Pretty Pink Tractor - Tim Hawkins

Yes. I went there.

A parody of a country song is as close as I'm willing to get to "country".

You'll find out why if you keep reading.

This week was crazy. Fun, but crazy.

We spent most of the week fixing up a facility that will be used for radio transmission to the Pacific.

We were working on top of a mountain and the wind was wonderful. Not as strong as in Hawaii, but just as refreshing (and the wind/sun comb was not as deceptive). We started working at 7:30 every morning, had an hour lunch break at noon, and continued working until sundown (about 5:15-5:30). We usually had a devotional after dinner as well.

The people we were working with recently built a new building for the radio facility so it had to be insulated and a bunch of other stuff. We took down a steel fence (i.e. tying wood for stability, cutting it apart, and moving it with a tractor). 

Pretty Pink Tractor was stuck in my head the whole time I drove the tractor. By the end of the week, I was known as the city girl turned country. Believe me, I still much rather prefer to do mental labor inside four walls than physical labor in the wide open. But if the opportunity to drive a tractor comes up again... I'm probably going to jump at it. 

By the way, Tim Hawkins is a comedian who also does pretty good song parodies. I saw him live in September. It was awesome. ^_^

We painted some of the studio rooms too. We didn’t get to much of the actual radio work, but we did a lot of the prep work involved in such a project. The closest we got to the radio stuff was on the last day when we recorded a few radio tags (i.e. “You’re listening to Pacific Broadcast Network…”).

The week I learned a bunch of stuff:

- How to insulate a building (with evil false cotton candy of death)

- How to cut through rusted chicken wire (gloves are optional, so is pain)

- How to lash wooden planks to steel poles (with rusted chicken wire)

- How to drive a tractor (Favorite part of the week ^_^ )

- Tubular steel fences are heavy (and hard to pull up from the ground, even with a tractor)

- Solid steel bars are heavy (especially when attached to a steel fence)

- Physical labor means moving stuff from over here to over there (wood, rocks, fences) 

- Meeting new people can be fun (Missionaries are awesome)

- Physical work makes you too exhausted for any mental work (or any mental function in general)

- Recording tags for a radio station is pretty cool (just don’t think about all the people listening)

- Poking people is entertaining (especially when everyone is tired)

- A "landing" actually refers to a place for boats, not planes (who knew?)

- Good friends are a gift (James 1:17)

- There is always hope (always)

Here’s a cool quote from an 8-year-old girl (taken entirely out of context).

“I need to learn how to use these wings before they go to waste.”

It’s always kind of amusing when I get back early and campus is still empty. I came back and I didn’t see a single soul in my whole dorm until a few hours after I arrived. 

Here's what went on in my mind when I got back:

5:30 - Oh, doesn’t look like anyone’s here yet. I should start unpacking

6:00 - Done. Wait, no one’s here… I can turn up the music and sing. ^_^

6:30 - Wow, I’m actually alone. I can sing as loud and as long as I want! :D

7:00 - *goes downstairs to do laundry* You know, this would be an excellent location for a zombie apocalypse. (OO) *hurries back to room*

7:30 - *turns down music, locks doors, and contemplates how long I can survive in my room with my current provisions*

8:00 - *hears shuffling and doors being opened/closed. Carefully peeks into the hall. Realizes that it’s a person and not a zombie. Closes door, locks it, and resumes normal function*

8:30 - *creeps downstairs to change out laundry* *Mentally prepares self in case a zombie suddenly emerging from the shadows… squeaks in terror at a roach*

Hehe... *ahem* Moving on.

This song came on the radio as we were driving back to TN and I thought it was fitting. This week was a good way to get away from school. I was stressed out right before the trip, down to the night before we left. Now that all that is out of the way and I’ve had a week off (without any chance to think about school and the stresses thereof), I’m ready for these last few weeks. 

I’m ready to go home, but I’m also ready to finish out this semester first.

~ Never Alone ~

Chopin - Nocturne in C-Sharp Minor

I guess people are kind of wondering what happened to me. Or probably forgot about this blog altogether.

It’s been pretty busy. I always use that excuse because it’s true. Some times, things you like to do get put off so you can do more important things. Like school.

I think I’ve already mentioned this, but I’m taking New Testament Greek I this semester. That is a world of adventure. It’s a lot of work only because you go over a lot of language material and memorization in a short amount of time. I really enjoy the class though. We’re parsing and translating sentences from the Bible. You have to understand the specifics in your own language before you can understand the specifics in another language. It’s very interesting. As long as I stay on top of the workload, it isn’t that bad. Several of my classmates complain about the difficulty level. Probably because they’re all guys and the majority try to put homework off until the night before.

It’s funny connecting Russian to Greek. I pronounce Greek words as though they are Russian, but the words have different meanings. One Greek word sounds like the Russian word for shoes, but in Greek it means blind. It is most intriguing.

Ah well. My other favorite class is Music Appreciation. It exciting to see the influence music has on society and vice versa. I knew that I liked two Beethoven melodies before the class. Now I realize I enjoy listening to Beethoven, Chopin, and Bach. It’s interesting to study the lives of various composers. Most didn’t have happy lives, but it is fascinating to note how music helped them through difficult times, especially Beethoven.

Speaking of languages and music, I had this song stuck in my head today. I could only remember the first line in English and the chorus in Russian. My mind was trying to mesh the two into one incomprehensible composition. It didn’t work. I looked in the worship songbooks, but I could not find it at all. I’m assuming it is an older tune and was not included in the newer printing of the songbook I searched in. After I got back to my room, I dug out my Russian/English songbook we use back home and found the song without a problem.

Here are the Russian lyrics:

Знаешь ли ручей, что бежит

Со креста, где умер Христос?

Знаешь ли Того, Кто дарит

Выкуп  от страданий и слез?

If Google translate failed you, here is the English version of the same verse:

Have you seen the stream as it flows

From the cross where Jesus has died?

Do you know the Savior Who bled

For our many sins, crucified?

It’s a beautiful melody, which fits well with the words.

Now back to the subject of time-draining activities. Aside from school, I also helped build and take down the set of the theater’s most recent production. I believe I have helped in some manner with most of the plays preformed. However, since my timesheet is listed under “sound technician” and I only come in to help when I have time, they usually don’t put my name in with those who helped with set production. Ah well, I still enjoy doing it. I’m normally exhausted, sore, and covered in sawdust/paint/dirt when I get out of scene shop, but it feels worth it. It feels like I’ve actually done something productive because I can see the results. Such is not always distinctly visible with mental labor.

Next week will be busy. Along with regular homework, I have 6 summaries to turn in, two tests on Friday, clean sweep (a seemingly governmental procedure which demands a dustless environment), and I need to pack for Thanksgiving break. Yay for Thanksgiving break. Sometimes I think the week before Thanksgiving break tests students by say, “Hey, if you can finish your projects, ace your tests, pack for the week, and have your room utterly spotless then you can take on anything.” Which may or may not be the case. As you can imagine, it easily gives one easy access to undue stress.

Back to music for a second, this particular verse of the song “Higher Ground” really hit home today.

My heart has no desire to stay

Where doubts arise and fears dismay

Tho’ some may dwell where these abound

My prayer, my aim is higher ground.

Lately, I’ve found myself focusing on things that irritate me and bring me down rather than looking to positive things. The being around stressed out people for too long while burdened with your own fears and doubts doesn’t really help much. People complaining about the election didn’t help either.

Quoting part of a devo I heard last week, “Bad things are coming. Good things are too.” Sometimes, I think we focus on the bad things more than the good things.

Ironic how easy it is to forget what you once treasured. No?

Back to a more cheerful topic, I shall be spending this Thanksgiving break at the Gather Mountain International Shortwave Station in Harrison, Arkansas. It’s a really long name. Put simply, it’s a missions related trip. A group of students are going and we will be setting up radio towers, installing broadcasting equipment, installing sound equipment, doing some website construction, and so on and so forth. Basically, doing a bunch of prep work so others can record sermons and send them to the Pacific islands via radio.

It’s an interesting mix of both my majors. CS side: website and sound equipment. Bible side: preparing the way for others to teach the Gospel.

Ok, so it mostly involves the tech side, but it’s still pretty cool in my mind.

Lastly, this is also November, otherwise known as NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). While I haven’t been able to participate the last two years because of school, I still try to get some writing done when I can. I’m working on yet another new short story. I want this one to actually focus on some issues that bother me rather than just write it because it sounds cool. I haven’t gotten much written at all, but the idea is still there.

Well, I better get back to my homework so I can get it all done and sent in on time before break.

Till we meet again.

~ Always Hope! ~

Everyday Superhero - Smash Mouth

Does anyone even notice that new poll? ----->

I suppose it was necessary to write something to let peoples know I’m still alive.

So I got back, started school, went back to work, and visited TX for Labor Day.

This song seems to fit this semester so far. Especially when I get up at 6:30 and manage to stay awake through all my classes. I’ve been successful so far. The classes are pretty good (minus the timing of a particular 7:30 class).

I’m sort of proud of the fact that I’m taking Greek I (treasure trove of Bible-major horror stories). Being the only girl in the class (big change from my CS classes… not) I’m determined to do well. Besides that, I need it for my added major. Thankfully, the other classes this semester don’t look too difficult. I just need to make sure I stay on top of the workload.

Believe it or not, I’m trying to cut back on all the extracurricular activities. Because it’s still the beginning of the semester, I have a decent amount of time I don’t know what to do with. I’m using this time to catch up on some gaming. (I forgot how awesome Linebeck is and Linebeck III is just as awesome as his grandpa. ^_^ ) I’m also practicing piano more. (Working on Linebeck’s theme in all its awesomeness.)

I’m trying a different approach to piano. Before, I gave up fairly often because it takes forever for me to read the notes. Course, I loved listening to piano music so much that I couldn’t stay away for too long. So I would try and give up again. Instead of being so focused on reading the notes, getting them exactly right, and being unmerciful toward my own mistakes, I decided to try something different.

Something I’m much better at.

Playing by ear.

I’ve done this a little before, quickly replicating themes and such by picking out notes. This time, I added chords and told myself it’s really ok to make a few mistakes. The world is not going to end because I hit the wrong key (at least, I hope it doesn’t <_>_>). I’m treating notes more like… guidelines. I can get the melody down pretty easily and then it’s just getting the other notes to fall in place.

I haven’t really been writing all that much since school started (big surprise). I started a new story back in June/July-ish with a really cool character. I wrote out a good portion of it over the summer and now it sits, waiting for me to finish it. I hope to at least get back to that. Inspiration just doesn’t hit when you want it to, you know?

~ Never Alone ~

Endless Summer - Oceana

I'm trying out a new music/post system. We'll see how that goes. Tell me how you like it… or if you don’t.

Big news for Ukraine, we held the Eurocup with Poland. I’m not that into sports, but it was nice to see the amount of effort and pride that went into preparations for the event. National pride exploded in blue and yellow all over the city.

Olympics are just around the corner and America elections are later this year. Big year.

I’ve mostly been doing a lot of writing this summer. Hosting a weekly writing challenge and such. Trying to get Hanna’s prequel done. I’m so close and yet still so far away from that goal. If/when I get more of it edited, I’m going to add it all there. So far, that blog just has some old stuff and a few minor design changes.

It’s been nice relaxing this summer. As much as I’d like to believe it’s an endless summer, the foreboding nature of next semester’s schedule is impossible to ignore. Ah well, coffee and I have some catching up to do anyway.

"With feet to take me where I’d go, 

with eyes to see the sunsets glow, 

with ears to hear what I would know, 

I am blessed indeed, the world is mine. 

Oh God, forgive me when I whine."

~ Unknown

To The Sky - Owl City

Hi, welcome to Flight 201: Learning How to Fly! ^_^

I’m Kandi and I will be your flight instructor today. Never mind that I don’t have wings, I know what I’m doing.

For starters, you’re going to want to stretch. Stand up straight and slowly extend your wings. Follow the way I stretch my arms: slowly bring them up so they’re parallel with the floor, keep going so they’re in the air, try to go a little farther so the tips touch, and finish it out by bringing them down slowly. 
Good job! You can try opening them with a quick snap like Hanna does, but she only does it for the sound effect. *whispers* I think she’s a little self-conscious about their size.

Okey-dokey. Now, open your wings and keep your elbows bent. Crouch and jump into the air. Use the momentum to propel yourself into the air and use your wings for lift. There you have it! Some of you may be experiencing difficulty getting your wings to cooperate. Try to remain calm, this is perfectly normal!

Oh, I should have probably mentioned this earlier, but the padding you were standing on earlier is actually harder on impact than it is when you’re standing on it, so try not to fall. Of course, if you do fall, don’t land on anything important like your head… or your wings… or your neck… or me. You know what, just try not to fall. 
…But if you are going to fall, now would be the time to do it. In fact, it’s perfectly all right to fall. 

Almost everyone falls the first time. Except Hanna… who fell every time in the first two weeks. Turns out she had trouble with the balance part, who knew? ^_^

Wait, what’s that? You’re in the wrong class? *flips through notebook* Oh, I see. You’re looking for Flight 101. That’s down the hall and to the right. Tell Anna I said hi and she owes me a cookie.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There you are, I was starting to worry.

So glad you could join us.

Welcome to Flight 101: Aviation Appreciation.

 

We’ll start from the beginning. 

Take a square sheet of paper. 

Fold it in half diagonally to crease it then unfold. 

Fold the left and right edges of the paper to meet in the center crease. 

Keeping that part folded, turn the paper over and fold the left and right edges to meet in the center again. 

Fold in half lengthwise so the sharp point meets the corner on the opposite side. 

Fold the sharp point back again, somewhere between a fourth and a third of the way. 

Fold what you have in half vertically. 

Gently lift and fold the head and neck of the swan into place.

Flight is more than going up and down in a plane or following the flight pattern of a bird. It’s a journey with purpose. Once you have your destination, nothing should deter you from that goal. You can fly through sunshine and blue skies or dark clouds and rainy nights. Whether weather’s drear or crystal clear, you can get to your destination with heart and eyes set on the goal.  Make sure it’s a destination worth going to.

Now take out a regular sheet of paper and fold it lengthwise to crease then unfold. 

Fold down the top two corners so they meet in the center. 

Fold the two edges toward the center again. 


Fold what you have in half lengthwise. 


Create a wing crease that begins at the nose on both sides. 

Unfold that crease a little and you're finished. 

Bend up the tailing edge of the wings for lift if it has a tendency to nose-dive.

You have your goal, but how do you get there? 

You fly, of course. It is the most efficient way to travel. Unfortunately, it’s one of the most expensive as well. Even for those of us with wings, risk and danger are involved. However, there is also beauty, flight elevates you and not in a boastful way. Look out the window! Look at the sky! Clouds, stars, rainbows, birds, sunsets, sunrises, and the moon: all in the sky. There is freedom in flight as well, an independence from everything that brings you down. Even gravity’s load somehow seems lighter because there is a way around it. There is also camaraderie when individuals fly together in formation. So why not fly? It’s worth it. 


Take note, there is a difference between looking above and having your head in the clouds. The most notable difference is common sense. Our hearts and minds are drawn to seek for better things than this mortal world can give. Flight and looking above involve an individual responsibility to reach for these things because they are things worth reaching for. So look up. 

 

That’s the end of today’s lesson. Remember, class will be cancelled next week because I’ll be gone. While some of you will be busy practicing your fold and flight techniques, I’ll be doing a little flying of my own. Don’t forget to pick up the take home quiz as you leave. It’s on the first panel on your right at the front of the room, above the stereo.

See you next time.

Farewell and Always Hope!

Feeling Good - Muse

This song was recently brought to my attention (by recently, I mean like a month ago, but it’s been on my mind ever since).

The melody is so… haunting. It’s slow and threatening, but the lyrics are rather cheerful in comparison. The mental image I get is a major antagonist beginning his master plan with this song playing in the background. There’s an alluring scene for you storywriters.

Seems like most of the major stuff has finally blown over. Midterms, Spring Break, and even finals are out of the way.

A quick note on Spring Break:

I think this has been one of the most relaxing short breaks I’ve had since I’ve been in college. The family I stayed with was nice enough to let me in on all the fun. We went four wheeling and canoeing. We went to sing at a couple assisted living homes. We made Bokashi (fertilizer stuff, but I got paid to help so… yeah). All around, it was a very nice way to spend a week off school.

You know what the best part was? Here’s the best part:

Alas, school kept going. Now here I am, at the end of another year. It’s really flown by, probably because of how busy I keep myself. After Spring Break, I did the lighting for two different theater events, one a major play and the second a series of short plays. 

Depending on the day, I would go from one meeting to another and to another. It’s my fault I’m so busy, but it doesn’t help that there are so many opportunities to do what I enjoy. Ah well, you know me.

Jack of all trades, master of none.

Always Hope!

Xion's Theme

Message In A Bottle

Once I walked upon the shore
Found a bottle floating o’er

Picked it up and looked within
Saw a paper, brown and thin.

Words of hope and life revealed
Broken heart that now is healed

Author still unknown to me
“Kindness is the long lost key

Share with one a heavy load
Help one walk the bitter road

Take a drink of someone’s grief
Walk a mile without relief

Share with them their joy and tear
Comfort them in time of fear

From the Lord we should not swerve
Peace at heart is when we serve”

Note replaced and thrown to sea
Bottle drifts away from me

Here forbid the act to end
Thankfully, I’ll gladly send

Words of hope drift to a friend
Perhaps broken hearts to mend

~ Phoebe Lockheart