Posts made in January, 2010

Trip to Arizona

Posted by Caroline on Jan 21, 2010 in The Backpack | 0 comments

My professor asked if anyone did anything cool this weekend.  For this once, I had an out-of-this-park, snowday-on-Friday, finding-$20-in-your pocket type of answer.

I wrote my first bucket list.  Number 21 needed to be met while I was in Arizona (by no means was I ready to run a half-marathon or write a book—those will have to be crossed off much in the future).

#21:  See the Grand Canyon.

Thus, Sarah and I went on the most sporadic and worthwhile whim and went to one of the 7 natural wonders to cross off the #21.

Everything about the Grand Canyon makes you feel tiny.  You know the way clouds make you think of heaven? The massive canyon makes you think of power, sovereignty, and strength in a way that is both beautiful and comforting.

Look at the dots on the path– they are people.  They inspired me to add hiking the canyon to my bucket list next time I go, which I sure hope is soon.

“I went to the Grand Canyon,” was all I needed to say to my class to get the collective “what??? that beat my weekend…” However, I could have continued… I also…

2. ate at In-N-Out and tasted the wonder of French fries in their purest form.

3.  Drank more coffee than normal (which is a lot) and certainly more than is healthy.

4.  Attempted and grievously failed to take a Buick off-roading up a mountain.

5.  Shopped guilt-free with my coupons outlet-style and found a new favorite country song : Love like Crazy.

6. Started a hair-cutting disaster that has led to the purchase of more hair products than I have ever owned, tutoring lessons in bang-wearing, and lots of second glances.  I now have bangs- legit across the forehead bangs.

7.  Went to a trampoline park that definitely hindered my walking for the next few days.

8. Visited one of the eccentric/ oddly beautiful cities.  Sedona, AZ: the city of Red Rock.

Side note:  Between the other-worldly red rock, constant signs for palm readers and tarot cards, and old men with ponytails, Sedona was nothing like my good ol’ Bible belt Springfield, Missouri (though by no means am I claiming that Kickapoo was a haven for morality—no, not at all)

9.  Spent time with my buddy Sarah.

Maybe once or twice a year I am blessed to hang out with my friend and those times are treasured.  Deeply treasured. It’s refreshing to be real, talk about grace, practice grace, be authentic, and then, of course, listen to massive amounts of country and be slightly immature.

10.  In the meantime, if I miss my friend, I will repeatedly watch this video.  She was helping me fix my haircutting disaster (#6). Please enjoy. She’s the best and “Wow. Look at those bangs.” It makes me laugh every single time.  Please Enjoy my friend.

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Considering Grace in Light of Captivity

Posted by Caroline on Jan 14, 2010 in Amazing Grace | 1 comment

I just finished reading about prisons. I caught myself slightly depressed, and it didn’t help that I was in the airport and watching it rain.

I read about Marion Prison in Illinois—previously one of the highest security penitentiaries in the United States— and one that is regularly visiting the courts because its measures are questionably unconstitutional.

I read about how to make alcohol in the toilet with cornflakes and about a guard watching his father being stabbed to death.

I read about how inmates would kill just so they could go to court.  Court meant seeing the outdoors and remembering what grass looked like.

I tried to imagine living in a cell with no windows for 23 hours a day.
Being deprived of family and friends.
of communication.

Of light and colors.

And sanity.

…Essentially being deprived of all freedom and hope and that freedom being replaced with monotony, yelling, beatings, and violence.

Right now I’m some 27,000 feet in the air, watching the sun set, sitting next to one of those 25 year olds that still plays with Pokemon cards.  Though I’m slightly tense because he’s wearing a hood and sunglasses, his obsession which his cards relieve me.  I’m well on my way to visit my buddy Sarah in Phoenix.  I’m stoked.

The prison keeps popping into my head though, and with all of the other deprivations I’m then led to wonder what these people did to get transferred in severe solitude, surrounded by hatred and emitting the darkest bitterness, violence, and trapped in… hell.

The essay ended with a prisoner admitting he deserved his newfound hell.  He said,

“would I try to escape? of course.”

He knew he deserved it and yet it changed nothing.  He was stuck there.

I don’t like captivity, but I was doomed to be just like the prisoner.  Until– knowing the Truth–  I was set free (John 8:32).

I am merely a college student, striving to do what is right, and though I have never murdered anyone and my gun experience is limited to shooting cans with bb gun, my sins damn me to hell.  Hell is worse than the prison.  And I deserve it.

Freedom tastes so much more real when you consider captivity.

I’m going to stare out the window more and thank my Jesus for his death and resurrection which conquer ALL sin.

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Christmas in January

Posted by Caroline on Jan 7, 2010 in The Backpack | 0 comments

Christmas went entirely too quickly.

Sometimes when I miss it, I’ll squint while driving at night.  Break lights and headlights all merge together in the prettiest of scenes.

Preferably you’re in the passenger seat while squinting (I say so for liability reasons), but sometimes you have to take risks.  And curves are the best.

January has its perks: a fresh start and the time when resolutions have stuck, but January must also overcome the homesickness of Christmas being, yet again, a year away.

Christmas in January. Squint Away.

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I Feel Sorry for Toilets

Posted by Caroline on Jan 6, 2010 in The Backpack | 0 comments

I’m usually hyper critical of toilets, demanding the utmost cleanliness and going to extremes to find a friendly (and well-kept) restroom.

However, this morning I was struck with genuine compassion.  Thinking as a toilet might stretch personification too far, but I now acknowledge that being a trash collector no longer seems too shabby of a job.  A toilet has to touch, hold, and practically embrace horrid unmentionables.

Here’s why this is on my mind: for rush nearly 600 girls go to 8 parties with 15 minute breaks, during which access to the bathroom becomes better than cigarettes in prison.

15 minutes of hard work; 45 minute break.

In my ponderings into the life of the toilet, I’ve done some (possibly pointless) research.  August 26th (apparently) is Toilet Paper Day.  And thus a laugh.

You will also be pleased to know there is a World Toilet Organization where you can actually purchase a toilet for someone (think 3rd world countries).

Everyone needs a toilet, except women who don’t go to the bathroom.  Don’t acknowledge contradictions please.

Also, this is AWESOME.

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Setting Realistic Goals for the New Year

Posted by Caroline on Jan 1, 2010 in Amazing Grace, The Backpack | 0 comments

You know I love my yellow backpack (with its coffee stains and all).  The backpack is bright; it’s cheery; it’s always nearby, and it’s needed.

For Christmas I got my first winter coat in years, and living in Missouri we can all admit it was needed.  It’s yellow.  As is the single purse I’ve begun to carry everywhere.

Never were all together.  It wasn’t until I was travelling with all 3—purse, coat, and backpack— that a harsh reality struck: Yellow overload. Maybe when you’re 4 being Miss Missymatchy is cute.  But not 21. Definitely not.

I’m not commenting on fashion (because I know absolute nothing of the sorts) nor am I endorsing my favorite color (YELLOW ALL OF THE WAY!!! Uhh… no).  I have too much of it myself.

Way too much yellow this year.

Like yellow, I have lots of goals for this year:  live on a budget, start a scrapbook, keep my room clean, go to sleep early, watch more TV (I’m culturally aloof at the moment), exercise, read more, and the list could continue…

I am The Queen of goals to a fault—some  goals accomplished but very many left forgotten in some deserted journal.

Too much yellow is overwhelming.  However, one at a time is – bright, cheery, always nearby and needed.

Keep it simple.

And here is the goal that is complexly simple, unattainably sought after, refreshingly impossible, and what makes me perfectly imperfect to reach:  To know Jesus.

Goal for 2010:  follow hard after Jesus.

The New Year seems welcoming and inviting as Jesus beckons us to come and rest and to come and simply follow.

I’m excited.  Happy New Year.

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