I GOT A 100%!!!


I GOT THROUGH SUMMER GREEK WITH A PERFECT AVERAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


*OH, FALL SEMESTER, IF ONLY YOU'D BE GOOD TO ME LIKE GREEK...*

I find it awkward when the creator of a woman's bathroom stall designs it so the door opens toward the toilet. In some cases it is not so awkward if there is enough space, but in these dorm-style stalls, you must hover over the toilet (as a man would) in order to get the door past your ass to shut the stall door enough to turn around and accomplish one's business.

It makes no sense and is quite awkward in a knee length skirt.

selah.

I now live on the cusp of a national park. My windows face South and East, so I get bombarded by the glow of morning sun every morning. I think that even if I wasn't waking up around 5:30/6ish every morning to study, I'd be up just to breathe in the history of this place...

This morning, the morning of my first weekend "on campus", was perfect. My weekday alarm honked at me and I fed my fish and turned it off. I slept until the rays of sun crept from the foot of my bed to my face. It was the perfect way to wake up. And when I realized how early it was, I went for a good walk (or bad run... depending on how you look at it *wink*).

I've spend the entire week wrapped up in learning Greek. And looking back on it (and my average) I think I have some time to spare... I have some laughs to squeeze on in. It's not that I didn't laugh or breathe last week, but I wasn't sure how I would respond to life as a student again. It's an interesting position-- to be amongst so many "pipeliner" seminarians.

On my walk, I was able to breathe. I listened to music and walked Confederate Avenue. I walked parallel to the line of Picket's Charge and at my turnaround point, I read of a man named Cpl Holland. I will preach about Holland someday. I thought about the young leaders I've spent time working with and my failure to teach them one important thing: lead where you are. I'll preach on that someday. "A time and place apart." That's the camp's motto. I think my walks will become my time and place apart... the place where I remember that in seeking God, I must remember to invite God's peace into my soul.


___

For those of you who asked... I got a 110% on my exam!

I actually have a break today. There's a big exam tomorrow morning (on the 9 chapters we've mastered in the last four days), so we had an extra hour and a half to breathe and memorize. I've set up my room to feel a lot like home. Beside my window (with the bamboo, african violet and spider plant in it) sits a school-issued recliner in which I do all of my studying. I rest my laptop (which plays a classical piano station on itunes radio) on the bed next to me. On a small tv tray, I keep my notecards, cell phone and fish tank. As I suffer through the mastery of 1st and 2nd declension cross-dressers (yep-- you heard right) and memorizing pronouns, etc, I sit and watch Buda (the only remaining goldfish) and his new tank buddy Scumsucker. Buda, the ever curious fish, keeps trying to greet my little bottom feeding friend, but Scum spazzes out and slams into the tank's sides violently whenever B gets remotely close. I'm grateful for this little distraction.

I'm at peace. I'm holding a higher-than-100% average. I'm able to do things like γpαφω in Greek. I could use a bit more sleep and fewer quizzes (we're at four quizzes), but even those situations are not dire. Worship midday and Compline at night. Beer when we need; it laughter in between. I do believe, friends, that I have found a place that feels more like home than any other place I've been.

I sit surly in my parents' rustic stone and wood living room while they watch the Women's Swimming event in Beijing... I've always been reluctant to move. I nest in my space... I make a good home and I never like to leave it. I know that once I finally close the door on my space in beautiful little walk-everywhere-town, I will be fully ready to jump into the life on campus. But I'm emotional from a weekend of farewells and lack of sleep. I'm stressed from looming second Greek quiz and I'm excited to prove myself...

If I find someone who can love me through my surly barking everytime I have to move and make what seem to be life-altering decisions (keep, pitch or donate?), I'll be the luckiest girl in the world. *grin*

I'm going to change into my sweatpants and sneakers to go back and dive into the mess one last time before midnight... huzzah. And so it goes. I thank the good Lord above for patient and loving parents, for North Dakota boys who listen to my many weepy phone calls, and for having the trust in me to load my plate so full... here's hoping I live up to it!

Peace, friends.
j