tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61118802150514834142024-03-05T10:03:51.442+00:00life is about learning to dance in the rainthe ramblings of a twenty-something mind... wonderful (or terrible, depending on who you are) as they may be, are published here for me to air my thoughts, so that when I bring them in they are a little drier and smell nicer, which means that I can do more with them...
<br> ... and just because pointless stories are my thing.*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-40253755177478929432013-01-25T17:00:00.000+00:002013-01-25T17:00:04.547+00:00[turning through the years]<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The title of this blog is a recognition that time trickles away from all of us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now in the final year of my Master's degree of Chemical Engineering, the time will soon come to leave Manchester. In fact, in less than six month's I'll have graduated! (Assuming I don't fail).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As it's my final year the workload has certainly stepped up a notch. Over the next ten weeks the main part of my work will go into producing a 500 page report (roughly) which will look something like this:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yes, it really will be this big.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As well as this, as the over 18 Ecumenical Rep for the Methodist Church, I'll be jetting off all over the place to attend meetings in different churches. I'll be blogging about those experiences over at the 3Generate Reps blog <a href="http://methodistchildrenandyouthreps.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. Keep an eye on it/follow it to keep up to date with not only my goings-on but also what's happening with the Reps generally - I think I'm privileged to be working with such a great team of young people and staff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I promise I'll blog again soon with something a bit more profound and interesting - although maybe my everyday life is interesting to some of you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tell me, <b>what have you been up to recently?</b> What are your plans for the next six months?</span>*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-20988621710183867072012-12-16T17:41:00.000+00:002012-12-16T17:41:28.539+00:00[Save the People]<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've already said that Advent is a time of preparation. Today I've been preparing not for Christmas, but for exams. Or I should say, "I've been preparing to prepare".</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I revise, I need everything around me to be clear of distractions. That means that everything has to be spick and span; everything has it's time and place. Those who know me will know that although the rest of the house is *usually* tidy, my room is quite often a different story. Today, that is no more! My room is ready for me to start my revision. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There is a large space on my desk (I hope large enough!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My clothes are all put away</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My stuff is all put away</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have a small pile of Christmas presents to wrap (they will be wrapped on Tuesday afternoon, according to my Plan)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My Revision Plan (note capital P) is done, coloured and on my door where I see it every time I walk into my room</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tomorrow I can start preparing for my exams properly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tomorrow it begins...</span></div>
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*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-70821445072537501222012-12-10T01:21:00.001+00:002012-12-10T01:21:50.046+00:00[Prepare Ye The Way Of The Lord]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Prepare ye the way of the Lord"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Advent is a time of preparation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Of soul-searching, clearing out, reflection.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And of getting excited.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not just getting excited about the prettiness of Christmas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not just getting excited about the prospect of Snow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not just about the closeness of holidays.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's about getting excited about celebrations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Family, friends...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and most of all, birthdays!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I do quite a job of getting excited, but I need to remember that there's more to Christmas than all the trimmings. As pretty as those trimmings are...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Advent is a season all of it's own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's far too easy to just skip straight ahead, to the time of which we're dreaming...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and forgetting all about the preparation!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kind of like final year of uni, and the Big Wide World.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Time to focus on the present.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Christmas is coming</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">but Advent is now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What are you preparing for right now?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What are you thinking of?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Where are you living? The future, or the now?</b></span></div>
*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-82667082499028620532012-12-02T12:40:00.000+00:002012-12-02T12:40:57.574+00:00[if you want to know where your heart is, look where your mind wanders]<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">I’ve
felt like blogging for quite some time now.
I’ve even come up with twelve (yes, twelve!) different subjects about
which I would like to blog, but I’ve had neither the time nor the
thought-processes to be able to blog those things that I wanted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">However,
I’ve decided to attempt to go back to this blogging-on-Sundays thing. I’m not too sure how it will pan out, but
we’ll see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are lots of questions today. If you have answers to any of them, I’d love
to hear them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today’s blog is all about decisions, I suppose. Decisions are things that I can find easy
(walk or bus to uni?) or difficult (how to do my hair today?). They can have trivial consequences (which bed
set do I put on my bed?) or less-trivial ones (what sort of jobs should I apply
for?). They can have a definite time
(what should I have for tea today?) or a vaguer one (how am I going to show
what’s important in my life?). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On 1<sup>st</sup> December, a good friend of mine got
married. While we were there, I met the
10-month old daughter of another good friend (who is, by the way, gorgeous). Both friends seem so happy. It makes me wonder if I’ve somehow
unwittingly lost my way with my priorities in life. Have I got this thing called life wrong? Am I planning where I should be living? Am I dreaming when I should be working? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Can a dream be worked towards, even if you don’t know how
your current work will lead to your dream?
If you don’t love what you do, why do it? These are linked to decision-making for me at
the moment because I am coming to the end of my Masters degree – in an area
about which I am not exactly passionate.
The work is interesting, for the most part, certainly. But I’m not sure quite how passionate you can
get about a pump. Or a heat exchanger.
(Distillation columns, on the other hand...)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One thing that would be nice to know is how much the
decisions that we make now will affect our lives from this point. I remember watching a German film once about
something along the lines of the Butterfly Effect – the theory that a butterfly
flapping its wings (or not) on the other side of the world will have some
effect here. Perhaps this is better
illustrated by the Doctor Who episode “<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1205436/" target="_blank">Turn Left</a>”,
but it amounts to the same thing. Does
making the “right” decision depend on the time at which it is made? Would a certain decision be wrong today, but
right tomorrow?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How can decision-making be God-centred when he seems so
silent about the whole thing? A recent visit to a friend threw up all sorts
of questions for me – some about things that I realised I should be making a
conscious decision about. If I want my
life to be God-centred, how should I go about doing that? What, or how, can I structure my life so that
God’s love is palpable? That’s the kind
of life I want. The kind I described a
year or so ago <a href="http://lifeisaboutlearningtodanceintherain.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/wohin-sonst-sollten-wir-gehen.html" target="_blank">here</a>. The kind where everyone knows they’re
welcome. Everyone knows they’re
loved. Everyone knows they’ll be
listened to. And everyone knows that if
I can help do anything to help them, I will.
All without me telling them – they just know. That’s what I want. But how to go about it?</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thy Word is a lamp
unto my feet and a light unto my path.
When I feel afraid, and I think I’ve lost my way, still you’re there
right beside me. And nothing will I
fear, as long as you are near. Please be
near me to the end.- Amy Grant<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What’s important in
your life? </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How do you make God-centred
decisions?</span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-17686719709902603412012-11-21T22:22:00.003+00:002012-11-21T22:25:06.973+00:00[you're the only one who knows me]<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Struggling with Job Applications at the moment. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">Disclaimer: I would never actually write this in a job application form. I take job applications very seriously... but this is a good bit of fun, which addresses the fact that very often everyone is thinking about cake, and its benefits in the workplace, but it is rarely mentioned. (well, that's what <a href="http://lifes-important-things.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">John</a> said)...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear big multi-national corporation,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think you should employ me because, quite frankly, I need some money. I have been at university for the last 4 years, which means that I have managed to accrue some debt. As I would like to live in a nice house when I graduate, I am in rather urgent need of some financial assets that will aid me in this venture. In addition to needing somewhere to live, I also need money to buy cake-making supplies. Rest assured that I will see this as an investment on your part and will pay back interest on this investment in cake-form. To show my good will I will even let you choose the type of cake I make first. As you are a multi-national corporation, I anticipate having to requisition some of your machinery so that I will be able to demonstrate my advanced chemical engineering skills in order to produce a cake of suitable size such that all may partake of its goodness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This particular skill, when considered alongside my need of money in our materialistic society and my qualities as a generally nice person, should set me far above any other candidate you may choose to consider. I appreciate that you must keep up appearances when dealing with other candidates, so will also bring cake to interviews and assessment centres to give a foretaste of the banquet I am capable of preparing when I work for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I look forward to hearing from you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 16px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Love</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Emma</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Should set me up, right?</span></div>
*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-11105906647522984932012-04-20T11:04:00.000+01:002012-04-20T11:05:26.511+01:00[All-powerful, uncontainable]I'd just like to direct you to <a href="http://sallysjourney.typepad.com/sallys_journey/2012/04/dear-church.html#comment-6a00d8341c7a9f53ef0168ea724e8b970c" target="_blank">this</a> amazing post today.<br />
<br />
Really resonated for me... does it for you?<br />
<br />*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-88486932980594274612012-04-03T01:07:00.000+01:002012-04-03T01:07:04.863+01:00Keine Lust zu beten<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/mtAatiq-KEc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hinter meiner Mauer, geht's mir heut nicht gut.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Woher kommst die Trauer? woher all die Wut?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wieviel kann ich tragen? Weiß ich wer ich bin? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Führ ich meine Fragen schließlich zu dir hin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Vater du ziehst in mich hinein</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">mir bleibt nichts als Ehrlich zu sein</span></div>
<h4>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: orange;">Ich hab heut keine Lust zu beten,</span></span></div>
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: center;">
können wir nicht einfach Reden, irgendwo, einfach so?</div>
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: center;">
denn ich hab keine Lust zu beten, doch ich brauch jemand zum Reden, der versteht, zu mir steht.</div>
</span></span></blockquote>
</h4>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mach ich alles richtig, tu ich was ich kann</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Nehm ich mich zu wichtig, steh ich meiner Mann</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Es ist schwer zu Lieben, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Aus halt in Geduld</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Soll ich Kämpfen siegen, ist es meiner Schuld?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Vater du ziehst in mir hinein</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">mir bleibt nichts als ehrlich zu sein</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ich hab heut keine Lust zu beten,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">können wir nicht einfach Reden, irgendwo, einfach so?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">denn ich hab keine Lust zu beten, doch ich brauch jemand zum Reden, der versteht, zu mir steht.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Vater du ziehst in mir hinein</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wir bleibt nichts als Herrlich zu sein</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ich hab heut keine Lust zu beten,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">können wir nicht einfach Reden, irgendwo, einfach so?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">denn ich hab keine Lust zu beten, doch ich brauch jemand zum Reden, der versteht, der zu mir steht.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Vater du ziehst in mir hinein</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wir bleibt nichts als ehrlich zu sein</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ich hab heut keine Lust zu beten,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">können wir nicht einfach Reden, irgendwo, einfach so?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">denn ich hab keine Lust zu beten, doch ich brauch jemand zum Reden, der versteht, der zu mir steht.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ich hab heut keine Lust zu beten,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">können wir nicht einfach Reden, du und ich, einfach so, irgendwo?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">denn ich hab keine Lust zu beten, doch ich brauch jemand zum Reden, der versteht, der zu mir steht.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wieviel kann ich tragen?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Weiß ich wer ich bin?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Führ ich meine Fragen schließlich zu dir hin.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Behind my barriers, I'm not doing so well today.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Where does this sadness come from? What about all the anger?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>How much can I take? Do I know who I am?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I'll ask you all my questions eventually.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Father, you move in me</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I just have to be true to myself.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I don't want to pray today.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Can't we just talk? Simply talk somewhere?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Because I don't want to pray, but I need someone to talk to, </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>who understands me, who stands with me.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I do everything right, I do what I can.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Do I make myself too important? Do I stand by my man?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>It's difficult to love just out of patience.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Should I win battles? Is it my fault?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Father, you move in me</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I just have to be true to myself.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I don't want to pray today.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Can't we just talk? Simply talk somewhere?</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Because I don't want to pray, but I need someone to talk to, </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>who understands me, who stands with me.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Father, you move in me</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I just have to be true to myself.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I don't want to pray today.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Can't we just talk? Simply talk somewhere?</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Because I don't want to pray, but I need someone to talk to, </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>who understands me, who stands with me.</i></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Father, you move in me</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I just have to be true to myself.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I don't want to pray today.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Can't we just talk? Simply talk somewhere?</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Because I don't want to pray, but I need someone to talk to, </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>who understands me, who stands with me.</i></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I don't want to pray today.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Can't we just talk, you and I? Simply talk somewhere?</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Because I don't want to pray, but I need someone to talk to, </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>who understands me, who stands with me.</i></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>How much can I take? Do I know who I am?</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>I'll ask you all my questions eventually.</i></span></div>
</div>
</div>*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-58647225753120194522012-03-14T09:05:00.000+00:002012-03-14T09:05:08.860+00:00[nobody gets me like you]<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've been having some really good late-night conversations recently. (Thanks to those of you who've been putting up with me! :P)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On that I had the other night included me going *<i>slightly</i>* ecstatic over some pieces of what would normally be home-office furniture. I say normally, because I would class it as past of <strike>standard</strike> essential home-ware. But hey, I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. And I may be a *<i>slight</i>* control freak at times.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At least I'm honest about these things...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anyway, back to the topic in hand. In the course of this conversation I made the comment that I'm sometimes sure that something is what I really want, but I'm equally sure that if
someone who really knew me came along and showed me something completely
different that would almost be better. Or </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I often think I know exactly what I want, and how I want it, but then I wouldn't be surprised if someone who knew me really well came along and gave me something completely different, but that it would be even better than I imagined. Because it would be what I needed, not what I </span><strike style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">thought I</strike><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> wanted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In this context, I was talking specifically about houses. My perfect house would be a big little cosy cottage on the border of the town and countryside with a view of the sea. It would have real fireplaces, with proper oak flooring, with an Aga in the kitchen, open plan to an extent but having lots of nooks and crannies in which to put books/cushions/people, proper quilts on the beds (of which there would be at least two), full of fresh flowers and sunshine and of course tidy, organised, light and welcoming. That is my idea of heaven :) (yeah, I know... keep dreaming...) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pStGRcsFT3dlqpy6LpzrcYTqXDQhXSGV4rAb1OqTB6Q3IgBHm94EeaevrpLEkO_xz2n8QdBNKrg1VMZErgD1vHGcc5C-wtB2znqKcSId85VkzGKJVSZ73raxInTIfy4_c2h5WLYy4MU/s1600/house2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pStGRcsFT3dlqpy6LpzrcYTqXDQhXSGV4rAb1OqTB6Q3IgBHm94EeaevrpLEkO_xz2n8QdBNKrg1VMZErgD1vHGcc5C-wtB2znqKcSId85VkzGKJVSZ73raxInTIfy4_c2h5WLYy4MU/s400/house2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the course of the above conversation, the friend in question raised the point that they'd thought something similar about relationships, but never before about possessions. In <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00d7mtr" target="_blank">Don't Tell The Bride</a>, brides often remark that their (now) husbands have done an amazing job organising the wedding, even though it wasn't what they'd wanted - it was better.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Was what the husbands organised better because they really did know their wives well? Or was it that the brides had just over-commercialised the personalised celebration that they wanted? Another friend commented recently (in a difference context!) that </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"what you think you need, need is what God knows you need". </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In my head I kind of changed this to "wanting" was what you thought, and "needing" was what God thought. I've been mulling this over in the week since it was said, and I really think it's true. Probably because most of the things we (or me at least, but being shallow and materialistic are but two of my many failings) want are material things. I mean, of course I <b>want</b> to be happy and I <b>want</b> everyone else to be happy too. I <b>want</b> to have a good job and a loving family (as in future family - my current family is lovely!) But how much of that is because I <b>want</b> this nice house, and people with whom to share it? How much of it is for my personal satisfaction (whether due to societal pressures or not)?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I managed to answer a question I posted <a href="http://lifeisaboutlearningtodanceintherain.blogspot.com/2011/11/wohin-sonst-sollten-wir-gehen.html" target="_blank">here</a> a few months ago. </span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Q: </b>Why am I putting myself through this degree?</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>A:</b> Because I want a good job.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Q:</b> Why do I want a good job?</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>A:</b> So I can have this house.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Q:</b> Why do I want this house?</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>A: </b>Because it will be pretty and perfect.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As imperfect beings, do we (I) put too much weight on "perfect" things? Another friend (one that probably <strike>knows</strike> knew me too well) once said that it was in imperfections that we find perfection. I can't decide whether on the surface or on a deeper reading that it makes no sense, but I think I understand what they meant. Being perfect is, in itself, an imperfection. But when there are many imperfections - the chair that's a bit rickety because it belonged to a Grandparent, the mug that's had to become a vase because your brother's chipped it, the plates that don't all match because your friends helped you collect them all - these imperfections, these quirks and personal memories - make these things perfect.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWR6SsY-Ki1e8-ZecFa3Rjmkfa2GWsKrHIV_WX07igm6XUmFv8wv2TZZwdKSaK-yXkWDfcKQy2mzqg6mzjeYmw7bpRvJSuSr23VBpgcK-0-2wyHWkDmFrUC0MRNiO8NTv7TtVcl_skayk/s1600/imperfections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWR6SsY-Ki1e8-ZecFa3Rjmkfa2GWsKrHIV_WX07igm6XUmFv8wv2TZZwdKSaK-yXkWDfcKQy2mzqg6mzjeYmw7bpRvJSuSr23VBpgcK-0-2wyHWkDmFrUC0MRNiO8NTv7TtVcl_skayk/s400/imperfections.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">God knows that what we <b>need</b>, we will get. He is our father, and therefore knows what we need before we even ask for it. (Matthew 6:8) He knows that we <b>need</b> things to live. We might want everything to be pretty and beautiful, but if it's part of God's creation, part of what he's made... how can it not be? Even if we don't think it is, God might. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What we <i>should </i><b style="font-style: italic;">want</b> most is God's Kingdom, and doing what he wants. Even if we don't think it's pretty. Even if no one else thinks it's pretty. If we're doing what <b>God wants</b> then God will give us what we <b>need</b>. (Matthew 6:33).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Four leaf clovers, for example, are so sought after because they're actually imperfect. Clovers have three leaves, not four. But the ones with four leaves, those that are imperfect, are special. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iy-LlXeWNEM/TTSKCvN6c_I/AAAAAAAAABY/usE__0T4jpA/s1600/four-leaf-clover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iy-LlXeWNEM/TTSKCvN6c_I/AAAAAAAAABY/usE__0T4jpA/s200/four-leaf-clover.jpg" width="161" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iy-LlXeWNEM/TTSKCvN6c_I/AAAAAAAAABY/usE__0T4jpA/s1600/four-leaf-clover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iy-LlXeWNEM/TTSKCvN6c_I/AAAAAAAAABY/usE__0T4jpA/s200/four-leaf-clover.jpg" width="161" /></a><a href="http://www.bellaweddingflowers.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/62defc7f46f3fbfc8afcd112227d1181/g/e/gerbera-daisies-mixed-1_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://www.bellaweddingflowers.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/62defc7f46f3fbfc8afcd112227d1181/g/e/gerbera-daisies-mixed-1_1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What do you see as perfection?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What do you want, and what do you need?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-31124742861888426772012-02-19T12:06:00.000+00:002012-02-19T12:06:41.594+00:00[change is inevitable]<br />
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... Except from a vending machine.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I like change. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I mean I really like change.
I find it exciting. And
exhilarating. And just generally fun.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m not always good at remembering I like change. Sometimes it’s because change seems to come
at the wrong time, or because it’s the wrong sort of change. But then either the change gets better, or I
remember that I’m a big girl and these things happen. And then I like change again. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mainly because it’s inevitable. And there’s no point in disliking inevitable
things, because it will just make you sad.
And that’s not nice.</div>
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<br /></div>
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One change that I thought was the wrong sort was when MAYC
(that’s the Methodist Association of Youth Clubs, or the Youth Work part of the
Methodist Church in Great Britain, for those not in the know) disbanded. Ceased to be.
This was due to something called the YPS (Youth Participation Strategy),
which was designed to get more Young People involved in the life of the
church. Now don’t get me wrong, the actual process and
strategy of moving on was definitely a Good Thing. The old system was flawed (did wonders for
me, but was flawed nonetheless) and needed a breath of life, fresh air and a
good clean out. </div>
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<br /></div>
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And that’s just what happened! It needed to be done, but I think that it was
perhaps done too thoroughly. This was
back in 2009, and the first connexional (like national, but in Methodist-speak)
meeting that we had as Young People was not quite as seamless as we’d
hope. There were certainly many
improvements to be made, but as a facilitator (someone who lead workshops) for
this Assembly I felt that this was something that could easily be done. The 2009 Assembly was basically run by the
facilitators, in the absence of any “body” behind the scenes. Having a body of Young People behind the
Assembly would definitely have provided a more structured and organised
backbone that I think would have really benefitted the event. </div>
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<br /></div>
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In the year between the 2009 and 2010 Assemblies, I really
think that the Children and Youth Team (the replacement of MAYC) made a lot of
good changes. That’s not to say that I
found the Assembly of 2010 easy – I didn’t -
but it was certainly easier than the Assembly of 2009. The event seemed to flow better, and although
it felt small, it was more organised, and there was a team in place.</div>
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<br /></div>
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However, the Assembly of 2011 was certainly the best so
far. I think that there was a lot more
Youth Participation, which means that more Young People were engaging in
conversation not only with the established Church, but also with each
other. This year, I was there not as a
facilitator, but as a steward – a whole different ball game. Maybe this different perspective opened my
eyes to another way of working within Assembly, or maybe things really were
good this year, but 2011 was most certainly a Good Thing. Not sure I’d go back to stewarding, but it
was definitely good to see what it was like.
It meant that I could have fun with rotas and pretty colours, and – let’s
be honest – what more do I need to make me happy? </div>
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<br /></div>
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MYA11 reminded me (again) that I do, actually, like change. So it takes me a few years to get used to it, and I'm maybe not as forgiving as I should be about kinks/unrealistic about how many things, really, go completely right the first time around. Seems now that Assembly is fantastic just as the funding comes under review.... let's hope that Conference make a wise and informed decision. They were visionary in starting the YPS - let's hope that they're visionary in continuing it!</div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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I’m really excited to see where 2012 is headed. Keep up to date with the goings-on by
following the <a href="http://www.methodistyouthpres.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Methodist Youth Pres blog</a> if you don’t already, and want to find
out more!</div>
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<br /></div>
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And remember:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Just because everything’s changing doesn’t mean that it’s
not been this way before.</i></blockquote>
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- Regina Spektor </div>*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-58355541840162849772011-11-28T20:48:00.001+00:002011-11-28T21:43:22.328+00:00Wohin sonst sollten wir gehen?<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Those who know me well will know of my (now-not-so-secret) dream of being a wedding planner. The opportunity of being there: of helping with details and organisation so that the (traditional) bride's mind and concentration can be totally in the moment of declaring her love for her (traditional) groom is something that greatly appeals to me. </span></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No, actually it does more than that. </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It makes me happy. It makes me smile. Sometimes it makes me cry, but these tears are good tears. They're happy tears. Tears of belonging, of joy, and of love. Not necessarily of the actual process of planning a wedding, but the overflow of feeling that's shown between two people who truly love each other. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To me, love looks like this...</span><br />
<img alt="couples" src="http://www.justprnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/couples-300x200.jpg" /> <br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">rather than this:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.foryoutolove.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Bride-and-Groom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.foryoutolove.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Bride-and-Groom.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To be quite perfectly honest, despite my love of detail and all things pretty and gorgeous, I would quite happily get married in what I'm wearing right now. (What you don't know is that while writing this I'm actually sitting in a stunning white evening dress... no, not really) And I know that that may shock more people who know me. But really what I'm trying to say here is that the wedding is not a celebration in itself. A wedding is a celebration of the (hopefully) many, many years that a couple will spend together. Sharing with each other, and loving each other. On bad hair days, on days when the make-up has run out and you've forgotten to pop down to Boots/Superdrug to buy some more, on days when nothing looks right on you, on days where you really don't want to get out of bed. That's what marriages are made of. Unconditional, pure love. That's what I'd hope to show in any weddings that I helped to plan. (Maybe not literally...) It's about the two people who are committing themselves to each other. And let's be honest, they've done that in deciding that they want to get married anyway. So should the publication of such a decision really be surrounded in so many trimmings?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At this time of year I can't help but compare a wedding and marriage to Christmas and Advent. Obviously there are several parts where the analogy doesn't quite bear up, but keep with me. The wedding is like Christmas. Everyone's happy, smiling, and excited. Admittedly, some *small* details, such as Christ's birth and the fact that you now have a lifetime together may be overlooked. Advent is like a marriage, but rather than the waiting, the preparation and the watching, there are shared experiences, shared memories and time together. The forging of something new, together. It excites me.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Recently I've been thinking a lot about calling. <a href="http://lifes-important-things.blogspot.com/2011/11/where-do-i-fit-in.html" target="_blank">John</a> and <a href="http://ramblingthoughtsofaginger.blogspot.com/2011/11/i-want-os-map-not-sat-nav.html" target="_blank">Matt</a> have both blogged about this recently, but I think that their's is more about a "What now?" element of calling. What I'm talking about is a general calling. As in, "What's all this <i>for</i>?" and "Why am I doing this, again?" kind of thing. My question is simply: Can we be called just to love? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Purely, simply, wantonly, wastefully, fully, completely? And if so, how do we fulfil that call? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And what on earth am I doing, studying my degree if that's all I really want to do? </span>*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-6955899934230821452011-10-27T20:28:00.000+01:002011-10-27T20:29:32.512+01:00[It's not about you, it's me]<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So... my second blog from Germany. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’ve been meaning to get round to it for quite a while now
(more or less since the day after I posted the previous one) but a simple
retelling of what I’ve been up to, as I originally planned, just doesn’t seem
right at the moment. There are bigger,
more important issues around than those everyday things that I’ve been seeing
or experiencing (while I appreciate the “sacredness” of everyday life and
everyday experiences, I think that these should be put on the backburner for
the time being) so I’ve wanted to take a quick break from those for a little
while to be able to fully get to grips with more... abstract issues, shall we
say.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’ve been wanting to blog about several things recently, but
they all seem to be *just* out of my reach.
There are several situations I’ve found myself in recently:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>I’ve wanted to blog, but not known what about</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">b)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>I’ve wanted to blog, got a subject but not sure
how to phrase what I’m thinking into words (or even not really sure what I’m
thinking about...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">c)<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>I’ve wanted to blog, got a subject and know
roughly what I want to say about it, but then as soon as I turn around to put <s>pen
to paper</s> fingers to keys I forget, or the thought that I had goes right out
of my head.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’m sure that anyone who’s ever blogged will know exactly
what I’m on about. Some people I know
don’t seem to suffer from it (I remain convinced that they actually type up a
load of blogs to keep them going through times lacking in inspiration... maybe
I should do that!), others just don’t blog (like me) and some carry on
blogging, but I notice a distinct shift in their blogging style. Posts will be shorter, less focused and
usually apologetic. [Ooops... how many
of those have I done myself, in this blog alone?] </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyway, in my search for inspiration today I went back to
reading <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/JessicaCheetham">Jessica Cheetham</a>’s <a href="http://liturgiesandjolliness.wordpress.com/">blog</a>, and from there was directed to another blog
that I really like – that of Jamie Wright, “the very worst missionary”. She seems like a pretty darn good one through
her <a href="http://www.theveryworstmissionary.com/">witness on the web</a> (I liked the alliteration, okay?) The post that I
stumbled across was <a href="http://www.theveryworstmissionary.com/2011/09/about-me-uummm.html">what she was about</a>.
And that really made me think. At
the end of her post, she asks “What are you about?” and “What do you wish you
were about?” and this really got me
thinking. Usually when people ask to
introduce yourself, or say a bit about yourself, this isn’t the kind of style
you go for. Usually, you’d go for the
style that’s in my “About me” box (as an example). As in, “I’m a student and I’m interested in
Methodism and the World” and blah blah blah.
Nothing that really says what you’re about though. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, what am I about?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Believe it or not, <i>I’m about</i> <b>early mornings</b>. <i>I’m about</i> <b>snow</b> and <b>storms</b>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I’m about</i> <b>good company</b>. <i>I'm about</i> <b>friends</b> and <b>wine</b>. <i>I’m
about</i> <b>companionship</b>. <i>I’m about</i> <b>caring</b>,
and <b>allowing yourself to be cared for</b>.
Sometimes I’m not very good at that.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I’m about</i> <b>recognising things I don’t like</b>. <i>I’m about</i> being <b>pragmatic</b>. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I’m about </i><b>th</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>inking the best of people</b>. Usually.
<i>I’m about</i> <b>organising</b>. <i>I’m about</i>
<b>getting distracted</b> far too often. I’ve
moved to another country to try to get this to change.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I’m about</i> <b>eating too much</b>.
<i>I’m about</i> <b>not knowing when to stop</b>.
<i>I’m about</i> <b>not knowing when to say no</b>.
Oh, and <i>I’m all about</i> <b>carbs</b>. <i>I’m
about</i> <b>walking</b>. <i>I wish I was about</i> the
Gym, or <i>about</i> higher metabolism. <i>I’m
about</i> <b>hating my legs and my stomach</b>. <i>I
wish I was about</i> motivation to change.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I’m about</i> <b>thinking too much</b>.
<i>I’m about</i> <b>cynicism</b>. <i>I’m about</i>
<b>hurting those I love</b>. If I love you, I’ll
probably hit you, or be mean or sarcastic to you. And you know what? <i>I’m about</i> <b>crying alone</b>, and <b>brave faces in
public</b>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I’m about</i> <b>tradition</b>. <i>I’m
about</i> <b>respect</b>. <i>I’m about</i> <b>breathing the
love of Christ</b>, though I don’t show in the same ways as other people. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I’m about</i> <b>other people</b>.
<i>I wish I was about</i> the Church not thinking that it’s ONLY for the
benefit of non-members. <i>I wish I was
about</i> the Church recognising that within its ranks there are so many broken and
hurt people, there only for the grace of God, only to be told that the focus is
on the people outside the doors. Don’t get
me wrong, those outside are definitely important too, but the Church should be
like a family, taking care of those within as well as those outside. So many hurt people don’t think that they
have the “right” to be hurt, because they are in the Church. <i>I wish I was about</i> getting this spoken about. <i>I’m about</i> <b>support</b>.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I’m about</i> <b>story-telling</b>.
<i>I’m about</i> <b>travelling</b>. <i>I’m about</i>
<b>new things</b>. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I’m all about</i> <b>family</b>.
<i>I’m about</i> <b>laughter</b>. <i>I’m about</i>
<b>happiness</b>. <i> </i><i>I’m about</i> <b>love</b>. But only when it suits.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I wish I was more about</i> allowing God to change me. But <i>I’m too often about</i> <b>me </b>to allow that to happen.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I’m about</i> <b>not being honest enough</b>. <i>I’m about</i> <b>being too honest</b>. <i>I’m about</i> <b>making mistakes</b>. <i>I’m about</i> <b>trying again</b>. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What are </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>you </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">abo</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ut?</span></div>*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-3902252340482919362011-10-06T17:18:00.000+01:002011-10-06T17:24:22.906+01:00[Lie back and think of England...]<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hallo aus Deutschland!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So here I am! I’ve
been in Stuttgart for about 24 hours now, so here’s the low-down.</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">THE ROOM<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yg9wZoJSq3iQiEcDUFSzPQE4KUVWXnv7xiDFVLi00fvGy_1NG8RXz9LfucHUUrMFpZcp2FnxfDadEr_MqDgqJfxdPsVExra0zTr5Tg0svBznAOVy3SVNGUjBpXkd95_8yBFjv-rpfpw/s1600/SDC10553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yg9wZoJSq3iQiEcDUFSzPQE4KUVWXnv7xiDFVLi00fvGy_1NG8RXz9LfucHUUrMFpZcp2FnxfDadEr_MqDgqJfxdPsVExra0zTr5Tg0svBznAOVy3SVNGUjBpXkd95_8yBFjv-rpfpw/s200/SDC10553.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the bit cut out of the desk</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoabhj1kHzB9YdQ4i6UioFZttvlYVNgIjoEhTJn_X1ypKs7AiISagsBYnWuZ8hAE-Od0HEnv_PaYG51OUg3EK9Zc8koYEGMXnPLZwuI0e6_jokjJd3F1KWSZTjRQOheJXZhsVptPW6lF4/s1600/SDC10544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoabhj1kHzB9YdQ4i6UioFZttvlYVNgIjoEhTJn_X1ypKs7AiISagsBYnWuZ8hAE-Od0HEnv_PaYG51OUg3EK9Zc8koYEGMXnPLZwuI0e6_jokjJd3F1KWSZTjRQOheJXZhsVptPW6lF4/s200/SDC10544.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cell?</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hs60Xtng0OhDOleF9b8B0pBNqic7zWXnvm1OFKE8dhShjRynI7ZtMLNExxYOugBJ8OQcg2kqW8nTILWCGaO5Rxbyyxiq8CFP6APoKwygYurl1BmmAG9BjrbZzewLhIfdHZ_VaDEJRTM/s1600/SDC10546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hs60Xtng0OhDOleF9b8B0pBNqic7zWXnvm1OFKE8dhShjRynI7ZtMLNExxYOugBJ8OQcg2kqW8nTILWCGaO5Rxbyyxiq8CFP6APoKwygYurl1BmmAG9BjrbZzewLhIfdHZ_VaDEJRTM/s200/SDC10546.JPG" width="150" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I first walked in it looked like a cell. Seriously.
White painted walls, white-light wooden coloured furniture, 2m white
tiling around the sink, turquoise plastic floor. All the stuff in it is
really nice, with lots of storage space, a huuuge desk and a comfy bed. Don<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6111880215051483414" name="OLE_LINK2"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6111880215051483414" name="OLE_LINK1">’</a>t think I’ll be moving the stuff
around too much though, as it all looks nice and seems to be made to fit the
room. (For example, the desk has a bit
cut out of it so that the radiator pipes will fit). Typical German efficiency
there! I’ve now sorted out my room,
anyway. It looks a bit more homely – it
now has bedding, and pictures and cards all over the place. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6R9h7VH-Maau1mwZ5HOCScNt7cw4irBtIX3VQAxQTCotYiQN-jzYpDXv1VGcD2dilzpch1kne3AOUTPZGvDjYARodv2RUgsswHjUaNvebBqwplH-Vy9CoE_SFXPWxOUa2yAXovyg4MSE/s1600/SDC10548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6R9h7VH-Maau1mwZ5HOCScNt7cw4irBtIX3VQAxQTCotYiQN-jzYpDXv1VGcD2dilzpch1kne3AOUTPZGvDjYARodv2RUgsswHjUaNvebBqwplH-Vy9CoE_SFXPWxOUa2yAXovyg4MSE/s200/SDC10548.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNpimzE53gOAGLbLrbh8EliEVKAPrDrRHuzLtI0TZ75JRJtUwp_6QvyTXTquj3lcDM550Gi0F6Gt-KAxM59JxQielEw1UQqEDSQ6s5xL5OwQH9b1ntVmEynhgKqnXsBop2uO6gQmjQ8o/s1600/SDC10545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNpimzE53gOAGLbLrbh8EliEVKAPrDrRHuzLtI0TZ75JRJtUwp_6QvyTXTquj3lcDM550Gi0F6Gt-KAxM59JxQielEw1UQqEDSQ6s5xL5OwQH9b1ntVmEynhgKqnXsBop2uO6gQmjQ8o/s200/SDC10545.JPG" width="200" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLZ9vSbnXstehgE0-aDjmv5LC4riJdkjGqumWx2ozLhCc9qIJGFyePflfByLgfV1lM37HwEOE8BXC4jnFD1eGeSJoTVQa24woGYhzy4R-g9TiQsj-6c0Ys9ve023Azric7pnmT0gs_eI/s1600/SDC10547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLZ9vSbnXstehgE0-aDjmv5LC4riJdkjGqumWx2ozLhCc9qIJGFyePflfByLgfV1lM37HwEOE8BXC4jnFD1eGeSJoTVQa24woGYhzy4R-g9TiQsj-6c0Ys9ve023Azric7pnmT0gs_eI/s200/SDC10547.JPG" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think I might need to get a rug or
something for the floor, and maybe something for the walls. I’ve not put the pictures on the walls
because I have no curtains – something that I was not expecting at all! No bedding, I expected. No curtains... what?! There’s a curtain rail (it even features in
the inventory) but no curtains. I just
can’t get over it! Anyway, now my photos have made a kind-of curtain. The light didn’t wake me up this morning, so
I guess it’s ok, but I might go and get some anyway. You know, just to seem normal!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmSdyZYgBNB2hj8fbZ4KbO-wVVJXXiqzNJTrMXDMhrCoNwddn4_Gt1Lx_Iblu5SLRIicgU2hstqi-S9vvMiV6co3kAmf6xYcwZ93Dy_UbFa5JMoEJC3ElkMTJRDFwaa8okgi-tVruBcI/s1600/SDC10549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmSdyZYgBNB2hj8fbZ4KbO-wVVJXXiqzNJTrMXDMhrCoNwddn4_Gt1Lx_Iblu5SLRIicgU2hstqi-S9vvMiV6co3kAmf6xYcwZ93Dy_UbFa5JMoEJC3ElkMTJRDFwaa8okgi-tVruBcI/s320/SDC10549.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">THE HALLS</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The halls are alright.
In each flat (I’m in 46 F) there are a number of rooms – 11 in my
case. We all share two “Dusche-WC”
(bathrooms) and one was already claimed as the boys’ when I got here. Fine by me!
In the one that’s left (presumably the girls’) there are two toilets and
two showers. The showers are nice-
powerful and hot – and the toilets have the sink in the cubicle too. This bathroom is right next to the kitchen,
so I have to go upstairs. The Kitchen consists of a cooking area and a living
area. The cooking area has a cupboard
for each of us (we were given a key for it) and a lockable cupboard in the
fridge for each of us too. We have half
a drawer in the freezer, so I won’t be able to freeze so much stuff this year! There are about 6 hobs and an oven, a microwave
and a toaster. I think there was a
kettle too, but can’t quite remember.
There’s already a rubbish rota up that lasts until January, and it’s not
my turn until November, which suits me fine! All the rubbish is separated
here. The living area has a big table
for everyone to sit around, a sofa, a TV and a radio. I’ve only met one person who’s in my flat so
far – Johannes, who lives opposite. He
seems nice enough, but I’m kicking myself for turning down a tour of the
flat! Stupid girl. I’m yet to meet anyone else, partly because I
don’t really know what time people eat round here, partly because they still
have exams at the moment and partly because I’m actually quite scared of
meeting people. Silly, I know, but I’m
still in the “<i>argh-German-help!”</i>
stage. It’s so easy to just shut the
door of your room (especially as I’m at the end of a corridor) and isolate
yourself, which I mustn’t allow to happen!
Spent last night watching any TV I had downloaded already (<i>Cherry Healey’s Body Dilemmas</i> and <i>Doctor Who</i>) as had nothing else to do...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Side note: also yet to find the sauna.</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">THE UNI</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The main bit of uni isn’t even 5 minutes walk away from my
halls. I’ve managed to set up a Bank
Account (woo) even if the man decided to speak English to me just because I
misheard “data” (“Daten”) as “date” (“Datum”), which I think is an easy mistake
to make and would explain my confused face!
Still, I think he got the idea that I wasn’t totally stupid when I
understood what he was saying a bit later on, but I still would have much
rather he’s done it in German with me.
OH well! I’ve yet to explore
other areas of the campus – I think there’s a little shop here which sells
fresh bread and things. I also went over
to the International Centre, but there didn’t seem to be much happening, other
than a banner that said “Welcome International Students”. I need to try to get the Internet at some
point as well, but I have no idea where to get that from! I’m writing this on Thursday, so we’ll have
to see how long it takes for me to find it... It’s quite annoying as everything
is on the internet as well – all the posters say “register here *give internet
address*” and I can’t access emails either!
:’-(</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">THE CULTURE</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I took a trip to Lidl’s in Vaihingen (the village-y area
that the campus is attached to) yesterday and got a few things, but I’m already
noticing the lack of variety. No
chickpeas or kidney beans! Also couldn’t
find oil, rice, stock cubes or mince, which surprised me, but then maybe I’m
looking in the wrong place. I know that
there’s a market in Stuttgart, so I’ll have to go over there at some point and
see if they have a butcher or something!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So far I think I’ve done alright:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Good points:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">:) Got a room with bedding</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">:) Got food</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">:) Have at least one flat mate</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">:) Nice showers and toilets</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">:) Jumpers coming in handy</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bad points:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">:( No internet (therefore can’t transfer money to
account, can’t Skype, can’t email, can’t blog!)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">:( Acting like a recluse (therefore no friends and
therefore lonely L)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">:( No idea how to get internet (therefore no internet
– see above)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">:( No idea how to sign up to things to get involved
and stop acting like a recluse (therefore acting like a recluse – see above)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I have more good points than bad points, which must be
good really! It’s just easier to focus
on the bad things at the moment. Looking
forward to getting internet so that I can sign up for things and get in contact
with people!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">UPDATE: obviously now have internet!</span></div>
*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0Stuttgart, Germany48.7771056 9.180768848.6096891 8.8649118 48.9445221 9.4966257999999986tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-69431907083522433002011-09-30T09:49:00.000+01:002011-09-30T09:49:06.051+01:00[Pack all your troubles in your old kit bag]<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With a move to Germany now imminent (I'll be on a plane this time on Wednesday!) I thought it might be a good plan to actually write down what I want to pack. Putting this all in a suitcase and a half may well prove highly amusing. I've been seeing other people's photos of things they've taken to uni, and indeed looking back on my own two years ago...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I can tell you now that I am NOT taking anywhere near this many shoes...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEDV5aeNqnqLZyryzQhvGA6HabHr70PBB94KsGVk_28NI3gUVO_6DPrvjWOqvitS1rj3RLBOaB92WPyh-FVkZ-A9qQkfZEQrPeaI5alu0El4vKFBskd2AfC9j1kCkR47sm-XtU5akFWE/s1600/SDC10236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEDV5aeNqnqLZyryzQhvGA6HabHr70PBB94KsGVk_28NI3gUVO_6DPrvjWOqvitS1rj3RLBOaB92WPyh-FVkZ-A9qQkfZEQrPeaI5alu0El4vKFBskd2AfC9j1kCkR47sm-XtU5akFWE/s320/SDC10236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and that my TOTAL baggage will be more like this: </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW024K9UjclecUienlV-ItjigoPORvNlK1DlIRcAjQNroMOJATTnY2Ox2mB2GX4KQ9gJiAkAjZtG-rqufRNZUjO_eXN2fFw-GSYrMwU59BWAqBkmKhHOFFknEBOGsUN4K6mwqBiTK-oq8/s1600/SDC10210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW024K9UjclecUienlV-ItjigoPORvNlK1DlIRcAjQNroMOJATTnY2Ox2mB2GX4KQ9gJiAkAjZtG-rqufRNZUjO_eXN2fFw-GSYrMwU59BWAqBkmKhHOFFknEBOGsUN4K6mwqBiTK-oq8/s320/SDC10210.JPG" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">than this:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWCRb88vuAJvKplGfsAPNmhCorcXJWYRQWAad_DcCkBVjprqkGmaCjKbmYhfVxw5eEmEQqgmKfKVVFJqPzOzkGjcC1s-S7SLp4WBiddfFS5q_jBijSu5AOTvrIEbwavK1qm-gBDo1nAA/s1600/SDC10225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWCRb88vuAJvKplGfsAPNmhCorcXJWYRQWAad_DcCkBVjprqkGmaCjKbmYhfVxw5eEmEQqgmKfKVVFJqPzOzkGjcC1s-S7SLp4WBiddfFS5q_jBijSu5AOTvrIEbwavK1qm-gBDo1nAA/s320/SDC10225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">which it was when I first moved. As I say, this will be interesting, as my "to pack" list currently has in excess of 40 items on it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is it so far (in no particular order):</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Photos</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 x cook books + recipe book</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Clothes (I've shortened all clothes to this, as otherwise I'd be here all day...)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2 xTowels</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Baking Tray</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wooden spoon</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sharp knife</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3 x cutlery</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Toothbrush</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hair brush</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Laptop charger</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Laptop</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ethernet cable</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Phone charger</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Plug adapter</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Extension cable</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Batteries</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Voice Recorder</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pans</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Transcript & other documentation (eg offer letter)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Passport photos</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">E111</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Passport</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Purse</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Diary</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Pens</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hole punch</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stapler</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">New Testament (cos I have it in German)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Grammar sheets</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Make up</span></li>
</ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">That's it so far... can anyone think of anything else that I might need that I have forgotten?</span></div>*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-19335263031374295722011-09-28T10:00:00.000+01:002011-09-28T10:00:00.486+01:00THOUGHTFLASH: Children of God<div><br /></div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iECANaKSWUA">God Help The Outcasts</a><br /><br /><br />I love this song. Given my last post, I really think that we should be paying a bit more attention to Disney sometimes. <div><br /></div><div>In reality, how many of us are like the parishioners - selfish, asking for things that will only benefit ourselves? How many of us are like Esmerelda - "<i>I ask ask for nothing - I can get by. But I know so many less lucky than I</i>"? </div><div><br /></div><div>Food for thought, anyway.<br /><br /></div>*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-17278800188440920762011-09-27T11:20:00.006+01:002011-09-27T12:43:27.776+01:00Dared to move? Take TwoWell, I'd say that the post from my phone (however short, full of the ubiquitous [yes, I did just want to fit that word in] predictive text fails and generally unhelpful) was successful! Must remember that for my move to Germany next week. (That's quite scary)<div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I promised a Conference Blog, and so here it is. </div><div><br /></div><div>We (my Synod Secretary [SynSec], his wife and I) got to Conference on Friday, 1st July. We took a quick walk over the <a href="http://www.mwib.org.uk/">Methodist Women in Britain</a> (MWiB) event which was good fun, especially as we got cake! Met up with <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/rachic11">Rach</a> before leaving and meeting <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/gingermethodist">Matt</a>, and eventually other young people including <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/JPColenutt">John</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Graciepeng">Grace</a> and Christy-Anna, the (now ex-) Methodist Youth President. </div><div><br /></div><div>For those who don't know, Conference is an annual meeting of Methodists to make decisions and debate things across the Connexion (/country). It is never closed, only adjourned, so Conference could be called back at any time during the year. Conference's decision is weighty, as once Conference has decided something this becomes an official view of the Methodist Church (once it has gone through the appropriate and necessary time delays). </div><div><br /></div><div>This year, a lot of debating focussed on the Big Society, Poverty and Inequality, Reaffirmation of Baptism (which I didn't really think had enough time), and also some good stuff about Schools (which was more in a parallel session, but still raised some good questions/points). All of the main Conference debates can be found on the website, starting from the beginning, <a href="http://www.methodistconference.org.uk/southport-2011/2011-07-02">here</a>. Throughout Conference the Twitter engagement was amazing - I was sat next to my Chair of District (think Bishop equivalent) and he kept asking what people were saying! <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/DigiMission">DigiMission</a>'s <a href="http://www.digital-mission.net/archives/709">general</a> Twitter Infographic and <a href="http://www.digital-mission.net/archives/659">blog</a> make for very interesting and encouraging reading, and can describe the amazing reception of Twitter much better than I can, so I'm not even going to try.</div><div><br /></div><div>Something that I was listening to before Conference, and particularly brought to mind by Conference, was the Switchfoot song "Dare you to move". I would love the Church to take this as a direct challenge and call to action - a real "get up and go" shout that shows the world that even if they think we're dead and/or dying, there's a last breath in us yet! </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://revbrucethompson.wordpress.com/">Bruce Thompson</a>, the new Chair of District for Lincoln and Grimsby, gave a fantastic call to social responsibility last Sunday. I must admit that I got so caught up in what he was saying I can't remember exactly what he said, but I do remember that I liked it a lot. It was all about our ability to respond. As a Church, what is our ability to respond like? How often do we actually test these abilities - stretch them, prove them? Maybe we should do things like that more often. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Dare you to move:</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Welcome to the planet: welcome to existence. Everyone's here. <i>Everyone</i>'s here. Everybody's watching <i>you</i> now; everybody waits for <i>you</i> now. What happens next? What happens <i>next</i>? </div><div><br /></div><div>I dare you to move. I dare <i>you</i> to move. I dare you to <i>lift yourself</i> up off the floor. I<i> dare</i> you to move. I dare you to move like today <i>never happened</i>. Today never happened <i>before</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Welcome to the fallout: welcome to resistance. The tension is here. Tension is <i>here</i>: between who <i>you</i> are and who <i>you</i> <b>could</b> be; between how it is and how it <b>should be</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I dare you to move. I dare you to <i>move</i>. I dare you to lift yourself <i>up</i> off the floor. I dare <i>you</i> to move. I <i>dare</i> you to move like today never happened. Today <i>never happened</i> before.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe redemption has stories to tell - maybe forgiveness is right where you fell. Where can you run to escape from yourself? Where you gonna go? <i> Where you gonna go?</i></div><div><br /></div><div><u>Salvation</u> is <b>here</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I dare you to move. <i>I dare you to move.</i> I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor. I dare you to move. <i>I dare you to move like today never happened</i>. Today never happened before. <i>Today never happened.</i> Today never happened before.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(164, 164, 164); " ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(204, 204, 221); "></span></span></div>*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-33838267372417187442011-07-10T17:54:00.001+01:002011-07-10T17:54:56.405+01:00Dared to move?<div><p>Methodist conference, or #methconf to those who tweet, is a gathering of Methodists from across the connexion (and beyond, I'd such a thong exists) that lasted a week and finished on Thursday.  I'm in the process of ordering my thoughts on this, while working, and it's not proving too successful. Still, this is just a quick blog to reassure that my musings will appear soon. How soon i'm not sure, but soon.<br>
Hoping this posts, as it's the first time I've used my phone for a blog, but hopes are high!</p>
</div>*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-23740610890698599202011-03-12T17:28:00.002+00:002011-03-12T18:47:35.823+00:00[Belief over Misery]<p class="MsoNormal">So, again, not doing so well on the whole blogging-every-Sunday thing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But this time, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">this time</i>, I have a reason.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And a pretty darned good one too:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ve not been here.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My love of travelling combined with my feeling of being cooped up during exams meant that I had just over a month of not actually spending a weekend in Manchester.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was great fun, made my room extraordinarily messy (living out of suitcases just after a two week revision period and plain laziness will do that to you) and meant that I visited England, (Ireland through films/dreams), Scotland and Wales in less than a month.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Impressive, eh?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The weekend after my exams finished I went home, to see my brother’s pantomime.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He was surprisingly good – and I know I say that more out of surprise that he can actually do something than anything else.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think it really showed me that he’s not seven years old anymore, and can do things like act and sing in plays.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And be quite responsible, really.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mind you, he is 15 now and so I should really have seen it coming I suppose... but still.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ve seen it now – better late than never!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My Grandma was down that weekend too, which was also nice, and I got to see Cara, who I didn’t really see over Christmas (sad face <span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings"><span style="mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings">L</span></span>).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But it was indeed a lovely weekend!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt">The first weekend in February (after I’d spent the Friday morning in a lecture for a module I later found out I didn’t have to take) was spent in Aberystwyth.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And I must agree with Matt, it is very nice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>People are friendly, the sea is round the corner (literally) and everyone lives so close!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Having been shown all five of his “<a href="http://ramblingthoughtsofaginger.blogspot.com/2010/09/five-best-things-about-aberyswyth.html">Five Best Things About Aber</a>”. I must agree that all five are pretty good.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Here’s a quick review:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt">5: Hollywood Pizza does lovely deep-pan pizza, and I can totally understand Ruth’s mouth watering when we got back to eat it!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think that home-delivery for Matt, while on the border of being unacceptably lazy, has to be done.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The shop is literally 30 seconds’ walk (at a reasonable pace) from his front door... </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt">4: Consti does have a lovely view from the top, even if we were nearly blown off!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The place that sold ice-creams didn’t have any that I could see, but they did do Hot Chocolates!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Maybe I was still a bit early in the season.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Still, you really can see most of Aber (you can’t see the main campus) and all the different bits of it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was nice because later, when we walked down and through the town, we walked past places I’d seen from the top of the hill.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt">3: I’ve already mentioned how close everyone is to each other, but Aber is literally tiny.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As in, the furthest place from Matt’s house that we went to (other than Consti) was Morrisons, which is by the railway station, and that was literally 10 minutes’ walk.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He’s not exaggerating.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt">2: The sea front is indeed lovely to walk across.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There’s one sandy beach and one pebbly beach (the latter is used for bonfires, apparently, but it was too wet for fire while I was there) and the castle ruins overlooks both of them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We didn’t walk on the sandy beach, because of the sand, but we did walk across the pebbly one, and I found a pebble/rock thing that looked like a burger <span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings">J</span></span>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I also kicked the bar... but only because Matt told me to.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">1: All the people that I met in Aber were lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Everyone was really friendly (although I suppose they were all Matt’s friends, and so would be friendly...) and everyone seemed really happy too!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFKZPKrlo_Wt5uTXOVJFPCW_VhYEL3rxpjaGwo20u_u-mgyl48k6BbjiZrk06T6LxHDeLJ9GTjCeQZxajcCbQYENr7_s9LKW7RAxhQzkCbSivgzWOr9oF-S6lqEv_mY141IhEppevuyg/s1600/SDC10392.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFKZPKrlo_Wt5uTXOVJFPCW_VhYEL3rxpjaGwo20u_u-mgyl48k6BbjiZrk06T6LxHDeLJ9GTjCeQZxajcCbQYENr7_s9LKW7RAxhQzkCbSivgzWOr9oF-S6lqEv_mY141IhEppevuyg/s320/SDC10392.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583247203477504530" /></a>This is the Bar that I kicked, and needs to be kicked, for unknown reasons... You can see the paint coming off again already!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">The weekend after that I went to Glasgow, to visit Zoe.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Neither of us can remember what we did on the Thursday night, so we must have just chatted for ages.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On Friday we went into town and went shopping, which was nice, before rushing back to grab our Valentine’s Day cake to take to JSoc Friday night meal.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was very yummy (the cake and the meal!) and we stayed until about midnight, I think.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On Saturday we went into town again and met Emma, and spent a lovely afternoon wandering round Glasgow – to the Cathedral and the Museum of Religious Art and Life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And reading Maisy books, obviously... This was followed by a showing of a film at the Synagogue.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The film was hilarious – my favourite character by far was the Grandma.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I can’t remember the name, but rest assured it was very good!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094921/">Crossing Delancey</a> – that was it!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sunday was spent on a lovely walk through a park and some Botanic Gardens, followed by Pancakes (or rather, Crêpes) which were very yummy!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I had one with an apple filling, but Zoe and Emma had ones with chocolate filling, while Caitlin had a savoury one.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They all looked lovely!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The weekend after I went to visit my Grandma, which, as always, was lovely too.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I got in quite late on the Friday as I had labs, so when I got to Grimsby we just went shopping for about an hour in ASDA.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Good bargains to be had at about half past ten on a Friday night!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I saw one of my cousins on the Saturday, when he came over for lunch with his fiancée, and the other two on the Sunday, before catching my train back, which was nice.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The weekend after THAT I had at home, which was nice as it gave me chance to tidy up the house and sort out my room a bit, as last weekend my friend (and manager) Linda came to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This inevitably meant McDonalds, free Dominoes pizza, visits to the Museum of Science and Industry and the Manchester Museum, and CHEESE.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I found this good. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-char-type: symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings"><span style="mso-char-type:symbol; mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings">J</span></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">In between all of this, exam results came out – I had such a range of marks, it was somewhat ridiculous.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I failed an exam (sad times) which means I get to come back to Manchester in August to resit it, but then I got two 2.2s, two 2.1s and a 1<sup>st</sup>. Typical, really!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ve also now signed up to a revision skills workshop, which will teach me how to revise, I hope!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ll try to remember to let you know how that goes...</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And it’s Lent!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The main reason for my post, about a thousand words in... I wish I could just bash out my 750 word German essay like this.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ve got to 150 words and I don’t know what else I want to say... still, never mind.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It will come to me eventually, I hope.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lent.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Lent always strikes me as a bit of a funny season.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It seems like a much better time to start New Year’s Resolutions (see previous <a href="http://lifeisaboutlearningtodanceintherain.blogspot.com/2011/01/for-sake-of-auld-lang-syne.html">blog</a>) as I think that we’re much more likely to stick to them, as you only really have to do (nor not-do, depending) for 44 days between Shrove Tuesday and Easter Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This year, to help my New Year’s Resolution of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Eating More Healthily</i> (yeah, that hasn’t really happened too much...) I’ve given up Chocolate, and to help the New Year’s Resolution of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Being More Organised</i> I’ve given up Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s the latter that’s proving more difficult to be honest, or maybe I’m just more aware of it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ve also realised that all the passive news – that is, news that is news but not text-worthy news – that I get is now gone.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now I have to actually <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">talk</i> to people and listen to what they say if I want any information!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Haha.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Isn’t that a novel idea? </p><p class="MsoNormal">And what have I been doing with all this spare time, I hear you ask? I've been baking. Yes, my entire afternoon yesterday was not spent working, as it probably should have been, but in the kitchen. After making tea (Sweet and Sour vegetables) I then proceeded to bake a very yummy Victoria Sponge (even if I do say so myself), some thick chewy Oatmeal and Sultana cookies (I didn't have raisins) and, for the first time ever, some Challah. The recipes for the last two I got from Deb at <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/">Smitten Kitchen</a>, and she is wonderful. She takes lovely pictures of her food as well, which mean that you really want to make them! Challah, by the way for those who don't know, is bread made using eggs. Because it doesn't use milk or butter, it's pareve, which means that it's neither meat nor milk so can be eaten with either! It was a bit too gooey going into the oven I think, but better luck next time!</p></div>*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-8487993265844234572011-01-25T00:34:00.003+00:002011-09-27T13:08:44.474+01:00[You'll come back...]<p class="MsoNormal">So this last week (apparently) we were supposed to be all about Christian Unity. I’ve read lots of interesting discussions about this recently – both on Facebook and blogs (including <a href="http://ramblingthoughtsofaginger.blogspot.com/2011/01/thoughts-on-christian-unity.html">Matt’s</a>, <a href="http://theconnexion.net/wp/?p=9338">Richard’</a>s and <a href="http://methodistpreacher.blogspot.com/2011/01/christian-unity-to-lowest-common.html">David’s</a>) – all of whom have very interesting points to make.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And I must say that it’s challenged me.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’ve never really thought about it before.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I mean, I know I like Methodism, but I’ve never really thought of why that is, other than the fact that I’ve grown up with it, so I’m used to it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ve been to FURY (Fellowship of United Reformed Youth) as well as MYC/MYA (Methodist Youth Conference/Assembly respectively – the former before the latter) and, as lovely and welcoming as FURY were (and are, I hasten to add!) MYC/A still feels like home.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’ve come to the conclusion that my idea of Christian Unity may be very different from other people’s.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was sure that I’d read in one of the aforementioned blogs about Christianity being like a family, but when I just had a quick look (I started writing this at least a week ago) I couldn’t find it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Anyway, a family is just what I see Christianity as being.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I don’t think that this is a new idea, or an unusual metaphor.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In fact, I think we might use it so often we forget about the meaning.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m the last one that needs to be reminded about the differences I have with other Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Whether these are things I’m not sure of myself, things I know I have a very set view on (which I know others disagree with) I recognise that we all think different things.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But that’s fine.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And yes, I will pray that we all come closer together as a family, because I do not think that this means that we all need to be the same.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For example, say my Uncle Bob thinks that I do not have the right or the means to talk to God directly, and have to go to a priest.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If that’s what Uncle Bob thinks, that’s great, good for him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I, on the other hand, think that I can talk to God whenever I want, and don’t need a priest to act as a bridge between us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My cousin Fred, however, might think that I can only make a decision about what I believe once I’m 21.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think that while this has good and bad points, an individual should be allowed to make their own decision about when they are ready to publically declare their faith.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m sure you get the idea – just because we don’t agree on everything doesn’t make us love each other any less or make us any less of a family.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In fact, it makes us stronger and closer, as no matter who comes to join us at the dinner table, there will be someone else there that can relate to the guest. (The dinner table wasn’t meant as a theological reference, by the way, although I see the parallels.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It just happens to be where most new people are introduced to my particular family).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">All in all, what I’m trying to say is be who you are, be what you want, so long as you show love and respect to everyone else.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That means not pushing your views onto other people, as this will only cause argument.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>By all means discuss your views, so long as at the end of the day you can just agree to disagree.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This works (to a large extent) in a normal family, so why not in the Church?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I realise that to some this may be an idyllic scenario, but I really don’t see why it can’t work.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I may just be unbelievably naive, or we, as a Church, are just incredibly stupid.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Think about it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In other news, exams are nearly over now (2/3rds done, 2 to go) and I have a busy few weekends lined up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This blogging every week thing is not going to go well.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’d just like to leave you with the lyrics to a brilliant song I’ve recently discovered.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s called “The Call” by Regina Spektor.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I must admit that Matt’s been on at me for a while to listen to her, but I’ve just not got round to it, or forgotten.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Still, youtube it if you have a couple of minutes to spare.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Think about the lyrics while you’re listening – they’re quite moving.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You might recognise it from the Narnia series – great films.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;color:black">It started out as a feeling, which then grew into a hope, which then turned into a quiet thought</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;color:black">, w<span class="apple-style-span">hich then turned into a quiet word, and then that word grew louder and louder</span>, <span class="apple-style-span">'til it was a battle cry.</span><br /><span class="apple-style-span">I'll come back when you call me - no need to say goodbye.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Just because everything's changing </span>d<span class="apple-style-span">oesn't mean it's never been this way before; all you can do is try to know</span> <span class="apple-style-span">who your friends [and family?] are as you head off to the war.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Pick a star on the dark horizon</span> a<span class="apple-style-span">nd follow the light.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You'll come back when it's over - no need to say good bye.</span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">You'll come back when it's over - no need to say good bye.</i></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Now we're back to the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It's just a feeling and no one knows yet</span>, <span class="apple-style-span">but just because they can't feel it too doesn't mean that you have to forget.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Let your memories grow stronger and stronger, 'til they're before your eyes.</span><br /><span class="apple-style-span">You'll come back when they call you - no need to say good bye.</span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">You'll come back when they call you - no need to say good bye</i></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">.<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;color:black">How true is this for us, if “they” are your family?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Either your brothers and sisters through blood, your chosen brothers and sisters, or your brothers and sisters in Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Will you come back when they call you?</span></span></p>*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-34964157345535883362011-01-12T17:54:00.007+00:002011-09-27T12:58:02.627+01:00[for the sake of auld lang syne]<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> 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</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Well, my attempts at writing a new blog every Sunday went well, didn’t they? Let’s change it slightly to a new blog once a month on a Sunday – this might be more realistic and therefore more achievable ;)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">A couple of the blogs I’ve read recently (<a href="http://lookingforlimerence.blogspot.com/2011/01/twothousandandeleven.html">Fiona’s</a> <span style=""></span>and <a href="http://thoughtsfromyetjustanotherpasserby.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-years-resolution.html">Bx’s</a>) are about New Year’s Resolutions (or lack of them).<span style=""> </span>I’ve always said something along the lines of “My New Year’s Resolution is to not make any more New Year’s Resolutions” which has always worked well enough for me.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>So, this got me thinking... why on earth to we actually make resolutions?<span style=""> </span>If we’re all secretly alright with who we are (which we are, otherwise we would have made these changes long ago) why do we bother with making (or attempting to make) all these changes to ourselves and our lifestyles?<span style=""> </span>I had a look into it and it all dates back to the Romans, you’ll be pleased to hear.<span style=""> </span>Basically, Janus (where the word January comes from) has two heads, and so can look forwards and backwards at the same time (how he copes with this as well as being a man I have no idea) and is therefore ideally placed to have a look at new beginnings, which, of course, is what the New Year is all about.<span style=""> </span>Good ol’ <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year%27s_resolution">Wikipedia</a> gave me a few statistics about New Year’s Resolutions – 12% of people actually achieve their resolutions.<span style=""> </span>It doesn’t give a timeframe for this... but I guess it’s within the year.<span style=""> </span>It was interesting to find out that men achieve their targets more often when they set themselves a goal, whereas women are more likely to achieve when they make their goals common knowledge and get support.<span style=""> </span>I guess women don’t really like to lose face, or be seen to be incompetent... I know I certainly don’t.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">This year, however, I feel that 20 years’ worth of living is a suitable number to reassess one’s life and to make changes.<span style=""> </span>(Yes, I’ve been here for a grand total of two decades.<span style=""> </span>Scary stuff!)<span style=""> </span>After all, a new habit is formed after a period of six weeks.<span style=""> </span>This means that if you get up at 5am every week for six weeks, you’ll want to go to get up at 5am on the seventh week.<span style=""> </span>I’m not going to pretend that I’ve read much into it (if at all) or that I understand psychology, but on the face of it, this sounds good enough for me.<span style=""> </span>So, New Year’s Resolutions, I hear you ask?<span style=""> </span>Here are my three:</p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style=""><span style="">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span> Lose a couple of stone</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I think that this will do me good.<span style=""> </span>According to BMI-ness I’m overweight, so getting rid of a couple of stone would be quite nice.<span style=""> </span>There’s also the fact that I’ve been invited to three weddings this summer, and losing some weight would mean that I think that I’d look nicer in dresses, which would then make me feel nicer and so would make me look nicer.<span style=""> </span>I hope that makes sense, but if not, oh well.<span style=""> </span>I know what I mean!<span style=""> </span>I plan to do this by:</p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style=""><span style="">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span> Eating healthily</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My Brother got me a cookbook for Christmas that has 114 healthy recipes in it, and my Grandma got me a Jamie Oliver cookbook as well.<span style=""> </span>I think this will mean that I’ll have more variety in my cooking and be more aware of what I eat.<span style=""> </span>I was feeling quite tired before Christmas, probably due to my essentially vegetarian diet at uni, which meant that I didn’t have so much iron.<span style=""> </span>However, I’m into the habit of eating fresh fruit (not quite there on the veg yet – something to work on!) and eating at sensible times and in sensible amounts.<span style=""> </span>Just got to keep it up!</p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style=""><span style="">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span> Going to the gym</p> <p class="MsoNormal">A couple of my friends in Manchester have committed to (between them) doing 5 hours of cardiovascular exercise a week with me.<span style=""> </span>While I appreciate that this won’t tone me as much as reps will, it’s good to have variety, and their support will really be useful.<span style=""> </span>Reps and stretches I can do at home, which is nice (especially in the colder weather) and I invested in a weighted skipping rope a while ago, which I should really use.<span style=""> </span>So, I think that the gym twice a week at least isn’t too unrealistic... right?</p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style=""><span style="">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span> Be more disciplined</p> <p class="MsoNormal">As I am now 20 I feel that I should have a greater grasp of my life.<span style=""> </span>I need to actually care about what I look like most of the time as opposed to only some of the time.<span style=""> </span>This means that I should do my hair so it is acceptable every morning, wear makeup if the situation requires it, get dressed before noon every day and actually do some work.<span style=""> </span>This means that I will have to have more will power...<span style=""> </span>I WILL do a bit of work every day.<span style=""> </span>Honest. <span style=""> </span>:/<span style=""> </span>This also includes things like making home-cooked food, keeping the house and my room tidy as much as is humanly possible, and not getting so carried away by dreams that I forget to concentrate what’s happening here and now.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style=""><span style="">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span> Saving the best 'til last... I’ll start all this tomorrow.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s well reported that January is the worst time ever to start a resolution.<span style=""> </span>With all the over-eating from Christmas and New Year, the added pressure of (in my case) exams at uni and meeting up with everyone again after Christmas, it’s highly likely that a weight loss plan will only be in place for a month, maximum, and as we all start off with more weight to shift, we stop as soon as we get back to the weight we were before Christmas.<span style=""> </span>Hope that made sense – it was a rather long sentence.<span style=""> </span>:/ <span style=""> </span>I know a stitch in time saves nine, but too much change in too short a period could spell disaster.<span style=""> </span>The question is, am I ready to take the risk that this change could bring?<span style=""> </span>I quite like who I am, really.<span style=""> </span>I know I say I could do with losing a couple of stone and being more focussed and disciplined, but I’m still young.<span style=""> </span>I like my friends, and will they still like me if I aim for this perfection?<span style=""> </span>(I’m sure they will, don’t get me wrong... but it’s all stuff to consider). <span style=""> </span>Tomorrow never dies, so I don’t really have too much to worry about...</p><p class="MsoNormal">I was going to put one of those really well known everyday sayings on the end of this blog, but I've completely forgotten what it was. Oh - that was it! (My mind goes every so often, I'm sorry) The best thing to consider while deciding on New Years' Resolutions (in my opinion)?</p><p class="MsoNormal">"Be who you are, and say what you feel. Because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." - Dr Seuss<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-1497868139158997472010-12-05T23:23:00.002+00:002010-12-05T23:29:57.467+00:00Ne me quitter pas<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> 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mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">I once again apologise for not blogging in time and a half.<span style=""> </span>However, I now have a Plan (that’s right, with a capital P).<span style=""> </span>Would you like to know what this Plan entails?<span style=""> </span>I thought you would.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="">:)</span></span> After visiting <a href="http://www.tracyindeutschland.blogspot.com">Tracy’s blog</a> (a very insightful glimpse of life as a student doing Pais in Germany, if you’re interested) she inspired me to have a set time each week to put aside and devote to blogging.<span style=""> </span>It’s something that I like doing and so I should make time for it, right?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Anyway, like Tracy, I’ve decided that a Sunday afternoon is as good a time as any to make my blogging time.<span style=""> </span>I don’t really have time in the week, even though I’m a student (I know, I honestly do have lectures... it’s not that I’m off gallivanting to London every week to protest, although more on that in a later post) and a Saturday is a day to relax, and do (even more) Uni work. <span style=""> </span>I’m not saying that all posts will appear on a Sunday – it might be that I have extra stuff to talk about!<span style=""> </span>It also helps that with quite a lot going on in Methodism and national Student life, which means that I feel like I have more to actually blog about.<span style=""> </span>Plus it’s getting close to Christmas! <span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="">:)</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, on with the Blogging.<span style=""> </span>You may remember in my last post that I decided that I was going to try to do more than just Chem Eng and connexional (national) Methodism this year.<span style=""> </span>It’s kind of worked... I’ve been to the gym and Chem Eng Netball a couple of times, which is good, but that’s about it really.<span style=""> </span>I’ve been to a Carol Service that the CU organised too, and I might see about going to a couple more of their things in the New Year.<span style=""> </span>I’ve been managing to get across to my Grandma’s about once a month, which is good.<span style=""> </span>It seems to be the 2<sup>nd</sup> or 3<sup>rd</sup> weekend in the month, so that’s nice for me and for her.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Recently connexional Methodism is the one that’s been keeping me amused.<span style=""> </span>A couple of weeks ago the Methodist Youth Assembly (MYA) took place in Swindon.<span style=""> </span>This, for those who don’t know/haven’t been, is the second such event of its kind.<span style=""> </span>This year the theme was “Think, Talk, Be like Disciples”.<span style=""> </span>MYA is an adaptation of the previous Methodist Youth Conference (MYC) but is much more interactive in that instead of discussions about every resolution, there are workshops (“Think”) about several topics instead.<span style=""> </span>These are lead by facilitators, which, this year, was one young facilitator and an expert.<span style=""> </span>Some of us (i.e. me) were lucky enough to have a consultant as well – mine was in the form of Mark Wakelin, a Connexional Red (which translates to him being a member of the Connexional Leaders’ Forum).<span style=""> </span>I was talking about “Why Methodism” which was, essentially, looking at the origins, structure, stereotypes, catechisms and future of the Church.<span style=""> </span>We looked at a video of <a href="http://vimeo.com/14270590">Bob</a> (if you want to take a look) and if maybe this would be a good way of making CPD and the catechisms more accessible.<span style=""> </span>If you think this is a good idea, let us know!<span style=""> </span>(By us, I obviously mean the Methodist Church... find out more on the <a href="http://methodist.generous.org.uk/">Generous website</a>)<span style=""> </span>There were other workshops too, with topics covering a wide range of subjects from the future to sports to worship.<span style=""> </span>There were also workshops (“Talk”) to see what the youth in the Methodist Church thought about a few issues that the Methodist Conference (the big decision making body of the Church) thought should be discussed.<span style=""> </span>These included Abortion, the Future of the Presidency, the Lord’s Supper and Education.<span style=""> </span>All in all I think (and hope) that the young people who came (from as far as Scotland and the Channel Islands) really enjoyed the weekend, and I hope that they got a lot out of it.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Apart from the Methodist Church seemingly ignoring the rather large chunk of Great Britain (as in the parts that aren’t England) I think the weekend went well, especially as substantial budget cuts had to be accounted for.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sunday morning I was my usual tearful self – the services at these events really touch me.<span style=""> </span>I really struggle with the overwhelming sense of unworthiness that always surrounds me, especially at events such as these.<span style=""> </span>This could be a topic for a later post, another day... </p> <p class="MsoNormal">... another pointless story <span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="">:)</span></span></p>*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-84668329818452286542010-08-11T19:42:00.004+01:002010-09-24T18:09:48.364+01:00[ora pro nobis peccatoribus]I am appalled with myself.<br />I have made about 3 posts in the last year, which, at the risk of sounding repetitive, is appalling. I do apologise to my usual reader(s?) (that's you Bx) but I either haven't known what to write about, or have been too "busy" or just generally forgotten.<br />It's appalling.<br /><br />This last year has been one of the toughest, and most enjoyable, years of my life. That I can remember, anyway - I'm sure that the year that my brother was born was a barrel of laughs as well, but I'm actually old enough to appreciate things more this year. Well, I'm not 5.<br />This year, I moved out.<br />This year, I went to university.<br />This year, quite a few things I thought I knew turned upside down.<br /><br />In September, I moved out of the house in Maidenhead to the flat in Manchester. It was more than just a physical act of shifting my stuff out of the house - it was an emotional move too. I've always referred to wherever I'm staying as "home" but referring to Maidenhead as "home" now just seems strange. I know I say "I normally live in Manchester, but..." quite often now. It seems to just roll off the tongue, and I love our house in Manchester to bits. But more on that later.<br />Time flew by, as time generally does, and I got all settled and made friends that I'm sure will last quite a while. Well, if we're still friends now after several months apart, it's got to bode well, right?<br /><br />I can't believe that all of that was a year ago. I'm going to try to join more societies and be more active in things other than Chem Eng and Connexional Methodism this year. Let's see how that one turns out...*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-26676645357063886152010-01-18T21:51:00.002+00:002010-01-18T21:54:00.530+00:00[fight for this love]And I’ve done it again! It’s terrible – I know that I’ve not blogged for a while, but to be honest I just haven’t felt like it. With the addition of Methodism, coursework deadlines, and (most recently) supposed revision, it doesn’t really feel like I’ve had much to blog about, either. The mundanities of everyday life can only take us so far...<br /><br />Onwards then. A new year, and a new decade. It’s 2010 already, which means that although I’m 19 I’ve already lived in two millennia and three decades. Perhaps as a result of still being in the education system, I don’t feel altogether “new” or “refreshed”. This is more likely to happen in September, when the New Year from both an academic and Methodist standpoint begins, but most often doesn’t happen at all. Maybe it’s the way that we spend the New Year - the same every time.<br /><br />Every year, my parents, brother and I pack everything into the big car to go up to my Grandparents’, to spend the New Year with them. I’m absolutely positive that we took more stuff this year than ever before – I’m sure that the four of us took more stuff up there for the four nights we were there than I took up to uni for four months. It was slightly ridiculous, especially as my father (in his ultimate wisdom) had decided that of course the car could be packed the day before, and that nothing was going into the boot the morning of our departure (as we were leaving “between eight and half past”). While my father is very clever, common sense is not one of his strongest points, and so, at about quarter to eight on the rather chilly Wednesday morning, I found myself trying to creep out of the house to put essentials (such as a toothbrush and hairbrush) into the boot of the car, as I did not fancy holding them for the next 10 hours. (Yes, 10 hours, as our journey up to my Grandparents’ house in Lincolnshire was broken up by a visit to my aunt and uncle’s house in Derbyshire and a visit to my Nan in Sheffield). If you’re interested, I did get them into the car without being spotted, and was sat in the car, ready to go, at eight. My father was the last in the car, at about twenty past...<br /><br />Anyway, enough with the whole catch-up session that wasn’t. I was amazed when I got home that<br />a. My brother is now taller than me and<br />b. He likes Cheryl Cole’s “Fight for this Love”.<br />(This isn’t part of the catch-up session that wasn’t as it’s actually to do with what I want to say... when I get round to it!)<br /><br />This new song has grown on me, I must admit. I didn’t really like it when I first heard it (but then, that was on X Factor...) but as I’ve heard it more and more I actually like it now. It was in my head most of the day today, and I often wonder if songs come into our heads because we’re trying to tell ourselves something. This might sound really rather odd, but I think if it’s happened to you you’ll know what I mean.<br /><br />The song actually says a lot. Not only is Cheryl Cole beautiful, she is also perceptive:<br />“Too much of anything can make you sick - Even the good can be a curse.<br />Makes it hard to know which road to go down; Knowing too much can get you hurt.<br />Is it better? Is it worse? Are we sitting in reverse? It's just like we're going backwards. I know where I want this to go. Driving fast but let's go slow - What I don't wanna do is crash, no /<br />Just know that you're not in this thing alone; There's always a place in me you can call home. Whenever you feel like we're growing apart, Let's just go back, back, back, back, back to the start. Anything that's worth having is sure enough worth fighting for. Quitting's out of the question - When it gets tough gotta fight some more. We gotta fight, fight, fight, fight, fight for this love!<br />We gotta fight, fight, fight, fight, fight for this love! We gotta fight, fight, fight, fight, fight for this love! If it's worth having it's worth fighting for. Now every day ain't gon' be no picnic. Love ain't a walk in the park. All you can do is make the best of it now, Can't be afraid of the dark. I don't know where we're heading, I'm willing and ready to go. We've been driving so fast we just need to slow down and just roll...”<br /><br />Fighting for something isn’t exactly a new concept in any culture. But fighting for love? I suppose it makes sense if you think about it. A quote that I was quite fond of a while ago was “Find something you love, then be prepared to fight for it”. While I had this as my MSN personal message, someone asked me if I was going to fight for them. At the time, I had no idea what to say. Now, I think I would, if I had to. Casualty also had this fighting theme running through it – some of my favourite quotes:<br />- “That’s what I want from you...bit of fight”<br />- “I’m happy. I don’t need to fight”<br />- “ <span style="font-style: italic;">‘You don’t need to fight’</span>... I wouldn’t be here without fight...As long as there is breath left in my body, I will fight. You will learn that”<br /><br />Those were all taken from a conversation Jess (a nurse) was having with her terminally ill mother, while in hospital. Even taken out of context, I think that there’s a lot we can learn from this. The implication that if you’re happy, you don’t need to fight is rather challenging, and one that I’m not sure I agree with. Food for thought.<br /><br />The other two quotes that I also liked were:<br />- “Will you stop making me feel guilty about who I am?”<br />- “You’re not strong enough for this... sometimes you just have to accept things the way they are”<br />Both of which I think apply right now.<br /><br />(all copyrights etc to Cheryl Cole and Casualty, btw...)*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-61355364984899477952009-11-08T13:38:00.004+00:002011-09-27T13:08:24.048+01:00[whisper words of wisdom, let it be]<link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CEm%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CEm%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> 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table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Once more, I have discovered that I haven’t blogged for a while.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>This is partly due to the fact that I’ve moved to university, and, given the rather large work load, I simply haven’t had the time.<span style=""> </span>When I have had the time, and not been in lectures or working on lab reports or being sociable with flatmates, I have had no idea what to blog about.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s all very well just randomly rambling on, but I’m not sure that that’s really my style, if I even have a style.<span style=""> </span>Why do I blog?<span style=""> </span>Why do any of us blog?<span style=""> </span>I think that my blogging is more, as is said at the top of the page, to air my thoughts rather than to really expect any response or even to promote thought.<span style=""> </span>Of course, that is a plus – if I make people stop and think, just for a second, about something that then makes them feel better about themselves, or makes them appreciate other people or go out and do something themselves, that has to be a good thing, right?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’m currently listening to Nessun Dorma.<span style=""> </span>I really would recommend classical music for anyone, even if they don’t think that they’ll like it at first.<span style=""> </span>There is something in not understanding what exactly is being said, but knowing that it is beautiful that frees the soul.<span style=""> </span>The mellowness, sadness, hopefulness and simple truth of it just amazes me.<span style=""> </span>My soul soars, swoops and glides when such music is played.<span style=""> </span>I am buoyed up by the strength of the voices that express such feeling with which anyone who is human can empathise.<span style=""> </span>Holst is wonderful – Jupiter from the Planets Suite is just magical to me.<span style=""> </span>It always makes me feel hopeful and feel of some emotion that I can’t quite name.<span style=""> </span>This emotion isn’t entirely new to me, I must admit.<span style=""> </span>The familiarity of it does not make it any easier to identify.<span style=""> </span>Whether it’s pride, or connection, or simply unconditional love, I have no idea.<span style=""> </span>What I do know is that the same people and the same things always inspire it in me.<span style=""> </span>And these people and things are not always those that I would expect. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Unconditional love is a funny thing.<span style=""> </span>I’m just beginning to discover that sometimes, it doesn’t matter what some people do or do not do, you’ll love them all the same.<span style=""> </span>This is somewhat problematic in that unconditional love does not correspond to unconditional lack of pain.<span style=""> </span>Someone who you love unconditionally can still hurt you, even if they don’t mean to.<span style=""> </span>Sometimes they do it more because they don’t realise.<span style=""> </span>And sometimes it’s just your fault.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes, however, unconditional love can lead to amazing things.<span style=""> </span>Just the other night, for example, I was with my grandparents.<span style=""> </span>It was Reading Week, so I decided to go across to their house near Grimsby for a couple of days instead of doing what most of my flatmates were doing, which was going home.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Grandma and Grandad’s is really like a home from home for me.<span style=""> </span>Of course, being one of those people where home is where you happen to be staying (home is where you plant your anchor, my Grandma says<span style=""> </span>- it’s an old Merchant Navy term apparently, nicked from my Grandad) home from home applies to most places I stay.<span style=""> </span>Still, I went to my Grandparents’, for what was originally going to just be a couple of nights.<span style=""> </span>However, for one reason or another, I ended up staying for 4 nights.<span style=""> </span>On my last night, my Grandad and I had such fun.<span style=""> </span>Admittedly, we were both probably slightly tipsy (no understatement) and it came to pudding.<span style=""> </span>My Grandad proposed having sponge cake with ginger sauce, courtesy of ASDA, and that sounded brilliant to me.<span style=""> </span>We found the sponges out of the freezer, read the instructions, and put the sponges in the microwave, before promptly taking cover behind the nearest cupboards.<span style=""> </span>It was amazing.<span style=""> </span>We hid for maybe a good thirty seconds, which I know doesn’t sound too long but for a 79 year old man and his 18 year old grandaughter it was really quite a while.<span style=""> </span>Then my Grandma starts laughing at us, and we realise that, in fact, the microwave really isn’t about to explode due to the change in pressure of the cartons of sponge due to the change in heat.<span style=""> </span>When a mechanical and chemical engineer get together, there really are hilarious scientific consequences.<span style=""> </span>When this is followed by a film (cowboy) in which we count off the “dead” cowboys by our very sophisticated “il est mort... maintenant il y a trois... il est mort... maintenant il y a doux... il est mort... maintenant il y a un... il est mort... maintenant je pense que c’est tout” it shows the depth of our grandfather-grandaughter relationship.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My grandad is really one of the most amazing people I know.<span style=""> </span>When I think about how much he’s learnt, been though and achieved it makes me wonder about how I can possibly do him proud as his grandaughter.<span style=""> </span>I know that we’re different people, in different circumstances, with different views on life and the world in general, but even having said that, any major decision I make will always go through Grandad, for as long as he lives.<span style=""> </span>And I hope that that’s a long time, although common sense tells me that if I’m lucky he’ll see my graduation.<span style=""> </span>Until then, and beyond, my primary purpose in life is to make him proud to call me his grandaughter.<span style=""> </span>This may seem like a pretty pointless purpose to some – where is the point in living for someone else?<span style=""> </span>But I can assure you that the pride I see in his eyes when he knows what I’ve achieved makes me one of the happiest people alive.<span style=""> </span>Maybe that’s wrong, but it’s how I feel.<span style=""> </span>And I’m sure that anyone who’s ever felt the same would agree with me.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’ve moved on now, from Nessun Dorma to I dreamed a dream from Les Mis.<span style=""> </span>That’s another thing that my grandad loves – Les Mis.<span style=""> </span>Part of the reason I love it is probably because he does.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>I dreamed a dream is such an old person’s song; I often feel that I don’t have the right to think that I emphasise with it.<span style=""> </span>Do you ever feel that sometimes you’re just not allowed to feel certain things, because you’ve not lived long enough?<span style=""> </span>That you can only truly understand the feeling behind something if you’ve experienced a certain thing?<span style=""> </span>I do.<span style=""> </span>“<i style="">I was young and unafraid...</i>” just cries out that as you get older you will get more frightened.<span style=""> </span>Of what?<span style=""> </span>As a young child, you see adults as having no fear, nothing holding them back.<span style=""> </span>Obviously as you yourself get older and closer to this adulthood that you revered so much when you were younger, you see that there is, in fact, more to lose but so much more to be gained.<span style=""> </span>Is it risk then, that we fear?<span style=""> </span>I’m limited when it comes to taking risks.<span style=""> </span>If the thing that I am risking will only affect me, then often I’ll go for it.<span style=""> </span>When the risk affects others, I’ll consider it a lot more carefully, but still probably take it.<span style=""> </span>There are only a few people that I would never take risks with, purely because I love them so much.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And here we are, again.<span style=""> </span>Back to love.<span style=""> </span>Not necessarily unconditional, but love all the same.<span style=""> </span>It is a fickle thing.<span style=""> </span>I have heard love described as a thing rather than a feeling, as you can’t promise a feeling forever.<span style=""> </span>Love is a state of mind, I think.<span style=""> </span>Everyone has their own idea of what love is.<span style=""> </span>And this is not something that can be easily described.<span style=""> </span>Love is when one person does something for another without expecting anything in return.<span style=""> </span>Love is precious, and love is kind.<span style=""> </span>Love is used too often, as there is more than one type of love.<span style=""> </span>I can say “I love you” to my family and friends and for it to mean something totally different from an “I love you” to a boyfriend.<span style=""> </span>And note that this isn’t an “I love what you do”, it’s an “I love <i style="">you</i>”, for who <i style="">you </i>are.<span style=""> </span>You can do the most terrible things in the world, and I won’t love them, but I will still love <i style="">you</i>.<span style=""> </span>Do you see where I’m going with this?<span style=""> </span>Maybe not.<span style=""> </span>Maybe I’m just there again, rambling on to myself.<span style=""> </span>Maybe it is my blogging style.<span style=""> </span>Who knows?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">A perfect date for me, by the man who really knew me, would be to go to the theatre and listen to Jupiter or Nessun Dorma.<span style=""> </span>The man would have to really know me, as I would never tell him that.<span style=""> </span>He’d have to really know me, as I strongly suspect that I would, at some point in the evening, end up in floods of tears and I’d hate for him to think that it was his fault.<span style=""> </span>But where would one find a man willing to take you to the theatre?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’m not a feminist, as you may have noticed.<span style=""> </span>I’m all for men holding doors open for me, pulling out my chair for me to sit down, and being generally chivalrous.<span style=""> </span>It’s what I’ve been brought up to expect.<span style=""> </span>Having said that, I’m not exactly some meek, docile possession, either.<span style=""> </span>As a woman in a man’s field – I’m studying Chemical Engineering – I know how dangerous this stance can be.<span style=""> </span>Not physically, of course, but career-wise.<span style=""> </span>If you always expect men to be chivalrous, you are going to be vastly disappointed.<span style=""> </span>If you expect them to be rude, uncouth and generally unappealing then, every so often, you will be pleasantly surprised.<span style=""> </span>I’m not saying this to have a dig at men – and please forgive me if that’s what you think I’m doing.<span style=""> </span>I’m not trying to say that all men are idiots, I’m just saying that if you expect them to be idiots, when you find one who isn’t you’ll appreciate it all the more.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Moving on rather swiftly before I offend any more...<span style=""> </span>I dreamed a dream is a beautiful song.<span style=""> </span>It can be taken on so many levels – not least in the literal and metaphorical senses.<span style=""> </span>I really recommend these songs if you have nothing to do for five minutes, by the way.<span style=""> </span>They really are lovely.<span style=""> </span>Not necessarily the happy, smiley, bouncy everything-is-fine lovely, but the strong, true, sure lovely.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Which, incidentally, is the much nicer lovely in my opinion.<span style=""> </span>I’d take the lovely of truth over the lovely of fakery any day, whether that truth is harsher, rawer, and more volatile than the falsehood or not.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Send in the clowns is another haunting melody.<span style=""> </span>It’s almost sad, but sad is the wrong word.<span style=""> </span>It makes me cry.<span style=""> </span>I’m sat listening to it now and it feels as though tears about to come streaming down my face.<span style=""> </span>It’s the worst thing about music.<span style=""> </span>It makes you feel all these things that simply can’t be explained.<span style=""> </span>Right now, all I want is a cuddle.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">That’s it, and I’m not going to get one.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Not entirely sure what this blog has achieved, but there we go...</p>*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-56680419391171920372009-08-26T18:16:00.005+01:002011-09-27T13:07:36.891+01:00[the smell of hope]So I'm sat in my room (which is, once again, a tip by the way) leaning back in my (rather comfy) chair and listening to MCR (just changed) while looking out of the window at the dreary sky. It's grey. I have no problem with grey, mind, just I prefer the sky to be blue or black. That's all.<br /><br />Anyway. I can't believe I got back from holiday only a week ago today. So much seems to have happened in that time.<br /><br />From staying at Linda's that night and going out to smokies - to keep our mind off the next day - to finding out about 11 hours later that we'd both got into our unis I think I had about 3-4 hours sleep. Linda found it hilarious that I described results as being like Christmas. It is, honestly. You have to wait til a set time to be able to open them and find out what you got. Like Christmas.<br /><br />Moving on. Rather emotional high on Thursday morning, FINALLY being able to say that I'm going to Manchester and (while being slightly disappointed with results) moving on. It's so refreshing to go somewhere new, be who you want to be without the pressures of parents or people who've known you for years. Went out for lunch with Cara and Linda that afternoon all the way to spoons, and had a nice chat as well, and then went to see Mrs Zawila to see if she was ok. (That was with Zoe). Then got really to go out properly, which was all good. Parents had got me a cake and some champagne, so had some of that (the champagne, not the cake) and went out with Cara, Linda and Florence. Well, went to spoons, the going out but came a bit later. Reading was good, despite the weird guys... oh well, life goes on.<br /><br />Didn't really do much on Friday, apart from see Zoe. Same applies to Saturday, but I drove my brother to the dentist (oooh the excitement) and managed to get us in the wrong lane at just about every opportunity... still. Sunday was a visit to Basildon, and Monday meant a trip to Reading with Jess and then out with Sophie, Jess and Tom in the evening... followed by about a 45 min convo with Sophie at the top of her road at goodness knows when.. Tuesday was another visit, to Haywards Heath this time, and then shopping for Greenbelt with Cara before entertaining my uncle and his girlfriend in the evening. And today I just watched tv, played taxi and picked up my glasses. What an exciting life I lead! Haha.<br /><br />On the subject of excitement:<br />MANCHESTER :D<br />I really can't believe I'm actually going in about 3 weeks! So much to do between now and then, and I can't wait!!<br />GREENBELT :D<br />Cara will be connexionalised, of that I have no doubt whatsoever. I hope she doesn't mind...<br /><br />Yes, a very exciting few weeks on the horizon indeed :)*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6111880215051483414.post-10676779976198196632009-08-04T18:44:00.004+01:002011-09-27T13:06:42.336+01:00[rolling out the Guinness kegs]So I once again feel like blogging.<br /><br />This is probably one of the most inopportune times; my to do list is about as long as my arm and I'm going away tomorrow.<br /><br />But, as I'm waiting for my D of E project to dry, I may as well do something partially constructive. Well, kind of. Ish. Moving on...<br /><br />My rather nice long relaxing summer seems to have turned into a nice short hectic one. I know that this is all my fault, as I'm the one who keeps agreeing to things, but there seems to be so little <span style="font-style: italic;">time</span>. I sound like such a Grandma when I say that, but I guess it wouldn't be the first time - as Matthew said to me - "What are you, 19 going on 90?!" (I did correct him as to my age, but he just shrugged). But then, if the time you've got you've spent doing things you love, then what's the problem?<br /><br />One of my great loves is travelling. Just as well really - means I can go off to all these difference places and love it.<br />Take the time from exams, for example. They finished on 18th June. (I was telling my Grandma this earlier, and saying how long ago it all seemed, and she told me that it was only a couple of weeks ago! She really scared me...)<br />20th/21st weekend I was canoeing with the DofE gang, which was nice. A good bit of exercise, and lots of fun. Coupled with a few of our made up songs meant we had a great time. That week I don't really remember doing much, so I think I must have been working - a quick check of my emails/time sheet confirms this!<br />That Saturday I was up bright and early for a half seven train to go up to Cov, for a meeting for work. That was a really good meeting, and it was nice to meet up with everyone as well. Sunday was the standard Door Stewarding and mundanities of everyday life, and then Monday 29th was our Prom. That was good - especially seeing some of my more tomboyish friends (perhaps) in dresses and heels! It was a lovely setting and with lovely people, so overall a lovely time was had!<br />A late night phone call meant an impromtu trip to Cardiff for four days from 30th June til 2nd July, which was relaxing, and then I was off in Gravesend on the Friday. I met a friend (who lives in Cardiff) in Reading on the Saturday, which was nice, and then (after a D of E meeting on the Sunday) went up to Lancaster on the Monday for four days. My brother was ill when I got back, so I tried to stay out of the house, but he still gave it to me so I couldn't work at the weekend. 13th - 14th July were spent in Royston, near Cambridge (also for work) and I have no idea what I did for the Wednesday, but on the Thursday I met up with Zoe and went to see Harry Potter 6 with her and Lucie. It was quite good, but then I think all films are quite good...<br />Friday was packing all our stuff on the minibus and trailer so that it could all go safely to Ireland with Phil on Sunday, while we went on the Saturday.<br />[D of E]<br />Saturday morning dawned bright and early, meeting the gang at the railway station at 0700. I think we got to the hostel in Dublin (via train to Paddington, tube, train from Euston to Holyhead, Ferry, Bus and walking - Charley and I complete with hiking bags XD) at about half six or seven in the evening. We went out for some pizza, then got back to the hostel fairly early as we had to get a bus the next morning from Dublin to Enniskillin, which is in Northern Ireland. We left Busaras (pronounced Bus Arris, and is basically the bus station) at about 10:30, and it took around 3 hours to get there. We weren't due to meet Phil til about 8:30, so we wandered into the tourist office, and then up to the town. We spent about 3 hours or so in Spoons...<br />After we met Phil, we went to Gortatol, which was where our Assessor was based. We got to stay in nice comfy tents :D and met our Assessor. The next morning we went back to Enniskillin, spent about £120 on food for four days, then drove the entire length of the part of the canal we would be paddleing. Most people fell asleep...<br />Come the evening we set up the tents about a kilometre away from where we were going to be starting from, sorted out our dry bags, cooked "fresh" pasta and then Charly and I went to see where we'd be camping the next night. The nearest toilet was about 2km away, with the running water... but we didn't realise it was quite that far at the time. Anyway, we went back to report, then went to look at where we could get on.<br />It's now aages since I started to write this (I see a trend...) and I can't really remember what happened.<br />The result is that we had an amazing time, with lots of fun, not much sleep, and lots of canoeing, following by an amazing few days in Dublin - there are photos galore!<br />[Holiday]<br />After a week in which I went to some interviews, went round to Cara's quite a lot and packed, I was away again in the caravan - no photos, as no one could be bothered to take them most of the time! It's too much effort. We went down to the beach more or less every day, as it was only 2km away, and Mum and I did a couple of nice walks... we all survived and are just about still speaking to each other, so I guess it's all good... :D<br /><br />This meant that we were back in time for Thursday, 20th August...*Emma*http://www.blogger.com/profile/05652243380670688018noreply@blogger.com0