Long Reigneth The Turkey!

Happy Turkey Day, world!
Despite mishaps, detours, turn-arounds, up-side down anythings and whatever else was thrown at us, I thoroughly enjoyed my (pre- and) Turkey Day.
I can't really think of much to say, but what I can think of would take forever to 'splain. So, drop a line if you'd like more info.

Eat and be merry!


...and festively plump...

Anybody Out There?

I think I'm lost.

Did anyone bring a map?

Sacrifice...

Trust me, it's worth the read...

There was a certain professor of THEOLOGY named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the Western United States. Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his or her freshman year regardless of his or her major.

Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel to his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.

This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, and he was studying with the intent of going into seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing specimen. He was the starting center on the school football team, and the best student in the professor's class.

One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. "How many push-ups can you do?"

Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."

"200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"

Steve replied, "I don't know - I've never done 300 at a time."

"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.

"Well, I can try, "said Steve.

"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of 10 for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.

Steve said, "Well...I think I can...yeah, I can do it."

Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind."

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. Now, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls.

Everyone was excited it was Friday, the last class of the day and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.

Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?"

Cynthia said, "Yes."

Dr. Christianson went to Steve and asked, "Steve, you do 10 push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"

Steve said, "Sure, "and jumped down from his desk to do a quick 10. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.

Dr Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?"
Joe said, "Yes."

Dr Christianson asked, "Steve, would you do 10 push-ups so that Joe can have a donut?"
And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did 10 push-ups for every person before they got their donut. And down the second aisle, until Dr. Christianson came to Scott.

Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good of a condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship. When the professor asked, "Scott, do you want a donut?" Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push-ups?"

Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."

Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."

Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do 10 push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"

With perfect obedience Steve started to do 10 push-ups. Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"

Dr. Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.

Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.

Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"

Sternly, Jenny said, "NO."

Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do 10 more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?"

Steve did 10; Jenny got a donut.

By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say, "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve also had to put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.

Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push-up to make sure he did the full 10 push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.

Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from the other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that there were now 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it
Dr. Christianson went on to the next person, the next, and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set. Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"

Dr. Christianson thought a moment. "Well, they're your push-ups. You can do them any way you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.

A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!"

Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No let him come."
Dr Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do 10 push-ups for him?"

Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut."

Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"

Jason, new to the room hardly knew what was going on. "Yes, "he said, "Give me a donut."
"Steve, would you do 10 push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?"

Steve did 10 push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.

Dr. Christianson finished the forth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. Sweat was profusely dripping off his face and, by this time, there was no sound except his heavy breathing. There was not a dry eye in the room.

The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second-to-last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a donut?"

Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."

Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do 10 push-ups so that Linda can have a donut that she doesn't want?"

Grunting from the effort, Steve did 10 very slow push-ups for Linda. Then, Dr.Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"

Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"
Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone. I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve, here, is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped a class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push-ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes. Steve, would you do 10 push-ups so Susan can have a donut?"

As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said, "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'Into They hands I commend my Spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life...And like some of you in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten."

Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile. "Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding, "Not all sermons are preached in words."

Turning to his class the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Christ."

Freeeeedooooooom!

A recent discover in my backyard; a thistle! The emblem of Scotland, and of my not-so-Alma Mater, Covenant College. Who ever knew such history grew right next to our deck? Perhaps a sign of just how much Scot runs in me...

WWJD?

The question on my mind recently. What would Jesus do? At the moment I feel somewhat reluctant to put myself to the test, whether due to current lack of willpower, commitment, or just apathy. But some day I do hope I will have the courage to live my life- even if just a week- always with that question in mind. Act accordingly, do what I can. Obviously, I can't be Jesus. I can't be sinless, always pure, always putting others exclusively before myself, but I hope I will try.
If you're in e-town, drop me a line. I always like hearing from people (even if I just get to read a blurb of a thought for a moment). Leave a question, a comment, a wise crack, anything will satisfy my curiosity.
Some day, I will Do.

The Striker Cometh.

The weekend in short:

Slept like the dickens Friday night, woke up around 9:30 Saturday.

Nothing very spectacular during the day.

Strummed a little guitar, surfed a little internet.

Saturday night, we went bowling once more. The three on my lane (two fellas and myself) did awesome all night. We all three rolled up our pant legs as if to say "yes, we are from the fifties!" Our team name was "Testosterone," and we tried to act as "macho" as we could while we bowled, grunting and growling at strikes and spares, bumping arms and cheering each other (we didn't get a chance to bust out the classic chest-bump). I put up all the names for people that were there. They were all Catholic sounding names, such as Brother this, Sister that, Friar so-and-so, Pope whats-his-face. Because of the macho/Catholic combo, the testosterone boys thought it would be really funny if we actually acted like that and we really were Catholic. Imagine it, three nice boys show up in their black and whites, acting humble and then BAM!, they start grunting and hurrah-ing and being as macho as possible. Yes, we did think it was funny. On Saturday they have Midnight Bowling, and colored pins in the right place can earn you some change (.50 cents plus depending on where they lie) if you get a strike. I got $4.50 from those. Also, they sell lucky strike tickets. Five tickets, two dollars. Your ticket is called, you write your lane number on the back, and they announce you on your next approach. $20 for a strike, $10 for a nine-count. I proceeded to get a strike. So, the two-some hour visit to the lanes netted me $7.50 total after accounting for buying my lucky strike tickets and paying to bowl and for shoes. I would call it a good night.

Sunday: church, lunch with mom at [censored] (you didn't think I would give it away, did you shortie? :P), picked up a couple records on the cheap (Visqueen and Presidents of the United States of America) from Easy Street Records. Great store, greater people.

40 Days small group at six. Enchiladas courtesy of Sheryl Lerin for dinner with chocolate chip cookie chasers.

Wow, I think that turned out longer than I thought it was.
Go team, go :).
Oh yeah, and I developed another roll of film today in photography, so tomorrow I may print me up a proof sheet if the spirit moves me.

Rock and roll, kids.

A Taste of Things to Come.

My first enlargement from Photography class. The photo is better quality in real life (as should be expected). In theory, there is more to come (not of the same photo, but from class). I should be getting more done, I just have to put more time in at the lab. If I actually go in on a day that isn't a class day, I should be able to get stuff done, and maybe get another enlargement online next week.

The Bitter Cold of...Autumn.

Yes, bitter cold. How it is. Weather report says 52 degrees. I'm not sure how cold that's supposed to feel, but it's pretty cold. I busted out my new winter jacket today (hoodies just don't cut it in the wind). Earlier I was wearing my wool/fleece ear/headband thing in the house just to keep from freezing. I doubt it will get better as the season goes on. One upside is that although it's cold and windy, it at least looks nice. We're still getting some sun, occasional rain and persistent clouds.
Saturday we went bowling, my arm is still sore. My high was 146 I believe. Near the end of the night I was definitely getting into my groove for throwing some strikes. Last frame of the last game I almost pulled out my Turkey Tenth, but threw a poor third ball and only took six pins.
Tonight I will be trying to keep myself warm and comfortable at home while watching Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars mini-series. Part one aired last night, part two tonight, but luckily for me they are re-airing one just before two starts. So, I'll get me a sweet four hours of Farscape action. Now, I'm against tv, but this show has kept me interested. It has excellent characters, smooth plot developement, and even a love story for those so inclined. Reality tv sucks.
Perhaps I'll be on the phone a bit with some friends, catching up with some, keeping up with others.

Live long and prosper.

Bible Battle Pity the Fool Bout X!

Look how lazy I am. I don't even know how long it's been since I posted, and I don't feel like looking. So, today we have the first ever double post!
Hoopa-dee-doo.
For the upper diddle of do, we have the Bible Battle verse of the day:
Even if Babylon reaches the sky
and fortifies her lofty stronghold,
I will send destroyers against her,"
declares the LORD.
- Jeremiah 51:53


Now up to bat is Daily Jibba-Jabba. Once again going back to the old international travel hoopla (as I may very well be this spring, yessssss), I bring you a website for finding tickets. I suppose it's already pretty well known, so this is only news for some. But the site of choice is Student Universe, which can find you some wicked cheap tickets for where you want to go. For example, I found a ticket to London from Seattle for $397 (which I may purchase in order to have myself one dilly-bar of a spring break). They seem to have pretty good prices, you just have to find the right time to travel. There are also some other resources on the site for your travel needs (national or inter-).
Go forth, travel and rejoice (I plan to).

Ca-ching, ca-ching.

Bible Battle Bout 9

Bible Battle verse of the day:
Four things on the earth are small, yet they are extremely wise:
-Proverbs 30:24

Daily Jibba-Jabba (I Pity the Fool!).

Um, UW Sports.
Go Dawgs.

Bible Battle Bout 8.

Bible Battle verse of the day:
They will lick dust like a snake,
like creatures that crawl on the ground.
They will come trembling out of their dens;
they will turn in fear to the LORD our God and will be afraid of you.
- Micah 7:17

The Day in Short.

Haha, get it? Short! No pun intended, that's just what I thought of for the title.
So, a summary of the day's events:
- Work
- Volleyball, proceeded to recieve a spike to the face, stand up to a "cool guy," and have some fun
- Made muddy buddies
There are more details, but I will spare them for the sake of the sanity of readers, and so I can get to bed already!

Feliz Navidad, friends. Feliz Navidad.

Bible Battle Bout 7.

Bible Battle verse of the day:
" 'Every grain offering you bring to the LORD must be made without yeast, for you are not to burn any yeast or honey in an offering made to the LORD by fire."
- Leviticus 2:11

Daily Jibba-Jabba (I Pity the Fool!).

Today's link come from the one and only "international form of ID which provides its members with the best deals in international travel...and savings and services in the UK that rivals any other student ID card out there." Don't you hate it when people use elipses? It always makes me think that they're leaving out something very important, but that doesn't support whatever argument they are making.
Any such, the link is to the ISIC Card website. Students, youth and teachers can apply for one (I think). It provides discounts internationally on accomodation, activities and entertainment. If I remember correctly, it will also save you on trains and buses (but I'm not 100% on that one, it may be another card for that), and it can also save you on air fair (very important). I very much plan on getting one for my international travels (Scotland, anyone?). It lasts from September to December of the following year.
So to all you travelers out there, hook yourself up, save big, and travel many moons.

Bah, y'all.

University 101

I teach Univ 101. It may sound dumb, but it's the truth. The whole idea of univ 101 is that it will better prepare freshman for the rest of their university careers. Basically, I give them little assignments and then grade them on it. So far, so good, but the material I get to teach is a bit on the dry side. Candy has already entered the picture in order to keep their attention. We've only had one large group and one small group session so we'll see what's to come. I have an awesome bunch of students and it's really hard not to break out of 'teacher mode' and agree with them how much it stinks that they're required to take it. Although, I thought it looked like fun. For me, it's a time to chill with some freshman and get to know them better. I hope they soon take on the same view.

Bible Battle Bout 6.

Bible Battle verse of the day:
"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt;
I will make you live in tents again,
as in the days of your appointed feasts.
- Hosea 12:9

what a day...

today has been quite the day. i went with friends for cheap burgers at the pub in fort langley and it was good times. first, however, i had to ask one of my friends about a girl i saw him with the night before and didn't realize she was right there! that was embarassing to say the least.
later on in the day, as if i could not be more dumb, when i tried to make this blog-thingy work, i signed up as sweatpeach instead of sweEtpeach. all i can say is it's been long. i blame it all on the 'relaxing' weekend i had. my goodness, you would think i was blonde. i need a vacation from it all. thank you.

Daily Jibba-Jabba (I Pity the Fool!).

Well, here I am once again, stewing in my rolling office chair, surfing the internet, pretending (or am I?) to listen to the prof in programming. I am once again reminded that becoming a teacher is a career path that may be ahead of me. Why, you may ask? Ask! Thank you. Well, throughout my schooling years, amazing teachers are few and far between. Those that can get you to love a subject that you despise. Those that are more a peer than an overseer. Community college is once again showing me that mediocre teachers (no offense, I don't doubt teaching takes some skill and daring) are abundant in the world. So, I will be looking into teaching in the near future, so that I might one day be a freakin awesome teacher that all the students love (you know, that one guy).

Now then, after that nice little tangent, I present you with the Jibba-Jabba site of the day. Everyone who is anyone to me understands this, the rest of you just follow along. Drop in to Scotland's tourist website, or whatever it is. They have all sorts of info on large cities, big events (even into next year), where to stay, where to drink (not that I would...), where to go, all that good jazz. If I could only visit one place before I died, I'm not sure it would be Scotland (New Zealand maybe?), but Scotland is probably holding a strong second. I'm a Scot at heart (you can take the person away from the Scots, but you can't take the Scot out of a person), and I long to visit my family's castle (not immediate, but the same name : D) and the country that I (sort of) originate from. In the mean time, I'll have to make due with friends and Braveheart.

Toodles, friends.

Bible Battle Bout 5.

Bible Battle verse of the day:
For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
- Psalm 97:9