*Beep beep beep beep* Kristin One's eyes open in delayed fashion as she shuts off the alarm clock.
"Whoa, what a strange dream... Why on earth did I dream about that? And why were they in my dreams? Hey wait a minute, what's that flashing white light?" Kristin One's adrenaline took a steep climb upward as she wondered, "Is that the fire alarm? But why isn't it making any noise? Shouldn't it be talking to me and telling me to leave the building? But it looks like the fire alarm light..."
Finally, her somewhat sluggish brain discovered by way of a quick glance out the window that the flashing white light was not indeed the fire alarm, but rather the reflection of a blinking white light outside (source still remains unknown). "My goodness, I hope the rest of my day isn't quite like this," Kristin One thought to herself. After several morning rituals such as putting in contacts and looking around the room in slight confusion wondering what to do next, Kristin One ventured into the bathroom.
Kristin One and Christen Two happen to share the aforementioned bathroom with two friendly inhabitants of the Thatcher Hall dormitory whose names are Caitlin and Christy. Caitlin, being quite the Christmas enthusiast, had strung up blue Christmas lights in the bathroom. On this particular morning, the first day of the new semester, the bathroom light was off and only the blue lights provided any guidance for sleepy eyes.
Kristin One flipped the light switch and on came the light and fan. As she looked at the toilet, something seemed to be not quite right. Staring up at her from the bottom of the toilet bowl was a rather unusual item. It took a moment for this fact to register in Kristin One's slightly befuddled mind. Now, for clarification's sake, the item which happened to be in the toilet bowl was not in and of itself unusual, but rather the fact that it was in the toilet bowl was what made it so extraordinarily odd. "A razor?" Kristin One questioned her eyes. "What is a razor doing in the toilet? I suppose I'm going to have to get it out if anyone's to be able to use this. I mean, it probably isn't a good idea to flush the toilet with that in there. I wonder if it would actually go through the pipes? Hmm, better not find out, I'm sure someone would miss their razor." Kristin One's mind attempted, unsuccessfully, to grasp any logical thoughts that might be floating in her brain at this hour.
With the help of a toilet bowl brush, Kristin One eventually managed to fish the ill-fated razor out with few complications and continued on with her day as if this morning was but a second strange dream that had meandered through the chasm of her mind.
I hope you've enjoyed the completely true story of this morning. Absolutely no part of this was in any way exaggerated, and the recorded thoughts of Kristin One truly did pass through her brain this morning :D
Monday, January 8
Kristin One and Christen Two: First Day of School
One very special night- the night before the first day of the new semester- Kristin one and Christen two were catching each other up on their Christmas breaks. They were having a jolly good time, but that sneaky old Father Time was slyly pulling the day out from under them! Since the next morning they would be going to their new classes, the first classes of their new semester, there was much to be done! First they had to figure out where their classes were. Once that was accomplished, they excitedly discussed the classes they would be taking together. Now, Christen two is of the highly organized sort, and she had wisely packed her bookbag with all the necessities for class. Kristin one, on the other hand, had not. When Christen two was all comfy in bed, reading her book, Kristin one realized her folly! She had yet to unpack her bookbag from break and repack it with all the fundamental school supplies. Quickly did she unpack her bag, but then was abruptly stopped in her tracks! "What does one need for classes?" wondered Kristin one aloud. Christen two was quick to reply, "Well you could start with paper, pens, and notebooks." "Oh, yeah," said Kristin one, feeling rather silly. You see, Kristin one had previously been a nursing student and they are given notes to write on. Now as she realized that she had absolutely no paper, and no notebooks, she felt very much like an unprepared freshman the night before her very first class. Thankfully, Christen two came to the rescue with the much needed paper (Kristin one had found a notebook suitable enough). Kristin one will very soon be visiting the local Wal-Mart to better prepare herself for the new semester. :)*Post note: I really do feel like it's my first day of school :P Silly as that sounds. Oh, and quick explanation- I sent this in an email to some people because it was meant to be humorous and make them smile. It was suggested that I post it here as well. And, the reason I feel like a first-time student is because I'm used to taking Nursing classes with preprinted notes, and today I had my first non-nursing classes :D
Tuesday, January 2
The Crucial Last Word
Here it is... the blog you've all been waiting for. If you haven't noticed, I'm rather long-winded. This will most likely be the shortest blog I ever post.
"He said to me: 'It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.'" Revelation 21:6,7
My pastor was preaching a few weeks ago about God being the Alpha and the Omega and I began to wonder, "what does it mean to be the Alpha and Omega?" So, I pondered. Here's something I learned.
In other places in Revelation where God says he is the Alpha and Omega, he tacks on the phrase, "who was, and is, and is to come." One meaning is that God always has been, still is, and will always be. However, this isn't what I want to focus on.
When people have disputes it is very crucial to have the last word. Having the last word shows that you have stumped your opponent. They are flabbergasted and can think of no other way to oppose you. They have no ammunition left and bow to your superiority, acknowledging your cause to be the truth. In essence, having the last word is the trophy that proves you to be the triumphant victor, the conqueror.
In the verse above, God says, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End." Essentially, God is saying to Satan and all who oppose God, "You are finished. I have the last word, and I am Truth. There is no argument, no ammunition, that you can bring against me. I have won."
*This is just one thing that struck me about the meaning of the Alpha and Omega. I'd really like to hear any conclusions you've come to as well.
"He said to me: 'It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.'" Revelation 21:6,7My pastor was preaching a few weeks ago about God being the Alpha and the Omega and I began to wonder, "what does it mean to be the Alpha and Omega?" So, I pondered. Here's something I learned.
In other places in Revelation where God says he is the Alpha and Omega, he tacks on the phrase, "who was, and is, and is to come." One meaning is that God always has been, still is, and will always be. However, this isn't what I want to focus on.
When people have disputes it is very crucial to have the last word. Having the last word shows that you have stumped your opponent. They are flabbergasted and can think of no other way to oppose you. They have no ammunition left and bow to your superiority, acknowledging your cause to be the truth. In essence, having the last word is the trophy that proves you to be the triumphant victor, the conqueror.
In the verse above, God says, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End." Essentially, God is saying to Satan and all who oppose God, "You are finished. I have the last word, and I am Truth. There is no argument, no ammunition, that you can bring against me. I have won."
*This is just one thing that struck me about the meaning of the Alpha and Omega. I'd really like to hear any conclusions you've come to as well.
Monday, January 1
Mountain Journey
I stand at the base of a mountain, staring. I crane my neck in an attempt to see a view of the peak; my only reward a faint glimpse of what might be the top of the looming, ominous mountain. My companion steps forward and puts his hand on my shoulder. "Ready?" he asks with an encouraging smile. I turn my gaze back to the mountain ahead, looking at the path. Thoughts stream through my ever active brain. The path is not well worn; covered with thorn bushes, pebbles, and rocks, narrow and steep. From the entrance alone I can see that there will be obstacles blocking the path, when there is a definable path, and the climb will be anything but easy. My heart and feet seem to have gained several pounds as I stand there just thinking about what lies ahead. In my mind I think that the last thing I want to do right now is climb this mountain. I dread the thought of the challenges and the intensity of the climb. I know as I gaze upon this path that I will not be able to complete it for I am far too weak and the climb is more than anything I can handle.
My friend, who has allowed time for thought, sees my face and reads the thoughts on my heart. He now addresses me again. "It's ok. I'll help you and we'll do it together. I'll encourage you, and pull you up when you don't have the strength. I'll even carry you if you ask. It will be the experience of a lifetime, and I would be honored if you will come with me." I look at him and allow this to roll around in my head a moment. I don't like the thought of him having to carry me, but I know he is more than capable. He, unlike me, is very much able to do this climb. He is strong, fit, and has climbed the mountain before. I know I have to do this climb, and if there is one person in the world that I want with me, it is him. "Alright," I say with a small smile at him, "let's go, I'm ready."
We began our ascent at a steady pace. True to its appearance, the path and mountain offered challenges I had foreseen as well as ones I hadn't. It has been difficult, as I had thought it would be. We have come across sharp, unforgiving rocks, been threatened by snakes, grasped and clawed our way up the faces of rocks, crossed small streams, and faced other hardships. Many times I have needed to be pulled up by my friend, and relied on his strength to help me overcome obstacles. Other times, pride caused me to reject the help offered and I have fallen as a result. He has even carried me at times when I was faint and could not press on. The path has taken us steeply up, levelly, as well as sharply downward.
However, it has not been all hardship and struggle. True to my companion's word, it has been the experience of a lifetime, dappled with moments of sheer joy so inexpressible and uncontainable, and highly enjoyable comradeship. Quite a spectrum of emotions have been visited and revisited as we've trekked onward, and not once have I regretted my decision to climb the mountain with my friend.
"Ready to get moving again?" my friend wakes me from my pause of retrospection. My eyes scan the scenery before us. They see new impediments, more foreboding than ones my friend and I have conquered before. It is a pattern I have noticed as we've gotten nearer our peak destination; the obstacles seem to get more challenging and the path less inviting. But it has caused dependance on my friend to become more of a necessity, and as a result I have grown much closer to him and I've come to trust his strength and ability more than when I first began this journey with him.
I turn to face him and he reads my thoughts. With a knowing smile he asks, "Would you like me to carry you for a while?"
With slight hesitation and a small amount of reluctance, I reply, "Yes, please."
My friend, who has allowed time for thought, sees my face and reads the thoughts on my heart. He now addresses me again. "It's ok. I'll help you and we'll do it together. I'll encourage you, and pull you up when you don't have the strength. I'll even carry you if you ask. It will be the experience of a lifetime, and I would be honored if you will come with me." I look at him and allow this to roll around in my head a moment. I don't like the thought of him having to carry me, but I know he is more than capable. He, unlike me, is very much able to do this climb. He is strong, fit, and has climbed the mountain before. I know I have to do this climb, and if there is one person in the world that I want with me, it is him. "Alright," I say with a small smile at him, "let's go, I'm ready."
We began our ascent at a steady pace. True to its appearance, the path and mountain offered challenges I had foreseen as well as ones I hadn't. It has been difficult, as I had thought it would be. We have come across sharp, unforgiving rocks, been threatened by snakes, grasped and clawed our way up the faces of rocks, crossed small streams, and faced other hardships. Many times I have needed to be pulled up by my friend, and relied on his strength to help me overcome obstacles. Other times, pride caused me to reject the help offered and I have fallen as a result. He has even carried me at times when I was faint and could not press on. The path has taken us steeply up, levelly, as well as sharply downward.
However, it has not been all hardship and struggle. True to my companion's word, it has been the experience of a lifetime, dappled with moments of sheer joy so inexpressible and uncontainable, and highly enjoyable comradeship. Quite a spectrum of emotions have been visited and revisited as we've trekked onward, and not once have I regretted my decision to climb the mountain with my friend.
"Ready to get moving again?" my friend wakes me from my pause of retrospection. My eyes scan the scenery before us. They see new impediments, more foreboding than ones my friend and I have conquered before. It is a pattern I have noticed as we've gotten nearer our peak destination; the obstacles seem to get more challenging and the path less inviting. But it has caused dependance on my friend to become more of a necessity, and as a result I have grown much closer to him and I've come to trust his strength and ability more than when I first began this journey with him.
I turn to face him and he reads my thoughts. With a knowing smile he asks, "Would you like me to carry you for a while?"
With slight hesitation and a small amount of reluctance, I reply, "Yes, please."
Olla Podrida of Words
I love words. Unfortunately, I do not possess a terribly good memory for them. I can learn a word, and within a few days will have promptly forgotten it. If only words could be somehow transformed into numbers perhaps I would have some hope. Since they cannot, I subscribe to a word of the day email in an attempt to bombard my mind with a plethora of words in hopes that I will remember some of them. Today I was looking through the pile of word of the day emails that I have neglected for lack of time and have decided to share some of the more amusing and/or useful ones with you.
1. fait accompli \fay-tah-kom-PLEE; fet-ah-\, noun;plural faits accomplis \same or -PLEEZ\: An accomplished and presumably irreversible deed or fact.
2. equanimity \ee-kwuh-NIM-uh-tee; ek-wuh-\, noun:Evenness of mind; calmness; composure; as, "to bear misfortunes with equanimity."
3. bricolage \bree-koh-LAHZH; brih-\, noun:Construction or something constructed by using whatever materials happen to be available.
4. irenic \eye-REN-ik; -REE-nik\, adjective:Tending to promote peace; conciliatory.
5. flibbertigibbet \FLIB-ur-tee-jib-it\, noun:A silly, flighty, or scatterbrained person, especially a pert young woman with such qualities. (Sometimes, I'm pretty sure that this word was created for me, minus the pertness.)
6. neologism \nee-OLL-uh-jiz-um\, noun:1. A new word or expression.2. A new use of a word or expression.3. The use or creation of new words or expressions.4. (Psychiatry) An invented, meaningless word used by a person with a psychiatric disorder.5. (Theology) A new view or interpretation of a scripture. (This word I've known thanks to nursing, but I decided to put it in because I thought it interesting that the last two uses of the word are seemingly contradictory.)
7. olla podrida \ol-uh-puh-DREE-duh; oy-uh-\, noun;plural olla podridas /-DREE-duhz/ or ollas podridas: 1. A stew of highly seasoned meat and vegetables.2. A mixture; a hodgepodge.
8. Argus-eyed \AR-guhs-ide\, adjective:Extremely observant; watchful; sharp-sighted.
9. risible \RIZ-uh-buhl\, adjective:1. Capable of laughing; disposed to laugh.2. Exciting or provoking laughter; worthy of laughter; laughable; amusing.3. Relating to, connected with, or used in laughter; as, "risible muscles."
10. avoirdupois \av-uhr-duh-POIZ; AV-uhr-duh-poiz\, noun:1. Avoirdupois weight, a system of weights based on a pound containing 16 ounces or 7,000 grains (453.59 grams).2. Weight; heaviness; as, a person of much avoirdupois.
11. trencherman \TREN-chuhr-muhn\, noun:A hearty eater. (This was one of the words that I found more amusing than useful.)
12. bootless \BOOT-lis\, adjective:Unavailing; useless; without advantage or benefit. (Contrary to popular belief, bootless does not pertain to one without boots.)
13. inexorable \in-EK-sur-uh-bul; in-EKS-ruh-bul\, adjective:Not to be persuaded or moved by entreaty or prayer; firm; determined; unyielding; unchangeable; inflexible; relentless. (This one I have also known, but I like it and so it is included.)
14. gauche \GOHSH\, adjective:Lacking social polish; tactless; awkward; clumsy.
15. ab ovo \ab-OH-voh\, adverb:From the beginning.
16. peripatetic \pair-uh-puh-TET-ik\, adjective:1. Of or pertaining to walking about or traveling from place to place; itinerant.2. Of or pertaining to the philosophy taught by Aristotle (who gave his instructions while walking in the Lyceum at Athens), or to his followers.3. One who walks about; a pedestrian; an itinerant.4. A follower of Aristotle; an Aristotelian. (This has potential to be used in a play on words...)
17. congeries \KON-juh-reez\, noun:A collection; an aggregation.
18. fillip \FIL-uhp\, noun:1. A snap of the finger forced suddenly from the thumb; a smart blow.2. Something serving to rouse or excite; a stimulus.3. A trivial addition; an embellishment.4. To strike with the nail of the finger, first placed against the ball of the thumb, and forced from that position with a sudden spring; to snap with the finger.5. To snap; to project quickly.6. To urge on; to provide a stimulus, by or as if by a fillip. (When I read this word, it really just made me wonder what the name Phillip means. It also has great potential for use in the Christian world; for example, The purpose of the General Youth Conference was not stagnating, but rather it was intended as a fillip.)
19. prevaricate \prih-VAIR-uh-kayt\, intransitive verb:To depart from or evade the truth; to speak with equivocation.
20. puissant \PWISS-uhnt; PYOO-uh-suhnt; pyoo-ISS-uhnt\, adjective:Powerful; strong; mighty; as, a puissant prince or empire.
*Postnote: I originally entitled this blog "Purely Educational," however, I decided that was not an accurate description of the post. The introduction was not educational, though informative, and there was some intention of amusement, so it is not purely educational.
1. fait accompli \fay-tah-kom-PLEE; fet-ah-\, noun;plural faits accomplis \same or -PLEEZ\: An accomplished and presumably irreversible deed or fact.
2. equanimity \ee-kwuh-NIM-uh-tee; ek-wuh-\, noun:Evenness of mind; calmness; composure; as, "to bear misfortunes with equanimity."
3. bricolage \bree-koh-LAHZH; brih-\, noun:Construction or something constructed by using whatever materials happen to be available.
4. irenic \eye-REN-ik; -REE-nik\, adjective:Tending to promote peace; conciliatory.
5. flibbertigibbet \FLIB-ur-tee-jib-it\, noun:A silly, flighty, or scatterbrained person, especially a pert young woman with such qualities. (Sometimes, I'm pretty sure that this word was created for me, minus the pertness.)
6. neologism \nee-OLL-uh-jiz-um\, noun:1. A new word or expression.2. A new use of a word or expression.3. The use or creation of new words or expressions.4. (Psychiatry) An invented, meaningless word used by a person with a psychiatric disorder.5. (Theology) A new view or interpretation of a scripture. (This word I've known thanks to nursing, but I decided to put it in because I thought it interesting that the last two uses of the word are seemingly contradictory.)
7. olla podrida \ol-uh-puh-DREE-duh; oy-uh-\, noun;plural olla podridas /-DREE-duhz/ or ollas podridas: 1. A stew of highly seasoned meat and vegetables.2. A mixture; a hodgepodge.
8. Argus-eyed \AR-guhs-ide\, adjective:Extremely observant; watchful; sharp-sighted.
9. risible \RIZ-uh-buhl\, adjective:1. Capable of laughing; disposed to laugh.2. Exciting or provoking laughter; worthy of laughter; laughable; amusing.3. Relating to, connected with, or used in laughter; as, "risible muscles."
10. avoirdupois \av-uhr-duh-POIZ; AV-uhr-duh-poiz\, noun:1. Avoirdupois weight, a system of weights based on a pound containing 16 ounces or 7,000 grains (453.59 grams).2. Weight; heaviness; as, a person of much avoirdupois.
11. trencherman \TREN-chuhr-muhn\, noun:A hearty eater. (This was one of the words that I found more amusing than useful.)
12. bootless \BOOT-lis\, adjective:Unavailing; useless; without advantage or benefit. (Contrary to popular belief, bootless does not pertain to one without boots.)
13. inexorable \in-EK-sur-uh-bul; in-EKS-ruh-bul\, adjective:Not to be persuaded or moved by entreaty or prayer; firm; determined; unyielding; unchangeable; inflexible; relentless. (This one I have also known, but I like it and so it is included.)
14. gauche \GOHSH\, adjective:Lacking social polish; tactless; awkward; clumsy.
15. ab ovo \ab-OH-voh\, adverb:From the beginning.
16. peripatetic \pair-uh-puh-TET-ik\, adjective:1. Of or pertaining to walking about or traveling from place to place; itinerant.2. Of or pertaining to the philosophy taught by Aristotle (who gave his instructions while walking in the Lyceum at Athens), or to his followers.3. One who walks about; a pedestrian; an itinerant.4. A follower of Aristotle; an Aristotelian. (This has potential to be used in a play on words...)
17. congeries \KON-juh-reez\, noun:A collection; an aggregation.
18. fillip \FIL-uhp\, noun:1. A snap of the finger forced suddenly from the thumb; a smart blow.2. Something serving to rouse or excite; a stimulus.3. A trivial addition; an embellishment.4. To strike with the nail of the finger, first placed against the ball of the thumb, and forced from that position with a sudden spring; to snap with the finger.5. To snap; to project quickly.6. To urge on; to provide a stimulus, by or as if by a fillip. (When I read this word, it really just made me wonder what the name Phillip means. It also has great potential for use in the Christian world; for example, The purpose of the General Youth Conference was not stagnating, but rather it was intended as a fillip.)
19. prevaricate \prih-VAIR-uh-kayt\, intransitive verb:To depart from or evade the truth; to speak with equivocation.
20. puissant \PWISS-uhnt; PYOO-uh-suhnt; pyoo-ISS-uhnt\, adjective:Powerful; strong; mighty; as, a puissant prince or empire.
*Postnote: I originally entitled this blog "Purely Educational," however, I decided that was not an accurate description of the post. The introduction was not educational, though informative, and there was some intention of amusement, so it is not purely educational.
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