How Much are Your Menthol Lights?

So I had an excellent day today (seven hours, but it honestly didn't feel that long), working with Leigh.  We were swapping stories, mostly Leigh telling me hers, and I took notes (four whole pages if you can believe it).  From them, I've been inspired to write yet another book. But, we'll see if it actually happens.

So, later in the day, Kristin had come in (around three), and sometime shortly thereafter, this little old lady comes to the window and asks, as serious as can be, "How much are your Marlboro Menthol Lights?"  Maybe Marlboro wasn't the brand, but I distinctly remember the Menthol Lights part.  I just looked at her, slightly aghast, and then said, "We don't sell cigarettes here." (This was JR's, mind you, not Kmart.  Kmart does, unfortunately, sell cigarettes.)

She didn't believe me.  "But they just bought food here!" she said.  Indeed, an older gentleman and their son (I assume) had purchased a few things earlier.  "Well, we don't sell cigarettes.  But the Speedway does," I said.  So she toddled (yes, toddled; she was rather old and slow) over to the Speedway, and a few minutes later we saw her walking back across the parking lot - with the Menthol Lights.

Needless to say, we got a laugh out of it.  Every time someone asks me if I can get them cigarettes, I'm always tempted to say, "But you don't smoke!"

Synod Assembly

I had the great pleasure these past couple days of attending the Northeastern Ohio ELCA Synod Assembly, in Akron, Ohio.

Mind you, I am not one for pomp.  All the clergy dressed in their proper attire was a bit unnerving, not to mention the appearance of some gaudy-looking crosses worn by more prominent members.  Don't ask me why it bugs me - I don't know.  I suppose maybe because I know Jesus probably never wore anything like that while down here on earth.  My nature is to be modest.  When I see such things, it strikes a nerve of great unease.  I would much rather be seen taking out the trash than wear some of the outfits I witnessed this weekend.  I am not ashamed of the cross.  But I am put ill at ease with the sight of gaudy crosses.  Jesus' real cross was anything but.

With that said, aside from some of the attire, I did enjoy the assembly.  Particularly the worship service following Friday's assembly.  The church, Holy Trinity Lutheran, in Akron, was positively beautiful.  Again, there was quite a bit of pomp here as well, and being the lucky kid I am, my group was the last in, yet ended up having to sit in the very front; that's where the only open seats were.  I was rather put off at first by it.  But then, for some inexplicable reason, it grew on me.  The organ was amazing, as was the organist.  The sermon was also excellent (given by our Synod bishop Elizabeth Eaton, who is quite charismatic if you've not met her).

We also had communion that evening.  Right after I'd taken mine and sat back down, this incredibly wonderful feeling overwhelmed me.  There I was in a beautiful sanctuary surrounded by hundreds of other Christians, only a handful of whom I knew.  But it didn't matter.  We were all there for the same reason: To worship this wonderful God we can call ours.  It was as though time had stopped, and the service could just keep going on, never ceasing.  I cannot pin the awe to any particular tangible thing, because it was Spirit work (which makes it all the more awesome).

Never before have I been so moved by a worship service.  I can only hope/wish/pray that I could experience more just like it, if not better.  As we were leaving, I couldn't help but wonder if that might be like what church in heaven is like.  (Only I know it's probably a million times better.)

Twilight: the First Three

Why is it that whenever I'm done reading a book (or books, if it's a series) I somehow feel rather sad?  I finished speed reading Eclipse last night, the third book in the Twilight series, after also racing through the first two.  I gotta say it:  They were excellent.  The suspense at the end of New Moon makes up for all the heartbreak and slow action in the middle.  But the ending of Eclipse just tore my heart out.  I finished the book, shut it, and started crying.

Don't get me wrong though.  As of right now, concerning the Twilight series, I definitely want Bella and Edward to be together.  But Jacob's epilogue in Eclipse really made me sad.

All through reading this series, I kept thinking to myself, "Wow.  I really do like these books. But they're not real!"  I have to keep reminding myself that there are no such things as vampires or werewolves.  I guess I can take one real thing from them though: I'm praying I never have to decide between two potential guys, who would both be good choices as boyfriend/spouse material.

*Nod*.  With that said, I shouldn't be so sad.  The fourth book is coming out in August!

Quite Elated

I believe I about started to hyperventilate last night, staring at the computer screen.  Logged into my Student Access at Stark State, I was expecting 4 A's to be staring out at me.  But when I saw that fifth one appear on the screen next to the others, I let out a silent scream.

I did it.  Another 4.0 for the books.  And I seriously thought that fifth one would be a B.

That, and I have officially finished reading Twilight.  And it was sooo good.  But, I must sleep before commencing with New Moon.  Reading 498 pages, the entire book, in a span of fourteen hours (about four of which I had to devote to sleep, and other necessary bodily function), has left me slightly out of it.

Half Done

I instantly wanted to write the words "half baked" after "half done".  I don't know why.  Well, maybe I will.  In all essence, my diploma is half baked.  The other half is still baking.  But then, that's not technically true.  The courses that lead to the diploma don't actually start baking until I begin taking them.  So uhh.... they're rising.  Covered with the dishcloth of summer break, and many hours spent at JR's and Kmart, they're rising.  Ever so slowly.  Nod.

Only two more projects and one presentation to go, and I will be officially half way to my very own associate's degree!  YAY!!  Of course, if you want to get technical, I'm actually a little more than halfway there, thanks to my credits which transferred from Kent Stark. 

But anyway.  To digress to today.... it was good.  Kinda funny and quirky and "ugh"like in its own right, but it turned out quite well.  After a rather major (at the time) SNAFU with my interviewing final, I ended up getting an 88% on it.  I can't complain to that!

I cannot wait to start reading "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer.  My little sister, whom I seem to have developed the reading habits of because we're currently sharing a room, has already read all three books in the series (and there are more to come).  We are both now eagerly anticipating the release of the first movie (December 12th, 2008).  See?  This is how pathetic I am.  I haven't even read the book yet, but I'm already waaaay too excited about it.  I'm a sucker for romance.  What can I say?

I just wish I could have a little romance of my own.... for real.  

Not for fake.

Life Goes On, Part I

So, I didn't get the scholarship.  I was quite disgruntled over it for about 15 minutes. But, it's now fading fast.  Which is good.

I've become quite appreciative of the phrase "life goes on".    Most downs in life are somewhat gradual for me.  But some, like this one, are particularly steep.  But then the "life goes on" phrase kicks in, and I realize one thing:  I haven't died.  Indeed, the world has not come to an end.  My clock hasn't stopped ticking, the sun has never stopped shining, and the people have not ceased to be talking, reading, singing, and laughing around me.  So why should I, just because of one single thing?

I wrote the line "that just killed my day" to my professor, when I informed her that I hadn't won the scholarship.  But, shortly after sending the email, another thought crossed my mind:  It isn't really my day is it?  I didn't create it.  I had essentially nothing to do with it.  I'm just passing through it and something bad has happened to have happened.

Yes, it's God's day.  Why should I have any reason to feel down when, through it all, I still have God?  This is just silly manmade stuff I'm getting in over my head about, and there is absolutely no need to.

And, through writing and editing this whole post (which actually took the better part of forty-five minutes to adequately compose to my satisfaction), I've decided that I lack the liking for strawberry flavored milk.