30 December 2006

Reading List

I mentioned previously that I had a lot of new books to get through. For those intersted in what I'll be diving into (or am already in the middle of), here you go:

Currently Reading:
  • Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
  • A Problem From Hell: America in the Age of Genocide - Samantha Power
  • The Cost of Discipleship - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
  • Through Painted Deserts - Donald Miller
Will Be Reading:
  • Orthodoxy - GK Chesterton
  • The Aboliton of Man - CS Lewis
  • The Four Loves - CS Lewis
  • The Problem of Pain - CS Lewis
  • The World is Flat - Thomas Friedman
  • God Is Here - Steve Case
  • Searching for God Knows What - Donald Miller
  • Under the Over Pass - Mike Yankoski
  • A Generous Orthodoxy - Brian McLaren
Need to find the Time to Re-Read:
  • 1984 - George Orwell
  • Mere Christianity - CS Lewis
  • The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien*
The good news: This should keep me busy for a while and away from television.
The bad news: With my schedule this semester, I wonder if I'll have the time to get through this list.
The worse news: I have to buy six new textbooks, the cheapest of which is $80. I wonder which organ I should sell to pay for all of them.

Shalom, Drew

*I read The Hobbit in seventh grade and failed to grasp what it was saying. This is round number two.

25 December 2006

Merry Christmas

First and foremost, as the title says, Merry Christmas.

Second, here's the deal. It's the winter break and I'm still busy. I'm working my way through The Lord of the Rings, The Cost of Discipleship, and A Problem from Hell. And I just got two new Donald Miller books and The World is Flat. So I'll be reading a lot and then starting back with classes, and unfortunately not posting much. But when I do post, expect some really awesome stuff. Because nothing is cooler than a Miller-inspired post that ties into Friedman and is written to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack (probably the best thing I got this year).

Shalom, Drew

15 December 2006

Happy Hanukkah

Yes, I know somep people are wondering why I, a disciple of Christ, am commemorating a Jewish holiday on my blog. First, let us examine the history of this festival.

The festival commemorates the Maccabee family's revolt against Antiochus IV and his imposing Hellenistic beliefs on the Jewish community. In 167 BC, Antiochus ordered a statue of Zeus to be erected in the Second Temple. Mattathias Maccabee, a priest, along with his five sons, led a rebellion against Antioch. This rebellion was succesful and the temple was cleansed in 165 BC. According to the Talmud, oil was needed to burn in the temple every night. However, there was only enough for one night. Through the grace of God, it is said that the oil lasted for eight nights. According to 1 Maccabees, though, Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration of the rededication.

This brings me to my point. Regardless of the reason of the celebration, it is still a commemoration of God's caring for his people.

And that is worth celebrating (even without the presents).

Rock on.

13 December 2006

One Semester Looking Back

Finals are done. Life is now easier. But another sixteen hours looms just on the other side of the winter break. I stand at a point where, assuming it only takes me four years to get through my BA, I am 1/8 of the way through college. Now is a good time to look back.

It seems like just last week that I boarded a plane in Kansas City heading for orientation. And it seems like just yesterday that I headed to Christian Campus Fellowship (CCF, but more on that later). The semester has really flown by. But at the same time, it seems as if the friends I've made have been my friends since birth (I certainly pray that they will remain friends until death).

I started this year not knowing what was going on, and as such, went through three main stages. First came the excitement of being out on my own. Nights up until three, waking up only minutes before class. Enjoying the all-you-can-eat meal plan (four or five times a day). After deciding against ROTC in January, I singed up, intending on seeking a scholarship again. And I very quickly settled into the Wesley Foundation, the largest campus ministry with some 500 members. As it turns out, though, UGA is something of a party school. Short of drinking, there isn't much to do. And finding a group of friends out of 500 people is harder than it seems. ROTC was a disappointment, as UGA ROTC may be the best demonstration of the opposite of good leadership. So here comes the second stage, where I seriously considered transferring to a smaller school. Then, my heroic sister decided to introduce me to some friends she had at CCF here (yea for having a big sister within 60 miles). After attending three events with the sub-100 group, I very quickly found a group of friends (almost instantly with the other 11 freshman, and by the weekend with the rest). Enter phase three, which can only be known as awesomasity-rocious. I'm now quite happy at UGA, even without frat parties, and have never been closer to a group of friends. I would estimate that well over half of my free time is spent at CCF or with other CCFers.

And now, for the all-important lessons learned:
-You can skip class, but you shouldn't.
-Same with eating five meals a day.
-And staying up until three in the morning.
-Your dorm room is small. Even one sock on the floor makes it look and feel like a pig pen.
-All-nighters should only be pulled when absolutely necessary. Because by the end, a light bulb will make you laugh. And the fact that a light bulb just made you laugh...will make you laugh.
-Facebook is addictive.
-You used to be smart. When you get to college, you won't be anymore.
-Seeing spots means you need sleep. Or more caffeine.
-Dorms are scary places. It is best just not to ask questions of the drunk guy in the hallway.
-Exception to the previous rule: If he's passed out or puking, make sure he's alright.
-Your mini-fridge might explode on you.
-Coffee is good. Conversation is good. Conversations at coffee shops are great. They are even greater when it's after midnight.
-Finals are evil. Midterms are less evil, but only slightly so.

And I just got back from my last late night coffee shop run of the semester. I'm going to go try to sleep off the nine caffeine drinks I've had since seven this evening.

Rock on.

06 December 2006

Happy Saint Nicholas' Day

Today is the feast of Saint Nicholas, patron saint of a lot of things (but not of winter holidays and reindeer).

Shalom,
Drew