Weekend-end

Well, the weekend is coming to a close and, as usual, I still have much to accomplish. I had a fantastic weekend, though. I always find myself, on Sunday nights, trying to figure out how much absolutely needs to be done tonight and what can wait until tomorrow. How long is studying for this test going to take me, really?

Also, today I went home for the first time in a long time for my younger brother's confirmation. It was really good to see my family again. I don't see them often enough.

Well, I should get to work. Or get back to procrastinating. Come on, Chris, develop good study habits already!

Still

Today is a day of stillness and a lack of expectations; its freeing. The condition of the air is unmistakably autumn. Although I have not yet, I will be going for a walk this afternoon to soak up this carbon-copy day of fall perfection. I just love this time of year! (I suppose I say that about each season... they all have their own distinct merits, and hey, I'm an optimist.) All the cliches: the crispy crackle of dead leaves underfoot, the smells, the cool but comfortable temperature, all of it. Today is midterm break, so I slept in (it was so nice), then went to work for several hours, and now I'm done for the day. It feels fantastic. Sure, I've got some homework I could be doing, but I've got my priorities-- like that walk. So I'm off to explore the beautiful city of Minneapolis, and more specifically the neighborhoods I call home, infected with fall spirit and the freedom that comes from a temporary lack of responsibilities.

Midterms!

I had a midterm yesterday and another one tomorrow! Ah, caught in the throes of midterm week-- thank God for midterm break on Friday. It'll be here before I know it, right?

El Salvador!

Well look what just arrived in my inbox:

"Congratulations! You have been admitted to the El Salvador program 'Vocation and the Christian Faith' from January 5-14, 2007..."

I cannot wait! I have never left the country before, and El Salvador is breathtakingly beautiful. I'm excited to learn about liberation theology and engage with a culture so different from my own. I'm sure this experience will be one I will never forget...

New Leadership

Tomorrow Augsburg's new President is being inaugurated. I'll be interested to see how it all plays out. I don't know him that well yet so it is difficult to give a definitive statement, but I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Here's to you, Mr. Pribbenow!

Keith Ellison On Campus

Minnesota 5th District, DFL-endorsed Congressional candidate Keith Ellison came to campus today to speak over lunch in coordination with the Augsburg College Democrats (we contacted him and asked him to come speak). I asked my professor if I could leave class early to hear Ellison speak and I am very glad I did so -- he was incredibly articulate, intelligent, and seemed to be an all-around great guy. If I wasn't swayed before (which I was, ha), his visit really convinced me. I'm really glad that we're afforded opportunities such as this at Augsburg, and am more excited than ever for the impending election. Its get out the vote time!

Impending Independent Study

As I mentioned previously, I met with my Religion major advisor on Friday to discuss an independent study that I will be doing next summer (summer of 2007) on the life and works of Flannery O'Connor. I then spoke with an English professor and he agreed to get on board, so everything seems to have come together!

I'm very excited about this, as I love O'Connor's writing - it does something to me that not much else has - and the implications for my combination of academic interests - Religion (O'Connor's theological musings), English (the obvious literary component), and Social Welfare (she raised radical opinions on race and welfare in her writings) - is absolutely spot on and terribly exciting.

I know it is a ways off, but I honestly can't wait to delve into this project. Is summer here yet?

A Lazy Saturday

I love the weekends. I spend all week caught up in the hustle and bustle of all I do, so I really do make down time a top priority on the weekends. There is nothing I like more than finishing off a busy week with crazy weekend nights and a lazy Saturday afternoon sandwiched in between. It is a way of unleashing my inclination for irresponsibility that I (attempt to) stifle throughout the week (although not always successfully). A friend is visiting from Wisconsin and we went out to breakfast this morning and are now just hanging out. It's exactly what I need: to allow the hairs I've pulled this week to return (so I can pull them out all over again, I suppose).

On a more academic note, I sorted out all the details for my independent study on Friday, and I couldn't be more excited. I'll explain further in a later post. Now back to that Saturday...

It Ain't Easy [Eating] Green...

So, I'm trying out this new thing called "vegetarianism". I've been trying it for a while-- and it's hard! College is definitely a good environment to try out new things, but this new thing has been quite difficult. You don't really realize the prevalence of meat in daily life until you stop eating it.

I don't know how long this will last, but I figured I'd give it a shot, anyway. I have my reasons, but I won't bore you with them. Besides, if anything, it really forces me to be extremely conscious about what I eat. Now I am very intentional about eating things that will give me what my body needs, and I tend to avoid unnecessary consumption much more than I used to. So all things considered, I think it is (for now) a good thing. As I always say: we'll see, though, eh?

Trying Something New and Appreciating Something Old

This evening I went to the QSU (Queer and Straight in Unity) drag show. Such a performance is something that I am relatively unfamiliar with, but I actually had a fun time. I was there tabling for College Democrats, but the performers were funny and entertaining. I ended up enjoying myself.

In other news, I am really enjoying leading my Campus Kitchen shift this year. I lead it this afternoon and had a good time. My volunteers are a lot of fun and the place I deliver to is, as always, really great. I'll write more on this another time.

My schedule is full, but there is always time to try something new and appreciate something familiar.

Easily Distracted

I wish I weren't so easily distracted. Life would be much more efficient that way. I have stuff to do, but I just can't focus!

Let's give it another shot...

Nothing Extraordinary

Well, I'm in hosting "Assorted Audio" again. So it seems the best time to blog is while hosting my radio show.

I've had an average week. I've actually been really sick since the weekend, so I've been trying to behave in a fairly responsible manner, drink water by the gallon, and get to sleep at a somewhat reasonable time. It seems to be paying off so far: I've proceeded through the stages of illness (sore throat first, stuffed nose next, persistent cough to finish things off) rather quickly and am feeling a bit better each day.

In terms of school, things are pretty average. I turned in an English paper today with the nagging feeling that it could've been a little better, am getting more and more excited about my "Religion and Society" sociology class, and am dreading my Political Science test tomorrow morning. Same old, same old.

That's it. My life isn't terribly exciting right now, but I'm content with that.

Just Your Average S.O.C.S. (Stressed Out College Student)

I've over-committed (yet again)!

I finally realized that I had taken on too much this semester and was in the process of attempting to cut back on my committments a bit to allow for some breathing room when -- WHAM! -- I joined another group. What can I say? I'm a joiner and a "yes" man (a killer combo). When will I ever learn? I guess that is what college is for: to learn by trying. I'm trying to do it all, and sooner or later I will learn that I can't.

Ah well, here's to College Democrats. Half of my family would be so proud.