The End of Men (and Women and Words Too)

So I have realized recently just how not okay our culture is, especially pertaining to society's reaction to marriage and how it should work.

I've been reading "Get Married" by Candice Watters and it just got me thinking about things we reinforce, even just in our friend circles. I mean, overall I've realized a myriad of ways that this is done, from coarse joking amongst friends about sex, marriage, divorce, or even simply a "girls rule, boys drool" attitude about things. I've been the violator, too, by undermining a man's role or not upholding the right and holy pursuit of marriage (These days you ought to just say "if it happens, it happens, but I'm doing my own thing" - funny how just because it's not seen as an acceptable thing to strongly desire marriage, I pretend it's not as strong of a desire as it is). Disrespecting men is a huge problem I see with the world and even with my friends. "Boys are stupid" - how on earth is repeating this lie benefiting anyone?! By the way, have you ever noticed that women say this most when they wanted so badly for a relationship to work out and doesn't - suddenly men become far more stupid. Watters points out this is like Aesops's fox and the grapes (look it up), we say we hate what we can't have. Men and women were both obviously created in the image of God and it is a slippery slope from saying God's done badly in one area to cursing his plan for your life.

Most recently I was watching the Today show, and they happened to be doing an ambush makeover. The husband said, "Just for the record, I think she's beautiful and perfect just the way she is." I thought this was a sweet and appropriate affirmation of this woman, who didn't typically wear makeup or fix her hair. It sounded heartfelt to me, but then the woman doing this mini-interview responded with, "Smart answer, sir. Smart answer." Our culture is so bent on words and compliments being used for manipulation and maintaining status that there is little truth and reality to words. Even in a marriage relationship, couples are portrayed often with a woman who is intelligent,beautiful, independent, and supermom, and the man is typically a fat, useless, know-nothing who needs his wife to keep him in line. (This is best done, apparently, by publicly humiliating him and questioning his authority with disrespect. Yeah, that'll show him.)

Men, will you step up and be an initiator? Will you protect the purity of your brothers AND sisters in word and deed? Will you be strong enough to uphold the holiness of marriage as God intended it and discourage talk amongst friends that does otherwise? It may involve facing rejection or a blow to your pride, but would you take it to protect and pursue a woman? Make women in your life feel like women.

Women, will you stop beating down manhood? Will you, too, uphold marriage and biblical masculinity and feminity, and discourage coarse joking? Will you trust God with your identity as a woman and examine if you are living out your womanhood as God intended it? Will you stop trying to take control in all situations and put yourself under the guidance of your father, your church session, and eventually your husband? Make men in your life feel like men.

Sophy

(Sorry this is all over the place...a lot of thoughts just came together, haha!)

Past.Present.Future.

Yesterday

...was a beach day.

...I got up at 5 a.m. to go up the coast.

...we celebrated my Granni Anni's birthday.

...I saw Granni and Papa Al for the first time in so long!

...I got a little sunburnt.

...I read, chatted, and swam at the beach.

...we went to two thrift shops and I loved it.

...I got the remaining ten picture frames I needed for hall nametags.

...I got a lovely letter from my dear Melanie.

...I got to talk to good friends Lilli and Micah.

...I chipped off all my nail polish.

...was rich.

Today

...I woke up far earlier than I meant to because my tummy hurt.

...I watched A Royal Wedding with Fred Astaire :)

...I will prime my picture frames.

...I will decoupage nametags.

...I will stalk freshmen.

...America has talent.

...I will write a couple of letters.

...I will continue to read Henri Nouwen's In The Name Of Jesus.

...I will pray.

...I will watch The Hills.

...I will continue missing Covenant, my lovely Highlanders, and my dear friends.

Tomorrow

...will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matt. 6:34)

The Cars That Go Boom

I have been coming across the most bizarre circumstances recently! First, yesterday on the last day of VBS at my church there was a bad storm and the door from the kitchen was open and we heard the loudest crack of lightning hitting something. All the kids were still there, and we smelled smoke. Everyone came inside, and then we all went back out again to look at the palm tree that had been hit and was then ON FIRE. Whew. It went out with the rain that quickly followed, but I have never seen something so absurd!

The second time was today. It was only by God's work that I didn't hit a car that pulled out into my lane (without looking to see if I was there), and the split-second reaction was more than I could ever expect from myself, especially since I'm not feeling very well. Thankfully we were safe and I got to go on to my lunch with Becky Joy! That was lovely and I am thankful for the day :)

I also received a wedding invitation!! I love weddings. So much fun. Especially dance-y weddings, but even just those weddings where people get married (I know, strange concept) are great. Because marriage is great, that's why. Because love is great, that's why. HA - like I know, right? I just do, okay?!? Plus getting dressed up is great. But that is a secondary reason to go to a wedding, and not the primary one.

My Dad had Ke$ha stuck in his head. He likes it, because it reminds him of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaeNelsAOGo . That's pretty great, in my book (even if it's not exactly my favorite out of current music). I want to iron my dress for church tomorrow, finish up my nametags, and then get an early night's rest because I am SICK. :P

Have a wonderful evening, folks!

-Sophy

New'd. haha.

(So I was thinking about "new post" and then I thought about how when I posted, it's would be new, and then I thought about how my blog is being new'd and then I realized that's almost the same as nude and that I need to tell my blog to be more clothed.)

Hello, dear friends! If you go to my school, I can't wait to see you in 55.384 days. I miss my school and my buddies :)

I was in a groove for the past month, gettin' my life on, hangin' out, enjoying the lifestyle. Then, I got in a funk. Groove to Funk. Sounds like a seventies discojam, but it's not that much fun. I think it's because of VBS - I've been getting up early, getting everything ready for crafts, running crafts for the kids, and then I get home, I'm tired, and I wonder what to do with the rest of my day. Honestly, it's not like I don't like change, it's just that I like to have routine within change, and it takes me a while to get used to it. Next week I'm calling Mrs. Garcia to start working for her. I don't know if that'll be something enjoyable for me or not. I'm thinking yes right now.

I may be going up to the mountain for the last two weeks before RA training and I might start working at the school. We'll see - I'm waiting to hear back about it. Regardless, I'm looking forward to getting back up there! It will be a bit strange not to be with my family after spending so much time with them, but it'll be nice to be back in my element socially and even just schedule-wise.

Sophy

Honesty.

Today, I was fine, and then I got grumpy.

Fixer: earl grey decaf and homemade sugar cookies.

Fresh Baked Beers.

Oh yes. I just came in after sitting outside by the pool (it felt "like Spain" according to Mom, who's actually been there), reading Bonhoeffer, and hanging out with the family. The family was feeling pretty full, too, because Tristan came home from Charleston last night. It was one of those rare summer days here where the sun was shining bright without clouds dulling it, it wasn't too humid, and there was even a breeze - perfect "baking" weather. Absolutely lovely!

Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one of the books that we have to read before the school year starts as part of the RA requirements. I am almost finished with it and it's really interesting stuff to think about. I might post some quotes on here sometime...

Tea/Dinner!

-Sophy

P.S. Netflix is letting me watch The Hills again. This means three more doortags got done yesterday evening :)

Vegan Toast

60 days until I'm back at my second home! This coming week I'll be leading crafts for the kids coming to VBS at my church, and then I'll be starting part-time work for a lady in my church. I've been really enjoying my summer so far (we keep making homemade vegan bread and it's just scrumptious!), but I'm glad a little bit of a pace-change is coming up because as much as I love relaxation, I'm starting to be done with summer. I feel like I've already had my summer and so I'm just ready to be back at my school! Two months. Exactly.

I have been working on hall stuff (nametags, writing letters to lovely people, etc.) which has been really fun. I'm going to have to find something else to do while I make nametags though because my guilty pleasure was watching The Hills while I did it and, well, they removed all seasons from netflix. Maybe just listening to music, oui?

I like this.

It's already 11:30. Phew - I need to get on some stuff. Like life. :)

-Sophy

Listening to: 3x5 by John Mayer

This is going to be different.

So this summer I am home. Home home. As in, have-bookshelves-and-eat-healthy-food-and-be-with-family home. I like this a lot.
I don't know why this summer feels so different. It just seems like everything is so right for these three months. I'll be sitting by the pool, preparing to be RA, taking Biology and Statistics, stopping my bad habit of biting my nails, etc. It's good. I am feeling all empowered and good about getting back into things that I want to do, like reading and learning and being in the Word and prayer. Who knows what will happen - I forget what living here is like. I hope it's wonderful.

On another note - what happened to writing? I mean, what happened to me, and how I used to love writing, and how I could find things to write about and enjoyed writing about them? I would like to get back into that, I think. We'll see. You know those people who can just write what happened in their day and still be fascinating? I want to be one of those people. But I guess that has to start with writing...hmm.

Mmhmm.

I have a goldfish named Fitzwilliam (which I just heard means "the illegitimate son of William") that I won at Bakertree, my sister got to come for the weekend, I'll be back in Miami in just one month, it's almost summer, the library has the Tim Keller book I've wanted to read, and I have some pretty darn cool friends. Oodalalee!

To top it all off, a friend told me that Julie's Darling Donuts is giving away free donuts for funny knock-knock jokes tomorrow. Boy do I know a funny knock-knock joke. If you don't know it, then A) you need to hang out with me more, and B) you need to ask me as soon as possible. Two free donuts, here we come!

This summer is going to be so good. I really want to get a tan, go to Barnes and Noble and the library, learn more about history and geography, revamp my health, go to South Beach, read my Bible, journal/blog, and get ready for being the RA of Highlands next year! I'm also planning on taking a couple of classes and hangin' out with the family that I love so much. We Beerses...I tell you what - we are tiiiiight. :) SO looking forward it. Just gotta make it through a couple of papers, a few finals, and then on to killin' Junior year!

Whew. Life goes fast. I'm glad.
-Sophy

P.S.
J.Lo Pandora. That is all.

Here I am again.

Not knowing what to do or what's going on. Yikes. Maybe I'll actually have thoughts that could go into words sometime soon...?

Yeah.

Wonderful days like this

Today was wonderful. Amazing. Fantastic...and it's only 4:30! Last night the roommate and I were chillin out in our friend Scott 's room, listening to great music like John Mayer and Phil Collins with good friends and good conversation, and then Virginia and I watched Oklahoma because I'd never seen it. We were invited to go to the Kaufman's for pancakes and so we went. This was the beginning of a very good day.

We walked there this morning because we thought the roads might be too icy with all the snow. Breakfast was delicious - I had only 3 pancakes and did not get hungry for at least 6 hours. Magic. There were great people there too, and we sang some hymns, read some Martha Stewart Living, drank coffee and then walked back. The snow was perfect for packing so we threw a few snowballs. We decided to go to the soccer field, where the snow was undisturbed.

Someone had the idea to spell out SCOTS in giant letters, so we did. Then, we went up and viewed it from a distance. I made a pretty good "s." We left and walked around to the other side, where we found a soccer ball! Oh yes. We played snow soccer. It was so much fun - took me back to when my youth group used to play every Sunday and Wednesday night.

I fell a lot due to boots with little traction (and possibly my lack of coordination), but it was so worth it. Such a wonderful morning. Virginia and I walked back and put on warm, dry clothes. We didn't need lunch becasue we weren't hungry, so we just made a cup of coffee and did some reading for class. She read Tristram Shandy and I read Candide. I actually really enjoyed Candide. We have been huddled up in our room, so pleased with the day.

Now, hunger is beginning to set in. I will go to the Great Hall in my purple boots with the fur and be satisfied. Ah, God is good.

Day of prayer

Today is a day without any school, with plenty of time spent with halls, and plenty of time spent doing whatever you choose. Things people usually choose to do on Day of Prayer may include sleeping, reading, homeworking, fasting, and/or prayer. My hall, Highlands, usually does a pancake brunch with our brother hall, 1st Belz. I'm a fan. Last night we watched Roger and Hamerstein's Cinderella with Brandy (good movie, haha) and ate muddy buddies. This morning we also had a sunrise service and went up in the Carter tower to sign our names (you probably know this, but the guy who shot John Lennon signed his name up there too...creepy). Now it's about 2 p.m. and the kitchen is cleaned up and we're free for the rest of the day.

So what will I do? Well...I plan on planning a bit to begin with. Some things on the agenda will be: time spent with the Lord in prayer and reading, a second nap, reading/studying, and relaxing. It has already been really good to reflect on God's mercies even just for this semester. He has conquered a huge battle I had last semester with sin's effects permeating my family and my heart here at school. He has allowed me to be gracious to people I find hard to love. He has given me life and allowed me to live it to the fullest.

I was telling my RD that even as I had such a hard time last semester and would claim last year to be my least favorite yet, it drove me to realize that God was the only thing sufficient for me. I have seen what it looks like to call upon God's mercy and praise Him just for the strength to wake up and face the day. I have also seen, especially recently, what it is like to see God working in your life, redeeming brokenness in the world. I have seen how I should praise Him because He has made me and keeps me, in times when I see it and when I don't.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (English Standard Version)
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

It's just one of those times

Those times when one redefines her place in the world. Thankfully, it's not changing quite as much as I first suspected. Sometimes when thinking about this, I have felt homeless - not in the sense that I don't have a place I could go to, but in the sense that I didn't feel that I belonged anywhere. Strange feeling really.

It's not all that different, though. I think what spurs on this kind of contemplation is the sheer amount of ideas of what my life could be like, what it is now, and who I want to be as a person. Too much overanalyzing - as usual, King Friday (anybody get the Mr. Rogers reference? Love that show).

I have been craving Barnes & Noble recently. Just to be relaxing with a coffee or tea and a book on a Saturday afternoon. That should happen soon, I think. Ooh! A sunny day and a nap would be good as well. Oh, summer...come soon to me!

A fresh start

Well, I have been very into blogs and introspection and thinking recently and I don't know what else to do but to blog my thoughts right out!

Let's cover some basics:
-I'm a follower of Christ above all.
-I'm almost finished with my sophomore year of college.
-I'm a dual citizen of the UK and the US.
-Sometimes I get very excited about ideas like me living in a little room in the back of a closet with a slanted roof and a little bookshelf for the summer.
-I love my family.
-I am a huge fan of natural living, adoption, travel, snails, toast and tea, writing(wish I did more), babies, and open windows.
-My hobby is people.

This is the beginning. Who knows what will end up here...it's mysterious and exciting. Ooh la la.