I haven't written in a while and the reason is: School.
I also haven't: cleaned my house, done any chores, done my hobbies like sewing, knitting, playing piano and saxophone, playing guild wars with Paul, entertained guests at our home, read for fun, gone fishing, played with my dog, and various other things all because of: School.
The other day, Paul and I were talking and he asked me why I haven't played music in a long time. I told him that once school was done in May, I planned on doing everything that I love, including music. He (very gently and kindly) asked me if perhaps I use school as an excuse to stop living life. It was a good question.
I have also considered this question. I know that I always tell myself "I'll do such and such when school is done". Lately I have often wondered if this is true. Will I really live a more relaxing life when I am done with school? Who am I? Am I a workaholic? Am I a boring person who works during the day (and night) and sleeps a little in between? Will my strong personality and strong passions become revitalized this summer? These questions haunt me in between study-times. I am incredibly curious about what will happen when school ticks down in May. Seven more weeks of school before I find out who I am without it. It is quite nerve-wracking and I could use some prayers. The only thing I know for certain about myself is that I love God and Paul. I am ready to discover more...seven more weeks.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Because I always have an opinion...about everything
Two things happened yesterday or this morning that made my brain go crazy with opinions. Since I have nothing serious to write about right now, I thought I would share my silly opinionated self on random tangents in my life. :)
#1) The Winter Olympics
This morning, the radio guy explained that NBC, who rather hesitatingly decided to host the winter olympics, made tons and tons of money on the Olympics this year, and that this winter olympics were the most watched winter event EVER.
My rant: Well of course NBC made off great with the Olympics. Did anyone else notice that ALL of the networks stopped running normal shows during the entire thing?!?! No one says that it's because of the Olympics, but this week all of my fave shows are starting up again. I smell controversy!!! I think NBC secretly controls all of the other networks and forced them to stop putting on shows. That way, everyone was FORCED to watch those boring and lame olympics because there was nothing else on!!! Is this the end of capitalism as we know it?!?! Dun dun dun... :) Just to let you all know, this probably won't surprise you a bit, but since I figured the networks weren't putting on my shows to force me to watch the olympics, I refused to watch a single event!!! Yeah, take that, networks! I refuse to be pushed around! Laugh, oh boy, I can't believe I have such an opinion on this, but that's just my personality. I suppose the real concern here should be that I have so many fave shows and that I was going crazy without them... :)
#2) Fantastic Mr. Fox-the movie
Yesterday night, Paul and I watched Fantastic Mr. Fox. I was skeptical, since it was a cartoon movie with ugly animations, which I normally dislike. However, Paul told me that it got rave reviews from the critics, so we watched it. I must admit, parts of it were delightfully and surprisingly funny. Overall, as an ADULT movie, it was great. However, cartoons aren't normally made for adults, and I am unsure who the audience was supposed to be for this film. Was this supposed to be a children's movie? Because if so, I am incredibly concerned about what this movie says symbolically about the future generation of America. First, I raised a brow at the movie's casual and funny protrayal of murder. Mr. Fox kills the chickens in a humorous atmosphere. I can't remember a Disney movie or other cartoon movie that was so happy-go-lucky about murder. Second, the movie is lighthearted about stealing. Unlike Robinhood, who steals for a "right" reason (which is a debatable children's topic anyway), Mr. Fox steals b/c he wants to get rich quick and has all sorts of lame excuses for why stealing is okay. And he never learns a lesson about why stealing is wrong! Third, "animal instinct" is mentioned over and over. Are the directors trying to make a theme in the movie about the animalistic ways of humanity? Are they praising this aspect of humanity? I don't know what to think about that. Finally, I had a HUGE problem with the casual usage of swearing. The directors/writers try to make light of swearing by saying "cuss" instead of an actual swear word. Example: Mr Fox: "Why the cuss are the farmers trying to cussing kill us?!" While this is possibly humorous as an adult movie theme, I do not think this is right for a children's film. It is making light of the severity of swearing and it happens so much in the movie, that I am concerned kids will start quoting it! Swearing is a problem in our society, and I don't think a movie (the way to connect with kids these days) should make it seem funny to swear. So if you have kids, you might not want them to see this movie. Or maybe I am exaggerating. I suppose it would be a great movie to debate with your kids. Watch it as a family, enjoy the good parts, and then talk about the bad parts. Anyone who reads this, please let me know what you think.
Well, that is enough of my silly, lighthearted rants for the day. :)
~Cris
#1) The Winter Olympics
This morning, the radio guy explained that NBC, who rather hesitatingly decided to host the winter olympics, made tons and tons of money on the Olympics this year, and that this winter olympics were the most watched winter event EVER.
My rant: Well of course NBC made off great with the Olympics. Did anyone else notice that ALL of the networks stopped running normal shows during the entire thing?!?! No one says that it's because of the Olympics, but this week all of my fave shows are starting up again. I smell controversy!!! I think NBC secretly controls all of the other networks and forced them to stop putting on shows. That way, everyone was FORCED to watch those boring and lame olympics because there was nothing else on!!! Is this the end of capitalism as we know it?!?! Dun dun dun... :) Just to let you all know, this probably won't surprise you a bit, but since I figured the networks weren't putting on my shows to force me to watch the olympics, I refused to watch a single event!!! Yeah, take that, networks! I refuse to be pushed around! Laugh, oh boy, I can't believe I have such an opinion on this, but that's just my personality. I suppose the real concern here should be that I have so many fave shows and that I was going crazy without them... :)
#2) Fantastic Mr. Fox-the movie
Yesterday night, Paul and I watched Fantastic Mr. Fox. I was skeptical, since it was a cartoon movie with ugly animations, which I normally dislike. However, Paul told me that it got rave reviews from the critics, so we watched it. I must admit, parts of it were delightfully and surprisingly funny. Overall, as an ADULT movie, it was great. However, cartoons aren't normally made for adults, and I am unsure who the audience was supposed to be for this film. Was this supposed to be a children's movie? Because if so, I am incredibly concerned about what this movie says symbolically about the future generation of America. First, I raised a brow at the movie's casual and funny protrayal of murder. Mr. Fox kills the chickens in a humorous atmosphere. I can't remember a Disney movie or other cartoon movie that was so happy-go-lucky about murder. Second, the movie is lighthearted about stealing. Unlike Robinhood, who steals for a "right" reason (which is a debatable children's topic anyway), Mr. Fox steals b/c he wants to get rich quick and has all sorts of lame excuses for why stealing is okay. And he never learns a lesson about why stealing is wrong! Third, "animal instinct" is mentioned over and over. Are the directors trying to make a theme in the movie about the animalistic ways of humanity? Are they praising this aspect of humanity? I don't know what to think about that. Finally, I had a HUGE problem with the casual usage of swearing. The directors/writers try to make light of swearing by saying "cuss" instead of an actual swear word. Example: Mr Fox: "Why the cuss are the farmers trying to cussing kill us?!" While this is possibly humorous as an adult movie theme, I do not think this is right for a children's film. It is making light of the severity of swearing and it happens so much in the movie, that I am concerned kids will start quoting it! Swearing is a problem in our society, and I don't think a movie (the way to connect with kids these days) should make it seem funny to swear. So if you have kids, you might not want them to see this movie. Or maybe I am exaggerating. I suppose it would be a great movie to debate with your kids. Watch it as a family, enjoy the good parts, and then talk about the bad parts. Anyone who reads this, please let me know what you think.
Well, that is enough of my silly, lighthearted rants for the day. :)
~Cris
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Brooding
I won't get into details, but for the first time in my life I am struggling with accomplishing my goals in a way that works with reality. While thinking about my goals, I am getting pressured from all sides. In the midst of confusion and chaos, I am starting to forget what I originally wanted. Does it matter anymore? Should I follow a trend? What do I want in life?
A) The easy way, with lots of money, so that I can retire early. A life with no extra thinking, just go through the motions...but with lots of money.
B) The hard way, with little money and no foundation, but a (possibly) happier and thought-provoking lifestyle...but additional stress.
C) The harder way, with a slight promise of more future rewards, but in the meantime, no social life, no leisure time, little money, but the end result of following my (old?) dreams...
It's a dark, brooding semester for me because of all of this. Please pray for me and Paul as we discuss my (our) future.
~Cris
A) The easy way, with lots of money, so that I can retire early. A life with no extra thinking, just go through the motions...but with lots of money.
B) The hard way, with little money and no foundation, but a (possibly) happier and thought-provoking lifestyle...but additional stress.
C) The harder way, with a slight promise of more future rewards, but in the meantime, no social life, no leisure time, little money, but the end result of following my (old?) dreams...
It's a dark, brooding semester for me because of all of this. Please pray for me and Paul as we discuss my (our) future.
~Cris
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Pet Peeves
Issue #1
Okay, so I don't like to gossip or be catty. But I really have to complain about some things that are bothering me, and I figure: if I can't whine on my own blog than I will start whining in my journal book again. It's one or the other. And this is easier.
I hate it when people are so obsessed with their phones. I think it is very rude when you are hanging out with people and they all take their phones out and start texting other people. I don't know if anyone learns manners anymore, but I think children should learn different manners now than back when I was growing up. And I think most of the new mannerisms that these kids should learn deal with computers/technology. Here are some examples from real life in the last few weeks that I find rude and almost insulting:
(A)Boardgame night at our house. 8 people around a table. We are ALL playing a game. Suddenly, one person gets a text and takes out their phone to text back. Then five more people (no joke) take out THEIR phones to text people. Silence all around as these six out of eight people text others that aren't even here(!!) instead of having a conversation and good time with the PEOPLE IN THE ROOM WITH THEM!!! "Sorry," one says, "I just HAD to answer." The others nod. "Yeah," another says, "I just remembered something that I had to tell someone."
Well, I won't take your apologies, people. What you just did was a great insult to my hospitality. I am trying to be social by providing a clean house, food, drinks, games, and my attempts at being friendly, and you answer this hospitality by writing secret messages to other people. That is rude and needs to be fixed.
(B)Superbowl party. 8 people in a room. Watching football TOGETHER and eating, etc. Not only did six people have their phones out CONSTANTLY, but sometimes, I think they were gossip-texting each other(!!). It hurts even more when I wonder if it is about me. Example: The Who band was playing. People were giving their opinions about them as a band, etc. I say: "I wish superbowl could find younger bands to play. The Who is pretty old and I think they are past their prime for live entertainment." Suddenly, three people take out their phones and text someone. And then they all get texts back from those mystery people at the same time, etc. Hmm...makes me wonder if it is just coincidence that they all had the urge to text and also get responses back at the same time. I know I am an opinionated person, but just bitch back at me instead of getting all nasty. Even if they were NOT texting each other, even if it was just one nasty coincidence, this situation shows why using phones when around others is rude. I should not worry that people are doing that in front of me. I should not worry about being more interesting than a phone/other people not in the room. It is just so incredibly rude and not necessary.
Since boardgame night, Paul and I have made it a rule that no cell phones may be used upon entering our house unless under emergency or it's a common sense thing. However, even when we had people over with this rule, they keep their phones under their hands and watch it constantly like something super super urgent is happening and they just HAVE to know. Phones seem to have some control over people now. It is really sad.
I am out of ideas for handling this situation and could use some advice. Am I overexaggerating? Should I be more bold and tell them to stop being so rude? Should I sit meekly by while these stupid phones take over their lives? Should I stop hanging out with these rude people? Should I become Amish?
Issue#2
Unfortunately, I have more than one annoyance in my life right now. Grr...
I am part of a small group/Bible study. All of my life, I have hated Christian peer groups. This all start when I was a child. In sunday school, "Christian" kids were mean to me because I had glasses and was homeschooled. Even though I was nice and never did anything to deserve it, they would do some nasty mean things to me. Then I would go home in tears, and hang out with friendly public school kids all week long. In middle school, my parents stopped homeschooling and put me in a Christian private school. Naively, I thought they would be great for me, since by then the public school kids were getting rebellious and naughty. However, once again, "Christian" kids excluded me and treated me like crap because I had glasses and wore crappy clothes(?). Even though the public school kids were smoking and joining gangs, they at least gave everyone a shot. Ever since then, I have hated how Christians act in a group. How they exclude people (even fellow Christians) for stupid things like appearances or quirky personalities. I promised myself even when I was a child that I would NEVER exclude ANYONE from anything. And so far, I have kept to that promise.
However, now there seems to be a dilemma. Some of the people in my small group are getting together after meetings or on the weekends, etc., and inviting other people from small group...but not everyone. When Paul and I have social activities at our house, we always announce the outings on the small group facebook page so that EVERYONE is invited. True, usually only the same 8-10 people show up, but it is important to me that the opportunity is put out there. A few of the small group people, though, are making social activities and giving out personal invitations to certain people that they like. For some reason (the first time in my life), I am in the "in" crowd. I hate it. I get somewhere and ask why such-in-such person is not there. The response: "Oh, I don't like that person. I only invite the people from our group that I like." Then I spend the rest of the night feeling guilty. To me, I know that some of us in small group click more as friends, but I think that as long as we are a small group, there should be no exclusion. Then, maybe this summer, when group is officially over, do what you want. But maybe I am wrong and exaggerating again. Am I being too sensitive to this issue b/c I know what it's like? Is it okay to do things with just friends even if you are all part of the same small group? Am I right or am I wrong? Does it depend on the situation? I am struggling with this one. I don't know if I should go to these parties if someone is being excluded. It is that "justice-hero" part of me that my mom always told me she was proud of. Should I go to these parties if people are excluded like this? Please let me know what you think. I am stumped. I need alot of prayers...
~Cris
Okay, so I don't like to gossip or be catty. But I really have to complain about some things that are bothering me, and I figure: if I can't whine on my own blog than I will start whining in my journal book again. It's one or the other. And this is easier.
I hate it when people are so obsessed with their phones. I think it is very rude when you are hanging out with people and they all take their phones out and start texting other people. I don't know if anyone learns manners anymore, but I think children should learn different manners now than back when I was growing up. And I think most of the new mannerisms that these kids should learn deal with computers/technology. Here are some examples from real life in the last few weeks that I find rude and almost insulting:
(A)Boardgame night at our house. 8 people around a table. We are ALL playing a game. Suddenly, one person gets a text and takes out their phone to text back. Then five more people (no joke) take out THEIR phones to text people. Silence all around as these six out of eight people text others that aren't even here(!!) instead of having a conversation and good time with the PEOPLE IN THE ROOM WITH THEM!!! "Sorry," one says, "I just HAD to answer." The others nod. "Yeah," another says, "I just remembered something that I had to tell someone."
Well, I won't take your apologies, people. What you just did was a great insult to my hospitality. I am trying to be social by providing a clean house, food, drinks, games, and my attempts at being friendly, and you answer this hospitality by writing secret messages to other people. That is rude and needs to be fixed.
(B)Superbowl party. 8 people in a room. Watching football TOGETHER and eating, etc. Not only did six people have their phones out CONSTANTLY, but sometimes, I think they were gossip-texting each other(!!). It hurts even more when I wonder if it is about me. Example: The Who band was playing. People were giving their opinions about them as a band, etc. I say: "I wish superbowl could find younger bands to play. The Who is pretty old and I think they are past their prime for live entertainment." Suddenly, three people take out their phones and text someone. And then they all get texts back from those mystery people at the same time, etc. Hmm...makes me wonder if it is just coincidence that they all had the urge to text and also get responses back at the same time. I know I am an opinionated person, but just bitch back at me instead of getting all nasty. Even if they were NOT texting each other, even if it was just one nasty coincidence, this situation shows why using phones when around others is rude. I should not worry that people are doing that in front of me. I should not worry about being more interesting than a phone/other people not in the room. It is just so incredibly rude and not necessary.
Since boardgame night, Paul and I have made it a rule that no cell phones may be used upon entering our house unless under emergency or it's a common sense thing. However, even when we had people over with this rule, they keep their phones under their hands and watch it constantly like something super super urgent is happening and they just HAVE to know. Phones seem to have some control over people now. It is really sad.
I am out of ideas for handling this situation and could use some advice. Am I overexaggerating? Should I be more bold and tell them to stop being so rude? Should I sit meekly by while these stupid phones take over their lives? Should I stop hanging out with these rude people? Should I become Amish?
Issue#2
Unfortunately, I have more than one annoyance in my life right now. Grr...
I am part of a small group/Bible study. All of my life, I have hated Christian peer groups. This all start when I was a child. In sunday school, "Christian" kids were mean to me because I had glasses and was homeschooled. Even though I was nice and never did anything to deserve it, they would do some nasty mean things to me. Then I would go home in tears, and hang out with friendly public school kids all week long. In middle school, my parents stopped homeschooling and put me in a Christian private school. Naively, I thought they would be great for me, since by then the public school kids were getting rebellious and naughty. However, once again, "Christian" kids excluded me and treated me like crap because I had glasses and wore crappy clothes(?). Even though the public school kids were smoking and joining gangs, they at least gave everyone a shot. Ever since then, I have hated how Christians act in a group. How they exclude people (even fellow Christians) for stupid things like appearances or quirky personalities. I promised myself even when I was a child that I would NEVER exclude ANYONE from anything. And so far, I have kept to that promise.
However, now there seems to be a dilemma. Some of the people in my small group are getting together after meetings or on the weekends, etc., and inviting other people from small group...but not everyone. When Paul and I have social activities at our house, we always announce the outings on the small group facebook page so that EVERYONE is invited. True, usually only the same 8-10 people show up, but it is important to me that the opportunity is put out there. A few of the small group people, though, are making social activities and giving out personal invitations to certain people that they like. For some reason (the first time in my life), I am in the "in" crowd. I hate it. I get somewhere and ask why such-in-such person is not there. The response: "Oh, I don't like that person. I only invite the people from our group that I like." Then I spend the rest of the night feeling guilty. To me, I know that some of us in small group click more as friends, but I think that as long as we are a small group, there should be no exclusion. Then, maybe this summer, when group is officially over, do what you want. But maybe I am wrong and exaggerating again. Am I being too sensitive to this issue b/c I know what it's like? Is it okay to do things with just friends even if you are all part of the same small group? Am I right or am I wrong? Does it depend on the situation? I am struggling with this one. I don't know if I should go to these parties if someone is being excluded. It is that "justice-hero" part of me that my mom always told me she was proud of. Should I go to these parties if people are excluded like this? Please let me know what you think. I am stumped. I need alot of prayers...
~Cris
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Spring Schedule
My Spring semester is now in full swing. At this time, I cannot say if it will be better or worse or the same as last semester, but let's all hope that it is better! My medieval grad class has tons of homework every week, and my other two classes both have homework assignments of one book a week. Blegh. I am also concerned b/c I get up early three times a week. That is just awful for me since I am not a morning person. Anyway, before I slip into a worrisome and depressed state of mind, here is a preview of my semester:
Monday:
8:15-9:45am: office hours
10-11am: My students' lecture (I am required to be there)
11am-noon: bus ride
1pm-4pm: Homework
Tuesday:
9am-11am: Homework
noon-1pm: bus ride
2-4pm: Grad class on Crime and Justice in Early Modern Europe
4-6pm: Grad class on English colonists and Indians in pre-revolutionary America
Wednesday:
8-9am: Discussion Section (I teach)
9am-noon: Homework on campus *or* 10-11am: Lecture
Noon-1pm: Discussion Section
1-2pm: Discussion Section
Thursday:
9-11am: Homework
noon-1pm: Bus ride
2-4pm: Grad class on gender and power in medieval Europe
Friday:
8:15-9:45am: office hours
10-11am: Lecture
11am-noon: Bus ride
1pm-4pm: Homework
I am sure I will end up doing even more homework on the weekends. This is the first full week of classes, and I have already started doing homework after dinner. This is annoying b/c I enjoy hanging out with my husband in the evenings. Please pray that I survive this semester!
Monday:
8:15-9:45am: office hours
10-11am: My students' lecture (I am required to be there)
11am-noon: bus ride
1pm-4pm: Homework
Tuesday:
9am-11am: Homework
noon-1pm: bus ride
2-4pm: Grad class on Crime and Justice in Early Modern Europe
4-6pm: Grad class on English colonists and Indians in pre-revolutionary America
Wednesday:
8-9am: Discussion Section (I teach)
9am-noon: Homework on campus *or* 10-11am: Lecture
Noon-1pm: Discussion Section
1-2pm: Discussion Section
Thursday:
9-11am: Homework
noon-1pm: Bus ride
2-4pm: Grad class on gender and power in medieval Europe
Friday:
8:15-9:45am: office hours
10-11am: Lecture
11am-noon: Bus ride
1pm-4pm: Homework
I am sure I will end up doing even more homework on the weekends. This is the first full week of classes, and I have already started doing homework after dinner. This is annoying b/c I enjoy hanging out with my husband in the evenings. Please pray that I survive this semester!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Relaxing Rocks
I am not sure why I haven't written before this. It's not like I am doing anything yet! :) Since my last post, I have relaxed in Florida, saw family in Michigan (albeit briefly), and now for the last week I have been doing NOTHING. I thought I would be sick of being lazy after a while, but that is not true. If anything, all of this time off makes me desire to be a stay-at-home wife. This sounds awesome. Without kids ruining my life, I can sleep in, clean, and be lazy. What an awesome plan... :) Paul says that I need to have an actual job for a while (since I have yet to have one) but that eventually I could probably make this happen. We shall see!
Anywho, Florida was incredible. Our days involved: sleeping til 11am, fishing til 6pm, hot tub till midnight. AKA: perfection. While fishing, we saw alot of amazing nature. There were tons of beautiful and foreign-looking birds. Twice, a manatee would slowly roll out of the water right next to our boat (magical!). Every day, one of two different types of dolphins would be right next to our boat as well. I LOVE the bottlenose dolphins. They put on quite the show. You know they are around the boat b/c all of a sudden fish are jumping out of the water like crazy (trying to get away from the dolphins). Then, once the dolphins have a fish, they throw the fish out of the water in an entertaining way. We learned from our fishing guide that this is because dolphins can't eat live fish and also can only eat them head-first. So the dolphins 'play' with their fish in order to kill it. It's a pretty sweet thing to watch. Once, three bottlenose dolphins did this fish show right next to our boat, and then rolled out of the water all around us for like 20 minutes. Again, truely a magical experience. The bad thing is that when dolphins are next to your boat, you will no longer catch any fish. So the guys eventually got annoyed with the dolphins, but I never minded them. :) We also saw a few alligators in the wild. One big one stays in the pond at the trailer park we were staying at. That was pretty cool. Also, once when we were fishing, we saw an alligator emerge from the mangroves and slowly drop into the water like ten feet from our boat. It was so cool. We caught tons of types of fish: grouper, grunts, snapper, sting rays, catfish, sugar trout, sea trout, etc. That was cool too. Finally, we saw a bobcat in the trailer park! Here is the scenario:
We got off the boat after a long day of fishing. The guys were getting the boat hitched up, etc. I was on land and looked up and saw a bobcat in the neighbor's yard.
Me: "Guys! Look over there! It's a bobcat!"
Guys: (not looking up from their work) "You are crazy, Cris. It's probably just a cat, silly."
Me: "It's right there! I KNOW it's a bobcat!"
Guys: "Sure it is, Cris (making crazy motions)"
Suddenly the neighbor guy comes up to his dock on his own boat: "Did you guys just see that bobcat in my yard?!? How cool!"
Guys: (stopping everything they are doing, jumping out of the boat, running over to the guy's yard) "Whoa, where! Wow! There it is! A bobcat!!!"
Me: (not sure whether to roll eyes and groan or get annoyed) I TOLD you!!! I rock!"
So then we followed the bobcat around the park and took tons of pictures of it. Check out my facebook photo album for a few of the better pics. That was pretty cool. And the guys learned a valuable lesson about trusting my wilderness knowledge (hopefully). :)
Anywho, so all in all, I suggest that everyone move down to Florida with us, where we will live the exotic and magical life all together. After getting back to milwaukee, I seriously have done very little. I made truffles, cleaned once or twice, and did a few craft-hobbies around the house including asian pictures for our dining room and a curtain for our kitchen. I promise to post pics soon. Both rooms are almost completely finished. Other than that, I waste my days playing sims and reading my new book on biblical equality (mentioned in a previous post). This book is amazing. Since entering graduate school and coming to Milwaukee, I have been struggling with my christianity. This is for two reasons: (1): No ministers here seem to give me theological challenges in their sermons (2): The smarter I get, the harder it is for me to appreciate the Bible. This book has reestablished my connection with God, but most importantly with Christianity as a religion. I have always been faithful to God, but I have lately been annoyed at the religion. But again, this book gives me intelligent answers to my questions about women in the Christian faith. I have discovered that I was always right about my opinions, but now I can back them up with fascinating biblical history and verses! If you are reading this blog and want to become a stronger Christian Woman, please please please read this book! :)
That is all. I just babbled forever. I apologize that my blog is not as intelligently-humored as Julie's or as biblical and passionate as Staci's... :)
Anywho, Florida was incredible. Our days involved: sleeping til 11am, fishing til 6pm, hot tub till midnight. AKA: perfection. While fishing, we saw alot of amazing nature. There were tons of beautiful and foreign-looking birds. Twice, a manatee would slowly roll out of the water right next to our boat (magical!). Every day, one of two different types of dolphins would be right next to our boat as well. I LOVE the bottlenose dolphins. They put on quite the show. You know they are around the boat b/c all of a sudden fish are jumping out of the water like crazy (trying to get away from the dolphins). Then, once the dolphins have a fish, they throw the fish out of the water in an entertaining way. We learned from our fishing guide that this is because dolphins can't eat live fish and also can only eat them head-first. So the dolphins 'play' with their fish in order to kill it. It's a pretty sweet thing to watch. Once, three bottlenose dolphins did this fish show right next to our boat, and then rolled out of the water all around us for like 20 minutes. Again, truely a magical experience. The bad thing is that when dolphins are next to your boat, you will no longer catch any fish. So the guys eventually got annoyed with the dolphins, but I never minded them. :) We also saw a few alligators in the wild. One big one stays in the pond at the trailer park we were staying at. That was pretty cool. Also, once when we were fishing, we saw an alligator emerge from the mangroves and slowly drop into the water like ten feet from our boat. It was so cool. We caught tons of types of fish: grouper, grunts, snapper, sting rays, catfish, sugar trout, sea trout, etc. That was cool too. Finally, we saw a bobcat in the trailer park! Here is the scenario:
We got off the boat after a long day of fishing. The guys were getting the boat hitched up, etc. I was on land and looked up and saw a bobcat in the neighbor's yard.
Me: "Guys! Look over there! It's a bobcat!"
Guys: (not looking up from their work) "You are crazy, Cris. It's probably just a cat, silly."
Me: "It's right there! I KNOW it's a bobcat!"
Guys: "Sure it is, Cris (making crazy motions)"
Suddenly the neighbor guy comes up to his dock on his own boat: "Did you guys just see that bobcat in my yard?!? How cool!"
Guys: (stopping everything they are doing, jumping out of the boat, running over to the guy's yard) "Whoa, where! Wow! There it is! A bobcat!!!"
Me: (not sure whether to roll eyes and groan or get annoyed) I TOLD you!!! I rock!"
So then we followed the bobcat around the park and took tons of pictures of it. Check out my facebook photo album for a few of the better pics. That was pretty cool. And the guys learned a valuable lesson about trusting my wilderness knowledge (hopefully). :)
Anywho, so all in all, I suggest that everyone move down to Florida with us, where we will live the exotic and magical life all together. After getting back to milwaukee, I seriously have done very little. I made truffles, cleaned once or twice, and did a few craft-hobbies around the house including asian pictures for our dining room and a curtain for our kitchen. I promise to post pics soon. Both rooms are almost completely finished. Other than that, I waste my days playing sims and reading my new book on biblical equality (mentioned in a previous post). This book is amazing. Since entering graduate school and coming to Milwaukee, I have been struggling with my christianity. This is for two reasons: (1): No ministers here seem to give me theological challenges in their sermons (2): The smarter I get, the harder it is for me to appreciate the Bible. This book has reestablished my connection with God, but most importantly with Christianity as a religion. I have always been faithful to God, but I have lately been annoyed at the religion. But again, this book gives me intelligent answers to my questions about women in the Christian faith. I have discovered that I was always right about my opinions, but now I can back them up with fascinating biblical history and verses! If you are reading this blog and want to become a stronger Christian Woman, please please please read this book! :)
That is all. I just babbled forever. I apologize that my blog is not as intelligently-humored as Julie's or as biblical and passionate as Staci's... :)
Sunday, December 20, 2009
I survived (somehow)!!
It's been a while since my last post, but that is because school took up every last minute of my life during that time. Somehow, I survived this semester. Don't ask me how. I am pretty sure it was only through desperate prayers to God. This was the worst school semester that I have ever encountered in my life. Yes, it even beats my awful memories of 7th grade! At this point, I don't care what grades I got from these classes. It only matters that I made it. And now, I only have three more semesters of classes before I can be independent(-ish) in my learning. After the three more semesters, I will barely see these awful elitist professors again. :)
Now I am finishing up grading stuff, which is difficult to do because I am SO sick of working. However, I have it all under control and I am maintaining a wonderful balance of grading and relaxing. For example, this saturday was the first weekend in a very long time that I did some of my hobbies. I am in the process of making pictures for my asian-themed dining room. They are looking really good, and I am pretty close to finishing! Paul and I also cleaned the house on saturday, which was something that I haven't done in WAY too long. Paul has been amazing this semester and has done almost all of the work around the house. I was going to return the favor by cleaning everything on saturday, but he wanted to help which reminds me why I love him so much. :) We also had people over to our house to watch a movie and chill. I also got some grading done. So all in all, it was a perfectly balanced day, and I am so happy because of it.
I also took a bubble bath, listened to Handel's messiah, slept in, and played my beloved sims. Once I get this grading done (probably tomorrow), it will be time for packing and off to Florida with Paul, Rick, and Kyle. We should have tons of fun sleeping, fishing, and eating. I might try to read for fun again. It's been a long time.
I wish that I could see more family on this break as well, but I must do what I gotta do to regain my sanity. Florida should (hopefully) help me regain my strength (physically and emotionally).
I hope that anyone reading this blog has a wonderful and blessed Christmas.
Now I am finishing up grading stuff, which is difficult to do because I am SO sick of working. However, I have it all under control and I am maintaining a wonderful balance of grading and relaxing. For example, this saturday was the first weekend in a very long time that I did some of my hobbies. I am in the process of making pictures for my asian-themed dining room. They are looking really good, and I am pretty close to finishing! Paul and I also cleaned the house on saturday, which was something that I haven't done in WAY too long. Paul has been amazing this semester and has done almost all of the work around the house. I was going to return the favor by cleaning everything on saturday, but he wanted to help which reminds me why I love him so much. :) We also had people over to our house to watch a movie and chill. I also got some grading done. So all in all, it was a perfectly balanced day, and I am so happy because of it.
I also took a bubble bath, listened to Handel's messiah, slept in, and played my beloved sims. Once I get this grading done (probably tomorrow), it will be time for packing and off to Florida with Paul, Rick, and Kyle. We should have tons of fun sleeping, fishing, and eating. I might try to read for fun again. It's been a long time.
I wish that I could see more family on this break as well, but I must do what I gotta do to regain my sanity. Florida should (hopefully) help me regain my strength (physically and emotionally).
I hope that anyone reading this blog has a wonderful and blessed Christmas.
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