It Begins...

Tomorrow is the first day of the book sale. From 7-9 p.m., PTS students and faculty get a jump on the book buying madness. I won't be participating in the mad consumption since I've already had my fill. In the past week and a half, I have acquired 24 new free books as a reward for sorting and moving and sorting again.

When you walk into the gym, it's crazy. Over 40 12' long tables chock full of books fill the room. As we ran out of space on top of the tables, we started laying books underneath. In almost every category, we had enough books to completely cover the table and the floor beneath. The weirdest part is that none of it was there before 4 p.m.-ish yesterday!

There is a gigantic stack of boxes in one corner of the gym (pictured at right). The ceiling is probably about 30 feet high and it reaches almost all the way to the top. This morning, shortly after 8:30, I caused a box avalanche while attempting to receive some box tops. Fortunately, very few people had arrived, so there wasn't any teasing.

There was also a massive pile of boxes in the middle of the gym (pictured at left) that still needed to be sorted, but Marcy, Jordan, I and a handful of other people, who came and went, had them all sorted and placed on the proper tables by about 3 p.m. It was very satisfying to see the progress that we made as the day went on. It was freaking awesome when we finally sorted the last box.

Of course, it wasn't really the last box. As soon as we were "finished" they brought some more of the special collections (old, rare books and complete sets) boxes up to be sorted and put on display. Though the book sale thing can sort of become an obsession, I was ready to leave. The book sale people are grooming Jordan to become the next book sale person, though...

Anyway, if you're going to be in the Princeton area on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, stop at the PTS gym (on the corner of Hibben Road and Route 206) and have a look around. The prices are reasonable ($5 for hardcovers and $2 for paperbacks on Monday), the variety is sure to please almost anyone (everything from children's books to Paul Tillich and Karl Barth), all the money goes to overseas seminaries, and there are at least 5 copies of The Purpose Driven Life and the accompanying journal. Come on down!

Focus

When I was younger, I kept a journal. During high school and my first semester of college, that journal contained a fairly detailed account of everything that happened every day of my life. When I read my accounts now, they are pretty silly. Dozens of books filled with details of my life that no one (except I) will ever care about, but that I can't bring myself to toss in the garbage because journaling did something for me. It helped me to process my life when it felt like there was no one with whom I could share the details.

In the past few years, blogging has done the same thing for me in some ways. But...blogging is different. The processing has to take place before I write. I have to determine whether something I'm thinking or feeling is worth releasing in a public forum or whether I am even ready to communicate it.

I think I'm offering you, my faithful readers, an excuse for why I haven't been around. There's a lot of stuff milling around in my head these days and I just can't decide what of it is worth writing about. I never realized how much thinking one does in school until I came back after a few years off. The number of topics that I think about and talk about on any given day seems insane and it doesn't leave me a lot of energy (or time) to process something for ye olde blogosphere.

Anyway...that's all...I need a nap after getting only 5 hours of sleep and doing a presentation on Daniel 7 this morning. Read Daniel 7 and some of the commentaries on it, your brain will hurt, too.

More Awesomeness

When I was a child, my favorite book was Katie the Kitten. We had three different copies of the book because I insisted on having it read multiple times a day. In the past few years, I've been trying to find a copy to keep, but have only been able to find expensive first editions on eBay. And I just wasn't down with paying $60 for a Little Golden Book.

But, thanks to Jordan and the book sale, I now have my very own copy of Katie the Kitten. He found it in the pile of children's books and he brought it to me when he picked me up from work. If it were in better condition, they might be able to auction it, but as it is, I will treasure it and be able to read it to my children. Awesome!

Free and Easy

Every year, the Stewardship and Mission Committee at my dear seminary has a book sale. Thousands upon thousands of books are donated by students, faculty, alumni, friends of the seminary, widows/widowers of alumni. All of the books are then sorted and sold for very low prices to the Princeton community. The proceeds go to seminaries in developing countries and some of the books that are left over are donated to them. Because so many books are donated, it takes a multitude of people to sort and box them. All of the work is done on a volunteer basis, but for each hour one works one gets to choose a single hardcover or a couple paperbacks.

Many of the books donated are less than desirable; similar to the junk that people would take to the local Salvation Army store or Good Will. But, while sorting, it becomes easier to find the gems amidst the piles of rubble that should never have been printed in the first place (e.g. multiple copies of The Purpose Driven Life). Tonight, after I had already left, someone discovered a Greek textbook and a preaching textbook. Jordan was there and later told me of the discoveries. So, at the low low price of 1 hour of sorting, I've acquired two textbooks that probably would have cost nearly $50. Now that's what I call a good trade.

Good Things About Today

-My problems with my work study job were cleared up with one single email. Awesome!
-My Hebrew midterm wasn't necessarily a piece of cake, but it definitely favored those of us who regularly do our homework.
-It is barely 10 a.m. and I have already attended my last class of the day.
-There is a new episode of C.S.I. online, at CBS.com for me to watch.
-I don't have classes again for nine days. I do have to write a paper and a midterm over the break, but ten hours working at the Y will help me focus on that so that we can have fun times at Jordan's house later in the week.

Money Trouble

So, I have this work study job. Or, at least, that's what I thought. This afternoon, I received an email from the PTS Financial Aid Office that the job I am currently working is not work study, that I do not have work study. The problem is that I've already worked at least eight shifts. That's forty hours that I may or may not get paid for depending on whether I can straighten this out with the school. Another problem is that work study was definitely included in my financial aid package, so it makes no sense to me that suddenly I don't have it.

I was supposed to work tonight, but I called my supervisor to talk about the situation and we decided that it was best for me not to come in again until all of this is straightened out and we know that I'll be paid. If I'm not going to be able to do that job, I don't know what I'm going to do. I really need work, but positions on campus are hard to come by and non-work study positions would require more hours and, generally, a car.

If you pray, please lift me up. Thank you!

Things I Hate To Do When I'm Sick...

-be awake
-move from my bed
-eat food

On Friday night, I had a tiny sore throat. It didn't seem like a big deal. I thought it might just be an allergic reaction to inhaling cigarette smoke.

Woke up Saturday morning, still had a sore throat, but it wasn't that bad. However, as the day progressed, my sore throat got worse, my body became achy all over, and I developed a headache and a fever. I spent most of Saturday afternoon and evening curled up on my newly acquired papasan couch, drifting in and out of feverish sleep. Jordan (who never gets sick) brought me ginger ale and crackers since I couldn't make it to dinner. He even risked getting whatever I had by staying with me for a while.

Sunday was more of the same, except with a hacking cough that was awful enough to prompt my neighbor to ask if I needed any medicine. No, no medicine, thank you. I'll just let it run its course. I felt better enough to read for my classes, but not better enough to stir from my room much.

It's the third day now...I can tell it's coming to an end, but I still have to get through the congestion and residual cough. Should be an awesome time to be among other human beings. I can't wait for the looks that range from why-are-you-here-among-the-living to I'm-so-sorry-do-you-need-some-ginger-ale?

Which leads me to a final question: Who on earth taught our mother and their mothers and their mothers that ginger ale was good for sickness?

Twenty-Six

My birthday was a lovely time. The Barnes Foundation was beautiful. Almost every room is dominated by Renoir, whom I enjoy a great deal. It took us about two hours to go through the entire gallery because there are only about 20 rooms. An amusing tidbit for all of my fellow seminarians, the gallery is on Lapsley Lane. (tee hee)

After our gallery tour, we went to Murray's Delicatessen for a nice lunch. I had grilled cheese and latkes. It was yummy, but a little overpriced. Of course, it was my birthday, so Jordan paid without complaint and we enjoyed our food.

I took a nap in the afternoon. Unintentional, but so good. While I was sleeping and Jordan was supposed to be running, he was actually out buying and decorating a cake for me. I don't know if the gathering at Lydia's house was originally intended to be for me, but it turned into that. There was cake and cookies and more cake.

All the Facebook, MySpace and Blogger greetings were wonderful as well. Thanks to everyone for making my birthday a good day.

Shamless Self-Indulgence

My birthday commences in less than one hour. Other than purchasing an iPod, I can't remember what I did to celebrate last year. My best guess is that Emily and I went out to eat or something.

This year, Jordan and I will be going to an art gallery in Philadelphia, called the Barnes Foundation. According to the site, "the Foundation is home to one of the world's largest collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and early Modern paintings, with extensive holdings by Picasso, Matisse, Cézanne, Renoir and Modigliani." Since Impressionist and post-Impressionist art is my favorite, I'm very excited to go.

Unfortunately, they don't allow any photography in the gallery. Maybe I will use some of the birthday money that my Grammy sent me to buy a few postcards.

When we return to campus, our married friends, Lydia and Jeb, are having people over to meet their parents and enjoy some pastry... It should be a fun day all around!

SNOW DAY!

Okay, it's not really a snow day, it's more like an ice day, but, regardless of that, Princeton Theological Seminary has granted us a day off from classes. Mind you, I really enjoy most of my classes this semester and don't mind attending them, but there is still something about a snow day that makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

I don't think I've had a snow day since high school. In Watertown, we were prepared to deal with large amounts of frozen precipitation, so we were more likely to have "cold days" because the temperature and wind chill would actually make it dangerous for children to walk to school or wait at a bus stop. Snow was no problem, we practically had a plow per street to deal with a little white stuff.

It is funny how hearing the "no school" announcement can still make me feel a little giddy, wondering what I am going to do with all my newly free hours. Unfortunately, I think I'll still have to work tonight, but the next seven hours are sitting in front of me like a beautifully wrapped gift. Perhaps I should get some homework done... ;)

Instead of wishing you a happy Valentine's Day, I will wish you all a happy Snow Day!

Emotional Schemotional

I've often been accused of being unemotional. Reacting to news, good or bad, is tough for me. What it boils down to is that I don't want to react the wrong way, so I react no way at all.

What I've discovered is that no reaction is the wrong reaction in many cases, especially when friends are sharing terrific news like "I'm getting married!" "We're having a baby!" "I got a promotion!" No matter what may be going on inside me, my standard reaction is, "That's nice. Want a piece of gum?"

Last night, Matt, Evan, Daniel, Jordan and I were sitting in Applebee's enjoying some half-price appetizers. (Yay quesadilla for $2.50!) Since Valentine's Day is coming up, Evan and Daniel started talking about their long-distance loves, past Valentine's, etc.

Lately, Evan's girlfriend has been putting a little pressure on about getting a ring. (Evan intends to propose at some point, but she wants it sooner rather than later...) This conversation prompted a story from Daniel about a college friend who proposed to his girlfriend in Prague. Apparently, the guy set the whole thing up well in advance and managed to surprise his girlfriend with a love poem, which was planted behind a brick in the Charles Bridge four months earlier, and his unexpected presence and a ring.

Previously, such stories would have made me say, "Awww, how cute" and then I would move on with the conversation. Last night, though, the only woman with four men, I began to blush and involuntarily grin and feel butterflies in my stomach. What an inconvenient time to become a girl!

So, maybe I used to be such a jerk about good news because I was jealous. I suppose that's a possibility which I have to face. While I'm dealing with that, though, if you have some good news, Kate is available for girlie reactions.

I Don't Like the Vibes

The Chick Corea concert was enjoyable. He is a fantastic pianist and, fortunately for me, the experimental bent he's known for didn't show up last night, so I didn't feel dumb trying to enjoy something I didn't understand.

Unfortunately for me, his partner, Gary Burton did show up. It's not that Mr. Burton didn't play well. He got several standing ovations, so I'm sure he did. It's that I think the vibraphone sounds like it should only be used for cartoons. For the first few songs, it didn't bother me, then the monotony of the sound starting rubbing me the wrong way. Jordan said the same thing at intermission, but by the end of the performance he'd grown to appreciate them again...lucky Jordan.

Mr. Burton, if you read this: It's not you...it's me.

When we walked over, I thought I might be under-dressed, but then Chick came out on stage in a pair of baggy jeans, a greyish t-shirt, a large, flannel, short-sleeved button down and what appeared to be sock feet, but later proved to be boat shoes. In his introductory comments to the show he told us to use our cell phones if we wanted and to take as many pictures with flash as we pleased, contradicting the recorded message played moments earlier.

My favorite pieces were Native Sense, played in the first half of the program, and Tango of 1992, played in the second. Native Sense had a fabulous piano part that consisted of lots of banging and bass notes. Tango of 1992 was playful. Every now and then you could pick up the traditional tango tune that always makes me think of a lady in a tight dress with a long-stemmed rose in her mouth and an up-do.

I think I'm developing my mother's inability to sit through movies, concerts, or anything that lasts more than an hour, though. At intermission, I was ready to go; not because I wasn't enjoying the music, but because I kept thinking of other things that needed to be done. Of course, we didn't leave and our patience was rewarded when they played a song based on Cruella Devil as one of their three encores.

I would give the show a B+. Chick gets an A, Gary gets a B- for choosing a noisy instrument. A plain old jazz piano in a crowded bar would have pleased me better, but it was fun nonetheless.

A For Real Date

Jordan and I don't go on many dates. It's expensive, we're poor and both of us prefer to be in the comfort of our dorm rooms playing cards or Scrabble or watching a movie, anyway.

But, not tonight; tonight we are going to see Chick Corea in concert at the University. Jordan's into jazz and apparently, this guy is one of the (or maybe the) best jazz pianists in the world. JZ tells me that Chick has gotten experimental in the last few years. I hope I have enough musical savvy to make the $many that he spent on my ticket worthwhile.

When I was dating in college, me and the boy went to a piano concert as part of the free (to students) concert series offered at Houghton. About halfway through the performance, I noticed that my hand in the boy's was the only thing keeping him from falling out of his chair since he was fast asleep. It wasn't long after that we broke up. I'm not saying that we broke up because he fell asleep at the concert, I'm saying it's nice to have someone with whom I can enjoy art, music, and other activities that I enjoy and are better with a friend.

Two fire alarms at 4 a.m. on two consecutive nights + freezing weather + living on the third floor of the building = decidedly not awesome!

DMV: Accomplished

The Staten Island DMV is like 4 miles from the NJ/NY border. I left Princeton around 9:45 a.m. and arrived back around 12:20 p.m. Most of that time was spent in transit and very little waiting at the DMV.

All in all, it was a pretty painless experience...except for the $170 I had to spend on license, registration, gas and tolls.

But, the point is, it's done!

This Fortune Cookie Message Has the Strangest Implications...

"Alas, you are the apple of my eye!"

huh?

DMV Woes...Almost Concluded

I wrote about the trouble I was having getting my car registered in New York State over Christmas break. Well, after what could become a lengthy (annoying and expensive) trip to the Staten Island DMV tomorrow I should be able to put all that behind me.

If you pray, pray for me tomorrow. As an upstate NY resident, I have this image of "city people" that includes much sneering and little kindness, which makes me irrationally nervous about how this trip will turn out. And, more than the nervousness arising from my stereotyped images of how the Staten Island DMV employees will behave, I am worried that I will forget something that I need and have to make a return trip. I guess worse things could happen.

Lusting After Photoshop

For the past few years, I have been admiring the results of Photoshopped pictures on websites and blogs. Unfortunately, the program costs nearly $600 on Amazon.com. Not so unfortunately, you can download a free trial version to use for 30 days. So, for the past few days, I've been fiddling around with Photoshop. Here is one of my favorite results so far.


By clicking on the image above, you will be directed to a slideshow of all my Photoshopping. Oh boy!

What's With Today Today?

Today was the first day of classes of my second semester at PTS. Classes are looking good. It looks like I will probably be writing more lesson plans, but that's okay.

I found a job. Actually, a friend told me about a job and when I went to talk to the supervisor, she told me I could start Monday. Hopefully, it will be something that can segue into more hours in the summer.

I did Tae-bo before class and didn't die. It's part of my new schedule, which includes working out every day except Sunday.

I became a vegetarian who eats fish. The choices in the cafeteria aren't incredibly healthy and I thought avoiding the meat dishes would help me limit my intake of fatty foods and increase my intake of fresh veggies.

It's been a big day. It's been a good day.

I Hate To Even Link Them...

My pal Julie, over at the blog with the ever-changing name, wrote about "The Modesty Survey," an online survey to be taken by guys only. The survey has nearly one hundred questions about everything from bathing suits to tutus to laying on the floor.

I spent some time perusing the survey and got more and more indignant as I read things like:

• "Nude colored nylons are a stumbling block"
• "It is a stumbling block to see a girl lying down, even if she's just hanging out on the floor or on a couch with her friends"
• "Girls should always wear clothes that show little body definition (e.g., jumpers or loose dresses)"
• " Exposing the chest below the collarbone, even without cleavage, is immodest."

I am a fairly modest person. Mini-skirts are not for me, my shorts all hit mid-thigh or lower, and wouldn't show my cleavage even if I had it to show. I agree with a lot of the standards of modesty that this "survey" seems to be presenting.

However, I DON'T agree with calling something a survey when all the questions are asked in such a way that you already know the answer you should give. This phenomenon struck me the most in the Swimsuit category. The first questions says, " A one-piece swimsuit is modest." A few questions later says, "A tankini with a bikini-bottom is immodest." Clearly, the survey taker is supposed to answer "yes" to both questions.

Just like Julie, the language of the survey bothers me, too. The word "girl" is clearly diminutive and makes me think of prepubescent females. I don't believe that the survey creators meant to imply "female child" by using the word girl, but I do think they should have considered their language more carefully.

There is also a clear double standard built in. We are told again and again that men and boys are more easily stimulated visually than women and girls. While this may be true, there are standards of modesty that should extend to both males and females. Honestly, I think the difference is overstated because of the myth that women do not have sex drives.

Finally, this survey made me think of The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood, which I highly recommend. In this story, women are forced to cover themselves completely. Rather than curbing the sex drive of men, it makes them excited over things such as exposed ankles and wrists. Obviously, this book does not represent reality, but I think we need to remember that humans are innately sexual beings, we don't need to see exposed flesh to get excited.

I'm not advocating walking around naked, but I do think we need to be careful about how we send messages about modesty. We need to couple the message of modesty (for both men and women) with respect and love for our good bodies, in order to remind ourselves and others that we don't cover up because our bodies are evil.

I'd love to hear your reactions and comments on this survey and my evaluation of it.