This summer has been crazy in ways that I never would have thought of when I was between study abroad, summer school and looking for a job. God's taken my scraggly plans and made them blossom into something that I would have never expected or deserved even. This summer, I've been on the go between cities and even countries as I've traveled with two different youth groups as a volunteer counselor. In addition to that, I've been doing summer school. (It was a success by the way!) The following is a journey through part of my July facebook status updates that I just think are really funny and indicative of what's been going on.
AK would gladly start hardcore training for a marathon or triathlon if she just never had to think about summer school again. She's talking about the real deal complete with the diet and getting up at 5AM to run.
AK To be responsible... or not? Ashley Karlen is on her way to a mystery location with a bag packed full of mystery items. L-O-V-E it's a mystery.
AK "You have 4(.5) years to be irresponsible here. Relax. Work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember tme you wasted hanging out with your friends. So, stay (up) late. (Go to UM ARMY) with your friends when you have (3) papers due (Monday and a test). Spend (time) you don't have. (Have fun) 'til sunrise. The work never ends, but (online classes do)..." UM ARMY for the week? Yes.
AK Dear summer school, we only have a short while left together. Not so sad. & You will not defeat me. Thank you and never come back. Ashley Karlen is very conflicted over whether she wants to study and take a math test today or if she wants to write a research paper. She'd rather go camping.
AK "It's not procrastination, I'm just deadline oriented." Truth. Math class? 1 week? 94! What? What? Now... 24 hours to write 3 papers. Bring it, summer school, bring it.
AK does not think anything could motivate her to write these papers. 2 more papers. 9 hours. & Still no sense of urgency...
AK 3 math tests in one day? Check. 3 papers written in one day? Check. Running on coffee, tea and little sleep? Of course.
And before all of those statuses (plus a few that didn't make it over to the blog) this was put up:
AK thinks this summer is all about the Plan B's of being in transit or repacking a suitcase to be in transit to a new adventure. This just may be the best summer of my life.
Now that my friends, is the truth.
Showing posts with label driving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label driving. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Side Effect Is Death.
I have gotten four shots within the 48 hours earlier this week. I can't tell you I braved it like a true soldier. I can tell you there was no tears and much to my dismay no lollipops to ease the pain.
The shots weren't the most painful part though, although my arms still hurt and every now and then a sharp shooting pain finds it way into my lower right forearm and my left shoulder. No, this is not what has left a painful mark on me. It was something my mother said. She didn't mean it to be painful, but it was. Why? Because it held a truth that I needed to hear.
She was talking to my doctor and she told him that I wasn't very patient. I don't know what she was talking about. Me, impatient? 110%, yes. Certainly I am impatient. I want things to go my way, on my timing. When they don't, I get a little frustrated. I get a little impatient.
Jonathan Mountainstreams of Stuff Christians Like wrote a blogpost that resonated this idea for his serious Wednesday post. It focuses on how he wants things to move fast and how Jesus might have the steering wheel puttering along on the feeder road, but he's crushing Jesus' sandaled feet under his as he hits the gas pedal hoping Jesus will accidentally swerve onto the 70mph highway. This is how I feel!
Right now, I should be on the road to Houston. I should have my car loaded with an array of clothing that stretch from work clothes to Sunday morning attire, winter jackets and shorts for sitting out by the pool. (This will make sense shortly, but that day isn't today.) I should be thinking about buying a cheap computer already having printed out millions of sheets of paper so that I can do my online summer class reading from anywhere. (And I mean anywhere!)
So where am I? I'm sitting in Langford, the architecture department at Texas A&M reading about patience. About how sometimes, Jesus wants to just putter along with us in the car instead of driving off like a maniac. My sweet roommate, Zara, just got up here to try and help me out with everything. Hopefully we can figure out this whole printing mess and I can be on my way... to begin packing.
One of the side effects of one of the shots I got was death. That may be a side effect of the shot, but the likelihood of that happening wasn't very high on the sheet if I remember correctly. However, the likelihood of my impatience killing me seems to be much higher. Because when I'm impatient, I'm wrapped up in myself. I'm not paying attention to what's going on around me, or who is around me and what they are struggling with. Worse of all, I'm not trusting that Jesus really is fully in control. It's definitely time to fully be sitting in the passenger seat and not crushing Jesus' foot down on the gas pedal.
He knows what He's doing and doesn't need my help whether I like it or not.
The shots weren't the most painful part though, although my arms still hurt and every now and then a sharp shooting pain finds it way into my lower right forearm and my left shoulder. No, this is not what has left a painful mark on me. It was something my mother said. She didn't mean it to be painful, but it was. Why? Because it held a truth that I needed to hear.
She was talking to my doctor and she told him that I wasn't very patient. I don't know what she was talking about. Me, impatient? 110%, yes. Certainly I am impatient. I want things to go my way, on my timing. When they don't, I get a little frustrated. I get a little impatient.
Jonathan Mountainstreams of Stuff Christians Like wrote a blogpost that resonated this idea for his serious Wednesday post. It focuses on how he wants things to move fast and how Jesus might have the steering wheel puttering along on the feeder road, but he's crushing Jesus' sandaled feet under his as he hits the gas pedal hoping Jesus will accidentally swerve onto the 70mph highway. This is how I feel!
Right now, I should be on the road to Houston. I should have my car loaded with an array of clothing that stretch from work clothes to Sunday morning attire, winter jackets and shorts for sitting out by the pool. (This will make sense shortly, but that day isn't today.) I should be thinking about buying a cheap computer already having printed out millions of sheets of paper so that I can do my online summer class reading from anywhere. (And I mean anywhere!)
So where am I? I'm sitting in Langford, the architecture department at Texas A&M reading about patience. About how sometimes, Jesus wants to just putter along with us in the car instead of driving off like a maniac. My sweet roommate, Zara, just got up here to try and help me out with everything. Hopefully we can figure out this whole printing mess and I can be on my way... to begin packing.
One of the side effects of one of the shots I got was death. That may be a side effect of the shot, but the likelihood of that happening wasn't very high on the sheet if I remember correctly. However, the likelihood of my impatience killing me seems to be much higher. Because when I'm impatient, I'm wrapped up in myself. I'm not paying attention to what's going on around me, or who is around me and what they are struggling with. Worse of all, I'm not trusting that Jesus really is fully in control. It's definitely time to fully be sitting in the passenger seat and not crushing Jesus' foot down on the gas pedal.
He knows what He's doing and doesn't need my help whether I like it or not.
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