What I’m Listening To: "Two Is Better Than One" by Boys Like Girls (ft. Taylor Swift)
What I’m Watching: Our high school ministry’s worship band created a hilarious lip-sync video to Miley Cyrus’ "Party in the USA."
What I’m Reading:The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. I’m reading this book for my senior seminar class. I want to give Dawkins a fair shake, but his writing is fairly polemic. He sets up a stereotype of Christians and knocks those stereotypes out of the park (strawman arguments). If he’s ever going to be taken seriously by anyone other than staunch atheists, he’s going to have to get rid of the polemic writing style… it also doesn’t help that he comes across as a complete and pompous ass. Now don’t get me wrong, there are Christians that comes across as asses too, and we don’t like to listen to them either. So I’m still reading and hoping his arguments get stronger.
Highlight of the Past Week: Valentine’s Day with my best of friends. Chad and Andrew turned their house into a ghetto putt-putt course, I cooked dinner for the guys and gals, and we all watched a movie. We gave the girls flowers, they gave each of us a plate of cookies. Overall, not too shabby of a day!
What I’m Looking Forward To This Next Week: I’m just trying to make it through this week.
Quote of the Day: "I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare." – C.S. Lewis
What I’m Listening To: "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds. Apparently this song has been out for a while, but I only recently discovered it when Ben released it on his latest album, "Rockin’ the Suburbs."
What I’m Reading: Isn’t it funny that I LOVE reading when I’m not in school, yet when I’m in school, I can’t stand it! Over my vacation I read A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis. I’m now reading Too Small to Ignore: Why the Least of These Matter Most by Dr. Wess Stafford of Compassion International. This book has many aspects to it: biography of Stafford’s life growing up as a missionary kid in Africa, role of child development, child advocacy, and awareness of global poverty. It’s a great read that will break your heart, give you hope, and spur you to action.
What I’m Watching: I’ve been watching John Adams, the HBO miniseries on Blu-Ray. It chronicles a big portion of his adult life in service to his country. Watching this reminds me that even back almost 250 years, that people were just as divided then, as they are now. We have a lot we can learn from history.
Highlight of the Past Week: This is so hard to choose. I’ve been enjoying watching the John Adams miniseries, reading my book, bought a new mattress (which was desperately needed), and had a great time at Chad’s New Year’s Eve bash. I can’t decide. I will say that it has been a great time off from work. I’ll be taking this next week off to do a one-week long class on leadership in urban ministry. I’m not looking forward to the early mornings, but I know that I’ll be greeted with a warm cuppa coffee and hopefully a safe drive into school every day.
What I’m Looking Forward To This Next Week: My schedule is mostly filled with school… but you could say that I’m excited about my friend Johnny’s baptism tomorrow. I’ve been watching him grow over the past many years that I’ve known him. It’s been fun to watch, he’s a good man.
Quote of the Day: "Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us." – Hal Borland
What I’m Listening To: "A Mad Russian’s Christmas" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It reminds me of the good time I had at the Trans-Siberian concert last Christmas with Chad, Stephanie, and Ashley!
Highlight of the Weekend: I was fortunate enough to get a three-day weekend, woo hoo! Perhaps the biggest highlight was seeing my best friend Rachel get married to the awesome Austin! Rachel has been such an awesome friend who I got to intern with a couple of summers ago and when I came back on staff, she was still here. So suffice to say, her and I had some great conversation… let’s not forget all the times we watched The Office! Ha ha!
Another Highlight of the Weekend: I have a tendency to procrastinate, so notice my amazement when I actually finished up most of my Christmas cards! I also went out and did a little Christmas shopping. I’m not a big fan of Christmas shopping, as I’d rather give gifts randomly. But all the friends are doing a gift exchange, so I went around and found some things. I even bought a few things for myself including one of those "Fireplace" DVDs that put a fireplace on your TV screen. I also got the new Harry Potter on Blu-Ray and White Christmas. Yup, after not updating my DVD collection in a while, I have three new additions.
What I’m Looking Forward To This Week: This is going to be a short work week with Christmas lunches and parties on Thursday and Friday. After that, I’m going to be off of work (except for a few minor things) for two weeks.
Christmas Movies I Still Haven’t Watched Yet: I love Christmas movies, but there are still some I haven’t watched yet this season:
Ernest Saves Christmas
It’s A Wonderful Life
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
A Christmas Story (had it on, didn’t really pay attention)
The Preacher’s Wife
Picture of the Day: This picture is from Rachel’s wedding. It’s a little blurry because I used my iPhone (I didn’t feel like lugging my good camera around). You can see the flower girl, then John-David as the ring bearer, and Hudson behind them as the bell ringer. John-David and Hudson are the sons of our college pastor David. It’s been fun watching these boys grow up! Hudson took his job as bell ringer very serious!
Quote of the Day: "If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together.. there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you." – Winnie the Pooh
What I’m Listening To: "The Christmas Can-Can" by Straight No Chaser. Yup, I’ve begun listening to Christmas music again, ha ha!
Highlight of the Weekend: The weekend was just a great time for me to get caught up on so many little things so that I can enjoy the four-day weekend coming up. We went and saw The Blind Side this weekend, great movie, I highly recommend it. Had coffee with Jane, Seth, and Stephanie on Saturday morning, picked up my mom and David from the airport and got to spend time with them. Cleaned most of the apartment, shampooed most of the carpet, updated my NetFlix queue, found some new shows to watch, balanced my checkbook/budget, had a Scrubs marathon. Yup, it was a relaxing weekend with some productive chores thrown in.
Encouraging Part of the Weekend: Going to the nursing home and seeing Grandma Hicks. Last time I was there, she wouldn’t talk at all, but I got her to talk to me this time around. I’m trying to treasure these moments with her because only God knows how long she’ll be around. I’m also thankful for my GrandDad who has shown so much love and dedication to my Grandma, even when she’s been bull-headed. I love them both so much!
What I’m Looking Forward To This Week: The short work week, along with seeing friends and family all week!
Picture of the Day: This is the view from my GrandDad’s glider on his back porch. It’s probably one of my favorite places to lay down and just listen to the sound of the country (which is pretty quiet). It gives me a chance to rest and a chance to reflect.
Quote of the Day: “Courage is doing what you’re afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you’re scared.” Eddie Rickenbacker
What I’m Listening To: I’m listening to so many new things. But if I had to choose, my favorite song right now is "Your Love Is A Song" by Switchfoot. Here are some other songs on my playlist:
Highlight of the Weekend: Leeland concert in Cincinnati, most definitely! Runner-up? Meeting up with Danelle, Seth, and Jane for coffee on Saturday morning. And just in case Jane is reading this, you’re looking great! Keep it up!
What I’m Looking Forward To This Week: Hmmm, probably my mom flying into town on Saturday. Should be good times!
New Favorite Beverage: I have started drinking coffee again and I discovered that I like Caribou Coffee’s "Caribou Blend."
Picture of the Day: I swung by my Dad’s house and got to see Konnor and Kamryn… also caught Kreig stealing Guitar Hero from Konnor and playing himself. Good times.
Quote of the Day: “If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.” – Mark Twain
