Beans and Ice

Iced coffee that is. It's my favorite drink these days. I've had great times in coffee shops. Today Sarah and I spent hours at Cafe Tazza. I was, of course, working on Texas Government. Sarah was working on a project for her core. We decided that we like spending our alone time together. We didn't say much while we sat next to each other, but every now and then, one of us would make a noise or gesture that would hint at the different worlds we were in. Sarah watched a beautiful ballet dance, and her amusement drew my attention towards her screen. My "interesting's" and "Ooo's" were normally followed by some crazy fact about the size of Texas or the diversity in Texas' culture. Did you know that Texarkana is closer to Chicago than to El Paso??? Yeah, me neither! Sarah and I decided we need to know what type of coffee blends we prefer in order to be connoisseurs of the beautiful bean.



The CA men have arranged a fun filled night. I'm excited about it. The text sent out read, "Westin and I are planning something tonight. Meet in the horseshoe at 9:30. Bring a flashlight, something to sit on (blanket), camera, cars, and a spoon. Wear something you can run around in and be comfy." I love adventures!

Cultural Politics

I'm learning about the importance of knowing specific cultural tendencies to better understand politics. I'm taking Texas Government to finish up my AA before transfering to ???, so I have the pleasure of learning everything I've never wanted to know about the Lone Star State's political system. :-)

Do you know the primary function of government? To preserve order. That's great! I'm more and more thankful for the system we have set up in America. Secondly, it provides public goods. This includes military forces, sports arenas, roads, post offices, law inforcement...and lastly, the government protects the individual's rights (apparently this one is somewhat controversial).

Ok, i'll stop boring you with politics...

Felicia and I are sitting here at Java Jams Cafe. She just applied for college and rewarded herself with an "Ulitimate Berry Smoothie".

I need to finish this class in three weeks. I need the grace of God! As long as I continue to enjoy it, I'll be just fine. It has much more to do with perspective than the actual course load.

On another note-I'm eager to start working full time in Colorado. I'm looking in to a Dental Assistant job. I would really love that position. I would get to talk to people all day...calming little, crying children, easing the anxiety of the 13 yr. old during their braces consultation, preparing tools for the dentist, taking X-rays...how great, right? :-)

When in Spain...

On Friday night my "sorority" and I went to Cafe Madrid in Dallas to celebrate the festival of the running of the bulls. This is an event that takes place in Pamplona, Spain every year. Thousands of runners flood the small streets of Pamplona to carry on an age old tradition. Bulls are released, and the crowd takes off to escape the possible gorging that occurs every year. This weekend a man was attacked and killed by one of the bulls. It is the first time this has happened since 1995, and Spain is considering ending their notorious tradition after this horrible slaughter. Ok...sorry, I didn't mean to give you the news report.

Back to the Lambda Beta Psi weekend...Cafe Madrid-what a wonderful cultural experience! We shared 14 different "tapas" (Spanish appetizers) which included rotary quail, and Chorizo (a mixture of spicy meats in a sausage role). My heart comes alive with experiences like that! I love culture and the way it provokes thoughts of the global vision! I am so eager to live in Spain, and to learn from the people. Some day I'd like to dream in another language. I think that's when I'll know I'm fully immersed.

First things first though...Valerie, Kaytalyn, and I are going to live in Belize next summer. I am thrilled about this. It's said that knowledge leads to intimacy. As I travel to other cultures, the Lord's heart is revealed for the world and all its people. The more I know, the deeper in love with Christ I fall.

Wildflowers

My Core Advisors are like wildflowers. They are delicate and beautiful, colorful and alive, graceful and flowing with lovely fragrances. They bloom where they are planted, and they are planted, not by human hands, but by the winds of their creator.

"See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." Matthew 6:28-29

The Right Mind

I learn much about myself as I work this job, and take on numerous tasks day to day. There are some people on earth who are naturally gifted in mathamatics-numbers, equations, and the like. Those who enjoy sitting down and crunching information by going from point A to point B. These activities use the left side of the brain. I am in another category; the english/literature/creative category. I realize that I do things differently than my lefty friends. I grit my teeth and tackle the "mathy" projects, but I delight in the creative activities. Ok...I'm being vague. Here's how it is...I'm working on housing for next year's intern class, and it is a monster to me because of all the factors that go in to this equation. I'm also creating the Dorm Director Manual for the ladies. Katie came up with the wonderful idea of writing it in a journal format: "what we wish we would have known". I realize I'd much rather work on the latter. It fuels me to write, but it is draining to solve complicated equations.
I prefer to live in my right mind.