Books:

The Top 106 Books Most Often Marked As “Unread” By LibraryThing’s Users.

Strike-through books you’ve read before.
Italicize books you’ve read before but haven’t finished.
Copy and paste on your blog to see how “pretentious” you are.
(Stolen from The Ax for the Frozen Sea)

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
Anna Karenina
Crime and Punishment
Catch-22
One-hundred Years of Solitude
Wuthering Heights
The Silmarillion
The Aeneid
Life of Pi: a novel
The Name of the Rose
Don Quixote
Moby Dick
Ulysses
Madame Bovary
The Odyssey
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Eyre
The Tale of Two Cities
The Brothers Karamazov
Guns, Germs, and Steel: the fates of human societies
War and Peace
Vanity Fair
The Time Traveler’s Wife
The Iliad
Emma
The Blind Assassin
The Kite Runner
Mrs. Dalloway
Great Expectations
American Gods
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
Atlas Shrugged
Reading Lolita in Tehran : a memoir in books
Memoirs of a Geisha
Middlesex
Quicksilver
Wicked: the life and times of the wicked witch of the West
The Canterbury Tales
The Historian : a novel
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Love in the Time of Cholera
Brave New World
The Fountainhead
Foucault’s Pendulum
Middlemarch
Frankenstein
The Count of Monte Cristo
Dracula
A Clockwork Orange
Anansi Boys
The Once and Future King
The Grapes of Wrath
The Poisonwood Bible: a novel
1984
Angels & Demons
The Inferno
The Satanic Verses
Sense and Sensibility
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Mansfield Park
One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Test of the D’Urbervilles
To the Lighthouse
Oliver Twist
Gulliver’s Travels
Les Misérables
The Corrections
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time
Dune
The Prince
The Sound and the Fury
Angela’s Ashes: a memoir
The God of Small Things
A People’s History of the United States : 1492-present
Cryptonomicon
Neverwhere
A Confederacy of Dunces
A Short History of Nearly Everything
Dubliners
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Beloved
Slaughterhouse-five
The Scarlet Letter
Eats, Shoots & Leaves
The Mists of Avalon
Oryx and crake: a novel
Collapse : how societies choose to fail or succeed
Cloud Atlas
The Confusion
Lolita
Persuasion
Northanger Abbey
The Catcher in the Rye
On the Road
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Freakonomics : a rogue economist explores the hidden side of everything
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance : an inquiry into values
Watership Down
Gravity’s Rainbow
The Hobbit
In Cold Blood : a true account of a multiple murder and its consequences
White Teeth
Treasure Island
David Copperfield
The Three Musketeers

Total: 21% Pretentious. And I wish I had read more of the these books than I have. Maybe that's what I'll do this summer. :)

Agree or Disagree?

"It would be an unconscionable act of betrayal, a stain on our character as a great nation, if we were to walk away from the Iraqi people." - John McCain










I'm not exactly sure how I feel...

Yeah

Supposedly, people write in their journals, diary's or blogs in either incredibly high and happy moods or incredibly depressing moods and if they don't, its because they are very disciplined and write everyday. So that's probably my problem, if you only knew me from reading my blog, I wonder what someone would think of me? Probably not very much. On that thought, I guess I'd rather just end this post with a verse that has been a great encouragement for me.

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

Random, Stimulating Thoughts

"There comes a time in your life where you grow, you change, you find yourself somewhere deep inside, sometimes this phase of life is wonderful, as it should be. The discovery of new things, the excitement of life and the love and warmth it brings. But sometimes its not beautiful. Sometimes the changes are unwelcome because they bring anger, bitterness and resentment from loved ones. Sometimes these changes are so strong and so different from before that saying goodbye is the only way to move forward. But through this part of life whether beautiful or gray, there will be a blossoming flower, even if it is a time of hurt, of tears and of loneliness, the result will be a smile, a memory of the good times and a looking forward to the future."

^I found that. I think it says a lot of what I feel.

Today I was listening to a CD and in between the songs, there was this challenge from the artist that I had never heard and that you wouldn't hear unless you listen through the CD without skipping tracks, anyway, I think this is a good thing to remember. "Kings don't wear crowns in crowds for what? They're more smart than that." :)

Also, I need to pick a song to play with my slide show for graduation at church. I'm having some trouble, because I love so many songs and so many different kinds of music. If anyone has any suggestions, I would definitely entertain them.

Potential

I know that as a person we will always, for the rest of our lives, be changing and becoming more Christ-like as God works in us and reveals to us parts of our lives that don't reflect him and need to change, but I also know there's a time when you feel comfortable with yourself and the person who you are. Like for example, as a freshman in high school, I felt very uncomfortable with myself. Being cool, trying to be friends with the popular people and agreeing with them about everything seemed really important, but now I realize that wasn't really me. Now, I feel like I'm making a huge decision about where I'm going to college and I almost feel like I'm choosing between lives. I'm also afraid that I'm going to lose my friends that go to different colleges, and though I know its selfish of me, I don't want my friendships to grow apart. Am I supposed to be the more quiet, reserved one who doesn't always talk? Or am I supposed to be out there, challenging the other opinions and being a leader? I want to be used by God no matter where I go and what I do, but I want to reach my full potential, and I'm afraid that I won't. I suppose I will reach the potential that God wants me to reach, which is amazing, because without him I wouldn't be able to reach any potential, just unfortunately, I don't know what that potential is yet.

Being Mature

I am positive that there is no magic age to be considered mature. Dictionary.com defines it as: fully developed in body or mind, as a person. I've heard that some people never mature, and as adults they seem lacking in many ways, socially, but mostly in responsibility. My mom recently read an article that said that I cannot make really good decisions until I am 25, I guess the writers were trying to say something about consistency, but nobody makes good consistent decisions even after 25. So, does making good decisions have to do with being mature? I think it does, but what does that mean for me? I feel like me as a person doesn't really exist. Like yes, I can have ideas and opinions but if they aren't consistent with my parents, then they are bad, so my ideas and opinions don't really exist, so then I disappear, because I am basically defined by my ideas and opinions. Well, not completely because that wouldn't be honest, but the things that seem to matter to me and I want respect for, even if it is just a small "what do you think?" would make a huge difference to me. Thats all. If anybody is reading, please comment.

UnChristian?

I was reading World Magazine today, and I wanted to share about an article they published. A Christian survey organization recently "asked young people to identify which perceptions they most strongly associate with Christianity. The three most commonly agreed-upon were: anti-homosexual, judgmental, and hypocritical." The article goes on to question if, as Christians we "are [more] famous for what we oppose, rather than what we are for."
I suppose this is a touchy subject, because Christians are supposed to hate the sin and not the sinner, but are never able to do that perfectly. I guess I sympathize with people who feel judged by the church and are not given the love and mercy that God requires us to give, because they they have problems. It seems easier to try to separate from everything bad and then think that is the right thing, but I disagree. God says we are to be in the world and not of it, which means we are to understand and be there for the people that feel like they have no chance of God ever wanting them. If we think we are so high and mighty, to be haters of homosexuals, judgmental of how others speak, dress and how they use their time, to go around pretending that we are the chosen ones with the best ideas we are the ones with the problem. Yes, God has saved us and we need to share that with others, but we were just as awful as them and even worse, because we claim the name Christian and then are hypocrites. Read the article and please think about whether you are loving unconditionally as Christ commands.

Eighteen

I suppose nothing is really supposed to feel different as a Christian who turns eighteen. I still live under my parents roof, and so I kinda still have to obey them or else they may kick me out. Its never been like my parents have been super strict or super lenient, but its not going to be like suddenly they stop caring and just let me go where ever I want or do what I want as long as its legal. I've always thought it was going to be a big deal, suddenly I could tell my parents that I was an adult and make my own decisions, but not really. I don't feel any different, and I'm still treated as a child. I'm ready to go and make a difference with my life, and I'm tired of being told that I'm not old enough, but when will I be old enough? When am I expected to make good decisions? I guess I'm just at a major in between stage and again I am just called to wait.

For Christian Guys

Okay, so I was wasting my time on the internet, but I found this article/post that I really liked and that I agree with. Please read it. :)


http://homespunfervor.blogspot.com/2007/07/10-qualities-of-21st-century-christian.html

Taking A Stand

Hello everyone,

I've had some thing weighing on my mind in the past couple weeks and I just wanted to share with you. This past month in Indianapolis there was a little girl named TaJanay who was killed. She was put back into her home by the state for a 30 day trial trying to reunite her with her family, however, because of her abusive mother and mom's boyfriend, the day of her next meeting with the judge, she died. Even though this story is sad even without the details, this letter to the editor in today's newspaper really made me think.

One child named TaJanay dies and we are shocked, outraged and saddened. Every death of an American soldier makes us cringe. We ask ourselves how we can make these killings stop. On Jan. 22 we will observe the 35th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision on abortion. Since 1973, 50 million unborn children have been killed. Where is the shock? Where is the outrage? Where is the sadness?

The late Rep. Julia Carson had a reputation for speaking for the voiceless, but she supported abortion. Columnist Dan Carpenter defends every downtrodden cause that comes along, but he won't defend the unborn. I don't get it. We all know these babies are being killed and we don't care as long at they're hidden away at a Planned Parenthood clinic and we don't have to experience it.

The deaths of 50 million children should be the number one issue for every voter who goes to the polls this year. How can it not be? Our American way of life is not going to disappear because our property taxes are too high, or we don't kill enough terrorists or the Dome is not big enough for the Colts. It will be destroyed because we are killing a million of our children every year and we know it and we don't care.

Stephen J. Martin

All of this keeps reinforcing it self on my mind. On Sunday, we had a guy from the Central Indiana Crisis Pregnancy Center come and preach at our church, focusing on the sixth commandment "thou shalt not kill." I really appreciated his sermon, and even though it seemed like review, I was challenged and it really makes me want to do something about it.

The last thing that has to do with this whole post, is that we just finished reading a book called "The Second American Revolution" by John Whitehead in worldview. While I didn't agree with everything in this book, I enjoyed reading it, especially the part where he calls Christian to action. Here's a quote from his book:

"In Matthew 5 Christ states that the church is to be the salt or preservation in society. If not, Christ said, then the church is "good for nothing, but to be cast down, and to be trodden under the food of men." (v. 13) When the church is silent, then there is a need for Christian rebels. With the humanistic consensus gaining a stronger foothold each day, it is not a far-fetched notion to envision a time when we will see the church trodden under the feet of humanists. The unthinkables of yesterday - abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and rational suicide - are here. The church cannot be a spectator in the war that is raging. It must take a stand or there is no hope for a return to a society that cherishes life and seeks meaning."

So where does that leave me? Sometime i feel so inadequate. I know if I was a boy that I would want to be a pastor and to be completely on fire for God and to conquer the world, but I'm not and I can't become a RP pastor, and I can't be in any sort of leadership position because I'm a girl or because I'm not old enough or have enough experience. Its rather frustrating and as much as I want to do something, I suppose my place for right now is to wait. So I'm waiting.

Screwtape Letters

"Here are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight." - Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

I am reading the Screwtape letters with Shannon for our Bible study time. This past week we talked about how real the devil and demons are. So far, this book has made it clearer all sorts of the things the devil uses to get into our minds and turn them from God. The annoyances of others, praying for someone's "soul" and distractions during church. There is no way for us to overcome the devil without Christ, so we need to be constantly asking Him to protect us from evil.

so.

I've come to realize that my last kiss: wasn't really sincere coming from Daniel.

I am listening to: the silence of my house before anyone else wakes up.

I talk: and I usually hope people will listen.

I love: people who don't always love me back.

My best friend: won't answer her phone when I try to call her.

Number six is: the evil number. (don't quote me on that)

I hate it when people: use something that I'm struggling with against me.

Love is: real.

Marriage: is something for the future.

Somewhere, someone: is being productive.

I'll always: be me.

I have a secret crush: but you aren't allowed to know.

The last time I cried was because: writing papers is incredibly depressing.

My cell phone: has a name, it is Horatio.

When I wake up in the morning: I make myself a hot cup of coffee.

Before I go to bed: I usually talk on the phone.

Right now I am thinking about: all the thinks I have to accomplish today.

Babies are: beautiful, but loud.

I go on MySpace: but tend to become annoyed.

Today I: slept until eight.

Tonight I will: watch a German movie. I don't speak German.

Tomorrow I will: attend church.

I really want to be: truly alive.

Someone who will most likely repost this is: someone who finds it amusing.

Quote

"I am a princess. All girls are. Even if they live in tiny, old attics; even if they dress in rags; even if they aren't pretty, or smart, or young. They're still princesses. All of us. Didn't you father ever tell you that? Didn't he?"
- Sara, A little Princess

Flat Tire

Today on my way to Marian I got my first flat tire. I was about halfway there and my car started shaking and making loud noises that were not normal. For those of you who know about my car, it already has some issues with the engine and it is relatively loud. By the time I pulled into Marian I was worried because I hoped driving with a flat tire wouldn't hurt my car. I called my Mom right before I went into class, asking if she could call my Dad and ask him to change it for me. Thankfully, when I came out of class, my Dad had put the spare on and left me a message saying that it was okay to drive it. I made it on time to my other class on the other side of campus and my ride home was uneventful. After I got home, my dad instructed me in how to change a tire so next time I can do it myself. ;-)

... among other things.

So, I'm really in need of an update. I'm also in need of a better dedication to blogger, something that I want, but I tend not to have because I don't think I have anything exciting enough to write about. But, my mom always says that I shouldn't post about how I have nothing to post about, that doesn't help anything.

A lot has happened since I posted last. It is now 2007, hopefully the best year of my life so far. I was able to attend the 2006 CYPU Winter Conference in Lafayette and I enjoyed it throughly, Rutledge Ethridge is an amazing speaker and what he said was challenging and applicable. World view started last Friday, Chemistry and Geometry started this past Monday and I started my first classes at Marian College today. Everything is going well so far.

I have a couple prayer requests before I end the post. First, that I wouldn't get too swamped this semester since most of my classes are relatively hard, that I would make swimming a higher priority instead of just going when I feel like it and that my focus would be on God throughout everything, that I would turn to him first for help instead of myself!

Quote of the post:
"The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet." - Aristotle
- That's definitely something I have to remember this semester. ;-)

Beauty & the Beast

Last Thursday, Ruth, Cathy and I went to see Beauty and the Beast at the Civic Theatre at Marian. Cathy and I had purchased Ruth the tickets for her birthday, so we had been planning on it since December 1st. Our evening was fun. We went to dinner, to the play and then to Starbucks afterwards. The play was based of the Disney version, but also had songs from the Broadway score. There are plenty of comments I could make about it, but the one thing I want to highlight - that none of us realized until the next day - was the guy who played Maurice - Belle's dad.

For all the home schoolers out there, who have taken Wile General Science, Wile Physical Science, Wile Biology, Wile Chemistry and possibly even Wile Physics, this will be a surprise. Dr. Jay Wile played Maurice. In his bio it says, " Dr. Jay Wile is happy to make his debut with the Indianapolis Civic Theatre. He initially pursued acting as a career, but eventually decided against it. As a result, he took the next logical step and became a nuclear chemist. Currently, Dr. Wile is the author or coauthor of nine books." Personally, I was extremely surprised and rather scared that the guy who wrote all my science books was acting in a play, but overall I think he made a good Maurice. ;-)

Ciabatta

How do you pronounce this word?



My mom and I are having a debate.

I think its more like ca-BA-ta, but somehow that doesn't seem right.


It's actually a type of roll. Stone Baked Artisan Bread. Square, a little on the hard side, something you would eat with a meal rather than by itself.

Assiduous Week

- Was sick and got better
- Almost got my car towed
- Attended the preview day at Marian College
- Enjoyed lunch out with my best friend two times
- Had a wonderful time sitting in Starbucks and chatting with Becca
- Discussed deep theological issues in Worldview
- Served guests at a rehearsal dinner for a wedding
- Got "startled" at the Children's Museum's haunted house with my dad
- Took the PSAT at North Central
- Timed my siblings as they ran around monument circle
- Sang Caro Mio Ben with Ursula in my voice lesson
- Agreed to work 5:30-8:30am three mornings next week

Top 10 Reasons to Write

10. To become a wealthy author
9. To impress a certain guy or girl
8. To compose creative excuses
7. To fill up your notebook
6. To be different
5. To become a better thinker and learner
4. To share your experiences and ideas
3. To improve your performance in school
2. To get you ready for the next step
1. To help you shape a meaningful life

:) I found this in a writing book that belongs to my brother. I thought it was cute!

FMP

This past weekend was our CYUP Fall Ministry Project. It started Friday night at seven with a quiz mostly to break the ice, give us something to do and get to know each other. I found myself signing for being on a swim team, getting up before six o'clock and having a cat. We then went outside and split into two teams, each of us with a number. Joel Hart called our numbers and we played human tick-tac-toe, by choosing which square we wanted to stand in. Next, we played a game were three groups of us stood in a circle holding hands with a hoola-hoop. We had to get the hoola-hoop all the way around the circle without letting go. Both games were fun!!

Back inside, we sat in the santuary, sang Psalms and then Pastor Rich Holdeman spoke about making good decisions. Having the proper goal, using the tools God has given us, having the proper attitude and embracing responsibility were just a few of his points. Then James Fairs announced where each of us would be going to serve. My team to the Lafayette camp, included: Ruth, Luke, Ollie, Julia, Trevor and Lyndsi.

I slept at Pastor Johnston's house, staying up till around one o'clock talking and then waking up at 5:45 am to get ready to go. We ate breakfast, packed our lunches and were in the car to Lafayette at eight. Ken Nelson drove my team and the Lafayette Church team, which included: Becca, Lindsey, Julie, Elizabeth, Matt and Caleb. It didn't seem like we had a lot of space in our van, but we managed! ;-)

At the Pentacostal camp, Eleni, Ross and Robert helped my team stain a deck around the back. It wasn't especially hard, though I did get stain all over myself. We worked there until around three or so, and then got picked up and did some lawn work with the other Lafayette team at the Nelson and Long homes. Both teams went to the Kessler's for dinner. We had angus burgers, homemade macaroni and cheese, veggies and pop. It was delicious.

Ruth, Becca, Lyndsi and I stayed the night at Pastor Long's house. We were having some theological discussions before going to bed, and right in the middle someone rang the doorbell and we discovered that the yard had been TPed and Forked, right before it started raining. We didn't stay up too late. In the morning, we ate, packed up all our junk and piled into their van to go to church. Service was encouraging. Pastor Long preached on self-control and then in Sunday school Mr. Kessler talked about John Calvin.

There was fellowship lunch after service, so our two groups ate and then piled back into the van to drive back to Indy for the life chain. It was good to stand downtown and protest a cause like abortion. Afterwards we went back to Northside and most everyone didn't stay for service. By the time I finally got home around 8:30pm, I was totally exhausted and ready to go to bed, but before I did, I told my parents all about my time. A big thanks to everyone who made FM such a success! The End.

Quote of the post:
"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson