Saturday, March 29, 2003

 
"Got to open my eyes to everything."

So Schooby passes on a piece of music for my ears to listen to; you know what? It is good. Very, very good. Evanescence is certainly crawling up the charts thus held in my brain for these purposes.

I hate losing in tennis when I know its in my ability and in my partner's ability to win. For some reason, we couldn't get our act together enough today to win when we should have. Lucky for us, we're playing U of D once again next weekend, so we'll have a second shot in doing it right. One and all, you are now invited to see a little tennis booty-kicking, I promise, it'll be good. (BTW, Saturday, 2 pm)

Had an interesting conversation with Juergens during a particular lull in the day. I tried to fight it, but for some reason, the man suckered me into talking about farting. Don't ask, don't tell. It was ridiculous and he had me laughing so bad that if I wasn't sitting on the ground already, I would have fallen off my seat. What is it with guys and not getting that girls consider it gross? Oddly enough, we just passed over the subject in Microbiology, so I was able to give him some 'official' terms, so help me... geez, it was stupid. So stupid. He's so fun.

Eating at Applebee's this evening with the team, four of us sitting at the same table faced a problem. One of the people there wanted to order a *virgin* mudslide; the rest of us warned them that we're not allowed to do that, even if it lacks the alcohol, because it's all about appearances sake. We agreed not to drink when attending LU (even though it is in an incredibly vague contract, from what I've heard and seen), thus we should definitely not be drinking in a public setting (particularly wearing LU Tennis hoodies at the time - last name and all). It was decided that the drink would simply go in a 'to go' cup, but the waiter posed a problem. First, a mudslide without the alcohol? Simply a milkshake. Two, when the order was switched to a virgin strawberry daqueri (in the same to go cup), we were told that was impossble due to TABC (Texas Alcohol & Beverage Commissioner, for those who don't know) rules. There was a quick discussion where the rest of us advised that it was probably not the best idea to go through with it. Hence, no drink. Heh. Long story, I know. Anyway, this all led to some interesting discussion about people's opinions on alcohol consumption and the such. Hmm.

I can understand why the administration bans drinking on campus, as in when students are attending school during the actual semesters. First, some people can't control their behavior when it comes to that (and some of them still don't, contract be screwed in their opinion); second, this school, as an institution, is intent on keeping up proper appearances. Students getting drunk in Applebee's after a tennis match, well, that doesn't work well in that direction. But what if we're at home, surrounded by only family members? New Year's Eve, anyone? Personally, I think that tends more to personal conviction. I have no opinion inside of me that alcohol is inherently bad, though the overconsumption of it is. Eh, enough said about that, I suppose. Just something on my mind.

Let's not discuss the ban on dancing now, shall we?

I sigh.
posted by sprite 11:38 PM

Tuesday, March 25, 2003

 
Okay, for some reason I just haven't had the urge to update lately. I'm not sure what it is, but maybe it's not worth enough to bother questioning. Eh.

But I'm here now, so that's gotta say something. I just finished making yogurt over in micro lab; lots of fun to be had, I tell you. I have every intention of bringing some fun stuff to class on Thursday so we have can have a good time munching out. I feel slightly silly for having told Dr. J on his 40th birthday what the number 41 is considered in Mexico. So far, he keep on joking that he won't have a birthday next year based on the revelation I made. Needless to say, I have no intention of telling anymore what it means (Sorry, Schooby & Johnny, you would only be grossly offended). Anyway, I've gotta learn to keep my mouth shut.

The tennis team got mauled by Mississippi College last weekend, which didn't come as much of a shocker. Our team is more than decent, but we were up against the number on in the conference; sometimes the Goliath just doesn't go down, you know? Or maybe we just aren't David. Probably both. No big thing, though. We're going to U of D this weekend, I'm sure we'll have a better shot there. Oh, I have to shudder here, just remembering what one of the girls looked like with a too-deep tan. There's such a thing as TOO DANG MUCH, honey. Think about it.

Last week felt like three stuffed into one. It's weird to think that just seven days ago around this time, my mom showed up with my niece and nephew. There was so much in there, returning from Chicago, getting a family visit, taking a micro test, taking a elementary stats test (that class must die a slow, cruel death, ugh), attending an IMPACT retreat as well as the MC match... it was so long. Oh, yeah, and my birthday was in there, too. On Sunday, I just looked back and marveled at just how much had happened; Chicago feels light years away right now. I already feel disconnected from it all, which is more than slightly disappointing, because it was something that I enjoyed more than I expected. What's even more disheartening is that due to the the U of D match, I'm going to miss the debriefing and the opportunity to hang out with my team. Kerri's already demanded that I skip the match, but what can you do?

Lots of random thoughts today.

RSF # 14 I miss Chicago. (Who knew the small town girl would moan over the big city?) Or maybe I just miss the people, just can't figure it out.
posted by sprite 10:48 AM

Saturday, March 22, 2003

 
I should be in bed now, seeing as its so late and I have a long day ahead of me, but it's just not happening so far. But you know what? I think I'm okay with that.

Thsi isnt' the long blog that I promsied myself I'd write, it's simply an in between place that I can spend time in until my roomie vacates the shower and I can go in to get cleaned up from the mess I made this evening. In either case, I'm here, finally, after being back at school for nearly a week. Hmm... what to say...

Chicago? Was incredible. There were so many factors working together in that week, I don't know where to begin. I met people whose stories blew me away and left me reeling over the fact that just because the mighty me was on a misison trip, God could so very easily minister to me through those I had conversations with, no matter what their background was, different from what I am used to seeing or not. The team basically came a sort of jack of all trades, running around doing all sorts of things, like tutoring sixth graders to fixing up dinner for the women of the shelter to do carpentry work in the house that BreakThrough Ministires was moving into. I didn't realize, for one thing, that we were being added on to a very well situated and awesome ministry. It wasn't like we were setting up little VBS's for children who had never heard the word of God or building a church. There are hundreds of churches in Chicago, there are thousands of chidlren who first need to know that someone on this earth cares enough about them to hound them about their homework. It was through those things, these established areas that we could jump in and throw ourselves into the work. What's so spiritual about sorting clothes for a homeless shelter? Well, depends on how you look at it. If you're simply laughing at the hideous style pile, well... not much. But when you think about how a woman is going to be easily provided for when she needs a dress for Easter so she can visit with her kids... hmm. Makes you think. Makes you realize that you're a small part of something so much bigger than you, so much more complex and it's weird to think that God knows about every single little piece of it all, right on down to the thoughts we're having. It's mind-boggling, I tell you, simply mind-boggling.

It helped that my team completely kicked arse. Oh, my goodness, I felt wonderful around them. I'll leave it at that for now, because I'm dead tired, but wow. I know that I strain from doing the whole smacking people with God through my blog, but goodness... he so incredibly blessed us with a unique unity and rampart. Wow. Just wow. I will always remember this trip for so many great things.

(More later.. too tired and the roomie is out of the shower!)
posted by sprite 2:42 AM

Thursday, March 20, 2003

 
Okay, not today either. Probably Sunday.
posted by sprite 11:08 PM

Wednesday, March 19, 2003

 
So much to say, but no time at all. Maybe tomorow.

BTW, Happy Birthday to me!
posted by sprite 9:53 PM

Thursday, March 06, 2003

 
In the center of the city comes the illusion of the day -Caedmon's Call, Masquerade

Oddly fitting lyrics considering where I'm leaving for tomorrow night, don't you think?

I was walking back to my room today when I saw those little white flowers growing on the pear trees outside. As ugly as those things end up smelling, it made me happy to realize that winter is leaving and spring drifting in. It'll be nice to come home to in a week and a half.
posted by sprite 11:23 AM

Monday, March 03, 2003

 
Because I'll never hold a picture of the whole horizon in my view. -Great Are You, downhere

I heard that in Bri's car the other night and was reminded that I hadn't busted out my downhere cd in a while, so I'm giving it a listen as I type. It's a good song that reminds me of a John Mayer one that I particularly love, because Mayer's lines say Didn't have a camera by my side this time, hoping I would see the world with both my eyes (3x5) You really have to listen to the whole song to get it. I've always loved to take pictures, I have hundreds accumulated in my room, but I can't seem to get them in any order. Anyway, it was kind of poignant because ealier that same evening, while the Big Bash was winding down, I'd gone up to the second floor of the education buildign and stared out two separate windows as I sat there, eating a burger. I'd look out one window for a while then switch my view to the other, back and forth, back and forth. What can I say, Texas has amazing sunsets.

Today skies are painted colors of a cowboy's cliche'. And strange how clouds that look like mountains in the sky are next to mountains anyway Sorry, a Mayer moment.

Lynn and I had our first 'Lynn and Samantha Everwood Night'. To be honest, it may be the last, but I thought a title with a nice ring to it would be fitting. It wasn't all that bad, though we were both grossly offended when one of the guys said to a surgeon that he liked knowing a guy who "fixed God's mistakes". What the...? Bad writers! Bad, BAD HEATHEN WRITERS! Blah on them. It was actually kind of funny when Bri kept walking in and out, giving a running comment on who Amy should end up with. First she complained about the boyfriend who was in a coma who'd been mean to her, said to move on from him to one of the main characters (Ephram?) because he brought her board games to play with when she was waiting in the hospital (coma boyfriend was in surgery, ya know). Exactly how do you move on from someone who isn't even conscious? Easily, really, I guess. Then she started suggesing that Amy should fall in love with the blond guy who 'fessed up to being the driving the truck that turned mean boyfriend into coma boyfriend. She kind of had to stop when I reminded her that blond guy was Amy's brother.

Yes, sir, that was the rundown of tonight's Everwood. I really don't have much to say. I'm grasping at straws here.

Eh, I'm going to sleep.
posted by sprite 10:14 PM

Saturday, March 01, 2003

 
I think Matthew Perry is hilarious, but dang it, Serving Sara was a ridiculous movie. And the ending! Goodness, that was a waste of time.

I spent the morning holding a car wash sign over next to Chik-Fil-A in hopes of enticing people to get their cars cleaned by students going on mission trips next week. It wasn't all that bad, really; I remembered seeing all these little kids over the years holding signs and knowing I'd never seen them again, most likely the people passing by me wouldn't give me a second thought. That in mind, I danced around to my heart's content on the side of the road and generally made a fool out of myself, grinning like an idiot towards anyone I saw really well through a car window and showing off the sign in any way I could.

Katie got propositioned though, yeah, that was creepy. Ew.

Got to hang out with Lily tonight, which was fun. For all those who don't know, Lily isn't a frail little girl with blond ringlets, he's actually a bear of a guy that I love dearly, he's just so much fun. Not to mention the one person on campus who can pick me up and spin me around without breaking his back. What a sweetie. I think it's funny how in the guy's dorms, they just walk in and out of other people's rooms and sit around on the couches whether the person who lives there is in the room or not. Lily didn't particularly care in any case, but I asked a passerby if it was a common thing and she assured me that it was. That said, I chilled on Paul's sofa for twenty minutes without him in sight.

Watched Pleasantville. Ate a Crunch bar. Watched a stupid movie. Hung out with good friends. The night? Certainly a success.

posted by sprite 11:19 PM