Memorial Day weekend

And no real plans at all! Nothing structured, which is not to say, nothing to do! Finished my 2nd week at my new "job" (which began after graduation and will go through June) -- it's a nice environment and the work is not taxing, just enjoyable in an organizational sort of way. Friday night I went out to see "The DaVinci Code" with a friend -- she was dying to see it, I was not, but it wasn't terrible. [I had really enjoyed the book -- years ago -- but had heard reviews that the movie was mediocre. It was OK, and not unlike how I had pictured it in my mind when I first read the book! The week before we had seen "Kinky Boots" together -- wonderful!] Saturday (yesterday) another friend came over -- and we talked for EIGHT HOURS! Needless to say, it was good to get caught up. I loved having nothing planned so that we could do that -- sit on the porch and watch a storm roll in, dump lots of rain, then move on, and we got to see the sun come out....if we hadn't have been having such a good conversation, I would have grabbed my camera and gone rainbow hunting! Today (Sunday morning) I had no email messages (hmmmm; should I be concerned that no one was thinking of me?), but I just spent a few minutes online to determine where we should attend church today (found 2 good choices that begin at 11, which is do-able when you get up at 9!). My days of being flexible about worship opportunities will end soon enough! This afternoon we have been invited to family friends' house for a BBQ. Tomorrow I think I am meeting up with another old friend I probably haven't seen in 3 years, since we moved down here....

I like having no plans, at least for awhile. It feels like I'm living my life in increments, semesters, vacations, specified blocks of time....and I am less able to live (less concerned about living?) life beyond the present, into the future. I'm dealing with life as it comes at me....sometimes not coping with my calendar very well....but maybe that's OK (for now or forever?). I think I actually do better with structure, but maybe "down times" ("off the grid"? "off the carousel"? "out of the rat race/maze"?) are healing/restorative/necessary for me....

Coldplay/Togetherness

Listening to song "X&Y" on Coldplay album (see how old I am? I should say CD) of the same name: the lyrics go "you and me are drifting into outerspace" and/or "floating on a tidal wave," followed by the word "together." If you listen to the repetitions, however, it sounds like "to get there." Such an interesting idea of not being able to get anywhere alone, that we must be together to get there. I could preach that somehow in a sermon about community....the faith walk/Christian journey is never alone. In this "me culture" of the U.S. and the egotism I see around me (here I am writing about me, again! My whole blog is an homage to myself!), it's difficult for us to remember to focus on the communion of all the saints.

Speaking of togetherness, I graduate at the end of this week and I expect a lot of loved ones to gather together with me! :-) Hopefully I can remember that it's not all about me, but about serving the Christian community....

Heard a wonderful choral chamber music concert yesterday -- one piece written by a good friend -- wonderful blending of voices.... The whole so much more resonant than the part.... Also a celebration of the visual arts -- paintings and photographs (one submitted by me!) -- same theme, in an adjacent building -- celebrating multiple talents and ways of interacting with one another and our world....

OK, enough peace and harmony (!). Off to therapy to get my head screwed on right again!

quasi-finished

Took my last final (only final this semester) yesterday. Had 3 papers due on Monday, May 1, and got them all in (one, the week before; one mid-week last week; and the last one mid-day on May 1). Phew! Now it's a kind of weird wait to graduate on May 13. Meanwhile -- oldest turned 17 today, and, as required in NJ, could not get driver's license until today (so you know where WE were bright and early this morning!). All good -- now a new set of worries for me!

Found out I was accepted into the Th.M. program -- that is also weird -- applications closed on May 1, but I had to register for Fall 2006 classes (and my thesis title, etc.) on April 27. I had completed my application in March, but ostensibly, I could have registered for classes before I completed my application!

Celebrated with my home church its 250th anniversary -- banquet last Saturday night and worship service Sunday morning. Old pastors and organists and former members back -- fun to see how the church has progressed, what has changed and what has stayed the same....hard to mourn the saints no longer with us. I think a former member back from Kansas City paid for my meal, and I didn't get a chance to thank her.... There was quite a bit of program so not much (enough?) opportunity for everyone to talk with one another. And a former assistant pastor sent me an email of some disturbing conversation at one of the tables.... I left feeling rather unsettled. It was a strange weekend. We humans are so good at hurting one another, misunderstanding one another, taking offense.... And I excel at all those.

Husband won an award and was acknowledged for his work with Hurricane Katrina. I went to the ceremony to support him. It was nice, but things are still strange between us. He wanted me to come see his office, but I didn't really have the time (needed to hand in my last paper) and I didn't want to short-shrift any of the co-workers I would be meeting -- also not sure how many of them know we're separated.

Tomorrow I host a group of visiting Kenyans around the campus. Looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Better go and see to birthday dinner of some kind....