Experiences at Hale

Two stories.

1. I was in the library after class the other day, passing time between British Survey and my enrollment advising meeting, and I chanced upon an empty sofa. A rare occurrence at Hale, as they're pretty amazing sofas and everyone knows this. So, I decided to enjoy the treat of an afternoon sofa nap. I was exhausted, I decided it would be beneficial to my well being if I crashed until my meeting. Brit says she's always worried she'll snore or something, but I didn't really care. If I snore, someone can wake me up. At any rate, the sofa that opened up was right behind this group of four female Chinese (I think) international students. If you don't know the arrangement at Hale, there are about 8-10 sofas on the first floor, arranged so they are alternately back to back and facing each other, making several areas where groups can get together and sit on two sofas and talk/study. So I'm lying on the sofa, eyes closed, and I can hear the girls talking. I had seen them when I sat down, so I know they were working on what appeared to be homework. I caught wisps of English in that familiar accent, when a few stood out to me: "vagina" and "condoms." Needless to say, not what I expected. I finally figured out that it was some lesson on birth control. Still my weirdest Hale experience to date. I did get a nice nap though!

2. Yesterday, I was chilling in the library again, doing a little devo. Natalie Lloyd writes one in Brio every month, and they're amazing. Anyway, it was about being quiet before God. We always get caught up in how busy our lives are, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Especially this past week, my busyness has forced me to totally rely on God for strength and the ability to get things done and done well, and He is there, always. It's an amazing thing to see Him work like that, and feel Him as a total support. But it's also important to take time for Him without the busyness. Natalie used Psalm 46:10, "be still and know that I am God." We know God, and see God, when we are still. We experience Him through that, and he gives us peace. Which totally fit with a verse I ended up reading (because God is amazing like that), Phil 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." When we take time out for Him, he gives us peace, which gives us strength and protection to live our lives for Him. And he rewards that. Yesterday was amazing, because He filled me with such joy! I can't remember the last time I have felt such deep and overwhelming joy... not happiness, but joy that overflows and you want to share with everyone! So, take time today, to just be quiet before God, to listen and appreciate who He is, and watch Him work in amazing ways in your life!

Tango and a new creative outlet

News of Note:

• Ian and I now know how to tango... really fun, and not too terribly difficult... t...a...n-g-o. We're pretty much amazing dancers now. hehe!
• Vern and I got whistled at yesterday while walking from her house to the princess palace, I think it must have been more for her though, I mean, goodness, she's gorgeous. But seriously, who wants to get checked out by random probably jerks... he was a scrub anyway... hangin' out his best friends ride on the passenger side tryin' to holler at... us, yeah.
• Britni isn't leaving me spring semester! She's going next fall to Australia, and I'm going to die without her, but it's going to be amazing, and I'm so glad she gets that chance!
• I detest, even more than before, axe commercials, and tag commercials... sick.
• I absolutely love my bible study, in case you were wondering.
• I'm contemplating getting an iPod... which would make me a pod person in both a literal and figurative sense.
• Nathan is going to win regional x-country for me... he already got 3rd at league! yay!
• I made a new blog, currently housing my poetry, from class. I'll probably put up pictures a bit later... I'm entering a photography contest put on by UPC, by the way. So, if I win something, I'll let you know. But the blog is www.annascreativeside.blogspot.com, and there's a link to it on the side, as well. Comments are greatly appreciated on all of them!

Radioactive Bob

Bob peered through thick glasses, watching
as bleary eyed students poured into the lecture hall
until it was filled to the brim.

The bell rang, and he began his monotonous chore
of scratching an illegible language onto a dusty black expanse,
dutifully turning the emptiness into wavy lines of
incomprehensible characters
as he droned on and on
about poor small bunnies caught up in mudslides, lithified
and now pumped into our glimmering SUVs,
loesses, composed mainly
of wind deposited, air breathing snails,
and the dry and barren deserts
in the nothingness of western Kansas.

The count of sleeping students rose,
1… 3… 4… 7… its time
“LAVA,” his foot crashed to the floor, disturbing their slumber
“becomes either aa or pahoihoi…”
Eyelids drooped again.

The lights dimmed as giant pictures of unearthly
scenes flashed by at the front of the room.
Bob whacked the screen, pointing out the massive
pencil length boulders from every corner of the world
and sighed inwardly to himself.
He had found those trips and specimens so fascinating.

As the bell rang and the lights glared back on,
he reflected on his illustrious career and
watched uncaring students shuffle past.
“Tomorrow,” he thought, “I’ll try again tomorrow.”
And resolutely began to gather his things.

Homecoming

i.
Once a year, the primal high school ritual is interrupted
by pomp, frill, and a tiny, sparkling circlet.
Coach protests, but who can stop
the force of a thousand voices
with precedence on their side.

ii.
The battle’s triumphant hero boasts, “95 yards!
Sainty can kiss my ass!” then throws
his golden arm around his next big catch
knowing full well the reward she will bestow on him
before he must sneak back through his window,
still inhaling her lingering perfume.

iii.
He tosses his worn jacket on the couch.
As he walks in the door, a sigh steals
past his lips, despite his best defense.
He should be content with another W
in his already illustrious career.
Bracing himself, he calls, “honey, I’m home.”

iv.
I sit in the stands, alone
in the midst of a mob of screaming fans
watching numbers I no longer know.
Four years I devoted my life to this,
and now it all has faithlessly left me behind.

v.
Time runs, and I remain standing in its dust
Is it all meaningless?
What do you do when home is no longer
home.
Suddenly an ethereal peace fills my empty soul
with the One who always welcomes
me with open arms.
The dust settles. I belong.

Absolution

He doesn’t look at me – can’t look at me.
I stare past my reflection in the glass to see
street lights flickering past on empty concrete,
a road devoid of any movement.
Silence presides over the apprehensive gray chamber.
He waits.

I turn to see
his statuesque silhouette etched in the dim light
his marble hands clenching the wheel
his apprehensive and anguished face
his beautiful eyes blinking back the tears.
Gently, I rest my hand on his arm
and whisper reassurance.
His tears pour down with a thankful smile.