My 7th grader's last spelling list contained the word "business." On Friday, I gave them the test, and as I was dictating the words, I realized that I didn't know whether I should pronounce it as in the state of being busy or as in the corporation. I also couldn't remember how I had been saying it all week. Upon talking to my brother, I happened to find out that there was a difference in the spelling and was quite tickled by the fact that I, an English teacher, did not know the difference when my brother, a Chemistry major, did. We all need a little humbling experience, right? :)
Right now I would have to say that "busyness" best describes me. I have an intensive paper due in Multi-Ethnic American Literature; one which I should be much farther on than I am. Hopefully God will be graceful to me, and help me to quickly find an outstanding these to write about. The book I'm writing on is My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok. It's quite good! I've always really enjoyed reading Jewish books and learning about Jewish history. The book is actually about an "extremist" group of Jews that are a part of the Hassidic movement. They would even consider themselves apart from Judaism as they dress and lives strictly to the Jewish laws. They abstain from most everything secular and can be found in large numbers in the New York/Brooklyn, etc., area. The novel is about an art prodigy named Asher Lev who struggles his whole life between dabbling in secular art and aestheticism and following the strictly aesthetic, abstinent Hassidic lifestyle. I really like the book because of its conversation on art and religion. I highly recommend it!
While I am reading all of these multi-ethnic novels for the class, and am at the same time reading Dracula. Do not ask me why I started that book except that I learned of the original story behind Count Dracula from my Romanian friend from school (Asheritah, I love you :) and was quite intrigued by it. The story is rather sensational (something for which its received some criticism), and as a result, I can hardly put the book down. Ann Marie had to take it from me and keep it in her room until I would get my work done. That was the day after I read several chapters of it in the local graveyard and was too scared to sleep that night. :)
Some other time I will explain my fascination with grave yards.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Post-election Thoughts
Well, it's all over. The election that is.
I don't think it is yet real in my mind that Obama is to be our next President. The pressing issue that comes to mind as I think about this is how many more innocent lives of the unborn will be slaughtered under his policies. Some of my initial thoughts were to question what I could do about this. I may not be able to change government policy, but I can change the individual lives of those I am in daily contact with. I can educate myself on the emotional and physical struggles of unsure mothers, and be able to sympathetically reach them. I can volunteer at the PRC clinic and work with young women to show them a better route. I can make my friends, church, and students more aware of the impending crisis and specific needs I come across. All this I can do. God does not call me to change the world, He calls me to be obedient in my every day life. If that means changing the world, then I will be very happy. :)
On a lighter note, one of my last hall meetings (I'm an RA and schedule hall activities) was a pilates night. We played classical music accompanied with waterfall and bird noises (rather unique) and were instructed in some basic stretches and moves of pilate. I did not realize how weak my core muscles were, nor how difficult pilates can really be. (Wikipedia defines it as follows: Pilates called his method Contrology, because he believed his method uses the mind to control the muscles. The program focuses on the core postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and which are essential to providing support for the spine. In particular, Pilates exercises teach awareness of breath and alignment of the spine, and aim to strengthen the deep torso muscles.) I really enjoyed it, and since, my roomie, Sharon and I have been doing what we can remember of them in our room. I've always had a lot of muscle pain in college, and this is clearing it right up. It feels so great to find a simple solution to an irritating problem. Next on my agenda is to get a pilates tape and mat to help me be disciplined with these exercises. My PT once said that 90% of arms/legs/joints pain and problems are a result of or part of the lack of muscle strength in one's core muscles (abs, back, etc.)
Now, to read My Invented Country, A Chilean novel which I am not enjoying. :(
I don't think it is yet real in my mind that Obama is to be our next President. The pressing issue that comes to mind as I think about this is how many more innocent lives of the unborn will be slaughtered under his policies. Some of my initial thoughts were to question what I could do about this. I may not be able to change government policy, but I can change the individual lives of those I am in daily contact with. I can educate myself on the emotional and physical struggles of unsure mothers, and be able to sympathetically reach them. I can volunteer at the PRC clinic and work with young women to show them a better route. I can make my friends, church, and students more aware of the impending crisis and specific needs I come across. All this I can do. God does not call me to change the world, He calls me to be obedient in my every day life. If that means changing the world, then I will be very happy. :)
On a lighter note, one of my last hall meetings (I'm an RA and schedule hall activities) was a pilates night. We played classical music accompanied with waterfall and bird noises (rather unique) and were instructed in some basic stretches and moves of pilate. I did not realize how weak my core muscles were, nor how difficult pilates can really be. (Wikipedia defines it as follows: Pilates called his method Contrology, because he believed his method uses the mind to control the muscles. The program focuses on the core postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and which are essential to providing support for the spine. In particular, Pilates exercises teach awareness of breath and alignment of the spine, and aim to strengthen the deep torso muscles.) I really enjoyed it, and since, my roomie, Sharon and I have been doing what we can remember of them in our room. I've always had a lot of muscle pain in college, and this is clearing it right up. It feels so great to find a simple solution to an irritating problem. Next on my agenda is to get a pilates tape and mat to help me be disciplined with these exercises. My PT once said that 90% of arms/legs/joints pain and problems are a result of or part of the lack of muscle strength in one's core muscles (abs, back, etc.)
Now, to read My Invented Country, A Chilean novel which I am not enjoying. :(
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