Random Wordiac

2010-03-28T20:32:00.001-07:00

Days 3 and 4 (late....because by the time I touch the computer, I am not awake)

2010-03-10T14:47:00.000-08:00

This Monday and Tuesday and today we have been working on Mike's house, a local Aliquippa resident who broke his back in an airplane accident. As a result, he can't walk upright and is in constant pain. He is living in his nephew's basement, which is unfinished, dirty, non-handicapped accsessible, and more or less unsuitable to life. We have been slowly knocking things down, attempting to measure, cut, etc. My job, specifically, has been mudding in areas that have chipped walls. Then I sand the mud (concrete stuff) after it is done drying. I have operated a variety of power tools, including an electric sander, which is really interesting. I have also hatcheted/hammered/sledged/chipped walls. One guy on our trip, Schroeder, says I make him nervous. This is probably true. We wear protective eye and mouthwear, but are still COVERED in dust and debris by the end of the day. The first day I showered afterwards my hair pretty much hardened upon impact with the water. I shampooed many, many times. Now I just wear a bandana so my hair is protected. More to come later, but we have to run to another church that is feeding us.

Aliquippa Day 1 1/2 and 2

2010-03-07T21:08:00.000-08:00

We got to Aliquippa at about 430, at which time the team was finishing up helping with the food for a Haiti fundraiser dinner. We hopped in the car and drove back to Dr. Meek's house to get ready for night church at the local Episcopal church. We got there a little late, and sat down. It was a pretty confusing church, but really well-ordered. EVERY SINGLE THING was written on the bulletin/song sheet thing. They are super-big on the I-say-something-you-say-something kind of worship, which was kind of confusing since I'm used to Pastor-says-something-I-just-listen style. They had absolutely amazing music, and clapping. Lots of clapping. We ate dinner with them, and talked with some of the people who had lived in Aliquippa for a while. From what I saw, their church doesn't do many (or any) programs, and doesn't seem on the extreme edge of evangelical-ness. The extent of what seemed to be their missionary-like activities was living and working in the community, as well as operating low-rent apartment housing. We left after dinner and headed back to Dr. Meek's house, where we debriefed, got settled, and went to bed (I should add here that the team had been hauling rocks all day to help fortify a creek, so they were just a little tired....).

Today we had breakfast at 930, and then picked up John Stanley (the owner of Uncommon Grounds) to head off to Church. We went to an African American church called New Holy Temple Church of God in Christ in Aliquippa, which was a thoroughly amazing experience. They welcomed us with open arms (seriously, way open. As in every lady within 10 feet hugged and kissed us) and were just all around amazing. We got there during a church sunday school and meeting, and it was just incredibly different than a "white" church. Someone suggested something, and everyone was like, "No! What you THINKIN??". So much for saving face, lol.
The laws that seem to typically guide white americans DO NOT APPLY in a black church. Not one bit. You want to sing a random melody that the Spirit just brought you? Go right ahead! You want to clap 4 times every 5 beats? Do it! You want to dance around hallelujah-ing in your seat? Well, if the Lord leads you, do it. It was inhibition-less church, which I must say something can be said for. Yes, there is a balance, you don't want people going nuts in the aisles or disrupting service, but these people worshipped. With everything they had. Sometimes in the movies it presents the stereotypical black church, and the people come out seeming like they are not real, like their faith is just a show. And while many of those stereotypical traits do seem to hold up in this church (organ music, organ sound effects, effusive clapping, church hats, etc.) this is one that does not hold much at all. One interesting thing was that all church members were told that they MUST bring in 100$ on such-and-such a date. Not, "could everyone who is a member please donate some money by sometime this month? Please" No, more like, "You had better bring your money in, or we gonna search you out." Also, this church kept all of their children in church, babies on up. This didn't affect the service at all, as any baby who cried was quickly drowned out by the insanely loud sound system/pastor/and singing-clapping people. It was a pretty interesting experience.

The Episcopal Church (sideways view)

Sunday Service

Inside of the Church

Back row (the Pastor's wife, Dr. Meek, and 1/2 of Schroeder)

A picture of Jesus (sideways, yes, I know)

(His mustache is very well manicured)

(Oh, and there were no hymnbooks. Not one. The leader started singing, and everyone just followed. The songs had lots of simple and repetitive phrases. Which was good, since none of us had any clue what we were singing).
Then after church (3 hours later) we went and ravenously gobbled up leftovers from the Episcopal church. After we were done with that, we got back here and messed around, ate some dinner, watched 2012 (it's pretty good, really, really innacurate, but good), and now I am typing this.

Tomorrow we head out to the Cafe at 9ish, and are probably helping a man who is disabled with working on the basement he is living in, as well as tech stuff in the Cafe.

grins

2010-02-20T21:06:00.001-08:00

*coughs* erm.....I couldn't help myself. *grins innocently*

http://www.wix.com/randomwordiac/Random-Wordiac

(It's still under construction) :-)

Yes, another new blog template. :D

2010-02-16T11:14:00.000-08:00

I have changed my blog template again, and this one seems to work better. The only problem with this one is that the links for the navigation at the top (About, Home, FAQ) do not work. So, don't pointlessly click on them. :-)

Snow day? no. Snow WEEK.

2010-02-09T20:28:00.001-08:00

Snowwwwww!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25928060@N05/

Adventures of Late

2010-02-04T12:27:00.000-08:00

One of the latest adventures has included the death of my poor T.V. We were about to watch Season 1 of the show Arrested Development, when I realized the T.V. was unplugged. I trotted over and plugged it in, noting a rather sinister Pssft sound. I ignored it and sat back down on the bed. A few seconds later I realized that the T.V was SMOKING. A lot. I screeched, jumped up and frantically threw open the window (envisioning fire alarms going off). I the proceeded to screech for my suitemate, my RA, and anyone who could help. I briefly entertained the notion of flinging the TV out the window. I unplugged the TV, and continued my franticness. Soon the TV stopped smoking and settled into just being dead.

2010-01-22T14:04:00.001-08:00

It is finally Spring semester now, week two. I have finally got my schedule down, and like it quite a lot. 8am classes MWF, but no class until 1220 on TH.

Other News (in bullet form :D)

Got on an intramural soccer team YAY!
Made a cool pencil case craft (picture to come later)
Decided philosophers are all absolutely ridiculous
Begun to love Humanities 303 (we recently read these essays by Makoto Fujimara)
Set off an alarm in the apartments (oops.)
Made various crafts during Integrating the Arts class
Learned about schools that focus on art integration (some sounded really amazing...others...not so much)
Got my hair cut
Watched Night at the Museum II, Leap Year, and Gattaca with my roomie
Had the first Aliquippa STM meeting (very exciting :D)

And more. :)

Nerf Wars, Ice Wars, Sword Wars....wars. :D

2010-01-08T20:28:00.000-08:00

So in the past few days, everything that could be turned into a battle has been. Nerf weaponry is currently in the vogue here, and small orange darts are in extreme demand. Nerf has come a long way too, from the small shooters of long ago to the battery-operated, automatic machine guns of today. Myself, I prefer the small pistol types, which seem to be more accurate than the behemoths. Anyways, nerf wars here have certain rules. If you are hit three times, you are dead and out for the rest of the game, or sometimes you just have to run back to your base and wait 10 seconds. Sometimes there is a rule about not shooting someone if they are less than an arm's length away, sometimes it's whatever goes. Also, the game is played in pitch black darkness. Which generally makes it hard to monitor the rule of being hit, as neither you nor your enemies can see who has been hit. Otherwise it makes for great sneaking and sniping. And turncoating.
Nerf also makes swords and battle axes now, which are sometimes rather painful and I wonder how they made it through testing. There are frequent battles with these.
Ice battles consist of playing pseudo hockey on a thin strip of ice in the backyard. The hockey puck is a chunk of ice, and the sticks are the swords (goalies get the battle axes). You can imagine the problems with this. Whacking a hard piece of ice, with a hard sword, as you struggle to stay standing on the slippery ice with your treadless tennis shoes. It can be a painful battle.
Eliza-ism for today:
Eliza has recently taken a liking to a certain game we got for Christmas for the XBOX. In it you can explore various worlds, do quests, etc. The character is a bear who has a bird friend in his backpack. The only thing Eliza does in this entire game is to swim her character underwater. That is all. She stays in whatever water source she can find. She also thinks it is terribly funny to leave the poor bear underwater until the breath meter runs out, after which the bird pops out of the backpack and smacks the bear awake. She absolutely loves this, and will keep the bear underwater purposefully to watch this occur.

An Assortment of Things

2009-12-31T12:28:00.000-08:00

So, here is a run-down of things happened/happening over break:

It snowed twenty inches+
I got a Sony Reader
We had Christmas Eve dinner with our Pastor Dan and his family
I went to the eye doctor, and got glasses. :-P
I gave many gifts, and blamed the Evil FedEx Man for one of my gifts being late...until realizing that it was the UPS man who eventually brought it.
Emma and I made a rather amazing snow fort, as well as a snowman
I received a super-awesome picture of my Amazing Fish
I played Catan and tried to play Killer Bunnies
I watched innumerable variations of Barbie and the ____ or Barbie in ____
Made paper snowflakes *grins*
Made a gingerbread house
And more. :D Happy New Years!

Social Vibe

2009-12-21T17:22:00.000-08:00

So I added this new little Gadget thing on the side of my blog, it's pretty neat. You pick a charity, and then do really brief interactions with various advertisements (like 5 minutes to do 10 or so) and the advertisers pay the charity for giving them publicity. The one I chose is Blood:Water Mission, sponsored my Jars of Clay. Here is the website.

Oh! And I changed my blog layout....again. Cause I'm coo' like that (the little apostrophe thing is designating the lack of complete "L" sound at the end of the word, cause that's how cool people talk....yo).

SNOW. SNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW. snowsnowsnowsnow. SNOW!

2009-12-21T17:02:00.000-08:00

God answers prayer. That is all I have to say. Well, no it isn't. But He does! I prayed for snow, hoping it would come, and now it has. Albeit where I least expected it, at my house rather than at college, and in amounts far exceeding my expectations (SEVENTEEN INCHES!!!!!). But come it has!!! I must admit I am not even sure what to do with this incredible amount of snow. I sink in up to my KNEES! It borders on Ridiculous Amount of Snow. Eliza loves it though, and makes "tracks" which I am supposed to follow. She does this by laying on her belly and army-crawling through the snow, leaving Eliza-sized drag marks. She also has a slightly disturbing craving to eat snow....
Lilly: Eliza, what are you doing?
Eliza: I'm eating my snowball *very matter of factly*. It's yummy. *"duh" look*

In fact, it only took her about 10 minutes into the snow to bury her face in it, and not even lick the snow, but take great heaping BITES of it. I gave her a baby snowman (three snowballs stuck together) and she BIT HIS HEAD OFF! I was aghast. I think it may be one of those psychological things where people have absurd and uncontrollable cravings for weird things, like soap. At least Eliza's is harmless.

The End of Part III

2009-12-19T20:21:00.000-08:00

So, I'm stealing my roommate's blog post idea, and blogging on the finale of the semester (semester III, part IV coming soon).
Some memories:

Stepping on Ginko pods outside of Mckee, then telling my roommate if she steps on them I will make her sleep in the hall (they stink...really bad).

Freaking out over a midterm that I ended up getting a perfect grade on.

Going out to watch the meteor shower late on night with my roommate and Martie, seeing nothing but being freaked out by noises in the woods.

Screaming my head off when I thought that there was a zombie manakin in the store window....then realizing it was just a person.
Martha and Molly's random crazy moods
Talking to the Romans on Skype
Having movie nights, many of them, with my roommate and others.
Going to my roomie's house for the weekend, and experiencing first-rate culture shock.
Getting a fish, who is absolutely beautiful and the most perfect fish on the planet.
Experiencing my first real classroom...albeit with a rather odd teacher.
Meeting tons of new friends in Mckee, including ones who were formally rather intimidating *coughs*Kelly*coughs*
Having a Dr.Watt Class, and loving it.
Dr. Hoffman's awesome testimony
Lamenting the warm winter, while complaining about the cold.
Dropping my baked fish and watching it bounce on Alex's table (gross.)
Laughing as Kat emerges from her bubble, and walks past our room...over and over....casually glancing inside....waiting for us to ask her in.... :D
My amazing birthday, with Angel food cake, cookies, pink balloons, pink streamers, an awesome pair of pink earbuds, a pink sign, and pink frosting. :D
Etc.

Random Stuff

2009-11-29T07:58:00.000-08:00

Went to see Blindside last night, it was really good. World did an article on it in it's last issue I think.
I was getting popcorn for my cousin and I, and a 12 year oldish boy started a conversation with me.

Boy: What you going to see?
Me: Blindside. How about you?
Boy:

There is now an Australian Sheepskin Kiosk in the Dover Mall....why? I don't know. They sell these moccasin shoe-things that (I am assuming) are covered in sheepskin. But they also sell nailpolish.
Right now I am watching this guy across the hall in the airport who is selling Magic Pens. He keeps blowing into some kind of kazoo thing when people walk by. I am wondering if this is a sales ploy? Or he is just nuts? Maybe he is a World-Renowned Kazoo player?
I very nearly died as I was walking to my gate in the airport. One of those big handicapped passenger carriers came careening around the corner and missed me by about 4 inches.

Eljo Quotes:
530-6am ish
E: Jewen. Jewen!
Me: What Eliza??
E: It's morningtime! Time to go downstairs!
Me: *checks time* It is NOT time to go downstairs.
E: *is quiet for about 10 minutes* *gets out of bed* *whips open wooden shades loudly*
E: Jewen! Look, look!
Me: *looks, rather groggily* What?
E: *points to the light beams on the floor coming from the window* Seeeeee? It's morningtime!
Me: *glares* Go to sleep.

Turkey Day!

2009-11-26T14:41:00.000-08:00

What we ate for dinner:

Turkey (also called Tom, Tim, Rudy, Sheldon, and Roscoe)
Stuffing (Yankee and Newfie)
Sweet Potatoes (they caught on fire in the oven)
Mashed Potatoes (they did not catch on fire)
Cranberry from the Can
Cranberry Sauce from Scratch
Rolls
Corn
Green Beans
Turnips
Peas

What we ate for snack:

Fudge
Many varieties of crackers
Many varieties of cheese
Shrimp
Hummus
Queso and Chips
Apples and Carmel
Peanut Butter Bon Bons
Italian Wedding Cookies
Salmon (eat it on crackers)
Cream Cheese
Potstickers
Potato Skins

Dessert:

Pumpkin Pie
Cherry Pie
Apple Pie
More Fudge

And that was/is the menu :D

Interesting Eliza Happening for the Day:

Eliza's Prayer

Dear God,

Thank you for food

And thank you for me liking food

And thank you for mommy and daddy

And thank you for Poppy's leg being sore

And thank you for the chicken

Amen!

Pre-Turkey Day!

2009-11-25T20:00:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning to:

"Jewwwwen? Jewen? Are you up there? On my bed? My earring itches."
"*grumbles* *looks at clock* ELIZA! GOT TO SLEEP! IT'S 430! ITCH YOUR OWN EAR!"
*sleeps*

Later: (615)
"Jewen? Are you awake? It's morning time!"
"No, it's not."
"I want to open the window? Can I open the window"
"Yes. Be quiet."
*loud racket as she opens shades*
"Jewen! I see cars! I see the sun!"
*glares over bed at her*
"Sleep. Quiet. No talking."

We went to XBOS this afternoon, which is like a much nicer version of Chuck E Cheese. TT and I tried to play DDR, but failed miserably. I won a ton of tickets for the little ones, I am the Master of All Circular Timing Games bwahahahaha!

Then we came home and TT, Jem, and I watched the Ice Age 4 movie, which was pretty amusing.

Airport Adventures!

2009-11-25T19:34:00.000-08:00

So, Tuesday was Travel Day, as all of the college packed up and left. Here are interesting events as they happened:

Dragged roomie's stuff to her ride's car.
Said goodbye to roomie.
Ran around frantically hoping I wasn't forgetting anything.
Left with my ride.
Realized 20 minutes later that I had forgotten to turn off the light, unplug stuff, and sign out.
Called Athletic One of Amazingness, she did the aforementioned forgotten things.
Got to airport, got into security line...which was incredibly long.
Began praying I would not miss my flight.
Security lady came over and told me that the Alternate Security Route had just opened. Went to it very happily.
Was followed by a Very Odd College Boy who was obsessed with New Moon.
Managed to evade Boy by getting into different line in the security.
Was bereft (can I use that word like this?) of my orange juice for safety reasons.
Finally got to my gate, sat down near an outlet, another college boy, and a college girl.
College girl moved away cause I sat too close.
College boy begins to speak of many technical computer things, then plays games.
Finally got aboard plane.
Landed in Philly.
Got my bags and watched my dad drive past me.
Watched again. :D
Finally got into the car.
Home!

Field Experience!

2009-11-17T16:22:00.000-08:00

Well, today was probably the funniest field experience I have had so far. Today was test day, and the whole school was doing their tests. Soon after I came in, my teacher lamented to me, jokingly (I think) that her "eyebrow was twitching" and "you know what that means!". She told me this as the students behind her were supposed to be doing their math test. I watched as many of the students began incredibly amusing imitations of eyebrow twitching, all the while trying to keep my calm as my teacher kept talking. In fact, she talked a TON. Or perhaps I was just stunned coming from the total lack of communication from before to sudden, actual conversations. Anyways, she spent a good amount of time telling me how I simply MUST go the Hot Dog Shoppe. She also told me about how she takes suitcases of hot dogs and chili via plane to her sister-in-law in Washington state. It was quite hard to keep a straight face. Then she told me how she had graduated from Geneva, was Catholic, had a granddaughter named Jordan, showed me pictures of her family, talked about how Washington does not have Snyder chips or pepperoni-by-the-stick, and reemphasized my need to visit the hot dog shoppe.
Then it was time for the class to go to Library Time. I enjoy this because I get one-on-one interaction with all the kids. Today one of the boys checked out a book on the jungle. In this book there were several pictures of naked men and women, which, of course, had every child in the class in an absolute uproar. The librarian intervened and removed the book, while I watched and tried desperately not to collapse in laughter. I also taught the students an optical illusion trick (one of them checked out an Optical Illusion book, so I showed them that when you focus your eyes dar away, then move your fingers toward eachother, it makes a hovering finger), which made me the Best Thing Ever in their eyes, especially the boys who made comments such as "OH GROSSSSS! AWESOME!". Little kids are very easy to please. :D
Statements made during this field experience:

"Do you like me and Annalee best?"
Me: "Um, I like you ALL."
"But...you like me and Annalee best right?"
Me: "*sighs* I like you all the same. Oh! Look at that! *changes subject*"

"You look like you're 10 years old."

Teacher: "What numbers make 15?"
Student: "7 and 8"
Student: "6 and 9"
Student: "1 and 2" *completely serious*
Teacher: "WHAT?"
Student: "1 and TWOOOO"
Teacher: "Add those. How do they make FIFTEEN??"
Student: "*ponders this* Um. Hmmm. *more pondering*"
Teacher: *making scoffing impatient noises*
Student: "I think they don't."

Catching Up...

2009-11-10T17:10:00.000-08:00

This is going to be a Super Random Post, but oh well. :D I have been (*coughs* and maybe forcing a certain roommate) daily checking the weather (10-day forecast) in anticipation of snow. As of yet, nothing has shown up. I think maybe I am jinxing it....

My roommate and I went on a spontaneous hike through the woods, during which I realized once more that my roommate is Very Klutzy. I was ahead of her and here is what I heard: *scuffle scuffle CRASH scramble heavy breathing small squeal SLIP CRASH* etc.

We celebrated a friend's birthday at a Chinese restaurant downtown on Saturday, during which we had Chinese Donut Cake (a bunch of Chinese donuts with frosting on top). Also on Saturday, we went with a group to an art center and painted plates (others also did scratch art). Alas, my plate....is ugly. Sooooo ugly. Though some have called it very "El. Edish". Still. It's pretty awful.

The Plate (its a watermelon...or, it should be.)

Sad News: Jojoba was laid to rest in a loving and quiet ceremony, attended by his close friends, about two weeks ago. His grave was later desecrated by Mulch-Planting Maintenance Men, who strewed disgusting stinky mulch about his small grave.

My roommate and I have watched the following movies:

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (Windex.....useful for all injuries.)
Hairspray (The only movie to sucsessfully put pure ADHD on screen in a format that most understand)
The Gods Must Be Crazy (Bizarre. But funny. But bizzzzarrrreeeee.)
Spirited Away (Anime, and pretty good. Some weird creatures though.)
The Count of Monte Cristo (It was okay, we were in Not-A-Drama-Mood though, and so the movie became slightly comical after a while...)

The dining hall served chicken and dumpling soup one night...and then never again. :(

I recieved an Amazing List of 95 Reasons to Wear Socks...along with a Wonderful Pair of Flamingo Socks for Reformation Day!

I found an awesome pink argyle shirt at the Salvation Army...for $1.99!!!! It's good for field experience.

My roommate and I went and got a drink from Sheetz a couple nights ago. I went to the bathroom, because we walked past this fountain on the way and I just HAD TO GO. So, I chanced a Gas Station Bathroom and went in. I came out and immediately dragged my roomie over to the bathroom and showed her what I had found. Inside the bathroom, inside the thing that generally dispenses mints, toiletries, and assorted chapsticks, was:

"Enchanted Night Condoms!
In flourescent colours!"
For 75cents.

*coughs* It was entertaining/mortifying/death-come-soonering/questionable/among other things. It also brings up the question: students at this college have long held that if a guy and a girl "take the walk to sheetz" together, they are official. What KIND of official????

And, that's about all.
Oh, and sheetz has a lovely strawberry-lemonade smoothie.

Foundations and Faux Pas

2009-10-22T11:32:00.000-07:00

So, today I received my midterm grade for Foundations. I was about to have a heart attack as she began the Doomsday Grade Speech, of which many teachers seem to succomb to before passing back tests. The whole, "Well, many, MANY of you did pretty badly on this test, etc. etc." just about killed me. I had only been able to study the night before, and the class itself is the bane of every Education major. At last, when I finally recieved my test, I refused to look at it, instead handing it to my friend Molly...she looked at it...and scowled at me. She shoved it at me and I looked at the grade. I had gotten 100%. I nearly died with relief. I do not generally get perfect grades...actually, I almost never do. So this was a most welcome surprise :D.

In other news, I made a terrible faux pas during Human Geography. I was making my speech to the class, and I mentioned something about RP-ness. Say that aloud. Yes. Indeed. So, the whole class was desperately attempting to smother their laughter and I was at a total loss as to WHY. Until after the class. When everyone informed me. It was rather awful, but pretty hilarious.

The RD (Marti) ate lunch with Molly, Anya, and I today. We had a picnic outside on the lawn, and it was pretty fun. A girl who came to Geneva from China came over to us and was talking to the RD about something with her insurance. Or trying to. She has only just come, and so her English is not very developed yet. Also...there was an issue with eye color. She stared at the RD for a second, then asked, while pointing to her own eyes,
"Why are your eyes that?"
RD, "Erm....because my mom had blue eyes?"
*blank stare* "What? Everyone has this color."
"Well, I have irish blood!"
*more blank stare*
Us: "People in other places have different eyes, and they mix and make new colors."
"Ohhhhhh." *quizzical look, leaves*
Us: *dying*
I guess that brown eyes are VERY common in China.

Also, the RD decided it would be good of her to honk her horn VERY LOUDLY as my roomie and I exited the building. I may have, erm, screamed and flailed. She seemed to find this very funny. *glares*

And...thats about all. I am supposed to be reading the Inferno, but its really gross and rather boring. My roomie is sitting her eating her pen and attempting Hebrew.

Field Experience #2

2009-10-13T19:16:00.000-07:00

So today was a much better field experience. There was minor Terrible Meanness, and the class was as cute as ever. They were working on recognizing details in stories and the teacher asked,
"If a grandma is baking with a kid, she needs to be....what?"
Student's answers:
"Pretty?"
"Powdery?"
"Point?"
"Joyful?"
"A good cook?"
The answer: Patient.

The end assignment was a sentence or two about why they would or would not like a grandma like the one in the story. Most of the boys' answers were: "Because she made foxtails [a cookie or some type of dessert]." The girls all wrote answers like, "Because she was happy and loving and joyful and was so nice." A couple boys also wrote answers such as, "No I would NOT like to have a grandma like that because cooking is stupid and boring."

An interesting comment I got from a little girl during Library time: "You are very.....I don't know... *pause*...interesting." Me: "Um, thanks?" :D I was also told that I was going to be an amazing teacher because I was nice and pretty and had "lovely" hair. 3rd graders are VERY easy to please.... :D

Field Experience #1

2009-10-06T12:45:00.000-07:00

Oh. My. Goodness. I think I was either spoiled with the great teachers I have had...or the teacher I have been assigned to is, in Educational Psychology words, "an Aggressive Teacher". I was assgined to the third grade, and so I took it for granted that the teacher would be pretty nice, since the kids are still small and pretty cute. Well...this was not so. The teacher was belittling, sarcastic, and hostile. I have never been in a classroom where things were so tightly controlled that it seemed like more of a machine than a place of learning. A really bizrre thing happened too. This one kid didn't have his homework. The teacher made him stand up, and then pretended to whack him with a "wet noodle". It was taken seriously by the class, and I am assuming was used as a deterrent through the embarrasment of having to stand up. I am hoping that my teacher was just in a bad mood today...hopefully? Anyways, the kids were Super-Cute.
Questions I got:

"Are you married?"
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Are you in *gasp* Middle School?"
"Do you like College?"
"Do you have to learn math?"
"Why are you HERE??"

Interesting Quotes:

*points to hand sanitizer* "When you have germs, you press this."
"You could be my mom."
"When we go to lunch we play games and I am part animal cause I climb like a monkey and so I am an animal..."
"I'm part dog."
"I don't think Ms. __ likes me."
Me: How long is computer? Girl: About *thinks* two hours. Me: Um, how long is lunch? Girl: I think one hours *nods sagely* Me: *has suddenly understood all the lectures about child development*
"When I grow up, I want to be in a museum, and I have this box at homes that I will give them cause it has a rock that is really a tree and it looks SO COOL."
"I don't like the Dewey Decimeal System, it's stupid. Why can't we just use the computer?"
"You are soooo pretty!"
"I am in love with Zac Efron."
"I could do your hair for you, I'm really good at hair."
Me: How long has this school been around? Them: Sooooo long. Like forever. I mean, I have been here since KINDERGARTEN. Me: *smothers laughter* Yes, that's a pretty long time.

Goings-On

2009-10-05T18:08:00.000-07:00

I have not posted in quite a long time, so here is a rundown of those mundane things that you would never remember to talk about in a formal conversation, but for some reason find perfectly right to blog about. It is a mystery of nature. :D
Anyways...the past couple weeks I have:

Watched Finding Nemo and Ella Enchanted with my roommate who is utterly devoid of knowledge of modern movie marvels (I ask, "Have you seen..." She, "No." :D)
Found out that dry erase marker is not easily removed from dorm hand sanitizers (nail polish remover is your only hope)
Played with Greek (Koine)
Chalked stuff in the new Circle outside of the freshmen girls' dorm
Made a sword
Rejoiced in Alexs' Chicken Dumpling soup
Enjoyed the Fall weather that makes living on the third floor of an un-air conditioned dorm bearable
Ate pomegranate (its wonderful!!! :D)
Changed Jeff's water
Etc.

Of Craftiness and Careers

2009-09-23T21:04:00.000-07:00

Today was the final class of Field Experience before we actually go into the field. We got our room and grade assignments and checked with who we were driving with. I have Ms. Cindy, third grade teacher at Large Mammal Elementary school, from 1-3. I am super excited, and I absolutely cannot wait for the first day. Increasing my excitement are my EDU-type classes, where we are increasingly getting into the Actual Stuff of education. I especially enjoyed my Human Geography class, where we had to spontaneously create activities suited to teaching children aspects of human migration. I am fairly sure that I would be completely happy just creating crafts and activities all day long :D.

Also, today was the set-up day for a local afterschool program. I get to do CRAFTS *sighs of utter happiness and elation*. I don't think they really believed me when I said I would looooove to be the craft leader. Well....I am. Crafts are wonderful :D.

In other news, I have heard rumors that, this very weekend, there is to be a Minor Invasion of Geneva. It is rumored that these invaders are somehow related to Bananas, and that they are led by a strange pink monkey....

Alas, these are most likely only rumors....

(Interesting Fact: Humans are 50% DNA identical to Bananas....so be wary when people say you are __% related to *random animal* and therefore must be a descendant of aforementioned animal.)

Great New Blog...

2009-09-19T17:28:00.001-07:00

So, I just happened upon this great new blog right here. It's quite philisophical, pretty hilarious too in some places.

Of Mountain Pies and Swine

2009-09-17T07:34:00.000-07:00

Mountain Pie Madness was incredibly fun, and rather tasty. Near the end the RD/cohort of RAs somehow managed to set a few sandwiches on fire. There were also some Super Random folk-bandish type well-aged men who played music for us. They were not there for us specifically, but had decided to advertise on campus. It was a wonderful time, minus a few incidents in which I was pelted by saliva-laden marshmallows....

Tonight is Hemp Jewlery Night, and also the last day to turn in teams for the Game. We are fielding two teams, Janie and the Ruggers and Clarke Bar Reunited. What is the Game? Well....

Other than that, I have reading to do this weekend, and an Ed Psych Journal, Matthew assignment, and Graham critique due next week. That's about it. :D

Oh, and Swine. :D Geneva has not yet had the fortune of the Great Swine Flu. It has, however, put out various emails in case of such. One of them had instructions on how if you DO have the symptoms, you are NOT ALLOWED in the infirmary. There are also now copious amounts of hand sanitizer in every possible location. Additionally, there is a large-scale mural in Skye Lounge about sneezing into your sleeve. :D

Of Jeff and Future Adventures

2009-09-15T15:14:00.000-07:00

Well, last night I had done all my homework, written all that needed writing, and was summarily without anything schoolish to do. So, I made a movie about Jeff the Fish. Yes, I know. Who makes a movie about a fish? Well, I do. And he is such a pretty fish! And a great dancer. :D

Watch Jeff!

In other news, tomorrow is Mountain Pie Madness, in which many sandwich pies are made and many suitemates are fed. Then on the 17th is Mckee's first annual (to my knowledge) hemp jewelery making night. Then, FINALLY, on Friday night is Geneva's The Game. We played in it last year (and came in at 14th/16 total teams) and had an insane amount of ridiculous fun. We are fielding 2-3 teams this year, as I can be pretty convincing and so many people wanted to play with us :D.

Back at School!

2009-09-07T15:28:00.000-07:00

Taking a short hiatus from the Summit posting-frenzy, I am officially back at school! Unfortunately, neither I, nor my roommate (whom some of you know, I believe :D), have an internet connection. This means I am currently typing this in the Library, and perhaps making a rather loud commotion because the Library seems to have bought the LOUDEST keyboards evvvvvver! Anyways...back to school. :D
My schedule is exceedingly spread out this semester, which I am not really fond of, but I have pretty awesome classes.

Mon/Wed/Fri- 8am PE, 11:15 Matthew, 1:25 Humanities
Tu/Thurs- 8am Education Psych, 12:20 Foundations of Education
Wed Only- 2:30 Field Experience
Tues Only- 6:30 Human Geography

Matthew is currently my absolute favorite class, I am fairly sure I could listen to the professor for 3 hours and not get bored :D. Other activities this semester are helping out at an afterschool program at a local church and my in-class time at the local school (Tues 1230-3).

Random Stuff:

My room is on the third floor of a particular dorm, and becuase of this is rather hot. So, there are *counts* 3 fans going. I can't wait 'til it gets super cold (and SNOOOOOWS!).
I attempted to pop some popcorn a few nights ago, using a friend's microwave. Well, this microwave was up above my eyes, and I was therefore unable to see into it. So, I may have popped my popcorn on top of the intruction manual, stinking up the entire room, and burning a large-ish hole on the manual.
There are chestnuts (buckeyes?) all over campus right now, along with these slightly disturbing green pear-shaped things. They are rather large, and grow on one particular tree. I have postulated that they are kumqats, but no one agrees with me... :D
During PE we were "working out" on the machines in the weight room (only girls, guys run while girls "weightlift") and was rather upset with most of the machines we worked on. Most all of them seem to have been built for an average sized girl...and I am therefore unable to complete most exercises properly (though I may not actually mind that part) :D.
The new system at the library for printing is pretty awesome. You just wave your ID card behind this thing and it knows who you are and starts printing. Its amazing :D
I shall never, ever, eat Geneva's red potatoes again. Another girl and I both had them, and were both struck down into misery by them very quickly.
My room recently was the site of a glorious Movie Night, in which much popcorn and soda/pop was consumed (The Movie was the Princess Bride).

That is about all I can think of for now. :)

Summit Day 3

2009-08-22T15:47:00.000-07:00

Same routine as Monday, rose up early and took a shower, breakfast at 7:15, then in class at 8:15. Something I forgot to add on Day 1: Every morning the Class Director would lead us in the pledge to the American and Christian flag, as well as singing the first stanza of Amazing Grace.

Today started out with Dr. Noebel (the President and Founder of Summit Ministries) doing the Bible Hour. This consisted of a Verse of the Day and Thought for the Day, as well as a list of Why You Should Study the Bible.

Verse of the Day: "Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge." Proverbs 23:12.
Thought: Christian Leadership involves servanthood (Mark 10:24) and a non-quitting attitude (2nd Corinthians 4).

Why You Should Study the Bible:
1. It's a part of World Literature
2.Had a great influence on our nation
3.Had a great influence on Western Civilization
4.It's a mark of an Educated Man
To be contintued...

Lecture 1: Dr. Michael Bauman, The Meaning of Meaning
Dr. Bauman is permanet staff with Summit, and also teaches at the Summit Semester program.
Notes: This was basically on the purpose and absoluteness of meaning.

Ideas have consequences, bad ideas have bad consequences (this is the theme of Summit, it's even on the t-shirts...I think on the tshirts it sounds like you went to a Reform Camp for bad kids :D).
Sloppy language makes sloppy thought possible
Meaning = Interpretation FALSE
Meaning=Meaning TRUE
Epiphenomenon-a secondary or derivative existence, owing it's life to something else (cool word, eh?)
Conclusion: Meaning has meaning. We should not base meaning on our interpretation.

Lecture 2: Bauman, The Problem of Pain
Basic question: If God is good, why is there pain/evil/bad stuff in the world?

1.If God were good, He would want to make people happy.
2.If God were all powerful, He could do what He wanted and could make people happy.
3. But People suffer. Therefore, God lacks goodness, or power, or both.
-CS Lewis

But-

Inexorable love- love that does the best for the loved one
Megaphone- pain is "God's Megaphone to the world" (Lewis)

"Love is not Beanie Babies for your soul"
"Life has rumble strips"
Basically, we don't know what God knows is good for us.

Lecture 3: Bauman, Dangerous Samaritans
This lecture was on basic economics and welfare reform.

Notes:
False Charity-Poverty is not a money problem
Reforming Welfare-
1. Put welfare inthe hands of contributors, not recipients or bureaucrats
2.Re-define poverty
3.Re-educate the politicians and poor
4. NO PERFECT SOLUTIONS
5.Provide tax credits for companies that hire and train people on welfare
6. Welfare is not a one-size-fits-all problem

Lunch! Then back to class...

Lecture 4: Darrell Furgason, Islam II
This lecture was a continuation of yesterday's lecture and dealt with dealing with Islam in international relations.
Notes:
Islam is an ideology.

A political ideology and vision
Divine social order
Goal: The perfect "State"
Blueprints for social reality

"We are not Socialist, we are not Capitalist, we are Islamic." Anwar Ibrahim, VP of Malaysia, 1998
Biblical Foundations for International Relations:

We are at war with Ideas (2nd Corinthians 10:4)
Collosians 2:8
Wrong Ways to develop Nations

Marxist- 170 Million dead
Islamic-Jihad and Totalitarianism
Humanist-Liberalism, Moral Decline
Christian-Jeremiah 9:23,24

4.Focus is on Truth
5. Renew the Mind-develop Biblical perspectives on each discipline
6. God works on Earth through His people to bring about Justice-in politics, in law, in society
7.God has goals and a strategy in human history
8.Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done....(Matt. 6:9)
9. Disciple the Nation
10. Redemption from Sin applies to everything
Biblical Goal of IR- Psalm 67:1,2

That ended morning lectures and we had about 20 minutes before we headed off to Sports Time at the local (and huge) park. We all ran to get water and whatever else should be necessary at the park, and then hopped on the buses. The park was about 10 minutes down the road, and had 4 large fields, hiking trails, a jungle gym, and a pavillion. I and a few others decided to go hike through the small trails. It was pretty fun, I had never seen wild cactus everywhere before, it was like being in the desert! We attempted to talk while walking up the hills, but found (all of us being from the East and unaccostomed to the air) that it was not very easy. Conversation went something like:
Me: So.....*panting* where are you from?
Florida: I'm *huffs* from Florida *panting* how about you?
Me: ......*breathes* Delaware....
Etc.
After we had hiked about a mile, we looked up and saw rather ghastly clouds coming from over the mountains in the distance and heading right for us. Not wanting to be caught in a thunderstorm on the highest elevation around, we beat it back to the park. Once there, we parted ways and went off to play some sports. I played some soccer, partly in the rain, and then the horn sounded and it was back for dinner.

Lecture 5: Noebel, Worldviews in Collision III
Dr. Noebel focused on the Tribe of Issachar first in this lecture (1st Chronicles 12:32)
Notes:
200 willing to go to battle (tribe of leaders and scholars)
a. They understood the times in which they lived
b. Knew what Israel ought to do
We also read Steve Turner's poem Creed (found here) and added Nietzche, Lukacs, Gramsci, Sanger, Dewey, Derrida, and Foucalt to the first line. ("DERRIDA IS EVIL!" :D that is a note I have written, mostly because I hated much of my Critical Approach to Literature class because of him).

After his lecture ended, we went to Small groups and discusses any questions we had, the lectures, etc, and one of our small group leaders read Max Lucado's "You are Special". Then bedtime!

Summit Day 2

2009-08-17T12:26:00.000-07:00

I woke up at 6am to run and get a shower before the Rush, and then came back to my room (Room 425). My roomies were still asleep at this point, being, for the most part, nighttime shower-takers. At 7am on the dot, female staff went through the girl's halls knocking on doors and shouting, "Good Morning girls, time to get up!" This roused everyone fairly quickly, and breakfast started at 7:15, so we headed down after a few minutes.
The kitchen is located on the third floor, one floor down from mine. Girls and guys have separate lines, as this has been shown to move the lines through in a more timely fashion (reasons as for why this might be are welcome :D). After breakfast, the first session started at 8:15, so there were a few minutes to clean up the room in an effort to win the room check. We left candy out as a bribe (a legal thing to do in this case, don't worry).

1st Lecture: Chuck Edwards, Why We Are Here
This, as I look back and read my notes, was an introductory lecture of, "Why Summit?"
Notes I took:
"Why are you here?

Better filter things you hear
Better defend your faith
Glorify God, advance His Kingdom
To Learn
Get closer to God
Better equipped to have a ready answer

Hebrews 11:1, What is faith? Faith is: assurance, conviction=substance, i.e., not a blind belief.

2nd Lecture, Chuck Edwards, Worldview Thinking
This lecture was more details on what, EXACTLY, a worldview is.
Notes:
#1- A worldview is CRUCIAL
(Colossians 2:8, "deceptive philosiphies")
#2-A Worldview is COMPREHENSIVE
Theology, philosophy, biology, psychology, ethics, sociology, law, politics, economics, history (worldviews will have all these parts)
#3-A worldview is CONNECTED
Every idea realtes to other ideas. Ideas have consequences. Bad ideas have BAD consequences.
Quote:
"...the great missing element in Western thinking is the Christian viewpoint. Western man thinks about economics, politics, government, education, and a thousand other things without ever once asking, What has God said about these things?" -David Breese, Seven Men Who Rule the World from the Grave

After those two lectures there was a five minute stretch break and then the lectures continuted.

3rd Lecture, Dr. Bob Linden, Leadership
Dr. Linden was FULL of information. He went through so many sheets of notes I thought my brain would explode from the information! This first leadership lecture was primarily about Attitude, the compinents (thoughts, feelings, and actions), as well as the impact of good and bad attitudes.

4th Lecture, Dr. Bob Linden, Leadership
The second part of his leadership lecture series, this was called The Empowered Christian Leader, Taking Responsibility.
Definition of "empower"-
To give faculties to, to enable. Being empowered requires self-discipline, responsibility, flooding your mind with Scripture, and goal setting. Associate with people who believe God is in control.
Empowered Christians:

Decisive
Clear purpose
Clear beliefs/values
Write goals down
Make sucsess a habit
Optimistic

Important question to ask: "What would our (school, office, home) be like if everyone in it were just like me?"

After that lecture was announcements before lunch (our room won for Cleanest Room and got to go to lunch first) and break until 1:15.

5th Lecture, Darrell Furgason, Islam I
Darrell Furgason is an expert in all things Islam, and also studied languages (linguistics?) at a university in Australia. His first lecture focused primarily on the key words of Islam, such as Mohammed, Mecca, Medina, Sufis, Wahabis, The Holy Books, and the primary beliefs and religious obligations of Muslims. He also compared (in a table) Christianity and Islam. What probably struck me most in the table is how awful "Allah" is! Our God is forgiving, look across the table, Allah is...unforgiving. Our God is "knowable" (to an extent), Allah is "unknowable. Believers LOVE God for who He is under Christianity, Believers BOW before Allah's power under Islam. No relationship with Allah, personal relationship with God.

After the lecture was a about an hour and a half of free time and then everyone hopped on the buses and we went to see the Garden of the Gods. Which turned out to be not a Garden, but a bunch of really pretty and HUGE rock/cliff things. We climbed around for a while after visiting the tiny museum that went with it (I almost died via a squirrel that jumped out of a tiny crevice). Then back to Summit!

We had dinner and then a short amount of free time before we were back in the classroom. At 7:30 we had praise and worship before Dr. Noeble came and gave two lectures on Worldviews In Collision.

6th and 7th Lectures, Doc Noebel, Worldviews in Collision I and II

For these lectures we read this poem Gods of the Copybook Headings and discussed the 6 main worldviews of today: Christianity, Islam, Secular Humanism, Marxism, Cosmic Humanism, and Post-Modernism. However, Dr. Noebel is such an amazing lecturer that I didn't realize I was learning. If ever there were a man born to work with teens and young adults, it is him.

After the last two lectures we had a small amount of free time and then went to bed, lights out at 11.

Summit Day 1

2009-08-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

Well, I woke up bright and early to catch the 7 something flight to Denver, Colorado. My dad drove me to the airport and we went over to check my baggage in and get my ticket. Unfortunately, we were not aware of the 45 minute Rule, in which no baggage is accepted 45 minutes or less before the flight. This caused a slight mayhem, which was resolved by my taking my rather large and unwieldy bag, which contained two weeks of clothing and other essentials, on the plane with me. I made it to the plane on time, and with much help from a guy much stronger (and *coughs* taller) than I, the bag was made to fit in the overhead compartment.

Soon, the plane landed in Denver, CO, and I hopped/dragged off the plane, large suitcase, backpack, purse, and jacket in hand. Denver is a Very Large Airport. I realized this when I stepped off and attempted to find where my gate was. I sought assistance, and was told that my gate was "over there somewhere". Well, it was not. So, I waited in line (and grew rather nervous as my flight was soon to leave) and was finally given more assistance by a lady who looked up my gate number and where it resided. GATE 87. I was in gate 12 A. I needed to go to 87 B!! Well, I ran. Very swiftly in fact. And dragged my suitcase up the escalator very speedily. And finally made it just as boarding was about midway through.

After a short flight, I made it to Colorado Springs. I called Summit and asked how to find where I was supposed to get on the bus, and was told there would be a bunch of staff waiting in the lobby. So, I and my bag traveled to the front lobby and saw a mass of people. I soon met quite a few Summit students, one of which later turned out to be one of my roommates. A few minutes after I arrived and joined the group, we hopped on the school bus and headed toward Manitou Springs!

When we arrived in Manitou, all male able-bodied individuals were enlisted to carry all the girl's belongings upstairs. While that was happening, I went to find my nametag and check-in. Well, I could not find my nametag at first. It was nowhere! Then, with growing horror, I realized...it was on the BOY'S side! One of my newfound friend's eyes bugged out and she said, "What if...they roomed you...with the GUYS!?" So, I quickly went to make sure that my room was, indeed, a female lodging place, and that I had not been roomed with any male-types. Thankfully, I was not. Jordan just seems to confuse people. Maybe I should add an A at the end? :D

I soon met my 3 roommates, as well as dozens of other people who I could not possibly remember the next day. It was a flurry of: How old are you? Where are you from? What grade are you in? Where do you go to college? How'd you hear about Summit? After a few hours of that, at around 7, we all went into the classroom part of the building. The classroom was organized so that the older kids sat in the front, the younger in the back. It was also arranged boy-girl-boy-girl (except for my row, I sat next to a girl on one side, a guy on the other...I really SHOULD add an A to my name...). We were given our notebooks (very large ones), as well as introduced to the rules and given a short lecture introducing Worldview by Dr. David A. Noebel, president of Summit Ministries.

After the lecture ended, we all had small groups. Each group was headed by one or two staff memebers, and was either all girl or all boy. Everyone in the group was also of very similiar ages. That night in small group we all introduced ourselves and told a bit about who we were, why we came, etc.

Finally, the night ended with a short hall meeting that basically said, don't be crazy. :D Lights went out at 11pm and the day ended.