Currently in March…

From Kathleen.

Current book(s): Well, to be honest at the moment in I am in the middle of quite a few books. The problem is I am not to keen to finish any of them, but feel as though I should before I move on to a new book. The problem being that two of these books were given to me to read by my new boy(friend) and therefore I feel even more guilt over not finishing them (and not really wanting to finish them.) There the truth is out. Luckily he does not read my blog. (At least I hope he still does not read it.) The next book on my Book List reading is The Bonesetter’s Daughter, by Amy Tan, which I know nothing about. The book I just borrowed from the boy (and am excited about reading) is Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales. I will be doing some travelling over the next few weeks, so maybe that means I can get some reading done.

Current playlist: I am falling in love with Yeasayers new album Odd Blood. It really is a wonderful mix. And the song I can’t seem to get enough of lately is still Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero’s song Home.

Current shame-inducing guilty pleasure: It sounds crazy coming from my lips (fingers) but spending time with Neal. Yes, I say shane-inducing guilty pleasure because A. I am sure I could be doing more work but choice to spend time with him. B. It still feels like too much happiness to be real.

Current drink: So, I gave up alcohol for Lent. Yes, I did it. So, the result has been I have been drowning myself in Diet Coke since Ash Wednesday. Drinking WAY too much. Maybe that means next year for Lent I need to give up Diet Coke? But, needless to say… I miss wine, and beer, and can’t wait for the resurrection day. Come 7:30pm Easter Sunday after all church responsibility is done- I may or may not indulge myself in wonderful bottle of wine!

Current food: Neal and I have been having fun making dinner for each other. So, we are both eating wonderfully well as we attempt to impress each other with our masterful kitchen skills. So, last night I had steak! Which is a major step up from Mac n” Cheese, which is what it would be if I was left to my own devices.

Current favorite show: I love Modern Family, House, How I met your Mother, Survivor, The Office, Chuck, and Southland. Is that more than I should? And because I am trying to be a good girl(friend) I am watching The Big Bang Theory with Neal. So, that is another one to add to the list. Maybe this is why my reading has been light lately…. too many TV shows to keep up with!

Current wishlist: My current wish is to have my life figured out for me. But, since that one is a little tricky…. my current wish is to have a dog! I really, really, really am wanting a dog lately. I am starting to look into possibly getting one. So, who knows, maybe…

Current needs: I don’t know. Other than food and shelter, I’m good. I feel so blessed to have so many visitors coming and going over the next month, and that helps with my “friendship/connection need.”

Current triumphs: Having a car again! One that works! I almost forgot how much easier life was with a car. I feel human again. Also, I think about being in my job for over 19 months I am really starting to feel settled. Aberdeen is becoming my home- and that is a triumph.

Current bane(s) of my existence: My desire to be a sloth. I have developed a pattern of working terribly hard then just crashing. My bedside table right now, sadly has 4 empty diet coke cans, 2 water glasses, and 2 empty tea mugs. Yes, sloth. And instead of doing my dishes (which is on my to-do list for today) I am updating my blog. Alisa=Sloth.

Current celebrity crush: I have a crush on Matt Damon. I have for a long time, it will never go away. The end.

Current indulgence: A youth from my former church is coming to stay with me for over two weeks! And I am so excited about all the travelling we are going to do. One of which is going to the Isle of Shetland! Which will officially be the furthest north of the equator I will have ever been. We are flying up then taking a night ferry back from the Isle. Also we are going to Inverness, Fort William, Glencoe, Oban, Mull, Iona, Glasgow, Stirling, and Edinburgh!

Current blessing(s): The SUN and warmth have returned to Aberdeen! It makes life so amazing when the sun is shinning. I will never again in my life take for granted that big ball of burning gas. Also friends coming to visit!

Current outfit: Anything comfortable? Or since it is warmer my skirts and dresses are coming out of the closet after months of hibernation.

Current excitement: Travelling Scotland with Logan! My relationship with Neal. The love of my car. And the possibilities of the future.

Current link: Cause is there anything better? Wait, wait, don’t tell me!

Ten on Friday. Cause that’s how I roll.

Thanks to Roots and Rings

1. If you were given an hour to use a $200 Amazon gift card, what would you buy?

Wow! $200. Hmmm…. I could easily, too easily spend it all on books. Just start hitting the 1-click buy button over and over and over. But if I were to restrain myself away from the books. I don’t know. Is there anything other than books? Come on? Oh, I just thought of something. $100 on books then I would buy another pair of chacos. Yes. I am happy now just swimming in that beautiful thought.
2. Are there any fairly common foods that you’ve never had?

I have had most anything and everything thrown in front of me. My motto is: try it at least once. So, the list includes: aligator on a stick, bull’s tail,  black pudding, haggis… et all. When it comes to common foods, I’ve probably eaten it cause its common, right?
3. What was your favorite way to use your imagination as a kid?

I think I lived in my head most of my childhood. I loved making up my own stories… often based off of Narina books. I also loved painting. I could spend hours with my paints or art supplies. But I was also very much so a tom-boy of sorts. My “dolls” were my brothers action figures- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Thundercats… I used to make them torture my barbies. Still working on these issues. I think I loved using my imagination for my own inventive worlds. They were my special places. I hated playing “house” or “school” with other kids- generally because they were the ones in charge of the game. Still working on that issue as well. My imagination is my wonderful safe space, always has been. And, I like it that way.
4. What’s your favorite state? Why?

So, I’m was born in Colorado. Raised in Indiana. Went to College in Tennessee. Went to Seminary in Princeton. And I currently live in Aberdeen, Scotland. My mom now lives in Arizona. My brother lives in California (soon moving just outside Seattle, Washington.) Favorite State. I don’t know. I enjoyed growing up in Indiana, but am pretty sure I will never live there again. (Sorry to all the Hoosiers out there.) I am indeed proud to say, I heart Jersey! I loved my three years in Princeton, and could easily see myself living in Jersey area again. (Insert snide remarks here from the peanut gallery.) I also enjoyed living in Tennessee, but don’t think I could ever see myself living there again. So, who knows. As of right now I am not living in the States, so the future is a mystery.
5. If it was our culture to have our parents choose our spouses, do you think yours would make a good choice?

No.
6. What’s your favorite herb?

Cilantro baby. And garlic (even though its not an herb). In any opportunity I can unite these two flavors- I am happy. And all I want to do is smell my hands.
7. If you could have dinner with one celebrity, who would you choose?

I don’t know. Too much pressure. Pre-sex-scandal I would have said Tiger Woods. Well, I still might. Maybe he would sleep with me? J/K From the movie world: Matt Damon. From literary world: Barbra Kingsolver. From political world: Sarah Palin (come on it would be intriguing) From tv world: Neil Patrick Harris. From the past: Jane Austen or C.S. Lewis. Ok, that is more than one. So I am moving on.
8. What’s your favorite Disney movie?

Too hard. Can’t answer. Brain going into overdrive. I LOVE disney movies. I think my favorite Disney female is Mulan! Yes, my feminist nature comes out in my choice of disney woman. But how hot is a warrior woman?! When it comes to old school disney, Mary Poppins, another strong woman (are we seeing a trend here.) I was never a big fan of sleeping beauty or snow white- seriously the woman in those needed to grow some backbone. Oh, but then their was Pocahontas- not so great of a movie, but loved here. BUT– My all time FAVORITE Disney movie is, and will always be…. Lion King! Oh, so much love. I did watch that over and over and over, still can. I so loved it that I became obsessed with Africa when I was little. I decorated my whole room with an African theme, and collected lions- like had tons. What is funny about that is, in all my travelling, I still have not been to Africa. Hmmm, I need to fix that, soon.

9. If you had to listen to the same song over and over for 24 hours, what song would you choose?

Idioteque, by Radiohead.

10. How do you order your steak?

This is a touchy issue for me. I like my steak Medium-Rare (but more on the rare side of medium-rare) I have had quite a few heated discussions with waiters about what medium-rare means for their restaurant. Do not say Medium-rare then give me a medium steak, and dear lord, do not put a well-done steak in front of me. That is just a waste of good meat. Yes, I like my cow to still be bleeding, just a little though.

Looking forward, and looking back

So I recently had another birthday. Hip, hip hooray. I am yet another year older, another year wiser… and all that people say comes with the addition of another number. The age you might ask is 27. And I am ok with being 27. I am in a completely different place than I ever imagined myself to be at this age… but I have realized – that is ok.

In walking with one my flatmates to my bowling birthday party, he asked me how it felt to be 27. And I answered quite the same as above. With the addition that turning 27 was easier than 25 or 26. He, who is only 20 replied that for him turning 20 was hard.

That made me chuckle. In that way only older people can chuckle. 20. I don’t know if I can even remember 20. Well, no, that is a lie, I remember, in a past-flashing-image-montage-sort-of-way. So I have been thinking a lot about defining moments in my life. I might not be where I thought I would be at 27 (as in married, children, house… and that whole package of adulthood) but I have done a lot of amazing things in the past 7 years of my life.

So here is a recap, for all those not present for the past 7 years of my life:

At 20, I was a Sophomore at Milligan College. Where getting the highest score on my Humanities exam was one of my top priorities. Really getting the top score in all my classes (me=dork.) Or, I just aimed to get a better mark than my friend and roommate Melissa. We had a friendly rivalry, I swear, friendly. At 20 I travelled around Europe for a whirl-wind month with a gang of my fellow Milligan students. At 20, I crazily bought a one-way ticket to Scotland to study abroad (on-my-own) at St. Andrews University. I landed a wide-eyed innocent in Glasgow, and somehow managed my way across this country, which has now years later become my home.

At 21, I turned that watershed age on the beaches of the Spanish island Lanzorate with 7 friends. I mean, how cool is that! I must admit, at 21, in St. Andrews, I also got drunk for the first time. If you are going to get drunk for the first time, I guess Scotland is the place to do it. But, being the good girl I was, I waited until the USA legal age. At 21 I returned to Milligan for my Senior year of Undergrad.

At 22 I graduated from Milligan with honors and a proud member of the National History Society- again I’m a dork did I mentioned this already. At 22, I had two heart surgeries. The second being open heart surgery. So, at 22 I spent the summer hugging a pillow walking slowly up and down the street, slowly. And, at 22 I started graduate school at Princeton Theological Seminary. At 22, I feel in love with New Jersey. (true fact. i heart jersey. no jokes.)

At 23, I moaned about Seminary more than I should have. I moaned about the PCUSA ordination process more than I should have- because in the end I made it through. And I wish I could have enjoyed both- more. Hind-sight is well, you know what they say. At 23, I worked as a Hospital Chaplain at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis. Which was the same hospital my brother was born at, and I had plastic surgery on my lip, ankle surgery, two casts for broken arms, and oh, also those two heart surgeries. Working on the other side of where you have been the injured party, was hard, interesting, challenging, and a personality shaping experience.

At 24, I continued my studies. I commuted to work in the BIG APPLE where I worked at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. I feel in love with NYC, and at times I hated it. Or, maybe I just hated the New Jersey transit. At 24, I spent my summer traveling like crazy. I went to Mexico twice as a leader on mission trips. And then I packed a bag and headed to Europe on my own for 8 weeks. I visited friends in Scotland, stayed with another friend in Switzerland, explored Prague, Budapest, Slovenia (which I recommend to EVERYONE), relaxed in Croatia, spent a week cross-culturally in Roma, Italy (with my non-English speaking family), then finished off back in London. At 24, I travelled on my own. Which was one of my life goals. And it was one of the most amazingly developmental life experiences, to date.

At 25, I freaked out a lot. I freaked out about finishing Seminary. Actually writing my senior thesis (of which I spent most of the year just collecting books for.) I freaked out about taking my ordination exams: passing some, failing one, re-taking, and (thank God) finally passing all.  I freaked out about jobs, about ordination, about life, really, anything that could be freaked out about- I did it. I even spent a few weeks contemplating being a nanny the rest of my life to avoid it all. But, at 25, I also got a job at a church in Aberdeen, Scotland. So, at 25, I graduated from Princeton, packed up my life and moved back to Scotland.

At 26, I attempted to continue surviving in this country. 26 gave me many ups and many downs. I struggled with still being single, and on top of that living in a foreign land. I spent a lot of time walking, thinking, praying, reflecting, and processing what this thing called “God’s calling” was in my life. I also travelled to India to visit friends, rode elephants, visited the breath-taking Taj and ate some great food. At 26, I escaped home to the states twice and celebrate the beautiful unions of my cousin, my best-friend, and my dear ex-flatmate as they all got hitched to fantastic people. At 26, I finally made my way to the Isle of Skye, after almost 3 years in Scotland, I had not seen any islands. Well, that was a major check.

And now, I am 27. I leave tomorrow for trip to Spain for a week. And, even when I complain, I live in Scotland. That is pretty amazing and fantastic.

So, yes. I am still single. Yes, I don’t know when marriage and babies will come into my life. But, the pain of not having those things does not sting as bad when I look at all I have been able to do in the last 7 years of my life. And now the future is before me… and I am ready to welcome it with open arms.

10 on Tuesday, yet it’s Thursday (why? because Megan told me to write something…)

Courtesy of Roots and Rings.

1.  Favorite book(s) when you were a child and why.

I think I have answered this one… yes in a previous 10 on Tuesday post.

The answer remains the same: C. S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia.

2.  First “grown-up” book you remember reading (i.e. written for adolescents or with adult themes, such as The Outsiders or Catcher in the Rye).

The first “grown-up” book I read that had the power of truly making me fall in love with the written word was John Irving‘s, A Prayer for Owen Meany. Even after the crazy number of English classes, and A.P. Literature, it was not till my last semester of high school in my A. P. Themes class that I read this book and it transformed the reading experience for me. I remember loving it, loving the whole process of reading and discussing this fantastic book- it was not just a school assignment. John Irving is still one of my favorite American authors.

I think I need to reread some classic books like Animal Farm, Catch-22, Catcher in the Rye, War and Peace, Three Musketeers because I read them so young (or for school)– I am sure they will have completely new things to say to me now.

3.  Favorite movie that came from a book (even if you didn’t read the book and just loved the movie).

This is a tricky one. Because I normally HATE movie remakes of books. Well, because the books are just so freakin good. But I would have to say I loved Peter Jackson’s remake of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. I had mixed emotions about the remake of Julie and Julia. Major Like: The inclusion of more of a plot line focused on Julia Childs and Meryl Streep playing Julia Childs. The dislike: they changed things about the Julie Powell character that just irked me.

4.  Movie that you loved so much that you WISHED there was a book so that you could find out more about the movie.

Um… um… maybe Casablanca. Or memento.

5.  Worst book you’ve ever read.

Without a doubt: Michael Faber’s, The Fire Gospel. Had to read it for book group. It was painful. Brutally painful.

6.  Book that everyone raves about that you either a) haven’t read and feel slightly dumb for not having read it or b) have tried to read and hated so feel slightly dumb that everyone is getting something that you don’t.

Well, since I have a desire to read everything- I could list a whole lot of books here. I think one I am still angry at myself for not having finished is Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy. I have started it several times and then end up having to put it down– for some reason or another. I even dragged the monster of a novel with me to Scotland in hopes that I would be able to finish it. Maybe I need to add that specifically to my Life Goal’s list.

7.  If you were forced to choose only 3 books that you could read for the rest of your life, which ones would they be?  (Or, if you were stranded on a desert island, which 3 books would you want there with you?)

A Prayer for Owen Meany, John Irving.

Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy (If I have nothing else to distract me, then I will surely finish it)

The Complete works of William Shakespeare

8.  Name one book that if you could recommend that everyone you know read it, what is it?

Living Jesus: learning the heart of the gospel by Luke Timothy Johnson.

9.  What is your “guilty pleasure” reading?

I love children and teen fiction. So, sometimes I put aside the heavy reading for some mermaids, fairies, dragons, and other fanciful creatures. It feeds my soul. I also love reading reviews about children’s fiction. — I guess I did not do my graduate thesis in vain. It was on the importance of children fiction in faith development. — The topic and genre still excites me.

10.  What book (excepting the Bible or other major document of your religion/faith) has changed your outlook on life the most?

I took a class in undergrad on African-American literature with the wonderful Dr. Pat Magness. The whole class opened my eyes up to a new understanding of american life, color, and race.

Here are some of the books we read:

Black Boy, by Richard Wright

Their eyes were watching God, by Zora Neale Huston

Beloved, by Toni Morrison

I know why the caged birds sing, Maya Angelou

I love books.

10 on Tuesday (round 2)

Another round of fun, random Tuesday facts in the life of Alisa. Brought to by Roots and Rings.

1. Are you usually late, early, or right on time?

I am normally always a little early. This steams from two life factures. First: My parents were always late in picking me up/dropping me off. I hated it. It was embarrassing, it was painful, I still have deep seeded life issues based around those late arrivals and pick-ups. Second: My high school drama teacher (who fyi I did not get along with (further fyi I was just not one of her favorite chosen people)) Always made us repeat this phrase, “To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, and to be late is to be dead.” Well, it stuck. The phrase and the need to be early. Wow, this simple question has brought up a lot of emotions. I think I need a glass of wine now.

2. What is your middle name?

Lyn

3. What are the last 4 digits of your cell phone number?

5778

4. How big is your bed?

I have a super king. Don’t ask me to explain in full detail what that means. I just know a super king is like and american king but it is also longer. I just know British bed sizes are different, don’t know why.

5. What are you allergic to?

I can only eat small amounts of chocolate, and a big no-no on the dark chocolate. I know, its sad. You feel sorry for me. But don’t. I like breathing… so its ok. Also most heavy pain medication, I develop an allergic reaction a few days after using. Not fun. Already being in pain then getting sicker and breaking out in rashes. Nope, no fun, at all.

6. What is the first thing you do in the morning?

Sadly, the answer is reach for my macbook and check my email and facebook. I am addicted to the internet and to my baby (aka my macbook.) I had a professor at PTS challenge us to read our bible and pray every morning before we checked our email. Well, I think that spiritual practice lasted 3 days.

7. What was your favorite TV show growing up?

Oh, so many. I loved Flipper! I have many vivid memories of running home from the bus stop, making up a batch of cheese nachos, watching Flipper and being happy. I think that went hand in hand with my desire to be a dolphin when I grew up. For real- I am not making this stuff up. And, I loved Saturday morning cartoons: Thundercats, X-men, Spiderman.

8. Will you, or did you, go to your 10 year high school reunion?

Well, my 10 year will be this May I guess. Wow. Crazy. And I am in living in a different country. But, hypothetically if I was still living in or around the Carmel area, I still don’t know if I would go. I think I would have to have a serious talk with myself for still living in Carmel and pondering going to my high school reunion.

9. If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is there to hear it, does it still make a sound?

Stupid question. Yes. Life happens even if we “ego-centric human beings” don’t hear/see/taste/or experience it.

10. What, in your opinion, is the greatest invention? (You know, since sliced bread…)

Greatest invention? I want to say the internet and apple and google. But, I don’t think that I should say those things. So, I will continue to ponder the greatest invention and maybe get back to you later.

Life goals: draft one

So, here I go. If you write them down you are one step closer to completion, right?

Life Goals:

1. Graduate from Princeton Seminary and work as a minister   (Check, and check)

2. Run a 5k (Double check)

3. Run a 10k (Check)

4. Run a mini and full marathon

5. Do a trialthelon

6. Read everything. Ok, that might not be measurable. To someday have a house with a library full of my wonderful books. Prue bliss.

7. To be a wife and a mom

8. Get a tattoo (Check)

9. Visit all 50 states

10. Travel South America, Asia, and Eastern Europe

11. To write a book (published or not, I just want to do it)

12. To become a fabulous cook, and to have the kitchen to match the skills.

13. Swim a 1 mile open ocean swim (check)

14. To be a good friend

15. To ski dive or bungee jump.

16. To have a house to decorate and furnish. And then to bring my friends and family together and love being a host.

17. To have a dog.

18. To feel content in the moment, instead of always worrying about the future.

Men in Kilts, throwing heavy things…

So, I know it has actually been a few months since I was at the Highland games in Balmoral, but I would like to take these few moments to put up some of those fantastic photos. And to say, Scotland is not as bad as I make it out to be sometimes. It still have assigned seats in movie theater (theatre), but where else on this wonderful world of ours can one see men in kilts, throwing heavy objects, chicks dancing, pipers pipping, and oh yes, a guest appearance by the Queen herself, and  even her son, um, yeah, Prince Charles.

So, here you go! Hope you enjoy.

If only I could capture just how many pipers their were, it was crazy

Some highly intense highland tug of war

Don't remember what this event is called, but I do remember I LOVED it! They swing the heavy thing between their legs then hurtle it up into the air and over a poll. Fantastic!

Throwing trees...

The Queen, in her Queenly hut.

Her Majesty the Queen handing out awards to the winners.

Then, her quick, but not discret, departure from the games.

Ten on Tuesday (+5)

So a friend, of a friend, of a friend… or something like that does this, or started it. And I thought, heck, it is Tuesday and their is 10 inches of snow out, so why not.

Ok, here we go…

1. If you could change anything about your physical appearance, what would it be?

Well, I do know. I have know for a while, and have tried to start the process of change a few times. That is a breast reduction. Yes, folks, more than anything I would love to get that done. I am a female so I will have my moments of dislike and frustration with my body- but the one consent are those two things. There is the ascetic reasons, but also the hope of a pain-free back! But, insurance does not like to cover such “optional” surgeries. Its not like I want more, I want them gone! And, I guess, along the same lines, or really the same region, is my scar from open heart surgery. I thank God every time I see it, that it is only about 5 inches long, but it is still there. And I see it. And everything sort of flashes through my mind in quick secession each time.

2. Is their a habit in others you find most annoying?

I think I agree with my aforementioned friend, I hate text-type! When did people think using numbers or abbreviations was an appropriate way of communication. Okay, maybe I understand if you are actually texted someone, and you are running out of characters. But on Facebook or emails or documents-  use words people!

3. What is your favorite recipe using ground beef?

Burritos baby!! Or hamburgers, that I made, then grilled outside (with the bun), then smothered in ketchup, add a tomato, some fresh lettuce, and well, I am content.

4. What was your favorite book as a kid?

Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and whole of The Chronicle  of Narnia books by C.S. Lewis. I LOVED that book. I used to go walking around every wooded area I could searching for Aslan. I would sometimes even hide my stuffed animal lion, then find it. Because I was always Lucy, I always believed.

Also, Love you, forever. Wonderful book.

5. Did you work as a teenager and if so, where?

Yes. Ok, here is my teenage resume:

Age 13- present: Babysitter

16-17: Lifeguard at Eagle Creek State Park.

17: Lifeguard and Swim Instructor at Indiana School for the Blind

17: (a 3 week hell experience) I worked at a T-Shirt design company, in the back, by myself cleaning the screens. Did I already mention that was not fun?

18: Milligan College Alumni Office placement (I sorted mail, sent letters, and tried to get alumni to give money, so exciting)

19-20 Summers: The House Coffeehouse, your coffee barista and food preparer. (and to this day I do not eat ranch dressing, cause I know whats in it!)

20-22: Milligan College Chaplains Office assistant. (I hung out with Nathan Flora, and it was awesome)

22: Golf Course concessions girl/Beer-cart girl. Yes, I flirted with old men all day for tips. It was a great job. Made better by the fact that my uncle and brother also worked there.

23: CPE at St. Vincent’s Hospital (Tip for future people, don’t do CPE in the same hospital you had two heart surgery’s in the summer before)

24: Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, working with youth

25: Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville, working with children

Present: Mannofield Parish, Scotland.

(Okay, so I went past my teens…. sorry)

6. Did you work while in college and if so, where?

Well, I already answered that.

7. When you go to sleep do you like total darkness or semi? When you go to sleep do you need quiet or is some noise ok?

I tend to fall asleep to a movie or tv show on my computer. I need the life distraction, and some help from Mr. Tylenol PM. But, I really don’t like flashing lights. But, what drives me the most crazy- beyond my normal levels of insanity- is the ticking sounds of clocks. I had friends who lived in Edinburgh who had a whole wall of clocks (for different time zones) and every time I stayed over they would take them down, wrap them in a blanket and close them in the washing machine. No ticking, wonderful!

8. When doing laundry, fabric softener or not?

Dryer? What is that? It has been so long. Well, I am being dramatic. Yes. Once upon a time I did. Now, nope, no dryer.

9. Open toed or closed toed shoes?
In Scotland, mostly closed. My opened toed shoes are lonely. I don’t get to wear them much. I do have a close bond with my chacos, and I know they feel neglect.

10. Would you rather be blind or deaf?
I don’t desire either. And I would not wish it on anyone else. I like hearing and seeing. Thank you God for both!

11. Dangle or stud earrings?

Hmm, interesting. I used to be all about the dangling earrings, the longer, the better. Now, (I guess in my “mature” age or “professional” mentality) I prefer small dangles or pretty studs. My fun earrings are gathering dust at the back of my earring chest.

12. Bottled water or tap?
Tap! Especially here in Scotland. It is fantastic out of the tap. But, when I have to, like when in India or Mexico, bottled.

13. What do you put on pancakes?
A little bit a butter, and then some maple syrup goodness.

14. On a long trip would you rather drive or fly?
No matter how much I complain sometimes, I prefer public transport. Better for the environment and my carbon footprint. In watching Age of Stupid, I learned just how bad for the environment flying is. So, if I can I avoid flying I do. And since I mentioned it, here is the trailer for Age of Stupid.

15. Do you prefer classic old movies or new?

I love good movies. Period.

Movie Cinema’s: Scotland vs. USA

So, I figured I could write about the pro’s and con’s of cinema going between the two countries, since the thought crosses my mind every time I go!

USA PRO:

1. Butter popcorn. (Oh, how I miss the heart clogging goodness of butter soaked popped heaven)

2. You can sit anywhere in the theater! Yup, thats right. Us American’s love our freedom, and that includes the freedom to pick our cinema seat! I hate assigned seating. Especially when I go on my own and then, awkwardly, a too touchy for comfort couple sit right next to me. While, mind you, there are empty seats all around us.

3. The TEN SPOT! Ok, I know I am a dork, I recognize that fact to the fullest. I loved going to the cinema early enough to catch the Ten Spot! A little segment 10 min. before with interviews and upcoming movie info.

4. TRAILERS! I love trailers.

5. Oh, how I miss sneaking in Taco Bell, or Burger King, or Dunkin’ Donuts. I was the queen of sneakin’ in the fast food.

USA Con:

1. Massive, over-the-top, huge parking lots! For real. You know what I mean. The parking lots are huge!!! And I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have seen the lots completely full. More trees, less pavement.

Scotland Pro:

1. Cineworld unlimited card! Yes, folks, unlimited. It costs me 13 pounds a month, and I can see as many movies as I want! I love it!

2. Going to the movies helps with the homesickness. And being in another English speaking country– the movies are in English.

Scotland Con:

1. So, the best way to solve the no butter popcorn problem I have discovered is to mix the sweet and salt popcorn together. But, still, not the same.

2. Already mentioned it, but it needs to also be on CON list: Assigned seats!! What? Why? And who thought of that idea? I am not going to a ballet, right? So, why, oh why, do I need to seat in an assigned seat!! And people are serious about it.

3. So, the beginning of the movie is 10-15 min. of adverts. Yes, commercials! And they hardly ever change them- so I sort of what to scream every time they come on!

Like this:

Also, these really annoying orange commercials. Like the following:

Lastly,

This is both a PRO/CON for both countries: Release Dates.

Who comes up with these things? Sometimes it is only a month or two difference, sometimes up to 2 years!!! For instance, Young Victoria. I saw that eons ago. Then in checking apple trailers I noticed it was on the list. Only to realize it is just now coming out in the states! But mostly it is the other way around.

Well, it feels good to get that off my chest. But really. I love movies. So, I put up with con’s, enjoy the pro’s and love the silver screen.

Parish funerals and Door-slamming

So, part of my duties as Associate minister is to help with funerals. And for better or worse, I am asked to do mostly parish funerals. Parish funerals are those people who live within our parish bounds who pass away, but are not church members, but they still want a minister to perform the funeral. Or really, I learned that if they want Hymns sung at the funeral- it has to be a minister going the funeral. So, even if they are not church goers, but they want a rendition of Psalm 23 played- it is me. The humanist means no hymns.

I could probably guess and say about 70% percent of the funerals start by the family telling me “We are not Christians, and don’t go to a church.” OR for those few who might be members of a church, that does not mean they have passed the threshold in a while.

So, I have been doing this parish funeral thing for over a year. Trying to balance the families wishes and my integrity. Trying to present a wonderful picture of the deceased and still bring a little good news into that image. And, if I can say so, I am pretty good. I have heard fantastic reviews, if that is what you can call it, from family and friends after the service.

But, each time is hard. Its hard doing a funeral, period. It is hard doing a service at the crematorium, with our 20 min time-limit. It is hard, when you don’t know the people, didn’t know the deceased, and don’t know if these people will ever enter a church. You don’t know if this is your only chance to conveys to them that Jesus loves them, and died to destory death, without loosing sight of the reason we are gathered.

Well, this week hit me with a zinger. In the midst of Christmas mayhem, I was asked to do a funeral for a non-church member. Well, first the call from the funeral home came while I was on the bus headed to church. I then called the funeral home back once I got to the church, and got the funeral information. But, it was lunch club, which meant I was busy until 3:30, then hospital visits… then next thing you know life caught up with me.

Next thing I knew it was Sunday morning. I made a mental note to call the wife after church. Then after church, I took the dog for a walk, then sat down to make the call.

The woman on the other end seemed frustrated with me before I started, and clearly not excited that I was a female. And well, she started yelling at me. Then she told me to stop by that afternoon. Well, I figured I would make the best of it, be patient and kind. Till, I found out she had then called the other minster I work with to complain. So, he is now doing the funeral.

I don’t understand this country. Iain Torrance (president of Princeton Seminary) cancelled UK international field ed claiming it to be too similar to US culture. Well, Torrance, I beg to differ!!

After visiting the house to send my regards and apologies for anything I might have done, the son saw me then promptly slammed the door. So, there you have I apparently did something to warrant a door-slamming.

Note to self: All work most end when you get a parish funeral call. No waiting, or door-slamming might be coming your way.

Their are moments when I do love it here. This morning was one. The children did their nativity, and it was splendid. But, then this happens, and I realize I don’t belong. I realize it is sometimes a struggle to be happy here, in this country. And add to that it is hard to be a young, American minister in Scotland. Especially at the holidays.

This Christmas I am dreaming of a San Diego beach with my family, yup I’m dreaming hard.