"MERE CHRISTIANITY"
Every night before I drift off to sleep, I have typically been reading CS Lewis' apolgetic masterpiece, Mere Christianity. I have actually already went through it once, but I find it a fantastic resource, and I get something different out of it everytime I go through it. Additionally, I find it a handy authoritative source to quote in discussions. It may be old material in some ways, but it's always good to have a refresher. I kind of go through that with the classic The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The principles are all fairly basic, but again, a reminder never hurts. I have been staying exceptionally busy with classes and affiliated activities. Of course, if you want a reference for that, my calendar is linked on the bottom right of this page. Of course, the coursework is getting more difficult the deeper I get into the semester. I deeply underestimated my Biology 201 exam earlier this week, and it hurt me badly. I am determined not to make the same mistake with the exams I have next week. I am positive that both will be challenging. I am still extremely broke, and still trying to fix that problem. I found a small source of cash recently, and though it is nothing that will satisfy my budgetary needs, we're getting closer. Now I have to brush up on my math teaching skills...
TWO HUNDRED
This is actually a rather plain picture of my bed. Tomorrow I plan to post a pic with the bed in the upright position so you get a better appreciation of how exactly this works. The bed also looks like it needs more pillows: I'm working on that. Maybe by March I'll have enough money for one. This is actually the two hundredth post since I began doing this a few years ago. To those of you that have been my faithful readers all this time, here's to many more years of posting while I am off in exile! This log has allowed me to communicate my thoughts to a wide audience from numerous locations, sadly all on the North American continent. Whether or not ever make it off of this particular tectonic plate, I hope that all of you have appreciated my efforts in this regard. To celebrate, I have posted a video of a tour I did through my apartment in addition to today's photo. Those of you without broadband will be able to download this, though I don't recommend it. The video is simply too large and most of you fill find it an exercise in frustration. To view it, you will most likely need a copy of VLC. You may have luck with something else, depending on exactly how your computer is configured. However, I can guarantee that VLC will play it, and VLC is free software and runs on Mac, Linux, and Windows. The link to download it is here. Many thanks go to blueboy for mirroring this file.
PICTURE #3
This is another picture of my living room shot from a different perspective. As you can see, there are a fair number of TV's and microwaves there. I admit to owning the microwave on the right, but otherwise... Torben (Danish roommate) is working on a computer of mine because his was broekn just before he left Denmark. He received a brand new Thinkpad a few days ago, however. Classes roll on, and life moves forward - usually not how I intend. However, with a little more organization, and a few necessary textbooks, I may find a semester long solution for balance. Though of course, employment could throw that off. It may seem rather peculiar to some of you, but trying to juggle cleaning the kitchen, managing coursework, and hunting the ever elusive perfect job is a difficult task. Living in an aprtment is definitely an adjustment. I definitely prefer it, but there are a lot of changes to suddenly integrate all at once. There are so many tasks I wish I could find time for. I have been rereading "Mere Christianity" by CS Lewis over the last few nights in the evenings, and I would love to devote more time to it, only to feel guilty that I do not know the exact substitutions available on peptidoglycan on a per species basis. Indeed, there is quite a bit of material that I need to commit to memory over the next two weeks. I find myself encouraged to just scratch a few checkmarks onto my growing To-Do list.
"IN AMERICA"
I watched the movie "In America" last night and loved it. The movie was quite sad, in many ways, but very well done, and the acting was superb. The two little girls did an especially good job. I don't wish to give too much away on the subject, but I will link to a glowing review that Ebert posted on it. Despite the presence of child actors, however, I would not recommend this movie for younger viewers. There is a fair bit of mature subject matter in here. I will have a busy day tomorrow. I plan on going to the West End CRC in the morning, and that should be a positive experience. It ill be the first CRC church I have been to in Edmonton. They are qwuite inconvenient to get to, unfortunately. After that, I am afraid that I will have to stuff myself into a library for several hours. I really need to start going through some textbooks. Note: The picture series will continue tomorrow.
BONHOEFFER
Of course, as promised, the third photo in my series. This picture is a reat shot of the front to the apartment building where I currently reside. I think it presents itself rather well. One can also see where I lock my bike on a daily basis there as well. My kitchen can just barely be seen on this photo on the fourth floor. For better or worse, I imagine I will call thisplace home for at least 4 months, and probably 8 or more. I went to see a great play this evening at King's University College after getting a ticket from the chaplain here. The play has been performed all over the place, from South Africa to Washington DC. Bonhoeffer was a brilliant theologian of the 20th century, and he was martyred by the Nazis in 1944. This play told his story in the form of a one man play that has won numerous awards. Peter Krummeck did a very good job of portraying Bonhoeffer, and he re-piqued my interest in reading Bonhoeffer's works. My Chem 211 lab went well today, so I believe I am ready for the lab practical on Friday. So many tasks, so little time.
PICTURE #2
This is a picture of the street that I live on here in Edmonton. It's sad that this kind of view will only last for a few more days. I took it this afternoon, but usually the wind and rain will rip the majority of the leaves off in very little time. Still, for a brief window I can enjoy a little natural beauty. In any case, the only time I usually see that view is when quickly shuttling to class or back. My make-up Chem 211 lab is tomorrow, and I am really not looking forward to it. Now this is not surprising, because I have never really looked forward to this lab, and I don't anticipate doing so in the future. Nevertheless, the lab is tomorrow and I hope I am adequately prepared. I spent a good amount of time today going over techniques and procedures, so we'll see. I have almost finalized all of my courses for the year. I have two more next semester to settle on, and then I'm set. Of course, I am still looking for employment, but one step at a time.
PICTURE #1
That is the first shot to be seen by most of my living room. As you can see, there's a lovely aquarium on the one side of it with two feeder goldfish in it at the moment. I plan on replaceing them with something a little nicer at some point, but for now these guys will do. The furniture is not mine, it's actually owned by a Chinese guy that was living here when I moved in. He is planning on being out of here at the end of this term, so that room might be empty for a while. Labs are getting more interesting all the time. I had my second Biology lab today in 207, and my fervent hope is that it gets better. I have two Chem 211 labs this week as well, due to the need to make up a session. In any case, these are the classes that I need for a degree, and so I am taking them. The increasing need to study is becoming more than apparent as well. My need for employment has not decreased at all either, and I am hoping I have something by the end of this week.
GREAT START TO CLASSES?
I woke up this morning, groaned, hit the snooze on the alarm clock... Apparently, I hit it far more time than I thought I did. I completely blew through my Genetics class this morning, and that was after I'd gone to all the trouble of printing out the notes the night before... In any case, I can always get the notes from someone else, but I am not impressed. This is the last chance for my 4.0. It's not just that. I have leveraged way too much of my available credit. I'd say about half, which is far more than I have ever used before. In my mind, that's fairly ridiculous. I want out, but I don't see a way to do that at this time. I am hoping that the job I'll get fairly soon, will give me a few options, but I'm not too hoepful. My class schedule looks daunting at the moment, and I am not sure how much time I can honestly devote to work. The key word here is Balance. I have to be 100% honest and say that is a skill that I have been struggling to master. I am certainly getting better with it, but it's one that I have yet to command. In any case, as I fight the chaos, I wish for your prayers.
21, CLASSES STARTED, AND THE INSANITY BEGINS
Though it has been long since I posted, the same humdrum continues to exist. I have managed to to pass the seond to last (or last) important age in adulthood. In some ways I suppose that's exhilerating. My inurance dropped quite a bit, for instance. In other ways it's rather terrifying since I am now truly responsible in every way for myself. Also, I have a hard time seeing where the years have gone. I am still sitting outside of my full 5 classes for the term. All of my classes began last week Wednesday, and so they have been going for a week, but the one Analytical Chem class I need has thus eluded me. There is hope that I may get into the class tomorrow, but I don't know how much hope. If I don't get it, I'll look for something else I can get into quickly. I cannot afford to waste any more time. In any case, I plan to post much more ofver the coming days about what I have been up to and plans for the future, but as I have much to do tomorrow, and even more to do the next day, I think I will get some much needed sleep before I collapse.
BUSTED STOVE AND RAIN
It's phenomenal to me how rainy it is in Edmonton this summer. Many people up here have told me it's the rainiest summer in 16 years, and I'd certainly believe that. It seems like it rains 4 to 5 days out of a week minimum. Alberta is supposed to be Big Sky Country, but it's hard to appreciate that when completely socked in. I am at work right now, and i haven't seen a soul since I got here except for the odd parts customer. It's pretty darn slow. I had the university send out some cleaning people to take care of the fridge and the cupboards which were absolutely filthy. In the process, they managed to fry the oven and range. So the last two days I have been eating salads and pizza. Unbelievable. The damage was so extensive and involving exotic parts that they are going to have to provide a small loaner range/oven for me to use for the next two months. Despite that, at least I am getting the place fixed up a little. The electrician scared me today though. The building is older and has no elevator, sprinkler system, etc. One kitchen fire, and I could be in a world of trouble. Needless to say, I was thinking about lowering my insurance deductable. Well, my time of having a car is nearly done, and I am really going to miss it. Edmonton is really best experienced with a car, sadly. The bus service is really lousy around here and I will miss the convenience of going easily down Calgary Trail and getting groceries. Of course, with parking at my apartment costing $65 a month, I really can't afford to be driving right now either. Maybe if I get lucky and win the lottery, I'll be able to afford the $1.03/litre gas around here.