Ignorant Historian

Today I’m old enough to not show ID when buying cigarettes in Kansas.  I told you, I read everything.

My birthday present is Phantom of the Opera which is a mere 2 days away.  So excited!

Actually, as my mom is always quick to point out, I won’t be 27 until 5 PM tonight.  Someone mentioned a theory to me a couple of months ago when I mentioned I was an evening person…she said that what time you were born dictates such things.  Makes sense for me, as I’m most alive in the evenings.  How about you?

I’m an all-or-nothing person.  Probably always have been.  I don’t like things being halfway, don’t like unresolved issues or projects, and don’t like to commit partway.

I suppose this is the part of me that’s prone to addiction.  Once I have something I like, I want to have it again and again.  I go to the same restaurants over and over, ordering the same thing, until I find my new favorite thing.  This is why I stay away from drinking…why play with fire?

This blog topic was put forth by Rodney Olsen, as he answered the question I tweeted the other night (“Read, blog, or watch TV?”) with “Read a little, watch a little TV, then blog about it. :)”.  The idea repulsed me…how do you expect me to plan to split up my night?  A night should be devoted to one cause!

I realized that’s probably not a normal response.  That’s okay, I know I’m not normal.  But seriously, I do tend to devote my time like that.  Today will all be for reading, or blogging, or writing, or cleaning, or watching TV.  That sort of thing.  When I was a student, it was like playing whack-a-mole: I’d work on one class until I was ahead and then turn around and do that for another that I was behind on.

To be fair, this is more the “ideal” for me and not always how it works out.  I might decide to devote myself to reading, and then get the urge to watch an episode of House, so I’ll change my mind right there, stopping in mid-sentence.  But it’s always like that…a quick, instantaneous decision.  One moment I’m heading in one direction, then the next I’m heading in another.

Waiting to make a decision is hard for me.  I want to have my mind made up at all times, and usually do.  I guess I always want to have things figured out, even if it works out in a different way than I planned.  I’ve been working on a more godly, fruit-of-the-Spirit-filled decision making process.

My commitment to blogging is just like that.  I just can’t see doing it on and off again.  If I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it.

So, how about you?  What kind of person you are?  How does it manifest itself?

Photo by massdistraction

Today the Kansas girl herself turns 26. There’s something pleasant about an even-numbered birthday isn’t there? Or is that just me?

Remember last summer when I did a YouYou? A YouYou is the opposite of a MeMe; instead of a post about 7 things about me or whatever, it’s a post about you. All you have to do is comment on this post and I’ll tell you (in the comments):

1. What I’d buy you for Christmas if we were RL friends
2. What color you would dye your hair if you had the guts
3. Your favorite ice cream flavor
4. Your favorite store in the mall

See, wishing me “happy birthday” pays off! It doesn’t matter how well I know you, really. I’ll give it my best shot, regardless!

Elizabeth did this for her birthday, and I thought it was a good idea. Since this is my last day of being 25, these are 25 things that have happened while I was 25. It was a momentous year for me!

1. I had my first overnight layover, in Atlanta.

2. I hung out in Norman with Dana and Mindy for what is probably the last time, as none of us live there anymore. Why does everyone graduate and move away?

3. I officially became a resident of North Carolina.

4. I spent a lot of time with a couple of boys that I love.

5. I spent another Valentine’s Day single.

6. I wrote a letter to a spider.

7. I was called “blonde” while in a ghetto movie theatre in Oklahoma.

8. I watched my team, the Kansas Jayhawks, win the NCAA tournament. I hope that next year I can say I watched my team, the Oklahoma Sooners, win the national championship!

9. I was quoted in the Washington Post.

10. I moved out of seminary housing and into a “real” apartment, paying bills and everything.

11. I got a reading chair in my bedroom. This might seem like a silly thing, but I have wanted this for a long time!

12. I vacationed with my family in San Francisco.

13. I tried to be more open, especially with available men.

14. I and my friends found $110. And gave it back.

15. I started my last semester at seminary.

16. I fell even more in love with my church, and with the bridegroom of the Church.

17. I went full-time at my job, thus officially entering the “real” world.

18. I was featured by SITS. You all know that’s a big deal.

19. I took a picture of a bathroom and used it to write not one, but two blog posts.

20. I voted for an almost exclusively losing ticket.

21. I wrote letters to my elected officials as well as the president. Took me long enough!

22. I was flirted with by a teenager.

23. I got trained as a housing counselor, and completed half of my training for being a credit counselor. A big part of #17.

24. I wrote my last paper EVER.

25. I graduated. Hmm, this seems like a big one, doesn’t it?

Today is the day. At 10 AM this morning, I will be graduating to never darken a door of any learning institution again. Okay, so that’s probably an exaggeration. But still, my formal education is now at an end.

Since I’m sure I’ll get questions about it and I don’t have to worry about stalkers since I’m a graduate, I am receiving a Masters of Divinity in Christian Ministry from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. If you know nothing about seminary degrees, you should know that an M. Div is 90 hours, about 3 times the number of hours required for most other masters programs.

And oh, does it feel so good. Sure, it’s bittersweet, but I’ve been working for this day for FOREVER. Or 20 1/2 years. Whichever is shorter.

Stop by tomorrow for the most momentous school day memory ever!

At 8:08 PM on December 9th, 2008, Debra said,

“By my watch, you should now be a free woman! Hope everything went well! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! “

Indeed, indeed. You are reading the writing of a non-student. Actually, I was done right at an hour before. Even my usual first-or-second-one-done wasn’t fast enough for me. I sped right through that test, not even stopping when my professor suggested I write a little bit more on the first page.

Nope, the moment my pen lifted from that page, I was gone. My mind was already thinking about all the things my non-student life would include: parties, reading for fun, marriage, children, vacations in far away lands…

and then my earring fell out in front of everyone else who was still taking the test. Definitely brings ya down to earth.

Besides, I wrote what I got. If you are going to give me more points for writing down unrelated things, I don’t want them.

Don’t worry though, I certainly received enough points to pass the class (I only needed a 52%). After all, I hear they don’t let people graduate if they fail a required class.

I did go out to celebrate afterwards with dinner at Old Chicago and several rounds of Diet Pepsi. Not my drink of choice, but it’s not my fault that these restaurants haven’t learned to cater to my every desire.

And yes, it made me feel good to end the post title with a preposition, even with all my learnin’.

One of the things I did when I was home last week was look at what I had in my parents’ attic. I was specifically looking for the Anne of Green Gable books, which I found, but I also found something even more exciting: my senior memory book. I stayed up late Thursday night just reading through it…I was so blunt!

Being a good blogger, I recognized that I had a gem on my hands. What follows are just a few of the things I found inside this book.

There is 370 people in my class at the beginning of the year…

This was on the first page. Yikes; already starting out on the wrong foot.

I say that because I think that she is a flake…

Advisor who? I say that because Mrs. B**** was a ditz who knew nothing.

I don’t think I’d say these things these days.

This page will be kind of dumb. I dream about all sorts of stuff, but I think it wants specific goals. I want to be a meteorology major at OU, as well as receiving my masters and doctorate. I’ll be able t o predict tornadoes with enough time to evacuate the effected [sic] areas ahead of time (okay – pushing it, but it’s a dream!). I will never get married until I am, and have no children, if not adopt them from a poor country.

Umm, what? I think I was saying I would never get married until I’m a big time meteorologist. Still, I always wanted to get married, but apparently I was willing to sacrifice that to be a top dog in the meteorology world. I guess I won’t be getting married, then.

I admire most of all Jesus and try to mirror him, though I do a horrible job. I suppose I also admire my parents, but don’t tell them that!

I would like to meet Jesus (and will someday) and also George Orwell [isn't he dead?], Nelson Mandella, Toni Morrison, and Collin Raye. I wouldn’t mind meeting Lance from N*SYNC, Will Smith, or Ben Afflick cuz they are so hot!

Oh, that makes me laugh!

My most embarrassing moment was probably when I “surfed” the bleachers after a pep assembly by tripping over Anne’s heel.

I forgot about that! It was so painful as I hit my, uhh, chest, on several of the bleachers as I was surfing down.

I really enjoy watching basketball of any kind, as long as guys are playing.

I hadn’t yet found my love of football.

[My brother] Riley is a big butt a lot, but only when he wants to be.

Totally true to this day.

The only thing that I remembered from the homecoming game was that it was rained out. All of the pit’s clothes were in the cargo van which was out by the field in a huge patch of mud. Once got it to the gate, it was blocked by the superintendent’s car, illegally.

Good times, good times. The only thing I remember about it now was that I cried.

Thanks for your help with bloggy block. Here’s the answers that you’ve been dying to know:

Irish Coffeehouse asks:

What is your favorite Christmas memory? When did you truly, truly understand what Christmas was all about, and how did you that impact your Christmas that year?

Favorite Christmas memory? Wow, that’s a hard one. The thing with traditions is that you do them each year, so they kinda blend together in my mind. I think some of my favorite Christmas memories are the little things: fighting with my dad over which cookies get the sprinkles (he doesn’t like them, and I think I’ve already made my sprinkle stance clear), laughing at my aunt’s story of there being sparkly-things in the air, my grandma asking each year whether we open stockings or presents first, my brother wanting to wake up super-early Christmas morning to open presents but getting stalled by sleepy parents and sister as well as a breakfast of homemade cinnamon rolls.

I’ve always been told about the real meaning of Christmas: Jesus being born in a manger. Each Christmas Eve my family reads both the Night Before Christmas and the Christmas story in Luke. But I guess I hadn’t really thought through the meaning behind the well-told Christmas story. It’s not just that some baby was born who would save the world, it’s that God became a man. The miracle of incarnation is what we celebrate at Christmas, and I think only last year was that awesome truth sinking in to my Christmas celebration. To me, it makes Christmas as well-packed with spiritual significance as Easter. I simply can’t get over it.

She asks further:

What are you reading right now? What’s next after that?

I always am reading several books. Right now I’m reading Ender’s Game and am really loving it. I hate to put it down. Thanks, What a Card, for recommending it! I’m also reading David Copperfield which I’m sure will take me a while. I love Dickens in part for his wordiness, but at 800 pages, his books certainly are quick reads. Finally, I’m reading They Were Single Too, a book drawing lessons from 8 single people in the Bible.

Next, uh, I suppose I should know what comes next, but I just started these books. Probably Queen of the Big Time, Atlas Shrugged (hey, this book make David Copperfield look short!), and Night.

Vicki says:
Hmm, Now that I’m being put on the spot to figure out writing topics my mind is blank… Maybe try a limerick or a haiku.

Now, to write a rhyme or two,
Can be something quite silly to do,
Now just for you Vicki,
Not something sticky,
Just a limerick so you won’t sue!

Just as the leaves change
So is my life changing now
I hope I’m ready

Vicki also suggests:

Maybe write about Kansas vs. Carolina… I don’t know.

• If this is a basketball match up, Kansas wins. Kansas Jayhawks, 2o08 national champions!
• If it’s a question of topography, Kansas is an inclined plane while North Carolina is an arm broken out in hives, no flat surfaces anywhere.
• If it’s a matter of vegetation, Kansas is a prairie while North Carolina is a forest and a beach.
• If it’s a matter of people, they’re both friendly, but native Carolinians will be friendly with an accent.
• If it’s a matter of economy, cost of living is much higher in North Carolina.
• If it’s a matter of BBQ, Kansas does it better: beef brisket vs. vinegar-cured pork.
• If it’s a matter of the sun’s preference, Kansas is more loved.
• If it’s a matter of weather, North Carolina’s is simply more mild, with the minor exception of tropical storms and hurricanes.
• If it’s a matter of me, I call them both home.

Denyse asks:
Sorta pulling from Irish Coffeehouse’s question, but who’s your favorite author? fiction or non?Did you read the Twilight books?

ane Austen is my favorite, but Charles Dickens is close. I’m basically in love with 19th century literature.

I read both fiction and nonfiction, but I find reading fiction more fun.

I did not read the Twilight books and I’m pretty sure I won’t. I don’t particularly enjoy popular books as I love reading classics, and nothing about Twilight is appealing to me (vampires? what? and I don’t care particularly for love stories). None of my RL friends are reading them, so I’m not getting any pressure to, either.

Brenda asks:
If you could celebrate only one holiday which would it be?

Definitely Christmas. It’s my favorite. I think Easter is loaded with meaning and highly important to the Christian faith, but there would be no Easter without Christmas.

Plus, I love giving gifts.

Iva asks:

Do you like chocolate? If so, what is Ronnica’s Chocolate of Choice?

I’ve been remiss! I’m sure you’ve read plenty about my love of Diet Dr Pepper, but chocolate is right up there, too. I eat it way too often. My favorite chocolate is probably Reese’s peanut butter cups, but I enjoy any milk chocolate sans mint. Who wants their chocolate to taste like their toothpaste?

Rhea asks:
What’s your favorite fairy tale and why?

I’m a sucker for fairy tales. I know that some Christians shy away from fairy tales because they often have a magical element in them, but I think they are far less dangerous than many stories told today, because they still retain a clear distinction between good and evil.

Which is my favorite? The Princess and the Pea makes me laugh, because I think that the girl who was so particular that even a small pea under many blankets was unpleasant would be high-maintenance. I’ve always enjoyed Rapunzel, because I like the idea of having extraordinary long hair. But I guess I would have to say that Cinderella is my favorite, because I love the idea of being pulled up out of poverty and cruelty and made a princess. It’s exactly what my God has done for me, except He didn’t need the help of a fairy godmother.

And:
If you had to jump into a book, which one would you choose?

Good question! I’ve already mentioned my obsession with the 19th century, so that’s where I would head, but there’s so many good books in that time period. It’d be good to go to England, because at least I’d know their language, mostly. I think I would have to choose one of Jane Austen’s books because nothing truly terrible befalls any of her characters, and though they are often in want of money, they are all of the upperclass. I think Emma would be a good one since it takes place in the country and I’d be less overwhelmed than if I went to London or Bath.

And Rhea’s last question:
If you could be super talented in one area, what art would you choose? (Singing, painting, writing, playing an instrument, etc)

Definitely writing. I want to be a great writer, as I enjoy it so much. Blogging has definitely improved my writing skills as has all those papers I’ve written for school, but I hope to work on my creative writing now that I’m finishing up school. If I could do any profession for a living, it would be to be a writer.

hi-d asks:

Did your mom have you make crafts or ornaments for Christmas when you were a kid? IF so, what are your memories of that time together making them? And did you ever believe in Santa or were you raised without that?

Yes! I specifically remember 3 crafts. One year we made candy canes out of pipe cleaners and beads; I think they still go on the tree. Every year for about 8 or 10 years we painted little clear bulbs, writing on them and dating them. I still have mine in my Christmas decorations. Lastly, my brother and I each made Christmas paper chains that we added onto each year. It’s hilarious to see the differences over the years in our skill in making such a chain. I used to make fun of my brother for how bad his chain looked early on. We still put these chains on the tree.

I was raised with Santa, but I don’t think my parents really emphasized him. I know that I never believed in him and got in trouble in my preschool class for telling others that he didn’t exist. Santa’s probably my least favorite part about Christmas now, particular for the line “He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake…” Uh, no he doesn’t, but GOD does!

Mrs. Mouthy asks,
How about your most embarrassing moment ever? Or if you could choose a moment in life that really defines you, what would it be?

Most embarrassing moment? Fortunately I haven’t had too many. Maybe I don’t embarrass easily, I don’t know. I think I probably was most embarrassed when I didn’t know what to do on stage at my high school graduation when I was called as the salutatorian. We had like 5 or something at our school, and for whatever reason, my name was called first even though it wasn’t first alphabetically. The reason why I didn’t know what to do was that I had missed rehearsal for a science competition. I would have figured out what to do if they had only called someone else first so I could mimic them, but they didn’t. So it was rather embarrassing to be meander around stage in front of 360 fellow graduates and their family and friends.

A moment that defines me? Ooh, good question. Fortunately, it’s not the moment above! I think that a moment that defines me is not only my initial step of faith when I was 10, but the step towards obedience when I was 18. It was at that moment (whenever it was, not exactly sure), that I made the comment to follow my Savior all my days.

Fellow Sooner, Angela asks:
Am I crazy to think Bob Stoops is good looking? and Do you think OU will pass Texas and make it to the Big XII championship game?

Oh no, you’re not crazy. Bob Stoops is good looking. Not movie-star good looking, but nonetheless not bad to look at.

I do think that a win over OSU this week will put us past Texas in the BCS. I’m hoping that A&M will beat Texas on Thanksgiving to relieve the pressure. Of course I want us to go to the Big XII Championship game (and to the national championship game), but the real reason I want us to go to a BCS game is that I mistakenly scheduled my flight back to North Carolina during the Cotton Bowl. Oops.

Bama-obsessed JenEfer (that’s how I say in my head; I don’t know why) wants to know my:
Favorite childhood snack that you STILL have to have today… even if it is just at “comfort food” times.

Cheez-its. Totally fits that description. I don’t eat them very often, but I love to get them every once in awhile. Something else that isn’t a snack food per se is mashed potatoes. I’ll be getting some of those this weekend!

She also asks:
Do you ever find it hard to be a Christian?

Yes. There was one point my senior year of college I thought about walking away. I think more than anything, it scared me that I could even think this thought. At other times, I’ve found it hard to be a Christian because I’d just want to be selfish and just live for me.

I praise God that He’s not allowed me to walk away, and even when I’ve strayed, He’s kept me on a short leash and lead me home.

And:
If you could have one thing under the Christmas tree (and I mean material thing here… not world Peace wrapped up with a big bow) what would it be?

No, I just want world peace. =) Okay, that’s not true. I’d love a laptop sitting right under that tree (or in my lap for birthday or graduation since they come first). It would be integral for me since I want to work on my writing.

And finally:
If you were ever coming to Alabama, would you look me up (lie if you have to)?

Well, you’re obviously wanting a certain answer here, so I guess I’ll give it to you. Of course I’d look you up. I’m about 98% certain that’s not a lie. Sadly, I’m also about 98% certain that I won’t be in Alabama anytime soon.

Thanks, all! Those were some good questions!

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I’m thankful that this is the last workday of the week and first thing tomorrow morning I’ll be on my way to Kansas!