LOST in the Rain. . .

I just got back from an extra-credit lecture about " Medical Case Studies in Ancient China, Greece, and Egypt" a subject to which I owe no particular affection. I ran all the way back to my dorm, hoping to find a TV to watch "LOST" on, but the common rooms were in use, and well, it was already 10 minutes into the show and I figured I should resign. Sigh. . .I miss my TV!

It rained here today. I walked back from class, proud that I had remembered my umbrella. I was busy trying not to get swept away by the riverwalk (known as a "sidewalk" on drier days), and feeling rather good that I remained mostly dry. Until the car zoomed past. In less than a second I was completely soaked. I can now sympathize with Doris Day, and I would have SMACKED Cary Grant (what movie is that, by the way?).

Now I have to choose between writing a five page paper and reading a fiction book. . .or convincing the computer that my sociology paper really does talk about crime and motivational theories. Have you ever tried arguing with a computer grading system?

Humility: Continued

I've noticed that when embarrassing things happen to me on Monday, it takes me until Thursday to actually write them up. Anyway,

[reporter] It's time for the Weekly Update on "How College is Lowering Lee Anne's Self-Esteem."
Hello, Ms. Litzsinger, please tell our audience today on what new developments have put you in your place this week.

[me] I got an F on my first English paper.

[reporter] (GASP) Any how did that happen?

[me] Well, I'm still not entirely sure. I guess my paper's organization was poor.

[reporter] And how do you feel about receiving an F?

[me] Pretty bad, but fairly resigned. I'm torn between trying to do everything else in the class perfectly, and realizing that my grade for the year is already completely shot and giving up. Right now lethargy is winning.

[reporter] I can't help but notice that the last two weeks have brought major blows to your pride: any clue what's next?

[me] Please, don't even say that! I've already completely failed softball and english: do I really need more embarrassing moments?

[reporter] And on that note, we turn to tomorrow's weather forecast. . .

Softball and Humility

I heard so much about how you can "make yourself into whoever you want" at college, to "try new things" and "expand your horizons," and similar pieces of advice. Well, after arriving I figured out very quickly that I was not going to be part of the cool/popular/partying crowd (really, I'm so much happier just reading in my room) and that I needed to do something different so that I wouldn't turn into a hermit. So, when at RUF they announced that they were putting together some sports teams, including a girl's softball team, I decided to go out on a limb and join. Now, that phrase "go out on a limb" really ought to be more specific, saying how sturdy the limb should be and warning about twigs that look like limbs. But I digress. When I told my family that I had joined a softball team, their reactions were complete and utter shock. You think that that would have warned me, but I like nothing better than proving people wrong. That's me: The-Freshman-Who-Can-Take-On-The-World. Hah!
Perhaps you, like my family, know that I have never played a day of organized sports in my life. Heck, make that a day of ANY sport. Are you getting the picture here?
I went home, convinced my parents to buy me a glove, and practiced for ten minutes with my dad. I get back to school only to find out that our "team" only has four players, and that it will probably be cancelled. I was a bit disappointed, but fairly philosophical about it. Fast forward to this past Monday. I roll out of bed, check my e-mail--and freak out. Basically the e-mail says "We have a game today at 4:30." AAAAAAAAAAH! I was kind of hoping for a few practices, some training, NOT getting shoved cold into the world of softball (Why me, God? Yes, I know I asked for it. . .)
Do I have to say how the game went? Can't you imagine it enough already from what I've told you? Well, if I must sum it up, let me just say that I was catcher but could not throw the ball all the way to the pitcher's mound. It usually got 2/3 of the way, and then bounced the rest of the way, and usually several feet to one side. Did I mention that we had fourteen referees standing around because thee other games were cancelled? Yup, it was torture pure and simple for me; we're taking a humble pie throwing contest. I mean, I know it's good for me to be humbled, but that's getting awfully close to humiliation (oh wait, we passed that turn off along time ago). Anyway, it's Thursday now, and my muscles are still aching and reminding me of my folly. Just think: next Monday I get to go through it all over again. Joy.

Speaker Circle, Hell, and Brother Jed

There is this place here called "speaker circle;" it's a round area on the edge of a sidewalk/plaza area. Anyhow, it's called that because it (purposefully) amplifies sound really well. There's always this guy there "Brother Jed" (or Joe, or something) and his followers, holding signs that say things like "God Hates You" and "You're Going to Hell," at least, those are the repeatable ones. And there he stands, belting out his version of scripture by screaming at passersby about their evil and satanic selves. Oh, and yelling at a couple because they are holding hands, damning them with awful names. I always edge around, feeling slightly embarrassed because even if he is trying to promote the gospel, his method doesn't seem to be very helpful and loving. I kept thinking about what Mr. Baker says, about being winsome to attract people to the gospel. It worried me that such images of Christianity would stick in their heads and make them think ill of Christianity. At least, that's what I thought before I found out what he was really teaching.

First you should know that Brother Jed usually has a pretty large crowd; people seem to think him more entertaining than offensive (except for the Christians, we wince). So there his is, belting out hellfire and damnation. Well, one of my friends, Jason, who is well grounded in the Bible, stopped to listen to him. I think you're already caught the "you're going to hell" mantra, but the rest of his stuff is even scarier. He teaches, basically, a works-based salvation with some waaaay messed up twists. Apparently, once you are "saved" by Brother Jed, you do not sin anymore. Ever. He's been ten years without sin, and his followers share similar stories. If you do sin, well, you weren't saved. Aparently the "saved" have the power to "save" other people, or "to bind their sins to them for all eternity," which one of the followers proceeded to do to a young man that ticked him off, pointing his finger and saying "your sins are bound to you. . ." well, you get the point. Forget Voldemort, these people are much freakier. Don't forget that they are belting this all out REALLY loudly. My friend tried to argue with them from the Bible (which they twist and use), and basically got himself excommunicated.

Hmm, I'm not sure what my point was, other than that it's really sad how many people are getting such twisted messages so blatantly declared as the truth. Oh, and that some people have some powerful self delusion (no sin ever? yeah, talk about denial)

Third Week of College

This weekend I went home for the first time since coming to college. It wasn't weird, everything felt normal, except that I got a lot of attention, a pinata, a dark chocolate milkshake from Steak n Shake, and I didn't have to do any chores. Well, now I'm back to the daily college grind.

Every class has issued serious warnings about plagerism. Except Sociology. Our writing assignment for that practically IS plagiarism. Since we are supposed to summarize some points from the book, and they are graded by a computer program (you see your score right away and can resubmitt it), basically the assignment adds up to "paraphrase in your own words" where the only possible way to get a good grade it to feed it exactly the same terms as the book. Lovely. :P

I'm going to have to actually WORK on my English paper (1250 words about the expressive content of a greek statue), and I can't procrastinate because it has to be peer reviewed at least 24-48 hours before it's due. That's one way to make me get my work done!

I actually ate some salad with my dinner twice (be proud of me, mom!)

I just finished reading Jane Austen's Persuasion; I had had enough of fluffy christian fiction and greek heroes slaughtering each other, and this book was just right.