gl 3 thugs

i'm still collecting pics from this weekend's fabulous adventures, so i'll post this one instead that my dear freshman (who is now a senior graduating thursday) sent to me (thanks assaba!!!)most of you already know i was a dorm counselor my senior year of college... one of my most rewarding experiences ever. so much so that i still think about one day pursuing a career as dean of freshmen. i had the best hall with 14 wonderful women who i still care a lot about. we called ourselves the "gl 3 thugs" (you don't need to know why) and they all still call me "dc" even when i'm not around... i mean, i'm never around anymore anyway. so all the thugs (minus dc) had a reunion last week. i think it's pretty special that these girls all got together... it says something about the kind of hall we had. dc love to my thugs!

rules of engagement

i was somewhat surprised to read in the latest wlu '03 newsletter how many people are engaged or married. not that there's anything wrong with settling down, but this is not a group of students that go to college to find a mate. this is a group of students that prioritize success and career and learning over a "mrs" degree. i don't know how they have time to date, much less fall in love and get married!

my first reaction to the newsletter was panic. did i miss the boat? am i going about life the wrong way? was it a mistake to take a year sabbatical from dating? to live the double life of a full time professional and full time student?

but then i went to this event last night with some girl friends. we were volunteers. and since i was working at the registration table, i met just about everyone that walked through the door. now this was a wine and dine silent auction chill but swanky gathering. after interacting with a few folks, i was reminded of why i've chosen to be single thus far.

i decided to make a list of do's and don'ts. some may be specific to me, but my guess is most of these are universal. read and learn. (though if you're my friend then you probably don't need to learn this in the first place... and if you're not my friend, why are you reading my blog?)

don't ask me out if you're in your 40's, 50's, etc. not that i have anything against people of this era... my mom is in her 40's and my dad in his 50's. both great people.

don't try to impress me with your boat. i work in annapolis. i have lots of friends with boats. writing, "for a good sail call..." on a slip of paper is not cool.

do make friends with my friends. that spice girls song is my mantra.

do be prepared for lots of church. don't think i'm saying that to be cute.

don't ask for my number. huh uh. no.

do practice what some would call southern hospitality, though i think it's really common courtesy.

don't be high maintenance.

do know your baseball.

do be courageous.

don't make fun of mexicans or gay people.

do be loyal to your family and friends. cheaters need not apply.

do realize that if i make you feel special, it's because you are special. don't think that means i want to date you.

ahhh, yes. as i read through these i'm convinced it'll be a while before i do that whole dating thing. so congratulations my dear (soon to be or already) married classmates. i wish you all the joy and love in the world. one day maybe i'll stumble upon a relationship that's as blessed and special as what you've found. i'll leave that to God. in the mean time, i feel blessed and special just the way i am.

mud and muck

every once in a while, i get out from behind my computer and get to do field work. yesterday my "chief" (who also happens to be "the hammer" noted in previous blogs) and jasmen and i took a field trip to the blackwater national wildlife refuge on the eastern shore. we learned about wetland loss and degradation (blackwater nwr has lost nearly 7,000 acres of wetlands since 1933), proliferation of invasive species, and the fragmentation of fish and wildlife habitats. our office is helping to fund some marsh restoration in part because it will aid with carbon sequestration in the area.

so yesterday we stomped around marsh lands, used gps to map and mark specific points for data collection, and analyzed soil samples. we got to wear great big boots and try not to sink too deep into the mud. it makes really excellent noises.

we saw lots of wildlife too, including a family of bald eagles... personally, i feel a sense of patriotism when i see a bald eagle take flight. apparently others (ehem, my non-southern co-workers) don't get that same feeling. oh well.

random acts of kindness

yesterday... out of nowhere... i got a present.what it was or who it was from is not important (at least not for you, my loyal readers... clearly the person is important to me). it was just such a joy to come home to a little package for no particular reason. a reminder that i am indeed a special person and very loved. can you imagine what the world would be like if we all practiced random acts of kindness?

boats and baseball

the clipper city (one of the tall ships in the inner harbor) has this amazing deal where you can sail on the ship for two hours, enjoy an abundance of frosty beverages and hot dogs, and then go to the baseball game... all for $35! and the seats were good too! here are jenelle, anna, jamie, laurel and megan... which is only one third of our total group. we were definitely outnumbered by the red sox fans, but we put up a good fight.

dude rollers victorious!!!

after a long and grueling season of loss after loss after loss... shouts of victory rang out from riverside park saturday morning. the other team was so intimidated, they didn't even show up to play. yes, our one win of the season was from forfeit. minor details. our record: 1-7. but we're dedicated. and next season will be a winning season. we all celebrated the big W at michelle and erin's preppy popped collar taco party. delicious. well done, ladies.

what is love?

thanks uncle lynn and anonymous (mr. stinky pants) for responding to my last question about being a contemporary of Jesus. now i have another for you... what is love? (no need to do the SNL side head bop, thanks). last night marked my final two classes of the philosophy and theology segment at st. john's. for many weeks now, my preceptorial class (pictured) has discussed love in the context of plato's dialogues, the Bible, poetry, etc. i enjoyed the discussion thoroughly, and the company too. note mr. kutler's garland laced with ribbons... reminiscent of the drunken alcibides crowning socrates in symposium.

jumbotron divas (and dudes)

last night's o's game against the tigers was pretty exciting. we still need to get our attendance numbers up, but david, laurel, bryan and i did what we could to fill the stands and keep the vendors in business. in addition to winning a close game (and my fantasy players' good stats, yeah mora!) we somehow managed to get on the jumbotron THREE times! YES! that great big screen that the WHOLE stadium of fans stares at... and my friends and me jumping up and down for all to see! ah, the excitement.

what's a johnnie?

johnnies are an interesting bunch of people that attend st. john's college, like me. here's a pic of my seminar. normally we sit around a big square table and talk about books for two hours, but this particular night we had dinner and discussion.

yesterday (in our last class) we discussed kierkegaard's philosophical fragments. an interesting question was raised that i'd like to pose to any of you... should we be grateful not to have known the historical Jesus? you don't need to have read kierkegaard to respond. just reflect on whether being a contemporary of Jesus would help or hinder faith. i'd LOVE to hear your thoughts!!

(i changed the setting on comments so anyone can respond... even anonymously if you prefer... yeah, i'm not actually expecting responses. but it would be cool!)

block party

federal hill has a new addition: daley. and daley's new neighbors are a raucous bunch. they threw a great block party on cinco de mayo, complete with bean bag games and spanish music. megan, tiffany, christina, me and mary kate took a very sratty shot on the stoop (stoops are a b'more thing, ask if you need clarification).

cinco de mayo sangria

it's cinco de mayo. and i used to teach spanish. and i turned in a major paper last night. let the festivities begin! if you avoid tequila and margaritas like me (sad, i know) then try making some white sangria tonight. white wine, brandy, fresh strawberries and mint... a very refreshing way to celebrate the battle of May 5, 1862, when a small mexican army beat the french. yummy.

sandstorm

i recently posted some pics of my friend garreth who is stationed in iraq.here's a pic from garreth of one of the frequent sandstorms... and i thought lubbock was bad!

laurence in lex

i think every once in a while, i should have "guest appearances" on the blog. so meet laurence. he lives and lex and works at w&l as the environmental studies program coordinator. he's also a fly guide (www.fishthevalley.com) and teaches a fly fishing PE class this term. he's got mad acoustic skills and a great voice. we met at lex coffee yesterday to discuss energy, environment, ecotourism, brazil, africa, ministry, school, and friends. i think that about covers it.