I'm not a scholar of history or chivalry, so maybe that's why this was my first time to hear such an explanation.
One of the most fruitful encounters of Christianity with Arabism took place in northwestern Arabia, in Hijaz, the sphere of indirect Byzantine influence. The federate tribe of 'Udra lived in this region and adopted Christianity quite early in the Byzantine period. Among its many achievements was a special type of poetry, known as 'Udrl or 'Udrite, which was inspired by a special type of love, also called 'Udrn. It is practically certain that this type of love and poetry appeared under the influence of Christianity in pre-Islamic times, although it may later have had an Islamic component. It represents the fruitful encounter of the chivalrous attitude toward women in pre-Islamic Arabia and the spiritualization of this attitude through the refining influence of Christianity. Through the Arab Conquests it appeared as amour courtouis in western Christendom, whose religion had inspired it in the first place.
You can read this here under VII, number 6. It's interesting. Is it possible? Maybe you can tell me.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Leaping in a second later
Guess what? We're in for extra time this year. That's right, a whole additional 60 sixtieths of a second on 31 December 2005. For those in Central Time, set your clocks for 5:59 P.M., and enjoy the existence of 17:59:60!
It got us
11 days of being in an increasingly sick family finally set a five-month marker on my no-cold record. The last time was mid-August, when Jason and Kendra and I stayed up three nights in a row to watch Lord of the Rings and I kept getting up to work.
Ardith only enjoyed two-and-a-half cold-free days at home... probably because she generously allowed the littlest boys to snuggle close and watch her play games on her laptop.
Maybe it's a good thing Daddy is driving to Chicago this afternoon for his mandatory drivers' training. Please do remember his safety and health in your prayers.
Well, I despise colds more than almost anything, but there is one bright side. A cold is the perfect excuse to do whatever you want, all day long. You know what that means! Today will be a lovely day of indulging in all my favorite things... reading, drinking lots of tea, and starting Italian. I'll just skip the pronunciation for now.
Ardith only enjoyed two-and-a-half cold-free days at home... probably because she generously allowed the littlest boys to snuggle close and watch her play games on her laptop.
Maybe it's a good thing Daddy is driving to Chicago this afternoon for his mandatory drivers' training. Please do remember his safety and health in your prayers.
Well, I despise colds more than almost anything, but there is one bright side. A cold is the perfect excuse to do whatever you want, all day long. You know what that means! Today will be a lovely day of indulging in all my favorite things... reading, drinking lots of tea, and starting Italian. I'll just skip the pronunciation for now.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas, Part Two
Otherwise titled: How to Celebrate Christmas!
As has become tradition in our family, part of the holiday - Christmas Eve - was spent working. Mommy and Carolyn cleaned the church up the road. Daddy and Jason continued boarding up the garage. I made bread and put up some insulation in the second-floor addition. The rest must have spent the day bumming around, including Ardith, who drove up from Cedar Rapids to grace us with her presence, her laptop, her cynical comments, and a glaring lack of presents. (Fortunately for her, the beautiful music emanating from my computer and the fact that she'll be around several more days renders me incapable of coming up with more negative remarks.)
Today we celebrated Christmas by not working. Most of us got up late. Those the cold has not yet visited and those the cold has visited-and-left attended the one morning service held at church today. In the afternoon we opened Christmas presents, and in the early evening (5:30) sat down to a delicious Christmas dinner, then watched White Christmas, which Mommy had taped earlier.
That beautiful music I mentioned is Handel's Water Music... one of ten Baroque CDs ma chère maman gave me for Christmas. Wish you were here to hear it.
Merry Christmas!
As has become tradition in our family, part of the holiday - Christmas Eve - was spent working. Mommy and Carolyn cleaned the church up the road. Daddy and Jason continued boarding up the garage. I made bread and put up some insulation in the second-floor addition. The rest must have spent the day bumming around, including Ardith, who drove up from Cedar Rapids to grace us with her presence, her laptop, her cynical comments, and a glaring lack of presents. (Fortunately for her, the beautiful music emanating from my computer and the fact that she'll be around several more days renders me incapable of coming up with more negative remarks.)
Today we celebrated Christmas by not working. Most of us got up late. Those the cold has not yet visited and those the cold has visited-and-left attended the one morning service held at church today. In the afternoon we opened Christmas presents, and in the early evening (5:30) sat down to a delicious Christmas dinner, then watched White Christmas, which Mommy had taped earlier.
That beautiful music I mentioned is Handel's Water Music... one of ten Baroque CDs ma chère maman gave me for Christmas. Wish you were here to hear it.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
There came a man sent from God, whose name was John.
He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.
He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.' "
For of His fulness we have all received, and grace upon grace.
For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.
John 1:1-18
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
There came a man sent from God, whose name was John.
He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.
He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.' "
For of His fulness we have all received, and grace upon grace.
For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.
John 1:1-18
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
How far away is that galaxy?
"John McCain said he thinks about being president every day in the shower. I guess I will turn to the words of Star Wars: It's in a galaxy far, far away."
-Mitt Romney, Massachusetts governor, who last week announced he won't seek re-election to a second term, setting up a likely 2008 White House bid against McCain.
--U.S. News & World Report, Dec. 26, 2005 - Jan. 2, 2006.
Someone needs to reword that remark. Call me thickheaded, but I can't tell whether it's saying Mr. Romney will likely or won't likely run for president.
But that's beside the point. Here's my question. Just how many galaxies away equals never? Why can't anyone just say, "Forget it. I'm never running for president. Don't bother asking again."
Maybe telling the truth less often requires inventing more elaborate means of conveying it.
-Mitt Romney, Massachusetts governor, who last week announced he won't seek re-election to a second term, setting up a likely 2008 White House bid against McCain.
--U.S. News & World Report, Dec. 26, 2005 - Jan. 2, 2006.
Someone needs to reword that remark. Call me thickheaded, but I can't tell whether it's saying Mr. Romney will likely or won't likely run for president.
But that's beside the point. Here's my question. Just how many galaxies away equals never? Why can't anyone just say, "Forget it. I'm never running for president. Don't bother asking again."
Maybe telling the truth less often requires inventing more elaborate means of conveying it.
Teamwork with a capital T
The point to a big family is more people to do more things!
Today Mommy successfully turned her Gazillion+ Christmas letters over to the post office, helping to increase the general United States Postal Service business; and we can always hope it will force a little regret over that 2 cent hike coming soon to a town near all of us fortunate beings. She did all the long, slow, tediously creative work of writing and editing; the rest of us pitched in at the end to fold, stuff, stamp, label, and seal, and otherwise get the envelopes ready to be torn open in about three or four days.
Today's other accomplishment was Christmas Cookie Baking. Sister number two was allegedly in charge of said operation, but only mixed up three of the doughs - peppernut, gingersnap, and Chinese Chews - the rest was turned over to skilled and willing younger siblings. Ethan, Carolyn, Trevor, and Nolan (in order of contribution) rolled and baked the gingersnaps. Melinda mixed up sugar cookie dough and also pulled off the fudge. Derek and Ethan rolled, cut, and baked peppernuts. Everyone helped roll and sugar the Chinese Chews, even Jason, who managed to arrive late from a programming appointment and then turn his share over to Carolyn after about 8 balls. Although we shouldn't be too mad at him since he's happily appropriating the entire burnt first batch of gingersnaps as his personal snack property. Kendra rolled sugar cookie dough and oversaw the cutting and baking. Carolyn, Nolan, Trevor, Melinda, and Ethan (again in order of contribution) frosted the sugar cookies.
Mostly everyone helped taste-test. In fact, everyone did!
This is why big families are so much fun. And it doesn't make any difference that in a smaller family the Christmas letter would have been only 1 page instead of 4 and the quantity of Christmas cookies decreased by at least 90%. It still would have been necessary to send the letter to the Gazillion+ people and to bake at least four kinds of cookies and make fudge. So why not have a houseful to multiply the fun?
Hooray! I made the goal... I didn't use any first-person singular personal pronouns or adjectives till this sentence.
Today Mommy successfully turned her Gazillion+ Christmas letters over to the post office, helping to increase the general United States Postal Service business; and we can always hope it will force a little regret over that 2 cent hike coming soon to a town near all of us fortunate beings. She did all the long, slow, tediously creative work of writing and editing; the rest of us pitched in at the end to fold, stuff, stamp, label, and seal, and otherwise get the envelopes ready to be torn open in about three or four days.
Today's other accomplishment was Christmas Cookie Baking. Sister number two was allegedly in charge of said operation, but only mixed up three of the doughs - peppernut, gingersnap, and Chinese Chews - the rest was turned over to skilled and willing younger siblings. Ethan, Carolyn, Trevor, and Nolan (in order of contribution) rolled and baked the gingersnaps. Melinda mixed up sugar cookie dough and also pulled off the fudge. Derek and Ethan rolled, cut, and baked peppernuts. Everyone helped roll and sugar the Chinese Chews, even Jason, who managed to arrive late from a programming appointment and then turn his share over to Carolyn after about 8 balls. Although we shouldn't be too mad at him since he's happily appropriating the entire burnt first batch of gingersnaps as his personal snack property. Kendra rolled sugar cookie dough and oversaw the cutting and baking. Carolyn, Nolan, Trevor, Melinda, and Ethan (again in order of contribution) frosted the sugar cookies.
Mostly everyone helped taste-test. In fact, everyone did!
This is why big families are so much fun. And it doesn't make any difference that in a smaller family the Christmas letter would have been only 1 page instead of 4 and the quantity of Christmas cookies decreased by at least 90%. It still would have been necessary to send the letter to the Gazillion+ people and to bake at least four kinds of cookies and make fudge. So why not have a houseful to multiply the fun?
Hooray! I made the goal... I didn't use any first-person singular personal pronouns or adjectives till this sentence.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
It's a girl's right
Aristotle's Poetics, Chapter 15, on the Characters of Poetry, page 242:
"In the Characters there are four points to aim at. First and foremost, that they shall be good. There will be an element of character in the play, if (as has been observed) what a personage says or does reveals a certain moral purpose; and a good element of character, if the purpose so revealed is good. Such goodness is possible in every type of personage, even in a woman or a slave, though the one is perhaps an inferior, and the other a wholly worthless being."
Since women are perhaps inferior, they have perhaps less possibility of goodness, and therefore perhaps more excuse for badness?
A slightly different translation is here under Part XV.
"In the Characters there are four points to aim at. First and foremost, that they shall be good. There will be an element of character in the play, if (as has been observed) what a personage says or does reveals a certain moral purpose; and a good element of character, if the purpose so revealed is good. Such goodness is possible in every type of personage, even in a woman or a slave, though the one is perhaps an inferior, and the other a wholly worthless being."
Since women are perhaps inferior, they have perhaps less possibility of goodness, and therefore perhaps more excuse for badness?
A slightly different translation is here under Part XV.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Home sweet home
It's so good to be home!
Yesterday Tammy and I left at 2:00 p.m. instead of 1:00 because she had to finish an art project. Then we ran into slow traffic near Chicago. Poor Mommy had to keep shopping since we were a little late. But we finally made it to Tammy's house, and then Mommy and I arrived home around 11:30 p.m. Jason, Kendra, Derek, and Melinda, wonderful troopers that they are, helped lug all my stuff in along the narrow snowy path from the car to the house.
Today has been pleasant and profitable.
I got up at 10:00, and finished eating breakfast around 11:30, and then Carolyn and Ethan wanted to help carry all my stuff up to the room. Carolyn, Ethan, Nolan, and Trevor were my unpacking audience... the three boys had to stay on my bed since it's The Girls' Room. I enjoyed having several eager errand-runners! And I think they're enjoying their own little Narnia mini-posters.
The rest of the day I finished sorting and arranging my stuff in our room and stowing extras in the attic, made bread, enjoyed chocolate pudding for snack, finished my VISA application, did a treadmill stint, and watched a taped show with the others.
Now, if you don't mind, I'll finish reading that article about why coffee's good for you, and then figure out a movie to watch with Jason and Kendra tonight.
Yesterday Tammy and I left at 2:00 p.m. instead of 1:00 because she had to finish an art project. Then we ran into slow traffic near Chicago. Poor Mommy had to keep shopping since we were a little late. But we finally made it to Tammy's house, and then Mommy and I arrived home around 11:30 p.m. Jason, Kendra, Derek, and Melinda, wonderful troopers that they are, helped lug all my stuff in along the narrow snowy path from the car to the house.
Today has been pleasant and profitable.
I got up at 10:00, and finished eating breakfast around 11:30, and then Carolyn and Ethan wanted to help carry all my stuff up to the room. Carolyn, Ethan, Nolan, and Trevor were my unpacking audience... the three boys had to stay on my bed since it's The Girls' Room. I enjoyed having several eager errand-runners! And I think they're enjoying their own little Narnia mini-posters.
The rest of the day I finished sorting and arranging my stuff in our room and stowing extras in the attic, made bread, enjoyed chocolate pudding for snack, finished my VISA application, did a treadmill stint, and watched a taped show with the others.
Now, if you don't mind, I'll finish reading that article about why coffee's good for you, and then figure out a movie to watch with Jason and Kendra tonight.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
The blue button
The hour has arrived! I'm shutting down my computer. It won't power up again in a Grace dorm for a year and a month. More importantly and presently, tomorrow we leave for home!
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Let's celebrate!
Just took my last final = just finished my fourth semester of seven semesters = 57.14285% done with my college career!
Monday, December 12, 2005
Monday night of The Week
With the termination of duty comes the beginning of delight. Now that I'm done with those annoying 20-weekly exercise points for Healthy Lifestyles, I can't wait to get up early and go to the Rec Center tomorrow... of my own volition.
I hope to post nearly every day of Christmas Break to get myself well in the habit before going overseas. Hopefully the posts will be a little more interesting (= not about me).
It's very pleasant to suddenly realize, on looking over the outline for an essay exam, that it's quite ready. No further preparation required.
62 hours and counting...
(that's till H-Hour, not the final)
I hope to post nearly every day of Christmas Break to get myself well in the habit before going overseas. Hopefully the posts will be a little more interesting (= not about me).
It's very pleasant to suddenly realize, on looking over the outline for an essay exam, that it's quite ready. No further preparation required.
62 hours and counting...
(that's till H-Hour, not the final)
Sunday, December 11, 2005
In no particular news
I was folding my laundry from last Monday and decided that while so incredibly motivated I should post. Not that I have anything much to say.
Three finals: Calculus and Healthy Lifestyles tomorrow, Old Testament Tuesday night - all moderately easy. Wednesday will be last work, packing, cleaning, and fun. Thursday move out and leave sometime around 1 p.m.
My brother will be pleased to note that I refused to see one because I'm coming home for it, and refused to watch 2, even though I had the chance, knowing my incredible restraint would increase his chances of successful Christmas plans, and deciding to practice incredible restraint because I'm such a wonderful sister. My brother will also know which one he is after successfully deciphering this perfectly clear comment, as I'm sure several other sharp persons will make sure he does.
Free time to do whatever I want is truly a marvel. Here's my free Christmas advice to you all. Leave a little time each day to do absolutely nothing. It's extremely refreshing.
Three finals: Calculus and Healthy Lifestyles tomorrow, Old Testament Tuesday night - all moderately easy. Wednesday will be last work, packing, cleaning, and fun. Thursday move out and leave sometime around 1 p.m.
My brother will be pleased to note that I refused to see one because I'm coming home for it, and refused to watch 2, even though I had the chance, knowing my incredible restraint would increase his chances of successful Christmas plans, and deciding to practice incredible restraint because I'm such a wonderful sister. My brother will also know which one he is after successfully deciphering this perfectly clear comment, as I'm sure several other sharp persons will make sure he does.
Free time to do whatever I want is truly a marvel. Here's my free Christmas advice to you all. Leave a little time each day to do absolutely nothing. It's extremely refreshing.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
By the way
Just to let y'all know, I think I may survive the semester.
:)
I hope the other college students do as well. It would be morbid to die of overstudy.
:)
I hope the other college students do as well. It would be morbid to die of overstudy.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Good things
This list began with the first two items and snowballed from there.
-My senior thesis is done!! 22 pages instead of 20. The due date had been moved from last Tuesday to this Tuesday.
-I figured out calculus problem #103 mostly all by myself. Suddenly I love calculus!
Calculus homework finished by 3 p.m.
-Time for a walk.
-Found some delicious recipes to try out when I get home.
-Forced to research the French worldview for a 9-page paper.
-Green tea and Lindt.
-This paper must use 12-point Arial font with 1.25-inch margins. I usually use 12-point
Times New Roman with 1-inch margins. This translates into roughly 1.5 fewer pages.
-This paper is nearly outlined, which means it's over 50% done.
-This paper is the last of the semester! (if you don't count a blue-book exam)
-Hearing the Messiah playing on CD in our room.
-Having Christmas lights in the window.
-Being relatively warm.
-Having about 1.5 pounds of chocolate in my drawer.
-Sleeping straight through the night 2 nights in a row.
Brought to you in no particular order courtesy of the right side of my brain, because the left side's done enough today.
-My senior thesis is done!! 22 pages instead of 20. The due date had been moved from last Tuesday to this Tuesday.
-I figured out calculus problem #103 mostly all by myself. Suddenly I love calculus!
Calculus homework finished by 3 p.m.
-Time for a walk.
-Found some delicious recipes to try out when I get home.
-Forced to research the French worldview for a 9-page paper.
-Green tea and Lindt.
-This paper must use 12-point Arial font with 1.25-inch margins. I usually use 12-point
Times New Roman with 1-inch margins. This translates into roughly 1.5 fewer pages.
-This paper is nearly outlined, which means it's over 50% done.
-This paper is the last of the semester! (if you don't count a blue-book exam)
-Hearing the Messiah playing on CD in our room.
-Having Christmas lights in the window.
-Being relatively warm.
-Having about 1.5 pounds of chocolate in my drawer.
-Sleeping straight through the night 2 nights in a row.
Brought to you in no particular order courtesy of the right side of my brain, because the left side's done enough today.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Super Tuesday
Oops, I said I was going to post more often, didn't I?
Originally I had four papers due today: one seven-pager, two three-pagers, one twenty-pager. But last week our professor gave us more time for the twenty-pager, so I'll take a couple days to polish that one off. The seven-pager I edited and finished on the way home for Thanksgiving, the one Spanish three-pager I wrote (mostly) at home, the other French one I typed up this morning. Not bad. I know some have a much heavier load than I do.
In other news, how interesting. I'm especially concerned about that 2% income reduction.
(Of course, they left out the most interesting part. The caption on the Health page reads, "Growth hormone levels' 'IQ link': Scientists suggest they have found a reason why some shorter children perform less well at school.")
Originally I had four papers due today: one seven-pager, two three-pagers, one twenty-pager. But last week our professor gave us more time for the twenty-pager, so I'll take a couple days to polish that one off. The seven-pager I edited and finished on the way home for Thanksgiving, the one Spanish three-pager I wrote (mostly) at home, the other French one I typed up this morning. Not bad. I know some have a much heavier load than I do.
In other news, how interesting. I'm especially concerned about that 2% income reduction.
(Of course, they left out the most interesting part. The caption on the Health page reads, "Growth hormone levels' 'IQ link': Scientists suggest they have found a reason why some shorter children perform less well at school.")
Saturday, November 26, 2005
An apology and a brief description
I apologize for the ridiculous subject line on the last past. I was just trying to express how cold I was.
Thanksgiving Break has been lovely.
Wednesday Tammy and Diana and I finally got away from campus after getting our stuff in Tammy's car and after I returned the library key that I accidentally stole. Good thing I checked my pockets. That's where I put it when I opened up the library that morning.
Holiday traffic was 1 mph for about half an hour, but the rest was reasonable, especially the extra hour we picked up on leaving Indiana.
Tammy dropped me off at Ardith's apartment in Cedar Rapids. This was super because it took 2 hours off my trip home and gave me an Evening with Ardith. We enjoyed potato soup and bills and eggnog and a pathetic excuse for a superhero movie called Daredevil, which I wouldn't recommend seeing unless you watch it with Ardith.
The next morning Ardith drove us up to home in her snazzy Jetta. Dinner was planned for 2:15 p.m. and was on the table by 2:30 p.m. Truly a record! All the kids had been starving to death for nearly two hours, then they were stuffed an hour later.
After dinner we dozed around a while. I made two pies and we watched Lord of the Beans, which is a real hoot to watch, especially with our family!
Thank the Lord for a Thanksgiving so different from last year!
On Friday Daddy and Jason changed our vehicles to snow tires and Ardith changed hers. I didn't do much besides lugging bricks and checking tire pressures.
We also took Family Pictures. One was supposed to be serious. As soon as the camera snapped, everyone burst out laughing. Try explaining that one.
Ardith finally got away after being detained all day for said Family Picture. After supper the rest of us kids watched a western and absolutely laughed our heads off!
Today I hurt my brain while trying to make my thesis paper behave. It finally straightened itself out after I stopped.
Tomorrow is departure time after church services. I expect I'll try to finish editing my thesis paper on the way back and write a 3-page French paper when I need a break from that. And we'll lose that hour back to the Daylight Savings wormhole, but that's all right - better at school than at home. And it's back to survival mode for about two-and-a-half weeks.
Please pardon all the missing commas and terrible style. It's just Break, that's all.
Thanksgiving Break has been lovely.
Wednesday Tammy and Diana and I finally got away from campus after getting our stuff in Tammy's car and after I returned the library key that I accidentally stole. Good thing I checked my pockets. That's where I put it when I opened up the library that morning.
Holiday traffic was 1 mph for about half an hour, but the rest was reasonable, especially the extra hour we picked up on leaving Indiana.
Tammy dropped me off at Ardith's apartment in Cedar Rapids. This was super because it took 2 hours off my trip home and gave me an Evening with Ardith. We enjoyed potato soup and bills and eggnog and a pathetic excuse for a superhero movie called Daredevil, which I wouldn't recommend seeing unless you watch it with Ardith.
The next morning Ardith drove us up to home in her snazzy Jetta. Dinner was planned for 2:15 p.m. and was on the table by 2:30 p.m. Truly a record! All the kids had been starving to death for nearly two hours, then they were stuffed an hour later.
After dinner we dozed around a while. I made two pies and we watched Lord of the Beans, which is a real hoot to watch, especially with our family!
Thank the Lord for a Thanksgiving so different from last year!
On Friday Daddy and Jason changed our vehicles to snow tires and Ardith changed hers. I didn't do much besides lugging bricks and checking tire pressures.
We also took Family Pictures. One was supposed to be serious. As soon as the camera snapped, everyone burst out laughing. Try explaining that one.
Ardith finally got away after being detained all day for said Family Picture. After supper the rest of us kids watched a western and absolutely laughed our heads off!
Today I hurt my brain while trying to make my thesis paper behave. It finally straightened itself out after I stopped.
Tomorrow is departure time after church services. I expect I'll try to finish editing my thesis paper on the way back and write a 3-page French paper when I need a break from that. And we'll lose that hour back to the Daylight Savings wormhole, but that's all right - better at school than at home. And it's back to survival mode for about two-and-a-half weeks.
Please pardon all the missing commas and terrible style. It's just Break, that's all.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...........
I was about ready to complain about freezing to death. It's 65 degrees F. in our room and I have on a long-sleeved shirt and a turtleneck and a sweater (and I'm still cold).
But, I just learned that our suitemate's room is closer to 60 degrees, as is the room of our RA, who has, incidentally, put in a request to get the heat turned up.
It's all for a good cause. They may only raise our tuition by $500 instead of $1000 next year.
But, I just learned that our suitemate's room is closer to 60 degrees, as is the room of our RA, who has, incidentally, put in a request to get the heat turned up.
It's all for a good cause. They may only raise our tuition by $500 instead of $1000 next year.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Who said Iowa is rural?
Student Universe (the service with which I purchased my ticket to France) just informed me of a great new deal. $560 for Des Moines - Frankfurt, roundtrip, direct.
Any takers?
Any takers?
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Can it already be Sunday night?
I should post again before the weekend completely disappears. It has been a good week and a good weekend. Plenty of time to work on projects and relatively little sleep deprivation.
This week promises to be busier. Besides the usual round of work, classes, and meals, I have church directory pictures on Monday night, a French movie on Thursday night, a Spanish class to teach for Professor Navarro on Friday, and French Optimist Club Friday night.
Thanks to a well-chosen prize for a scavenger hunt and a lovely box from church family at home, my chocolate drawer is well-stashed. I should have enough to write two 9-page papers and a 20-page paper and a speech before Thanksgiving Break.
More important than all that, though - praise the Lord for His goodness!
This week promises to be busier. Besides the usual round of work, classes, and meals, I have church directory pictures on Monday night, a French movie on Thursday night, a Spanish class to teach for Professor Navarro on Friday, and French Optimist Club Friday night.
Thanks to a well-chosen prize for a scavenger hunt and a lovely box from church family at home, my chocolate drawer is well-stashed. I should have enough to write two 9-page papers and a 20-page paper and a speech before Thanksgiving Break.
More important than all that, though - praise the Lord for His goodness!
Friday, November 11, 2005
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Sorry I'm late
Sunday, November 06, 2005
The ceremony
Precisely a little after 2:00 p.m., all 17 of us filed into Ashman Chapel for the Alpha Chi induction ceremony. Dr. Dilling read our names, one by one. Each of us walked up the aisle, lighted our little candle at a larger one on the table, turned to face the audience and recited the following pledge: "I pledge myself to uphold the purposes of Alpha Chi, striving to make its ideals my ideals in scholarship and in service." The little cardboard candle holders could double as cheat sheets. I didn't write mine down and only suffered one six-second panic attack as I was waiting to walk up and couldn't recall the verb after "I... " Commit? Give? Dedicate? Thankfully, it hopped back into my mind just in time.
After reciting the pledge, each of us walked over to sign the register and shake several hands (including President Manahan's) while hearing our respective advisors say nice things about us. We lined up in the back, everyone recited the Alpha Chi motto You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free; then after applause we were allowed to sit down and hear the address. My wonderful Professor Schram was the speaker this year. Afterwards they had us all get on the podium for pictures. It was very odd to stand up there and see several cameras flashing at once.
After reciting the pledge, each of us walked over to sign the register and shake several hands (including President Manahan's) while hearing our respective advisors say nice things about us. We lined up in the back, everyone recited the Alpha Chi motto You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free; then after applause we were allowed to sit down and hear the address. My wonderful Professor Schram was the speaker this year. Afterwards they had us all get on the podium for pictures. It was very odd to stand up there and see several cameras flashing at once.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Homecoming ain't nothin' like home
Tonight was Homecoming at Grace. Six of us girls dressed up and walked to the cafeteria to eat by candlelight... I mean, by lighthouses and Chinese lanterns (that would make more sense if you knew that this year's theme was nautical and last year's theme was Oriental). We enjoyed our conversation over a two-course dinner, then trekked down the hill to Rody Auditorium for the variety show, which was, as usual, low in talent but high (relative to person observing, anyway) in comedy. Hmm, I just realized that they never announced a winner! They did show off the Homecoming Court of popular-people-on-campus and crown a king and queen. What do you know, the Student Body President was the king. Afterward we finally got out of the auditorium and went back to the cafeteria and stood in line to get our dessert. After two experiments, I've discovered that chocolate and chai are an especially effective combination for my stomach.
My absolutely favorite part of the whole evening? Coming back to our quiet little dorm room. The others went off to go rollerskating till around curfew (1 a.m.), so I have the room all to myself. Whew. I was starting to feel the effects of people shock.
Why look forward to these 'social events', only to rejoice in getting away from them?
Posting will be more frequent after this. That's a promise.
My absolutely favorite part of the whole evening? Coming back to our quiet little dorm room. The others went off to go rollerskating till around curfew (1 a.m.), so I have the room all to myself. Whew. I was starting to feel the effects of people shock.
Why look forward to these 'social events', only to rejoice in getting away from them?
Posting will be more frequent after this. That's a promise.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Time in
It's now pretty evident that little public demand exists to keep this blog going. Good thing, because then I can take an unannounced two-week break whenever I feel like it.
Not much has happened in the last sixteen days. That first weekend was a very relaxing Fall Break and little homework. The next two weeks were full of insomnia and little more homework.
Today I slept in till 7 a.m. and have all day free for homework.
Everyone enjoy the last three days of October!
Not much has happened in the last sixteen days. That first weekend was a very relaxing Fall Break and little homework. The next two weeks were full of insomnia and little more homework.
Today I slept in till 7 a.m. and have all day free for homework.
Everyone enjoy the last three days of October!
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Stem cell research just hit home
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Midterms week
Hopefully, with that subject line, I can skip the introductory apology!
I only had two tests this week. Tuesday evening I spent an hour and a half writing answers to essay questions and putting a dent in my thumb. Then I worked on calculus with some others till about 11:30 P.M. Today I enjoyed an open-notes test on three hours of sleep. Let me tell you, three hours is extremely substantial compared to zero!
Fall Break is this weekend. Two lovely days off, two lovely days of work.
I'm going to bed.
I only had two tests this week. Tuesday evening I spent an hour and a half writing answers to essay questions and putting a dent in my thumb. Then I worked on calculus with some others till about 11:30 P.M. Today I enjoyed an open-notes test on three hours of sleep. Let me tell you, three hours is extremely substantial compared to zero!
Fall Break is this weekend. Two lovely days off, two lovely days of work.
I'm going to bed.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Guess what!
I was studying the literary paradigm of Biblical interpretation and came across the word ontological. Aside from instantly recognizing it as one of those vague philosophical terms, I also instantly knew the definition had something to do with "being", but I didn't know how... except that Greek had something to do with it. Having none of my Greek books at hand, I used Dictionary.com to verify the definition ("of or relating to essence or the nature of being"), then with Etymonline to verify the etymology. Yes, the onto- part comes from Greek ontos, genitive masculine singular of on, present participle of einai, "to be".
That just made my day!
This is also my first post from the laptop Daddy fixed up for me. It's so much fun to use. I have much still to figure out, including how to select words to link. So I'll refer you to the sidebar if you want to double-check my sources.
That just made my day!
This is also my first post from the laptop Daddy fixed up for me. It's so much fun to use. I have much still to figure out, including how to select words to link. So I'll refer you to the sidebar if you want to double-check my sources.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Four days
It's been a good weekend.
Thursday was Language Table over lunchtime. A faithful few of us who showed up at 11 a.m. stayed, as usual, till about 2 p.m., when our professor had a faculty meeting. The Spanish speakers have a table all to themselves, and the French and German speakers share another one... for those of us who know both, it can be an exciting table.
Thursday night was French Movie Night. We watched Bon Voyage. I don't think I've ever muttered "Tu es stupide" to the characters so many times during a movie. Good movie.
Friday night I went down the hill for some free cobbler and ice cream and saw the Cotton Patch Gospel production. This link doesn't have the right actors, but it should give you an idea.
Saturday afternoon I walked over to (Great-) Uncle Solon and Aunt Kathryn's house. Aunt Kathryn got up a little tea-party for us: cake and ice cream and sandwiches and chips, and tea of course... and they even convinced me to put some creamer in it. Afterwards we played a game of Scrabble. I think I only won by virtue of having ibex on a triple word score. They kept me thinking hard. Aunt Kathryn tells me that she and Uncle Solon play a game almost every night, and he usually wins.
After church today, I finished most of the week's homework in about five hours, then did some more.
Now it's off to bed and a new week!
Thursday was Language Table over lunchtime. A faithful few of us who showed up at 11 a.m. stayed, as usual, till about 2 p.m., when our professor had a faculty meeting. The Spanish speakers have a table all to themselves, and the French and German speakers share another one... for those of us who know both, it can be an exciting table.
Thursday night was French Movie Night. We watched Bon Voyage. I don't think I've ever muttered "Tu es stupide" to the characters so many times during a movie. Good movie.
Friday night I went down the hill for some free cobbler and ice cream and saw the Cotton Patch Gospel production. This link doesn't have the right actors, but it should give you an idea.
Saturday afternoon I walked over to (Great-) Uncle Solon and Aunt Kathryn's house. Aunt Kathryn got up a little tea-party for us: cake and ice cream and sandwiches and chips, and tea of course... and they even convinced me to put some creamer in it. Afterwards we played a game of Scrabble. I think I only won by virtue of having ibex on a triple word score. They kept me thinking hard. Aunt Kathryn tells me that she and Uncle Solon play a game almost every night, and he usually wins.
After church today, I finished most of the week's homework in about five hours, then did some more.
Now it's off to bed and a new week!
Thursday, September 29, 2005
I Didn't Do It
No, it was someone over at Computer Services (GCCS). Fall cleaning time came around and I got wiped from the system. Now, according to the campus network, I no longer exist.
I discovered this astonishing fact at 3:30 P.M. This is the time I start work in the language lab on Wednesday afternoon. This is also the time the GCCS helpdesk (and phone) closes. Fortunately, my professor placed a call that cheated the system and went through to someone in the mysterious rooms behind the helpdesk, where no student save the selectively inducted ITer has ever entered.
My existence should be re-established sometime today. In the meantime, my wonderful roommate is letting me use her identity to access the Internet.
I discovered this astonishing fact at 3:30 P.M. This is the time I start work in the language lab on Wednesday afternoon. This is also the time the GCCS helpdesk (and phone) closes. Fortunately, my professor placed a call that cheated the system and went through to someone in the mysterious rooms behind the helpdesk, where no student save the selectively inducted ITer has ever entered.
My existence should be re-established sometime today. In the meantime, my wonderful roommate is letting me use her identity to access the Internet.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Sunday, September 25, 2005
After the Sunday night homework
Today I figured out why we have pencils. Pencils are for non-math majors taking math classes. That, or a pen + lots of scratch paper.
I sincerely wanted to type out for you some of the ridiculous algebraic contortions a few problems sent me through today, but it just wouldn't work, at least not on Blogger. Fortunately I'm not a math major and I don't have to now regret not selecting a blogging service that has such capabilities.
Hopefully you don't get the impression that I don't enjoy Calculus I. Believe it or not, I do... mostly. It's just that math class, for me, is more of a foreign language class than the foreign languages classes I've taken. Let's hope this means I'm fulfilling my culture shock requirement before going overseas.
Hopefully, as well, I will soon have the time to sit down and write a long, substantial post. Just don't count on it.
I sincerely wanted to type out for you some of the ridiculous algebraic contortions a few problems sent me through today, but it just wouldn't work, at least not on Blogger. Fortunately I'm not a math major and I don't have to now regret not selecting a blogging service that has such capabilities.
Hopefully you don't get the impression that I don't enjoy Calculus I. Believe it or not, I do... mostly. It's just that math class, for me, is more of a foreign language class than the foreign languages classes I've taken. Let's hope this means I'm fulfilling my culture shock requirement before going overseas.
Hopefully, as well, I will soon have the time to sit down and write a long, substantial post. Just don't count on it.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Multilingualism
Not very surprising that 50% of Europeans speak at least two languages. Europe nearly has to be multilingual, especially tiny countries such as Luxembourg, squeezed in between countries of greater geographic and economic power.
I do feel sorry for all those Americans who only have access to the English-speaking world!
I do feel sorry for all those Americans who only have access to the English-speaking world!
Super
My passport came!
It was being processed through New Orleans.
Now I can look for an airline ticket to France.
It was being processed through New Orleans.
Now I can look for an airline ticket to France.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Monday, September 19, 2005
A few of my favorite words
I discovered another expression to add to my collection!
"That is out of control."
When I heard the RD in my class utter it, I felt a tingling sensation. When the same person said it a second time, I felt a deep thrill. Yes, here was a new one! Is there anything more exciting for a collector than stumbling across a new item for a change - so new, yet so obvious, that it leaps at you?
Here are a few more from my collection:
totally
like
scary
cool
random
amazing
... and, my personal favorite:
"It's huge."
Oh, I forgot to give the list a title. I'll just put it last.
Vocabulary That No One Will Ever Hear Me Utter
(Publisher's note: The above list is incomplete. Items for consideration and publication are always welcome.)
"That is out of control."
When I heard the RD in my class utter it, I felt a tingling sensation. When the same person said it a second time, I felt a deep thrill. Yes, here was a new one! Is there anything more exciting for a collector than stumbling across a new item for a change - so new, yet so obvious, that it leaps at you?
Here are a few more from my collection:
totally
like
scary
cool
random
amazing
... and, my personal favorite:
"It's huge."
Oh, I forgot to give the list a title. I'll just put it last.
Vocabulary That No One Will Ever Hear Me Utter
(Publisher's note: The above list is incomplete. Items for consideration and publication are always welcome.)
Sunday, September 18, 2005
. . . yawn . . .
There really isn't much to tell. My weekend was quiet. I wasn't even scheduled to work at the library. I've had a Saturday shift for the last three weekends, which makes three out of four weekend shifts for the semester.
But I did work at the library. About halfway into a quiet afternoon and four sips into a hot cup of tea, my phone rang. The girl at the library had just had a piece break off one of her teeth. So I took over for 1.75 hours.
It's nearly 10:30 and I am nearly falling asleep. High time for bed.
But I did work at the library. About halfway into a quiet afternoon and four sips into a hot cup of tea, my phone rang. The girl at the library had just had a piece break off one of her teeth. So I took over for 1.75 hours.
It's nearly 10:30 and I am nearly falling asleep. High time for bed.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
For she's a jolly good mother!
Yesterday my mother celebrated her 47th birthday. Happy birthday, Mommy! Of course, you know I didn't forget your birthday... I just happened to not think of it on that day (till you posted).
Time sure flies. It seems like just five years ago you were telling people you were 42.
Eat lots of chocolate to celebrate! I will too.
Time sure flies. It seems like just five years ago you were telling people you were 42.
Eat lots of chocolate to celebrate! I will too.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Pommes et étudiants
Thanks to my lovely mother who sent apples right off the trees from home. :)
I propose that we need more Navajo and Pueblo values in college classes today.
At the University of New Mexico, a typical class may include several Navajo or Pueblo students. They are unlikely to ask questions during class sessions or to volunteer answers to the teacher's questions. To do so would be culturally inappropriate; it would not be the Native American way. When a teacher calls on one of the Native Americans with a question, there is usually a pause of several seconds. The impatient teacher is likely to call on another student rather than wait for a response. From the Native American student's viewpoint, an important question should not be answered immediately, without carefully thinking out the answer.
-- Rogers & Steinfatt, Intercultural Communication
Or maybe I'm just biased. Maybe no one else finds it difficult to rapidly generate good responses for classroom interaction.
I wonder, is extrovertedness a characteristic of personality, or of culture, or of both?
I propose that we need more Navajo and Pueblo values in college classes today.
At the University of New Mexico, a typical class may include several Navajo or Pueblo students. They are unlikely to ask questions during class sessions or to volunteer answers to the teacher's questions. To do so would be culturally inappropriate; it would not be the Native American way. When a teacher calls on one of the Native Americans with a question, there is usually a pause of several seconds. The impatient teacher is likely to call on another student rather than wait for a response. From the Native American student's viewpoint, an important question should not be answered immediately, without carefully thinking out the answer.
-- Rogers & Steinfatt, Intercultural Communication
Or maybe I'm just biased. Maybe no one else finds it difficult to rapidly generate good responses for classroom interaction.
I wonder, is extrovertedness a characteristic of personality, or of culture, or of both?
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Fall begins today
My roommate and I were walking back from supper and agreeing that it was there... the feel of autumn. Maybe a change in the wind after the drizzles this morning. I hope we have a long, long autumn this year.
Finally a free evening, free for scampering around in socks, doing laundry and studying two hours in a row! It doesn't get better than this.
Finally a free evening, free for scampering around in socks, doing laundry and studying two hours in a row! It doesn't get better than this.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Of course
"In 1311 [Ramon Lull] attended the Council of Vienne, where he presented a number of proposals, including, of course, 'that there should be builded certain places where certain persons, devout and of lofty intelligence should study diverse languages to the end that they might preach the holy Gospel to all nations.' "
--Smith, The Gift of the Stranger
Note my italicized words.
--Smith, The Gift of the Stranger
Note my italicized words.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Fall 2005
I am getting so amazingly good at not posting very often!
Here are my classes.
Calculus I, 11:00-11:50 MWF
We're just in pre-calculus review right now, and we have a patient and understanding professor. One of the girls in my class loves calculus like I love languages... I got her extension!
Intercultural Communication, 14:00-15:20 MW
Very interesting, good professor, nice majority of language majors in the class.
Healthy Lifestyles, 18:15-20:00 M
Oh yes, those wonderful mandatory physical education classes. This one isn't too hard, just a lot of busy work and mandatory exercise. So much for my lovely morning walk, since I have to get my heart rate over 120.
Language Senior Seminar, 12:30-14:00 TR
I get to take this with seven others (six seniors and one junior) who have all already studied abroad. But it's a fall class and I'll be in Argentina next fall. It's interesting, good to hear experiences and perspectives of others. We don't exactly meet on Thursdays; instead, we all eat lunch and speak French, German, and Spanish at our weekly language tables in the cafeteria. The big project is a 20-page paper and presentation at the end of the semester.
Study Abroad Briefing, 14:00-15:00 T
Small class, homework is all reading or getting VISAs and other study-abroad arrangements done. Hopefully my passport will be ready in time. It was being processed in New Orleans.
Old Testament, 18:30-21:00 T
Another lovely night class, held in a local church, interesting. Our professor encouraged us not to take notes.
It's a good class schedule. Mondays and Tuesdays are pretty full, then the week starts tapering off. So, my weekend is beginning just about now. No class tomorrow!
Besides classes, I work in the library eight hours a week and at the Language Department six hours a week. Both jobs are enjoyable, especially with some new and more interest-specific projects they've given me.
Now that I finally have a partially free evening, I should study.
Here are my classes.
Calculus I, 11:00-11:50 MWF
We're just in pre-calculus review right now, and we have a patient and understanding professor. One of the girls in my class loves calculus like I love languages... I got her extension!
Intercultural Communication, 14:00-15:20 MW
Very interesting, good professor, nice majority of language majors in the class.
Healthy Lifestyles, 18:15-20:00 M
Oh yes, those wonderful mandatory physical education classes. This one isn't too hard, just a lot of busy work and mandatory exercise. So much for my lovely morning walk, since I have to get my heart rate over 120.
Language Senior Seminar, 12:30-14:00 TR
I get to take this with seven others (six seniors and one junior) who have all already studied abroad. But it's a fall class and I'll be in Argentina next fall. It's interesting, good to hear experiences and perspectives of others. We don't exactly meet on Thursdays; instead, we all eat lunch and speak French, German, and Spanish at our weekly language tables in the cafeteria. The big project is a 20-page paper and presentation at the end of the semester.
Study Abroad Briefing, 14:00-15:00 T
Small class, homework is all reading or getting VISAs and other study-abroad arrangements done. Hopefully my passport will be ready in time. It was being processed in New Orleans.
Old Testament, 18:30-21:00 T
Another lovely night class, held in a local church, interesting. Our professor encouraged us not to take notes.
It's a good class schedule. Mondays and Tuesdays are pretty full, then the week starts tapering off. So, my weekend is beginning just about now. No class tomorrow!
Besides classes, I work in the library eight hours a week and at the Language Department six hours a week. Both jobs are enjoyable, especially with some new and more interest-specific projects they've given me.
Now that I finally have a partially free evening, I should study.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Philosophy from calculus
I know, I know... blog posts of a language nut like me should be on language, not mathematics. Well, just think of this as mathematics translated into English. Professor Dilling said something in class last week that instantly popped a new life-axiom into my head (those sayings that are so much fun to formulate and sound great but have little practical value since you never recall them):
Life is like a square. You can't just take the positive.
I just remembered that I promised updates on classes, especially now that I've had a proper week... maybe tomorrow.
Life is like a square. You can't just take the positive.
I just remembered that I promised updates on classes, especially now that I've had a proper week... maybe tomorrow.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Just a vapor
Today I learned that my life expectancy as an American woman is 79.5 years. That means my life is already 25% gone. What a sobering thought.
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
James 4:14
As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away.
Who understands the power of Your anger
And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?
So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:10-12
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
James 4:14
As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away.
Who understands the power of Your anger
And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?
So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:10-12
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Speaker's Corner
Today was my first time to hear of this place. Our chapel speaker for this week often debates Muslims there. Sounds like a stimulating spot to visit!
Monday, August 29, 2005
Tonight's front page
Good news - Internet is back in my room!
Bad news - IM has not come back with it.
Discovery - There may be a big difference between 5 classes totaling 15 credit hours and 6 classes totaling 15 credit hours. It manages to hide somewhere between the 15 hours and 15 hours.
Bad news - IM has not come back with it.
Discovery - There may be a big difference between 5 classes totaling 15 credit hours and 6 classes totaling 15 credit hours. It manages to hide somewhere between the 15 hours and 15 hours.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Books!
I thought it would be fun to share my latest buys. No time to link everything... if you're really curious, you can track them down.
About a week ago...
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain
The Call of the Wild, Jack London
The House of the Seven Gables, Nathaniel Hawthorne
Ragged Dick and Mark, the Match Boy: Two Novels by Horatio Alger
Silas Marner, George Eliot
Today, the library had a "massive book sale" (read: a few carts)...
Milton and the English Mind, F. E. Hutchinson
Prayer: Conversing with God, Rosalind Rinker
A History of Education in Antiquity, H. I. Marrou
A Short History of the Chinese People, L. Carrington Goodrich
The Hundred Years War, Edouard Perroy (no, I'm not missing an apostrophe)
The Encyclopedia: Selections, Denis Diderot, edited and translated by Stephen J. Gendzier
The Messiah, G. F. Händel, edited by T. Tertius Noble, revised according to Händel's orginial score by Max Spicker
That last set of 7 cost me $3.60.
About a week ago...
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain
The Call of the Wild, Jack London
The House of the Seven Gables, Nathaniel Hawthorne
Ragged Dick and Mark, the Match Boy: Two Novels by Horatio Alger
Silas Marner, George Eliot
Today, the library had a "massive book sale" (read: a few carts)...
Milton and the English Mind, F. E. Hutchinson
Prayer: Conversing with God, Rosalind Rinker
A History of Education in Antiquity, H. I. Marrou
A Short History of the Chinese People, L. Carrington Goodrich
The Hundred Years War, Edouard Perroy (no, I'm not missing an apostrophe)
The Encyclopedia: Selections, Denis Diderot, edited and translated by Stephen J. Gendzier
The Messiah, G. F. Händel, edited by T. Tertius Noble, revised according to Händel's orginial score by Max Spicker
That last set of 7 cost me $3.60.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Still breathing
Sorry to be so unconnected to the blogging world... either publishing or commenting. Internet connection seems to be down in the rooms. I don't really enjoy fighting it out for one of the three lobby computers. Thank goodness for a quiet language lab on a Friday evening.
Don't worry, I won't waste Friday night on a computer. The French Optimist Club of Winona Lake is meeting at 7 p.m. tonight. How lovely to be surrounded by French! Tonight's topic is "Islam en France, depuis l'an 732." That is, "Islam in France, since the year 732." Without breaking one of those essential college student rules -- Thou shalt not study-or-do-anything-remotely-academic-on-Friday-night -- and checking on the date, can I hasard a guess that 732 is about when the Moors were pushing into Europe?
Actually, I don't plan on following the Friday Night Rule. This will be a busy semester. I'll give you all the thrilling details once I've attended the first sessions of my last two classes next week. Anyway, it's been a short week. I should be allowed to study if I want to, right?
Today I found a package slip in my mailbox. 5 p.m. on a Friday. There's a reason to look forward to Monday.
Don't worry, I won't waste Friday night on a computer. The French Optimist Club of Winona Lake is meeting at 7 p.m. tonight. How lovely to be surrounded by French! Tonight's topic is "Islam en France, depuis l'an 732." That is, "Islam in France, since the year 732." Without breaking one of those essential college student rules -- Thou shalt not study-or-do-anything-remotely-academic-on-Friday-night -- and checking on the date, can I hasard a guess that 732 is about when the Moors were pushing into Europe?
Actually, I don't plan on following the Friday Night Rule. This will be a busy semester. I'll give you all the thrilling details once I've attended the first sessions of my last two classes next week. Anyway, it's been a short week. I should be allowed to study if I want to, right?
Today I found a package slip in my mailbox. 5 p.m. on a Friday. There's a reason to look forward to Monday.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Four days later. . .
Now that I've had my first class, do you think I should post?
I never wanted any night classes, until scheduling pushed me into two this fall. Suddenly, night classes became a wonderful thing.
-This is something like the macaroni and cheese epiphany I experienced several years back. Ardith always loved it, I tolerated it, till she went to college... then, somehow, it became delicious.-
Old Testament is going to be real suffering. We have to read assigned sections every week, take a five-question quiz, listen to a lecture... and then prove we've done some thinking, by participating in discussion. Then there are the exams. These consist of questions we'll be given ahead of time, study for, prepare for, bring notes and anything else we want except the answer itself - then write the answer in class.
Of course, there will be two papers. All in all, it should be a good class.
To kick off the real start of classes tomorrow, GSO sponsored an ice cream social. Now everyone can get revved up on sugar for a late night. Brilliant, right?
It's so much fun to get into classes and homework again, talk to professors and friends and acquaintance again. God is good.
I never wanted any night classes, until scheduling pushed me into two this fall. Suddenly, night classes became a wonderful thing.
-This is something like the macaroni and cheese epiphany I experienced several years back. Ardith always loved it, I tolerated it, till she went to college... then, somehow, it became delicious.-
Old Testament is going to be real suffering. We have to read assigned sections every week, take a five-question quiz, listen to a lecture... and then prove we've done some thinking, by participating in discussion. Then there are the exams. These consist of questions we'll be given ahead of time, study for, prepare for, bring notes and anything else we want except the answer itself - then write the answer in class.
Of course, there will be two papers. All in all, it should be a good class.
To kick off the real start of classes tomorrow, GSO sponsored an ice cream social. Now everyone can get revved up on sugar for a late night. Brilliant, right?
It's so much fun to get into classes and homework again, talk to professors and friends and acquaintance again. God is good.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Arrived
I'm here!
Actually, I was here yesterday. But we just now finished connecting my computer to the Grace network and thus to the Internet.
Daddy and I left around 9:30 Thursday morning. He even asked me whether I wanted to drive first or second! So I drove the first few hours, then we filled up the tank, then Daddy drove. About 2:00 P.M. we stopped to pull out Mommy's delicious lunch. Daddy thought it would be interesting to try taking 30 straight over to Warsaw, instead of the usual 80 south of Chicago. So we enjoyed the historic old Lincoln highway, driving through scenic towns, and watching the temperature gauge climb way up to "H". But we made it. Daddy has a fan running that will keep the engine from exploding till he gets home. Meanwhile, he has been able to visit some long-time friends and family in the area.
Today was very productive. I got my key, my box number - they didn't give mine away - my network and Internet connection, my new ID card. My German and Spanish finals were easy, for which I was thankful!
It was lovely to talk to my language professors and the library staff again, and spend time with friends. Daddy and I had supper with the Tysons tonight.
Daddy's driving home tomorrow. He has been a wonderful help in setting me up. I'm glad we had a little extra time together.
Rachel and I have an early-morning appointment with Goodwill tomorrow. So, good night!
Actually, I was here yesterday. But we just now finished connecting my computer to the Grace network and thus to the Internet.
Daddy and I left around 9:30 Thursday morning. He even asked me whether I wanted to drive first or second! So I drove the first few hours, then we filled up the tank, then Daddy drove. About 2:00 P.M. we stopped to pull out Mommy's delicious lunch. Daddy thought it would be interesting to try taking 30 straight over to Warsaw, instead of the usual 80 south of Chicago. So we enjoyed the historic old Lincoln highway, driving through scenic towns, and watching the temperature gauge climb way up to "H". But we made it. Daddy has a fan running that will keep the engine from exploding till he gets home. Meanwhile, he has been able to visit some long-time friends and family in the area.
Today was very productive. I got my key, my box number - they didn't give mine away - my network and Internet connection, my new ID card. My German and Spanish finals were easy, for which I was thankful!
It was lovely to talk to my language professors and the library staff again, and spend time with friends. Daddy and I had supper with the Tysons tonight.
Daddy's driving home tomorrow. He has been a wonderful help in setting me up. I'm glad we had a little extra time together.
Rachel and I have an early-morning appointment with Goodwill tomorrow. So, good night!
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Leaving
Daddy and I are driving out to Grace College tomorrow. If you read this, you can pray for us.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Out of Context, August Edition
This may be the last one for a while.
Mommy: "I think I'm getting too old to have all these kids."
Carolyn: "Don't worry, we'll be leaving soon."
Derek: "You must be exceedingly rich to be able to sponsor a graveyard for butterflies."
Ethan: "What can horses do? They could make you lose your lives, even!"
Trevor (helping poke the bread dough): "One, two, three, two, eleven!"
Jason: "That seems too slow to sing Hallelujah... It's like a dirge."
Carolyn: "I want progress, not downfall."
Carolyn: "I kind of hate to say it, Melinda, but when you snore... you sound kind of like a pig."
Melinda: "Well, you sound like a motor!"
Carolyn (watching the sunset with Melinda and me): "All I can hear are the crickets... and the wind blowing in the leaves and plants, and Melinda's bike squeaking."
Mommy: "I think I'm getting too old to have all these kids."
Carolyn: "Don't worry, we'll be leaving soon."
Derek: "You must be exceedingly rich to be able to sponsor a graveyard for butterflies."
Ethan: "What can horses do? They could make you lose your lives, even!"
Trevor (helping poke the bread dough): "One, two, three, two, eleven!"
Jason: "That seems too slow to sing Hallelujah... It's like a dirge."
Carolyn: "I want progress, not downfall."
Carolyn: "I kind of hate to say it, Melinda, but when you snore... you sound kind of like a pig."
Melinda: "Well, you sound like a motor!"
Carolyn (watching the sunset with Melinda and me): "All I can hear are the crickets... and the wind blowing in the leaves and plants, and Melinda's bike squeaking."
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Saddish sweetness
This is turning out to be a nostalgic weekend...
Yesterday I worked for the last time and made bread for the last time. How sad. I'm really going to miss my utility knife and yeast.
Last night I watched Return to Me. I thought it would be fitting, and, of course, I just felt like watching it. First time I saw this movie was soon after Daddy went on the heart transplant list. Needless to say, Return to Me is not just a movie; it is a very particularly personal movie.
Speaking of Daddy, today was his birthday! 54 years... or 10 years... or 9 months.... or however you'd like to calculate it (for this link, disregard the picture and look for the numbers). What does the exact time matter? Life itself is enough. Praise the Lord for His goodness!
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 118:1
Yesterday I worked for the last time and made bread for the last time. How sad. I'm really going to miss my utility knife and yeast.
Last night I watched Return to Me. I thought it would be fitting, and, of course, I just felt like watching it. First time I saw this movie was soon after Daddy went on the heart transplant list. Needless to say, Return to Me is not just a movie; it is a very particularly personal movie.
Speaking of Daddy, today was his birthday! 54 years... or 10 years... or 9 months.... or however you'd like to calculate it (for this link, disregard the picture and look for the numbers). What does the exact time matter? Life itself is enough. Praise the Lord for His goodness!
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 118:1
Friday, August 12, 2005
"An Islamic Caliphate in Seven Easy Steps"
I found this on Spiegel this morning, hunted it up in English tonight, since you'd rather read the article than my attempts at translation and analysis.
Jordanian journalist Fouad Hussein, former prisonmate and near-confidante of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has done some interviewing in terrorist circles and come up with "al-Qaeda's potential strategy for the next two decades."
"What is interesting is that major attacks against the West are not even mentioned by Fouad Hussein. Terrorism here cannot be ignored -- but it seems these attacks simply supplement the larger aim of setting up an Islamic caliphate. Attacks such as those in New York, Madrid and London would in this case not be ends in themselves, but rather means to a [sic] achieve a larger purpose -- steps in a process of increasing security in the West."
Read the whole article, it's interesting.
Jordanian journalist Fouad Hussein, former prisonmate and near-confidante of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has done some interviewing in terrorist circles and come up with "al-Qaeda's potential strategy for the next two decades."
"What is interesting is that major attacks against the West are not even mentioned by Fouad Hussein. Terrorism here cannot be ignored -- but it seems these attacks simply supplement the larger aim of setting up an Islamic caliphate. Attacks such as those in New York, Madrid and London would in this case not be ends in themselves, but rather means to a [sic] achieve a larger purpose -- steps in a process of increasing security in the West."
Read the whole article, it's interesting.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Shooting tonight
Want to catch some of the Perseid meteors? Contrary to popular opinion, you don't have to set that alarm for 3:00 A.M. This meteor shower is supposed to peak at 7:00 E.T., which means 6:00 A.M. for those of us on Central. . . high time everyone should be up, anyway. You just won't be able to see any then.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
October's the month
Michael Reagan's coming to speak at Winona Lake's American Lyceum Lecture. How exciting!
But this lecture is scheduled for October 20th, 7:30 P.M., on a Thursday evening. My cousin Nathan is marrying Elizabeth the next day.
How will this work?
In case I can squeeze both in, this is one of the few good reasons not to participate in Festival Chorus this fall, as practice regularly falls on Thursday evening, 7:00-9:00 P.M.
But this lecture is scheduled for October 20th, 7:30 P.M., on a Thursday evening. My cousin Nathan is marrying Elizabeth the next day.
How will this work?
In case I can squeeze both in, this is one of the few good reasons not to participate in Festival Chorus this fall, as practice regularly falls on Thursday evening, 7:00-9:00 P.M.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Just life
Who could spend six hours driving and shopping and talking, and love it? Only three girls! That's what we did Sunday... Sarah has some pictures and Rebekah has some write-up.
Today Trevor and I had a nice little conversation, while I was working and he was watching. We established that: he likes ants and dislikes crickets; all planes are big; he would like to go to the moon someday and plans to get back down by means of our ladder; big dogs might not eat him; my work was hard, and we were both hot. Thankfully, lunchtime came and rescued us.
And I came across another wonderful German word!
Quadratisch
It's pronounced kvah-dra-tish.
What does it mean?
Guess!
Okay, I'll tell you. It means square (the adjectival form). How delightful to connect anything square with those truly beautiful quadratic equations (that is, truly beautiful when they come out nicely). I think we should take this even farther... why say "Shape up!" when you can say "Quadratish up!"
Today Trevor and I had a nice little conversation, while I was working and he was watching. We established that: he likes ants and dislikes crickets; all planes are big; he would like to go to the moon someday and plans to get back down by means of our ladder; big dogs might not eat him; my work was hard, and we were both hot. Thankfully, lunchtime came and rescued us.
And I came across another wonderful German word!
Quadratisch
It's pronounced kvah-dra-tish.
What does it mean?
Guess!
Okay, I'll tell you. It means square (the adjectival form). How delightful to connect anything square with those truly beautiful quadratic equations (that is, truly beautiful when they come out nicely). I think we should take this even farther... why say "Shape up!" when you can say "Quadratish up!"
Saturday, August 06, 2005
This was a good one
Only Saturday night, and it's already been a super weekend!
Friday afternoon I drove down to Cedar Rapids to visit Ardith and spend the night. We had fun, naturally! We watched movies, ran errands, and Ardith fixed us delicious stir-fry.
Ardith wants to tell you about the Saturday shopping.
So I got to drive four hours, and spend time with Ardith, and then come back to find my calculus book waiting for me. The list price is $151.16, and I bought it for $25.00. That's 16.54% of the list price, which means I saved $126.16, or 83.46%. Not bad, right?
This semester I may spend less than $100 on textbooks!
Friday afternoon I drove down to Cedar Rapids to visit Ardith and spend the night. We had fun, naturally! We watched movies, ran errands, and Ardith fixed us delicious stir-fry.
Ardith wants to tell you about the Saturday shopping.
So I got to drive four hours, and spend time with Ardith, and then come back to find my calculus book waiting for me. The list price is $151.16, and I bought it for $25.00. That's 16.54% of the list price, which means I saved $126.16, or 83.46%. Not bad, right?
This semester I may spend less than $100 on textbooks!
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Conversation
I despise "blog rants". So you will never hear me "rant" on this blog... or in person, hopefully. That said, if I were a ranter, and if I wanted to rant about anything, I'm sure my ranting would be over weblog comments.
There must be two philosophies of comment out there.
The first person says, "Oh, good, someone commented on my blog. Now I'll go to their blog and leave a comment in response to their comment on mine."
The second person says, "Oh, good, someone commented on my blog. So naturally I'll respond to their comment on my blog with a comment of my own on my blog."
Now, the question is how each person thinks...
The first person thinks, "Here we are: two people having a conversation, only it's online. Obviously I'm talking to this person and not just carrying on a thought, so I'll respond on this friend's own site."
The second person thinks, "Here someone is: a friend is commenting, and I want to carry on the conversation by responding. Naturally, we're both interested in what we're discussing, and we'll both keep returning to the same place to carry it on."
This first method (not the person) frustrates me slightly, since it results in very disjointed conversation. If I were ever to read over old posts and comments, who knows if I could dig up the relevant comments from others' blogs? But each to their own.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the first method focuses on the people involved, while the second focuses on the topic of discussion. Naturally, we need both people and a topic for conversation. May I just say that the second method seems slightly more logical?
There must be two philosophies of comment out there.
The first person says, "Oh, good, someone commented on my blog. Now I'll go to their blog and leave a comment in response to their comment on mine."
The second person says, "Oh, good, someone commented on my blog. So naturally I'll respond to their comment on my blog with a comment of my own on my blog."
Now, the question is how each person thinks...
The first person thinks, "Here we are: two people having a conversation, only it's online. Obviously I'm talking to this person and not just carrying on a thought, so I'll respond on this friend's own site."
The second person thinks, "Here someone is: a friend is commenting, and I want to carry on the conversation by responding. Naturally, we're both interested in what we're discussing, and we'll both keep returning to the same place to carry it on."
This first method (not the person) frustrates me slightly, since it results in very disjointed conversation. If I were ever to read over old posts and comments, who knows if I could dig up the relevant comments from others' blogs? But each to their own.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the first method focuses on the people involved, while the second focuses on the topic of discussion. Naturally, we need both people and a topic for conversation. May I just say that the second method seems slightly more logical?
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Derek's Knowledge Test
1. Gaius (Caligula) was the third Roman Emperor. True / False
2. A conjunction is a statement of equality. True / False
3. New Delhi is the capital of India. True / False
4. 54.9380 is the atomic weight of chromium (Cr). True / False
5. R. L. Dabney wrote The Mysterious Island. True / False
6. Matthew is the longest Gospel of the Bible. True / False
7. The Visigoths were the western Goths. True / False
8. Cambodia lies in Southwest Asia. True / False
9. Thunder comes from lightning's tremendous heat. True / False
10. 2(15 + 3) = 6(6) is a true equation. True / False
If you submit your answers, Derek will score them.
2. A conjunction is a statement of equality. True / False
3. New Delhi is the capital of India. True / False
4. 54.9380 is the atomic weight of chromium (Cr). True / False
5. R. L. Dabney wrote The Mysterious Island. True / False
6. Matthew is the longest Gospel of the Bible. True / False
7. The Visigoths were the western Goths. True / False
8. Cambodia lies in Southwest Asia. True / False
9. Thunder comes from lightning's tremendous heat. True / False
10. 2(15 + 3) = 6(6) is a true equation. True / False
If you submit your answers, Derek will score them.
Heard
Two alarming events happened today!
Coming in from working, I stopped short, on hearing three measures from Mommy's Three Tenors CD that I didn't recognize.
A reporter mentioned "500 bucks" on a radio news program. Now I ask you... is that professional?
Coming in from working, I stopped short, on hearing three measures from Mommy's Three Tenors CD that I didn't recognize.
A reporter mentioned "500 bucks" on a radio news program. Now I ask you... is that professional?
Monday, August 01, 2005
Till then
When a successful Internet connection and my online time actually coincide, I may be able to post!
Happy August.
Happy August.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
hmmm...
If you're having trouble accessing this blog, let me know. I've been receiving varied reports.
Sorry, no posting tonight. Time to improve on last night's 1.5 hours. Good night.
Sorry, no posting tonight. Time to improve on last night's 1.5 hours. Good night.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Housekeeping
Tonight I made the switch from Public to Private. My brothers and sisters read this blog, and I'd rather not increase their vocabulary with words I've never even heard myself... even if that exposure comes very indirectly and unintentionally. This weblog began as a private venture (originally just to comment on my mom's blog) and it will remain private, especially so I can keep in touch with my beloved family while I'm overseas next year.
By the way... if your blog is linked on the sidebar, and you want me to remove it, let me know, and I will be happy to do so. Not happy to take you off, but happy to respect your wishes in any way.
If your blog isn't linked on the sidebar, and you would like me to add it, let me know, and I will be happy to consider that.
By the way... if your blog is linked on the sidebar, and you want me to remove it, let me know, and I will be happy to do so. Not happy to take you off, but happy to respect your wishes in any way.
If your blog isn't linked on the sidebar, and you would like me to add it, let me know, and I will be happy to consider that.
Monday, July 25, 2005
A prayer for the day
I am not sure I know which Collect this is. But its words are good to ponder, as we all have work to do.
Guide us, O Lord, amidst the trials and conflicts of our daily life, and fill our hours of occupation with thy presence; that daily work may become to us a high vocation, and that we may learn the dignity of labour, and make it a freewill offering to thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Guide us, O Lord, amidst the trials and conflicts of our daily life, and fill our hours of occupation with thy presence; that daily work may become to us a high vocation, and that we may learn the dignity of labour, and make it a freewill offering to thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Now publishing
Whoops! There went the week!
As Mommy mentioned, Daddy was working on the plumbing last week. The most exciting day was Tuesday, when Kendra and I had a Bible study at 7:00 p.m. Somehow this was not communicated to Daddy. He started his work around 4:30, and I stopped my work around 6:00 to take a shower and wash the vegetables we were bringing. (It was Taco Salad night.)
Whoops! No water!
Daddy worked quickly and eventually had the cold water up for us. So we washed and chopped the tomatoes and lettuce. Then he glued the hot water pipes... unfortunately, the glue didn't plan to hold. So he held the pipes together for us while we finished showering (unbeknownst to us, although we were already speeding, since it was well after 7:00). Fortunately we live only five minutes away from our church friends, and thankfully we have a wonderful father!
In other news, I ended up with three nearly-cold showers during the last week. This had nothing to do with the plumbing, and everything to do with the washer and the dishwasher and certain persons who like to steam off well in the shower. It's amazing how fast one can shower when the hot water is disappearing! So, I was doubly blessed with extra time and extra thankfulness that we have showers at all.
This week was also the one we (Jason, Kendra, and myself) settled on for our summer viewing of the Lord of the Rings films. Of course, we had to watch them at night, for two reasons...
1) The younger kids aren't allowed to see them yet.
2) How can anyone watch them in the daylight?
We also had to time the last one (nearly 4.5 hours) to fall on a Friday night, so we could all sleep in... theoretically.
It was fun. :)
I was willing to sacrifice a little sleep for such a good cause, especially so I could work during the day. It would be ridiculous to take time off work just for movies. For some undoubtedly unrelated reason, a cold finally grabbed hold of me, but I should have it kicked off by tomorrow.
After work and sleep and language study, there isn't much time left for posting, especially when our wireless connection keeps cutting out. But I'll try not to let a whole week go by this time.
Into the midst of such busyness come those little bright spots, such as this lovely bag, designed by my lovely friend and embroidered by her lovely mother. I thought you'd like to see it!
(Of course, she put some chocolate inside...!)
As Mommy mentioned, Daddy was working on the plumbing last week. The most exciting day was Tuesday, when Kendra and I had a Bible study at 7:00 p.m. Somehow this was not communicated to Daddy. He started his work around 4:30, and I stopped my work around 6:00 to take a shower and wash the vegetables we were bringing. (It was Taco Salad night.)
Whoops! No water!
Daddy worked quickly and eventually had the cold water up for us. So we washed and chopped the tomatoes and lettuce. Then he glued the hot water pipes... unfortunately, the glue didn't plan to hold. So he held the pipes together for us while we finished showering (unbeknownst to us, although we were already speeding, since it was well after 7:00). Fortunately we live only five minutes away from our church friends, and thankfully we have a wonderful father!
In other news, I ended up with three nearly-cold showers during the last week. This had nothing to do with the plumbing, and everything to do with the washer and the dishwasher and certain persons who like to steam off well in the shower. It's amazing how fast one can shower when the hot water is disappearing! So, I was doubly blessed with extra time and extra thankfulness that we have showers at all.
This week was also the one we (Jason, Kendra, and myself) settled on for our summer viewing of the Lord of the Rings films. Of course, we had to watch them at night, for two reasons...
1) The younger kids aren't allowed to see them yet.
2) How can anyone watch them in the daylight?
We also had to time the last one (nearly 4.5 hours) to fall on a Friday night, so we could all sleep in... theoretically.
It was fun. :)
I was willing to sacrifice a little sleep for such a good cause, especially so I could work during the day. It would be ridiculous to take time off work just for movies. For some undoubtedly unrelated reason, a cold finally grabbed hold of me, but I should have it kicked off by tomorrow.
After work and sleep and language study, there isn't much time left for posting, especially when our wireless connection keeps cutting out. But I'll try not to let a whole week go by this time.
Into the midst of such busyness come those little bright spots, such as this lovely bag, designed by my lovely friend and embroidered by her lovely mother. I thought you'd like to see it!
(Of course, she put some chocolate inside...!)
Monday, July 18, 2005
Dark is good
The job description for this blog requires its writer to inform said writer's audience on the latest medical updates.
Today's article (via the New York Times) brings that long-awaited success story: How to experience a "clinically meaningful decline" in your blood pressure!
Any debate over the previously linked article is welcomed by the blog writer at some risk to the writer's reputation with The Hierarchy.
Today's article (via the New York Times) brings that long-awaited success story: How to experience a "clinically meaningful decline" in your blood pressure!
Any debate over the previously linked article is welcomed by the blog writer at some risk to the writer's reputation with The Hierarchy.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Ridiculous to sublime
Last night we had our biannual viewing of Pirates of the Caribbean. (I had to get out the dictionary again just now, because I always get biannual and biennial mixed up; every time I reformulate some way to use the a and e to distinguish them, and every time I forget it.) Jason decided it would be biannual. However, this was about my seventh time - more or less - and I almost fell asleep. The movie has become less frightening and more funny.
This afternoon Kendra and I went out for a movie and ice cream to celebrate her sixteenth birthday. Turning sixteen definitely merits some celebration! Happy birthday, Kendra.
We saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It was different and the same. Same story with a different feel.
My mind is running in German just now, so I thought I would share The Lord's Prayer with you. It is very beautiful... I'm sorry you can't hear it.
Vater unser im Himmel,
Geheiligt werde dein Name.
Dein Reich komme.
Dein Wille geschehe,
wie im Himmel so auf Erden.
Unser tägliches Brot gib uns heute.
Und vergib uns unsre Schuld
wie auch wir vergeben unseren Schuldigern.
Und führe uns nicht in Versuchung,
sondern erlöse uns von dem Bösen.
Denn dein ist das Reich
und die Kraft
und die Herrlichkeit
in Ewigkeit.
Amen.
This afternoon Kendra and I went out for a movie and ice cream to celebrate her sixteenth birthday. Turning sixteen definitely merits some celebration! Happy birthday, Kendra.
We saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It was different and the same. Same story with a different feel.
My mind is running in German just now, so I thought I would share The Lord's Prayer with you. It is very beautiful... I'm sorry you can't hear it.
Vater unser im Himmel,
Geheiligt werde dein Name.
Dein Reich komme.
Dein Wille geschehe,
wie im Himmel so auf Erden.
Unser tägliches Brot gib uns heute.
Und vergib uns unsre Schuld
wie auch wir vergeben unseren Schuldigern.
Und führe uns nicht in Versuchung,
sondern erlöse uns von dem Bösen.
Denn dein ist das Reich
und die Kraft
und die Herrlichkeit
in Ewigkeit.
Amen.
Friday, July 15, 2005
Out of Context, June / July edition
Some of these do need context.
Family
Nolan (regarding his coleslaw): "I wish I could have hotslaw."
Coming back from Texas, Ardith attempting to follow Daddy...
Ardith: "See, this is the problem with Daddy. He can't turn around!"
When the dishwasher pipes were going in...
Nolan: "Pipe cement is very bad for you."
Daddy (snorts): "Just breathing it can make you sick!"
Nolan: "Then you have to have a cough drop."
Derek and Carolyn playing Romans, Ethan playing their slave...
Derek: "Please? Carolyn, you're saying please? You don't say please to a slave."
Looking out for Uncle Stan's in Georgia...
Trevor: "Is it a white house?"
Nolan: "Umm, yes, I think."
Trevor: "Is it a white house, Mommy?"
Mommy: "I don't remember."
Nolan: "Or maybe it's painted - blue! Or - red!"
Trevor: "Yes, it's not a white house, it's a blue house!"
Nolan: "Or maybe it's green."
Trevor: "Yes, it's a green house! It's a green house, Mommy."
Mommy: "Trevor, do you have to talk all the time?"
Trevor: "Yes, Mommy, I have to talk all the time."
Heard on the radio
"Spend less on hotels and more on power tools!"
"The carnage will be devastating. AND YOU'LL BE THERE!"
Family
Nolan (regarding his coleslaw): "I wish I could have hotslaw."
Coming back from Texas, Ardith attempting to follow Daddy...
Ardith: "See, this is the problem with Daddy. He can't turn around!"
When the dishwasher pipes were going in...
Nolan: "Pipe cement is very bad for you."
Daddy (snorts): "Just breathing it can make you sick!"
Nolan: "Then you have to have a cough drop."
Derek and Carolyn playing Romans, Ethan playing their slave...
Derek: "Please? Carolyn, you're saying please? You don't say please to a slave."
Looking out for Uncle Stan's in Georgia...
Trevor: "Is it a white house?"
Nolan: "Umm, yes, I think."
Trevor: "Is it a white house, Mommy?"
Mommy: "I don't remember."
Nolan: "Or maybe it's painted - blue! Or - red!"
Trevor: "Yes, it's not a white house, it's a blue house!"
Nolan: "Or maybe it's green."
Trevor: "Yes, it's a green house! It's a green house, Mommy."
Mommy: "Trevor, do you have to talk all the time?"
Trevor: "Yes, Mommy, I have to talk all the time."
Heard on the radio
"Spend less on hotels and more on power tools!"
"The carnage will be devastating. AND YOU'LL BE THERE!"
Sudden existence!
Sorry it has taken me so long to put up links for weblogs of friends. Originally I'd wanted to ask everyone personally... finally decided that the courtesy was becoming less than courteous, as I never got around to it.
The married persons have a proper title before their name. Nope, this is not to divide everyone into "single" and "married" status. This is because I still don't feel comfortable using first names where I've used the title so long. So I extended the rule to all married persons.
This is another reason I like Blogger. My friends can have real names and not just screen names.
The married persons have a proper title before their name. Nope, this is not to divide everyone into "single" and "married" status. This is because I still don't feel comfortable using first names where I've used the title so long. So I extended the rule to all married persons.
This is another reason I like Blogger. My friends can have real names and not just screen names.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
A mother's third eye
Today my junk mail inbox announced, "Peace of Mind is only $75 at Geeks.com."
Mommy, this is what you should have had, especially to strap on to the kid in question. Then again, maybe it's not too late! (Actually, they need to create one that reads the child's mind.)
You know, everybody, Mommy's birthday is coming up... in a couple months...
Mommy, this is what you should have had, especially to strap on to the kid in question. Then again, maybe it's not too late! (Actually, they need to create one that reads the child's mind.)
You know, everybody, Mommy's birthday is coming up... in a couple months...
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Monday, July 11, 2005
A little story of a movie
(This was due for publication last night, but the Internet was a little crowded)
While down at the Hoyt reunion in Georgia, some of us (some of us between the ages of 16 and 28) saw The Village. This won't be a critique, just my impressions. But if you haven't seen it yet and don't want any spoiler, you can stop reading now.
We really had the perfect setting for this movie: we were in a little cabin-style home stuck away off a dirt road in the Georgia woods. It was after 1 A.M., and our seating - couch, chairs, and floor - had its back to the door to the deck and windows overlooking the deck. Of course, someone was kind enough to turn off all the lights. My cousin Laura and I were on the floor, a good strategic move since it put the couch between us and the windows.
The first scenes left two distinct impressions. One was a man crying over his son's coffin, so I immediately concluded that the movie would be sad and frightening. The second could have been a scene from an early Thanksgiving feast: a long row of tables and everyone dressed rather old-fashioned. Being pretty dense, I immediately rewinded my mind a few centuries. It all seemed a little Puritan, kind of somber, no red allowed, too gaudy, or too... something. Everyone spoke oddly, too well and almost archaically. And there was a village council. Make that a progressive Puritan village where women sat on the council and talked at least as much as the men. Oh yes, they were religious too, down to the priests in yellow cloaks tossing the devoted meat onto a huge flat altar - ah, rock... stone. But this was a religion driven by fear.
I suppose I should have figured out that They weren't really monsters... finally one of Them actually appeared, could have been a person dressed up. But it had to be an Outside person hostile to the village. Truth didn't strike me till Walker told Ivy, and that was an immense relief... very welcome relief, because the sound technicians kept blasting bursts of bass at us, especially at the frequent startling moments. Laura must have jumped a little higher than I did, since the others teased her and not me. I was glad to have someone else share my reactions, and occasionally voice them, which I didn't dare to do in the face of such manipulative genius. The writer obviously wanted to overpower me, so like a good little villager I'd sit there and let him do it.
Kitty's nearly hysterical declaration of love to Lucius made us all laugh... as did Ivy's asking Lucius when they would marry, and his response, "Why don't you let me lead for once!" Short reprieve, more shocks were to come. When the camera staggered with Noah right up to Lucius, something had to be wrong... when Ivy gasped for breath behind a tree, the camera would pan out, of course, to show It right behind the tree. Now that was really cruel, especially to Ivy, when she knew there should be no more of Them!
When Ivy stumbled out onto the road, I think I was the last one to realize it was a modern-day vehicle driving up, and of course I completely missed the Walker on the side. That's why I like watching movies with Hoyt cousins who sit around and discuss anything afterwards, no matter how late it is.
Now which is worse... an outside group terrorizing the village, as I first thought... or the council members terrorizing their own village? How absurd to use fear to protect their people. And their own children. In the end, that's what I can't understand. I suppose it's a choice everyone has to make: hole up and let your children grow up believing the evil comes from monsters, or live in the real world and let them realize the evil is in everyone, and they must deal with it. They couldn't escape the evil; it came from one of their own, when Noah stabbed Lucius. (now that really was not pleasant)
There should be more movies like this, movies you have to figure out - or find out - as you go.
I think we all slept that night, but there were Red jokes making the rounds for a while.
I'd love to hear your thoughts, especially if you've seen The Village. By the way, I didn't title this weblog Sharon's Soliloquy for a reason. (besides the obvious ones) Comments are always welcome!
While down at the Hoyt reunion in Georgia, some of us (some of us between the ages of 16 and 28) saw The Village. This won't be a critique, just my impressions. But if you haven't seen it yet and don't want any spoiler, you can stop reading now.
We really had the perfect setting for this movie: we were in a little cabin-style home stuck away off a dirt road in the Georgia woods. It was after 1 A.M., and our seating - couch, chairs, and floor - had its back to the door to the deck and windows overlooking the deck. Of course, someone was kind enough to turn off all the lights. My cousin Laura and I were on the floor, a good strategic move since it put the couch between us and the windows.
The first scenes left two distinct impressions. One was a man crying over his son's coffin, so I immediately concluded that the movie would be sad and frightening. The second could have been a scene from an early Thanksgiving feast: a long row of tables and everyone dressed rather old-fashioned. Being pretty dense, I immediately rewinded my mind a few centuries. It all seemed a little Puritan, kind of somber, no red allowed, too gaudy, or too... something. Everyone spoke oddly, too well and almost archaically. And there was a village council. Make that a progressive Puritan village where women sat on the council and talked at least as much as the men. Oh yes, they were religious too, down to the priests in yellow cloaks tossing the devoted meat onto a huge flat altar - ah, rock... stone. But this was a religion driven by fear.
I suppose I should have figured out that They weren't really monsters... finally one of Them actually appeared, could have been a person dressed up. But it had to be an Outside person hostile to the village. Truth didn't strike me till Walker told Ivy, and that was an immense relief... very welcome relief, because the sound technicians kept blasting bursts of bass at us, especially at the frequent startling moments. Laura must have jumped a little higher than I did, since the others teased her and not me. I was glad to have someone else share my reactions, and occasionally voice them, which I didn't dare to do in the face of such manipulative genius. The writer obviously wanted to overpower me, so like a good little villager I'd sit there and let him do it.
Kitty's nearly hysterical declaration of love to Lucius made us all laugh... as did Ivy's asking Lucius when they would marry, and his response, "Why don't you let me lead for once!" Short reprieve, more shocks were to come. When the camera staggered with Noah right up to Lucius, something had to be wrong... when Ivy gasped for breath behind a tree, the camera would pan out, of course, to show It right behind the tree. Now that was really cruel, especially to Ivy, when she knew there should be no more of Them!
When Ivy stumbled out onto the road, I think I was the last one to realize it was a modern-day vehicle driving up, and of course I completely missed the Walker on the side. That's why I like watching movies with Hoyt cousins who sit around and discuss anything afterwards, no matter how late it is.
Now which is worse... an outside group terrorizing the village, as I first thought... or the council members terrorizing their own village? How absurd to use fear to protect their people. And their own children. In the end, that's what I can't understand. I suppose it's a choice everyone has to make: hole up and let your children grow up believing the evil comes from monsters, or live in the real world and let them realize the evil is in everyone, and they must deal with it. They couldn't escape the evil; it came from one of their own, when Noah stabbed Lucius. (now that really was not pleasant)
There should be more movies like this, movies you have to figure out - or find out - as you go.
I think we all slept that night, but there were Red jokes making the rounds for a while.
I'd love to hear your thoughts, especially if you've seen The Village. By the way, I didn't title this weblog Sharon's Soliloquy for a reason. (besides the obvious ones) Comments are always welcome!
Friday, July 08, 2005
Death or estate, that's the question
Why don't you read "Double Trouble Speak"? Good article. Almost makes me want to start an Old English revival.
...after twelve days of blogging sabbatical...
It was a lovely trip!
But, since I used my expendable Internet time to catch up on blogs of friends - which mostly was a quick skim of everybody's latest post - and since today was a day for sleep and business and German, there is no time for a real post. I'm still trying to think of how to tell you all the highlights of the trip. Maybe I will spend one of my eight hours on the ladder tomorrow thinking about it.
Anyway, tomorrow is Friday night. Tomorrow night I will have plenty of time. Tomorrow night, once it comes, I probably won't have time, what with a birthday party and a movie. But tomorrow night I will try to defy the weekend time wormholes and post.
But, since I used my expendable Internet time to catch up on blogs of friends - which mostly was a quick skim of everybody's latest post - and since today was a day for sleep and business and German, there is no time for a real post. I'm still trying to think of how to tell you all the highlights of the trip. Maybe I will spend one of my eight hours on the ladder tomorrow thinking about it.
Anyway, tomorrow is Friday night. Tomorrow night I will have plenty of time. Tomorrow night, once it comes, I probably won't have time, what with a birthday party and a movie. But tomorrow night I will try to defy the weekend time wormholes and post.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Bye
H-Hour is 0700 Saturday 25 June 2005.
Tomorrow morning we leave on our big long summer trip. Georgia for the Hoyt reunion, Indiana for a Baker get-together. This will be so much fun. :)
Auf Wiedersehen, Adiós, Au revoir!
Tomorrow morning we leave on our big long summer trip. Georgia for the Hoyt reunion, Indiana for a Baker get-together. This will be so much fun. :)
Auf Wiedersehen, Adiós, Au revoir!
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Several thousand words
One day, when most everybody is outside....
Nolan proudly shows the cameragirl a worm from his worm collection.
Derek instructs Trevor in the fine art of dirt-clod chopping.
Carolyn happily weeds her radishes.
Kendra and Carolyn marshal their radish ranks for a French Breakfast vs. German Giant war.
Jason mows in fine form.
Ethan pauses as the crafty cameragirl asks him a question so she can snap him.
Someone's missing. It must be Melinda!
Nolan proudly shows the cameragirl a worm from his worm collection.
Derek instructs Trevor in the fine art of dirt-clod chopping.
Carolyn happily weeds her radishes.
Kendra and Carolyn marshal their radish ranks for a French Breakfast vs. German Giant war.
Jason mows in fine form.
Ethan pauses as the crafty cameragirl asks him a question so she can snap him.
Someone's missing. It must be Melinda!
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Your Spanish for today
Can't promise when the next "today" will be, but don't worry... one will pop up somewhere. I have two months till returning to school and taking the Spanish and German finals, so I'm back to regular language study. Which means that you, my beloved reader, will get more of those much-missed language posts!
It's always a good idea to try translating that phrase literally - you know they're hiding something if they lump a bunch of words together under one English meaning.
ponerse boca abajo (arriba) - to be face up (down)
Literally, the Spanish reads "to put one's mouth up (or down)".
Now, I find that very interesting. Don't you? Should we draw any politically incorrect and linguistically discriminating conclusions, or just laugh?
Since I will be studying abroad for Spanish in Argentina, I was hunting around for some good (and interesting) information on the country. This looks like it may keep me busy for a while.
Todo lo que quiera saber sobre Argentina, proclaims the site - Everything you wanted to know about Argentina. Even if you want to listen to all of Argentina's historically significant state speeches!
It's always a good idea to try translating that phrase literally - you know they're hiding something if they lump a bunch of words together under one English meaning.
ponerse boca abajo (arriba) - to be face up (down)
Literally, the Spanish reads "to put one's mouth up (or down)".
Now, I find that very interesting. Don't you? Should we draw any politically incorrect and linguistically discriminating conclusions, or just laugh?
Since I will be studying abroad for Spanish in Argentina, I was hunting around for some good (and interesting) information on the country. This looks like it may keep me busy for a while.
Todo lo que quiera saber sobre Argentina, proclaims the site - Everything you wanted to know about Argentina. Even if you want to listen to all of Argentina's historically significant state speeches!
Monday, June 20, 2005
Senses
Watching Master and Commander last Friday made me think about sound, because it was full of sound... waves slapping, canvas snapping, men's voices shouting, but also more subtle sounds, especially the inflections of voices.
I realized that I wasn't just hearing the sound, but feeling it. On thinking about it, two kinds of feeling: one, hearing the sounds of something being done 'on screen' made me feel that same thing being done where I was; two, sounds skipping directly to my nervous system or something inside that could feel.
Have you ever been lying on a couch and listening to other people talk, and as you get sleepier and sleepier, the voices are different, almost as if they've changed pitch, or as if the sound waves reaching your ears are slowing down?
I wonder if we can 'feel' sound because of its nature - soundwaves produced by vibrations, reaching our ears and passing the vibrations on to our eardrums and eventually to the brain. Those vibrations must be going down the spinal cord as well as up it, because I can feel them inside, almost as if the sound bypasses skin and physical touch to pluck some internal strings.
If hearing is like a multiple sense, it isn't unique that way... smell and taste aren't just related, they actually affect each other. It makes me wonder what those lightwaves are up to.
Maybe all this is extremely obvious to everyone else. Or just extremely stupid. Anyway, it intrigues me.
I realized that I wasn't just hearing the sound, but feeling it. On thinking about it, two kinds of feeling: one, hearing the sounds of something being done 'on screen' made me feel that same thing being done where I was; two, sounds skipping directly to my nervous system or something inside that could feel.
Have you ever been lying on a couch and listening to other people talk, and as you get sleepier and sleepier, the voices are different, almost as if they've changed pitch, or as if the sound waves reaching your ears are slowing down?
I wonder if we can 'feel' sound because of its nature - soundwaves produced by vibrations, reaching our ears and passing the vibrations on to our eardrums and eventually to the brain. Those vibrations must be going down the spinal cord as well as up it, because I can feel them inside, almost as if the sound bypasses skin and physical touch to pluck some internal strings.
If hearing is like a multiple sense, it isn't unique that way... smell and taste aren't just related, they actually affect each other. It makes me wonder what those lightwaves are up to.
Maybe all this is extremely obvious to everyone else. Or just extremely stupid. Anyway, it intrigues me.
Check off that one
There, I finally finished The Case for Democracy. Only 279 pages, but when my reading gets limited to about fifteen minutes a night, I fall back on weekends for catch-up.
This was a fairly easy and interesting read. Sharansky makes his case not from abstract theoretical arguments but rather from his experiences as a Soviet Jewish dissident in the USSR and as a statesman in Israeli politics.
I could quote a few sentences that very nicely sum up the book's thesis, which is just why I won't do it. Go read it yourself. However, the following caught my attention:
When some questioned why Israel was not using information [Peace Watch papers keeping tabs on Palestinian compliance] that could be very helpful in exerting diplomatic pressure on the Palestinian Authority to comply with its agreements, Israeli officials scoffed that it was the government's role to determine whether the Palestinians were fulfilling their commitments. (pg. 158)
So where does the informed citizenry of a democracy come in? Where government bureaucracy leaves off, I suppose... which would seem to be wherever the informed citizenry doesn't come in.
I do not believe in an end of history. The diversity of the world ensures that there will always be argument and conflict. (pg. 278)
Not sure that I would define history as "argument and conflict." And I do believe in an end to history; at least, an end to recorded time. Then again, who really knows?
But as "the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is [definitely] wearying to the body" (Ecclesiastes 12:12), I am off to bed. Goodnight.
This was a fairly easy and interesting read. Sharansky makes his case not from abstract theoretical arguments but rather from his experiences as a Soviet Jewish dissident in the USSR and as a statesman in Israeli politics.
I could quote a few sentences that very nicely sum up the book's thesis, which is just why I won't do it. Go read it yourself. However, the following caught my attention:
When some questioned why Israel was not using information [Peace Watch papers keeping tabs on Palestinian compliance] that could be very helpful in exerting diplomatic pressure on the Palestinian Authority to comply with its agreements, Israeli officials scoffed that it was the government's role to determine whether the Palestinians were fulfilling their commitments. (pg. 158)
So where does the informed citizenry of a democracy come in? Where government bureaucracy leaves off, I suppose... which would seem to be wherever the informed citizenry doesn't come in.
I do not believe in an end of history. The diversity of the world ensures that there will always be argument and conflict. (pg. 278)
Not sure that I would define history as "argument and conflict." And I do believe in an end to history; at least, an end to recorded time. Then again, who really knows?
But as "the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is [definitely] wearying to the body" (Ecclesiastes 12:12), I am off to bed. Goodnight.
Saturday, June 18, 2005
To whom it may interest
I added a few sidebar links a while back.
People who are serious about chocolate don't just love eating good chocolate (read: good-quality dark chocolate) - they love reading scientific studies of chocolate (read: studies revealing the health benefits of eating moderate amounts of good-quality dark chocolate). So here's what I like to call The Chocolate List, for the serious chocolate lovers out there. Please notice that I didn't say "chocoholics".
Online dictionaries seem to lack etymologies, which is too bad, since the story behind the word is the most interesting part. So I added Etymonline.
Oh, let's see, I think I also added U. S. News & World Report at the same time. And Al-Jazeera.
People who are serious about chocolate don't just love eating good chocolate (read: good-quality dark chocolate) - they love reading scientific studies of chocolate (read: studies revealing the health benefits of eating moderate amounts of good-quality dark chocolate). So here's what I like to call The Chocolate List, for the serious chocolate lovers out there. Please notice that I didn't say "chocoholics".
Online dictionaries seem to lack etymologies, which is too bad, since the story behind the word is the most interesting part. So I added Etymonline.
Oh, let's see, I think I also added U. S. News & World Report at the same time. And Al-Jazeera.
Friday, June 17, 2005
It's Friday again
This is so unfair. My right arm is getting all the hammer exercise, which means my left arm and the right side of my brain must be suffering.
Maybe I'll start using my left hand for less important things, like eating and writing.
This is so annoying. Ardith's AIM away message won't get off my screen.
... never mind, there it goes...
This is so inexplicable. Why does it take me all morning and afternoon to get past tiredness and starvation, only to really feel like working at about 5 o'clock?
I think I'll blame it on the heat.
That was so delicious - chocolate cake and chocolate ice cream for Nolan's 6th birthday.
Happy birthday, dear little brother Nolan!
This is so great... being lazy on Friday night.
Jason and I are going to watch Master and Commander, for only the second time.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Maybe I'll start using my left hand for less important things, like eating and writing.
This is so annoying. Ardith's AIM away message won't get off my screen.
... never mind, there it goes...
This is so inexplicable. Why does it take me all morning and afternoon to get past tiredness and starvation, only to really feel like working at about 5 o'clock?
I think I'll blame it on the heat.
That was so delicious - chocolate cake and chocolate ice cream for Nolan's 6th birthday.
Happy birthday, dear little brother Nolan!
This is so great... being lazy on Friday night.
Jason and I are going to watch Master and Commander, for only the second time.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
How to answer the question. . .
"Why ten kids?"
Give 'em a sonnet!
Sonnet VI.
Then let not winter's ragged hand deface
In thee thy summer, ere thou be distill'd:
Make sweet some vial; treasure thou some place
With beauty's treasure, ere it be self-kill'd.
That use is not forbidden usury
Which happies those that pay the willing loan;
That 's for thyself to breed another thee,
Or ten times happier, be it ten for one;
Ten times thyself were happier than thou art,
If ten of thine ten times refigured thee:
Then what could death do, if thou shouldst depart,
Leaving thee living in posterity?
Be not self-will'd, for thou art much too fair
To be death's conquest and make worms thine heir.
--William Shakespeare
"Because we were so beautiful, we just couldn't bear to leave the world without us when we die. And because we didn't want worms in the will."
I couldn't resist. :)
Oh, this doesn't apply to my parents (I don't think). But really, if Shakespeare can construct an argument entirely from vanity!. . .
Give 'em a sonnet!
Sonnet VI.
Then let not winter's ragged hand deface
In thee thy summer, ere thou be distill'd:
Make sweet some vial; treasure thou some place
With beauty's treasure, ere it be self-kill'd.
That use is not forbidden usury
Which happies those that pay the willing loan;
That 's for thyself to breed another thee,
Or ten times happier, be it ten for one;
Ten times thyself were happier than thou art,
If ten of thine ten times refigured thee:
Then what could death do, if thou shouldst depart,
Leaving thee living in posterity?
Be not self-will'd, for thou art much too fair
To be death's conquest and make worms thine heir.
--William Shakespeare
"Because we were so beautiful, we just couldn't bear to leave the world without us when we die. And because we didn't want worms in the will."
I couldn't resist. :)
Oh, this doesn't apply to my parents (I don't think). But really, if Shakespeare can construct an argument entirely from vanity!. . .
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Irish hymn
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art-
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son,
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.
High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
Traditional Irish hymn, translated by Mary E. Byrne, versified by Eleanor H. Hull
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art-
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son,
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.
High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.
Traditional Irish hymn, translated by Mary E. Byrne, versified by Eleanor H. Hull
Friday, June 10, 2005
Help.
Anybody want to contribute to the "Get-Sharon-A-New-English-Dictionary Fund"?
Click here for visual stimulation.
Click here for visual stimulation.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Look out, here comes the Weed Commissioner
Wow... I'm glad we don't live in Franklin County. I know the following refers to the Code of Iowa, but the Hardin County advertising edition didn't mention this. Not, of course, that I would care if it did. We live in Butler County.
Notice is hereby given this 6th day of June, 2005 pursuant to the Code of Iowa, Chapter 317, Weed Law. All owners, occupants, agents and public officials in charge of lands in Franklin County Shall destroy or eradicate noxious weeds standing, being or growing on such lands by effective cutting, tillage, cropping or otherwise destroying, as often as may be required to prevent the weeds from blooming and maturing seeds and on or before the dates according to the following tables:
. . .
Group 3 - By July 15
. . . Velvetleaf. . . Sunflowers. . .
--from the Hampton Reminder
How can velvetleaf possibly be a noxious weed? Those leaves are soft enough to make a pillowcase. Not to mention, the drafter of this law has obviously never sat on his lawn and carefully stripped fuzzy velvetleaf skin off the long, smooth, woody stem inside.
And sunflowers?
So I looked up the Iowa Weed Law and discovered a few discrepancies: no mention of velvetleaf and sunflowers - unless they're masquerading under more scientific names - but it does bring up bindweed / European morning glory, which I suppose would be "binderweed". Good luck with that. You can't get rid of it if you try. Besides, how is this fair to children's imaginative play in the great outdoors? Carolyn and Ethan and I made ourselves some beautiful crowns with the stuff.
Notice is hereby given this 6th day of June, 2005 pursuant to the Code of Iowa, Chapter 317, Weed Law. All owners, occupants, agents and public officials in charge of lands in Franklin County Shall destroy or eradicate noxious weeds standing, being or growing on such lands by effective cutting, tillage, cropping or otherwise destroying, as often as may be required to prevent the weeds from blooming and maturing seeds and on or before the dates according to the following tables:
. . .
Group 3 - By July 15
. . . Velvetleaf. . . Sunflowers. . .
--from the Hampton Reminder
How can velvetleaf possibly be a noxious weed? Those leaves are soft enough to make a pillowcase. Not to mention, the drafter of this law has obviously never sat on his lawn and carefully stripped fuzzy velvetleaf skin off the long, smooth, woody stem inside.
And sunflowers?
So I looked up the Iowa Weed Law and discovered a few discrepancies: no mention of velvetleaf and sunflowers - unless they're masquerading under more scientific names - but it does bring up bindweed / European morning glory, which I suppose would be "binderweed". Good luck with that. You can't get rid of it if you try. Besides, how is this fair to children's imaginative play in the great outdoors? Carolyn and Ethan and I made ourselves some beautiful crowns with the stuff.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
The New Man?
You might want to read this. Really interesting how fashions reflect sociological trends.
"The masculine ideal is being completely modified. All the traditional male values of authority, infallibility, virility and strength are being completely overturned". . . [i]nstead, today's males are turning more towards creativity, sensitivity, and multiplicity.
"All those labels which have adapted to this freedom of expression are on the up..." Le Louet said, pointing to the growing success of sports and casual wear manufacturers.
This brings to mind my sad nostalgia over the dying style of suits and the gentlemen who wore them.
The emergence of this new male beast who wants to look and feel good, and who will also have an impact on the role of women...
No kidding. But then, women have already tried changing their role, haven't they?
"There is an increasing desire for people to be in charge of their own lives, and an intolerance for any lack of autonomy..."
Maybe it's just me, but social autonomy sounds like a lonely way to live.
"The masculine ideal is being completely modified. All the traditional male values of authority, infallibility, virility and strength are being completely overturned". . . [i]nstead, today's males are turning more towards creativity, sensitivity, and multiplicity.
"All those labels which have adapted to this freedom of expression are on the up..." Le Louet said, pointing to the growing success of sports and casual wear manufacturers.
This brings to mind my sad nostalgia over the dying style of suits and the gentlemen who wore them.
The emergence of this new male beast who wants to look and feel good, and who will also have an impact on the role of women...
No kidding. But then, women have already tried changing their role, haven't they?
"There is an increasing desire for people to be in charge of their own lives, and an intolerance for any lack of autonomy..."
Maybe it's just me, but social autonomy sounds like a lonely way to live.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Roofing
My darling mother, a prolific and esteemed blogger in her own right, has encouraged me to blog about my work on the roof. I think I will. That's really all I'm doing right now, and I don't have spare brain cells for anything more creative, as most of them are on emergency duty to counteract an extreme attack of vitamin D.
Has anybody ever laid down shingles? Lots of fun, isn't it? Daddy gave us all a crash course in shingling four years ago... I think it was Memorial Day. We had over a family from church, supposedly to celebrate the holiday, but actually to work on the garage roof. By the time they left, the east side was ready to shingle. Time to start making some memories for future Memorial Days! Up went Daddy and his crew of willing, albeit naive, slaves - Ardith, Sharon, Jason, Kendra, Derek, Melinda, Carolyn. Daddy cut and fit the edge shingles, and we laid down the rows. Two kids laid the shingle, two kids hammered in four nails, on to the next. It only took us till 9:00 or 9:30 P.M., when we were finally allowed to eat supper, many with severe cases of hammer wrist but - between yawns - immense pride in our accomplishment.
Later that summer a work crew from church did the other side.
Well, four years and many gusts of Iowa wind later, some shingles haven't sealed down and several have blown up. So I've been patching. Patching shingles is great fun, as you have to take out nails two shingles up in order to get the problem out. Put that one in and re-hammer everything back in. Patching shingles is almost more satisfying than laying them down fresh, because nobody can see where you patched (as long as you did it right...).
Now, do you know how to TOP patching asphalt shingles on a sunny 90-degree day? Gluing them down with asphalt roof cement, of course. Big caulk-style tubes of extremely black sticky asphalt that only gets softer and stickier under the sun. In one day you can turn those plain-old pants into a uniquely black-smeared design. Forget washing this stuff off your skin. Your best bet is to let it dry a little and then scrape it off with your fingernails (which had better be long so you can cut them afterwards). Pray that you don't get asphalt smeared onto sunburnt skin. You can avoid some of the wash-and-scrape ritual if you wear rubber latex gloves that make your hands incredibly sweaty.
Figure out a way to increase the rate and distance these guns can project asphalt, and you needn't bother learning karate.
Disclaimer: I decided to go ahead and get burnt so I can relax the rest of the summer. Don't blame my parents. They warned me.
Has anybody ever laid down shingles? Lots of fun, isn't it? Daddy gave us all a crash course in shingling four years ago... I think it was Memorial Day. We had over a family from church, supposedly to celebrate the holiday, but actually to work on the garage roof. By the time they left, the east side was ready to shingle. Time to start making some memories for future Memorial Days! Up went Daddy and his crew of willing, albeit naive, slaves - Ardith, Sharon, Jason, Kendra, Derek, Melinda, Carolyn. Daddy cut and fit the edge shingles, and we laid down the rows. Two kids laid the shingle, two kids hammered in four nails, on to the next. It only took us till 9:00 or 9:30 P.M., when we were finally allowed to eat supper, many with severe cases of hammer wrist but - between yawns - immense pride in our accomplishment.
Later that summer a work crew from church did the other side.
Well, four years and many gusts of Iowa wind later, some shingles haven't sealed down and several have blown up. So I've been patching. Patching shingles is great fun, as you have to take out nails two shingles up in order to get the problem out. Put that one in and re-hammer everything back in. Patching shingles is almost more satisfying than laying them down fresh, because nobody can see where you patched (as long as you did it right...).
Now, do you know how to TOP patching asphalt shingles on a sunny 90-degree day? Gluing them down with asphalt roof cement, of course. Big caulk-style tubes of extremely black sticky asphalt that only gets softer and stickier under the sun. In one day you can turn those plain-old pants into a uniquely black-smeared design. Forget washing this stuff off your skin. Your best bet is to let it dry a little and then scrape it off with your fingernails (which had better be long so you can cut them afterwards). Pray that you don't get asphalt smeared onto sunburnt skin. You can avoid some of the wash-and-scrape ritual if you wear rubber latex gloves that make your hands incredibly sweaty.
Figure out a way to increase the rate and distance these guns can project asphalt, and you needn't bother learning karate.
Disclaimer: I decided to go ahead and get burnt so I can relax the rest of the summer. Don't blame my parents. They warned me.
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Saturday, June 04, 2005
well...
I put myself on sick leave yesterday. After five days, my sore throat finally decided to upgrade to full cold status Wednesday. Thursday night I was in bed by 11 and up by 7:30, and two hours of sleep were in there.... somewhere... last night at nine hours was a great improvement.
Anyway, I needed a book to pull me out of myself, and settled on Michael Crichton's Andromeda Strain (hey - somebody else who comes up with the title before the book). Keyword for me was sterilization, more interesting since we've become a very germ-conscious family. Just like Congo, this one was full of impersonal computers and technology, and of course, that annoying ubiquitous "data". Kind of funny to read about computers in the pre-digital age. Anyway, the book became palatable once I realized that the psychological element would once again kick in. Hall in Andromeda Strain as Ross in Congo, two people chosen for their respective teams due to a computer's analyzing their personality and psychology. Ridiculous, but as long as humans triumph over technology, I don't really care. When I got to the end, I thought, "I've been duped." What was the point of the book again? Great authors can do that to you. Just so you know that it was my idea first.
Haven't yet read Jurassic Park. Its powers over me will be weaker after the movie. Still can't believe I wanted to watch that... although, I'd almost do it again, just out of sheer fascination over being that terrified.
Anyway, I was very proud of reading an entire book (269 pages) in almost 24 hours.
And if you think this post is poorly written, you win. But I ain't taking more time. Sleep is extremely precious.
Anyway, I needed a book to pull me out of myself, and settled on Michael Crichton's Andromeda Strain (hey - somebody else who comes up with the title before the book). Keyword for me was sterilization, more interesting since we've become a very germ-conscious family. Just like Congo, this one was full of impersonal computers and technology, and of course, that annoying ubiquitous "data". Kind of funny to read about computers in the pre-digital age. Anyway, the book became palatable once I realized that the psychological element would once again kick in. Hall in Andromeda Strain as Ross in Congo, two people chosen for their respective teams due to a computer's analyzing their personality and psychology. Ridiculous, but as long as humans triumph over technology, I don't really care. When I got to the end, I thought, "I've been duped." What was the point of the book again? Great authors can do that to you. Just so you know that it was my idea first.
Haven't yet read Jurassic Park. Its powers over me will be weaker after the movie. Still can't believe I wanted to watch that... although, I'd almost do it again, just out of sheer fascination over being that terrified.
Anyway, I was very proud of reading an entire book (269 pages) in almost 24 hours.
And if you think this post is poorly written, you win. But I ain't taking more time. Sleep is extremely precious.
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Psalm 90
Psalm 90
A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.
Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were born
Or You gave birth to the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
You turn man back into dust
And say, "Return, O children of men."
For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it passes by,
Or as a watch in the night.
You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep;
In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew.
In the morning it flourishes and sprouts anew;
Toward evening it fades and withers away.
For we have been consumed by Your anger
And by Your wrath we have been dismayed.
You have placed our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your presence.
For all our days have declined in Your fury;
We have finished our years like a sigh.
As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away.
Who understands the power of Your anger
And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?
So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
Do return, O Lord; how long will it be?
And be sorry for Your servants.
O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness,
That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad according to the days You have afflicted us,
And the years we have seen evil.
Let Your work appear to Your servants
And Your majesty to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;
And confirm for us the work of our hands;
Yes, confirm the work of our hands.
A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.
Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were born
Or You gave birth to the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
You turn man back into dust
And say, "Return, O children of men."
For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it passes by,
Or as a watch in the night.
You have swept them away like a flood, they fall asleep;
In the morning they are like grass which sprouts anew.
In the morning it flourishes and sprouts anew;
Toward evening it fades and withers away.
For we have been consumed by Your anger
And by Your wrath we have been dismayed.
You have placed our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your presence.
For all our days have declined in Your fury;
We have finished our years like a sigh.
As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,
Or if due to strength, eighty years,
Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;
For soon it is gone and we fly away.
Who understands the power of Your anger
And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You?
So teach us to number our days,
That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.
Do return, O Lord; how long will it be?
And be sorry for Your servants.
O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness,
That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad according to the days You have afflicted us,
And the years we have seen evil.
Let Your work appear to Your servants
And Your majesty to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;
And confirm for us the work of our hands;
Yes, confirm the work of our hands.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Ganz verblüffender!
Suddenly the Andromeda Galaxy has tripled its size! Bet you didn't think the galaxy was expanding that fast, right?
Actually, it's just a halo of 3000 extra stars that French scientists (aided by an Hawaiian telescope) have determined to be moving with the Andromeda Galaxy. But we could see a lot more expansion if other spiral galaxies work the same way.
So eine verblüffendere Entdeckung, nicht wahr?
Such an amazing discovery, isn't it?
Isn't that a lovely word... verblüffender! Means amazing or puzzling.
Actually, it's just a halo of 3000 extra stars that French scientists (aided by an Hawaiian telescope) have determined to be moving with the Andromeda Galaxy. But we could see a lot more expansion if other spiral galaxies work the same way.
So eine verblüffendere Entdeckung, nicht wahr?
Such an amazing discovery, isn't it?
Isn't that a lovely word... verblüffender! Means amazing or puzzling.
Monday, May 30, 2005
Doublethink
Reading Natan Sharansky's The Case for Democracy, I was struck by the following excerpt (page 49) concerning German writer Leon Feuchtwanger's visit to the Soviet Union in 1937:
At the height of Stalin's repressions, when nearly the entire Soviet population was living in utter terror, Feuchtwanger offered readers in the West his impressions of the public mood:
At the height of Stalin's repressions, when nearly the entire Soviet population was living in utter terror, Feuchtwanger offered readers in the West his impressions of the public mood:
Though from time to time they criticize a minor short-coming, all the people whom I met, even those whom I met by chance, who could not have been prepared for a discussion with me, all agreed with the existing [Stalinist] system. All the vast city of Moscow was brimming with satisfaction and consent, and even more than this, happiness.
I won't pretend to be smarter than I am. I didn't know what doublethink was before reading this book. Doublethink, in the above case, would be Soviet people agreeing with the Stalinist system because they were terrified of it.
I won't pretend to be smarter than I am. I didn't know what doublethink was before reading this book. Doublethink, in the above case, would be Soviet people agreeing with the Stalinist system because they were terrified of it.
Memorial Day
May I ask you to honor the White House Memorandum for the National Moment of Remembrance?
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Sunday's reading
I was looking through a Vision Forum Family Catalog today. Here's the VisionForum website and its mission statement, if you want some background.
The heading "The Biblical Family Now and Forever!" caught my eye, so I read on...
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. . . . He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. . . . The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away. (Psalm 112:1-2, 7-8, 10)
Following these selected quotes is an extended and triumphant declaration regarding the "biblical family - now and forever!"
I did take the liberty of looking up Psalm 112, and I don't see it referring to said "biblical family", but rather the upright man.
The author (Doug Phillips) later comments, "I am reminded that teaching my children the way of Christ 'is not a vain thing; because it is [my] life.' (Deut. 32:47)"
Deuteronomy 32:46-47 reads in full: he [Moses] said to them, "Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law. For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess."
Perhaps I'm just nit-picking. But the "life" these verses refer to seems to be God's Word, not teaching one's children "the way of Christ".
Please don't misunderstand me. I rejoice that Vision Forum so ardently supports the God-ordained institution of family. I just think they could make their case without misquoting Scripture. Or perhaps alter their case slightly? It seems to me that "now and forever" best applies to God and His Word, unless they are extending their definition of "biblical family" beyond earthly families.
What really disturbed me was discovering that the most exciting toy in the girls' catalog was a mere top, while the boys were offered The Zip Line: The Next Best Thing to Flying. Okay, so I know life isn't fair, but you could never get me near a top if the boys were outside soaring around on a Zip Line... and I'm pretty sure I speak for all my sisters!
The heading "The Biblical Family Now and Forever!" caught my eye, so I read on...
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. . . . He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. . . . The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away. (Psalm 112:1-2, 7-8, 10)
Following these selected quotes is an extended and triumphant declaration regarding the "biblical family - now and forever!"
I did take the liberty of looking up Psalm 112, and I don't see it referring to said "biblical family", but rather the upright man.
The author (Doug Phillips) later comments, "I am reminded that teaching my children the way of Christ 'is not a vain thing; because it is [my] life.' (Deut. 32:47)"
Deuteronomy 32:46-47 reads in full: he [Moses] said to them, "Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law. For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life. And by this word you will prolong your days in the land, which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess."
Perhaps I'm just nit-picking. But the "life" these verses refer to seems to be God's Word, not teaching one's children "the way of Christ".
Please don't misunderstand me. I rejoice that Vision Forum so ardently supports the God-ordained institution of family. I just think they could make their case without misquoting Scripture. Or perhaps alter their case slightly? It seems to me that "now and forever" best applies to God and His Word, unless they are extending their definition of "biblical family" beyond earthly families.
What really disturbed me was discovering that the most exciting toy in the girls' catalog was a mere top, while the boys were offered The Zip Line: The Next Best Thing to Flying. Okay, so I know life isn't fair, but you could never get me near a top if the boys were outside soaring around on a Zip Line... and I'm pretty sure I speak for all my sisters!
Overwhelmingly
Not surprisingly, the French said, "Non."
For French readers, Le Monde has all the coverage you could want and more: a special European Constitution edition, sporting a lovely red, red, and blue map, plus the entire European Constitution presently attempting ratification, if you're that ambitious.
For English readers, here is one article from BBC.
For French readers, Le Monde has all the coverage you could want and more: a special European Constitution edition, sporting a lovely red, red, and blue map, plus the entire European Constitution presently attempting ratification, if you're that ambitious.
For English readers, here is one article from BBC.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Good things
This has been a lovely end-of-the-week!
-- Daddy taught me how to mix and lay down cement. This is fun, although a little hard on the knees.
-- Jason and Kendra and Derek and I watched Shrek II last night. I prefer Shrek I, but Number II had its great moments... my personal favorite was when Prince Charming whipped his hair around (on entering the castle to look for Princess Fiona). Face it, laughing is just plain fun, but especially laughing at characters who deserve it, and most especially arrogant guys!
-- Ardith dropped by today, supposedly to pick up her new mattress, but we all know she really wanted to check her email. And now, finally, she's back online with a superb DSL connection, reportedly three times faster than ours! I can feel her enjoying it right now.
-- I am drinking Bigelow's Constant Comment Tea... for the uninitiated, this is black tea "deliciously flavored with rind of oranges and sweet spice". Mmmmm. And looking forward to reading French online, as I did last night, and the night before that... mmmm.
May God bless your Sunday.
-- Daddy taught me how to mix and lay down cement. This is fun, although a little hard on the knees.
-- Jason and Kendra and Derek and I watched Shrek II last night. I prefer Shrek I, but Number II had its great moments... my personal favorite was when Prince Charming whipped his hair around (on entering the castle to look for Princess Fiona). Face it, laughing is just plain fun, but especially laughing at characters who deserve it, and most especially arrogant guys!
-- Ardith dropped by today, supposedly to pick up her new mattress, but we all know she really wanted to check her email. And now, finally, she's back online with a superb DSL connection, reportedly three times faster than ours! I can feel her enjoying it right now.
-- I am drinking Bigelow's Constant Comment Tea... for the uninitiated, this is black tea "deliciously flavored with rind of oranges and sweet spice". Mmmmm. And looking forward to reading French online, as I did last night, and the night before that... mmmm.
May God bless your Sunday.
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