Day 41 - June 25, 2010 - Magnolias & Moonlight

“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind.” -Ashley Smith

I wish that this picture did the scene justice! The moon was simply gorgeous tonight. We have a magnolia tree in our backyard, and the moon just happened to rise above it. Unspoken poetry! An unsung melody! It was simple and beautiful.

Beauty depends on your vantage point. Everyone sees something different when they look out at the world. We are all immersed the world, but we have different experiences. No one else was around to experience this scene and the picture certainly doesn't do it justice. Thank God for memory and imagination! It is preserved in my mind; that's for certain.

When you take the time to get to know someone, you might discover that they have a lovely collection of knowledge and experiences that they've love to share. That's half the fun of meeting new people. You never know what you'll discover about them!

Day 40 - June 24, 2010 - Good Grief!

"Look, Charlie, let's face it. We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. It's run by a big eastern syndicate, you know." -Lucy (A Charlie Brown Christmas)

I know it's a Christmas movie, but I simply *love* "A Charlie Brown Christmas." No, I didn't pull it out and watch it this week, but my worship pastor and I were discussing his plans for Christmas time earlier today. We always have a play of some kind at our church, and often we incorporate the show with a Christmas give away to lower income families. I started participating in these yearly shows when I was in junior high. My old choir director used to be in charge of the event. It was always lots of fun.

My worship pastor told me that this year he wanted to do "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Admittedly, I got super excited. I'd love to be in it, but who knows? I can't really drive easily from San Diego to Los Angeles for practices. This is just a reminder that i miss musical theater... a lot. But school comes first right now. I wouldn't have it any other way, really. I *do* wish I could be in a musical theater production again soon, though!

Day 39 - June 23, 2010 - Transitions

"Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures." -John F. Kennedy

Behold! The wreckage that is my room! Ok, so it's normally pretty messy and cluttered... but I'm looking to change that! Today, I have embarked upon the arduous process of cleaning and reorganizing my room at my parent's house. This will be no easy task... believe me! I plan on shedding things that I don't need and packing up others in storage boxes for later use.

My college years have very transitory. They've been a constant process of change and transformation, and I'm not done yet. By no means am I done yet. This upcoming year will be the most transitory of all. Life will be up in the air for the next few years as I work towards my career and beyond. Like my room, my insides are feeling a bit cluttered and confused. That doesn't mean I don't see the direction I'm headed clearly. It just means that the process is by no means easy. There's going to be a lot of trimming, shaping, and taking on of new tasks. The outcome may look different than I anticipate, but it will still be great. I'll find that first job somewhere and my loved ones will be closer than I think.

When the room is all finished, I'll post a picture of the results. I'm excited to see the fruits of all my hard work (in both situations).

Day 38 - June 22, 2010 - Short, but Sweet

"Oliver Wendell Holmes once attended a meeting in which he was the shortest man present. 'Dr. Holmes,' quipped a friend, 'I should think you'd feel rather small among us big fellows.' 'I do,' retorted Holmes, 'I feel like a dime among a lot of pennies.'"
-Anonymous

We had strawberry shortcake for dessert tonight. So delicious! Gotta love the name.

I joke about my height a lot. Being on the short side (because according to the world average, 5'4 is normal) has never really bothered or offended me. In fact, in many ways it has proved to be an asset. As I grow older, I am becoming more and more comfortable in my own skin. When I was younger, it might have bothered me more that I wasn't very tall. There are still things that I don't particularly "love" about my appearance, but I'm slowly getting to the place where it doesn't really matter all that much what everyone else thinks. One day/month/year at a time.

After all, dynamite comes in a pretty small package, wouldn't you say?

Day 37 - June 21, 2010 - Left is Right

“The right half of the brain controls the left half of the body. This means that only left handed people are in their right mind.” - Anonymous

My best friend & I used to say, "Lefties shall rule the world!" in High School. She and I are both left handed. They say left handed people are very creative. I know that doesn't apply to everyone, but I'm certainly a living testament to that statement. I love music, art, theater... and if it involves creating and working with my hands, I'm in! One of my favorite pass times is drawing. I'm not particularly amazing, but I enjoy it quite a lot. Since I've been home this summer, I've been doing a lot of drawing.

Some people who are/were left handed: Ronald Reagan & Barack Obama (guess it doesn't matter what you're political persuasion is), Joan of Arc, Julius Caesar, Charlemagne, Napoleon, (maybe lefties WILL rule the world), Hitler (UGH!) Helen Keller, Lewis Carroll (I knew i liked him for some reason!), Mark Twain, H.G. Wells, Ringo Starr (yeah!!), Keanu Reeves, Charlie Chaplin, Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo da Vinci, Bill Gates, Jay Leno, Einstein, Ben Franklin ... I could keep going, but I think you get the point!

I love being left handed & it always makes me smile when someone new notices. =)

Day 36 - June 20, 2010 - Father's Day

"He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it." ~Clarence Budington Kelland

If you haven't figured it out by now, this is a picture of my dad. What better day than Father's day to honor my dad? I could begin to write down all of his good traits and the things that he has taught me throughout the years, but that wouldn't really cover everything. The truth is that not every single moment I've spent with my dad has always been pleasant. Don't get me wrong. Many of them have. My dad and I have a great relationship. He's taught me how to be responsible, capable, strong, and how to love people. He's also taught me how to worry, become angry, and be a perfectionist (primarily towards myself). In short, he's taught me how to live. No one is without faults, and i think it is a gross injustice to speak of someone as if they have not flaws. We must accept those we love for who they are, both good and bad. If we didn't, we wouldn't really be loving them, would we? I love my dad, when we're joking around and having fun, and when we're not getting along so well. I know he does the same for me. That's what family is all about!

Day 35 - June 19, 2010 - Looking Glass Self

"Alice laughed, 'There's no use trying," she said, "one can't believe impossible things.''I daresay you haven't had much practice,' said the Queen. 'When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.' - Lewis Carroll (Through the Looking Glass)

Lewis Carroll time again! I just started "Through the Looking Glass" and I was immediately captured from the first chapter. Alice talks about a world existing within the mirror that looked exactly like the one in which she lived. However, when she crosses into the mirrored world, everything is different. Perhaps I liked the idea because it was one I mused with as a child. I thought it would be so cool if another world existed inside of mirrors. Another house, another room, another person that looked like me. But what would be different?

It's always nice to reflect upon childhood fancies... well, in my opinion anyways. It reminds me that, perhaps, I'm not as grown up as I'm supposed to be. Mature and responsible, yes, but by no means is my imagination tamed. Dreaming of impossible things is good for the soul. It keeps our sense of wonder, joy, and adventure alive. I for one would like to remain that way.

Day 34 - June 18, 2010 - The One with the Texting Battle...

"Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships." - Stephen R. Covey

Have you ever felt like you just walked into an episode of "Friends," or perhaps that the script writers from "Friends" were secretly staging a particular scene of your life? You know... one of those moments where, if you were watching it from the outside, it would be hilarious. You'd be saying, "Oh, Ross and Rachel are so crazy!" or "Did Joey just SAY that?" as you laugh. Being in the middle of said situation though... not nearly as amusing as it appears from the outside.

Let's just say there was quite the text message battle going on last night... and all the people texting me were sitting RIGHT next to me having a conversation with one another. There were two levels of conversation going on. The polite, verbal one, and the one taking place through text messages directed towards me. All sides of the story were flowing through me, and there were a LOT of things going unsaid (verbally, anyways). In retrospect, the situation appears pretty comical... but at the time, I couldn't believe what was happening. Thank goodness for multitasking skills!

Day 33 - June 17, 2010 - PLEASE?

"One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you're feeling blue is that he doesn't try to find out why."

This is Chloe. She's pleading for attention. I'm quite used to this look. She uses it a lot when she wants something: food, a belly rub, attention, to play a game... she pleads with me frequently. I can be pretty good at resisting the pleading, but there are times when I don't want to. Dogs have the uncanny ability to read your emotions. They know when you're excited, mad, sad... they're excellent at reading body language. Chloe is one of the smartest canines I've ever met... albeit the fact that she can hardly contain her excitement around new people. She's very good at reading my emotions.

I've only been back a few days, but I've decided to take Chloe for a walk every day, if I can. She loves walks, but she is strong. She gives my mother back pains. Thus far, we've had 3 very nice walks. I enjoy them. I hope she does too.

Day 32 - June 16, 2010 - Wise

"A cat is more intelligent than people believe, and can be taught any crime."
-Mark Twain

I risk sounding weird here, but I find my cat to be very wise. Anyone who has ever owned a cat knows that each one has a very distinct personality. Socks, my companion of 12 years, has proved to be exceedingly patient and somewhat snarky at times. He can give some of the most funny looks I've ever seen. I was given one of those looks today as a matter of fact.

We took Socks to the vet today. He hasn't been feeling well lately. His stomach has been bothering him, so my mom has taken him in a few times over the past couple of months. This last time, he has to have his temperature taken. The vet's assistant asked me to hold him while they took his temperature. Let's just say, he gave me one of the dirtiest looks I've ever seen. He was saying, "How degrading! Why would you make me do this?" I do admire his trust in me, though. He hung in there and I think he is feeling better.

I don't know why, but I feel like my cat is older than I am. Physically, I suppose he is, but mentally, he just seems very wise to me; like he has been around longer than I. He hasn't. He came to live with us when I was 8. Is it possible that humans mature more slowly than animals? I don't know. I just find it interesting.

Day 31 - June 15, 2010 - Nonsense? It Makes Perfect Sense!

"Speak English! I don't know the meaning of half those long words, and I don't believe you do either!" -Lewis Carroll

After visiting Oxford, I was inspired to pick up "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" this summer. They're quickly climbing my list of favorite books, to be certain. They're just so different from anything else you will pick up and read. They're child-like and imaginative, yet extremely witty.

Frequently, Carroll plays with language and makes fun of homonyms. One of the corniest examples (yet, I still love it) is a mixing up of the words "porpoise" and "purpose." I never would have guessed that Carroll was so interested in identity until I finally picked up his books. Really, what is a word without context? What is English to those who are not native speakers? To young children? Confusing, to say the least. Why, plain English could easily be transformed into nonsense in the ears of the hearer. It depends on who the hearer is. Language rides a fine line between sense and gibberish.

This is the second blog I've written about Carroll. I must like him quite a bit, eh?

Day 30 - June 14, 2010 - A Happy, Yet Odd Ending

“To be forever reaching out, to remain unsatisfied, is the key to spiritual progress”

Saint Maybe is an interesting book. It isn't one I probably would have picked up on my own. My dad recommended it to me, telling me that it is one of his favorite novels. I was excited to peruse the pages and discuss the plot line with him. I quite enjoyed the characters and the plot from the get-go, but as the book pressed on towards its resolve, I found myself somewhat depressed for the central characters: Ian, Agatha, Thomas, and Daphne. I couldn't really place my finger on why initially. When I had finished, I closed the book and felt as though it were slightly unsatisfactory. The book was actually really good, and I would recommend it to others... I just couldn't explain the feeling it left me with.

As I reflect upon the movement of the plot, I think what left me feeling the way I did was the mundane nature of the book. I continually wanted Ian to excel and receive what one would consider the simple pleasures of life. He didn't entirely do so. He poured so much effort into the other three characters, yet it seemed that they continually took him for granted. You want them to be transformed by their experiences as well, but they seem to remain unchanged. Perhaps they would have fallen into ruin and wouldn't have been able to live their mundane lives without Ian. Maybe that is the central message of the book.

Ultimately, I feel the novel has taught me to appreciate the mundane. I like a good adventure as much as the next person, but the normal, every day experiences of life are perhaps the ones we should be paying attention to. Even though every day life doesn't always satisfy our hunger for excitement and success, we deal with it on a regular basis. It shouldn't be taken for granted. The fact that we can wake up, have a fairly pleasant day, see the people we love, and have a comfortable place to sleep at night... well, that's not such a bad thing, really. No fireworks or fanfares required. Just life.

Day 29 - June 13, 2010 - Music and Memories

“When people hear good music, it makes them homesick for something they never had, and never will have.” - Edgar Watson Howe

One of my favorite things about traveling is encountering new music. While in Ireland, we heard and learned several folk songs that I've come to love and associate with my experience. One of them is "The Rocky Road to Dublin," which I discovered was featured in "Sherlock Holmes." So, what's an Ireland-sick girl to do? Look up the group that performed the song in the movie of course. I eventually found out that The Young Dubliners performed the piece, and that they hadn't stopped there. They've recorded a TON of Irish folk songs and re-written them. I spent a lot of the day listening to different songs: learning new ones and singing along to old favorites. It was good nostalgia... seeing as I already miss the Emerald Isle! That's the way travel is though, I suppose. You go somewhere and, although you're enjoying your time immensely, you miss home. When you're home, you want to go back and experience more!

Day 28 - June 12, 2010 - Jet. Lag. Ugh.

"A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book." ~Irish Proverb

This picture practically speaks for itself. After a 10 hour plane flight, Abby and I hardly knew if we were coming or going. I've never had jet lag quite like that... which is why all I could muster was to take the picture. The blogging part needed to come later. I'm not sure I was entirely coherent. Arguably, that was the worst jet lag I've ever experienced in my life. I'm still dealing with the oddities of the time change. I wake up at 5:45 on the dot and I can't go back to sleep. Hopefully that will stop. I like sleeping in during the summer! Oh well. C'est la vie!

Lots of laughter, good stories, and PLENTY of sleep have been quite adequately refreshing!

Day 27 - June 11, 2010 - Just Enough

“I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself." ~Maya Angelou

Wherever I go, I strive to feel at home. I attempt to learn simple phrases in the language, eat the indigenous food, dress in a low-key manner, and act as friendly as possible towards locals. I find it the best way to travel. Sticking out and looking like the "rude American" isn't the best way to approach a new location.

Regardless of my love for traveling and new cultures, I am ready to go back to the U.S. I miss being a native and in complete command of the culture, but much MUCH more than that, I miss the people I love. I could live anywhere in the world so long as I knew my loved ones would be nearby. They mean everything to me.

This is a picture of the garden square near the Brussels fine art museum. A fine ending to an outstanding trip!

I can't wait to see my loved ones. =)

Day 26 - June 10, 2010 - Legend Has It...

“Legend remains victorious in spite of history.” ~Sarah Bernhardt

I know what you're thinking. Why in the world would I post a picture of a statue that's peeing? Because he's the symbol of Brussels, that's why! Standing at 2 feet tall and perpetually relieving himself into a fountain, the Mannekin Pis has earned himself quite the reputation amongst the people of Belgium... and the world for that matter.

The more I've heard about the Mannekin Pis, the less I feel like anyone knows about it. There are several legends about why the statue was erected, and many of them are a bit far-fetched. My favorite is about a little boy who sees that a bomb has been lit and, in order to put it out... well, he thinks fast. We'll put it that way. The only fact about the statue that people seem to agree upon is that, a long time ago, there used to be a fountain that looked similar to the Mannekin Pis that served as one of the town's drinking water suppliers.

In short, the role of storytelling in a society is one of power and influence. The truth can be supplanted if everyone believes and retells the legend. Who knows how different history might look if only facts were recorded? It is said that history is born in our brains... I think that perhaps there's a ring of truth to that...

Day 25 - June 9, 2010 - Marble or Skin?

“A pile of rocks ceases to be a rock when somebody contemplates it with the idea of a cathedral in mind.” ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I've really come to appreciate art over the years. Particularly sculptures. It is beyond me how an artist can make something as cold and lifeless as stone look as soft and supple as skin and cloth. Michelangelo's "Madonna and Child" are a perfect example. Her clothing drapes realistically, the baby's hair looks wind-tossed, and their expressions, although somber, are alive. They were brought to life under the care of an artist's hands.

"David" is one of Michelangelo's most celebrated art pieces. I've been told that it is displayed quite simply. Along the pathway leading up to the statue rests an assortment of rocks with hands, arms, feet, and faces carved into them. The story goes that Michelangelo would simply begin carving a statue out of a piece of marble, trying to find and free the image within. Some of these images he chose to complete, and others he left unfinished. He saw the potential within a rock: what it could be. Then, he set the image free.

Day 24 - June 8 - The King's Jewelbox

“The jewel of the soul is priceless.” ~Sri Guru Granth Sahib

I entered one of the most beautiful places I've ever beheld today, yet most people taking a trip to Paris will miss it for Notre Dame and the Eiffel tower. Don't get me wrong. Those sites are both great, but Sainte Chapel cathedral stands on its own as an ethereal space. The chapel on the second floor of the cathedral has massive, tall stained glass windows spanning nearly the entirety of the room. It was incredible to see the way the light filtered through the glass, making every space look as though it were filled with glittering jewels. I couldn't get quite enough of it.

If we're not really looking at our surroundings, we can easily miss some of the most astounding treasures. It is easy to see the main, famous attractions in Paris. They are by no means the best places to go. This statement applies for every city around the world. The best treasures are sometimes overlooked by the masses.

Day 23 - June 7, 2010 - Turning Back the Clock... Really?

My last entry was about slang phrases. How many of these phrases have you used today? Recently? In the past week? Month? Year? Ever? I know I've used them all at some point:

All that glitters is not gold, all's well that ends well, bated breath, putting your best foot forward, breaking the ice, come what may,every dog will have his day, eating me out of house and home, forever and a day, for goodness sake, the game is up, it was Greek to me, high time, in a pickle, just so-so, killing with kindness, laughing stock, lying low, love is blind, seen better days, and wild goose chase.

If you've ever used one of those phrases, you'll be surprised (or not... maybe you knew!) to know that you were quoting Shakespeare! Shocking right? What does Shakespeare have to do with modern writers, speech, movies, and TV shows? Pretty much everything. I've never been a huge Shakespeare aficionado, but, the truth is, half of the stories we tell today wouldn't exist without him. It is said that at any given time, somewhere in the world, Hamlet is being performed. Crazy. I'm not Shakespeare's number one fan, but I can certainly respect what he did for the English language and entertainment. Think about it some time. So many stories are re-writes of Shakespearean plays, it is mind-boggling. In short, he's not as out-of-date as people believe him to be.

Oh, P.S., this is a replica of the Globe theater in London. The topic and the picture are relevant! lol

Day 22 - June 6, 2010 - Mind the Gap and All that Jazz...

“Slang is a language that rolls up its sleeves, spits on its hands, and goes to work”
~Carl Sandburg

Watch your step isn't exactly a phrase you will hear walking around the subways of London. Oh, and it's not the subway, it's the tube. You never call the restroom the bathroom. It's the toilet... and if your name is Randy, you're in trouble. Slang terms differ greatly from language to language. While learning Spanish, it has been interesting to pick up on certain slang phrases. I suppose the most obvious slang differences exist within our native tongue. I never knew the British thought lemonade was sprite until I asked for one at a restaurant, and you won't find any trashcans... just litter bins. The best thing about learning the slang of another region is that it reflects the culture. I am much more aware of the slang terms I use on a daily basis as a result. There are so many! We take for granted that the person we are conversing with knows what the term means. "Mind the gap" and "litter bin" can be interpreted easily, but other phrases aren't so easy.

Day 21 - June 5, 2010 - An Eye for the Eyes

“The eyes are the mirror of the soul” ~Yiddish Proverb

The London Eye was just built in the year 2000. Like the Millennium Bridge, it has gained popularity very quickly over the past 10 years. While waiting to board The Eye, I started reading a short inscription on a plaque. It was a poem that spoke about the beauty of seeing London from above. Truthfully, it was everything that the poem said it would be. The pods connected to the wheel provide 360 viewing for riders. It's a great place to let London into your soul.

Seeing something is not the only or best way to experience a place, but it is certainly important. Humanity is driven by images. We create signs with images, take pictures, watch TV... all of hese activities are oriented around images. Capturing a place in one's mind requires a picture. The London Eye gives people that picture. What they do with it is up to them.

Day 20 - June 4, 2010 - What You Do

"Depend not on fortune, but on conduct." Publilius Syrus

I know it’s been said 1,000 times, but your actions have an effect on those around you. We saw Stone Henge from a bus window as a result of someone’s actions. I cried. I was upset. It couldn’t be changed. Because someone did not return to the bus on time, we had to drive past Stone Henge without stopping. I can’t say I like that it happened, but it did. 24 people has to miss the experience because of one person.

Don’t we recognize that we are interconnected in society? If you smoke in a public place, you could cause health problems for someone else. If you yell at your friend because you’re angry, they’re going to remember your words forever. If you’re significantly late somewhere, you could be wasting someone’s time. Time is pretty precious, don’t you think?

Day 19 - June 3, 2010 - A Colorful Imagination

'But I don't want to go among mad people,' said Alice. 'Oh, you can't help that,' said the cat. 'We're all mad here.' ~Lewis Carroll

Ok, ok… I know I’ve been doing a lot of writing about authors lately. Our trip has centered around writers and works from the British Isles so… bear with me if you can!

This window was installed in Christ Church in Oxford by Lewis Carroll. It looks a great deal different from any other window you will find in Christ Church, let alone other cathedrals throughout Europe. Most windows tell Biblical stories. These stories are great, but Lewis Carroll, whose nonsense writings defines the genre, frequently bent the traditional story-telling rules.

What if no one ever bent the rules? How dull would the world be? What if Jesus hadn’t bent the traditional religious practices of his day? What if everyone acted like everyone else? I don’t think I could stand it. We need some rule breakers to expand our imaginations. Not harmful, abusive rule breakers, but the kind that look at normality and laugh. The kind of people that say normality is relative. Thinking outside of the box may get a person ostracized, but what would happen without new thoughts and ideas? Thank God for Alice, Wonderland, and the Looking Glass.

By the way, Lewis Carroll was a devout Catholic... not a drug addict.

Day 18 - June 2, 2010 - Life Cycles

“There seems to be a kind of order in the universe, in the movement of the stars and the turning of the earth and the changing of the seasons, and even in the cycle of human life." ~Katherine Anne Porter

C.S. Lewis used to live beside the lake where we found these cute little guys. He and his brother would come to the lake for early morning swims. Springtime has just passed, so there were several varieties of baby animals about the area. I’m sure when C.S. Lewis used to visit the pond, he saw babies just like these. The ducklings there now are probably the great, great, great grandchildren of the ducks that he saw over 70 years ago. Who knows? Life continues on in a great cycle. I often reflect upon the fact that my grandparents were, at one time, in their twenties. I’ve only known them as fully matured adults. They were like me 50 years ago. Life is funny like that.

Day 17 - June 1, 2010 - Mapping a Route

"A good plan is like a road map: it shows the final destination and usually the best way to get there." ~H. Stanley Judd

The maze at the Blenheim palace was quite entertaining to say the least. We didn’t think we would have time to complete it before our bus left, but we decided to try our luck anyways. At first, we were pretty lost, but we managed to find our way to a bridge that allowed us to see the whole maze from above. Once we were there, we used teamwork to finish the maze quickly. Several of us stayed on the bridge and watched one person go through the maze. We helped her by directing her right and left depending on the necessary path. Once she had made it out, we followed the route we had laid out for her.

Post-college seems like a maze from my current vantage point. It’s long, full of twists and turns, and I don’t know what to expect around the next corner. I’ve felt that way about other phases in my life as well. Somehow, I’ve managed to make it this far. With the help of friends and family, I’ve been able to map out a course and make it to where I am now. Post-grad life will be the same. I’ve got a lot of choices to make, but I’m not alone. I can always ask for a little guidance here and there.

Day 16 - May 31, 2010 - Turn the Other Cheek?

"Don't underestimate the people. Let them decide." ~Thaksin Shinawatra

When we visited Warwick castle, there was a medieval weaponry display taking place in the courtyard. The two performers wielded swords, axes, knives and other fighting instruments. This one in particular caught my interest. The host stated that it was used by the fighting clergy. My ears perked up. Apparently, it was considered sinful to use a sharp instrument such as a sword against another person. However, an iron-spiked club was another matter. Monasteries and churches were under attack in the middle ages. If monks and priests didn’t stand up for themselves, we wouldn’t exist as we do today. European culture, books, and writing were essentially preserved in monasteries during the dark ages.

Those who know me well know why my ears perked up at hearing this club was for fighting clergy. My dad is a pastor. There are many stereotypes that go along with being a pastor or being a part of a pastoral family. Typically, people assumed that pastor’s kids are completely naïve about the world. Truth be told, I’ve seen a lot uglier things than most people will see in their lifetimes. Pastors help a lot of people when they’ve hit rock bottom. I’ve seen a lot of rock bottom situations. I learn from what I’ve seen.

I guess the main thing about the club is that it is underestimated. People assume things about it, yet it really is quite powerful. People assume things about me. That doesn’t mean I don’t know about something. That doesn’t mean I’m blind.

I thought it was amusing to say the least.

Day 15 - May 30, 2010 - Two Roads

Don't tell a woman she's pretty; tell her there's no other woman like her, and all roads will open to you. ~Jules Renard

I know the typical "two roads" cliche. I don't want to write about taking the narrow path. I want to write about what happens when two paths cross. These two roads meet behind the Bronte sisters' house. Some intrepid readers might know who the Bronte sisters were. To say the least, they were acquainted with death, loss, and sorrow in their lives, but they wrote some astounding literature. Charlotte Bronte wrote Jane Eyre. She outlived her four sisters and her brother. At the age of thirty, she married an Irishman. They were husband and wife for about six months before she passed away as well.

Supposedly, Charlotte and her future husband used to sneak out at night and visit one another secretly where these two roads met. Who knows what they talked about? Who knows how they affected one another's lives. Their paths crossed. Their lives were altered by their meeting. Their paths were different and one was not better than the other. Yet, they combined to create something beautiful and tragic. We cross paths with people every day. We never know who will change us. I think it is safe to say that everyone we truly get to know leaves an impression upon us. How much we change depends on how much we learn from the encounter.

Day 14 - May 29, 2010 - Jealousy is a Disease

If envy were a fever, all the world would be ill. ~Danish Proverb

I never thought I would ever be jealous of a sheep. I hate wearing wool. It is super itchy. Sheep are cute and fluffy, but they smell and they're not exactly the smartest of creatures. For all their flaws, they are certainly suited to live in Scotland! I saw this fat, fluffy little guy near Hadrian's wall. The winds were high and the temperature was low. My ears, nose, hands, arms, and feet were freezing. And there sat this sheep. Warm. Content. Her nose wasn't cold. Her ears weren't stinging from the cold.

I wasn't really "jealous" of the sheep, but it did make me realize how often we want what we can't have. We're all equipped properly to fill our place in the world. A sheep doesn't need to be smart or smell good. It just needs to be warm. We always seem to want what we don't have when, in reality, we have precisely what we need to succeed. We don't need the talents of another person. We must learn to be comfortable in our own skins. Jealousy doesn't change our situation. Attitude does.