Wonderful News

Not much time to blog this morning...but I wanted to announce something that brings joy to my heart, and to many other people as well.

My brother is engaged!

He popped the question on Tuesday night. :) I got to help with some of the preparations...my boyfriend and I built a cake for the lucky lady and I delivered it, and I also gave her some flowers and some mysterious red envelopes (mushy stuff, not my business) later in the day. It was wonderful to know that this fabulous young lady is going to be my sister, for real. She and I have already become like sisters...we could talk for hours on end if circumstances would let us! It brings me so much joy to see my brother so happy, and with such a beautiful and godly woman. May God bless their upcoming marriage!

"Greek to me" is a hackneyed phrase!

Well, I'm taking Greek this semester (classical Greek), and every time I mention it, or do my homework in public, or think about it, somebody has to tell me that "it's Greek to me!" This is turning into a pet peeve. I am always saying silly smart-aleck things like that, too; this is probably why it bothers me so much. My own failings are the ones that rub me raw the most.

And that's probably why I get so annoyed in my Honors class this semester. My classmates annoy me because they just think they're so smart. They're always popping off and acting like they know everything, and this drives me crazy. But you see, I think the reason it annoys me so much is because, despite the fact that I am usually less vocal, I always think I know everything too. It's a failing I always struggle with...because darn it, I'm just pretty sure I'm right all the time! Hehehe. Pride cometh before a fall, however. I nearly flunked a Greek quiz last Friday. This so-called classics major didn't know her Greek alphabet. Duh.

So anyway...I'm not so smart. I'm not so humble either. I'm trying hard though!

Keep it real guys...

Industriousness Matters!

Well, I'm taking a short break from the books tonight. I've been reading until my eyeballs are about to fall out, and as I've done so, I've been thinking about my own studying habits and the way other people perceive them. For instance, I know for a fact that some people, specifically other Christians, view me as a crazy perfectionist because I spend a lot more time studying than is necessary to pass my classes. I insist on spending a good deal of time in order to make the best grades possible, and that is something that these people would consider trivial. After all, they say, a degree is a degree. And if, like me, you aren't planning on going to grad school or doing anything that might require high grades, what's the point? Why spend the time earning them? Wouldn't my time be better spent in developing relationships with other people? In fact, some would go so far as to say that my staying home with the books on a regular basis, rather than spending all my time with other people, is a sign that my priorities are out of wack. They would say that my fixation on schoolwork is just a sign of unhealthy pride.

But let me just set the record straight. First of all, I don't just sit at home every single night, doing nothing but study. Overall, even during the crazy semester, I spend lots of time with people. And while I have to admit to deriving a certain amount of personal pride in my GPA, my drive to succeed isn't purely a self-esteem ploy. I view my schoolwork as an opportunity to glorify God. Paul says in Colossians, and other places, to glorify God in whatever you do. Right now, I am primarily a student. Therefore, I work hard in school. It isn't the grade so much as the effort...but the point is, I don't think I can excuse myself from reading my assignments, showing up to class, completing my projects on time, etc., on the grounds that school is just a worldly pursuit and a means to a materialistic end. No. That would just be an excuse for laziness. And while I will also admit to being somewhat prone to such laziness, I feel very strongly that it is important for Christians to work hard in everything they do. So my studying isn't just centered around grades, it's also a part of my integrity as a Christian. Industriousness matters...not just as a means to an end.

Does this make sense? It's just kind of a random rant, and I ought to point out that I'm not responding to anything or anyone in particular. My blog readers aren't the ones telling me I study too much. I'm just rambling as usual...so it's time to get back to the books!