Tag Archives: Oklahoma

Sadness, Loss, and Hope

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I’m emotionally raw. Staying up too late last night watching coverage of the rescue and recovery efforts in Moore hasn’t helped that.

I know I don’t talk about it much these days, but Oklahoma is near and dear to my heart. I spent 4 years of growth there, making lots of memories, getting to know lifelong friends, and (occasionally) studying.

In 1999, I was still living in Kansas, where we experienced our own May 3rd tornado. When I moved to Norman (one suburb over from Moore) in 2001, I remember watching the community grow and rebuild after that tornado with the highest recorded winds in history. Then in 2003, during final’s week, a tornado hits Moore again as we huddled up in our dorm fifteen minutes away.

When I heard yesterday’s storm was headed to Moore again, I couldn’t believe it. How does a community as small as Moore handle yet another storm? To see tragedy strike anywhere isn’t easy, but it’s not hard to think of it as just a news story.

After being away from the area for 8 years, I don’t have too many friends there anymore. Still, I know these people, these neighborhoods, these landmarks. For me, this was not one of the things you think, “Oh, that’s sad” and immediately turn your attention elsewhere.

Hearing about the school struck with a direct hit of this massive tornado made me instantly think of Newtown. It wasn’t long before the news coverage went there as well. To the news  anchors, it was the heroic acts of the teachers in the face of imminent death that was the connecting link. There’s definitely a story there.

But more than that, I pondered the link between the two as consequences for sin. Please read this carefully, because sometimes statements like this can be misunderstood and/or stripped of their context. I know others still have made statements like this and have meant that natural disasters are a direct judgment on specific people for specific sins. That’s not what I’m saying here.

Both cases like Newtown and natural disasters are caused by sin. In the case of the former, it’s the individual(s) perpetrating the crime who are sinning, following our first father and the sin nature that is in each one of us. But natural disasters, too, are caused by sin.

Because of the original sin (and each and every one thereafter), we live in a fallen world where such things as super-tornadoes can and do happen. Not primarily as “acts of God” (though they are within the sovereignty of God) but as indirect “acts of man.”

Were those affected by this storm more guilty than you or me? No. We all bear the guilt.

At the same time, through the death of the perfect Son of God on our behalf, we have the right to draw near to the One who comforts and heals. I pray that during this time of loss and tragedy more people will be drawn towards the only One who can provide eternal relief to our sad plight.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

I shameless borrowed that illustration from Facebook. If you made it, let me know and I’d be happy to credit you or take it down. Thank you.

That’s Dangerous (and “an”)

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Time again for a search roundup!  Let’s see what googling skills brought people to the Ignorant Historian:

“ladies and gentlemen, skinny and stout”

Yes?

“who delivered like a historian”

Hmmm.  I’m trying to think if I this is a comparison for a pizza or a baby delivery.

“my husband is not virgin”

Good. I certainly hope not.

“what is right girdle to buy to mold body”

No advice here.

“why do I smell when I go for a walk”

Probably because you’re breathing through your nose.  If you breath through your mouth, you’ll smell less.

“turn danger into a adjective”

See post title.

“so long as thou are ignorant”

Shouldn’t it be “art?”

“what is a boomer sooner”

A superly awesome cheer for the best team in college football.  Now if you want to know what a Boomer or a Sooner is, that’ll take you back to Oklahoma history.  And yes, the Sooners were the cheaters *hanging my head in shame*.

March Madness Begins

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Today the NCAA basketball tournament begins!  I think it’s kinda like the holidays for sports…even those who don’t observe their fanhood during the rest of the year still decorate (themselves) with their team’s gear and show up to watch the game (if only on TV).

As always, I’m rooting for the Kansas Jayhawks (remember, I’m from there) and some for the Oklahoma Sooners (as they’re my alma mater).  I also root a little for North Carolina, but if they completely fall apart in their game today, I’ll laugh.  Though I picked them to win the tournament, so I might not laugh that hard.  But I’m in good company…Obama picked them to win, too.

I definitely picked fewer upsets than I have in years past, mainly because I didn’t have the time to research the teams like I have previously.  My Final 4 consists of KU, Pitt, UNC, and UConn.  If you did a bracket, who did you pick?

And We Did It Again

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Congrats to the Florida Gators, really.  Though he wears orange, I’ve admired Tebow and what he’s done in the name of Christ.  I was disappointed there at the end though, with his taunting (not that others weren’t doing it, including Sooners.  It’s just that I expect better conduct out of one who openly proclaims his faith.).

It was a good game as expected, but we lost.  I wish I didn’t know this feeling oh-so well.  Let’s review:

In 2001, Oklahoma lost to Nebraska (yes, Aubrey, you all were my first loss as a Sooner fan) in a regular season game, but it was my first opportunity to feel this type of heartbreak.

In 2003, late in the season we were dubbed “the best team ever” as if we had earned it without playing a championship game.  Then we lost to K-State in the Big XII championship.  And again to LSU in the national championship.  That year, I was at a big Christian conference that was a great distraction.

In 2004, we played for the national championship against USC.  And of course lost.  I was spending time with friends at my parents’ house and had just bought a bunch of new clothes with birthday and Christmas money, so I focused on that rather than our loss.  Less than a week later, I met Jason White, our Heisman-winning and 2-time losing national championship quarterback.  I was proud that he was willing to face a crowd of angry fans in a busy Norman Walmart on a Saturday (I was his cashier).

In 2006, we were in the Fiesta Bowl, against a presumedly easy opponent, Boise State.  On a trick play in overtime, we lost.  We were tricked, all right.  This is considered one of the best games in recent times, which isn’t really something to be proud of.  To forget about the loss, I had our big office move to pay attention to this time around.

In 2007, we once again were in the Fiesta Bowl.  But this time, we were playing an even easier opponent in West Virginia.  Does the Big East even know how to win football?  Apparently, because they beat us.  I didn’t have time to focus on this, though, as I had a class to read for.  And politics to pay attention to.  Those were a great distraction.

And now this year, what do I have to distract me?  You guys.  Go ahead, tell me a joke, amuse me, give me a funny anecdote.  Tell me your most embarrassing moment, the strangest thing your child has ever done, the time that you shot Dr. Pepper out your nose.  Anything.

But hey, we’ve been 2nd best 3 of the 8 years I’ve been a fan.  I just had hoped that we would be THE best.  Someday…

Boomer Sooner!

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Yesterday I was fairly miserable with a cold, but I think I’m feeling better.  Nothing can drag me from watching the game tonight, but I’d like to be as awake and energetic as possible.

You love me, right?  Then  I have a favor to ask of ya.

Root for my Sooners tonight.

Okay, okay, maybe you don’t like football.  Fine.  I’m not gonna make you watch.  But if you are a sports fan and are otherwise unaffiliated with the enemy the Florida Gators, I’m asking you to support the Oklahoma Sooners.

We just might need every little bit of cheering we can get.

Boomer!  Sooner!  Let’s go for National Championship number 8, the first since I’ve been a true blue crimson fan!

Orange Awareness Day

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As a public service to you, my dear readers, I am declaring today “Orange Awareness Day.”  It has come to my attention that the dubious color orange has taken a rank in the world that it doesn’t deserve.

Orange is not a pretty color.  Sure, it has a rightful place on the color wheel, but there is good reason that Sorry, Trouble, Candyland, and other reputable children games do not have orange game pieces.  The color simply does not belong in the hands of babes.

Orange is the color of construction signs for a good reason.  Orange construction barrels caution you to stay away.  Both construction and orange are best if avoided.

While there is nothing particularly objectionable about orange the fruit, you may notice that the part that is the most orange, the peel, is not eaten.  The concentration of orange simply makes it bitter and inedible.

I recently was encouraged to hear this very message in a young child who was playing with a toy that had the ill fortune of having some orange beads among it’s myriad of colors.  I asked her if we liked orange, and she properly responded, “No.”  I asked her what color we do like, and she respectfully listed the rest of the rainbow.  Attagirl.

Orange should not be the color of toys, pens, beds, jewelry, cars, or shoes. 

Most of all, orange should never be the color of football jerseys.

Please forward this message to any Clemson Tiger, Oklahoma State Cowboy, Florida Gator, or texas longhorn fan you may know.  It is the time for new beginnings.

And one last thing…

Boomer Sooner!

Maybe I Could Celebrate Christmas in 19th Century England

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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.

Kansas vs. North Carolina
  • 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!

It Takes All Kinds

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It takes all kinds…of college football fans, that is. If no one was rooting for the other side, it wouldn’t be so fun to beat them. But who knew that we could all get along in the bloggy world?

As you know, I’m a Oklahoma Sooner fan. That doesn’t keep me from being friends with:

A Nebraska Cornhusker, by far the most dispicable on this list. Sorry, Aubrey, but I’m more of a crimson girl than red!

A Texas A&M Aggie. I’ll never forget watching OU smash them 77-0 (and yes, we were trying to be merciful, but they were letting us score) and the whole time the group of Aggie fans one section over were cheering until the final whistle. I can respect that.

An LSU Tiger. I like Dawn, but don’t like her team. Hush about the fact that they beat us a few years back for a national title.

A Notre Dame Fighting Irish (is that how you would say it? I’ve never really had a Notre Dame supporter as a friend). I’d like to think that I had something to do with Liz admiting her football loyalties.

An Alabama Crimson Tide-r (again, I have no idea how to put that). Jen’s great. Her team’s not that bad either. Something about their colors or something.

A Boise State Bronco. Okay, I don’t know if Jennifer is a football fan or not, but she’s taking classes there. And I’ve heard firsthand reports that everyone in Boise is a fan. And no, I don’t seem to remember that embarrassing Fiesta Bowl. Statue of Liberty? What? Moving on…

A Georgia Bulldog. Leigh Anne is a new friend, but an encouraging one. Oh, and I love her blog! She’s a

Anyone I’m missing?

Happy Sooner Day!

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**I apologize ahead of time for anyone who isn’t a football fan. Feel free to skip this post. Since I like to present the whole me on the blog, from time to time you’ll come across something that you and I don’t share in common. No problem. I, however, do not apologize for the views actually held in this post. The Sooners are my team, and you cannot convince me otherwise.**

Okay, so today isn’t actually a holiday. Or at least not one I’m aware of. But it IS the first day of the Oklahoma Sooner football season.

You may have thought from past posts that I am a KU Jayhawk fan through and through. Not true. Oh, it’s true enough come basketball season, but my football season love (no split loyalties here!) is the Oklahoma Sooners. OU is where I grew to like football; OU is where I grew to love football. One of my biggest regrets was never going to an OU-Texas game when I had a chance.

Being a Sooner fan on the east coast most certainly can be challenging. I don’t get to see as many games as I would like to (though I try to arrange to babysit for people with cable TV or satellite on key game nights) nor do I get to talk Sooner football with anyone. It’s kinda like celebrating an American holiday overseas.

My OU football self has never really clashed with my KU basketball self (which is the way I was raised) until this past football season. I distinctly remember a night over Christmas break duking it out with my parents and my brother about whether OU or KU were better in football that year. It was before the bowl games (where we were defeated by a team of the conference that I all too quickly discredited and KU won heartily) otherwise I might not have argued as strongly that OU was better.

I don’t expect there to be any question this year of which team was better. When we meet on the field, October 18, Oklahoma will prove that they are better.

So, enjoy this first day of real football and get on that couch!

Coming Soon…In Blonde

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This past weekend I visited Dana in Texas, but we didn’t stay in Texas. We crossed the border into the great state of Oklahoma on Sunday to visit her family in her hometown. It’s a small town too, and just as unfamiliar to me as the Texas towns she lives in now. Except I’ve now been there four times, and sorta know my way around. (I had to help her find her brother’s house!)

As we were driving past the movie theatre in this small town, we looked to see if they were showing Horton Hears a Who, a movie I had wanted to see. Though we had already seen two movies over the weekend, we felt we could afford the $3.50 each to see a first-run movie (yes, it was that cheap). Sure enough, they were showing it and Dana agreed to see it with me (though she had never read the book!).

This theatre is unlike any I’ve ever been to. The ticket counter doubles as the concession stand, separated by a half-wall. After I had already put the $3.50 on my card for the ticket, I realized that I probably should have paid for my chocolate-covered cookie dough bites at the same time (I had to pay the same guy for each, and they only had one credit card machine).

As I said something about not realizing it, he said what might have been the most offensive-but-not, untrue put-down I’ve ever received. He told me, “That’s okay, it’s just the blonde effect.” Take a look at my picture up there in the header. Do I look like a blonde? No. He wasn’t actually referring to my hair color. He was calling me a ditz. What?

I know I can act ditzy sometimes, but it’s usually late at night with Dr. Pepper coursing through my vains laughing with friends. This, however, was just a normal happening in life. Yes, we were laughing at my ignorance along with him, but let me tell you…I’ve never been to a theatre like this! I’m clearly from out of town (as I had stated I’d never been to a place like that), so he should have expected no less.

After that, Dana and I went to find seats in the theatre. You get what you paid for, so it took us four tries to find two seats together that weren’t broken. Once we found them, the floor there was so sticky we were afraid if our purses fell down that we wouldn’t be able to retrieve them intact. Then I visited the bathroom where I was entertained with reading material on the wall and trying to pump the soap dispenser for just a little soap to wash my hands.

Like I said, this theatre was certainly an experience, and one I’m glad that I had, even if I am a ditz.

“I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant is faithful one hundred percent!” (I love this quote, even if it is actually from Horton Hatches an Egg)