Random things about me
- Posted by under Life at Bethel
- Monday November 24th, 2008
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1. I have a hard time with eye contact. It must be from being a very bashful and introverted child. I try to look people in the eye in conversation, but I fail more often than not.
2. I love rib tips. In fact, any kind of grilled pork doused in barbecue sauce makes my mouth water. If you’re ever on Bethel’s campus and looking for a great meal or snack, try Double T’s, just off Hickory a few hundred feet north of McKinley.
3. I once attempted 30 shots in a high school basketball game. Actually, I think I may have twice attempted 30 shots, or maybe one of them was just 29. Can you say, “pass the ball?”
4. One of my all-time favorite novels is The Brother’s K, by David James Duncan. It’s about baseball, family, and growing up through the turbulent 1960s.
5. I really like English majors. In fact, I think the world of business would be served much better if more business people had majored in English. Because reading literature is good for your soul, and the business world (especially in these chaotic economic times) desperately needs some soul.
6. I kiss my dog every day. And most days, he kisses me back. Don’t tell anyone, but he (Morgan) has been swimming more than once in the ponds on Bethel’s campus.
7. I am a very passive person. But my wife, Jeanie, is the most admirably relentless person I have ever known. Don’t ever try to pull one over on her. You try to sneak a funny charge on our cell phone bill, you can jolly bet she will call you up and she will not quit until she has not just an apology and a credit, but free stuff to keep her as a customer. She is AMAZING that way. I’m a pushover.
8. I own a machine that pitches golf ball sized wiffle balls so that I can take batting practice in my backyard. I’m 38 years old. Last summer, I hit 18 homeruns in 52 games of fastpitch softball. It must have been the pitching machine.
9. Occasionally I have assigned students to read books that I haven’t read yet myself just so that I will be forced to read them myself. Example: I had never read C.S. Lewis’s Till We Have Faces until I assigned it the first time in one of my classes several years ago. Now it is one of my favorite books to teach.
10. I learn something new about literature from my students virtually every day during class discussions.
to be continued…
This weekend, the sophomore student council took the freshman council to Chicago! There were five of us that ended up going. I was so blessed by the day. Waking up at 6:30 in the morning, we met in front of the DC at 7 to catch the 7:30 train. We were about 15 minutes late, so we decided to take the van Bethel provided us and drive the two hours to the Windy City. Upon arrival, the sophomore secretary, Melissa, had arranged for us to help out North River Baptist Church since they are starting a new children’s ministry in their area. We helped pass out fliers.
After passing these out, the five of us wanted some pizza! Giordano’s is Jacob’s favorite Chicago pizza, so we checked it out. There was about an hour and a half wait. So, we put our name in and decided to go out and talk to people and sight see a little bit on Michigan Ave. (which definitely included a trip to the Hershey’s Store). As we were walking, we met a man on the street who was asking for change. He wore a hat and a jacket, but did not have any gloves on. Not only was it windy on Saturday, but really cold and flurrying. We gave him some money and Jacob asked him what his story was. Darnell was so willing to share his life with us. I have never done that before. I’ve always been one to see someone homeless and give them some change without a second glance. But here, we were able to build a relationship with him and listen to his story and how he has been living on the streets for the last 2 years. He is a Christian and encouraged us to continue following Christ. His testimony was amazing. And after we talked to him, we stood in a circle holding hands and praying for him and his safety.
God uses anything and anyone to impact lives. I learned that with Darnell. All we have to do is be open to learning from the tools God provides us with. I hope we can go back sometime to Chicago. Who knows? Maybe we’ll see Darnell once again?!
Last night was the opening night of Endgame.
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The set turned out so much better than I possibly could have hoped. Scotty and I are so incredibly pleased with the realization of all our designs. It is a big, dirty, ugly eyesore, and it is absolutely beautiful.
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Oh yeah, the performance was also good.
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Everyone in the show nailed their parts and lines were almost perfect. I could not have dreamed of a better opening performance. It absolutely exhausted me, but I loved every minute of it. It was wonderful.
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I must admit that Engame is a weird (really weird) show, and I was impressed by the audience’s response to the show and their willingness to endure two-and-a half hours of Samuel Beckett (oh Samuel Beckett and his absurdist ways) without an intermission. They were troopers.
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Two more shows. I’m almost in the clear. I have to thank God for sustaining me.
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When I first began writing this blog, the lady who was in charge of it told me that I should try and be as consistent as possible when posting a new entry, because that would keep people interested in it and coming back. Well…apparently I struggle with that, because I think it has been weeks since I posted last. I wish I could say that I’ve been lying in a hospital bed from injuries sustained from saving a small tot from being smashed by a bus or some other exciting reason. Unfortunately…no can do. Instead, my lack of blogging is due to…well, my lack of remembrance to actually blog and secondly, my lack of time. You see, I have forgotten the password I need to log onto the system and post a new blog. This means that I have to do all my writing at the computer lab, because somehow those computers have it saved. This limits the days when I write to Mondays and Wednesdays. Hence, it’s a Monday, so here I sit. Enough with the excuses though….
This past weekend was Homecoming at Bethel. I think the number of bodies on our campus quadrupled. It felt like I was at a state school or something. Okay…maybe there weren’t that many people, but there were more than normal…a lot more. It reminds me of my hometown when we have our annual Strawberry Festival. It’s one of the biggest festivals in Ohio, bringing in some 200,000 “foreigners” to my small town of 30,000. Because of this, it has become a running joke that nobody from Troy actually goes to any of the festivities. In fact, it is advised that you leave town during that weekend. Well, that’s how I felt during Homecoming weekend. ou just tried to avoid the craziness…at least to a certain extent.
Friday night my friends and I went to the guy’s basketball game, in which they dominated 117-50 something. Needless to say, it was rather boring. I guess it’s rough being that good….
Later that night, we went to the Homecoming pageant. This was cute (?) I guess. Each class elected 3 boys and 3 girls to represent them. These six then made a movie with the theme “Hollywood comes to Bethel” (or something to that affect). We had four movies with the themes: American Idol, Anchorman, Power Rangers, and Friends, respectively. A couple of them were really funny, some were misses (aka, one was….at least in my opinion). One movie won for best movie and a couple from each class won (voting based on money given by peers to each of the candidates’ charities).
The next day, there was a 5k, which I opted not to participate in because well….I forgot (notice the theme - my memory - not good….at such a young, young age). The rest of the day was filled with more basketball games (girls’ alumni game - which was fun to see everybody again - and then the another boys’ game - in which they continued their domination streak). That night, I went to the men’s tournament soccer game. Let me set the scene for you: Freezing. Sleet. Pelting you in the face. Legs and feet. Numb. To say the least, it was typical November soccer weather. I told someone that the previous weather description is why I am my dad’s favorite daughter; because I chose basketball (=nice warm gym) and my sister chose soccer (=see previous). That’s right. I know how to get my parents’ favor.
Luckily, our team won (they came back from being 2 down to win 3-2). It made it all worth it.
Let me sum up points of this entry:
1. Bethel basketball = domination
2. Bethel soccer = domination
3. Kelli struggle’s with memory issues.
4. It’s cold.
5. Kelli (unlike other Trojans) does venture out to the Strawberry Festival the first weekend in June (note: this is an advertisement for the festival…’cause it’s pretty sweet)
6. I have class in approximately 8 minutes.
Does this picture even need a caption??
- Oh yes…the headtie action…they were all wanting to snap with their phones!
- The process of pinning the headtie together
- This thing is going on my head…YIKES!!!
- praising God for a wonderful wedding!
- This is NOT the bride and groom, but an imitation they were doing for a skit as part of the ceremony, hahaha!
- huuuuuh???? I thought I did look good?
- The bride has arrived!
- Yes, you must dance as you enter the santuary!
- how many more hours to go?
- blllaaaahhhh!!!!!
You gotta love the organization of the photo shoot...good thing we were all in the shade....NOT...I felt like a chicken rosting on the fire!!!
During October break a group of us went hiking/camping for 4 days out in the mountains! It was awesome and the views were incredible. Our campsite was on top of a 100+ foot waterfall!
On our way to the highest peak in Jos
Day 2...we made it!!! It felt like we were on top of Nigeria!
- Yes, I was wearing pink medical scrubs, back off!!
lunch break
Marc pointing out where we SHHHOOOOULD be!! We only got lost a feeeew times:)
on top of the waterfall
Rene pumping water
This pump is really testing me!!!
Rene telling some story that everyone was fascinated by...well notice where my focus is?!?!:):)
Marc and Lisa enjoying some quiet time in the morning
I'm slipping!!!!
making breakfast...oatmeal never gets old!
Shamelessly hanging our sweaty clothes out to dry
Breathtaking!!! I could wake up to this every morning!
ridge walking
Our campsite shower!
Marc tending the fire...Rene reading for story time!
Telling stories by the fire, while trying to keep warm...I think I was more comfortable here on Rene's belly than inside the tent!
Taking a picture for our friend Kav who left a little while ago...majority of the stuff we had was her's.
On our way home...its all downhill from here...which is the worst!
We made it back!
The full moon gave us great light at night
Marc enjoying his dinner, notice the makeshift chopsticks!!!
another amazing view
Looks like I am about to do a faceplant into the rock and looks like Hannah is balancing on her tiptoes!
This was the one moment where I was seriously nervous for my life...trying to get up the side of this rock with no ropes, just pulling on the grass!
- Kumi’s birthday party! Playing a game where you had to slice the tower of flour without making it crumble. If you made it fall you had to get a piece of candy out of it with your mouth, without using your hands! It was hilarious!
Kumi had flour all over his hands and so I asked him if he had ever smelled flour and when he put his hand to his nose I smacked his hand into his face covering him with flour, hahahaha
My 8th grade girls that I lead discipleship for! We are talking about image and they had to give another a blind makeover, too funny!
Playing dancing chairs, which is pretty much like musical chairs only have to dance!
They love dancing!
Get it, get it, get it!!!
Each balloon had words to their memory verse. They had to burst the balloons and then put the verse together!
Who Stole the Farmer
Making homemade butter. We did some shaking and churning, and yummmmm it was good!
Multi-cultural Day celebration
Yes, it's true, I dressed up like the statue of liberty. This is the 2nd time in my life I have been patriotic! But I will say it was awesome when America's national anthem came on I stood on the stage and held my touch up and all the Americans stood and sang the anthem, it was actually very emotional!
We had a massive feast at lunch where each parent brought in a special dish that represented their culture…lets just say LOTS OF FOOD!!! YUM! I brought mac ‘n cheese, very American! :)
Making cows
I have been such a bad blogger. The events I am about to describe took place about a week ago, and I have not yet written about them here. Well, life is crazy sometimes.
I find myself surprised sometimes by how much I truly love beauty. I am an aesthete. Things that are beautiful intrigue me, inspire me, ellicit an emotional response from even me. Sometimes I forget that this is so true. I am not sure how this is even possible considering my artistic nature, but I find myself time and time again reawakened to this intense affection I have for true beauty.
Especially in nature.
Last weekend several of my friends and I went on a road trip to New Castle, Indiana. Anyone who has been to New Castle can tell you that it is not an especially beautiful city. In fact, much of the city is rather run down. It has its nicer sectors as most cities do, but there is an awful lot that is decrepit there. While there, the four of us managed to have some fantastic fellowship and even rest, although we had to sacrifice some productivity to accomplish this. I think it was worth it.
Well, in the midst of this merriment, we took some time out of one day to hang out at an apple orchard. I am so glad to live in a region where such places exist. I feel bad for all those in Florida who are limited to oranges and will never get to experience the great joy that can be found at an apple orchard. Not only was this an orchard, however, but it was an orchard in full swing for the middle of fall. There was a pumpkin patch, gallons and gallons of freshly made cider from the season’s still unfinished harvest, bushels of apples, hot cider, cider slushies, and even apple cinnamon donoughts, an astounding creation of which I had never before partaken, but which I quite enjoyed. Outside of this particular apple orchard, there happened to be a number of large hay bales, stacked several layers high, so as to reach a height around twelve feet. Those who know me well no of my great fondness for climbing just about anything that will hold my weight. Fortunately, I am blessed with, and was accompanied on this occasion by friends who are aware of the truth that maturity does not mean forgetting how to play (this became quite evident during an impromptu pillow fight, but I will not go into those details). These hay bales were certainly intended as a mountain to be scaled by young adventurers visiting the orchard, but as there were no children about when we stood before the mound, we made it our own for the briefest span of time. We climbed, jumped, ran, posed (there were a couple of cameras being used to their fullest capacity), and altogether had a good time. I have such wonderful friends.
The sky on that day was remarkable. It had been dreadfully windy the day before and would be raining later in the day, but while we were out on our venture, heaven was made manifest before our unworthy eyes (note the aesthete in me coming out). On the way to the orchard, I sat in what has come to be known as the way-back of Alice, my good friend’s station wagon in which we took our tour of central Indiana. This was one of the classy station wagons featuring a seat in the very back that faced the rear of the car. As I sat there looking out the rear window, I could see autumn trees wafting beneath an azure sky thick with glistening clouds as hard at play as we would be on those hay bales. When we arrived and I was finally let out of the car (the rear hatch requires a key on the outside to be opened), it was remarked that I had hardly said a word on the whole way there. I could not help it. I was watching the astounding sky unveiled before me. During our time at the orchard, I happened to snag a friends camera for a spell, and I promptly filled it with pictures of those majestic clouds. This is not the first time I have done so either. Skies, especially clouds, fascinate me. Part of it may be their artistic mystery to me. Try as I might, I have never managed to accurately capture the beauty of clouds. I know there are artists who can, but to capture them as they appear is a feat as yet beyond me. However, I think that in truth, it is simply their incredible beauty. The return trip from the orchard was very much the same. I was mostly silent as I watched the billowing angels. That very day, we left New Castle. As we were driving, the aforementioned rain clouds began to gather ahead of us, but before they could throw off their yokes, we got to watch the sunset. Another reason I love clouds: the unfathomable things they do when the sun sets. I could not even begin to describe what the sun did that day. Pictures were taken, but I maintain that it would be impossible for them to come anywhere near capturing what passed that day.
This morning, I woke up to behold a few loose patches of snow still clinging to the shadows. By the time I stepped outside, they had vanished, but there was still a chill in the air nipping at my bare legs and arms. My father has always said, “If you don’t like the weather in Indiana, wait ten minutes.” Today has certainly been the proof of that statement. They day is not even over and we have had clouds, sunshine, rain, and snow. While I was sharing breakfast with a friend, she remarked that there was a rainbow outside. Sure enough, there it was. Rainbows are incredible. Anyone who tries to belittle them for those things with which they are associated is close minded and incredibly pitiable for not being able to enjoy their beauty. Well, my curiosity got the better of me. I went to the window to get a better view of this age old message from God, and I noticed that it went a lot higher than I anticipated. Excited now, I went outside to see it and observed a complete rainbow, rising from the horizon, singing in the clouds, and than descending once again. I received so much joy from that experience.
I am such an aesthete.
I am blessed to be such.
In other news, Scripture 66 was this weekend. It is an event hosted by the spritual life team where students volunteer throughout the weekend to read the entire bible straight through. It is such an awesome event. Having those words spoken constantly on the campus is such a blessing, and it is great to listen as well. A group of friends and I took the 4:00-6:00 a.m. (yes, a.m.) shift on Monday morning, which was just in time to catch the thick of Paul’s epistles. It was great. I am so glad there is something like this every year at Bethel.
Homecoming.
When I think about it for too long, I am not sure how homecoming ever becomes a big deal for students. It means absolutely nothing to them, especially at college. You are not even living at home. Lots of alumni show up and they celebrate. We who are currently enrolled just sort of crash the party. However, it is a party nonetheless, and this year I ended up taking part in the festivities.
It all started with me winning an election in which I did not vote. This election was for the homecoming court, and it just so happens that a great number of my fellow Sophomores held that I was fitting for the post. So it was than I entered a world I had only watched from a distance the year before. As a part of our, I suppose you would call them responsibilities, we had to make a video no longer than five minutes dealing with life at Bethel. To make things even more fun, we got to incorporate the movie Anchorman into our plot. Making the movie was great fun. I ended up writing the script (okay, so I volunteered to write it, but I’m a writer after all. Can you blame me?) and then we all got together one night to film. Our story focused around the characters of the film covering the disappearance of Dennis Engbrecht, Bethel’s Vice President of Student Development.
What? You say Dennis is just on Sabbatical?
That’s what they want you to think.
Regardless, there was a bit more involved in getting ready for the Homecoming festivities. For one thing, it became necessary for me to buy a suit. I managed to go 19 years without owning a suit, but now, it seems I am becoming an adult or something. I don’t know how this could have happened. Each member of the court also picked a charity. In advance of the pageant, there would be a jar for each member of the court and their charity in the Dining Commons. People would then donate money to the jar of the person they wanted to win for each class. I chose the Catholic Worker house in South Bend.
Well, after much anticipation, the night finally came. The members of the court were introduced at the homecoming basketball game (an occurrence which was tremendously awkward thanks to some poor communication and the subsequent lack of instructions). After this, we got ready for the pageant. I sported a forest green shirt and tie with my new black suit. Some part of my mind considered that I should have tried to coordinate with the girls I was escorting, but they were both wearing black dresses so it was fine.
Yes, that’s not a typo. I escorted two girls.
One of the sophomore representatives could not be in the pageant because of a cross-country meet. Thus did I have a girl on either arm. I could not believe it when they told me that was how it would work. I am unfortunate (or perhaps fortunate) enough to have friends who enjoy teasing me, or at the very least, providing inordinate amounts of praise to me, knowing that I do not know how to handle such occurrences. Ah well, it is something to remember. It was a fun night. Our video came in second to the juniors, and I begrudge them not a bit. Theirs was fantastic. I did not win for our class, but I am somewhat glad, because I do not know if I would have been able to handle the patronizing comments my friends would have seen fit to make in response. Jake (Jake would) and Serena won for our class.
After the ceremony and talking with my parents (it was so good to see them) Jess, Karen, Lyndsey, Chad, and I went to Steak ‘n Shake for a bit. Unfortunately, in my haste to get ready, which I did in a span of seven minutes, I managed to forget my keys,and my roommate was not around to supply the lack. As a result, I could not get into my room to change clothes, and I was forced to go to Steak ‘n Shake in suit and tie.
Great.
Actually, it was a great time. I snuck some crayons, normally saved for the tiny children, and supplied our table with something to occupy ourselves while waiting for our food. Perhaps I was subconsciously retaliating against the suit. Who knows.
As the night progressed, we unleashed great havoc upon the backs of our paper place mats. We created great and not so great works of art, most of which were entertaining even if lacking in technique. Later, upon returning to Bethel we (just Karen, Jess, and I) had a painting party. Fortunately, by this time, my suite mates were in, and I was able to enter my room via theirs. Thus was I able to change clothes and gather materials for us to create slightly greater works of art, or at least somewhat more refined.
It was a night well enjoyed.
It’s crazy how time flies…I have been pretty busy trying to keep up with classes. And as sad as it sounds, I just now came to the realization that classes are almost done, only a few more weeks left. So much has happened in the past few weeks, I went apple picking for the first time. Believe it or not I have never seen an apple grow on a tree, and I have a wonderful person to thank for that. That was on my list of things to do, alongside skydiving and riding a bicycle…
Following apple picking, my flat mates and I took fall pictures and they are awesome. Once again I have someone to thank for that, our amazing photographer. I absolutely love fall and all it’s colors. It’s amazing how God thought of all these little intricacies and added it to his creations. It’s stunning. I am hoping that someday I do get to experience a hay ride (another thing on my list of things to do). So I have been slacking a little on homework. Have to get back to that. Till next time…xoxo
Lizzie and me enjoying the Fall.
Shupe Hall is one of the freshman girls dorms at Bethel. The RAs really work to make it like a family with an abundance of opportunities to get involved: Caramel Apple Night; Catchphrase Night; “The Office” party and donuts; Lake Michigan Beach Day; Community service at a foodpantry “the Bridge;” and a lot more! But, most recently, 45 of us went on our weekend retreat to Dewart Lake Cabin.
Even in October and with so many events going on, there are still people I have yet to meet, and the Shupe Retreat really helped me get to know so many amazing girls! I was introduced to a game called “Boxers or Briefs” where you give each player a sentence from a card that fits them best. I was also introduced to a crazy game called “Quelf,” and I met some great girls playing that “team building,” and hilarious game! Then, we went out and star gazed for a while (and I tried star tipping: spinning around 15 times staring at a star and then falling to the ground). It was such a great retreat! And Shupe is so much fun! Sometimes I almost force myself to go study in the library so I don’t get distracted with all the cool things they have planned. That’s been teaching me to balance my fun and my work (but at least, I know that even with loads of work, there will always be fun back at the dorm.)
Playing Quelf with the girls
Eating Smores
Star Gazing at midnight
