The Automatic Response (or, "Why I dislike the 'How are you' question")

Typical conversation with friends I barely know:

Me: Heya
Them: Hi
Me: How're you?
Them: Good. You?
Me: Good.
*silence*
Them: What's up?
Me: Ntm. You?
Them: Same.
*more silence*

Then it either ends, or I start either babbling on or prying more info out of them.

Typical conversation, same day, with a good friend:

Me: Heya
Them: Hey
Me: So today has been a really good day and I'm very happy...but I'm feeling a little sick, so if you could pray?
Them: Of course. I'm kind of sick too
Me: :( Reciprocal prayers, then.
Them: Thanks. I went water-skiing yesterday--so much fun!
Me: Oh, cool! I just stayed home, but it was relaxing.

The difference? With people I know well, we can bypass the 'how are you' 'I'm good'! As you can see by my lovely and informative title, I'm not a fan of that phrase. My reason is that with nearly everyone, you will only receive an automatic 'I'm good' answer. I do this myself!

Even on my best or worst days, if someone asks me how I am--even if it's someone I'm close to--I respond with 'I'm good.' Then if we're close I'll amend that with, 'Actually...' But my point is, it's not necessary in the first place. It takes up time and it serves no purpose.

If I'm close enough to someone, they're going to tell me how they REALLY are, even if I don't ask. And I'll do the same. That, in my mind, is how it should be.

(Of course I'll still ask it of acquaintances, to be polite...and in anticipation of the rare occasion that the answer is different than normal.)

So, my lovely readers, I'm sorry, but I'm not going to ask how you are. I hope you tell me anyway! :)

SOTB Fundraising

Many of you have probably heard about the Shadow of the Bear film. If not, please take a moment to visit the Shadow of the Bear Movie Blog.

*waits a moment*

Back? Great!

Now that you know about it, I'm sure you're incredibly excited for it to come out. So are we! But there's a little problem. They need some money first.

But guess what!

*waits for you to guess*

Hmm...no, that's not it...you're not terribly good at guessing, you know that? Okay fine, I'll just tell you. You can help!!

Now isn't that exciting??

Oh, you're waiting for me to tell you how. There are a couple different ways.

First, Pen in the Clouds is a student-written, illustrated and created book of poetry, short stories and drawings. The wonderfully talented people in charge are still accepting poems and stories, so check out the submission guidelines and see your name in print! Also, keep an eye on the blog and get your very own copy when volume one is published! All proceeds from volume one will go toward the Shadow of the Bear movie.

How awesome is that??

But wait, I said there was another option, didn't I? I did. I distinctly remember doing so.

That's because there is! The Shadow of the Bear Movie ArtFire account is a great place to buy many types of gifts (or things for yourself!)...all handmade and absolutely beautiful! And the best part? Any money you spend there goes to the movie!

So get out there! Have fun writing, reading, and shopping!

No More Classes, No More Books, No More Teacher's Dirty Looks.......

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to write more on here. School has ended, and though I assumed I would have oodles of free time once that happened, that's not the case. I like it much better this way though--too much free time makes me miss people. And my life isn't so very crazy that I can't hang out with friends every so often. So it's all in all great.

Law school classes ended at the end of May, and my mediation class began the beginning of June and lasted two weeks. It was amazing. I had so much fun...it was just a wonderful reassurance that yes, this is what God wants me doing.

To that end, I have been applying to volunteer at various mediation centers, though have not yet heard back from any. Pray they contact me? I would like to start this as soon as possible...I'm awfully excited about it!

At the same time, I need money from somewhere. I've decided my dream career would be copyediting/proofreading, with mediation whenever I'm free. I've applied at magazines and newspapers, but am finding that most places use only one copyeditor, and already have the position filled. How disappointing! I won't give up though. I'm confident something will show up, or God will direct me elsewhere.

So, what happens this fall? What about school?

I came to a point recently where I could honestly say I wanted to do what God wanted me to, and if He wanted me back in school I would happily go. I didn't get a sign He did--in fact I got quite the opposite. I truly feel I am done. I don't know why He had me go this year, but He did, and perhaps someday it will make sense.

For now I'm content to move forward, find mediating and/or editing jobs, and enjoy a life free of homework, tests, and all things legal...and filled with the love of friends and family. Oh people, how I've missed spending time with you!

God

I think the most compelling case for the existence of God is that we human beings feel compelled to make the case either for or against His existence. Or we turn coward and shirk the question for as long as we can.
But we all know it's a question.

A Midsummer Night's Dream!

Greetings, worthy readers!
Many apologies for my neglect of this blog. :( Recently, my life has been focused on portraying Helean in this show:

^We're a very eloquent cast, no? ;)


That drumming you hear at the end of the trailer is our cast, creating some magic in one of our faerie drum circles. There's no experience in the world like making music together, and it's the perfect way to begin and end a show! At the risk of sounding completely corny, Midsummer has been an incredible and truly magical experience. I've been studying Shakespeare all year for English, and nothing has made his work come alive more than actually performing in a show of his. My professor said that Shakespeare isn't meant to be read in an academic setting, it's supposed to be up on its feet, a moving work of art. So, as much as you can learn from reading his works, if you don't see it acted out, you miss out on an essential part of what Shakespeare is; you don't understand his full genius.

So, in a way, being a part of this show is my 'final' for the year! It sure beats a laborious end-of-the-year exam. :)

An Update

I know, shocker...we go forever without updating, then two in the same day?? What is happening with the world?

I realized I never told you all what happened with my coffee experiment, and I figured I should do so before finals swallow me up. (Which, really, they've already started to do, so this will be short).

I'll just say, I survived. ;) And I have decided that I am not addicted to caffeine. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. :D

I have my last day of classes today, which is quite exciting. My first final is on Friday, which is not at all exciting. I will be fully done with finals, law school, the whole shebang (provided God doesn't ask me to continue this fall--or some year down the road), on May 19th. And I'm looking forward to it.

Sometimes I really hate law school. Because of law school I can't celebrate Mother's Day. Mother's Day!! I can't go to a really good friend's birthday party. I found out today I'm also missing out on seeing a good friend, who I haven't seen, I think, since December, and who I probably won't see again for quite a few months.

But this is where God has me. And I need to do the best I can, to honor Him. Which means I need to miss out on all of this. I need to stay focused, and not see people, as much as it kills me to do so.

In other words, I would really appreciate your prayers these next few weeks. :)

Love you all!

Teen Girl's Daybook

I haven't posted on here in forever!! Life has been hectic and crazy and beautiful...I was in a fit of randomness, so I decided to do:
The Teen Girl's Daybook!!
From A Rose in Bloom

Date...5/2/10, (but technically 5/3/10) :P
Starting time...12:56 AM
Mood...Overwhelmed, tired, ecstatic
Outside my window...Is the night
I'm thinking...Will I get any sleep to night?
I'm reading...Arcadia-a play by Tom Stoppard-it's phenomenal.
I'm listening to...Love You All, by Cloud Cult-amazingly cosmic song. :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6Nt58ismiQ&feature=PlayList&p=E55EA6C859995907&playnext_from=PL&index=1&playnext=2
I'm wearing... Long dark blue shirt with flutter sleeves and ruffles and sequins at the square collar, and jeans
Yesterday, I...saw two shows, potlucked-it-up, and smiled and giggled all day
I'm excited for...SATURDAY!!! And for my sister to come home from college, definitely. :)
I'm sad because...I'm not sleeping
I'm hungry for...Nothing, which is unusual...
The song stuck inside my head is..."Some Things are Meant to Be" from Little Women the Broadway musical, which is a beautiful show and a beautiful song-check it out! :D
I want...to be able to wake up at 4:30...
I love... EVERYTHING! :)
I loathe...rubber snakes. :P
This week, my goal is...To get my essay done for an honors program application, to stay caught up with e-mails/other random correspondence, to get my essay done for English, and to retain my sanity. :)
Did I meet last week's goal?...Definitely. (My goal last week was just to choose a college.) :)
Ending time...1:02 AM


Calvin and Hobbes has been a happiness of mine recently. :)