Hola desde Venezuela!
It is hot. Hmph, Good Lord, instant sweating. Enjoying some time here with the family and such. Stuff here is a crazy mess. The insecurity is terrible, the corruption is rampant, and the infrastructure that started out bad is falling apart. Welp, I do like the place so I´ll hold off from all the complaints. I enjoy spending family time and such. They are such lovely people and they work so very hard. I really hope God keeps them safe and protects them.
I hope mon bloggees had a wonderful Christmas! Love you all! Texas again soon!
-MJ-ita
Recent Posts
What a GREAT STATE!
Blarsk opening up THE RIDGE!
Texas is a fantastic place. I've only been back a few days, but I just hands-down love it. Blair took Blakeslee and I out to her family ranch on Monday. Man, I love Texas.
This is a very BLAKE picture. That's Midnight who runs awkwardly.
Me, shooting a handgun. I don't normally shoot ANYTHING, but I did hit the bottle twice.
I just like this picture. MAD COW!
Blair climbing up the ancient windmill.
TEXAS. How I missed thee.
Enjoying warmer climes,
MJ
This is my wintersong to you...
Me in my winter coat and snow boots! I also have other snow gear (not pictured) :)
Downtown Bloomers on a wet/snowy winter's eve...
The semester is finished! And Texas in less than 24 hours! WHOOP! HOOK'EM! SIC'EM! GIDDY UP! SHOOT DANG! BOY HOWDY! YEEHAW!!! WELL I'LL BE!!! WHAT IN THE SAM HILL?!?! Yeah, that's all I got, if you have any more TEXAS catchphrases...post'em YA HEAR?!
Things I must see/have/eat/do whilst in the GRAND REPUBLIC:
*eat Mexican food prepared with the loving hands of someone that doesn't speak English
*eat barbeque prepared by someone with opposite political ideology from mine
*see mes amies et mon petit ami
*FARMMMMMMMMM
*be outside
So, let me say that Bloomington has had snow this winter, but the week we really got snow, I didn't have time for pictures. That is my apology for only giving you a picture of Christmas lights. In January though, I'll bring you pictures of snow. It snowed all day today, but no stick. It was fun to watch.
Love,
emm. jay.
I'll show you bad hijab...
If Iran succeeds in democratizing, it will be because of youth culture and women's rights movements. I think that's just wonderful because a) I am woman, hear me roar! Shoot dang, women bringin' down the theocracy b) I am youth, watch me rebel!
Women and youth are wearing less clothes, fighting the moral police (comité), drinking, partying, etc. Because Iran is a Islamic "democracy," the ostensible sexual rebellion (oo-er) is really a political revolution.
Sorry to geek out on you, but I really like democracy, and this semester I have been privileged enough to study the importance of youth in SEVERAL different settings and time periods. This isn't a blanket statement by any means, but youth and women play such a big role in democratization! And women's rights are a huge indicator of increased civil rights for EVERYONE. Oh my gosh, I'm looking forward to writing my final paper on this, the research is just fascinating!
Geek moment over.
3 days to TEXAS. I thought the day would never come. I already miss it in January.
Dreaming of Texas sunsets,
MJ
Hmm... looking back on this, I make some pretty general statements. Democracy in Iran won't be directly correlated to the success of youth rebellion, but the youth will play an important role. Okay, I feel better.
Women and youth are wearing less clothes, fighting the moral police (comité), drinking, partying, etc. Because Iran is a Islamic "democracy," the ostensible sexual rebellion (oo-er) is really a political revolution.
Geek moment over.
3 days to TEXAS. I thought the day would never come. I already miss it in January.
Dreaming of Texas sunsets,
MJ
Hmm... looking back on this, I make some pretty general statements. Democracy in Iran won't be directly correlated to the success of youth rebellion, but the youth will play an important role. Okay, I feel better.
Is anyone among you...?
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. - James 5:13-14 (ESV)
This is what we did yesterday at church. It was wonderful. I prayed for my writing, because graduate school has just knocked all confidence out of me, I feel like I'm rebuilding the way I think. It's good and I see positive change, but it's a struggle, a very hard struggle. I sang praise for the way the Lord has reassured me of his provision through the people I've meet and the jobs he provided. I don't want to just be happy about that, I want to be joyful about it (if you haven't heard my spiel about joy and happiness, I'll write about it some other day). And although I didn't get anointed (long story, but it was not a come down the aisle thing), I know that the prayer of others can clear the pathway to healing (for me that means the homesickness that comes and goes). Anyway, I must get back to writing, but I feel like God is calling me to admit that I feel weak when it comes to writing, and I just need to admit that, pray about it, work on it, and continue praying. I'll probably turn in my seminar paper and not feel just FANTASTIC about it, but I don't believe James means that this prayer will miraculously give me the writing abilities of a fourth year. I think that prayer (and admitting it to the INTERNET! or just my three bloggees, but this is a quick and efficient way to tell many people at once) will help me deal with pride issues that are really at the core of this lack of confidence (odd how that works, but it's true).
Okay, back to writing! Women in 1970s Mexico City! Patriarchy! Photography! Hooray!
emm.jay.zee.
This is what we did yesterday at church. It was wonderful. I prayed for my writing, because graduate school has just knocked all confidence out of me, I feel like I'm rebuilding the way I think. It's good and I see positive change, but it's a struggle, a very hard struggle. I sang praise for the way the Lord has reassured me of his provision through the people I've meet and the jobs he provided. I don't want to just be happy about that, I want to be joyful about it (if you haven't heard my spiel about joy and happiness, I'll write about it some other day). And although I didn't get anointed (long story, but it was not a come down the aisle thing), I know that the prayer of others can clear the pathway to healing (for me that means the homesickness that comes and goes). Anyway, I must get back to writing, but I feel like God is calling me to admit that I feel weak when it comes to writing, and I just need to admit that, pray about it, work on it, and continue praying. I'll probably turn in my seminar paper and not feel just FANTASTIC about it, but I don't believe James means that this prayer will miraculously give me the writing abilities of a fourth year. I think that prayer (and admitting it to the INTERNET! or just my three bloggees, but this is a quick and efficient way to tell many people at once) will help me deal with pride issues that are really at the core of this lack of confidence (odd how that works, but it's true).
Okay, back to writing! Women in 1970s Mexico City! Patriarchy! Photography! Hooray!
emm.jay.zee.
Hope, Football, and Love
Just an article someone shared with me. Be warned, I cried, but I cry at everything nowadays, so take it for what its worth. But it'll definitely at least make you tear up :)
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3789373
Keeping my tootsies warm whilst the Bllllllizzzaarrrrrdddd rages on,
MJ
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3789373
Keeping my tootsies warm whilst the Bllllllizzzaarrrrrdddd rages on,
MJ
Dreaming of Tacos and Barbeque during Midwestern Winter BLAST
So yes, Texas is HOT in August, but I think I'll take miserably hot over miserably cold. It's supposed to feel like zero degrees (which in my head I'm calling "love" degrees, like tennis, 'cause it sounds warmer) when I leave my apartment tomorrow. Well, at least it won't be negative degrees???
So, mini blizzard(?) today. COLD squalls, constant snow, but thankfully minimal ice. I'm still mesmerized with the way snow falls, so it was hard to be annoyed with the precipitation. The cold wind though, that got old fast. Also, got my SNOW BOOTSIES for my FEETSIES today! Except they are too small, must return. But Rusty helped me find an even better deal online. What a good boyfriend! New shoes should be in on Saturday. In time for one week of cold! They will be very worth it.
N*SYNC's "Merry Christmas" is a little bit more enjoyable when snow is falling. And you are indoors.
Wearing two or more of everything,
e-me.ho-ta (¡español!)
So, mini blizzard(?) today. COLD squalls, constant snow, but thankfully minimal ice. I'm still mesmerized with the way snow falls, so it was hard to be annoyed with the precipitation. The cold wind though, that got old fast. Also, got my SNOW BOOTSIES for my FEETSIES today! Except they are too small, must return. But Rusty helped me find an even better deal online. What a good boyfriend! New shoes should be in on Saturday. In time for one week of cold! They will be very worth it.
N*SYNC's "Merry Christmas" is a little bit more enjoyable when snow is falling. And you are indoors.
Wearing two or more of everything,
e-me.ho-ta (¡español!)
Foreboding Snow, Endless Eggnog and Non-Slip Soles
The first snow came today!
But no, no pictures, no camera phone pictures, because I didn't have time! But pictures forthcoming!
So, I'm excited about snow. It's pretty, it's white, it's fun. But it's mocking me! It's saying, "Look how I pretty I am! Love me! Want me!" But it's just a false sense of security, soon it will be saying "HA! And you thought moving up north would be easy. Try digging your car out for an hour, see how easy THAT is!" --This is the foreboding
Also, I made pumpkin pie a few weeks ago and I had to buy eggnog to make it. The result? Wonderful pie and lots of left over eggnog. So I set out on a "use up all my eggnog" experience! I've now made three recipes (pictures, also forthcoming)! All of which were super tasty! But the eggnog is STILL not all gone! What more do I make?!!! How can I make it go away?!
Lastly, I ordered some SNOW BOOTS a little over a week ago. They are still not here. This does not making me feel any better about the foreboding (see above).
No time to enjoy snow, but enough time to blog,
MJ
But no, no pictures, no camera phone pictures, because I didn't have time! But pictures forthcoming!
So, I'm excited about snow. It's pretty, it's white, it's fun. But it's mocking me! It's saying, "Look how I pretty I am! Love me! Want me!" But it's just a false sense of security, soon it will be saying "HA! And you thought moving up north would be easy. Try digging your car out for an hour, see how easy THAT is!" --This is the foreboding
Also, I made pumpkin pie a few weeks ago and I had to buy eggnog to make it. The result? Wonderful pie and lots of left over eggnog. So I set out on a "use up all my eggnog" experience! I've now made three recipes (pictures, also forthcoming)! All of which were super tasty! But the eggnog is STILL not all gone! What more do I make?!!! How can I make it go away?!
Lastly, I ordered some SNOW BOOTS a little over a week ago. They are still not here. This does not making me feel any better about the foreboding (see above).
No time to enjoy snow, but enough time to blog,
MJ
Thanksgiving, Part II
From Philip Yancey's Disappointment with God
...My friend Richard had asked, "Where is God? Show me. I want to see him"...If you want to see God, then look at the people who belong to him - they are his "bodies." They are the body of Christ.
"His disciples will have to look more saved if I am to believe in their Savior," said Nietzche to such a challenge. But maybe if Richard could find a saint, someone like Mother Theresa... "There- see her? That is what God is like. She is doing the work of God."
Richard does not know Mother Theresa, but he does know me. And that is the most humbling aspect of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit...He will likely never get a personal glimpse of God in this life. He will only see me.
I want to keep this short, but I wanted to share this because it is immensely humbling, but it's also beautiful. Some of the people I have met this semester, in my loneliness, in my frustration with graduate work, in despair even, these people who have befriended me, fed me, shared coffee with me, they have done the work of God. I got a "personal glimpse" of his "body." So, I post this bloggie for two reasons, one, I am grateful to a loving God for his work this semester, and I am encouraged by the way he has done his work. We are not all Mother Theresa or Dorothy Day (both women, eh?), but God lives in us and if are just obedient to love God and love others, selflessly...well, I don't know exactly what comes after that for each individual person, but I know that action will further his glory and his kingdom. And that's cool.
Also, Texas: 2 snow days; Indiana: 0 snow days... The lower Midwest is losing! I am okay with this for now. But I can smell the snow now, it's due shortly.
Blessings,
em.jay.
...My friend Richard had asked, "Where is God? Show me. I want to see him"...If you want to see God, then look at the people who belong to him - they are his "bodies." They are the body of Christ.
"His disciples will have to look more saved if I am to believe in their Savior," said Nietzche to such a challenge. But maybe if Richard could find a saint, someone like Mother Theresa... "There- see her? That is what God is like. She is doing the work of God."
Richard does not know Mother Theresa, but he does know me. And that is the most humbling aspect of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit...He will likely never get a personal glimpse of God in this life. He will only see me.
I want to keep this short, but I wanted to share this because it is immensely humbling, but it's also beautiful. Some of the people I have met this semester, in my loneliness, in my frustration with graduate work, in despair even, these people who have befriended me, fed me, shared coffee with me, they have done the work of God. I got a "personal glimpse" of his "body." So, I post this bloggie for two reasons, one, I am grateful to a loving God for his work this semester, and I am encouraged by the way he has done his work. We are not all Mother Theresa or Dorothy Day (both women, eh?), but God lives in us and if are just obedient to love God and love others, selflessly...well, I don't know exactly what comes after that for each individual person, but I know that action will further his glory and his kingdom. And that's cool.
Also, Texas: 2 snow days; Indiana: 0 snow days... The lower Midwest is losing! I am okay with this for now. But I can smell the snow now, it's due shortly.
Blessings,
em.jay.
Civil Society (n) - 1. people drinking tea or playing nicely in the snow
So, Texas: 1 snow day, Indiana: 0 snow days.
Now what are the odds of that? Low. Lower than the odds of this paper I'm writing getting published any time soon! Psh, "publishable." Please, I just want to finish it and be moderately proud of it. Aside from that, I am normally sad when it snows in some part of Texas that I could be in, but instead I'm in some other part or Texas (or the world, like the year it snowed on Christmas and I was in Venezuela). I generally feel I will miss my one day of snow/year or something when that happens. Not today, today, I thought, "Yeah, I don't know how cool (ha!) I will think snow is after a winter here..."
Also, if any of you (Molly, my sister, and Russ, because you are my dedicated bloggees), see a news article that just MENTIONS civil society, forward it to me! I need it for class. As a prize, the most interesting article will get their article LINKED on my blog (woohoo!) and their choice of a) a hug or b) hang out time with me! Ah, what joy awaits (you and me both, I miss you Texasites dearly).
Praying for endurance for graduaties (the student kind today, but I love the people that are professionals now, too) everywhere,
MJ
Now what are the odds of that? Low. Lower than the odds of this paper I'm writing getting published any time soon! Psh, "publishable." Please, I just want to finish it and be moderately proud of it. Aside from that, I am normally sad when it snows in some part of Texas that I could be in, but instead I'm in some other part or Texas (or the world, like the year it snowed on Christmas and I was in Venezuela). I generally feel I will miss my one day of snow/year or something when that happens. Not today, today, I thought, "Yeah, I don't know how cool (ha!) I will think snow is after a winter here..."
Also, if any of you (Molly, my sister, and Russ, because you are my dedicated bloggees), see a news article that just MENTIONS civil society, forward it to me! I need it for class. As a prize, the most interesting article will get their article LINKED on my blog (woohoo!) and their choice of a) a hug or b) hang out time with me! Ah, what joy awaits (you and me both, I miss you Texasites dearly).
Praying for endurance for graduaties (the student kind today, but I love the people that are professionals now, too) everywhere,
MJ
Indiana Ink
I want a tattoo. For serious. I've always said I would get one if it would go away in 5-10 years, which you know, hasn't been invented yet, but whatever. Crazy? Maybe. Unexpected? Well, I guess so. Rational? I'm in graduate school, rationality flew out the window in August.
Also, CHRISTMAS SEASON 2009! YAY! A few material things I really enjoy about Christmas...
1) When you get in your car on Black Friday and the radio is all of sudden playing Christmas music
2) Getting Christmas tunes stuck in your head
3) Finally getting cold! (This only applies when south of the Mason-Dixon line, otherwise it's "oh, shoot, I am so under-prepared for this."
4) iTunes free holiday downloads, not always good, but some are catchy!
5) Starbucks.
6) Venezuela (for the Zambrans and anyone that would like to join us on our adventures to Chávez-a-go-go-land)
SNOW ALERT - It could snow ANY MOMENT now (although most likely next week, which is late in the year for these parts). I'm anxious, in both the excited and the nervous way.
Wishing I had a fireplace,
MJ
Also, CHRISTMAS SEASON 2009! YAY! A few material things I really enjoy about Christmas...
1) When you get in your car on Black Friday and the radio is all of sudden playing Christmas music
2) Getting Christmas tunes stuck in your head
3) Finally getting cold! (This only applies when south of the Mason-Dixon line, otherwise it's "oh, shoot, I am so under-prepared for this."
4) iTunes free holiday downloads, not always good, but some are catchy!
5) Starbucks.
6) Venezuela (for the Zambrans and anyone that would like to join us on our adventures to Chávez-a-go-go-land)
SNOW ALERT - It could snow ANY MOMENT now (although most likely next week, which is late in the year for these parts). I'm anxious, in both the excited and the nervous way.
Wishing I had a fireplace,
MJ
