Strange world

Something weird is going on in Cheltenham. Children are generally crawling the walls (three schools almost shut down because of 'riots') and the people living in our area are getting worse. Someone knocked in the back window of one of my housemates car today, just because she was blocking a track that leads to some houses. An over-reaction by any standards. That kind of thing is becoming more regular. Also we are getting mixed signals from lecturers in our department. The regulations for the university state that students must be within 10% of the word limit for any assignment submitted otherwise they face penalties, but lecturers are telling some students that they can go over the 10% and will not be marked down.
Pray for this town, it's becoming harder to live here. I'm definitely looking forward to going home..but then I always do!

Ebay-ing

Yes I know it's not a word, but I had my first experience of the world of ebay. You must've been locked in an cupboard for the last 5 years or so if you don't know what ebay is, but just to refresh the memory of those who can't remember it's an online auction site.
I had my first taste of it today, bidding for a friend, and I can't see the draw. Sat in front of a computer, bidding for an item you've never touched? Only a picture, from a source that you've never met. Some find it exciting, I only find it frustrating and a waste of time! Go shopping, not online, but get all touchy-feely with what you want to buy!!

Love

It's a strange thing. We were asked the question - Have you ever felt love in any way? It's surprising the amount of people who don't immediately put their hands up or nod in a satisfactory way. Society attaches love to relationship love, eros, for those of you studying greek. Boy/girl, can't keep your hands off them love. Ok so I thought of Henry first off and had to be reminded that my friends, my parents and my siblings all love me, in one way or another.

So in fact we are all loved, by someone (probably more than one person) at any one time. One of the chain emails that goes around is 'someone is thinking of you right now', and then it gets all soppy after that, but it is true. Ok, most people find that hard to figure, but I don't. I know God always loves me and is always thinking of me. Even when I'm in the darkest place, hiding from the lamp on the stand ("Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house" Matt 5:15). God is there, thinking of me, us. We are not alone (that is a tagline, but I don't where from). We ARE loved.

I was going to give my testimony, but there wasn't enough time, so maybe its not right for me to tell it just yet. There are things we all need to think about...

"You...may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" Ephesians 3:17-19

It's tough being in this world, but God loves us to the ends of the earth, and that's when we are closest to Him!

P.S. No I didn't hand write it all, click here to find out why!

A bad night's sleep

Umm... I was woken up at 2am and kept awake for ages last night. I had to be up at 8am this morning, which is the earliest I have to get up during the week, and not having any sleep the night before I was not a happy bunny!! Tomorrow I have to get up at 5.45 to go to bristol to do some paid work! It's going to be loads of fun if I get woken up tonight!

Genesis

Give an account of the themes and theology of the creation narratives (Genesis 1-3)?

I started today, and am taking a quick break before doing more. I know you're asking, how can she get two thousand words out of that? Well consider that I've got to look at other creation stories along the way and there are about four different takes on the theology of genesis that I've come across, I know there are more too. I could get an essay out of just 'Discuss the theology of creation in genesis'. Don't forget it also includes the Fall of Man!

Argh, here I go again.

P.S. No-one has owned up to the chocolate spread stealing, none has been stolen since I told everyone though...ummm...what do I make of that?

Chocolate spread, amongst other things!

Someone is stealing my chocolate spread... I thought I was safe, I was sure no-one else likes the stuff in my house, and generally people ask if they want something, but no. Someone has taken some and not owned up. I know I am unnecessarily stressing, but it is a luxury and I have lived with these girls for at least two years. I'm not angry, just upset that they didn't ask first.

It's all good otherwise. I keep getting asked what it's like to be engaged. It's like being asked how it feels to be older on the day of your birthday. I don't feel any different, because I've always felt like this. Ok happier than I've ever been before, but then I've felt that way since I started going out with Henry. So yeah, it's like normal.

I'm watching Taming of the Shrew, very good!

Giving Blood

I gave blood today, for the 5th time, though I actually have two donor cards so I probably won't get a new card just yet. Not that it matters, I always enjoy doing it and feel its the only worthwhile thing my blood can do (other than keep me alive)!! The staff are always wonderful and make the whole experience fun. Ok so if needles aren't your thing then you won't like it, but I promise you its a good feeling. Just remeber to press hard after the needles been taken out, otherwise you could have issues (like me, there's always one!)
Anyway, on with work!

Religious Education

What is Religious Education meant to do? What did it do for you? Can you remember what you learnt from time in Religious Education?

I'm ashamed to say I didn't learn a lot up to the age of 16 because it didn't make me think. GCSE RE, I found out today, is simple in comparision to Year 9 RE. How wrong is that? I feel very cheated! Ok so I only acheived a D but at least I turned up to the exam, which is more than can be said for some!

Macbeth on the BBC, worthwhile, I'll be tempted if they're going to bring out this series on DVD!

Annoyed

I'm ever so slightly annoyed at people who put up their defenses at the first mention of religion. Yes I have my view and so does everyone else, I'm not going to push you into believing anything, so stop assuming I will.

Christmas lights is another thing. I don't know if you've seen the winter lights thing thats been in the news. Crazy, Christmas has never been offensive, why should we worry about it now? Yes we are a multicultural country, but our roots are in Christianity (and Paganism a little) so lets celebrate it the traditional way!

Am I justified? I feel like i'm surrounded by sissies! People who won't stand up for their religion because they're worried about others, go far but don't go too far!

I totally realise it seems I've contradicted myself, but I haven't, think about it!

A weekend off

I'm chilling, I might do some reading if I get really bored, but I doubt that, actually I might do some out of the premise that I will feel awful if I don't do any. I'm going to have to do some reading out of the goodness of my heart anyway, I agreed to read the essay that was due yesterday (the one that led to the lack of sleep) written by my housemate. I'm getting in practice for becoming a teacher honest.

I'm going to see Saw 2 this evening, joy! Gore, gore, gore apparently. Umm...I'll let you know how it goes.

For all the wrong reasons

I'm tired because someone decided to do the washing up at 1.30am this morning, plus I was worried about finishing my essay. Dispite the rude awakening I have handed in my essay with a whole day to spare, now I'm going to spend the weekend relaxing and enjoying the wedding of rachel and ewan, with Henry and Helen. Its going to be fun. I'm going to do a little prep for the first chapter of my diss on friday and after that I'm stopping til monday!

Brain ache

I'm tired and upset, I'm also happy and overloaded with things to do. I've got an essay due soon and I'm more concerned about that than housemates who have issues and proof reading.

So as a prayer request (because its important)

Pray that the tiredness I am feeling disappears, that housemates communicate with each other effectively, that my essay flows from my brain and that I don't get ill cause I'm doing too much.

Thankyou

Fireworks

They can be dangerous, and they can be fun. Take my sister, she burnt herself (dummy) and the firework that fell over this evening and tried to beat the youth leader (though didn't get to far), on the other hand, the firework display we did have was great, i've not stood in the freezing cold for ages and it felt great. Ok I can't breathe from all the smoke because it was so windy, but the food was good and the company was better!

Thank you to all of those who have said congratulations over the last week or so, its slowly sinking it, and church was hilariously funny this morning, henry was doing the telling, to people I don't know. I got lots of admiring looks and a massive smile from his scout leaders, who then told cautionary tales of their own wedding. The next 18 months or so are going to be interesting, thankfully I don't know that many married couples (the number though is on the increase), so I can't hear that many stories about flowers, invitations, dresses, venues, parents, in-laws, bridesmaids...maybe i can!

new weblink to photos!!

You can now go here to see all of my photos!! (especially of my ring!!)

Word in edge ways...

Twice today I have struggled to get my words out because someone is talking over me. Its so frustrating because neither times were very productive i.e. most people talk over me to finish my sentences.

Good news is that my school placement is off the ground. I finally met the women I will be working with so I can gain some expeience in secondary school teaching.

Other than that, my day has been uneventful. I'm supporting two fusion nights and getting quite excited about fireworks on sunday evening, but before that I've got a graduation to attend and a fiance to spend the weekend with!!!