Oh yes this is the life

Update time for those seven people who read my blog- one of which most likely includes my amazing boyfriend- (update number one)!! More on that if you wish in person!

Also, I am happily and trying to be unapologetically unemployed. My two-ish years as a server have been ones of learning so much about myself and I have immense respect for those who are in that business.

Now I have all the time in the world to bum around. At least for another four weeks until I visit my beautiful cousin in Dallas and a friend in South Carolina. Myrtle Beach is a possibility and more bumming around. How can I handle all this free time? Drinking a myriad of beverages and popping through

my reading list so far:

Lectures to my Students - Charles H. Spurgeon
The Face on Your Plate- Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson
The New Birth Order Book- Dr. Kevin Leman
They Speak with Other Tongues- John L. Sherrill
The Art of Friendship: 70 Simple Rules for Making Meaningful Connections- Roger Horchow
Their Eyes Were Watching God- Zora Neale Hurston

Any other suggestions?

P.S.

I wrote this about a year ago, and it's a little cheezy, but fits the frame of life I'm in at the moment:






To (fill in the blank)

It's always there-
hanging fragile
a nagging possibility
discontentment?

or merely
a desire, longing to
'live deliberately'

I have many fears- though
a path 'less traveled'
stands waiting. I close my
eyes not to settle for dreaming

but
grabbing hold
to what- I know not

and His majesty and I
jump

Rant-ish

I meant to write about this when it happened (about 2 months ago) but of course I didn't. I was sitting in a crowded Ivy Tech waiting area, in line to see an advisor. I had been there a good hour and a half. This guy that I was sure came in 20 minutes after me got called in. Annoyed, I was about to go to the counter to make sure I hadn't been skipped. This young black girl, who was also waiting, started singing 'Amazing Grace.' She went through the song in this slow strong voice, which wasn't the most beautiful, but everyone just kinda froze and a stillness settled on the room. I only heard her, but helped put everything into perspective. Things like that probably happen in places like N.Y, but people don't just start singing a song about 'a wretch like me' in front of strangers in Indianapolis.

My biology teacher somehow got talking about his 25 year old son, who is basically a beach bum in Australia. I guess he has a few odd jobs, but 'his biggest decision of the day is decide what beach to go to'. A few of my classmates relayed their incredulousness, some saying it would be cool. The teacher said one day he's going to have to grow up and get a secure job. That kind of talk saddens me. Sure, a 'secure' job would be fine if it's something you enjoy. But I'm trying to find the balance in my own mind in being a part of the rat race, and separating from that mind set. A 'bum' isn't a good lifestyle if you're lazy. A fancy office job isn't good if money and image are in first place. I also don't want to rain on a dedicated family man, who has, in part, become apart of working America. I don't know where I'm going with this, but I was just feel directly adverse to what is expected, to what 'growing up' means. It seems to mean putting on a suit, having a 5 day work week, paying bills, mortgages, depending on caffeine to propel you through 6AM and 3PM. And why does 'mortgage' have a 't' in it?!?!?!!

Dear God

Thank you for
my family, the dignity of hard work, music, strong wine, thoughts in late night, possibility, NPR, pumpkin bread, the opportunity to learn, democracy, Neo, farmers, crisp breezes, strong tea, cell phones to call far away friends, second helpings, eternity with you, pretty things, contentment, the world, the oceans, the sky, the moon, the smallness of me, a strong mind, second chances, third chances, grace, being there, contemplation, places with no building in sight, imagination, emotion, fourth chances, order, tears, your goodness your love.

I was a bit of an airhead yesterday. Couldn't spell my name the first time in class, forgot where broad ripple was on meridian, took off from work with my manager's keys still in my apron pocket... I guess that's all. Nothing catastrophic. I haven't left the house yet today except to get caught in the rain while walking the dog.
NPR had this story about a girl from Indonesia who was basically held as a slave for a wealthy family in CA for 7 seven years. She had come to the US to work and send the money back home to her family. However, there was no contract and the CA family didn't pay her the $50 a month they had originally promised her. She was only allowed to leave the house to get the mail. She was told that this was her destiny and that she would only be hurt/raped/killed if she did leave. A boy who frequently passed her on his bicycle when she got the mail saw 'the pain on her face' and eventually helped her to freedom. He gave her the number for an organization called CAST LA and now, after five years, she is finally without fear of this family taking her. I know she is just one of millions. 'In His name all oppression shall cease' and we must do something!!