Sunday, May 22, 2011

Camp prep and home

So, summer camp is coming up soon. The only reason I haven't left already is because I'm waiting for my van to get fixed (it needs a new power train control module, which is normally hundreds of dollars, but our mechanic says he can get a used one for about $60, thank the Lord). Anyway, this summer I'm going to be Core Staff again, this time working as joint worship leader with one of my friends. I've wanted this job at camp for about three years now, so it's pretty refreshing to finally be asked to do it!

It has been nice being home, though. I've been doing a good bit of reading, as I've said in previous posts. Now I'm re-reading "Mudhouse Sabbath" by Lauren Winner. Lauren grew up Orthodox Jewish, and converted to Christianity. After living for a while as a Christian, she began to miss the depth which the traditions of her former faith had. This book is her attempt to help Christians begin practicing spiritual disciplines and put some meaning into the traditions they hold to. This is my second time reading the book, and I love it. Definitely recommend.

Also, I love having dreads. I said in a previous post that I have a purpose for them; I'll explain a little bit. I have four dreads right now. One of them is for reminding myself not to gossip. This one has been pretty hard, surprisingly. I've realized that myself and others gossip all the time; that is, talk about things behind people's backs which they wouldn't want you to say. Having a physical reminder not to do this hanging next to my face has honestly really helped. Like I said, I have three others currently. I may add more sometime soon as I see fit. You can ask me in person if you want to know what they are; they're for me, not for you, though, so I'm not sharing on here.

You should try something similar. It's really helped me look closer at how I live each day.

Peace.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Reading: Abridged

So, I have to amend my last post. Turns out after closer inspection that I've been reading abridged versions of all those books I was talking about. Very sad day...but I'm still enjoying the reading. Maybe if I have a family someday, I will own both the abridged and full versions of the books so I can give my kids the abridged versions to read first. Who knows?

Peace.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Reading

So, now that school is out for the summer, I've been able to get back into reading for fun. I just finished Robinon Crusoe(which I started during Christmas Break, as sad as that is) and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I love reading. 20,000 Leagues was full of excellent quotes, too.

"'Professor...it is true that I have fled from the world of men. It is true that I hate civilization. Still, I pitied this poor Indian fisherman. He comes from an oppressed country. I am, and always will be, one of the oppressed.'" -Cptn. Nemo

Apparently, a book called The Mysterious Island tells of Captain Nemo's fate after the events in this book, which makes me really want to acquire and read it as well.

I spent a little time today researching Che Guevara on Wikipedia today. I'm probably putting myself on some watchlist by saying this. I'm thinking about buying one of his books, The Motorcycle Diaries. During his college days, Che spent a year with one of his friends traveling across South America on a motorcycle, and it was in this time that he found his passion for justice for oppressed peoples around the world.

Until I get one or both of those books, however, I'll probably be working on A Tale of Two Cities next.

Peace.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Dreadful...

So, I've been growing my hair out for a while. Now, finally, it's long enough so I can do what I've been waiting for for a long time: dreads. Now, before you start rejoicing, gagging, or some strange combination of both, I would like to say they won't be permanent, at least as far as I can see at this point. I'm doing them myself with no nasty gels or stuff like that. At first, it was just so I could add another item to the long list of strange things I've done with my hair. Now, however, I'm making the whole thing a little more personal than just that. I have three dreads in my hair right now, and I am using them each as a personal reminder for a different aspect of my life. I like this idea more than just dreading my whole head, so I may or may not get to that eventually. For now, I'm content with just a few, and giving them more meaning.

Peace.