A Sunset's Display

Pictures so often fail to capture the true essence of a moment. Nowhere do I find this to be more true than when the sky is lit up with the fiery hues of a sunset. A couple of days ago JoAnna and I stepped outside to beautiful sunset. We snapped a couple of pictures, none of which adequately portray the colours that were present. The clouds were not a dusty rose, but a fiery orange.

What struck me was when I turned around less than a minute later and the clouds were simply grey again. Why do such wonderful moments fade so fast? It often seems that the best moments in life pass so quickly, while suffering drags on in a long and drawn-out crawl. I am not dwelling on these difficult times right now, but noting the quick passage of the exceptionally good ones. Good times must come to an end, making room for new things, often better things. Nevertheless, it's hard to watch good things run their course, sinking beyond the horizon in a final display of brilliance.



I'm thankful right now that I'm not in class. A cold snap has left our roads sheeted in ice. With such hazardous conditions, of course classes had to be canceled for the day. I love the cold weather and right now it's about 21 degrees outside. In fact, it's not going to get above freezing today! All of this means beautiful icy trees, turtlenecks and no bowling test.

Language of Hugs

I've never been a huge fan of hugs. They can be so awkward, especially when you don't know the person all that well. I'm never sure if I should hug a person, or just say hi.

Much to my initial chagrin, the past couple of days have been filled with hugs. However, as a result I have decided that I like hugs. Hugs are a sort of language of their own. You can tell so much about a person and about a relationship based on the hug. A quick pat on the back. A hug that knocks you backward a few steps. A hug you don't want to ever end. Most of my hugs this week have been good hugs, hugs that reunite people.

Now I find myself hugging people that I perhaps never would have hugged before. And you know what? I love it. When I'm engulfed in the arms of someone I love, the world just seems right.

Millions and millions of years would still not give me half enough time to describe that tiny instant of all eternity when you put your arms around me and I put my arms around you. ~ Jacques Prévert

Another Semester

Today classes began. I’m one day into the semester and right now everything feels so strange. It doesn’t feel like classes should be starting yet. My classroom should be downstairs, just below my bedroom. When I eat in the “new” Bean I feel as if I’m at a new school. Yet to all but a few of us, this is not so new anymore.

I definitely had culture shock coming back to the States in a way that I didn’t heading to England. Things just feel sort of off. It doesn’t help that I’m rooming with someone from Oxford and I have pictures of my semester strung across my bulletin board. Already I’m finding myself waiting for Erin and Katherine to come back to our room.

I have seen the majority of the people from our group. I am overjoyed every time, and hugs are exchanged all around. When I think about it, this is very interesting. I mean, on a campus of four thousand, what are the chances that I would run into these thirty people.

Anyway, on to something a little different than study abroad. My classes today went fairly well. I think I’m really going to enjoy my Christianity in Culture class. I was, however, surprised to know less than half of the people in there since it’s a major’s section. I figured that I’d at least recognize most of them from last year.

Finally I’m so excited to room with JoAnna this semester. So far it’s been great and I think that we’ll have an awesome four months.


Yep, we're pretty hardcore

Short People

This is just a taste of what I go through on a regular basis in my home. Lately this seems to be my dad's and brother's favourite song. Credit to Randy Newman for crushing the souls of short people around the world.

Personally, I think short people are the absolute best


Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
Short People got no reason
To live

They got little hands
And little eyes
And they walk around
Tellin' great big lies
They got little noses
And tiny little teeth
They wear platform shoes
On their nasty little feet

Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Round here

Short People are just the same
As you and I
(A Fool Such As I)
All men are brothers
Until the day they die
(It's A Wonderful World)

Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
Short People got nobody
To love

They got little baby legs
And they stand so low
You got to pick 'em up
Just to say hello
They got little cars
That go beep, beep, beep
They got little voices
Goin' peep, peep, peep
They got grubby little fingers
And dirty little minds
They're gonna get you every time
Well, I don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
Don't want no Short People
'Round here


So he's a little taller than me

New Beginnings

So, my first post of the new year.

Every time that I get onto facebook (incidentally a far too common occurrence) I see people preparing to study abroad this semester. To be honest, this is hard for me. I desperately want to go back to Oxford. Already I miss walking through town in a light drizzle or stopping off in University Parks and lounging on the green lawns. I miss running over to On the Hoof for a hot panini. I miss strolling down cobblestone streets.



This semester is going to feel so strange. It’s difficult to adjust to the differences. I spent last semester going to class in the same house that I was living in. Every single class had the same people in it, and these were the people with whom I was living and traveling and cooking.

I’m still adjusting to the different pace of life over here. I keep asking for tap water in restaurants. It’s only when I’m given a funny look that I remember it’s ice water over here. I forget that shops are open way past five. I feel like I should walk to church.

As cheesy at it sounds, this is a time of new beginnings. I have been away from campus for eight months. It stands to reason that things are different. I am different.

I’ve started a new job in the library, working in Interlibrary Loans. So far I have enjoyed it, but I’ve only been into work twice.

This is also a time for me to explore my options for the future. Right now I have no idea what I will be doing after graduation. In all likelihood I will change my major, though to what I do not yet know.


My doggy is so happy to see me :D


Gladwyn and me