It seems my greatest opportunities to think during the day happen while I run and today was no exception. I ran past what must have been a 6th or 7th-grade boys soccer practice and decided, for the first time, that I would like a be a soccer coach someday. Nothing serious, mind you, just for a YMCA league or something. It was funny to me though to think about because I had never considered it before. Previously, I had always been thinking about playing--never coaching. For whatever reason I consider this thought to be revolutionary in my maturity and development.
Furthermore... I have a confession or two. I'm almost hesitant to type this actually. Due to the influence of my childhood--yes I'm blaming my parents--there are a number of things in my life, my interests and abilities, that remain forever affected. First and perhaps most obviously: automobile know-how. In part due to my father (who would in fact admit it) I possess remarkably limited knowledge of cars. I can replace fluids and check levels, etc.--but if anything goes wrong I'm clueless and I'm forced to rely on the local car repair shop for just about the minutest of mishaps. Second, football. I enjoy football. I enjoy playing football. I enjoy watching football. I've never really been the obsessive, know-all-the-players, know-all-the-stats, remember-all-the-games/plays/seasons type of fan. I've kind of found myself intimidated, or worse, put off by conversations with people that are. But this year, for perhaps the first time, I'm legitimately excited for the rapidly approaching college football season! Maybe it's the influence of college roommates, or maybe I've just been worn down into submission with a football crazed society and a football crazed state. But for whatever reason, healthy or not, I am! ...Unfortunately,... now that I'm moving to Chicago in month, this will be my first fall season away from Nebraska, my friends and family with whom I would otherwise now be able to enjoy it all! Dangit! Oh well, perhaps it will become a means to acquiring other friendships... hmmm.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Review: "Heart of Darkness"
I wanted to throw out a recommendation while I can--Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness." Heather (one of my housemates and long-time friend from high school) bought a book for me for my birthday--which i already had, haha. So i exchanged it for "Heart of Darkness." I love classics and this was one I heard was good but had never before taken the opportunity to read. I've now only read the first 80 pages or so--but I love it. Conrad is an amazing writer, eloquent and profound. What amazes me still is that English was not his first language. Anyway, if you get the chance, take it. Perhaps I'll review it a bit more once I've finished the book. Stay posted :).
Life Lately...
So lately my life has been a busy mix of work, Courtney's family, and preparation for Chicago. Work's work. My last day is a month from today and I'm ready for it. Don't get me wrong, I love the people--some of whom I've seen five days a week for 14-and-a-half months now--and it will be an abrupt change to be suddenly done and gone I'm sure. But I was not meant to be a banker. To be honest I'm craving with increasing measure the opportunity to experience a greater purpose in the vocation i pursue on a day-to-day basis.
Two weekends ago Courtney and I traveled to Yankton to her grandma 'Honey's' cabin along with her mother, aunt, uncle and his wife, and most of their kids. We had such a good time. I could probably write an entire blog-entry to two about experiencing the fascinatingly different dynamics of a family other than my own after spending a weekend in the same cabin with all 13-or-so of them. Enlightening stuff, let me tell you. Then last weekend we had Courtney's niece's first birthday party--which is apparently a HUGE deal. Am I the only one not aware of the monumental event that a child's first birthday is? Help me out here. Family traveled from Minnesota and multiple friends attended with their kids for the afternoon-long event. First there was lunch and every one of the thirty-or-so individuals had to get their time with Julia (the birthday girl), craziness ensues as other kids run about, we pause for singing 'happy birthday' and the child dives into her own little cake before everyone enjoys their cake and ice cream. We watch slide show of the baby's first year, mill about again before the hour-or-so saga that is opening presents from everyone. I don't remember the last time I had an event such as that centered around me--probably because I was one year old, eh? Anyway, after about 3-and-a-half hours I finally had to escape for isolation and a short nap. Afterwards, we were off to visit some of Courtney's mom's relatives at a restaurant called Surfside just north of Omaha on the east side along the river. It was a great place, they served fried chicken or fried catfish... that was it. But it was GOOD! you eat along the river and people boat by and, apparently in the name of tradition, moon you and all the other 'surfsiders' as we enjoy our beer and fried fish. Good times!
As to Chicago. I feel the time is quickly approaching. I've been working on loans and budget preparations, the details of my living situation with my uncle and his family (yay!), scheduling the orientation events and whatnot for the advent of the new school year--it's all very exciting and a bit overwhelming. But as I said, I feel more and more ready for it. It's time. I'm just praying to keep perspective. I really desire to see what I gain from this next year used in a (perhaps) unique way, commingled with Truth to develop real insights and answers to international conflict and resolutions. If I believe the Bible to be true and that Truth to be pervasive, it must apply to all aspects of life. The problem is that for me to live and believe in such things, means that i'm living my different rules than the world. I would like to see those rules merge in a way that makes sense to the world through academic endeavors. This is my hope. You can pray with me over that. I'll keep you posted as this all becomes more clear in time. Thanks for reading!
Two weekends ago Courtney and I traveled to Yankton to her grandma 'Honey's' cabin along with her mother, aunt, uncle and his wife, and most of their kids. We had such a good time. I could probably write an entire blog-entry to two about experiencing the fascinatingly different dynamics of a family other than my own after spending a weekend in the same cabin with all 13-or-so of them. Enlightening stuff, let me tell you. Then last weekend we had Courtney's niece's first birthday party--which is apparently a HUGE deal. Am I the only one not aware of the monumental event that a child's first birthday is? Help me out here. Family traveled from Minnesota and multiple friends attended with their kids for the afternoon-long event. First there was lunch and every one of the thirty-or-so individuals had to get their time with Julia (the birthday girl), craziness ensues as other kids run about, we pause for singing 'happy birthday' and the child dives into her own little cake before everyone enjoys their cake and ice cream. We watch slide show of the baby's first year, mill about again before the hour-or-so saga that is opening presents from everyone. I don't remember the last time I had an event such as that centered around me--probably because I was one year old, eh? Anyway, after about 3-and-a-half hours I finally had to escape for isolation and a short nap. Afterwards, we were off to visit some of Courtney's mom's relatives at a restaurant called Surfside just north of Omaha on the east side along the river. It was a great place, they served fried chicken or fried catfish... that was it. But it was GOOD! you eat along the river and people boat by and, apparently in the name of tradition, moon you and all the other 'surfsiders' as we enjoy our beer and fried fish. Good times!
As to Chicago. I feel the time is quickly approaching. I've been working on loans and budget preparations, the details of my living situation with my uncle and his family (yay!), scheduling the orientation events and whatnot for the advent of the new school year--it's all very exciting and a bit overwhelming. But as I said, I feel more and more ready for it. It's time. I'm just praying to keep perspective. I really desire to see what I gain from this next year used in a (perhaps) unique way, commingled with Truth to develop real insights and answers to international conflict and resolutions. If I believe the Bible to be true and that Truth to be pervasive, it must apply to all aspects of life. The problem is that for me to live and believe in such things, means that i'm living my different rules than the world. I would like to see those rules merge in a way that makes sense to the world through academic endeavors. This is my hope. You can pray with me over that. I'll keep you posted as this all becomes more clear in time. Thanks for reading!
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