Retail Thoughts

This Christmas I spent a significant amount of time where no man wants to be: in a retail store. Now, this was not because I shopped 'til I dropped, it is because I work in a retail sporting goods store: Dunham's.

This was quite a new experience for me. I usually try to get my shopping done in one swift motion at some point during the season. I try to avoid Walmart at all cost during high shopping times. But since I was forced to make my way into this foreign culture nearly every day in December, here are a few thoughts I had...

1. Americans like to give...during Christmas. It's amazing how much money is spent during this season. The week before Christmas we make more in sales than in entire months during the year. Funny how we can give so much and still be in such a bad mood. Something seems to be wrong here. :)

2. This brings me to my next observation: by the time Christmas day came people were generally ready for it to be over. It's almost as if it's too long. What is there to not like about the Christmas season? I guess I could understand since I don't like to get presents, hate delicious food, and can't stand my family...oh wait. Yea, I don't understand at all why the end of Christmas is such a welcomed sight.

3. Finally, no matter how hard people try, Christ will never be taken out of Christmas. There seemed to be quite a backlash this year in response to last year's offensiveness. Christians are speaking out like never before. This makes me proud. What would make me even more proud would be if we went the whole nine yards. Let's put Christ back into more than just the name. Who dreads going to church on Christmas Eve? Do we spend more time shopping for a certain person or truly telling them what they mean to us (cause nothing speaks love like a dark blue necktie)? Since it's Jesus' birthday..shouldn't we be giving him some gifts, i.e. do we tighten up our financial giving to make room for holiday shopping?

Now that I've ranted a bit, let me conclude with a simple Merry Christmas...let's celebrate the birth of Jesus in a way that He would be proud of.

Procrastinating?

I know...it's not me. Those of you who know me may be aware that it is not in my genetic makeup to procrastinate. I can't do it. As hard as I try, it just simply can't be done. This is why I'm confused about the current pickle in which I find myself. A mere three and a half years ago I decided to embark on a task some consider tougher than graduating college....becoming a member of the "100 Club" at Ivanhoe's. If you aren't familiar with Ivanhoe's...here's the scoop. They are a hometown joint with great food and are most famous for their ice cream. They have a menu that features 100 different shakes and 100 different sundaes. Those who try all 100 of either shakes or sundaes are inducted into the club.

Anyway...so I started this just prior to my freshman year at IWU. All throughout school I've been going to Ivanhoe's to eat shakes. I've written countless numbers of papers there while downing the dairy goodness. Fast foward to today. For some reason I find myself with 15 shakes to go. My goal is to finish the last on off after the wedding rehersal in a few weeks. All along I was right on pace where I needed to be. Suddenly I find myself cramming shakes before January 12th like they are chemistry formulas before the final exam. I'm not like this. Knowing me I should have had all but one left for a few weeks now.

Well, I can't dwell on how I got here. I simply need to buckle down and get to work. Yesterday I went and ate three. I hope to get a couple more yet this week. Wish me luck.

Limbo Time

The mad week is over.

I'm now officially graduated. I'm now officially awaiting a joyous day on the horizon...a mere 27 days away. Until then...well, who knows. Much time will be spent working at Dunham's. I will most likely make a few trips to Megan's and a trip home to Illinois. I've got a couple books to read. I've got about 17 shakes to down in the next month at Ivanhoe's. It's a weird feeling in a way. I don't have classes sneaking up on me. This next 27 days will probably seem to take forever, but will nonetheless be a good time to get refreshed after the marathon of the last few years in school (16.5 to be exact).

I'm looking forward, enjoying the present, and yet trying to reflect upon the last few years. Maybe I have more to do these next few weeks than I thought...

One Word...Transition

Thus begins my theme of the next couple months. No word better sums up the next 60 days than transitions. I will be transitioning from being a student to a college graduate, from a single bachelor to a married husband, from a part-time employee to a full-time employee, from a 'kid' to an adult, from being covered on my parents insurance to having to cover myself, from having sports pictures on the bedroom wall to flowers and candles. Oh and did I mention...all in the next two months!! I think this week I need to take a big breath and get ready for this time to begin. While many changes will occur, I'm, as Californians would say, super stoked about it all.

Prayer for this time would be greatly appreciated. As new as things will be, I know that by relying on God I will be given everything I need.

I don't have much of a thought of the day today. My only thought right now is...I JUST TOOK MY LAST FINAL EXAM EVER!!

Mary goes Hollywood?

If you haven't heard yet, a movie was released last Friday called "The Nativity Story". I've been reading reviews trying to decide if this movie is worth my hard earned cash. Here's a little about what I've found...

It seems that those who've reviewed the movie and are Christians are pleased with the story that is portrayed. While it sounds like the story remains close to the Bible there are places it falls short (but really, what do you expect?). Those who aren't Christian and have no interest in the story tell of how it is boring and a waste of our money.

It sounds like there is not much action involved in the reel. I've found one quote that seems to sum up very well what all the other reviews combined are saying: " For those who are not pulled to this movie for its religious slant, there's no reason to go. There's nothing here for a serious movie-goer. Despite the sizeable budget, this is little more than a glossy Christmas tract." --James Berardinelli

There you have it.

On a side note...this sounds to me a lot like what Christianity would be without the gospel message: a somewhat boring story that does not seem to draw people in. How glad I am that this is not what I live for. I live for a loving God who yearns with all he has to redeem all of the human race.

Dangerous Dolls

I always wondered whether or not those plastic crying dolls did anything to help students learn the responsibilities for having a child. Here are a few shortcomings I see...

1. They only cry...and cry...and cry. Now seriously, yes kids cry, but they also do so much more. I would hate parenting too if all I had to do revolved around making my kid stop crying. What about the smiles everyone gets when the child does something cute? What about the satisfaction of knowing you have been blessed with a child from God? Seems a little empty if you ask me.

2. It is a piece of plastic. Let's use a little logic here (one of my favorites). The student does not take care of the child for the child's well-being, because as was said...it's plastic!! The child only cares for the baby to either make it stop crying or to get a good grade in the class, both selfish reasons. When caring for a child the relationship is a majority about the well-being of the child, not the parent. This doll only helps the student to fulfill his/her desires and not learn the higher responsibility of placing another person above yourself.

3. And finally, the entire reason this random post is being written...a girl in California crashed her car when the doll she was in care of began to cry. Granted, she was only seventeen and she didn't have a valid license, but still. (The somewhat funny and slightly disturbing story can be found here.)

All in all, these babies, excuse me, dolls probably do help students realize some responsibilities that come along with parenthood. However, this can never take the place of two parents raising a child in a loving home, all the while talking to that student about the importance of waiting until marriage to have sex. Because if I recalll, the only person who had a an unexpected child as a virgin was Mary...and we'll make an exception for her. :)

Is There A Doctor In The House?

Just kidding...I don't really need a doctor. I already know what disease I've got: Senioritis. Hard to get motiviated for this last week of classes. The end is in sight and becoming clear and more focused every day. I'll make it, always seem to somehow, but it sure would be nice to be done with exams.

Busy weekend coming up. Gotta work tonight, in New Paris with Megan all day tomorrow, then prolly working again Sunday afternoon. I'll give an update once it's all over. 'Till then, sleep well, breathe deep, and enjoy life. Because after all, living life is best when it's enjoyed.