"you DO NOT have a soul. you ARE a soul. you HAVE a body." --c.s.lewis
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Do Something Everyday that Scares You
so now I'm trying to figure out what might be some good steps to take to get used to being uncomfortable. some of her suggestions... I don't think would be the best choice, but justifying that seems just like an excuse.
also- hello, I'm going to get better at updating this one day. Really I am.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
This is for Katie.
in the meantime- in Ann Arbor til Wednesday, at the moment getting ready for Jennifer and Paul's wedding. YAYAAAY
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
I sub at a Catholic school. It's weird cuz I'm not Catholic, but it's awesome cuz the kids are pretty cool. And we still get to talk about Jesus.
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| stations of the cross |
Monday, March 14, 2011
March 14th
Today I sat for a portrait with my sisters, dad, his third wife, and her three teenage sons. The photographer recommends we all wear a unifying color, like black. Everyone looked good, but I couldn’t help thinking it looked a little morbid. Maybe it’s because I wore the same black dress to my mother’s funeral, but I wasn’t about to bring that up when we picked out clothes. This dress is too comfortable.
And the picture went well and hopefully looks good. And we all walked down the block in our dresses and khakis to wait in line- as it is the first day of the year that the ice cream store is open.
And I got to eat my small chocolate soft-serve dipped in cherry hard-shell while people in hats and scarves and winter jackets bought their slushies and sundaes. I thought about pistachio frozen yogurt, as it is clearly one of the better flavors, but there’s plenty more days for that.
And it was 44 degrees and it was a beautiful day. I had bare legs for the first time in months and my ice cream tasted like Spring, and it didn’t melt too fast and I didn’t get too cold eating it.
Then, I joined the maternal grandparents for weekly dinner. Tonight was extra-special as my little sister is leaving us in two days for a fancy Chicago job, so my cousins and aunt joined us as well.
First came the conversations of family updates- an uncle that travels often to Japan was there on Friday, but is home safely now. My great-grandmother just celebrated her 95th birthday, but seems disinterested, tired with her life. My grandfather, newly returned from the birthday party, is exhausted and frazzled—but good enough to put up with our laughter and silliness as my sister and aunt throw out their arms and declare themselves to be ‘huge cake people’ in retort to lil sis’s comment: “I’m not a huge cake person.”
Later on, after my grandfather has excused himself to clean and pace and hope to go to bed, my little sister will say, in a discussion of buying furniture in Chicago, that she is not a huge dresser person, and my aunt and the oldest will look at each other and laugh as they pretend to be huge dresser people.
My youngest cousin is too impatient to sit through three courses, despite how good the food is- but she is perpetually willing to entertain herself alone in the living room; occasionally appearing through the doorway as she leaps across the room in her tights and leotard or walking slowly as she tries to get a marble to roll into the center of a wooden labyrinth. That's about all you can expect out a 6yr old. My sister's and I used to do the same.
Beside the questions about my sister’s preparations for the move , the new apartment, the new job, the new roommates.—most important of which are how close is she to the zoo, and does she have a list of all the contacts my grandparents also know who live in Chicago? – the hot topic of the night is the state of the local Catholic Church. Maybe I’ll write more later, but short story is this: if the Church is trying to attract/keep members, they’re doing it wrong.
I have plenty to say about this but I don’t. My grandpartents are faithful people. They keep the label because it’s tradition. Because it’s proper. Because it’s what their parents and their parents’ parents did.
And my family are good people. I forget that when I’m far away. When I’m far away- whether it’s in distance or lost in my mind somewhere- I see the ways I don’t fit in and the ways I’m not like them. Not as hard of a worker, not as social…
Today I sit at the table and I enjoy the presence of family. These are the people that taught me to grin and bare it in the face of adversity. They value community involvement, respect for elders, tradition and tact. They encourage liberal thought and realism; education, self-improvement, independence. And they are proud of me even when I may seem to move in the opposite direction of all these things.
I know there are plenty of imperfections within my family members that I’m not displaying here today. And there are plenty of times that I can write about all the things that go wrong being so close to home.
But today I am content- if momentarily- in the blessing God has given me with my family here.
And I am blessed to be in this place where there are lines at the ice cream store in 40 degree weather.
Where the traffic lights blink yellow after 10pm and the newspaper occasionally mistakes “baklava” for “balaclava.”
(think: ‘the bank robber was wearing a baklava’ Aunt and sister’s predict suspect’s description: smells like honey, kinda sticky. Grandpa says: ‘he was a bit of a flake.’)
________________
I have meant to write often in the past few months. There are plenty more things I could say too. But I just wanted to say- it’s good to be home. I thank God I am here, now, and seeing everything with new eyes. I was naive and a bit oblivious for most of my childhood. Maybe I still am- but I see more of the things I missed before, and it changes some things. And seeing clearly reinforces other things I already knew- like how much I am loved even when I don't see it or let it in. And how- no matter what happens- family stays family.
Growing up is hard. But it could have been a lot worse.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
update
I have a lot of ideas for things to say kicking around in my head, but I'm gonna have to wait a few more days to post (at least one of) them. My laptop is currently waiting until a new charger comes from Apple- so it's incapacitated. And the family computer has... privacy issues? Being that it is a public computer and I am a private person.
haha. Anyway- I'm alive and working (a little) and bumming around most of the time. Also I've been taking pictures of some of the sights, which will be coming when I have access to my files again!
Short news: Survived my first day substituting, Went as a super-sweet Ernie for Halloween (big sis was Bert), Had a big interview but didn't get the job, and... I can't think of anything else at the moment. :)
hehe... but give me a week.
Hope y'all are doing well and sending lots of love through the inter-tubes! :D
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Hello!
I've been working at my old high school -- tutoring for 1.5 hrs after school. It's not much, but I actually am really liking it. Which is especially funny since I vowed never to return there when I left it.
Today I had an interview at the hospital for a unit clerk position. It's a great position and my family really is excited about the interview- but I'd have to give up the tutoring job. (if I'm even offered the position) I was told it might take a month to hear back... so I am really being challenged to pray about what I might do if I do get the offer. I prayed before the interview to do God's will whether or not I got the job... but it didn't strike me until I got into the interview that I might have to sacrifice the tiny part time job that I'd invested in personally.
In other news-- I've got jury duty tomorrow. I'm actually kinda excited... though I have no idea what to expect :)
It'll also be the first time I'll get to see my stepdad since I moved home (there's been schedule conflicts) so I'm looking forward to that...
and here's your inane moment of the day:
how I've been spending my free time=the most EPIC Halloween costume EVAR. (or half of an EPIC set-my sister is knitting her half.)
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Saturday.
----
I was woken up this morning by my youngest stepbrother informing me that we were having breakfast and then hauling logs for the wood pile.
Hoping, on the off chance, that my family would forget I was there- I chose to sleep in and miss breakfast.
But no- my dad woke me up an hour later. So I had my glass of OJ while the house smelled like maple syrup and bacon (no leftovers) and headed out into the 40-50 degree weather and grabbed a pair of gloves.
After a couple hours of work- headed back in to wash the sawdust out of my hair and get ready for my cousin's wedding reception. She's been married for almost a year, but they didn't do the big affair, so they've had a couple small receptions to accomodate family schedules.
So I headed out to a town I've never heard of- to her in-laws house. The drive up was gorgeous since the leaves are changing right now
Some mingling and really awesome food later, the wind started to pick up and the wood heater in the garage no longer offered the same amount of comfort, so we said our goodbyes and made our tired way home.
driving home- I definitely felt the urge to sleep as the soreness of hauling logs began to mix with after-effects of cheesy potatoes and pasta salads. But my dad beat me to the punch and as the only other passenger- it is my duty to not fall asleep on the driver.
The View:
and when we were finally back in the house it was time to go play cards with grandma, since we'd said we would at the party.
So over to my grandparents' neighbors' house with my stepmom for 6-person pinochle.
and down into the basement/game room/bar where there's a fridge full of pop and beer and a bar full of snacks and liquor.
And whiskey sours for stepmom and John P (g-rents neighbor), and rum and cokes for me and Ann (his wife) and fresh made popcorn for everyone.
And for three hours on a Saturday night I played cards with people likely three times my age- who swore when they lost a hand and teased/hassled each other when their teammates didn't pull through for them. And told stupid jokes and repeated stories while the Tigers and Twins raced for a win.
A grand slam in the first as we were just beginning. A few more runs as we finish the first game. We have to keep telling grandpa to pay attention because he's looking through me to watch the game.
The popcorn becomes mini-babyruth's and butterfingers and the Tigers catch up in the 5th.
The boys team (John, Gpa, and stepmom) are playing similarily as they begin each game with negative or single digits, but surge from a 40-pt difference to 3-pts ahead, but still lose in the end by only 3 or 4. [The only difference here is at time of writing- the Tigers/Twins game is still tied in the 12th]
And after three games and FINALLY a guys-team victory- we call it a night.
And say our goodbyes and head home, where my dad is out working in the garage listening to some weird easy listening station- preparing his ATV's for deer camp.
There are some days when I am all alone and I get really bored. And there are some days when I can't get away from people long enough to catch a breath.
But despite mandatory hard labor and mingling with strangers- I love the fall days when the air is brisk and the leaves are changing. And food is always warm and no one is in a hurry, but we're all busy doing something.
And I love the opportunity to sit at the table with people 2 to 3 times my age and see that -despite deserving of respect as my elders- they're not that different from me when it comes to sitting down with friends and playing a game of cards.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
on a more serious note... could use some feedback.
I was assisting my stepmom paint the kitchen/cafe area of the church leading the efforts- and I overheard the pastor complaining about the licensing procedures with the health department and such.
He sighed and said "i'm giving in to Satan"
and I thought to myself... he must be referring to the complaining...
but then he continued by clarifying.. 'the state is Satan.'
and I got confused.
"It's the church's responsibility to feed the poor, and why should the state have any say in it? Jesus didn't need a permit to feed the 5000." He said.
To be perfectly honest, I don't know the whole story... but I was a little offended... and it struck me as a little incorrect.
And I will admit-- my Biblical knowledge is lacking. (I'm working on it.) but it doesn't make sense to me to say that the gov't (that pays disabilities and soc. security and welfare and such) should have no oversight of an organization providing for the needs of the poor and homeless.
I do believe that one day the Church will be able and WILLING to absolutely provide for those in need, without any assistance from a secular governing body.
But in the meantime, here's my question:
How much autonomy should a church (as an organization) have from the political/legal governing body? -Biblical references would be helpful-
Sock weather and things I love about my hometown (pt.2)
And in other news, Here's a story continuing in my "Things I love about my hometown" segment:
My dad is selling his old house.
Paul- our postman and the father of my sister's classmate- wears a blue tooth headset when he's on his route. Since he knew we weren't living at the old house (but hadn't forwarded our address yet) he gave my dad a call when there was a package waiting there.
Since my dad works 50 miles away, I went into town- picked up the 'sorry we missed you' slip- and called Paul.
And then drove to his current location to pick up my mail.
In a large city, it's suspicious when a person parks their car behind the postal truck and waits awkwardly for the postman to get back.
In my hometown- not so much... especially considering the block he was on is home to my dentist, three childhood friends, and a house we rented when I was in third grade.
Sorry-- this story is kind of pointless, but I wanted to share anyway :)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
mini-rant of the day (actual proper unrelated post coming later)
I am sure that this is a great bank, and that they clearly only serve the LP... but I keep seeing this ad on hulu... and it's starting to bother me.
Why?- you might ask.
Merely because it seems to imply Michigan is shaped like _one_ hand. And if you only serve the lower peninsula- who cares what the logo looks like... but I'd prefer a little recognition of our existence.
Anywayyyy... i had a longer post that I'll be writing soon. And hopefully, I'll remember to take my camera with me when I go into town again, so more pictures are coming.
Hope you're enjoying your own little corner of the world! (hand-shaped or otherwise... ^_^ )
source
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
things i like about my hometown (pt.1)
I went in to the office building -in the middle of a residential neighborhood-- that used to be my elementary school. ( I was a little bummed to see the place we used to have recess is now a parking lot-- but it's been that way for about 8 years... so I am adjusting.)
The woman at the desk is a friend of my dad's, so when she told me I would need a transcript for my application, she asked if I could get a copy online.
Yep-- of course.
'oh okay-- you can just come around the desk then and use my computer.'
Which is how I found myself sitting behind the front desk of the school district's administration building. While she got some other work done in the next room.
It was kind of ridiculous and also really cool.
Maybe it's a 'you had to be there' moment... but I love these small-town moments because it reminds me of the benefits of trusting and loving communities.
Sure, this might have only happened because she's a friend of my father's-- but I like to imagine a world where you can trust strangers.
While I'm on the topic of connections, I went in to drop off an application at the high school for a tutor position, and the assistant superintendent stepped out of her office to ask about which positions I am applying for. (I know her only slightly because she was in that job when my mom was working as well...)
It doesn't mean my chances are better or anything... but I am blessed to know that people are aware I'm searching, and willing to help :)
God bless you all! I hope OCR and the beginning of school went well for those of you in AA (or that you're enjoying the recent population surge in the city if you're not in school)
and for everyone else, Happy Fall!! It came to the UP really suddenly, so the leaves haven't turned yet-- but I'm going to have to find my fleece jacket soon. and start wearing socks again :-/
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Gazebo
My dad and stepmom had this gazebo built for their wedding.
It's set pretty far back from the house-- just about as far as you can get.
I hadn't noticed before... but there's a pond out back. I think it's connected to the river? I didn't do much exploring.
I actually came out to do some reflecting. It's surprising how easy it is going stir-crazy with no one to talk to (of my own age)-- but it was a good catalyst to spend some time with God- something I had been missing out on in the last few days.
Bonus- Paddy came out to keep me company/act as a backrest. She's pretty old- so I think she just wanted a reason to sit in the shade.
But yeah-- I'm going to try to get some more photos up. Lots of things to say and etc, but some illustrations would be useful as well :)
Saturday, August 28, 2010
conviction
The drive went smoothly on Saturday and I have been unpacking/filling out job applications this past week.
I think I've been delaying this post a bit because every time I get the urge to write something down, it's a complaint about something my stepbrothers did that irked me or some criticism of how things are run here.
But it seems this is only highlighting my own human failings- pride, selfishness, etc...
It's definitely strange moving from autonomy to dependence on others.
But on the other hand, I can't imagine it's easy on my stepbrothers or parents to have an additional person in the house. They're losing their guestroom, the boys have a girl in the house (who isn't their mother),
and it seems in this first week - that all decisions about who can have friends over- and when- and what constitutes 'behaving properly' fall to my final call.
That being said-- I think the challenge that has become clear to me in this past week is entirely about conviction. Not only in following my calling and vision for the future-- but in the everyday details.
How convicted am I about the 17-yr old drinking alcohol with his friends? In AA, it was clearly wrong. wrong enough that I avoided drinking around younger people. Here, it's socially quite common, if not expected and accepted. And honestly, if people are acting responsibly, I don't seem to have much of a problem with it.
But then again, no matter how responsible a person is (and I have to admit- it only takes one irresponsible person to cause major damage) a law is a law isn't it??
So how hard am I on this particular case? Because if he were to ask-- I'd say yes, my 21st bday was not the first time I tried alcohol. but no, I don't think he should be doing it.
It's a slippery slope-- I make personal choices-- do I impose them on others (who do not believe the same things I do?) Is following the letter of the law more important than building a trusting and open relationship with family members?
Though I've never been a go-with-the-flow kind of person, I've always tried to avoid making waves.
I think this is going to be one of those long term lessons-- holding to conviction and making it known.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Unpacking
I'm still unpacking a bit-- mostly finding room for the random things at the moment. And realizing how many random 'things' there are.
It's interesting, going through the boxes and totes, to realize how much of the stuff I've been carrying with me are memorabilia from the past. (and how much of it is straight up junk)
My dad is selling his old house so all of the games and holiday decorations and pictures are now piled up in the basement storage.
Combine that with the inevitable edition of kids toys, photo albums, MORE decorations, and other childhood memories that will eventually be moved out of my stepdad's home (as he is now married and retired and the house is nearly out of space despite only two people living there) ....and I am beginning to see what a lifetime looks like by material standards.
But that isn't really what I meant to talk about.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
There (was) a bug on the wall. I tried to get a close up, but my camera skills are weaksauce. The weird bug was weird-- even in my stepmother had never seen it before. Sadly, weird bug is no more.
and on the subject of bugs-- I'm going to have to start wearing long pants (as opposed to skirts) for awhile. Perhaps the bugs don't recognize me as a local yet because they've turned the back of my legs into a snack bar. I think there are at least 10 bites on me at the moment-- in various stages of healing.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Cover Letter
I saw your position posted online and think I would be the perfect employee.
Just trust me on this one. Or read my resume,
And call me for an interview.
seriously. just trust me,
Rachael
--------------
In my own very self-oriented way, I wish this cover letter would be enough.
But apparently I'm not the only person on the planet. Who knew?
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
a letter to a close friend
I have shared with some about wanting to reconnect with my family, about preparing for grad school, about starting a new chapter in life, about finances and burdens and healing. All of these are true and pertinent. But I think there is something deeper connecting them all, and that's a little harder to share.
But I'm trying.
_______________
Dear ----------------
It is August 18th. and my BABY sister is turning 21 on Saturday. Holy crap.
For me, summer has gone really quickly- with fulltime work through June, then home for a week in July, then Excel-- and suddenly it is August and I move out in 18 days!! (this is past tense... though grammatically i know i'm way off right now)
So it is the first week of August... and I am struggling because... it is the first week of August- or as my family knows it- the last week my mother was with us, back in 2008. Mostly I just mope around and feel bad for myself, though i have the forethought to email out a warning/prayer request to lg leaders and lcg...
wednesday and thursday are the worst as I remember the 'terminal delirium' days but Friday- August 6- is generally kinda ok...
I take the day off work and try to be productive, though as usual I mostly watch TV. There's a problem with my phone for some reason, so despite expecting to talk to a lot of family, it's generally pretty quiet (a blessing? possibly?)
I grab coffee with JK --mostly as a good excuse to get out of the house. At Starbucks, I share that despite reflecting on this anniversary, I am must disturbed by the uncertainty of the months ahead. Despite having a job in line (though different because of a change in supervisors), I have yet to sign a lease. And though I am not all that worried about my ability to find a place, even if it's with strangers, my mind just seems clouded somehow when I think about the future. [Does this happen to you? you know what's going to happen tomorrow, next week-- though the details are not clear, the image/outline is there...] There is no outline, not even paths to stare down and choose between. I have hit fog in my future and it worries me.
I put this thought aside the next day, as it is the day of THE event of the summer. Hair done- even used mousse and a blow dryer! Dress picked-out, nails painted- handbag packed- shoes... painful but adorable.
Congrats P.Pete and Gina!!
Let's dance the night away!
And then it's Sunday and P.Seth is back, and then it's Monday and HOLY CRAP I move out in one week, and then it's Tuesday morning and I am going to morning prayer because if I don't KC will be disappointed. But also, I am burdened to pray for this fog...
And I pray -- first praise God, then ask forgiveness, then request. then ask forgiveness for suddenness/urgency of request. (Lord, I'm sorry-- I know everything in You're timing-- but I need an answer yesterday...)
then... tears of course... and fear and confusion... and pushing through-- keep going, fight fatigue...
and then... suddenly everything is clear. It makes sense.
Go home, share with KC-- she goes through those heart check questions-- encourages: keep praying, keep options open.
Ok, I will give it one more day. Last Fopact lg of the summer tonight, share casually with some people, but not whole group-- remember I am keeping options open.
Wake up Wednesday AM- morning prayer... fail. Stay in bed and hit snooze. Each time waking up and praying/reflecting for a few minutes until I fall asleep again. Finally, awake-- I know I have to make this clear. On my knees like we teach children -- elbows on the bed and head bowed-- praying for the alternative. 'Lord, is this REALLY what you want? I'll do what You want, I just want to be sure.'
The answer is clear. Go Home. My heart is ... at ease. It is a strange feeling. I am... happy. and surprised at my happiness. And soo grateful.
but o dear, here is the snag-- I have to tell people, don't I? I can't disappear in the night, can't just pack up and leave tomorrow.
And the next week is suddenly here and gone.
And today is August 18th, and I have just moved out of my apartment on South Campus in Ann Arbor, MI.
And I have (or some male students have) moved my belongings into the home of a friend for the next three days as I finish the work week and await my father's arrival.
And I will be in the UP on Saturday. And I will stay there.
___________________
