Friday at long last!

Good morning. I am not a morning person, but I AM the masochist who signed myself up for 8:00 a.m. classes. I commute, so that means I have to get up REALLY early. I really hope I don't have to do this again. Ugh. Anyway. I'm just bumming here because I have to go get a paper I wrote in a few minutes and thought I'd spend some time blogging. (Even though no one but me reads this; it's for posterity, darn it!) So, I don't have any plans for the weekend other than hopefully getting caught up on reading. Just the same old: Work, Church, home. I'd like to get some new pants, but I hate shopping. I'm the antithesis of a stereotypical woman. Ah well. So, there is nothing really I was hoping to write about. I'm just tired and bored. But now it's time to go get my paper. Bye bye!

An interesting observation (in my opinion, anyway)

Today after statistics, I went outside for just a moment because the hallway was jam-packed full of people. So, as I was standing outside, I couldn't help but people watch. I always like this because college is a place of immense diversity. I have been a people watcher for a long time. My best friend and I used to sit in the upstairs outer hallway at high school and watch as people arrived at school in the morning, and then give them funny little nicknames because of some nuance they did when they thought no one else was watching. But anyway, I digress. So, I was watching all these people going into the building and coming out. Now, there are a few sets of doors; two or three sets of two doors each. People are filing in and filing out and it is a melee of people. Interesting enough in itself. But anyway, most of the people traveling through those doors were coming out with only a few people going in. With all the doors that lead to the outside, a person would think that it would be a pretty swift exchange of people going in and coming out. But, the thing that made me laugh was that the people going in were waiting for the people coming out to clear the doorways that were open, instead of taking their hands out of their pockets for three seconds in order to open the closed doors. I mean, really... We're in college. You would think they'd get the idea that those doors open, too. Wouldn't you? And the thing is, this isn't an isolated incident. It happens ALL the time!!! No matter where I go, it seems people don't want to open both the doors. Why not? It makes the traffic go so much quicker. I don't know. So, I laughed anyway. And then when one "above average" guy decided to open the other door, I applauded. Good for him for thinking independently. Good grief.

Sometimes.

Sometimes working with the public as a food service employee is a wonderful experience. Sometimes, we get to meet some really awesome people who just make you feel wonderful the second you see them walk through the door. But, the interesting thing about food service is that most of us don't get to know the people thoroughly, so we can just go about with the facet of that person we know. So tonight, these people who come in semi-frequently were in. I am the only person there who likes these people. I don't know why they don't like anyone else, or why no one else likes them, but I think they are fine. But tonight, we were DEAD slow by the time they came in, so they were the only people in there. And since we had no host tonight, I was the only person out there with them. So, we all got to talk a little more. Well, religion came up as a topic, which I generally try to steer clear of with them because they seem to be VERY!!! conservative and I am a little less conservative. Anyway, so the Mrs. asked if I still went to "that Lutheran Church" in X town. And I said yes. Then she said that she wasn't very happy with the Lutheran people as a whole right now because of all that has happened with the "homosexual thing." And I asked her what she meant. That is when she said, "They're allowing homosexual marriages." And I told her that what they decided on was to keep the dialogue open and to minister to gay and lesbian people as a way to not completely alienate the homosexual community. And she said, "A little leven levens the whole lot." And I just kinda looked at her and made an excuse to go into the kitchen for a little while. I still like the woman and her whole family, but Jesus was not about telling the outcast that they are further shunned. Jesus was about inviting people into community in order that they might know they are loved. While my whole thought process about this "issue" is not set in stone, I feel like we should definitely NOT be excluding homosexual people. I think all people fall short of the glory of God, so let the one of us who is without sin cast the first stone. I was glad she dropped that by the time I came back out into the dining room. I usually make it my business to not get into "upsetting" topics at work because it is not my place to make people uncomfortable while they are at my place of employment. But it just got me thinking, you know? That's it for now, I guess. Hasta.

Trish is my name, procrastination is my game.

Here I sit at 10:14 a.m. in the computer lab here at good ol' ISU. I am blogging, but what I SHOULD be doing is studying for a test I have at 1:00. I'm tired though. I was just taking a nap in the hallway, but these *inconsiderate* teachers are lecturing a little too loud for my taste. Ha. I'm kidding. I don't consider them inconsiderate for speaking loudly. Deaf people like me appreciate that. No, I'm not really deaf, although I think I am hard of hearing. Ok, so we didn't have that baptism this weekend, so I was slightly disappointed. When people get baptized, I am very very happy. I think this has to do with the fact that I was almost 15 when I was baptized and I had been wanting that for a LONG time. And I remember the day I "became a member of Christ's family," as is recognized when the congregation says, "We welcome you into the Lord's family. We receive you as a fellow member of the body of Christ, a child of the same Heavenly Father, and a worker with us in the kingdom of God." Even though my baptism was not done in front of the congregation, I still heard those words from Pastor and those who gathered there. So, I think the fact that people resond to God's love for us in Jesus is what makes it all so wonderful to me. But anyway... I just thought I would put down my thoughts for right now because I am the queen of procrastination. Woo doggies. But now, I really have to go study. I am trying to do well this semester because I don't want to be hindered in the future by how poorly I do now. So, I'm off. Have a great day!

While cleaning my desk the other day...

First off, let me tell you that I am not that tidy of a person. I let my stuff pile up in designated areas, I litter my car up with fast food bags and my morning cereal bar wrappers, (at least it's not the environment, right) and I just let things get away from me. Now, at my job, I'm very neat and tidy, but that unfortunately does not spill over to my home life. So, the other day I was cleaning off my computer desk because my mom's friend said I needed to throw a stick of dynamite on it to clear it out. I found a really neat quote I'd written down some time ago. Zig Ziglar said it, and I thought I'd share it, even though no one reads this thing. Anyway, he said, "People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing; that's why we recommend it daily." I like this quote. It just serves as a reminder that every day we should get up and motivate ourselves because while we may have accomplished many things in the past, we can't live forever on the high we got from them. That's just my thoughts and random blathering for the day. It's late, and Church is tomorrow. I think I get to be the congregational representative for a baptism! Woohoo!

This is REALLY what I look like. (Especially on Fridays when it is time to finally relax!) 

good news or Good News?

You know, the other day I picked up the mail (I live in a very small town, therefore the mail does not get delivered) and I received a yellow postcard. So, I look at this yellow postcard and it says, "trish, we have Good News for you!" So, I was all excited because I thought maybe it had something to do with Jesus or something. So, there were instructions on the card for me to call this number to see what this supposed "Good News" was. In eager anticipation, I went home and called the number right away. Only to find out it was basically some people from MasterCard trying to sell me magazines or something. I told them I wasn't interested, and not to send me any of the "free magazines" or anything like that. When I got off the phone, I felt completely let down. I thought this was something important! So, I thought, I should really call them back and tell them to NOT capitalize "good news" if it is in the middle of a sentence UNLESS they are talking about the Gospel. Jeepers. They get a girls hopes all up, only to sqash them down. Maybe I'm overreacting. But anyway... Today is finally Friday! I was driving through the neighboring small town on my way home from school today, and some guy was standing in the middle of the street I wanted to go down. I don't know about you, but when random things happen like that, my imagination runs wild. So, he was blocking people from going down that street and I thought, maybe he's going to blow a building up. Maybe he's a terrorist in neon green disguise. And then I looked down the street and there were a bunch of little kids running around on the sidewalks, so I think it was actually more safety-related that he was standing there. But anyway, so then I ended up turning down a different street since that guy was standing there. And I was headed out of town on that street, but I saw a big truck being washed kind of in the middle of the street up ahead, so I didn't want to go by that. So that made my imagination go again. I thought that maybe the hose was going to hurt my car or something, because they were using a big high pressured deal and I am semi-afraid of those due to a story my boss told me one time about high pressure things. But anyway. So, then I was thinking, my imagination runs wild all the time. I mean, I drive down the interstate and see a black garbage bag on the side of the road and think, "Is that a body?" Or see a shoe on the side of the road and think, "How on Earth would someone lose their shoe on the side of the highway?" Am I the only one who thinks things like these? Man. Now I'm getting kinda scared about my psychological evaluation I will have to do for candidacy! But then again, perhaps an overactive imagination is good for me. :) Who knows?

Nothing really groundbreaking...

Is it Friday yet?

I don't know if this guy will appreciate this or not...

In one of my earlier posts, I talked about a blog I read a lot that cracks me up. I don't know if anyone reads this blog or not, but if you have some time to kill, or if you are in need of a good ol' cheering up, you might find it helpfulf to check out Mark's Page Good stuff.

I'm not as unfit as I thought...

Okay, today it is kind of rainy and damp outside, but yesterday was gorgeous. I ended up going on the Church bike ride. It was really kind of cool. I didn't feel too bad about being out of shape because we weren't pushing ourselves too hard because we had wee ones with us. I was in the middle of the pack and spent most of my time listening to a tween from our church talk. It wasn't bad at all. I think kids need to know there are people who will listen to them, even when there is really nothing groundbreaking that needs to be said. Anyway... Like I said yesterday, I wasn't sure if I was even going to go ON this bike ride, but I decided I had to. Why, you may ask? Because, I folded down the seats to Neno, (yes, my car's name is Neno), I hoisted the bike into the trunk only to find that no matter what angle I put the bike at, it still wouldn't fit. So, I asked Ma if I could take her car because she has a gigantic trunk. So, I pushed, pulled, angled, grunted, snorted, and various other disgusting things in an effort to get the bike to fit in there. To no avail... So, by this point, I was like, "Fine, I'll just take the wheel off!" So I did. Then I threw all the stuff I needed into the car and said, "after all this, I need to go on this ride." I'm glad I went though. Good time. That was my adventure for the day though. Let's see what today brings!

Another Day, Another Dollar

Okay. Well, today has been pretty mixed. I went to Church this morning, which was cool. I love church. Anyway, so this friend of mine who I used to date ended up showing up at Church, too. He just got out of prison about a month or two ago, and I've been inviting him to come. Felons need Jesus, too, you know. So anyway.. I was glad to see him, but he was wearing a shirt that said, "Mount And Do Me." Thought that was just a little inappropriate. But, he came, so that's the main thing. So, Pastor announced that I have started the process to applying for candidacy during the announcements. It is still very exciting for me. So, after church, several people were talking to me, and congratulating me on this step in my life. It's good to know I have their support. Then I left and had to go to work. But, we were so slow, that they sent me home early. That's kind of good, but kind of bad too. Less money, but more time... Anyway... This afternoon there is going to be a "family bike ride" with some church people. I'm trying to decide if I want to go to that or not. I don't know if my bike will fit in my trunk. I used to drive a big old Jeep Cherokee, and now I just have a neon. So, luckily the seats fold down, so maybe I'll go. So, I need to go study for a test I have tomorrow and decide if I'm going to this bike ride to demonstrate my lack of fitness. :) See ya'll later.

After a long time away...

So, here I sit, listening to "My Cousin Vinny" in the background. It's at the part where the girlfriend is saying "Vinny, you're going down in flames and I can't do anything to help you!" I just think it's kind of funny because she ends up pretty much winning the case for him. I don't know. The whole movie is just pretty funny. Anyway... So, I have been away from this blogging thing for a long time. Why come back, you may ask? Why not do the world a big fat favor and leave us alone? Well, because I know that would not really be a favor. You love me, and you know it! Yeah. So anyway, the real reason I am coming back is because I have found an absolutely awesome blog that I read practically religiously, although right now I'm pretty much in the archives section. The dude's blog just makes me laugh to no end, and although I'm probably not that clever, I decided to give it a try. Maybe I'll link to it later. So, like it says in my profile, I am starting the candidacy process to become a rostered leader in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. So, I had to write an autobiography, fill out some forms, and various other things. It's been very very interesting. It's exciting, but also nerve racking to a certain extent. Trying to let go and let God, as they say... So, that is a little introduction to me. Hopefully I'll be a little more faithful in the future. Who knows, maybe I can get some readers!