Ignorant Historian

I can’t believe it’s December.  Like, really.  Last night I thought, “I’ll get a haircut in November or December” thinking that was a long time away.  Now that it IS December, I have no idea when I’d have time for a haircut!

December is always my favorite month, probably because my birthday (the 15th…you still have time to buy me a gift and stick it in the mail ;) ).  I’ve always been a huge Christmas fan, but I haven’t really felt the Christmas spirit this year.  I’ve been dutiful in planning Christmas presents (ordered the first ones in the wee hours when I was avoiding going to bed), but not in writing Christmas cards or decorating.  Still not sure either of those are going to happen.  We’ll see.

I’ve been struggling with a cough since a couple of days before Turkey, and finally decided enough was enough.  I could tolerate it enough for a while, but it’s starting to head south, and the last time I let it, I ended up with bronchitis.  I know something is wrong when I can hear myself breathing in my headphones and they’re not attached to a stethoscope.  (on a totally random note, I don’t think I’ve ever written that word…it’s kinda funny looking!)  I have an appointment to see a PA this afternoon and feel incredibly grownup…usually I have to go to urgent care because I don’t know where else to go (and I’ve always had insurance, it’s just my patheticness).  I’m determined to find a primary care doctor now, though.  I’ll see if I like the office I’m visiting today.

So, to complete this randomness, what are you looking forward to most this much?

These questions come from Amanda, who got them from a class.  I guess there is some benefit in going to class.

1. What three things would be said about you and your life if you died today?

I think that it would be said that I loved the Lord, made a difference in the lives of children, and loved to learn.

2. Given the likelihood that you will not die today, and have time left to change some things in your life, what three things would you most like to have said about you and your life?

I would like it to be said that I shared my faith, encouraged others, and spoke truth through my writing.

3. If someone were to witness a week of your life, what assumptions would that person make about your values–what matters to you?

I think that they could safely assume I love to learn, as I spend a ton of time reading and writing.  I hope that it would be obvious that I value the Lord, but that’s probably not as clear as I would like.  I think that it’d be clear that I love children, too.

4. What values do you hold that are not evident from the way you life your life?

I value others, I really do, but this is a hard thing for me to do as an introspective introvert.  I’m way more comfortable in my reading chair than I am on the streets, but I need to be on the streets (or in other houses or wherever) interacting with others more.

5. What three goals are important to you as you plan your life?

Seeking to honor God in everything I do is an important goal that influences every decision that I make.  Another goal (if you can call it that) is to get married, but that has yet to change my on-the-ground plans.  Another goal is to be an encourager, which is why I choose to go on trips (though hey, I do like to travel, too).

6. What keeps you from achieving what you want for your life?

The biggest hindrance is my own sin.  Another hindrance to many of these plans is my own self-absorbed tendencies, something that my friends try to push me out of (which I appreciate, though I might not like!).

Photo by Randy Son of Robert

I don’t talk about my life much.  I mean, essentially every post is about me, but I rarely talk about the normal stuff.  I mean, I know you know that I do something about taxes, I’m single, I recently graduated, and I live in North Carolina though I was raised in Kansas.

I guess the reason I don’t talk about the daily stuff is it’s rather normal and boring.  Since I don’t have a husband, I don’t have “look at what he did for me, isn’t it sweet?” or “I can’t believe he said that, I’m so angry” type of posts.  I don’t have kids, so I don’t have pages of pictures of ‘em or funny stories to tell, either.  I have family, but I don’t live with them, so I mostly keep them to myself.  I have a roommate, but I don’t think she’d appreciate me telling about all the funny things she does (okay, there’s not that much anyway, it’s just all the kooky stuff shes puts up with from me!).  I have friends, true, but to be honest, I don’t spend as much time with them as I ought.  It’s not like I go out partying on the weekends (or ever).  They’re very precious to me, but those aren’t things to share with the whole wide world (because everyone is reading my blog)!  I myself rarely do anything embarrassing…

Work is fairly normal, too.  I deal with a lot of characters, but they’re under the confidentiality agreement.  Plus, I don’t want to talk about work too much because I don’t want to get into a situation where I’m at risk of losing my job.  I don’t have comical coworkers (there’s only 3 of us), though we do have fun sometimes.

I talk about church, right?  That’s where my passion is.  And I talk about books, which may seem rather impersonal, but that’s who I am.  I spend the bulk of my free time reading (and most of the rest of my free time writing, which you all see).  I enjoy politics, but I know not everyone does, so I keep a lot to myself.

So I’m not trying to be secretive by not talking about some of these things, I just don’t find them blogworthy.  With that in mind, do you have any questions for me?  I’m an open book, so I’ll answer pretty much anything!  If it’s too personal, I still might answer it, but via email, or at least share WHY I can’t answer it.  So hit me up, asking me your question(s) in the comments!

I know it’s a classic question, but if you could know the future, would you want to?

I was thinking about this especially last night.  I’d love to know who/if I was going to marry, so I could stop messing around with this crush stuff.  (Really, it’s rather optimistic to think that it’ll go away if I just knew the outcome.)

So, if I could know this about my future, I think I would want to know.  Nothing else, though.  But maybe it’s a If You Give a Mouse a Cookie thing, and once I knew that, I’d want to know more.

So, if you could know anything about the future, would you want to?  And if you could only ask one question about your future, what would you choose?

Some things I’ve been thinking lately:

Why do I lose my sunglasses at the library (but nowhere else)?  I’ve now left them there twice.

Why does my first afternoon appointment come right when I’ve stuck my food in the microwave?

Why do people insist on parking in the fire lane when the parking lot is only 30 feet further away?

Why does the room I’m in right now only have windows that are four inches wide?  I feel like I’m in a castle (except for, ya know, the laptop, flourescent lights, and Diet Dr. Pepper).

Why do I eat so much Lipsmaker?

Why did I forget the other things that were to go on this list at work, along with the forms I needed people to fill out today?

Happy Tuesday!  What questions have been bugging you?

This is exactly why I should pre-write posts and have them scheduled.  I’m drawing a blank this morning.  The pressure of “I’ve got to get a post out today, and now’s the best time to do it” certainly dampens whatever creativity or inspiration might be found within me.

Instead of a well-thought-out post, I’m going to ask a question.  The first person to comment on this post will please answer the question, and then ask a question of their own to be answered by the next commenter.  And so on.  Got it?

Answer the latest question, and ask another.  Feel free to comment more than once if you get into it!

First question: Would you rather wear a swimsuit everyday or a formal dress/suit?

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!

I was working on updating my Christmas card list this weekend and realized that if I knew you all in real life, several of you would get Christmas cards. If you want a Christmas card from me, just email me your address! (taleofakansasgirl (at) hotmail (dot) com)

I’m at a loss as to what to write today. The panic of having no idea what I can write today blocks out whatever ideas might have been able to grow. So, I’m relying on you. It’s about time you pull your weight around here.

What would you like to know? Shoot me a question (or 5, or anywhere between) and I’ll answer in the next day or two. I’m curious to know what you’re curious about!

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I’m thankful for the holidays! I love this time of year.

Can I ask you a question? I promise, it’s not a serious one. If you were to walk into this bathroom, which stall would you use?