Little Cousins

I have over 45 first cousins. One of the newer additions to this group is little Nico, I got to see him this Christmas and boy is he growin'. He's even walking. There's also Ashlyn and Ryan. Ashlyn and I went to go see Bedtime Stories this week starring Adam Sandler. It was a mildly appropriate movie fora seven year old, and I enjoyed it too. Little Five year old or so Ryan didn't come, he said he had plans. Then there's Erin and Ethan. Erin and Ethan are from the Reimann side of the family and go to my school. Unfortunately, I still don't get to hang out with them very much. I'm very proud of what Ethan is becoming, he's a Velocity intern and taller than I am now. Good job E. That's what we call him... E. Darron and Michael are also from my dad's side and came into town tonight. Everytime they visit I am out of the country. Not this time! I hope to see them in the next few days, maybe Thursday.

Christmas Shopping

I didn't do much this year. It was kinda disappointing, I enjoy buying presents for people. I know that's not what the Holiday's about, but it's still a blast and I sure wish I could have done more of it.

Snow Day

I shall spend it at the gym.

Grandparents

I had a wonderful last two nights with my grandparents. If you know me, you know that I like them. We went to Indian Kitchen, played Kanasta, talked about nursing... all sorts of fun activities. Here's a taste.

"Cheap"

James (Brother): No, Jaden, you can't get on the computer
Jaden: Well, that's Cheap
Grandpa: Wow, Jaden, what agreat insult. If somebody said I was cheap, I would probably get in the fetal position and suck my thumb... I may even think I'm cheap because I was born during the Great Depression.

"Chances"

Grandpa: Well Katie, you can take a chance. Columbus took a chance.
Katie Lynn: Yeah, well so did Grandma...
Grandpa: So you wanted to go to Africa this Summer? How's Bernalillo sound instead?

"Nursing"

Grandma: Back when I was a graduate nurse, we'd have a hundred patients on the floor for two nurses.

Grandpa: Yeah, and by the time you made rounds at the end of the shift, you'd find five of them dead.

"Nursing 2"

Grandpa: We used to have these machines that would chnge pressure to help you breath, it was before traches and intubaters were all the rage. One of the patients was in it and the power went out... his last words were "Uhhhh."

Blood... not funny

I was just thinking this weekend about how I'm nearly eighteen years of age. I began pondering all of the legalities that go along with turning eighteen including tobacco purchase, ability to sign for tattoos and peircings, taxes, marriage, lottery tickets, alcohol in canada, buy a monkey... the list goes on. As I was thinking about all of these foreign ideas, I realized that there was somethings that I could do under eighteen that I hadn't yet done. For example, I was able to get my liscense at fifteen... and I did so. I could go see pg 13 movies at thirteen, that was exciting. I could no longer use my fingers to properly convey how old I was once I turned eleven. With seventeen came rated R movies and blood donation. Blood donation? I had yet to perform this, and decided I'd better get a move on before my eighteenth birthday. So, after school on Monday Patille and I headed to the blood bank. The interview was easy enough, just had to convince them I didn't have AIDS. I don't. Needles don't bother me so I wasn't afraid of that, and I'm not one for blood and guts but it never has gotten to me too bad. What worried me was that when I got my blood drawn a few years ago I passed out. This experience was a parallel. I was doing fine through about half a pint, then I went pale and couldn't squeeze the ball they'd told me to squeeze to make the blood pump out. Fortunately, they finished the pint. I was ready to go. But when they put my chair up so I could get out of it, I quickly experienced tunnel vision and excessive warmth all around my body. I was quickly put in the Trendelenburg position (head down, feet up), covered in ice-packs, and swarmed with blood bank employees. The entire blood-donating event took my two hours... that's too long. Nevertheless, I felt like a hero. They gave me a T-shirt that states I'm a hero. I didn't get a picture of the T-shirt but my arm is still pretty bruised from the IV catheter. It was only a 16 G needle but I guess whoever poked me rubbed my vein the wrong way or something. The subsequent picture shows a picture of my arm today, a few days after the heroic act. That line isn't a shadow, I'm not sure it's really a bruis either. It's most definately my swollen vein. Battle wound. I'm going to go re-hydrate myself now.

Today's Events

I was kinda expecting to stay at home bummed out today; what a terrible thing to expect. It ended up being a wonderful day. I really truly smiled today, I had legitimate joy. It started out sleeping in, a rare occassion in the life of nursing school. I then worked, which went by fairly quickly and had the opportunity to vacuum to Christmas music. It's about time we had Christmas music. Playing four-square was fun, I'd never played it before. I also got to go to a shaving head party. I didn't shave mine but it was encouraging to see someone selfless enough to give up her glory for a person struck with cancer. Satellite is always a plus, I pretty much live there. Hadn't seen Alli in so long, it was a blessing to chill with her a bit today. Yay for people that remind me of Jesus, I saw quite a few tonight. Brittany birthed Zoey too, yay for that! I'm so happy for her, prayers to her and her family. New mommy... yay!

Ashamed

I'm ashamed to say I don't act like Christ. I earnestly desire to be more like him, to love. The truth is, I don't love like that. Love your enemies? Do I even have enemies? I guess in silly ways I do. Instead of loving them, I grow bitter toward my enemies (if indeed that is an appropriate title.) Let's all love, it's breaking my heart that I don't love, that we don't love. I know very few people who exhibit the love of Christ, very few people in the church, in His body. It's heart wrenching and it's gotta change... NOW! They'll know us by our love, so let's love one another instead of participating in these petty arguments and popularity contests or whatever. Let us be the least. Let me oh God.

Oh Boy

Tonight I had a wonderful time swing dancing. I even met a few pretty cool people. I was having a grand old time dancing, getting to know strangers, smiling, ya know... chillin' out. Then it happened, a oh so much older than me nineteen year old boy, yes boy not man asked how old I was. Why would I lie about my age? Seventeen I said without thinking twice. The response was not wanted... "Oh, you're illegal." llegal? Illegal for what? To buy cigarettes? To buy pornography? To buy something expensive? To get a lottery ticket? To have sex with? Well, excuse me! That turned the conversation around, I believe I was seen as a child after that statement. I thought it was darn rude of this boy to say that, and to act differently once my age was exposed. Hmph, well I was done talking to him anyway. I'd much rather be seen as a little girl than some hoochie mama that's only being spoken to because she's "legal."

Blind Leading the Blind

As I was driving home yesterday I saw a young woman taking awalk in her seasonal winter coat and sunglasses. I quickly noticed that she was carrying a walking cane, a trigger that she was blind. The woman was smiling, she may have even been laughing. It was almost as if she had a flirty look about her. My initial thought was that she had a psychological problem and was talking to herself, then I assumed that she was singing or talking on the phone. I then noticed that a man was walking with her, I was unable to see him until now and thought it was quite pleasant of him to take her for a walk. Finally, I observed that the man was also carrying about a stick and was wearing shades over his eyes. The man ran into a little dip and seemed to warn the woman that they were approaching a unexpected decline. They continued walking, smiling, talking. Oh how romantic it all looked.

Study Party, Part II Con't

This study group was a bit more successful than the last. Three Junior nursing students and I reviewed the anatomy and physiology of the endocrine system. I flt pretty ding-a-ling-dang smart tutoring all of them and it reminded me of the good ole' days prior to clinical, pharmacology, etc. These students were dedicated enough to show up at a stranger's house to receive tutoring on tomorrows test, how lovely. Gerome even came, the poor guy who was the only one that showed up last time. I think it went well, only tomorrow's test results will tell.

Study Party Part II

Though it wasn't successful at first, I've once again attempted to throw a study party. That's right, several Junior and Senior nursing students will venture out tomorrow to cram knowledge into our craniums. I can only hope for success. Stay tuned for more!

I blog

From a phone gadget! This is strange, the world must be ending

Some People's Kids

A young child informed me that she wished I was her grandmother a few nights ago... I'll take that as a compliment.

RadioDisney

I flipped to the disney channel on the radio yesterday, 1240 AM. (thank you Chad). I had a little girl in my car, a precious little girl, and wanted to jam something that'd be suitable for both of us. Upon changing to this forgotten radio station, I was shocked at what I heard. I remember hearing good ole' Mickey Mouse Club, A Whole New World, Part of That World, and other such disney classics on this station. Well, let me tell ya, there was no such thing yesterday. It was all Hannah Montana or Molly Whatever along with Secondhand Serenade. I don't mind Secondhand Serenade, but on the Disney Channel? Whatever happened to the never failing songs from Disney movies? It was disappointing at first, but we both learned to jam to whatever sort of noise the station would provide us. We were breaking it out and dancing in my car... she was in the back so I'm not sure people were able to be graced by her dancing skills.

IHOP

The International House of Pancakes has done well. I appreciate that it's always open. I've had more than one great conversation at IHOP, conversations that may not have happened had IHOP been closed. You see, when it seems all is said and done and we should make our way home, IHOP is always there for us, it's an option along with Denny's, Village Inn, and Dunkin Donuts. Thank you twenty-four hour places, for providing a comfortable atmosphere to sit and chat in.

To Have a Heart Like His

Sounds like a book title, but I'm not sure that it is. This is my central goal in life. I've been learning more and more what that means, to have a heart like Jehovah's. There's parts of it I'm just discovering, they're so unknown I'm almost afraid. Everything in His will gives Him glory, I don't understand it but I am seeking the truth, seeking His heart, and His will.

Till We Have Faces, Originally Entitled Bareface

In Till We Have Faces, Clive Staples Lewis reworks the well-known myth of Cupid and Psyche. The piece is written from the perspective of Psyche’s sister eldest sister Orual. The story falls into the category of fantasy fiction, meaning it uses several of the ideas utilized in science fiction such as imaginary worlds, creatures, and heroes without including modern day science and technology. Thought the novel is based upon another story, it’s a unique piece of literature.
C.S Lewis, otherwise known as Jack, lived from 1898 to 1963. At the age of nine, CS Lewis’s mother died of cancer. He was then shipped off to boarding school where he began writing about fictional adventures taking place in strange lands. Soon after converting to Christianity, he authored several novels and theological books. He then married Joy Davidman Gresham, an American writer who he eventually learned to love. In 1960, Cancer once again took the primary lady, Joy, out of Lewis’s life. After her death, Lewis coped by writing the book A Grief Observed, in which Lewis observed his own grieving process. Lewis died of osteoporosis three years later, in 1963.
Lewis played a significant role in modern Christian literature. He’s authored several books including The Chronicles of Narnia series. The first two stories of The Chronicles of Narnia were eventually adapted by Disney into feature films. Till We Have Faces was Lewis’s last piece of fiction, then followed by many theological and educational works. He also played a significant role in the writings of JR Tolkien, the renowned author of the Lord of The Rings trilogy. Today, Lewis is quoted off of several pulpits in churches around the world.
In Till We Have Faces, the primary character, Orual, purposes a complaint against the gods and makes an appeal concerning her role in Psyche’s life. Orual recounts how she loved Psyche and desired the best for her. Orual is not visually pleasing, in fact, her face is awfully ugly. Orual’s ugliness plays a significant role in the story, it is mentioned countless times and not only affects her characterization but also influences the development of other characters in the story. She mentions how various soldiers don’t see her as a women, and as a result, act as if she were also a man. As a child, she is referred to as both “frightening” and “curd-face” (18) by her own father. As an adult, she veils herself without ceasing. Besides her face, Orual views herself as visually tolerable. She is of proper stature and weight, and, so long as she remains veiled, is socially accepted.
Orual, called Maia by Psyche, is brave, fearful, loving, selfish, lonely, loved, manipulative, sensible, believing, and suspicious. Like any women, she is moody and is difficult to understand. She is brave in that she is willing to battle the best swordsmen in the land, yet she weeps at the thought of losing her sister. She believes she loves Psyche yet keeps her from the god whom she loves. Orual allows herself to think she has no companions, but is comforted when she is stricken with fever. She goes to extremes, even cutting her own flesh to convince people, yet she is wise enough to lead a country. She allows herself to believe in gods, even writing a complaint against them, while she views Psyche’s belief as foolishness. It may be concluded by the preceding sentences that Orual is simply fickle and difficult to comprehend. She is far from consistent.
Orual may be described as an anti-hero. She contains the characteristics of one as she’s ugly, selfish, manipulative, lonely, and eventually known as a wicked sister. While Orual contains all of these attributes, she somewhat experiences the heroes journey a few times. First, she is called by her own loving conscious to go save Psyche’s body from the near by mountain. She then has to cross a deep dark river and surprisingly finds Psyche alive, after thinking she’d been sacrificed to the goddess Ungit. Orual returns to her land of Glome, and, because nobody knew she was gone, is not welcomed. Orual also encounters parts of a hero as she battles a swordsman to save her country from a series of wars. Though she partially experiences the hero’s journey, Orual is more of an anti-hero than anything else.
Throughout the story, Orual struggles with the conflict of human versus the supernatural. She battles with the idea of gods, then ends up writing a complaint against them. Orual is influenced by her keeper, the fox, to not believe in the gods while her soldier Bardia is a god-fearing man who attempts to convince her to respect them. She is constantly struggling with the idea and actions of the gods, especially the Brute, also known as Cupid, and his mother Ungit. The ugly princess loathes these gods for taking her beloved sister Psyche away. She mocks them, doubts them, and doesn’t understand them. She especially struggles with the gods after discovering that Psyche has become one.
The story is in first person narrative from Orual’s perspective. Orual herself is writing the story. Words including my, myself, and I are used to recount the events in the story. This means that the author doesn’t allow the reader to know what the other characters in the story are thinking. However, it creates an intimacy with Orual which could otherwise not exist. The reader is allowed to venture deep into the mind of her thoughts and ideas. Because Lewis was purposefully attempting retell the myth of Psyche and Cupid from another perspective, using a character to tell the story was an appropriate approach.
Till We Have Faces encases the universal themes of love and selfishness. One may say that the maxim of the story is that loving too much can lead to selfishness. At one point, Psyche tells Orual “You are indeed teaching me about kinds of love I did not know. It is like looking into a deep pit. I am not sure whether I like your kind better than hatred.” (165) This theme is weaved into the book as Orual tries to convince Psyche to betray her new found love. It is also laced toward the end of the story, as Orual discovers her love wasn’t as she thought it was. Her love leads to selfishness, selfishness that destroys both her and Psyche. It is difficult to understand Lewis’s perspective on this idea, as Orual herself wrote the book.
The novel has a heavy impact on the reader. There are several subtle yet significant quotes from the story that, if analyzed, make the reader think of the relevance of the quote to actual life. For exam one of the character states “Don’t you think the things people are most ashamed of are the things they can’t help?” (111) this statement could have a significant impact on anyone, allowing him or her to meditate on the relevance to that statement in real life. The story also plays on the readers emotions as the reader becomes attached to Orual. While reading the story, one can’t help but feel sorry and cheer for Orual. The story truly invites its reader to search within his or her self while digging deep into the self of an ugly princess.

Christy is feeling better

Isn't it wonderful to hear that someone who was once feeling ill has been restored to health? I've been realizing more and more that our health is temporary. It's something to be used of while we have it, while we're still young. That is to say, if you have health while you're still young. Thank God for it every day, go out and use those feet that can walk, that throat that can talk and proclaim His love, use it!... because it won't be there this entire life. Sure, we won't have to worry about it in he next one, not that we have to WORRY about it now. But it isn't something to take lightly.

Whos Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?

So I was playing around on google and, though it's embarrasing to admit, I looked up "Katie Lynn" Let me tell you, I don't regret being conceited. I found a beautiful woman named Katie Lynn who, coincidentally is a country singer. She co-hosts some country music show and is quite the star. Katie-Lynn asks, "Whos Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?" She just wants to know whose heart you stole baby! It's hilarious, check it out if you get a chance. And go ahead and look yourself up on google, you may find a story called "Believe in Katie Lynn," the chilling tale of a baby struggling to survive. It's interesting stuff people. Google is so crazy, you can find anything!

Study Party

I attempted to throw a study party yesterday because of a big cardiac test that was supposed to be today. Well, little did I know that my classmates are not study party enthusiasts when it comes to my house. Gerome and Hannah came, we had a good time eating chips and reviewing hundreds of slides covering infectious diseases from CAD to CHF. I felt kinda bad for Gerome, I hadn't ever met him before and this poor guy was just sitting at my house studying for his Cardiac test. I think he enjoyed himself, he got some tutoring and a nice cool cola. I showed up at school this morning feeling somewhat prepared. Then, as I logged into the system to take this anticipated exam, the entire school computer system crashed. I didn't brake it or anything, at least I hope I didn't. So, I have been blessed with yet another evening to study for this test.

Blood

I looked down at my finger today and it was quite bloody. I was picking up pieces to a little glass mouse that had fallen off my book shelf, and one of the pieces snipped my finger. I hadn't noticed that it was cut until I looked down and saw blood globbing out of it. I wish I'd gotten a picture, but my camera wasn't working. Anywho, I didn't notice that it was there, until I saw the blood... and that's when it started throbbing. Typically, blood doesn't freak me out. I'm at the hospital all the time and see crazy stuff, but this was different, this was me! I ran to the kitchen and cleansed my finger. Turned out that the scratch was smaller than a paper cut. Funny how I didn't notice the pain or the itty bitty cut 'til I saw it, I think we do that often. We don't notice something is wrong until it's right in front of us, then it just hurts. It'd been better if I caught it earlier, so I didn't get blood all over my dungarees. It'd probably be better if I cought other things earlier, like little sins I let myself get away with. I think nexty time I'm picking up glass, I will wear gardening gloves.

I dream

I tend to remember my dreams often. They mean much to me, they're like another world. I'm not going to claim that my dreams tell me something, like the future or my deepest feelings or whatever. However, they do keep me pondering all day. For example, last night I dreamt that.. well.. I won't tell you but it was insane. I find it entertaining that everything makes sense in dreams that would have us baffled in reality. I could be pregnant and still be a virgin in a dream, I can fly... it's sort of like swimming through the air, I can go ice-fishing, dead people can walk around like they never passed. It's interesting, this dream capability. I hope you all enjoy your dreams as much as I enjoy mine.

Thinking about it

Life's moving, and I don't know where it's taking me. I have about seven options as to what I'll do with my life come this May. Any one of these choices could be completely glorifying to God, so what do I do? I be still and know that He is God while I wait for direction. I shouldn't be worrying about this at all, God is sovereign and it's only September

Mary

I had a chance to talk with her today, she's a lovely young woman. This girl went to Africa in the Summer of 2007 and was of great encouragement to me there. She's been such a blessing to me. She also has a talent for art, something I couldn't specialize in. Mary just started College in Michigan and is having quite the time adjusting to college food, a roomate, and a few not so enthusiastic professors. However, Mary has been enjoying her stay. She now looks at what she brought, thinks it looked like a ton when she left but now look like it's somehow shrunk. What do you bring to college? How can you leave your kite behind? Or your bookshelf? I'm glad I don't have to solve this mystery anytime soon. Well, it was lovely talking to Mary, I hope you all have a someone like her to talk to every so often.

Respectable Sins

Is a good book, I recommend it. It's pretty darn convicting, so prepare yourself. It's good though... I appreciate that the writer uses plenty of scripture to convey his message, there's nothing like a double edged sword to rip your heart out.

Women's ministy

Women's ministry started today. It's my first time being a part of it and I'm quite excited. Sometimes I get teased for being so proud to be a woman, for reading books like Captivating or The Fifty Greatest Love Letters. I'm okay with that, I do enjoy being a woman. It's who God made me to be and I'll do my darn best to be a good one.

Intially, I wanted to sign up because it seemed like a great opportunity to fellowship and have an est-fest. However, today I was reading Titus and came across a verse commanding older women to teach younger women how to go about being good wives and mothers. Well, I'm certainly not a wife or mother but I hope to be one day. I look forward to hear what these ladies have to say and teach me, and to the fellowship we'll all have together. What a wonderful opportunity this is.

Last night

I saw Mamma mia sing along version in the theatre. I never knew a theatre could be that united by simply singing Dancing Queen. It was wonderful, everyone clapping and singing together. I then went home to clean my room, I should really take better care of my things. I forget how much I've been blessed with, how wealthy I am in comparison to the rest of the world. I suppose it puts me at a disadvantage, a wealthy man getting to heaven is like a camel going through the eye of a needle. But through God all things are possible. Anywho, it's clean... it's amazing what a bookshelf will do for ya, it truly assisted the whole organization process.

Goodbye

It took me long enough to figure out this blogging thing. I signed up in February but I'm not exactly computer savvy. I went to Kelli's going away party today. It's seems as though a lot of people have been leaving--Eric, Jessica, Chris, Matt, Josh, Jesse, Jacob, and now Kelli. It's not devastating or anything, just a change not to seem them around. I realized just how beautiful it is that Kelli's going to Uganda, I'm so proud of her for answering God's call. I've known Kelli for about five years and she's truly grown and matured in Christ. She'll go bless the crap out of people. She's been a blessing in my life, she's one of those people that's willing to put me in line. Always has an eye out for me. I went out with Kelli a few days ago and we discussed how just like the stars, we too have been created to bring God glory. She's choosing to do that by going to Africa and I couldn't be more pleased.
It'll be strange not to see her around the church but I know she's going where God wants her to. Life just keep happening in Albuquerque, nothing is changing and people like Kelli are going out and changing the world. I'm still learning what it means to make this my mission field, to live in the here and now and not wait for life to start. That these are the days I become who I'll be for the rest of my life, the days I'll tell my kids about. Now is the time to store up treasures in heaven. Even though life still goes on over here, I'll continue to ceaselessly pray for those who've gone through the doors God has opened for them. They will be remembered. I don't like all these goodbye's, to think about after this semester or in two years is too far for me right now. I can sit and tell you I know what I'll be doing and where I'll be, but God's plan won't morph to mine and He's making me get to know Him better before He'll tell me anything else about what my future holds.