Into Thy Calm: The Decayed (The Six Shades of Sin, Part VI)

Into Thy Calm: The Decayed (The Six Shades of Sin, Part VI): "Woe unto them...who justify the wicked for a reward and take away the righteousness of the innocent!" Is. 5:22-23 Justice is a popul...

retrospective

In November 2007, I was living in a one bedroom apartment. My bedroom was dead to me as it was covered in clutter.

I had run exactly one 5k at that point, in 45 minutes. I rarely cooked, especially since my sink was filled with a precarious pile of dirty dishes. I had hair past my shoulders.

I loved wearing silver hoop earrings. I was studying Psychology at a Roman Catholic University. I had recently read The Redemption of Althalus. I was driving an obnoxiously gold Ford Focus named Penny.

I worked at a family-owned medical supply store. I had been dating Tony, the man who has now been my husband for almost a year, for a little under a month. My Uncle Paul was still alive. My best friend had talked me through the panicky Fall Break during which I ardently hoped that Tony would call me. 

I had just adopted a 4 month old little boy kitten from the animal shelter. I named him Kazu, short for the character Kazuhiko from my favorite manga, Clover.

NATURA MODERNA: HUMUS

NATURA MODERNA: HUMUS: As a young boy, I spent hours roaming the woods near my home and then proceeded to draw for hours while listening to the radio. Vague mem...

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Into Thy Calm: In the Midst (The Ministers of God, Part 2)

Into Thy Calm: In the Midst (The Ministers of God, Part 2): "...in all things we commend ourselves as the ministers of God with much patience: in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in flog...

Aren't we all unlikely?

Mountain Dew (Photo credit: compujeramey)

It's been a while. You may have noticed two other entries published recently. They were drafts about which I had long forgotten, but I decided they were worth posting.

I am up late, due to two Mountain Dews and a lot on my mind. I can blame my dear, dear friends for at least two of those things. I was given (Okay, I requested it) the Mountain Dew by Justin when I wandered up to his apartment after discovering my friend's wife, Ari, was not hiding in her bedroom from his weekly man night. Eventually, Ari materialized and we retreated downstairs to her apartment. While lounging on her bed and discussing depression, old friendships and other assorted things, I noticed a copy of The Unlikely Disciple on her bookshelf. I promptly stole it (with her permission), and when my husband and I had retreated back to our own abode, proceeded to devour it.

I already had a lot on my mind about....religion, I guess you could say, though I cringe to use that term, with all its connotations. Perhaps it would be simpler just to say what has been on my mind. Baptism. Christian culture. Christianity as a sub-culture. (Sub-cultures of all kinds have always fascinated me.) Movements. Guilt. Slacktivism. Judging. Creating a hierarchy of sins. This book just gave me more to think about. I also seem to be experiencing a shortage of people to talk about these things with. Too bad most Bible Studies suck.

The thought occurs to me that perhaps I am missing real community. I hang out with a lot of people, but we don't have much time to actually talk. Perhaps I need to make my life quieter. Spend more time studying and pondering and less time watching Netflix. I don't want to become afraid of the silence. I want my friendships to be about more than the latest Batman movie.

...okay, my cat just yawned the cutest yawn ever and nearly killed me with teh cute. For srs.

ANYWAY

I need to be more purposeful about my life. Am I happy? Yes. But I can do better and I can be better. I have been trying to establish routines to keep me from being bogged down by the mundane, so that I can focus on things like this. Things that are transcendental, things that matter. And it seems that time has come. I'm excited. :)

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This is my pitiful attempt at putting scripture around the house. The only plain post-its I have right now are tiny, so I have to write 'crazy small'. The verse is Deuteronomy 31:8, " The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”, which I read this morning. I mean...at noon...because that's when I got up. Ahem. I'm also researching prayer, because I'm pretty sure I'm terrible at it, so if you have any ideas on that, please share.

 I've decided I want to lose 23 pounds. If anyone has anything smart to say about that, they can keep it to themselves. The first thing I ate today was a peanut butter sandwich with 100% whole wheat bread. That gives me good carbohydrates. Now I'm making eggs for protein. I have to go to bed at ten pm tonight. As productive as last night's bookshelving was, this cannot continue. And I want to snuggle with my husband, so deal with it. Another habit I want to start is praying with him before bed. I think that would be awesome. Going to bed on time would also help us to make it to the Young Married class at church, which we keep missing. 

little people

It's been a truly glorious week.

Tony and I went jogging on Monday and had the pleasure of my uncle and his foster dog Bullseye joining us.

Thursday night we went to the art museum and I wore an adorable red and black outfit of which there are sadly no pictures.

Into the Calm: It's Time to Grow Up (as explained by an orthodox ...

Into the Calm: It's Time to Grow Up (as explained by an orthodox ...: "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not beneficial. All things are lawful for me, but all things do not edify. Let no man s...

Hassled by the Real World

English: My Grandfather (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My Mom talked to my Grandfather about a week ago. He will hereafter be referred to as Mr. M. He told her that he loved her and he wanted her to be happy and have a good life, but that he no longer wanted a relationship with her. He told her that she was not there for him after my uncle died.

T has been truly amazing the past couple of days. He has cheered me on in my new job and not pressured me about money at all. He has made me laugh and folded clothes and complimented my cooking. He has forced me to run when I didn't want to and helped pack boxes. I am a very blessed woman to have such a husband.  

As mentioned above, I have recently started a new job at a Special Needs Ministry. The clients range in age from 18-55. It is a non-profit (of course, do I work at any other type of place?). I would like to organize some field trips for them or maybe find some good guest speakers but I am not sure what they would be interested in. I am still kind of trying to get a feel for the place.

My car is broken. I am really sad about this and it is seriously the last thing we needed as our money was already stretched super thin this month. We have had to borrow from my parents and I cannot possibly express how much I hate doing that. It makes me nervous to owe anyone money and I hate depending on my parents when I know things have been rough for them lately too. I am in my mid-20s, I should be independent! Aaargh! 

We had too much fun tonight. We went to a friend's house for game night. While it was fun and the company was great, I feel like we really shouldn't have gone. I feel like I am trying to do too much and I am packing my schedule too full right now. I jump at every invitation without really considering if it is best for me or will help my get closer to my goals. I need to remind myself of my priorities.

I have been thinking a lot about my previous career lately, if you can even call it a career. I used to work at a residential treatment program. The majority of my coworkers were awful people. However, I enjoyed my work. But I was highly disappointed in the place where I worked. Now I am wondering if all programs in this field are like that. The hours were also terrible. No wonder people in this field burn out so quickly. Combine the high stress of the job with little sleep and it is a recipe for disaster! I truly think this can be prevented.

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My Review of MythBusters: Season 1 DVD Set

Originally submitted at Discovery Channel

The Myth Busters Season 1 DVD lets you relive all the best momentsexploding toiletschicken gunsescape from Alcatrazand morefrom your favorite TV myth busters Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman. Before they became famous (icons and bobbleheads), Savage and Hyneman were special effects masters who underst...

MythBusters: Season 1 DVD Set

Good show, mediocre dvd

By Daniellemichelle86 from Memphis, TN on 5/16/2012

 

4out of 5

Pros: Engaging Characters, Original, Informative, Entertaining

Best Uses: Perfect Gift, Adult Viewers, Younger Viewers, At Home

Describe Yourself: Casual Viewer

My husband and I really enjoy relaxing in the evenings with a good episode of Mythbusters. Adam and Jamie are awesome and amusing, obviously. Unfortunately, the individual menus for each episode are a little annoying.

(legalese)

(Photo credit: jakebouma)

Today's sermon was amazing, and I do not say that lightly. It was all about how Jesus goes where other people, religious people particularly, are not willing to go. It got me super-excited to meet my mentee on Thursday!
The pastor also mentioned that Jesus cared more about people than about religious rules. However, here I think it is important to differentiate between religious rules and scriptural rules. Always check what any 'church' person tells you against scripture. And never put man's rules above God's, no matter who that man (or woman) may be. This is a form of idolatry!

Chinese lepers in British Columbia, Canada (Photo Wikipedia)

He asked the congregation if they had befriended any lepers lately. By 'lepers', he meant people seen as socially unacceptable, either by the church or society at large. I often see myself as one of these people, which is interesting. I have experienced firsthand what it feels like to feel ostracized and unworthy. While we should hold people accountable for their sins, we should not make them feel this way! We all have shortcomings and struggles and we were all once lost.

Image via Wikipedia

We had Ari and Tay over for dinner last night. That was nice. T made some amazing onions and some pretty good chicken. The onions though...I swear they were like candy. I showed Ari and Tay some Azumanga Daioh and Kazu stretched out in Ari's lap until Tay annoyed him because he kept shaking the couch. We watched stupid Youtube videos and Tay ate all our Oreos. It was fun.

Kazu is kind of being a big butt today. At the moment, he is sitting behind me on the computer chair, but he has been rattling blinds, trying to pee on the papers in the shredder box, and jumping on the table. I think we're not showing him enough attention.

The apartment is still a horrible mess, though everyone claims that it gets better each time they see it. My next project is the bedroom. For starters, reorganizing and cleaning out our clothes. I have an Oprah magazine with some good ideas to that end.

T and I went running for 20 minutes at the Farms yesterday. Next time, (which I'm thinking will be Thursday) we step it up to jogging 90 seconds, walking 90 seconds, jogging 3 minutes, and walking three minutes. Lather, rinse, repeat. 5K here we come!

can't sleep, clowns will eat me

I'm getting old. I say this not because my birthday is tomorrow (which it is. Pi day. I know you're jealous), but because of other things. Because I don't await my next dvd purchase with bated breath. I'd rather save my money towards a three day trip to the next state with my husband. I talk about things like life insurance and taxes. I get excited about changing my name at the bank.

I worry about my Mom and Dad. It's difficult to find the balance between the new family that T and I are creating and my family of origin. I don't want to leave them behind. I worry about them. I'm terrified of losing them someday. I know I don't call me Mom nearly as much as I used to. Where do they fit into all this? It was beautiful today to sit outside with my Mom, picking at my sandwich and talking about marriage and respect and identity and femininity. She can be so smart when she puts her mind to it. That was a flicker of the old her, before a drunk driver and diabetes and an arrogant father took her strength away. Maybe I'll see more of that soon. I think it's also a result of the spiritual renaissance I've been experiencing. She and my Dad have been getting closer and closer. I gave her my copy of "Love and Respect" to read. Perhaps through my faithfulness and the testimony of my marriage, we can help bring my Dad back to the fold.

I miss my friends dearly, lately. However, I am thankful for facebook and online messaging and texting. I defy anyone who says that technology has damaged our relationships. Anna is going to GP to be a GP. I'm insanely proud of her, not just for her assignment, but for taking on the difficult task of explaining her desire for it to her parents. And honored that she wants to hang out with me (in person!) in 2015. I don't want five years to go by between seeing one another again. I need someone to go on adventures with, and she's the girl for the job. Lyss will be getting her black belt next weekend, and I plan on being there. I want to encourage her like my grandparents always encouraged me at my dance recitals. If I have any say in it, she'll be the happiest, most confident 12  year old on the planet. I will see Ari Friday night at the salsa club. We have both been busy as of late, but my anniversary card to her made her laugh, and that made me smile. I am texting Cassie, who is in Korea now. I do need to call Garrard.

Kazu is a kitty. As of late, he has been more directly playful with T and I. He will occasionally run up behind me and grab my legs gently, thereby initiating a game of tag. I make silly noises, and run around corners and gently grab or tap him while we chase each other. Sometimes I hide behind things and wait for him to pounce me. Sometimes I get down on my hands and knees and crawl around. It is fun, and he is ever so gentle. When he does get too excited, he heeds my admonitions quickly.

Image via Wikipedia

We rearranged the furniture Saturday, in between a Spycraft session and a Doctor Who marathon. (3 episodes counts as a marathon, right?) The long suffering Nick and TM helped us out. T deserves special credit, since it was also his birthday. Of course, we did bribe him with thin mint cake and a party hat, which he insisted on wearing like a unicorn. Anyway, I'm happy with the end result. We've managed to make a large space look like three different rooms, while still maintaining a sense of space and not making the tv the focal point of the room.

Into the Calm: Homily 37: Love and Holiness (as preached by an or...

Into the Calm: Homily 37: Love and Holiness (as preached by an or...: "And may the Lord make you to increase and abound in love...to the end that He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness...." I Thess...

pedal with authority

Image via Wikipedia

"We pedal with authority in here!" Hehe. That's what my spin class instructor said today. It made me giggle. I told Ari how I want to rearrange the living room. She approves. It was nice to have her and Tay over here for a change. I really want our house to be like Lou and M's was for me. Relaxing, welcoming, homey, and safe. Some of my best and/or most defining moments happened in or because of that house and the people in it. It would be an incredible blessing for our house to be that for someone else.
Kazu had company today too...cousin Julep came to visit. They both did very well. Kazu was relaxed enough to tease Julep a little bit, which was pretty funny. I think it's good for Zu to have a playmate. It keeps him physically active and also socially and mentally stimulated. Yay healthy kitty! And let's be honest. It's cute for Kazu's friends to be our friends and vice versa.

So Ari asked why I was taking pre-natal vitamins (To raise my vitamin D levels, not because I'm preggo, mmmkay?). I walked on Tay's back and he and Tony talked about their jobs. We talked about moving to new apartments and Tay showed us his silly Minecraft stuff. Ari complimented my kitty apron and said that we need to get Tony a cooler apron.

Image via Wikipedia

She also said my buffalo chicken balls with blue cheese dressing were good. : D It was a really nice, relaxing evening.

Image via Wikipedia

Also, I made pie.

http://www.glamour.com/sex-love-life/2012/01/4-great-date-recipes-from-celebrity-chefs?currentPage=2 ^--chicken ball recipe

this is where I write stuff: Caryatid Who Has Fallen under Her Stone

this is where I write stuff: Caryatid Who Has Fallen under Her Stone: "Here we have another emotional symbol - but wrought with exquisite artistry. Ben, for three thousand years architects designed buildings wi...

Awesome stuff I have Done lately

• Finally took all that crap to Goodwill. Yay for clearer entryways!
• Exercised yesterday even though I didn't make it to Spin Class.
• Filled out more job applications. 
• Made mango salsa, despite cutting myself with the knife. :(
• Chose more wedding pictures to have printed.
• Went grocery shopping with Ari.

Respect the Polygon!

ugh...the laundry is endless. Especially the whites. It would probably help if I would just sImage by Getty Images via @daylifeit down and do it all in one go, instead of continually responding to the siren song of the computer. I might get my first tattoo tomorrow evening. My friend Laura is going to help me design it, since I want to combine several animal paw prints in a relatively small design. She has several tattoos already and is pretty good at that sort of thing. I got some cute little hairclips at Claire's the other day when my parents came to visit and I suddenly became thirteen again. Now that my hair is crazy-short, I really want to juxtapose it with a more feminine style. 'Juxtapose' sounds better than 'dressing ironically on purpose because it amuses me and confuses others'. I've been reading Sybil Exposed and it's terrifying. Terrifying in a very special, realistic sort of way. That a doctor could be that selfish and short-sighted as to make her patient completely emotionally and financially dependent on her...and then callously tell that patient to 'get well' when the patient was no longer needed to advance her career...it's truly sickening. It seems that therapeutic boundaries and ethics in psychology are relatively new. I wonder...do psychiatrists and psychologists also take the Hippocratic oath? It seems they should. It is a sobering reminder of the need for boundaries in treatment. Even the most well-intentioned of us should constantly be checking ourselves. There are no excuses.

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Leaving Eden

Image by nickstone333 via Flickr

I should get in the shower. And get dressed. But I SO don't want to. I worked 16 hours yesterday on only about 5 hours of sleep. I also found out a few days ago that I may have been sick without realizing it and that may be why I've been so tired lately. Granted, I've also been doing a lot, but it'd be nice to have more energy. My doctor is supposed to have mailed me a prescription, so hopefully that can be remedied soon.

We've cleared out some area in the apartment by finally installing the DVD shelves and putting away my ridiculous DVD collection. T added his five DVDs to the collection and we discovered that we had two copies of Final Fantasy XII. Anyone want one?

Image via Wikipedia

So, I'm going to clean out my car today and maybe even get it washed. Huzzah! It won't look like I live in my car anymore!

The boy is being all responsible and motivated. I'm sure he's right, but it kind of sucks because I just want to chill. Yesterday was both emotional and exhausting, so I want a day to recollect and recharge before I get started on job applications, name changes, and post-Christmas shopping.

Image via Wikipedia

My parents are coming to visit tomorrow. I'm excited, I just hope they come early. My Mom is off work for Martin Luther King day and I haven't seen my Dad since I got married almost 2 months ago.

We played cars with Ari and Tay the other night. Monopoly deal is surprisingly fun, especially considering how much I hate Monopoly. We also got to see Colt. And visit Julep puppy! She was so funny, she kept popping up from under the table like an adorable Jack-in-the-Box.