Thursday, September 27, 2007

If Jim and Krista had a kid....

this might be likely to happen (from the RED EYE CTA BLOG SITE)

True story, and while it was annoying at the time, it's really funny.

My wife and I were on the Brown Line the other morning on the way to Lakeview when a woman and her son -- probably 5 or 6 years old -- get on at like Randolph and Wabash.

This kid is hysterical. Screaming. And at first it was hard to make out what the problem was, but then as the cries filled the car and it became impossible to concentrate on anything else, it became clear.

"I wanted Greeeeeen. Waaaaaaaaah. Green, mom!"

Yes, readers, this young man was having a temper tantrum over his mom's choice to ride the Brown instead of the Green.

I was surprised. Personally, I think Brown blows Green out of the water, with the exception of the cool tunnel near IIT.

Eventually, his mom redirected his attention to the book he was carrying. And he became one with Brown, although he cried sporadically as we approached Sedgwick and Armitage.

Hopefully, he gets his wish and gets to go Green someday. But kid, let me give you a little piece of advice. Orange. That's where the excitement is at.

Ne w Blog that I found

Here is a foodie blog I found out about today: http://desertculinary.blogspot.com

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Computer and Peace Geek Collided


for those who don't get it, when programming a website in order to stop for example bolding a part of text the character / is used. I dunno maybe someone out there wouldn't get it right away....

Oprah entry

So - in regards to the movie that is previewed in a post last week - Oprah is asking viewers to answer the question - Why did I get married? I decided to take a stab at it in 2000 characters or less (that is Oprah's terms) This is obviously not all the reasons I got married - but I think more and more the more I fall in love it has to do with this deep real friendship that only Jim and I understand and love in each other.

I got married because I found a best friend that I didn’t want to go home, ever.

I admit, I am a newlywed – so my opinion may be less valid than my parent’s who have been married forever and a day in today’s standards. My husband will tell you that he worked hard for me to date him, really hard. It is so true. So, when I went on a study trip for three weeks – I came home thinking – crap he is going to break up with me because he won’t care after this time, and he was thinking – crap she is going to break up with me because she will be so passionate about the trip that just happened. I knew that I never wanted to have that feeling again. I wanted to know that my best friend, my now husband, was going to be there with me no matter where I traveled to without him. Marriage was my way of saying – I love you and I want you in my life – something I haven’t ever been willing or wanting to say before.

Friday, September 21, 2007

Fun list

Found this on the blog entitled: "Bridget Jones Goes to Seminary"

Top Ten Reasons Why Men Should Not Be Ordained

10. A man's place is in the army.

9. For men who have children, their duties might distract them from the responsibilities of being a parent.

8. Their physical build indicates that men are more suited to tasks such as chopping down trees and wrestling mountain lions. It would be "unnatural" for them to do other forms of work.

7. Man was created before woman. It is therefore obvious that man was a prototype. Thus, they represent an experiment, rather than the crowning achievement of creation.

6. Men are too emotional to be priests or pastors. This is easily demonstrated by their conduct at football games and watching basketball tournaments.

5. Some men are handsome; they will distract women worshipers.

4. To be ordained pastor is to nurture the congregation. But this is not a traditional male role. Rather, throughout history, women have been considered to be not only more skilled than men at nurturing, but also more frequently attracted to it. This makes them the obvious choice for ordination.

3. Men are overly prone to violence. No really manly man wants to settle disputes by any means other than by fighting about it. Thus, they would be poor role models, as well as being dangerously unstable in positions of leadership.

2. Men can still be involved in church activities, even without being ordained. They can sweep paths, repair the church roof, and maybe even lead the singing on Father's Day. By confining themselves to such traditional male roles, they can still be vitally important in the life of the Church.

1. In the New Testament account, the person who betrayed Jesus was a man. Thus, his lack of faith and ensuing punishment stands as a symbol of the subordinated position that all men should take.

Moral of the story: pretty much anyone can use Scripture/common sense to come to pretty much any conclusion that they pretty much want to. (I like #2 the best)

Tyler Perry rush



Nadia told me on Wednesday night that she saw an ad for it, I just saw a TV ad for it - yippee - Tyler Perry's new film based on his play entitled "Why Did I Get Married?" I knew about it, but I am excited to remember that Jill Scott (one of the most listened to artists on my iPod) and Tyler Perry are in this. It comes out October 12.

Thanks Jim for dealing wonderfully with my passion for Tyler - the cutest guy in the world.

Jim and theology: Krista's two great loves

This week I became a translator of all things church. One thing I love about Jim is that he brings such a different perspective than I do on church because he isn’t as ingrained as I am in church politics and traditions of the church. While I get paid especially with these semester long students to talk theology, I read theology and think in those terms most of the time – Jim spends most of his time not thinking about theology.

Last weekend, we went to our friend’s ordination which I immediately became the translator in explaining what was going on. Then I have had several really deep conversations, finished an amazing book, and Jim and I have really delved into theology this week.

Jim is so open to see what actually is happening within the church body – not the tradition, not what the church says should happen, not whatever – but what it actually is doing – he sometimes is more hopeful that I and always points me to a better perspective.

Marriage has changed my view on faith, given me a new perspective into love, and given me a new understanding of community. I am still working on the explanation of that – if there is one.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

interesting reading

I am reading a book called Take this bread by Sara Miles:

This quote stuck out to me:

What happened once I started distributing communion was the truly disturbing, dreadful realization about Christianity: You can't be a Christian by yourself.

She quotes Isaac of Nineveh a 7th century mystic saying: Did not Our Lord share his table with tax collectors and harlots? So do not distinguish between worthy and unworthy. All must be equal for you to love and serve.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Is the world flat?

On the view...

After declaring she didn't "believe in evolution, period," new "View" co-host Sherri Shepherd was asked if she thought the world was flat.

Click here for article and video

...I thoroughly enjoy asking people peculiar questions and watching them squirm that's why I enjoy this so much.

Friday, September 14, 2007

speedos and goggles

So after two swim suit tramas in two days, yesterday I went swimsuit shopping...never good...I ended up buying an actual speedo. I also bought some new goggles of which I have gone without since oh I don't know...4th grade.

This morning armed in my new suit and my new goggles I couldn't wait to swim today! Seriously, I couldn't get my head out of water - goggles make everything underwater so clear. I am such a big kid!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

overmixing

I made my first batch of muffins in probably 3rd grade. I remember on cooking day with my 4-H group at my aunt's house overmixing muffins on purpose to see what would happen. I don't think I have ever done it other than that, until yesterday.

I was thinking of that lesson, like I do every time I make muffins, and yet I must have liked mixing too much yesterday. I can't believe I did this. However, they were still good and didn't have the peaking that can happen - so they look normal until the inside.

Here is the recipe:


1 cup old fashion rolled oats (not instant)
1 cup non-fat milk
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 egg whites
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. sugar
raisins or nuts (optional)

Soak the oats in milk for about one hour.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Spray muffin pan with cooking spray.
Combine the oat mixture with the applesauce and egg whites, and mix until combined.
In a separate bowl measure and whisk the dry ingredients together.
Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until just combined. Add nuts or raisins if desired.
Do not over mix the batter or the muffins will be tough. Spoon muffin mixture into muffin pan.
Combine the cinnamon and sugar and top each muffin with some of the mixture.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until done.
Remove from pan, cool and enjoy.
These can be frozen and reheated in the microwave for a quick breakfast.

Number of Servings: 12

New favorite comic

I found a new comic that looks amazing and has some deep philosophical ideas

The site is: http://www.boltcity.com/copper/

My favorite comic so far is this one:
http://www.boltcity.com/copper/copperstrips/copper_019_transit_web.gif

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

So today, along with my students, I attended a Myers Briggs workshop. I love MBTI! My type is ENTJ. I however am slowing becoming a P - maybe. I don't want to admit that, really. In ten years, maybe I will be a P. Not as much as my friend Jackie and probably not as much as Jim - but a slight P.

Jim took an online version and came out as I thought he would - INFP. I think that is what Dad is, or something quite close that. Jackie is a ENFP.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Comfort Food

It is no secret that my Dad is a great cook. He has great skills in prepping really hard and laborous foods; and yet one of his favorite dishes is gravy over white bread. Easy and real comfort food - real cheap too.

I was reminded of this in the last two meals I made.

Last night - I made the following lentil barley soup from Healthy Online Recipes.

3/4 cup dry pearl barley
4 cups hot water
6 cups Veal Stock or Beef Stock
1/2 cup dry lentil beans
1 medium white onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 ripe tomato, diced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 pound extra-lean ground round or ground veal, browned and drained

Method:

Soak barley in 4 cups hot water for 1 hour. Ina stock pot, heat stock just to boiling (do not boil), reduce heat to simmer. Add barley with soaking liquid to stock. Add lentils, onion and celery, simmer 2 - 2.5 hours, or until barley is tender and lentils are cooked. Stir in mushrooms, tomatoes, salt, pepper and ground round or veal, simmer 10-15 minutes.

It rocked. Jim noticed it, he liked the smell. We both thought it was good etc.
But tonight, I didn't get home in time to make the meal I had planned so I just made tuna salad melt for Jim and oven fries and I had just a tuna sandwich and oven fries. Jim loved the tuna salad - I used olives instead of relish - because we were out of relish. Easy to please he is.

New Recipe for Tuna Salad:

1 can of tuna, drained
mayo until I feel like stopping squeezing (Jim likes squeeze mayo)
the rest of the chopped olives from the jar
about 1 tbsp diced celery

Using Pam like substance, spray oil on wheat bread (and place in hot skillet), place cheese slice (Jim likes Kraft singles) and then place half of the tuna salad on top of cheese. Then place the other piece of bread on top then spray the top of the bread with Pam. Flip when needed and enjoy!

weekend

I went to the CMLC auction, had a great time. I bought a comforter that even Jim agreed matches our curtains. I was bidding on some stuff that got pretty close, probably too close. But it was way fun!

Yesterday, was declared packing day! We packed a lot of stuff! Our home is looking more and more like an apartment.

Friday, September 7, 2007

overheard at 949 W. 19th St.

Krista: "So I am thinking about bidding on a couple things at the CMLC auction...what do you think?"

Jim: "You are the one that takes care of the money, do we have it to spend?"

Krista: "I think, and it is for a good cause"

Jim: "Babe, with you it is always a good cause"

Krista breaks out laughing because it is so true. At least I have a problem giving to charity as opposed to giving to a slot machine!

Moving

I keep forgetting to post that we are moving. We have a great, great deal. Cheaper rent and right next door to work - literally, next door to Krista's work!! Ease of access to CTA for Jim to get downtown - more regular than what he was now. We are moving September 29!

CTA story

I was on a bus today headed to check in on an agency:

It was sprinking and the bus stopped for an elderly woman who had two shopping carts. The woman got on and pointed at me and said, "Come, help me!" I got up and went to the door. The bus driver said to the woman (and to me) that she would put the ramp down to ease the process. So I got off the bus to pull the shopping cart out of the ramp's way. The woman wasn't convinced I was doing it right. Saw me trying to move the cart and looked at the bus driver and said, "She is stealing my cart! Bus driver, she is stealing the cart!" The bus driver tried to explain what I was doing. But in the end, I just lifted both of the carts up and then am trying to live with the idea that an elderly woman thought I was stealing her groceries.

Journaling

So, the other day I assigned the RAD participants to journal. So at least for the next couple months - I need to be a good example and journal with them. I am going to do that here most of the time.

In the last couple days, we have done a lot of work - Wednesday alone we ripped up flooring in a Catholic parish house and then in the afternoon sorted 2000 lbs of bread. I learned several things - I have to be in the right mindset to do that kind of work and it is hard. A lot of my job is relationship, for this I am grateful. However, it was WAY cool to work hard and see something get done.

Yesterday, after reflecting in 4 different city locations on Psalm 30 (a journaling exercise), we went and stood on the sidewalk and even in the street and asked for money for a local non-profit. I have never thought I would do that. I even called Jim and had him come by to drop his change in our boots (our buckets) because I was worried I couldn't get anyone else to give money. All together we collected 505 in bills, and 181 in change!

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Ways to be a kid

Have you ever watched a child completely engrossed in a project? They have the unusual ability to be serious about what they’re doing without taking it too seriously. You can do the same with your life. You can live every day with more focus, and every week with more motivation.
Here’s what every child knows that you may have forgotten.

See if you can apply some of these lessons to your adult life....

Click here to read the rest