A great night!

So last night was ODU's first football game in 69 years...and we WON!!!! Oh, man, it was great.

Yesterday I got up at 8ish, putzed around and then at 12 went and got brunch with my fellow Maniac Captains. After that we started working on things for the game. In the end I was sitting at the stadium from about 2 pm until the end of the game. It was another long day.

But it was all worth it once we got to our seats and the show began. Two parachuters jumped from a plane and landed at center field, that was tight. The marching band came out and played some songs, it was hard to hear them, though. But then the first kickoff happened and it was a great game. We won 36-21! I've never been a fan of football, but the atmosphere was amazing.

I think I got sick because all I've done this week is work. On top of the 40 hours I put in for my job, I worked 4-12 on Friday and then worked yesterday and went to the game. There really hasn't been any time to relax and breathe....now I'm having trouble breathing through my nose, haha, oh the irony.

But today starts a new week of things a lot calmer. I'm going part-time at work starting Tuesday and there won't be as many Maniac things to stress over. Now I just have to do all my homework and get back into school mode!

Let's get it started. I love being a Monarch!

Now, it's lunch time.

Until next time.

ODU Football!!

Today is the first game of ODU Football in 69 years!! Last night we had our First Friday Kick Off, and it was amazing. Monarch Maniacs put on a great show. Tons of new people signed up to be a maniac, we had Boyce Avenue and an 80s band, tons of free food. We ran out of shirts because so many new people came and signed up. It was ridiculous! People are really excited about Football! I have not seen that many people on campus on a Friday night ever. It was great to see ODU come to life on a weekend. I hope it stays like this and just gets better.

Now I have to do a little homework before I have to go and work the day. I love being a Captain! I get to do so much. Chowan is going down today, they're about to feel ODU Football! Let's go, Monarchs!

Well, that's all I've got for now.

Until next time.

Pretty Much for Ashley

This post is pretty much for Ashley since she commented on how I never update. Well, Ashley, here ya go.

I just bought the latest operating system for my Mac and because I had never updated all my applications when I did the LAST system update, none of my applications would work on the new one. It resulted in me having over an hour long conversation with the Apple people, who, surprisingly, were very nice and understandable. Now I am very happy with my pretty much new computer (I had to erase the hard drive). Luckily I had all the important stuff on my external hard drive. Hooray for thinking about accidents like this.

Well, classes start tomorrow and I work at 7:15. Awesome.

Hopefully this will continue, the updating thing, that is.

Until next time

What a week

This summer has been full of many changes and surprises and it's only the end of June! I'm sitting here once again in the front office. I never seem to escape this desk. But it's okay, I kind of enjoy it and it keeps me away from working facilities.

I officially decided yesterday that I'm going to buy a new car. Mine has given me nothing but trouble this past week and it's stressed me out. I am in the process of searching for a new car and it's been fun looking and seeing what I can afford. I just bought my plane ticket home for July 7. Pretty excited.

I'm about 350 pages away from finished World Without End. It's good, but I'm ready to start some more books, like the book club books that Ashley and I are starting.

Well, back to work for 27 minutes.

Until next time.

"No temas, porque yo estoy contigo" Isaías 43:5

"I am the LORD, your Holy One, Isreal's Creator, your King" Isaiah 43:15

I guess it's only appropriate when you've been in such a good place for things to be rattled to be reminded of who God is and how much He is alive and working in your life. Right? I guess I had one of those moments last night during our cookout Bible study. We were looking at Ephesians 1:1-14. I've read part of Ephesians before and enjoyed it, but last night, something just wasn't sitting well.

Predestination v. Free Will. How many times has it been debated? How many churches have split because of this? I don't have the answers to those questions, but I can tell you last night it ripped apart my head. Throughout the entire discussion I sat there writing all over this paper this dialogue I was having in my head. I'm not going to go into detail about what I was writing (if you want to know, ask me) because it would take too long and need to be translated (yes, I wrote it in Spanish). Needless to say, it really bothered me and I'm still not quite over it. Throughout all of it I am praying that I would be hearing the voice of truth and not just going on this winding road alone. I wish I had been listening to the discussion, though. It sounded like a lot of great things were said and discussed.

I guess the other thing is I don't know how much this should impact me. Is this a topic that should really change how I view God? Should it change the way I live my life? Regardless of whether I chose to follow Christ or it was chosen for me, does this take away from my desire to serve and lead a life according to Him? For me it just called into question a lot of things. I think me writing this and getting it out of my head is helping to process, but wow, just really bothered me yesterday and apparntly still is as countless people at work have asked me if I'm okay. I guess I wear it all over my face what's going on. Last night I had an intense look almost the entire time, too.

But I guess this is good, right? We can't sit her and be complacent in our beliefs (I have no idea how to spell that word, by the way). We learn and grow through challenging our thoughts and what it is we think we know. I guess the only true knowledge comes from God and not what we think. So I guess when we are believing what we think, God throws it at us and says, "No. You're wrong. This is truth." I don't know.

Well, that's what's rolling around in my head. Thanks for reading.

Until next time.

UP not so uplifiting

I kind of feel that this is going to be a movie review, which in a sense it is, but I hope it to be more than that.

Last night Andrew and I went and saw Up by Disney and Pixar. I was very excited going into it; I love Disney/Pixar movies. I won't spoil it for you, but I will give you a quick recap of how I feel about it. It started off hilarious, but quickly added a very serious and sad element. Maybe it was because one of the character's name is Ellie and that's my grandma's name, but it felt too serious for a kid's movie. I know they make them for adults, too, but this was just too serious. It tainted the rest of the movie and it kept going back to this sad element. The movie was full of hilarious antics and great stuff that kids, teens and adults will like. I enjoyed seeing it and would probably see it again. Not to mention, the short before it was HILARIOUS. Sometimes I wish they would just make those into movies; they're so funny.

Next weekend when I go home I'm going to make sure I get pictures with my whole family. My grandparents are getting older and I want to make sure I have pictures with them. I also want pictures with everyone else in my family. Hopefully that will happen.

This week is dragging on. Tuesday felt like Friday to me, and it's only Thursday. Sheesh. Next week I don't have to work facilities again because I'm helping out with camps! I'm getting very lucky with that. There are a few other things in the works that might help me out even more. Time will tell.

This weekend is going to be fun. My aunt's neighbor is having a Luau Party and they got a Tiki Bar! How awesome is that? Sunday, my aunt is also having a jury party. I love those. Tons of people getting togeter and talking about legal jank, it's awesome.

Well, it's back to work. Need to make it look like I'm doing something.

Until next time.

Al coro de la patata...

I have ring around the rosie in Spanish stuck in my head. Just so you all might get it in your heads too, I'm going to write it out.

Al coro de la patata
Comeremos ensalada
La que comen los señores
Naranjitas y limones
Alupe, alupe
Estandita me quede

It doesn't go to the original tune, but it's a good song. Maybe next week I can incorporate it into Spanish Camp! Wee.

So just another day at work. I think I've been getting too much sleep. I go to bed before 10:30 every night and wake up before my alarm (which goes off at 6:30) and am really tired. Maybe it is too much sleep. Who knows.

Tonight I am seeing Up with Andrew for $5 in VA Beach. I'm excited. I haven't seen a movie in a while and this one looks very promising. Disney and Pixar make some of the best movies.

I received some more information about Student Teaching yesterday and unfortunately it throws a bone into my Spain plans, but I guess I'll just have to go another time, like after graduation!

I also need to start looking into applying for grad schools. Cannot wait! I just hate waiting to hear back, ya know? I have a few things to be working on before I get to be done, like the GRE's, VCLA and a very solid writing sample.

I have some awesome plans set up for when I go home next weekend: seeing my cousin Samantha, my cousin Katelyn and my old high school Spanish teacher, Eva. It's exciting. Well, just going to spend the day doing something and reading here and there.

Until next time.

The Voice Of Truth

How many times do we hear the voices of guilt, jealousy, anger, temptation and doubt? Why do we constantly choose to listen to these voices? Is it because they allow us to feel righteous when we're angry at someone? Or to feel bad for ourselves when something didn't go right? How many times do we get caught up in this? I know for me it happens quite frequently. This post has been in my head since last night and I have just found the time to write it.

Not to quote Casting Crowns, but they got it right in their song Voice of Truth. I can name countless times in the past few days that I have been listening to everything but the voice of truth. It's so easy for these "voices" to creep into a situation and ruin it. Lately I've been thinking about those people that say they are constantly doing things to glorify God, and are always talking about it. I have never understood that. How can you be thinking about that ALL the time? Don't you pay attention to what else is going on in the world? I find it very hard to focus on that because I'm so wrapped up in what's going on around me. I get so caught up in a desire or temptation that I block out and ignore the voice of truth. The truth that I shouldn't do that, that I shouldn't be that angry, that I shouldn't be doubting right now. Maybe it's been my desire to read scripture more, but lately I've been thinking about how God is impacting my life in a daily sense and not just big picture. I think that's one of my biggest hold ups. I forget that God is alive and active in daily life and doesn't just have this plan and dumps us off to figure out.

It's very easy to confuse God's voice with the voice of the Evil One. God doesn't guilt us or shame us. I know that I find myself feeling guilty about something and thinking that it's God telling me something. God convicts us, but doesn't guilt. I've been finding it hard to differentiate between the two, but I think that with more scripture reading and seeing more of who God is, it's becoming a little easier. The other day I was talking to Kristen (new staff worker), and we were talking about Acts and how sometimes there isn't a whole lot of application. She made a very good point that the Bible isn't just for application and ways to live a better life, but a way to see who God is and learn about his character.

I've been finding myself in prayer a lot more lately. It's definitely been a good thing, I'm just curious where this switch came from. I guess I know, but it's weird to see how different things are when you spend more time in prayer, and are praying about things that are important.

Summer has kicked off and I have been working a ton. I don't really spend that much time with people like I used to. It's kind of weird. I go home right after work to VA Beach and spend my evenings there. It's not a bad thing, but I see how it has changed some things. I guess this is a good precursor to a few things. But, there's no giving up on things. Everything changes, you just have to roll with it and work to keep what you find important. I will say though, living with my aunt has inspired many great conversations and I'm loving it. It's a lot of fun living there.

I'm going home next weekend for my brother's wedding. It was kind of thrown at me last minute and I had to buy a plane ticket home ($230 later). Not exactly what I wanted to be spending my money on, but I'm really excited to be going.

The other day I was talking with Eva, my high school Spanish teacher, about my trip to Spain and we were discussing a few things. I'm very excited. I just need to hear back from some people at ODU and then we can really discuss it. Alison will be in France at that time and it would be pretty sweet to go hang out there and maybe hit up Italy or Portugal while I'm there. Time will tell.

But, now it's back to work. Only a few more days sitting here and then I'll be wishing I were back here.

Until next time.

Into Marvelous Light I'm Running

It's been a while and I'm not sure where to start, really.

After being home for 3 days, I went to Rockbridge for a week. Rockbridge is InterVarsity's end of the year retreat. To sum it up in a few words: it was awesome! In more words: I took the track Good News. This track was all about how to evangelize correctly. So many times people witness Bible thumpers and those that stand on corners screaming, "FAGS ARE GOING TO HELL," and stuff like, "Repent or go to Hell!" How many people are sick of them? I know I am. This track was all about building relationships where there is trust and then inviting them to know the Lord. I found it extremely challenging, but something that I am very glad I took. One of the things we practice were Proxe Stations. These are boards filled with good visual art. The one we used had two parts: Part 1: Extreme Body Makeover, where we asked people, "If you had a personal trainer, plastic surgeon, or anyway to change one part of your body, what would it be?" We gave them a pin and they placed it where they wanted to change. Next we went onto Part 2: Exterme Heart Makeover, where we said, "The last board asked you to pick a physical characteristic, now what if you could change part of your heart?" We then gave them three stickers and asked them to place a sticker in the box that they thought they struggled with. Some of the categories were: Lust, Jealousy, Anger, Selfishness, Pride, Self Hatred, to name a few. After that we asked if we could ask them a few questions about it. In the end you are able to share the Gospel (Good News) with them. So exciting. At times it was intimidating to talk about it, but I really saw God working even with conversations with Christians.

That was just one of the many topics we covered throughout the week, and one that I want to bring back to ODU. Outside of track, Rockbridge was awesome. I got to play quite a bit of volleyball. We had two teams in the tournament and both teams made it past the first round! It was awesome. Our school has not gotten past the first round in a long time. It was the first in 3 years for me. I got to talk with Peter and David more about next year's small group, which was good. I'm excited to lead with these guys. Overall, I think this was my best Rockbridge experience. I got to meet people from other schools and actually talk to them. Excited about that, too.

Alas, Rockrbidge had to end. I came back to a messy house (did not expect anything else). I did not get too much time to rest as I worked that Saturday (made $50 cash!) and then started packing everything. I move out on Saturday. It cannot come soon enough. What's better is that my mom is coming down tomorrow! Always good to see her again. Yesterday I started work again at St. Patrick. I work After Care and now facilities. It's about 40 hours/week until school is over. It's a lot. I've done Before Care since Monday and have it through Thursday. It's not bad getting up early, it's just boring. Today was the first day of facilities. I mowed the lawn for a solid two hours and then weeded for another. Not too much fun.

But what was fun, was going to work with my aunt and interpreting for her and her client. He is from Honduras and doesn't speak English very well. That was nerve wracking, but overall a great experience. It was difficult when I was asked to translate lawyer jargin. I will learn it all someday and be the best legal interpreter/translator possible.

Well, now it's almost the end of one day closer to moving out! It's probably not healthy to think this way, but I cannot help it. On the bright side, I have sold: my dresser, futon, bookshelf and desk. All I have to do is move out my bed and three things I have. Oh yea, and all my clothes, and surpisingly, all my shoes. Didn't think I had that many, but I never get rid of them when I get a new pair, they all just accumulated in one spot. Oh well, I'll find a nice home for them.

Until next time.

My room is cluttered.

Classes are done! Exams are done! Grades are in! It all went very well this semester. My hard work paid off with my first ever 4.0! Definitely a defining moment for me as I see that I can do this every semester, I just need to work hard. With grad school applications rapidly approaching, I realize how important it is to build up my GPA as much as possible.

I have a few plans that I am considering, so I will tell you about them:
1. NYU (New York University) has a 1 year Master's program in Spanish Translation. The best part, though, is that it is in Madrid, Spain.

If I do not get accepted to that then I will be moving into option 2, which is:
1. Old Dominion University, a Master's in Applied Linguistics with a certification in Teaching English as a Second Language
2. George Mason University, a dual Master's in Teaching English as a Second Language and Spanish Education
3. University of Delaware, a Master's in Teaching English as a Second Language
4. New York University, a Master's in Teaching English as a Second Language
5. Regent University, TESOL
6. UNC (Chapel Hill), TESOL

Not sure which path God is going to send me down. I know which one I would like to go on first, but it's in His hands and I am open to whatever He has planned. Time and time again I see that He is a God that fulfills His promises and never leaves us to want. He has blessed me so much, and all I want to do is give Him the glory.

I cam home to Rochester Wednesday night. After an 11.5 hour drive in straight rain, we finally got in at 6:00 am. I hate getting in like that because I never sleep. I slept for 3.5 hours and was up and ready at 10. Since we moved to Penfield it's been a little weird being here. It's nice to see something different, but on top of not having my car with me, it kind of sucks. Oh well, I guess I'll get used to it, right?

I brought home a lot of stuff and it's currently just sitting on my dresser and all over the floor. I should probably go through it before I leave so that my family doesn't have to do it. I'm not sure if I should unpack any of it or just place the boxes neatly.

Today is my last day in Rochester, and I kind of wish I were sad to leave, but I cannot wait to get to Rockbridge tomorrow and then back to Norfolk to work and see my friends. When I get back I only have one week left in that house before I get to move out. Which reminds me that I need to place some stuff on Craig's List and cancel all the utilities. That will be a very great day.

I'm almost done reading my current book, and as soon as I finish I get to start World Without End! Very excited to read that. I'm also pumped for volleyball at Rockbridge.

Until next time.

It has ended. Let it start.

Today was the last day of classes! I had one, 8-9:15, and now I am done! I have one exam due by next Thursday, one on Monday morning and one on Wednesday afternoon. After my exam next Wednesday, I am going home for 3 full days! I cannot wait. It'll be nice to get away from Virginia, even if it is only for a few days.

On May 10, I'll be leaving Rochester and heading back to Virginia for Rockbridge, our week long end of the year retreat with InterVarsity. It's in Goshen, VA at a Young Life camp. It's a great time of being in the mountains, relaxing and learning a lot. I am taking the track called Good News, which is about how we can be sharing the Gospel wherever we are, and no, not in the annoying Bible thumping way. I am excited to take this track and see how I can be stretched in that, since it's one of the things I find myself shying away from.

Not too much has been going on. I bought a fish not too long ago. His name is Incahuasi El Segundo, which means Incahuasi the Second. There was a first, however he died a few hours after I got him, but this one is thriving. I started packing last night to bring stuff home before I move out. I bought a DVD case and put my movies into it and am taking the cases home. I have to put some of my things on Craig's List so I can get rid of them, or else they're going to be donated, which isn't bad, either. I got on-campus housing for next year! I will be living in the Dominion House, one of the brand new Quads. I'm excited about.

I also cannot wait to start the summer and work. I'll be living at my aunt's house in VA Beach and enjoying the life out there. It'll be great to get away from Norfolk for a while. It's nice, but every now and then I have to take a step back.

Not too much else is going on, just sweating. A lot. Since this past weekend it's been close to 90 every day. It's great, but man, I cannot wait to be living close to a pool!

Well, it's off to work now. I'm working every day this week so my paycheck will be great, but I'm going to be a little more tired.

Praxis II

I woke up this morning and found that I passed Praxis II! That takes a lot of stress off. Two tests down, two more to go. Today might not be such a bad day!

Easter

This semester is flying by. Today is Easter and there are 2.5 weeks left of class. I cannot wait for the semester to end. No classes will make everything less stressful and I can just work and relax. I am excited to be here this summer and just relaxing.

I've been pondering about Easter lately: what does it mean? For me? For everyone else? How does it affect my life? Every night I have been going to sleep pondering these questions. In the secular world Easter is a great time to get together with your family, eat a nice meal, eat tons of candy, and if you're lucky, get presents from your parents. You get to dye Easter eggs, hide them, and then later find them. But what is the importance of Easter for them? Do they celebrate it solely for the candy?

For myself, Easter has a greater meaning. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Christ. For a few months we go back to living life. A few months later (of course, it depends on the church's calendar as to what month Easter is in) we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Jesus lived for 30 something years and was then crucified, died, was buried and on the third day he rose again. I know I sound like a Catholic mass, but hey, it's who I am.

But what does Easter really mean? Yes, Christ rose again, but what does that mean? The scriptures were fulfilled and through it we are seen perfect to God through Jesus. This resurrection gives us hope to look at our lives and know that we have hope because our Creator did this for us. We undeservedly received this grace, and Easter is a reminder of His power and how much He loves us. It's a hope to reexamine our lives and see where we can ask Jesus to come into them and help us.

This is also a hope for non believers, it's a chance for us to share with them the Easter mystery. It's not always easy, but it's a great way for us to share what we believe. I have the hardest time doing this sometimes, but I feel that God is really pushing me more in that direction; to not sit idly and share my faith.

This weekend was a great one! St. Patrick went on Spring Break last Thursday and I haven't worked since Tuesday and don't have to until after next week. It's going to be great to relax and get all caught up on work before the semester ends.

I have been driving back and forth from Virginia Beach to Norfolk so many times since Thursday night. Oh well, it's been a lot of fun. One of my aunts came down for Easter and it was fun hanging out with them all weekend.

This has been a long weekend, but one I am glad happened. A lot to think about in respect to Jesus being resurrected and fulfilling God's promises. It's something I still cannot wrap my mind around. It's inspiring me to read more scripture and learn more about it.

I hope everyone had a great Easter and can think more clearly about what it means in their own lives.

[es.toy.kan.sa.ðo] I'm tired

Today is April 2. That means there are only 26 days left until classes end. I cannot wait. I'm kind of done with this semester. I'm ready for it to be warm full time and to be summer. Speaking of summer, I now have a schedule for this summer. I will be working 7-3 every day M-F. 40 hours is just what I want and need. I'll be able to save a ton of money and relax. It's going to suck a little having to commute from VA Beach every day to Norfolk to be there by 7, but I can't really complain since they'll be paying me oh so well.

For a while I was thinking about getting a new car. This was if a job I had been interested in worked out, due to a lot of driving, but it didn't so I decided that I didn't need to get a new car. Now however, my car seems to be falling apart. One of my back windows will never go down again, and the other day, the other one went down and wouldn't go back up. My friend had to help me manually get it up. Blue also now starts shaking when I hit around 65 mph. Never used to do that, it also always smells like gas when I drive. Maybe these are signs to look for a new car, or to just wait until it dies completely. It has 203,000 miles and is a 1995. Let's hope that my car and I can keep it together long enough to be able to get a new one!

Not too much else is going on. I get to register for classes soon. This is my last time worrying about scheduling and if my classes are available, but let's be honest, I've never worried about that because I get to register first (Honors College, athletes and seniors), and no one takes upper level Spanish classes. My title is in Spanish, but it's written out phonetically, this is what I've learned in my Spanish Phonetics class. It's very interesting stuff. Next spring, graduation semester, I will be student teaching and not taking any classes. I am very excited to graduate and move on to the next stage, which is grad school. The more I think about it the more I will most likely stay at ODU. I know everyone says, "Don't get your Master's from the same place you got your undergrad." But I don't really care. I love it here and they have a good program. Why move? I know I won't be moving back to NY again, well, hopefully. I love Hampton Roads and am eager to start teaching here. Virginia school systems, in my opinion, are not as good as the schools I went to. There are a lot of factors that play into that, but I hope that I can bring my enthusiasm for learning and my subject to the children here. Time will tell!

Yesterday I wrote my Urbana support letter. Urbana is a conference hosted by InterVarsity every three years and it's coming up this year! Exciting. It's a student missions conference and I cannot wait to go and see all the different mission organizations and 20,000+ people there worshipping God. It will be amazing. The only downside is that it costs around $600 with air fare, hotel, food costs and the cost of attending the conference, hence why I wrote a support letter. Hopefully God will move in people's hearts to donate and get me there!

Last night we had our push for signups for Rockbridge. Another event InterVarsity hosts at the end of the school year. It's a week long retreat in Goshen, VA (The mountains) and is amazing. This is my third year going and I am as excited as ever. The track I signed up for is the Good News track, one that encourages/teaches us how to share the Gospel. It should be very challenging, but I'm sure God will meet me there.

Not much more to do today, just work and a ton of homework. Good thing about April 28 is that classes end. Bad thing about it being April 2 is that there is a ton to do. Oh well, such is the life!

Then end of a week, beginning of a weekend

Friday is always the day most people look to, and I must say, I do, too. For some reason there is this thought that everything will be better as soon as we get to Friday. For me, the weekend is a time of relaxing, no work and catching up on homework. I also get to spend a good amount of time with my friends. Today there was no school for St. Patrick, but I still had to work because we offered all day After Care. It could have been worse, but it also could have been better. Lots of small children running around.

Yesterday while working, we were playing basketball in the gym and I decided it would be fun to try and dunk. I spent a good 10-15 minutes trying, and I managed to get it twice. I felt very accomplished by that, but I managed to cut my hand from the rim. My right hand is killing after that, but at least I can say I've done it, ha, ha.

Tonight I'm going to see A Connecticut Haunting, I think that's what it's called. Hopefully it will be good.

As March comes to a close I can only keep my mind on one thing: I get to move out in a little under 2 months. I cannot wait to go spend the summer at my aunt's house and relax. Living here has been stressful dealing with sloppy roommates. I get my "lottery" number on Wednesday for on-campus housing for next year. Hopefully it'll be a low number so I can request the Village. As soon as I find out about all that I think I'll be less stressed. It'll be nice to not have bills really this summer except for my cell phone and any other expenses that I can't foresee right now. I'm also very glad that my aunt's house has a pool and is close to the beach! It's going to be nice to relax, but also being able to spend a lot of time with them. It's been a place of refuge to go out there and step away from ODU and all its junk.

We recently finished Leadership Selections for InterVarsity for next year. That was a long process, but it was really good. Next year I'm going to be a Small Group Leader again. I am very excited to be leading a small group. My co-leaders are David and Peter. Two great guys, and I'm really excited to see where it's going to go.

Next week I have a meeting with someone at St. Patrick about working summer programs, also about working for Facilities. This summer should be a great time to save money and make a lot. Hopefully things won't go wrong and I won't have to spend it all. Here's to hoping! I think I'm going to end up staying here this summer and not traveling. I wish I could, but it's too expensive to only travel for a short period of time. I'm looking to go to France in January to visit Alison while she studies abroad. That could be fun!

Hope this weekend is as great as we always hope it to be.

D: It is written

Last night I went and saw Slumdog Millionaire. This movie was probably one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. So many aspects of this movie were great: the acting, the cinematography and most important, the story. I won't give too much away just incase someone hasn't seen it yet. The movie opens in India in a slum. I have always heard the word slum, but never known what they really look like. Imagine millions of people living on top of each other. Houses are built on top of and directly next to each other. Streets are extremely narrow and you almost couldn't see the sky because of the close proximity of the houses. Not to mention they lived right next to a dump, or the slum was built on a dump. The kids would run and play and jump into the garbage. Seeing this really opened my eyes to what it's like to live in that type of situation. I went to a city where people lived in extreme poverty, but they had their space. This was completely different. This movie followed two brothers and their lives as they grew up in this world, and how it changed them. Seeing these changes was incredible, one for the better, and one for the worst. Seeing their interactions with one another and how having the only living member of your family betray you can impact your life.

I can't understand how these people survived. I guess the instinct to survive is great, much greater than I realize, as I lay in my very comfortable bed writing this. The people of this movie had to survive, not live. It's a concept that I can't understand, and one I hope I don't have to. The way the movie ends is great, a little Hollywood, but overall, great. I strongly recommend this movie to everyone.

Throughout watching it, I kept feeling that I should go somewhere and help. I don't know if it was me getting angry at the injustices I saw in the movie, but I really had a desire to go to this slum. It's amazing to see how God can be present in such simple things like watching a movie. After going on a mission's trip this summer I am an advocate for missions, and feel that we are called to them, whether it be to go or to send someone. I don't feel that long term missions is in my future, but I definitely feel that some more short term ones might be. This December I am going to a conference called Urbana, sponsored by InterVarsity, and it's a huge missions conference in St. Louis in December. I am very excited to see all the different places that God is present.

Last night Jason, Ashley and their son Myles went to see the movie with me. Myles, I believe is a little more than a month old was perfect during the movie, he made a little noise, but overall was phenomonal! I'm really glad Jason and Ashley were able to come, it's always fun seeing them.

Well, it's Wednesday so it's time to meet with Shane then C-Team meeting followed by class.

The Start of Something New

Well, I guess I've decided to start blogging again. I think this will be really good to get some thoughts down and really just keep processing my life as it happens. The first post will probably just be nice and watered down since it's the first and currently 10:50 at night. I just got back from seeing Slumdog Millionaire with Jason, Ashley and Myles, who by the way, is the best baby during movies! I will post all my thoughts on it tomorrow when I've had some time to think through it. I just wanted to start this new blog off with a post!