I am about 250 pages into the last installment of the Harry Potter series. That's not so bad, considering I had a guest over the weekend, my comprehensive exams before that, and that I'm busy finishing up my (hopefully!) final draft of my dissertation proposal.
But, I've had several near misses.
WGN news on in the living room, while I am brushing teeth and what not. They started talking about the ending of the book. I stuck my fingers in my ears and sang out loud until the segment was over. The cats think I'm nuttier than they are.
Very annoying, self-entitled man having a loud cell phone conversation in Ogilvie Train Station in the city. We missed the train by 10 seconds, literally. Sigh. But, the man starts talking about the Malfoys and such and I about lose it. I ask him to please talk less loudly or to not talk about that. He acts all put out, so we leave the waiting area to find a safer place to wait.
Today, Panera Bread. Working on the dissertation, because I can't make myself work at home with the computer(s), the TV, the book in question, 2 cats, and free food to distract me. Two young women sit down and start discussing loudly the book. Loudly. Did I say loudly? I stick my fingers in my ears, afraid to move or to interrupt them because I might hear something other than random snatches of Harry, and something about someone getting married, and some celebrity gossip thrown in for good measure. Finally, someone interrupts to share their love of the book. I speak up and ask for agreed upon moratorium on discussing the novel. All agree. Probably because these teenagers see me as old. That, and I had 3 allies who supported my request...a very intimidating looking group of nurses.
Also, this guy is wearing a shirt that says in BIG BOLD LETTERS..."EFFORT UNDER GRACE." Because Tshirt theology is veracious and effective, I'm sure.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Jesus was a Bleeding Heart Liberal Jew
Spending time in Europe with conservative Evangelical Christians is always a bit of a paradigm shift for me. For three years now, I've had the privilege to serve for a week some of the top academics in Europe who are also Christians. Part of the agreement of being a servant volunteer is that we absolutely cannot, without a doubt, discuss politics with these people. This policy, born out of the typical Europe/U.S. divide on political issues, is a great one. Those who volunteer are there to serve, not to be served, make their piece known, or to find some sort of camaraderie. However, it is so hard to remain quiet among my Christian siblings and not hug them, kiss their cheeks, and say..Yes! Yes, exactly!"
It always blows my mind the things I hear in the conversations among the theologically conservative (often bordering on fundamentalist) Evangelical leaders. A dinner conversation where the U.S. is described as a bully, Bush with a foreign policy likened to Hitler's, and the desperate state of affairs in Iraq, is the type of conversation I'd like to be a part of. It's so compelling to encounter Christians who have not tied their partriotism to their faith.
One of my Hungarian friends even said, "Yeah, nationalism is good. We can all cheer "Go my country!", and it is good for morale. But, a Christian, a Christian must think beyond what country he lives in. Because I am not first a Hungarian, but a person, a person loved by God. He doesn't care what country I'm from, or that guy's from. So my country cannot come first. God must, so there is no keep out or you don't deserve this because you are not Hungarian or American or whatever...because as Christians we are all people, all the same." And I watched the jaws clench among the other volunteers from the States who were sitting nearby. I wonder why this is so upsetting to my fellow citizens. Why are so many American Christians threatened by such sentiments? I cannot imagine any other way to view ourselves that is Biblically sound or in keeping with the life of Christ.
Or why is it that the other volunteers all assume that we're not allowed to talk about politics only for the benefit of the the attendees? How do you think I learned of so many of these dinner conversations? Well, because of the complaints of my fellow volunteers, of course. One particular volunteer started to complain about the "horrible" conversation her husband had to sit through that negatively cast U.S.'s foreign policy. I mentioned that we don't talk about politics with anyone when serving because we cannot assume that we all agree on anything, regardless of our citizenship or theology, although this hint was evidently not strong enough because she continued to go on and on.
My thoughts, personally, were that if I were sitting at a table having dinner with some of Europe's top theologians, and they felt this way....then maybe I might have something to learn. I'm just sayin'...
Regardless, my point is that Christians who are U.S. citizens are in grave danger of confusing patriotism with faith. I know this because 9 times out of 10, when spending more than an hour with a group of Christians Stateside, something is said that infers that we all hold some universal Republican based political ideology that I happen to not hold. It's become so inferential and assumed that such sentiments creep in nearly continuously and without notice from most people. And these are sentiments held only by Christians in the U.S. I have yet to meet a Christian from another country who has such convoluted ideas about their faith and their country. It makes me sad, and it makes me want to move.
So, my fellow Americans, just remember that what may be best for you, for me, for the United States, may very likely not be what God wants you to do. And the rest of our Christian brothers and sisters seem to see that much more clearly than we, we could learn from them.
It always blows my mind the things I hear in the conversations among the theologically conservative (often bordering on fundamentalist) Evangelical leaders. A dinner conversation where the U.S. is described as a bully, Bush with a foreign policy likened to Hitler's, and the desperate state of affairs in Iraq, is the type of conversation I'd like to be a part of. It's so compelling to encounter Christians who have not tied their partriotism to their faith.
One of my Hungarian friends even said, "Yeah, nationalism is good. We can all cheer "Go my country!", and it is good for morale. But, a Christian, a Christian must think beyond what country he lives in. Because I am not first a Hungarian, but a person, a person loved by God. He doesn't care what country I'm from, or that guy's from. So my country cannot come first. God must, so there is no keep out or you don't deserve this because you are not Hungarian or American or whatever...because as Christians we are all people, all the same." And I watched the jaws clench among the other volunteers from the States who were sitting nearby. I wonder why this is so upsetting to my fellow citizens. Why are so many American Christians threatened by such sentiments? I cannot imagine any other way to view ourselves that is Biblically sound or in keeping with the life of Christ.
Or why is it that the other volunteers all assume that we're not allowed to talk about politics only for the benefit of the the attendees? How do you think I learned of so many of these dinner conversations? Well, because of the complaints of my fellow volunteers, of course. One particular volunteer started to complain about the "horrible" conversation her husband had to sit through that negatively cast U.S.'s foreign policy. I mentioned that we don't talk about politics with anyone when serving because we cannot assume that we all agree on anything, regardless of our citizenship or theology, although this hint was evidently not strong enough because she continued to go on and on.
My thoughts, personally, were that if I were sitting at a table having dinner with some of Europe's top theologians, and they felt this way....then maybe I might have something to learn. I'm just sayin'...
Regardless, my point is that Christians who are U.S. citizens are in grave danger of confusing patriotism with faith. I know this because 9 times out of 10, when spending more than an hour with a group of Christians Stateside, something is said that infers that we all hold some universal Republican based political ideology that I happen to not hold. It's become so inferential and assumed that such sentiments creep in nearly continuously and without notice from most people. And these are sentiments held only by Christians in the U.S. I have yet to meet a Christian from another country who has such convoluted ideas about their faith and their country. It makes me sad, and it makes me want to move.
So, my fellow Americans, just remember that what may be best for you, for me, for the United States, may very likely not be what God wants you to do. And the rest of our Christian brothers and sisters seem to see that much more clearly than we, we could learn from them.
Important Skills to Learn Before Having Children
Can someone please explain children's shoe sizes to me? The hubs and I were buying shoes today for a thing at church, and we hemmed and hawed over shoe sizes, because between two college grads we couldn't figure much out. So we picked four pairs that "looked" like they would fit a kid in elementary school. Help me? Please?
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Hot Wives and Heat Waves
It hardly seems possible that is has been one week tomorrow since we returned from overseas. We spent the first half involved in some atypical mission work in Hungary. I'm purposely vague about it here, but let's just say it's the most stressful and intense 10 jet lagged days I experience every year, and it doesn't involve any type of evangelism.
After having been involved with all sorts of missions: week long evangelistic, leading summer missions trips for youth groups at a camp all summer, and work-camp type ministries--I firmly believe that the two types of missions that seem to be most effective are those that provide support and relief to groups, churches, and individuals who are invested in long-term ministry in a particular location OR those that provide direct relief/work to those in need. I just haven't found the various types of evangelistic week-long mission trips that I went on as a youth and college student to be anything but intrusive to most people and not in keeping with my leanings toward community and relationship rather than save 'em and leave 'em philosophies I've sometimes witnessed.
Anyway, following our mission time, we try to take advantage of already being in Europe and do some traveling, and by that time we both need it! This year we spent a glorious 9 days in Greece. There are some unique life circumstances of ours that make this feasible financially. It blows our mind that three years ago, neither my husband nor I had a passport, and now we've done missions abroad three times and been able to travel over a large portion of Europe, as well.
While we were in Greece, they had century record highs. I thought it was hot at the Acropolis (110 degrees!), and then a few days later when we hiked Acrocorinth (114 degrees!). But what I enjoyed most about our trip were the moments where we were around nothing more historical than a tiny rural village where people have lived for millenia going about their daily lives.
I adored the secluded beaches, the one tavern towns, the old Greek men flicking their worry beads, the arid mountains surrounded by fertile olive groves. It was much needed, and highly rejuvenating. As is my custom, I have great difficulty putting into written word how I feel everytime I return from travelling. It is life changing and yet seems so mundane when you put it into words. So, I'll let some pictures speak for themselves. You can see them here.
After having been involved with all sorts of missions: week long evangelistic, leading summer missions trips for youth groups at a camp all summer, and work-camp type ministries--I firmly believe that the two types of missions that seem to be most effective are those that provide support and relief to groups, churches, and individuals who are invested in long-term ministry in a particular location OR those that provide direct relief/work to those in need. I just haven't found the various types of evangelistic week-long mission trips that I went on as a youth and college student to be anything but intrusive to most people and not in keeping with my leanings toward community and relationship rather than save 'em and leave 'em philosophies I've sometimes witnessed.
Anyway, following our mission time, we try to take advantage of already being in Europe and do some traveling, and by that time we both need it! This year we spent a glorious 9 days in Greece. There are some unique life circumstances of ours that make this feasible financially. It blows our mind that three years ago, neither my husband nor I had a passport, and now we've done missions abroad three times and been able to travel over a large portion of Europe, as well.
While we were in Greece, they had century record highs. I thought it was hot at the Acropolis (110 degrees!), and then a few days later when we hiked Acrocorinth (114 degrees!). But what I enjoyed most about our trip were the moments where we were around nothing more historical than a tiny rural village where people have lived for millenia going about their daily lives.
I adored the secluded beaches, the one tavern towns, the old Greek men flicking their worry beads, the arid mountains surrounded by fertile olive groves. It was much needed, and highly rejuvenating. As is my custom, I have great difficulty putting into written word how I feel everytime I return from travelling. It is life changing and yet seems so mundane when you put it into words. So, I'll let some pictures speak for themselves. You can see them here.
Of memes and (wo)men...
I was tagged in this meme (twice in fact...here and here), so here goes. But first, the rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
Ah, 8 random facts or habits about me. I'm going to try to make these all new and not repeats of previous ones. If I get caught up in the enthusiasm, I might do 16 because I was tagged twice.
1.) I've been chased by angry goat-guarding dogs in Greece.
2.) I've scarily flown in a plane at midnight from Hungary to Athens, Greece in a thunderstorm.
3.) When I am absolutely bone tired, I snore. Loudly, and a lot. (My husband seems to think the solution to this is poking me awake, leading to further fatigue, and making conditions right for more snoring during my next occasion to rest.)
4.) I'm allergic to watermelon. In an upset stomach spend the evening in the bathroom kind of way.
6.) I currently desire 4 things: to finish school, own a home, have a dog, and to have a baby. And those four things are some of the only reasons I can seem to make myself study for written comps.
5.) I'm not a details person (see above omission of #5, and its insertion here).
7.) I want to own a restored historic home (leaning toward craftsmen style).
8.) I have an unnatural love for apes, primates, and the like. I could watch them for hours at the zoo.
Okay, that's all I have in me. I don't tag people, really. I just don't feel I post enough these days to warrant it. If you want to, consider yourself tagged.
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
Ah, 8 random facts or habits about me. I'm going to try to make these all new and not repeats of previous ones. If I get caught up in the enthusiasm, I might do 16 because I was tagged twice.
1.) I've been chased by angry goat-guarding dogs in Greece.
2.) I've scarily flown in a plane at midnight from Hungary to Athens, Greece in a thunderstorm.
3.) When I am absolutely bone tired, I snore. Loudly, and a lot. (My husband seems to think the solution to this is poking me awake, leading to further fatigue, and making conditions right for more snoring during my next occasion to rest.)
4.) I'm allergic to watermelon. In an upset stomach spend the evening in the bathroom kind of way.
6.) I currently desire 4 things: to finish school, own a home, have a dog, and to have a baby. And those four things are some of the only reasons I can seem to make myself study for written comps.
5.) I'm not a details person (see above omission of #5, and its insertion here).
7.) I want to own a restored historic home (leaning toward craftsmen style).
8.) I have an unnatural love for apes, primates, and the like. I could watch them for hours at the zoo.
Okay, that's all I have in me. I don't tag people, really. I just don't feel I post enough these days to warrant it. If you want to, consider yourself tagged.
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