Kristin’s Blog

Last year, I walked into British Literature class absolutely terrified because I heard the professor was very smart and I felt very insecure in my ability to analyze the great writings of the Brits. Sure enough, the well-dressed, mild-mannered woman had a brain brimming with brilliance. I was very quiet in that class for fear I would open my mouth and make a fool of myself.

The next semester, I found myself in Dr. Bancroft's class once again, this time studying American Literature. I decided that I could no longer attempt to appear smart: I was going to say whatever was on my mind, whenever it came up. Throughout the semester, I uttered many things the rawest version of myself could offer. And when that wall came down, Dr. Bancroft and I developed a delightful friendship.

You see, she is ridiculously well-versed and insightful. And funny. And remarkably, she loves us as students. I am currently taking two, yes, TWO classes with her: Shakespeare and Advanced Composition. I told her that I was excited to have her every day and she laughed at me and said, "Ok," and I smiled at her with admiration and delight. We enjoy many little conversations about life. She humors my silly comments and questions and laughs at my foot-in-mouth moments. She lets me ask serious questions that have nothing to do with English and she offers her thoughts and opinions. I love her.

Well, we decided to have a little English Major get together. We asked if we could go hang out at her house, and she agreed. So we headed over, seven of us, and drove to her home where we spent a few hours fawning over her library and discussing a menagerie of topics while classical music danced in the background. We sipped pomegranate punch and ate oatmeal raisin cookies. I sat by her feet and occasionally turned around and smiled at her, because she is quite lovable and I quite love her. We all do.

Posted by Kristin at 1:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Cafeteria is one of my favorite places on campus. And it's not because of the food. Well, it's not that the food's bad, it's just not my favorite part about the place.

Well, first of all, it changes at each meal you go to. Mornings are my favorite, though, because you can see out the windows down the walkway and usually the sun is rising and the world is all wet with dew and full of life. Breakfast is usually a quiet meal; many students are still sleeping, or some may be studying for a test. But it's comfortable.

The best thing about the cafeteria is that it is where people come together. We have round tables, which I especially appreciate. The big joke is that "you can always fit one more at a round table." Which is true. It may get a little cramped sometimes, but the company is totally worth it.

I love sitting with different people over the week. It's just fun to sit and talk and take a break from class and discuss what's on our minds or maybe just laugh together. I've especially appreciated the help of people lately. I am still on crutches, and therefore cannot get my meals by myself. I have learned to completely depend on others, but they are so willing to help. Everyone is, even the people I don't know well. It's wonderful.

This is a picture of my friend David and I in the cafeteria. We worked at camp together. We were wearing matching shirts.

On another note, this week has been good. I am ready for the weekend, though. LOVE the weekends. :-)

Posted by Kristin at 10:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So. Today was a long day. I tend to over-commit myself, I think. I was gone from my apartment from 7:30 in the morning until around 9:30 at night. Long day. Good day, but long day.

My roommates and I were being goofy. We were all here tonight, which rarely happens, but we always rejoice a bit when it does happen. For some reason we were sitting in our room. Jodi got an apple out (I don't know where from) and threw it against the wall to scare Betsy. Thus began a war of hurling the poor fruit against flat surfaces in order to ignite that awesome "thud," that any apple would make.

It got all bruised. We rolled it against the hall into our RA's open door. We thought it would be funny if they randomly just came across it. But they didn't. Jodi told them about it for fear they would find it a few weeks too late.

Then we threw another apple. It hit the corner of our bookshelf and exploded into four chunks. We laughed hysterically.

Anyway, I spent a lot of time outside today. I have a tree that I like to call my Tuesday/Thursday tree. I have a little over an hour and a half on Tuesdays and Thursdays between my classes. I very much enjoy sitting there and talking to people as they pass and read a book, either for class or for fun. I love that there are so many beautiful places to sit out at on campus. But I love that tree of mine, right by the music building.

It got me so excited for fall. It is going to be awesome.

Posted by Kristin at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sometimes the life of a University student can become overwhelmingly busy. Of course it does. We are at school, we are studying, we are being social, we are involved in extra-curriculars. We are spread in many different directions. And we thrive that way.

But sometimes, it is just worthwhile to take a break, sit by the pond, and reflect on life.

We are writing memoirs for our Advanced Composition class. Dr. Bancroft broke us into small groups, and we meet frequently to discuss our work. But we also just love each other. We tend to laugh a lot when we are together.

This week, we technically didn't have to go to class. We were to work on our "pieces of artwork" or meet in our groups to discuss what we could use help in.

Well, our group met. And we met by the pond. We sat under the Japanese Maple tree and listened to each other share small treasures of our lives.

And it was so wonderful.

Posted by Kristin at 11:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I can't believe it's Wednesday already. I don't know how to handle how fast time goes here. Maybe it's because all of our living happens in this place; there is no moving back and forth, no commute between "school" and "work" and "home." This place is school and work and home. And I love it.

This evening I was able to spend an evening with two of my friends that are graduating this December. They are doing their Social Work placement currently, and come to campus every Wednesday to have a class. This evening, we decided to go to the Eagle's Nest and get take out dinners. We carted our dinners outside and sat by the walkway on the grass, enjoying the evening and each others' company.

It's days like today where I sit back and think, wow, our God is incredible. He painted the cotton candy clouds in the sky, but he also came to earth as a man to die because he wanted a relationship with us, one that he values so much that he creates each day for us and makes it beautiful. Crazy, isn't it? He's so dynamic and incredible.

My roommate flopped on my bed tonight and we discussed how difficult life seems sometimes, especially since we do not know where we are going or what is going to happen to us. Sometimes things aren't as cheery as this evening was. Sometimes beneath the convincing facade of being "ok," we carry a mind filled with burdens and confusion. But, as Baron King said today in chapel, we can share these things with each other.

In my Prophetics II class, we have been discussing the sovereignty of God. Currently, we are reading the book of Daniel and studying the stories and visions it holds. But Dr. Emmons says time and time again how important it is to realize that God's hand is in all of it, even when it seems despairing. God has a plan. It is our job to obey him, to love him, even when situations seem hopeless. But whatever he does is for our best and for the best of his plan.

Just a gem of hope like the setting sun was tonight.

Posted by Kristin at 10:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There is something insatiably beautiful about being with others. Last night, I did not have huge amounts of homework, so I allowed it to become whatever it wanted to become. My roommates Jodi, Elise and I ended up snuggling in my twin bed and laughing about silly things. I don't know how it happens...maybe it was just the need to release after being in class all day, but we couldn't stop laughing at each other. I went over to have coffee with a friend around eight and ended up talking with another friend who came over. Then, I headed over to E dorm to sit on the stoop with my friend Bethany. We sat under the stars (or what you can see of them in good ol' Langhorne) and mingled with people as they entered and exited their apartments. We talked about life and love and sang a bit together. We talked about Advanced Composition class and how wonderful it is because we are sharing our work with each other. How our friend Jared wrote some awe-inspiring creative nonfiction and how exhilarating it is to share in vulnerability in a safe environment.

I came back to my apartment at 11:15 and moaned that I hadn't done anything "productive." Jodi walked past and said, "Uh, yes you did. You did this thing we call fellowship. And a few years from now, you won't care about the homework you didn't do when you could have. You'll remember tonight."

Yeah.

Posted by Kristin at 8:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I love being back at school. I can't help it.

Last week was filled with activities. Tuesday night was the Heritage Hall fiesta, and I got to travel around to different rooms and spend time with my friends, whether it was playing games or talking or psychoanalyzing ourselves. Good times.

Then on Friday, Shaun Groves came and spoke at our school. What a tremendous man, and he is tremendous only because of what God is doing in his life. He not only was a gifted speaker, but a thought-provoking one. He spoke on how he has chosen to live a life of simplicity so that others might "simply live." What a hard thing to think about. I know I grew up in a background where we do our best not to waste and to use as little as possible in effort to be "simplistic," but I know for a fact that we have such a surplus of things we do not need. Somehow, the Shaun Groves concert caused us all to rethink our lives. He came on behalf of Compassion, and we heard that 101 children are now being sponsored through PBU. Wow. I hope we all consider the implications of our lifestyle as global citizens. God does call us to give of ourselves in everything.

Saturday was a rainy, rainy day. We watched my roommate Betsy play volleyball in a tournament. We came in second place. It was great. Other than that, Kendra and I just spent he day doing homework and watching TV.

Sunday...was beautiful. Betsy, a friend of hers, and I went to Core Creek Park and sat outside in the sunshine. It was so soothing, so warm and inviting to watch the geese on the water. I missed parks a lot this summer, since my mobility has been hindered by crutches. I was very grateful for that opportunity.

AND. I love coming back to our apartment every night. It is so homey. What a wonderful year this has been so far.

Three of my beautiful roommates.

Betsy and my room.

Our apartment.

Posted by Kristin at 8:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)