Today, as I was applying for a copy editing position for the American Veterinary Medical Association, I realized how much of a routine my life has become since I left EIU a year ago. I know that for most people life is a routine. We wake up, go to work, eat lunch, come home, eat dinner and go to bed. During college my goal was to never have a routine outside of my classes and work. Everything I did between classes and work was to be different from the day before. I never studied at the same time or same place and I tried to eat at different places everyday.
For the most part, I believe I was successful in this endeavor. Routine = boredom. Unfortunately, I have a tendency to become bored very easily with routine. I have been very fortunate in my 23 years so far to not feel this boredom very often. But I woke up this morning to find that I have slipped into a routine since returning home from Europe and I'm incredibly bored.
My routine is very simple. Sleep, read, eat, apply for jobs, Netflix, scrapbook, repeat. I know to some of you, this seems like a lot of steps. In college, I only used my room to sleep. I was barely ever there and when I was I slept. Now, I sit around my dad's house all day. I usually don't put on street clothes until 2 or 3 p.m. I've been sleeping in until 10 am or later everyday. It sounds ideal but I'm too much of a busy body to enjoy it.
Eastern's campus had so much to offer to an action-hungry student. You name it, I probably did it. I joined the choir, the orchestra, private violin lessons, Harry Potter Club, Hall Council, RHA, NRHH, became a manager at work, wrote for the newspaper. I did a crap ton of stuff and when I moved back home last August, I found a full-time job. Now granted the job was horrible and I came home crying every night, but I still maintained the busy body thing because I worked a lot of overtime.
Eventually I left the bank (smartest decision I've ever made), and began to search for a job. The summer wasn't so bad because I was literally gone every other week. I went to South Dakota, my grandparents, Europe, Missouri and just got back from Bettendorf, IA. Oh and I might also add I'm running off to Indiana this weekend for family reunion (holla!). But once I done with the majority of my traveling, I fell into my routine and I hate it.
I know once I find a job, the routine feeling will lessen somewhat but it's not really happening fast enough for me. I'm currently I'm trying to figure out how to smash my routine to smithereens but so far, no luck. I will figure something out, I always do. It's just the impatiently waiting until I get it figured out that annoys me.
I have nothing against people who like routine. I just hate routine in my life. Doing the same thing every single day just doesn't sound fun to me. So my conclusion today is: it's ok to like routine. Just remember, life is too short to rinse, wash and repeat.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
My Epic Cover Letter
In the midst of job searching, I find myself called upon again and again to write cover letters. And I totally suck at it. I believe the problem chiefly arises from the fact that I don't like to talk myself up. Yea, I may be awesome but I will be the last person to tell you. If the job doesn't require submitting a cover letter, I don't normally submit one. I admit it's at my disadvantage to do so but I never know what to highlight in the letter. So here is the cover letter I'm so eager to write to someone, somewhere.
100 E. Hunting Square
Charmsville, IL 60001
August 24, 2011
Charlie Sheen
Human Resources Office
Illinois University
500 W. Perfect Job Ln.
Chicago, IL 60000
Dear Mr. Sheen,
I signed on to CareerBuilder yesterday and saw the job ad for Admissions Clerk. I was so excited reading about everything I'd get to do in this position. I'd be able to work with the awesome students, pursue my dream and get paid for it! This is my DREAM JOB!
Oh Mr. Sheen, if you only knew how much I wanted this job. I know I'd so freaking awesome at it! No will else will have my enthusiasm or my excitement to be apart of the MOST EXCITING TIME OF THEIR LIVES! Nothing is better than helping people find joy through learning! Or strive for that dream job or even help someone learn the joy for reading for the 1st time! I will be a freaking cheerleader for every student who I come in contact with because no one will believe in their ability more than me!!! You could even put me behind a computer crunching numbers all day... it doesn't matter to me because I believe no matter what I'm doing, I'm helping teenagers, adults or whoever achieve something. I WANT to be apart of the process of training the people who will change the world someday. Every fiber of my being just wants to help people no matter the age, race, color, sexual orientation or even immigration status. Everyone deserves the educational opportunity and achieving their dream.
I work harder than anyone else I know and I will I promise that I'll work even harder for you! I admit I don't know everything about college admissions but I'm a fast learner. Show me something once and I will never ask again. I may not be a perfectionist in my home life but when it comes to my work, I strive for 100% accuracy. Please Mr. Sheen, just give me once chance and I promise you'll never regret it. If you want 110 percent, I'll give 220 percent. I have included my resume that contains only a fraction of all the awesome experiences I can share. I spent 3 hours updating it so I hope you look at it for more than 30 seconds.
Please oh please call me soon. I will be sitting by my phone on pins and needles waiting to hear it ring. Thank you so much for just sparing the time to read this! I know you must be incredibly busy.
Sincerely,
Alison Burge
P.S. If you never call me back, I promise I understand. There are people who are better qualified but I promise none of them will have my enthusiasm!
100 E. Hunting Square
Charmsville, IL 60001
August 24, 2011
Charlie Sheen
Human Resources Office
Illinois University
500 W. Perfect Job Ln.
Chicago, IL 60000
Dear Mr. Sheen,
I signed on to CareerBuilder yesterday and saw the job ad for Admissions Clerk. I was so excited reading about everything I'd get to do in this position. I'd be able to work with the awesome students, pursue my dream and get paid for it! This is my DREAM JOB!
Oh Mr. Sheen, if you only knew how much I wanted this job. I know I'd so freaking awesome at it! No will else will have my enthusiasm or my excitement to be apart of the MOST EXCITING TIME OF THEIR LIVES! Nothing is better than helping people find joy through learning! Or strive for that dream job or even help someone learn the joy for reading for the 1st time! I will be a freaking cheerleader for every student who I come in contact with because no one will believe in their ability more than me!!! You could even put me behind a computer crunching numbers all day... it doesn't matter to me because I believe no matter what I'm doing, I'm helping teenagers, adults or whoever achieve something. I WANT to be apart of the process of training the people who will change the world someday. Every fiber of my being just wants to help people no matter the age, race, color, sexual orientation or even immigration status. Everyone deserves the educational opportunity and achieving their dream.
I work harder than anyone else I know and I will I promise that I'll work even harder for you! I admit I don't know everything about college admissions but I'm a fast learner. Show me something once and I will never ask again. I may not be a perfectionist in my home life but when it comes to my work, I strive for 100% accuracy. Please Mr. Sheen, just give me once chance and I promise you'll never regret it. If you want 110 percent, I'll give 220 percent. I have included my resume that contains only a fraction of all the awesome experiences I can share. I spent 3 hours updating it so I hope you look at it for more than 30 seconds.
Please oh please call me soon. I will be sitting by my phone on pins and needles waiting to hear it ring. Thank you so much for just sparing the time to read this! I know you must be incredibly busy.
Sincerely,
Alison Burge
P.S. If you never call me back, I promise I understand. There are people who are better qualified but I promise none of them will have my enthusiasm!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Poor Mr. Darcy!
I have 8 followers now... AWESOME!!!! So tonight I'm going to update you on my Pride and Prejudice challenge. In case you missed it, I'm trying to read all the Pride and Prejudice sequels, prequels or whatever the authors decided to do with the plot line. I'm also going to touch on why I'm currently fighting with Jane Austen after finishing Mansfield Park.
Before I start on my very Grinchy rampage, I must apologize profusely to anybody who likes smut novels. I think sex scenes are so awkward and I don't understand the point. There is no pleasure in reading about someone else having sex. I find it incredibly embarrassing because I know if I was having sex I wouldn't want a bunch of people watching me. I usually just skip the whole thing because it usually has very little to do with the outcome of the book.
Anyways, I finally got through To Conquer Mr. Darcy and I could feel Austen just turning over in her grave. The book was a travesty. I wish to believe the author had good intentions when starting out but completely missed the mark with Austen's interpretation of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth.
The books starts right after Elizabeth Bennett has refused Mr. Darcy's hand in marriage at Rosings. Mr. Darcy has rushed back to London and is now drinking himself to death. The world must now end because Ms. Bennett refused him! Now the idea of Mr. Darcy with a hangover amuses me to no end but it's the only amusing part of the ENTIRE book! The book gives us a first-hand look at Mr. Darcy's thoughts as he begins to pursue Elizabeth once more. The premise of the book is promising but promise stops right after Mr. Darcy leaves to return to Longbourne.
Instead of sticking to Austen's plot line, the author entirely re-writes the second half of the story. As an Austen purist, this is blasphemy! Elizabeth marries Mr. Darcy during her trip North with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. In Pride and Prejudice, she doesn't even meet Mr. Darcy again until that trip.
I might be able to allow the author creative license with the plot line but I can't allow the author to change the personalities of the two main characters. Mr. Darcy wasn't smug enough and came across as too lively. Mr. Darcy is supposed to be a proud, pompous prick who is incredibly loyal but ridiculously shy.
Alas, he comes off at too soft. The author turns Mr. Darcy into a pushover who actually smiles and laughs at a joke by Mrs. Bennett! Elizabeth was more believable but I was shocked when she lost ALL of her fiery independence. She marries Mr. Darcy and it all vanishes. The author talks about her struggle to retain the independence after they wed but then they get married and Elizabeth lets Mr. Darcy take over. I felt like she missed the mark with the books main characters.
The author also turned a perfectly good romance novel into a smut book. Yea, that's right Austenites... the two main characters have sex before getting married. It's just so inconsistent with their personalities that after I skipped that page, I could no longer enjoy the book. I JUST cannot find anyway of justifying the course of events in this books. In Austen's book, Mr. Darcy has too good of principles to risk his own name and the virtue of Elizabeth Bennett. And it doesn't make any sense within the time period, it would have been a HUGE scandal. Mr. Darcy's good name would have been ruined and Elizabeth would not have been able to be seen in respectable company. But the author just wrote the entire thing off as if it were a normal occurrence.
There was just too many differences for the book to be even remotely enjoyed. Had the author but taken the time to truly understand the relationship between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, this travesty would have never been written or even sold to the public. So save yourselves the $5 and DO NOT EVER BUY THIS BOOK!
And now for Mansfield Park. I found Fanny Price to be the most boring Jane Austen heroine ever. Austen's female leads are usually so strong and independent that Fanny Price seemed like a cry for help. I can't believe I'm actually saying this but I liked the film better than the book. At last in the Miramax version, Fanny Price is restored some of that passion that Austen wrote into her other heroines.
The book version of Fanny is far too dull and she almost comes off as lifeless. I feel like the characters around Fanny require her to be vivacious or at least not as boring as a pine cone. So Mansfield Park is now on the books I wish never to read again and it hurts my Austen purist heart to think that it's now been banished to the same list as Gone With the Wind and Catcher in the Rye. Jane Austen has never failed me and now that she has, I find myself completely lost.
I will eventually get over my fight with Austen. To make myself feel better, I'm rereading Pride and Prejudice. And as for my challenge, it's on hold until I'm able to afford more novels or get myself to the library.
Before I start on my very Grinchy rampage, I must apologize profusely to anybody who likes smut novels. I think sex scenes are so awkward and I don't understand the point. There is no pleasure in reading about someone else having sex. I find it incredibly embarrassing because I know if I was having sex I wouldn't want a bunch of people watching me. I usually just skip the whole thing because it usually has very little to do with the outcome of the book.
Anyways, I finally got through To Conquer Mr. Darcy and I could feel Austen just turning over in her grave. The book was a travesty. I wish to believe the author had good intentions when starting out but completely missed the mark with Austen's interpretation of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth.
The books starts right after Elizabeth Bennett has refused Mr. Darcy's hand in marriage at Rosings. Mr. Darcy has rushed back to London and is now drinking himself to death. The world must now end because Ms. Bennett refused him! Now the idea of Mr. Darcy with a hangover amuses me to no end but it's the only amusing part of the ENTIRE book! The book gives us a first-hand look at Mr. Darcy's thoughts as he begins to pursue Elizabeth once more. The premise of the book is promising but promise stops right after Mr. Darcy leaves to return to Longbourne.
Instead of sticking to Austen's plot line, the author entirely re-writes the second half of the story. As an Austen purist, this is blasphemy! Elizabeth marries Mr. Darcy during her trip North with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. In Pride and Prejudice, she doesn't even meet Mr. Darcy again until that trip.
I might be able to allow the author creative license with the plot line but I can't allow the author to change the personalities of the two main characters. Mr. Darcy wasn't smug enough and came across as too lively. Mr. Darcy is supposed to be a proud, pompous prick who is incredibly loyal but ridiculously shy.
Alas, he comes off at too soft. The author turns Mr. Darcy into a pushover who actually smiles and laughs at a joke by Mrs. Bennett! Elizabeth was more believable but I was shocked when she lost ALL of her fiery independence. She marries Mr. Darcy and it all vanishes. The author talks about her struggle to retain the independence after they wed but then they get married and Elizabeth lets Mr. Darcy take over. I felt like she missed the mark with the books main characters.
The author also turned a perfectly good romance novel into a smut book. Yea, that's right Austenites... the two main characters have sex before getting married. It's just so inconsistent with their personalities that after I skipped that page, I could no longer enjoy the book. I JUST cannot find anyway of justifying the course of events in this books. In Austen's book, Mr. Darcy has too good of principles to risk his own name and the virtue of Elizabeth Bennett. And it doesn't make any sense within the time period, it would have been a HUGE scandal. Mr. Darcy's good name would have been ruined and Elizabeth would not have been able to be seen in respectable company. But the author just wrote the entire thing off as if it were a normal occurrence.
There was just too many differences for the book to be even remotely enjoyed. Had the author but taken the time to truly understand the relationship between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, this travesty would have never been written or even sold to the public. So save yourselves the $5 and DO NOT EVER BUY THIS BOOK!
And now for Mansfield Park. I found Fanny Price to be the most boring Jane Austen heroine ever. Austen's female leads are usually so strong and independent that Fanny Price seemed like a cry for help. I can't believe I'm actually saying this but I liked the film better than the book. At last in the Miramax version, Fanny Price is restored some of that passion that Austen wrote into her other heroines.
The book version of Fanny is far too dull and she almost comes off as lifeless. I feel like the characters around Fanny require her to be vivacious or at least not as boring as a pine cone. So Mansfield Park is now on the books I wish never to read again and it hurts my Austen purist heart to think that it's now been banished to the same list as Gone With the Wind and Catcher in the Rye. Jane Austen has never failed me and now that she has, I find myself completely lost.
I will eventually get over my fight with Austen. To make myself feel better, I'm rereading Pride and Prejudice. And as for my challenge, it's on hold until I'm able to afford more novels or get myself to the library.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Neurotic? Probably.
I can't believe I'm going to do this and embarrass the crap out of myself but it will take away some of my boyfriend's glory. Normally, I would let Zack just tease me relentlessly but I also have to do this for me. It's been far too long and I have to get past the embarrassment.
In high school, I had a crush on this guy at my church. We're going to call him Todd. I debated for a long time over whether to use his real name but I felt it kind of rude to write a blog using his real name without asking him first. And I was far too embarrassed to do that. Zack will know who I'm speaking of and probably be the first to tell you his real name.
Please understand Todd if you do read this, I am SO sorry and it embarrasses me to no end. It was just the crush of a stupid, naive teenage girl, who lived with her head in the clouds. You really are a great guy and you are marrying a wonderful, wonderful woman who is very dear to me. I am truly excited beyond words for you both!!!!!
So I've known Todd basically my entire life. I like to tell people I was born at the church because I spent so much time there from K-12 grades. I don't know when Todd's family started attending my church but I know I was really young. During grade school, our paths didn't cross a whole lot that I remember. We were in kids choir together and Junior Bible Quiz. It wasn't until high school that we got stuck together more.
As much as I wish I could deny this now, I was boy crazy. I know that all 15 year old girls are but mine wasn't so much about liking 20 boys at once. I focused on 1 boy and my crush turned into an obsession. That's what happened with Todd. I was a sophomore and Todd had grown his hair out (think Justin Bieber hair). All the girls thought he was cute with the new hair. I think for me it was the dimples. Over the next 2 years, I convinced myself that I was going to marry Todd. Our paths had to be intertwined. I mean after all, he played my boyfriend in one of our youth group dramas. It was a sign!
In my mind, Todd could do no wrong. I thought he was the perfect guy for me. He met every quality on my list of prospective boyfriend essentials. It wasn't until I was out of high school that I realized I tailored the entire list to make it fit Todd. My mom kept telling me to ask him to homecoming but there was no way on God's green earth I could do that. I was far too shy in high school. I was that girl who never spoke to the guys she liked because I was so scared of what they thought. In my high school years, I spoke maybe 10 words to Todd. I remember telling him once that I liked his glasses.
And looking back, I know I was obsessed because I actually used to dream about him. Not regularly but I remember about 3 or 4. The only reason I even remember them is because I'm so embarrassed by them. (And Zack... I know for a fact I've had more dreams about you... so no teasing me about it.) I promise they weren't anything inappropriate. I can't say they weren't weird because I had one where Todd and Harry Potter saved the world.
Then later in high school, he started dating one my closest friends. I was furious! How could she double cross me like this? I actually began to distance myself from her and I regret it every single day. She was one of my oldest, dearest friends and I let my stupid obsession with a guy get in the way. We still remain friends to this day but not the way we were as kids. You can tell me that it happens as people get older but I really think this one was my fault.
I left for school and eventually got passed Todd. It actually happened pretty quickly after arriving at EIU. By the end of the first semester I developed a crush on someone else. And then a year later, I met some crazy kid named Zack and I didn't want to own up to liking him until my friend, Beth, completely called me out. Luckily, she didn't have to call me out when I fell in love with Zack.
Back in June, Zack was visiting me for a week before I ran off to Europe and he came across my journals from high school. I don't hide anything from Zack so he learned all about my obsession with Todd long before June. He read them and was surprised by how boring they were. I talked about how I bored I was in class etc. He flipped haphazardly through the pages until he came to "Dear Todd...". I think I lost 20 years off my life.
I really thought Zack would be jealous about reading this pseudo-love letter that I wrote to another guy. But I turned so red that he chose to pick on me instead. I don't embarrass easily so when I do Zack pounces on it. I credit it to my ability to laugh at myself but I'm so embarrassed about this old obsession that I can't. Still to this day, I cannot have a normal conversation with Todd.
And I would like to have a normal conversation with Todd. I would like to be able to say "How are you?" without these stupid memories popping into my head. So this is step one. I figure the best way to get over it is to humiliate myself in front of the whole Internet! I'm going to do my best not to put my head in the ground like an ostrich because Todd could read this (and that's more mortifying than anything else).
Todd is getting married very soon to my friend he started dating in high school. Now if anyone reads this and goes, "Alison's going all My Best Friend's Wedding on us," I may hurt you. Honestly, I can't think of anything even remotely clever to say because it actually makes me angry. If that's what you got out of this, you completely missed the point and I pity your stupidity. That's all I have to say on the subject. I am very excited about their upcoming marriage but a more correct term is probably elated. I AM SO ELATED FOR THE TWO OF THEM!!!
So now Zack can't find glory in teasing me about Todd and I should be able to laugh at myself for it. And here is the letter I wrote to Todd during German class (this is my attempt to laugh at myself).
It's dated 1/31/2005.
Dear Todd,
Hey! It's me, Alison! You're probably wondering why I'm writing this. Well I need to get this out before I explode (J/K). It's really just 4 my sake. I surprise myself sometimes. I think about you a lot and I've written about you once in my journal. If you haven't guessed already, I like you. There I said it. I think your a sweet guy and really funny. I know we've never had an actual conversation but that will change. I'm going to try and step out of my comfort zone more. I get really nervous around guys because I always feel like I'm going to say something or do something stupid. Writing this letter is a first for me. This is really weird. But now that this is all out, I'm more at peace with it.
Alison
So I was reading over this letter and on the top of the page its written on I taped a clipping from a newspaper and it says (I'm totally serious) "are you neurotic?" After writing this blog, probably.
In high school, I had a crush on this guy at my church. We're going to call him Todd. I debated for a long time over whether to use his real name but I felt it kind of rude to write a blog using his real name without asking him first. And I was far too embarrassed to do that. Zack will know who I'm speaking of and probably be the first to tell you his real name.
Please understand Todd if you do read this, I am SO sorry and it embarrasses me to no end. It was just the crush of a stupid, naive teenage girl, who lived with her head in the clouds. You really are a great guy and you are marrying a wonderful, wonderful woman who is very dear to me. I am truly excited beyond words for you both!!!!!
So I've known Todd basically my entire life. I like to tell people I was born at the church because I spent so much time there from K-12 grades. I don't know when Todd's family started attending my church but I know I was really young. During grade school, our paths didn't cross a whole lot that I remember. We were in kids choir together and Junior Bible Quiz. It wasn't until high school that we got stuck together more.
As much as I wish I could deny this now, I was boy crazy. I know that all 15 year old girls are but mine wasn't so much about liking 20 boys at once. I focused on 1 boy and my crush turned into an obsession. That's what happened with Todd. I was a sophomore and Todd had grown his hair out (think Justin Bieber hair). All the girls thought he was cute with the new hair. I think for me it was the dimples. Over the next 2 years, I convinced myself that I was going to marry Todd. Our paths had to be intertwined. I mean after all, he played my boyfriend in one of our youth group dramas. It was a sign!
In my mind, Todd could do no wrong. I thought he was the perfect guy for me. He met every quality on my list of prospective boyfriend essentials. It wasn't until I was out of high school that I realized I tailored the entire list to make it fit Todd. My mom kept telling me to ask him to homecoming but there was no way on God's green earth I could do that. I was far too shy in high school. I was that girl who never spoke to the guys she liked because I was so scared of what they thought. In my high school years, I spoke maybe 10 words to Todd. I remember telling him once that I liked his glasses.
And looking back, I know I was obsessed because I actually used to dream about him. Not regularly but I remember about 3 or 4. The only reason I even remember them is because I'm so embarrassed by them. (And Zack... I know for a fact I've had more dreams about you... so no teasing me about it.) I promise they weren't anything inappropriate. I can't say they weren't weird because I had one where Todd and Harry Potter saved the world.
Then later in high school, he started dating one my closest friends. I was furious! How could she double cross me like this? I actually began to distance myself from her and I regret it every single day. She was one of my oldest, dearest friends and I let my stupid obsession with a guy get in the way. We still remain friends to this day but not the way we were as kids. You can tell me that it happens as people get older but I really think this one was my fault.
I left for school and eventually got passed Todd. It actually happened pretty quickly after arriving at EIU. By the end of the first semester I developed a crush on someone else. And then a year later, I met some crazy kid named Zack and I didn't want to own up to liking him until my friend, Beth, completely called me out. Luckily, she didn't have to call me out when I fell in love with Zack.
Back in June, Zack was visiting me for a week before I ran off to Europe and he came across my journals from high school. I don't hide anything from Zack so he learned all about my obsession with Todd long before June. He read them and was surprised by how boring they were. I talked about how I bored I was in class etc. He flipped haphazardly through the pages until he came to "Dear Todd...". I think I lost 20 years off my life.
I really thought Zack would be jealous about reading this pseudo-love letter that I wrote to another guy. But I turned so red that he chose to pick on me instead. I don't embarrass easily so when I do Zack pounces on it. I credit it to my ability to laugh at myself but I'm so embarrassed about this old obsession that I can't. Still to this day, I cannot have a normal conversation with Todd.
And I would like to have a normal conversation with Todd. I would like to be able to say "How are you?" without these stupid memories popping into my head. So this is step one. I figure the best way to get over it is to humiliate myself in front of the whole Internet! I'm going to do my best not to put my head in the ground like an ostrich because Todd could read this (and that's more mortifying than anything else).
Todd is getting married very soon to my friend he started dating in high school. Now if anyone reads this and goes, "Alison's going all My Best Friend's Wedding on us," I may hurt you. Honestly, I can't think of anything even remotely clever to say because it actually makes me angry. If that's what you got out of this, you completely missed the point and I pity your stupidity. That's all I have to say on the subject. I am very excited about their upcoming marriage but a more correct term is probably elated. I AM SO ELATED FOR THE TWO OF THEM!!!
So now Zack can't find glory in teasing me about Todd and I should be able to laugh at myself for it. And here is the letter I wrote to Todd during German class (this is my attempt to laugh at myself).
It's dated 1/31/2005.
Dear Todd,
Hey! It's me, Alison! You're probably wondering why I'm writing this. Well I need to get this out before I explode (J/K). It's really just 4 my sake. I surprise myself sometimes. I think about you a lot and I've written about you once in my journal. If you haven't guessed already, I like you. There I said it. I think your a sweet guy and really funny. I know we've never had an actual conversation but that will change. I'm going to try and step out of my comfort zone more. I get really nervous around guys because I always feel like I'm going to say something or do something stupid. Writing this letter is a first for me. This is really weird. But now that this is all out, I'm more at peace with it.
Alison
So I was reading over this letter and on the top of the page its written on I taped a clipping from a newspaper and it says (I'm totally serious) "are you neurotic?" After writing this blog, probably.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
To Springfield... and Beyond!
So in case you haven't read my Facebook statuses lately, this past weekend I took my sister to Springfield, MO for her freshman year of college. And I dedicate this blog to her, even though she is currently in the Missouri wilderness doing tug of war in a mud pit or something.
I am the middle child of 3 girls. My older sister, Tracie, currently lives in Iowa with my brother-in-law and is enlightening the minds of young Iowans in the great Midwestern city of Cedar Rapids. Actually I really like Cedar Rapids, Tracie thinks its kind of boring but I've got a thing for smaller cities (that's why I went to college in a town of 22,000). Kristin, the youngest Burge girl, just graduated high school in June and got all sorts of awesome scholarships for her freshman year. Most people might say I have a disadvantage because of "middle child syndrome". To be honest, I don't really know what that means. My parents paid plenty of attention to me but then again, I was kind of hard to ignore since I always ended up in the hospital or at a doctors office. But really... I actually like being the middle child. It means that I have the older sibling to idolize and the younger sibling to pick on mercilessly (and I barely ever got in trouble because I was able to pass blame off to one of my sisters).
But I digress. I couldn't be prouder of my younger sister. She has turned out to be a wonderful young woman of God, who really has a heart for missions. When she told me about James River Leadership College (JRLC), I was a little skeptical. She was paying all this money to a basically to go to a church where she would (I felt) be doing all the grunt work. However, after this weekend, God showed me (as he often does) that I was HORRIBLY wrong about this place.
For those of us who grew up in an AG church, JRLC is really just an expansion of the Masters Commission program. They took the model and just improved on it. The college is actually set up as a co-op through Evangel University and James River Assembly of God. Evangel is one of the biggest Assemblies of God colleges and James River Assembly is probably the biggest AG church in the nation. I kid you not the average attendance at this church is at least 7500.
The great thing about this program is the students take all the same classes as they would at Evangel but they get hands-on experience through practicums. Each student gets to work in the area of their choice and they are able to put what they learn in class into practice right away. Kristin chose the youth practicum since she wants to be a youth missionary. Most of these students want to be pastors or work with a church in some capacity so the experience they receive here is invaluable. And when Kristin is done in 2 years, she will have her associates in leadership. From there, she can either transfer to a 4-year Christian college to finish her bachelors or get a job. I'm pretty sure she's going to transfer and get her bachelors.
The training is also very Biblical and Christ-centered. At orientation, the JRLC director Dr. Jon Spence went into great detail about everything and it was quite informative. Sadly, I don't remember much. What I did get from orientation is the staff at JRLC are very concerned about the whole student: mental, emotional, and spiritual. Naturally the focus is on the spiritual but Dr. Spence told the students if they had any trouble at all and began to get overwhelmed, all they need to do come talk to the staff.
Kristin's schedule was a bit overwhelming to look at. Above the required classes, she also has her practicum (15-20 hours a week), chapel services, small groups, 3 church services a week, and any other required events they decide in the future. And everything takes place at the church, all her classes, practicum, etc. My freshman year of college wasn't anything close to this. I had class and work. My senior year may have looked something like her schedule but that's only because I volunteered for everything.
Orientation was very pleasant and I knew Kristin had found her place. It will be challenging but Kristin has a will of iron. I have no worries.
Kristin was able to meet her roommates and they seemed to get along well. Going to a Christian school, her chances of having bad roommate experiences are less likely (I hope), but there will probably be disagreements and they will be tired of seeing each other 24/7. These 4 girls will basically do everything together over the next 9 months. The 3 freshman share identical class schedules. Kristin and another one her roommates are also in the same practicum. So literally they will be together all the time. Her 4th roommate is the floor RA and actually a sophomore, so they won't see as much of her.
Housing wise, Kristin is very lucky. She will be living in a 2-bed, 2-bath apartment with only 3 other roommates. The apartments are only about a 5 minute walk from the church and the grocery store is literally 100 feet away. The apartment is actually a good size and the walk-in closets give enough room for everyone's stuff. The apartment also came with a dishwasher and 1 family provided the girls with a washer and another the dryer. So they won't have to pay for laundry (lucky ducks). The rooms are really your typical size rooms (my guess would be 14 x 16) and they are all painted a nice shade of cream. The girls also have a balcony and were very excited about it. However, they can't use it until management removes the hornets nest.
Now as we moved in, Kristin realized she had way too much stuff. I was a little miffed that she didn't listen to my advice about college shopping. I did move-in for four years into the room the size of a closet. The girls ALL brought kitchen stuff and had 4 sets of pans, 4 sets of dishes and a lot of other things. So I was sent home with 2 boxes of excess stuff. I did take Kristin shopping for storage stuff after move-in and I said no a lot. I don't claim to be an expert on many things but I am an expert when it comes to college living spaces and storage. Kristin got what she needed and some stuff she wanted (a pencil sharpener).
When I left, she was unpacked and seemed settled. I will admit that I was very sad to leave her. If this is what my mom went through with Tracie and I, then I'm sorry I didn't call home more often. I sniffled for 2 hours on my trip home. I didn't allow myself to cry because the highway in Missouri is pretty hilly and curvy.
I'd always seen Kristin as this adorable but obnoxious 13-year-old. Then she went and grew up on me. Now she's this gorgeous (but still obnoxious... just kidding!) 18-year-old about to start the greatest time of her life! When did this happen? Although I will admit that I'm glad she's grown up, she was kind of a brat as a kid (she will admit this too). So now I'm wondering if I will ever hear from her, if she's doing ok, is she eating, and all sorts of other parental things. And I hear it only gets worse when you have children... if that's true, I'm going to be an emotional wreck when my kids go off to college. Now I'm not going to go all crazy and call her every night. I'm just going to call every other night at 10 p.m. to make sure she's in her room doing her homework.
I was also able to go to church at James River Assembly on Sunday and I even got a tour from one of the board members. This place is massive and seriously awesome! The youth get their own center and the kids have their own wing. The little kids get their own McDonald's playplace. The church serves Starbucks coffee and has the most delicious pound cake. The auditorium seats 3450 people and I'm guessing there were 2500+ in attendance on Sunday. There are 24 restrooms (in all the corners) and there are viewing areas set up outside the auditorium for people who aren't comfortable sitting in the auditorium. Our tour guide said at least 200 people a week sit outside at these viewing areas to watch service.
I will also say it's the most informal service I've been too. The worship sounded more like a rock concert (they all had ear pieces) but I've always thought some times we take worship too seriously. The worship leader was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. The pastor, Scotty Gibbons, was absolutely phenomenal and was wearing sneakers, jeans and a button up plaid shirt.
And for all of you thinking that everyone attending this church was raised AG... you're WRONG! My tour guide said only 15-20% of those who attend were raised at an AG church. That's like maybe 500 people.
The one thing I really liked about this church is their focus is to reach out. Literally. That's what we were told during the tour. They are SO involved in their community it isn't even funny. The church has a fitness center and offer free membership to the local fire and police departments and teachers. 40% of the gym membership don't even attend the church. They have an addiction center that offers free counseling. They even started their own charity called Cherish Kids that helps finds kids foster homes and adoptions. The state loves this foundation because they place kids in good homes and it takes some of the pressure off of them.
And my sister gets to be at the forefront of what God is doing in the Springfield area. It's so cool! It wasn't until Sunday that I really got to see what this place is all about and I was blown away. The ministry, the commitment.... everything. This building is only about 4 years old and they are already taking on a new building project for a new James River campus about 10 miles north. Their going to build this HUGE facility with very little debt and construction will be done in a year.
Kristin told me that she showed up to the college visit and immediately felt at home. After experiencing service first hand, I can see why. It is a HUGE church but I felt at home. And it was very unsettling to walk into this massive church knowing absolutely no one. I felt more at home there then I did at the church I attend now (and I grew up in that church).
So Kristin dear, you are destined for great things. I've always known it. Your new home will take great care of you and help you grow more than anything Chicago could ever offer. I'm praying for you and I love you! We don't agree on much but I agree wholeheartedly that you have found the right place. I would wish you luck but you won't need it. You're going to accomplish things I could never even dream of. And don't forget to call home! I want to be able to brag about all the awesome stuff you're doing. If I hear it from someone else at church first, I do know where you live and I will hunt you down. Sounds selfish but I'm allowed to be selfish about finding all your accomplishments first. It's family privilege because don't forget girlie... you're stuck with me (insert evil laugh here).
I am the middle child of 3 girls. My older sister, Tracie, currently lives in Iowa with my brother-in-law and is enlightening the minds of young Iowans in the great Midwestern city of Cedar Rapids. Actually I really like Cedar Rapids, Tracie thinks its kind of boring but I've got a thing for smaller cities (that's why I went to college in a town of 22,000). Kristin, the youngest Burge girl, just graduated high school in June and got all sorts of awesome scholarships for her freshman year. Most people might say I have a disadvantage because of "middle child syndrome". To be honest, I don't really know what that means. My parents paid plenty of attention to me but then again, I was kind of hard to ignore since I always ended up in the hospital or at a doctors office. But really... I actually like being the middle child. It means that I have the older sibling to idolize and the younger sibling to pick on mercilessly (and I barely ever got in trouble because I was able to pass blame off to one of my sisters).
But I digress. I couldn't be prouder of my younger sister. She has turned out to be a wonderful young woman of God, who really has a heart for missions. When she told me about James River Leadership College (JRLC), I was a little skeptical. She was paying all this money to a basically to go to a church where she would (I felt) be doing all the grunt work. However, after this weekend, God showed me (as he often does) that I was HORRIBLY wrong about this place.
For those of us who grew up in an AG church, JRLC is really just an expansion of the Masters Commission program. They took the model and just improved on it. The college is actually set up as a co-op through Evangel University and James River Assembly of God. Evangel is one of the biggest Assemblies of God colleges and James River Assembly is probably the biggest AG church in the nation. I kid you not the average attendance at this church is at least 7500.
The great thing about this program is the students take all the same classes as they would at Evangel but they get hands-on experience through practicums. Each student gets to work in the area of their choice and they are able to put what they learn in class into practice right away. Kristin chose the youth practicum since she wants to be a youth missionary. Most of these students want to be pastors or work with a church in some capacity so the experience they receive here is invaluable. And when Kristin is done in 2 years, she will have her associates in leadership. From there, she can either transfer to a 4-year Christian college to finish her bachelors or get a job. I'm pretty sure she's going to transfer and get her bachelors.
The training is also very Biblical and Christ-centered. At orientation, the JRLC director Dr. Jon Spence went into great detail about everything and it was quite informative. Sadly, I don't remember much. What I did get from orientation is the staff at JRLC are very concerned about the whole student: mental, emotional, and spiritual. Naturally the focus is on the spiritual but Dr. Spence told the students if they had any trouble at all and began to get overwhelmed, all they need to do come talk to the staff.
Kristin's schedule was a bit overwhelming to look at. Above the required classes, she also has her practicum (15-20 hours a week), chapel services, small groups, 3 church services a week, and any other required events they decide in the future. And everything takes place at the church, all her classes, practicum, etc. My freshman year of college wasn't anything close to this. I had class and work. My senior year may have looked something like her schedule but that's only because I volunteered for everything.
Orientation was very pleasant and I knew Kristin had found her place. It will be challenging but Kristin has a will of iron. I have no worries.
Kristin was able to meet her roommates and they seemed to get along well. Going to a Christian school, her chances of having bad roommate experiences are less likely (I hope), but there will probably be disagreements and they will be tired of seeing each other 24/7. These 4 girls will basically do everything together over the next 9 months. The 3 freshman share identical class schedules. Kristin and another one her roommates are also in the same practicum. So literally they will be together all the time. Her 4th roommate is the floor RA and actually a sophomore, so they won't see as much of her.
Housing wise, Kristin is very lucky. She will be living in a 2-bed, 2-bath apartment with only 3 other roommates. The apartments are only about a 5 minute walk from the church and the grocery store is literally 100 feet away. The apartment is actually a good size and the walk-in closets give enough room for everyone's stuff. The apartment also came with a dishwasher and 1 family provided the girls with a washer and another the dryer. So they won't have to pay for laundry (lucky ducks). The rooms are really your typical size rooms (my guess would be 14 x 16) and they are all painted a nice shade of cream. The girls also have a balcony and were very excited about it. However, they can't use it until management removes the hornets nest.
Now as we moved in, Kristin realized she had way too much stuff. I was a little miffed that she didn't listen to my advice about college shopping. I did move-in for four years into the room the size of a closet. The girls ALL brought kitchen stuff and had 4 sets of pans, 4 sets of dishes and a lot of other things. So I was sent home with 2 boxes of excess stuff. I did take Kristin shopping for storage stuff after move-in and I said no a lot. I don't claim to be an expert on many things but I am an expert when it comes to college living spaces and storage. Kristin got what she needed and some stuff she wanted (a pencil sharpener).
When I left, she was unpacked and seemed settled. I will admit that I was very sad to leave her. If this is what my mom went through with Tracie and I, then I'm sorry I didn't call home more often. I sniffled for 2 hours on my trip home. I didn't allow myself to cry because the highway in Missouri is pretty hilly and curvy.
I'd always seen Kristin as this adorable but obnoxious 13-year-old. Then she went and grew up on me. Now she's this gorgeous (but still obnoxious... just kidding!) 18-year-old about to start the greatest time of her life! When did this happen? Although I will admit that I'm glad she's grown up, she was kind of a brat as a kid (she will admit this too). So now I'm wondering if I will ever hear from her, if she's doing ok, is she eating, and all sorts of other parental things. And I hear it only gets worse when you have children... if that's true, I'm going to be an emotional wreck when my kids go off to college. Now I'm not going to go all crazy and call her every night. I'm just going to call every other night at 10 p.m. to make sure she's in her room doing her homework.
I was also able to go to church at James River Assembly on Sunday and I even got a tour from one of the board members. This place is massive and seriously awesome! The youth get their own center and the kids have their own wing. The little kids get their own McDonald's playplace. The church serves Starbucks coffee and has the most delicious pound cake. The auditorium seats 3450 people and I'm guessing there were 2500+ in attendance on Sunday. There are 24 restrooms (in all the corners) and there are viewing areas set up outside the auditorium for people who aren't comfortable sitting in the auditorium. Our tour guide said at least 200 people a week sit outside at these viewing areas to watch service.
I will also say it's the most informal service I've been too. The worship sounded more like a rock concert (they all had ear pieces) but I've always thought some times we take worship too seriously. The worship leader was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. The pastor, Scotty Gibbons, was absolutely phenomenal and was wearing sneakers, jeans and a button up plaid shirt.
And for all of you thinking that everyone attending this church was raised AG... you're WRONG! My tour guide said only 15-20% of those who attend were raised at an AG church. That's like maybe 500 people.
The one thing I really liked about this church is their focus is to reach out. Literally. That's what we were told during the tour. They are SO involved in their community it isn't even funny. The church has a fitness center and offer free membership to the local fire and police departments and teachers. 40% of the gym membership don't even attend the church. They have an addiction center that offers free counseling. They even started their own charity called Cherish Kids that helps finds kids foster homes and adoptions. The state loves this foundation because they place kids in good homes and it takes some of the pressure off of them.
And my sister gets to be at the forefront of what God is doing in the Springfield area. It's so cool! It wasn't until Sunday that I really got to see what this place is all about and I was blown away. The ministry, the commitment.... everything. This building is only about 4 years old and they are already taking on a new building project for a new James River campus about 10 miles north. Their going to build this HUGE facility with very little debt and construction will be done in a year.
Kristin told me that she showed up to the college visit and immediately felt at home. After experiencing service first hand, I can see why. It is a HUGE church but I felt at home. And it was very unsettling to walk into this massive church knowing absolutely no one. I felt more at home there then I did at the church I attend now (and I grew up in that church).
So Kristin dear, you are destined for great things. I've always known it. Your new home will take great care of you and help you grow more than anything Chicago could ever offer. I'm praying for you and I love you! We don't agree on much but I agree wholeheartedly that you have found the right place. I would wish you luck but you won't need it. You're going to accomplish things I could never even dream of. And don't forget to call home! I want to be able to brag about all the awesome stuff you're doing. If I hear it from someone else at church first, I do know where you live and I will hunt you down. Sounds selfish but I'm allowed to be selfish about finding all your accomplishments first. It's family privilege because don't forget girlie... you're stuck with me (insert evil laugh here).
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Mr. Darcy and the Austen Grinch
I'm sorry that I haven't been writing more often. I find myself, oddly, gone most of the time, which makes it hard to update my blog. I just got back from the St. Louis area visiting my boyfriend for his 22nd birthday. Tomorrow I leave to take my younger sister, Kristin, to Ozark, MO to college! Yay! Luckily the weather looks fairly good and we managed to fit all her stuff (including a monstrous bike) into my dad's little Mazda 6. But tonight I'm going to talk about every girl's favorite romantic heart throb Mr. Darcy.
If you happened to grow up in a fish bowl or underneath a rock, Mr. Darcy is the principle male character of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The book is very famous and has been made into several movie adaptations. Pride and Prejudice is my all-time favorite book and the A&E mini-series is the most epic chick flick ever. I highly recommend you either read the book or rent the movie (warning: the A&E version is about 5 hours long, so if you aren't a patient person watch the Keira Knightley version instead).
Now, don't get all righteous on me by arguing the Keira Knightley version would cause Austen to roll over in her grave. I got my boyfriend into Pride and Prejudice by watching that film and there may be some major flaws but it does cover the basics.
About 2 months ago, I was out eating dinner with a dear friend of mine and we ended up stopping by a book store, which if you know me at all is no surprise. I kept seeing all these books about Mr. Darcy and it really irritated me (especially the Mr. Darcy, Vampyre). I consider myself to be a Jane Austen purist and messing with the ultimate Austen heart throb is a level beyond mortal sin. I mentioned them to my friend and she commented on how I should read them all and then tell her which ones are worth reading.
I was appalled by this idea! A REAL Jane Austen fan would not stoop to such a level and read these depraved books! If Jane Austen were still alive, she would find all these books and BURN THEM! All these so called "authors" would be shunned from premier literary circles and sleep in beds made of their detestable pages of melodramatic hogwash.
If you can't tell, I paid no attention to this idea. I was, however, looking forward to spending 4 days in the UK going through Jane Austen country, since this book store escapade took place about a week before we left for Europe.
So fast forward two weeks later to Bath, UK. We make an obligatory stop to the Jane Austen Centre to look around and see what the gift shop offers. The minute I walk in I notice the same Mr. Darcy garbage I saw in the book store! I was outraged! How could a place devoted to the memory of my favorite writer display such garbage? I decided the place couldn't truly be dedicated to Austen because their walls were tarnished by these disgraceful books.
Then I had my Grinch moment (the part where he hears the Who's singing on Christmas and his heart grows 3 sizes....) when I read one of the cards on a book titled Me and Mr. Darcy. It was a staff pick and it talked about how Mr. Darcy is every girl's fantasy. Curious, I turn the book over and read the back cover and I was intrigued about this New York book store manager running off to England for an Austen tour after a string of bad men. And she meets Mr. Darcy!
I read a couple of pages and I laughed! Then I caught myself... this author was witty and I totally related to the narrator! I had to have this book! I must finish reading it! After 5 pages, I couldn't put it down and I flipped over the cover to look at the price... and realized that if I bought it I wouldn't be eating for the rest of the trip. But I swore to myself I would come home and FIND THIS BOOK!
I finished reading Me and Mr. Darcy yesterday. It was absolutely fabulous! The author totally does credit to Austen's masterpiece. The book simply takes the basic idea of Pride and Prejudice and puts a modern day twist on it. I honestly believe if you don't read this book you're doing Austen a disservice only because Austen would appreciate how the main character goes on her own adventure to discover the truth about Mr. Darcy. It's not the typical Pride and Prejudice knock off where the author tries to either rewrite the whole story or write the sequel. And although the plot lines closely mirror each other, there's enough differences to make even the most snobbish of Austen purists happy.
So in the end, I did decide to take my friends challenge. Can I, a hard core Austen purist, read all the Pride and Prejudice knock offs with out judging the book by its cover? Me and Mr. Darcy was a promising start and as I'm finding out quickly with this next one, To Conquer Mr. Darcy, that it may be a very difficult journey. I still feel my grinchy tendencies with this one but I'm pushing through. So I will periodically update where I stand in the midst of these books because there are A LOT! I will be renting books from my library and also buying them for my e-reader (mostly because it's easier to carry my Nook instead of a bunch of books).
Oh and in case you were wondering Mr. Darcy, Vampyre is next on my list. Followed closely by Mr. Darcy, Werewolf. I can already feel my skin beginning to turn green and hairy....
If you happened to grow up in a fish bowl or underneath a rock, Mr. Darcy is the principle male character of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The book is very famous and has been made into several movie adaptations. Pride and Prejudice is my all-time favorite book and the A&E mini-series is the most epic chick flick ever. I highly recommend you either read the book or rent the movie (warning: the A&E version is about 5 hours long, so if you aren't a patient person watch the Keira Knightley version instead).
Now, don't get all righteous on me by arguing the Keira Knightley version would cause Austen to roll over in her grave. I got my boyfriend into Pride and Prejudice by watching that film and there may be some major flaws but it does cover the basics.
About 2 months ago, I was out eating dinner with a dear friend of mine and we ended up stopping by a book store, which if you know me at all is no surprise. I kept seeing all these books about Mr. Darcy and it really irritated me (especially the Mr. Darcy, Vampyre). I consider myself to be a Jane Austen purist and messing with the ultimate Austen heart throb is a level beyond mortal sin. I mentioned them to my friend and she commented on how I should read them all and then tell her which ones are worth reading.
I was appalled by this idea! A REAL Jane Austen fan would not stoop to such a level and read these depraved books! If Jane Austen were still alive, she would find all these books and BURN THEM! All these so called "authors" would be shunned from premier literary circles and sleep in beds made of their detestable pages of melodramatic hogwash.
If you can't tell, I paid no attention to this idea. I was, however, looking forward to spending 4 days in the UK going through Jane Austen country, since this book store escapade took place about a week before we left for Europe.
So fast forward two weeks later to Bath, UK. We make an obligatory stop to the Jane Austen Centre to look around and see what the gift shop offers. The minute I walk in I notice the same Mr. Darcy garbage I saw in the book store! I was outraged! How could a place devoted to the memory of my favorite writer display such garbage? I decided the place couldn't truly be dedicated to Austen because their walls were tarnished by these disgraceful books.
Then I had my Grinch moment (the part where he hears the Who's singing on Christmas and his heart grows 3 sizes....) when I read one of the cards on a book titled Me and Mr. Darcy. It was a staff pick and it talked about how Mr. Darcy is every girl's fantasy. Curious, I turn the book over and read the back cover and I was intrigued about this New York book store manager running off to England for an Austen tour after a string of bad men. And she meets Mr. Darcy!
I read a couple of pages and I laughed! Then I caught myself... this author was witty and I totally related to the narrator! I had to have this book! I must finish reading it! After 5 pages, I couldn't put it down and I flipped over the cover to look at the price... and realized that if I bought it I wouldn't be eating for the rest of the trip. But I swore to myself I would come home and FIND THIS BOOK!
I finished reading Me and Mr. Darcy yesterday. It was absolutely fabulous! The author totally does credit to Austen's masterpiece. The book simply takes the basic idea of Pride and Prejudice and puts a modern day twist on it. I honestly believe if you don't read this book you're doing Austen a disservice only because Austen would appreciate how the main character goes on her own adventure to discover the truth about Mr. Darcy. It's not the typical Pride and Prejudice knock off where the author tries to either rewrite the whole story or write the sequel. And although the plot lines closely mirror each other, there's enough differences to make even the most snobbish of Austen purists happy.
So in the end, I did decide to take my friends challenge. Can I, a hard core Austen purist, read all the Pride and Prejudice knock offs with out judging the book by its cover? Me and Mr. Darcy was a promising start and as I'm finding out quickly with this next one, To Conquer Mr. Darcy, that it may be a very difficult journey. I still feel my grinchy tendencies with this one but I'm pushing through. So I will periodically update where I stand in the midst of these books because there are A LOT! I will be renting books from my library and also buying them for my e-reader (mostly because it's easier to carry my Nook instead of a bunch of books).
Oh and in case you were wondering Mr. Darcy, Vampyre is next on my list. Followed closely by Mr. Darcy, Werewolf. I can already feel my skin beginning to turn green and hairy....
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