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Sunday, 02 November 2008

Currently Listening
Way to Normal
By Ben Folds
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Sooo.... How's it going?

Good Lord, it's been a long time. I seriously wondered if this site still existed. I've had a hankering for blogging lately, so here goes. I don't even know if anyone still reads these things. If you're out there, let me know!!

I don't even know where to begin catching up on the past two years for Xangaland. Let's just say that I've lived a lot, and I've learned a lot. But through it all, I've seen the amazing grace of my Savior, leading me, guiding me, and sometimes carrying me. I guess you could say I'm a person with a renewed passion and vision for life.

Anyways, I've started going to a new church! Living Hope Church meets at Trinity, and I've already gotten involved with the "hospitality table" and the young adult ministry. It's a very cool ministry, and I've had the chance to meet some equally cool people. It made me think of a quote I read a while ago, so I looked it up, and I'll share it with you:

"My moments of being most complete, most integrated, have come either in complete solitude or when I am being part of a body made up of many people going in the same direction. A vivid example is a great symphony orchestra, for the whole; a violin cannot take the place of a trombone, nor cymbals of the harp; and there are even times when the lowly triangle is the focus of the music." --Madeleine L'Engle

This quote hit me because it really speaks to the atmosphere of LHC (Living Hope Church, not Large Hadron Collider - lol). I'm finding myself being really stretched there. I'm used to getting involved in a church, and then automatically ending up playing the piano or teaching some sort of Sunday School - you know, the same stuff I've been doing since before birth I think. Well, I made a point not to get involved in the music ministry. (Honestly, mostly because I am insecure and think I kinda suck.)

So, I ended up at the Hospitality Table, making coffee and putting out cookies. Not exactly my forte. Nor is being really out-going and meeting/greeting college students for the young adult ministry. So, for a while I was really questioning if I was using my gifts appropriately. Wouldn't it feel more comfortable if I were just doing the things I'm used to?

My thoughts right now are that God has called me out of my comfort zone for a reason. I don't know what that reason is yet, but I need to trust that He's got it under control. Why is that so ridiculously difficult for me??

Anyways, enough of my philosophical musings. My "currently listening" is amazing. Seriously. Be still my beating heart, Ben Folds.

Wednesday, 21 June 2006

Currently Listening
New Amsterdam: Live at Heineken Music Hall February 6, 2003
By Counting Crows
Oh, the memories: Seeing Live and Counting Crows in concert sophomore year of High School with Ryan Brux and Marc Martinez. Sigh.
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So, I went to Best Buy to get TWO THINGS: a universal remote (because I lost my DVD remote) and a tape adapter for my car (to play my MP3 player). However, Best Buy sucked me in again and I ended up coming out with those two things plus THREE CD'S. Seriously, I have a problem.

But, the CD's are sounding pretty awesome. I got the KT Tunstall CD, which I'm not sure about yet, but it's not bad. I also got a live Counting Crows CD (recorded on my birthday, coincidentally!) and a live blues CD from the W.C. Handy Blues Awards. I'll have to update on how good/bad these two are once I get a chance to listen to them fully.

In other news, Drew and Melissa's wedding last weekend was a lot of fun. Pretty much danced like an idiot (Can I dance any other way?) and had a great time. This coming weekend is Bree and Derrick's wedding, and I have to play my flute in that one. I'm excited, but I always get a little bit nervous playing in front of people, especially since I used to be pretty good and haven't played in a really long time. Too many expectations, ya know?

Anyways, I'll leave you with the obligatory picture of my niece, Hannah. I miss that kid. I want to visit her so bad!

Yep, she's totally got the recessive crazy gene. It happens to the best of us.

Question of the Day:

What is the craziest thing you did in the summer as a kid?

Sunday, 11 June 2006

Currently Reading
Farewell To Arms
By Ernest Hemingway
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Update....hmmm..... Where do I begin?

I'm loving life in the Village - Strevey and I are having a lot of fun.

My summer job plans changed, and now I am working two babysitting jobs and a tutoring job. This could be crazy with planning VBS, but it will also be fun.

I'm learning to skateboard. If anyone has an old skateboard they want to sell me for a very small amount of money, let me know.

I am spending as much time as possible downtown, since finding time during the school year is always tough and I'll be living there second semester. :) Yes, I just used a smiley. I hate smilies, but when I typed that I literally smiled. What can you do?

Last night I went to the Clark St. Ale House with a bunch of old friends, and it was awesome! (Great idea, Dave of the Sea.) We had such a great, deep talk about ...... well, everything. I'm really looking forward to spending more time with those kids.

I administered the ACT on Saturday morning. That was crazy! It's amazing how it doesn't seem that long ago that I was in their shoes. But at the same time, it feels like ages ago when I think about how much we've all changed. Sometimes, I would just look around the room and smile, thinking "The world most of these kids live in right now is so small, and in few short months that's all going to change."

Question of the Day:

Here's a quote someone said to me a while back, and it really had an impact on me. What do you think of it?

"Say about yourself what God says about you. See yourself as God sees you. Act accordingly."

Monday, 08 May 2006

Currently Listening
Lie to Me
By Jonny Lang
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So, I've been told that I need to update. And I have a few minutes to breathe right now, so I will do that:

I am not doing any of the aforementioned summer jobs a few posts ago. Instead, I am babysitting a 6-yr-old girl in Palos Heights and living in the Village with Rachel Strevey. I'm pumped. I am also taking a summer class, which stinks because it's on Monday nights - my Post-High Bible Study night. Bummer.

My car now has a huge dent in the side of it. Yep. If you want more details, ask me because I'm too lazy to write out the whole story.

Young Authors is over, and went really well. There were no crazy glitches, and I got an awesome Committee Lunch out of the deal.

I'm the director for my church's Vacation Bible School this summer. People keep asking me how I got "roped into doing that." I volunteered, people. It's fun. Kids enjoy it and get to learn about Christ. Fo Real. Priorities. (End of tyrade)

This is my niece, Hannah. I visited her this weekend. She's advanced.

I've been thinking about relationships lately. Basically, I've realized that all the dating books that tell you what to look for in a prospective spouse are full of crap because everyone's different. Really, what I need (besides someone who loves the Lord, obviously) is someone whom I admire and who admires me. I want to be able to look at who that person is and what he has done and say, "Wow, I get to spend my life with this person." And I want him to say the same thing about me. But this might not apply for everyone!

Question of the Day: What is something you really, deep-down want in a future spouse?

(Note - I'm not asking about physical characteristics because I think we've all reached the point where the 6'3", tall, dark, and handsome thing doesn't really apply anymore.)

Monday, 17 April 2006

Currently Watching
High Fidelity
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So, Trinity's server must be down. All my homework is on Angel, Trinity's course management website. Oh wait, it's back up. Welp, too late now. I'm already posting.

So, a lot has happened since my last update, and I don't really have the time or energy to recount all of that. In short, my summer job plans have changed, and a lot of good times have been had.

This past weekend, I was able to hang out with some old friends. It's amazing to me how much we've all changed over time - and it's also strange to see friends "growing up" - dating, going to grad school, getting jobs. It's weird.

It's been really frustrating to me lately that I'm not there yet. I'm ready to move on, to go out into the world and either do what I've been prepared to do, or throw myself into something completely new.

I don't feel challenged right now. No, I take that back. I'm challenged by a crazy schedule and not enough time in the day to get things done. So, I've been challenged to develop a strong work ethic.

But that's it. I'm not challenged intellectually at all right now. I get through a day and I'm exhausted, but my mind can't shut down because it hasn't had to DO anything all day! So not only am I going crazy, but I'm not sleeping either.

Maybe I'm not supposed to go into education. Somebody give me some input on this. Do you see me as a teacher, or something else?