If there's one thing I learned last week at Verity, it's the fact that I'm able to live on less than eight hours of sleep every night. Thriving is another matter.... By the time I finished helping with the Parent Appreciation Banquet on Friday night, I was sure the floor had started moving in little waves. It was one of the strangest feelings I've ever experienced.
Another thing I learned was just how much opportunity for growth is presented there. When I realized that yes, I was supposed to move on-site, I was looking at the situation with my limited perspective and this past week showed me a lot that I hadn't bothered to consider. Am I still moving out there? Absolutely. Am I under any delusions about how the change won't affect me? Not anymore!
I helped iron tablecloths, fold programs, mop floors, spread mulch, sort silverware, and clean windows (you can't just use any window cleaner there); I donned an apron and a hair net to help with appetizers, and I got to wear the funniest red vest while I was serving tables 3 and 4 during the banquet. I learned that playing ultimate frisbee will give me many bruises on my legs and playing it barefoot night after night will transform my toes into.... something I really don't want on the end of my feet. And Mr. Clean magic erasers are by far the most convenient tool in any arsenal against smudges and scum.
The people are the best part. I forget who I was talking to (probably Mom) about the fact that I had to interact on a much closer level that I'm comfortable with. Being a part of someone's life is a wonderful privilege to me, but at the same time, I shun the responsibility of it. Everyone was wonderful and patient and went out of their way to make sure I was acknowledged and involved.
For now, I will be busy trying to earn eighteen more credits, putting together wedding music, and learning a piece for a choir special at a Presbyterian church next month.
Also: I love my family. The closer I come to moving away, the more distressed I become at the thought of missing them. Even before I decided to move, though, God had warned me about that. Now I know why...
5/19/12
What's Going On...
Tomorrow I'm leaving for my school. I'll be staying there for a week, helping with graduation activities for the class ahead of me and reconnecting with all the wonderful people there.
There's a lot to do to get ready-- I still need to pack and I should probably make a list of things that absolutely must be remembered. If I don't write it down, I'll probably forget it. I forgot to give my best friend her birthday gift. How sad is that? What's even sadder is that sort of thing is not unusual for me....
I'll be busy today and throughout the next week, but I've been busy already. There's a lot going on right now. It seems there's always some new lesson that life decides to teach me, and it doesn't bother asking if now is a convenient time or not. I would say it's difficult; however, the way God has guided and blessed me almost makes me want to ask for more tough moments.
I really do wonder at His grace. It manifests itself so often in so many ways; I'm left speechless and so very, very grateful.... People have asked me why I seem so happy all the time, and I never really have a movingly eloquent response, but this post basically answers the question. I, an undeserving vessel capable of every possible evil, have been changed by a love that is completely out of this world.
There's a lot to do to get ready-- I still need to pack and I should probably make a list of things that absolutely must be remembered. If I don't write it down, I'll probably forget it. I forgot to give my best friend her birthday gift. How sad is that? What's even sadder is that sort of thing is not unusual for me....
I'll be busy today and throughout the next week, but I've been busy already. There's a lot going on right now. It seems there's always some new lesson that life decides to teach me, and it doesn't bother asking if now is a convenient time or not. I would say it's difficult; however, the way God has guided and blessed me almost makes me want to ask for more tough moments.
I really do wonder at His grace. It manifests itself so often in so many ways; I'm left speechless and so very, very grateful.... People have asked me why I seem so happy all the time, and I never really have a movingly eloquent response, but this post basically answers the question. I, an undeserving vessel capable of every possible evil, have been changed by a love that is completely out of this world.
5/14/12
Lauren, P.I.
On Wednesday night I went to a Mary Kay party. When I spoke to my friend on the phone and told her that I would be able to go with her, she responded with the most surprise and delight I've ever heard over that device.
On Friday morning, I woke up and discovered my right eye was swollen half-shut. It was covered with itching, burning patches and I started to get flashbacks of my grade-school experiences with mosquito bites.
At first, I blamed one of the many products I used at that Mary Kay party. I was especially suspicious about the silicone-based makeup remover. But my deductive reasoning has proven to me that it is not a reaction to cosmetics; it is, in fact, my annual case of poison ivy. This is the first time I've ever had it on my face.
I wore my glasses for the past two days (my work schedule was completely full) and it seemed to mask the small blotches pretty well-- nobody did any double-takes or made any comments. If I hadn't been so unsettled by my puffy visage, I might have shared a picture Friday morning with all of you; it was pretty funny-looking. :)
On Friday morning, I woke up and discovered my right eye was swollen half-shut. It was covered with itching, burning patches and I started to get flashbacks of my grade-school experiences with mosquito bites.
At first, I blamed one of the many products I used at that Mary Kay party. I was especially suspicious about the silicone-based makeup remover. But my deductive reasoning has proven to me that it is not a reaction to cosmetics; it is, in fact, my annual case of poison ivy. This is the first time I've ever had it on my face.
I wore my glasses for the past two days (my work schedule was completely full) and it seemed to mask the small blotches pretty well-- nobody did any double-takes or made any comments. If I hadn't been so unsettled by my puffy visage, I might have shared a picture Friday morning with all of you; it was pretty funny-looking. :)
5/9/12
Where in the world....?
I got up at a reasonable time and proceeded to bathe, do laundry, wash dishes, study.... all that good stuff.
All my productiveness unraveled when I put in Chris Rice's album Smell the Color 9. Why, you ask? Because I got online to find out where he was at. In case you haven't noticed, he's completely dropped off the grid.
At least, it seems that way to me. The latest update to his website, from what I can see, was in 2008.
Even though I'm disappointed he's disappeared, I am almost in awe of the incredible success he's had at withdrawing from the public's eye. You can find anything on the internet. At least, that's what I used to assume.
None of this was something I intended to share. I only opened up this blogger (why is it I always end up typing 'blooger'?) account to copy over a quote I found on Rice's website. It's attributed to Oscar Wilde and I find it to be hilarious. Here it is:
"Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months."
I guess I'm a fan of cynical humor.
All my productiveness unraveled when I put in Chris Rice's album Smell the Color 9. Why, you ask? Because I got online to find out where he was at. In case you haven't noticed, he's completely dropped off the grid.
At least, it seems that way to me. The latest update to his website, from what I can see, was in 2008.
Even though I'm disappointed he's disappeared, I am almost in awe of the incredible success he's had at withdrawing from the public's eye. You can find anything on the internet. At least, that's what I used to assume.
None of this was something I intended to share. I only opened up this blogger (why is it I always end up typing 'blooger'?) account to copy over a quote I found on Rice's website. It's attributed to Oscar Wilde and I find it to be hilarious. Here it is:
"Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months."
I guess I'm a fan of cynical humor.
5/4/12
5/2/12
Right now it's 84 degrees outside.
I guess if I'd thought about it, I would have realized the giant thunderstorm that woke me up during the wee smas was heralding a sultry, summery day. The pool is gaining thermal energy fairly quickly, I'm sure. And our lilac bush has bloomed.
I told a friend that lilacs were my favorite flower. His response? "They're so plain." What can I say? I've never been a fan of flashy or overly apparent visual displays.... :)
My camera has been dedicated to the temporary and noble cause of helping my brother with some sort of math project. (I don't understand, either, how a digital camera will help one with calculus; then again, I've never pretended to understand math.) When I get it back, I will put some pictures up here for you. There's only so many places a webcam can go....
I guess if I'd thought about it, I would have realized the giant thunderstorm that woke me up during the wee smas was heralding a sultry, summery day. The pool is gaining thermal energy fairly quickly, I'm sure. And our lilac bush has bloomed.
I told a friend that lilacs were my favorite flower. His response? "They're so plain." What can I say? I've never been a fan of flashy or overly apparent visual displays.... :)
My camera has been dedicated to the temporary and noble cause of helping my brother with some sort of math project. (I don't understand, either, how a digital camera will help one with calculus; then again, I've never pretended to understand math.) When I get it back, I will put some pictures up here for you. There's only so many places a webcam can go....
4/24/12
Today is Ryan's birthday.
I got to run errands with Mom this morning and when we stopped by Target, I bought the movie August Rush for Ryan-- we both love it and every time we watch it, we ask ourselves why we don't actually have it. (I hope he doesn't read this while he's at school....)
I also bought some new sunglasses. :) They were only ten dollars, so I feel like I got a good deal. The customer service at that particular Target is better than I expected it to be. Why am I so critical? People always end up surprising me in a pleasant way.
I'm listening to Owl City. How does Adam Young make a simple key change sound so.... transformative?
Dad called me while we were out and said I could clean all the maple seeds off the top of the pool if I wanted to. I want to. :)
I got to run errands with Mom this morning and when we stopped by Target, I bought the movie August Rush for Ryan-- we both love it and every time we watch it, we ask ourselves why we don't actually have it. (I hope he doesn't read this while he's at school....)
I also bought some new sunglasses. :) They were only ten dollars, so I feel like I got a good deal. The customer service at that particular Target is better than I expected it to be. Why am I so critical? People always end up surprising me in a pleasant way.
I'm listening to Owl City. How does Adam Young make a simple key change sound so.... transformative?
Dad called me while we were out and said I could clean all the maple seeds off the top of the pool if I wanted to. I want to. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)