Random Thoughts from the South

I watched an amazing movie this morning, one that I would highly recommend to anyone. The name of it is "Once." It's about a street musician in Ireland who meets a woman who shares his musical passion. In the span of a week, they begin recording an album together. The beauty of their raw vulnerability with one another was very captivating. Check it out!

"He cries in the corner where nobody sees
he's the kid with the story no one would believe.
He prays every night dear God won't you please
could you send someone here who will love me."

Lord, I like who I am, and how You have created me. I like being a counselor. I like being there for someone who needs me. But, I don't like being alone. I believe that You have created someone for me, and that she isn't ready to meet me yet. Help me to be patient. Help me to trust that she and I will meet. Help me to wait.

"Her office is shrinking a little each day
she's a woman whose husband has run away.
She'll go to the gym after working today
maybe if she was thinner then he would have stayed."

I enjoyed another cigar by the poolside today, listening to this song over and over again. Even though it was overcast, it was still warm and slightly humid. I needed this time. Time away for a break. Time to be with close friends. Time to be alone with you Lord. Time to mourn. Time to be frustrated. Time to question and doubt. Time to hear from You. Time to sense You. Time to cry out to You.

"He's waiting to die as he sits all alone
he's a man in a cell who regrets what he's done.
He utters a cry from the depths of his soul
oh lord, forgive me, I want to go home.
Then he heard a voice
somewhere deep inside.
And it said, I know you've murdered and I know you've lied
and I've watched you suffer all of your life.
And now that you'll listen, I'll tell you that
I will love you for you
not for what you have done or what you will become.

Lord, I want someone to love me the way that You love me. I want to love her the way that You love her.

"I will love you for you
I will give you the love, the love that you never knew.
I will love you for you
not for what you have done or what you will become.
I will love you for you
I will give you the love, the love that you never knew."

(Song lyrics courtesy of J.J. Heller's "Love Me")

Poolside

I spent some time today poolside, enjoying the sun, a good cigar (Rocky Patel Vintage 1999, Connecticut), and an enjoyable book (Annie Londonderry's Extraordinary Ride Around the World on Two Wheels). Later tonight, Eric, Lisa, Kelly, and I are going out to eat at Holy Smokes, a southern bar-b-que restaurant in Raleigh. It should be really good!

Sunday

My luggage was delivered this morning at 4:30 (at least it got here)!
It was great to be able to worship along with Eric and Lisa again at church.
A windy, but very warm day (low 70's), driving with the top open.
An amazing lunch of New York-style pizza.
Homemade popsicles near the North Carolina State campus.
My white feet getting some rays!
Free Derek Webb concert tonight.

I'm Here!

I have arrived in North Carolina! Unfortunately, my luggage is still in Chicago. I hope to get it delivered sometime Sunday morning. The flight from Chicago to Raleigh was very bumpy, as we had to fly above a bad storm. That was just about the worst turbulence I have ever experienced.

But, I am here, and I enjoyed the humid evening air. E, Lisa, Kelly, and I sat out on E and Lisa's porch/deck, enjoying coffee, brownies, cigars, and good conversation - it was a great start to my vacation!

NC, Here I Come!

On Saturday, I will be leaving to visit Eric and Lisa in North Carolina! I will be there from Saturday until next Friday. I am really looking forward to my visit with them! I am also excited that both of my internship sites had the same spring break, so I won't be missing any interning time.

Even though NC has had a cooler than normal winter and early spring, the temps there will still be warmer than they are here, and there won't be any snow flurries! I am really tired of this long winter, and am ready for some sun and warmer temps. Hopefully, I will be able to break out my shorts on this trip, and get some much-needed sun on my white legs!

My Picks

Because inquiring minds want to know (Jamie and Matt), here are my picks for the upcoming 2009 baseball season. Play ball!

AL CENTRAL:
Minnesota Twins

AL EAST:
Boston Red Sox

AL WEST:
Los Angeles Angels

AL WILDCARD:
New York Yankees

NL CENTRAL:
Chicago Cubs

NL EAST:
Philadelphia Phillies

NL WEST:
Los Angeles Dodgers

NL WILDCARD:
New York Mets

AL PLAYOFFS:
Yankees over Twins
Red Sox over Angels

Yankees over Red Sox

NL PLAYOFFS:
Phillies over Cubs
Mets over Dodgers

Phillies over Mets

WORLD SERIES:
Yankees over Phillies

Progress, Part II

I recently sent my chair the next ten pages of my thesis, bringing the grand total of completed text pages to 20. I am now about 2/3 done with the paper! Being that I just started another internship (where I will be an additional 2 days a week), I only have Wednesday's left to work on my thesis for the next month or so, so the progress will slow down a bit. However, I still feel that I am on track to be done with everything (internships, thesis, electronic portfolio), and graduate in June!