A fun project

I've been helping out with some website stuff over at http://www.newprotestant.com - a new webmagazine. The website's nothing fancy, but they are starting an exciting project right now. They're collecting a new 95 Theses, similar to my beloved Martin Luther's original. :) (I mean, we did name our dog after his dog - Tölpel. Yeah, we're kinda sad.)

At any rate, it's not about Protestant/Catholic... it's about a new generation of Christians crossing denominations and having open conversation about our problems.

Anyway, I'd love for you to look it over and consider contributing. They're launching the magazine in July so they'll need submissions soon so they can start narrowing down and formatting. They're also looking for Christian art (including photography, poetry, fiction, etc) as well as articles. Submission guidelines coming to the site soon. (submissions@newprotestant.com)

And the website's going to undergo some pretty drastic changes in the next few weeks/months, but all suggestions can be directed to webmaster@newprotestant.com.

Who I am vs. Who I appear to be

Jacob and I have had a couple conversations about how I appear to other people, as opposed to how I actually am.

For instance, many people think I'm extroverted. And in my own comfort zone, I can be very bubbly and friendly - but it totally zaps all of my super powers. Occasionally, if we have a big get-together at our house, I find myself hiding in the bathroom or office, just to catch my breath. While Jacob appears to be a hermit, he's really the extrovert in our home.

And I have been told by many people how "extremely organized" I am. This makes me laugh so hard every time I hear it, and I'm sure my mother is wondering how on earth I have pulled the wool over so many's eyes. I'm not organized at all! In fact, I'm very easily flustered and confused. I just have this coping mechanism that Jacob suggested to me in college - write everything down, and divide it into daily tasks. If it's not written down, I forget it entirely - but a long list makes me have a nervous breakdown because I think all of it must be done today.

Another one - I'm kinda a know-it-all, which makes people assume I'm super smart! I always can answer your question, even if I'm not entirely sure what the question is! And since Jacob kindly never corrects me in public, I just look like a super big genius! Okay, actually, I think this probably just makes me look like a really obnoxious know-it-all, and not, in fact, like I'm super smart.

Okay, so maybe some of the assumptions aren't all wrong. :-p

Thoughts about Parents

I've started reading Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. It is far more captivating and thought provoking than that silly Jane Austen book I was reading yesterday (sorry, Katie! I'll probably pick it back up soon though.)

Gilead is a letter written by a dying minister to his son. I'm only several pages in and I've had so many thoughts. First I thought how neat it would be if, one day, my parents had written me some letter telling me how they really feel about life and the world and all the lessons they learned. How candid and sweet it would be. But then I thought about my relationship with my parents. They are pretty candid now. I decided I would not like to wait to learn all that they had to teach me. I'm very glad that I can call my mom about any problem and she can help me see some reason.

I have a lot of friends who are parents, and while Jacob and I aren't quite ready to start a family yet, I do think about it. I think I want to be the kind of parent who talks openly with my kids. I'm a real, flawed person. I have opinions and desires and experiences. I hope that I'll have the sort of candid and constant relationship with my child that I don't need to write a letter for when I'm gone. I hope my children will cooperate with this plan. :)

Mom and Dad, thanks for putting up with all my whining, disobedience, and bad decisions over the years. Now that I'm turning into a grownup, I'm starting to realize just how amazing you are and have been to me over the years. Love you guys.

Exciting news!

So very exciting news for two very dear friends (and bridesmaids!) got engaged to their respective mans over the holidays!


Megan and I have been friends since we were two years old. Although she moved away in elementary school and our penpal-ship has been... rocky at best over the years (it was totally my fault!), we have stayed very close and since freshman year in college have learned just how similar we still are. She and her honey, Matt, are looking to get married this July (and I get to be the matron of honor!! I'm so excited!)



Grace and I met when we were in middle school, and ended up living together for 3 years in college. She and I have seen each other through all our crazy times learning who we were, how to be grownups, and how to survive this awful thing they call "classes". She and her man, Nathaniel (who I studied with in undergrad) are also looking forward to a summer wedding. I know it will be beautiful!


On a totally different note, I recently asked many friends via facebook for book suggestions and I'm starting to slowly make my way through the list. Which you can look at here

So far I've read:

• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho,
• 2 short stories by William Faulkner (The Evening Sun Go Down and A Rose For Emily)
• I'm about 6 chapters into Jane Austen's Persuasion.

I am actually really enjoying trying new things. It's not like I have any expectations out of reading these books, or that I am trying to finish them in any sort of reasonable time-frame, but somehow it makes me feel less sad while my husband does super smart academic things like learn his 5th language (English, Greek, Hebrew, Syriac, and now Latin) or do research on topics that I can't even understand! (Fyi - He and his friends blog about these endeavors here).

If you have any other book suggestions for me, feel free to comment. :)

A Christmas Survey

Taken from Lauren's blog ;)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

wrapping paper. It's cheaper!

2. Real tree or Artificial?

artificial. It's cheaper! lol. Also, I hate tree needles all over the floor. Ugh. I hate sweeping. Why create extra work? Light a candle for the smell, sheesh.

3. When do you put up the tree?

As soon as we possibly can after thanksgiving. (This year, it was 1am on the day after)

4. When do you take the tree down?

Around New Years.

5. Do you like eggnog?

I never had it growing up, but yes, in small quantities.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

Hmmm... I don't know, I had so many wonderful gifts given to me.

7. Hardest person to buy for?

My Brother in Law. What do you buy for the man who has everything?

8. Easiest person to buy for?
This year, I think it was my sister. But it varies.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

No

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

Um, neither yet.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

That's a terrible question.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

I absolutely HATE christmas movies. I cannot think of a single good one. They are all cheesy.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

Planning... Early October. Shopping... Black Friday.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

Only for the annual white elephant party

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Um, mom's ham biscuits? Or occasionally she makes monkey bread.

16. Lights on the tree (colored or clear)?

CLEAR CLEAR CLEAR

17. Favorite Christmas song?

any hymn or Johnny Cash song. We listen to Johnny Cash incessantly at Christmas.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

Stay in town.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's?

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Doner and Blitzen, but do you recalllllll the most FAAAMOOUUSSS RAINDEER OF ALLLLLL. Rudolph! (and Olive, of course.)

20. Angel, star or ribbon on top of tree?

Star! I love it.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

A couple on Christmas eve. (christmas pjs and my sister and I usually exchange on Christmas eve.) But mostly on christmas day.

22. Favorite children's Christmas song?

I always associate "I said the cow all white and red" with kids and Christmas.

23. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

Christmas movies? I don't know. I really love this time of year.

24. Favorite ornament theme or color?

my tree has silver and red christmas balls, but otherwise, it's kinda a mismatch. i hate themed trees.

25. Turkey or ham on Christmas day?

Um, I don't have any idea. I guess ham?

26. What do you want for Christmas this year?

Just to celebrate. I find it exciting, regardless of what's in the package. Although, I did ask for some clothes and house stuff and fun things that I wouldn't otherwise be able to buy for myself. :)

27. Does anyone in your family dress up as Santa?

No. Although one year, he did rip his pants on my parents fireplace and leave sooty footprints. :) That was a fun year.

28. Age you discovered who Santa was?

5

29. Eggnog, hot chocolate, or apple cider?

ohhh... Probably apple cider lately. Although I love a good hot chocolate as well.

30. Traditional colors (red and green) or other colors?

Everything is red, green and silver.

31. Do you have any Christmas decorations on your roof?

no. We don't have any outside this year. Hoping to buy lights in the after Christmas sales. *Fingers crossed*. But i don't think I'm a "decorations on the roof" kind of girl.

32. How does Santa get into your house?

He doesn't come right now. maybe when there are kids. And since there's no fireplace... I guess we'll have to crack open a window. lol.

33. Do you prefer gifts or gift cards?

Either. :)

34. Favorite children's Christmas Cartoon?

Hm, maybe Rudolph claymation one, but idk. Christmas movies are LAME.

35. Favorite Christmas Memory?

I love christmas eve. The candlelight service, the luminaries all over, driving around to see lights, eating, singing... So... I guess every Christmas Eve ever.

Who Am I?

I've been a little depressed lately. Who am I? Why do I spend all my free time cooking? Am I turning into a mindless domesticated woman? What is it that I actually like to do?

I had a conversation this morning at church with a friend about this subject as well. I mean, work takes up most of my time, but then I just come home and... do nothing! So what's wrong with me? It doesn't help that my sweet husband is ALWAYS studying. He certainly knows what he wants to do with his free time.

Jake and I were talking about this on the way home from church today and it was clear that he didn't quite understand. He said that I am a strong woman with a great career. I enable him to do all the things that he does. I enjoy eating yummy foods and find satisfaction in that... so what exactly was I being so hard on myself about?

I kinda think he's right. Sometimes I choose to be unhappy because I think that things aren't the way they *ought* to be, or weren't the way I expected them to be. But that doesn't make them... not wonderful. Sometimes you just have to take some time and enjoy life.

So today, I choose to be extremely content, because I have fresh flowers on my table, and delicious homemade-from-scratch ice cream. I choose to happily crawl under a giant quilt with some apple cider and a very silly book. Today, I choose to be content with who I am. And not worry so much about defining it.

The Main Difference

Last night, I was at a little get together with some married friends. Two of us had kids. Two of us did not. We were all sitting around chatting and it fell into the "Oh, is Junior sleeping through the night now?" "Well, little JoJo is a good eater, but a terrible sleeper." At which point, us two non-moms chimed in with "Well, little Fido is really a troublemaker."

I was thinking about how terrible it is to compare someone's children to your pets... and I had a revelation in the main difference between pets and kids.

Sure, Fluffy probably won't cry all night, and Fluffy won't grow up and start to hate you, and Fluffy doesn't need a college fund... but when it comes right down to it: We want our pets to be stupid, but we want our kids to be smart.

I feel like this explains a lot. Feel free to subscribe to this blog for other such brilliant words of wisdom! :p