December 27, 2006

Happy Kwanzaa

Christmas was lovely this year. On Christmas morning, according to tradition, we all had brunch at my Grandma's (although tradition changed a bit because my Grandma moved out of the house she'd been in for the past 40 years and into a senior living residence place).

Anyway, my family really missed Richard, so they even called him up to tell him so. Then during brunch, as someone is saying Merry Christmas, someone says Happy Kwanzaa...just being silly I guess since we're as white as white gets :) My lovely grandmother goes...."oh....kwanzaa? Is that Mexican for Christmas?"

OMG - I was laughing so hard.

THEN, my mother goes "No - it's for Jews!!!"

WHAT?!!! Is my family that culturally behind??? We cleared up the fact that the Jewish holiday is called Hannukah (I have no idea how to spell it...sorry). And then we cleared up the fact people don't speak Mexican, they speak Spanish. We didn't even get to explain Kwanzaa before someone changed the subject (which happens frequently and with ease in my family!!!)

Aaahhhh my lovely family.

Feliz Navidad - I think that's Spanish for something or other..... ;)

Freak Crane Almost Accident

Picture this:

Driving down a semi-country road, minding your own business. Now picture something that looks kind of like this:



Imagine a bird like this getting up and slowwwwly trying to fly across the road that you are going 55 miles an hour on.

Yep, that's what happened to me on Christmas Eve. A crane and I almost smacked right into each other. I made eye contact with it before it realized it better fly upwards to avoid my parents Ford Escape from barreling right into it. I don't even like birds anyway. Why does something like this have to happen???!!!

December 21, 2006

Tutoring

On Thursday nights Richard and I tutor at my church on the north side. Today we had our annual Christmas party instead of hitting the books. The kids were amazingly cute. They got to make penguin ornaments, and decorate cookies. We discovered some of the kids who are pretty awful at math or reading are actually incredible artists!! Norm, our leader, had the great idea of having the kids give their cookies to people they were thankful for at the end of the night. It was really cool to see the kids be excited about giving, and not just the receiving....although they did receive a lot! We had some donations from Norm's school and the kids took home bunches of stuff with them. It felt good to give. We get so caught up sometimes at Christmas - caught up in the hustle and bustle, everyone is tense wondering about what to give, how much to spend, etc...but that's not what matters you know? Let's be thankful for what we do have, and make sure those around us know we are thankful. That's probably about the best thing we can give.

Merry Everything :)

p.s. I stole that phrase from a MoveOn holiday card I just saw on the internet tonight. Check out all the cool e-cards they have on their site!

December 19, 2006

ELCA News

Some links you may want to check out - especially if you're a crazy Lutheran like me :)

How many Lutherans are in the new Congress? I'm sure this is a question that's been keeping you up at night. Well now you have the answer. Click here.

What's Becky doing for New Year's? Another question racking your brain, I'm sure. I'll be at my 7th, that's right, 7th National Gathering. This year though, it's bigger and better, and it's in New Orleans. For the ELCA News link, click here. Be sure to check out the CELEBRATE website as well. Why? Because it's cool.

December 12, 2006

Borat

Krista and I went to go see Borat tonight. What an *interesting* movie! Most interesting was the 2 crazy-looking naked men in the hotel room fight scene. I'll stop there since I'm going to keep this blog PG-rated....

What else is new? I'm on a break from class for a little while, so rather than take a much needed rest, I'm working all week. It's good though, because I need to save up some money for my trip to Geneva in January. Today I signed Christmas cards in the Admissions Office for 6-ish hours!!!

December 11, 2006

Laundry woes

I just mailed in my last paper of the semester. Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh a nice big ole load off my shoulders for the next month and a half or so!! wooohoooo

I woke up this morning and thought I'd be productive and start doing some much needed laundry right away (oh yeah, also doing my boyfriend's laundry - what kind of girl am I??!!!) . Anyway, when I go down to put the clothes in the dryer, there's a guy in there who's already moved my clothes to start using the washer (My other washer was still running, so he must have been standing there waiting for my clothes to finish). Have a I mentioned that I hate when other people touch my clothes!?? guess I have to deal with it if I'm using a public laundry area....oh well).

I put all my clothes into the dryer and then the stupid thing doesn't work. There's only 2, and the other dryer has a tag on it that says it's out of service. So I'm like, now what? I go back upstairs with some of my stuff and bring down an empty basket, figuring I'll have to go find a laundromat (gasp) or something like that. When I return, the mysterious guy has all his wet clothes in the supposed broken dryer, and tells me that it works.

Interestingly enough, the tag was on the wrong dryer.

Hmmmm.....

And rather than let me use it, since my laundry was there first, he says "sorry" and continues to use it. So I have to let my wet clothes sit til whenever he's done doing all his laundry.

aye aye aye

November 29, 2006

Job

Job - No, I'm not talking about employment. I'm talking about the Book of Job in the Bible. I wrote a paper about suffering in the Book of Job last night. It's not an easy thing to think about, write about, talk about, etc.... It really makes you think. Does God cause suffering? If so, is that a God that I can believe in??

I came to the conclusion that God does NOT cause suffering. Why would a forgiving and loving God wish such harm upon Earth. I think God is crying (metaphorically speaking) because of the awful things that are in no one's control in this world (like cancer, natural disasters, accidents...). I think God is right there with us, through the hurt, just as sad as we are; and supporting us to fight against the injustice in our world.

At least I hope so.

A short little sermon from Becky...I could write more but I have to go to class, and I don't want to go on and on about it. I just wanted to get that off my chest.

P.S. If you don't believe in God, I'm not trying to say you should. That's your perogative (yay Bobby Brown). I'm totally immersed in seminary life, so God is going to come up in the blog once in awhile. We're working through a lot of things, it's a whole new level of my faith journey...lots of questioning.

P.P.S. If you're interested you might want to check out the book "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" By Harold Kushner.

November 28, 2006

Funky Dream

So I woke up this morning crying - all because of a bizarro dream! Emotional? Yes. Crazy? Yes. Any explanations? Maybe....

Picture this - I'm house-sitting for God-knows-who, mostly watching all their animals. I didn't really go out to the barn to check on them very often and all of sudden I noticed kittens running around. I was upset because I didn't think I was supposed to "let" the cats get pregnant (Apparently I was house-sitting long enough for animals to conceive and have babies....). Much to my dismay, when I head out to the barn I find that some of the kittens have major deformities. They were very tiny and had faces of different animals...for example, one had a pig snout. So I'm freaking out because the animals apparently had "relations" with each other. Then there's a big animal birthing a cow...but this big animal is not a cow, so it was major weird. My dad finally comes home and I ask him if the animal who is clearly suffering trying to give birth will make it and he says no. So I say can't we do anything to help it, to stop it from suffering and he says no. Then I fall to the ground crying for this poor animal, and wake up crying for real.

WHAT DOES THIS CRAZINESS MEAN???!!!

My only guess is that before bed I was reading from the book "When Bad Things Happen to Good People." It's for a class - I'm supposed to write about suffering in the Book of Job. Eek. So maybe there is some explanation for this wacko dream....

Please pray for my sanity!!!

November 27, 2006

Cozmo likes the tree

Cozmo promptly found a seat underneath the Christmas tree, almost immediately after we put it up. I'm impressed that he chose to chill out underneath it, rather than attack it and all the ornaments. Don't let his calm demeanor fool you!!!!

Becky and Krista decorate for Christmas

My roomie (Krista) and I spent a couple hours this afternoon decorating for Christmas. We had lots of fun combining our various decorations that have been handed down through the years. Here's our living room, complete with Christmas tree, lights over the tv area, snowflake stickies on the windows....and of course the twiga (giraffe) is looking over and admiring our work.



Krista had a nativity scene as well that we put on our "mantle"; aka tv stand. So cute.







We even decorated our palm tree!











...and put lights in our kitchen window for our courtyard neighbors to enjoy :)










And for those of you who have yet to visit our lovely apartment, here is a picture of our cute bathroom

and my room.

November 22, 2006

Cuties

I spent 3 weeks in Minneapolis this summer, nannying and catching up with friends. Abby, the cutest 6-year-old ever (shown here with bff Mattie) and I had a fabulous time. Abby loves Matt - and their personalilties are practically the same. I think Matt would agree :) He would get her way too hyper and then she'd flip out - and the same thing happens to Matt all the time!!! hehehehe Anyway, I love this picture (can you believe it's taken on my cell phone?!).

November 21, 2006

Donate your old eyeglasses

I was cleaning my room today (gasp!...I'm supposed to be studying, so cleaning my room is a lovely procrastination tool!) and found 2 old pairs of glasses. I was about to throw them away when I had the thought that there must be organizations out there who will take them and give them to people who can't afford them. I did what any smart girl would do and I googled "donating old eyeglasses" and found that there are many options! I decided to go with Unite for Sight. You go to the website, register (takes 10 seconds) and they send you an email with the address of where to send them. It's as easy as that!!!

Don't throw your old glasses away - Donate them!!!

November 20, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving

Yes, it is a time to give thanks. I'm giving thanks for a lot of things right now....

*It's Monday, and it's been a relaxing enjoyable day (hence why I'm updating my blog!!).

*We don't have class all week, so it's a nice break.

*I'm going home on Wednesday for a few days, and Richard is coming with me. I'll get to see all my family AND Jennifer and Dave will be in Racine too!

There's more, but I'm out of time. PEACE!

September 29, 2006

Officially a Student Again

So it's Friday of my first full month of being a student again. Wow. I never thought I'd have so much to read in my life!!! I have enough reading in these 4 classes to last me a lifetime I think...ok well maybe I'm exaggerating....

Check out www.lstc.edu or www.uchicago.edu (where I'll be next year doing social work).

I'm also interning for the ELCA Ecumenical and Inter-Religious Relations....www.elca.org/ecumenical

And finally, I'm working in the Admissions Office of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC). If you are at all interested in seminary, come visit me!

Especially OCT 28-OCT 30 - SEMINARY SAMPLER WEEKEND. That's my job...I coordinate a weekend event for visitors to the seminary. Yay! Check out the website ok!!!

Until next time....

May 18, 2006

Am I cleansed???

So that is the question isn't it?? Am I cleansed??? :)

I did the 10 day cleanse (see two entries below if you don't know what I'm talking about....) It was great and I'd highly recommend it to anyone. Not only to get the crap out of your body...it also teaches you a lot about yourself. I learned that I do have willpower and that food doesn't have to control me. I also was amazed to realize how much our world revolves around food. Whenever you get together with a friend, what do you do? You go eat. And how do we plan our days?? They are usually structured around our meals.

Since coming off the cleanse I've been cooking more and really trying to focus on when and why I eat. I'm *mostly* vegan...but not completely. I'm just trying to eliminate things that are bad for my body, especially processed foods...and eat more fruits and vegetables (yes - believe it!!!) I make a mean smoothie, let me tell you.

So yeah, I'm not perfect...but at least I'm trying!!!!

April 27, 2006

Day 5 of The Cleanse

I am almost halfway through my cleansing...yep that's right, I, Reba So, have not eaten since last Saturday (it's Thursday). I am doing what's called The Master Cleanser (google it to find out more about it). Anyway, it's a cleanse program that's been around since the 70's. Basically, what you do is drink 6-12 glasses of "lemonade" a day...and by lemonade I mean: 10 oz water, the juice of a lemon, 2 T pure maple syrup, and a teeny bit of cayenne pepper.

The concept is that it cleanses you, detoxifies your body. (ie. It gets all the nasty crap out of your body!!!). My plan is to eat much more raw fruits and vegetables after this is over. It's 10 days by the way. I'm also going to cut dairy and eggs out of my diet. I won't be a strict vegan I don't think, but I do hope to try lots of new foods that are better for you. And quit eating processed and refined foods - ick!

So you can see, I'm going to be a health nut! :)

For those of you who read that I haven't eaten in 5 days, please don't freak out! It's completely healthy and I've done lots of research! Believe it or not, maple syrup has all the vitamins and minerals we need! Plus I have 2 of my favorite people doing it with me, so we're all giving each other moral support.

March 3, 2006

Wireless Internet - the Best Invention Ever

Picture this:

8:00 pm
All-day meeting, still meeting
WIRELESS INTERNET

Sound good??? Hell yeah it does!!!! I must say I'm an excellent multi-tasker - you know it....so I'm TOTALLY paying attention AND updating my blog at the same time (Jennifer, if this doesn't warrant a comment, I don't know what does!!!!) I'm updating my blog while in a meeting :)

Who doesn't love wireless internet???

Wireless internet has allowed me to stay sane today...plus keep in touch with important people - you know who you are ;)

In other news - should I join Facebook?? It's trendy, and I don't like to be trendy....but sooo many people that I'm hanging out with right this moment are soooo into it - and I'm starting to feel like I need it (just like I did when I started this silly blog in D.C. - thanks Jennifer :) Please - if you are reading this let me know if you have Facebook so I can decide if I should take the plunge!!!!!

February 22, 2006

No comment?

Ok, well I guess I must write about boring things....since NO ONE wants to comment on my entries!!! :) I know I haven't written much lately....just hasn't much "blog worthy" stuff happening ( I thank Elizabeth for that phrase ;)

See....this blog is so boring, you can't NOT comment!!!! :)

February 14, 2006

V-Day....and Chocolate

Oh yeah baby it's the big Valentine's Day today. Life is good though - I just found out that not only is chocolate good for me - it's also good for the environment.

Check it out: http://www.nrdc.org/thisgreenlife/

Yummy

January 29, 2006

On a Caffeine High

Pretty sure I don't have anything to write right now....but it's 11:45 pm here in Chi-town, a time I would normally be asleep, or thinking I'd better get to bed. But not tonite.

Why you ask???

Because I was at Starbuck's all afternoon, chugging down lattes. BIG mistake!!!!!!

I am SOOOO tired, but I literally can't stop moving, nor can I shut my eyes. Oh yeah, I tried. I laid in bed and realized it was a complete waste of my time.

So why was I at Starbuck's indulging myself in all this caffeine?

I WAS FINISHING MY ESSAYS FOR GRAD SCHOOL!!! AND I DID FINISH THEM!!

Whew. All I have to do is print them and send them off. I should be excited shouldn't I? Relieved? Like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders??

Maybe the reason I don't feel all that is because I'm drugged up from all the caffeine. Did I really NEED all that caffeine to keep me going? Did I really NEED to get that 2nd and 3rd coffee???

Don't get me wrong, I'm psyched that my stuff is done. And I even think it's pretty decent.

But I must admit I'm pretty terrified as well (Wow I feel like this might be too much information for my innocent little blog!!!) :) hehehe you've been warned.

I'm applying to 3 schools. 3 schools in completely different areas of country. 3 schools each with tons of pros, but each has their cons as well. I really like all 3. I have absolutely NO IDEA where I'm going to be in 5 months!!!

Hmmm...maybe it's not the caffeine keeping me awake. Maybe it's my own crazy self.

Other than that, everything is fabulous!!! :)

January 25, 2006

Save Grizzly Bears!!

Bush and his cronies are trying to take grizzly bears off the endangered species list!!! However, there is still only a small number still living in the Yellowstone area, and taking them of this list would also make it legal for hunters to shoot and kill them.

Please go to the following website: http://www.savebiogems.org/bears/takeaction.asp to learn more and sign a petition! It only takes but a moment...

January 23, 2006

Knitters Unite!

Virginia let me know about this website:

http://www.wisforwomen.com/

It is fabulous!! Everyone knows where I stand politically...and everyone knows that I'm a knitter....

Are you confused yet?? Politics?? Knitting?? All together??

Check it out :)


January 22, 2006

It's Been a Long Time

Well, after the last month of travelling I am psyched to be settled back in Chi-town again!!! Not to say the travels weren't awesome...but living out of a suitcase gets old after awhile. In case you aren't up to date on where I went (and some of my fave pics):

Home - for Christmas of course! It went quickly, and I had the Gathering looming over my head the whole time...but it was still nice to be home for a few days.

San Diego - the LSM National Gathering...it was fabulous!!! Since it was my second year doing it, I was so much more relaxed, and had more time to hang with new and old friends. It really couldn't have been any better!


(New Year's Eve on the balcony with my hot new pals) (me and Elizabeth - taking a break!)

Jamaica mon - Oh yeah baby - even though we missed our flight, we still got there ok a day late. It's the only time I've ever gone anywhere without ANY obligations. The main goal of each day was to lay out on the beach as much as possible! We did spend one day doing a waterfall hike - meaning we just hiked right through the water. Pretty sure I don't know the last time I did something that cool!! I have a nice tan - wait, I mean had...it's already faded in this lovely Chicago weather. :)


(after a sunset) (me and Heather - hotties chillin')

South Carolina - first half of the week for a meeting, second half fun times with Virginia, Michael, and Kat!!! We spent some time in Charleston, mostly walking around and eating/drinking a lot!! (Wet Willie's I will be back!!) ;) A lovely day of watching football, eating pizza, and drinking margaritas on Sunday.


(me and Virginia - hotness!!!) (me and Kat - more hotness!!!)

So that's my trips in a nutshell!! I was in Chicago a total of 2 days in over a month!! Fun Times! Next trip??? Hmmm definitely Minneapolis to see all my peeps in the hood. Peace out y'all.

January 3, 2006

Jamaica, Here I Come!!!

Ok, so maybe my flight was SUPPOSED to be today...and maybe I DID sleep through my alarm this morning. But praise the Lord, Heather and I are still on our way to Jamaica, mon - only a day late.

Not that I didn't have a good excuse for sleeping through my alarm...probably got about 12 total hours sleep in the last 5 days!!! But the National Gathering in San Diego is officially over, and I survived it. I think it went well, and it sounds like the participants had a great time. I spent New Year's Eve on the balcony of my hotel with several great new and old friends, overlooking the San Diego bay - couldn't really ask for better than that!!

Peace out friends - I will post some pics from my Jamaica trip when I return (IF I return - did I mention when we missed the flight they also cancelled our return trip?!)