Weekend!

I have done pretty much nothing this weekend. Ok so I've not spent the entire weekend sleeping, I have done a few things. I played squash with Henry, which I lost, I am geting better though and I do enjoy playing. I am definately becoming a gracious loser, but thats because the person I am playing loves to gloat!
Watched Scary Movie 4 - which was ok, its not as funny as the first one, but thats because I haven't seen some of the movies that were included in the spoof. The new cinema in cheltenham is good, but stupidly over priced.
We went for lunch this afternoon, and played some pool. Henry won, but only by default. Now we're just sat around chilling, trying to work at the same time though!

Orange!

Well sort of red with anger actually. I sent my letter off this morning, with a little help from my housemates, and then got a phone call from my mum telling me I'd got something from Orange! Argh! Frustrating!

Work on the other hand is going well. I'm pacing myself, waiting to find out what student services can do for my severe lack of concentration at the moment.

Back to work I go!

Being at home

I'm in Essex for less than a day now, but I thought I'd blog because I've not got the mind capacity to concentrate on work. I have done a couple of hours this week, enough to get me started on various projects but I'm looking forward to going back to Cheltenham tomorrow to see everyone and catch up on things that have happened during Easter.

If you've read Karen's blog you'll know that my Grandad passed away on tuesday after fighting cancer for a year and a half. I'm going to be all over the place until his funeral. We've been chatting about him for a while now as a family and I realise how much fun we had with him during his life. He told me that my double chin was coming along well on sunday - the cheek of it! Any way we had a laugh. Bless him.

God's in all that we do, I know that now more than ever.

well apart from phone companies! I received a new phone last week and only this morning told them that it keeps rebooting itself. They told me that they couldn't do anything if there was nothing wrong with it because I'd passed the 7 day return period. SEVEN days! You've got to be kidding me. How am I supposed to make up my mind in 7 days? I've got to charge it for 3/4 of a day before I can even start using it, oh and I have to manually transfer my phone numbers over so thats a couple of hours work, and for all they care I might not be using it and find a fault after the 7 days! As far as I'm aware it only says about the 7 day return policy on the invoice, nowhere in the actual term and conditions does it say that. ARGH! Anyway, Dad got on the phone and threw in his two cents worth. Nokia and Orange have gone down in my list of good companies, etc, etc!

I was also going to unblock my old phone and give it to my mum, telling the customer service bloke that email was the way I wished to be contacted. What did they do? Send me a bleeding letter, to the wrong address. So thats useless! Technical support my a!!e.

Rant over with, go back to work!

Calm...

I have calmed down since yesterday, kind of. I've got another application form to fill in today to send before the 4th May. It's actually in Kent this time. Deal. Umm...I'm going to read the job description and fill in the application form.

I watched a programme last night that ended rather sadly and felt biased against young Christian couples. It was called Teens that tie the knot. I'm not sure if it was a one-off but when the final couple were introduced as committed Christians I was interested. Simon and Sarah had decided to abstain from everything before they got married. The programme was divided between three couples, the first couple who were madly in love and both 17 (and she was four months pregnant when they got married), the secound couple had a huge age difference and the final couple were, as I said, Christians with a 2 year age gap. It followed the before, during and after, from dating to marriage. The funny thing was that none of the mothers approved of the weddings, their daughters were to young, inexperienced and it wouldn't work out because of various factors.

For the Christian couple it didn't work. They struggled from the week they got married and seperated after filming finished. I don't know why, but there were things I could see that make me ask questions about my own relationship as I head towards marriage! Maybe even questions for myself that I haven't thought about since the start of my degree, like where do I see myself in five years? And all about my future.

Still through all of this I know that God is there looking over me, looking after me!

Don't panic, Mr Mainwaring!

Ok so I'm not in the same situation as the home guard, but I did almost hyperventilate. The first job I applied to, which is in London, have delayed making their shortlist becuase one of the panel is still on holiday! Oh my goodness, there was I thinking 'if I don't hear anything soon I will be disappointed', now I have a reason to worry. Have they contacted me because it's likely that I will be on the shortlist or have they just contacted everyone? I have a million and one things going around in my head and I still need to work! Argh. My head is all over the place.
Pray if you're inclined to, I have to!

She knows she loves me! This is Helen, the birthday girl at the grand old age of 23...well she's not that old...
Posted by Picasa

Complaining

Is something I tend to do behind closed doors...but when something really gets on my wick, I'm going to say something.

So extra housemate is paying bills even though proper housemate thinks I'm complaining about the fact that extra housemate is living here. Extra HM is fine, no problem, proper HM is the one causing the issue. O and no-existent HM has left me to find and sort out a problem that we should've told the Landlord about ages ago. Lets just say, there's no clean water in the toilet. So having phoned the landlord to sort things out and getting the answer machine I will now have to ask non-existent HM if she knew anything about said problem before she left, which I am not looking forward to because I may get angry.

La La La - not fusion to calm myself down, this can't be good!

Southampton!

I'm here for Helen's birthday, and a bit of a holiday as well as doing some work! Its all good fun. I've met most of her family since monday which has been a laugh. Not a lot else has been going on, I have been working but as always I can't do that 24/7 so we've been shopping too! I'm the proud owner of a new skirt and some flat shoes. The shoes are incredibly sparkley and will go with almost anything, umm I'm going to live in them for the summer I think.
Anyway we're off to Gunwharf Quays this afternoon for some more shopping!

When things explode!

My hair dryer when putp! this morning. Smoke every where and a nasty smell. Not nice. I'm hoping that God will bless me with a cheap and good hair dryer that will last!

Another thing that exploded was St Aidans and St Silas this morning! We went as Fusion to show that there are some young people in the parish! It was great, I am really impressed with those who turned up to play and read. Ben is a good preacher. We got a great reaction from the congregation.

Happy all over. I'm off to Southampton tomoro, so I have to pack at some time, but first I have to go to st Matts to speak to their congregation about being a Christian Student.

Things in places they shouldn't be...

Like food and girlfriends. One housemate moved her girlfriend in 4 weeks ago, and she's still here, and now they've taken over my freezer space too. So I crashed and banged this morning trying to get a piece of chicken out of the freezer, purely because I couldn't get to it. I don't like crashing around at 8 in the morning, but its not exactly my fault. And by the way, she hasn't asked if she could do either of these things. I have to feed two people too, on a regular basis, and fresh stuff is more expensive than frozen food.
ARGH.
Dinner with the Mattos's was good last night. They are awesome people, I realise that I'm a lot like the wife, we have more in common than I always thought.
This morning I got a good surprise (finding a full freezer draw is not a good surprise) - the secretary at the pre-school had brought me an Easter bunny! How nice is that? I also have henna on my hand, which got lots of questions from the kids, its cultural week, 'One World' for uni students, so thats where I got it from before you ask!
Grease just came on the radio, weird!

Volunteering

I'm not talking about next year but today. Once again working for CMS (I did lots 18 months or so ago), on their fundrasing project this year which is about sex slaves in India. Very moving and worrying that people are still being treated with such inhumanity.

I've also been filling in application forms and sending off for them too. Lots of fun and exciting things for me to e doing as well as working!

Isaiah

You know how I hate to brag, but... my Isaiah presentation went really well! Despite no sleep and a different lecturer. No questions at the end, stunned silence. Yeay, I have the knack of lecturing! One other thing to note I got a massive well done from the American student, who did brilliantly herself and nothing from the rest of the english students.

So now I am off to my very first private viewing of an exhibition taking place in Park. Its all good!

What to do?

So now I've spent time looking, there are a number of things I could do and a number of places I could be. Bristol, London, Essex, Kent, doing youth work, doing temp work, sitting on my backside (yeah right) or being a Teaching assistant somewhere.

The world is my oyster - but I don't like seafood that much! Ha ha.

So totally indecisive, with little knowledge of whats out there for me, and struggling with the fact that I know so many people who are looking for job after they graduate and aren't having any luck! It's tough and it's competitive! Yeay, eek! Definitely mixed about this.

Pray for me!

Closed doors

ho hum...maybe I'm not meant to be a teacher anyway. Cheltenham declined my application without interview. Kinda sucky really, and I am chasing up the uni to ask why they haven't given a place to one of their own students.
So I have spent the last day or so looking for a job that will last perhaps a year or more, spoken to a lot of people who feel exactly the same way as me. I've had offers of references from at least three people, Ben even wants to come along to an interview with me!
Above all I have to finish my degree.

God is awesome though, right from the beginning he's been looking after me, and as I turned the page of my journal - mid-rant - I was confronted with the obvious truth,

"I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Our God is an Awesome God. My faith and the love of those around me is all I have to keep me going - plus a degree to finish!

A game of two halves

I went to my first live football match for ages last night.Cheltenham v Wrexham. It finished 2-2, so not bad for £15! I still got really excited during the match and the coach in me still shouts! I take that from my Nan and Mum! I miss it, but I don't miss being so cold I cant feel my feet and hands! It was great fun, even if one of the girls did use the programme as a boy catalogue! The Birmingham didn't do too well but Liverpool scored a massive 7 goals! Billericay on the other hand a through to a cup final at last! I tell you League football is not much different from Non-league, from what I remember, however Premiership is totally different.

I've spent the day reading, Sexual Theology, in preparation for my tutorial tomorrow. I've also been doing something about the Isaiah presentation on Monday that I have to do. 35:1-10, anyone got any ideas?

Birmingham, Malvern, Cardiff, Cheltenham

I have been all over the place this week.

Tuesday and Wednesday I was in Birmingham with Henry. It was lots of fun, the concert was good too, and window shopping at the Bull Ring!

Wednesday evening I was back in Cheltenam surrounded by things to read and plan. By Thursday evening I was in Malvern, in the winning team at the quiz that Henry had written. I promise I had no help from him and I haven't touched the Easter egg that was my prize, though I have fallen in love with the fluffy duck I got!

Friday was spent playing (and beating) Henry at Thunderbirds Monopoly!

Saturday I was stood all afternoon in a dress shop in Cardiff, shortly followed by watching Karen wear dresses that suited her so well I'm worried she'll outshine me on my day. I met all of her friends and (still being on form from the previous day) made utterly stupid suggestions while we watched a movie called Hostage.

Today started off much the same as Saturday, I was in Church taking the mick and being incredibly loud. Lunch was fun and soo filling, I got to say grace, which I am starting to enjoy. We had some good discussions, about hell and people slating evangelicals, plus a bit of creationism. Why do people always think I'm not going to believe in the power and might, as well as existence of God when I'm doing Theology? Karen's colleagues were amazed that I was still in the Church after doing 2 and a half years of Theology!

This afternoon was taken up with the CIA Wedding Fair, I have changed my mind so many times, but now I'm set on ruby and silver, with white! So there you go, start planning your outfits! I also found the bouquet I want! But its on someone elses wedding photos!

It took me an hour and a half to get home, and then I rushed to Fusion only to be picked on, I was told my life was boring and that I needed to sing in front of everyone! It was great - we were talking about Salvation, so two questions for you - Are you saved? And if so, Do you care? Ephesians 2:10 says that we should!

Indian culture

'Just me and Him, that's all I need...we'll be fine'

Apparently what one Indian woman said to Ben, she was living on the street, as do many people. She was talking about Jesus of course. Amazing faith, it shows in the most dire situations but lets people live with such joy, something that is hard to grasp in the world we live in.

It seems almost separate, totally alien. Maybe that's what stops us from totally trusting God, possessions...

But it does happen, it is happening, maybe not on our front door, but in the world.

Amazing

All things bridal!

I took the evening off to sit with Hugh Grant and look at all things bridal and wedding-y. Lots of fun, though I'm not giving away the details! I've got a wonderful little book that tells me all of the things that are involved and how to save a bit of money! Best thing was that the Cheif Bridesmaid has to traditionally do 15 things in the run up to and on the Big Day. Yes Karen, there are a load of things for you to be involved in and to delegate!
Oh and in relpy to your (once again) helpful comments - I'll see what I can do! Do you want to fund me?

Mixed Emotions!

I have been in a state for a week now!! This Canterbury thing is really getting to me, I don't know why!
Also housemates girlfriend is annoying me, she keeps going on about buying me chocolate so I can calm down - only problem is I have given up chololate for lent! Argh! Have also given up crisps and anything extremely fatty! Which means I can't use my tesco vouchers, because they've given me points for butter, jams and spreads and other things I've never brought in my life! Stoopid!
See what I mean? I'm just posting so I can rant!

Theologically advanced!

What do you think of Theology? Is it out-dated, irrelevant? Or topical and useful for every day life? I was reminded today by my lecturer (for Radical Christian Theology) that a true theology is one that takes into account scripture, tradition, culture, reason and experience. So what I hear you say... So it can be done by anyone who has knowledge of each of these. Easy! Not so. A distinct lack of one of these breeds a form of fundamentalism. Theology has to be very careful.

We were discussing the spin-off from the Vatican II that we now call Liberation Theology, now that to me is out-dated. Liberation Theology didn't work, Latin America has not experienced a leveling out of wealth and a poor people revolution, why? I don't know, we discussed the basis of it, not how it effected the world. Yes a good grounding is essential, but the time we spend in lectures can facilitate us to learn from the reading, if we all did the reading (yes I am a geek!). Not re-learn things from previous years. There isn't a good 'modern history' of recent theology - at least not one that is written for dummies!

I did have a good time at Chapel - we had a discussion about some of the more controversial passages in the Bible. John 7:1-10 was the passage we had to discuss. Did Jesus lie? Did he change his mind? Did he have the ability to change his mind? By the way, it doesn't say in the 10 commandments 'thou shall not lie' so boo! to you who got that wrong!
1 Cor 8 was the next passage. Which is just Paul going round in circles - lol, funny man!
There were a few other passages, Matt 19:16-22, do we have to give up everything, or change what our idols are? Remember God is a jealous God! And finally - Propreity in worship - 1 Cor 11, the word for head here is different from further on in the passage, and the only time it is used...so what did Paul mean by it? Well no one is quite sure!! What is the relationship within the Trinity, the are no power differences - God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are equal!

One more thing - why can't we totally depend on God? What stops us?