6 Things For 2012

Happy New Year! I started to write these a month in advance, so that I could think about them a little bit before posting them. Also, this way I could add to the list as I think of things, over the month of December. Anyway, does it matter? It is January 1st, and thanks to scheduled posting, I am free to start this post in December and not have it post for a whole month. It's the little things, people.

Anyway, this list should average out to working on one thing every other month. Though some of them are likely ongoing. I am going to try to be realistic this year, and also not double up like last year. Last year had me going to Canada like every other day.

1. The Birthday Project 
Remember this for my Birthday (November 10th, if you want to start saving for my present...and because I took it off of Facebook to see if anyone would remember anyway). Basically a couple years ago, this lady spent her birthday doing one act of kindness for every year of her life. She involved her family, and ranks it as her favorite birthday. To prepare myself, I would like to just be a person who is kinder in general. Hopefully I will do some acts of kindness before my birthday in 2012.

2. Less Snark, More Positivity
In the same vane (Vein? Vain. Probably vein. Anyone grossed out by veins? Sorry.) as being a more kind person, I am going to try try to not take all my snarkiness out on the internets. So if I'm in a snarky mood, or even if I'm not, I'm going to try to be less snarky, especially when I'm on my various social medias. I have a better control of my snark* in real life, but I will try to keep it under wraps (raps?) there, too. Only positive posts. If I can't say something nice, I won't say anything at all.

3. Show Interest
From my November 25th, 2011 Twitter post: Ask more & better questions, & take to heart Philippians 2:4 (which says, "Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too."). I would like to be a better question asker, to accurately reflect the true interest I have in people. I would like to come across as less aloof.

4. Soap

We already know that I like to make it. And I can only give away so much. So be on the lookout for an Etsy page in 2012. I am excited to: make lots of soap, take pictures of it, and market it shamelessly. I am nervous about: actually selling any, getting good reviews, and knowing how to properly and legally have a small business (um...does anyone know anything about doing taxes? Me neither.). Oh! And I'm also excited to blog about soap, and educate the masses about it.

5. Finish Well
In May I will finish my time at Seminary. Holy shmokes, time flies. What not so long ago was on a list (or two**) of things to do is now almost complete. It's been a good ride, I've learned a lot (and still a full semester's worth of things to learn!). For January term, I will be taking an intensive called Sex, Gender, and The Gospel, and then I have a full load for the rest of the semester: Global Anglicanism, Classical Readings in Christology, Biblical Foundation for Mission, and Capstone. I will graduate with an MA in Religion, focusing on Christian History and Theology. What's next? I'm trusting that God will open some doors, until then (best viewed in your reader):

6. Blog more
I know it must seem like this is something that gets talked about all the time, but I'm really going to try it. Blog more than what, you ask? Blog more than I post on any other various social medias, that's what. But I'm probably not going to advertise it much. It's 2012, people, if you haven't figured out how to add my blog to your reader, then me reminding you every day is not going to help you succeed in life. That was harsh. And a little snarky. You will have to remember that I'm writing these in 2011 (when it's still ok to be snarky). Sorry about that. But seriously. When you follow blogs on a reader, then you only have to remember to check the reader. It's only one thing to check each day instead of however many blogs/twitter accounts you follow. So, if you see that I am posting a million things a day somewhere else, but haven't updated my blog in a month, you have my permission to call me out on it. But don't really call me. I hate talking on the phone. Texting is better. Text me out on it. Or just tell me to my face, which is infinitely better than texting. What was this about again? Oh yes. I will blog more in 2012.

*Snark...according to some sources, "snark" is one of many words invented by Lewis Carroll. I am using it to mean me being negative or un-encouraging or whiny. Or overly and unnecessarily corrective. It's a good thing to decide to avoid, especially in election years. Which reminds me. I once resolved to make some sort of decision about being a good citizen by 2012. Crap.

**This list needs to get re-visited soon. I still really like it.

Merry Christmas to you and yours

The semester is over, people!!

I should be packing, as we leave for the airport in 7 hours, but who can resist a blogpost? Not this girl.

Granted by the time you read this, it will already be a few days later (thanks, scheduled posting!).

Anyway, I hope you are hanging out with some loved ones and not reading this blog on Christmas day, but if you are reading...Merry Christmas!

Here are some Christmassy pictures from our living room.

The top (better) half of our Christmas tree, nativity scene in the background.

Some brown paper packages tied up with string. Thanks, Steve!

Also, a classic Christmas clip.



Cheers! See you in 2012!

(If you're looking for a recap of 2011, I didn't really do much more than what was talked about here).

Of houses and history.

Well people, it's not Monday, but I'm posting anyway. Don't try to manage my creativity!!

This morning I started and finished a paper for a class. Crossed the entire class of my semester's To Do list, no big deal. And while I should be finishing another assignment so I can start spending the weekend studying for Monday and Tuesday's finals, I am instead going to reward myself for finishing Modern Church by posting a picture of my dream house. I stole it from the letterhead of a Christmas note, so someone probably already lives in this particular house, but who says I can't live in one just like it? Also, if the interior could look like a log cabin, then I could more easily convince Steve to live here too ;)

Ok, the porch could be a little bigger.

I'm still deciding whether I would prefer this house to be in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by trees...or in the middle of a city, within walking distance of everything.  Decisions, decisions.

Ok, back to work.

PS....currently listening to this.

Studying and Hair. Both really know how to fill up a Monday.

Well, it looks like this is not going to be the greatest of posts. I was somewhat of a social butterfly over the weekend and did not get any of my homework done. So today I have been attempting to complete a weekend's worth of homework.

So far, it is going ok. I came across this quote from a different history book that I thought was quite thought-provoking. I will have to think about it later though! No time!

"Over the past century...the center of gravity of the Christian world has shifted inexorably southward, to Africa, Asia, and Latin America. ...Christianity should enjoy a worldwide boom in the new century, but the vast majority of believers will be neither in Europe nor Euro-American." -Philip Jenkins (page 495 in the above linked book)

Time to move to Europe, people! Or stay in the United States. Or really, go wherever the Lord calls you, don't let this blog sway you.

Also, this is why I wear a ponytail a lot. Because hair that is naturally this voluminous is scary to the rest of the thin-haired world.

eat your heart out

My usual church history post

Oh Blog, you knew I wouldn't stay away for very long!

I am working on homework all day today, so of course I've been twittering and looking up things that don't matter on the internet. Yesterday during my Sunday afternoon nap, I dreamed that we had frozen pizza for dinner (cooked it, of course), so after Bible study, I told Steve that I had a dream about pizza, and he said, "That's funny, because I was thinking about pizza during the Bible study." So at 9pm, we drove to the store and got a frozen pizza. It was glorious. We sat on the couch and enjoyed our late, much-anticipated pizza, and watched/felt awkward/laughed a lot at this show.

Speaking of dreams, the other night I dreamed (dreampt?) that Steve told me I should get a pair of Tom's Shoes. Now as you know, I take my dreams very seriously. But also, you may remember that Tom's have not always been my favorites. So while I was reading my Church History book today (see below), I was also browsing some Tom's, to see if I could find any shoes that struck my fancy. Found these:

I like the color and the braid on the bottom. Also, this picture is TINY! Better to follow the link. I could try to make the picture bigger, but it is funnier this way.

So anyway, I am reading my usual Church History book, and of course came across a quote I liked. What are we all going to do next semester when I'm not reading this book anymore?
"To the Church the war came as an opportunity and a challenge -- an opportunity, because Christianity flourishes more in the soil of adversity than in that of prosperity and ease; a challenge, because war strikes at the very heart of the Christian gospel of love and forgiveness." (page 416, on the first world war)

Mmm. Lots to chew on. Thanks, Church History! Last night in our Bible study, we talked about anxiousness and frustration (actually, it's a book study on this book), and a lot of times anxiousness (and worry, discontent, frustration, etc) is less about our circumstances, and more about how we react/respond to them. Apparently God is using Church History homework and Bible Study to tell me something. How do we respond to our circumstances? Do we see them only as challenges, or also as opportunities? As always, it is best to remember that God cares for us, and that he is in control. Also, someone might see your life and think the grass is totally greener in your yard!

Hope your day is merry!