Cathedral

I thoroughly enjoyed the story "Cathedral" by Raymond Carver. It had a very different feel to it and it kept me interested throughout the entire story.

This story was interesting in the fact that I did not fully understand why the husband disliked or thought negatively about the blind friend. Was it because he felt like he was threat to he and his wifes relationship? or was it because his wife has such a deep friendship/relationship with this man? It was like he hated him before he even met him. He took no time to get to know him. Instead of viewing this as a time to get to know one of his wife's friends, he was bitter and negative. I feel as though if I was the husband and my wife's friend was coming, I would try to be as welcoming and joyful as possible because this man obviously means something to her. I would definitely be trying to get a feel of what this guy was all about but I would not allow tension to constantly engulf the atmosphere.

I thought it was slightly comical how the wife left them all alone for a long amount time. Were there motives behind her staying away for so long? Or was she just really taking that long to get ready for bed? I think that the answer to that question is yes, she probably purposefully stayed away that long. Why not leave them down there alone...maybe they will begin talking about something and find some common interests. You know, get to know each other. I think that is a pretty brilliant move on her behalf. moments like that are always awkward but it makes you make an effort and step out of your comfort zone and really engage in conversation.

It was cool to see the husbands guard come down as he and the blind man began to talk and interact. It climaxed when they began to discuss the thought and look of the cathedral. This scene was moving (weird statement, I know, but it kind of tugged on my emotions). I feel as though there was a reason for the blind man doing what he did with the drawing. It was not just to "see" what a cathedral looked like, he was teaching the husband a lesson of some sort. perhaps Robert (the blind man) was showing the husband how he sees things in life? but it is truly a mystery to me!

I watched To Kill A Mockingbird. I have never seen this movie before!

Special Post 2

A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings: A Tale for Children is a very interesting story about a family-Pelayo, Elisenda, and their child- who one evening, after a long rainstorm and a struggle with the many unwanted crabs, find a old man "angel" stuck in the mud outside of their house. They did not know if he was good or bad so they just put him outside in the chicken coop with the animals. Pelayo and Elisenda’s child was sick in bed, almost to the point of death, but due to this mysterious angel-man, the next morning the child was all better. News of this miracle spread throughout town and before they knew it, they had people from all over the place coming to see the angel to receive healings of all sorts. Elisenda came to the conclusion that they were going to begin to charge each person five cents to see the old man. As time went on, they get rich; so much so that all of the rooms in their house were filled with money. After an unknown amount of time, the people began to lose interest in the angel-man and shifted their attention and money to the spider-woman. She was not only interesting to look at but she allowed people to ask her questions. She told the story of how by being disobedient to here parents, she was turned into a spider. Despite the way she looked, her story had a moral to it. Elisenda and Pelayo did well for themselves with all of the money they had earned...they built a new house and got a whole new wardrobe. The only thing left unfixed was the chicken coop with the angel in it. Eventually after a while, the chicken coop collapsed and the angel just sort of went around. He would randomly appear in the different rooms of the house. Pelayo and Elisenda were really worried that he was going to die but after surviving winter, the angels health began to improve. One day, Elisenda watched as he flew off into the distance. She felt relief for both herself and him.

When you first read A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings: A Tale for Children you really have no idea what is going on. You know that you just read a story about and old man/angel/demon who is sick and who fell into this couples life, but you are left with a whole lot questions. Why is this “A Tale for Children” part of the title? What is the point of having the crabs in this story? Who and what is this old man angel-like thing? What happened to him? Why is he so weak? Is this whole story a dream or reality? A lot of the story is almost left unanswered. The audience will never know if the angel-man was a angel or a demon. We have no idea where he came from or why he looked so beat up and awful. It remains a mystery. The central theme of this story is the ambiguity of it all. As I stated above, the reader does not give any answers. Many issues go unresolved and we are left to fill in the blank ourselves. We are given the power to draw the conclusions as to who the old man is and what is real or make believe. Many would even say that what makes this story so great is fact that it allows you to make sense of the story in your own way. In real life, we are not given the answers to all of life’s questions, and I feel as though that is true for this story as well.

The main interpretations that I take away from this story is how shallow people in this world can be. Pelayo and Elisenda only kept the angel man to get money. They treated him poorly and kept him tied up outside like a criminal. All of the people came to see him not only for his wings but to GET something from him. Instead of taking this opportunity to love on someone who was lost and hurting, they used him to make a little cash. I understand that they did not know him or what he was capable of, but they could have at least made the situation a little bit more bearable for him.

This story was an eye opener to what culture is really like today. We are so worried about how we can get ahead that we neglect to see the other people who are hurting and in need around us. Instead of viewing the angel man or the “dorky” person as an annoyance, we should view their presence as an opportunity to share the love of Christ with them…to speak life into them. This story really challenges me to not see people for what they can do for me but what I can do for them as well. It really encourages its readers to be selfless. Matthew 9:35 states that if one so desires to be the first, then he must last and a servant to all. Money is nice but it is temporary. Loving on someone is priceless.

T.B.N.D and Dr. Fettke

A few of my classmates and I went to the Theatre of Winter Haven to see The Boys Next Door. I thought that it was good. I am not sure I would have ever paid the full $20 dollars to see it but I went opening night so it was only $10 so I feel much better about that! I really disliked the guy who played Jack. He did not portray the character very well, but besides that the rest of the characters were good. My favorite character and actor was the guy who played Lucien. He was brilliant. My favorite part of the play was Lucien's monologue. It was powerful and impacting. The actor really pulled me into the play at that point. I could feel what he was feeling and what he was saying. It was legit. So overall, despite the price,The Boys Next Door was a good field trip and a worthwhile experience.

The Spirit of God Hovered Over the Waters: Creation, the local Church, and the Mentally and Physically Challenged, A Call to Spirit-led Ministry by: Dr. Fettke was really good. I enjoyed reading it. It really brought up some interesting, convicting points. The church of God is clearly not being what God has called us to be...and that is sad. The first thing that popped out to me was when Fettke stated, "I would like to propose defining 'normal' as simply being created in God's image." What a bold and interesting statement. No matter how normal or abnormal one may seem, when it comes down to it, we all are created in the imago dei. These impairments are not always negative, they make up who the person is. Despite whatever issues one person may have, they are loved by God. "Nothing can separate us from the love of God." Romans 8:38-39.

The Boys Next Door

I found The Boys Next Door to be very entertaining. It is interesting to read a play that is centered around mentally handicapped people. I really enjoy getting inside their minds...and hearing how they go about their days. It is sad to see how they are taken advantage of. I cannot imagine doing such things to a mentally handicapped person. I did find it to be a little difficult to read on my own though. It was definitely easier to get through reading it aloud or should I say acting it out. It was hard for me to read because it jumps around a lot.

Professor Corrigan gave us some notes on The Boys Next Door. I really liked how he stated that he did not have answers but he could engage in questions with himself. I am a little uncomfortable with the whole statement that it is okay to laugh at the crazy things that mentally handicapped people do...I mean, I am definitely guilty of doing that but I almost feel bad doing it. I constantly laugh at myself and the stupid, silly things I do so I guess if it was something that I would laugh at myself doing it is okay. I completely agree with Corrigan when he stated that people with mental disabilities are like children. It is so true. If you just sit back and watch a child then watch someone with a mental disability they are very similar. It is kind of sweet.

Although this story is not only about the awareness of handicapped people, I feel as though that is one of the most profound things I have grasped from this play. They are real people with real feelings and they have a purpose and a plan for their lives just as much as "normal" people do. Corrigan stated, "People with mental disabilities need our help. But we need their help just as much." They truly do have something to offer. If we would take the time to get to know the mentally handicapped, I feel as though our lives would be greatly enriched.

poem

Oh how the times have changed

The sky that once was

As blue as the ocean

Has now turned into darkness.

The floors that breathed

With green life have faded...

Faded into what seems

Like eternal darkness.

Isn't it sad how the times have changed.

Fire consumes

Darkness invades

Oh how I long

For the light to shine.

When all hope seems lost

A ray light breaks through.

It is not the completion of restoration

But it is the beginning.

No matter what happens

I remember the light.

I will not lose hope.

Polk Museum of Art

"I went to the Polk Museum of Art for this assignment, and I stayed there for at least 40 minutes."

I thoroughly enjoyed going to the Polk Museum of Art. It was much smaller than I had expected it to be but it was still awesome none the less. It was really fascinating looking at all of the different kind of art displayed there; e.g. pastels, oil on canvas, pottery, mixed medium, etc. My amazement began in the section with all of the old pieces found in central and south america. There were some very unique and really old pieces there; each characterizing the country they were from. Some pieces were of women and children, gods that the people worshiped, and other odds and ends found during different excavations. Although the clay sculptures were interesting, it was not my favorite part of the museum. I am more drawn to the paintings...which leads me to the next room which was full of all different kinds of the artwork from high school kids in the area. I was very impressed. It was awesome to see the creativeness shown in these pieces. Each artist had their own voice and style. It was incredible to see the talent that is in the youth of today. I spent most of my time carefully observing each piece in this section. It really made me miss art. All throughout elementary, middle school and high school I took art classes. I loved getting to create and amaze myself with different art pieces. Right outside of this room was paintings and other artwork done by adults. They were incredible. The patience, time and creativity put in each of the creations was mouth dropping. The artwork truly amazed me. I would have to say that my favorite section was upstairs. There was a hallway full of pictures of different families from all over the world...and all of their belongings were outside of their house. Next to the pictures was a list of things such as country, number of inhabitants, size of house, annual income, and something that they wish for in the future. Reading the different lists really made me sad. It made me appreciate all that I have.

Beauty and the Creative Impulse

Beauty and the Creative Impulse by Luci Shaw was very good.

I loved all the discussion of beauty. Shaw is on point when she said, "A sense of the beautiful is so integral, so deeply a part of who we are and what we enjoy as human beings, that we may easily take it for granted." How often do we just stop and look at all that is around us…the scenery, nature, animals, people...and really take it in?If we would do that, we would see how amazing this world and its inhabitants actually are. Think about the human body, so intricate and perfect. There is no other person in the world that is you. That is beauty in itself. I am the only me in the world. We are so accustomed to seeing all of the "everyday" things that we do not realize the beauty that is forever surrounding us.

"Beauty is perhaps one of the few things that constantly calls us back to God." Isn't this such a true statement? Have you ever laid outside under the stars and just thought about creation? About how insanely brilliant God is? It is so true when people say the earth testifies to the goodness and creativity of God. The earth screams out THERE IS A GOD and he is amazing! In my missions classes, quesitons of unreached people groups are always brought up. "Will they go to heaven if they die even if they have never heard the gospel?" It is sad thing that they have never heard the story of Jesus but creation constantly tells us there is God. It is natural revelation. The people might not hear a salvation message preached but they see that there is something greater than this world and out of their curiosity, Jesus shows himself to them and they are transformed. I feel as though we would all be benefited if we would just sit down and be amazed every once in a while.

DARKNESS, QUESTIONS, POETRY AND SPIRITUAL HOPE

This writing was by far my favorite thing I have read this semester. It was not only an interesting read, but it is very applicable to my everyday life. It is not just a good story but something that is important if I desire to live a life full of joy and victory over the darkness of life.

Too often I feel as though Christians put themselves in a box where they think no pain or sorrow can reach them. When something actually happens they immediately go to that place of asking, God where are you when my world is falling apart? Cliche Christian sayings are of no value when you are actually faced with hardships. When things happen our way of thinking changes...where we once used to say, God is so good, "he is in heaven...in my heart...he is everywhere" we now say God where are you when I actually need you? I thought you were good...etc. Professor Corrigan quoted, "One can never understand what hope is really about unless one wrestles with despair." Faith is the same...why would you need to have faith if there was no room to doubt?

I really like how Professor Corrigan said that " The practice of facing darkness is an exercise in 'go sell everything you have and follow me' where we lose our false religious hope and find an authentic hope in the God of truth beyond answers. It is also an exercise in 'take up your cross daily and follow me.'Laurence Freeman points out that in the gospels Jesus is more interested in living questions--'follow me'--than in finding answers." We have to get to the place where we are okay with not getting an answer to why we are going through the darkness. It is all about trust. Jesus did promise us in Hebrews 13:5 that he would "never leave us or forsake us." We must cling to His words, not to the lies of the devil. It is through Him and Him alone that we can not only continue to go on through the darkness but have the victory in it as well. No matter how bad life may seem, there is a real God who loves us and who sent his son to die for us. This does not mean that we are to deny the fact that there are bad things happening in this world, instead we are to hope in Jesus amidst the turmoil and darkness.

I Will Not Look Back

I Will Not Look Back

The children crying out with shouts of joy.

oh how they run and play

Sometimes I wish I could go back there,

Back to a life without any stresses and worries

then I remember all I have learned

all of the experiences I have been through

all of the wisdom I have gained throughout the years

all leading up to this moment...

I will not look back.

I am right where God wants me.

"For such a time as this"

I hear Him say.

I will not look back

I will keep my eyes fixed straight ahead.

I will keep my eyes locked on His.

I will not sway like the reeds blown in the lake

moving back and forth.

I will not look back.

I will stand tall and strong

Planted and grounded like the big oak trees

With their branches extended toward heaven

In constant surrender

I will not look back

I will not look back

I will not look back

Lake Bonny Park

"I went to Lake Bonny Park for this assignment, and I stayed there for at least 40 minutes."

Lake Bonny Park was really nice. At first site, I did not think it had that much to offer, but as I began to walk around and explore I discovered all of its hidden beauty. Not to sound like an awful person, but we all know that this area of Lakeland is not the nicest kept place in the world. I was really impressed with how clean the park was. There was not a lot of trash scattered around (except for in the lake) and it felt like a safe environment. The grass was green and there were a lot of trees and such...it was nice. When I arrived, there was a baseball game going on. It really brought back old memories of when I used to go to the park to play and watch softball and baseball games. The playground looked like a good time. There were some interesting contraptions out there that were not around when I use to play on the playground. It made me miss being a kid...not having any worries and responsibilities...all you had to worry about was having fun.

My favorite place was definitely the board walk. I love water (aka lakes, ponds, oceans, etc.) It was nice to just walk around and look out onto the water. As I spent my quiet time on the water, I really got to sit back and observe the lake and all of its inhabitants. Every once in a while a fish would jump out of the water...falling down with big splash. The wind was really blowing hard. It made ripples on the water. The reeds were blowing in the wind, almost as if they were making music. It was wonderful. I not only got to observe the wildlife but I also got to observe people. I watched how they reacted to their surroundings and to others they were talking with. It was a nice experience!

Mary Oliver is a GENIUS!

I really enjoyed the poems by Mary Oliver. Her diction was brilliant and simply drew me in. The things that she writes about are deep and profound, but you must think in order to fully grasp what she is saying.

The first assigned reading was her poem Messenger. The first thing that really stuck out to me was the title. As I kept reading throughout the poem the meaning of the title became even more clear and intriguing to me. In the poem she asks a series of questions and then stops herself and says, "let me keep my mind on what matters, which is my work, which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished." I loved this part because I am definitely guilty of asking too many questions instead of just remembering what my purpose is...instead of just sitting back and watching God do his thing. The earth that we live in testifies to God goodness and creativity. If we were to sit back and just observe all of the wonderful things around us...our lives would be so different.

The second Poem by Mary was Walking Home from Oak-Head. I liked this poem because I have never seen snow and it made it sound just magical =)

The third, and my personal favorite, was Six Recognitions of the Lord. This poem is my favorite because it is written along the lines of the way I think. The quote that stole the whole show for me was the very first stanza which says, "I know a lot of fancy words. I tear them from my heart and my tongue. Then I pray." This is so incredibly profound. Too often, Christians get caught up in the the whole religiousity of Christianity. We say prayers with big words so that we appear to be more righteous or holy...big words are not bad...but it is not our fancy words that gain the audience of God, it is the attitude of our heart. When someone first gets saved, their prayers are very simple, and according to some people they may even be improper...but I think that when the Lord hears those prayers, he smiles because he sees the genuineness of that persons heart. As we progress in our spiritual walks, we tend to lose that sensitivity and "realness" that we once had. This quotation convicted me and inspired me to go back to the simple, genuine relationship I once had with Christ.

which is the better person?

Which is a better person--a heart surgeon, missionary, college student, janitor, etc? Answer: how can you answer this question without knowing the person to which the question is referring?...so cool, there is a man who is a missionary....awesome, but that is only what he does, it is NOT who he is. Too often we judge people or call them "good" or "bad" or "successful" or "failures" based on their occupation when in reality it is not their job that defines who they are....as cliche as it sounds, it is who they are on the inside that defines them...who they are when they are all alone, when no one is watching.

In class on Monday we discussed the "Levels of who a person is". I really feel as though just by discussing the different layers of people, I now have a better understanding of how to read those people around me. Professor Corrigan used an example of the earth...1) you have the outer crust which is a persons physical appearance, what they wear, how they talk, etc. 2) the inner self which is the deep subconscious. It is the person that you are; the thoughts, the ideas, beliefs etc. and 3) the core which is who we are. Whether or not one lives his or her life for Jesus, he is still loved by God...no matter what race, religion, background...all are loved and accepted by Jesus....so the core is universal in the fact that all are loved by the almighty God. Professor Corrigan said a very interesting statement...he said that main objective in peoples lives should be to align one, two and three. I feel as though one cannot align his or herself without the help of God. We as humans are so incapable of doing all of the things that it takes to renew our minds, thoughts and ideas of ourselves, others and the world. It is only by the grace of God that we are able to love purely.

When I first read what the "special" blog post was going to be, I was not too ecstatic. I can write for days about what I got from a reading or about what I think about certain situations and topics...but to have to come up with something all on my own, I find that to be a bit more challenging. I do not pride myself on being a really great writer. English was always a difficult subject for me in high school and writing anything seemed like the death of me...so at first I was not too pumped about this short story we were supposed to write. Despite my negative outlook on this "special" blog post, I actually came out of it feeling achieved and excited. I am not going to lie, I surprised myself. I had no idea that I was capable of writing any kind of story...and it turns out that it was possible and my writing actually made sense.

I really liked how Professor Corrigan talked about:

1) how one can begin to read others better when he or she reads character based stories. This may not be true for all, but for me, it is definitely a true statement. As I read stories that discuss different peoples thought processes and feelings (character driven stories), I become more aware of people and the way they are. I begin to pick up on different things about people, like emotions and actions.

2) being vs. doing. I feel as though, in the world that we live in today, doing does outweigh the being. If someone can play basketball really well (doing)....they are gonna go pro even if they lack character/morals (being...who they are). The statement above is not always true but is definitely eminent in our world today. In some places...who the person is is of more importance than the skills that he or she possesses. In my opinion, character should definitely outweigh the gifts and abilities. H. Jackson Brown Jr. said, "Good character is more to be praised than outstanding talent. Most talents are, to some extent, a gift. Good character, by contrast, is not given to us. We have to build it, piece by piece -- by thought, choice, courage, and determination." Your gifts take you where only your character can keep you.

The Journey to Restoration

As Nicholas turned onto S. Matanzas Ave., he felt the pit of his stomach drop…his forehead and palms began to sweat as his 6’2” frame was filled with the overwhelming emotions of fear and doubt. He had never been this nervous before. Had it really been three years since he had been back to the small town he once called home in Chatham, Illinois? As he drove down the street he began to ask himself, am I stupid for coming back here? Have they even missed me? Their lives have probably been much better without me; if I come back now I will probably just disappoint or hurt them again. Driving towards the house he slowed down, eventually to a stop, as he saw Hannah running out to the mailbox. He had forgotten how beautiful his daughter was; her long blonde hair and pink flowery dress blowing in the wind. Look how big she had gotten, he thought to himself. The last time he saw her she was five. At the sight of Hannah, he forced all the negative thoughts that had been troubling him into the back of his mind. He waited until she went back into the house before he pulled into the driveway. After letting out a long sigh of both excitement and apprehension, Nicholas got out of the car and began to walk towards the front door. With each step his heart began to race faster and faster…reaching its climax as he approached the door. He stood there for a second thinking of what he would say. Would he begin with, I am so sorry forgive me, or how have you been, or maybe just state the fact that he had really missed them. Before he could finish his thought and decide what to say, he was interrupted as the front door flew open. Finally, after all of these years, he was face to face with the people he had both loved and hurt so deeply. Julie, his wife, stood there with a shocked look on her face. Before Nicholas could get any words out Hannah came charging out of the door screaming “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy! I have missed you so much.” She jumped into his arms and hugged him for what seemed like a lifetime. Nicholas immediately said, “I love you Hannah. I am so happy to see you. You have gotten so big.” Hannah ecstatically grabbed Nicholas by the hand and lead him inside. Once Julie realized what was going on she gently asked Hannah, “honey, why don’t you go in your room and play so daddy and I can talk.” Hannah looked at Nick hesitantly and he reassured her that he would not be going anywhere. As Julie looked at Nicholas, she was flooded with emotions. Should she be happy that he had come back or should she be mad that he had been gone for so long? She thought the world of Nicholas. She really loved him. He was her best friend. For as long as she could remember, it was just the two of them. It did not come as a shock when they married right out of high school. A few years later, they had Hannah. They were the happiest couple anyone had ever seen, really picture perfect. They loved Jesus, loved each other and loved life…That is until Hannah was three. She got really sick. Nick and Julie were devastated when the discovered that Hannah had leukemia. It was at that moment that Nick changed. He began drinking, lost his job, and simply stated, he fell apart. He had become very angry and bitter with God. He could not understand why a God who is supposedly so “good” would allow something so awful to happen to such a precious little girl. With her husband slowly fading away, Julie had no one to cling to but Jesus. Instead of doubting him, she held fast to his promises and his word. By the time Hannah was five, she had gone into complete remission. Despite the joy of the fact that Hannah was okay, Nick had come to the conclusion that there was no God and if there was a god, he was not good. He had become so bitter that he could not stand to even hear the name of Jesus. Julie would constantly go around telling people of the way that Jesus had saved their baby girl. Nick eventually got so angry that he just left. Never to be heard from until this very day. Julie asked Nick, “Where have you been? I have not heard from you in three years. I had no idea if you were dead or alive. I had no idea where you were!” Nick stood there unsure of what to say, he put his head in his hands and slowly began to explain. He said, “There are no words to express how sorry I am. I am ashamed of the fact that I allowed my pain and anger to override my love and responsibility for you and Hannah. I could just never understand how you could love God after all that had happened…that is until one night, while I was sleeping in the streets, I had a dream. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, the birds were chirping and I saw Hannah running around and playing. She looked so healthy and happy. As she was playing she grabbed a flower and took it over to man sitting against a tree. She plopped down on his lap as if she had known him forever. She sat the flower in her lap and leaned her head against his chest…while watching this I began to approach them. As I got closer I noticed that Hannah was not as perfect as I had thought before. She had all of the same scars. The man leaned down and kissed her on her head. As I looked at him I recognized who he was. All of these years while I was doubting the healing power and existence of God, Jesus was there in the midst. He was loving on Hannah and taking care of her. I though that God was no where to be found, when in reality he was right here the whole time. When I saw that, I knew that there was a God and that he was good. Despite my weakness and doubt, Jesus was strong. He brought healing to Hannah and I know if you will forgive me and let me back into your life, He can heal us too.” He began to search her face for some kind of answer, hoping that by taking this bold step to come here, she would search her heart and find forgiveness. As much as he had hurt and disappointed her, she had really missed him. She knew him well enough to know that his words were sincere and that he was a changed man. After a brief pause, which seemed like it lasted a lifetime, she said, “At first I was so hurt and angry, but then God really began to instill within me pure love and compassion for you. I have been praying for you faithfully every day. You showing up today was so surreal; it was literally an answer to prayer that I was not expecting. I can see that God has totally changed your heart. Where there was once bitterness is now compassion. And where there was once hatred there is now passion and love. It will not be easy but I will do whatever it takes to rebuild this marriage and this family.” Nick was relieved to know that by humbling himself and admitting his faults and weaknesses to Julie, there was now room for healing and restoration. It would not be a “walk in the park,” but he knew that with the Lord they could get through anything, no matter how difficult the situations may be.

My Tea with...

It has been a while since I blogged last and I must say it feels nice to be getting back into the groove of things again.

My tea with Madame Descartes was very intriguing. I loved the authors (David St. John) use of similes and imagery; it could be seen consistently throughout the entire poem. The authors diction made the story come to life. He really painted a perfect picture of what was being discussed...for example "I noticed that the silver of her hair was laced with an astonishing gold, like those threads woven so deftly throughout a tapestry to trap the light"...as you read that you can almost envision the ladies hair and how it shone with the different colors of silver and gold. David St. John really gives you a crisp image of what the narrator is seeing.

Besides the beauty of John's usage of imagery and similes, I must admit (even though it may sound contradictory from the paragraph above), I did not fully understand the poem. I do not know if it was the way the sentences were broken up onto the different lines or if I am just not used to reading this type of writing, but I kind of got lost in the extreme intricacy of Johns writing. It is a rare thing to find people talking in such a way as this poem is written, and I feel as though because of this, it is difficult for my mind to grasp all that is being said. I personally feel as though the strengths and weaknesses of this poem are one in the same...the similes and imagery are fantastic, but at the same time my mind ends up going in a several different directions when he talks in such a way.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this poem. David St. John is a very talented writer and does a great job of really pulling his audience into his writings. I would definitely be interested in reading some of his other writings.

The Imaginary Invalid

The Imaginary Invalid was written by John Baptiste Moliere (This was actually the last play Moliere wrote) This comedy is about a hypochondriac who is trying to marry his daughter, Angelique, to a doctor. He figures if his daughter marries a doctor, he will be taken care of any time one of his health issues flair up. Conflict arises as Angelique tells her father that she is secretly in love with Cleante. Her father gives her two choices, she will either marry the doctor he has selected for her or she is going to be sent to a convent. "Antics ensue as various characters attempt to influence the fathers decision." Despite all of the drama, this story has a happy ending. Angelique and Cleante end up together and the father becomes his own weird kind of doctor.

Professor Nickolas Dixon did a fantastic job directing, choreographing, and designing the costumes and makeup for this play. The story line was very humorous and was quite entertaining...it kept your attention throughout the entire play. The world that was painted by the characters, outfits , and set was very off the wall, flamboyant, exotic, and fantasy like. It made me feel as though I was in a movie like Big Fish. It truly was an "imaginary" world. The stage was set up as the outside of a big house. It was closed originally but as the opening scene ended they opened it up to show the inside of the house...this is where most of the show took place.

Going into this, I was not sure what to expect, all I knew was that it was a play at Southeastern University that I was required to attend. I am glad I saw this. It was funny, entertaining and definitely worth the $5 it cost to see it.

Painting =)

I chose to paint a scene from When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd. As one reads through the story, he or she would read about many of the things painted in this picture. Despite the sadness of President Lincolns death, Walt Whitman described the beautiful day in which the funeral was held. I wanted to somewhat capture this day.

Blogging

I am not going to lie, when I first found out that we were required to write a blog for an Intro to Lit class, I was a little skeptical. It was an assignment unlike anything I had ever had to do and I did not quite understand its purpose. As time has gone on, the reasons for this blog have become very clear. It is not only an opportunity to reflect upon the assigned readings we have done, but it is an opportunity to make a little literature of our own. Although this blog is really insignificant (in relation to all the things going on in this world), it really excites me to write it. This blog allows me to share my feelings and thoughts; it makes me feel like I have a voice.

In class on friday, Professor Corrigan handed out a paper with three different blog posts on it. He gave the class time to read them over and then give both our opinions and what we thought his opinion would be about them. After reviewing some of my peers blogs and reading over the guide to blogging again, I now have a clearer idea of how to make my blog the best it can be. It was extremely helpful to read three completely different styles of writing. I saw what a really good blog looks like and I saw what a really bad blog looks like.

I do not want people to read my blog and think that that I only did it because it was a homework assignment; I want them to read it and know that I put thought, time and effort into it. I want people to sort of get to know me a little better through my writings. It will be exciting to see the progress of everyones blogs at the end of the semester.

Walt Whitman's Poem

When I first read "When the Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd" I can honestly say, that I had no idea what in the world Walt Whitman was talking about. After discussing with my peers and talking about the different ways in which one should look at this poem, (e.g. historically, biographical, structural, and death and poetry) I began to understand it a little better. It is a very interesting story. It discusses both grief for those who had lost friends and family members in the war, and was written as a memorial for President Lincoln.

Not all literature is clear right away. Sometimes it takes re-reading something over and over again to fully grasp the meaning of the text. "This is the basic premise of modern day literature study-never in this life will we see the text face to face but always as through a glass darkly so that we can only read and re-read to the best of our ability." (Professor Corrigan)

Cemetary

"I went to the Lakeview, Roselawn and Tiger Flowers cemetery complex for this fieldtrip, and I stayed there for at least 40 minutes."

It was interesting to sit in the cemetery and read the poem. It was nice. It kind of brought the story to life.

Ohhh Onions

The Traveling Onion by Naomi Shihab Nye was a very interesting poem. After I first read it, I began asking myself: Why in the world did Naomi write a story about onions? Is this story actually about onions, or is there more to it? If there is more to it, then what did she mean? I was confused when she said things like, "I could kneel and praise all small forgotten miracles", "a history revealed", and "for the sake of others, disappear"; it was not until we had group discussions that I truly began to understand what she meant by those phrases. I thought that I was missing something because I did not fully understand what the poem was about. It was not until after we completed the "experiment" that I found that it is okay to ask questions and to be a little confused even after reading and re-reading the story again.

After discussing this story with my peers, I have come to the conclusion that The Traveling Onion is about taking time a recognizing the "small" or insignificant things in life...whether it is as small and significant as an onion or as serious as a person. This life we live would not be the same if it were not for the little things in life. Stew would not be the same if it did not have the onion in it..this world would be incomplete if it were not for each and every one of us..no matter how small or insignificant we may feel.

Jeremiah 29:11 "'For I know the plans I have for you', declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" & Psalm 139:13-14 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Joel

Monday’s class was very interesting. I have never done anything quite like what we did. Who would have thought that reading to a bunch of plants, water, birds and cars would be so invigorating? I felt somewhat freed after reading the book of Joel aloud. Despite the fact that a large part of the book of Joel is about the judgment of God...I was reminded of how awesome God really is. While looking out onto the water, I was reminded of how beautifully intricate and amazing the earth really is. It truly testifies to his authorship, creativeness and power.

The section of Joel that really got my attention was the section titled "Deliverance Promised". In the middle of all of this judgment, drought, famine and death, God promises deliverance. He talks about the vastness and power of His army....and how he will repay the people for their vindication. He promises an abundance of all of the good things one would desire. It was through Joel’s use of similes and imagery that the stories really came to life. As you read throughout the entire book, there is a picture that is painted for you.

The most important thing that impacted me from this reading is that no matter what happens in this world, no matter what the enemy throws your way, there is hope in Christ. Whether we realize it or not, Christ is coming back. We must keep our minds and hearts pure...He is coming back for a spotless bride, a bride who is patiently yet eagerly awaiting his return. We must keep our eyes fixed upon his face. I do not want to miss out on all that God has for me in this day and age. Do you? It is time not to prepare for the return of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Overview of A Grief Observed

A Grief Observed, really taught me a lot about myself and about the grieving process. The major things that I will take away from this book are 1) suffering is a normal part of life...whether we want to or not, we will all experience grief in some form or fashion. C.S. Lewis showed different ways in which one can grieve. 2) Lewis showed that it is okay to be vulnerable and transparent. We so often like to deny or ignore our feelings and try to push them to the side in fear of what others may think. He has inspired me and showed me that it is okay to to be weak at times 3) With his metaphor of the "card castles" I more clearly realize the importance of the foundation upon which we build our lives on. It is important that we check and make sure that our relationships with God and others are legit. 3) and finally it is important to remember that despite how aweful our lives may be....there is always hope. Times may get dark and you may feel lonely, but God is always there. It is okay to be real with God and ask him questions...it is in those times of asking questions and seeking him that we truly find him.

C. S. Lewis

A Grief Observed is a fantastic book. I really enjoyed C.S. Lewis' vulnerability. Here he is, this famous author and theologian, completely pouring his heart out....questioning the very presence and goodness of God. Most people wouldn't have the boldness to say such things aloud, especially in a book that was published for all to read. As a leader, it can be difficult to show signs of weakness....we always like to look all "put together"...I feel as though Lewis did a fantastic job of showing that despite his successes in life, he was still a human will doubts and problems. Many people have this weird thought in their head that because they are Christians, they are not aloud to be sad or mourn...but that is just a lie. We are emotional beings and whether someone is a Christian or not, there is a grieving process that must take place. It is only after this process that one can truly move on in life.

One of the first things that popped into my head as I was reading through the book was, "ohhhh I would never question God's love, goodness etc." But as I began to ponder my thought, I came to the conclusion that unless you experience this intense type of grief you honestly have no idea how you would or wouldn't react. God's goodness in tough times is really difficult to grasp hold of. the devil loves to tell you that the God you serve...he isn't good. He lets good people die...he is no where to be found...when I reality he is there holding you....you may not feel him and he may seem a million miles away but His loving arms are wrapped around you.

Dialogue

Dialogue is a great thing. When done in depth, it can really create a bond between you and the person you are chatting with. It can either make you respect or lose respect for the person you are talking with. I have had several deep talks with people and out of those times of "bearing ones soul" I have really created deep friendships.

I really enjoyed our "field trip" to Mi Casa Cafe. It was nice to just sit down and talk about the different books that my group and I were reading (even if they were not the kind of book that Professor Corrigan asked for us to bring, whoops)...we had a good time nevertheless. In our discussion time, I learned more about my fellow group members. It was nice to hear their different perspectives on the topics discussed! It is always interesting how one persons opinion can shed so much light on something that you have never thought of.

After doing this dialogue assignment, I have come to realize the importance of having deep talks with people. Whatever the reason, such as problems with vulnerability, insecurity, pride etc., so often we keep everything really shallow and surface level...it is only when you jump out into the deep end that you really get the good stuff.

Happy Endings

Happy Endings by Margaret Atwood is a very interesting yet real story about love and life. I really enjoyed the way that she told the story. Despite its pessimistic feel, there was a lot of truth in what she said. Unlike most stories I have grown up hearing, she told a story about reality...not a fantasy world where nothing goes wrong. As a little girl, I was always heard stories and watched movies that were full of happily ever afters and prince charmings. Even though I believe that people can live a life of joy and love together, it is not all sunshine and daffodils. Like Atwood so bluntly stated time and time again, life throws you a whole lot of junk. You will go through tough times, but I believe that if you are sensitive to the voice of the Lord and if you follow his lead, all will work out for your benefit.

The most important and memorable things I got out of this story were #1 I do not want to go into a relationship with the mindset that nothing will go wrong, even if he is the man that the Lord desires for me #2 I want to make sure that when I do marry someone, I am in the will of God and #3 I desire for me and my man to remain faithful no matter what the enemy or world throws our way.

Unfaithfulness has become the norm of the day and I am not okay with that! God has called us to be a faithful and trustworthy people...not only to Him but to the people around us as well. If the world would just clean up their view of faithfulness and love, I feel as though there would be a whole lot less hurt and betrayal in our world.

a crazy little thing called LOVE!

As one looks throughout history, he or she will find that most everything in life revolves around love. God created humans as emotional beings and because of this, life is lived in pursuit of true love and acceptance. When looking at humanity, one will begin to see all of the different ways that one tries to fill that "love void" in his or her life. For example: drugs and alcohol, keeping oneself busy, food, sex, shallow relationships, etc.

"Frankie and Johnny" is a fine example of this shallow version of love. The song begins by stating how they were so in love...."oh, lordy how they could love"... it continues by describing how Frankie found out that Johnny was with a gal named Nellie Bly...she then gets very angry and shoots Johnny. After listening to the full song, I began to ask myself...#1 if Frankie knew that Johnny was "doing her wrong", why did she stay with him? #2 if he was so in love with Frankie why would he cheat on her? #3 if she was so in love with him, how could she kill him? And #4 Why did this one bad experience cause her to think that there "ain't no good in man"?

In my mind, it is hard for me to grasp the concept of staying with someone who is unfaithful. If I knew that my man was "doing me wrong", I would definitely have to leave him. Character is crucial if you desire to have a good, solid relationship...not just with a man or women but with family members and friends as well. Far too many men and women in this world have become pessimistic towards true love because they have been hurt or let down over and over again. It is not until one has an encounter with Jesus that he or she truly finds acceptance and love in its purest most consistent state.

Heather Johnson...my literary profile

Before I was born, my mom and dad used to sing and read the bible to me....truth be told, that never really stopped. I was blessed to have a mother who did not have to work and could stay at home to teach me all of the fun and important things in life. She would always have children songs and movies playing for me...I love that!

My most recent memories of literature would be the classes I have taken here at Southeastern. Most of the classes that I am taking here require me to read several books over the duration of the semester. I have been introduced to some really great books and some pretty awful ones as well.

This may sound pretty cliche, but the most significant literary text that I have read would be the Bible. Every time I open it I get something new and exciting out of it. It is filled will such a wide range of stories that play on all of my emotions. It is great!!!

Literature is important in the fact that it keeps people, things, and stories alive...it almost preserves history. Had the stories of bible times not been written down we would not know all that we do about the ancient civilizations. Also, reading allows ones mind to dream up things and really use his or her imagination. It opens people up to an imaginary world of their own.

Literature plays such a significant role in our lives, I am not really sure if there is any reason to believe that literature does not matter...but if I had to pick one thing, I would say that one cannot learn everything in books. It is through reading and experiences that one truly learns the most.