my so cal life

spring

2007-05-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

This is my last full quarter at Fuller, and boy is it full. I'm taking more classes than ever, still working at the gym, and trying to maintain a social life on top of that. Luckily there are plenty of opportunities to spend time with friends.

I was able to get away for a few days for spring break. I headed up to San Francisco with some friends of mine. We were able to see the sights, including the Golden Gate Bridge.

While there, we also got tickets to see the San Francisco Ballet. This is a picture of City Hall from the lobby of the San Francisco Opera House.

Easter dinner was amazing! My friends and I got together for a potluck dinner. The food was so good - ham, green bean casserole, and sweet potatoes.

These girls mean so much to me. We all helped plan the dinner during one of our girls only nights. They have been my refuge this quarter.

A few weeks ago Fuller had a spring formal. It was so much fun getting dressed up and dancing the night away.

How could I not have fun with this group?

On Thursday nights we usually try to make it down to South Pasadena to the farmer's market. Along with the fresh local produce, there are numerous vendors that sell wonderful food. Dinner is always a treat.

done and done

2007-03-14T15:56:00.000-07:00

Six down, two to go. Quarters that is. I just finished my winter quarter the other day. Don’t let the name fool you though. The temperature was up in the 90’s earlier this week. It was a relatively easy quarter, two real classes and then a distance learning class that will continue through next quarter. My classes continue to be interesting and challenging. While the insights I take away from each class may not necessarily align with the learning outcomes proposed by the professor, I still feel as though the classes are worth my time, energy, and money. With that in mind, I thought I would share the lessons I have taken away from my recently completed classes.

Statistics/Research Methods: I discovered that I still really like math, numbers, and formulas. Unfortunately we didn’t spend a whole lot of time on that in this class. I am even more confident now that at some point in my life I will do research on a particular topic, whether for further educational purposes or as part of my career. And finally I have mastered the art of reading and understanding journal articles. Too bad this skill is being fully realized now, at the end of my schooling.

Youth Outreach and Evangelism: I am more adamant now than ever that Chap Clark is an amazing professor, and I am so thankful that I have been able to take two classes from him. He is the reason I came to Fuller in the first place, and I have not been disappointed. This particular class was a bit of a struggle for me because I have never been comfortable with evangelism. Probably the most important thing I am taking away from this class is a greater appreciation for my mainline Protestant upbringing. Had it not been for the Methodist Church’s emphasis on loving and caring for others as opposed to conversion, I would not be the person I am today.

For those keeping track at home, I turned in all of my assignments on Monday of finals week, which means I have almost two full weeks off before spring quarter starts. There is a beach trip planned for tomorrow, and then I am heading up to the San Francisco Bay area with friends for the first few days of Spring Break. I will finish up my break back here in Pasadena, enjoying this amazing city that I normally cannot take full advantage of because of school.

the little things

2007-02-17T09:14:00.000-08:00

“Woohoo Wendy, they’re palm trees. Yes we know you live in Southern California. You don’t have to keep rubbing it in.”

No, you’re just not looking closely enough. The palm trees weren’t the reason I took this picture. It is what’s behind the palm trees. Clouds.

I see these three palm trees everyday as I look out my back door. Against the clear blue sky they remind me how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place. But the last few days they have been placed before a different background, a very familiar and comfortable background.

Seeing the palm trees and clouds immediately reminded me of the summers growing up and the afternoon showers that would roll in everyday, making the streets and roofs rise with steam. It reminded me of all the times my family and I would sneak off to Galveston Island, just to get away for a while. It reminded me of that smell, the smell that you can never quite describe, but you know rain is on the way.

I miss these things.

no rest for the weary

2007-01-09T12:26:00.000-08:00

Whew, what an exhausting few weeks I have had recently. You would think that the break between quarters would bring rest and relaxation, but no such luck for me. The two weeks I had in Texas for the holiday went by way too fast. There was a quick trip up to College Station and Austin to see friends, which always proves to be a great time. And then there was Christmas with the family complete with an eggplant casserole made just for me. I realized just how little time I get to spend with my family now when my cousin Kate and I figured we had not seen each other since last Christmas, a fact that almost seems impossible.

About the time I was beginning to get restless in Nederland and knew I would soon be returning to Pasadena, Dad got sick and had to go to the hospital. Just like that everything turned upside down, and I wanted to pull hard on the emergency break so that I could stay in Texas until he felt better. The call on the way to the airport saying he had been moved from the ICU into a regular room was of some comfort, but ultimately being so far away is never really easy, even now that he is back home.

New Year’s Eve in Pasadena was an exciting time with people camping out for the Rose Parade and ensuing festivities of the bowl game. Erika, Johnny P, and I woke up early New Year’s Day to stake out decent spots from which to view the parade. Having watched the Rose Parade on tv for so many years, actually seeing the giant floats glide down Colorado Boulevard right in front of me was a surreal experience. The rest of the day was spent resting and getting geared up for the new quarter, which quickly began the next day.

Even though I am already back in the swing of things, not everyone has gone back to school yet. This past weekend I enjoyed an extremely fun visit from an old roommate from college, Kat, and her sister, Sara. The girls made a stop through Pasadena on their way back to Texas after spending time with family in Northern California. We explored the sights of Southern California, including a trip to Malibu, Santa Monica, and Venice beach, as well as seeing the glittering lights of Hollywood Boulevard. Taking them to the airport yesterday officially marked the end of all break related activities.

I often find myself thinking about how quickly life is moving these days. I am so thankful for cameras and the fact that even when things seem to pass by in such a blur, I can always look back at my pictures and remember all of the good times.

i hate packing

2006-12-13T15:12:00.000-08:00

Packing is just about my least favorite thing to do, second only to unpacking. It takes me a whole day to do what should take me less than an hour. Putting everything in my bag becomes this tedious process that I repeatedly attempt but do not actually complete until the very last minute. I have been this way for as long as I can remember, and I figure that if I haven’t grown out of it yet, I probably never will. At this point I no longer try to fight it, but rather accept it. All I know is that I will be in Texas tomorrow with whatever makes its way into my bag before I leave for the airport.

twenty-five

2006-11-20T00:47:00.000-08:00

They say that with age comes wisdom, but lately I’ve been thinking that as I get older, life becomes more confusing. I feel like I should have some incredibly profound words to say today, or maybe a thoughtfully reflective description of the past year. Instead, I sit here listening to the beautiful soothing voice of a singer I heard perform on Thursday, and I think back to that night, but no further. There is so much that has happened and is yet to happen that I can only take in a few days at a time. If I look too far back I am overwhelmed by my experiences, and if I look too far forward the weight of my uncertainty becomes much too heavy a burden. But right now there is no need to look around; I am unbelievably happy where I am. I spend my days surrounded by people whom I love and who love me. We support and take care of one another and work together to figure out what we are to with this life we’ve been given. So as I end the chapter on what has undoubtedly been the best year of my life, I hesitate to lift my pen from the paper for fear that there will never be another quite as good. But I know I have to just keep going and hope that each day brings with it another story to tell.

cloudy days in LA make me smile

2006-10-15T18:28:00.000-07:00

It has been cool and dreary all weekend, with the fall’s first storm system moving through the area. It is weather like this that fills me with schadenfreude, giving me a chance to stand with hands on my hips slightly bent forward like the menacing fourth grade girl who bullies all of the boys who can’t help but be six inches shorter than her, and say, “HA! Take that Southern California. Where is your sunny weather now? I guess you’ll just have to settle with being imperfect like the rest of us.” It is also weather like this that practically requires an otherwise social grad student to stay inside and catch up on all of the reading he or she has recently neglected. Which brings me to the questions, why is it that I can spend hours reading useless information in magazines and on the internet, while a few sentences of my systematic theology reading leaves me with impossibly heavy eyelids and a strong desire to curl up and take a nap.

My theory is presentation. Those schooled in journalism are taught that you have to reach out and grab the readers, keep them entertained, and give them the information quickly and painlessly to satisfy their ever-shortening attention spans. Conversely, those in the academic world are taught that literature must be arduous and verbose. An academic book that is entertaining is seen as pandering to the masses and not taken very seriously. Unfortunately my brain is more wired toward taking in and processing shorter doses of information, no longer than a couple thousand words. I have often said that if all the information in my text books was converted to magazine format, I would have no trouble spending hours reading and learning it. And bulleted list. For some reason those small dots before a list of information gives the sentences added importance. It shows that the author took the time to go through the information and present only what is most pertinent.

To prove the appeal of the bulleted list, I give you the following snapshots of my life over the last couple of weeks. There will be no lengthy explanations or flowery prose, simply the information that is most important, with possibly a little extra to entertain.

I am currently taking two classes, after having dropped one of my original three. While I tend to be rather confident in my abilities, I am also quite realistic and know that I am not the most diligent of students. With the task of writing twenty six papers of varying lengths in front of me, I decided that I would rather be able to concentrate and do well in two classes, than just get by in three.
A few weeks ago I made a trip out to IKEA to buy a much anticipated piece of furniture, a mattress. After a friend and I tested out many of the different styles, I found one that is comfortable enough for me to experience a great night sleep yet not so comfortable that I never want to get out of bed, an important balance. Past roommates need not worry anymore, the clothes basket once again has a comfy home at the foot of my bed.
Last week a few friends and I had the privilege of seeing Sufjan Stevens in concert. The crowd was made up of very fashionably dressed and impeccably cool people, with a couple of celebrities thrown in here and there. He played for well over an hour and proved that he really is as amazing a musician, lyricist, and performer as people say.
Yesterday, I participated in the Fuller 5K. I decided I would give others a chance to shine so I just walked this one. In all seriousness though, this was my first competitive athletic endeavor since my knee surgeries. Although physically, I was capable of this over a year ago, it took a lot longer for me to get reach this level mentally. Now that I have finally cleared this first hurdle, I hope to continue pushing myself further in this area.
After approximately two months, my new apartment is beginning to take shape. Yesterday, my roommate found some amazing steals on craig’s list, and we now have two chairs in the living room to go along with the futon. We were finally able to return the camping chairs we had been using to their rightful place on the balcony.
I feel as though I have successfully taken advantage of this gloomy weather outside and spent most of my Sunday lounging in my pajamas. I have perused a couple of current magazines, watched a movie and a couple of inconsequential programs on tv, and unsuccessfully attempted to read for my classes, all the makings of a great day.

The stars at night are big and bright…

2006-09-24T14:52:00.000-07:00

The last two weeks, I have finally had what I consider a summer break. This may seem odd considering it is already after Labor Day, but I actually think it was better this way. Gas prices were down, the children were back in school, and temperatures were beginning to cool, if only slightly. Regardless of the date on the calendar, I had two weeks of fun, where I did not have to worry about getting up for class, reading books on weighty subjects, or writing exhaustive term papers. I took full advantage of my time off and had an amazing two weeks.

It began last Wednesday, when after probably the most hectic night of work, I was able to wake up, pack my bags, and head out on the open road. One of the things that really gets me down sometimes is my inability to just get in my car and drive. I used to love taking off for hours at a time and watching the world fly past my open windows; unfortunately however, Los Angeles does not really allow for a lot of this. But here I was, four friends and I loading our rented Chrysler Pacifica, getting ready to drive from Pasadena to Austin.

The seven day trip called for two full days of driving, and a weekend full of good times and amazing music. We were trekking to Texas for the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Although I had had several opportunities to attend this festival while I stilled lived in Texas, this was my first time. The line-up of artists was well worth the price of a three-day ticket and a fifteen hundred mile drive. I was able to experience the awesomeness of several of my favorite performers live and in person.

As expected the performances I enjoyed the most were given by Ray LaMontagne and Ben Harper. These were probably the two shows I was most looking forward to, and I was not disappointed. I was surprised by Ray’s small frame, yet blown away by his powerful voice, and although I was not able to stay for his whole set, the handful of songs I was able to hear from Ben were still enough to inspire awe. The one performance that I was truly amazed by was Nickel Creek. I have always liked their music, but have not really sat down and listened to any of their albums in a couple of years. They put on a fantastic show, and I have honestly been listening to their stuff almost nonstop since then.

Just as significant as the shows I got to see at the actual festival, were the two shows I saw at other venues during the weekend. Andy and our friend Wes have been playing music for a while now and recently have been playing quite frequently around Austin. Friday night they played a show at a bar on 6th street, and Saturday night they played at Threadgills, opening for Bob Schneider. Both of these shows were excellent and quite possibly the highlight of my weekend. I am so excited for Andy and the opportunities that are coming up musically for him. The fact that I was able to share a couple of these with him meant so much to me.

Along with spending time with Andy, I also got to hang out with some of my other Texas friends. Randi met up with us on Friday night, and then I saw her again on Sunday at Andy’s church. Eating lunch and having conversation with those two was such a comfortably enjoyable time that I did not want the meal to end. Monday I swung through College Station and saw a bunch of old roommates. It was fun having old friends and new friends meet and showing the girls where I used to live.

The weekend was over way too soon, and before we knew it we were once again on I-10 driving back to California. As if I needed any more good memories of Texas, we pulled off the highway in the middle of the night, in the blackness of West Texas, and gazed up into the starry sky. I have only seen the sky look like that a few times in my life, certainly not since moving to LA. It was as if the stars were reaching down and giving me one last hug before I had to leave the place my heart calls home.

Luckily, when we got back to Pasadena, there was enough going on that I was able to remind myself why I like living out here so much. The students here at Fuller made good with the last few days of freedom. There were nights out in Old Town, red carpet cocktail parties, new student welcome events, and enough free food to put a smile on a grad student’s face. I can’t say I feel rested and ready for this coming quarter, in fact I am quite exhausted, but at least I can say I am content. Over the last two weeks I have driven thousands of miles, I have listened to excellent music, I have spent time with my dearest friends, and I have lived life to the fullest. You can’t really ask for much more.

2006-09-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

time flies...

2006-09-04T22:43:00.000-07:00

Last week marked the one year anniversary of my move to California. I thought it would have been a much bigger milestone, but the day actually came and went almost unnoticed. A fifteen page term paper was occupying the majority of my attention, while the rest was simply spent on the day-to-day issues of life. Yesterday, as I was lounging on what is arguably the most beautiful beach in Malibu, I had a little time to process the significance of this event.

I remember a year ago, with much more fear than almost anyone knew, I left my home and headed out into the great unknown (turns out it was just Arizona, but luckily I made it through to California). At the time, there were way more questions in my life than there were answers. Would I like California? Would I be able to cut it in grad school? Would I find a job? Would I make any friends? Would I like living by myself? Turns out the answer to all of these questions was yes. While the road was not always an easy one, now that I am on the other side of these uncertainties, it is hard to remember what my starting point looked like.

A year ago I was unable to imagine what the next twelve months were going to bring me. I know for a fact that I would have never pictured my life looking the way it does now, something for which I am immensely grateful. Because of this I am incredibly excited for what the next twelve months will bring. I don’t know where I will be at this time next year, but I have faith that it will be better than anything I could expect.

and then there were eight

2006-08-24T23:03:00.000-07:00

It is official; a group of scientists from all over the world gathered in Prague today and decided that Pluto would no longer be considered a planet. Despite that fact that the now “dwarf planet” is some three and a half million miles from Earth, this decision still rocked my world. Thinking back to elementary school, I remember making mobiles of the solar system, and singing the little catchy mnemonic song to remember all nine planets. Whose cars is Neptune going to be selling now? As I was listening to a story on NPR the other day about the astronomical debate, someone made the comment that with current scientific data, the idea of Pluto as a full-fledged planet is nothing more than a historical artifact. My question is why isn’t that enough? Who is it really hurting if we continue to think of Pluto as the ninth planet of our solar system? Instead we are now going to have to totally change a truth that we have held for over seventy-five years.

Now I understand that sometimes certain beliefs need to be changed. If we never accepted new scientific research, we would still think the universe revolves around our flat world. But I think this actually illuminates what I consider a huge problem with science in general and astronomy in particular. Before I could graduate from college, I had to take one more science class, so my last summer at A&M, I took an astronomy class. The whole time I was listening to the professor, whose brilliant Russian accent made everything sound unnervingly sinister, I couldn’t help but think that these scientists were just making it up as they go along. Consider this: one of the main units of measurement used to indicate distances within the solar system is the astronomical unit. Conveniently enough one astronomical unit just happens to be the exact distance between the Earth and the Sun. They sure made it easy for themselves with that one.

More often than not, it seems that what is touted as scientific progress is actually just correcting mistakes. Probably the icing on the cake to my summer fling with astronomy is that right around the same time I was receiving my degree, I found out that some of the information I had learned in my class was already obsolete. In August of 2004, Stephen Hawking, one of the world’s leading theoretical physicists, announced that he had changed his mind about black holes. And just like that astronomy and quantum theory were changed.

I guess what gets me most is the amount of time, energy, and money that is spent on these kinds of endeavors. How much does the number of planets in our solar system really affect our daily lives? Is this decision going to stop hunger, help our environment, or end wars and genocide? If we really want to start changing historical artifacts, let’s begin with the ones that say people should be treated differently according to their gender or the color of their skin. We can spend all day with our eyes toward the sky, but our feet will always be planted on the ground; that is, until the laws of gravity go out of style.

update

2006-08-22T23:45:00.000-07:00

And just like that we are nearing the end of August. As expected these past six weeks have kind of washed by in a haze of constant motion. When I look back at everything I have done, it is no wonder that I am so exhausted. It seems like forever ago since my family came out to Pasadena to visit, but since that is where I left off, I will pick up from there.

My parents and sister drove out to Southern California to spend a week with me and see what my life is like. Honestly, before they arrived, I was worried that they would not like it out here. I thought that they would take one look around at all of the concrete and smog and think I was making a huge mistake by living here. Fortunately they instead focused on all of the wonderful things that I often take for granted. My parents ooh and awed over my proximity to the mountains and the beach. I drove them over to Hollywood one afternoon, and we walked around, visiting Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and seeing the famous feet and hand prints out front. I took them out to Santa Monica, where we walked along the beach in the cool breeze of the Pacific Ocean. While they were out here, we also went to many nice restaurants around the area, most of which I had never gone to considering my grad school budget. The best part was just being able to spend time together as a family, something we would be doing a lot of shortly.

At the end of their visit, I hopped in the car with them and headed back to Texas. We did not drive straight back, but instead took several days to visit many sights along the way. Our first stop was the Grand Canyon, which is a place my dad had wanted to go since he was a kid. I really don’t think there is any way for me to properly describe the enormity and majesty of it in words. I am glad my parents did not take my sister and me there when we were little, because I really don’t think I would have been able to appreciate it then, not that I can even fully appreciate it now. We then continued our drive across Arizona toward New Mexico. Ginger and I discovered the reason Arizona is nicknamed “The Grand Canyon State” is because that is all it has going for it. It was while driving trough the state that we discovered the malady we dubbed “road delirium”. This is what happens when you have been stuck in the back seat of a car for far too many hours with absolutely no scenery to look at or any other distractions to speak of. One rather advantageous consequence of the many hours of utter boredom is that I relearned all of the state capitals, something that will be very beneficial if I ever decided to teach sixth grade social studies. There were other stops along the way, most of which felt like a big tease, because all I was really interested in was getting back to Texas. [Ginger chronicled the trip quite well, with pictures and all.]

After what was probably the most idealistic road trip my family has ever undertaken, I was finally back in familiar territory. Unfortunately my time at home felt all too brief. I was able to see just about everyone I wanted to see, but I was not able to spend a good amount of time with any of them. While I was in Texas, I realized that as much as I missed these very comfortable surroundings, I am exactly where I am supposed to be in California. It was very clear that the changes I have undergone and the ways I have grown in the past year are definitely for the better. That being said, I still wish I had had a few more days to spend in Texas.

Despite my desire otherwise, after only about a week at home, it was time to get on a plane and head back to Pasadena. Let me tell you, crossing Arizona is much more bearable when you are at 30,000 feet. Immediately I was back at work, and just a couple of days later I was in class yet again. Luckily the class was unendingly interesting, as it focused on films and their reflection of and influence on youth culture. When we were not watching movies, such as V for Vendetta and City of God, the class would discuss ideas of postmodernity and theology. The professor could go on for hours, but I never really minded because he really knew what he was talking about and was usually speaking from experience. The only downside of the class was its 8am start time, which meant two weeks of dreadfully early mornings. Don’t worry though, since the class has ended, I have happily returned to my 9:30 wake up call.

Really the only big news to come out of the last couple of weeks is that I moved into a new apartment. I am still living in the same complex, even on the same floor, only now I will be sharing a one bedroom apartment with a friend of mine. Even though this was the closest move I have ever made, a move is still a move. I was amazed at how much stuff I had acquired over the past year, which I now had to transport to my new place in many small trips. It was a little sad having to leave my old apartment behind. I had grown quite attached to “my tiny existence”, the nickname I gave my close quarters. Interestingly, not much has changed now that I am in a bigger place. Because I have yet to fully assemble my bed frame or purchase a mattress, I am still sleeping on my futon, although now it is in a bona fide living room. I am ridiculously excited about having a full size kitchen with full size appliances. I quickly stocked my refrigerator with orange juice, milk, and iced tea, with full sized ice trays chilling in the freezer, many of the luxuries my mini-fridge did not afford me.

All in all, life just keeps going on as usual. I have a couple of term papers that are coming due here in the next few weeks. Once those are tuned in, I will have a little bit of time to fully relax and take my mind off of school for a week or two. I am sure there will be a few more adventures (or misadventures) to share before it is all said and done.

intense

2006-07-06T09:47:00.000-07:00

While walking to an Independence Day pool party the other day my friend and I were commenting on how the 4th seemed a lot earlier this year. We hypothesized that while in undergrad, where summer stretched from the beginning of May through August, the holiday usually marked the middle of summer, but now that we are in grad school, where the spring quarter did not finish up until the second week of June and then we went straight into a two week intensive, summer is just getting started. I have a feeling the rest of the summer is going to continue at this break-neck pace. I have finally had a few days off to relax, but at the same time I’m gearing up for a visit from my parents and sister. They are expected to arrive in Pasadena tomorrow, at which point I will attempt to show them what my life has been like the past ten months, a large task for their week-long visit. I will then pack up and head back to Texas with them, making stops at the Grand Canyon and other points of interest along the way. I will have about a week and a half in Texas to see family and friends before I have to hop on a plane back to California for my next summer intensive class. Once that class is over, I will have a couple of weeks to finish up term papers before they are due at the end of the summer quarter. A few more weeks off in the beginning of September, and then summer break will be officially over. Considering everything seems like such a rushed blur since I moved out here, I guess I can’t really expect my summer to be any different; however, if there were ever a time in my life that I wish would pass slowly, this would be it.

to everything there is a season

2006-06-15T08:52:00.000-07:00

I’ve noticed a change lately. I have always considered myself an introverted person, who likes my alone time. Big groups of people are fun for a while, but they leave me drained. Last year, after having lived with a rotating group of ten other people, I looked forward to moving into an apartment by myself. Now, however, my little fortress of solitude is beginning to feel oppressive.

Over the past few weeks, as the school year wound down, there were a lot of gatherings to celebrate the year and say goodbye to friends, whether for the summer or indefinitely. Thinking back over these parties and looking at pictures, I realize how much I enjoy spending time with these people and even meeting new people that I somehow missed all year. As I woke up this morning, earlier than usual, I wondered when would be the next time I could hang out with friends and hoped that it would be soon.

The friends I have made here are unlike any I have had before. We are connected by this strong desire to be grown-up, full active participants in society, making a difference in the world; yet we realize that we are here now for a reason and that growing up means moving on. Most of us are only going to be together for two years, some a little more, some a little less. I have to wonder why God designed it that way. What affect are my relatively brief encounters with these people going to have on the rest of my life?

All I know is that I have changed. Spending time with friends and acquaintances no longer drains but rather now energizes me. Whether we are sharing conversations, meals, movies, music, or just simply space, I am continually being challenged, reshaped, and filled up by these people. I am excited to see the further changes I will undergo as I continue to live my life with these amazing people that I am privileged to call my friends.

looking back

2006-06-11T22:11:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe I have already finished my first year of grad school or that I've been in California for nine months. The time has just flown by. Luckily, in the midst of all of the exhausting stress of reading logs, exams, and term papers, I have been able to have some amazingly fun times. As a way of celebrating, I thought I would post some pictures taken throughout the year.

The best way to end the school year is with a party. Good thing Phil and Amy were having birthdays so there was also an excuse for cupcakes. Because of these girls, my life has never been without fun or laughter.

(l-r) Amy, Erika, Charissa, me, and Tracy

The next few pictures were taken last weekend when we dressed up and went to The Ritz (see previous post). We had so much fun that night; I have a feeling we will do it again sometime.

This crazy group of kids drove out to Pomona to hear a band play. We got there just in time to hear the lead singer say, "Thanks for coming out. This is our last song." Oh well! As you can see, we still had a great time.

The Pink Party! Another birthday celebration, this time with a color theme. How often do you get to see a whole bunch of guys wearing pink?

Playing a little beach bocce during a road trip down to San Diego. It seems to be the game of choice among seminary students in California.

This is my kitchen. It’s hard to get good pictures of the things in my apartment because you cannot physically stand far enough away from it to get everything in the frame.

self care

2006-06-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

One thing that is emphasized here at Fuller is taking care of your own physical and mental health in light of all the stressful school work. Let me tell you, after week ten of the spring quarter, I was ready for a little stress relief. So this past weekend before finals, I took the time to do a lot of fun things for myself. On Saturday night, a group of friends and I got all dolled up and went to the Ritz-Carlton to hear some great R&B music. The amazingly beautiful hotel and grounds are inconspicuously tucked away in a neighborhood of Pasadena but boast a gorgeous view of the Los Angeles city lights at night. It was an incredibly fun evening and a great way to end the school year.

Then on Sunday a couple of girls and I headed down to Malibu for a little sun and relaxation on the beach. It was a great escape from the weekend heat (upper 90s) and the pressure of impending deadlines. We made it back early enough so that I could go to church in the evening with my three most beautiful friends, Charissa, Erika, and Tracy. After church we took a nice stroll down to Old Town for some cold treats. It was the perfect way to end a wonderful weekend.

So now, even though my feet are still a little sore and my shoulders are a little burnt, I am ready to tackle this week of finals. I have to write two ten-page term papers and turn in a take-home final by the end of the week. Once that is done, I will truly be able to relax knowing I have finished my first year of graduate school.

** I will try to take a couple of study breaks this week and possibly post some pictures from the weekend.

ridiculous

2006-05-17T10:46:00.000-07:00

This is a sign I passed on my way to work in San Marino, a very affluent town just south of Pasadena. What ever happened to the good old days when elementary school carnivals meant hot dogs and popcorn?

mayday

2006-05-01T23:18:00.000-07:00

Is it May already? January, February, and March all seemed to fly by in a blur, but not April. I felt every day of April. During all of my other years of school, April was never of much significance. It was just the month you slid through after spring break on your way toward the end of school. This year, with my winter and spring quarters being back to back, April seemed to be more of an uphill climb, with the downslope still a ways off. And now I’m carrying two packs, one for school and one for work.

Things haven’t been all bad, though. The weather here in Pasadena has been great, a good mix of rainy days and sunny days, with the temperature being just right for me. It looks like it is going to start warming up here a little, but definitely nothing to complain about. My tiny corner apartment tends to warm up very quickly, but usually I can cool it off by opening a window or the door to my balcony. I have a feeling here in the next few weeks I’ll have to start turning on my window unit. Can you imagine making it all the way to May without turning on the air conditioner in Texas? Impossible.

In addition, I am very much enjoying Daylight Saving Time. It makes me feel a little better about having night classes when I don’t have to walk both to and from school in the dark. Also, when I get off of work at six on Saturdays and it is still light outside, I don’t feel like my whole day is already spent. The only downside is that the time difference between Ginger and me is now an hour less because Cameroon does not observe DST. We try to talk to each other three days a week when she has access to the internet. She usually gets to her school around 7:45 in the morning, which used to be 10:45 PM out here in California. Now that there is only an eight hour difference, I can’t start talking to her until a quarter to midnight. This puts me going to bed rather late, and as a result my whole sleep schedule has been altered. Luckily I’m generally not expected to be anywhere until the afternoon, which allows me to sleep later most days.

I have a feeling this month is going to be just as hectic and exhausting as the last, but I’m trying to stay positive. My friends and I often daydream about all of the exciting things we will do this summer when school slows down a bit. So for now, I just keep putting one foot in front of the other, knowing that eventually all this climbing will lead to a spectacular view.

the beauty and glamour of graduate school

2006-04-28T00:19:00.000-07:00

palms

2006-04-09T22:36:00.000-07:00

a sign of love
in a few simple branches
laid out before you
only to be taken away

your arms outstretched
a sign of love
nailed to a cross
to take away my sins

then you returned
reaching out your hand
a sign of love
for me to take hold of

so here are my hands
that have taken so much
offering it all back to you
a sign of love

spring

2006-03-20T11:20:00.000-08:00

Happy First Day of Spring! There are so many enjoyable things that come with this verdant season: blooming flowers, the smell of freshly cut grass, Easter, the ting of baseballs flying off aluminum bats, the days getting longer, and the most glorious of them all…Spring Break. My plan for this week, besides working, is to do as little as possible. School will take a back seat to spending time with friends, catching up on movies, and sleeping more than necessary. Honestly, that doesn’t sound too unlike my normal weeks, but at least for a few days I will not feel guilty about it.

with the birds I’ll share this lonely view

2006-03-05T23:12:00.000-08:00

I recently started a new job that has me standing for much of my eight hour shift, which I must say leaves my legs pretty sore. It’s been over two years now since I injured both of my knees, resulting in seven months of surgeries, crutches, knee braces, and rehab. I have yet to fully regain all of the muscles in my upper legs that I lost after the surgeries, due in large part to my long-standing aversion to doing squats. The scars have faded quite nicely and are barely visible unless upon close inspection. The only significant lasting impedance from the ordeal is my inability to fully extend my left leg. This is a result of a build up of scar tissue that prohibits full range of motion and gives my knee a slightly unusual shape.

There are a few suggestions out there as to how to remedy the pain and aggravation of scar tissue buildup. A common treatment that is less drastic than surgery is massage therapy. Now we’re not just talking about a little rubbing. The process consists of purposefully applying a great amount of pressure and movement to the affected area so that the scar tissue literally breaks apart. If that weren’t bad enough, this technique is often most effective when done to yourself because you can feel exactly where to apply the pressure. Honestly though, who enjoys inflicting that much pain on themselves? I’ve been trying to work on my scar tissue for a couple of weeks now, and it has been rough going. Not surprisingly, my knees are not too fond of being disturbed and often let me know of their displeasure the next day.

It was on one of these particular morning afters when I got out of bed and hobbled to the bathroom feeling much much older than my twenty-four years, that I realized how my situation is analogous to life. Often times we have wounds that appear to have healed and are no longer a problem, but further examination reveals lasting effects deep below the surface. This emotional scar tissue, if you will, is not outwardly visible and generally does not affect daily functioning; therefore, many chose to simply ignore the slight annoyance it causes. However, to prevent further complications down the road, it may be necessary to revisit the injury and apply pressure. It is not easy and can be quite painful, but ultimately it is a critical step in regaining full range of motion. In the end, the choice comes down to either momentary discomfort or a permanent limp.

weekend weather

2006-02-19T23:42:00.000-08:00

A winter storm blew through Southern California over the weekend and brought with it some much needed rain. It had been over a month since there had been any recordable rainfall, and I have to admit, I missed it. I was getting somewhat homesick thinking about rainy days, the ones where I would walk around in my rain coat and boots with the bottom half of my jeans soaking wet. There always seemed to be something cleansing about water falling from the sky.

The forecast for Saturday called for rain all day long. How I was looking forward to the gloomy grey sky and constant soft percussion of steady rain. Instead I found myself cursing the warm bright sun beaming down through the sparse popcorn clouds. As night fell, the promised precipitation slowly crept its way into the area. Just before dawn, I woke to the comfortingly familiar sound of rain outside my window that lulled me back to sleep despite my desire to stay awake and listen a little longer.

Sunday turned out to be a beautiful day also. The air was crisp and the sun was shining, which didn’t bother me so much because it allowed me to see the most exciting sight. SNOW! The rain that I had so enjoyed the night before had fallen in a different form up in the higher elevations of the nearby mountains. While all I could really see was a dusting of the white stuff on the higher more distant peaks, like any good South Texan, I was still giddy. As strange as this may sound to a lot of people, especially those living in the northeast, the sight of snow made yet another sunny day bearable.

breaking news

2006-02-12T14:12:00.000-08:00

One thing I have found incredibly fascinating about Southern California is the utter ridiculousness of the local news. First of all, it is on all the time. If I wanted to, I could watch 14 hours of local news each and every day. And then there are the anchors, who all have tans that look about as real as their names sound. But of course no matter if it is 4am, 11pm, or sometime in between, the broadcast will almost without fail begin with breaking news. I tend to question the magnitude of these stories at times, but I realize that because the stations have to fill hours of air-time each day, they cannot always be picky about what they report. Race riots in the LA County jails – breaking news; fires burning out of control in Orange County – top story; Britney Spears driving with her baby on her lap – sure put that on too.

In honor of my local news coverage, I give you a rundown of the top stories going on in my world right now. I cannot promise any personal edification from the following stories but if nothing else, I hope to entertain.

Appropriately I will begin with education news. Somehow I have already finished six weeks of this ten week quarter. I have no idea where the time went. It took me five weeks just to buy a new 2006 day planner so I could begin to get organized. Part of the chaos is due to the fact that this semester I do not have any tests, only papers and weekly homework assignments. Also two of my classes only meet once a week. This may sound like an ideal situation, but one of those weekly classes meets for four hours, from 5-9pm. Fortunately the class is saved from being an arduous weekly ordeal by the professor’s entertaining British accent. Because of it, I feel like what he is saying is always very important, and I tend to laugh at his jokes whether I get them or not. Of course anyone who wears a Coldplay t-shirt to class and references The Police while discussing the Old Testament wins my approval.

In other entertainment news, I finally had my first star sighting. And this was not just a sighting, but an actual encounter, and at church of all places. While I’m guessing most people probably have no idea who Steve Ryan is, to my friends and I he is a bona fide celebrity. His recurring role as J. Walter Weatherman, the one-armed man hired by George Bluth to teach his children a lesson on Arrested Development, has been the source of many laughs. Sadly though, it appears our favorite show has met its end, with FOX airing the final four episodes this past Friday. Still, the show will live on in our hearts.

In music news, I have been fortunate enough to hear some really good bands play over the last couple of weeks. Fortune, however, was not smiling down on me a few weeks ago when I tried to see Mute Math, one of my favorite bands, play a show in Hollywood. There had been much confusion all day as to who exactly was going and when exactly the show was going to start. When things were finally straightened out, a friend and I made the thirty minute drive out there and headed down Santa Monica Boulevard to find the venue. As we walked up to the ticket window, my heart dropped when I saw the most unfortunate words, SOLD OUT. After talking with a few other poor souls on the sidewalk, we discovered we were probably about ten minutes too late and that there was absolutely no way we were getting in. The night wasn’t a total bust though because I was able to purchase the band’s new CD, which was only being sold at the show.

But enough about the show I didn’t see. Last weekend a carload of friends and I headed down to San Diego to see a couple of bands play. Although we didn’t exactly blend in with the mostly teenage scenester crowd, with their impossibly skinny pants, converse shoes, and unnaturally dark hair swept across their faces, the show was quite enjoyable. Briertone opened with an eclectic mix of indie and southern rock, proving that a banjo can work outside of Nashville. In the end, I’d say I dug them more than the headlining band that night. A few days later I was out in Orange County to support Ann Lynn, which is quickly becoming my favorite SoCal band. This was the third time I have seen them live, and they continue to impress me.

In travel news, as mentioned earlier I recently took a nice trip down to San Diego. It’s generally not a bad drive, unless you happen to leave on a Friday afternoon when traffic averages speeds of about thirty miles per hour. Nevertheless, six people in a car can always find ways to entertain themselves. Our night was consumed with the concert and a late-night dinner, but a quick detour through UC San Diego provided a glimpse at the beautiful campus with its eerily lit eucalyptus grove. The next morning we awoke and headed to La Jolla, where we came upon a seal rookery. This particular group of harbor seals, although not doing much, captivated our attention for a good while. After finally pulling ourselves away from the fascinating animals, we drove to a beach a little further north. Here we played a little sand bocce and then savored some fish tacos at a little place on the shore. Responsibilities called us back up to Pasadena, thus ending our fun little excursion.

If you’ve stuck with it this long, you are a better man than I am. Usually, after a minute or two of news I am already changing the channel looking for something else to watch. Therefore I will end things here and spare you any more of the minutiae of my life. If you find yourself now wanting a more meaningful experience, may I suggest seasons one and two of Arrested Development, now available on DVD.

beauty

2006-01-17T16:26:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I headed up to Monterey to spend a couple of days with Kat, who had flown in from Texas to visit her grandparents. I had an amazing time going to the Monterey Aquarium and seeing the other sites along California’s beautiful central coast. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I will let them do the talking.

reach out and touch someone

2006-01-11T17:43:00.000-08:00

Last night I was looking at the call timer on my cell phone and discovered that in less than a year it had crept to over 98 hours. That means I have spent over four days of my life this past year on the phone. At first, the thought of this made me somewhat disgusted at the seeming waste, but then I started to think back over all of the conversations that made up those 98 hours.

Of course there was the normal fare; calls of inquiry and planning and rendezvous, calls to check in and check up, and the calls that are a part of the everyday business of life. But among the mundane were the phone calls and conversations that shaped my life this past year. There was the phone call that summoned me to the hospital for the passing of a hero. There was the frantic call to California securing a place to live. There were the many unreturned calls that marked the end of one friendship, along with the countless conversations that strengthened another. There were the daily calls from my mom that meant I would have at least talked to someone that day. There were calls from the friends I left behind, and calls from the new friends I’ve made. There were the weeks of emotion-laden calls to Texas (when I could get through) hoping for some kind of good news during a great disaster. And there was the call that carried a birthday greeting all the way from Africa.

In the end, I’ve come to see my phone as less of a way of communicating and more of a way of connecting. What becomes most meaningful is not what is said, but what is shared, whether it is words, silence, tears, laughter, memories, or ideas. I can now look at those four days not as loss, but as gain.

back by popular demand

2005-12-21T20:42:00.000-08:00

Airplane trips, catching up with the folks, long-awaited mattresses with springs, hundreds of miles of Texas road, amazing friends that I have missed greatly, and other such things have been consuming my existence for more than a week and a half now. I have been left with little time to process things and even less time to write about them. I hope to have a real post up this weekend, but for now I will leave you with a little holiday fun. Here are a few of my favorite lines from my favorite Christmas movies. Feel free to comment and leave some of your own favorites. Enjoy!

A Christmas Story
"Oooh fuuudge!"
Only I didn't say "Fudge." I said THE word, the big one, the queen-mother of dirty words, the "F-dash-dash-dash" word!

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Lucy: I know how you feel about all this Christmas business, getting depressed and all that. It happens to me every year. I never get what I really want. I always get a lot of stupid toys or a bicycle or clothes or something like that.
Charlie Brown: What is it you want?
Lucy: Real estate

Elf
- You like sugar, huh?
- Is there sugar in syrup?
- Yes.
- Then YES!

it's that time again

2005-12-03T17:42:00.000-08:00

Now that I have returned to the world of academia, I am once again subject to the strange phenomenon that occurs each session during finals. This unusual affliction alters the course of everyday life, and compels a person to commit otherwise unthinkable acts. While I am unable to find reliable empirical research on this disorder, I am able to detail some of the behavior that one may experience.

Subjects are often overcome by an overwhelming desire to clean. This can manifest itself in numerous ways, including vacuuming, dusting, and scrubbing every inch of a bathroom that is normally ignored.
Organization becomes of high importance, especially seen in the desire to alphabetize collections, such as books and CDs.
Many people experience a desire to cook elaborate meals or bake large amounts of desserts.
Evidence has shown that some people develop a consuming fascination with his or her own face, resulting in prolonged periods of staring in the mirror.
Sleeping patterns become erratic, characterized by avoidance of nocturnal sleep and/or excessive daytime napping.
Subjects may develop an urge to take up old hobbies, such as knitting, painting, or learning to play the guitar.
Often times those afflicted become rather existential, contemplating the meaning and purpose of life.

There is no known cure or method of treatment for this malady; however, the termination of symptoms seems to have a direct correlation with the culmination of exams. If you encounter a person exhibiting any of these symptoms, confrontation is usually fruitless considering rationalization skills seem to be heightened. If anything you should merely sit back and enjoy the spoils of a clean bathroom, large quantities of baked goods, and an updated blog.

giving thanks

2005-11-27T16:49:00.000-08:00

I really wasn’t looking forward to the thanksgiving holiday this year. It was my first thanksgiving without my family, and it appeared that all of my new friends were leaving Pasadena to go home for the weekend. On top of that I had a pile of school work that needed my attention. All in all I just couldn’t see a whole lot to be thankful for; however, as is usually the case, the break turned out to be better than expected.

While this may not be the typical list you find this time of year, these are the things I found myself thanking God for over the last couple of days. I am so very thankful for Aaron and Lindsay and their ten friends who made me feel so welcomed at the thanksgiving table. It was here that I was able to experience the amazing tur-duck-en, three kinds of succulent meat, three kinds of stuffing, all cooked together to form the most amazing of thanksgiving culinary delights. I was also quite thankful that the only Texas A&M football game I was able to see this year (read: nationally televised) did not end up being the complete annihilation I expected. All I could do was thank God when I received a much awaited letter from Ginger. Although she is on the other side of the world, I felt as if she were sitting right next to me while I read those forever treasured pages. Interestingly enough, even my schoolwork left me somewhat thankful. My four hour stay at the library provided protection from the wind storm outside. When I finally emerged from my studious endeavor, the campus was strewn with broken limbs and wayward lawn furniture that had been tossed about by the 40+ mph winds.

Once again God revealed himself as a faithful provider and comforter when all else seemed naught.

surprise

2005-11-18T21:52:00.000-08:00

I’ve always thought of myself as an observant person and didn’t think I could easily be surprised, but I was definitely kept in the dark this time. Yesterday as Lindsay was driving me through Los Angeles I pretty much figured we were headed to the airport, but I still had no idea what was going to happen next. What an amazing surprise when we picked up Randi, who flew out here to spend my birthday with me. I know good times will ensue, and I look forward to everything that will happen this weekend.

blessed are the persecuted

2005-11-13T11:18:00.000-08:00

I cannot even begin to imagine how different my life would be if Christianity could not be openly practiced in the United States. Actually I tried, but once I realized how far-reaching the effects would be, I decided to stop. But while I can simply decided not to think about religious persecution, for many people around the world it is a daily reality. According to the World Evangelical Alliance, over 200 million Christians in at least 60 countries are denied fundamental human rights solely because of their faith.

Here are just a few examples of what is happening around the world.

Colombia – Pastors have been targeted by guerrilla movements such as FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia), with 400 churches being forced to close in areas under the control of armed groups. Christians have also been killed for speaking out against violence and the widespread drug trade.
Morocco – Anyone converting to Christianity can face charges of treachery and illegal contact with foreign missions. A small Moroccan church is emerging, estimated to number some 500 indigenous believers in 2000.
Iran – Shi’a Islam is the state religion. Conversion from Islam to another faith is a capital crime. There is a ban on the printing of all Christian literature, and constant surveillance of churches and those who attend them.
Malaysia – Although the constitution guarantees religious freedom, fundamentalist Muslims do everything in their power politically to inhibit Christian evangelism. Ethnic Malays are not allowed to have a Christian place of worship.

This week is specifically set aside to pray for the persecuted church around the world. Please take some time to pray for other Christians, wherever they might live, who do not enjoy the same religious freedoms we do. But more than that, I urge you to educate yourself so that you may become a voice for the voiceless.

http://www.persecutedchurch.org/
http://www.releaseinternational.org/

“Remember the persecuted as if in prison with them, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” -Hebrews 13:3

rumination and procrastination

2005-11-03T22:42:00.000-08:00

I was trying to think about my research paper, but then I got sidetracked and started thinking about researching paper and what a paper about paper would really look like. Then I remembered a book I used to really love when I was younger called The Westing Game. Sadly I don’t remember all that much about the story other than it was a mystery involving a paper manufacturer. I enjoyed the book so much I did a book report about it in the fifth grade and then again in the sixth grade. The second book report was written on a paper towel because our assignment was to cut and decorate our paper into a significant shape that reflected the plot of the book. I got points taken off because my paper was neither cut nor decorated. I contested the grade because book reports are not normally written on paper towels, which in this case was entirely fitting. The teacher did not change my grade; she didn’t appreciate my art. Funny, I can no long remember the name of that teacher. Her name may have started with a K or possibly a C, but that is as far as I can get. It makes me wonder how much I will remember and forget over the course of my lifetime. How significant are the things I am doing right now going to be after another decade has past? These are the thoughts that keep me up at night, or at least keep me from writing my paper.

there's no place like home

2005-10-25T23:33:00.000-07:00

I’m really enjoying things out here in California, but I make no secret of the fact that I miss Texas. I wish I could explain the complex mix of emotions that make up this homesickness, but it is not something that can fully be described with words. Also considering I’m in the middle of writing a research paper and studying for midterms, my brain is not up to composing a lengthy narrative. Instead, I present a rather short and incomplete list of things I miss about my home.

family and friends
protected left turns
Whataburger
open spaces
Kroger
Big XII sports coverage
convenient parking
Tex-Mex
drive-thru banking
Walgreens
central time

finding balance

2005-10-15T18:34:00.000-07:00

One of my biggest struggles right now is finding the right balance of my time. To be honest, this is nothing new; I have never been a very disciplined student. In fact, I used to joke in undergrad that not only was I not “on the ball”, I had never even seen the ball. I am hoping to better manage my time in grad school, but recently a couple of other activities have been competing for my attention.

Last Friday as I was perusing the aisles of Target a guy came up to me and asked if I was interesting in going to a private screening of a new movie. Usually I would not hesitate to say no and keep moving when so approached, but I had been warned. This is actually a very legitimate and common occurrence here in Pasadena. They often test screen new movies and then survey the audience to see what worked and what didn’t. Knowing that this was not some shady proposition, I quickly said yes to the free movie tickets. So Sunday afternoon a friend and I walked to one of the nearby theaters and watched the new Disney movie Eight Below. The story is basically about explorers forced to leave their team of sled dogs behind in Antarctic and their desperate attempt to return and rescue them from the brutal cold. It is not a movie I probably would have chosen to go see at the theater, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It was a good inspirational family movie and should be in theaters in February.

Also vying for my time is the Psychology Graduate Union (PGU), part of Fuller’s All Seminary Council. That’s right, I joined the student government. As much as I have avoided these forms of campus involvement in the past, I am excited about my position. Being part of the PGU MFT (Marriage and Family Therapy) Cabinet, I will help represent my fellow classmates to the faculty and help bring about changes throughout the school. I am also the MFT representative to the Peace and Justice Concerns Committee. This committee is focused on building awareness of issues relating to social justice as well as participating in the amelioration of these problems. While at this time I am still not entirely sure of my exact duties, I have a feeling I will stay plenty busy.

Now that I have taken the time to thoughtfully rationalize my procrastination, I should probably work on my outline that is due Monday.

fire season

2005-10-06T16:23:00.000-07:00

I’m beginning to learn more and more that no matter where you live, you will be affected by some kind of natural disaster. As evident by recent events, I grew up in an area of the country that is subjected to hurricanes and other tropical weather. Anyone moving to Southern California has to be prepared for the occasional earthquake. I even received a very informative booklet called Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country when I arrived in Pasadena. While my apartment would most definitely fail as far as earthquake preparedness goes, it was a different kind of natural disaster that recently caught me off guard.

September 22nd marked the first day of fall for those of us in the northern hemisphere, but there is another season that has also recently begun, fire season. Fire season is the time of year when the beautiful mountains of Southern California take on a slightly more infernal quality. High temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds, what the National Weather Service calls Red Flag conditions, are a perfect combination for fires to start and quickly spread. Strong Santa Ana winds have helped kick up a few pretty large fires in the last couple of weeks. I could see the smoke from the closest fire, located in the Burbank area, while driving around last weekend. It is the smoke produced by these fires that has the most far reaching effects.

One thing Los Angeles is not known for is clean air. In fact, it consistently ranks among the worst counties in the country as far as air pollution. Add to this smoke and ash and you have a serious heath hazard. At the height of the fires, I could not even see the mountains through the polluted air. While I was out running errands, I first noticed that my lungs were slightly burning. The irritation next moved to my throat and eyes, and finally settled in as a dull headache. It was then that I was resigned to the fact that it would probably be a good weekend to just stay in and get my reading done.

too much

2005-09-25T10:21:00.000-07:00

Please do not think the lack of updates is because I have not been doing anything. Actually just the opposite is true. This past week I had orientation and registration, and I begin class on Monday. Beyond that, my thoughts and concerns have been back in Texas with my family and friends. Growing up on the coast you live with the possibility of taking a direct hit from a hurricane, but you never really think it is going to happen. Now I just have to wait to see what is left of the town I could not wait to get out of, but now would give anything to go back to.

living in the southland

2005-09-14T23:53:00.000-07:00

While my days have been somewhat slow, I have had the opportunity to do a couple of “California” things. The first was last Thursday night when Aaron, Lindsay, and I were invited to watch the season premier of The OC at the apartment of one of Lindsay’s co-workers. It all seems pretty normal until you learn that her co-worker’s husband is the assistant editor of the show, with his name in the credits and everything. It turned out to be a really fun, low-key night, but we still thought we were something special. I mean, think about it, I now know someone who works with famous people everyday. Apparently that’s not really a big deal in the Los Angeles area though, considering one of the other girls who came over is married to a writer on One Tree Hill. Honestly, I really just enjoyed meeting some neat people that I felt like I could hang out with. It made me feel a little better about my new surroundings.

Then on Saturday, the three of us decided to have some more fun, this time in Malibu. Our plan was to spend a few hours on the beach and watch the sun set. Now the only other California beaches I’ve been to are Venice and Manhattan, but I have to say that Malibu is my favorite. It just felt really cozy and inviting with beautiful landscapes all around. For those who are like me and are only familiar with the Gulf Coast, there are a couple of things to note about the West Coast. Most notably, the Pacific Ocean is cold. I do not understand how people can swim in it without catching their death. This leads to the second observation, which is that the sea breeze coming off the Pacific is also quite chilly. I thought I was prepared for this with my extra long-sleeved shirt and light hooded jacket; however, my shorts and flip-flops were my downfall. As the sun began to set, the temperature quickly dropped into the lower 60s. We tried to tough it out, but ultimately decided we would be more comfortable watching from the car. While the early exit was slightly disappointing, it did afford us a little more light with which to view the amazing scenery as we headed back home through the mountains.

* Note: Aaron and Lindsay Weldon are great friends of mine from College Station. They too recently moved to Pasadena because Aaron is also attending Fuller, and through God’s amazing provision, we live in the same apartment complex.

weekend view

2005-09-12T13:34:00.000-07:00

Here is the view from one of the beaches in Malibu. This is a beautiful section of the coast where the mountains stretch onto the beach.

I'll be posting more pictures in the coming days of my apartment and other views from the Pasadena area.

unsettled

2005-09-08T00:56:00.000-07:00

I've been in Pasadena a week now, and things are beginning to shape up. I'm slowly getting my apartment the way I want it, procuring my basic necessities, and taking care of all of the tasks that come with moving and starting a new school. Andy and I were able to move in all of the things I brought with me and quickly make this small space livable. We explored much of the Pasadena area on our many shopping and recreational expeditions. However, since he has left my progress has slowed. Things are moving at this unhurried pace mainly by design. While working my way down each days "to do" list, I have to make sure I will still have things to do the next day. Efficiency is not a high priority considering orientation does not begin for another week and a half and classes another week after that. Also with gas prices as high as they are, I have limited myself to one outing in the car a day. This situation has left me an abundance of free time in which I can be preparing myself for my upcoming studies by researching classes or reading ahead. Instead I am usually on my computer or watching TV, which is why I am frequently upset.

Now one could speculate many reasons for my despondent attitude, such as home-sickness, boredom, or restlessness. All of these feelings are factors but only as part of a much larger whole. Mostly I am overcome by a sense of uselessness. My perceived inability to contribute to the humanitarian efforts that are taking place across the Gulf Coast is leaving me empty. I say perceived because I know that there are things that I can do here in California, but it is not as much as if I were still in Texas. I was not able to follow any of the news coverage last week as the situation in New Orleans developed so I am just now beginning to realize the extensiveness of the devastation. As I sit in my apartment with little to do, I often think about all of the things I could be doing if I were in Southeast Texas or even College Station. Today I even briefly considered hitching a ride with a caravan of volunteers leaving from the Los Angeles area heading to New Orleans. For now I just have to trust that there is a reason I am in Pasadena and focus on the ways in which I can contribute here.

happy birthday

2005-09-08T00:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Ginger! I love you!

thank you

2005-08-28T23:05:00.000-07:00

a quick note before I go...

Tonight as I sat and listened while people prayed for me, I realized how much I need the prayers of others. Just as my life and my brain have been frantic and scattered these last weeks, so have my prayers been also. Having others clearly and succinctly pray for my needs was refreshing. I want to thank everyone who has been praying for me, and I want to ask for continued prayers. There are a few specifics I can think of right now.

Safe travel. Andy and I will be driving to El Paso tomorrow and then on to Pasadena on Tuesday.
Smooth transitions. I will be experiencing a lot of new things over the next couple of weeks and having to take care of a lot of the business that comes with moving to a new state.
Continued excitement for school. It will be a few weeks before I actually begin classes. I hope that the enthusiasm that I have about learning will continue once I begin that grind again.

I know there are things that I am leaving out, but I am incredibly thankful that there are people out there who are praying with me. Thank you all for loving me so much. I love you too!

the long goodbye

2005-08-23T00:59:00.000-07:00

Two weeks of goodbyes. Who does this? It’s like seeing how slow you can pull off a band-aid. It began last Thursday with a going-away party at my grandmother’s house, where I said goodbye to my extended family. The night couldn’t quite prepare me for the gut check that would come the next day when I had to say goodbye to my sister. You see, not only am I about to move from Texas to California, but my sister has just moved to Cameroon, Africa. That’s right, Africa – across-the-ocean Africa, six-hour-time-difference Africa, not-part-of-the-Cingular-Nation Africa. And Ginger is not just my sister; she is my other half (not always necessarily better). We’ve lived together twenty of my twenty-three years, most of those sharing a room. While this was probably my hardest goodbye, it certainly is not my last.

This last week in Texas is a series of trips between my two homes, Nederland and College Station. I feel like there is so much to do in both places, but I don’t have enough time in either one. It also creates awkwardness with people not knowing exactly when will be the final goodbye. I'm like Steven from the Ben Folds Five song. I, however, know exactly when those final goodbyes will take place. Each one a painful hurdle to jump before I can start my new adventure. And that is where my focus needs to be. The ache from all of these lasts will soon be assuaged by the joy and excitement that will come with all of the firsts that are waiting for me in California.

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."
~ Seneca