selling their pumpkin spice latte, a co-worker (and friend!) gave me recipes for pumpkin scones and pumpkin pancakes, I gave her my mom’s recipe for pumpkinroll, my sister has helped Hobby Lobby stay in business for another fiscal year, and I started listening to Christmas music! These are all sure signs that autumn has begun.
I love pumpkin flavored anything! Pumpkin muffins, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin dump cake…for my birthday one year Ellen gave me pumpkin coffee syrup!
I even once bought a pumpkin scented facial mask. It looked just like pumpkin pie filling. It smelled just like pumpkin pie filling. Unfortunately, I was so overcome with temptation that I know that it does NOT, in fact, taste like pumpkin pie filling.
Hi, autumn! I missed you!
09.14.09
An Unstoppable Force
I mentioned in my previous post that I am asking lots of questions right now. Some of my questions are regarding the church. They are primarily the result of the book An Unstoppable Force by Erwin McManus about church growth. It has been a great, challenging read for me. Here are some of the quotes that have made me think the most:
“You cannot wash the feet of a dirty world if you refuse to touch it.”
“We must be willing to die to our conveniences, our traditions, and our preferences – everything that places us above others.”
Referring to actors, musicians, politicians, etc. who claim to be Christians: “The problem has not been that these individuals of significant influence were outside of the sphere of the church’s influence, but that, in fact, they sat in the center of the church and remained unchanged at the core.”
“Fewer people are going to church because of the diminishing influence of Christ on the church itself.”
“We equated being a good citizen with being a good Christian. We lived without persecution and soon found ourselves without conviction.”
“People are rejecting Christ because of the church. Once we were called Christians by an unbelieving world, and now we call ourselves Christians and the world calls us hypocrites.”
“Is it possible that it wasn’t the nation that was becoming dangerously secular, but the church?”
Referring to traditions like hymns v. praise songs or pews v. chairs or casual v. nice dress: “It is one thing to have a preference; it is another to demand that one’s preferences be honored above the needs of those without Christ…Now we have to deal with the reality that, all too many times, we kept our traditions and lost our children.”
“When we believe that God’s purpose, intention, or promise is that we will be safe from harm, we are utterly disconnected from the movement and power of God…If those who prepare for leadership are looking for the safe place, who will lead the church into the dangerous places?”
Referring to martyrs: “We champion their sacrifice and willingness to stand for Christ, even at the cost of their own lives. Yet we consider laying aside our traditions and cultural preferences as an unreasonable expectation.”
And all of those are only from the first chapter, where he presents the problem. The following 9 chapters are devoted to the solution of how to be both relevant and biblical. It’s less “how-to” and more an example of how his church has gone about it.
ALSO
I have been listening over and over to LeCrae’s song “The Bride”:
In case you didn’t catch it from the song, “the bride” is the church (not the building, but the people). Some of my favorite lines:
“Before you diss her get to know her, Jesus got a thing for her, and He died just to show her.”
“The present reality is she was born a casualty and though she’s made alive, she’s still affected by depravity.”
“She’s built on Him, supported by Him, conformed to Him, now she’s a body of bodies who transform through Him.”
“Perpetrating fakes cause a lot of folks to hate.”
Some of my questions include:
What are the “non-negotiables” that the Bible presents about church?
What “negotiable” preferences do I value more than I value those without Christ?
Is my church accessible to people without Christ?
Do I complain about my church? Do I gossip about other churches?
Where is the balance between pointing out areas in which the church is sinful and needs to repent, and complaining about or insulting the church?
How can I help pass these ideas onto other believers, primarily those who refuse to let go of their preferences?
How can I change? What sinful behaviors/thoughts/attitudes do I have regarding the church?
In what ways is my life hypocritical?
See what I mean? Questions, questions, questions…they all require deep thought and lots of processing. Maybe tomorrow I’ll post some more questions on a different topic.
(Still wanting to dialogue with someone about Tim Burton’s 9.)
