The Williams Building: center for some of the funniest people you will ever meet at FSU--> The English majors! These are the people who read for class and read for fun. Who find nothing wrong with highlighting or underlining in a book, or even writing notes in the margins. They can discuss a piece of literature from every possible angle and not get sick of the book. They write probably more essays that any other student on campus and can BS with the best of them! Sadly, they also have a major that not many people consider to be difficult and one that doesn't have much job security...and yet here we are...lovers of books, studing the thoughts of past centuries, and enjoying every minute of it! Even when your teachers ask you to do some of the most random things to get 'in-tune' with what you are reading...aka Transcendental walks...
But, I absolutely adore them! It's incredible to see the pleasure on their faces when they read, the excitement of sharing their treasures of insight with a friend, the respect they feel for the writings of great authors. You see them randomly on campus...
the student who
-reads while walking
-finds a nook somewhere in a coffee shop to sit and enjoy a good book
-reads aloud an important passage to his friend and explains what it means
- stays after class to continue the discussion of a book with fellow students or the professor
-writes about her love for literature in her blog!
It's neat to me how God has gifted human beings in different areas. The fact that I can get the same pleasure out of reading Thoreau that another student gets by creating ethenol in a lab is wonderful! The human mind is so vast!
There is something addicting about unlocking the key to a piece of literature and seeing beyond the surface of the words to the person behind them. It's like stepping into a mirror and finding a whole new world seen through the eyes of the person who lived there. The words are just the road that leads the reader to the country beyond. Almost like Mary Poppin's paintings she jumps through...the painting itself was just a portal through which they explored the new demention of reality.
Literature shows struggle, pain, life, risks, fears, joys, discoveries that others before us felt and went through. What a unique way to learn about humanity, history, and ourselves. Reading helps me see that the emotional struggles I have were shared by others in the past as well, and shows me how they managed them... lived and learned through them.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
absent writings
I truly believe that technology, this week at least, is against me.
-The people who control the Internet I need refuse to turn on wireless, so now I have a pointless wireless card that cannot do it's job for my computer. Result? I had to go out and buy myself an Ethernet cord...and found out it was too short. So I returned it and now have a gargantuan one, borrowed from a friend, that will definitely be long enough. I think I could plug my computer into the moon if it had Internet, that's how long this thing is!
-My computer decided that corrupting registry files is a cool thing to do. Result? I had to buy a new hard drive and now have to backup all the files I want and turn my poor computer into the hospital (Geek Squad at Best Buy) so they can operate for 3-5 hours and put a new hard drive into it.
-My cell phone decided that turning off and turning on at the same time was possible....it's not. Result? I had to wait 3-4 hours for the thing to respond to anything I did...and I basically had to read the manual and take out the battery (all the while praying my phone numbers would still be there when I put it back in) and see what happens. Luckily, it works fine now.
Meanwhile, secretary duties that require my computer are piling up and essays are due soon...yay for being so dependent on these machines. I'm so glad my roommate does not mind me checking my mail, homework, or typing blogs on hers. :) Thanks friend!
-The people who control the Internet I need refuse to turn on wireless, so now I have a pointless wireless card that cannot do it's job for my computer. Result? I had to go out and buy myself an Ethernet cord...and found out it was too short. So I returned it and now have a gargantuan one, borrowed from a friend, that will definitely be long enough. I think I could plug my computer into the moon if it had Internet, that's how long this thing is!
-My computer decided that corrupting registry files is a cool thing to do. Result? I had to buy a new hard drive and now have to backup all the files I want and turn my poor computer into the hospital (Geek Squad at Best Buy) so they can operate for 3-5 hours and put a new hard drive into it.
-My cell phone decided that turning off and turning on at the same time was possible....it's not. Result? I had to wait 3-4 hours for the thing to respond to anything I did...and I basically had to read the manual and take out the battery (all the while praying my phone numbers would still be there when I put it back in) and see what happens. Luckily, it works fine now.
Meanwhile, secretary duties that require my computer are piling up and essays are due soon...yay for being so dependent on these machines. I'm so glad my roommate does not mind me checking my mail, homework, or typing blogs on hers. :) Thanks friend!
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
High Price of the Gospel
Campus Crusade Mourns Murdered Bangladeshi Christian Workers, Urges Justice
By Ed ThomasAugust 9, 2005
(AgapePress) - Natives from the South Asian nation of Bangladesh recently held a rally in sympathy for the families of two Christians who were martyred for their work with a Campus Crusade for Christ affiliate group in that country.
The two slain Christian workers, Lipial Marandi (21) and Tapan Kumar Roy (27), were locals who taught health awareness programs and showed The Jesus Film while working with Christian Life Bangladesh. The young men had been in place in Faridpur, Bangladesh, for eight months but had received two sets of death threats only a week prior to their deaths, warning them that they would be killed if they continued with their work.
According to Campus Crusade for Christ Asia regional spokesman David Beeler, the two men had decided to respond to the threats by leaving the area. "But before they left," he says, "in the middle of the night, about 2:00 a.m. on July 29, some intruders came into their residence and stabbed them to death with machetes."
This slaying marks the second incident within the last two years in which Christian Life Bangladesh workers have been murdered under similar circumstances in this heavily Muslim-influenced area. Campus Crusade reports that police have arrested two suspects in connection with these latest murders, and the missions organization has contacted the Bangladeshi prime minister by letter, asking for zealous prosecution.
Beeler says Campus Crusade for Christ is urging the Bengali government "to bring these murderers to justice and uphold the Bangladesh Constitution, which protects religious freedom." Meanwhile, he is asking believers in the U.S. and other parts of the world to pray for the Bangladeshi Christians "to remain strong and steadfast in a time of crisis like this, and that they would really know the love of God in the example of these two young Bengali men who gave their lives -- gave their all -- for Christ."
In April 2003, Christian Life Bangladesh worker Hridoy Roy was killed in a similar incident. His killers were never convicted. Thomas Abraham, vice president of Asia Campus Crusade for Christ, says the ministry is seeing an increased trend towards persecution of Christians in Bangladesh.
By Ed ThomasAugust 9, 2005
(AgapePress) - Natives from the South Asian nation of Bangladesh recently held a rally in sympathy for the families of two Christians who were martyred for their work with a Campus Crusade for Christ affiliate group in that country.
The two slain Christian workers, Lipial Marandi (21) and Tapan Kumar Roy (27), were locals who taught health awareness programs and showed The Jesus Film while working with Christian Life Bangladesh. The young men had been in place in Faridpur, Bangladesh, for eight months but had received two sets of death threats only a week prior to their deaths, warning them that they would be killed if they continued with their work.
According to Campus Crusade for Christ Asia regional spokesman David Beeler, the two men had decided to respond to the threats by leaving the area. "But before they left," he says, "in the middle of the night, about 2:00 a.m. on July 29, some intruders came into their residence and stabbed them to death with machetes."
This slaying marks the second incident within the last two years in which Christian Life Bangladesh workers have been murdered under similar circumstances in this heavily Muslim-influenced area. Campus Crusade reports that police have arrested two suspects in connection with these latest murders, and the missions organization has contacted the Bangladeshi prime minister by letter, asking for zealous prosecution.
Beeler says Campus Crusade for Christ is urging the Bengali government "to bring these murderers to justice and uphold the Bangladesh Constitution, which protects religious freedom." Meanwhile, he is asking believers in the U.S. and other parts of the world to pray for the Bangladeshi Christians "to remain strong and steadfast in a time of crisis like this, and that they would really know the love of God in the example of these two young Bengali men who gave their lives -- gave their all -- for Christ."
In April 2003, Christian Life Bangladesh worker Hridoy Roy was killed in a similar incident. His killers were never convicted. Thomas Abraham, vice president of Asia Campus Crusade for Christ, says the ministry is seeing an increased trend towards persecution of Christians in Bangladesh.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Another list of firsts for me
Yet again I have some time to write down a few things that I have never experienced before now, that can help me highlight the more interesting place my life has turned, over the past year.
1. I knew of 14 couples who are engaged (some have, by the time this entree is posted are already married).
2. Finally got away from the HLE (after 4.5 years!) and started a new job working as a cake decorator apprentice at Publix. I love it! :)
3. Turned 21 and went into the popular '21 & up' club in Tally with some of my sorority sisters, all of whom have since graduated from FSU. It was just like every other one...incredibly crowded, filled with large drunken people, dark and smoky, and a waste of time to be in. I lasted a grand total of 45 minutes inside it...oh well. Spending time with sisters has its price I guess!
4. Visited Texas! Brigitte and I went to visit our friend Zandy, who lives in San Antonio, for spring break and we has so much fun! I love Texas! We saw many quatrefoils, ate amazing mexican food, and even rode a cute little trolley--which I have wanted to do forever--through downtown San Antonio. We saw The Alamo, which was a lot smaller than I thought it would be, and saw a huge mural on the wall of the hospital where Zandy was born. El Mercado, was so amazing! It is this huge market that has authentic mexican products like blankets, hats, figurines, butterflies, and lots of armadillos...which seem to be a popular animal in Texas. I also saw huge cacti, like 5 or 6 different kinds of cacti!
5. I have started reading the Anne series...oh what a joy it has been! I am a late bloomer when it comes to discovering Anne Shirley...most of my friends were in high school when they recommended L. M. Montgomery's series. I guess I wasn't ready until this point in my life to really appreciate Anne and the wildly unabandoned journeys she goes on. I am now at the point where Gilbert and Anne are writing to each other since Gilbert is away in Medical school and Diana has just become a mother and named her first son, Fred, (after his father of course).
It's so funny how much I can empathize with Anne and the emotions she feels at different points in her life...it has been fun to read and laugh at her descriptions of things and people she encounters!
6. I received an email from the University telling me that the religion class I chose to be a part of in the fall semester has been cancelled. Luckily, there is another class I can take that will be just as interesting...and I just learned that we will be reading a C.S. Lewis book! Awesome!
7. Lived in Tallahassee in May and June to take summer school and work. I definitely missed Orlando quite a bit, but was taught a lot about patience, dependence on God in everything, Publix and espanol while I was in Tally! ;)
8. Finally had my room painted over with NICE colors (neptune blue and gray--I created my own storm cloud!), instead of the ugly seafoam green and baby pink I've had to stare at since we moved into this house. Thanks Jonathan for helping us! My door looks amazing! ;)
1. I knew of 14 couples who are engaged (some have, by the time this entree is posted are already married).
2. Finally got away from the HLE (after 4.5 years!) and started a new job working as a cake decorator apprentice at Publix. I love it! :)
3. Turned 21 and went into the popular '21 & up' club in Tally with some of my sorority sisters, all of whom have since graduated from FSU. It was just like every other one...incredibly crowded, filled with large drunken people, dark and smoky, and a waste of time to be in. I lasted a grand total of 45 minutes inside it...oh well. Spending time with sisters has its price I guess!
4. Visited Texas! Brigitte and I went to visit our friend Zandy, who lives in San Antonio, for spring break and we has so much fun! I love Texas! We saw many quatrefoils, ate amazing mexican food, and even rode a cute little trolley--which I have wanted to do forever--through downtown San Antonio. We saw The Alamo, which was a lot smaller than I thought it would be, and saw a huge mural on the wall of the hospital where Zandy was born. El Mercado, was so amazing! It is this huge market that has authentic mexican products like blankets, hats, figurines, butterflies, and lots of armadillos...which seem to be a popular animal in Texas. I also saw huge cacti, like 5 or 6 different kinds of cacti!
5. I have started reading the Anne series...oh what a joy it has been! I am a late bloomer when it comes to discovering Anne Shirley...most of my friends were in high school when they recommended L. M. Montgomery's series. I guess I wasn't ready until this point in my life to really appreciate Anne and the wildly unabandoned journeys she goes on. I am now at the point where Gilbert and Anne are writing to each other since Gilbert is away in Medical school and Diana has just become a mother and named her first son, Fred, (after his father of course).
It's so funny how much I can empathize with Anne and the emotions she feels at different points in her life...it has been fun to read and laugh at her descriptions of things and people she encounters!
6. I received an email from the University telling me that the religion class I chose to be a part of in the fall semester has been cancelled. Luckily, there is another class I can take that will be just as interesting...and I just learned that we will be reading a C.S. Lewis book! Awesome!
7. Lived in Tallahassee in May and June to take summer school and work. I definitely missed Orlando quite a bit, but was taught a lot about patience, dependence on God in everything, Publix and espanol while I was in Tally! ;)
8. Finally had my room painted over with NICE colors (neptune blue and gray--I created my own storm cloud!), instead of the ugly seafoam green and baby pink I've had to stare at since we moved into this house. Thanks Jonathan for helping us! My door looks amazing! ;)